Power control assistance information for UE power saving

Abstract

In accordance with example embodiments of the invention there is at least a method an apparatus to perform determining an indication of an uplink configuration set with a user equipment and a network node of a communication network; based on the uplink configuration set, determining a proper uplink transmit power targeting power saving, wherein the proper transmit power is determined at least partially based on at least one of user equipment power amplifier efficiency or power consumption and the determined uplink configuration set; and based on the determining, communicating assistance information with the communication network, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power targeting power saving for user equipment.

Description

POWER CONTROL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION FOR UE POWER SAVING CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, US Provisional Application No.63 / 566990, filed March 19, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The teachings in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention relategenerally to minimizing UE power consumption and extend battery life while satisfying QoS requirementsand, more specifically, relate to minimizing UE power consumption and extend battery life while satisfyingQoS requirements, such as by considering system aspects and without disclosing potentially confidential UE information. BACKGROUND:

[0003] This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is recitedin the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarilyones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein,what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0004] Certain abbreviations that may be found in the description and / or in the Figures areherewith defined as follows: BWP Bandwidth PartgNB 5G-NR gNodeB Base StationPA Power AmplifierPRB Physical Resource BlockRB Resource BlockQoS Quality of serviceRE Resource ElementRF Radio FrequencyRx ReceiverTPC Transmit Power ControlTx TransmitterUE User EquipmentUL Uplink

[0005] At the time of this application there appears no standards for user equipment (UE) uplink(UL) power control, or for considering or using UE Power amplifier added efficiency (PAE) or powerconsumption which depends on selected Tx power..

[0006] One issue has been why not increase UE power to its maximum where PA efficiency ismaximum.

[0007] Example embodiments of the invention addresses at least how gNB and UE coordinateto minimize UE power consumption and extend battery life while satisfying QoS requirements, considering system aspects and without disclosing potentially confidential UE information.

[0008] Example embodiments of this invention proposes improved operations for poweramplifier efficiency. SUMMARY:

[0009] This section contains examples of possible implementations and is not meant to belimiting.

[0010] In another example aspect of the invention, there is an apparatus, such as a userequipment side apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine an indication of an uplink configuration set from a network node of a communication network; based on the uplink configuration set, determine a proper uplink transmit power targeting power saving, wherein the proper transmit power is determined at least partially based on at least one of user equipment power amplifier efficiency or power consumption and the determined uplink configuration set; and based on the determining, communicate assistance information with the communication network, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving.

[0011] In still another example aspect of the invention, there is a method, comprising:determining an indication of an uplink configuration set from a network node of a communication network; based on the uplink configuration set, determining a proper uplink transmit power targeting power saving, wherein the proper transmit power is determined at least partially based on at least one of user equipment power amplifier efficiency or power consumption and the determined uplink configuration set; and based on the determining, communicating assistance information with the communication network, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving.

[0012] A further example embodiment is an apparatus and a method comprising the apparatusand the method of the previous paragraphs, wherein the uplink configuration set is determined by theapparatus at least partially based on a required quality of service, wherein the configuration set isdetermined based on at least one of downlink control information or a higher layer configuration or amedium access control control element, wherein there is determining its proper uplink transmit power for at least one of a configured or scheduled uplink transmission, wherein there is identifying or obtainingfrom the communication network at least one threshold or range or set of power values, wherein thethreshold considers or reflects or relates to at least one of system aspects or requirements or network tolerance for a uplink transmit power, wherein the network tolerance is for additional interference by a higher uplink transmit power wherein the proper uplink transmit power is below the identified threshold, or within an the identified range, or is one of the power values in the identified set of power values, wherein there is determining a self-tuning power parameter value based on a power amplifier efficiency or power amplifier consumption, wherein this self-tuning power parameter is within the identified rangeor set of power values, wherein there is determining the uplink transmit power adjustment for at least forone of a current or next scheduled uplink transmission within the identified range or set, wherein the configured uplink transmit power for one of a current or next scheduled uplink transmission is equal tothe proper uplink transmit power, wherein there is indicating the proper uplink transmit power using ascaling factor for at least one configuration parameter in uplink power control, wherein the proper uplink transmit power is below the identified threshold, or within an the identified range, or is one of the power values in the identified set of power values, wherein the identified range or set is indicated by the communication network, wherein the indicative parameter of the proper uplink transmit power for powersaving is indicated in at least one power headroom report, wherein the at least one power headroomreport is a medium access control-control element power headroom report for power saving, wherein the at least one power headroom report comprises at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmit power, wherein the at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmit power is an absolute valueof the proper transmit power or a value relative to the maximum configured output power or a valuerelative to the current configured uplink power or a value relative to a communication network indicated threshold, wherein the medium access control-control element power headroom report for power saving is indicated by being communicated with the communication network using a re-purposing of at least onepower headroom report, wherein the medium access control-control element power headroom report forpower saving is indicated by the user equipment at least in one of the following: a difference between the configured uplink transmit power and the proper uplink transmit power is greater than a threshold, or the user equipment active bandwidth part is smaller than a threshold, the user equipment power class iswithin a predefined set, a communication network triggered / requested its transmission, or a timer for thepower headroom for power saving is elapsed, wherein there is one of receiving from the communicationnetwork an acceptable upper uplink power threshold or determining an acceptable upper uplink powerthreshold, and / or wherein based on the acceptable upper uplink power threshold being received from thecommunication network, there is adjusting the proper uplink transmit power to be within a rangecorresponding directly to an upper threshold.

[0013] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code, the program codeexecuted by at least one processor to perform at least the method as described in the paragraphs above.

[0014] In yet another example aspect of the invention, there is an apparatus comprising: meansfor determining an indication of an uplink configuration set from a network node of a communicationnetwork; means, based on the uplink configuration set, for determining a proper uplink transmit power targeting power saving, wherein the proper transmit power is determined at least partially based on at least one of user equipment power amplifier efficiency or power consumption and the determined uplink configuration set; and means, based on the determining, for communicating assistance information with the communication network, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving.

[0015] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, atleast the means for determining, identifying, and communicating comprises a network interface, andcomputer program code stored on a computer-readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0016] In another example aspect of the invention, there is an apparatus, such as a networkside apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:communicate with user equipment of a communication network an indication of an uplink configurationset, and wherein the uplink configuration set is for use in identifying a proper uplink transmit power withpower saving for the user equipment; based on the indication, receive assistance information from the user equipment, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving by the user equipment.

[0017] In still another example aspect of the invention, there is a method, comprising:communicating with user equipment of a communication network an indication of an uplink configurationset, w wherein the uplink configuration set is for use in identifying a proper uplink transmit power withpower saving for the user equipment; based on the indication, receiving assistance information from the user equipment, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving by the user equipment.

