JP2020053985A - Terminal-initiated type power mode switching - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a mobile terminal and a method for selecting a power mode, in communication with a wireless network.SOLUTION: In a communication system, a mobile terminal 20 includes logic for selecting a power mode from a plurality of power modes. The logic controls a modem so as to transmit a power mode changing request (41) that includes an indicator for the selected power mode. The logic controls the mobile terminal so as to switch to be in the selected power mode, in accordance with receiving a power mode changing response (42).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to wireless communications. Embodiments of the present invention are particularly directed to mobile terminals configured for communication with wireless networks, wireless networks, communication systems, and such where the power consumption of a modem of the mobile terminal as controlled by such a device is controlled. About the method.

  With the increasing popularity of mobile voice communication and mobile data communication, the demand for high-speed data communication has been increasing. Modern mobile terminals of communication networks, for example smartphones, have a high processing capability. Mobile terminals can execute a wide variety of applications. These applications include, but are not limited to, social networks, email services, or update clients such as news update centers or weather forecasts.

  Some of these applications continue to run even when the mobile terminal is not being used. Some of these applications may continue to operate continuously or quasi-continuously even when the mobile terminal screen is switched off. In this case, the application may continue to send or receive data via the mobile terminal's modem. This causes the processor of the mobile terminal executing the application to operate repeatedly. In addition, the modem is also switched on repeatedly to allow applications to send or receive data. This gives the user only a small benefit when the mobile terminal is not in use, but reduces battery life.

  To mitigate power consumption issues associated with data transfer initiated by an application executed by the mobile terminal, transmission of messages by the application via the modem may be limited. This approach may not be enough to allow the amount of data transfer received by the application on the mobile terminal to be controlled in an efficient manner. If the application executed by the mobile terminal is associated with a large amount of push data traffic to the mobile terminal, an undesirable large amount of battery power is lost, for example, even while the mobile terminal is in standby mode Maybe.

  To reduce the power consumption of the modem, the mobile terminal can be set in various states. For example, a 3GPP specification TS 25.331 V11.5.0 (2013-2013) entitled "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification (Release 11)" 03) defines various RRC states in section 7.1. Although the mobile terminal may transition to some of these states autonomously, e.g., when a timer expires, the various parameters that determine the RRC state of the mobile terminal or the transition between these states are determined by the communication Controlled by network nodes. These techniques may not yet be sufficient to address the power consumption issues associated with the continued use of the modem by applications running on mobile terminals. To illustrate, a social network, email service, or news service running on a mobile terminal may receive incoming push data traffic. As a result, the mobile terminal may transition from the idle mode in which the RRC is not connected to the RRC connected mode. The resulting modem activity reduces battery life.

  There is a continuing need in the art for devices and methods that mitigate the problems associated with modem power consumption caused by applications executed by mobile terminals.

  According to an embodiment, a power mode switch to a mobile terminal initiated power saving mode is introduced. The mobile terminal may signal to the communication network that it is going to a particular power saving mode. In addition to the normal power modes, a set of multiple power modes that reduce power consumption may be defined, and the mobile terminal will transition to any of the multiple power saving modes. May be signaled to the communication network. In a power mode that reduces power consumption, the mobile terminal may be further configured to make a transition between different RRC (Radio Resource Control) states, for example, from an idle mode to a connected mode. Parameter settings associated with each power mode may define parameters for Layer 1, Layer 2, and / or Layer 3 signaling between the mobile terminal and the communication network.

  A mobile terminal according to one embodiment comprises a modem for communication with a wireless network. The mobile terminal comprises logic configured to select a power mode from a plurality of power modes. The logic is configured to control the modem to transmit a power mode change request including an indicator for the selected power mode. The logic is configured to control the mobile terminal to transition to the selected power mode in response to receiving a power mode change response.

  The logic selects the power mode depending on the application executed by the mobile terminal to reduce data transfer to the mobile terminal while the application is executed by the mobile terminal. May be configured.

  The logic may be configured to select the power mode to reduce data transfer to the mobile terminal while the mobile terminal is not being used. The logic may be configured to select the power mode to reduce data transfer to the mobile terminal while the mobile terminal is in a standby mode.

  The mobile terminal may be configured to switch between different RRC states while operating in the selected power mode.

  The indicator for the selected power mode may be selected from a finite set of indicators. The set may include one unique indicator for each power mode. The set of indicators may include more than two indicators. The set of indicators may include at least four indicators.

  The selected power mode and at least one other power mode of the plurality of power modes are for first and / or second layer signaling of the radio interface between the mobile terminal and the communication network. May have different parameters.

