Wake-Up Receiver Power Saving via Timing Synchronization Beacons

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, especially in 5G New Radio (NR), the average power consumption of wake-up receivers remains higher than desired due to their always-on nature, which hinders energy-saving efforts in User Equipment (UE) with extended battery lifetime targets, such as weeks or years, as traditional power-saving mechanisms like extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) introduce unacceptable communication latency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing discontinuous reception (DRX) in wake-up receivers, supported by a timing synchronization beacon, allows the wake-up receiver to operate in a low-power mode, reducing power consumption during inactive periods and extending battery life without compromising latency, by periodically aligning with network timing using a WUS beacon and selecting optimal network nodes for beacon transmission based on signal strength and coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wake-up receiver operates always on to maintain high sensitivity for receiving wake-up signals, then the reception reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewake-up signal reception reliabilityVSAvoidwake-up receiver power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wake-up receiver operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. It alternates between active periods for receiving wake-up signals and sleep periods for power saving, while maintaining synchronization with the network through periodic timing synchronization beacons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The wake-up receiver performs preliminary timing synchronization by receiving timing synchronization beacons from the network before attempting to receive wake-up signals. This ensures it is synchronized and ready to detect wake-up signals at the correct times without needing to continuously monitor the channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the wake-up receiver implements discontinuous reception to reduce power consumption, then the energy saving is improved, but the timing synchronization difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewake-up receiver power consumptionVSAvoidtiming synchronization difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Timing synchronization beacons serve as intermediary signals between the network and the wake-up receiver. These beacons provide reference timing information that helps the wake-up receiver maintain synchronization during discontinuous operation without needing to continuously monitor the channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wake-up receiver autonomously acquires timing synchronization by detecting timing synchronization beacons from the network and automatically adjusts its reception schedule accordingly, without requiring manual configuration or continuous network interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Duration of action of moving object

If the wake-up receiver operates in discontinuous reception mode to extend battery life, then the battery lifetime is improved, but the wake-up signal detection latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifetimeVSAvoidwake-up signal detection latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wake-up receiver uses feedback from received timing synchronization beacons to dynamically adjust its active reception periods. By monitoring the presence and quality of synchronization beacons, the receiver can optimize its wake-up schedule to minimize latency while maintaining power savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The discontinuous reception parameters of the wake-up receiver are made dynamic rather than static. The receiver can adjust its active and sleep period durations based on network conditions, signal strength, and synchronization status, allowing it to balance power consumption and latency requirements adaptively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240147366A1Power saving in telecommunication systems

Publication Date: 2024.05.02 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

Apparatus and methods to support power saving in a wireless communication network and more particularly to support discontinuous reception of a wake-up signal receiver at an apparatus comprising a wake-up signal receiver and a main radio receiver are outlined. One aspect provides an apparatus comprising a wake-up signal receiver; a main radio receiver; means for determining that the wake-up signal receiver is a candidate to implement discontinuous reception; means for assessing a signal received by the apparatus from a transmitting network node; and means for requesting, based upon the assessment of the signal received, transmission of a timing synchronisation beacon to support implementation of discontinuous reception by the wake-up signal receiver from at least one transmitting network node. Requesting a beacon allows a transmitting network to assess whether use of power and radio resource to support such a beacon is appropriate.