UE Sleep-Aware Signaling for Network Node Off-Occasion Reliability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

NR wireless communication systems face high energy consumption due to inefficient network node sleep patterns, leading to unnecessary transmissions and potential outage issues when user equipment (UE) attempts to communicate during network node sleep periods.

Innovation Solution

User equipment (UE) is configured with network node sleeping occasions through dedicated signaling or system information, allowing it to adjust its transmission and reception patterns to align with network node sleep cycles, while network nodes optimize UE sleep patterns based on UE activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If the network node sleeps to reduce energy consumption, then energy consumption is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates due to potential outage issues when UE attempts to communicate during network node sleep periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork node energy consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network node transmits a wake-up signal before actually sleeping, allowing the UE to prepare for communication during the sleep period. This preliminary action enables the UE to send data during the network node's sleep time without causing communication failures, thus maintaining reliability while enabling energy saving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the UE receives configuration information about network node sleep patterns and adjusts its transmission behavior accordingly. The UE can detect when the network node is sleeping and schedule communications appropriately, ensuring reliable communication during sleep periods through coordinated feedback loops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by stationary object

If the network node sleeps completely to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but unnecessary transmissions occur when UE attempts to communicate during sleep periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork node energy consumptionVSAvoidenergy waste from unnecessary transmissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The network node sends a wake-up signal before entering sleep mode, allowing the UE to prepare for communication. This prevents the UE from attempting unnecessary transmissions during sleep periods, as the wake-up signal indicates when the network will be available, thereby avoiding energy waste from futile transmission attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE receives feedback about network node sleep patterns through configuration signaling and adjusts its transmission scheduling accordingly. This feedback mechanism prevents the UE from attempting transmissions during sleep periods when they would be unnecessary and wasteful of energy resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If DRX cycle is implemented for UE to reduce UE power consumption, then UE energy consumption is reduced, but network node cannot optimize its sleep patterns efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidnetwork node sleep pattern adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The network node transmits wake-up signals and sleep configuration information in advance, allowing the UE to prepare for communication during sleep periods. This preliminary action enables the network to optimize its sleep patterns while the UE maintains appropriate adaptability through pre-configured knowledge of sleep schedules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network node provides configuration information about sleep patterns to the UE, and the UE reports its communication needs. This bidirectional feedback enables the network to optimize sleep patterns while maintaining UE adaptability through continuous information exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260113705A1Methods for making user equipment aware of discontinuous transmission or reception by a network

Publication Date: 2026.04.23 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method performed by a user equipment (UE) includes receiving, from a wireless communication network, a configuration for sleeping occasions for a network node, wherein the configuration indicates an off-occasion during which transmission or reception activity by the network node is reduced or suspended, and communicating with the network node in accordance with the configuration. A method performed by a network node includes transmitting, to a UE, a configuration for sleeping occasions for the network node, wherein the configuration indicates an off-occasion during which transmission or reception activity by the network node is reduced or suspended, and communicating with the UE in accordance with the configuration.