Dynamic control of power class based on operational state

Abstract

A method and system for dynamically controlling uplink transmission from a user equipment device (UE) while the UE is served by an access node over an air-interface connection between the UE and the access node. An example method includes the UE monitoring its operational state such as its remaining battery energy and / or its device temperature. Further, the method includes, based on the monitoring of the operational state, the UE dynamically changing a power class of the UE from a first power class defining a first maximum uplink transmit power of the UE to a second power class defining a second maximum uplink transmit power of the UE that is lower than the first maximum uplink transmit power of the UE. Still further, the UE could report to the access node, over the air-interface connection, that the second power class is the power class of the UE.

Description

Dynamic Control of Power Class Based on Operational StateBACKGROUND

[0001] A typical wireless communication network includes multiple access nodes configured to serve user equipment devices (UEs) such as cell phones, tracking devices, wirelessly equipped personal computers, gaming devices, Internet of Things (loT) devices, and other wirelessly-equipped devices, whether or not technically “user” operated.

[0002] Each such access node may include an antenna structure and associated equipment that enables the access node to provide one or more cells each defining wireless coverage in which to serve UEs over a respective air-interface. Further, each access node may be coupled with a core network that includes infrastructure configured to support the access node’s service of UEs and that provides connectivity with a transport network such as the internet. With this arrangement, when a UE is positioned within coverage of an access node, the UE may be able to engage in air-interface communication with the access node and may thereby be able to communicate through the access node, the core network, and the transport network with various remote servers and / or other entities.

[0003] A wireless communication network could operate in accordance with one or more radio access technologies (RATs), which may define the physical structure of the air interface between access nodes and UEs and may also define associated procedures for handling service of UEs.

[0004] The wireless industry has evolved over the years to define various generations of RATs and continues to evolve to define new generations of RATs. Recent examples of these RATs include, without limitation, (i) “4G” Long Term Evolution (LTE), which facilitates mobile broadband service using technologies such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and multiple input multiple output (MIMO), (ii) “5G NR” (5G New Radio), which may use a more scalable OFDM air interface and other advanced features to support higher data rates and advanced applications, and (iii) “6G”, which may support even higher data rates, possibly by making use of millimeter wave and Terahertz spectrum.

[0005] Under such a RAT, the access node may be configured to provide each of its one or more cells on a respective radio frequency (RF) carrier that defines a downlink channel for carrying communications from the access node to UEs and an uplink channel for carrying communications from UEs to the access node. Each such carrier, and thus each such cell, maybe defined within an industry-defined frequency band and may be either frequency division duplex (FDD), with separate frequency channels defined respectively for downlink and uplink use, or time division duplex (TDD), with a single frequency channel multiplexed over time between downlink and uplink use.

[0006] Further, the downlink and uplink channels of each cell on which an access node provides service may be structured in a manner that defines physical air-interface resources for carrying both control signaling and user-plane communications between the access node and UEs. For instance, the air-interface may be divided over time into frames, subframes, timeslots (slots), and symbol time segments (symbols), and over frequency into subcarriers, so as to define an array of resource elements each occupying a respective subcarrier and spanning a respective symbol time segment. Further, the air-interface may be divided over time and channel bandwidth into physical resource blocks (PRBs), each of which may span a certain number of subcarriers (e.g., 12) in frequency and a certain duration (e.g., half of a timeslot) in time. In addition, certain resource elements in these PRBs may be reserved for particular use, such as to carry control signaling or to carry user-plane data communications.

[0007] On the downlink, for instance, certain resource elements may cooperatively carry signaling from the access node that UEs could measure as a basis to gauge cell coverage strength. Further, other resource elements may cooperatively define a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for carrying downlink control signaling such as scheduling directives from the access node to UEs. Still further, other resource elements may cooperatively define a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and the access node could schedule use of the PDSCH on a PRB basis for use to carry user-plane data from the access node to served UEs.

[0008] On the uplink, on the other hand, certain resource elements may cooperatively define an access channel for carrying access requests from UEs to the access node. Further, other resource elements may cooperatively define a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for carrying various uplink signaling such as measurement reports and scheduling requests from UEs to the access node. Still further, other resource elements may cooperatively define a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and the access node could schedule use of the PUSCH on a per PRB basis to carry user-plane data from served UEs to the access node.SUMMARY

[0009] In a representative cellular wireless system, an access node and a served UE may support various uplink transmission schemes, examples of which include, without limitation, uplink carrier-aggregation (CA) (e.g., uplink communication concurrently on multiple carriers), uplink non- standalone (NS A) connectivity (e.g., uplink communication concurrently on multiple RATs), uplink MIMO (e.g., uplink communication concurrently on multiple RF propagation paths or beams), and variants.

[0010] The UE may store a set of capability data that indicates which of these or other uplink transmission schemes the UE supports and that indicates various other information about configuration and capabilities of the UE. When the UE connects with an access node, the UE may report this capability data to the access node, or the access node may obtain the UE’s capability data from a network-based profile record of the UE. Through proprietary processing, the access node may then select a given uplink transmission scheme that the UE’s capability data indicates the UE supports, and the access node may engage in control signaling with the UE to configure the UE to operate with the selected uplink transmission scheme.

[0011] While the UE is being served by the access node, the UE may from time to time also transmit to the access node a capabilities-update message that changes the indication of the UE’s capabilities and that, as a result, may cause the access node to change its service of the UE, such as what uplink transmission scheme the access node would configure the UE to use.