  The selected power mode and at least one other power mode of the plurality of power modes have different parameters for third layer signaling of the radio interface between the mobile terminal and the communication network. May be. The selected power mode and at least one other power mode of the plurality of power modes may have different DRX parameter settings, for example.

  The different DRX parameter settings may include different DRX cycle lengths. Additionally or alternatively, the different DRX parameter settings may include different inactivity timer values. Additionally or alternatively, the different DRX parameter settings may include different paging periods.

  The mobile terminal may be configured to switch between an idle state and an RRC connected state while operating in the selected power mode.

  At least two power modes of the plurality of power modes may be distinguished from each other in the number of DRX states. The logic may select one of the at least two power modes. To illustrate, the first power mode may have only one DRX state while the mobile terminal is in an idle state. The second power mode may have two different DRX states while the mobile terminal is in an idle state. The two different DRX states may be an idle DRX state with a long DRX cycle and an idle DRX state with a short DRX cycle.

  At least two of the plurality of power modes may have different protocol procedures for the mobile terminal accessing the wireless network. The logic may select one of these at least two power modes.

  At least two power modes of the plurality of power modes may have different wireless parameters. At least two power modes of the plurality of power modes may have different terminal output power classes. In one of these at least two power modes, transmission and / or reception may be limited to half-duplex operation. The logic may select one of the at least two power modes.

  At least two power modes of the plurality of power modes may define different mobility management procedures. To illustrate, the first power mode may have more limited cell change possibilities than the second power mode. The logic may select the first power mode or the second power mode.

  The mobile terminal is configured to activate a modem at a timing dependent on the selected power mode while operating in the selected power mode to handle incoming data transfer. Is also good.

  The mobile terminal may be configured to transmit the power mode change request in an RRC Connection Establishment procedure or an RRC Connection Reconfiguration procedure.

  The mobile terminal may include a display. The logic may be configured to select the power mode depending on whether the display is switched off. The logic may be configured to select the power mode depending on whether the display has been switched off for at least a predetermined time.

  The mobile terminal may include at least one sensor. The logic may be configured to select the power mode depending on whether the display is switched off and depending on an output signal of the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor may include a motion sensor. The output signal of the motion sensor may be used by the logic to determine whether the mobile terminal is being used and / or whether the mobile terminal is being carried by a user. . The logic may select the power mode based on whether the mobile terminal is being used and / or whether the mobile terminal is being carried by a user.

  The logic may be configured to prevent an application from triggering data transmission through the modem when the display is switched off. The logic may be configured to limit the use of the modem for outgoing data transfer by the application depending on whether the display has been switched off for at least a predetermined period of time. May activate the firewall of the mobile terminal.

  The power mode change request may include a plurality of indicator bits including the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may include two indicator bits. The power mode change request may include three indicator bits. Consequently, up to four, or up to eight different power modes may be defined.

  The logic may be configured to identify a further power mode depending on a further power mode identifier included in the further power mode change request received by the mobile terminal. The further power mode change request is a network initiated power mode change request. The logic may be configured to control the modem to transmit a further power mode change response in response to receiving the further power mode change request. The logic may be configured to control the mobile terminal to transition to the further power mode in response to receiving the further power mode change request. This allows the mobile terminal to transition to the power mode selected by the communication network.

  The mobile terminal may be a user equipment. The user equipment may be configured for communication with an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network. The mobile terminal may be a mobile phone, for example, a smartphone.

  The mobile terminal may be a machine-to-machine (M2M) terminal. The mobile terminal may be configured to perform M2M communication via the wireless network.

  According to another embodiment, a radio access network (RAN) node is provided. The RAN node has a wireless interface. The RAN node has a processing device connected to the wireless network. The wireless interface is configured to receive a power mode change request from the mobile terminal. The processing device is configured to determine which of the plurality of power states the mobile terminal is to transition to based on the power state indicator included in the power mode change request. Is done. The processing device is configured to control the wireless interface to transmit a power mode change response.

  The RAN node may be configured to, after transmitting the power mode change response, control data transfer to the mobile terminal according to the indicator for the power state included in the power mode change request.

  The RAN node, after transmitting the power mode change response, decreases the number of data transfers to an application in the mobile terminal and / or a rate according to the indicator for the power state included in the power mode change request. It may be configured as follows.

  The RAN node may be configured to adjust a paging cycle for the mobile terminal after transmitting the power mode change response.

  The RAN node may be a base station. The RAN node may in particular be a NodeB or an eNodeB (evolved NodeB).

  A communication system according to one embodiment includes the mobile terminal according to one embodiment and a radio access network. The radio access network may be configured to receive the power mode change request from the mobile terminal. The radio access network may be configured to identify the selected power mode based on the indicator included in the power mode change request. The radio access network may be configured to transmit a power mode change response to the mobile terminal. The radio access network may be configured to control data transfer to the mobile terminal based on the selected power mode.

