Wireless Device Resource Control for Dual Connectivity Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems prioritize data throughput over energy efficiency in dual connectivity mode, leading to suboptimal battery life in wireless devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for controlling resource usage in wireless devices by configuring them to operate on a reduced set of resources when connections to network nodes can support it, such as by reducing bandwidth or using discontinuous reception/discontinuous transmission patterns, to conserve energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wireless device operates in dual connectivity mode with full resources allocated to both connections, then data throughput is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the resource configuration adaptive rather than static. The network node dynamically determines whether to allocate full or reduced resources based on current channel conditions, traffic requirements, and device capabilities. The device can switch between different resource allocation modes (full resources or reduced resources) depending on the operational context, allowing the system to optimize the trade-off between throughput and energy consumption in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the resource allocation parameters by introducing a configurable resource set that can be adjusted between full and reduced levels. The network node controls the resource configuration parameter, allowing it to be modified based on channel quality indicators, traffic patterns, and power saving requirements. This parameter change enables the system to transition between performance-oriented and energy-efficient operational modes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If wireless device reduces resource usage in dual connectivity mode, then energy efficiency is improved, but data throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddata throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by allocating reduced resources (rather than full resources) to one or both connections in dual connectivity mode. Instead of completely disabling resource allocation, the system uses a subset of available resources that is sufficient for maintaining connectivity and transmitting control signaling while being inadequate for high-rate data transfer. This partial resource allocation achieves power savings while preserving essential communication functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the resource allocation into different functional components: control plane resources and user plane resources. By separating these functions, the system can allocate reduced resources specifically to user plane data transmission while maintaining full control plane functionality, or selectively reduce resources in one connection while preserving them in another connection based on priority and traffic requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If configuration instructions are transmitted to enable reduced resource operation, then device complexity increases, but energy savings are achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidcontrol signaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional configuration message that simultaneously performs multiple tasks: it activates dual connectivity mode, configures the set of available resources, and indicates whether reduced resource operation should be used. This single configuration instruction replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate signaling messages, reducing the overall control signaling overhead while enabling complex resource management functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10182445B2Methods and devices for controlling resource usage

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method 10 is presented for controlling resource usage performed in a first network node 2. The first network node 2 has a first uplink connection UL1 and a first downlink connection DL1 with a wireless device 5. The method 10 comprises transmitting 11, to a wireless device 5, configuration instructions instructing the wireless device 5 to enter a dual connectivity mode with a second network node 3 on a second uplink connection UL2 and a second downlink connection DL2 between the wireless device 5 and the second network node 3; and when one or more of the uplink and/or downlink connections UL1, DL1, UL2, DL2 to the first and/or second network nodes 2, 3 is determined to be able to operate on a reduced set of resources, transmitting 12 to the wireless device 5 configuration instructions instructing the wireless device 5 to operate on a reduced set of resources for the one or more uplink and downlink connections UL1, DL1, UL2, DL2.