Wireless Device Reference Signal Energy Saving via TCI State Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in optimizing energy consumption by efficiently managing transmission and reception points, leading to unnecessary power usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a mechanism where wireless devices can switch between different configurations based on control messages indicating which transmission/reception points to activate or deactivate, using modulation orders and control parameters to conserve energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transmission/reception points are continuously activated to maintain communication reliability, then communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the transmission/reception point configuration changeable over time. The base station dynamically switches between different TCI states based on traffic conditions, allowing the system to adapt between full activation (high reliability) and partial deactivation (low energy consumption) modes, resolving the contradiction between continuous reliability and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the configuration parameters of transmission/reception points by switching TCI states. Different TCI states represent different parameter configurations (different sets of active transmission/reception points), allowing the system to adjust parameters dynamically to balance reliability and energy consumption based on current needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple configurations are maintained ready for switching, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration adaptabilityVSAvoidconfiguration management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple TCI states before they are needed. The base station prepares different transmission/reception point configurations in advance and stores them as ready-to-use states, enabling rapid switching without real-time configuration complexity, thus improving adaptability while managing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The TCI state mechanism serves multiple functions: it configures transmission/reception points, indicates active configurations to wireless devices, and enables rapid switching between different operational modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4531321A1Energy saving for reference signals

Publication Date: 2025.04.02 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3

AI summary

A wireless device may communicate with a base station using different configurations. The use of the different configurations may be indicated by a field in a control message, or alternatively, an absence of the field may indicate the use of the different configurations. Based on receiving the control message, the wireless device may use the different configurations to communicate with a base station. A same modulation order may be used for the first configuration and the second configuration.