  The radio access network may comprise a RAN node configured to perform the functions described above, eg, a NodeB or an eNodeB. The RAN node may be a RAN node according to an embodiment.

  A method for controlling transition between power modes of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment includes selecting a power mode from a plurality of power modes by the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal sends a power mode change request via a wireless interface, wherein the power mode change request includes an indicator for the selected power mode. In response to receiving the power mode change request, the mobile terminal transitions to the power mode selected by the mobile terminal.

  The power mode may be selected depending on the application executed by the mobile terminal to reduce data transfer to the mobile terminal while the application is executed by the mobile terminal.

  The data transfer to an application executed by the mobile terminal while the mobile terminal is not in use may be reduced. The data transfer to an application executed by the mobile terminal while the mobile terminal is in a standby mode may be reduced.

  The mobile terminal may switch between different RRC (Radio Resource Control) states while operating in the selected power mode.

  The indicator for the selected power mode may be selected from a finite set of indicators each including one indicator for each power mode.

  The selected power mode and at least one other power mode of the plurality of power modes are for Layer 1, Layer 2 and / or Layer 3 signaling between the mobile terminal and the communication network. It may have different parameter settings.

  The different DRX parameter settings may include different DRX cycle lengths. Additionally or alternatively, the different DRX parameter settings may include different inactivity timer values. Additionally or alternatively, the different DRX parameter settings may include different paging periods.

  The method may include switching between an idle mode and an RRC connected mode while the mobile terminal operates in the selected power mode.

  The method comprises operating the modem at a timing dependent on the selected power mode while the mobile terminal operates in the selected power mode to process a received data transfer. May be included.

  The power mode change request may be transmitted in an RRC Connection Establishment procedure or an RRC Connection Reconfiguration procedure.

  The power mode may be selected depending on whether the display is switched off. The power mode may be selected depending on whether the display has been switched off for at least a predetermined period.

  The power mode may be selected depending on whether the display is switched off and depending on an output signal of the at least one sensor. The at least one sensor may include a motion sensor. The output signal of the motion sensor may be analyzed to determine whether the mobile terminal is being used and / or whether the mobile terminal is being carried by a user. The power mode may be selected based on whether the mobile terminal is being used and / or whether the mobile terminal is being carried by a user.

  The method may further include preventing an application from triggering data transmission through the modem when the display is switched off. A firewall between the application and the modem is active depending on whether the display is switched off for at least a predetermined period of time to limit the use of the modem for outgoing data transfer by the application. May be converted.

  The power mode change request may include a plurality of indicator bits including the indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode change request may include two indicator bits. The power mode change request may include three indicator bits. Consequently, up to four, or up to eight different power modes may be defined.

  The method may include identifying a further power mode depending on a further power mode identifier included in the further power mode change request received by the mobile terminal. The method may include controlling the modem to transmit a further power mode change response in response to receiving the further power mode change request. The method may include controlling the mobile terminal to transition to the further power mode in response to receiving the further power mode change request. This allows the mobile terminal to transition to the power mode selected by the communication network.

  The method may be performed by the mobile terminal of one embodiment.

  According to the apparatus and method according to the embodiments, the mobile terminal can initiate a transition to any power mode that has lower power consumption than a normal fully operating power mode. Incoming data transfers for applications executed on the mobile terminal may be reduced by selecting a power mode whereby the power consumption of the modem is low. The time during which the modem must be switched on to handle incoming data transfers can be reduced. Battery life can be improved.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements.
1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to one embodiment. 4 is a flowchart of a method according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates operations of a mobile terminal and a radio access network node in a method according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates operations of a mobile terminal and a radio access network node in a method according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates operations of a mobile terminal and a radio access network node in a method according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state of the said mobile terminal which a mobile terminal can switch while operating in the selected power mode. FIG. 3 is a block diagram representation of functional units of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram representation of a radio access network node according to one embodiment. 4 is a flowchart of a method according to one embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. While some embodiments are described in the context of a particular application, for example, in the context of an exemplary radio access technology, the embodiments are not limited to this application. Unless stated otherwise, features of the various embodiments may be combined with one another.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 1 according to one embodiment. The communication system 1 includes a mobile terminal 20. The communication system 1 includes a communication network 10. The communication network 10 includes a radio access network (RAN). The radio access network may include a plurality of base stations 11 to 13. The base stations 11 to 13 may be operatively connected to a radio access network or other nodes 14, 15 that may be provided in a core network (CN) of the communication network 10. Specific configurations of the communication network 10, the base stations 11 to 13, and the nodes 14 and 15 depend on the communication standard. For example, the communication network 10 may be a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network. In this case, the RAN is a GERAN (GSM EDGE Radio Access Network) including the nodes 14 and 15 that are base station controllers. Communication network 10 may be a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network. In this case, the RAN is a UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) including base stations 11 to 13 each being a NodeB and nodes 14 and 15 each being an RNC (Radio Network Controller). The communication network 10 may be an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network. In this case, the RAN includes base stations 11 to 13 each being an eNodeB (evolved Node B), and nodes 14 and 15 each being an SME-based (Mobility Management Entity) and / or an S-GW (Serving Gateway) in a core network. eUTRAN (evolved UTRAN).

