Transmit power reduction based on spatial distribution of radio frequency exposure in multi-transmitter scenarios

Abstract

According to some aspects, a wireless device includes transmitters and a processor coupled to the transmitters, wherein the processor is configured to: determine a radio frequency (RF) exposure value at a peak location based on transmit power levels for the transmitters; determine a contribution of each of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the peak location; and reduce the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based on the transmitter's contribution to the RF exposure value at the peak location.

Description

Priority claims

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority to and benefit of non-provisional patent application No. 17 / 376,067, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on July 14, 2021, and provisional patent application No. 63 / 052,371, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on July 15, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth below and for all applications. [Technical Field]

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless devices, and more particularly to reducing transmit power to meet radio frequency (RF) exposure compliance. [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, techniques have been developed to enable wireless devices to assess RF exposure from the wireless device in real time and adjust the transmit power of the wireless device accordingly to comply with the RF exposure limits. Summary of the Invention

[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, nor is it intended to identify key or critical elements of all embodiments or 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] According to certain aspects, a wireless device includes transmitters and a processor coupled to the transmitters, wherein the processor is configured to: determine a radio frequency (RF) exposure value at a first location based on transmit power levels for the transmitters; determine a contribution of each of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location; and reduce the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based on the transmitter's contribution to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0006]

[0006] According to certain aspects, a method implemented in a wireless device having (multiple) transmitters and a processor includes determining an RF exposure value at a first location based on transmit power levels for the transmitters, determining a contribution of each of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location, and reducing the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based on the transmitter's contribution to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0007]

[0007] According to certain aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication includes (multiple) transmitters and a processor, means for determining an RF exposure value at a first location based on transmit power levels for the transmitters, means for determining a contribution of each of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location, and means for reducing the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based on the transmitter's contribution to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0008] In some embodiments, the RF exposure value is a specific absorption rate (SAR) value, a power density (PD) value, or a combined SAR and PD value.

[0009]

[0009] In one aspect, the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters by determining, for each transmitter, a proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to each transmitter at the first location, and reducing the transmit power level for each transmitter in accordance with the proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to each transmitter, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to the peak RF exposure value.

[0010]

[0010] In one aspect, the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters by determining one of the (plurality of) transmitters that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the first location when the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value, and reducing the transmit power level for one of the transmitters by the largest amount among the transmitters.

[0011]

[0011] In some aspects, the processor is configured to determine a reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location to meet the RF exposure limit, and the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based also on the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0012]

[0012] In some aspects, each transmitter is assigned a respective priority, and the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based also on the transmitter's priority.

[0013] In one aspect, the processor is configured to reduce a transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters such that, after the reduction, two or more of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location. The processor may be configured to reduce a transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters such that, after the reduction, all of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0014] In one aspect, after the reduction, the processor is configured to set a transmit power limit for each transmitter based on the transmit power level for that transmitter.

[0015]

[0015] In one aspect, the processor is configured to determine the RF exposure value at the first location by scaling, for each transmitter, a respective RF exposure distribution based on the transmit power level for that transmitter, combining the scaled RF exposure distributions to obtain a combined RF exposure distribution, and determining an RF exposure value at the first location in the combined RF exposure distribution, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value.

[0016] 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 explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1]

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless device in which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 2]

[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which a normalized specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution is combined with a normalized power density (PD) distribution, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 3]

[0019] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example 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]

[0020] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for determining a transmit power level that complies with PD limits, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 5]

[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a time-averaged SAR distribution, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]

[0022] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for determining a transmit power level for a future time slot that complies with time-averaged SAR limits, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]

[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a time-averaged PD distribution, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]

[0024] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for determining a transmit power level that complies with a time-averaged PD limit, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 9]

[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which a time-averaged SAR distribution is combined with a time-averaged PD distribution, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 10]

[0026] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example 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]

[0027] FIG. 10 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]

[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which a time-averaged PD distribution is determined for simultaneous transmissions in different frequency bands, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 13]

[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which a time-averaged SAR distribution is combined with a PD distribution, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 14]

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless device including multiple transmitters, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 15]

[0031] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for reducing transmit power levels to meet RF exposure compliance, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 16]

[0032] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for reducing transmit power levels based on their contribution to RF exposure values ​​at peak locations, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 17]

[0033] 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method for reducing transmit power levels based on priority, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018]

[0034] The detailed description set forth below, together with the accompanying drawings, is intended to be 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 to provide 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 to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0019]

[0035] 1 illustrates an example of a wireless device 100 in which aspects of the disclosure described herein may be implemented. Wireless device 100 may comprise a mobile wireless device (e.g., a cellular phone, a tablet, a laptop, etc.), a wireless access point, customer premises equipment (CPE), or some other wireless device.

[0020]

[0036] The wireless device 100 includes a processor 110 and a memory 115 coupled to the processor 110. The memory 115 may store instructions that, when executed by the processor 110, cause the processor 110 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. The 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. In some examples, multiple processors 110 and / or memories 115 are implemented. One or more of the operations described herein may be performed by two or more of the processors 110, for example, by executing instructions stored in one or more memories 115.

[0021]

[0037] The wireless device 100 also includes a first transmitter 120, a first plurality of antennas 122-1 to 122-N (N is a positive integer) coupled to the first transmitter 120, and a first bus 140 coupled between the first transmitter 120 and the processor 110. In particular 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) technology (e.g., CDMA), fourth-generation (4G) technology (also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE)), fifth-generation (5G) technology, 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, first transmitter 120 may be configured to transmit signals via multiple antennas 122-1 through 122-N using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission to increase the capacity of a radio link between wireless device 100 and another wireless device (not shown). In some aspects, first transmitter 120 may be configured to transmit signals via multiple antennas 122-1 through 122-N using beamforming to direct the transmissions towards another wireless device (not shown). In these aspects, transmissions may be electrically steered by adjusting the relative phase and / or amplitude of the transmit signals for different antennas 122-1 through 122-N.

[0022]

[0038] 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 RF 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 upconversion, power amplification, etc.

[0023]

[0039] In certain aspects, processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for one or more of antennas 122-1 through 122-N. For example, first transmitter 120 may include multiple amplifiers (not shown), each coupled to a respective one of the antennas. For each amplifier, processor 110 may output a respective control signal to the amplifier via first bus 140 to control the gain of the amplifier. In this example, processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for the antennas by adjusting the gain of each amplifier accordingly. In another example, processor 110 may output one or more signals to first transmitter 120, each corresponding to a respective one of antennas 122-1 through 122-N. In this example, processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for the antennas by adjusting the amplitude of the respective signal accordingly. It should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to the above example, and processor 110 may employ other techniques for adjusting the transmit power.

[0024]

[0040] In particular aspects, processor 110 may adjust transmit power for one or more of 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, wireless device 100 may receive a pilot signal from another wireless device (not shown) via a receiver (not shown). In this example, processor 110 estimates channel conditions between wireless device 100 and the other wireless device based on the received pilot signal and adjusts transmit power for one or more of antennas 122-1 through 122-N based on the estimated channel conditions. In an example of a closed power control loop, wireless device 100 receives a feedback signal from the other wireless device via a receiver (not shown), the feedback signal indicating channel conditions between wireless device 100 and the other wireless device. In this example, processor 110 adjusts transmit power for one or more of antennas 122-1 through 122-N based on the indicated channel conditions.

[0025]

[0041] Processor 110 may also adjust the transmit power for one or more of antennas 122-1 through 122-N based on the data rate. For example, processor 110 may increase (boost) the transmit power to transmit short data bursts.

[0026]

[0042] Additionally, processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for one or more of antennas 122-1 through 122-N to maintain RF exposure from wireless device 100 within RF exposure limits set by a regulatory body (e.g., the FCC), as discussed further below, where the transmit power is constrained by the RF exposure limits.

[0027]

[0043] Wireless device 100 also includes, in the depicted example, a second transmitter 130, a second plurality of antennas 132-1 through 132-M coupled to second transmitter 130, and a second bus 150 coupled between second transmitter 130 and processor 110. In particular aspects, second transmitter 130 is configured to transmit signals via one or more of second plurality of antennas 132-1 through 132-M using one or more wireless communication technologies, including, but not limited to, 3G technology, 4G technology, 5G technology, 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 transmit signals simultaneously using different wireless communication technologies, as discussed further below.

[0028]

[0044] 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 RF 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 upconversion, power amplification, etc.

[0029]

[0045] The processor 110 may adjust the transmit power for one or more of the antennas 132-1 through 132-M. For example, the second transmitter 130 may include multiple amplifiers (not shown), each coupled to a respective one of the antennas 132-1 through 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, each corresponding to a respective one of the antennas 132-1 through 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 appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to the above example, and the processor 110 may employ other techniques for adjusting the transmit power.

[0030]

[0046] 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 discussed above. Processor 110 may also adjust the transmit power for one or more of antennas 132-1 through 132-M to maintain RF exposure from wireless device 100 within RF exposure limits set by regulatory agencies, as discussed further below.

[0031]

[0047] It should be appreciated that wireless device 100 may comprise one or more additional transmitters in addition to the first and second transmitters 120 and 130 shown in FIG. 1 . While the first and second transmitters 120 and 130 are coupled to separate antenna sets in the example shown in FIG. 1 , it should be appreciated that the first and second transmitters 120 and 130 may share one or more antennas. Also, in some implementations, it is possible that the first transmitter 120 transmits on only one antenna and / or the second transmitter 130 transmits on only one antenna. Furthermore, as discussed above, multiple processors 110 may be implemented. In such examples, one or more of the transmitters (e.g., 120, 130) may be coupled to multiple processors. In some examples with multiple processors 110 and multiple transmitters, a particular (or all) transmitter may be coupled to a respective processor.

[0032]

[0048] 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 is sometimes expressed in terms 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 is also sometimes expressed in terms of power density (PD), which measures energy absorption per unit area and is measured in mW / cm. 2It may have units of .

[0033]

[0049] SAR may be used to assess RF exposure for transmission frequencies below 10 GHz, which cover wireless communication technologies such as 3G (e.g., CDMA), 4G, IEEE802.11ac, etc. PD may be used to assess RF exposure for transmission frequencies above 10 GHz, which cover wireless communication technologies such as IEEE802.11ad, 5G, etc. Thus, different metrics may be used to assess RF exposure for different wireless communication technologies.

[0034]

[0050] Wireless device 100 may transmit signals simultaneously using multiple wireless communication technologies. For example, wireless device 100 may transmit signals simultaneously using a first wireless communication technology operating below 10 GHz (e.g., 3G, 4G, etc.) and a second wireless communication technology operating above 10 GHz (e.g., 5G, IEEE 802.11ad), or using first and second wireless communication technologies in similar or overlapping bands (e.g., WWAN and WLAN). Because wireless device 100 simultaneously transmits signals using the first and second technologies, a user of the device is exposed to RF emissions from transmissions using both technologies. Therefore, there is a need for techniques for determining RF exposure compliance when wireless device 100 simultaneously transmits signals using multiple wireless communication technologies.

[0035]

[0051] Aspects of the present disclosure enable wireless device 100 to assess RF exposure (in real time) when wireless device 100 simultaneously transmits signals using multiple wireless communication technologies, as discussed further below.

[0036]

[0052] In particular aspects, wireless device 100 may simultaneously transmit signals using a first wireless communication technology (e.g., 3G, 4G, IEEE 802.11ac, etc.) whose RF exposure is measured by SAR and a second wireless communication technology (e.g., 5G, IEEE 802.11ad, etc.) whose RF exposure is measured by 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. In other aspects, both the first and second wireless communication technologies are associated with SAR measurements, or both are associated with PD measurements. In still other aspects, the techniques described herein may be used to combine communications from different transmitters and / or antennas that communicate using the same wireless communications technology. While certain descriptions below refer to a first wireless technology, a second wireless technology, SAR, and / or PD, it will be understood that these descriptions may equally apply to the transmissions described in this paragraph.

[0037]

[0053] To assess RF exposure from transmissions using a first technology (e.g., 3G, 4G, IEEE 802.11ac, etc.), wireless device 100 may include multiple SAR distributions for the first technology stored in memory 115. Each of the SAR distributions may correspond to a respective one of multiple 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.

[0038]

[0054] A SAR distribution (also referred to as a SAR map) for each transmit scenario may be generated based on measurements (e.g., E-field measurements) performed in a test laboratory using a human body model. After the SAR distributions are generated, they are stored in memory 115 to enable processor 110 to assess RF exposure (e.g., in real time), as discussed further below. Each SAR distribution includes a set of SAR values, and each SAR value may correspond to a different location (e.g., on the human body model). Each SAR value may comprise the SAR value averaged over a 1 g or 10 g mass at the respective location.