[0018] A further example embodiment is an apparatus and a method comprising the apparatusand the method of the previous paragraphs, wherein the uplink configuration set is determined by theapparatus at least partially based on a required quality of service, wherein the uplink configuration set is determined by the apparatus at least partially based on a required quality of service, wherein the uplink configuration set is determined based on different factors comprising at least one of downlink control information or uplink downlink control information with a higher layer configuration, wherein the configuration set is determined based on at least one of downlink control information or a higher layerconfiguration or a medium access control control element, wherein there is providing to the userequipment at least one threshold or range or set of power values, wherein the threshold considers orreflects at least one of the system aspects or network tolerance for a uplink transmit power, wherein the network tolerance is for additional interference by a higher uplink transmit power wherein the properuplink transmit power is below the identified threshold, or within an the identified range, or is one of thepower values in the identified set of power values, wherein the proper uplink transmit power is using aself-tuning power parameter value based on a power amplifier efficiency or power amplifier consumption,wherein this self-tuning power parameter is within the identified range or set of power values, whereinthe configured uplink transmit power adjustment is adjusted for at least for one of a current or next scheduled uplink transmission within the identified range or set, wherein the configured uplink transmit power for one of a current or next scheduled uplink transmission is equal to the proper uplink transmitpower, wherein there is receiving from the user equipment an indication of the proper uplink transmitpower, wherein the proper uplink transmit power is indicated using a scaling factor for at least oneconfiguration parameter in uplink power control, wherein based on the proper uplink transmit power being equal to a beta value bounded by the communication network considering the system aspects, one of:the proper uplink transmit power is adjusted based on the indicated threshold, or the proper uplinktransmit power is not bounded and indicate uplink power, wherein the proper uplink transmit power iswithin a network indicated range or not within a network indicated range, wherein the identified range or set is indicated by the communication network, wherein the indicative parameter of the proper uplinktransmit power for power saving is indicated in at least one power headroom report, wherein the powerheadroom report is a medium access control-control element power headroom report for power saving, wherein the at least one power headroom report comprises at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmit power, wherein the at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmit power is anabsolute value of the proper transmit power or a value relative to the maximum configured output poweror a value relative to the current configured uplink power or a value relative to a communication network indicated threshold, wherein the medium access control-control element power headroom report for power saving is indicated by being communicated with the communication network using a re-purposingof the at least one power headroom report, wherein the medium access control-control element powerheadroom report for power saving is indicated by the user equipment at least in one of the following: a difference between the configured uplink transmit power and the proper uplink transmit power is greater than a threshold, or the user equipment active bandwidth part is smaller than a threshold, the user equipment power class is within a predefined set, a communication network triggered / requested its transmission, ora timer for the power headroom for power saving is elapsed, wherein there is communicating with theuser equipment an acceptable upper uplink power threshold, and / or wherein based on the acceptable upper uplink power threshold is for use to cause the user equipment to adjust the proper uplink transmit power.

[0019] In yet another example aspect of the invention, there is an apparatus comprising: meansfor communicating with user equipment of a communication network an indication of an uplinkconfiguration set, wherein the uplink configuration set is for use in identifying a proper uplink transmitpower with power saving for the user equipment; and means, based on the indication, for receiving assistance information from the user equipment, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving by the user equipment.

[0020] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, atleast the means for communicating, identifying, and receiving comprises a network interface, andcomputer program code stored on a computer-readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0021] A communication system comprising the user equipment side apparatus and the networkside apparatus performing operations as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0022] The above and other aspects, features, and benefits of various embodiments of thepresent disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs are used to designate like or equivalentelements. The drawings are illustrated for facilitating better understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale, in which:

[0023] FIG.1 shows Table 6.2.2-2 Maximum power reduction (MPR) for power class 2;

[0024] FIG.2 shows from a Skyworks paper PAE curves for 5G 3.5 GHz GaAs PA;

[0025] FIG.3 shows a power headroom for an UL transmission;

[0026] FIG.4 Table 9.1.8.4-1: Power headroom report mapping;

[0027] FIG.5 shows an indication in a new power headroom report (PHR) for power saving inaccordance with example embodiments of the invention;

[0028] FIG.6 shows an example signal diagram in accordance with example embodiments ofthe invention;

[0029] FIG.7 shows a high level block diagram of various devices used in carrying out variousaspects of the invention; and

[0030] FIG.8A and FIG.8B each show a method in accordance with example embodiments ofthe invention which may be performed by an apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0031] In example embodiments of this invention there is proposed at least a method andapparatus for network coordination to minimize UE power consumption and extend battery life whileconsidering QoS requirements, system aspects and without disclosing potentially confidential UE information.

[0032] One of the most power-hungry components in gNB and UE devices is in the poweramplifiers, and thus maximizing its efficiency is very critical for better energy efficiency and power saving. The power amplifier efficiency depends on its own architecture (PA class, PA with envelope tracking, Doherty PA, etc.) and other parameters.

[0033] Peak to average power ratio (PAPR) of a PA input signal and linearity / error vectormagnitude (EVM) / adjusted channel leakage ratio (ACLR) / etc. requirements may define the required PA output power backoff (OBO) of PA and, thus, the maximum achievable PA efficiency (at Pcmax) for a given PA architecture and a given waveform / modulation (e.g., high PAPR -> high OBO -> lower PA efficiency). However, the operating input / output power level compared to the maximum input / output power levels of a PA may also impact the instantaneous PA efficiency and power consumption (e.g., battery lifetime). For example, the PA added efficiency (PAE) for a front-end module with duplexer operating between 2.3 GHz and 2.7 GHz for 4G and 5G LTE frequency division duplexing (FDD) / time- division duplexing (TDD) new bands n7, n38, n40, and n41 are illustrated in FIG.2 (see F. Balteanu, “RFFront End Module Architectures for 5G,” 2019 IEEE BiCMOS and Compound Semiconductor IntegratedCircuits and Technology Symposium (BCICTS), Nashville, TN, USA, 2019, pp.1-8). In particular, FIG.2 illustrates PAE curves for 5G n77 / n78 bands 3.5 GHz GaAs PAs.

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the PA architecture with envelope tracking (ET) may enhancePA efficiency at high output powers near the maximum power, but not at low output power. Note that notall UEs have a PA architecture with ET. As seen in FIG.2, PAE at low output power is low even whenthere is advanced PA technology such as, for example, ET with perfect synchronization.

[0035] The technical specifications of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) describeuplink (UL) closed-loop power control where the UE transmit power may be adjusted in UL by the gNBaccording to a configuration provided by the gNB or pathloss. For example, the UE transmit power for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) may be determined based on the following, as stated in 3GPP TS 38.213:, where the transmission power is capped by , which is defined as the UE configured maximum output power. The UE may set the PCMAX,f,c value in each slot, as long as the PCMAX,f,c is set within the bounds: PCMAX_L,f,c ≤ PCMAX,f,c ≤ PCMAX_H,f,c ,where PCMAX_L,f,c = MIN {PEMAX,c– ∆TC,c, (PPowerClass – ΔPPowerClass) –MAX(MAX(MPRc+∆MPRc, A-MPRc)+ ΔTIB,c + ∆TC,c + ∆TRxSRS, P-MPRc) } and PCMAX_H,f,c =MIN {PEMAX,c, PPowerClass – ΔPPowerClass }.

