Wireless Invalidation Signaling for CSI-RS Power Savings

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increased power consumption in 3GPP New Radio (NR) networks due to higher bandwidth and additional elements like 64 TX/RX ports leads to unnecessary activities such as CSI-RS measurements and reports, which consume network resources and prevent deeper sleep modes, especially when low throughput is required.

Innovation Solution

Invalidation signaling methods are employed to configure wireless devices and network nodes to refrain from performing certain activities, such as CSI-RS measurements and reports, through explicit or implicit configurations, allowing them to save power and optimize resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the network uses full configuration to support maximum capability, then the network can support UE with maximum capability (throughput, coverage), but the network power consumption increases and unnecessary activities consume resources when maximum capability is rarely needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capability supportVSAvoidnetwork power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the reference signal configuration adaptive rather than fixed. The network dynamically adjusts the configuration based on actual traffic conditions and UE capabilities, transitioning between full configuration and reduced configuration states to match real-time network needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters such as reference signal periodicity, bandwidth, and configuration duration based on network load and UE requirements. By modifying these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes between capability support and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the network transmits more reference signals to support higher bandwidth, then the network can support higher throughput, but the number of measurements and reports increases consuming network resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethroughput capabilityVSAvoidnumber of measurements and reports

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by configuring UEs to perform only the necessary measurements based on actual network conditions. Instead of requiring full measurement sets, the system performs partial measurements sufficient for current throughput requirements, reducing the quantity of measurements and reports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the measurement and reporting process by dividing reference signals into different configurations with varying levels of detail. UEs can be assigned different measurement granularities based on their needs, allowing selective measurement of only relevant reference signal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the network stays awake to receive reports, then the network can process reports timely, but the possibility for the network to sleep and save power is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereport reception reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by establishing regular cycles where UEs transmit reports at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. The network can sleep between these periodic report transmission windows, maintaining reliability through scheduled communication while enabling power savings during non-report periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Productivity

If the network allocates more slots for uplink to accommodate large number of reports, then the network can handle more reports, but the network resources for TDD operation are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereport handling capacityVSAvoidnetwork resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having UEs prepare and schedule report transmissions in advance based on configured parameters. The network pre-allocates resources and schedules report windows before actual data transmission, allowing efficient resource utilization without requiring excessive real-time slot allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250294452A1Systems and methods for invalidation signaling

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Systems and methods for invalidation signaling between wireless devices and network nodes for refraining them from performing at least part of activities thereof are provided. A method in a wireless device may include invalidating an activity of the wireless device in response to an invalidation configuration being configured for invalidating an activity of the wireless device. A method in a network node may include informing to a wireless device an invalidation configuration for invalidating an activity of the wireless device.