[0039]

[0055] The SAR value in each SAR distribution corresponds to a particular transmit power level (e.g., the transmit power level at which the SAR value was measured in a test lab). Because the SAR scales with transmit power level, processor 110 may scale the SAR distribution for any transmit power level by multiplying each SAR value in the SAR distribution by a transmit power scaler:

[0040]

number

[0041] where Tx c is the current transmit power level for each transmission scenario, and Tx SAR is the transmit power level corresponding to the SAR value in the stored SAR distribution (eg, the transmit power level at which the SAR value was measured in a test laboratory).

[0042]

[0056] As discussed above, 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: antenna parameters indicating one or more antennas used for transmission (i.e., active antennas); frequency band parameters indicating one or more frequency bands used for transmission (i.e., active frequency bands); channel parameters indicating one or more channels used for transmission (i.e., active channels); body position parameters indicating a location of wireless device 100 relative to a user's body location (head, trunk, away from the body, etc.); and / or other parameters. When wireless device 100 supports a large number of transmission scenarios, performing transmissions for each transmission scenario in a test setting (e.g., a test lab) can 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.

[0043]

[0057] For example, SAR measurements may be performed for each of antennas 122-1 through 122-N to generate a SAR distribution for each of antennas 122-1 through 122-N. In this example, a SAR distribution for a transmission scenario where two or more of antennas 122-1 through 122-N are active may be generated by combining the SAR distributions for the two or more active antennas.

[0044]

[0058] In another example, SAR measurements may be performed for each of a plurality of frequency bands to generate a SAR distribution for each of the plurality of frequency bands, in which case a SAR distribution for a transmission scenario where two or more frequency bands are active may be generated by combining the SAR distributions for the two or more active frequency bands.

[0045]

[0059] In certain aspects, a SAR distribution may be normalized to a SAR limit by dividing each SAR value in the distribution by the SAR limit, where a normalized SAR value greater than 1 exceeds the SAR limit and a normalized SAR value less than 1 is less than the SAR limit. In these aspects, each of the SAR distributions stored in memory 115 may be normalized to a SAR limit.

[0046]

[0060] 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 the two or more active antennas. If different transmit power levels are used for the active antennas, the normalized SAR distribution for each active antenna may be scaled by its 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 the following equation:

[0047]

number

[0048] Here, SAR lim is the SAR limit, and SAR norm_combined is the combined normalized SAR distribution for simultaneous transmission from the active antennas, i is the index for the active antenna, and SAR iis the SAR distribution for the i-th active antenna, and Tx i is the transmit power level for the i-th active antenna, and Tx SARi is the transmit power level of the SAR distribution for the i-th active antenna, and K is the number of active antennas. Equation (2) can be rewritten as:

[0049]

number

[0050] Here, SAR norm_i is the normalized SAR distribution for the i-th active antenna. In the case of simultaneous transmission using multiple active antennas at the same transmission frequency (e.g., multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)), the combined normalized SAR distribution is obtained by summing the square roots of the individual normalized SAR distributions and calculating the square of the sum, as given by

[0051]

number

[0052]

[0061] 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 where two or more frequency bands are active may be generated by combining the normalized SAR distributions for the two or more active frequency bands. If the transmit power levels for the active frequency bands are different, the normalized SAR distribution for each active frequency band may be scaled by its respective transmit power level before combining the normalized SAR distributions for the active frequency bands. In this example, this 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 iis the transmit power level for the i-th active frequency band, and Tx SARi is the transmit power level of the normalized SAR distribution for the i-th active frequency band.

[0053]

[0062] To assess RF exposure from transmissions using a second technology (e.g., 5G, IEEE 802.11ad, etc.), wireless device 100 may include multiple PD distributions for the second technology stored in memory 115. Each of the PD distributions may correspond to a respective one of multiple 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.

[0054]

[0063] 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 human body model. After the PD distributions are generated, they are stored in memory 115 to enable processor 110 to assess RF exposure (e.g., in real time), as discussed further below. Each PD distribution includes a set of PD values, and each PD value may correspond to a different location (e.g., on the human body model).

[0055]

[0064] 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:

[0056]

number

[0057] where Tx cis the current transmit power level for each transmission scenario, and Tx PD is the transmit power level corresponding to the PD value in the PD distribution (eg, the transmit power level at which the PD value was measured in a test lab).

[0058]

[0065] As discussed above, wireless device 100 may support multiple transmission scenarios for the second technology. In certain aspects, a transmission scenario may be specified by a set of parameters. The set of parameters may include one or more of: antenna parameters indicating one or more antennas used for transmission (i.e., active antennas); frequency band parameters indicating one or more frequency bands used for transmission (i.e., active frequency bands); channel parameters indicating one or more channels used for transmission (i.e., active channels); body position parameters indicating a location of wireless device 100 relative to a user's body location (head, trunk, away from the body, etc.); and / or other parameters. When wireless device 100 supports a large number of transmission scenarios, performing transmissions for each transmission scenario in a test setting (e.g., a test lab) can be very time-consuming and expensive. To reduce test time, measurements may be performed for a subset of the transmission scenarios to generate a PD distribution for the subset of transmission scenarios. In this example, the PD distribution 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.

[0059]

[0066] For example, PD measurements may be performed for each of antennas 132-1 through 132-M to generate a PD distribution for each of antennas 132-1 through 132-M. In this example, a PD distribution for a transmission scenario where two or more of antennas 132-1 through 132-M are active may be generated by combining the PD distributions for the two or more active antennas.

[0060]

[0067] In another example, PD measurements may be performed for each of a plurality of frequency bands to generate a PD distribution for each of the plurality of frequency bands. In this example, a PD distribution for a transmission scenario where two or more frequency bands are active may be generated by combining the PD distributions for the two or more active frequency bands.

[0061]

[0068] In certain embodiments, a PD distribution may be normalized to a PD limit by dividing each PD value in the PD distribution by the PD limit, where a normalized PD value greater than 1 exceeds the PD limit and a normalized PD value less than 1 is less than the PD limit. In some examples, each of the PD distributions stored in memory 115 may be normalized to a PD limit.

[0062]

[0069] 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 where two or more antennas are active may be generated by combining the normalized PD distributions for the two or more active antennas. If different transmit power levels are used for the active antennas, the normalized PD distribution for each active antenna may be scaled by its 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 the following equation:

[0063]

number

[0064] Here, PD lim is the PD limit, and PD norm_combined is the combined normalized PD distribution in case of simultaneous transmission from the active antennas, i is the index for the active antenna, and PD i is the PD distribution for the i-th active antenna, and Txi is the transmit power level for the i-th active antenna, and Tx PDi is the transmit power level of the PD distribution for the i-th active antenna, and L is the number of active antennas. Equation (5) can be rewritten as:

[0065]

number

[0066] Here, PD norm_i is the normalized PD distribution for the i-th active antenna. In the case of simultaneous transmission using multiple active antennas at the same transmission frequency (e.g., MIMO), the combined normalized PD distribution is obtained by summing the square roots of the individual normalized PD distributions and calculating the square of the sum, as given by

[0067]

number

[0068]

[0070] 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 where two or more frequency bands are active may be generated by combining the normalized PD distributions for the two or more active frequency bands. If the transmit power levels for the active frequency bands are different, the normalized PD distribution for each active frequency band may be scaled by its respective transmit power level before combining the normalized PD distributions for the active frequency bands. In this example, this 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 PDiis the transmit power level of the normalized PD distribution for the i-th active frequency band.

[0069]

[0071] As discussed above, 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.), and RF exposure is measured using different criteria for the first and second technologies (e.g., SAR for the first technology and PD for the second technology). In this case, 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 during a future time slot that complies with RF exposure limits. During the future time slot, as discussed further below, the transmit power levels for the first and second technologies are constrained (i.e., restricted) by the determined first and second maximum allowed power levels, respectively, to ensure compliance with RF exposure limits. In this disclosure, the term “maximum allowed power level” refers to the “maximum allowed power level” imposed by RF exposure limits, unless otherwise stated. It should be recognized 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.

[0070]

[0072] 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.

[0071]

[0073] 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), 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 allowable power levels, respectively, during the future time slot. If the peak value is greater than 1, processor 110 may determine that the first and second transmit power levels do not comply with RF exposure limits. To avoid non-compliance during the future time slot, 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, processor 110 may use the first and second transmit power levels that comply with RF exposure limits as first and second maximum allowable power levels, respectively, during the future time slot. The condition for RF exposure compliance in the case of simultaneous transmission using the first and second technologies may be given by:

[0072]

number

[0073]

[0074] During the future time slot, the processor 110 limits (constrains) the transmit power level of the first transmitter 120 by the first maximum allowed power level. For example, if a power control loop is used for the first technology, the power control loop is enabled to set the transmit power level of the first transmitter 120 to a power level that is less than, but not greater than, the first maximum allowed power level. During the future time slot, the processor 110 also limits (constrains) the transmit power level of the second transmitter 130 by the second maximum allowed power level. For example, if a power control loop is used for the second technology, the power control loop is enabled to set the transmit power level of the second transmitter 130 to a power level that is less than, but not greater than, the second maximum allowed power level.

[0074]

[0075] 2 shows a visual representation of normalized SAR distribution 210 and normalized PD distribution 220, which are combined to generate combined normalized distribution 230. FIG. 2 also shows the condition for RF exposure compliance that the peak value in combined normalized distribution 230 be less than or equal to 1. While FIG. 2 depicts each of distributions 210, 220, and 230 as two-dimensional distributions, it should be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to this example.

[0075]

[0076] The normalized SAR distribution in equation (7) may be generated by combining two or more normalized SAR distributions as discussed 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 discussed 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:

[0076]

number

[0077] In the case of MIMO, equations (3b) and (6b) can be combined instead. As shown in equation (8), the combined normalized distribution can be a function of the transmit power level for the first technology and the transmit power level for the second technology. All points in the combined normalized distribution should satisfy the normalization limit of 1 in equation (8). In addition, when combining the SAR and PD distributions, the SAR and PD distributions should be spatially aligned, or their peak locations should be aligned, so that the combined distribution given by equation (8) represents the combined RF exposure for a given location on the human body.

[0078] When wireless device 100 transmits signals simultaneously using first and second technologies, 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 future time slots, as follows: Processor 110 retrieves one or more normalized SAR distributions for the first technology from 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 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, processor 110 may retrieve a normalized SAR distribution for each active antenna. Similarly, if the transmission scenario for the second technology uses multiple active antennas, processor 110 may retrieve a normalized PD distribution for each active antenna.

[0079]

[0078] The processor 110 may then determine maximum allowable power levels for the first and second technologies that comply with RF exposure limits (e.g., SAR limits and PD limits) by implementing the exemplary method 300 shown in Figure 3.

[0080] At block 310, processor 110 initializes transmit power levels for the first and second technologies according to transmission scenarios for the first and second technologies in the future time slot. If the transmission scenario for the first technology uses multiple active antennas, the transmit power levels may include a transmit power level for each active antenna for the first technology. Similarly, if the transmission scenario for the second technology uses multiple active antennas, the transmit power levels may include a transmit power level for each active antenna for the second technology.

[0081] 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.

[0082]

[0081] In block 320, the processor 110 determines a combined normalized distribution based on the transmit power level in block 310, the extracted normalized SAR distribution, and the extracted normalized PD distribution (e.g., according to equation (8) discussed above).

[0083] At block 330, 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), processor 110 determines that the transmit power level complies with RF exposure limits. In this case, method 300 ends at block 350, and processor 110 uses the transmit power level as the maximum allowable power level for future time slots.

[0084] If the peak value in the combined normalized distribution is greater than one, the processor 110 adjusts the transmit power levels at block 340. For example, the processor 110 may adjust the transmit power levels by reducing one or more of the transmit power levels.

[0085] Processor 110 then repeats blocks 320 and 330 using the adjusted transmit power level (i.e., determines the combined normalized distribution in block 320 using the adjusted transmit power level). Processor 110 may repeat blocks 340, 320, and 330 until the 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 the future time slot. 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 the 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 the maximum allowed power level for each of the active antennas.

[0086] After processor 110 determines the maximum allowed power level, processor 110 constrains the transmit power of first transmitter 120 during future time slots by one or more determined maximum allowed power levels for the first technology. In an example where first transmitter 120 transmits signals using multiple antennas (e.g., two or more of antennas 122-1 through 122-N) during future time slots, the maximum allowed power level includes a maximum allowed power level for each active antenna. In this example, processor 110 constrains the transmit power level for each active antenna by its respective maximum allowed power level. Processor 110 also constrains the transmit power of second transmitter 130 during future time slots by one or more determined maximum allowed power levels for the second technology. In an example where second transmitter 130 transmits signals using multiple antennas (e.g., two or more of antennas 132-1 through 132-M) during future time slots, the maximum allowed power level includes a maximum allowed power level for each active antenna. In this example, the processor 110 constrains the transmit power level for each active antenna by its respective maximum allowed power level.

