Assessing Radio Frequency (RF) Exposure in Real Time

Abstract

To provide a method for evaluating radio frequency (RF) exposure from a wireless device.SOLUTION: A method implemented in a wireless device includes: determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution for a first wireless communication technology; determining a power density (PD) distribution for a second wireless communication technology; combining the SAR distribution and the PD distribution to generate a combined RF exposure distribution; determining at least one first maximum allowable power level and at least one second maximum allowable power level for a future time slot based on the combined RF exposure distribution; setting at least one transmission power limit for a first transmitter in the future time slot based on the at least one first maximum allowable power level; and setting at least one transmission power limit for a second transmitter in the future time slot based on the at least one second maximum allowable power level.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 16 / 460,894, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on July 2, 2019, provisional patent application Ser. No. 62 / 694,405, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on July 5, 2018, and provisional patent application Ser. No. 62 / 696,687, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on July 11, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in their entireties below and for all applicable purposes. [Technical field]

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless devices, and more particularly, to assessing radio frequency (RF) exposure from wireless devices. [Background technology]

[0003]

[0003] Modern wireless devices (e.g., cellular phones) are generally required to limit a user's exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation in accordance with RF exposure limits set by national and international regulatory agencies. To ensure that wireless devices comply with RF exposure limits, technologies have been developed that enable wireless devices to assess RF exposure from the wireless device in real time and adjust the wireless device's transmit power accordingly to comply with the RF exposure limits. Summary of the Invention

[0004]

[0004] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of all embodiments or to delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0005]

[0005] A first aspect relates to a wireless device. The wireless device includes a first transmitter configured to transmit a first signal according to a first wireless communication technology, a second transmitter configured to transmit a second signal according to a second wireless communication technology, and a processor coupled to the first and second transmitters. The processor is configured to: determine a specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution for the first wireless communication technology, determine a power density (PD) distribution for the second wireless communication technology, combine the SAR distribution and the PD distribution to generate a combined RF exposure distribution, determine at least one first maximum allowed power level and at least one second maximum allowed power level for future timeslots based on the combined RF exposure distribution, set at least one transmit power limit for the first transmitter in the future timeslots based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level, and set at least one transmit power limit for the second transmitter in the future timeslots based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level.

[0006]

[0006] A second aspect relates to a method implemented in a wireless device, the method including determining a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) distribution for a first wireless communication technology, determining a Power Density (PD) distribution for a second wireless communication technology, and combining the SAR and PD distributions to generate a combined RF exposure distribution. The method also includes determining at least one first maximum allowed power level and at least one second maximum allowed power level for future timeslots based on the combined RF exposure distribution, setting at least one transmit power limit for a first transmitter in the future timeslots based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level, and setting at least one transmit power limit for a second transmitter in the future timeslots based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level.

[0007]

[0007] A third aspect relates to a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes stored instructions for determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution for a first wireless communication technology, determining a power density (PD) distribution for a second wireless communication technology, and combining the SAR distribution and the PD distribution to generate a combined RF exposure distribution. The computer-readable medium also includes stored instructions for determining at least one first maximum allowed power level and at least one second maximum allowed power level for a future time slot based on the combined RF exposure distribution, setting at least one transmit power limit for a first transmitter in the future time slot based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level, and setting at least one transmit power limit for a second transmitter in the future time slot based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level.

[0008]

[0008] A fourth aspect relates to a wireless device. The wireless device includes a transmitter and a processor coupled to the transmitter. The processor is configured to determine a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) distribution for a first wireless communication technology, determine a Power Density (PD) distribution for a second wireless communication technology, combine the SAR distribution and the PD distribution to generate a combined RF exposure distribution, and determine a maximum allowed time-average power level for a future time slot based on the combined RF exposure distribution, the future time slot comprising a plurality of sub-timeslots. The processor is also configured to determine a maximum allowed power level for each of the plurality of sub-timeslots based on the maximum allowed time-average power level for the future time slot, and set a transmit power limit for the transmitter in each of the sub-timeslots based on the respective maximum allowed power level.

[0009]

[0009] A fifth aspect relates to a wireless device. The wireless device includes a transmitter and a processor coupled to the transmitter. The processor is configured to determine a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) distribution for a first wireless communication technology, determine a Power Density (PD) distribution for a second wireless communication technology, combine the SAR distribution and the PD distribution to generate a combined RF exposure distribution, and determine a PD limit for a future time slot based on the combined RF exposure distribution, the future time slot comprising a plurality of sub-timeslots. The processor is also configured to determine a maximum allowed power level for each of the plurality of sub-timeslots based on the PD limit for the future time slot, and set a transmit power limit for the transmitter in each of the sub-timeslots based on the respective maximum allowed power levels.

[0010]

[0010] A sixth aspect relates to a wireless device including a transmitter and a processor coupled to the transmitter, the processor configured to: determine a maximum allowed time-average power level for a future time slot, determine a maximum allowed transmit duty cycle for the future time slot based on the determined maximum allowed time-average power level and the maximum allowed power level, and set a transmit duty cycle limit for the transmitter in the future time slot based on the maximum allowed transmit duty cycle.

[0011]

[0011] A seventh aspect relates to a wireless device including a transmitter and a processor coupled to the transmitter, the processor configured to: determine a maximum allowed time-average power level for a future time slot, determine a maximum allowed peak power level for the future time slot based on the determined maximum allowed time-average power level and a maximum allowed duty cycle, and set a peak power limit for the transmitter in the future time slot based on the maximum allowed peak power level.

[0012] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more embodiments comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the one or more embodiments. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the various embodiments may be employed and the described embodiments are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an example of a wireless device in which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Diagram 2]

[0014] 1 illustrates an example of a normalized Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) distribution combined with a normalized Power Density (PD) distribution, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3]

[0015] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for determining a transmit power level that complies with RF exposure limits for simultaneous transmissions using multiple wireless communication technologies in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]

[0016] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for determining a transmit power level that adheres to a PD limit in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5]

[0017] 1 illustrates an example of a time-averaged SAR distribution according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]

[0018] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for determining transmit power levels for future timeslots while adhering to time-averaged SAR limits in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]

[0019] 1 shows an example of a time-averaged PD distribution according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]

[0020] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for determining a transmit power level that adheres to a time-average PD limit in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]

[0021] 1 shows an example of a time-averaged SAR distribution combined with a time-averaged PD distribution according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 10]

[0022] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for determining a transmit power level that complies with time-averaged RF exposure limits in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 11]

[0023] 13 illustrates an example in which a time-averaged PD distribution is determined using multiple time averaging windows for different frequency bands, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 12]

[0024] 1 illustrates an example in which time-averaged PD distributions are determined for simultaneous transmissions in different frequency bands, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 13]

[0025] 1 shows an example of a time-averaged SAR distribution combined with a PD distribution, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 14]

[0026] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method implemented in a wireless device in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 15]

[0027] 1 illustrates an example in which maximum allowed power levels are determined at different rates for different technologies, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 16]

[0028] 13 shows an example of PD over time for the inner loop, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 17]

[0029] 1 illustrates an example of a portion of a PD allocation that is used and a portion of the PD allocation that is reserved for future transmissions, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 18]

[0030] 1 shows an illustrative table for converting allowed PD to maximum allowed power level in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0014]

[0031] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the attached drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0015]

[0032] 1 illustrates an example of a wireless device 100 in which aspects of the disclosure described herein may be implemented. The wireless device 100 may comprise a mobile wireless device (e.g., a cellular phone), a laptop, a wireless access point, or some other wireless device.

[0016]

[0033] Wireless device 100 includes a processor 110 and a memory 115 coupled to processor 110. Memory 115 may store instructions that, when executed by processor 110, cause processor 110 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. Processor 110 may be implemented using a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a baseband modem, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured to perform one or more of the operations described herein.

[0017]

[0034] The wireless device 100 also includes a first transmitter 120, a first plurality of antennas 122-1 through 122-N coupled to the first transmitter 120, and a first bus 140 coupled between the first transmitter 120 and the processor 110. In certain aspects, the first transmitter 120 is configured to transmit signals via one or more of the first plurality of antennas 122-1 through 122-N using one or more wireless communication technologies, including, but not limited to, third generation (3G) technologies (e.g., CDMA), fourth generation (4G) technologies (also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE)), fifth generation (5G) technologies, one or more technologies based on one or more IEEE 802.11 protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ad, IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11ay, etc.), and / or one or more other technologies. In some aspects, the first transmitter 120 may be configured to transmit signals via the multiple antennas 122-1-122-N using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission to increase the capacity of a radio link between the wireless device 100 and another wireless device (not shown). In some aspects, the first transmitter 120 may be configured to transmit signals via the multiple antennas 122-1-122-N using beamforming to direct the transmissions towards another wireless device (not shown). In these aspects, the transmissions may be electrically steered by adjusting the relative phase and / or amplitude of the transmit signals for the different antennas 122-1-122-N.

[0018]

[0035] The processor 110 interfaces with the first transmitter 120 via a first bus 140. The first bus 140 may include one or more signal lines between the processor 110 and the first transmitter 120. To transmit data, the processor 110 may process the data into one or more signals (e.g., baseband signals or intermediate frequency signals). The processing performed by the processor 110 may include coding the data and modulating the coded data (e.g., using any one of a variety of different modulation schemes including BPSK, QPSK, QAM, etc.). The processor 110 may output the one or more signals to the first transmitter 120 via the first bus 140. The first transmitter 120 may then process the one or more signals from the processor 110 into one or more radio frequency signals for transmission via one or more of the antennas 122-1 through 122-N. The processing performed by the first transmitter 120 may include frequency up-conversion, power amplification, etc.

[0019]

[0036] In certain aspects, the processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for one or more of the antennas 122-1 to 122-N. For example, the first transmitter 120 may include a plurality of amplifiers (not shown), where each of the amplifiers is coupled to a respective one of the antennas. For each amplifier, the processor 110 may output a respective control signal to the amplifier via the first bus 140 to control the gain of the amplifier. In this example, the processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for the antennas by adjusting the gain of the respective amplifier accordingly. In another example, the processor 110 may output one or more signals to the first transmitter 120, where each of the one or more signals corresponds to a respective one of the antennas 122-1 to 122-N. In this example, the processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for the antennas by adjusting the amplitude of the respective signal accordingly. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples and the processor 110 may use other techniques to adjust the transmit power.

[0020]

[0037] In certain aspects, the processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for one or more of the antennas 122-1 through 122-N using an open power control loop and / or a closed power control loop. In an example of an open power control loop, the wireless device 100 may receive a pilot signal from another wireless device (not shown) via a receiver (not shown). In this example, the processor 110 estimates a channel condition between the wireless device 100 and the other wireless device based on the received pilot signal and adjusts the transmit power for one or more of the antennas 122-1 through 122-N based on the estimated channel condition. In an example of a closed power control loop, the wireless device 100 receives a feedback signal from the other wireless device via a receiver (not shown), where the feedback signal indicates a channel condition between the wireless device 100 and the other wireless device. In this example, the processor 110 adjusts the transmit power for one or more of the antennas 122-1 through 122-N based on the indicated channel condition.

[0021]

[0038] The processor 110 may also adjust the transmit power for one or more of the antennas 122-1 through 122-N based on the data rate. For example, the processor 110 may increase (boost) the transmit power to transmit a short data burst.

[0022]

[0039] Additionally, processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for one or more of antennas 122-1 through 122-N to keep RF exposure from wireless device 100 within RF exposure limits set by a regulatory agency (e.g., the FCC), as discussed further below. In this case, the transmit power is constrained by the RF exposure limits.

[0023]

[0040] The wireless device 100 also includes a second transmitter 130, a second plurality of antennas 132-1 through 132-M coupled to the second transmitter 130, and a second bus 150 coupled between the second transmitter 130 and the processor 110. In certain aspects, the second transmitter 130 is configured to transmit signals via one or more of the second plurality of antennas 132-1 through 132-M using one or more wireless communication technologies, including, but not limited to, 3G technologies, 4G technologies, 5G technologies, one or more technologies based on one or more IEEE 802.11 protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ad, IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11ay, etc.), and / or one or more other technologies. The second transmitter 130 may transmit signals via multiple antennas 132-1 through 132-M using MIMO transmission, beamforming, and / or other methods. In certain aspects, the first transmitter 120 and the second transmitter 130 may simultaneously transmit signals using different wireless communication technologies, as discussed further below.

[0024]

[0041] The processor 110 interfaces with the second transmitter 130 via a second bus 150, which may include one or more signal lines between the processor 110 and the second transmitter 130. To transmit data, the processor 110 may process the data into one or more signals (e.g., baseband signals or intermediate frequency signals). The processing performed by the processor 110 may include coding the data and modulating the coded data (e.g., using any one of a variety of different modulation schemes including BPSK, QPSK, QAM, etc.). The processor 110 may output the one or more signals to the second transmitter 130 via the second bus 150. The second transmitter 130 may then process the one or more signals from the processor 110 into one or more radio frequency signals for transmission via one or more of the antennas 132-1 through 132-M. The processing performed by the second transmitter 130 may include frequency up-conversion, power amplification, etc.

[0025]

[0042] The processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for one or more of the antennas 132-1 to 132-M. For example, the second transmitter 130 may include a plurality of amplifiers (not shown), where each of the amplifiers is coupled to a respective one of the antennas 132-1 to 132-M. For each amplifier, the processor 110 may output a respective control signal to the amplifier via the second bus 150 to control the gain of the amplifier. In this example, the processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for the antennas by adjusting the gain of the respective amplifier accordingly. In another example, the processor 110 may output one or more signals to the second transmitter 130, where each of the one or more signals corresponds to a respective one of the antennas 132-1 to 132-M. In this example, the processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for the antennas by adjusting the amplitude of the respective signal accordingly. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples and the processor 110 may use other techniques to adjust the transmit power.

[0026]

[0043] Processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for one or more of antennas 132-1 through 132-M using an open power control loop and / or a closed power control loop, as described above. Processor 110 may also adjust the transmit power for one or more of antennas 132-1 through 132-M to keep RF exposure from wireless device 100 within RF exposure limits set by a regulatory agency, as discussed further below.

