RRC Inactive Mode for IoT Power Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional RRC idle mode, user equipment (UE) must wake up and transition to connected mode to receive messages, leading to increased power consumption and inefficient resource usage, as it maintains uplink and downlink radio connections continuously.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an enhanced RRC idle mode, where the UE receives a radio-resource control release message with a cell radio-network temporary-identifier, allowing it to enter a state with discontinuous uplink and downlink communications, enabling message reception while minimizing power consumption by reducing radio connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE transitions to RRC connected mode to receive messages, then message reception capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new RRC inactive mode that dynamically adjusts the UE's connection state. The UE can transition between RRC idle, RRC inactive, and RRC connected modes based on message reception needs. In RRC inactive mode, the UE maintains minimal radio connections while still being able to receive messages, providing a dynamic intermediate state that balances power consumption and message reception capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the RRC mode parameter to create a new operational state. By introducing RRC inactive mode as a distinct parameter state between idle and connected modes, the system enables message reception with reduced power consumption. The UE can be configured with specific parameters (such as monitoring occasions and resource allocation) that allow message reception while maintaining lower power consumption compared to full connected mode.
2Reliability
If the UE maintains continuous uplink and downlink radio connections, then message reception is enabled, but resource usage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by allowing the UE to enter RRC inactive mode where radio connections are discontinuous rather than continuous. The UE can periodically wake up to monitor for messages or receive messages at scheduled intervals while in inactive mode, rather than maintaining continuous uplink and downlink connections. This periodic operation reduces resource usage while still enabling message reception when needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the UE enters conventional RRC idle mode to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but message reception capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces RRC inactive mode as an intermediary state between RRC idle and RRC connected modes. This intermediate state provides message reception capability that idle mode lacks, while consuming less power than connected mode. The inactive mode acts as a mediator that combines benefits from both idle and connected modes, enabling the UE to receive messages without fully transitioning to the power-intensive connected state.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes techniques and systems for wireless communications between a base station [120] and a user equipment [110] using an enhanced radio-resource control idle mode. The described techniques and systems enable a user equipment [110] to receive a radio-resource control release message [410] that includes a cell radio-network temporary-identifier and, in response, enter [415] the enhanced radio-resource control idle mode. While in the enhanced radio-resource control idle mode, the user equipment [110] may receive a message [420] in accordance with the cell radio-network temporary-identifier and present the received message.