[0036] In this example, the gNB is unaware of the exact PCMAX,f,c (i) in a timely manner thatUE can configure with, since the report of PCMAX,f,c (i) must be carried together with the PHR. Thus,what the gNB can constantly know is the upper and lower bound of PCMAX,f,c (i).

[0037] The UEs may be configured to report PHR using PHR medium access control element(MAC CE). The MAC CE may report the headroom between the current UE Tx power (e.g., estimatedpower) and the nominal UE maximum transmit power as defined in 3GPP TS 38.321, or configuredmaximum power as defined in 3GPP TS 38.101 / 38.213. The PHR reports may support power-aware packet scheduling and allow the network to choose the appropriate UL bandwidth and modulation coding scheme (MCS) on a specific subframe without exceeding the UE power limitations. Additionally, the PHR may indicate an amount of transmission power that is left for a UE to use in addition to the power being used by a current transmission, as illustrated in FIG.3. In particular, FIG.3 illustrates the PHR using an estimated Tx PUSCH power. The PHR reporting range may be from -023 to +40 dB, and the report mapping may have a 1 dB granularity. The determination of the amount of power headroom left over may be represented by the following equation: .

[0038] Currently, UE power consumption optimization and related signaling between the UEand gNB do not consider UE PA characteristics (e.g., efficiency, consumption, etc.). Additionally, there is no 3GPP signaling to the gNB to indicate an assistance information about UE preferred UL power or aproper power that could help reducing UE power consumption. For instance, operating at a low output power may consume more power due to reduced PA efficiency and potential increase of transmissiontime. Furthermore, always operating at maximum power may result in high cell interference and / or UEthermal / battery issues, and the UE may needlessly consume power if there is no data to transmit or QoS requirements are already satisfied. The best operating power for certain QoS may depend on the UE PA efficiency, UE status (e.g., UL buffer), energy consumption characteristics, and system level aspects of the communication system, cell, or network (e.g., interference management, etc.).

[0039] As one non-limiting example, with regard to interference management, the network mayperform interference management by careful scheduling, multiplexing, and resource allocation (in time / frequency / spatial domain) of downlink (DL) and UL transmissions for the UEs and / or by controlling DL and UL transmit powers to reduce all possible interferences (e.g., intra-cell, inter-cell, etc.) while targeting to satisfy the QoS (throughput, latency, etc.) for most UEs. In other examples, the best power operating point may be based on UE efficiency only or based also on the network’s consideration of the overall system aspects such as, for example, interference management. The best power operating point may be based on UE efficiency only in very few cases if any such as, for example: low cell-load; very low UE max power; operating band as FR2 or higher where propagation losses is high and there may be less interference issues, etc. Additionally, if all UEs communicate at the strongest transmit power, they may interfere more with ongoing UL transmissions of other cells and, worse, ongoing DL transmissions of other cells.

[0040] At the gNB, without such assistance information or indication of the proper UL power forthis configuration set, it may not be possible to efficiently optimize the total UE power consumption and boost UE battery life for a given QoS, or optimize UE power configuration by considering its power consumption impact and system level aspects.

[0041] In an example scenario, a ratio may be provided to evaluate UE power consumption.For example, the following expression may be considered:(linear )

[0042] In this example, the PAE may depend on the selected Tx power. The above formulatakes into consideration the ratio of power consumption between a first UL power configuration and a second UL power configuration (denoted by ^^^^^^and ^’^^^^^). PAE is the power added efficiencyof the PA defined as ^^^ = (^^^^^^ – ^^^^^ ) / ^^^ , where the PA output power ^^^^^^ is UL power^^^^^^ and ^^^^^ = ^^^^^^ / ^, where G is the PA gain. By using the above equations, the ratio Rof the power consumptions may be deduced, where k is the linear power ratio between a first UL power(^^^^^^ ) and a second UL power (^’^^^^^) . Additionally, k may be > 1 or < 1 (i.e., power differencebetween a first UL power and a second UL power in dB that may be positive or negative). Although the above example is with PUSCH, it may also be applicable for any UL transmission.

[0043] For a first UL output power of 10 dBm, PAE may be 2.5%, while for a second UL outputpower of the 22 dBm (linear k=16), PAE may be 30%. Thus, the linear ratio of the power consumption between the first and the second UL power configuration may be:

[0044] In other words, there would be 33% more UE power consumption with 16 times higherTx power and, thus, significant interference. Additionally, the UE may exhibit increased thermal / battery issues. Thus, it may not be necessary if there is no new data to transmit or QoS is satisfied at lower power with less interference.

[0045] Example embodiments of the invention address at least the following:

[0046] How gNB and UE coordinate to minimize UE power consumption and extend battery lifewhile considering QoS requirements, system aspects and without disclosing potentially confidential UE information?

[0047] The proposed solutions in accordance with example embodiments of the inventionimpact following at least the above examples of problems with standards at the time of this application.

[0048] Before describing the example embodiments as disclosed herein in detail, reference ismade to FIG.7 for illustrating a simplified block diagram of various electronic devices that are suitable for use in practicing the example embodiments of this invention.

[0049] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting exemplary system inwhich the example embodiments may be practiced. In FIG.7, a user equipment (UE) 10 is in wireless communication with a wireless network 1 or network, 1 as in FIG.7. The wireless network 1 or network 1 as in FIG.7 can comprise a communication network such as a mobile network e.g., the mobile network 1 or first mobile network as disclosed herein. Any reference herein to a wireless network 1 as in FIG.7 can be seen as a reference to any wireless network as disclosed herein. Further, the wireless network 1 as in FIG.7 can also comprises hardwired features as may be required by a communication network. A UE is a wireless, typically mobile device that can access a wireless network. The UE, for example, may be a mobile phone (or called a "cellular" phone) and / or a computer with a mobile terminal function. Forexample, the UE or mobile terminal may also be a portable, pocket, handheld, computer-embedded or vehicle-mounted mobile device and performs a language signaling and / or data exchange with the RAN.

[0050] The UE 10 includes one or more processors DP 10A, one or more memories MEM 10B,and one or more transceivers TRANS 10D interconnected through one or more buses. Each of the one or more transceivers TRANS 10D includes a receiver and a transmitter. The one or more buses may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. The one or more transceivers TRANS 10D which can be optionally connected to one or more antennas for communication to NN 12 and NN 13, respectively. The one or more memories MEM 10B include computer program code PROG 10C. The UE 10 communicates with NN 12 and / or NN 13 via a wireless link 11 or 16.

