Sporadic Reference Signals for Disconnected-Mode Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The process of monitoring for reference signals in disconnected mode is inefficient, requiring significant time and power consumption for wireless communication devices to re-synchronize with the network.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a sporadically-on transmission of reference signals that are configured on-demand by the network, allowing devices to monitor for these signals prior to the ON period of the DRX cycle, reducing the need for always-on transmissions and optimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the UE monitors for reference signals continuously to maintain synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements discontinuous reception (DRX) cycles where the UE alternates between active monitoring periods and sleep periods. During ON durations, the UE monitors for reference signals to maintain synchronization, while during OFF durations, the UE enters sleep mode to conserve power. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by providing synchronization only when necessary rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs warm-up procedures where the UE transitions the wireless interface to an active state some time before the beginning of the ON period. This preliminary action allows the interface to be ready for monitoring reference signals at the start of the ON duration, ensuring synchronization is maintained without requiring continuous monitoring throughout the entire cycle.
2Ease of operation
If the UE transitions the wireless interface to active state early to receive data, then data reception capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements warm-up procedures that transition the wireless interface to an active state some time before the beginning of the ON period. This preliminary action ensures the interface is ready for data reception at the start of the ON duration without requiring the interface to remain active continuously, thus balancing data reception capability with power consumption.
3Loss of time
If the UE monitors for reference signals during OFF duration to reduce synchronization time, then synchronization speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent structures monitoring opportunities around DRX cycle boundaries, where the UE can perform monitoring at the transition from OFF to ON duration. This periodic structure allows the UE to minimize monitoring time to only when necessary, rather than monitoring continuously or during deep sleep periods, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining synchronization capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of operating a wireless communication device (101) includes, when operating in a connected mode (301), prior to a transition (309) to a disconnected mode (302, 303): receiving, from a communications network (100), at least one downlink message (4021, 4011) comprising configuration information indicative of at least one configuration of a sporadically-on transmission (900) of a reference signal (901, 4001). The method also includes, when operating in the disconnected mode (302, 303) in accordance with a discontinuous reception cycle (390): monitoring for the reference signal (901, 4001) sporadically transmitted by the communications network (100) in accordance with the at least one configuration. The reference signal (901, 4001) is suitable for maintaining synchronization in a further communication with the communications network (100) during an on-period (396) of the discontinuous reception cycle.