Sidelink DRX Offset Configuration for Power-Saving Wake-Up Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sidelink communication technologies, particularly in Release 16 (R16), fail to adequately support power saving for vulnerable road users (VRUs) and UEs in public safety and commercial use cases, necessitating improved power-efficient sidelink Discontinuous Reception (DRX) operations.
Innovation Solution
Configuring DRX information with timers and offsets for sidelink communication, including DRX on-duration, inactivity, HARQ round-trip time, and retransmission timers, to align wake-up times among UEs and minimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sidelink communication operates in always-on mode to ensure data reception efficiency, then data reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements DRX (Discontinuous Reception) operation where the UE periodically switches between active and sleep states. The on-duration timer defines periodic active periods for monitoring PSCCH, followed by sleep periods, creating a periodic action pattern that reduces power consumption while maintaining data reception capability during active periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent configures DRX parameters (on-duration timer, cycle length, offset values) in advance before actual sidelink operation begins. This preliminary configuration allows the UE to pre-plan its active and sleep periods, enabling power saving without compromising data reception reliability through proper timing alignment
2Productivity
If DRX on-duration timer value is increased to extend active monitoring time, then data reception efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the on-duration timer value dynamic and configurable rather than fixed. The network can adjust the on-duration timer length based on traffic conditions, allowing the system to adapt between longer active periods for high data reception efficiency needs and shorter periods for power saving, resolving the contradiction through dynamic parameter adjustment
3Use of energy by moving object
If DRX cycle length is increased to reduce wake-up frequency, then power consumption is reduced, but data reception responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements configurable DRX cycles with multiple possible lengths that can be selected based on service requirements. Shorter cycles provide faster responsiveness for time-critical V2X communications, while longer cycles maximize power saving for non-critical traffic, allowing the system to resolve the contradiction by selecting appropriate cycle lengths for different scenarios
4Use of energy by moving object
If multiple DRX offset values are configured for different UEs to align wake-up times, then power saving is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables UEs to autonomously determine their DRX active periods by applying configured offset values to the DRX cycle timing. Each UE independently calculates its wake-up times based on pre-configured parameters, eliminating the need for complex centralized coordination and reducing system-level complexity while achieving power saving through aligned wake-up patterns
Data Source
AI summary
The present application is directed to a method and apparatus for sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) operation. A user equipment (UE) may configure DRX information for sidelink, where the DRX information includes a value of DRX on-duration timer, a DRX cycle, and a DRX offset value. The UE may start the DRX on-duration timer from a beginning position based on the DRX cycle and the DRX offset value.