UAV Base Station DRX Configuration for IoT Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless telecommunication systems, especially for IoT applications, there is a challenge in providing efficient and power-saving connectivity for devices that are remotely located and have intermittent coverage, particularly when using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) base stations, as existing solutions often result in high resource utilization and reduced battery life due to aggressive discontinuous reception settings.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an apparatus and method that configures devices to switch to a temporary cell of a UAV base station by determining their location along a planned path, synchronizing discontinuous reception cycles, and using Power-Saving Mode (PSM) to optimize energy usage, allowing devices to be awake only when the UAV base station is present, thereby reducing power consumption and improving connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If discontinuous reception cycles are configured to save power, then battery life is extended, but data transfer rates and network resource utilization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoiddata transfer rates

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the discontinuous reception cycle configuration adaptive rather than static. The network dynamically adjusts DRX parameters based on the moving base station's location, service requirements, and device activity patterns. This allows the system to optimize between power saving and data transfer rates in real-time, resolving the contradiction between extended battery life and maintained productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of discontinuous reception cycles based on the moving base station's location and service area. By adjusting DRX cycle lengths, wake-up timings, and monitoring thresholds according to spatial and temporal conditions, the system achieves both power efficiency and adequate data transfer rates without being constrained by fixed configuration parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If devices are kept awake to maintain connectivity, then data transfer rates improve, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring devices with location information and expected service timings of the moving base station. Devices can proactively prepare for connectivity events by setting their wake-up schedules in advance based on predicted base station locations, ensuring they are awake only when needed for data transfer, thus maintaining connectivity efficiency while minimizing unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of moving object

If aggressive discontinuous reception settings are used to save power, then battery life extends, but resource utilization and network performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidnetwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network monitors device activity, data transfer requirements, and base station location information to continuously optimize DRX configurations. This feedback loop ensures that power-saving settings do not degrade network performance below acceptable thresholds, as the system can adjust configurations in response to performance metrics and service requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Duration of action of moving object

If devices use long discontinuous reception cycles to extend battery life, then power consumption decreases, but latency and responsiveness to network events increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by configuring devices with structured discontinuous reception cycles that include scheduled wake-up periods aligned with moving base station arrivals. These periodic wake-ups are optimized to occur at intervals that balance battery life extension with acceptable latency requirements, ensuring devices respond timely to network events while maintaining power efficiency through regular rather than continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11540190B2Methods and apparatuses for deploying a moving base station for internet of things (IoT) applications

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for deploying an unmanned vehicle base station (BS) are provided. One method may include receiving an indication from at least one device of its capability to switch to a temporary cell of an unmanned vehicle base station (BS), and determining, based on knowledge of locations on a planned path of the unmanned vehicle base station (BS), which of the at least one device is located within coverage of one of the locations on the planned path. The method may then include configuring discontinuous reception cycles or Power-Saving Mode (PSM) of the at least one device so that the at least one device is awake when the unmanned vehicle base station (BS) establishes the temporary cell.