UE DRX Timer Alignment With Cell DTX/DRX Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies and energy waste due to misalignment between user equipment (UE) discontinuous reception (DRX) configurations and network node discontinuous transmission (DTX) configurations, leading to suboptimal energy savings and communication inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
User equipment (UE) modifies DRX timers and activity states in conjunction with cell DTX/DRX cycles to synchronize with network node configurations, allowing for efficient energy conservation and communication synchronization through dedicated activation of PDCCH scheduling retransmission resources during cell DTX non-active times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UE operates with independent UE DRX configuration without alignment to cell DTX/DRX cycles, then the UE maintains flexibility in its reception timing, but the UE experiences misalignment with network node transmissions leading to unnecessary power consumption and communication inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the UE DRX configuration adaptive rather than static. The UE dynamically adjusts its DRX parameters (such as drx-OnDurationTimer, drx-InactivityTimer, and cycle lengths) based on real-time alignment requirements with cell DTX/DRX cycles. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain flexibility while ensuring proper synchronization, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption during misalignment periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying key DRX configuration parameters to achieve alignment between UE and network node. The network node configures the UE with adjusted DRX parameters that account for cell DTX/DRX timing, transforming the fixed DRX configuration into an adaptive one. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining flexibility through configurable parameters while ensuring energy efficiency through proper alignment.
2Loss of energy
If the UE aligns its DRX configuration with cell DTX/DRX cycles, then the UE achieves energy savings through synchronized reception timing, but the UE loses configuration flexibility and may experience communication inefficiencies due to rigid timing constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains dynamics by allowing the UE to operate in different alignment modes depending on service requirements. The UE can dynamically switch between fully aligned, partially aligned, or independent DRX configurations based on traffic patterns and QoS requirements. This dynamic capability enables energy savings when alignment is beneficial while preserving flexibility when service demands require independent timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional DRX configuration mechanism that can serve multiple purposes. The same DRX configuration framework supports both aligned operation (for energy savings) and independent operation (for flexibility), depending on configuration parameters. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the system capable of adapting to different operational requirements without being constrained to a single mode.
3Reliability
If the UE monitors PDCCH continuously without DRX alignment, then the UE ensures no missed communications occur, but the UE consumes excessive power due to continuous reception activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing DRX-based periodic monitoring of PDCCH instead of continuous monitoring. The UE monitors PDCCH at regular intervals defined by DRX cycles, entering sleep mode during inactive periods. When aligned with cell DTX/DRX cycles, the periodic monitoring ensures the UE wakes up exactly when downlink transmissions are expected, maintaining reliability while dramatically reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-synchronizing the UE's DRX timing with the network node's transmission schedule. The UE is configured with advance knowledge of when PDCCH monitoring should occur based on aligned DRX parameters, allowing it to prepare and wake up in advance of actual transmissions. This preliminary synchronization ensures no communications are missed while enabling the UE to remain in low-power state during periods when no transmissions are scheduled.
4Ease of operation
If the UE uses misaligned DRX timing, then the UE maintains independent operation autonomy, but the UE risks missed communications and retransmission failures due to sleeping during active transmission periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that allow the network node to monitor UE DRX alignment status and adjust configurations accordingly. The network receives feedback about UE reception timing and can reconfigure DRX parameters to achieve proper alignment, ensuring the UE wakes up during active transmission periods. This feedback loop maintains UE operational autonomy while preventing missed communications, as the network adapts the configuration based on observed timing relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. Some aspects relate generally to UE discontinuous reception (DRX) timing in association with a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration and/or a cell DRX configuration (“cell DTX/DRX configuration”). Some aspects more specifically relate to modifying one or more UE DRX timers in association with a cell DTX cycle and/or a cell DRX cycle (“cell DTX/DRX cycle”). For example, in some aspects, a UE may modify UE DRX timers to maintain a number of activity states in association with the cell DTX/DRX configuration. For example, the UE may maintain a UE active time, a UE DRX inactive time, a cell DTX non-active time, a cell DRX non-active time, and/or a cell DTX/DRX non-active time in association with the cell DTX/DRX configuration.