Sidelink DRX Configuration Sequencing to Prevent UE Race Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sidelink DRX configurations in NR sidelink communications face race conditions during alignment procedures between UEs, leading to unclear eventual alignment and potential misconfigurations.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a terminal device transmitting a first DRX configuration and delaying the response to a second DRX configuration until a first response is received or a timer expires, allowing for aligned sidelink DRX configurations through controlled negotiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UE transmits DRX configuration messages simultaneously without coordination, then DRX configuration alignment can be attempted, but race condition occurs leading to uncertainty in eventual alignment

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDRX configuration alignment reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration negotiation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the first UE delay its response message transmission until after receiving the second UE's response message. This pre-planned sequencing action eliminates race conditions before they can occur, ensuring that DRX configuration alignment is achieved reliably without complex coordination protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If UE waits for response before transmitting its own response, then race condition is avoided, but response time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDRX configuration alignment reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration negotiation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first UE applies preliminary action by delaying its response transmission until after receiving the second UE's response. This ensures reliable DRX configuration alignment by avoiding race conditions, while the time extension is minimized through this coordinated approach rather than sequential waiting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12628241B2Terminal device, network node, and methods therein for DRX configuration
Publication Date: 2026.05.12 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • US12628241B2 patent drawing
  • US12628241B2 patent drawing
  • US12628241B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method (300) in a first terminal device. The method (300) includes: transmitting (310), to a second terminal device, a first sidelink message containing a first Discontinuous Reception, DRX, configuration; receiving (320), from the second terminal device, a second sidelink message containing a second DRX configuration; and delaying (330) transmission of a second response to the second sidelink message to the second terminal device until a first response to the first sidelink message is received from the second terminal device, or until a timer expires.