[0087] 3 , and it should be appreciated that other methods for determining the maximum allowable power levels for the first and second technologies that comply with RF exposure limits may be employed. For example, for a conservative approximation analysis, processor 110 may determine the maximum allowable power level such that the peak value in the combined normalized distribution is less than or equal to a value less than 1, thereby determining the maximum allowable power level with fewer calculations. In this manner, a value less than 1 may be used as a condition for assessing RF exposure compliance.

[0088] 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 purposes of assessing RF exposure compliance.

[0089] In these cases, processor 110 may determine the maximum allowable power level for the second technology in the future time slot that complies with 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 time slot. For example, if the transmission scenario for the second technology in the future time slot uses multiple active antennas, processor 110 may retrieve a normalized PD distribution for each active antenna. 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 time slot.

[0090] Processor 110 may then determine the maximum allowable power level for the second technology that complies with the PD limits by implementing the exemplary method shown in FIG.

[0091] At block 410, the processor 110 initializes transmit power levels for the second technology according to a transmission scenario for the second technology. If the transmission scenario for the second technology uses multiple active antennas, the transmit power levels may include transmit power levels for each of the active antennas. The transmit power levels 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 levels may be initialized to a set of default transmit power levels.

[0092]

[0091] In block 420, the processor 110 determines a combined normalized PD distribution based on the transmit power level in block 410 and the extracted normalized PD distribution (e.g., according to equation (6a) or (6b) discussed above).

[0093] 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.

[0094] If the peak value in the combined normalized PD distribution is greater than 1, 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.

[0095]

[0094] Processor 110 then repeats blocks 420 and 430 using the adjusted transmit power level (i.e., determines the combined normalized PD distribution in block 420 using the adjusted transmit power level). 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. 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 processor 110 determines the maximum allowed power level that complies with the PD limit, 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 signals 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.

[0096] 4, and other methods for determining the maximum allowable power level that complies with the PD limits may be employed. For example, processor 110 may determine the maximum allowable power level such that the peak value is less than or equal to a value less than 1 for a conservative approximation analysis, thereby determining the maximum allowable power level with fewer calculations.

[0097] In certain cases, RF exposure regulations require that the time-averaged RF exposure over a time window not exceed the RF exposure limit, thereby allowing wireless device 100 to temporarily exceed the RF exposure limit as long as the time-averaged RF exposure does not exceed the limit.

[0098] In this regard, processor 110 may determine RF exposure compliance when a first technique is active and a 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., the condition ≦1 is met), processor 110 may determine RF exposure compliance.

[0099] 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 multiple time slots (i.e., time intervals). For example, a 6-minute time window may be divided into 5-second time slots. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, there are p time slots 515(1) through 515(p) and p normalized SAR distributions 510(1) through 510(p). While each of distributions 510(1) through 510(p) is depicted as a two-dimensional distribution in FIG. 5, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to this example.

[0100]

[0099] 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, processor 110 may combine the normalized SAR distributions for the two or more active antennas to generate the normalized SAR distribution for the time slot. If different transmit power levels are used for the active antennas, processor 110 may scale the normalized SAR distribution for each active antenna by the transmit power level for that antenna.

[0101] In certain aspects, the transmission scenario and / or the transmission power level for the first technology 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 between time slots 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 that time slot (e.g., according to equation (3a) or (3b)).

[0102] Processor 110 may average the normalized SAR distributions 510(1) through 510(p) over the first time window 505 to generate a time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520. For example, processor 110 may calculate the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 by combining the normalized SAR distributions 510(1) through 510(p) for time slots 515(1) through 515(p) and dividing the resulting combined normalized SAR distribution by the number of time slots, as given by the following equation:

[0103]

number

[0104] Here, SAR norm_j represents the normalized SAR distribution for the jth time slot 515(j). As discussed above, the normalized SAR distribution for a time slot may be a combination of multiple SAR distributions for that time slot (e.g., in the case of multiple active antennas). Processor 110 may then compare the peak value in the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 to 1 to assess RF exposure compliance. If the peak value is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., the condition ≦1 is met), processor 110 may determine RF exposure compliance.

[0105] In certain aspects, processor 110 may determine a maximum allowable power level for future time slots to ensure time-averaged RF exposure compliance. In this regard, time slots 515(1) through 515(p-1) in FIG. 5 may correspond to previous transmissions by wireless device 100, and time slot 515(p) may correspond to a future time slot. In this regard, time slot 515(p) is referred to hereinafter as a future time slot. Equation (9a) may be written as follows:

[0106]

number

[0107] Here, SAR norm_p is the SAR distribution for future timeslot 515(p).

[0108] In this example, it is assumed that the transmit power levels for normalized SAR distributions 510(1) through 510(p-1) are known to processor 110 because 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 time slots 515(1) through 515(p-1) in memory 115 and use the recorded transmit power levels and transmission scenarios for time slots 515(1) through 515(p-1) to determine normalized SAR distributions 510(1) through 510(p-1) for these time slots. For time slots 515(1) through 515(p-1), the normalized SAR distribution for the jth time slot 515(j) may be determined using equation (3a) or (3b) for all transmission scenarios and power levels that were active during the jth time slot 515(j).

[0109] 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, where 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 time slot 515(p) and sets the transmit power limit for the future time slot 515(p) according to the determined maximum allowed power level. The processor 110 may determine the maximum allowed power level for the future time slot 515(p) during time slot 515(p-1) so that at the start of the future time slot 515(p), the maximum allowed power level for the future time slot 515(p) is ready for enforcement of the maximum allowed power level by the processor 110.

[0110] The processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level for a future time slot 515(p) according to an example method 600 shown in FIG. 6. At block 610, the processor 110 initializes a transmit power level for the future time slot 515(p) according to a transmission scenario for the future time slot 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.

[0111] In block 620, the processor 110 determines a time-averaged normalized SAR distribution based on the transmission scenario and transmit power level in block 610 for the future time slot 515(p). Note that, as discussed above, the transmit power levels for the previous time slots 515(1) through 515(p-1) are known.

[0112] At 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 at block 650. In this case, the processor 110 uses the transmit power level initialized at block 610 as the maximum allowed power level for future time slots 515(p).

[0113] If the peak value is greater than 1, processor 110 adjusts the transmit power levels for the future time slots in block 640. Processor 110 may adjust the transmit power levels for the future time slots by reducing one or more of the transmit power levels for the future time slots. 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 1, 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 future time slot 515(p).

[0114] 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 the respective maximum allowed power level.

[0115] 6, and it should be appreciated that other methods may be employed for determining the transmit power level for a future time slot 515(p) such that the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution complies with the SAR limits. For example, for a conservative approximation analysis, the processor 110 may determine the maximum allowable power level such that the peak value of the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution is less than or equal to a value less than 1, thereby determining the maximum allowable power level with fewer calculations.

[0116] In certain cases, a regulatory body may require that the time-averaged PD distribution for the second technology not exceed the PD limit for the second technology, thereby allowing wireless device 100 to temporarily exceed the PD limit as long as the time-averaged PD distribution does not exceed the PD limit.

[0117] In this regard, processor 110 may determine RF exposure compliance when 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., the condition ≦1 is met), processor 110 may determine RF exposure compliance.

[0118] In this regard, FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which processor 110 calculates a time-averaged normalized PD distribution over a second time window 705 (e.g., 2 minutes). In this example, second time window 705 is divided into multiple time slots (i.e., time intervals). For example, a 2-minute time window may be divided into 5-second time slots. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, there are q time slots 715(1) through 715(q) and q normalized PD distributions 710(1) through 710(q). While each of distributions 710(1) through 710(q) is depicted as a two-dimensional distribution in FIG. 7, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to this example.

[0119]

[0114] 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, processor 110 may combine the normalized PD distributions for the two or more active antennas to generate the normalized PD distribution for the time slot. If different transmit power levels are used for the active antennas, processor 110 may scale the normalized PD distribution for each active antenna by its respective transmit power level.

[0120] In certain aspects, the transmission scenario and / or 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 between time slots 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 that time slot (e.g., according to equation (6a) or (6b)).

[0121] Processor 110 may average normalized PD distributions 710(1) through 710(q) over the second time window 705 to generate time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720. For example, processor 110 may calculate time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720 by combining normalized PD distributions 710(1) through 710(q) for time slots 715(1) through 715(q) and dividing the resulting combined normalized PD distribution by the number of time slots, as given by the following equation:

[0122]

number

[0123] Here, PD norm_j represents the normalized PD distribution for the jth time slot 715(j). As discussed above, the normalized PD distribution for a time slot may be a combination of multiple normalized PD distributions for that time slot (e.g., in the case of multiple active antennas). The processor 110 may then compare the peak value in the time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720 with 1 to assess 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 RF exposure compliance.

[0124] In certain aspects, processor 110 may determine a maximum allowable power level for future time slots to ensure time-averaged RF exposure compliance. In this regard, time slots 715(1) through 715(q-1) in FIG. 7 may correspond to previous transmissions by wireless device 100, and time slot 715(q) may correspond to a future transmission. In this regard, time slot 715(q) is referred to hereinafter as a future time slot. Equation (10a) may be rewritten as follows:

[0125]

number

[0126] Here, PD norm_q is the normalized PD distribution for future timeslot 715(q).

[0127] In this example, it is assumed that the transmit power levels for normalized PD distributions 710(1) through 710(q-1) are known to processor 110 because 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 time slots 715(1) through 715(q-1) in memory 115 and use the recorded transmit power levels and transmission scenarios for time slots 715(1) through 715(q-1) to determine normalized PD distributions 710(1) through 710(q-1) for these time slots. For time slots 715(1) through 715(q-1), normalized PD distribution 710(j) for the jth time slot 715(j) may be determined using equation (6a) or (6b) for all transmission scenarios and power levels that were active during the jth time slot 715(j).

[0128] 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, where 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 a 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., satisfies the condition in equation (10b)≦1). 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 at the start of future timeslot 715(q), the maximum allowed power level for future timeslot 715(q) is ready for enforcement of the maximum allowed power level by processor 110.

[0129] The processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level for a future timeslot 715(q) according to an example method 800 shown 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.

[0130] In block 820, the processor 110 determines a time-averaged normalized PD distribution for a future time slot 715(q) based on the transmission scenario and the transmit power levels of block 810. Note that the transmit power levels for previous time slots 715(1) through 715(q−1) are known, as discussed above.

[0131] At block 830, the processor 110 compares the peak value of 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 time slot 715(q).

[0132] If the peak value is greater than 1, processor 110 adjusts transmit power level 810 for the future time slot at block 840. Processor 110 may adjust the transmit power level for future time slot 715(q) by reducing one or more of the transmit power levels for future time slot 715(q). Processor 110 then repeats blocks 820 and 830 using the adjusted transmit power levels. Processor 110 may repeat blocks 840, 820, and 830 until the peak value of the time-averaged PD distribution is less than or equal to 1, at which point the transmit power level complies with the PD limit and processor 110 uses that transmit power level as the maximum allowed power level for future time slot 715(q).

[0133] 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 future time slot 715(q), the maximum allowed power level may include a maximum allowed power level for each of those active antennas. In this example, processor 110 limits (constrains) the transmit power level for each of those active antennas by its respective maximum allowed power level.

[0134] 8, and that other methods may be utilized to determine a transmit power level for a future timeslot 715(q) such that the time-averaged normalized PD distribution complies with the PD limits. For example, the processor 110 may determine a maximum allowable power level for a future timeslot 715(q) that results in a peak value of the time-averaged normalized PD distribution that is approximately equal to or greater than a value less than 1.

[0135] Processor 110 may also determine time-averaged RF exposure compliance for the case where both the first technology and the second technology are active (i.e., the wireless device transmits signals using the first technology and the second technology simultaneously). To do so, processor 110 may combine time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 and time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720 to generate combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920, as shown in FIG. 9 . Processor 110 may then compare the peak value of combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920 to 1 to assess time-averaged RF exposure compliance. If the peak value is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., satisfying the condition ≦1), processor 110 may determine that wireless device 100 is compliant. The condition for compliance may be given by combining equations (9b) and (10b) as follows:

[0136]

number

[0137] 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 are 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 body). Note that in FIG. 9, the lengths of the time windows 505 and 705 are not drawn to scale.

[0138] In certain aspects, processor 110 may determine maximum allowable power levels for future time slots 515(p) and 715(q) of the first and second technologies to ensure time-averaged RF exposure compliance. In these aspects, future time slots 515(p) and 715(q) may be approximately aligned in time, as shown in the example of FIG. 9. To determine the maximum allowable power levels for future time slots 515(p) and 715(q), processor 110 may calculate a combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920 in which the transmit power levels for future time slots 515(p) and 715(q) are variable 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 future time slots 515(p) and 715(q)). The processor 110 may then determine the maximum allowed power level for future time slots 515(p) and 715(q) such that the peak value of the combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920 is less than or equal to 1 (i.e., satisfying the condition ≦1 in equation (11)). The processor 110 may then set the transmit power levels for future time slots 515(p) and 715(q) according to the determined maximum allowed power level.

