Terminal Beam Management via Aperiodic Reference Signals in DRX Cycles

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in next-generation radio access technologies like new radio (NR), terminals face challenges in efficiently managing beams during power saving modes or discontinuous reception (DRX) operations, leading to delayed and inefficient downlink signal reception due to outdated beam management information.

Innovation Solution

A method where a terminal performs power saving operations on a first cell, receives a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) through a second cell, and measures aperiodically transmitted reference signals to generate beam-related information, updating it at the start of a DRX ON duration or before a specific time within the DRX cycle, ensuring timely and accurate beam management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal continuously performs beam management operations to maintain up-to-date beam information, then the reliability of downlink signal reception is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownlink signal reception reliabilityVSAvoidterminal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs beam management operations periodically based on DRX cycles rather than continuously. Beam management is executed at specific intervals (e.g., at the start of DRX ON duration or before a specific time from the start point), allowing the terminal to balance between maintaining reliable beam information and conserving power during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal performs beam management operations in advance before exiting power saving mode or before the DRX ON duration begins. This preliminary action ensures that beam information is updated just in time for downlink signal reception, maintaining reliability while avoiding continuous operation during power saving periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the terminal exits power saving mode frequently to update beam management information, then the beam information accuracy is improved, but the latency in receiving downlink signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam management information accuracyVSAvoiddownlink signal reception latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal updates beam management information in advance at strategically chosen times (at the start of DRX ON duration or before a specific time from the start point). This ensures that when the terminal needs to receive downlink signals, current beam information is already available, minimizing latency while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal dynamically adjusts its beam management operation timing based on the DRX cycle configuration and network conditions. By flexibly determining when to perform beam management (at DRX ON start or before a specific time offset), the terminal optimizes the balance between information accuracy and reception latency according to current operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the terminal performs beam management operations during DRX OFF duration, then the beam information is kept updated, but the power saving benefit is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam management information freshnessVSAvoidpower saving efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal confines beam management operations to specific periodic moments aligned with DRX ON duration starts or predetermined offsets, rather than distributing operations throughout the entire DRX cycle. This concentrated periodic approach maintains information freshness while maximizing power savings during extended DRX OFF periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal performs beam management operations at the very beginning of DRX ON duration or just before a specific time offset, ensuring beam information is updated before any potential downlink reception needs. This timing strategy avoids operations during the bulk of DRX OFF duration, preserving power saving efficiency while ensuring information availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12052592B2Method for managing beam performed by terminal in wireless communication system, and terminal using same

Publication Date: 2024.07.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Provided are a method for managing a beam performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system and a device using the method. According to the method, the terminal performs a power saving operation on a first cell and receives a PDCCH through a second cell, wherein the PDCCH requests to measure a reference signal transmitted aperiodically in the first cell. The reference signal is received at a particular time for a DRX cycle related to the power saving operation. The terminal generates beam related information to be used in the first cell by measuring the reference signal in the first cell.