Sidelink Beam Training with DRX Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication technologies, such as 5G NR and LTE, face challenges in optimizing sidelink communication during discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, particularly in aligning beams between transmitting and receiving user equipment (UEs) to efficiently manage data transmission and reduce power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method where user equipment (UEs) apply a DRX configuration, monitor for 'I want to send' signaling using multiple transmit beams, select appropriate beams based on this signaling, and communicate accordingly, allowing for efficient beam management and alignment during DRX cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beam training is performed continuously to maintain beam alignment between UEs, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beam training during DRX on-durations instead of continuous beam training. The transmitting UE performs beam sweeping and transmits I-WITS signals only during scheduled DRX active periods, while the receiving UE monitors for these signals during its DRX on-durations. This periodic approach maintains beam alignment reliability while significantly reducing power consumption by allowing both UEs to enter low-power sleep modes during DRX off-durations.
2Use of energy by moving object
If DRX mode is used to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but beam alignment between UEs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs beam training and beam alignment procedures in advance during DRX on-durations before the UEs enter sleep mode. The transmitting UE sweeps through multiple beams and identifies the optimal beam direction, then uses this pre-determined beam for subsequent communications. This preliminary beam alignment action ensures that when UEs wake up from DRX sleep, the beam alignment is already established, eliminating the need for continuous beam training and maintaining reliability while saving energy.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple transmit beams are used for signaling during DRX cycle, then communication coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam training process into discrete, manageable components: the transmitting UE sweeps through multiple predefined beam directions sequentially, each beam covering a specific spatial sector. The receiving UE monitors for I-WITS signals on corresponding receive beams during its DRX on-duration. This segmentation of the coverage area into discrete beam sectors simplifies beam management compared to continuous omnidirectional scanning, as each UE only needs to track a limited set of predefined beam directions rather than continuously adjusting beams across the entire coverage area.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects provide a method for wireless communication by a first user-equipment (UE). The method generally includes applying a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration for the first UE, monitoring for first signaling from a second UE indicating that the second UE has data to send to the first UE, the first signaling being transmitted using a plurality of transmit beams during a DRX cycle of the DRX configuration, selecting one or more transmit beams of the plurality of transmit beams based on the monitoring of the first signaling, and communicating in accordance with the selection.