[0012] In addition to supporting particular uplink transmission schemes or the like, a UE may also be configured to support operation with a particular “power class” (PC). The power class of a UE defines the maximum uplink transmit power of the UE (e.g., maximum instantaneous transmit power, or maximum transmit power over a designated duty cycle). Example power classes include (i) PC 3, allowing for up to 23 decibel-milliwatts (dBm) of transmit power, (ii) PC 2, allowing for up to 26 dBm of transmit power, and (iii) PC 1.5, allowing for up to 29 dBm of transmit power.

[0013] A power class that supports higher maximum transmit power may facilitate certain uplink transmission schemes, such as advanced carrier aggregation and MIMO configurations or the like. However, operating with a higher power class may also result in some adverse operational issues at the UE, such as increased use of limited battery energy and increased device temperature. For instance, if the UE operates with higher maximum transmit power, standard power control processing when the UE is in poor network conditions mayresult in the UE transmitting at that higher maximum transmit power, which may use more of the UE’s battery energy and may increase the UE’s temperature. In addition, when a UE supports higher maximum transmit power, the UE’s serving access node may select and configure the UE to operate with an uplink transmission scheme that would leverage that higher maximum transmit power, which may in turn cause the UE to operate at the maximum transmit power level, further leading to increased battery energy use and UE temperature increase.

[0014] Given this technical problem, the present disclosure provides for having the UE dynamically change the UE’s power class based on an evaluation of the UE’s operational state.

[0015] The operational state of the UE could take various forms, examples of which include the UE’s remaining battery energy and / or the UE’s device temperature. Based on one or more such operational-state factors, the UE may dynamically change the UE’s power class from a first (e.g., default) power class having a first maximum transmit power level to a second power class having a second maximum transmit power level lower than the first maximum transmit power level.

[0016] The UE may accordingly update its own internal records to indicate its new power-class setting and may restrict its uplink transmit power based on the new power-class setting. Further, the UE may report its new power-class setting to its serving access node, for possible use by the access node as a basis to select an uplink transmission scheme to have the UE use, among other possibilities. For instance, the UE may transmit to the access node a TAU that provides a capability update indicating the UE’s new power class, and the access node may receive and note that new UE power class, as a basis for use to serve the UE.

[0017] The UE may also take into account one or more other factors as a basis to control the UE’s dynamic change of its power class. For instance, the UE may take into account the UE’s received signal strength from the UE’s serving access node. Further, the UE may take into account the UE’s data-transmission needs, such as what application(s) the UE is currently using and what throughput needs the UE may have.

[0018] Accordingly, in one respect, disclosed is method for dynamically controlling uplink transmission from a UE while the UE is served by an access node over an air-interface connection between the UE and the access node. In an example implementation, the method may include the UE monitoring an operational state of the UE, including a remaining battery energy of the UE and / or an device temperature of the UE. Further, the method may include the UE dynamically changing a power class of the UE from a first power class defining a firstmaximum uplink transmit power of the UE to a second power class defining a second maximum uplink transmit power of the UE that is lower than the first maximum uplink transmit power of the UE, with the dynamically changing of the power class being based at least on the monitoring by the UE of the operational state of the UE. Still further, the method may include, upon dynamically changing the power class of the UE from the first power class to the second power class, the UE reporting to the access node, over the air-interface connection, that the second power class is the power class of the UE.

[0019] In another respect, disclosed is a device that includes at least one processor, non-transitory data storage, and program instructions stored in the non-transitory data storage and executable by the at least one processor to cause the device to carry out such operations for dynamically controlling uplink transmission from the device while the device is served by an access node over an air-interface connection between the device and the access node.

[0020] In yet another respect, disclosed is at least one non-transitory computer- readable medium having stored thereon program instructions executable by at least one processor of a device to cause the device to carry out operations such as those discussed above.

[0021] Further, in still another respect, disclosed is a system that includes various means for carrying out each of the operations described herein.

[0022] These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. Further, it should be understood that the descriptions provided in this summary and below are intended to illustrate the invention by way of example only and not by way of limitation.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example wireless communication network.

[0024] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating an example method.

[0025] Figure 3 is a simplified block diagram of an example device.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Referring to the drawings, as noted above, Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication network. It should be understood that this and other arrangements and processes described herein are set forth for purposes ofexample only, and that the disclosed arrangements and processes can take various other forms. For instance, elements and operations can be re-ordered, distributed, replicated, combined, omitted, added, or otherwise modified. Further, it will be understood that functions described herein as being carried out by one or more entities could be implemented by and / or on behalf of those entities, through hardware, firmware, and / or software, such as by one or more processing units executing program instructions or the like.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the example wireless communication network includes one or more access nodes 100 each configured to provide wireless coverage on one or more carriers defining one or more cells 102 that each have a downlink channel and an uplink channel. Each access node 100 may take various forms, such as an evolved Node-B (eNB) or a next generation Node-B (gNB), among other possibilities. As further shown, each of the one or more access nodes 100 may sit as a node on a core network 104, such as a 4G evolved packet core (EPC) network or a 5G core (5GC) network, among other possibilities, which provides connectivity with at least one transport network 106 such as the internet. Shown within coverage of the one or more access nodes 100 is then a UE 108, which could take any of the forms noted above, among other possibilities.

