Reduced Power Mode for Wireless Receiver Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power saving modes in wireless communications receivers, such as DRX, result in performance loss due to the time required to turn off and on RF chains, leading to missed data reception or transmission.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a reduced power mode (RPM) that adjusts sampling frequency, signal bandwidth, and the number of RF chains, allowing for dynamic and rapid switching between normal and reduced power modes based on DCI or CSI feedback, without completely turning off RF chains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If DRX mode is used to reduce power consumption by turning off the receiver, then power saving is improved, but performance is worsened due to missed data reception during sleep periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between normal power mode and reduced power mode based on traffic conditions. The UE can rapidly transition between modes without the long wake-up delays of DRX, maintaining responsiveness to data transmissions while reducing power consumption during idle periods. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the power saving mechanism flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (sampling frequency, signal bandwidth, number of RF chains) to create intermediate power states between full power and complete sleep mode. By adjusting these parameters, the UE can operate in reduced power mode with lower power consumption but still maintain the ability to receive data, thus resolving the contradiction between power saving and data reception reliability.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the receiver is turned off for extended periods to save power, then battery life is improved, but the time to wake up and resume normal operation increases, causing performance loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables rapid switching between power modes by maintaining the receiver in a reduced-power state rather than completely shutting it off. This dynamic approach allows the UE to transition quickly from reduced power mode to normal power mode when data transmission is detected, minimizing wake-up time while still achieving significant power savings during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic monitoring in reduced power mode where the UE periodically checks for incoming data transmissions. This periodic action allows the receiver to remain in a low-power state while still being able to detect and respond to data transmissions quickly, thus reducing both power consumption and wake-up time compared to extended sleep periods.
3Use of energy by moving object
If sampling frequency and signal bandwidth are reduced to lower power consumption, then power saving is improved, but data transmission performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts sampling frequency and signal bandwidth based on current traffic conditions and channel quality. When in reduced power mode, these parameters are lowered to save power, but when data transmission is detected or channel conditions improve, the parameters are rapidly increased to restore full data transmission capability. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by making performance degradation temporary and conditional rather than permanent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent explicitly changes operational parameters (sampling frequency, signal bandwidth, number of RF chains) to create a spectrum of power consumption levels. By having multiple configurable parameter sets, the system can select appropriate parameter combinations based on current needs, achieving power savings when possible while maintaining high performance when required, thus resolving the contradiction between power consumption and data transmission rate.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for operating in a reduced power mode (RPM) of a user equipment (UE) in communications with a base station pursusant to a normal power mode (NPM). The NPM is characterized by one or more normal-power parameters comprising a normal sampling frequency and a normal signal bandwidth. The RPM is characterized by one or more reduced-power parameters comprising a reduced sampling frequency or a partial signal bandwidth. The UE determines whether to enter into the RPM for a duration. In response to determining to enter into the RPM for the duration, the UE powers down into the RPM by operating with the one or more reduced-power parameters for the duration of the RPM. Upon expiry of the duration of the RPM by the UE, the UE powers up into the NPM by resuming to the sampling frequency of the NPM and the signal bandwidth of the NPM.