[0139] Processor 110 may also determine maximum allowed power levels for future time slots 515(p) and 715(q) according to an example method 1000 shown 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.

[0140] At block 1010, processor 110 initializes transmit power levels for future time slots 515(p) and 715(q) according to a transmit scenario for the future time slots 515(p) and 715(q). If the transmit scenario for future time slot 515(p) of the first technology uses multiple active antennas, the transmit power levels may include transmit power levels for each of those active antennas. Similarly, if the transmit scenario for future time slot 715(q) of the second technology uses multiple active antennas, the transmit power levels may include transmit power levels for each of those active antennas.

[0141] 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.

[0142] At block 1020, processor 110 determines a combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920 based on the transmit power levels for future time slots 515(p) and 715(q). Note that the transmit power levels in previous time slots 515(1) through 515(p-1) of the first technology and the transmit power levels in previous time slots 715(1) through 715(q-1) of the second technology are known, as discussed above.

[0143] At block 1030, processor 110 compares the peak value of the combined time-averaged normalized distribution to 1 to assess RF exposure compliance. If the peak value is less than or equal to 1, method 1000 ends at block 1050. In this case, 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).

[0144] If the peak value is greater than 1, processor 110 adjusts the transmit power levels for the future time slots in block 1040. Processor 110 may adjust the transmit power levels for the future time slots by reducing one or more of the transmit power levels for the future time slots. Processor 110 then repeats blocks 1020 and 1030 using the adjusted transmit power levels. Processor 110 may repeat blocks 1040, 1020, and 1030 until the peak value of the combined time-averaged normalized distribution is less than or equal to 1, at which point the transmit power levels for the future time slots comply and processor 110 uses that transmit power level as the maximum allowed power level. The determined maximum allowed power levels include 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 a first maximum allowed power level and sets a transmit power limit for the second transmitter 130 according to a second maximum allowed power level.

[0145]

[0135] It should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary method 1000 shown in FIG. 10, and that other methods may be utilized to determine the maximum allowable power levels for future time slots 515(p) and 715(q) such that the combined time-averaged normalized distribution 920 complies with RF exposure limits.

[0146] In certain aspects, the time-averaged PD window depends on the transmission frequency (e.g., ∼2 minutes for the 28 GHz band and ∼1 minute for 60 GHz). In these aspects, when the second transmitter 130 transmits signals in multiple frequency bands, a different time window may be used to calculate the time-averaged PD distribution 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 calculated as follows:

[0147]

number

[0148] where q is the number of time slots in a first frequency band (e.g., 28 GHz) and r is the number of time slots in a second frequency band (e.g., 60 GHz). Because different time windows are used for the first and second frequency bands, the number of time slots in a frequency band is different from the number of time slots in the second frequency band (i.e., q and r are different).

[0149] 11 shows an example in which two time averaging windows are used for PD. In this example, the above-mentioned second time window 705 is used for a first frequency band (e.g., 28 GHz band), and a third time window 1105 is used for a second frequency band (e.g., 60 GHz band), where 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.

[0150] 11, the third time window 1105 is divided into r time slots 1115(1) through 1115(r). There are r normalized PD distributions 1110(1) through 1110(r) for the second frequency band, each normalized PD distribution corresponding to a respective one of the time slots 1115(1) through 1115(r). In this example, time slots 1115(1) through 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).

[0151] In this example, the normalized PD distribution for each of the previous time slots 715(1) through 715(q-1) in the second time window 705 may be determined based on the transmission scenario and transmit power level for the first frequency band in that time slot. The normalized PD distribution for the future time slot 715(q) is a function of the transmit power level for the first frequency band in the future time slot 715(q). Similarly, the normalized PD distribution for each of the previous time slots 1115(1) through 1115(r-1) in the third time window 1105 may be determined based on the transmission scenario and transmit power level for the second frequency band in that time slot. The normalized PD distribution for the future time slot 1115(r) is a function of the transmit power level for the second frequency band in the future time slot 1115(r).

[0152]

[0140] 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).

[0153] In this example, the time-averaged normalized PD distribution 720 is a combination of the time-averaged normalized PD distribution for the first frequency band corresponding to the second time window 705 and the time-averaged normalized PD distribution for the second frequency band corresponding to the third time window 1105. In this regard, the time-averaged PD distribution 720 may also be considered a combined time-averaged PD distribution.

[0154] In an example in which the wireless device 100 also transmits signals 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 discussed above. In this example, the combined time-averaged normalized distribution is a function of the transmit scenario and transmit power level for the first technology in future time slot 515(p), the transmit scenario and transmit power level for the first frequency band in future time slot 715(q), and the transmit scenario and transmit power level for the second frequency band in future time slot 1115(r). The maximum allowed power level may be determined by determining the transmit power level that results in a peak value of the combined time-averaged normalized distribution that is less than or equal to 1 (e.g., according to method 1000 shown in FIG. 10). In this example, the maximum allowed power level includes the maximum allowed power level for the first technology, the maximum allowed power level for the first frequency band, and the 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.

[0155]

[0143] While two time averaging windows 705 and 1105 are used for the PD in the above example, it should be appreciated 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 the PD may equal the number of active frequency bands above 10 GHz, with each time averaging window corresponding to a respective one of those active frequency bands.

[0156] In certain aspects, wireless device 100 may transmit signals simultaneously on first and second frequency bands (e.g., 28 GHz and 60 GHz) when the first technology is not active. In this case, processor 110 may determine the maximum allowable power levels for the first and second frequency bands as follows: The processor may determine the 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 future time slot 715(q) and the transmit power level for the second frequency band in future time slot 1115(r). An example of this is shown 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 this time-averaged normalized PD distribution is not combined with the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 in this case because the first technology is not active in this case.

[0157] The processor 110 may then determine transmit power levels for the first frequency band and the second frequency band that result in a peak value of the time-averaged normalized PD distribution that is less than or equal to 1, 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 appreciated that the above technique can be extended to more than two frequency bands to determine maximum allowed power levels for more than two frequency bands.

[0158] Some RF exposure regulations do not require or currently do not specify time averaging of PD (this is subject to 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 shown in FIG. 13, where the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 is combined with the normalized PD distribution for a future time slot 715(q) to obtain a combined normalized distribution 920.

[0159] In this example, processor 110 may determine the maximum allowed power levels for the first and second technologies as follows: Processor 110 combines the time-averaged normalized SAR distribution 520 with the normalized PD distribution 710 for 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 future timeslot 515(p) and the transmit power level for the second technology in future timeslot 715(q).

[0160] The processor 110 may then determine transmit power levels for the first and second technologies that result in a peak value of the normalized distribution 920 that is less than or equal to 1 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 time slots 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 second transmitter 130 according to the maximum allowed power level for the second technology.

[0161] It should be appreciated that the time slots 515(1)-515(p) discussed above may be equal in length, or two or more of the time slots 515(1)-515(p) may have different lengths. A future time slot 515(p), sometimes referred to as a time interval, may have a length that is one-tenth or less of the first time window 505. In one example, the future time slot 515(p) has a length of approximately 5 seconds, and the first time window 505 has a length of approximately 6 minutes.

[0162] It should be appreciated that the time slots 715(1) through 715(q) discussed above may be equal in length, or two or more of the time slots 715(1) through 715(q) may have different lengths. The future time slot 715(q), sometimes referred to as a time interval, may have a length that is one-fifth or less of the second time window 705. In one example, the future time slot 715(q) has a length of approximately five seconds, and the second time window 705 has a length of approximately two minutes.

[0163] It should be appreciated that the time slots 1115(1) through 1115(r) discussed above may be equal in length, or two or more of the time slots 1115(1) through 1115(q) may have different lengths. The future time slot 1115(r), sometimes referred to as a time interval, may have a length that is one-fifth or less of the third time window 1105. In one example, the future time slot 1115(r) has a length of approximately five seconds, and the third time window 1105 has a length of approximately one minute.

[0164] The first time window 505 may have a length that is 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 approximately 6 minutes, and the second time window 705 has a length of approximately 2 minutes, where the lengths of the first and second time windows may be set by a regulatory body. It should be recognized that the lengths of the first and second time windows 505 and 705 set by a regulatory body may change over time and may vary between regulatory bodies. As discussed above, a regulatory body may define time windows that depend on the transmission frequency, such as a 2-minute time window length for the 28 GHz band and a 1-minute time window length for the 60 GHz band. It should also be recognized that in this case, there may be one time window for SAR and two or more time windows for PD, with each time window for PD corresponding to a given transmission frequency band.

[0165]

[0153] As used herein, the term "previous time slot" refers to a time slot that precedes a respective future time slot. For example, time slots 515(1) through 515(p-1) in Figure 5 are previous time slots that precede future time slot 515(p).

[0166]

[0154] As used herein, the term "future timeslot" refers to a future timeslot (i.e., a time interval or duration) relative to the time at which the respective maximum allowable power levels were determined. Determining the maximum allowable power levels for a future timeslot in advance of that future timeslot helps ensure RF exposure compliance during that future timeslot. Because the future timeslots 515(p), 715(q), and 1115(r) discussed above are roughly aligned in time, they may be collectively considered a single future timeslot.

[0167] It should be appreciated that the time windows discussed 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 description 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 immediately preceding determination of the maximum allowed power level is excluded from time window 505, and the future time slot 515(p) in the immediately preceding determination of the maximum allowed power level becomes the last one of the previous time slots in time window 505.

[0168] It should be appreciated that the first communication technology discussed 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 appreciated that the first transmitter 120 may include multiple transmitters. It should also be appreciated that the SAR may have contributions from multiple sub-6 GHz communication technologies (e.g., simultaneous WWAN, WLAN, and Bluetooth transmissions).

[0169] It should be appreciated that the second communication technology discussed above may include multiple communication technologies for which the PD is used to assess RF exposure compliance. For example, the second technology may include mmWave / 5G and mmWave / 802.11ad. In this regard, it should be appreciated that the second transmitter 130 may include multiple transmitters. It should also be appreciated that the PD may have contributions from multiple communication technologies (e.g., simultaneous transmissions of mmWave / 5G and mmWave / 802.11ad).

[0170] In some of the examples given above, the normalized distribution is compared to 1 to assess RF exposure compliance. However, it should be appreciated 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 with respect to any value, such that a limit value other than 1 may be used to define the condition of RF exposure compliance. In this example, the condition of RF compliance is that the normalized distribution is less than or equal to a limit value. Also, as discussed above, the limit value may be set to a value less than 1.

[0171] As discussed above, the processor 110 may determine a maximum allowed power level of 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 that transmitter based on the determined maximum allowed power level. In certain aspects, setting the transmit power limit based on the determined maximum allowed power level prevents the transmitter's power level from exceeding the maximum allowed power level at any time during that future time slot. In certain aspects, setting the transmit power limit based on the determined maximum allowed power level prevents the transmitter's power level from exceeding the maximum allowed power level over a time average for that future time slot. This allows the power level to temporarily exceed the maximum allowed power level within that future time slot as long as the power level over a time average for that 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 shorter than the future time slot. In these aspects, the maximum allowable power level is the maximum allowable time-averaged power level for that future timeslot.

[0172] It should be appreciated that in all examples, the transmitting device need not calculate the combined and / or normalized distributions (e.g., those described in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 and in connection with other figures). In some aspects, the combined and / or normalized distributions may be calculated a priori, in a laboratory or otherwise, and the transmitting device (e.g., device 100, or a device performing one or more of blocks 340, 440, 640, 840, 1040, etc.) may determine a power for transmission based thereon. In some aspects, one or more combined and / or normalized distributions may be stored in a memory (e.g., memory 115) or otherwise characterized. In some aspects, the transmitting device (or a processor thereof) may allocate or determine a particular amount of power that complies with any constraints necessary to satisfy the combined and / or normalized distributions described above. However, in some examples, the device or processor may not calculate the combined distribution itself, but may instead calculate or determine a maximum allowable (time-averaged) power level for future time slots using the specified amount of power. The device or processor may normalize its own transmissions relative to this specified amount of power. In some examples, the device or processor assumes that any other transmitters are simultaneously transmitting at full power. Thus, time averaging may be performed with respect to one or more transmitters (e.g., by one or more processors associated with those transmitters) independently of or without knowledge of the actions of other transmitters and / or processors in a manner that complies with all exposure requirements. It will be understood that the operations described in this paragraph may be utilized in all examples discussed above and herein regarding determining combined and / or normalized exposure.

[0173] As discussed above, transmit power levels may be reduced to meet RF exposure compliance for future time slots. In this regard, exemplary methods for reducing transmit power levels to meet RF exposure compliance for future time slots are described below in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. These exemplary methods may be applied when SAR exposure is assessed, when PD exposure is assessed, and when combined SAR and PD exposure is assessed, as discussed further below.