[0028] When a UE such as UE 108 enters into coverage of this wireless communication network, the UE would typically scan for the presence of a reference signal that indicates the presence of wireless coverage, and for each reference signal that the UE finds, the UE may evaluate the reference signal to determine coverage strength of the associated cell. For instance, for each such reference signal, the UE may determine a value of reference signal receive power (RSRP) or reference signal receive quality (RSRQ), both generally representing how strong coverage is at the UE’s position.

[0029] The UE may then select the cell providing the strongest such coverage, and if the coverage is strong enough, the UE may engage in signaling with the access node of that cell in order to establish an air-interface connection through which the access node could then serve the UE in that cell. For instance, the UE may engage in random-access signaling and connection signaling, such as Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, with the access node to establish an air-interface connection (e.g., an RRC connection) between the access node and the UE in the cell, transitioning the UE from an idle mode to a connected mode.

[0030] If the UE is not already registered for service with the core network, the UE may further engage in attach or registration signaling to register for service. For instance, the UE may send an attach or registration request to the access node, which the access node mayforward to a controller entity within the core network. After authenticating the UE, the controller entity may then engage in a process to set up for the UE one or more bearers or service flows for carrying user-plane traffic to and from the UE.

[0031] Once the UE has an established air-interface connection with the access node and has one or more assigned bearers or service flows, the access node may then serve the UE with packet-data communications on the downlink and on the uplink.

[0032] As to the downlink, for instance, when packet data on the transport network arrives at the core network for transmission to the UE, the data may flow to the UE’s serving access node, which may buffer the data pending transmission of the data over the air of the UE. The access node may then assign one or more downlink PRBs of the UE’s serving cell to carry the data to the UE, and the access node may transmit to the UE a downlink control information (DCI) message defining a scheduling directive that specifies the assigned downlink PRB(s) and may transmit the data to the UE by modulating the data onto subcarriers of resource elements within the assigned downlink PRBs.

[0033] As to the uplink, on the other hand, when the UE has packet data to transmit on the transport network, the UE may buffer the data in a queue pending transmission of the data over the air to the access node, and the UE may transmit to the access node a scheduling request that includes a buffer status report (BSR) indicating how much data the UE has buffered for uplink transmission. The access may then assign one or more uplink PRBs of the UE’s serving cell to carry the data from the UE, and the access node may transmit to the UE a DCI message specifying the assigned uplink PRBs. The UE may then transmit the data to the access node by modulating the data onto subcarriers of the resource elements within the assigned uplink PRBs, and the access node may forward the data through the core network for ultimate output onto the transport network.

[0034] In line with the discussion above, the UE may also support various uplink transmissions schemes, such as uplink carrier-aggregation, uplink NSA connectivity, and uplink MIMO, among other possibilities.

[0035] Uplink carrier aggregation may involve the UE engaging in uplink communication concurrently on multiple carriers, which may enable the UE to send more data at once than might be possible with service on just a single carrier. To facilitate this, once the UE has connected with the access node on a particular carrier, the access node may add to the UE’s air-interface connection one or more secondary carriers and engage in RRC signaling to the UE to inform the UE of the new connection reconfiguration. When the UE has data totransmit to the access node, the access node may then schedule the data transmission to occur concurrently on the multiple carriers of the UE’s connection, by providing the UE with a DCI message that assigns uplink PRBs respectively on each of the carriers, and the UE may thus transmit to the access node concurrently on the multiple carriers.

[0036] The number of carriers on which the access node serves the UE with uplink carrier aggregation may define an “order,” or level, of the UE’s uplink carrier aggregation service, with a greater number of carriers defining higher-order of carrier aggregation. As the access node serves the UE, the access node may from time to time change the UE’s order of uplink carrier aggregation by engaging in RRC signaling with the UE to add or remove secondary carriers from the UE’s air-interface connection and / or through DCI signaling scheduling uplink communication from the UE on a different number of carriers.

[0037] Uplink NS A connectivity, may involve the UE engaging in uplink communication concurrently on multiple RATs, which may enable the UE to send more data at once than might be possible with service on just a single RAT. To facilitate this, once the UE has acquired a first air-interface connection with a first access node under a first RAT (a first-RAT connection), the first access node may coordinate setup for the UE of at least a second air-interface connection between the UE and a second access node under a second RAT (a second-RAT connection). The two access nodes may then serve the UE at the same time as each other on their RAT connections with UE. For instance, each access node may send respective DCI messages to the UE to schedule uplink transmission to the UE on the access node’s respective air-interface connection with the UE, and the UE may accordingly transmit concurrently on the UE’s multiple RAT connections.

[0038] As with carrier aggregation, the UE’s serving access node (e.g., the first access node) may also dynamically control the UE’s NSA connectivity. For instance, the first access node may dynamically configure NSA connectivity for the UE, transitioning the UE from standalone (SA) connectivity with the first access node to NSA connectivity with the first access node and a second access node. Further, the first access node may dynamically deconfigure NSA connectivity for the UE including release of the UE’s second air-interface connection with the second access node, transitioning the UE back to SA connectivity with the first access node.

[0039] Uplink MIMO may involve the UE engaging in uplink communication concurrently on multiple different RF propagation paths between the UE and the access node, particularly from multiple transmit antennas at the UE to multiple receive antennas at the accessnode. For instance, with spatial multiplexing, when the UE has data to transmit to the access node, the access node could schedule the transmission to occur using uplink MIMO, and the UE could accordingly multiplex the data onto multiple antenna output ports and thus onto multiple RF propagation paths possibly on the same PRBs as each other. Each of these propagation paths is referred to as a MIMO “layer”.

