Power Saving RRM Measurements Using SSB and Additional Signal Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Performing Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements in 5G NR networks consumes significant power, particularly for battery-powered User Equipment (UE), necessitating the development of power-saving schemes to enhance energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves reducing the time length of RRM measurement windows by utilizing both Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs) and additional signal blocks with different time-and-frequency resources, and adjusting the RRM measurement cycle period based on predefined conditions, allowing UE to conserve power by reducing wake-up times and increasing sleep durations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE performs RRM measurements periodically to ensure accurate resource management and mobility operations, then the network performance and reliability are improved, but the power consumption of the UE increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements discontinuous RRM measurement cycles where the UE alternates between measurement periods and sleep periods. During measurement periods, the UE performs RRM measurements on SSBs and additional signal blocks, then enters sleep mode for extended durations. This periodic action pattern reduces overall power consumption while maintaining network performance by ensuring measurements are performed at appropriate intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional signal blocks transmitted by the base station that contain measurement information in advance. These preliminary signal blocks allow the UE to perform measurements more efficiently and return to sleep mode sooner, reducing the time the UE needs to remain awake and consume power while still gathering necessary RRM data for network performance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the UE extends sleep periods to conserve battery power, then energy efficiency is improved, but the frequency of RRM measurements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process by introducing additional signal blocks that are separate from traditional SSBs. These additional blocks contain specific measurement information that can be quickly acquired by the UE, allowing measurements to be performed in shorter time windows. This segmentation enables the UE to complete measurements faster and return to sleep mode, maintaining measurement frequency while improving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of signal transmission by introducing additional signal blocks with specific timing relationships to SSBs. These parameter changes allow the UE to optimize its wake-up schedule, performing measurements during brief active periods and extending sleep periods accordingly, thus maintaining measurement frequency while improving energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A UE in a wireless network performs RRM measurements according to power saving schemes. The UE receives Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs), which are broadcast periodically from a base station to a cell served by the base station, and receives additional signal blocks transmitted periodically from the base station. The additional signal blocks and the SSBs use different time-and-frequency resources. The UE performs an RRM measurement according to information received within an RRM measurement window including at least one of the additional signal blocks and a corresponding one of the SSBs. Additionally or alternatively, the UE performs RRM measurements on SSBs with a first cycle period equal to a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle period. In response to an indication that a predefined condition for the RRM measurements is satisfied, the UE performs the RRM measurements with a second cycle period which is at least two times of the first cycle period.