  The mobile terminal 20 has one wireless interface 21 or several wireless interfaces 21 for connecting to at least one radio access network (RAN). The wireless interface 21 includes a modem 22. Modem 22 performs each of the modulation and demodulation required for each communication standard used by mobile terminal 20. The mobile terminal 20 may be configured for communication with a RAN according to an RRC (Radio Resource Control) protocol. To illustrate, the mobile terminal 20 may be configured to communicate with a RAN according to 3GPP specification TS 25.331. The mobile terminal 20 has a 3GPP specification TS 25.331 V11.5.0 entitled "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification (Release 11)". 2013-03), it may be configured for wireless communication with the RAN. Alternatively or additionally, mobile terminal 20 may be configured to communicate with the RAN according to 3GPP specification TS 36.331. The mobile terminal 20 is a 3GPP specification TS entitled "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification (Release 11)". 36.331 V11.3.0 (2013-03), and may be configured for wireless communication with the RAN.

  Mobile terminal 20 may have various power modes. In at least some power modes, use of the modem 22 to process data transfer or other messages received by the mobile terminal 20 is limited to reduce power consumption. These power modes that provide low power consumption of the modem are also referred to herein as power saving modes, or simply power modes that have lower power consumption than normal fully operational power modes.

  In some or all power modes, mobile terminal 20 may be configured to make a transition between an idle state where mobile terminal 20 is in an RRC disconnected state and an RRC connected state. This distinguishes the power mode providing low power consumption from the conventional DRX (discontinuous reception) state or the URA_PCH state, CELL_PCH state, CELL_FACH state, and CELL_DCH state defined in 3GPP specification TS 25.331. . The mobile terminal 20 has a 3GPP specification TS 25.331 V11.5.0 entitled "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification (Release 11)". 2013-03) may have the states defined in sections 7.1 and 7.2, and may switch between these states while operating in the selected power mode. The mobile terminal 20 may be in one of these states to receive signals while operating in one of a variety of power modes that provide low power consumption, provided that the respective power mode , While still operable to switch between the idle state and the RRC connected state. On the other hand, when operating in the URA_PCH state, CELL_PCH state, CELL_FACH state, and CELL_DCH state, the mobile terminal 20 is always in the RRC connection mode.

  The mobile terminal 20 has a processing device 23 that controls the operation of the mobile terminal 20. The processing device 23 may include one microprocessor, several microprocessors, one microcontroller, several microcontrollers, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a combination of the above elements. The processing device 23 may perform the operations of the logic to determine which of several power modes should be used, as described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  The mobile terminal 20 is configured to be able to request that a specific power mode be used among a plurality of available power modes. To illustrate, up to four, or up to eight different power modes may be predefined. An indicator may be assigned to each power mode. The term "indicator" for a power mode, as used herein, may be assigned to each power mode such that one of a plurality of power modes may be uniquely identified based on the indicator. Means a unique identifier.

  The mobile terminal 20 is configured to transmit a power mode change request to the communication network 10. The power mode change request may include a number of purpose bits including a unique identifier for the power mode selected by the mobile terminal 20. The processing device 23 may control the wireless interface 21 to transmit a power mode change request including an indicator for the selected power mode.

  Communication network 10 may transmit a power mode change response to mobile terminal 20. The power mode change response may be an acknowledgment message confirming that the mobile terminal 20 may transition to a power mode previously selected by the mobile terminal 20 as being the appropriate power mode. This appropriate power mode is defined by the indicator in the power mode change request sent by the mobile terminal 20.

  The determination as to which power mode is the appropriate power mode can be made by a wide variety of means. In one implementation, processing device 23 selects a power mode depending on whether mobile terminal 20 is in a standby mode. The power mode may be selected depending on whether the mobile terminal 20 has been in the standby mode for a certain period. The power mode may be selected depending on whether the display 25 of the mobile terminal 20 has been switched off for a predetermined period. The power mode may be selected depending on the output signal of the sensor of the mobile terminal 20. To illustrate, the mobile terminal 20 may include a motion sensor 26. Based on the output signal of the motion sensor 26 and / or information on whether the display 25 is switched on or off, the processing device 23 may determine which power mode should be appropriate.