[0051] The NN 12 (NR / 5G / 6G Node B, an evolved NB, or LTE device) is a network node suchas a master or secondary node base station (e.g., for NR or LTE long term evolution) that communicates with devices such as NN 13 and UE 10 of FIG.7. The NN 12 provides access to wireless devices such as the UE 10 to the wireless network 1. The NN 12 includes one or more processors DP 12A, one or more memories MEM 12B, and one or more transceivers TRANS 12D interconnected through one or more buses. In accordance with the example embodiments these TRANS 12D can include X2 and / or Xn interfaces for use to perform the example embodiments. Each of the one or more transceivers TRANS 12D includes a receiver and a transmitter. The one or more transceivers TRANS 12D can be optionally connected to one or more antennas for communication over at least link 11 with the UE 10. The one or more memories MEM 12B and the computer program code PROG 12C are configured to cause, with the one or more processors DP 12A, the NN 12 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The NN 12 may communicate with another gNB or eNB, or a device such as the NN 13 such as via link 16 or link 18. Further, the link 11, link 16 and / or any other link may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, e.g., an X2 or Xn interface. Further the link 11 and / or link 16 and / or link 18 may be through other network devices such as, but not limited to an NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14 device as in FIG.7. The NN 12 may perform functionalities of an MME (Mobility Management Entity) or SGW (Serving Gateway), such as a User Plane Functionality, and / or an Access Management functionality for LTE and similar functionality for 5G or 6G.

[0052] The NN 13 can be for WiFi or Bluetooth or other wireless device associated with amobility function device such as an AMF or SMF, further the NN 13 may comprise a NR / 5G / 6G Node B or possibly an evolved NB a base station such as a master or secondary node base station (e.g., for NR or LTE long term evolution) that communicates with devices such as the NN 12 and / or UE 10 and / or thewireless network 1. The NN 13 includes one or more processors DP 13A, one or more memories MEM 13B, one or more network interfaces, and one or more transceivers TRANS 13D interconnected through one or more buses. In accordance with the example embodiments these network interfaces of NN 13 can include X2 and / or Xn interfaces for use to perform the example embodiments. Each of the one or more transceivers TRANS 13D includes a receiver and a transmitter that can optionally be connected to one or more antennas. The one or more memories MEM 13B include computer program code PROG 13C. For instance, the one or more memories MEM 13B and the computer program code PROG 13C are configured to cause, with the one or more processors DP 13A, the NN 13 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The NN 13 may communicate with another mobility function device and / or eNB such as the NN 12 and the UE 10 or any other device using, e.g., link 11 or link 16 or link 18 or another link. The link 16 or link 18 as shown in FIG.7 can be used for communication with the NN12. These links maybe wired or wireless or both and may implement, e.g., an X2 or Xn interface. Further, as stated above the link 11 and / or link 16 and / or link 18 may be through other network devices such as, but not limited to an NCE / MME / SGW device such as the NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14 of FIG.7.

[0053] The one or more buses of the device of FIG.7 may be address, data, or control buses,and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers TRANS 12D, TRANS 13D and / or TRANS 10D may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH), with the other elements of the NN 12 being physically in a different location from the RRH, and these devices can include one or more buses that could be implemented in part as fiber optic cable to connect the other elements of the NN 12 to a RRH.

[0054] It is noted that although FIG.7 shows a network nodes such as NN 12 and NN 13, anyof these nodes may can incorporate or be incorporated into an eNodeB or eNB or gNB such as for LTE and NR, and would still be configurable to perform example embodiments.

[0055] Also it is noted that description herein indicates that “cells” perform functions, but itshould be clear that the gNB that forms the cell and / or a user equipment and / or mobility managementfunction device that will perform the functions. In addition, the cell makes up part of a gNB, and therecan be multiple cells per gNB.

[0056] The wireless network 1 or any network it can represent may or may not include aNCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14 that may include (NCE) network control element functionality, MME (Mobility Management Entity) / SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality, and / or servinggateway (SGW), and / or MME (Mobility Management Entity) and / or SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality,and / or user data management functionality (UDM), and / or PCF (Policy Control) functionality, and / or Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) functionality, and / or Session Management (SMF)functionality, and / or Location Management Function (LMF), and / or Authentication Server (AUSF)functionality and which provides connectivity with a further network, such as a telephone network and / or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet), and which is configured to perform any 5G, 6G, and / or NR operations in addition to or instead of other standard operations at the time of this application. The NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14 is configurable to perform operations in accordance with example embodiments in any of an LTE, NR, 5G, 6G, and / or any standards based communication technologies being performed or discussed at the time of this application. In addition, it is noted that the operations in accordance with example embodiments, as performed by the NN 12 and / or NN 13, may also be performed at the NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14.

[0057] The NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14 includes one or more processorsDP 14A, one or more memories MEM 14B, and one or more network interfaces (N / W I / F(s)), interconnected through one or more buses coupled with the link 13 and / or link 16 and / or link 18. In accordance with the example embodiments these network interfaces can include X2 and / or Xn interfaces for use to perform the example embodiments. The one or more memories MEM 14B include computer program code PROG 14C. The one or more memories MEM14B and the computer program code PROG 14C are configured to, with the one or more processors DP 14A, cause the NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14 to perform one or more operations which may be needed to support the operations in accordance with the example embodiments.

[0058] It is noted that that the NN 12 and / or NN 13 and / or UE 10 can be configured (e.g. basedon standards implementations etc.) to perform functionality of a Location Management Function (LMF). The LMF functionality may be embodied in any of these network devices or other devices associated with these devices. In addition, an LMF such as the LMF of the MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14 of FIG.7, as at least described below, can be co-located with UE 10 such as to be separate from the NN 12 and / or NN 13 of FIG. 7 for performing operations in accordance with example embodiments as disclosed herein.

[0059] The wireless Network 1 may implement network virtualization, which is the process ofcombining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software- based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as either external, combining many networks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities that result from the networkvirtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware such as processors DP10, DP12A, DP13A, and / or DP14A and memories MEM 10B, MEM 12B, MEM 13B, and / or MEM 14B, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects.

[0060] The computer readable memories MEM 12B, MEM 13B, and MEM 14B may be of anytype suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. Thecomputer readable memories MEM 12B, MEM 13B, and MEM 14B may be means for performing storagefunctions. The processors DP10, DP12A, DP13A, and DP14A may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The processors DP10, DP12A, DP13A, and DP14Amay be means for performing functions, such as controlling the UE 10, NN 12, NN 13, and other functionsas described herein.

[0061] In general, various embodiments of any of these devices can include, but are not limitedto, cellular telephones such as smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers having wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, tablets with wireless communication capabilities, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions.

[0062] Further, the various embodiments of any of these devices can be used with a UE vehicle,a High Altitude Platform Station, or any other such type node associated with a terrestrial network or any drone type radio or a radio in aircraft or other airborne vehicle or a vessel that travels on water such as a boat.

[0063] As similarly indicated above, the proposed solutions in accordance with exampleembodiments of the invention impact following at least the above examples of problems with standards at the time of this application.

[0064] In view of the drawbacks exhibited by power configuration by NW without PA efficiencyor consumption consideration, certain example embodiments may provide a way for the gNB and UE to coordinate with each other in an effort to minimize UE power consumption to save UE power and battery life. Certain example embodiments the network may consider system aspects (e.g., intra / inter-cellinterference, network / cell-capacity or spectral efficiency, network / cell-power consumption, network / cell- load, current and other UEs coverage or throughput or latency impact, etc.) and quality of service during the coordination between the UE and gNB, without disclosing potentially confidential UE information to gNB.