[0027]

[0044] It should be understood that the wireless device 100 may include one or more additional transmitters in addition to the first and second transmitters 120 and 130 shown in Figure 1. Although the first and second transmitters 120 and 130 are coupled to separate sets of antennas in the example shown in Figure 1, it should be understood that the first and second transmitters 120 and 130 may share one or more antennas. Also, in some implementations, the first transmitter 120 may transmit on only one antenna and / or the second transmitter 130 may transmit on only one antenna.

[0028]

[0045] Modern wireless devices (e.g., cellular phones) are generally required to limit user exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation in accordance with exposure limits set by national and international regulatory agencies. RF exposure may be expressed in units of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which measures energy absorption by human tissue per unit mass, and may have units of watts per kilogram (W / kg). RF exposure may also be expressed in units of Power Density (PD), which measures energy absorption per unit area, and may have units of mW / cm. 2 It may have units of:

[0029]

[0046] SAR may be used to assess RF exposure for transmission frequencies below 10 GHz covering wireless communication technologies such as 3G (e.g., CDMA), 4G, IEEE 802.11ac, etc. PD may be used to assess RF exposure for transmission frequencies above 10 GHz covering wireless communication technologies such as IEEE 802.11ad, 5G, etc. From this, different metrics may be used to assess RF exposure for different wireless communication technologies.

[0030]

[0047] The wireless device 100 may simultaneously transmit signals using multiple wireless communication technologies. For example, the wireless device 100 may simultaneously transmit signals using a first wireless communication technology (e.g., 3G, 4G, etc.) operating below 10 GHz and a second wireless communication technology (e.g., 5G, IEEE802.11ad) operating above 10 GHz. Because the wireless device 100 simultaneously transmits signals using the first and second technologies, a user of the device is exposed to RF emissions from the transmissions using both technologies. Therefore, techniques are needed to determine RF exposure compliance for cases in which the wireless device 100 simultaneously transmits signals using multiple wireless communication technologies.

[0031]

[0048] Aspects of the present disclosure enable the wireless device 100 to assess RF exposure in real time for cases in which the wireless device 100 simultaneously transmits signals using multiple wireless communication technologies, as discussed further below.

[0032]

[0049] In certain aspects, wireless device 100 may simultaneously transmit signals using a first wireless communication technology (e.g., 3G, 4G, IEEE 802.11ac, etc.) for which RF exposure is measured in units of SAR and a second wireless communication technology (e.g., 5G, IEEE 802.11ad, etc.) for which RF exposure is measured in units of PD. In these aspects, first transmitter 120 may transmit a first signal according to the first wireless communication technology and second transmitter 130 may transmit a second signal according to the second wireless communication technology. When wireless device 100 simultaneously transmits the first and second signals using the first and second technologies, respectively, processor 110 may evaluate the combined RF exposure from the first and second technologies to ensure compliance with RF exposure limits, as discussed further below.

[0033]

[0050] To assess RF exposure from transmissions using a first technology (e.g., 3G, 4G, IEEE 802.11ac, etc.), wireless device 100 may include a plurality of SAR distributions for the first technology stored in memory 115. Each of the SAR distributions may correspond to a respective one of a plurality of transmission scenarios supported by wireless device 100 for the first technology. The transmission scenarios may correspond to various combinations of antennas 122-1 through 122-N, frequency bands, channels, and / or body positions, as discussed further below.

[0034]

[0051] A SAR distribution (also called a SAR map) for each transmission scenario may be generated based on measurements (e.g., E-field measurements) performed in a test laboratory using a model of the human body. After the SAR distribution is generated, it is stored in memory 115 to enable processor 110 to assess RF exposure in real time, as discussed further below. Each SAR distribution includes a set of SAR values, where each SAR value may correspond to a different location (e.g., on the model of the human body). Each SAR value may comprise a SAR value averaged over a mass of 1 g or 10 g at the respective location.

[0035]

[0052] The SAR values ​​in each SAR distribution correspond to a particular transmit power level (e.g., the transmit power level at which the SAR values ​​were measured in a test laboratory). Because the SAR scales with the transmit power level, the processor 110 may scale the SAR distribution for any transmit power level by multiplying each SAR value in the SAR distribution by the following transmit power scaler:

number

[0036]

[0053] As described above, the wireless device 100 may support multiple transmission scenarios for the first technology. In certain aspects, the transmission scenario may be specified by a set of parameters. The set of parameters may include one or more of the following: antenna parameters indicating one or more antennas (i.e., active antennas) used for transmission, frequency band parameters indicating one or more frequency bands (i.e., active frequency bands) used for transmission, channel parameters indicating one or more channels (i.e., active channels) used for transmission, body location parameters indicating the location of the wireless device 100 relative to the user's body location (head, torso, away from the body, etc.), and / or other parameters. In cases where the wireless device 100 supports a large number of transmission scenarios, performing measurements for each transmission scenario in a test environment (e.g., a test lab) may be very time-consuming and expensive. To reduce test time, measurements may be performed for a subset of the transmission scenarios to generate SAR distributions for the subset of transmission scenarios. In this example, the SAR distributions for each of the remaining transmission scenarios may be generated by combining two or more of the SAR distributions for the subset of transmission scenarios, as discussed further below.

[0037]

[0054] For example, SAR measurements may be performed for each one of the antennas 122-1 through 122-N to generate a SAR distribution for each one of the antennas 122-1 through 122-N. In this example, a SAR distribution for a transmission scenario in which two or more of the antennas 122-1 through 122-N are active may be generated by combining the SAR distributions for the two or more active antennas.

[0038]

[0055] In another example, SAR measurements may be performed for each one of the multiple frequency bands to generate a SAR distribution for each one of the multiple frequency bands. In this example, a SAR distribution for a transmission scenario in which more than one frequency band is active may be generated by combining the SAR distributions for the two or more active frequency bands.

[0039]

[0056] In certain aspects, the SAR distribution may be normalized to the SAR limit by dividing each SAR value in the SAR distribution by the SAR limit. In this case, the normalized SAR value exceeds the SAR limit when the normalized SAR value is greater than 1, and falls below the SAR limit when the normalized SAR value is less than 1. In these aspects, each of the SAR distributions stored in memory 115 may be normalized to the SAR limit.

[0040]

[0057] In certain aspects, a normalized SAR distribution for a transmission scenario may be generated by combining two or more normalized SAR distributions. For example, a normalized SAR distribution for a transmission scenario in which two or more antennas are active may be generated by combining the normalized SAR distributions for two or more active antennas. In cases in which different transmit power levels are used for the active antennas, the normalized SAR distribution for each active antenna may be scaled by the respective transmit power level before combining the normalized SAR distributions for the active antennas. The normalized SAR distribution for simultaneous transmission from multiple active antennas may be given by:

number

number

number

[0041]

[0058] In another example, normalized SAR distributions for different frequency bands may be stored in memory 115. In this example, a normalized SAR distribution for a transmission scenario in which more than one frequency band is active may be generated by combining the normalized SAR distributions for the two or more active frequency bands. In cases where the transmit power levels are different for the active frequency bands, the normalized SAR distribution for each of the active frequency bands may be scaled by the respective transmit power levels before combining the normalized SAR distributions for the active frequency bands. In this example, the combined SAR distribution may also be calculated using equation (3a), where i is an index for the active frequency band and SAR norm_i is the normalized SAR distribution for the i-th active frequency band, and Tx i is the transmit power level for the i-th active frequency band, and Tx SARi is the transmit power level for the normalized SAR distribution for the i-th active frequency band.

[0042]

[0059] To assess RF exposure from transmissions using a second technology (e.g., 5G, IEEE 802.11ad, etc.), wireless device 100 may include a plurality of PD distributions for the second technology stored in memory 115. Each of the PD distributions may correspond to a respective one of a plurality of transmission scenarios supported by wireless device 100 for the second technology. The transmission scenarios may correspond to various combinations of antennas 132-1 through 132-M, frequency bands, channels, and / or body positions, as discussed further below.

[0043]

[0060] A PD distribution (also called a PD map) for each transmission scenario may be generated based on measurements (e.g., E-field measurements) performed in a test laboratory using a model of the human body. After the PD distribution is generated, it is stored in memory 115 to enable processor 110 to assess RF exposure in real time, as discussed further below. Each PD distribution includes a set of PD values, where each PD value may correspond to a different location (e.g., on the model of the human body).

[0044]

[0061] The PD value in each PD distribution corresponds to a particular transmit power level (e.g., the transmit power level at which the PD value was measured in a test lab). Because PD scales with transmit power level, processor 110 may scale the PD distribution for any transmit power level by multiplying each PD value in the PD distribution by a transmit power scaler:

number

[0045]

[0062] As described above, the wireless device 100 may support multiple transmission scenarios for the second technology. In certain aspects, the transmission scenario may be specified by a set of parameters. The set of parameters may include one or more of the following: antenna parameters indicating one or more antennas (i.e., active antennas) used for transmission, frequency band parameters indicating one or more frequency bands (i.e., active frequency bands) used for transmission, channel parameters indicating one or more channels (i.e., active channels) used for transmission, body location parameters indicating the location of the wireless device 100 relative to the user's body location (head, torso, away from the body, etc.), and / or other parameters. In cases where the wireless device 100 supports a large number of transmission scenarios, performing measurements for each transmission scenario in a test environment (e.g., a test lab) may be very time-consuming and expensive. To reduce test time, measurements may be performed for a subset of the transmission scenarios to generate PD distributions for the subset of transmission scenarios. In this example, the PD distributions for each of the remaining transmission scenarios may be generated by combining two or more of the PD distributions for the subset of transmission scenarios, as discussed further below.

[0046]

[0063] For example, PD measurements may be performed for each one of the antennas 132-1 through 132-M to generate a PD distribution for each one of the antennas 132-1 through 132-M. In this example, a PD distribution for a transmission scenario in which two or more of the antennas 132-1 through 132-M are active may be generated by combining the PD distributions for the two or more active antennas.

[0047]

[0064] In another example, PD measurements may be performed for each one of the multiple frequency bands to generate a PD distribution for each one of the multiple frequency bands. In this example, a PD distribution for a transmission scenario in which two or more frequency bands are active may be generated by combining the PD distributions for the two or more active frequency bands.

[0048]

[0065] In certain embodiments, the PD distribution may be normalized to the PD limit by dividing each PD value in the PD distribution by the PD limit. In this case, the normalized PD value exceeds the PD limit when the normalized PD value is greater than 1, and is below the PD limit when the normalized PD value is less than 1. In these embodiments, each of the PD distributions stored in memory 115 may be normalized to the PD limit.

[0049]

[0066] In certain aspects, a normalized PD distribution for a transmission scenario may be generated by combining two or more normalized PD distributions. For example, a normalized PD distribution for a transmission scenario in which two or more antennas are active may be generated by combining the normalized PD distributions for two or more active antennas. In cases in which different transmit power levels are used for the active antennas, the normalized PD distribution for each active antenna may be scaled by the respective transmit power level before combining the normalized PD distributions for the active antennas. The normalized PD distribution for simultaneous transmission from multiple active antennas may be given by:

number

number

number

[0050]

[0067] In another example, normalized PD distributions for different frequency bands may be stored in memory 115. In this example, a normalized PD distribution for a transmission scenario in which more than one frequency band is active may be generated by combining the normalized PD distributions for the two or more active frequency bands. In cases where the transmit power levels are different for the active frequency bands, the normalized PD distribution for each of the active frequency bands may be scaled by the respective transmit power levels before combining the normalized PD distributions for the active frequency bands. In this example, the combined PD distribution may also be calculated using Equation (6a), where i is an index for the active frequency band and PD norm_i is the normalized PD distribution for the i-th active frequency band, and Tx i is the transmit power level for the i-th active frequency band, and Tx PDi is the transmit power level for the normalized PD distribution for the i-th active frequency band.

[0051]

[0068] As described above, the wireless device 100 may simultaneously transmit signals using a first technology (e.g., 3G, 4G, IEEE 802.11ac, etc.) and a second technology (e.g., 5G, IEEE 802.11ad, etc.), where RF exposure is measured using different metrics for the first and second technologies (e.g., SAR for the first technology and PD for the second technology). In this case, the processor 110 may determine a first maximum allowed power level for the first technology and a second maximum allowed power level for the second technology for transmission in a future time slot that adheres to the RF exposure limits. During the future time slot, the transmission power levels for the first and second technologies are further constrained (i.e., bounded) by the determined first and second maximum allowed power levels, respectively, to ensure adherence to the RF exposure limits, as follows: In this disclosure, the term "maximum allowed power level" refers to the "maximum allowed power level" imposed by the RF exposure limits, unless otherwise specified. It should be understood that the "maximum allowed power level" is not necessarily equal to the absolute maximum power level that complies with RF exposure limits, and may be less than the absolute maximum power level that complies with RF exposure limits (e.g., to provide a safety margin). The "maximum allowed power level" may be used to set a power level limit for transmissions at a transmitter such that the power level of the transmission is not allowed to exceed the "maximum allowed power level" to ensure RF exposure compliance.

[0052]

[0069] The processor 110 may determine the first and second maximum allowable power levels as follows: The processor may determine a normalized SAR distribution for a first technology at a first transmit power level, determine a normalized PD distribution for a second technology at a second transmit power level, and combine the normalized SAR and PD distributions to generate a combined normalized RF exposure distribution (hereinafter simply referred to as the combined normalized distribution). The value at each location in the combined normalized distribution may be determined by combining the normalized SAR value at that location with the normalized PD value at that location, or by another technique.

[0053]

[0070] The processor 110 may then determine whether the first and second transmit power levels comply with RF exposure limits by comparing the peak value in the combined normalized distribution to 1. If the peak value is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., the condition ≦1 is satisfied), the processor 110 may determine that the first and second transmit power levels comply with RF exposure limits (e.g., SAR limits and PD limits) and may use the first and second transmit power levels as first and second maximum allowed power levels, respectively, during future time slots. If the peak value is greater than 1, the processor 110 may determine that the first and second transmit power levels do not comply with RF exposure limits. To avoid non-compliance during future time slots, the processor 110 may reduce one or more of the first and second transmit power levels such that the peak value in the combined normalized distribution is less than or equal to 1. In this case, the processor 110 may use the first and second transmit power levels that comply with RF exposure limits as first and second maximum allowed power levels, respectively, during future time slots. The conditions for RF exposure compliance for simultaneous transmissions using the first and second technologies may be given by:

number

[0054]

[0071] During future time slots, the processor 110 limits (constrains) the transmission power level of the first transmitter 120 by the first maximum allowed power level. For example, if the power control loop is used for the first technology, the power control loop is enabled to set the transmission power level of the first transmitter 120 to a power level that is equal to or less than the first maximum allowed power level, but not greater than the first maximum allowed power level. During future time slots, the processor 110 also limits (constrains) the transmission power level of the second transmitter 130 by the second maximum allowed power level. For example, if the power control loop is used for the second technology, the power control loop is enabled to set the transmission power level of the second transmitter 130 to a power level that is equal to or less than the second maximum allowed power level, but not greater than the second maximum allowed power level.