  Processing device 23 may also execute applications. At least one application, or some applications, may continue to execute, for example, when mobile terminal 20 is transitioning to a standby mode. Examples of such applications include, but are not limited to, social networks, email services, or update clients such as news update centers or weather forecasts. Applications typically send data to and receive data from communication network 10 via wireless interface 21. A power mode with lower power consumption than the normal power mode ensures that data transfer to the mobile terminal 20 is reduced by signaling to the communication network that a particular power mode should be used. .

  In deciding which power mode is the appropriate power mode, which application is running on the mobile terminal 20 may also be taken into account. To illustrate, when the e-mail application is being executed by the mobile terminal 20, the processing device 23 transfers data to the mobile terminal 20 more frequently than when only a news update service or a weather forecast application is being executed. The power mode that allows the power mode to be performed may be selected. The processing device 23 may predict which data traffic will be required, depending on the application running on the mobile terminal 20.

  Each of the various power modes may have a series of parameters 24 that define operation in each power mode. The power mode parameter 24 may be stored in the mobile terminal 20. The power mode parameter may define how the parameter or functionality at the physical layer is defined. The power mode parameter may define a parameter of a physical layer in a wireless interface between the mobile terminal 20 and the communication network 10. Additionally or alternatively, the power mode parameters may be parameters for Layer 2 and / or Layer 3 signaling between the mobile terminal 20 and the communication network 10.

  The specific definitions of the various power modes and their respective parameters may depend on the configuration of the mobile terminal 20. To illustrate, for a mobile terminal that is a mobile phone, the various power modes are different DRX cycle lengths and / or different paging cycles when the mobile terminal is in an RRC disconnected state, operating in each mode. Definition. To further illustrate, the various power modes may correspond to different output power classes of the mobile terminal 20.

  Additionally or alternatively, the selected power mode may add one or more additional DRX periods. The power mode may add a long DRX level to the idle RRC state, for example, in addition to the standard idle DRX.

  Additionally or alternatively, the selected power mode may define different protocol procedures for the mobile terminal to access the wireless network.

  Additionally or alternatively, the selected power mode may define various radio parameters, such as one or several different terminal output power classes, and / or transmit and receive half-duplex operation. May be limited.

  Additionally or alternatively, the selected power mode may define various mobility management procedures. The selected power mode may limit or eliminate the possibility of a cell change to reduce the measurements that need to be performed at the mobile terminal.

  When the mobile terminal 20 switches to the selected power mode in response to receiving the power mode switching response from the communication network 10, the modem 22 may be controlled depending on the power mode parameters for each power mode. The processing device 23 may read the power mode parameters from the memory 24.

  The mobile terminal 20 can have various configurations. For example, the mobile terminal 20 may be a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication terminal. The mobile terminal 20 may communicate with another M2M terminal 29 via the communication network 10. The number of power modes defined and / or specific power mode parameters may depend on the specific configuration of mobile terminal 20. This makes it possible to optimize the behavior of the physical layer for different M2M use cases, different modes of smartphones, non-voice-centric devices, or similar.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method 30 according to one embodiment. Method 30 may be performed by mobile terminal 20.

  At 31, the logic determines an optimal power mode for the mobile terminal. The selection algorithm may be employed to determine which power mode is the optimal power mode among the plurality of power modes. In one implementation, a power mode with lower power consumption than the normal fully operating power mode may be determined when the display 25 is off. Additional or alternative inputs, such as output signals of a motion sensor, or information in a running application, etc., may be used in the determination.

  The optimal power mode may be identified to meet expected future signaling needs for mobile terminal 20. Future signaling needs may be predicted based on the application being performed. Historical data in the signaling associated with each application may be collected, for example, by the mobile terminal 20 and may be used to predict future signaling needs. Alternatively or additionally, information defining the signaling needs of each application may be retrieved from the applications. In determining the optimal power mode, previous power mode changes may be taken into account. To illustrate, if the current power mode is currently only active for a short period of time, other power modes may be penalized in the selection algorithm to introduce a hysteretic behavior that prevents ping-pong operation.

  At 32, the logic determines whether a power mode change should be requested. If the optimal power mode determined at 31 is different from the current power mode, a change in power mode may be required. When the same power mode is specified as the optimum power mode continuously for a predetermined period, a change in the power mode may be requested. If it is determined that there is no power mode change to be requested, the method returns to step 31.