[0065] In view of the example scenario described above, according to certain exampleembodiments, when NW has an assistance information which is indicative of an appropriate UL transmit power for power saving with a pre-determined configuration set, or when UE is allowed to adjust its UL transmit power based on its PA efficiency (e.g., using a self-power tuning parameter ) within a pre- determined range considering system aspects such as interference management, a third power configuration determined based at least partially on UE PA power consumption (e.g., determined at UEas the proper UL power or at NW based on UE indication of the proper UL power) may be 16 dBm (k=4with respect to the first UL power of 10 dBm) where PAE at the third UL power is 12.5%.

[0066] Thus, the relative power consumption between the first and the third transmit power (thefirst transmit power is the reference and its consumption is the denominator) may be represented as R = 4*2.5 / 12.5 = 0.8. This means that the relative UE power consumption of both configurations is R=4*2.5 / 12.5=0.8, and there is 20% less UE power consumption, while using 4 times (e.g., 16 dBm) higher output power than first UL power (e.g., 10 dBm) to transmit more data or avoid potential hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) / repetition latency.

[0067] In this invention, there is proposed methods in accordance with example embodimentsof the invention for allowing UE to save more power while considering system aspects constraints (e.g., interference management), potentially reduce latency and / or increase throughput.

[0068] The proposed methods could be seen as NW controlled UE centric self-poweroptimization to minimize the burden at NW while maintaining the full control of UE Tx power at NW.

[0069] In accordance with example embodiments of the invention, the gNB woulddetermine / indicate a UL configuration satisfying UE required QoS and control the initial UE Tx power, and then UE would follow a reactive approach to optimize its power consumption.

[0070] On a high level, two of the main aspects include (more specific details are disclosedbelow): 1. UE determines an optimal operating power (or a proper UL power) for at least one of theconfigured / scheduled UL transmission(s) ^NW may pre-indicate or configure an upper threshold or bound(s), where this threshold orbound(s) may consider / reflect the system aspects (e.g., interference management),^ UE may be allowed to adjust its UL power within the range (corresponding tothe upper threshold or bound) directly, i.e., UE self-tuning power parameter within NW indicated bound is added to eq. (1) as shown in new equation (2). The self-tuning parameter (value) is determined by the UE in such a way to optimize its power consumption (i.e., with respect to batter life, power saving aspect, etc.):2. UE may, e.g., for the purpose of optimizing power consumption, indicate its preferred outputpower or the proper UL power (within NW indicated range or not) implicitly or indirectly (e.g.,using a scaling factor for a configuration parameters in P_PUSCH eq. (1)) or explicitly as a power-based parameter for example as shown in Fig.5

[0071] In accordance with example embodiments of the invention the NW may then considerthis UE assistance information of the proper UL power, the system level aspects, and UL interference management, etc., and determines / indicates a new Tx power (e.g., TPC, additional UE margin). NW may save this assistance information for future UL scheduling.

[0072] In accordance with example embodiments of the invention, an UL transmit power maybe the power determined by UE based on the UL power control formula. In accordance with example embodiments of the invention, self-tuning power used in claim 8 (e.g., beta) may be a power parameter determined by the UE based on a power amplifier efficiency or power consumption, and / or UL proper power for power saving may be determined by the UE based on the UL configuration set and the power amplifier efficiency or power consumption.

[0073] Some main steps in accordance with example embodiments of the invention areconsidering different possible methods allowing UE power saving.

[0074] For example these steps can include operations such as:1. UE capability indication related to self-power optimization and indication of the proper UL Txpower, 2. NW may request assistance information,3. NW may determine and indicate to UE the acceptable upper UL power threshold (or a range)that consider the system aspects (e.g., interference management, etc.):^ The threshold(s) could be adjusted by NW more or less frequently according tosystem aspects, cell load, etc., ^This indication could be UE-specific, cell-specific or for UE group (e.g.,RedCap, IoT, etc.) as a maximum power variation compared to the current configured power; 4. UE determines an optimal Tx output power (the proper UL power) for a given UL configurationset (M_RB, MCS, etc.): ^If NW indicated a threshold or range in step 3 above (NW controlled UE self-power tuning), the UE may adjust its UL power as follows: ^^^^^^,^,^,^(^,^,^^ ,^) = min {^^^^^,^,^ (^),^^^^^^^^,^,^,^(^)+^^,^,^(^, ^) + ^ } [^^^] (2),where the additional term ^ in the above equation is a UE self-power tuning parameter for UE self-power consumption optimization bounded by the NW indicated threshold or range to consider systemaspects (e.g., interference management): 0 ≤ ^ ≤be any value even negative.

[0075] In this embodiment, in accordance with example embodiments of the invention UEdetermines the best ^ within the defined boundaries and may apply it for UL transmissions immediately,and / or indicate it to NW so that NW may consider adjusting UL configuration / scheduling or confirm it via TPC.

[0076] Alternatively or additionally, UE indicates its proper UL power (recommended / preferredoutput power) implicitly (or explicitly):

[0077] This indication could be indicated in a new PHR report for power saving with newpreferred power headroom field ^^^^^^^^^^^ based on ^^^^^^^^^^^^^in (1) and relative to ^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^not ^^^^^(this option allows finer granularity with limited number of bits) or directly as an absolute value ^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^(the proper UL power), or X relative to Pcmax independent of current ^^^^^^^^^^^^^and PL but still depending on current scheduling due to Pcmax dependency (e.g., MPR), example using PUSCH but no restriction), or a value relative the NW indicated power threshold if any.

[0078] Note that ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^ (i.e., bounded by NW to considersystem aspects) and thus the other possible indications (X or ^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^) are adjusted accordingly if NWindicated a threshold / range. Otherwise, ^^^^^^^^^^^maybe not bounded and NW consider the system aspects and indicate UL power in a next step.

[0079] Such information could be sent in a new dedicated PHR for UE power or in alternationwith 5G NR legacy PHR, or as an independent PHR for UE power saving or jointly with legacy PHR by adding new field(s). For separate case, this power saving PHR report could be sent by re-purposing of virtual-PHR, related reporting conditions and triggering.

[0080] This power saving PHR report could be restricted for specific UEs (Redcap, IoT or whenUE is in low-battery mode, etc.), and thus could be conditioned to certain use cases (e.g., operation in small BWP for low power UEs, specific power class(es) (e.g., excludes PC1 used for FWA)).

[0081] This report could be aperiodic triggered or conditioned for example based on a threshold:≥ ^ℎ^^^ℎ^^^ (i.e., if current power is far from optimal one), or after BWPswitching to pre-determined BWP set or size, or after certain period / timer of UL configuration update impacting ^^^^^^^^^^^^^in (1), etc..

[0082] Alternatively or additionally, UE may indicate its preferred power adjustment state or self-power tuning parameter (e.g., ^) more dynamically in Uplink Control Information using few bits that couldbe seen as recommended TPC.

