Method and arrangement for reducing power consumption in a mobile communication network
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for reducing power consumption of a receiver in a mobile communication network comprising a sender transmitting packet data on a downlink channel to one or more receivers over a radio interface. Inactive time instants and listening time instants are defined according to provided rules. The receiver is arranged to listen for information from the sender during the listening time instants and to sleep during the inactive time instants. Thus, less power will be consumed during the inactive time instants.
1. A method for reducing power consumption of a receiver in a mobile communication network comprising a sender transmitting packet data on a downlink channel to one or more receivers over a radio interface, wherein the method comprises the step of:
making an agreement on a rule with said sender;
defining inactive time instants and listening time instants according to said agreed rule,
wherein, during said listening time instants said receiver is listening for signalling from said sender,
wherein, during said inactive time instants, said receiver is not listening for signalling from said sender and said sender agrees not to send packets to the receiver, whereby less power is consumed during said inactive time instants.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of defining said listening time instants according to a fixed periodical pattern.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said listening time instants starts at a pre-determined time and ends when a packet is received in said receiver.
4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the method further comprises the step of sending a dummy packet to said receiver in order to end said listening time instants.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said listening time instants starts at a pre-determined time and ends after a pre-determined time.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of sending commands instructing said receiver to go into said inactive mode for a time period according to instructions in said command.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of sending commands instructing said receiver to go into said inactive mode until a pre-determined time.
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of triggering the start of said listening time instant by a negative acknowledgement sent from said receiver when a packet is erroneously received in said receiver.
9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said listening time instant starts after a channel quality report is received in said receiver.
10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said rules are tabulated for different types of applications.
11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of automatically selecting said rules by means of an algorithm based on pre-determined parameters.
12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of determining said rules by means of an adaptive algorithm based on observed traffic characteristics.
13. An arrangement for reducing power consumption of a receiver in a mobile communication network comprising a sender transmitting packet data on a downlink channel to one or more receivers over a radio interface, wherein the arrangement comprises:
a processor configured to:
make an agreement on a rule with said sender;
define inactive time instants and listening time instants according to said agreed rule,
wherein, during said listening time instants said receiver is arranged to listen for signalling from said sender,
wherein, during said inactive time instants, said receiver is not arranged to listen for signalling from said sender and said sender agrees not to send packets to the receiver, whereby less power is consumed during said inactive time instants.
14. An arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the arrangement further comprises means for defining said listening time instants according to a fixed periodical pattern.
15. An arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein said listening time instants are arranged to start at a pre-determined time and to end when a packet is received in said receiver.
16. An arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to send a dummy packet to said receiver in order to end said listening time instants.
17. An arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein said listening time instants are arranged to start at a pre-determined time and to end after a pre-determined time.
18. An arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to send commands instructing said receiver to go into said inactive mode for a time period according to instructions in said command.
19. An arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to send commands instructing said receiver to go into said inactive mode until a pre-determined time.
20. An arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to trigger the start of said listening time instant by a negative acknowledgement sent from said receiver when a packet is erroneously received in said receiver.
21. An arrangement according to claim 14 , wherein said listening time instants are arranged to start after a channel quality report is received in said receiver.
22. An arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein said rules are tabulated for different types of applications.
23. An arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to automatically select said rules by means of an algorithm based on pre-determined parameters.
24. An arrangement according to claim 13 , wherein the processor is further operable to determine said rules by means of an adaptive algorithm based on observed traffic characteristics.
25. The arrangement of claim 13 , wherein the arrangement is part of a mobile terminal.
26. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program for reducing power consumption of a receiver in a mobile communication network comprising a sender transmitting packet data on a downlink channel to one or more receivers over a radio interface, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, performs the step of:
making an agreement on a rule with said sender;
defining inactive time instants and listening time instants according to said agreed rule,
wherein, during said listening time instants said receiver is listening for signalling from said sender,
wherein, during said inactive time instants, said receiver is not listening for signaling from said sender and said sender agrees not to send packets to the receiver, whereby less power is consumed during said inactive time instants.