[0040] Similar to carrier-aggregation service, the number of MIMO layers that the UE uses for uplink transmission defines an “order” of the UE’s uplink MIOMO service. Likewise, as the access node serves the UE, the access node may from time to time change the UE’s order of uplink MIMO by engaging in signaling with the UE to cause the UE to use a different number of MIMO layers for the UE’s uplink communication.

[0041] In addition, when a UE is served by an access node, the UE and access node may regularly engage in an uplink power-control process to help control the transmit power that the UE uses for its uplink transmission. In an example power control process, as the UE engages in transmissions to the access node, the access node may compare receive strength of those transmissions with a defined signal-strength set point and may accordingly send powercontrol commands to the UE to cause the UE to adjust its transmit power. For instance, when the received strength is greater than the set point, the access node may direct the UE to decrease the UE’s transmit power level, and when the received strength is less than the set point, the access node may direct the UE to increase the UE’s transmit power level. To facilitate this process, the UE could be equipped with a processor-controlled power amplifier and may adjust the gain of the amplifier up or down according to the power-control commands from the access node.

[0042] As discussed above, the UE may also have a power class that defines the maximum transmit power level that the UE is allowed to use, with maximum transmit power being measured instantaneously or over the course of a designated duty cycle, among other possibilities. As indicated above, examples of power classes include, without limitation, (i) PC 3, allowing up to 23 dBm of transmit power, (ii) PC 3, allowing up to 26 dBm of transmit power, or (iii) PC 1.5, allowing up to 29 dBm of transmit power. Further, in some implementations, the UE’s power class may depend on the UE’s operating frequency band or combination of frequency bands (e.g., with carrier-aggregation or NSA service). When the UE is served on a given band or band combination and the UE and its serving access node engage in the power-control process to control the UE’s uplink transmit power, the UE may thus cap its transmit power to the level defined by the UE’s power class.

[0043] Further, the UE may from time to time provide the access node with a power headroom” report (PHR) that indicates how much the UE can still increase its transmit power considering its currently set transmit power level and its maximum transmit power according to its power class. In each PHR, for instance, the UE may provide an index value that represents the current difference between the UE’s maximum transmit power and the UE’s currently set transmit power. The access node may then factor this reported power headroom into its service of the UE, such as by using the power headroom as a basis to decide how many uplink PRBs to allocate to the UE per subframe, among other possibilities.

[0044] As further noted above, the UE may have a set of capability data that indicates various configuration and other capabilities of the UE. This capability data could include an extensible markup language (XML) listing of UE capabilities and / or feature group indicators defining presence or absence of respective capabilities, among other possibilities. As noted above, the UE may store this capability data and may report the capability data to its serving access node when the UE first connects with the access node. For instance, in relation to the UE’s connection and / or registration process, the access node may transmit to an RRC message carrying a UE capability enquiry, and the UE may respond to the access node with an RRC message carrying the UE capability data. Alternatively, as noted above, the access node may obtain a copy of the UE’s capability data from a network-based profile record of the UE.

[0045] The UE capability data could specify numerous capabilities of the UE. Without limitation, for instance, the capability data could specify what frequency bands the UE supports and what uplink transmission schemes the UE supports, possibly per band or band combination. Further, the UE capability data could specify the UE’s power class, also possibly per band or band combination.

[0046] Both the UE and the access node may make use of this capability data. For instance, the UE may cap its transmit power according to the power class specified by the UE’s capability data (e.g., for the UE’s current operating frequency band or band combination). Further, the access node may use the UE’s specified power class as a basis to control its service of the UE, such as by scheduling more power-intensive uplink communication from the UE (e.g., higher-order uplink carrier aggregation or uplink MIMO) if the UE has a higher power class, among other possibilities. In addition, the access node may determine from the UE’s capability data what uplink transmission schemes the UE supports, and may use that information as a basis to select an uplink transmission scheme to configure for the UE.

[0047] As noted above, the present disclosure addresses a technical problem where, when a UE operates with a relatively high power class (i.e., a power class that defines a relatively high maximum transmit power level), the UE may experience adverse operational issues such as increased use of battery energy and increased device temperature.

[0048] This may happen because the relatively high power class would allow the UE to transmit with relatively high transmit power, which may consume more of the UE’s battery energy than transmission with relatively low transmit power, and which may also cause the UE’s temperature to rise due to strain on the UE’s battery and / or associated work by the UE’s processor, among other possibilities. In addition, based on the UE’s capability data indicating that the UE supports a relatively high power class, the UE’s serving access node may select and configure the UE too use a relatively power-intensive uplink transmission scheme, which may likewise consume more of the UE’s battery power and raise the UE’s temperature. Further, if the UE has a relatively high power class, the UE may report to the access node relatively high power headroom, which may likewise cause the access node to configure the UE with a relatively power-intensive uplink transmission scheme, with similar adverse results.

[0049] As noted above, a UE could work to overcome this technical problem by dynamically changing its power class based on an evaluation of its operational state, such as based on an evaluation of its remaining battery energy and / or its device temperature.

[0050] In practice, the UE could regularly monitor its operational state. For instance, the UE could regularly monitor its remaining battery energy by use of a battery-level monitor, which may indicate a percentage of the UE’s remaining capacity or another suitable metric. Further or alternatively, the UE could regularly monitor its device temperature by use of one or more thermal sensors, which may indicate temperature of the UE housing and / or of one or more UE components such as a processor, radio chipset, or the like.

