UE eDRX Verification and DRX Cycle Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly 3GPP LTE, face challenges in reducing power consumption for machine-type communication (MTC) user equipment (UEs) due to limitations in existing discontinuous reception (DRX) and power saving modes, which are not sufficient for devices with infrequent small burst transmissions, necessitating the enhancement of extended DRX (eDRX) operations.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) to verify if a serving cell supports eDRX, and if not, to trigger a tracking area update (TAU) or apply a normal paging DRX cycle, allowing efficient operation even in cells that do not support eDRX, thereby extending the DRX cycle for power savings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If extended DRX (eDRX) is implemented to reduce power consumption, then battery lifetime is improved, but compatibility with existing cells is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcell compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic DRX cycle adjustment based on cell eDRX support status. The UE adapts its DRX configuration by selecting between eDRX cycles (when supported) and normal DRX cycles (when not supported), allowing the system to optimize power consumption while maintaining compatibility across different cell types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the DRX cycle parameter based on cell capabilities. When a cell does not support eDRX, the system transitions from eDRX parameter values to normal DRX parameter values, maintaining operational compatibility while preserving power-saving functionality through parameter adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If normal DRX cycle is used in cells not supporting eDRX, then cell compatibility is improved, but power consumption reduction is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell compatibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary verification of cell eDRX support status before initiating DRX operations. By checking cell capabilities in advance, the system can proactively select the appropriate DRX mode (eDRX or normal DRX), ensuring both compatibility and optimal power consumption from the outset

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If tracking area update (TAU) is triggered in cells not supporting eDRX, then proper network registration is improved, but additional signaling overhead is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork registrationVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses TAU as an intermediary mechanism to bridge the gap between UEs requiring eDRX and cells not supporting it. By triggering TAU in incompatible cells, the system ensures proper network registration and context establishment, allowing the UE to subsequently operate with appropriate DRX configurations while maintaining network connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10342065B2Method and apparatus for operating at cell not supporting extended DRX in wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for operating at a cell not supporting an extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) in a wireless communication system is provided. A user equipment (UE) verifies whether or not a serving cell supports eDRX. If it is determined that the serving cell does not support eDRX, the UE may trigger a tracking area update (TAU). Further, the UE may applying normal DRX cycle at the serving cell and not performing eDRX for a paging reception.