[0055]

[0072] 2 shows a visual representation of a normalized SAR distribution 210 and a normalized PD distribution 220, in which the normalized SAR distribution 210 and the normalized PD distribution 220 are combined to generate a combined normalized distribution 230. FIG 2 also shows the condition where the peak value in the combined normalized distribution 230 is less than or equal to 1 for RF exposure compliance. Each of the distributions 210, 220, and 230 are illustrated as two-dimensional distributions in FIG 2, however, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to this example.

[0056]

[0073] The normalized SAR distribution in Equation (7) may be generated by combining two or more normalized SAR distributions as described above (e.g., for a transmit scenario using multiple active antennas). Similarly, the normalized PD distribution in Equation (7) may be generated by combining two or more normalized PD distributions as described above (e.g., for a transmit scenario using multiple active antennas). In this case, the condition for RF exposure compliance in Equation (7) may be rewritten using Equations (3a) and (6a) as follows:

number

[0057]

[0074] In a case where the wireless device 100 transmits signals using the first and second technologies simultaneously, the processor 110 may determine one or more maximum allowed power levels for the first technology and one or more maximum allowed power levels for the second technology for transmission in the future time slots, as follows: The processor 110 retrieves one or more normalized SAR distributions for the first technology from the memory 115 based on a transmission scenario for the first technology in the future time slot, and retrieves one or more normalized PD distributions for the second technology from the memory 115 based on a transmission scenario for the second technology in the future time slot. For example, if the transmission scenario for the first technology uses multiple active antennas, the processor 110 may retrieve a normalized SAR distribution for each of the active antennas. Similarly, if the transmission scenario for the second technology uses multiple active antennas, the processor 110 may retrieve a normalized PD distribution for each of the active antennas.

[0058]

[0075] The processor 110 may then determine maximum allowable power levels for the first and second techniques that comply with RF exposure limits (e.g., SAR limits and PD limits) by executing the exemplary method illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0059]

[0076] In block 310, the processor 110 initializes transmit power levels for the first and second technologies according to a transmit scenario for the first and second technologies in the future time slot. If the transmit scenario for the first technology uses multiple active antennas, the transmit power levels may include transmit power levels for each of the active antennas for the first technology. Similarly, if the transmit scenario for the second technology uses multiple active antennas, the transmit power levels may include transmit power levels for each of the active antennas for the second technology.

[0060]

[0077] The transmit power levels for the first and second techniques may be initialized according to one or more power control loops, one or more desired data rates, one or more desired beam directions or sectors, etc. In one example, the transmit power levels may be initialized to a set of default transmit power levels.

[0061]

[0078] In block 320, the processor 110 determines a combined normalized distribution based on the transmit power level in block 310, the derived normalized SAR distribution, and the derived normalized PD distribution (e.g., according to equation (8) above).

[0062]

[0079] At block 330, the processor 110 compares the peak value in the combined normalized distribution to 1. If the peak value in the combined normalized distribution is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., the condition ≦1 is satisfied), the processor 110 determines that the transmit power level complies with the RF exposure limits. In this case, the method 300 ends at block 350 and the processor 110 uses the transmit power level as the maximum allowed power level for future timeslots.

[0063]

[0080] If the peak value in the combined normalized distribution is greater than one, the processor 110 adjusts the transmit power levels in block 340. For example, the processor 110 may adjust the transmit power levels by reducing one or more of the transmit power levels.

[0064]

[0081] Processor 110 may then repeat blocks 320 and 330 using the adjusted transmit power level (i.e., determine the combined normalized distribution in block 320 using the adjusted transmit power level). Processor 110 may repeat blocks 340, 320, and 330 until a peak value in the combined normalized distribution is less than or equal to 1, at which point the transmit power level complies with the RF exposure limit. The transmit power level that complies with the RF exposure limit is then used as the maximum allowed power level for future time slots. The maximum allowed power level includes one or more maximum allowed power levels for the first technology and one or more maximum allowed power levels for the second technology. In an example where multiple active antennas (e.g., two or more of antennas 122-1 through 122-N) are used for the first technology, the maximum allowed power level includes a maximum allowed power level for each of the active antennas. In examples where multiple active antennas (eg, two or more of antennas 132-1 through 132-M) are used for the second technique, the maximum allowed power level includes a maximum allowed power level for each of the active antennas.

[0065]

[0082] After the processor 110 determines the maximum allowed power level, the processor 110 constrains the transmission power of the first transmitter 120 during the future time slot by one or more of the determined maximum allowed power levels for the first technology. In an example where the first transmitter 120 transmits signals using multiple antennas (e.g., two or more of antennas 122-1 through 122-N) during the future time slot, the maximum allowed power level includes a maximum allowed power level for each of the active antennas. In this example, the processor 110 constrains the transmission power level for each of the active antennas by the respective maximum allowed power level. The processor 110 also constrains the transmission power of the second transmitter 130 during the future time slot by one or more of the determined maximum allowed power levels for the second technology. In an example where the second transmitter 130 transmits signals using multiple antennas (e.g., two or more of antennas 132-1 through 132-M) during the future time slot, the maximum allowed power level includes a maximum allowed power level for each of the active antennas. In this example, the processor 110 constrains the transmit power level for each of the active antennas by its respective maximum allowed power level.

[0066]

[0083] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 and other methods may be used to determine the maximum allowable power levels for the first and second techniques that comply with RF exposure limits. For example, the processor 110 may determine a maximum allowable power level that results in a peak value in the combined normalized distribution being equal to or less than a value less than 1 for a conservative approximation analysis to determine the maximum allowable power level with fewer calculations. From this, a value less than 1 may be used as a condition for evaluating RF exposure compliance.

[0067]

[0084] In some cases, wireless device 100 may transmit signals using a second technology (e.g., 5G, IEEE 802.11ad, etc.) when the first technology is not active. In these cases, RF exposure from the first technology does not need to be considered for assessing RF exposure compliance.

[0068]

[0085] In these cases, processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level for the second technology in the future timeslot that adheres to the PD limit, as follows: First, processor 110 may retrieve a normalized PD distribution for the second technology from memory 115 based on a transmission scenario for the second technology in the future timeslot. For example, if the transmission scenario for the second technology in the future timeslot uses multiple active antennas, processor 110 may retrieve a normalized PD distribution for each of the active antennas. In this example, the active antennas may be selected based on, for example, a desired beam direction or sector for transmission by wireless device 100 in the future timeslot.

[0069]

[0086] The processor 110 may then determine a maximum allowable power level for the second technique that adheres to the PD limits by performing the exemplary method illustrated in FIG.

[0070]

[0087] In block 410, the processor 110 initializes a transmit power level for the second technology according to a transmit scenario for the second technology. If the transmit scenario for the second technology uses multiple active antennas, the transmit power level may include a transmit power level for each of the active antennas. The transmit power level may be initialized according to a power control loop, a desired data rate, a desired beam direction or sector, etc. In one example, the transmit power level may be initialized to a set of default transmit power levels.

[0071]

[0088] In block 420, the processor 110 determines a combined normalized PD distribution based on the transmit power level in block 410 and the normalized PD distribution retrieved (e.g., according to equation (6a) or (6b) above).

[0072]

[0089] At block 430, the processor 110 compares the peak value in the combined normalized PD distribution to 1. If the peak value in the combined normalized PD distribution is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., the condition ≦1 is satisfied), the processor 110 determines that the transmit power level complies with the PD limit. In this case, the method 400 ends at block 450 and the processor 110 uses the transmit power level as the maximum allowed power level for the second transmitter 130.

[0073]

[0090] If the peak value in the combined normalized PD distribution is greater than one, the processor 110 adjusts the transmit power levels in block 440. For example, the processor 110 may adjust the transmit power levels by reducing one or more of the transmit power levels initialized in block 410.

[0074]

[0091] The processor 110 may then repeat blocks 420 and 430 using the adjusted transmit power level (i.e., determine the combined normalized PD distribution in block 420 using the adjusted transmit power level). The processor 110 may repeat blocks 440, 420, and 430 until the peak value in the combined normalized PD distribution is less than or equal to 1, at which point the transmit power level complies with the PD limit. The processor 110 then uses the transmit power level that complies with the PD limit as the maximum allowed power level for the second transmitter 130. After the processor 110 determines the maximum allowed power level that complies with the PD limit, the processor 110 constrains the transmit power for the second transmitter 130 during future time slots according to the determined maximum allowed power level. In an example where the second transmitter 130 transmits a signal using multiple active antennas (e.g., two or more of antennas 132-1 through 132-M) during the future time slot, the maximum allowed power level for the second technology includes a maximum allowed power level for each of the active antennas. In this example, the processor 110 constrains the transmit power level for each of the active antennas by the respective maximum allowed power level.

[0075]

[0092] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and other methods may be used to determine the maximum allowed power level that adheres to the PD limits. For example, the processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level that results in the peak value being equal to or less than a value less than 1 for a conservative approximation analysis to determine the maximum allowed power level with fewer calculations.

[0076]

[0093] In certain cases, RF exposure regulations require that the time-averaged RF exposure over a time window not exceed the RF exposure limit, which allows the wireless device 100 to exceed the RF exposure limit for a short period of time as long as the time-averaged RF exposure does not exceed the limit.

[0077]

[0094] In this regard, processor 110 may determine RF exposure compliance for the case where the first technique is active and the second technique is not active, as follows: Processor 110 may calculate a time-averaged normalized SAR distribution over a first time window (e.g., 6 minutes) and compare the peak value in the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution to 1 to assess RF exposure compliance. If the peak value is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., satisfying the condition ≦1), processor 110 may determine RF exposure compliance.

[0078]

[0095] In this regard, FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which processor 110 calculates a time-averaged normalized SAR distribution over a first time window 505 (e.g., 6 minutes). In this example, first time window 505 is divided into a number of time slots (i.e., time intervals). For example, a 6 minute time window may be divided into 5 second time slots. In the example shown in FIG. 5, there are p time slots 515(1)-515(p) and p normalized SAR distributions 510(1)-510(p). Each of distributions 510(1)-510(p) is illustrated as a two-dimensional distribution in FIG. 5, however, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to this example.

[0079]

[0096] The processor 110 may determine a normalized SAR distribution for each time slot (e.g., according to equation (3a) or (3b)). The normalized SAR distribution for a time slot may be generated by combining two or more SAR distributions. For example, if two or more antennas are active during a time slot, the processor 110 may combine the normalized SAR distributions for the two or more active antennas to generate a normalized SAR distribution for the time slot. In the case where different transmit power levels are used for the active antennas, the processor 110 may scale the normalized SAR distribution for each active antenna by the transmit power level for the antenna.

[0080]

[0097] In certain aspects, the transmission scenario and / or the transmission power level for the first technique may vary over the first time window 505. In these aspects, the transmission scenario may be approximately constant over a time slot, but may vary from time slot to time slot within the first time window 505. The processor 110 may determine a normalized SAR distribution for each time slot based on the transmission scenario and the time-averaged transmit power level for the time slot (e.g., according to equation (3a) or 3(b)).

[0081]

[0098] The processor 110 may average the normalized SAR distributions 510(1)-510(p) over the first time window 505 to generate a time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520. For example, the processor 110 may calculate the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 by combining the normalized SAR distributions 510(1)-510(p) for the timeslots 515(1)-515(p) and dividing the resulting combined normalized SAR distribution by the number of timeslots, as given by:

number

[0082]

[0099] In certain aspects, processor 110 may determine a maximum allowable power level for future timeslots to ensure time-averaged RF exposure compliance. In this regard, timeslots 515(1) through 515(p-1) in FIG. 5 may correspond to previous transmissions by wireless device 100, and timeslot 515(p) may correspond to a future timeslot. In this regard, timeslot 515(p) is referred to hereinafter as a future timeslot. Equation (9a) may be rewritten as follows:

number

[0083]

[0100] In this example, the transmit power levels for normalized SAR distributions 510(1)-510(p-1) are assumed to be known by processor 110 as they correspond to previous transmissions by wireless device 100. For example, processor 110 may record the transmit power levels and transmission scenarios for each of timeslots 515(1)-515(p-1) in memory 115 and use the recorded transmit power levels and transmission scenarios for timeslots 515(1)-515(p-1) to determine normalized SAR distributions 510(1)-510(p-1) for these timeslots. For timeslots 515(1)-515(p-1), the normalized SAR distribution for the jth timeslot 515(j) may be determined using equation (3a) or (3b) for all transmit scenarios and power levels that were active during the jth timeslot 515(j).

[0084]

[0101] In this example, the transmit power level for the normalized SAR distribution 510(p) corresponding to the future time slot 515(p) is the variable to be solved by the processor 110. To determine the maximum allowable power level for the future time slot 515(p), the processor 110 may calculate a time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520, in which the transmit power level for the future time slot 515(p) is a variable in the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 (i.e., the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution is a function of the transmit power level for the future time slot 515(p)). The processor 110 may then determine the transmit power level for the future time slot 515(p) such that the peak value in the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., satisfying the condition ≦1 in equation (9b)). The processor 110 uses the transmit power level that meets the conditions for RF exposure compliance as the maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 515(p) and sets a transmit power limit for the future timeslot 515(p) according to the determined maximum allowed power level. The processor 110 may determine the maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 515(p) during timeslot 515(p-1) such that the maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 515(p) is prepared at the start of the future timeslot 515(p) for the processor 110 to enforce the maximum allowed power level.

[0085]

[0102] The processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 515(p) according to an exemplary method 600 illustrated in FIG. 6. In block 610, the processor 110 initializes a transmit power level for the future timeslot 515(p) according to a transmission scenario for the future timeslot 515(p). The transmit power level may be initialized according to a power control loop, a desired data rate, a desired beam direction or sector, etc. In one example, the transmit power level may be initialized to a set of default transmit power levels.