[0174] In the following description, it is assumed that wireless device 100 transmits signals simultaneously using multiple transmitters, each transmitter transmitting at a respective transmit power level. In this regard, FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which first transmitter 120 for a first wireless technology (e.g., LTE) includes multiple transmitters 1410-1 through 1410-N. In this example, each of transmitters 1410-1 through 1410-N is coupled (permanently or selectively / temporarily) to a respective one of antennas 122-1 through 122-N and configured to transmit a respective signal 1415-1 through 1415-N at a respective transmit power level. Signals 1415-1 through 1415-N may be generated by processor 110 (shown in FIG. 1) and input to transmitters 1410-1 through 1410-N via first bus 140 (shown in FIG. 1). The processing performed by each of the transmitters 1410-1 through 1410-N may include frequency upconversion, power amplification, etc. The processor 110 may also set the transmit power levels of the transmitters 1410-1 through 1410-N individually. For example, each transmitter 1410-1 through 1410-N may include a respective power amplifier (PA), and the processor 110 may set the transmit power level of each transmitter 1410-1 through 1410-N by setting the gain of the respective PA accordingly.

[0175] 14 also illustrates an example in which the second transmitter 130 for a second wireless technology (e.g., 5G) includes multiple transmitters 1420-1 to 1420-M. In this example, each of the transmitters 1420-1 to 1420-M is coupled (permanently or selectively / temporarily) to a respective one of the antennas 132-1 to 132-M and configured to transmit a respective signal 1425-1 to 1425-M at a respective transmit power level. The signals 1425-1 to 1425-M may be generated by the processor 110 (shown in FIG. 1) and input to the transmitters 1420-1 to 1420-M via the second bus 150 (shown in FIG. 1). The processing performed by each of the transmitters 1420-1 to 1420-M may include frequency upconversion, power amplification, etc. The processor 110 may also individually set the transmit power levels of the transmitters 1420-1 through 1420-M. For example, each transmitter 1420-1 through 1420-M may include a respective power amplifier (PA), and the processor 110 may set the transmit power level of each transmitter 1420-1 through 1420-M by setting the gain of the respective PA accordingly.

[0176] It should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 14. For example, two transmitters may be coupled to the same antenna, where the two transmitters are configured to transmit in different frequency bands. In another example, although transmitters 120, 130 are described above as being configured for first and second wireless technologies, transmitters 120, 130 may be configured for the same wireless technology. Therefore, it should be appreciated that the exemplary methods discussed below are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 14.

[0177] At a given time, all or some of the transmitters 1410-1 to 1410-N and 1420-1 to 1420-M may be active (e.g., depending on the transmission scenario). When some of the transmitters 1410-1 to 1410-N and 1420-1 to 1420-M are active, the other transmitters 1410-1 to 1410-N and 1420-1 to 1420-M are inactive (i.e., not transmitting). In the following description, RF exposure compliance for future time slots is evaluated based on active transmitters. As discussed above, in some scenarios, when determining how to operate a particular transmitter or transmitters, it may be assumed that one or all other transmitters are active and transmitting at full power.

[0178] To evaluate RF exposure compliance for a future time slot in which simultaneous transmissions using multiple active transmitters occur, processor 110 may determine a combined RF exposure distribution for the future time slot. Processor 110 may determine a combined RF exposure distribution for the future time slot by scaling the RF exposure distribution for each active transmitter based on its respective transmit power level and combining the scaled RF exposure distributions for the active transmitters to obtain a combined RF exposure distribution. If SAR exposure is evaluated, the combined RF exposure distribution is a combined SAR distribution (e.g., determined based on Equation (2), Equation (3a), or Equation (3b)). If PD exposure is evaluated, the combined RF exposure distribution is a combined PD distribution (e.g., determined based on Equation (5), Equation (6a), or Equation (6b)). If combined SAR and PD exposure are evaluated, the combined RF exposure distribution is a combined SAR and PD distribution (e.g., determined based on Equation (8)). As discussed above, SAR exposure may be assessed when the first transmitter 120 is active and the second transmitter 130 is inactive, PD exposure may be assessed when the second transmitter 130 is active and the first transmitter 120 is inactive, and combined SAR and PD exposure may be assessed when both the first transmitter 120 and the second transmitter 130 are active. In the following description, an RF exposure value may be a SAR value, a PD value, or a combined SAR and PD value.

[0179] After determining the combined RF exposure distribution for the future time slot, processor 110 may determine whether the transmit power levels for the active transmitters meet RF exposure compliance. In one example, processor 110 may determine whether compliance is met by comparing RF exposure values ​​at peak locations in the combined RF exposure distribution with RF exposure limits. If the RF exposure values ​​at the peak locations are less than or equal to the RF exposure limits, processor 110 may determine that RF exposure compliance is met for the future time slot. If the RF exposure values ​​at the peak locations exceed the RF exposure limits, processor 110 may determine that compliance is not met for the future time slot.

[0180] To evaluate time-averaged RF exposure compliance for a future time slot, processor 110 may average the combined RF exposure distribution discussed above with the combined RF exposure distribution for the previous time slot to obtain a time-averaged combined RF exposure distribution (e.g., based on Equation (9a), Equation (9b), Equation (10a), Equation (10b), or Equation (11)). Processor 110 then compares the RF exposure value at the peak location in the time-averaged combined RF exposure distribution with the RF exposure limit to evaluate time-averaged RF exposure compliance for the future time slot. If the RF exposure value at the peak location is less than or equal to the RF exposure limit, processor 110 may determine that time-averaged RF exposure compliance is met for the future time slot. If the RF exposure value at the peak location exceeds the RF exposure limit, processor 110 may determine that compliance is not met for the future time slot.

[0181] In examples where RF exposure compliance is evaluated only within future time slots, the peak locations discussed above may simply correspond to the locations of peak RF exposure values ​​in the combined RF exposure distribution. In examples where time-averaged RF exposure compliance is evaluated, the peak locations discussed above may correspond to the locations of peak RF exposure values ​​in the time-averaged combined RF exposure distribution. Note that because the time-averaged combined RF exposure distribution is an average of future time slots and previous time slots, as discussed above, the locations of peak RF exposure values ​​in the time-averaged combined RF exposure distribution are not necessarily the same as the locations of peak RF exposure values ​​in the combined RF exposure distribution for future time slots. As further discussed above, the device and / or processor may not explicitly calculate the combined and / or normalized distributions. In some such examples, decisions regarding future time slots or time-averaged RF exposure compliance may be made based on the combined and / or normalized distributions calculated by another device or processor, or according to requirements that would be required by the combined and / or normalized distributions. In some aspects, the peak locations are not explicitly calculated. In some such instances, it may be assumed that there is perfect overlap between transmitters and / or that all locations may correspond to a peak.

[0182]

[0170] In the following description, RF exposure compliance may refer to RF exposure compliance only in future time slots, or may refer to time-averaged RF exposure compliance.

[0183]

[0171] When the transmit power level for a future time slot does not meet RF exposure compliance, the processor 110 may reduce the transmit power level to meet RF exposure compliance. In one approach, the processor 110 may reduce the transmit power level for each active transmitter in fixed increments (e.g., 0.5 dB) until RF exposure compliance is met. However, in some cases, one of the active transmitters may contribute more to the RF exposure value at the peak location than the other active transmitters. In these cases, reducing the transmit power levels for the active transmitters by the same amount penalizes active transmitters that may contribute less to the RF exposure value at the peak location.

[0184] To address this, aspects of the present disclosure determine the contribution of each active transmitter to the RF exposure value at the peak location or another selected location, and reduce the transmit power levels for the active transmitters based on their contribution to the RF exposure value at that location to meet RF exposure compliance. In certain aspects, the transmit power level for each active transmitter is reduced in proportion to its contribution to the RF exposure value at that location.

[0185] 15 illustrates a method 1500 for reducing transmit power levels to meet RF exposure compliance according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. Method 1500 may be performed by processor(s) 110. An initial transmit power level for an active transmitter (i.e., the transmit power level for the active transmitter at the start of method 1500) may be determined based on one or more power control loops, one or more desired data rates, one or more desired beam directions or sectors, etc., as discussed above.

[0186] At block 1510, the processor(s) 110 determine the contribution of each active transmitter to the RF exposure value at a first peak location in the combined RF exposure distribution for the future time slot. The first location may be the peak location or another location. For example, the other location may be a location closest to the user. Compliance is ensured at the peak location, but the contribution at the other location may be used to determine the reduction described below. The following description refers to the peak location for ease of explanation, but it will be understood that one or more other locations may be used. In one example, the processor 110 determines the contribution of each active transmitter based on the RF exposure value at the peak location in the scaled RF exposure distribution for the active transmitter and the RF exposure value at the peak location in the combined RF exposure distribution. The RF exposure distribution for each active transmitter is scaled based on the transmit power level for that active transmitter, as discussed above. The contribution of each active transmitter may be expressed as a ratio or percentage of that transmitter's contribution to the RF exposure value at the peak location in the combined RF exposure distribution. In examples where the contribution of each active transmitter is expressed as a ratio, the sum of the contributions of all active transmitters equals 1. In examples where the contribution of each active transmitter is expressed as a percentage, the sum of the contributions of all active transmitters equals 100 percent. In examples where combined SAR and PD exposure is assessed, the RF exposure distributions for the active transmitters may be normalized before combining, as discussed above.

[0187]

[0175] At block 1520, the processor(s) 110 reduce the transmit power level for each of one or more of the active transmitters based on the active transmitter's contribution to the RF exposure value at the peak location in the combined RF exposure distribution, so that RF exposure compliance is met. In examples where RF exposure compliance is evaluated only within future time slots, RF exposure compliance may be met when the RF exposure value at the peak location in the combined RF exposure distribution is less than or equal to the RF exposure limit. In examples where time-averaged RF exposure compliance is evaluated, RF exposure compliance may be met when the RF exposure value at the peak location in the time-averaged combined RF exposure distribution is less than or equal to the RF exposure limit. As discussed above, because the average includes future time slots, the RF exposure value at the peak location in the time-averaged combined RF exposure distribution is a function of the transmit power level during the future time slot.

[0188] In certain aspects, the processor(s) 110 may reduce the transmit power level for each active transmitter in proportion to its contribution to the RF exposure value at the peak location in the combined RF exposure distribution. Thus, in these aspects, the transmit power level for the active transmitter that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the peak location is reduced by the largest amount, the transmit power level for the active transmitter that contributes second largest to the RF exposure value at the peak location is reduced by the second largest amount, and so on.

[0189] In certain aspects, one or more factors other than contributions may be used by the processor(s) 110 instead of or in addition to contributions to determine a reduction in transmit power level for one or more transmitters. For example, transmitter priority may be used, as described in further detail below. In some aspects, a particular transmitter may be assumed to be transmitting at full power (or at another determined power) when determining how to reduce power for one or more other transmitters. In such examples, the transmit powers of these particular transmitters (associated with the assumed transmit powers) may not be adjusted, and the transmit powers of the one or more other transmitters may be adjusted according to the operations described below. In some such examples, the processor(s) 110 may assume that there is complete overlap between the transmission area of ​​the particular transmitter and all transmission areas of the one or more transmitters, such that a peak location (or selected location) may be determined relative to the one or more other transmitters (e.g., independently of the particular transmitter).

[0190] 16 illustrates an example method 1600 for reducing transmit power levels at block 1520 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. For ease of explanation, the example method 1600 will be discussed below using an example of three active transmitters labeled a, b, and c, where transmitter a contributes most to the RF exposure value at the peak location, transmitter b contributes second most to the RF exposure value at the peak location, and transmitter c contributes least to the RF exposure value at the peak location. However, it should be appreciated that method 1600 is not limited to this example.

[0191] In block 1610, the processor 110 determines a reduction in RF exposure values ​​at peak locations in the combined RF exposure distribution for the future time slot that satisfies RF exposure compliance. This reduction may be expressed as a percentage reduction. For example, a 50% reduction indicates that a 50% reduction in RF exposure values ​​at the peak locations satisfies RF exposure compliance. In an example where time-averaged RF exposure compliance is evaluated, RF exposure compliance may be met when a reduction in RF exposure values ​​at peak locations in the combined RF exposure distribution results in an RF exposure value at the peak location in the time-averaged combined RF exposure distribution that is less than or equal to the RF exposure limit. In an example where RF exposure compliance is evaluated only within future time slots, RF exposure compliance may be met when the RF exposure value at the peak location in the combined SAR distribution is less than or equal to the RF exposure limit.

[0192] At block 1620, processor 110 determines the difference between the contribution of the active transmitter (e.g., transmitter a) that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the peak location and the contribution of the active transmitter (e.g., transmitter b) that contributes second most to the RF exposure value at the peak location. For example, if the percentage contributions of transmitters a, b, and c are 60:25:15, respectively, then the difference between the contribution of the active transmitter (e.g., transmitter a) that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the peak location and the contribution of the active transmitter (e.g., transmitter b) that contributes second most to the RF exposure value at the peak location is 35% (i.e., 60% - 25%).

