Selective RAN Paging Subgroups to Limit Unnecessary PDSCH Decoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, particularly in LTE and 5G NR systems, false paging events lead to significant UE power consumption as multiple UEs decode PDSCH messages intended for only a subset, wasting energy and increasing latency due to inefficient UE grouping in paging occasions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing novel UE grouping criteria and mechanisms to form subgroups that minimize unnecessary PDSCH decoding, optimizing power consumption while maintaining paging latency and resource efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple UEs are grouped together in the same paging occasion to share PDCCH resources, then PDCCH resource efficiency is improved, but UE power consumption increases due to false paging events where UEs decode PDSCH messages not intended for them

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePDCCH resource efficiencyVSAvoidUE power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments UEs into different paging subgroups based on their RRC states (RRC_IDLE, RRC_INACTIVE, RRC_CONNECTED) and assigns them to different paging occasions or provides subgroup indicators. This segmentation prevents UEs in different states from being falsely paged, as each subgroup receives paging messages appropriate for its state, thereby reducing unnecessary PDSCH decoding while maintaining efficient PDCCH resource sharing across the broader UE population.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If UEs are assigned to different paging occasions to reduce false paging, then UE power consumption decreases, but PDCCH resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidPDCCH resource requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically assigns UEs to paging subgroups based on their current RRC state, allowing the network to flexibly adjust which UEs are paged in which occasions. This dynamic approach enables efficient resource utilization by concentrating paging traffic for specific states in specific occasions rather than distributing all paging traffic uniformly, thereby reducing overall PDCCH resource requirements while maintaining low UE power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces paging subgroup indicators as an intermediary mechanism that allows UEs to identify whether a paging message is intended for their specific subgroup without requiring separate dedicated paging occasions for each UE state. This intermediary indicator enables multiple UEs in different states to share the same paging occasion efficiently, reducing PDCCH resource requirements while preventing false paging and maintaining low UE power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If subgroup indicators are added to paging DCI to enable UE filtering, then UE power consumption decreases through reduced PDSCH decoding, but PDCCH message size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidPDCCH message size
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the paging DCI format flexible - including subgroup indicators only when needed for specific paging scenarios and UE subgroups. This allows the PDCCH message size to increase only locally where subgroup differentiation is necessary, rather than uniformly increasing the size for all paging messages. UEs can then filter based on their specific subgroup requirements, reducing power consumption while minimizing the overall impact on PDCCH resource usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4008140B1User equipment (UE) grouping criteria and mechanisms for false paging reduction
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4008140B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4008140B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4008140B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method performed by a network node in a radio access network (RAN) for selective paging of a plurality of user equipments (UEs) operating in a cell served by the network node. The method comprises assigning the plurality of UEs to a plurality of paging subgroups based on one or more operating parameters of the respective UEs, wherein the paging subgroups are associated with a first sequence of paging occasions (POs) to which all of the UEs are assigned. The method comprises transmitting a paging indicator during a particular PO of the first sequence. The paging indicator indicates which of the paging subgroups associated with the particular PO should receive a paging message from the network node. The method further comprises transmitting the paging message within the cell.