[0086]

[0103] In block 620, processor 110 determines a time-averaged normalized SAR distribution based on the transmission scenario and transmit power level in block 610 for future time slot 515(p). Note that the transmit power levels for previous time slots 515(1) through 515(p-1) are known, as described above.

[0087]

[0104] In block 630, the processor 110 compares the peak value in the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution to 1 to assess RF exposure compliance. If the peak value is less than or equal to 1, the method 600 ends in block 650. In this case, the processor 110 uses the transmit power level initialized in block 610 as the maximum allowed power level for future timeslots 515(p).

[0088]

[0105] If the peak value is greater than one, processor 110 adjusts the transmit power levels for the future timeslots in block 640. Processor 110 may adjust the transmit power levels for the future timeslots by reducing one or more of the transmit power levels for the future timeslots. Processor 110 then repeats blocks 620 and 630 using the adjusted transmit power levels. Processor 110 may repeat blocks 640, 620, and 630 until the peak value in the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution is less than or equal to one, at which point the transmit power level complies with the SAR limit and processor 110 uses the transmit power level that complies with the SAR limit as the maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 515(p).

[0089]

[0106] In an example in which the first transmitter 120 transmits a signal using multiple active antennas (e.g., two or more of antennas 122-1 through 122-N) during the future time slot 515(p), the maximum allowed power level may include a maximum allowed power level for each of the active antennas. In this example, the processor 110 limits (constrains) the transmit power level for each of the active antennas by its respective maximum allowed power level.

[0090]

[0107] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary method 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 and other methods may be used to determine the transmit power level for future timeslots 515(p) such that the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution adheres to the SAR limits. For example, the processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level that results in a peak value in the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution being equal to or less than a value less than 1 for a conservative approximation analysis to determine the maximum allowed power level with fewer calculations.

[0091]

[0108] In certain cases, a regulatory body may require that the time-averaged PD distribution for the second technology does not exceed the PD limit for the second technology. This allows wireless device 100 to exceed the PD limit for short periods of time as long as the time-averaged PD distribution does not exceed the PD limit.

[0092]

[0109] In this regard, processor 110 may determine RF exposure compliance for the case where the second technique is active and the first technique is not active, as follows: Processor 110 may calculate a time-averaged normalized PD distribution over a second time window (e.g., 2 minutes) and compare the peak value in the time-averaged normalized PD distribution to 1 to assess RF exposure compliance. If the peak value is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., satisfying the condition ≦1), processor 110 may determine RF exposure compliance.

[0093]

[0110] In this regard, FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which the processor 110 calculates a time-averaged normalized PD distribution over a second time window 705 (e.g., 2 minutes). In this example, the second time window 705 is divided into a number of time slots (i.e., time intervals). For example, the 2 minute time window may be divided into 5 second time slots. In the example shown in FIG. 7, there are q time slots 715(1)-715(q) and q normalized PD distributions 710(1)-710(q). Each of the distributions 710(1)-710(q) is illustrated as a two-dimensional distribution in FIG. 7, however, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to this example.

[0094]

[0111] The processor 110 may determine a normalized PD distribution for each time slot (e.g., according to equation (6a) or (6b)). The normalized PD distribution for a time slot may be generated by combining two or more PD distributions. For example, if two or more antennas are active during a time slot, the processor 110 may combine the normalized PD distributions for the two or more active antennas to generate a normalized PD distribution for the time slot. In the case where different transmit power levels are used for the active antennas, the processor 110 may scale the normalized PD distribution for each active antenna by its respective transmit power level.

[0095]

[0112] In certain aspects, the transmission scenario and / or the transmit power level for the second technology may vary over the second time window 705. In these aspects, the transmission scenario may be approximately constant over a time slot, but may vary from time slot to time slot within the second time window 705. The processor 110 may determine a normalized PD distribution for each time slot based on the transmission scenario and the time-averaged transmit power level during the time slot (e.g., according to equation (6a) or (6b)).

[0096]

[0113] The processor 110 may average the normalized PD distributions 710(1)-710(q) over the second time window 705 to generate a time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720. For example, the processor 110 may calculate the time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720 by combining the normalized PD distributions 710(1)-710(q) for timeslots 715(1)-715(q) and dividing the resulting combined normalized PD distribution by the number of timeslots, as given by:

number

[0097]

[0114] In certain aspects, processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level for future timeslots to ensure time-averaged RF exposure compliance. In this regard, timeslots 715(1) through 715(q-1) in FIG. 7 may correspond to previous transmissions by wireless device 100, and timeslot 715(q) may correspond to a future transmission. In this regard, timeslot 715(q) is referred to hereinafter as a future timeslot. Equation (10a) may be rewritten as follows:

number

[0098]

[0115] In this example, the transmit power levels for normalized PD distributions 710(1) through 710(q-1) are assumed to be known by processor 110 as they correspond to previous transmissions by wireless device 100. For example, processor 110 may record the transmit power levels and transmission scenarios for each of timeslots 715(1) through 715(q-1) in memory 115 and use the recorded transmit power levels and transmission scenarios for timeslots 715(1) through 715(q-1) to determine normalized PD distributions 710(1) through 710(q-1) for these timeslots. For timeslots 715(1) through 715(q-1), normalized PD distribution 710(j) for the jth timeslot 715(j) may be determined using equation (6a) or (6b) for all transmit scenarios and power levels that were active during the jth timeslot 715(j).

[0099]

[0116] In this example, the transmit power level for the normalized PD distribution 710(q) corresponding to the future time slot 715(q) is a variable to be solved by the processor 110. To determine the maximum allowable power level for the future time slot 715(q), the processor 110 may calculate a time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720, in which the transmit power level for the future time slot 715(q) is a variable in the time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720 (i.e., the time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720 is a function of the transmit power level for the future time slot 715(q)). The processor 110 may then determine the transmit power level for the future time slot 715(q) such that the peak value in the time-averaged normalized PD distribution is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., satisfying the condition ≦1 in equation (10b)). The determined transmit power level that complies with the RF exposure level is used as the maximum allowable power level for the future time slot 715(q). In this regard, processor 110 sets a transmit power limit for future timeslot 715(q) according to the determined maximum allowed power level. Processor 110 may determine the maximum allowed power level for future timeslot 715(q) during timeslot 715(q-1) such that the maximum allowed power level for future timeslot 715(q) is prepared at the start of future timeslot 715(q) for processor 110 to implement the maximum allowed power level.

[0100]

[0117] The processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 715(q) according to an exemplary method 800 illustrated in FIG. 8. At block 810, the processor 110 initializes a transmit power level for the future timeslot 715(q) according to a transmission scenario for the future timeslot 715(q). For example, the transmit power level may be initialized according to a power control loop, a desired data rate, a desired beam direction or sector, etc. In one example, the transmit power level may be initialized to a set of default transmit power levels.

[0101]

[0118] In block 820, the processor 110 determines a time-averaged normalized PD distribution based on the transmission scenario and transmit power level in block 810 for the future time slot 715(q). Note that the transmit power levels for the previous time slots 715(1) through 715(q-1) are known, as described above.

[0102]

[0119] At block 830, the processor 110 compares the peak value in the time-averaged normalized PD distribution to 1 to assess RF exposure compliance. If the peak value is less than or equal to 1, the method 800 ends at block 850. In this case, the processor 110 uses the transmit power level initialized at block 810 as the maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 715(q).

[0103]

[0120] If the peak value is greater than one, the processor 110 adjusts the transmit power level 810 for the future timeslot in block 840. The processor 110 may adjust the transmit power level for the future timeslot 715(q) by reducing one or more of the transmit power levels for the future timeslot 715(q). The processor 110 may then repeat blocks 820 and 830 using the adjusted transmit power level. The processor 110 may repeat blocks 840, 820, and 830 until the peak value in the time-averaged PD distribution is less than or equal to one, at which point the transmit power level complies with the PD limit and the processor 110 uses the transmit power level as the maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 715(q).

[0104]

[0121] In an example in which the second transmitter 130 transmits a signal using multiple active antennas (e.g., two or more of antennas 132-1 through 132-M) during future timeslot 715(q), the maximum allowed power level may include a maximum allowed power level for each of the active antennas. In this example, the processor 110 limits (constrains) the transmit power level for each of the active antennas by its respective maximum allowed power level.

[0105]

[0122] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary method 800 illustrated in FIG. 8, and other methods may be used to determine a transmit power level for a future timeslot 715(q) such that the time-averaged normalized PD distribution adheres to the PD limit. For example, the processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level for a future timeslot 715(q) that results in a peak value in the time-averaged normalized PD distribution being approximately equal to or less than a value less than one.

[0106]

[0123] The processor 110 may also determine time-averaged RF exposure compliance for cases where both the first and second technologies are active (i.e., the wireless device transmits signals using the first and second technologies simultaneously). To do this, the processor 110 may combine the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 and the time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720 to generate a combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920, as illustrated in FIG. 9 . The processor 110 may then compare the peak value in the combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920 to 1 to evaluate the time-averaged RF exposure compliance. If the peak value is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., the condition ≦1 is satisfied), the processor 110 may determine that the wireless device 100 is in compliance. The condition for compliance may be given by combining equations (9b) and (10b) as follows:

number

[0107]

[0124] The first time window 505 for the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution and the second time window 705 for the time-averaged normalized PD distribution may be of different lengths. In this regard, FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which the first time window 505 is longer than the second time window 705. For example, the first time window 505 may be approximately 6 minutes long and the second time window 705 may be approximately 2 minutes long. The lengths of the first and second time windows may be specified by respective RF exposure regulations (e.g., established by the FCC or other regulatory bodies). It should be noted that the lengths of the time windows 505 and 705 are not drawn to scale in FIG. 9.

[0108]

[0125] In certain aspects, the processor 110 may determine maximum allowed power levels for the future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q) of the first and second technologies to ensure time-averaged RF exposure compliance. In these aspects, the future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q) may be approximately aligned in time, as shown in the example in FIG. 9. To determine the maximum allowed power levels for the future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q), the processor 110 may calculate a combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920, in which the transmit power levels for the future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q) are variables in the combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920 (i.e., the combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920 is a function of the transmit power levels for the future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q)). Processor 110 may then determine a maximum allowed power level for future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q) such that the peak value in the combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920 is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., satisfying the condition ≦1 in equation (11)). Processor 110 may then set transmit power limits for future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q) according to the determined maximum allowed power level.

[0109]

[0126] Processor 110 may determine maximum allowed power levels for future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q) according to an exemplary method 1000 illustrated in Figure 10. The maximum allowed power levels may include a first maximum allowed power level for the first technology and a second maximum allowed power level for the second technology.

[0110]

[0127] In block 1010, the processor 110 initializes transmit power levels for the future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q) according to a transmit scenario for the future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q). If the transmit scenario for the future timeslot 515(p) for the first technology uses multiple active antennas, the transmit power levels may include transmit power levels for each of the active antennas. Similarly, if the transmit scenario for the future timeslot 715(q) for the second technology uses multiple active antennas, the transmit power levels may include transmit power levels for each of the active antennas.

[0111]

[0128] The transmit power levels may be initialized according to one or more power control loops, one or more desired data rates, one or more desired beam directions or sectors, etc. In one example, the transmit power levels may be initialized to a set of default transmit power levels.

[0112]

[0129] In block 1020, processor 110 determines a combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920 based on the transmit power levels for future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q). Note that the transmit power levels in previous timeslots 515(1) through 515(p-1) for the first technology and the transmit power levels in previous timeslots 715(1) through 715(q-1) for the second technology are known, as described above.

[0113]

[0130] At block 1030, the processor 110 compares the peak value in the combined time-averaged normalized distribution to 1 to assess RF exposure compliance. If the peak value is less than or equal to 1, the method 1000 ends at block 1050. In this case, the processor 110 uses the transmit power level initialized at block 1010 as the maximum allowed power level for future time slots 515(p) and 715(q).

[0114]

[0131] If the peak value is greater than one, the processor 110 adjusts the transmit power level for the future time slot in block 1040. The processor 110 may adjust the transmit power level for the future time slot by reducing one or more of the transmit power levels for the future time slot. The processor 110 then repeats blocks 1020 and 1030 using the adjusted transmit power level. The processor 110 may repeat blocks 1040, 1020, and 1030 until the peak value in the combined time-averaged normalized distribution is less than or equal to one, at which point the transmit power level for the future time slot is in compliance and the processor 110 uses the transmit power level as the maximum allowed power level. The determined maximum allowed power level includes a first maximum allowed power level for the first technology and a second maximum allowed power level for the second technology. In this regard, the processor 110 sets a transmit power limit for the first transmitter 120 according to the first maximum allowed power level and sets a transmit power limit for the second transmitter 130 according to the second maximum allowed power level.

[0115]

[0132] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary method 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 and other methods may be used to determine the maximum allowable power levels for future timeslots 515(p) and 715(q) such that the combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920 complies with RF exposure limits.

[0116]

[0133] In certain aspects, the time averaging window for PD depends on the transmission frequency (e.g., about 2 minutes for the 28 GHz band and about 1 minute for 60 GHz). In these aspects, when the second transmitter 130 transmits signals in multiple frequency bands, the time-averaged PD distribution may be calculated using a different time window for each frequency band. For example, if the second transmitter 130 transmits signals in a first frequency band (e.g., 28 GHz) and a second frequency band (e.g., 60 GHz), the time-averaged PD distribution may be given by:

number

[0117]

[0134] 11 shows an example in which two time averaging windows are used for PD. In this example, the second time window 705 described above is used for a first frequency band (e.g., the 28 GHz band) and a third time window 1105 is used for a second frequency band (e.g., the 60 GHz band), in which the third time window 1105 is shorter than the second time window 705. For example, the second time window 705 may have a length of about 2 minutes and the third time window 1105 may have a length of about 1 minute.

[0118]

[0135] 11, the third time window 1105 is divided into r time slots 1115(1)-1115(r). There are r normalized PD distributions 1110(1)-1110(r) for the second frequency band, where each normalized PD distribution corresponds to a respective one of the time slots 1115(1)-1115(r). In this example, time slots 1115(1)-1115(r-1) correspond to earlier time slots, and time slot 1115(r) corresponds to a future time slot that is approximately aligned with future time slots 515(p) and 715(q).

