Sidelink DRX Configuration Synchronization for UE Battery Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NR, face challenges in optimizing sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) operations, leading to inefficiencies in battery life conservation and communication reliability due to misaligned DRX sleep modes between access links and sidelinks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing synchronized access link DRX and sidelink DRX configurations, where the base station configures and transmits DRX parameters to user equipment (UE) to ensure coordinated DRX operations, allowing UE to remain in sleep mode longer and reducing resource consumption by managing sidelink grants and inactivity timers effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If UE transitions to idle mode after receiving sidelink configured grant, then battery life is conserved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to potential grant invalidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mode switching capability where the UE can transition between connected mode and idle mode while maintaining the ability to use sidelink configured grants. The system dynamically adjusts the UE's operational mode based on communication needs, allowing the UE to enter idle mode for battery conservation while retaining grant validity through specific configurations and timer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring the UE with sidelink configured grants before mode transitions occur. The base station provides grants in advance and sets up inactivity timers that prevent grant invalidation during idle mode transitions, ensuring communication reliability is maintained even when the UE enters power-saving states.
2Use of energy by moving object
If UE enters sleep mode to conserve battery, then energy consumption is reduced, but access to sidelink resources is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles and inactivity timers. The UE periodically wakes up to check for grants and resources, then returns to sleep mode. The inactivity timers ensure that grants remain valid for predetermined periods, allowing the UE to sleep without missing critical resource allocations, thus balancing energy savings with timely resource access.
3Reliability
If inactivity timer is extended to maintain connected mode, then communication reliability is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting inactivity timer values based on communication patterns and grant types. For sidelink configured grants, the system configures extended or suspended inactivity timers to maintain grant validity, while for other communications, standard timers apply. This selective parameter adjustment maintains reliability where needed while minimizing unnecessary battery consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive, from a base station (BS), an indication of an access link discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration and a sidelink DRX configuration. The access link DRX configuration and the sidelink DRX configuration may synchronize access link DRX operation and sidelink DRX operation of the UE. The UE may perform access link communication with the BS based at least in part on the access link DRX configuration and/or may perform sidelink communication with another UE based at least in part on the sidelink DRX configuration. Numerous other aspects are provided.