[0051] When the UE finds through this monitoring that its operational state is threshold poor, such as that the UE’s remaining battery energy is threshold low and / or that its device temperature is threshold high, the UE could respond to that finding by dynamically changing its power class to a power class that defines a lower maximum transmit power than the UE’s existing power class. Namely, if the UE is currently operating with a first power class that defines a first maximum transmit power level, i.e., as the UE’s active class, and the UE finds that its operational state is threshold poor, the UE could responsively select a second power class based on the selected second power class defining a second maximum transmitpower level that is lower than the first maximum power level defined by the UE’s active power class, and the UE could reconfigure itself to operate with the second power class, rather than the first power class, as the UE’s active power class.

[0052] The UE’ s analysis to determine if its operational state is threshold poor could involve the UE determining if its operational state is at least as poor as a predefined threshold poor level deemed to be problematic for present purposes or otherwise deemed to be a good trigger for present purposes. For instance, through monitoring of its remaining battery energy, the UE could determine when its remaining battery level is at least as low as a predefined threshold low remaining battery-energy level deemed to be problematic for present purposes, and / or through monitoring of the UE’s device temperature, the UE could determine when its device temperature is at least as high as a predefined device temperature deemed to be problematic for present purposes. Further, the UE could require some level of hysteresis - e.g., that its remaining battery energy remains threshold low for at least a predefined threshold time period and / or that its device temperature remains threshold high for at least a predefined threshold time period - as a basis to conclude that the UE’s operational state is threshold poor.

[0053] Upon finding that its operational state is threshold poor, the UE could change its power class by revising its stored capability data to indicate that the second power class is now the UE’s active power class, as a replacement for the first power class being the UE’s active power class, so that the UE will then operate in accordance with the selected power class as the UE’s active power class. For instance, the UE could write to its internal storage a revised copy of its capability data specifying the new power class as the UE’s active power class.

[0054] This change in power class may be specific to the UE’s current operating frequency band or band combination (e.g., based on the carrier or combination of carriers on which the UE is currently being served). As such, the UE could carry out the present process while continuing to be served on that frequency band or band combination, so that the change of power class does not result from a change of operating frequency (e.g., band or band combination) but rather results at least from the UE finding that its operational state is threshold poor.

[0055] Further, when the UE changes its power class, the UE could also responsively send a capability update message to the UE’ s serving access node, to update the UE’ s capability data that the access node stores in the UE’s context record and uses as a basis to configure service of the UE. For instance, the UE could transmit to the access node a Tracking Area Update (TAU) message that specifies that a capability update is needed, the access node mayrespond by transmitting to the UE a new capability enquiry message, and the UE may in turn respond by transmitting to the access node the UE’s updated capability data including the changed power class information.

[0056] Though note that the present process could alternatively apply when the UE is in an idle mode, not yet connected with an access node. For instance, while the UE is in the idle mode, the UE may similarly find that the UE’s remaining battery energy is threshold low, and the UE may respond to that finding by proactively changing the power class (or each power class, per band) listed in the UE’s capability data to be a power class having a lower maximum transmit power than the capability data would normally indicate.

[0057] Changing the UE’ s power class in response to the UE having threshold poor operative state may help to mitigate the adverse impact of the operational state. For instance, by switching to a power class that defines a lower maximum transmit level, the UE may correspondingly reduce its transmit power to comply with the new lower maximum level, and the UE’s operation with lower transmit power may consume less battery energy (e.g., per unit time) and may result in the UE having lower device temperature. Further, once the UE’s serving access node learns of the UE’s change to a power class that defines a lower maximum transmit power, and / or as the UE reports associated lower power headroom to the access node, the access node may be less inclined to configure power-intensive uplink transmission schemes for the UE, which may similarly help to reduce the UE’s battery-energy consumption and device temperature.

[0058] In addition, a UE could be arranged to make other changes to its power class setting based on its evaluation of its operational state. For instance, after switching to a power class that defines a lower maximum transmit power level, the UE may detect that the UE’s operational state is no longer threshold poor, such as that the UE’s remaining battery energy is no longer threshold low and / or that the UE’s device temperature is no longer threshold high, and the UE could respond to that finding by dynamically switching back to its previous power class or otherwise switching to a power class that defines a higher maximum transmit power than the UE’s current power class. Similarly here, the UE could change its stored capability data and report its updated capability data to the access node as noted above.

[0059] Further, as indicated above, the UE could also take into account one or more additional factors as a basis for dynamically changing the UE’s power class.

[0060] As one example, for instance, the UE could consider the UE’ s current receive signal strength from its serving access node, such as the RSRP or RSRQ of a reference signalthat the UE is receiving from the access node, as an additional basis for the dynamic control of power class. In some implementations, if the UE has relatively low receive signal strength from the access node, that may indicate that the UE is distant from the access node, which may therefore justify the UE using higher transmit power when possible to transmit to the access node. This may therefore argue against changing to a power class that defines lower maximum transmit power. Whereas, if the UE has relatively high receive signal strength from the access node, that may indicate that the UE is closer to the access node, which may therefore justify the UE using lower transmit power to transmit to the access node.

