Uplink Downlink SPS Alignment for Wireless Power Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) often results in inefficient operation due to the flexibility in configuring separate parameters for uplink and downlink SPS, leading to increased power consumption and suboptimal alignment of communications, particularly when used with connected-mode discontinuous reception (C-DRX).

Innovation Solution

A base station aligns uplink and downlink SPS by using a single parameter for initial offsets and selecting equal or integer multiple intervals for both, ensuring continuous alignment and reducing power consumption by minimizing the frequency of circuitry overhead and extending low-power states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate parameters are used for uplink SPS offset and downlink SPS offset, then base station scheduling flexibility is improved, but uplink and downlink communication alignment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase station scheduling flexibilityVSAvoiduplink and downlink communication alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate uplink SPS offset and downlink SPS offset parameters into a single common offset parameter. This merging ensures that both uplink and downlink communications are aligned to the same time reference, resolving the misalignment issue while sacrificing some base station scheduling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter structure from two independent offset parameters to a single shared offset parameter. This parameter change enforces alignment between uplink and downlink SPS communications, directly addressing the alignment deterioration problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If uplink and downlink SPS communications are aligned, then power consumption is reduced, but base station scheduling flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless device power consumptionVSAvoidbase station scheduling flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the offset parameters into a single common value, the patent enables the wireless device to align uplink and downlink communications, allowing the device to enter low-power states more effectively and reduce overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes periodic alignment between uplink and downlink SPS communications using the common offset parameter. This periodic synchronization allows the wireless device to predict communication patterns and enter low-power states between aligned transmission/reception events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate parameters are used for uplink and downlink SPS, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but circuitry overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidcircuitry overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges separate uplink and downlink SPS configurations into a unified configuration with a common offset parameter. This reduces the quantity of signaling overhead and simplifies the circuitry required to manage separate SPS instances, directly addressing the circuitry overhead increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Duration of action of moving object

If uplink and downlink communications are aligned, then low-power state duration is extended, but scheduling adaptability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow-power state durationVSAvoidscheduling adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By combining offset parameters into a single common value, the patent extends the duration of low-power states by ensuring predictable alignment between uplink and downlink communications, allowing the wireless device to remain in low-power mode longer between communication events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9462627B2Uplink and downlink semi-persistent scheduling alignment

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 APPLE INC

AI summary

This disclosure relates to aligning semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) uplink and downlink communications. In one embodiment, a cellular base station may select SPS parameters for a wireless device. The SPS parameters may include a subframe offset, a downlink SPS interval, and an uplink SPS interval. The subframe offset may indicate a subframe at which both an initial downlink subframe and an initial uplink subframe are scheduled. An indication of the SPS parameters may be transmitted to the UE. The wireless device and the cellular base station may perform uplink and downlink communication according to the SPS parameters.