Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may enter a lower power mode of operation, and may receive, from a base station, a non-coherent signal while the UE is operating in the lower power mode. The UE may identify an indication to transition from the lower power mode to a higher power mode of operation based at least in part on receiving the non-coherent signal. The UE may enter the higher power mode based at least in part on identifying the indication.