Sidelink DRX Inactivity Timer Adjustment for 5G UE
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in power saving and communication reliability, particularly for battery-powered user equipment (UEs) operating in sidelink scenarios with discontinuous reception (DRX).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a user equipment (UE) configured to operate in sidelink scenarios using DRX, where the UE adjusts, modifies, or stops its inactivity timer based on operating parameters such as successful sidelink data reception, failure scenarios, or reception of a new DRX command. This allows for optimized power management and communication efficiency across various coverage scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If DRX mode of operation is used for power saving, then energy consumption is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates due to potential missed transmissions during sleep periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the inactivity timer configurable and adjustable based on operating conditions. The timer can be modified or stopped depending on whether the UE is in coverage or out of coverage, allowing the system to dynamically adapt between power-saving mode (longer timer) and reliability mode (shorter or stopped timer) based on the current operational context
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the inactivity timer duration based on coverage status. When in coverage, the UE can use a longer inactivity timer for better power saving. When out of coverage, the UE stops or modifies the timer to ensure communication reliability. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting the same parameter (inactivity timer) to serve different operational requirements
2Duration of action of moving object
If inactivity timer is extended for power saving, then battery life is prolonged, but response time to new transmissions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inactivity timer is made dynamic rather than fixed. The UE can adjust the timer duration or stop it based on operating conditions such as coverage status and traffic patterns. This allows the system to prolong battery life when possible while maintaining quick response capability when needed, resolving the time-battery contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from operating conditions (coverage status, successful data reception, failure scenarios) to adjust the inactivity timer behavior. This feedback mechanism allows the UE to optimize between battery life and response time based on real-time conditions rather than using a fixed timer value
3Device complexity
If DRX configuration is fixed for all scenarios, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic DRX configuration where the inactivity timer and other parameters can be adjusted based on coverage status and operating conditions. This dynamic approach provides adaptability without requiring completely separate configurations for each scenario, balancing complexity and versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal DRX mechanism that can operate in multiple scenarios (in-coverage and out-of-coverage) by modifying the behavior of the same inactivity timer rather than requiring separate timers for each scenario. This multi-functionality approach maintains simplicity while achieving adaptability across different operating conditions
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Embodiments provide a user equipment, UE, of a wireless communication system [e.g., new radio, NR / 5G], wherein the user equipment, UE, is configured to operate in a sidelink in- coverage, out of coverage or partial coverage scenario [e.g., NR sidelink mode 1 or mode 2]], wherein the user equipment, UE, is configured to receive, in the sidelink scenario [e.g., from another UE of the wireless communication system], sidelink transmissions using a discontinuous reception, DRX, mode of operation [e.g., in on-periods of the DRX mode of operation], wherein the user equipment, UE, is configured to adjust, modify or stop an inactivity timer of the discontinuous reception, DRX, mode of operation in dependence on an operating parameter of the user equipment, UE, [e.g., describing an operating condition of the transceiver and/or operating scenario of the transceiver].