Sidelink DRX Command Format for Granular Power Saving Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current Uu DRX command MAC CE format is not flexible enough to accommodate multiple unicast/multicast services and connections in sidelink scenarios, leading to inadequate power saving control in SL scenarios.

Innovation Solution

Implement a SL DRX command MAC CE that carries a valid object and/or range, allowing for finer granularity in power saving control by indicating specific SL DRX timers and configurations through a more detailed MAC CE format.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal monitors the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a non-discontinuous reception (non-DRX) mode during sidelink DRX operation, then the terminal can receive downlink data and control information, but the power consumption increases and the benefit of DRX is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownlink communication reliabilityVSAvoidterminal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal dynamically adjusts its PDCCH monitoring behavior based on the DRX state. During the on-duration, the terminal monitors PDCCH for downlink assignments; during the off-duration, the terminal suspends PDCCH monitoring to save power. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to balance between maintaining downlink communication reliability and reducing power consumption during sidelink DRX operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal employs periodic PDCCH monitoring aligned with the DRX cycle structure. Instead of continuous monitoring, the terminal monitors PDCCH periodically at specific intervals corresponding to the DRX on-duration periods. This periodic action reduces average power consumption while ensuring that downlink control information is not missed during active periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal suspends PDCCH monitoring during sidelink DRX off-duration, then power consumption is reduced, but downlink control information may be missed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal power consumptionVSAvoiddownlink control information reception

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal dynamically switches between monitoring and non-monitoring states based on the DRX timing. During on-duration periods, full PDCCH monitoring is activated to ensure reliable reception of downlink control information. During off-duration periods, monitoring is suspended to conserve power. This dynamic state transition resolves the contradiction by ensuring control information is not missed during active periods while saving power during inactive periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses DRX configuration parameters and timing feedback to determine when to monitor PDCCH. The terminal receives DRX configuration from the network, which includes on-duration and off-duration timing information. Based on this feedback, the terminal adjusts its monitoring behavior accordingly, ensuring that PDCCH monitoring occurs at appropriate times when downlink control information is expected to be transmitted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the terminal continuously monitors PDCCH during sidelink operation, then downlink communication reliability is maintained, but the power saving benefit of sidelink DRX is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownlink communication reliabilityVSAvoidpower saving benefit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal implements periodic PDCCH monitoring that aligns with the sidelink DRX cycle. Instead of continuous monitoring, the terminal monitors PDCCH only during configured on-duration periods and suspends monitoring during off-duration periods. This periodic approach maintains downlink communication reliability during active periods while capturing the power saving benefits during inactive periods, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal dynamically adapts its PDCCH monitoring behavior to the sidelink DRX state transitions. When entering the on-duration state, the terminal activates PDCCH monitoring to ensure reliable downlink communication. When transitioning to the off-duration state, the terminal deactivates monitoring to preserve power savings. This dynamic adaptation ensures that the terminal maintains reliability when needed while maximizing energy efficiency during DRX operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4319470B1Sidelink discontinuous reception implementation method and apparatus, and terminal

Publication Date: 2026.04.29 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

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AI summary

This application discloses an implementation method and apparatus for sidelink discontinuous reception and a terminal, which belong to the field of communication technology. The sidelink discontinuous reception implementation method in the embodiment of this application includes: receiving, by a first terminal, a sidelink discontinuous reception command media access control control element SL DRX command MAC CE sent by a second terminal, where the SL DRX command MAC CE carries a valid object and/or a range of the SL DRX command MAC CE; and performing, by the first terminal, a first operation according to the valid object and/or range of the SL DRX command MAC CE. This can further improve the flexibility of SL DRX power saving control while satisfying the terminal power saving requirement.