[0083] Alternatively, UE indicates implicitly the proper UL transmit power by a scaling factor fora parameter involved in P_PUSCH equation (e.g., scaling factor for PRB allocation, etc,).

[0084] The above indication(s) from the UE may be configured to be transmitted per cell / CC orper multiple cells / CCs, or per UL transmission or per multiple (overlapping) UL transmissions, or per TRP (transmission-reception point).

[0085] In accordance with example embodiments of the invention the NW determines andindicates a new UL scheduling or power configuration: ^by TPC command (NW determined UL power tuning value and indicatedexplicitly), or ^by updating PRB allocation, MCS or other parameters in P_PUSCH formula,(NW determined UL power tuning value and indicated implicitly).

[0086] In accordance with example embodiments of the invention UE adjusts its power for nextUL transmission(s) upon NW confirmation using current P_PUSCH , or without it when it’s within the NWindicated allowed power range using the new P_PUSCH in (2). Please note that in accordance withexample embodiments of the invention this example considered PUSCH but it is also applicable for any UL transmission.

[0087] Different methods for NW controlled UE centric self-power optimization could be derivedbased on a subset of the above operations).

[0088] FIG.6 shows Example of signalling diagram in accordance with example embodimentsof the invention. FIG.6 shows signalling between a UE 10, such as the UE 10 of FIG.7, and a gNB 12 / 13 of a communication network, such as the NN 12 or the NN 13 as in FIG.7.

[0089] As shown in block 610 of FIG 6 the gNB 12 / 13 of the communication network schedulesand uplink (UL) transmission and send the UL grant to the UE, the communication network may indicate an indicative value for allowed UL power variation threshold and / or range for a new parameter in a power control equation considering system aspects (e.g., interference). As shown in block 620 of FIG.6 the UE 10 receives the configuration and determines the preferred or proper power at least partially based oncurrent scheduling and the obtained configuration. As shown in block 640 of FIG.6 the UE 10 performsat least one of the following: the UE 10 determines the UL power at least based on the indicated UL power variation threshold and / or range and current UL scheduling configuration; and / or the UE 10 reports the determined assistance information to the communication network, such as an indicative value for preferred output power for current UL configuration and / or scheduling. As shown in block 650 of FIG.6 the gNB 12 / 13 of the communication network determines a new power configuration and / or a new UL scheduling based on UE reported assistance information (if any) while considering system level and / or gNB and / or cell constraints, such as DTx / DRX, cell load, and / or interference management etc. As shown in step 660 of FIG.6 the gNB 12 / 13 of the communication network may indicate a new UL scheduling and / or UL power, such as TPC command, at least based on the indicated assistance information.

[0090] FIG.8A and FIG.8B each show a method in accordance with example embodiments ofthe invention which may be performed by an apparatus.

[0091] FIG. 8A illustrates operations which may be performed by a device such as, but notlimited to, a device such as a network device (e.g., the UE 10 as in FIG.7). As shown in block 805 of FIG.8A there is determining an indication of an uplink configuration set from a network node of a communication network. As shown in block 815 of FIG.8A there is, based on the uplink configuration set, determining a proper uplink transmit power targeting power saving. As shown in block 820 of FIG. 8A wherein the proper transmit power is determined at least partially based on at least one of user equipment power amplifier efficiency or power consumption and the determined uplink configuration set. As shown in block 825 of FIG. 8A there is, based on the determining, communicating assistance information with the communication network. Then as shown in block 830 of FIG. 8A wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving.

[0092] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above,wherein the uplink configuration set is determined by the apparatus at least partially based on a required quality of service.

[0093] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the configuration set is determined based on at least one of downlink control information or ahigher layer configuration or a medium access control control element.

[0094] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein there is determining its proper uplink transmit power for at least one of a configured or scheduled uplink transmission.

[0095] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein there is identifying or obtaining from the communication network at least one threshold or rangeor set of power values.

[0096] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphsabove,wherein the threshold considers or reflects or relates to at least one of system aspects or requirements or network tolerance for a uplink transmit power.

[0097] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the threshold considers or reflects at least one of the system aspects or network tolerance for a uplink transmit power.

[0098] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the network tolerance is for additional interference by a higher uplink transmit power. ‘

[0099] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the proper uplink transmit power is within an identified range or set.

[0100] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the proper uplink transmit power is below the identified threshold, or within an the identified range, or is one of the power values in the identified set of power values.

[0101] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein there is determining a self-tuning power parameter value based on a power amplifier efficiency or power amplifier consumption.

[0102] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein this self-tuning power parameter is within the identified range or set of power values.

[0103] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein there determining the uplink transmit power adjustment for at least for one of a current or nextscheduled uplink transmission within the identified range or set.

[0104] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the identified range or set is at least partially based at least on the self-tuning parameter whichis within the identified range or set of power values.

[0105] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the configured uplink transmit power for one of a current or next scheduled uplink transmission is equal to the proper uplink transmit power.

[0106] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein there is indicating the proper uplink transmit power using a scaling factor for at least one configuration parameter in uplink power control.

[0107] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the proper uplink transmit power is within a network indicated range or not within a network indicated range.

[0108] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the identified range or set is indicated by the communication network.

[0109] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the indicative parameter of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving is indicated in atleast one power headroom report.

[0110] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the at least one power headroom report comprises a medium access control-control elementpower headroom report for power saving.

[0111] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the at least one power headroom report comprises at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmit power.

[0112] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmit power is an absolute value of theproper transmit power or a value relative to the maximum configured output power or a value relative tothe current configured uplink power or a value relative to a communication network indicated threshold.

[0113] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the communication network indicated threshold may be using a value relative to the communication network indicated threshold.

[0114] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the medium access control-control element power headroom report for power saving is indicatedby being communicated with the communication network using a re-purposing of the at least one powerheadroom report.

[0115] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the medium access control-control element power headroom report for power saving is indicated by the user equipment at least in one of the following: a difference between the configured uplink transmit power and the proper uplink transmit power is greater than a threshold, or the user equipment active bandwidth part is smaller than a threshold, the user equipment power class is within a predefined set, a communication network triggered / requested its transmission, or a timer for the power headroom for power saving is elapsed.

[0116] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein there is one of receiving from the communication network an acceptable upper uplink power threshold or determining an acceptable upper uplink power threshold.

[0117] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein based on the acceptable upper uplink power threshold being received from the communication network, there is adjusting the proper uplink transmit power to be within a range corresponding directly to an upper threshold.

[0118] A non-transitory computer-readable medium (MEM 10B as in FIG. 7) storing programcode (PROG 10C of as in FIG.7), the program code executed by at least one processor (DP 10A as in FIG.7) to perform the operations as at least described in the paragraphs above.