[0193] At block 1630, processor 110 determines whether the difference of block 1620 is greater than or equal to the determined reduction in RF exposure values ​​at the peak location (i.e., the reduction determined at block 1610). If the difference is greater than or equal to the determined reduction, processor 110 proceeds to block 1640. If the difference is less than the determined reduction, processor 110 proceeds to block 1650.

[0194] In block 1640, processor 110 reduces the transmit power level for the active transmitter (e.g., transmitter a) that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the peak location to achieve the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the peak location to meet RF exposure compliance. In this case, processor 110 leaves the transmit power levels for the other active transmitters (e.g., transmitters b and c) unchanged. For example, if the contribution percentages for transmitters a, b, and c are 60:25:15, respectively, and the determined reduction is 25%, the difference in block 1620 is 35% (i.e., 60% - 25%), which is greater than the determined reduction of 25%. In this case, processor 110 reduces the transmit power level for transmitter a to achieve the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the peak location.

[0195] At block 1650, processor 110 determines the sum of a first difference and a second difference, where the first difference is the difference between the contribution of the active transmitter that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the peak location (e.g., transmitter a) and the contribution of the active transmitter that contributes third largest to the RF exposure value at the peak location (e.g., transmitter c), and the second difference is the difference between the contribution of the active transmitter that contributes second largest to the RF exposure value at the peak location (e.g., transmitter b) and the contribution of the active transmitter that contributes third largest to the RF exposure value at the peak location (e.g., transmitter c). For example, if the percentage contributions of transmitters a, b, and c are 60:25:15, respectively, the sum of the first difference and the second difference is 55% (i.e., (60%-15%)+(25%-15%)).

[0196] At block 1660, processor 110 determines whether the sum of the first difference and the second difference of block 1650 is greater than or equal to the determined reduction in RF exposure values ​​at the peak location (i.e., the reduction determined at block 1610). If the sum of the first difference and the second difference is greater than or equal to the determined reduction, processor 110 proceeds to block 1670. If the sum of the first difference and the second difference is less than the determined reduction, processor 110 proceeds to block 1680.

[0197]

[0185] In block 1670, processor 110 reduces the transmit power levels for the active transmitter that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the peak location and the active transmitter that contributes second most (e.g., transmitters a and b) to the RF exposure value at the peak location to achieve the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the peak location. In this case, processor 110 leaves the transmit power level for the active transmitter that contributes third most to the RF exposure value at the peak location (e.g., transmitter c) unchanged. For example, processor 110 may reduce the transmit power levels for transmitters a and b such that the contributions of transmitters a and b to the RF exposure value at the peak location are approximately equal after the reduction. In this example, the transmit power level for transmitter a is reduced by a greater amount than the transmit power level for transmitter b. This is because transmitter a contributed more than transmitter b before the reduction, and transmitters a and b contribute equally after the reduction. Thus, in this example, the transmit power levels of transmitters a and b are reduced based on their contributions to the RF exposure value at the peak location.

[0198] Block 1670 may be illustrated by the following example: If the contribution percentages of transmitters a, b, and c are 60:25:15, respectively, and the determined reduction is 45%, then the sum of the first difference and the second difference is 55% (i.e., (60%-15%)+(25%-15%)), which is greater than the determined reduction of 45%. In this case, processor 110 reduces the transmit power levels for transmitters a and b to achieve the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the peak location.

[0199] At block 1680, processor 110 reduces the transmit power levels for the active transmitter that contributes most, the active transmitter that contributes second most, and the active transmitter that contributes third most (e.g., transmitters a, b, and c) to the RF exposure value at the peak location to achieve the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the peak location. For example, processor 110 may reduce the transmit power levels for transmitters a, b, and c such that the contributions of transmitters a, b, and c to the RF exposure value at the peak location are approximately equal after the reduction. In this case, the transmit power level for transmitter a is reduced by the largest amount, and the transmit power level for transmitter c is reduced by the smallest amount. This is because transmitter a contributed most before the reduction, transmitter c contributed least before the reduction, and transmitters a, b, and c contribute equally after the reduction. Thus, in this example, the transmit power levels for transmitters a, b, and c are reduced based on their contributions to the RF exposure value at the peak location.

[0200] Block 1680 may be illustrated by the following example: If the contribution percentages of transmitters a, b, and c are 60:25:15, respectively, and the determined reduction is 70%, the sum of the first difference and the second difference is 55% (i.e., (60%-15%)+(25%-15%)), which is less than the determined reduction of 70%. In this case, processor 110 reduces the transmit power levels of transmitters a, b, and c to achieve the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the peak location. Processor 110 may reduce the transmit power levels for transmitters a, b, and c such that the contributions of transmitters a, b, and c to the RF exposure value at the peak location are approximately equal after the reduction.

[0201]

[0189] If there are more than three transmitters, a block similar to block 1650 may be included between block 1660 and block 1680. In this situation, this new block may reference three differences (the difference between the contribution of the active transmitter that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the peak location and the contribution of the active transmitter that contributes fourth to the RF exposure value at the peak location; the difference between the contribution of the active transmitter that contributes second most to the RF exposure value at the peak location and the contribution of the active transmitter that contributes fourth to the RF exposure value at the peak location; and the difference between the contribution of the active transmitter that contributes third most to the RF exposure value at the peak location and the contribution of the active transmitter that contributes fourth to the RF exposure value at the peak location). It may also be determined (in another new block) whether the sum of the three differences is greater than or equal to the determined reduction. If so, the transmit power for the most contributing transmitter, the second most contributing transmitter, and the third most contributing transmitter may be reduced. Additionally, block 1680 may be adjusted to refer to the most contributing active transmitter, the second most contributing active transmitter, the third most contributing active transmitter, and the fourth most contributing active transmitter. Similar adjustments may be made to method 1600 if there are more than four additional transmitters.

[0202]

[0190] Method 1600 of Figure 16 illustrates specific calculations and sequences that may be used to effect a reduction in transmit power levels. For examples used in connection with method 1600, it is contemplated that various techniques for calculating and reducing transmit power levels may be used to achieve desired or expected results. In some examples, a processor 110 in a system may determine the relative RF exposure contribution of a transmitter, where the relative contribution may be expressed as a percentage of the combined RF exposure.

[0203] In a first example, a solution is sought to obtain a reduction in total RF exposure value at a peak location from the combined RF exposure of three transmitters (Tx1, Tx2, Tx3), where the contributions of the three transmitters at the peak location may be expressed as {a=102, b=42.5, c=25.5}, ​​respectively. The contributions of the three transmitters may contribute to a combined RF exposure of 170 at the peak location. When the compliance limit is 100, a SAR reduction of 70 is required to meet the RF exposure limit.

[0204] A system configured according to certain aspects of the present disclosure can calculate a set of transmit power level reductions that provide an RF exposure distribution that meets compliance limits. In this first example, the relative contributions to RF exposure by three transmitters may be expressed as {60%, 25%, 15%}. A proportional reduction in transmit power to apply to each transmitter may be calculated based on that transmitter's relative contribution to RF exposure. In this first example, the power reduction may be calculated to meet a SAR reduction of 70(reduction_needed). Thus, the reductions per transmitter in this first example are 0.6×70=42, 0.25×70=17.5, and 0.15×70=10.5.

[0205]

[0193] This mode of calculation is sometimes called equal priority reduction. In the example of {a=102, b=42.5, c=25.5}, ​​the reduction is as follows:

[0206] Reduction for Tx1 = 70*60% = 42.

[0207] Reduction in dB for Tx1 = 10*log 10 ((102-42) / 102)=-2.3dB.

[0208] Reduction for Tx2 = 70*25% = 17.5.

[0209] Reduction in dB for Tx2 = 10*log 10 ((42.5-17.5) / 42.5)=-2.3dB.

[0210] Reduction for Tx3 = 70 * 15% = 10.5.

[0211] Reduction in dB for Tx3 = 10*log 10 ((25.5-10.5) / 25.5)=-2.3dB.

[0212] However, as mentioned above and further described below, different transmitters and / or their reduction priorities may be considered when determining the backoff.

[0213] These reductions are sometimes referred to as back-off values ​​and may be calculated in proportion to the respective contributions of the transmitters to the RF exposure at the peak location, as described above. As shown in this example, the percentage contribution of Tx at the peak location (TxN contrib ) is 60%:25%:15%. In some cases, the total backoff may be realized from the accumulated backoff and / or past behavior for each transmitter (TxN backoff ). One such example of this approach might be expressed as follows:

[0214] WHILE max(Total_exposure)>100% TxN backoff =TxN backoff -{reduction_needed]*TxN contrib Total_exposure = average past exposure + Tx1 backoff +Tx2 backoff +Tx3 backoff max(Total_exposure), peak location, and all TxN at the peak location contrib Recalculate END WHILE In a second example, also including the three transmitters and contributions of the first example, the processor 110 in the system may determine that the combined RF exposure contribution of the two secondary transmitters (Tx2 and Tx3) reaches a value of 68 (i.e., 42.5 + 25.5), indicating that the desired compliance level of RF exposure cannot be achieved by reducing the transmit power levels of the secondary transmitters (Tx2 and Tx3) alone. The processor 110 may be configured to reduce the transmit power of the highest contributing transmitter until it reaches the contribution level of the next highest contributing transmitter. The transmit power levels of these transmitters may be reduced until it reaches the contribution level of the next highest contributing transmitter. These reductions continue for a potentially growing group of the highest contributing transmitters until a solution is achieved. This approach to reducing transmit power levels may be expressed as follows:

[0215] IF (ab)>reduction_needed then reduce power for Tx1 only Reduction for Tx1 transmitter = reduction_needed Else IF (ac)+(bc)>reduction_needed then reduce power only for Tx1 and Tx2 Reduction ratio = (ab) + y:y (ab)+2y=reduction_needed Else IF (a+b+c)>reduction_needed then reduce power for Tx1, Tx2, and Tx3 Reduction ratio = (ac)+x:(bc)+x:x (ab)+(bc)*2+3x=reduction_needed [If there are more than three transmitters, additional steps may be performed] END In the example of {a=102, b=42.5, c=25.5}, ​​the ratio of reduction for the two highest contributing transmitters (Tx1, Tx2) is (102-42.5)+y:y, where y=5.25.

[0216] Reduction for Tx1 = (ab) + y = 59.5 + 5.25 = 64.75.

[0217] Reduction in dB for Tx1 = 10*log 10 ((102-64.75) / 102)=-4.4dB.

[0218] Reduction for Tx2 = y = 5.25.

[0219] Reduction in dB for Tx1 = 10*log 10 ((42.5-5.25) / 42.5)=-0.6dB.

[0220] Such an operation may be an example of the method 1600 described above.

[0221] In a third example, a solution is sought to obtain a reduction in total RF exposure at a peak location from the combined RF exposure of three transmitters (Tx1, Tx2, Tx3), where the contributions of the three transmitters at the peak location may be expressed as {a=103.23, b=4.44, c=3.33}, respectively. The contributions of the three transmitters may contribute to a combined RF exposure of 111 at the peak location. When the compliance limit is 100, an SAR reduction of 11 is required to meet the RF exposure limit. Here, the relative contributions to the RF exposure from the three transmitters may be expressed as {93%, 4%, 3%}. In this example, Tx1 is the first priority contributor, and both Tx2 and Tx3 are second priority contributors. In the second example, elimination of the second priority contribution is insufficient to meet the desired SAR reduction. If the second priority contribution was sufficient, the processor 110 may decide to reduce the transmit power / contribution of only Tx2 and Tx3, or Tx2 and Tx2 in addition to Tx1 if a larger reduction is desired. However, here, a reduction in RF exposure can be obtained by reducing the transmit power to Tx1 only. In this example, to obtain a reduction in RF exposure contribution of ≧11, the transmit power to Tx1 can be reduced, but not Tx2 and Tx3. For example, a 0.5 dB reduction in Tx1 = 103.23 * 10^(-0.5 / 10) = 92.0, which is a reduction of 11.23. Such operation may be an example of the method 1700 described below.

[0222]

[0197] In a fourth example, a solution is sought to obtain a reduction in total RF exposure at a peak location from the combined RF exposure of three transmitters (Tx1, Tx2, Tx3), where the contributions of the three transmitters at the peak location may be expressed as {a = 102.23, b = 4.44, c = 3.33}, respectively. The contributions of the three transmitters may contribute to a combined RF exposure of 111 at the peak location. When the compliance limit is 100, an SAR reduction of 11 is required to meet the RF exposure limit. Here, the relative contributions to the RF exposure by the three transmitters may be expressed as {93%, 4%, 3%}. In this example, as in the third example above, Tx1 is the first priority contributor, and both Tx2 and Tx3 are second priority contributors. However, in this fourth example, priority may be ignored. The reduction or backoff may be done according to any of the examples or methods described herein without prioritizing any transmitter over another.

