Wake-Up Signal Paging Control for IoT Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless terminal devices in M2M and IoT networks face inefficiencies in power consumption due to unnecessary wake-ups for paging message checks, particularly in DRX and eDRX modes, leading to suboptimal battery life.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Wake-Up Signal (WUS) or Go-to-Sleep Signal (GTS) to indicate whether paging information is sent during a paging occasion, allowing devices to skip unnecessary wake-ups and enter sleep mode, thereby reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wireless terminal device wakes up periodically to check for paging messages during paging occasions, then the device can receive paging messages, but the device consumes more power due to unnecessary wake-ups

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging message receptionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The network node transmits a wake-up signal before the paging occasion to indicate in advance whether paging information will be sent. This preliminary action allows the device to prepare appropriately - waking up fully only when necessary - rather than periodically waking up regardless of actual paging needs, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption while ensuring reliable paging message reception when required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A wake-up signal is introduced as an intermediary between the network node and the paging message transmission. This intermediate signal carries information about whether paging information will be sent, allowing the device to make informed decisions about waking up. The wake-up signal acts as a mediator that prevents unnecessary wake-ups while ensuring the device is ready to receive paging messages when actually needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the device wakes up within a defined window around the paging occasion to account for timing drift, then the device can tolerate timing variations, but the device may wake up earlier than necessary increasing power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming synchronizationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wake-up signal is transmitted in advance of the paging occasion, providing a clear indication before the device needs to wake up. This preliminary notification allows the device to wake up at the precise moment needed rather than waking up early within a broad time window to account for timing drift, thus maintaining timing synchronization reliability while minimizing unnecessary wake-up time and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3665983B1Methods and apparatus relating to paging in a wireless communications network
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3665983B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3665983B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3665983B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

According to embodiments described herein there is provided a wireless terminal device and a network node in a communications network. The wireless terminal device being operable in a plurality of modes comprising a first mode, in which the wireless terminal device is able to receive paging messages from the wireless communications network, and a second mode in which the wireless terminal device is unable to receive paging messages from the wireless communications network. The method in the wireless device comprising receiving a signal from a network node operable in the wireless communications network, wherein the signal comprises information related to the paging occasions; and responsive to a determination to that signal, operating in at least the second mode.