[0061] Accordingly, when the UE determines that the UE has threshold poor operational state such as threshold low remaining battery energy and / or threshold high temperature, the UE may also determine if the UE’s receive signal strength is at least as high as a predefined threshold level. If the UE finds that its operational state is threshold poor and that it has at least threshold high receive signal strength, then responsive to that finding, the UE may dynamically change its power class to a power class that defines a lower maximum transmit power level than its current power class. Whereas, if the UE finds that its operational state is threshold poor but that it also has low receive signal strength (e.g., threshold low or not threshold high), then the UE may forgo from dynamically changing its power class to the power class that defines the lower maximum transmit power.

[0062] As another example, the UE could consider the throughput need(s), such as target throughput, of one or more applications currently running on the UE, as an additional basis for the dynamic control of power class. Certain applications, such as video conferencing applications for instance, may have higher throughput demands than other applications, such as web browsing applications for instance. Higher transmit power may help to facilitate successful uplink transmission and consequently higher uplink throughput. Therefore, in some implementations, if the UE is running one or more applications that have relatively high throughput needs, it may be best for the UE to avoid switching to a power class that defines a lower maximum transmit power.

[0063] Accordingly, when the UE determines that the UE has threshold poor operational state such as threshold low remaining battery energy and / or threshold high temperature, the UE may also determine if the UE is currently running one or more high- throughput applications (e.g., applications that are known to engage in high throughput communication and / or applications that are currently engaging in high throughput communication). If the UE finds that its operational state is threshold poor and that it is notrunning one or more such high-throughput applications, then responsive to that finding, the UE may dynamically change its power class to a power class that defines a lower maximum transmit power level than its current power class. Whereas, if the UE finds that its operational state is threshold poor but that it is running one or more high-throughput applications, then the UE may forgo dynamically changing its power class to the power class that defines the lower maximum transmit power.

[0064] One way for the UE to control this process overall may be through use of a mapping table or other set of mapping data stored by the UE. For instance, such mapping data may list various power classes, possibly all for a given frequency band or band combination on which the UE could operate, and may specify conditions for the UE to adopt one power class or another as the UE’s active power class.

[0065] For instance, such mapping data may correlate good operational state of the UE (such as threshold high (or not threshold low) remaining battery energy or threshold low (or not threshold high) device temperature) with PC 2 (defining 26 dBm maximum transmit power) and may correlate poor operational state of the UE (such as threshold low remaining battery energy and / or threshold high device temperature) with PC 3 (defining 23 dBm maximum transmit power). So the UE can determine from the mapping data when to have PC 2 be the UE’ s active power class and when to instead have PC 3 be the UE’ s active power class and can configure itself accordingly.

[0066] Further, the mapping data may define more granular levels of operational state based on how good or how poor the UE’s operational state is (e.g., how low the UE’s remaining battery energy is and / or how high the UE’ s temperature is). Such mapping data may thereby correlate levels of operational state with more power classes, such as by correlating a very good level of operational state with PC 1.5 (defining 29 dBm maximum transmit power), a medium to low level of operational state with PC 2, and a lowest level of operational state with PC 3. Thus, the UE may determine more specifically its level of operational state and, based on the correlations in the mapping data, determine which power class to use and configure itself accordingly.

[0067] Still further, such mapping data may specify one or more additional factors such as those noted above, as further criteria to be considered when faced with particular operational state such as particular state of remaining battery energy and / or device temperature. Thus, the UE may use the mapping data to take into account one or more such additional factors as well, when deciding based on its operational state whether to change its power class.

[0068] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating an example method that could be carried out by a UE or other device in accordance with the present disclosure, to dynamically control uplink transmission from the device while the device is served by an access node over an airinterface connection between the device and the access node.

[0069] As shown in Figure 2, at block 200, the device monitors an operational state of the device, such as the device’s remaining battery energy and / or the device’s temperature. At block 202, based at least on the monitoring by the device of the operational state of the device, the device then dynamically changes a power class of the device from a first power class defining a first maximum uplink transmit power of the device to a second power class defining a second maximum uplink transmit power of the device that is lower than the first maximum uplink transmit power of the device. Further, at block 204, upon dynamically changing the power class of the device from the first power class to the second power class, the device reports to the access node, over the air-interface connection, that the second power class is the power class of the device.

[0070] In line with the discussion above, the act of dynamically changing the power class of the device could be further based on throughput demand of one or more applications running on the device.

[0071] Further, as discussed above, the device could store a set of mapping data that maps each of multiple operational states of the device respectively with a corresponding power class. In that case, the act of dynamically changing the power class of the device from the first power class to the second power class based at least on the monitoring by the device of the operational state of the device could involve (i) referring to the mapping data to determine the second power class based on a current operational state of the device and (ii) dynamically changing the power class of the device from the first power class to the determined second power class.

[0072] As additionally discussed above, the change in power class could take various forms. For instance, the device could switch from PC 1.5 to PC 2 or PC3, or the device could switch from PC 2 to PC3, among other possibilities.

[0073] Further, as discussed above, the act of the device reporting to the access node that the second power class is the power class of the device could involve the device engaging in TAU messaging with the access node to trigger the reporting (e.g., to trigger a capability enquiry from the access node).

[0074] Figure 3 is a simplified block diagram of an example device, such as a UE, showing some of the components that could be included in the device to facilitate operations like those described herein.

