Wireless Device Power Saving with Dynamic Secondary Cell Dormancy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in optimizing power consumption and efficiency, particularly in managing power states and resource allocation for wireless devices and base stations, leading to suboptimal battery life and performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power saving mechanism that includes wake-up procedures and dynamic control of bandwidth parts (BWPs) and secondary cells, utilizing MAC commands for activation and deactivation of processes, and employing Discontinuous Reception (DRX) to optimize power usage based on network conditions and device capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous monitoring and processing of wireless signals is performed, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements Discontinuous Reception (DRX) where the wireless device alternates between active monitoring periods and sleep periods. During DRX cycles, the device periodically wakes up to monitor control channels for a configured duration, then enters sleep mode. This periodic action maintains communication reliability by ensuring the device can still receive and respond to wake-up signals or scheduling assignments, while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs autonomous wake-up procedures where the device can independently determine when to activate based on pre-configured parameters and received wake-up signals. The MAC layer automatically handles activation/deactivation of bandwidth parts and secondary cells based on received commands, reducing the need for continuous network control and allowing the device to self-manage its power state transitions, thereby balancing reliability and power consumption.
2Speed
If bandwidth parts and secondary cells are continuously activated, then data transmission speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic activation and deactivation of bandwidth parts (BWPs) and secondary cells (SCells) based on traffic conditions and network requirements. MAC control commands dynamically switch between different BWP configurations (e.g., from a wide bandwidth BWP for high-speed data to a narrow bandwidth BWP for power saving) and activate/deactivate SCells as needed. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize data transmission speed when traffic demands are high while reducing power consumption during low-activity periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of the wireless device including bandwidth part configurations, secondary cell activation states, and DRX cycle lengths based on traffic patterns and power conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically - such as switching from a large bandwidth configuration to a smaller one, or changing DRX cycle durations - the system can balance data transmission speed and power consumption according to actual needs.
3Speed
If frequent wake-up procedures are performed, then network responsiveness is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements DRX with configurable cycle lengths and wake-up durations. Instead of frequent continuous wake-ups, the device wakes up periodically at predetermined intervals to check for incoming data or control signals. The periodic nature of DRX cycles allows the network to maintain responsiveness by sending data during active periods while the device conserves battery life during extended sleep periods between cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial wake-up procedures where the device activates only specific functions or components during wake-up periods rather than fully powering up all subsystems. For example, the device may partially activate the receiver to monitor control channels without fully activating data processing components, or use shortened wake-up durations when traffic is light. This partial action maintains network responsiveness for critical communications while extending battery life by avoiding complete system activation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for a wireless device is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment, the method includes receiving - by the wireless device - one or more radio resource control messages comprising: a power saving radio network temporary identifier (PS-RNTI) for a downlink control information (DCI) comprising a plurality of blocks, notifying power saving information; a location parameter for the wireless device; and configuration parameters of one or more secondary cells. The method further includes receiving - based on the PS-RNTI - a first DCI comprising a first plurality of blocks, wherein the location parameter indicates a first location of a first block, of the first plurality of blocks, for the wireless device and wherein the first block comprises a dormancy indication for at least one secondary cell of the one or more secondary cell. Furthermore, the method includes transitioning the at least one secondary cell to a dormant state in response to the dormancy indication indicating the dormant state. Further, a method for a corresponding base station is described herein as well as a respective wireless device, base station, communication systems and related apparatuses.