UE PDCCH Skipping Across Periodic Traffic Grids

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in managing periodic traffic by continuously monitoring the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), leading to unnecessary power consumption and resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where user equipment (UE) and base stations utilize a grid of traffic arrival times to configure PDCCH monitoring, allowing for skipping PDCCH monitoring during designated intervals based on received indications, thereby optimizing power usage and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PDCCH monitoring is performed continuously, then control channel reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol channel reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic PDCCH monitoring where the UE monitors the PDCCH only at specific periodic intervals rather than continuously. The network configures monitoring occasions that occur periodically, allowing the UE to skip monitoring during non-configured intervals, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining control channel functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic PDCCH skipping mechanisms where the network can send indications to dynamically adjust or skip PDCCH monitoring based on current traffic conditions. This allows the monitoring behavior to adapt dynamically - monitoring when data is present and skipping when no data is expected, optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If PDCCH monitoring is performed continuously, then control information is always available, but resource efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol information availabilityVSAvoidresource efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic PDCCH monitoring where the UE monitors the PDCCH only at specific periodic intervals rather than continuously. The network configures monitoring occasions that occur periodically, allowing the UE to skip monitoring during non-configured intervals, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining control channel functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts PDCCH monitoring from continuous operation and isolates it to specific configured occasions. By taking out the monitoring function from continuous execution and placing it only at necessary intervals, the system eliminates wasteful resource consumption during periods when control information is not needed, while preserving availability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Use of energy by moving object

If PDCCH monitoring is skipped, then power consumption is reduced, but monitoring responsiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmonitoring responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic PDCCH skipping mechanisms where the network can send indications to dynamically adjust or skip PDCCH monitoring based on current traffic conditions. This allows the monitoring behavior to adapt dynamically - monitoring when data is present and skipping when no data is expected, optimizing the balance between reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the network monitors traffic conditions and sends control indications to the UE to adjust PDCCH monitoring behavior accordingly. When data arrives or is expected, the network triggers monitoring; when no data is present, the network indicates skipping, creating a feedback loop that optimizes responsiveness based on actual needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12446047B2Grid-aligned physical downlink control channel skipping for periodic traffic

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a configuration indicating a grid of traffic arrival times that includes a plurality of grids associated with respective time intervals. The UE may monitor a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) during a first time interval associated with a first grid, of the plurality of grids. The UE may receive an indication to skip PDCCH monitoring based at least in part on monitoring the PDCCH during the first time interval. The UE may monitor the PDCCH during a second time interval associated with a second grid, of the plurality of grids. The UE may not monitor the PDCCH until a start of the second time interval based at least in part on the indication to skip the PDCCH monitoring. Numerous other aspects are described.