  When a power mode change is to be requested, a power mode change request is transmitted by the mobile terminal. The power mode change request depends on the power mode specified as the optimum power mode in step 31.

  If power mode “1” is selected because it is the optimal power mode, at 33, a power mode change request including an indicator for power mode “1” is transmitted. If power mode “2” is selected because it is the optimal power mode, a power mode change request including an indicator for power mode “2” is transmitted at 34. If power mode “M” is selected because it is the optimal power mode, a power mode change request including an indicator for power mode “M” is transmitted at 35.

  The transition to each power mode is performed in response to the reception of the power mode change response that positively accepts the power mode change request. The method may then return to step 31.

  FIG. 3 shows the signaling between the mobile terminal 20 and the base station 11 of the communication network.

  The mobile terminal 20 transmits a message 41 which is a power mode change request. The power mode change request includes an indicator PMID for the selected power mode. The indicator PMID may be included in, for example, two indicator bits or three indicator bits of the message 41. Thereby, up to four or up to eight different power modes may be defined.

  The base station 11 determines whether the mobile terminal 20 may switch its power mode to the selected power mode indicated by the indicator PMID in the message 41. The determination includes determining whether the data rate and / or network load meets the target condition, even when the mobile terminal 20 switches to the selected power mode indicated by the indicator PMID. obtain.

  If the base station 11 or another RAN node determines that the mobile terminal 20 may switch its power mode to the selected power mode, the base station 11 or another RAN node acknowledges (acknowledge) ) The message 42 may be transmitted to the mobile terminal 20. Message 42 is a power mode change response that accepts the switching of the power mode requested by the mobile terminal.

  At 43, in response to receiving the power mode change response accepting the power mode switch, the mobile terminal 20 changes the power mode to the power mode indicated in the message 41. The change may occur at a predefined time or may be triggered by a trigger event. The change may optionally occur depending on whether an acknowledgment message 42 was received.

  At 44, the base station 11 or another RAN node may coordinate data transfer to the mobile terminal 20 according to the power mode indicator included in the power mode change request message 41. This may limit signaling to the mobile terminal 20 when a power saving power mode is selected. The adjustment may be performed in Layer 1 of the signaling between the base station 11 and the mobile terminal 20. The adjustment may be performed in Layer 2 and / or Layer 3 of the signaling between the base station 11 and the mobile terminal 20.

  FIG. 4 shows the signaling when the base station 11 or another RAN node determines that the mobile terminal 20 should not switch its power mode to the selected power mode. The base station 11 or another RAN node transmits a negative acknowledgment (nack) message 45 to the mobile terminal 20. Message 45 is a power mode change response that refuses to switch the power mode requested by the mobile terminal.

  The mobile terminal 20 does not change its power mode in response to the power mode change response that refuses to switch the power mode. The mobile terminal 20 may, however, subsequently transmit a new power mode change request. The base station 11 does not coordinate Layer 1, Layer 2 and / or Layer 3 signaling with the mobile terminal since no power mode change is performed.

  In addition to the mobile terminal initiated power mode switching described above, the mobile terminal and the RAN may also be configured for RAN initiated power mode switching. In this case, the RAN may transmit a power mode change request including an identifier for one of the power modes. This is shown in FIG.

  The base station 11, or another RAN node, sends a message 46, which is a further power mode change request. The additional power mode change request includes an indicator for the additional power mode selected by base station 11 or another RAN node.

  The mobile terminal 20 determines whether the power mode can be switched to a further power mode. The mobile terminal 20 may determine whether the required data rate and / or transmission delay can be achieved if the mobile terminal 20 switches to the additional power mode indicated by the message 46.

  If the mobile terminal 20 accepts the requested power mode switch, the mobile terminal 20 sends a response message 47. The mobile terminal 20 subsequently switches to a further power mode at 43.

  If the mobile terminal 20 refuses to switch the requested power mode, the mobile terminal 20 sends a negative acknowledgment message (not shown in FIG. 5).

  The multiple power modes must not be confused with the RRC disconnected state and the RRC connected state. The mobile terminal 20 may switch between an RRC disconnected state and an RRC connected state, even while remaining in one and the same power mode. The power mode can be distinguished, for example, in the parameters of the physical layer of the radio interface used individually.

  The signaling described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 may be performed during an RRC Connection Establishment procedure or during an RRC Connection Reconfiguration procedure. .

