UL Reference Signal Configuration for DRX Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Misalignment between UE DRX cycles and cell DRX cycles in wireless communication systems impairs positioning and sensing operations by degrading reference signals and intra-node information exchange, leading to inefficient power consumption and impaired synchronization.
Innovation Solution
Configuring UL reference signal configurations that associate transmission occasions with active and inactive DRX modes, allowing for dynamic adaptation of DRX cycles to ensure consistent and efficient positioning and sensing operations by regulating UE and cell DRX operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If UE and cell operate with independent DRX cycles to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but positioning and sensing operations are impaired due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the DRX cycle parameters by introducing a relationship between UE DRX cycle and cell DRX cycle, where the UE DRX cycle is configured to be a multiple of the cell DRX cycle. This parameter adjustment ensures that UE wake-up occasions align with cell active occasions, enabling reliable positioning and sensing operations while maintaining power savings through discontinuous reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configuration of DRX cycles through network signaling, allowing the UE to adapt its DRX behavior based on service requirements. The network can configure different DRX parameters for different UEs or different time periods, enabling the system to dynamically balance between power consumption and positioning/sensing performance based on current operational needs.
2Measurement precision
If UE DRX cycle is shortened to improve positioning accuracy, then positioning precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows dynamic adjustment of the DRX cycle length as a configurable parameter. The network can optimize the DRX cycle duration based on positioning accuracy requirements - shorter cycles for high-precision applications and longer cycles for power-critical scenarios. This parameter flexibility enables the system to achieve the desired positioning accuracy while minimizing power consumption by using the longest acceptable DRX cycle.
3Reliability
If reference signals are transmitted continuously to maintain positioning accuracy, then positioning reliability is improved, but power consumption and network load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of reference signals synchronized with the aligned DRX cycles. Instead of continuous transmission, reference signals are transmitted periodically at occasions when both the UE and cell are active. This periodic action maintains positioning reliability by ensuring reference signals are available when needed, while significantly reducing power consumption and network load compared to continuous transmission.
4Reliability
If DRX cycles are aligned to improve positioning operations, then positioning and sensing reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the alignment complexity by using a fixed mathematical relationship (UE DRX cycle as a multiple of cell DRX cycle) rather than complex dynamic synchronization protocols. This parameter-based approach reduces system complexity compared to full synchronization while still achieving the necessary alignment for reliable positioning and sensing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for cell DRX impact reference signals for positioning and sensing are described. An apparatus is configured to receive, from a network entity, an UL reference signal configuration indication. The UL reference signal configuration associates a UL reference signal transmission occasions set with active/inactive DRX modes of a cell(s) associated with a UE. The apparatus is configured to provide, for a TRP(s) associated with the cell(s), and at the set of UL reference signal transmission occasions, an UL reference signal(s) during a portion of the active DRX mode based on the UL reference signal configuration. Another apparatus is configured to configure, for a UE, an UL reference signal configuration that associates UL reference signal transmission occasions with active/inactive DRX modes of a cell(s) associated with the UE. The apparatus is configured to provide, for the UE, the UL reference signal configuration.