Separate-Carrier Wake-Up Signaling for Flexible WUS Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wake-up signal (WUS) transmission techniques face limitations in flexibility and resource allocation due to the need to share frequency bands with data transmission, particularly at high frequencies, leading to compromises in sequence design and resource allocation, especially in unlicensed spectra.

Innovation Solution

Separate WUS transmission on a first carrier from data transmission on a second carrier, utilizing different frequency bands and communication systems to mitigate these limitations, allowing for flexible WUS design and reduced power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If WUS transmission shares frequency bands with data transmission, then resource allocation is simplified, but flexibility and sequence design are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation complexityVSAvoidWUS sequence design flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the communication system into separate frequency bands: one band dedicated to WUS transmission and another band for data transmission. This segmentation allows each transmission type to have optimized resource allocation and sequence design without interference from the other, resolving the contradiction between simplified resource allocation and design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts WUS transmission from the shared frequency band and places it in a dedicated frequency band. This extraction removes the constraints that shared band usage imposes on WUS sequence design, thereby improving flexibility while maintaining clear resource allocation through dedicated band assignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If WUS transmission uses high frequency bands, then bandwidth availability increases, but access regulations and interference issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable bandwidthVSAvoidaccess regulations and interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different frequency band assignments for different transmission purposes: WUS transmission uses a dedicated band optimized for wake-up signaling with favorable access characteristics, while data transmission uses another band with sufficient bandwidth. This local quality approach allows each transmission type to operate under optimal conditions without being constrained by the other's requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If main receiver operates continuously, then data reception reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reception reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by transmitting WUS before data transmission to wake up the UE's main receiver. The low-power receiver first detects the WUS signal, and only then does the main receiver activate to receive the actual data. This preliminary wake-up mechanism ensures reliable data reception while minimizing power consumption by keeping the main receiver inactive until needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a low-power receiver as an intermediary between the inactive state and the main receiver. This intermediary component performs initial signal detection and wake-up functionality, allowing the main receiver to remain in low-power mode while still enabling reliable data reception when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3766287B1Wake-up transmission on a separate carrier
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3766287B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3766287B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3766287B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method includes communicating, from an access node (111, 112) of a network (100) and to a terminal (101), a wake-up signal (4003) on a first carrier (280, 280-1) occupying a first frequency band (281); and in response to communicating the wake- up signal (4003): communicating at least one further signal (4002, 4004, 4005, 4050) on a second carrier (280-2) occupying a second frequency band (282). The first frequency band (281) is offset in frequency domain from the second frequency band (282).