Method for transitioning between multiple reception levels

• US 8,576,741 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2011
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Chun, Sung Duck, Lee, Young Dae, Park, Sung Jun, Yi, Seung June
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo, Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAO, WEI PO ERIC
• Application Number:
  US13/239,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20120009933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 370/241, 370/248, 370/252, 370/253, 370/431, 370/449
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

There is provided a method for enabling a user equipment (UE) to transition between a non-discontinuous reception (Non-DRX) level and at least one discontinuous reception (DRX) level. The UE in a DRX level wakes up periodically to monitor a scheduling channel. The method includes receiving a DRX indicator in a Non-DRX level with continuously monitoring the scheduling channel and transitioning from the Non-DRX level to a DRX level indicated by the DRX indicator. The UE can transition between multiple DRX levels by an explicit command/signaling.

Claims

1. A method of transitioning a reception level to monitor a scheduling channel in a wireless communication system, carried in a user equipment (UE), comprising:

monitoring the scheduling channel;

starting or restarting a first timer when the scheduling channel indicates a transmission or reception of data;

receiving a discontinuous reception (DRX) indicator from a base station while the first timer is running, wherein the DRX indicator indicates a long DRX level or a short DRX level;

if the DRX indicator indicates a short DRX level, transitioning to the short DRX level and, thereafter, transitioning from the short DRX level to the long DRX level when a predefined time period elapses after the transition to the short DRX level; and

if the DRX indicator indicates a long DRX level, transitioning to the long DRX level.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first timer is restarted if the scheduling channel indicates the transmission or reception of data while the first timer is running.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the scheduling channel is continuously monitored while the first timer is running.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the DRX period of the long DRX level is longer than the DRX period of the short DRX level.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the DRX indicator is received in a medium access control (MAC) message.

6. User equipment (UE) comprising:

a memory; and

a processor operably coupled with the memory and configured to;

monitor a scheduling channel;

start or restart a first timer when the scheduling channel indicates a transmission or reception of data;

receive a discontinuous reception (DRX) indicator from a base station while the first timer is running, the DRX indicator indicates a long DRX level or a short DRX level;

if the DRX indicator indicates a short DRX level, transitioning to the short DRX level and, thereafter, transitioning from the short DRX level to the long DRX level when a predefined time period elapses after the transition to the short DRX level; and

if the DRX indicator indicates a long DRX level, transitioning to the long DRX level.

7. The UE of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to restart the first timer if the scheduling channel indicates the transmission or reception of data while the first timer is running.

8. The UE of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to continuously monitor the scheduling channel while the first timer is running.

9. The UE of claim 6, wherein the DRX period of the long DRX level is longer than the DRX period of the short DRX level.

10. The UE of claim 6, wherein the DRX indicator is received in a medium access control (MAC) message.