  The signaling described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 is based on the RRC connection establishment (as defined in 3GPP specification TS 25.331 or as defined in 3GPP specification TS 36.331). It may be performed during an RRC Connection Establishment procedure or during an RRC Connection Reconfiguration procedure. The signaling described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 is entitled "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification (Release 11)". It may be performed during the RRC Connection Establishment procedure as defined in section 8.1.3 of the 3GPP specification TS 25.331 V11.5.0 (2013-03). Alternatively or additionally, the signaling described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 may be referred to as "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA Section 5.3.3 or Section 5.3.5 of the 3GPP specification TS 36.331 V11.3.0 (2013-03) entitled "Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification (Release 11)". May be performed during an RRC Connection Establishment procedure, or during an RRC Connection Reconfiguration procedure, as defined in

  FIG. 6 schematically illustrates various RRC states that a mobile terminal may have. In the idle state 50, the mobile terminal 20 is not connected to the RRC. In the RRC connection state 51, the mobile terminal 20 is connected by RRC. The RRC connection state may have various sub-states. The sub-states may include a no DRX active state 52, a short DRX cycle state 53, and a long DRX cycle state 54. Transitions 55-57 between different RRC states may be triggered when the inactivity timer expires.

  Even in the power mode selected by the mobile terminal 20, the mobile terminal 20 is operable to make a transition between the RRC disconnected state 50 and the RRC connected state 51 including the sub-state of the RRC connected state. May be.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block representation of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment.

  Power mode selection logic 61 may determine which power mode of the plurality of power modes is to be used. The power mode selection logic 61 may select a power mode depending on a signal 65 indicating whether the display is switched on or off. Alternatively or additionally, power mode selection logic 62 may select a power mode depending on a signal 66 indicative of movement of the mobile terminal. The signal 66 may be an output signal of a motion sensor. Alternative or additional signals may be evaluated to determine which power mode is optimal.

  Power mode selection logic 61 may control modem 62 to transmit a power mode change request that includes an indicator for the selected power mode. The power mode selection logic 61 may determine whether the power mode change response received from the communication network is an ack message or a nack message. Depending on the response, power mode selection logic 61 may control modem 62 to switch the mobile terminal to the selected power mode. Switching the power mode may include adapting Layer 1, Layer 2, and / or Layer 3 signaling between the mobile terminal and the communication network.

  Power mode selection logic 61 may also selectively control firewall 64. The firewall 64 is operable to limit or prevent one or several applications 63 running on the mobile terminal from transmitting data to the communication network. The firewall 64 restricts the use of the modem by the application for outgoing data transfer.

  FIG. 8 shows a schematic block diagram representation of a RAN node 70 according to one embodiment. The RAN node 70 has a wireless interface 71 for receiving a power mode change request from the mobile terminal 20. The RAN node 70 has a controller 72 configured to retrieve an indicator for the power mode from the received power mode change request. Controller 72 may be configured to determine whether a power mode switch of mobile terminal 20 to the selected power mode can be accepted. If a power mode switch is acceptable, the controller 72 controls the wireless interface 71 to output a power mode change response to acknowledge the requested power mode switch.

  The controller 72 is configured to control data transfer to and from the mobile terminal 20 depending on the selected power mode identified by the indicator in the received power mode change request. . The power mode parameter 73 may be stored in the RAN node 70 for each of a plurality of power modes that can be selected by the mobile terminal. Power mode parameters 73 for different power modes may include different parameters for Layer 1 signaling between the mobile terminal and the RAN. Power mode parameters 73 for different power modes may include different parameters for Layer 2 signaling between the mobile terminal and the RAN. Power mode parameters 73 for different power modes may include different parameters for Layer 3 signaling between the mobile terminal and the RAN.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method 80 according to one embodiment. Method 80 may be performed by mobile terminal 20. Method 80 illustrates one exemplary use case for mobile terminal initiated power mode switching. In method 80, a low power consumption power mode is selected when some applications continue to run on mobile terminal 20, but mobile terminal 20 is not being used.

  At 81, user inactivity is detected. User inactivity may be detected by determining whether an input operation has been performed at the input interface, or whether a voice or data communication is in progress.

  At 82, the display is switched off after a delay time.

  At 83, it is determined whether the display has been switched off for a predetermined period. If the display has not been switched off for a predetermined period of time, monitoring may continue. If user activity is detected, the display is switched on again. If it is detected that the display has been switched off for a predetermined period of time, the method proceeds to 84.

  At 84, outgoing data traffic transmitted from the application to the communication network is restricted. A firewall between the application and the modem may be activated to limit the use of the modem for outgoing data traffic by the application.

  At 85, a power mode change request is transmitted. The power mode change request includes an indicator for the selected power mode. The mobile terminal may select a power mode based on expected signaling needs for a state where the display is switched off and the mobile terminal is not being used by a user.

  At 86, it is determined whether a power mode change response is received from the communication network to indicate that the change to the selected power mode is approved. If the communication network refuses to switch power modes, the method may end, or return to step 85 after a delay.

