U2U Relay Sidelink DRX Retention for Lower Energy Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a user equipment (UE)-to-user equipment (U2U) relay scenario, the transmit-end UE and receive-end UE maintain two unicast connections, leading to increased energy consumption due to the inability to send a message carrying an initial DRX configuration in the current R17 sidelink (SL) discontinuous reception (DRX) communication mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A sidelink communication method that allows terminal devices to maintain an original DRX configuration or determine a deadline for an active state, reducing energy consumption by optimizing the establishment of end-to-end unicast connections through request messages and response messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the transmit-end UE and receive-end UE maintain two unicast connections in U2U relay scenario, then the end-to-end connection can be established, but the energy consumption increases due to inability to send DRX configuration messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining the DRX configuration from before the end-to-end unicast connection establishment. Instead of attempting to establish a new DRX configuration (which would require additional messaging), the system preserves the pre-existing DRX settings that were configured for other purposes, thereby enabling discontinuous reception without requiring new configuration messages to be exchanged during the connection setup process
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by allowing the terminal device to autonomously maintain its existing DRX configuration without requiring external configuration messages from the network or peer device. The device serves itself by keeping the DRX parameters that were previously configured, eliminating the need for additional signaling overhead and reducing energy consumption associated with configuration message transmission and processing
2Reliability
If the terminal device remains in active state during connection establishment, then the connection can be established reliably, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by utilizing the DRX (Discontinuous Reception) mechanism, where the terminal device alternates between active and sleep states periodically. By maintaining the DRX configuration, the device can enter sleep mode during connection establishment procedures, waking up only at predetermined intervals to check for messages, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while still ensuring reliable connection establishment when needed
3Use of energy by moving object
If the terminal device maintains original DRX configuration, then energy consumption is reduced, but the active state management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by discarding the complexity of establishing new DRX configurations during connection setup. Instead of creating and managing new DRX parameters, the system recovers and reuses the existing DRX configuration that was previously established for other purposes, thereby simplifying state management while achieving energy savings
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a sidelink communication method and an apparatus, which can be applied to a U2U relay communication scenario, and reduce energy consumption of a terminal device. The method includes a first terminal device sending a first request message to a second terminal device, where the first request message is used to request to establish an end-to-end unicast connection between the first terminal device and a third terminal device. After sending the first request message, the first terminal device remains in a state that is before the sending of the first request message. Alternatively, the first terminal device remains in an active state until a first message is received, a second message is sent, or a connection establishment procedure is stopped by an upper layer.