UE Measurement Gap Optimization for Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless devices with single receive chains face challenges in efficiently measuring inter-frequency and inter-RAT cells during connected mode measurement gaps, leading to prolonged measurement times and potential call drops due to high power consumption and inefficient use of measurement gaps.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) to identify and utilize measurement gaps more effectively by determining whether gaps are useful or useless, allowing the UE to deactivate its receive chain during useless portions, thereby reducing power consumption and improving measurement efficiency without requiring network configuration changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE continuously measures non-serving cells during measurement gaps, then measurement accuracy and handover reliability are improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the receive chain operational state dynamic rather than static. The receive chain is activated only during determined useful measurement gaps and deactivated during useless gaps, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption state based on real-time measurement needs while maintaining handover reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the receive chain from continuous operation to conditional operation. By modifying the state parameter (active/inactive) based on the usefulness determination of measurement gaps, the system achieves power savings while preserving measurement accuracy when needed.
2Device complexity
If the UE uses a single receive chain for both serving and non-serving cell measurements, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement efficiency and call continuity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by utilizing measurement gaps that occur at regular intervals. The receive chain is activated periodically during useful gaps and deactivated during useless gaps, allowing the single receive chain to efficiently switch between serving and non-serving cell measurements without continuous operation, thus maintaining measurement efficiency while reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the usefulness of measurement gaps before activating the receive chain. This preliminary determination prevents unnecessary activation during useless gaps, allowing the single receive chain to be used more efficiently for actual measurements while maintaining call continuity.
3Measurement precision
If the UE activates the receive chain during all measurement gaps, then measurement coverage is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the UE to autonomously determine the usefulness of measurement gaps and make decisions about receive chain activation without continuous network control. This self-service capability allows the UE to optimize its own power consumption while maintaining adequate measurement coverage for handover decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the receive chain from continuous activation to conditional activation based on measurement gap usefulness. This parameter change extends battery life by reducing unnecessary power consumption while preserving measurement coverage during critical measurement opportunities.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for saving power while performing radio access technology measurements. An exemplary method that may be performed by user equipment (UE) includes obtaining a configuration indicating a measurement gap for the UE to measure one or more non-serving cells, wherein the UE does not receive data transmissions from a serving cell during the measurement gap, deciding not to measure the non-serving cells during a period including at least a portion of the measurement gap, and deactivating a receive chain of the UE during the period.