  At 87, in response to receiving the power mode change response accepting the requested power mode switch, the mobile terminal transitions to the selected power mode.

  According to the apparatus and the method according to the embodiment, various effects can be obtained. To illustrate, a mobile terminal initiated signaling requesting that a particular power mode be used can efficiently control incoming data traffic received from the network by the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal can still switch between the RRC unconnected state and the RRC connected state in the selected power mode, while layer 1, layer 2 and / or layer 3 between the mobile terminal and the RAN Parameter settings for signaling may depend on the power mode.

  While exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, changes may be implemented in other embodiments. To illustrate, the UE may be a mobile phone, an M2M terminal, or yet another mobile terminal. Further, while exemplary network technologies have been described, embodiments of the present invention may be used in combination with other network technologies.

  The operation of the various functional units may be implemented by hardware, by software, or a combination thereof. By way of example, the function of the logic for selecting the power mode may be performed by a microprocessor or a microcontroller executing instructions programmed in non-volatile memory.

Claims (15)

A mobile terminal,
A modem (22; 62) for communication with the wireless network (10);
-Select a power mode from multiple power modes,
Controlling the modem (22; 62) to send a power mode change request (41) including an indicator for the selected power mode; and
Controlling the mobile terminal (20, 29) to switch to the selected power mode in response to receiving the power mode change response (42);
Logic (23; 61) configured as follows;
A mobile terminal comprising:   The logic (23; 61) controls the mobile terminal (20, 29) to reduce data transfer to the mobile terminal (20, 29) while the application (63) is executed by the mobile terminal (20, 29). Mobile terminal according to claim 1, configured to select the power mode depending on the application (63) executed by the mobile terminal (20, 29).   The mobile terminal (20, 29) is configured to switch between different RRC (Radio Resource Control) states (50-54) while operating in the selected power mode. One or two mobile terminals.   The selected power mode and at least one other power mode of the plurality of power modes are different for physical layer signaling between the mobile terminal (20, 29) and the communication network (10). 4. The mobile terminal according to claim 3, comprising parameter settings. The selected power mode and at least one other power mode of the plurality of power modes have different DRX (discontinuous reception) parameter settings, and the different DRX parameter settings are:
-Different DRX cycle lengths,
-Different inactivity timer values and / or
-Different paging cycles,
The mobile terminal according to claim 3 or 4, comprising at least one of the following.   The mobile terminal (20, 29) is configured to switch between an idle state and an RRC connected state while operating in the selected power mode. The mobile terminal of claim 1.   The mobile terminal (20, 29) is configured to transmit the power mode change request (41) in an RRC Connection Establishment procedure or an RRC Connection Reconfiguration procedure. The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 6. Further comprising a display (25);
Movement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the logic (23; 61) is arranged to select the power mode depending on whether the display (25) is switched off. Terminal. Further comprising at least one sensor (26);
The logic (23; 61) depends on whether the display (25) is switched off and on the output signal (66) of the at least one sensor (26). 9. The mobile terminal of claim 8, wherein the mobile terminal is configured to select:   The logic (23; 61) is configured to prevent an application (63) from triggering data transmission through the modem (22; 62) when the display (25) is switched off. The mobile terminal of claim 8 or 9, wherein   The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the power mode change request (41) includes a plurality of indicator bits including the indicator for the selected power mode. The logic (23; 61)
Identifying a further power mode depending on a further power mode identifier included in the further power mode change request (46) received by the mobile terminal (20, 29);
Controlling said modem (22; 62) to transmit a further power mode change response (42) in response to receiving said further power mode change request (46); and
Controlling the mobile terminal (20, 29) to switch to the further power mode in response to receiving the further power mode change request (46);
The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 11, configured as follows. A mobile terminal (20, 29) according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
Receiving the power mode change request (41) from the mobile terminal (20, 29);
-Identifying the selected power mode based on the indicator in the power mode change request (41);
Transmitting a power mode change response (42) to the mobile terminal (20, 29); and
Controlling data transfer to the mobile terminal (20, 29) based on the selected power mode;
A radio access network (10) configured as
A communication system comprising: A method for performing a transition between power modes of a mobile terminal (20, 29), comprising:
Selecting a power mode from a plurality of power modes by said mobile terminal (20, 29);
Transmitting, by the mobile terminal (20, 29), a power mode change request (41) including an indicator for the selected power mode on a wireless interface (21); and-a power mode change response (42). ), The mobile terminal (20, 29) switches to the selected power mode in response to the reception of the selected power mode;
Including, methods.   The method according to claim 14, performed by a mobile terminal (20, 29) according to any of the preceding claims.

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