[0119]

[0136] In this example, a normalized PD distribution for each of the previous time slots 715(1)-715(q-1) in the second time window 705 may be determined based on a transmission scenario and a transmission power level for a first frequency band in the time slot. A normalized PD distribution for a future time slot 715(q) is a function of a transmission power level for the first frequency band in the future time slot 715(q). Similarly, a normalized PD distribution for each of the previous time slots 1115(1)-1115(r-1) in the third time window 1105 may be determined based on a transmission scenario and a transmission power level for a second frequency band in the time slot. A normalized PD distribution for a future time slot 1115(r) is a function of a transmission power level for the second frequency band in the future time slot 1115(r).

[0120]

[0137] The time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720 may be calculated according to equation (12) above, where the time-averaged normalized PD distribution is a function of the transmit power level for the first frequency band in the future timeslot 715(q) and the transmit power level for the second frequency band in the future timeslot 1115(r).

[0121]

[0138] In this example, the time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720 is a combination of the time-averaged normalized PD distribution for a first frequency band corresponding to the second time window 705 and the time-averaged normalized PD distribution for a second frequency band corresponding to the third time window 1105. In this regard, the time-averaged PD distribution 720 may be considered a combined time-averaged PD distribution.

[0122]

[0139] In an example where the wireless device 100 also transmits a signal using a first technology, the time-averaged normalized PD distribution may be combined with the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution to obtain the combined time-averaged normalized distribution described above. In this example, the combined time-averaged normalized distribution is a function of a transmission scenario and a transmission power level for the first technology in the future time slot 515(p), a transmission scenario and a transmission power level for the first frequency band in the future time slot 715(q), and a transmission scenario and a transmission power level for the second frequency band in the future time slot 1115(r). The maximum allowed power level may be determined by determining a transmission power level that results in a peak value of the combined time-averaged normalized distribution being equal to or less than 1 (e.g., according to the method 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10). In this example, the maximum allowed power level includes a maximum allowed power level for the first technology, a maximum allowed power level for the first frequency band, and a maximum allowed power level for the second frequency band. During future time slots 515(p), 715(q), and 1115(r), processor 110 sets a transmit power limit for the first technology according to the maximum allowed power level for the first technology, sets a transmit power limit for the first frequency band according to the maximum allowed power level for the first frequency band, and sets a transmit power limit for the second frequency band according to the maximum allowed power level for the second frequency band.

[0123]

[0140] In the above example, two time averaging windows 705 and 1105 are used for PD, but it should be understood that more than two time averaging windows may be used depending on the number of different frequency bands above 10 GHz that are active. In general, the number of time averaging windows used for PD may be equal to the number of active frequency bands above 10 GHz, where each time averaging window corresponds to a respective one of the active frequency bands.

[0124]

[0141] In a particular aspect, the wireless device 110 may transmit signals simultaneously in the first and second frequency bands (e.g., 28 GHz and 60 GHz) while the first technology is not active. In this case, the processor 110 may determine the maximum allowable power levels for the first and second frequency bands as follows: The processor may determine a time-averaged normalized PD distribution according to equation (12), where the time-averaged normalized PD distribution is a function of the transmit power level for the first frequency band in the future time slot 715(q) and the transmit power level for the second frequency band in the future time slot 1115(r). An example of this is illustrated in FIG. 12, where the condition for RF exposure compliance is that the time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720 is less than or equal to 1. Note that the time-averaged normalized PD distribution is not combined in this case with the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 because the first technology is not active in this case.

[0125]

[0142] The processor 110 may then determine transmit power levels for the first and second frequency bands that result in a peak value in the time-averaged normalized PD distribution being equal to or less than one, and use the determined transmit power levels as the maximum allowed power levels. In this example, the maximum allowed power levels include a maximum allowed power level for the first frequency band and a maximum allowed power level for the second frequency band. During future time slots 715(q) and 1115(r), the processor 110 sets a transmit power limit for the first frequency band according to the maximum allowed power level for the first frequency band, and sets a transmit power limit for the second frequency band according to the maximum allowed power level for the second frequency band. It should be understood that the above technique may be extended to more than two frequency bands to determine maximum allowed power levels for more than two frequency bands.

[0126]

[0143] Some RF exposure regulations may not require time averaging of PD or may not currently specify time averaging for PD (which may change). In these cases, the time-averaged SAR distribution may be combined with the normalized PD distribution to assess RF exposure compliance. An example of this is illustrated in FIG. 13, where the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 is combined with the normalized PD distribution for a future timeslot 715(q) to obtain a combined normalized distribution 920.

[0127]

[0144] In this example, the processor 110 may determine the maximum allowed power levels for the first and second technologies as follows: The processor 110 combines the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 with the normalized PD distribution 710 for the future timeslot 715(q) to obtain a combined normalized distribution 920, where the combined normalized distribution 920 is a function of the transmit power level for the first technology in the future timeslot 515(p) and the transmit power level for the second technology in the future timeslot 715(q).

[0128]

[0145] The processor 110 may then determine transmit power levels for the first and second technologies that result in a peak value in the normalized distribution 920 being equal to or less than one, and use the determined transmit power levels as the maximum allowed power levels. In this example, the maximum allowed power levels include a maximum allowed power level for the first technology and a maximum allowed power level for the second technology. During future timeslots 515(p) and 715(a), the processor 110 sets a transmit power limit for the first transmitter 120 according to the maximum allowed power level for the first technology, and sets a transmit power limit for the band of the second transmitter 130 according to the maximum allowed power level for the second technology.

[0129]

[0146] It should be understood that the timeslots 515(1)-515(p) described above may be equal in length, or two or more of the timeslots 515(1)-515(p) may have different lengths. The future timeslots 515(p) may also be referred to as time intervals and may have lengths that are one-tenth or less than the length of the first time window 505. In one example, the future timeslots 515(p) have a length of about 5 seconds and the first time window 505 has a length of about 6 minutes.

[0130]

[0147] It should be understood that the timeslots 715(1)-715(q) described above may be equal in length, or two or more of the timeslots 715(1)-715(q) may have different lengths. The future timeslot 715(q) may also be referred to as a time interval and may have a length that is one-fifth or less than the length of the second time window 705. In one example, the future timeslot 715(q) has a length of about 5 seconds and the second time window 705 has a length of about 2 minutes.

[0131]

[0148] It should be understood that the timeslots 1115(1)-1115(r) described above may be equal in length or two or more of the timeslots 1115(1)-1115(r) may have different lengths. The future timeslots 1115(r) may also be referred to as time intervals and may have a length that is one-fifth or less than the length of the third time window 1105. In one example, the future timeslots 1115(r) have a length of about five seconds and the third time window 1105 has a length of about one minute.

[0132]

[0149] The first time window 505 may have a length at least 50 percent longer than the length of the second time window 705. In one example, the first time window 505 has a length of about 6 minutes, and the second time window 705 has a length of about 2 minutes, where the lengths of the first and second time windows may be set by a regulatory body. It should be understood that the lengths of the first and second time windows 505 and 705 set by a regulatory body may change over time and may differ between different regulatory bodies. As mentioned above, the regulatory body may define a time window that depends on the transmission frequency, for example, a time window length of 2 minutes for the 28 GHz band and a time window length of 1 minute for the 60 GHz band. It should also be understood that in that case, there may be one time window for SAR and two or more time windows for PD, where each time window for PD corresponds to a given transmission frequency band.

[0133]

[0150] As used herein, the term "previous timeslot" refers to a timeslot that precedes a respective future timeslot. For example, timeslots 515(1) through 515(p-1) in FIG. 5 are previous timeslots that precede future timeslot 515(p).

[0134]

[0151] As used herein, the term "future timeslot" refers to a future timeslot with respect to time (i.e., a time interval or time duration) for which a respective maximum allowable power level is determined. Determining the maximum allowable power level for a future timeslot in advance of the future timeslot helps ensure RF exposure compliance during the future timeslot. Because the above-mentioned future timeslots 515(p), 715(q), and 1115(r) are approximately aligned in time, they may be collectively considered as one future timeslot.

[0135]

[0152] It should be understood that the time windows described above (e.g., time windows 505, 705, and 1105) may be moving time averaging windows. In this case, each time window is shifted by one time slot each time a maximum allowed power level for a new future time slot is determined. For example, in the above discussion of time window 505, time slot 515(p) is given as a future time slot. To determine the maximum allowed power level for the next future time slot 515(p+1), processor 110 shifts time window 505 by one time slot to cover time slots 515(2) through 515(p+1). Note that the first time slot 515(1) in the previous determination of the maximum allowed power level is dropped from time window 505, and future time slot 515(p) in the previous determination of the maximum allowed power level becomes the last time slot of the previous time slots in time window 505.

[0136]

[0153] It should be understood that the first communication technology described above may include multiple communication technologies for which SAR is used to assess RF exposure compliance. For example, the first technology may include WWAN, WLAN, Bluetooth, etc. In this regard, it should be understood that the first transmitter 120 may include multiple transmitters. It should also be understood that the SAR may have contributions from multiple sub-6 GHz communication technologies (e.g., simultaneous WWAN, WLAN, and Bluetooth transmissions).

[0137]

[0154] It should be understood that the second communication technology described above may include multiple communication technologies used by the PD to assess RF exposure compliance. For example, the second technology may include mmWave / 5G and mmWave / 802.11ad. In this regard, it should be understood that the second transmitter 130 may include multiple transmitters. It should also be understood that the PD may have contributions from multiple communication technologies (e.g., simultaneous transmission of mmWave / 5G and mmWave / 802.11ad).

[0138]

[0155] In some of the above examples, the normalized distribution is compared to 1 to assess RF exposure compliance. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. For example, a distribution (e.g., SAR distribution, PD distribution, combined RF exposure distribution, etc.) may be normalized to any value such that a limit value other than 1 may be used to define a condition for RF exposure compliance. In this example, the condition for RF compliance is that the normalized distribution is less than or equal to a limit value. Also, as described above, the limit value may be set to a value less than 1.

[0139]

[0156] As discussed above, the processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level for a transmitter (e.g., the first transmitter 120 or the second transmitter 130) for a future time slot (e.g., according to any of the methods described herein) and set a transmit power limit for the transmitter based on the determined maximum allowed power level. In certain aspects, setting a transmit power limit based on the determined maximum allowed power level prevents the power level of the transmitter from exceeding the maximum allowed power level at any time during the future time slot. In certain aspects, setting a transmit power limit based on the determined maximum allowed power level prevents a time average of the power level of the transmitter over the future time slot from exceeding the maximum allowed power level. This allows the power level to temporarily exceed the maximum allowed power level in the future time slot as long as the time average of the power level over the future time slot does not exceed the maximum allowed power level. In these aspects, the power level may exceed the maximum allowed power level for a time interval that is shorter than the future time slot. In these aspects, the maximum allowed power level is the maximum allowed time average power level over the future time slot.

[0140]

[0157] FIG. 14 illustrates an example method 1400 implemented in a wireless device (eg, wireless device 100) in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0141]

[0158] At block 1410, a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) distribution for a first wireless communication technology is determined. For example, the SAR distribution may comprise a time-averaged SAR distribution corresponding to a time averaging window (e.g., time window 505). The first wireless communication technology may include one or more of the following: WWAN, WLAN, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth, etc.

[0142]

[0159] At block 1420, a power density (PD) distribution for a second wireless communication technology is determined. For example, the PD distribution may comprise a time-averaged PD distribution corresponding to one or more time averaging windows (e.g., time windows 705 and / or 1105). The second wireless communication technology may include one or more of the following: 5G, IEEE 802.11ad, etc.

[0143]

[0160] At block 1430, the SAR distribution and the PD distribution are combined to generate a combined RF exposure distribution.

[0144]

[0161] At block 1440, at least one first maximum allowable power level and at least one second maximum allowable power level for the future time slots are determined based on the combined RF exposure distribution. For example, the combined RF exposure distribution may be a function of the transmit power levels in the future time slots. In this example, the at least one first maximum allowable power level and the at least one second maximum allowable power level may be determined by determining a power level for a transmit power level that causes a peak value of the combined RF exposure distribution to be less than or equal to a limit value (e.g., a limit value of 1) that ensures RF exposure compliance.

[0145]

[0162] At least one transmit power limit for the first transmitter in the future timeslot is set based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level, in block 1450. Setting at least one transmit power limit for the first transmitter (e.g., first transmitter 120) based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level may limit a transmit power level of the first transmitter in the future timeslot to the at least one first maximum allowed power level or may limit a time-averaged transmit power level of the first transmitter over the future timeslot to the at least one first maximum allowed power level.

[0146]

[0163] At least one transmit power limit for the second transmitter in the future timeslots is set based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level, in block 1460. Setting at least one transmit power limit for the second transmitter (e.g., second transmitter 130) based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level may limit the transmit power level of the second transmitter in the future timeslots to the at least one second maximum allowed power level or may limit the time-averaged transmit power level of the second transmitter over the future timeslots to the at least one second maximum allowed power level.

[0147]

[0164] It should be understood that method 1400 is not limited to the illustrative order shown in Figure 14. For example, block 1420 may be performed before block 1410, or both blocks 1410 and 1420 may be performed simultaneously. Also, block 1460 may be performed before block 1450, or both blocks 1450 and 1460 may be performed simultaneously.

[0148]

[0165] In the illustrative time-averaged approach described above with reference to FIG. 9, the processor 110 determines a time-averaged SAR distribution 505 for a first technology over a first time window 505 and a time-averaged PD distribution 705 for a second technology over a second time window 705, where the first time window 505 and the second time window 705 have different time durations (i.e., different lengths). The processor 110 then combines the time-averaged SAR distribution 505 and the time-averaged PD distribution 705 to obtain a combined time-averaged distribution 920, and determines a maximum allowed power level for the first technology and a maximum allowed power level for the second technology for future time slots based on the combined time-averaged distribution 920. The processor 110 may make this determination every Δt seconds, where Δt seconds (e.g., 5 seconds) is the time duration of one time slot. In this case, the processor 110 updates the maximum allowed power level for the first technology and the maximum allowed power level for the second technology every Δt seconds (e.g., 5 seconds), and the first time window 505 and the second time window 705 are moving-time averaging windows, as described above. In the example shown in Figure 9, the same time slot duration (e.g., 5 seconds) is used for the first and second technology.

