UE-Assisted DRX Timer Optimization for LTE Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE networks lack a mechanism for UE-assisted optimization of DRX configuration and RRC Connection Release timers, leading to suboptimal power saving and increased battery consumption, especially for UEs with varying mobility and application usage patterns.

Innovation Solution

The UE provides network-specific information such as mobility status, operating system, and application usage to assist the network in setting optimal state transition timers and DRX configurations, enabling more efficient power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the network uses default DRX configuration and RRC Connection Release timers for all UEs, then the system operation is simple and consistent, but power saving is suboptimal and battery consumption increases for UEs with varying mobility and application usage patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery consumptionVSAvoidsystem operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE provides feedback information to the network about its mobility status and application usage patterns. The network uses this feedback to dynamically adjust DRX configuration and RRC Connection Release timer values, transitioning from static default settings to adaptive UE-specific settings that optimize power saving based on actual usage behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static timer configurations to dynamic UE-specific timer values. The network adjusts DRX cycle lengths and RRC Connection Release timer values based on real-time UE mobility status (e.g., stationary, pedestrian, vehicular) and application characteristics, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and optimize power consumption accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the network releases RRC Connection quickly to save resources, then network resource efficiency improves, but UE power saving opportunities are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource efficiencyVSAvoidUE power saving
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network dynamically changes timer parameter values (RRC Connection Release timer, DRX cycle lengths) based on UE-specific characteristics. For UEs with stationary or low-mobility status and applications that benefit from longer connectivity, the network extends timer values to enable faster data transmission without connection setup overhead, thereby improving both network efficiency and UE power saving simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2764753B1Connection release timers and settings
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2764753B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2764753B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2764753B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention there is at least a method and an apparatus to generate a message including mobile device-specific information related to operation of a state transition timer for the mobile device, and send the generated message towards an access point associated with a wireless communication network. Further, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention there is at least a method an apparatus to receive a message from a wireless communication network, the message including mobile device-specific information related to operation of a state transition timer for the mobile device; based on the mobile device-specific information, setting optimal connection parameters for the mobile device; and sending an indication of the optimal connection parameters towards the mobile device.