[0223] Thus, in some cases, Reduction for Tx1 = 11 * 93% = 10.23.

[0224] Reduction in dB for Tx1 = 10*log 10 ((103.23-10.23) / 103.23)=-0.45dB.

[0225] Reduction for Tx2 = 11 * 4% = 0.44.

[0226] Reduction in dB for Tx2 = 10*log 10 ((4.44-0.44) / 4.44)=-0.45dB.

[0227] Reduction for Tx3 = 11 * 3% = 0.33.

[0228] Reduction in dB for Tx3 = 10*log 10 ((3.33-0.33) / 3.33)=-0.45dB.

[0229] As mentioned above, in certain aspects, priorities may be assigned to active transmitters. For example, priorities may be assigned to active transmitters based on the priority of the signals transmitted by those active transmitters. For example, voice may be assigned a higher priority than data. Thus, transmitters transmitting voice may be assigned a higher priority than transmitters transmitting data. In one example, memory 115 may include an arbitration list that specifies the priorities of various types of signals. In this example, processor 110 may assign a priority to each active transmitter based on the priority of the corresponding signal specified in the arbitration list. It should be appreciated that two or more active transmitters may be assigned the same priority (e.g., when the two or more active transmitters transmit the same type of signal).

[0230] In certain aspects, processor 110 considers the priority of active transmitters in block 1520 in addition to or instead of the contribution of the active transmitters to the RF exposure value at the peak location. In this regard, FIG. 17 illustrates an example method 1700 for reducing transmit power levels in block 1520 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. For ease of explanation, this example method 1700 will be discussed below using an example of three active transmitters labeled a, b, and c, where transmitter a is assigned a primary priority and transmitters b and c are assigned secondary priorities that are lower than the primary priority. However, it should be appreciated that method 1700 is not limited to this example.

[0231]

[0200] In block 1710, processor 110 determines a reduction in RF exposure values ​​at peak locations in the combined RF exposure distribution for future time slots that meet RF exposure compliance. Processor 110 may determine this reduction in a manner similar to that discussed above for block 1610.

[0232]

[0201] In block 1720, processor 110 determines the contribution of secondary active transmitters to the RF exposure value at the peak location. A secondary active transmitter is an active transmitter assigned a secondary (or lower) priority (i.e., transmitters b and c in the above example). Processor 110 may determine the contribution of a secondary active transmitter by summing the contribution of each secondary active transmitter. In an example where transmitters b and c are the secondary active transmitters, the contribution of the secondary active transmitter is the sum of the contributions of active transmitters b and c. For example, if the contribution percentages of transmitters a, b, and c are 90:6:4, respectively, the contribution of the secondary active transmitter is 10% (i.e., 6% + 4%). If there is only one secondary active transmitter, the contribution is simply that of the secondary active transmitter.

[0233] At block 1730, processor 110 determines whether the contribution of the secondary active transmitter of block 1720 is greater than or equal to the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the peak location (i.e., the reduction determined at block 1710). If the contribution is greater than or equal to the determined reduction, processor 110 proceeds to block 1740. If the contribution is less than the determined reduction, processor 110 proceeds to block 1750.

[0234] In block 1740, processor 110 reduces the transmit power levels for the secondary active transmitters to achieve the determined reduction in RF exposure values ​​at the peak locations that meets RF exposure compliance. In this case, processor 110 may leave the transmit power level of the primary active transmitter (e.g., transmitter a) unchanged. For example, if the contribution percentages for secondary transmitters b and c are 6:4, respectively, and the determined reduction is 5%, the contribution of the secondary active transmitter is 10%, which is greater than the determined reduction of 5%. In this case, processor 110 may reduce the transmit power levels for transmitters b and c to achieve the determined reduction in RF exposure values ​​at the peak locations. Processor 110 may also reduce the transmit power levels for the secondary active transmitters using exemplary method 1600.

[0235]

[0204] In block 1750, processor 110 reduces the transmit power level of the primary active transmitter because the contribution of the secondary active transmitter is not sufficient to achieve the determined reduction in RF exposure value at the peak location. For example, processor 110 may reduce the transmit power level for the primary active transmitter such that the remaining reduction in RF exposure value at the peak location required to achieve the determined reduction in RF exposure value at the peak location is less than the contribution of the secondary active transmitter. In this manner, by reducing the transmit power level for the secondary active transmitter, the remaining reduction in RF exposure value at the peak location required to meet RF exposure compliance can be achieved.

[0236] Block 1750 may be illustrated by the following example: If the percentage contributions of transmitters a, b, and c are 90:6:4, respectively, and the determined reduction to meet RF exposure compliance is 11%, then the contribution of the secondary active transmitter (i.e., 10%) is not sufficient to achieve the determined reduction of 11%. In this example, processor 110 may reduce the transmit power level for the primary transmitter (i.e., transmitter a) by a minimum reduction (e.g., 0.5 dB) that results in a 9% reduction. The remaining 2% reduction required to reach 11% can be achieved by reducing the transmit power level for the secondary active transmitter. This minimum reduction may correspond to the smallest reduction in dB by which processor 110 can reduce the transmit power level for the primary active transmitter.

[0237] At block 1760, the processor 110 reduces the transmit power level for the secondary active transmitter to further reduce the RF exposure value at the peak location to achieve the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the peak location. The processor 110 may reduce the transmit power level for the secondary active transmitter using the example method 1600.

[0238]

[0207] In certain aspects, a method for reducing transmit power levels at block 1520, such as method 1700 shown in FIG. 17, may be operable to modify or optimize a power reduction calculation that may otherwise result in a complete or near complete loss of power for a lower priority transmitter.

[0239] In some cases, processor 110 may be configured to reserve or guarantee at least some transmit power for secondary transmitters when power reductions are applied based on RF exposure values. In one example, minimum levels of power for each transmitter may be configured or defined, and processor 110 may calculate power reductions that maintain these pre-configured or pre-defined minimums for each secondary transmitter. For example, processor 110 may use a secondary transmitter configuration that corresponds to the pre-configured or pre-defined minimums for the secondary transmitter.

[0240] In other cases, the processor 110 may be configured to reduce the transmit power for secondary transmitters to zero before reducing the highest priority transmitter when power reductions are applied based on RF exposure values. In some examples, reducing the transmit power for one or more secondary transmitters may result in a transmit power level that is insufficient to enable those secondary transmitters to operate effectively. In these examples, transmit power that is less than the minimum that would be provided to one or more secondary transmitters may be allocated to a higher priority primary transmitter and / or other secondary transmitters.

[0241] In some cases, processor 110 may be configured to use variable step sizes to reduce power to one or more transmitters when power reductions are applied based on RF exposure values. In one example, processor 110 may be configured to use the lowest step size, fixed step size, or lowest fixed step size in all calculations. In another example, processor 110 may be configured to use the lowest step size, fixed step size, or lowest fixed step size in calculations until the transmit power for one or more secondary transmitters approaches a preconfigured or predefined minimum value or crosses a defined or configured threshold for those transmitters. Processor 110 may also be configured to use the lowest step size, fixed step size, or lowest fixed step size in calculations for a particular transmitter and use variable step sizes for other transmitters, including, for example, secondary transmitters approaching a preconfigured or predefined minimum value.

[0242] In certain aspects, the combined RF exposure distribution or the time-averaged combined RF exposure distribution may include two or more hotspot regions. Each hotspot region may include a respective peak RF exposure value that exceeds the RF exposure limit and may correspond to a respective antenna. In these aspects, processor 110 may perform method 1500 discussed above for each hotspot region, where the peak location for each hotspot region corresponds to the location of the respective RF peak exposure value. After processor 110 performs method 1500 for one of the hotspot regions, processor 110 may use the determined transmit power level as the initial transmit power level for performing method 1500 for the next one of the hotspot regions. This helps ensure that the final determined transmit power level after method 1500 is performed for all hotspot regions meets RF exposure compliance for all hotspot regions. Similarly, method 1500 may be performed multiple times for multiple selected locations of interest other than the peak location.

[0243] After determining the transmit power levels for the active transmitters for the future time slots, the processor 110 may do one or more of the following: The processor 110 may set a transmit power limit for one or more (e.g., each) active transmitter for the future time slot based on the corresponding determined transmit power level. For example, the processor 110 may set the transmit power level for one or more (e.g., each) active transmitter for the future time slot to the corresponding determined transmit power level. In one example, during the future time slot, the transmit power level of each active transmitter is constrained by the corresponding transmit power limit (e.g., the transmit power level is not allowed to be exceeded at any time during the future time slot). In another example, during the future time slot, the time-averaged transmit power level of each active transmitter over the future time slot is constrained by the corresponding transmit power limit. In this example, the transmit power level of an active transmitter is allowed to temporarily exceed the corresponding transmit power limit within the future time slot as long as the time average of the transmit power level over the future time slot does not exceed the transmit power limit. In yet another example, the processor 110 may set the transmit power level of each active transmitter for the future timeslot to the corresponding determined transmit power level.

[0244] 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 any of the methods described herein. The computer-readable medium may include, by way of example only, a RAM (random access memory), 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), registers, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a hard drive, or any other tangible non-transitory storage medium, or a combination thereof.

[0245] In certain aspects, an apparatus may include means for performing method 1500, 1600, or 1700. In one example, 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 a future time slot based on the combined RF exposure distribution, means for 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 means for 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.

[0246]

[0215] In another example, the apparatus may include transmitters, means for determining an RF exposure value at a peak location based on transmit power levels for the transmitters, means for determining a contribution of each of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the peak location, and means for reducing a transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based on the contribution of the transmitter to the RF exposure value at the peak location. The RF exposure value may be a SAR value, a PD value, or a combined SAR and PD value. The means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters may be configured to determine, for each transmitter, a proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to each transmitter at a first location and reduce the transmit power level for each transmitter according to the proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to each transmitter, where the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to the peak RF exposure value. The means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters may be configured to determine one of the transmitters that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the peak location and reduce the transmit power level for that one of the transmitters by the greatest amount among the transmitters. The means for reducing a transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters may be configured to determine a reduction in the RF exposure value at the peak location to meet the RF exposure limit. The reduction in the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters may also be based on the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the peak location. Each transmitter may be assigned a respective priority, and the means for reducing a transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters may be configured to reduce the one or more transmit power levels based on the transmitter priority. The means for reducing a transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters may be configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, two or more of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the peak location.The means for reducing a transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters may be configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, all of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the peak location. The means for reducing a transmit power level for each of the one or more transmitters may be configured to set a transmit power limit for each transmitter based on the transmit power level for that transmitter. The means for determining an RF exposure value at the peak location may be configured to scale, for each transmitter, a respective RF exposure distribution based on the transmit power level for that transmitter, combine the scaled RF exposure distributions to obtain a combined RF exposure distribution, and determine an RF exposure value at a peak location in the combined RF exposure distribution.

[0247]

[0216] Some implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses.

[0248] 1. A wireless device comprising: transmitters; and a processor connected to the transmitters, the processor configured to: determine an RF exposure value at a first location based on transmit power levels for the transmitters; determine a contribution of each of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location; and reduce the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based on the contribution of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0249] 2. The wireless device of clause 1, wherein the RF exposure value is a SAR value, a PD value, or a combined SAR and PD value.

[0250] 3. The wireless device of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters by determining, for each transmitter, a proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to the each transmitter at the first location, and reducing the transmit power level for the each transmitter in accordance with the proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to the each transmitter, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value.

[0251] 4. The wireless device described in clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters by determining one of the transmitters that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the first location when the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value, and reducing the transmit power level for the one of the transmitters by the greatest amount among the transmitters.

[0252] 5. The wireless device of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine a reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location to meet an RF exposure limit, and the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters based also on the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0253] 6. The wireless device of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein each transmitter is assigned a respective priority, and the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters based also on the priority of the transmitter.

[0254] 7. The wireless device of clause 1 or clause 2, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters so that after the reduction, two or more of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0255] 8. The wireless device of clause 7, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters so that after the reduction, all of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0256] 9. A wireless device as described in any one of clauses 1 to 8, wherein after the reduction, the processor is configured to set a transmit power limit for each transmitter based on the transmit power level for the transmitter.

[0257] 10. A wireless device described in any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the processor is configured to determine the RF exposure value at the first location by scaling, for each transmitter, a respective RF exposure distribution based on the transmit power level for the transmitter, combining the scaled RF exposure distributions to obtain a combined RF exposure distribution, and determining the RF exposure value at the first location in the combined RF exposure distribution, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value.

[0258] 11. A method implemented in a wireless device including transmitters, comprising: determining an RF exposure value at a first location based on transmit power levels for the transmitters; determining a contribution of each of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location; and reducing the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based on the contribution of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0259] 12. The method of clause 11, wherein the RF exposure value is a SAR value, a PD value, or a combined SAR and PD value.

