Sidelink DRX Configuration for Power Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges in managing finite wireless channel resources due to signal attenuation and blocking in complex environments, particularly in sidelink communications where battery-operated devices need to balance power efficiency with advanced capabilities like device-to-device communication.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves coordinating sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configurations between user equipment to align active periods, ensuring that user equipment are active at the same time and reducing the need for frequent activation, thereby enhancing power efficiency while maintaining the ability to utilize sidelink communication capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If discontinuous reception (DRX) is configured on sidelink communication channels, then power efficiency is improved by reducing the need for frequent activation, but the ability to respond quickly to communication needs may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidactivation response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having user equipment advance DRX configuration decisions and activate reception windows in advance based on predicted communication needs. The system proactively manages DRX cycles by anticipating when data transmission will occur and pre-positioning the reception window accordingly, rather than reacting passively to incoming data. This allows the device to maintain power efficiency while ensuring timely reception of data when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If user equipment coordinates sidelink DRX configurations to align active periods, then power efficiency is enhanced, but device complexity increases due to coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidDRX coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where user equipment exchange DRX configuration information and active period status with neighboring devices. This feedback loop allows devices to adjust their DRX cycles dynamically based on actual communication patterns and network conditions. The feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation to changing conditions, reducing the need for complex manual coordination while maintaining power efficiency through synchronized active periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If discontinuous reception is used to conserve battery power, then energy consumption is reduced, but data latency increases due to periodic reception cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoiddata latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making DRX configuration adaptable rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts reception window durations, cycle lengths, and activation timing based on real-time network conditions, data traffic patterns, and device mobility states. When data latency is critical, the system can shorten DRX cycles or extend active periods; when power conservation is the priority, longer cycles are used. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between energy saving and latency reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4278838B1Configuring discontinuous reception on a sidelink
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4278838B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4278838B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4278838B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method of wireless communications, including: receiving, at a first user equipment from a network, a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration; configuring a sidelink DRX cycle at the first user equipment based on the sidelink DRX configuration; receiving, at the first user equipment from the network, data for a second user equipment; and sending, from the first user equipment to the second user equipment on a sidelink in accordance with the sidelink DRX cycle, the data for the second user equipment.