Discontinuous reception (DRX) enhancements in LTE systems

• US 10,045,245 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2016
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Heo, Youn Hyoung, Zhang, Yujian, Fwu, Jong-Kae
• Primary Examiner(s): Chou, Albert T
• Application Number:
  US15/244,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20160366722A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/00 Orthogonal multiplex systems, e.g. using WALSH codesH04J13/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/0086 Search parameters, e.g. search strategy, accumulation length, range of search, thresholds code acquisition in DSSS H04B1/7075
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1694 Allocation of channels in TDM/TDMA networks, e.g. distributed multiplexers Passive Optical Networks H04Q11/0062
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1812 Hybrid protocols; Hybrid automatic repeat request [HARQ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1861 Physical mapping arrangements for ACK signaling see also H04L5/0053
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1864 ARQ related signaling H04L1/1607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1893 Physical mapping arrangements physical resource mapping in general H04L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/069 using logs of notifications; Post-processing of notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5032 Generating service level reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/001 the frequencies being arranged in component carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0035 Resource allocation in a cooperative multipoint environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0055 Physical resource allocation for ACK/NACK for physical mapping arrangements in ARQ protocols H04L1/1861
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0057 Physical resource allocation for CQI
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0073 Allocation arrangements that take into account other cell interferences for intercell interference mitigation or co-ordination in orthogonal multiplex systems H04J11/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0091 Signaling for the administration of the divided path
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 : Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 : at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0205 : at the air interface dynamic wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0215 : based on user or device properties, e.g. MTC-capable devices services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC] H04W4/70; wireless resource selection or allocation plan definition based on terminal or device properties H04W72/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0221 : power availability or consumption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0252 : per individual bearer or channel dynamic wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 : using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/16 : Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0061 : of neighbour cell information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 : of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0083 : Determination of parameters used for hand-off, e.g. generation or modification of neighbour cell lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0085 : Hand-off measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0088 : Scheduling hand-off measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 : Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 : Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 : for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 : Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/005 : Routing actions in the presence of nodes in sleep or doze mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/246 : Connectivity information discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 : using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 : Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 : Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0209 : in terminal devices terminal devices per se H04W88/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0212 : managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 : using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 : where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0258 : controlling an operation mode according to history or models of usage information, e.g. activity schedule or time of day
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 : managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 : TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/14 : Separate analysis of uplink or downlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 : Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 : based on the type of the allocated resource
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 : Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 : in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 : Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/52 : based on load
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 : using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/002 : Transmission of channel access control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/004 : in the uplink, i.e. towards network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/12 : Setup of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 : Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/16 : Involving different core network technologies, e.g. a packet-switched [PS] bearer in combination with a circuit-switched [CS] bearer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/23 : Manipulation of direct-mode connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 : Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 : Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/30 : Connection release
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/08 : Mobility data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/10 : adapted for application session management, e.g. SIP [Session Initiation Protocol] connection management H04W76/00; arrangements for session management H04L67/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/12 : Access point controller devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 : Backbone network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 : Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 : Service support devices; Network management devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Embodiments of a system and method for providing DRX enhancements in LTE systems are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a system control module is provided for controlling communications via a communications interface. A processor is coupled to the system control module and is arranged to implement an inactivity timer and an on-duration timer for determining an active time for monitoring subframes on the physical downlink control channel for control signals, the processor further monitoring subframes after the active time.

Claims

1. An apparatus of a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

processing circuitry in communication with the memory and arranged to;

decode, from an evolved NodeB (eNB), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Setup message when the apparatus is in RRC Idle Mode or a RRC Connection Reconfiguration message when the apparatus is in RRC Connected Mode, the RRC Connection Setup or Reconfiguration message comprising a RadioResourceConfigDedicated information element (IE), the RadioResourceConfigDedicated IE comprising a MAC-MainConfig IE, the MAC-MainConfig IE comprising a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration IE, the DRX configuration IE comprising;

an on-duration timer that specifies a number of consecutive subframes at a start of a DRX cycle to monitor for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) that indicates a resource allocation for the apparatus,

an inactivity timer that specifies a number of consecutive subframes after a subframe in which a PDCCH indicates an initial uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) user data transmission for the apparatus,

a retransmission timer that specifies a maximum number of consecutive subframes until a DL retransmission is received,

a long DRX cycle start offset that specifies a subframe that a long DRX cycle starts, the long DRX cycle start offset net to a predetermined value to enable transmission of a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) for a Time Division Duplexing (TDD) configuration selected from configuration 0-6, and

a short DRX cycle timer that specifies a number of consecutive subframes that the apparatus is to follow a short DRX cycle; and

monitor, based on the DRX configuration IE, PDCCHs in subframes of an active time for a control signal that indicates a UL or DL user data transmission for the apparatus, the active time comprising a time while the on-duration timer, the inactivity timer or retransmission timer is running.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further arranged to:

stop the on duration timer and inactivity timer in response to reception by the apparatus of a DRX Command Medium Access Control (MAC) control element, and

in response to expiration of the inactivity timer or reception of the DRX Command MAC control element, start or restart the DRX short cycle timer and use the short DRX cycle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further arranged to:

in response to expiration of the DRX short cycle timer, use the long DRX cycle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the long DRX cycle start offset is set to 70 ms.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further arranged to monitor subframes for a control signal on a PDCCH after the active time in at least one of an on duration of the short DRX cycle and an on duration of the long DRX cycle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further arranged to:

detect the control signal during a particular subframe in which the PDCCH is monitored,

decode the control signal,

determine whether the control signal has been decoded at an end of the particular subframe, and

while the control signal is being decoded, continue to monitor at least one subframe to determine whether a UL or DL user data transmission for the apparatus is received.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the processing circuitry is further arranged to initiate the inactivity timer after the control signal has been decoded.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the control signal is received during one of:

the continuous reception mode, an on-duration period of the short discontinuous reception cycle, or an on-duration period of the long discontinuous reception cycle.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory is configured to store information of the DRX configuration prior to the PDCCHs being monitored by the processing circuitry.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further arranged to restart the inactivity timer following successful decoding of a PDCCH for a first transmission and not for a retransmission.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the PDCCH is an enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH), and

the ePDCCH in the subframes is monitored by the processing circuitry after the active time for a number the subframes determined based on ePDCCH processing time of the processing circuitry.

12. An apparatus of an evolved NodeB (eNB), the apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

processing circuitry in communication with the memory and arranged to;

generate, for transmission to a user equipment (UE), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Setup message when the UE is in RRC Idle Mode or a RRC Connection Reconfiguration message when the UE is in RRC Connected Mode, the RRC Connection Setup or Reconfiguration message comprising a RadioResourceConfigDedicated information element (IE), the RadioResourceConfigDedicated IE comprising a MAC-MainConfig IE, the MAC-MainConfig IE comprising a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration IE, the DRX configuration IE comprising an on-duration tinier that specifies a number of consecutive subframes at a start of a DRX cycle to monitor for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) that indicates a resource allocation for the apparatus, an inactivity timer that specifies a number of consecutive subframes after a subframe in which a PDCCH indicates an initial uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) user data transmission for the UE, a retransmission timer that specifies a maximum number of consecutive subframes until a DL retransmission is received, a long DRX cycle start offset that specifies a subframe that a long DRX cycle starts, the long DRX cycle start offset set to 70 ms, and a short DRX cycle timer that specifies a number of consecutive subframes that the apparatus is to follow a short DRX cycle; and

generate, for transmission to the UE based on the DRX configuration IE, a control signal that indicates a UL or DL user data transmission for the UE, the control signal in a PDCCH in one of subframes of an active time and subframes after the active time in at least one of an on duration of the short DRX cycle and an on duration of the long DRX cycle, the active time comprising a time while the on-duration timer, the inactivity tinier or retransmission timer is running.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the control signal is generated during one of:

the continuous reception mode, an on-duration period of the short discontinuous reception cycle, or an on-duration period of the long discontinuous reception cycle.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the DRX configuration IE indicates to restart the inactivity timer following successful decoding of a PDCCH for a first transmission and not for a retransmission.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

the PDCCH is an enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH), and

the control signal is generated after the active time for a number the subframes determined based on ePDCCH processing time of the UE.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE) to communicate with an evolved NodeB (eNB), the one or more processors to configure the UE to:

decode, from an evolved NodeB (eNB), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Setup message when the UE is in RRC Idle Mode or a RRC Connection Reconfiguration message when the UE is in RRC Connected Mode, the RRC Connection Setup or Reconfiguration message comprising a RadioResourceConfigDedicated information element (IE), the RadioResourceConfigDedicated IE comprising a MAC-MainConfig IE, the MAC-MainConfig IE comprising a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration IE, the DRX configuration IE comprising an on-duration timer that specifies a number of consecutive subframes at a start of a DRX cycle to monitor for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) that indicates a resource allocation for the apparatus, an inactivity timer that specifies a number of consecutive subframes after a subframe in which a PDCCH indicates an initial uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) user data transmission for the apparatus, a retransmission timer that specifies a maximum number of consecutive subframes until a DL retransmission is received, a long DRX cycle start offset that specifies a subframe that a long DRX cycle starts, the long DRX cycle start offset set to 70 ms, and a short DRX cycle timer that specifies a number of consecutive subframes that the apparatus is to follow a short DRX cycle; and

monitor, based on the DRX configuration IE, PDCCHs in subframes of an active time and after the active time in at least one of an on duration of the short DRX cycle and an on duration of the long DRX cycle for a control signal that indicates a UL or DL user data transmission for the apparatus, the active time comprising a time while the on-duration timer, the inactivity timer or retransmission timer is running.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the operations to further configure the one or more processors to:

detect the control signal during a particular subframe in which the PDCCH is monitored,

decode the control signal,

determine whether the control signal has been decoded at an end of the particular subframe, and

while the control signal is being decoded, continue to monitor at least one subframe to determine whether a UL or DL user data transmission for the apparatus is received.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the operations to further configure the one or more processors to initiate the inactivity timer after the control signal has been decoded.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the control signal is received during one of:

the continuous reception mode, an on-duration period of the short discontinuous reception cycle, or an on-duration period of the long discontinuous reception cycle.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the operations to further configure the one or more processors to restart the inactivity timer following successful decoding of a PDCCH for a first transmission and not for a retransmission.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16, wherein:

the PDCCH is an enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCE), and

the operations to further configure the one or more processors to monitor the ePDCCH in the subframes after the active time for a number the subframes determined based on ePDCCH processing time of the UE.