UE Data Reception in RRC Inactive State Without PDCCH Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
User equipment (UE) consumes significant power while monitoring the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) to receive data, especially in streaming operations, and existing power-saving techniques like DRX do not significantly extend battery life, with 5G NR expected to increase this power consumption further.
Innovation Solution
The UE transmits UE assistance information to the network about its traffic pattern, allowing it to enter a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state and receive data without monitoring the PDCCH, using techniques like RACH procedures to facilitate data delivery during this state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE continuously monitors the PDCCH to receive data, then data reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements discontinuous reception (DRX) where the UE alternates between active monitoring periods and sleep periods. During active periods, the UE monitors PDCCH for data reception; during sleep periods, the UE stops monitoring to conserve power. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by providing data reception reliability only when needed while reducing overall power consumption through scheduled idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the UE's monitoring behavior based on traffic conditions and network signaling. The network can configure different DRX parameters (cycle lengths, on-duration timers, retransmission windows) that allow the UE to adapt its PDCCH monitoring activity. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maintain reliability when data is expected while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the UE uses DRX to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but battery life extension is insignificant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies key DRX parameters to enhance power savings. Specifically, it extends the DRX cycle length, increases the sleep duration relative to active monitoring time, and optimizes the on-duration timer values. These parameter changes transform the DRX mechanism from a mild power-saving technique into a more effective solution that significantly extends battery life while maintaining acceptable data reception performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the UE monitors a larger frequency range in 5G NR, then data reception capability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wide frequency range monitoring into smaller, manageable sub-carrier bandwidths that the UE monitors sequentially or selectively during active DRX periods. Instead of monitoring the entire 5G NR frequency range continuously, the UE divides the monitoring task into segments that can be performed during brief active windows, reducing the overall power burden while maintaining the capability to receive data across the full frequency range when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, user equipment (UE) and integrated circuit for receiving data transmitted over a wireless network. The method includes executing an application that receives data from the network, transmitting UE assistance information to the network, wherein the UE assistance information corresponds to a traffic pattern for the data that is received from the network for the application, entering a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state and receiving the data from the network while in the RRC inactive state.