UE Downlink Channel Repetition Estimation for Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Machine Type Communication (MTC) over 3GPP LTE networks, low-complexity User Equipment (UEs) face challenges in efficiently managing receiver power consumption due to the need to maintain receivers on for extended periods to receive repeated downlink control channel transmissions, which increases energy consumption and reduces battery life.
Innovation Solution
The UE estimates the number of repetitions of the downlink channel transmissions based on the Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) using a Look-Up Table (LUT) or predefined equations, allowing it to accumulate and decode the channel in fewer subframes, thereby reducing the time the receiver needs to be active.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE maintains the receiver on for extended periods to receive repeated downlink control channel transmissions, then the coverage and reliability are improved, but the power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the receiver operation adaptive rather than static. The UE dynamically adjusts the receiver on-duration based on real-time channel conditions (SINR measurements) and estimated repetition counts. This allows the system to optimize between coverage reliability and power consumption by adapting the reception strategy to current network conditions, rather than using a fixed conservative approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters including SINR threshold values, repetition count estimates, and receiver on-duration based on channel conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can reduce power consumption when channel conditions are good while maintaining reliability when conditions are poor, directly addressing the contradiction between energy efficiency and reception reliability.
2Reliability
If the UE assumes a maximum number of repetitions for decoding, then the decoding reliability is improved, but the receiver needs to stay on longer increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing SINR measurements and estimating the required number of repetitions before the actual decoding process. This allows the UE to prepare the optimal decoding strategy in advance, determining the minimum necessary receiver on-duration based on predicted channel conditions, thus avoiding unnecessary extended reception periods while ensuring decoding reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from SINR measurements to adjust the estimated repetition count and corresponding receiver on-duration. This closed-loop approach ensures that the UE maintains adequate decoding reliability by adapting to actual channel quality, while minimizing the receiver active time by not assuming the maximum possible repetitions when fewer are actually needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the UE keeps the receiver on for shorter periods to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to receive repeated transmissions reliably is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through dynamic adaptation of receiver operation based on real-time channel assessments. By continuously measuring SINR and adjusting the estimated repetition count, the system dynamically determines the optimal receiver on-duration that maintains reliability while minimizing power consumption, rather than using a static conservative or aggressive strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including SINR thresholds, repetition estimates, and receiver duration based on channel conditions. When channel quality is good, the system reduces receiver on-duration to save power while maintaining reliability. When channel quality degrades, parameters are adjusted to extend reception time sufficiently to ensure reliable decoding, thus adapting to conditions rather than being constrained by fixed parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods relating to decoding a downlink channel that utilizes repetitions and, in particular, decoding the downlink channel when the number of repetitions utilized for transmission of the downlink channel is unknown. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a User Equipment device (UE) in a cellular communications network comprises identifying a Signal to Interference plus Noise (SINR) value for a signal received by the UE from a radio access node of the cellular communications network, identifying a number of repetitions estimated to be used for transmission of a downlink channel from the radio access node based on the SINR value, and attempting to decode the downlink channel based on the number of repetitions estimated to be used for transmission of the downlink channel from the radio access node.