[0260] 13. The method of clause 11 or clause 12, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters comprises determining, for each transmitter, a proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to each transmitter at the first location, and reducing the transmit power level for each transmitter in accordance with the proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to each transmitter, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value.

[0261] 14. The method of clause 11 or clause 12, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters comprises determining one of the transmitters that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the first location when the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value, and reducing the transmit power level for the one of the transmitters by the greatest amount among the transmitters.

[0262] 15. The method of clause 11 or clause 12, further comprising determining a reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location to meet an RF exposure limit, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is also based on the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0263] 16. The method of clause 11 or clause 12, wherein each transmitter is assigned a respective priority, and wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is also based on the priority of the transmitter.

[0264] 17. The method of clause 11 or clause 12, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters comprises reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, two or more of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0265] 18. The method of clause 17, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters comprises reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, all of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0266] 19. The method of any one of clauses 11 to 18, further comprising setting a transmit power limit for each transmitter after said reduction based on the transmit power level for said transmitter.

[0267] 20. A method according to any one of clauses 11 to 19, wherein determining the RF exposure value at the first location comprises, for each transmitter, scaling a respective RF exposure distribution based on the transmit power level for the transmitter, combining the scaled RF exposure distributions to obtain a combined RF exposure distribution, and determining the RF exposure value at the first location in the combined RF exposure distribution, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value.

[0268] 21. An apparatus for wireless communication comprising: transmitters; means for determining an RF exposure value at a first location based on transmit power levels for the transmitters; means for determining a contribution of each of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location; and means for reducing the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based on the contribution of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0269] 22. The device of clause 21, wherein the RF exposure value is a SAR value, a PD value, or a combined SAR and PD value.

[0270] 23. The apparatus described in clause 21, wherein the means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is configured to determine, for each transmitter, a proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to the each transmitter at the first location, and reduce the transmit power level for the each transmitter in accordance with the proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to the each transmitter, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value.

[0271] 24. The apparatus described in clause 21, wherein the means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is configured to determine one of the transmitters that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the first location when the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value, and to reduce the transmit power level for the one of the transmitters by the greatest amount among the transmitters.

[0272] 25. The apparatus described in clause 21, wherein the means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is configured to determine a reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location to meet an RF exposure limit, and wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is also based on the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0273] 26. The apparatus of clause 21, wherein each transmitter is assigned a respective priority, and wherein the means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is configured to reduce one or more transmit power levels based on the priority of the transmitter.

[0274] 27. The apparatus described in clause 21, wherein the means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, two or more of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0275] 28. The apparatus described in clause 27, wherein the means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, all of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location.

[0276] 29. The apparatus of clause 21, wherein the means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is configured to set a transmit power limit for each transmitter based on the transmit power level for the transmitter.

[0277] 30. The device described in clause 21, wherein the means for determining the RF exposure value at the first location is configured to, for each transmitter, scale a respective RF exposure distribution based on the transmit power level for the transmitter, combine the scaled RF exposure distributions to obtain a combined RF exposure distribution, and determine the RF exposure value at the first location in the combined RF exposure distribution, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value.

[0278] It should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary terminology used above to describe aspects of the present disclosure, and that the present disclosure covers equivalent terminology. For example, it should be appreciated that a distribution may be referred to as a map, a scan, or another term. In another example, it should be appreciated that an antenna may be referred to as an antenna element or another term. In yet another example, it should be appreciated that a maximum allowable power level may be referred to as a power level limit or another term.

[0279]

[0218] As used herein, the term "about" in reference to a stated value or property is intended to indicate within 10% of the stated value or property.

[0280]

[0219] References herein to elements using designations such as "first" and "second" generally do not limit the number or order of those elements. Rather than being limiting, these designations are used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements or two or more instances of an element. Thus, references to a first element and a second element do not imply that only two elements can be utilized or that the first element must precede the second element.

[0281] 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.

[0282]

[0221] The foregoing description of the present disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present 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 inventions described in the claims of the present application as originally filed are set forth below. [C1] 1. A wireless device, comprising: A transmitter; a processor connected to the transmitter; The processor: determining a radio frequency (RF) exposure value at a first location based on a transmit power level for the transmitter; determining a contribution of each of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location; reducing the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based on the contribution of the transmitter to the RF exposure value at the first location. [C2] The wireless device of C1, wherein the RF exposure value is a specific absorption rate (SAR) value, a power density (PD) value, or a combined SAR and PD value. [C3] The processor: determining, for each transmitter, a percentage of the RF exposure value attributable to the each transmitter at the first location; reducing the transmit power level for each of the transmitters according to the proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to each of the transmitters; configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters by The wireless device of C1, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value. [C4] The processor: determining one of the transmitters that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the first location when the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value; reducing the transmit power level for the one of the transmitters by the largest amount among the transmitters; 3. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters by: [C5] the processor is configured to determine a reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location to meet an RF exposure limit; The wireless device of C1, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters based also on the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location. [C6] Each transmitter is assigned a priority, The wireless device of C1, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters based also on the priority of the transmitter. [C7] The wireless device of C1, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, two or more of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location. [C8] The wireless device of C7, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, all of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location. [C9] The wireless device of C1, wherein after the reduction, the processor is configured to set a transmit power limit for each transmitter based on the transmit power level for the transmitter. [C10] The processor: for each transmitter, scaling a respective RF exposure distribution based on the transmit power level for that transmitter; combining the scaled RF exposure distributions to obtain a combined RF exposure distribution; determining the RF exposure value at the first location in the combined RF exposure distribution; and configured to determine the RF exposure value at the first location by: The wireless device of C1, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value. [C11] 1. A method implemented in a wireless device including a transmitter, comprising: determining a radio frequency (RF) exposure value at a first location based on a transmit power level for the transmitter; determining a contribution of each of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location; reducing the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based on the contribution of the transmitter to the RF exposure value at the first location. [C12] The method of C11, wherein the RF exposure value is a specific absorption rate (SAR) value, a power density (PD) value, or a combined SAR and PD value. [C13] Reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters comprises: determining, for each transmitter, a percentage of the RF exposure value attributable to the each transmitter at the first location; reducing the transmit power level for each of the transmitters according to the proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to each of the transmitters; Equipped with The method of C11, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value. [C14] Reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters comprises: determining one of the transmitters that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the first location when the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value; reducing the transmit power level for the one of the transmitters by the largest amount among the transmitters; The method of claim 11, comprising: [C15] determining a reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location to meet an RF exposure limit; The method of C11, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is also based on the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location. [C16] Each transmitter is assigned a priority, The method of C11, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is also based on the priority of the transmitter. [C17] The method of claim 11, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters comprises reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, two or more of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location. [C18] The method of claim 17, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters comprises reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, all of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location. [C19] The method of C11, further comprising setting a transmit power limit for each transmitter after the reduction based on the transmit power level for the transmitter. [C20] Determining the RF exposure value at the first location comprises: for each transmitter, scaling a respective RF exposure distribution based on the transmit power level for that transmitter; combining the scaled RF exposure distributions to obtain a combined RF exposure distribution; determining the RF exposure value at the first location in the combined RF exposure distribution; Equipped with The method of C11, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value. [C21] 1. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: A transmitter; means for determining a radio frequency (RF) exposure value at a first location based on a transmit power level for the transmitter; means for determining the contribution of each of the transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location; means for reducing the transmit power level for each of one or more of the transmitters based on the contribution of the transmitter to the RF exposure value at the first location; An apparatus comprising: [C22] The device described in C21, wherein the RF exposure value is a specific absorption rate (SAR) value, a power density (PD) value, or a combined SAR and PD value. [C23] The means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters comprises: determining, for each transmitter, a percentage of the RF exposure value attributable to the each transmitter at the first location; reducing the transmit power level for each of the transmitters according to the proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to each of the transmitters; The apparatus of C21, wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value. [C24] The means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters comprises: determining one of the transmitters that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the first location when the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value; reducing the transmit power level for the one of the transmitters by the largest amount among the transmitters; The apparatus of C21, configured to perform the following: [C25] The means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters comprises: configured to determine a reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location to meet an RF exposure limit; The apparatus of C21, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is also based on the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location. [C26] Each transmitter is assigned a priority, The apparatus of C21, wherein the means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is configured to reduce one or more transmit power levels based on the priority of the transmitter. [C27] 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, two or more of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location. [C28] 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters such that after the reduction, all of the transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location. [C29] 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the transmitters is configured to set a transmit power limit for each transmitter based on the transmit power level for the transmitter. [C30] The means for determining the RF exposure value at the first location comprises: for each transmitter, scaling a respective RF exposure distribution based on the transmit power level for that transmitter; combining the scaled RF exposure distributions to obtain a combined RF exposure distribution; determining the RF exposure value at the first location in the combined RF exposure distribution; and wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value.

Claims

1. 1. A wireless device, comprising: a plurality of transmitters; a processor connected to the plurality of transmitters; The processor: determining a radio frequency (RF) exposure value at a first location based on a transmit power level of each of the plurality of transmitters; determining a contribution of each of the plurality of transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location, the contribution comprising a proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to each of the plurality of transmitters at the first location; reducing the transmit power level for each of one or more of the plurality of transmitters based on the proportion of the RF exposure value at the first location attributable to each transmitter; 1. A wireless device configured to:

2. 10. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the RF exposure value is a specific absorption rate (SAR) value, a power density (PD) value, or a combined SAR and PD value.

3. the proportion of the RF exposure value at the first location attributable to each transmitter is calculated as a percentage of the sum of the contributions of all transmitters in the plurality of transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location; the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value; or The processor: determining one of the plurality of transmitters that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the first location when the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value; reducing the transmit power level for the one of the plurality of transmitters by the largest amount among the plurality of transmitters; 10. The wireless device of claim 1, configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the plurality of transmitters by:

4. the processor is configured to determine a reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location to meet an RF exposure limit; 10. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the multiple transmitters based also on the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location.

5. Each transmitter is assigned a priority, 10. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the multiple transmitters based also on the priority of the multiple transmitters.

6. the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the multiple transmitters such that after the reduction, two or more of the multiple transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location; 10. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to reduce the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the multiple transmitters such that after the reduction, all of the multiple transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location.

7. The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein after the reduction, the processor is configured to set a transmit power limit for each transmitter based on the transmit power level for the transmitter.

8. The processor: for each transmitter, scaling a respective RF exposure distribution based on the transmit power level for that transmitter; combining the scaled RF exposure distributions to obtain a combined RF exposure distribution; determining the RF exposure value at the first location in the combined RF exposure distribution; and configured to determine the RF exposure value at the first location by The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value.

9. A method implemented in a wireless device including a plurality of transmitters, comprising: determining a radio frequency (RF) exposure value at a first location based on a transmit power level of each of the plurality of transmitters; determining a contribution of each of the plurality of transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location, the contribution comprising a proportion of the RF exposure value attributable to each of the plurality of transmitters at the first location; reducing the transmit power level for each of one or more of the plurality of transmitters based on the proportion of the RF exposure value at the first location attributable to each transmitter; A method for providing the above.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the RF exposure value is a specific absorption rate (SAR) value, a power density (PD) value, or a combined SAR and PD value.

11. the proportion of the RF exposure value at the first location attributable to each transmitter is calculated as a percentage of the sum of the contributions of all transmitters in the plurality of transmitters to the RF exposure value at the first location; the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value; or Reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the plurality of transmitters comprises: determining one of the plurality of transmitters that contributes most to the RF exposure value at the first location when the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value; reducing the transmit power level for the one of the plurality of transmitters by the largest amount among the plurality of transmitters; The method of claim 9 comprising:

12. determining a reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location to meet an RF exposure limit; reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the plurality of transmitters is also based on the determined reduction in the RF exposure value at the first location; Each transmitter is assigned a priority, 10. The method of claim 9, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the plurality of transmitters is also based on the priority of the plurality of transmitters.

13. reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the multiple transmitters comprises reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the multiple transmitters such that after the reduction, two or more of the multiple transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location; 10. The method of claim 9, wherein reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the multiple transmitters comprises reducing the transmit power level for each of the one or more of the multiple transmitters such that after the reduction, all of the multiple transmitters contribute approximately equally to the RF exposure value at the first location.

14. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising setting a transmit power limit for each transmitter after the reduction based on the transmit power level for the transmitter.

15. Determining the RF exposure value at the first location comprises: for each transmitter, scaling a respective RF exposure distribution based on the transmit power level for that transmitter; combining the scaled RF exposure distributions to obtain a combined RF exposure distribution; determining the RF exposure value at the first location in the combined RF exposure distribution; Equipped with The method of claim 9 , wherein the RF exposure value at the first location corresponds to a peak RF exposure value.

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