[0075] As shown, the example device includes a host controller 302, a wireless communication interface 304, a battery 306, a battery-level monitor 308, and a temperature sensor 310. These components could be interconnected, integrated, and / or communicatively linked together in various ways. For instance, the figure depicts the host controller 302 and wireless communication interface 304 being interconnected by a data bus 312, the figure depicts the battery 306 being interconnected with the host controller 302 and the wireless communication interface 304 by a power bus 314, the figure depicts the battery-level monitor 308 being interconnected with the battery 306 and the host controller 302, and the figure depicts the temperature sensor 310 being interconnected with the host controller 302. Other arrangements are also possible. Without limitation, for instance, the device could include other direct connections between its components and could include other components, such as a user interface, among other possibilities.

[0076] The host controller 302 could operate to carry out or cause the device to carry out various device operations described here. As shown, the host controller 302 could include at least one processor 316 (e.g., one or more general purpose processors such as microprocessors and / or one or more special purpose processors such as application specific integrated circuits), and non-transitory data storage 318 (e.g., one or more volatile and / or nonvolatile storage components, such as optical, magnetic, or flash storage, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, cache memory, and / or other computer-readable media, etc.) The non- transitory data storage 318 could store program instructions (not shown), which could be executable by the processor 316 to cause the device to carry out the various device operations. For instance, the program instructions could define an operating system as well as various applications configured to run on the operating system and thus on the device. Further, the non- transitory data storage 318 could store reference data (not shown), such the mapping data noted above, among other possibilities.

[0077] The wireless communication interface 304 could comprise various components (not shown) to facilitate cellular wireless communication according to one or more RATs. These components could include at least one baseband modem having a modem processor for modulating and demodulating signals, at least one processor controlled amplifier for amplifying signals for uplink transmission, and an antenna structure for wirelesslytransmitting and receiving RF signals. As further shown, the wireless communication interface 304 may store capability data 320 of the device, which as shown may specify a power class of the device.

[0078] The battery 306 could be configured to provide energy to support operation of the example device when the device is not connected with another energy source. For instance, the battery 306 could provide energy to drive components such as the host controller 302 and the wireless communication interface 304. The battery 306 could be rechargeable and could take various forms, examples of which include nickel metal hydride (NiMH), nickel cadmium (NiCd), Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), and lithium polymer (Li-Poly).

[0079] The battery -level monitor 308, in turn, could operate to regularly monitor the remaining energy level of the battery 306 and to provide the host controller 302 with a signal that indicates a latest determined remaining battery energy level, such as a percentage of remaining battery capacity or another suitable metric. The battery -level monitor 308 could take various forms, such as a voltmeter or a coulomb counter, among other possibilities. Further, the battery-level monitor 308 could be integrated with the battery 306 itself or could be provided separately and interconnected with the battery 306.

[0080] The temperature sensor 310 could comprise one or more thermal sensors, situated in the device in a manner that enables the temperature sensor to monitor temperature of the device in a manner deemed relevant for present purposes, and could be configured to provide the host controller 302 with a signal that indicates a latest determined temperature of the device. The temperature sensor could take various forms and be situated at various places within the device. For instance, the temperature sensor 310 could be a “skin” temperature sensor or other type of sensor arranged to monitor temperature of an exterior housing of the device, such as a housing that a user of the device may touch, so as to track temperature that a user might similarly sense when touching the device. Alternatively or additionally, the temperature sensor may be situated in the device to monitor temperature of other device components such as one or more processors of the device.

[0081] With this example arrangement, the host controller 302 may determine when the operational state of the device is threshold poor and may responsively cause the device to change its power class from a current (e.g., default) power class to a power class defining a lower maximum transmit power. For instance, the host controller 302 may determine when the remaining battery energy reported by battery-level monitor 308 is threshold low and / or when the device temperature reported by temperature sensor 310 is threshold high, and the hostcontroller 302 may respond to that poor operational state of the device by causing the change in power class.

[0082] In this arrangement, the host controller 302 may trigger the change in power class by signaling to the wireless communication interface 304, which may cause the wireless communication interface 304 to revise the capability data 320 and to send a capability update to the device’s serving access node when applicable. Further, the host controller 302 may take into account additional factors as noted above as a further basis to engage in this control. For instance, the host controller 302 may monitor the throughput needs of one or more applications running on the device, as a further basis to engage in the control. And the host controller 302 may receive from the wireless communication interface 304 information about the device’s receive signal strength, as a further basis to engage in the control.

[0083] In an alternative implementation, rather than the host controller 302 carrying out these and other operations, a modem processor of the wireless communication interface 304 could carry out these and other operations. For instance, through communication between the wireless communication interface 304 and the host controller, and / or direct signaling with the battery-level monitor 308 and the temperature sensor 310, the modem processor may similarly determine when the operational state of the device is threshold poor and may respond to that threshold poor operational state by switching the device from one power class to another.

[0084] Accordingly, an example device could include at least one processor (e.g., a host processor, a modem processor, or other processor), non-transitory data storage, and program instructions stored in the non-transitory data storage and executable by the at least one processor to cause the device to carry out operations for dynamically controlling uplink transmission from the device while the device is served by an access node over an air-interface connection between the device and the access node.

[0085] In addition, the present disclosure also contemplates a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., optical, magnetic, or flash storage, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.) having stored thereon program instructions executable by a processor of a device to cause the device to carry out various operations described herein.

