SC-PTM Timer Control for IoT Multicast Reception
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current IoT devices face challenges in efficiently processing multicast data due to high power consumption and cost, especially in wide coverage areas, and existing technologies like NB-IoT, BL, and CE terminals struggle with multicast data transmission/reception.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for an NB-IoT, BL, or CE terminal that employs a single-cell point-to-multipoint (SC-PTM) transmission method, involving a MAC entity that starts and controls onduration and inactivity timers based on PDCCH information, allowing for efficient reception of multicast data through a physical downlink shared channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If unicast data transmission/reception is used in NB-IoT, BL, or CE terminals, then power consumption is reduced and device cost is lowered, but multicast data transmission/reception capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the DRX mechanism into terminal-specific configurations, allowing different terminals (NB-IoT, BL, CE) to have customized onDurationTimer and inactivityTimer values optimized for their specific power consumption requirements and coverage conditions, while all supporting multicast functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic timer control where the onDurationTimer and inactivityTimer are adjusted based on terminal type and network conditions. The MAC entity dynamically starts, stops, and restarts these timers based on PDCCH monitoring results, enabling adaptive power management for multicast reception across different terminal categories
2Use of energy by moving object
If DRX is configured for G-RNTI in NB-IoT terminals, then power consumption is reduced, but multicast data reception reliability deteriorates due to limited active time for PDCCH monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring appropriate onDurationTimer values before multicast data transmission begins. The terminal starts the onDurationTimer when DRX is configured for G-RNTI, ensuring the terminal is in active state and monitoring PDCCH during the expected transmission window, thereby preparing the reception mechanism in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the inactivityTimer mechanism. When the MAC entity detects PDCCH indicating downlink transmission, it restarts the inactivityTimer, creating a feedback loop that extends the active monitoring period based on actual transmission activity, thereby adapting to varying multicast data arrival patterns while managing power consumption
3Reliability
If the terminal monitors PDCCH continuously to ensure reliable multicast data reception, then reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through the DRX cycle with configured onDurationTimer intervals. Instead of continuous monitoring, the terminal periodically wakes up to monitor PDCCH during active time defined by the onDurationTimer, then enters sleep mode. This periodic monitoring pattern maintains multicast reception capability while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A method may be provided for receiving multicast data by an IoT terminal requiring a low power and a low cost and an apparatus thereof. The method of a terminal may include starting a single cell-point to multipoint (SC-PTM) onduration timer through a MAC when discontinuous reception (DRX) is configured for a group-radio network temporary identifier (G-RNTI); monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) during an active time; controlling at least one of the SC-PTM onduration timer and the SC-PTM inactivity timer when the PDCCH includes information indicating downlink transmission; and repeatedly receiving the multicast data through a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of one or more subframes and an apparatus thereof.