[0149]

[0166] The maximum peak-to-average ratio (PAR) for each technology in the future timeslots may be given by:

number

[0150]

[0167] For example, if the first time window 505 for the first technology is 100 seconds and Δt is 5 seconds, the maximum allowable PAR for the first technology is equal to 20 dB. If the second time window 705 for the second technology is 30 seconds and Δt is 5 seconds, the maximum allowable PAR for the second technology is equal to 7.8 dB. The problem with this is that a high PAR may be required for the second technology (e.g., mmWave communication). For example, for mmWave communication, the average transmit power may be about 8 dBm, and more than 23 dBm of transmit power may be required to maintain a radio link at the cell edge, which translates to a PAR of more than 15 dB.

[0151]

[0168] The maximum PAR for one technology (e.g., the second technology) may be increased by decreasing Δt (i.e., the time duration of one timeslot). Decreasing Δt causes the processor 110 to update the maximum allowed power level for the first technology and the maximum allowed power level for the second technology more frequently, which consumes more computational resources for both technologies. However, decreasing Δt to meet the PAR requirement for one technology (e.g., the second technology) may not be required for another technology (e.g., the first technology) that already meets its PAR requirement. In this case, decreasing Δt (i.e., the time duration of one timeslot) results in an unnecessary increase in computational resources for the other technology (e.g., the first technology).

[0152]

[0169] To address this, aspects of the present disclosure allow maximum allowable power levels for different technologies to be updated at different rates while still meeting total RF exposure compliance, as discussed further below.

[0153]

[0170] In certain aspects, the maximum allowed power level for the second technology is updated at a smaller time interval than the first technology to increase the maximum allowed PAR for the second technology without requiring an increase in the computational load for the first technology. In these aspects, the future timeslot 715(q) for the second technology is further divided (partitioned) into smaller timeslots 1515(1)-1515(N) as shown in FIG. 15. The processor 110 may determine a normalized PD distribution 1520(1)-1520(N) for each of the smaller timeslots 1515(1)-1515(N), as discussed further below. In the following description, the smaller timeslots 1515(1)-1515(N) are referred to as sub-timeslots for ease of discussion.

[0154]

[0171] In these aspects, the processor 110 determines the maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 715(q) in the outer loop. In the outer loop, the processor 110 determines the maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 715(q) based on the combined time-averaged RF exposure distribution 920, as described above, to ensure total RF exposure compliance. The processor 110 updates the maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 715(q) every Δt seconds (i.e., the duration of one timeslot), as described above. For example, if the duration of one timeslot is 5 seconds, the processor 110 determines the maximum allowed power level for the future timeslot 715(q) every 5 seconds. It should be noted that the same timeslot duration is used for the first and second techniques in the outer loop to meet total RF exposure compliance. The operation of the outer loop has been described above in more detail in accordance with certain aspects with reference to FIG. 9.

[0155]

[0172] In the inner loop, the processor 110 determines the maximum allowable power level for the sub-timeslots 1515(1)-1515(N), one at a time, at a rate of approximately 1 per Δt / N seconds, where N is the number of sub-timeslots in the future time slot 715(q) and Δt is the time duration of the future time slot 715(q). For example, if N is equal to 50 and Δt is equal to 5 seconds, the processor 110 determines the maximum allowable power level for one of the sub-timeslots 1515(1)-1515(N) approximately every 100 milliseconds. From this, the inner loop increases the update rate by a factor of N. The higher update rate increases the PAR for the second technology (e.g., mmWave communication), as described above.

[0156]

[0173] For the inner loop, the processor 110 may use the normalized PD distribution calculated for a future time slot 715(q) in the outer loop as the normalized PD limit for the inner loop. For example, in equation (11) above, the normalized PD distribution for a future time slot 715(q) is PD norm_q , which may be scaled by the maximum allowed power level determined for the future timeslot 715(q).

[0157]

[0174] In the inner loop, the processor 110 may determine the maximum allowed power level for the nth sub-timeslot based on:

number

[0158]

[0175] In equation (14), sub-timeslots 1515(1) through 1515(n-1) are past sub-timeslots with respect to sub-timeslot 1515(n) (i.e., prior in time to sub-timeslot 1515(n)) and thus correspond to previous transmissions by second transmitter 130. Sub-timeslot 1515(n) may be considered a future sub-timeslot with respect to sub-timeslots 1515(1) through 1515(n-1). Because sub-timeslots 1515(1) through 1515(n-1) correspond to previous transmissions, processor 110 may determine normalized PD distributions for sub-timeslots 1515(1) through 1515(n-1) in equation (14) based on previous transmit power levels for sub-timeslots 1515(1) through 1515(n-1). For example, the processor 110 may record the transmit power levels for the sub-timeslots 1515(1) through 1515(n-1) and use the recorded transmit power levels to determine the normalized PD distribution for the sub-timeslots 1515(1) through 1515(n-1).

[0159]

[0176] Processor 110 then determines whether the expression on the left hand side of equation (14) is PD norm_lim (i.e., the condition ≦PD norm_lim For example, the processor 110 may determine the transmit power level for the sub-timeslot 1515(n) such that the peak value in the left-hand side of the equation satisfies PD norm_limThe processor 110 may determine that the condition is met if the determined transmit power level for the sub-timeslot 1515(n) is less than or equal to the peak value at the sub-timeslot 1515(n). The processor 110 may then use the determined transmit power level for the sub-timeslot 1515(n) as the maximum allowed power level for the sub-timeslot 1515(n). In this regard, the processor 110 may set a transmit power limit for the second transmitter 130 based on the maximum allowed power level for the sub-timeslot 1515(n) such that the transmit power level of the second transmitter 130 during the sub-timeslot 1515(n) is constrained by the maximum allowed power level for the sub-timeslot 1515(n).

[0160]

[0177] The processor 110 may determine the maximum allowed power level for the sub-timeslot 1515(n) prior to the start of the sub-timeslot 1515(n) such that the maximum allowed power level is prepared in time to implement the maximum allowed power level for the sub-timeslot 1515(n) (e.g., by setting a transmit power limit for the second transmitter 130 based on the maximum allowed power level). From this, when the processor 110 determines the maximum allowed power level for the sub-timeslot 1515(n), the sub-timeslot 1515(n) may be considered a future sub-timeslot.

[0161]

[0178] The processor 110 may determine the maximum allowable power level for each sub-timeslot 1515(1)-1515(N) based on equation (14), where n is 1 for the first sub-timeslot 1515(1) and n is N for the last sub-timeslot 1515(N). In equation (14), the expression on the left hand side is the cumulative average given by the combination of the normalized PD distributions for the sub-timeslots 1515(1)-1515(n) divided by N. In an example where the time duration of future time slots 715(q) in the outer loop is 5 seconds and the time duration of one sub-timeslot is 100 milliseconds, N is equal to 50. Note that the cumulative average accumulates more sub-timeslots as n increases from 1 for the first sub-timeslot to N for the last sub-timeslot (i.e., as the processor 110 progresses from sub-timeslots 1515(1) to 1515(N)).

[0162]

[0179] From this, the processor 110 may perform the above operations in the inner loop to update the maximum allowed power level for the second technology at a higher rate than the outer loop (i.e., to update the maximum allowed power level for the second technology every Δt / N seconds). The processor 110 can achieve this without having to increase the update rate for the first technology, and thus the computational load for the first technology. For example, if the time duration of one time slot in the outer loop is 5 seconds and the time duration of one sub-time slot in the inner loop is 100 milliseconds, the maximum allowed power level for the first technology is updated every 5 seconds, and the maximum allowed power level for the second technology is updated every 100 milliseconds. From this, the processor 110 can update the maximum allowed power levels for the first technology and the second technology at different rates (i.e., different time intervals between updates).

[0163]

[0180] Additional examples for determining the maximum allowable power levels for the sub-timeslots 1515(1) through 1515(N) in the inner loop are now discussed in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0164]

[0181] FIG. 16 illustrates a time averaging window 1605 for the inner loop that corresponds to a future time slot 715(q) in the outer loop. The duration of the time averaging window 1605 is equal to the duration of one time slot in the outer loop (labeled as “T1”). The time averaging window 1605 may be aligned in time with the future time slot 715(q) in the outer loop. In one example, the duration T1 of one time slot in the outer loop is equal to 0.5 seconds (i.e., T1=0.5 seconds). The time averaging window 1605 includes N sub-timeslots, where the duration of each sub-timeslot is equal to T1 / N (labeled as “T2”). In one example, N is equal to 50 and T1 is equal to 0.5 seconds. In this example, the duration of one sub-timeslot in the inner loop is equal to 10 ms (i.e., T2=10 ms).

[0165]

[0182] In the example in FIG. 16, the inner loop calculates the PD limit ("PD lim The PD bound is calculated based on the normalized PD distribution PD norm_lim 16, the PD limit is greater than 1. This is possible because the outer loop determines RF exposure compliance over a time averaging window 705 that includes multiple time slots 715(1) through 715(q). This allows the PD limit to be greater than 1 as long as the average RF exposure over the time averaging window 705 in the outer loop meets RF exposure compliance. In general, the PD limit from the outer loop can be greater or less than 1.

[0166]

[0183] FIG. 16 illustrates a time point at which a maximum allowed power level is being determined for a sub-timeslot 1620 within a time averaging window 1605. FIG. 16 illustrates PD (e.g., peak PD values) for sub-timeslots within the time averaging window 1605 that precede the sub-timeslot 1620 (hereafter referred to as past sub-timeslots). The past sub-timeslots correspond to past transmissions with respect to the time point illustrated in FIG. 16. The PD for sub-timeslots that follow the sub-timeslot 1620 within the time averaging window 1605 are not illustrated in FIG. 16 because these sub-timeslots correspond to future transmissions with respect to the time point illustrated in FIG. 16.

[0167]

[0184] In this example, the PD limit is met when the PD averaged over the time averaging window 1605 is less than or equal to the PD limit. Graphically, this condition is met when the area under the PD curve 1610 over the time averaging window 1605 is less than or equal to the area under the PD limit line 1630 over the time averaging window 1605.

[0168]

[0185] In a particular aspect, the processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level for the i-th sub-timeslot within the time averaging window 1605 based on:

number

number

[0169]

[0186] In equation (15), the sum of PD of past sub-timeslots represents the portion of the PD allocation for the time averaging window 1605 that has already been used up. The past sub-timeslots include the first sub-timeslot to the i-th-1 sub-timeslot in the time averaging window 1605. Because the portion of the PD allocation that has already been used up is not available for the i-th sub-timeslot, the portion of the PD allocation that has already been used up is subtracted from the PD allocation for the time averaging window 1605.

[0170]

[0187] Terms (Ni) PD R represents the portion of the PD allocation for the time averaging window 1605 that is reserved for future sub-timeslots (i.e., sub-timeslots within the time averaging window 1605 after the i-th sub-timeslot). R is multiplied by (Ni), which is the number of future sub-timeslots after the i-th sub-timeslot. Because the portion of the PD allocation reserved for future sub-timeslots is not available for the i-th sub-timeslot, the portion of the PD allocation reserved for future sub-timeslots is subtracted from the PD allocation for the time averaging window 1605. In a particular aspect, the reserved PD R is given by:

number

[0171]

[0188] From this, when determining the allowed PD for the i-th sub-timeslot, the processor 110 takes into account the portion of the PD allocation for the time averaging window 1605 that has already been used up by past sub-timeslots. The processor 110 also reserves a portion of the remaining PD allocation for future sub-timeslots. Figure 17 shows a graphical representation of the portion of the PD allocation that has already been used up by past sub-timeslots 1710, the allowed PD for the i-th sub-timeslot 1720, and the portion of the remaining PD allocation reserved for future sub-timeslots 1730. In Figure 17, the PD allocation for the time averaging window 1605 is represented by the area under the PD limit line 1630.

[0172]

[0189] As described above, the processor 110 may set a portion of the PD allocation reserved for future sub-timeslots by setting a reservation ratio. In one example, the processor 110 may set the reservation ratio based on a channel condition between the wireless device 100 (e.g., a mobile wireless device) and another wireless device (e.g., a base station) that receives a transmission from the wireless device 100. For example, when the channel condition is good (e.g., low interference and / or short distance between the wireless devices), the processor 110 may set the reservation ratio higher to distribute the transmit power more evenly over the time averaging window 1605. In this case, distributing the transmit power may result in higher throughput. Setting the reservation ratio higher distributes the transmit power more evenly by reserving a larger portion of the PD allocation for future sub-timeslots.

[0173]

[0190] When channel conditions are poor (e.g., high interference and / or long distance between wireless devices), the processor 110 may set the reservation ratio lower. Setting the reservation ratio lower reduces the portion of the PD allocation reserved for future sub-timeslots. This relaxes the constraint on the transmit power for the current sub-timeslot imposed by the portion of the PD allocation reserved for future sub-timeslots, allowing the transmitter 130 to transmit at a higher power for the current sub-timeslot. In this case, it may be necessary to transmit at a higher power (e.g., in a short burst) to ensure that data transmitted from the wireless device 100 is successfully received by other wireless devices.

[0174]

[0191] In another example, the processor 110 may set the reservation ratio based on a data traffic pattern. For example, if the wireless device 100 is scheduled to transmit data toward the end of the time averaging window 1605, the processor 110 may set the reservation ratio higher to reserve a sufficient amount of the PD allocation for the scheduled data transmission. This may help prevent the transmitter 130 from using up all or a large portion of the PD allocation before the scheduled data transmission, leaving no sufficient PD allocation for the scheduled data transmission. In another example, if the wireless device 100 is scheduled to transmit data for a short duration toward the beginning of the time averaging window 1605, with no other scheduled data transmissions for the remainder of the time averaging window 1605, the processor 110 may set the reservation ratio lower, since reserving a portion of the PD allocation for another data transmission may not be necessary in this example. In another example, the processor 110 may predict future transmissions and / or frequencies based on past transmissions and / or higher layer information. The processor 110 may then set the reservation ratio based on the predicted future transmissions and / or frequencies. For example, if a data packet (e.g., a data packet of a certain size) was transmitted in a certain time interval in the past, the processor 110 may use this information to predict that a data packet will be transmitted in a future time interval and set the reservation ratio accordingly (e.g., set the reservation ratio to provide sufficient reservation for the predicted data packet transmission within the time averaging window 1605).

