Telecommunication Device Power Reduction via Independent Time Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunication devices, especially tracking or metering devices, face high power consumption due to continuous reception of messages from mobile networks, which is inefficient for devices that only need to communicate intermittently.
Innovation Solution
A telecommunication device determines its own listening periods for message reception, independent of the mobile network's time frame structure, turning the receiver on only when messages are expected and off when not needed, with rendezvous times ranging from minutes to hours, reducing the need for frequent registration and location updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiver is continuously turned on to receive messages from the mobile telecommunication network, then the device can receive incoming calls and messages without delay, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is activated periodically at predetermined wake-up times instead of continuously. The device determines wake-up times based on an independent time reference (such as GPS time or network-provided timing information) and activates the receiver only during specific listening periods to check for messages, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining message reception capability.
2Loss of time
If the device uses conventional discontinuous reception (DRX) with short paging cycles, then message reception is relatively timely, but power consumption remains high due to frequent receiver activation
Solution Approach 1:
The device extends the paging cycle by using longer listening periods spaced further apart, determined by an independent time reference rather than conventional short DRX cycles. This reduces the frequency of receiver activation while maintaining acceptable message reception timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The device preliminarily determines wake-up times and listening periods based on independent time reference information before actually receiving messages. This allows the device to plan receiver activation in advance, ensuring it is active at the correct times without needing to continuously monitor the network.
3Reliability
If the device frequently performs location updates and registration procedures to maintain network connectivity, then the device remains reachable by the network, but the signaling load increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
Location updates and registration procedures are performed periodically at extended intervals rather than frequently. The device uses its independently determined wake-up times to synchronize with the network, reducing the frequency of signaling transactions while maintaining network connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device autonomously determines its own wake-up times and listening periods using an independent time reference, rather than relying on frequent network-synchronized DRX cycles. This self-service approach reduces signaling overhead for timing synchronization while maintaining reliable message reception.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for reducing power consumption of a telecommunication device, wherein the telecommunication device determines a rendezvous time (84.1,84.2,84.3) during which at least parts of the telecommunication section (12) of the telecommunication device are turned on to listen for messages (82.1,82.2) sent to the telecommunication device. The telecommunication device obtains current time information from a time reference (70) that is independent from a time frame structure used in the mobile telecommunication network (e.g. GPS). The rendezvous time (84.1,84.2,84.3) can thus be synchronized with various communication partners of the telecommunication device. The invention also comprises an integrated circuit, a telecommunication device, and a machine-readable medium.