Wakeup and Reference Signal Positioning for DRX Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in transitioning between awake and sleep modes due to uncoordinated positioning of wakeup signals (WUS) and reference signals, leading to excessive power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves configuring wakeup signals and reference signals with a defined time-domain offset relative to each other, allowing devices to efficiently transition between sleep and awake modes by receiving control messages indicating their positions, thereby optimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the UE monitors for both WUS and reference signals independently without coordinated positioning, then the UE can detect both signals, but the UE transitions between awake and sleep modes frequently causing excessive power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the monitoring of WUS and reference signals into a coordinated process by establishing a time-domain offset relationship between them. The WUS position is configured relative to the reference signal position (or vice versa) within a DRX cycle, allowing the UE to monitor both signals in a synchronized manner that reduces unnecessary wake-ups while maintaining reliable detection of both signal types.
2Reliability
If the UE wakes up frequently to monitor for signals, then the UE can detect signals reliably, but the transition between awake and sleep modes increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring the WUS position in advance relative to the reference signal position using time-domain offsets. This pre-coordination allows the UE to know exactly when to wake up and monitor for both signals, avoiding unnecessary wake-ups while ensuring reliable detection. The network entity configures the offset relationship before the UE begins monitoring, enabling efficient power management.
3Device complexity
If the WUS and reference signal positions are configured independently, then the configuration is simple, but the UE cannot efficiently coordinate wake-up times with reference signal monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter relationship between WUS and reference signal positions by introducing a time-domain offset parameter. Instead of configuring positions independently, the system defines one position relative to the other using an offset value (e.g., offset between 0 to 32 slots). This parameter-based coordination maintains configuration simplicity while enabling efficient power management through coordinated monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may operate in a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode. The UE may receive control messages indicating reference signal and wakeup signal (WUS) configurations. The reference signal configuration may indicate a reference signal position associated with reference signals and the WUS configuration may indicate a WUS position associated with WUSs and within a time-domain offset of the reference signal position. For example, the WUS position may be directly before or after the reference signal position. The offset may be based on durations associated with the UE transitioning (e.g., ramping up and ramping down) between sleep modes and an awake mode. The reference signal position may be within a DRX cycle period offset in time from the WUS position. The UE may monitor for the WUSs, the reference signals, and in some implementations, data, according to the offset.