[0175]

[0192] The processor 110 may determine an allowed PD for each of the sub-timeslots within the time averaging window 1605 for the inner loop (e.g., based on equation (15)). For the first sub-timeslot, the portion of the used PD allocation is 0 because the sub-timeslot preceding the first sub-timeslot is not within the time averaging window 1605. For the last sub-timeslot, the portion of the PD allocation reserved for future sub-timeslots is 0 because the sub-timeslot after the last sub-timeslot is not within the time averaging window 1605. After determining the allowed PD for each sub-timeslot, the processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level for the sub-timeslot and set a transmit power limit of the transmitter 130 for the sub-timeslot based on the determined maximum allowed power level.

[0176]

[0193] In certain aspects, the processor 110 may use a table to determine a maximum allowed power level for a sub-timeslot based on the allowed PD for the sub-timeslot. In this regard, FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a table 1810 for converting the allowed PD for a sub-timeslot to a maximum allowed power level. The table 1810 may be stored in the memory 115.

[0177]

[0194] In this example, table 1810 includes indexes for n different transmission scenarios for transmitter 130. The n transmission scenarios may correspond to different beams, different user positions relative to wireless device 100, etc. For each transmission scenario in table 1810, table 1810 indexes ("Tx1" through "Tx n The table 1810 may include corresponding transmit power levels at a reference PD (labeled “DELTA.”). The transmit power levels for different transmit scenarios at the reference PD may be predetermined by performing simulations and / or measurements on the wireless device 110 and pre-stored in table 1810.

[0178]

[0195] To determine a maximum allowed power level for a sub-timeslot based on the corresponding allowed PD, processor 110 may determine a transmission scenario for the sub-timeslot and retrieve a transmission power level in table 1810 corresponding to the determined transmission scenario. For example, if the transmission scenarios in table 1810 correspond to different beams, processor 110 may determine a beam for the sub-timeslot and retrieve a transmission power level in table 1810 corresponding to the determined beam.

[0179]

[0196] After retrieving the transmission power level from table 1810, the processor 110 may determine the maximum allowed power level for the sub-timeslot by scaling the transmission power level from table 1810 based on the allowed PD and the reference PD for the sub-timeslot (e.g., scaling the transmission power level from table 1810 by the ratio of the allowed PD to the reference PD). For example, if the allowed PD is 50% smaller than the reference PD, the processor 110 may reduce the transmission power level from table 1810 by 50% to obtain the maximum allowed power level for the sub-timeslot. If the transmission power levels in table 1810 are in decibels (dB), the maximum allowed power level is obtained in this example by subtracting 3 dB from the transmission power in table 1810. From this, the maximum allowed power level for any allowed PD may be obtained by scaling the transmission power level in table 1810 based on the allowed PD and the reference PD. This is possible because PD scales with transmission power, as described above.

[0180]

[0197] As described above, when determining the allowed PD for a sub-timeslot, the processor 110 may take into account the portion of the PD allocation used up by the past sub-timeslot. In the example in equation (15), the portion of the PD allocation used up by the past sub-timeslot is determined by summing the PDs of the past sub-timeslots. In one example, the PD of the past sub-timeslot may correspond to the allowed PD determined for the past sub-timeslot. In another example, the PD of the past sub-timeslot may correspond to the actual PD for the past sub-timeslot. The actual PD for the past sub-timeslot may be a PD corresponding to an actual transmit power level used during the past sub-timeslot, which may be less than or equal to the maximum allowed power level determined for the past sub-timeslot. In this example, the processor 110 may record the actual transmit power level used for the past sub-timeslot and determine the actual PD for the past sub-timeslot based on the actual transmit power level for the past sub-timeslot.

[0181]

[0198] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to one inner loop. For example, the processor 110 may determine the maximum allowed power level using two inner loops, including a first inner loop and a second inner loop. In this example, the inner loop described above may correspond to the first inner loop, which receives a PD limit for a future time slot 715(q) from the outer loop and adjusts the PD in the future time slot in the sub-time slot such that the PD limit from the outer loop is met when the PD is averaged over the future time slot.

[0182]

[0199] In this example, the second inner loop is under the first inner loop. The second inner loop partitions each sub-timeslot in the first inner loop into smaller sub-timeslots. For each sub-timeslot of the first inner loop, the second inner loop receives a PD limit (e.g., an allowable PD for the sub-timeslot of the inner loop) from the first inner loop, and adjusts the maximum allowable power level in the sub-timeslot so that the PD limit is satisfied. Within the sub-timeslot of the first inner loop, the second inner loop determines the maximum allowable power level for each sub-timeslot of the second inner loop within the sub-timeslot of the first inner loop (e.g., based on Equation (15) in which the PD limit is provided by the first inner loop). In this example, the maximum allowable power level is determined for each sub-timeslot of the second inner loop.

[0183]

[0200] In certain aspects, the processor 110 may use any of the techniques described above to determine the maximum allowed power levels for different sub-6 GHz technologies at different rates. For example, the processor 110 may update the maximum allowed power level for LTE every 100 milliseconds, but may update the maximum allowed power level for GSM every 5 seconds, depending on how frequently or infrequently the technologies change. In this example, the processor 110 may determine the maximum allowed power level for LTE and the maximum allowed power level for GSM every 5 seconds in the outer loop. For LTE, the processor 110 may further divide the future time slots in the outer loop into sub-time slots (e.g., 50 sub-time slots) and determine the maximum allowed power level for each sub-time slot in the inner loop. The processor 110 may use the normalized SAR distribution for the future time slots in the outer loop as the normalized SAR limit in the inner loop to determine the maximum allowed power level for each sub-time slot in the inner loop.

[0184]

[0201] In certain aspects, the techniques described above may be extended to perform more than two different time intervals (i.e., update the maximum allowed power levels for different technologies at more than two different update rates). To do this, the processor 110 may perform different inner loops for different technologies, with the duration of one sub-timeslot in each inner loop being different. In this example, the duration of one sub-timeslot for each inner loop may be chosen based on the desired time interval (i.e., update rate) for the corresponding technology. In some cases, each technology may be performed at a specific time interval that is different from the other technologies.

[0185]

[0202] As described above, the processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level for a technology for a future time slot and set a transmit power limit for a corresponding transmitter (e.g., transmitter 120 or 130) based on the determined maximum allowed power level. The future time slot may be a future time slot in the outer loop (e.g., a 5 second future time slot) or a future sub-time slot in the inner loop (e.g., a 100 millisecond future sub-time slot). In certain aspects, the maximum allowed power level described above is used as the maximum allowed time-averaged power level for the future time slot and thus, in these aspects, may be considered as the maximum allowed time-averaged power level for the future time slot. In the following discussion, the maximum allowed power level described above is referred to as the maximum allowed time-averaged power level.

[0186]

[0203] In the above aspect, setting the transmit power limit of the transmitter based on the determined maximum allowed time-averaged power level prevents the time average of the transmitter's transmit power level over future timeslots from exceeding the maximum allowed time-averaged power level. The instantaneous transmit power level of the transmitter is allowed to exceed the maximum allowed time-averaged power level during the future timeslots so long as the time average of the power level over the future timeslots does not exceed the maximum allowed time-averaged power level.

[0187]

[0204] In the above example, the maximum allowed time-averaged power level for a future time slot is used to set a maximum power limit for the corresponding transmitter such that the time average of the transmit power level over the future time slots does not exceed the maximum allowed time-averaged power level.

[0188]

[0205] In a particular aspect, the processor 110 may convert the maximum allowed time-average power level for the future timeslots to a maximum allowed duty cycle for the future timeslots as follows:

number

[0189]

[0206] In certain aspects, after determining the maximum allowable time-averaged power level for the future timeslot (e.g., using any of the methods described above), the processor 110 may determine a corresponding maximum allowable duty cycle for the future timeslot based on equation (18). The processor 110 may then set a transmission duty cycle limit of the corresponding transmitter (e.g., transmitter 120 or 130) for the future timeslot based on the determined maximum allowable duty cycle. In this example, setting the transmission duty cycle limit based on the determined maximum allowable duty cycle prevents the transmission duty cycle of the transmitter from exceeding the maximum allowable duty cycle for the future timeslot. In other words, the transmission duty cycle of the transmitter for the future timeslot is constrained by the determined maximum allowable duty cycle.

[0190]

[0207] In a particular aspect, the processor 110 may convert the maximum allowed time-average power level for the future timeslot to a maximum allowed peak power for the future timeslot as follows:

number

[0191]

[0208] In certain aspects, after determining the maximum allowed time-averaged power level for the future timeslot (e.g., using any of the methods described above), the processor 110 may determine a corresponding maximum peak power for the future timeslot based on equation (19). The processor 110 may then set a peak power limit of the corresponding transmitter (e.g., transmitter 120 or 130) for the future timeslot based on the determined maximum allowed peak power. In this example, setting the transmitter's peak power limit for the future timeslot based on the determined maximum allowed peak power prevents the transmitter's peak power from exceeding the maximum allowed peak power. In other words, the instantaneous power level of the transmitter during the future timeslot is constrained by the maximum allowed peak power such that the peak power during the future timeslot does not exceed the maximum allowed peak power.

[0192]

[0209] The processor 110 may also generate a table including different combinations of maximum allowable duty cycles and maximum allowable peak powers for future timeslots based on the maximum allowable time-averaged power levels for the future timeslots. For example, the processor 110 may generate the table by inputting different maximum allowable duty cycles into equation (19) and determining the maximum allowable peak power for each of the different maximum allowable duty cycles. In this example, the processor may use the table to dynamically adjust the duty cycle based on the peak power during the future timeslots, or may use the table to adjust the peak power based on the transmit duty cycle during the future timeslots.

[0193]

[0210] From this, the processor 110 may convert the maximum allowed time-averaged power level for the future timeslot to a maximum allowed duty cycle for the future timeslot and set a transmit duty cycle limit of the corresponding transmitter based on the maximum allowed duty cycle. The processor 110 may also convert the maximum allowed time-averaged power level for the future timeslot to a maximum allowed peak power for the future timeslot and set a peak power limit of the corresponding transmitter based on the maximum allowed peak power. The maximum allowed time-averaged power level for the future timeslot may be determined using any of the methods described above. In an example where the future timeslot is a future timeslot in the outer loop, the maximum allowed time-averaged power level may correspond to the maximum allowed power level calculated for the future timeslot. In an example where the future timeslot is a future sub-timeslot in the inner loop, the maximum allowed time-averaged power level may correspond to the maximum allowed power level calculated for the future sub-timeslot (e.g., a 100 ms sub-timeslot). It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples and the maximum allowed time-averaged power level for the future timeslot may be determined using other methods.

[0194]

[0211] For example, a transmitter (e.g., transmitters 120 and 130) may transmit over a (discretized) time window that is divided into N time slots (not to be confused with the number of sub-time slots in FIG. 18). In this example, the maximum allowed time-averaged power level for a future time slot may be determined by:

number

[0195]

[0212] In the above example, processor 110 may use the following formula to determine whether Max_avgP tk (based on equation (18) using tk Processor 110 may convert Max_avgP(P) to a maximum allowable duty cycle for future time slots and set a transmit duty cycle limit for the corresponding transmitter based on the maximum allowable duty cycle. tk (based on equation (19) using tk to the maximum allowed peak power for the future timeslot and set the peak power limit of the corresponding transmitter based on the maximum allowed peak power.

[0196]

[0213] In certain aspects, memory 115 may include a computer-readable medium containing stored instructions that, when executed by processor 110, cause processor 110 to perform method 1400 and / or any other method described herein. The computer-readable medium may include, by way of example, a RAM (random access memory), a flash memory, a ROM (read only memory), a PROM (programmable read only memory), an EPROM (erasable programmable read only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory), a register, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a hard drive, or any other tangible non-transitory storage medium, or any combination thereof.

[0197]

[0214] In certain aspects, an apparatus may include means for performing method 1400. The apparatus may include means for determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution for a first wireless communication technology, means for determining a power density (PD) distribution for a second wireless communication technology, and means for combining the SAR distribution and the PD distribution to generate a combined RF exposure distribution. The apparatus may also include means for determining at least one first maximum allowed power level and at least one second maximum allowed power level for future timeslots based on the combined RF exposure distribution, means for setting at least one transmit power limit for a first transmitter in future timeslots based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level, and means for setting at least one transmit power limit for a second transmitter in future timeslots based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level.

[0198]

[0215] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrative terms used above to describe aspects of the present disclosure, and that the present disclosure covers equivalent terms. For example, it should be understood that a distribution may also be referred to as a map, a scan, or another term. In another example, it should be understood that an antenna may also be referred to as an antenna element or another term. In yet another example, it should be understood that a maximum allowable power level may also be referred to as a power level limit or another term.

[0199]

[0216] The term "approximately," when used herein in reference to a stated value or characteristic, is intended to indicate within 10% of the stated value or characteristic.

[0200]

[0217] Any reference to elements herein using designations such as "first," "second," etc. generally does not limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations are used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements or multiple instances of an element. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be used or that the first element must precede the second element.

