A computer-implemented method includes sending, by an access node, to a user equipment (UE) configuration information for a beam quality reference signal (BQRS) that is associated with a discontinuous reception (DRX)-ON period used for sending a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to the UE, wherein the BQRS has a spatial quasi-collocated (QCL) relationship with either the PDCCH or a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of the PDCCH. The method further includes sending, by the access node, the BQRS to the UE.