[0086] Example embodiments have been described above. Those skilled in the art will understand, however, that changes and modifications may be made to these embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method for dynamically controlling uplink transmission from a user equipment device (UE) while the UE is served by an access node over an air-interface connection between the UE and the access node, the method comprising: monitoring, by the UE, an operational state of the UE, wherein the operational state of the UE comprises a state selected from the group consisting of a remaining battery energy of the UE and a temperature of the UE; dynamically changing, by the UE, a power class of the UE from a first power class defining a first maximum uplink transmit power of the UE to a second power class defining a second maximum uplink transmit power of the UE that is lower than the first maximum uplink transmit power of the UE, wherein the dynamically changing of the power class is based at least on the monitoring by the UE of the operational state of the UE; and upon dynamically changing the power class of the UE from the first power class to the second power class, reporting by the UE to the access node, over the air-interface connection, that the second power class is the power class of the UE.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamically changing of the power class of the UE is further based on a throughput demand of one or more applications running on the UE.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing at the UE a set of mapping data that maps each of multiple operational states of the UE with a corresponding power class, wherein dynamically changing the power class of the UE from the first power class to the second power class based at least on the monitoring by the UE of the operational state of the UE comprises (i) referring to the mapping data to determine the second power class based on a current operational state of the UE and (ii) dynamically changing the power class of the UE from the first power class to the determined second power class.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first maximum uplink transmit power is 29 decibel milliwatts (dBm) and the second maximum uplink transmit power is selected from the group consisting of 26 dBm and 23 dBm.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first maximum uplink transmit power is 26 decibel milliwatts (dBm) and the second maximum uplink transmit power is 23 dBm.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein reporting by the UE to the access node, over the air-interface connection, that the second power class is the power class of the UE comprises engaging in tracking area update (TAU) messaging to trigger the reporting.

7. A device comprising: at least one processor; non-transitory data storage; and program instructions stored in the non-transitory data storage and executable by the at least one processor to cause the device to carry out operations for dynamically controlling uplink transmission from the device while the device is served by an access node over an airinterface connection between the device and the access node, the operations including: monitoring an operational state of the device, wherein the operational state of the device comprises a state selected from the group consisting of a remaining battery energy of the device and a temperature of the device, dynamically changing a power class of the device from a first power class defining a first maximum uplink transmit power of the device to a second power class defining a second maximum uplink transmit power of the device that is lower than the first maximum uplink transmit power of the device, wherein the dynamically changing of the power class is based at least on the monitoring of the operational state of the device, and upon dynamically changing the power class of the device from the first power class to the second power class, reporting to the access node, over the air-interface connection, that the second power class is the power class of the device.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a wireless communication interface, wherein the at least one processor comprises at least one of (i) a host processor of the device or (ii) a processor of the wireless communication interface.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the dynamically changing of the power class of the device is further based on a throughput demand of one or more applications running on the device.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the operations additionally include: storing a set of mapping data that maps each of multiple operational states of the device with a corresponding power class, wherein dynamically changing the power class of the device from the first power class to the second power class based at least on the monitoring by the device of the operational state of the device comprises (i) referring to the mapping data to determine the second power class based on a current operational state of the device and (ii) dynamically changing the power class of the device from the first power class to the determined second power class.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein the first maximum uplink transmit power is 29 decibel milliwatts (dBm) and the second maximum uplink transmit power is selected from the group consisting of 26 dBm and 23 dBm.

12. The device of claim 7, wherein the first maximum uplink transmit power is 26 decibel milliwatts (dBm) and the second maximum uplink transmit power is 23 dBm.

13. The device of claim 7, wherein reporting to the access node, over the airinterface connection, that the second power class is the power class of the UE comprises engaging in tracking area update (TAU) messaging to trigger the reporting.

14. At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions executable by at least one processor of a device to cause the device to carry out operations for controlling uplink transmission from the device while the device is served by an access node over an air-interface connection between the device and the access node, the operations including:monitoring an operational state of the device, wherein the operational state of the device comprises a state selected from the group consisting of a remaining battery energy of the device and an temperature of the device; dynamically changing a power class of the device from a first power class defining a first maximum uplink transmit power of the device to a second power class defining a second maximum uplink transmit power of the device that is lower than the first maximum uplink transmit power of the device, wherein the dynamically changing of the power class is based at least on the monitoring of the operational state of the device; and upon dynamically changing the power class of the device from the first power class to the second power class, reporting to the access node, over the air-interface connection, that the second power class is the power class of the device.

15. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the device comprises a wireless communication interface, and wherein the at least one processor comprises at least one of (i) a host processor of the device or (ii) a processor of the wireless communication interface.

16. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the dynamically changing of the power class of the device is further based on a throughput demand of one or more applications running on the device.

17. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the operations additionally include: storing a set of mapping data that maps each of multiple operational states of the device with a corresponding power class, wherein dynamically changing the power class of the device from the first power class to the second power class based at least on the monitoring by the device of the operational state of the device comprises (i) referring to the mapping data to determine the second power class based on a current operational state of the device and (ii) dynamically changing the power class of the device from the first power class to the determined second power class.

18. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the first maximum uplink transmit power is 29 decibel milliwatts (dBm) and the second maximum uplink transmit power is selected from the group consisting of 26 dBm and 23 dBm.

19. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the first maximum uplink transmit power is 26 decibel milliwatts (dBm) and the second maximum uplink transmit power is 23 dBm.

20. The at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein reporting to the access node, over the air-interface connection, that the second power class is the power class of the UE comprises engaging in tracking area update (TAU) messaging to trigger the reporting.

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