WUS Sub-group Division for UE Power Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in wake-up signal (WUS) grouping, leading to unnecessary UE awakenings and compatibility issues among base stations with different WUS sub-group capabilities, resulting in sub-optimal power and resource usage.

Innovation Solution

The division of WUS groups into sub-groups based on paging frequency and the mapping of network device-level WUS sub-groups to base station-level WUS sub-groups, using criteria such as paging probability and frequency, to align with individual base station capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If WUS groups are not divided into sub-groups, then the system is simpler to implement, but UE power efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary awakenings

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE power efficiencyVSAvoidWUS grouping complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a WUS group into multiple WUS sub-groups based on paging frequency characteristics. UEs with similar paging behaviors are grouped together, allowing the network to send targeted WUS signals only to relevant sub-groups. This segmentation reduces unnecessary UE awakenings and improves power efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If base stations use different WUS sub-group capabilities, then each base station can be optimized for its specific needs, but compatibility issues arise between base stations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBase station capability optimizationVSAvoidBase station compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces configurable parameters such as paging frequency thresholds and sub-group sizes that allow base stations to adapt their WUS sub-grouping strategies to their specific capabilities and traffic patterns. By standardizing these parameters and their ranges, the system enables base station optimization while maintaining compatibility across the network through consistent parameter interpretation and supported capability sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If all UEs are monitored for paging regardless of relevance, then paging delivery is ensured, but network resources are wasted on unnecessary transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePaging delivery efficiencyVSAvoidNetwork resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by tailoring WUS monitoring and paging reception behavior to individual UE characteristics and their assigned sub-groups. Instead of uniform monitoring for all UEs, the system enables UEs to monitor only their relevant WUS sub-group signals and receive paging only when their specific sub-group is paged. This localized approach ensures reliable paging delivery to intended recipients while eliminating wasteful network transmissions to UEs with no relevant paging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3918847B1Division of wake-up signal group into a set of wake-up signal subgroups
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3918847B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3918847B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3918847B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wakeup signal (WUS) group that may be divided into WUS sub-groups, criteria or metrics for dividing the WUS group into a set of WUS sub-groups, and signaling or messaging to support the division of the WUS group into the set of WUS sub-groups are provided. For example, a set of UEs may be divided into WUS sub-groups based at least in part on respective frequencies of occurrence of paging occasions for the set of UEs (e.g., based at least in part on traffic type, observations regarding past paging occasions, predictions regarding future paging occasions, and/or the like) and/or based at least in part on other considerations. Furthermore, some techniques and apparatuses described herein provide for the mapping of network device-level WUS sub-groups (e.g., supported by a network device such as an MME) to base station-level WUS sub-groups (e.g., supported by a base station).