[0119] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described above thereis an apparatus comprising: means for determining (one or more transceivers 10D; MEM 10B; PROG 10C; and DP 10A as in FIG.7) an indication of an uplink configuration set from a network node (NN12 and / or NN13 as in FIG.7) of a communication network (Network 1 as in FIG.7); means, based on theuplink configuration set, for determining (one or more transceivers 10D; MEM 10B; PROG 10C; and DP10A as in FIG.7) a proper uplink transmit power targeting power saving, wherein the proper transmit power is determined (one or more transceivers 10D; MEM 10B; PROG 10C; and DP 10A as in FIG.7) at least partially based on at least one of user equipment power amplifier efficiency or power consumption and the determined uplink configuration set; and means, based on the determining, for communicating (one or more transceivers 10D; MEM 10B; PROG 10C; and DP 10A as in FIG.7) assistance information with the communication network, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving.

[0120] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, atleast the means for determining, identifying, and communicating comprises a network interface, andcomputer program code stored on a computer-readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0121] FIG. 8B illustrates operations which may be performed by a device such as, but notlimited to, a device such as a network device (e.g., the NN12 and / or NN13 as in FIG.7). As shown inblock 850 of FIG. 8B there is communicating with user equipment of a communication network anindication of an uplink configuration set. As shown in block 860 of FIG.8B wherein the uplink configurationset is for use in identifying a proper uplink transmit power targeting power saving for the user equipment.As shown in block 865 of FIG.8B there is, based on the indication, receiving assistance information from the user equipment. Then as shown in block 870 of FIG.8B wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving by the user equipment.

[0122] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above,wherein the uplink configuration set is determined by the apparatus at least partially based on a required quality of service

[0123] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the uplink configuration set is determined by the apparatus at least partially based on a required quality of service.

[0124] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the uplink configuration set is determined based on different factors comprising at least one of downlink control information or uplink downlink control information with a higher layer configuration.

[0125] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the configuration set is determined based on at least one of downlink control information or ahigher layer configuration or a medium access control control element.

[0126] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein there is providing to the user equipment at least one threshold or range or set of power values.

[0127] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the threshold considers or reflects at least one of the system aspects or network tolerance for a uplink transmit power.

[0128] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the network tolerance is for additional interference by a higher uplink transmit power.

[0129] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the proper uplink transmit power is within an identified range or set.

[0130] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the proper uplink transmit power is using a self-tuning power parameter value based on a poweramplifier efficiency or power amplifier consumption.

[0131] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein this self-tuning power parameter is within the identified range or set of power values.

[0132] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the configured uplink transmit power adjustment is determined for at least for one of a current or next scheduled uplink transmission within the identified range or set.

[0133] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the identified range or set is at least partially based at least on the self-tuning parameter whichis within the identified range or set of power values.

[0134] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the configured uplink transmit power for one of a current or next scheduled uplink transmission is equal to the proper uplink transmit power.

[0135] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein there is receiving from the user equipment an indication of the proper uplink transmit power.

[0136] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the proper uplink transmit power is indicated using a scaling factor for at least one configurationparameter in uplink power control.

[0137] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein based on the proper uplink transmit power being equal to a beta value bounded by the communication network considering the system aspects, one of: the proper uplink transmit power isadjusted based on the indicated threshold, or the proper uplink transmit power is not bounded andindicate uplink power.

[0138] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the proper uplink transmit power is within a network indicated range or not within a network indicated range.

[0139] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the identified range or set is indicated by the communication network.

[0140] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the indicative parameter of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving is indicated in atleast one power headroom report.

[0141] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the at least one power headroom report is a medium access control-control element power headroom report for power saving.

[0142] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the at least one power headroom report comprises at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmit power.

[0143] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmit power is an absolute value of theproper transmit power or a value relative to the maximum configured output power or a value relative tothe current configured uplink power or a value relative to a communication network indicated threshold.

[0144] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the communication network indicated threshold may be using a value relative to the communication network indicated threshold.

[0145] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs abovewherein the medium access control-control element power headroom report for power saving is indicated by being communicated with the communication network using a re-purposing of the at least one powerheadroom report.

[0146] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein the medium access control-control element power headroom report for power saving is indicated by the user equipment at least in one of the following: a difference between the configured uplink transmit power and the proper uplink transmit power is greater than a threshold, or the user equipment active bandwidth part is smaller than a threshold, the user equipment power class is within a predefined set, a communication network triggered / requested its transmission, or a timer for the power headroom for power saving is elapsed.

[0147] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein there is communicating with the user equipment an acceptable upper uplink power threshold.

[0148] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above,wherein based on the acceptable upper uplink power threshold is for use to cause the user equipment to adjust the proper uplink transmit power.

[0149] A non-transitory computer-readable medium (MEM 12B / and / or MEM 13B as in FIG.7)storing program code (PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C as in FIG.7), the program code executed by at least one processor (DP 12A and / or DP 13A as in FIG.7) to perform the operations as at least described in the paragraphs above.

[0150] In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described above thereis an apparatus comprising: means for communicating (DP 12A and / or DP 13A, PROG 12C and / or PROG13C, and MEM 12B / and / or MEM 13B as in FIG.7) with user equipment (UE 10 as in FIG.7) of acommunication network (Network 1 as in FIG.7) an indication of an uplink configuration set, wherein theuplink configuration set is for use in identifying (DP 12A and / or DP 13A, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C,and MEM 12B / and / or MEM 13B as in FIG.7) a proper uplink transmit power targeting (DP 12A and / orDP 13A, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C, and MEM 12B / and / or MEM 13B as in FIG.7) power saving forthe user equipment; and means, based on the indication, for receiving (DP 12A and / or DP 13A, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C, and MEM 12B / and / or MEM 13B as in FIG.7) assistance information from the user equipment, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving by the user equipment.

[0151] In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, atleast the means for communicating, identifying, and receiving comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B as in FIG.7] encoded with a computer program [PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C as in FIG.7] executable by at least one processor [DP 12A and / or DP 13A as in FIG.7].

[0152] Advantages of example embodiments of the invention at least include:^ UE power saving and / or UL energy efficiency enhancement while considering system levelaspects (e.g., interference management); and ^Potential throughput enhancements and / or latency reduction.

[0153] Further, in accordance with example embodiments of the invention there is circuitry forperforming operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein. This circuitry can include any type of circuitry including content coding circuitry, content decoding circuitry, processing circuitry, image generation circuitry, data analysis circuitry, etc.). Further, this circuitry can include discrete circuitry, application-specific integrated circuitry (ASIC), and / or field-programmable gatearray circuitry (FPGA), etc. as well as a processor specifically configured by software to perform therespective function, or dual-core processors with software and corresponding digital signal processors, etc.). Additionally, there are provided necessary inputs to and outputs from the circuitry, the function performed by the circuitry and the interconnection (perhaps via the inputs and outputs) of the circuitrywith other components that may include other circuitry in order to perform example embodiments of theinvention as described herein.

[0154] In accordance with example embodiments of the invention as disclosed in thisapplication this application, the “circuitry” provided can include at least one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digitalcircuitry);(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware; and(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)),software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions, such as functions or operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein); and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.”

