Wake-Up Signal BWP Switching for 5G NR Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved power management techniques in 5G NR communication systems to optimize bandwidth part (BWP) switching based on wake-up signal (WUS) monitoring occasions, particularly during periods of inactivity to conserve power and enhance efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that detect the expiration of a BWP inactivity timer and calculate the time to a WUS monitoring occasion or a data communication duration, enabling a switch from a first BWP to a second BWP based on these calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the BWP inactivity timer expires during a first time duration without data communication, then the system can switch to a second BWP to save power, but the UE may miss the WUS monitoring occasion and fail to detect data communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata communication detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by calculating the time from BWP inactivity timer expiration to the WUS monitoring occasion before switching BWPs. This allows the UE to determine whether it can switch to the second BWP without missing the WUS monitoring occasion, ensuring reliable data communication detection while still achieving power savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the BWP switching decision based on calculated time parameters. Instead of a fixed switching rule, the UE evaluates the specific time relationship between timer expiration, WUS monitoring occasion, and data communication duration to determine the optimal switching strategy, balancing power consumption and communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If the UE switches from the first BWP to the second BWP immediately upon timer expiration, then power consumption is reduced, but the UE cannot monitor for WUS and detect incoming data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata communication detection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of time parameters before executing the BWP switch. By calculating the time from timer expiration to WUS monitoring occasion in advance, the UE can determine whether the switch will cause it to miss the monitoring occasion, thus preventing loss of data communication detection time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the calculated time parameters to adjust the BWP switching decision. If the calculation shows that switching would cause the UE to miss the WUS monitoring occasion, the system adjusts its behavior to maintain monitoring on the first BWP, ensuring timely detection of incoming data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the UE remains on the first BWP to monitor WUS continuously, then data communication is reliably detected, but power consumption increases during idle periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication detectionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of the time relationship between BWP inactivity timer expiration and WUS monitoring occasion before making the BWP switching decision. This allows the UE to identify opportunities to switch to the power-saving second BWP without compromising reliable data communication detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters by switching between two different BWPs with different power consumption characteristics. The first BWP is used for reliable monitoring when needed, while the second BWP provides power savings during appropriate periods, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of energy

If the system calculates time to WUS monitoring occasion to optimize BWP switching, then power saving is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcalculation and switching logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of time parameters before the BWP switching decision point. By calculating the time from timer expiration to WUS monitoring occasion in advance, the UE makes an informed switching decision without requiring complex real-time evaluation, thus enhancing power saving while limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12550061B2Enhanced power saving technique based on wake-up signal functionality

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

This disclosure provides systems, devices, apparatus, and methods, including computer programs encoded on storage media, for a power saving technique associated with a WUS. A UE may obtain an indication that an expiration of a BWP inactivity timer occurs during a first time duration without a data communication of the UE and calculate at least one of a first amount of time from the indication to a WUS monitoring occasion or a second amount of time from the indication to a second time duration with the data communication of the UE. The UE may switch from a first BWP to a second BWP based on the calculation of at least one of the first amount of time from the indication to the WUS monitoring occasion or the second amount of time from the indication to the second time duration with the data communication of the UE.