[0201]

[0218] Within this disclosure, the word "exemplary" is used to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation or aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects of the disclosure. Likewise, the term "aspect" does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

[0202]

[0219] The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. The invention as described in the claims of the original application is set forth below. [C1] 1. A wireless device comprising: a first transmitter configured to transmit a first signal according to a first wireless communication technology; a second transmitter configured to transmit a second signal according to a second wireless communications technology; a processor coupled to the first and second transmitters; wherein the processor: determining a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) distribution for the first wireless communications technology; determining a power density (PD) distribution for the second wireless communication technology; and combining the SAR distribution and the PD distribution to generate a combined RF exposure distribution; determining at least one first maximum allowable power level and at least one second maximum allowable power level for future timeslots based on the combined RF exposure distribution; setting at least one transmit power limit for the first transmitter in the future timeslot based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level; setting at least one transmit power limit for the second transmitter in the future timeslot based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level; A wireless device configured to: [C2] The wireless device of C1, wherein the SAR distribution comprises a time-averaged SAR distribution corresponding to a first time averaging window. [C3] The first time averaging window is divided into time slots, and the processor: determining a respective SAR distribution for each of the time slots based on a transmission scenario and one or more transmit power levels for the time slot; averaging the SAR distributions over the time slots to generate the time-averaged SAR distribution; 3. The wireless device of claim 2, configured to determine the time-averaged SAR distribution by: [C4] The wireless device of C3, wherein one of the time slots of the first time averaging window corresponds to the future time slot. [C5] The wireless device of C2, wherein the PD distribution comprises a time-averaged PD distribution corresponding to a second time averaging window. [C6] The wireless device of C5, wherein the first time averaging window and the second time averaging window have different lengths. [C7] The second time averaging window is divided into time slots, and the processor: determining a respective PD distribution for each of the time slots based on a transmission scenario and one or more transmit power levels for the time slot; averaging the PD distribution over the time slots to generate the time-averaged PD distribution; 5. The wireless device of claim 4, further comprising: [C8] The wireless device of C7, wherein one of the time slots of the second time averaging window corresponds to the future time slot. [C9] The wireless device of C5, wherein the time-averaged SAR distribution is normalized to a SAR limit and the time-averaged PD distribution is normalized to a PD limit. [C10] The wireless device of C1, wherein the combined RF exposure distribution is a function of transmit power levels in the future time slots, and the processor is configured to determine the at least one first maximum allowed power level and the at least one second maximum allowed power level by determining a power level for the transmit power level that results in a peak value of the combined RF exposure distribution being below a limit value. [C11] The wireless device of C10, wherein the SAR distribution is normalized to a SAR limit and the PD distribution is normalized to a PD limit, the limit value being equal to 1. [C12] the second transmitter is configured to transmit the second signal in a plurality of transmit frequency bands, each of the plurality of transmit frequency bands corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of time averaging windows, the PD distribution comprises a combined time-averaged PD distribution, and the processor: determining, for each of the plurality of transmit frequency bands, a time-averaged PD distribution for the transmit frequency band corresponding to the respective time averaging window; combining the time-averaged PD distributions for the transmission frequency bands to obtain the combined time-averaged PD distribution. 4. The wireless device of claim 1, further configured to determine the combined time-averaged PD distribution by: [C13] The wireless device of C12, wherein the multiple time averaging windows have different lengths. [C14] The wireless device of C1, wherein the first transmitter is configured to transmit the first signal at a frequency below 10 GHz and the second transmitter is configured to transmit the second signal at a frequency above 10 GHz. [C15] 1. A method implemented in a wireless device, comprising: determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution for a first wireless communications technology; Determining a power density (PD) distribution for a second wireless communication technology; and combining the SAR distribution and the PD distribution to generate a combined RF exposure distribution; determining at least one first maximum allowable power level and at least one second maximum allowable power level for future timeslots based on the combined RF exposure distribution; setting at least one transmit power limit for a first transmitter in the future timeslot based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level; setting at least one transmit power limit for a second transmitter in the future timeslot based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level; A method comprising: [C16] The method of C15, wherein the SAR distribution comprises a time-averaged SAR distribution corresponding to a first time-averaging window. [C17] The first time averaging window is divided into time slots, and determining the SAR distribution includes: determining a respective SAR distribution for each of the time slots based on a transmission scenario and one or more transmit power levels for the time slot; averaging the SAR distributions over the time slots to generate the time-averaged SAR distribution; The method of claim 16, comprising: [C18] The method of C17, wherein one of the time slots of the first temporal averaging window corresponds to the future time slot. [C19] The method of C16, wherein the PD distribution comprises a time-averaged PD distribution corresponding to a second time averaging window. [C20] The method of C19, wherein the first time averaging window and the second time averaging window have different lengths. [C21] The second time averaging window is divided into time slots, and determining the PD distribution includes: determining a respective PD distribution for each of the time slots based on a transmission scenario and one or more transmit power levels for the time slot; averaging the PD distribution over the time slots to generate the time-averaged PD distribution; The method of claim 19, comprising: [C22] The method of C21, wherein one of the time slots of the second time averaging window corresponds to the future time slot. [C23] The method of C19, wherein the time-averaged SAR distribution is normalized to a SAR limit and the time-averaged PD distribution is normalized to a PD limit. [C24] The method of claim 15, wherein the combined RF exposure distribution is a function of transmit power levels in the future time slots, and determining the at least one first maximum allowed power level and the at least one second maximum allowed power level comprises determining a power level for the transmit power level that results in a peak value of the combined RF exposure distribution being less than or equal to a limit value. [C25] The method of claim 24, wherein the SAR distribution is normalized to a SAR limit and the PD distribution is normalized to a PD limit, the limit value being equal to 1. [C26] The second transmitter is configured to transmit signals in a plurality of transmit frequency bands, each of the plurality of transmit frequency bands corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of time averaging windows, and the PD distribution comprises a combined time-averaged PD distribution, and determining the PD distribution comprises: determining, for each of the plurality of transmit frequency bands, a time-averaged PD distribution for the transmit frequency band corresponding to the respective time averaging window; combining the time-averaged PD distributions for the transmission frequency bands to obtain the combined time-averaged PD distribution. The method of claim 15, comprising: [C27] The method of C26, wherein the multiple temporal averaging windows have different lengths. [C28] determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution for a first wireless communications technology; Determining a power density (PD) distribution for a second wireless communication technology; and combining the SAR distribution and the PD distribution to generate a combined RF exposure distribution; determining at least one first maximum allowable power level and at least one second maximum allowable power level for future timeslots based on the combined RF exposure distribution; setting at least one transmit power limit for a first transmitter in the future timeslot based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level; setting at least one transmit power limit for a second transmitter in the future timeslot based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level; 16. A computer-readable medium comprising stored instructions for performing the steps of: [C29] 1. A wireless device comprising: A transmitter; a processor coupled to the transmitter; wherein the processor: determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution for a first wireless communications technology; Determining a power density (PD) distribution for a second wireless communication technology; and combining the SAR distribution and the PD distribution to generate a combined RF exposure distribution; determining a maximum allowable time-averaged power level for a future time slot based on the combined RF exposure distribution, wherein the future time slot comprises a plurality of sub-time slots. determining a maximum allowed power level for each of the plurality of sub-timeslots based on the maximum allowed time-averaged power level for the future time slot; setting a transmit power limit for the transmitter in each of the sub-timeslots based on the respective maximum permitted power levels; A wireless device configured to: [C30] The wireless device of C29, wherein the processor is configured to determine the maximum allowed power level for the one of the sub-timeslots based also on a previous transmission power level of the transmitter in one or more of the sub-timeslots that are temporally prior to the one of the sub-timeslots. [C31] 1. A wireless device comprising: A transmitter; a processor coupled to the transmitter; wherein the processor: determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution for a first wireless communications technology; Determining a power density (PD) distribution for a second wireless communication technology; and combining the SAR distribution and the PD distribution to generate a combined RF exposure distribution; determining a PD limit for a future time slot based on the combined RF exposure distribution, wherein the future time slot comprises a plurality of sub-time slots. determining a maximum allowed power level for each of the plurality of sub-timeslots based on the PD limit for the future time slot; setting a transmit power limit for the transmitter in each of the sub-timeslots based on the respective maximum permitted power levels; A wireless device configured to: [C32] The processor, determining a PD allocation for the future timeslot based on the PD bound; determining the maximum allowed power level for the one of the sub-timeslots based on a portion of the PD allocation used up by one or more of the sub-timeslots preceding the one of the sub-timeslots; The wireless device of C31, configured to perform the following: [C33] The processor, reserving a portion of the PD allocation for one or more of the sub-timeslots subsequent to the one of the sub-timeslots. determining the maximum allowed power level for the one of the sub-timeslots based also on the reserved portion of the PD allocation; 3. The wireless device of claim 2, configured to: [C34] 1. A wireless device comprising: A transmitter; a processor coupled to the transmitter; wherein the processor: determining a maximum allowable time-averaged power level for a future timeslot; determining a maximum allowable transmit duty cycle for the future timeslot based on the determined maximum allowable time-averaged power level and a maximum allowable power level; setting a transmit duty cycle limit for the transmitter in the future time slot based on the maximum allowable transmit duty cycle; A wireless device configured to: [C35] The wireless device of C34, wherein the future time slot has a time duration of about 100 milliseconds. [C36] 1. A wireless device comprising: A transmitter; a processor coupled to the transmitter; wherein the processor: determining a maximum allowable time-averaged power level for a future timeslot; determining a maximum allowable peak power level for the future timeslot based on the determined maximum allowable time-average power level and a maximum allowable duty cycle; setting a peak power limit for the transmitter in the future timeslot based on the maximum allowable peak power level; A wireless device configured to: [C37] The wireless device of C36, wherein the future time slot has a time duration of about 100 milliseconds.

Claims

1. 1. A wireless device comprising: a first transmitter configured to transmit a first signal according to a first wireless communication technology; a second transmitter configured to transmit a second signal according to a second wireless communications technology; a processor coupled to the first and second transmitters; wherein the processor: averaging a specific absorption rate (SAR) for the first wireless communication technology over a first time averaging window based on a transmission scenario for the first wireless communication technology, the first time averaging window being divided into a first plurality of time slots including a first plurality of previous and future time slots for the first wireless communication technology, the averaged SAR being based on a transmit power level for each of the first plurality of time slots. averaging a power density (PD) for the second wireless communication technology over a second time averaging window based on a transmission scenario for the second wireless communication technology, the second time averaging window being divided into a second plurality of time slots including a second plurality of previous and future time slots for the second wireless communication technology, the averaged PD being based on a transmit power level for each of the second plurality of time slots. determining at least one first maximum allowed power level and at least one second maximum allowed power level based on the combination of the averaged SAR and the averaged PD; setting at least one transmit power limit for the first transmitter in the future timeslot for the first wireless communication technology based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level; setting at least one transmit power limit for the second transmitter in the future timeslot for the second wireless communication technology based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level; A wireless device configured to:

2. The averaged SAR is normalized to a SAR limit, the averaged PD is normalized to a PD limit, and the processor:

2. The wireless device of claim 1, configured to determine the at least one first maximum allowed power level and the at least one second maximum allowed power level based on a combination of the normalized averaged SAR and the normalized averaged PD.

3. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the first time averaging window and the second time averaging window have different lengths.

4. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein during the future time slot for the first wireless communication technology, the first transmitter is configured to transmit the first signal based on the at least one first maximum allowable power level.

5. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein during the future time slot for the first wireless communication technology, the first transmitter is configured to limit a power level of the first transmitter based on the at least one transmit power limit for the first transmitter.

6. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein during the future time slots for the first wireless communications technology, the first transmitter is configured to limit averaging of a power level of the first transmitter over the future time slots for the first wireless communications technology based on the at least one transmit power limit for the first transmitter.

7. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein during the future time slot for the second wireless communication technology, the second transmitter is configured to transmit the second signal based on the at least one second maximum allowable power level.

8. The wireless device of claim 7, wherein during the future time slot for the second wireless communication technology, the second transmitter is configured to limit a power level of the second transmitter based on the at least one transmit power limit for the second transmitter.

9. The wireless device of claim 7, wherein during the future time slots for the second wireless communications technology, the second transmitter is configured to limit an average power level of the second transmitter over the future time slots for the second wireless communications technology based on the at least one transmit power limit for the second transmitter.

10. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the first wireless communications technology comprises Long Term Evolution (LTE) and the second wireless communications technology comprises Fifth Generation (5G), or the first wireless communications technology comprises a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and the second wireless communications technology comprises Fifth Generation.

11. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to update the at least one first maximum allowable power level and the at least one second maximum allowable power level, and the at least one second maximum allowable power level is updated at a time interval that is smaller than the at least one first maximum allowable power level.

12. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the SAR for the first wireless communications technology comprises a combination of multiple SARs, each of the multiple SARs for a respective one of a plurality of antennas, or each of the multiple SARs for a respective one of a plurality of frequency bands.

13. The processor, Averaging the PD for the second wireless communication technology over a third time averaging window; and determining the at least one first maximum allowable power level and the at least one second maximum allowable power level based on a combination of the averaged SAR and a combination of the averaged PD over the second time averaging window and the averaged PD over the third time averaging window, where the second time averaging window is for a first frequency band and the third time averaging window is for a second frequency band. The wireless device of claim 1 , configured to:

14. A method implemented in a wireless device, comprising: averaging a specific absorption rate (SAR) for a first wireless communication technology over a first time averaging window based on a transmission scenario for the first wireless communication technology, the first time averaging window being divided into a first plurality of time slots including a first plurality of previous and future time slots for the first wireless communication technology, the averaged SAR being based on a transmit power level for each of the first plurality of time slots. averaging a power density (PD) for a second wireless communication technology over a second time averaging window based on a transmission scenario for the second wireless communication technology, the second time averaging window being divided into a second plurality of time slots including a second plurality of previous and future time slots for the second wireless communication technology, the averaged PD being based on a transmit power level for each of the second plurality of time slots. determining at least one first maximum allowed power level and at least one second maximum allowed power level based on the combination of the averaged SAR and the averaged PD; setting at least one transmit power limit for a first transmitter in the future timeslot for the first wireless communication technology based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level; setting at least one transmit power limit for a second transmitter in the future timeslot for the second wireless communication technology based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level; A method comprising:

15. A method for determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) for a first wireless communications technology over a first time averaging window based on a transmission scenario for the first wireless communications technology, the first time averaging window being divided into a first plurality of time slots including a first plurality of previous and future time slots for the first wireless communications technology, the averaged SAR being based on a transmit power level for each of the first plurality of time slots. averaging a power density (PD) for a second wireless communication technology over a second time averaging window based on a transmission scenario for the second wireless communication technology, the second time averaging window being divided into a second plurality of time slots including a second plurality of previous and future time slots for the second wireless communication technology, the averaged PD being based on a transmit power level for each of the second plurality of time slots. determining at least one first maximum allowed power level and at least one second maximum allowed power level based on the combination of the averaged SAR and the averaged PD; setting at least one transmit power limit for a first transmitter in the future timeslot for the first wireless communication technology based on the at least one first maximum allowed power level; setting at least one transmit power limit for a second transmitter in the future timeslot for the second wireless communication technology based on the at least one second maximum allowed power level; 16. A computer-readable medium comprising stored instructions for performing the steps of:

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