[0155] In accordance with example embodiments of the invention, there is adequate circuitryfor performing at least novel operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention asdisclosed in this application, this `circuitry` as may be used herein refers to at least the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry); and (b) to combinations of circuits and software (and / or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s) / software (including digital signalprocessor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobilephone or server, to perform various functions); and (c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

[0156] This definition of `circuitry` applies to all uses of this term in this application, including inany claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

[0157] In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or specialpurpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which maybe executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is notlimited thereto. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0158] Embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in various components such asintegrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process.Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into asemiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0159] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, orillustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. All of the embodiments described in this DetailedDescription are exemplary embodiments provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use theinvention and not to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.

[0160] The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examplesa full and informative description of the best method and apparatus presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may becomeapparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of example embodiments of this invention will still fall within the scope of this invention.

[0161] It should be noted that the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof, meanany connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements, and may encompass the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" together. The coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As employed herein two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" together by the use of one or more wires, cables and / or printed electrical connections, as well as by the use of electromagnetic energy, such as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radiofrequency region, the microwave region and the optical (both visible and invisible) region, as severalnon-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0162] Furthermore, some of the features of the preferred embodiments of this invention couldbe used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description should be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, and not in limitation thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine an indication of an uplink configuration set from a network node of a communication network; based on the uplink configuration set, determine a proper uplink transmit power targeting power saving, wherein the proper transmit power is determined at least partially based on at least one of user equipment power amplifier efficiency or power consumption and the determined uplink configuration set; and based on the determining, communicate assistance information with the communication network, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the uplink configuration set is comprised atleast partially in an uplink scheduling grant.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the configuration set is determined based onat least one of downlink control information or a higher layer configuration or a medium access controlcontrol element.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory isstoring instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine the proper uplink transmit power for at least one of a configured or scheduleduplink transmission.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory isstoring instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: identify or obtain from the communication network at least onethreshold or range or set of power values,wherein the threshold considers or reflects or relates to at least one of system aspects orrequirements or network tolerance for a uplink transmit power.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the network tolerance is for additional interference by ahigher uplink transmit power.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the proper uplink transmit power is below the identifiedthreshold, or within the identified range, or is one of the power values in the identified set of powervalues.

8. The apparatus according to anyone of claims 5-7, wherein the at least one non-transitorymemory is storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine a self-tuning power parameter value based on a power amplifier efficiency or power amplifier consumption, wherein this self-tuning power parameter is within the identified range or set of power values.

9. The apparatus according to anyone of claims 1-8, wherein the at least one non-transitorymemory is storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine the uplink transmit power for at least one of configured or scheduled uplinktransmission.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the configured uplink transmit power for at least one of scheduled uplink transmissionis equal to the proper uplink transmit power.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory is storinginstructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: indicate the proper uplink transmit power using a scaling factor for at least one configuration parameter in uplink power control.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indicative parameter of the proper uplink transmit powerfor power saving is indicated in at least one power headroom report.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one power headroom report comprises amedium access control-control element power headroom report for power saving, wherein the at least one power headroom report comprises at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmit power.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmit power is an absolute value of the proper transmit power or a value relative to the maximum configured output power or a value relative to the current configured uplink power or a value relative to the communication network indicated threshold.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the medium access control-control element powerheadroom report for power saving is indicated by being communicated with the communication networkusing a re-purposing of at least one power headroom report.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the medium access control-control element powerheadroom report for power saving is indicated by the user equipment at least in one of the following:a difference between the configured uplink transmit power and the proper uplink transmit power is greater than a threshold, or the user equipment active bandwidth part is smaller than a threshold, the user equipment power class is within a predefined set, a communication network triggered / requested its transmission, or a timer for the at least one power headroom report for power saving is elapsed.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory isstoring instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: one of receive from the communication network an acceptable upper uplink power threshold or determine an acceptable upper uplink power threshold.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein based on the acceptable upper uplink power thresholdbeing received from the communication network, the at least one non-transitory memory is storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: adjust the proper uplink transmit power to be within a range corresponding directly to an upper threshold.

19. A method, comprising:determining an indication of an uplink configuration set from a network node of a communication network, wherein the uplink configuration set is comprised at least partially in an uplink scheduling grant; based on the uplink configuration set, determining a proper uplink transmit power targeting power saving, wherein the proper transmit power is determined at least partially based on at least one of user equipment power amplifier efficiency or power consumption and the determined uplink configuration set; and based on the determining, communicating assistance information with the communication network, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving.

20. An apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: communicate with user equipment of a communication network an indication of an uplinkconfiguration set, wherein the uplink configuration set is for use in identifying a proper uplink transmit powertargeting power saving for the user equipment; based on the indication, receive assistance information from the user equipment, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving by the user equipment.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the uplink configuration set is determined by the apparatusat least partially based on a required quality of service.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the configuration set is indicated byat least one of downlink control information or a higher layer configuration or a medium access controlcontrol element.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory isstoring instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: provide to the user equipment at least one threshold or range or set of power values,wherein the threshold considers or reflects at least one of the system aspects or network tolerance for a uplink transmit power.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the network tolerance is for additional interference by ahigher uplink transmit power.

25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory isstoring instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive from the user equipment an indication of the proper uplink transmit power,wherein the proper uplink transmit power is indicated using a scaling factor for at least oneconfiguration parameter in uplink power control.

26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the proper uplink transmit power is below the providedthreshold or within the provided range, or is one of the power values in the provided set of power values.

27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the indicative parameter of the properuplink transmit power for power saving is indicated in at least one power headroom report.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the at least one power headroom report is a mediumaccess control-control element power headroom report for power saving, wherein the at least one power headroom report comprises at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmit power.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one field indicative of the proper uplink transmitpower is an absolute value of the proper transmit power or a value relative to the maximum configuredoutput power or a value relative to the current configured uplink power or a value relative to a communication network indicated threshold.

30. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory is storinginstructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine an uplink configured power or scheduling based at least partially on the properuplink transmit power.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the medium access control-control element powerheadroom report for power saving is indicated by the user equipment using a re-purposing of the atleast one power headroom report.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the medium access control-control element powerheadroom report for power saving is indicated by the user equipment at least in one of the following:a difference between the configured uplink transmit power and the proper uplink transmit power is greater than a threshold, or the user equipment active bandwidth part is smaller than a threshold, the user equipment power class is within a predefined set, a communication network triggered / requested its transmission, or atimer for the power headroom report for power saving is elapsed.

33. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory is storinginstructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: communicate with the user equipment an acceptable upper uplink power threshold.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein based on the acceptable upper uplink power threshold isfor use to cause the user equipment to adjust the proper uplink transmit power.

35. A method, comprising:communicating with user equipment of a communication network an indication of an uplinkconfiguration set, wherein the uplink configuration set is for use in identifying a proper uplink transmit powertargeting power saving for the user equipment; based on the indication, receiving assistance information from the user equipment, wherein the assistance information is indicative of the proper uplink transmit power for power saving by the user equipment.

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