Sidelink UE DRX Procedure for Power Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G NR technologies face challenges in power savings during peer-to-peer wireless communications, particularly in sidelink communications where devices communicate directly without a base station, leading to increased power consumption and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an independent sidelink (SL) discontinuous reception (DRX) procedure that allows user equipment (UE) to enter a sleep state after a timer expires without receiving a physical sidelink control channel or shared channel, optimizing DRX settings for power conservation in sidelink communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices continuously monitor sidelink channels for direct communication, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles where the receiving device alternates between active monitoring periods and sleep periods. During each DRX cycle, the device monitors sidelink control channels only during designated ON durations and enters low-power state during OFF durations, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining communication reliability through periodic channel monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving device autonomously manages its own power consumption by independently controlling when to wake up and monitor channels based on pre-configured DRX parameters. The device self-determines wake-up timings and monitoring durations without continuous network control, enabling it to balance between power savings and communication reliability autonomously.
2Loss of energy
If devices enter sleep state frequently to save power, then power savings are improved, but response time to incoming communications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures DRX parameters including ON duration timing and length in advance before actual communication occurs. The receiving device pre-knows when to wake up and monitor channels based on pre-configured DRX cycles, ensuring it is awake at the right times to receive incoming communications without delay while maximizing sleep periods for power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The DRX configuration allows dynamic adjustment of ON duration length and timing based on communication requirements. When data transmission is detected, the ON duration can be extended or timing adjusted to ensure the receiving device remains awake long enough to complete the communication exchange, thereby maintaining responsive communication while preserving power savings during idle periods.
3Reliability
If DRX ON duration is extended to ensure reception of incoming data, then data reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts DRX parameters including ON duration length, OFF duration length, and cycle timing based on communication conditions and data traffic patterns. When data transmission is detected or expected, the ON duration is extended to ensure complete reception. When no data is present, the device returns to standard shorter DRX cycles, thereby adapting power consumption and reception reliability to actual communication needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of wireless communications by a sidelink UE (user equipment) includes receiving a first signal as part of a discontinuous reception (DRX) wake-up procedure at the beginning of a sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) ON duration. The method also includes transmitting a response to the first signal as part of a DRX wake-up procedure. The method further includes starting a timer after sending the response. The method still further includes entering a sleep state upon not receiving a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH) or physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) before the timer expires.