UE DRX Mode Transition for Dual-Connectivity Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems transitioning from 4G to 5G, UEs face challenges in efficiently managing dual connectivity and power conservation across multiple radio access technologies, particularly in scenarios where channel quality varies significantly between connections.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a UE transitions to DRX mode on a connection with high channel quality while maintaining active communication on that connection and conserving power on the connection with low channel quality, without releasing the latter due to inactivity, and coordinating this through inter-NB signaling to manage bearer data communication effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the UE transitions to DRX mode on the first air-interface connection to conserve power, then power efficiency is improved, but data communication reliability may deteriorate if the connection quality is not sufficiently high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the DRX mode application connection-specific rather than system-wide. The UE evaluates each air-interface connection independently based on its own channel quality metrics, allowing selective application of power-saving modes on individual connections while maintaining active monitoring on others. This resolves the contradiction by enabling power efficiency on suitable connections without compromising overall communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the operational mode (DRX or non-DRX) flexible and adaptable based on real-time connection conditions. The UE continuously monitors channel quality and dynamically transitions between DRX and non-DRX modes on each connection, allowing the system to optimize power consumption when conditions permit while ensuring reliability when conditions deteriorate. This dynamic adaptation resolves the static trade-off between power saving and reliability.
2Reliability
If the UE monitors multiple air-interface connections simultaneously in non-DRX mode, then data communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the monitoring task across multiple connections with different operational modes. Instead of uniformly monitoring all connections in non-DRX mode, the UE segments its monitoring strategy: maintaining non-DRX monitoring on connections with poor channel quality or high data activity, while transitioning to DRX mode on connections with good channel quality and low activity. This segmented approach resolves the contradiction by distributing the power consumption burden selectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the operational state parameter (DRX vs. non-DRX) based on channel quality parameters and data activity parameters. The UE evaluates connection quality metrics and dynamically changes the monitoring mode parameter for each connection, enabling reliable data communication on critical connections while reducing power consumption on non-critical connections. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and systems for configuring service of a user equipment device (UE). When the UE has dual-connectivity service, such as EN-DC service, high quality on one of the UE's air-interface connections could result in transition of the UE to operate in discontinuous reception (DRX) mode on the UE's other air-interface connection.