Buck switching for fast adaptive power tracking

Abstract

The apparatus may be a network device such as a base station or a component thereof configured to provide, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a power amplifier (PA) of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot and to obtain, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot immediately following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot. The apparatus may further be configured to switch, during a first symbol of the second slot immediately following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, where the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage.

Description

Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 1BUCK SWITCHING FOR FAST ADAPTIVE POWER TRACKINGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Israel Patent Application Serial No. 315063, entitled “BUCK SWITCHING FOR FAST ADAPTIVE POWER TRACKING” and filed on August 18, 2024, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly, to aspects of power amplification for wireless communication.INTRODUCTION

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple-access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0004] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. An example telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of a continuous mobile broadband evolution promulgated by Third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with Internet of Things (IoT)), and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC). Some aspects of 5G NR may be based on the 4G Long129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 2Term Evolution (LTE) standard. There exists a need for further improvements in 5G NR technology. These improvements may also be applicable to other multi-access technologies and the telecommunication standards that employ these technologies.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects. This summary neither identifies key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineates the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0006] In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a network device such as a base station or a component thereof configured to provide, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a power amplifier (PA) of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot and to obtain, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot immediately following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot. The apparatus may further be configured to switch, during a first symbol of the second slot immediately following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, where the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage.

[0007] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more aspects may include the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. l is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communications system and an access network.129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 3

[0009] FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a first frame, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of downlink (DL) channels within a subframe, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating an example of a second frame, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2D is a diagram illustrating an example of uplink (UL) channels within a subframe, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station and user equipment (UE) in an access network.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrates components of a fast adaptive power tracking (fast APT) component in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating aspects associated with using a fast APT component in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a call flow diagram illustrating a method in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an average power over a slot and an associated voltage in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a network entity.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In some aspects of wireless communication, a wireless communication system (e.g., cellular systems using OFDM modulation) may be associated with high adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) thresholds and may use signals with a high peak to average power ratio (PAPR), may face challenges associated with the efficiency of an infrastructure PA. To improve system efficiency, pre-PA processing (e.g., digital predistortion (DPD), crest factor reduction (CFR), etc.) may be applied. Additional aspects may be based on advanced PA architectures (e.g., symmetric / asymmetric Doherty and load modulated balanced amplifier (LMBA)), where the PA topology effects the system efficiency.129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 4

[0022] Such technologies can achieve significant efficiency improvement when the PA operates at the highest output power. However, multiple access transmitters may operate on variable instantaneous power, and may rarely use the maximum power. When the average power is lower than the maximum average power, the PA efficiency drops, and, in high power systems, the loss of efficiency may increase operational costs.

[0023] In some aspects, fast APT may be implemented to improve efficiency. Fast APT, in some aspects, may adapt a PA voltage (e.g., a reference voltage (VDD) associated with a power supply provided to a PA) to match the average power per slot of transmission. Fast APT may achieve high efficiency at a variety of per slot average powers since the PA will be kept at an almost constant backoff (or power backoff) from a PA saturation point. Fast APT, in some aspects, may be implemented based on high VDD (48V-52V) switching. Aspects presented herein further address fast voltage conversion to a target VDD within a native time of the transmission standard (e.g., a slot, symbol, or cyclic prefix (CP) associated with a symbol). Additionally, fast APT at a base station, in some aspects, may be more complicated than handset APT due to a higher output power and a faster transient.

[0024] Various aspects relate generally to the use of a step-down converter (e.g., a buck converter or step-down voltage regulator) to reduce the power consumption of the PA, which is the largest consumer of power (-60-70% of the power consumed at a radio unit (RU)). A step-down converter such as a buck converter, in some aspects, converts a higher input voltage to a lower output voltage. In some aspects, an average slot power (over a particular bandwidth) is predicted and the VDD may be set to provide a maximum power (Pmax) which has the smallest backoff to the predicted average power. In some aspects, the backoff may be based on a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and / or other attributes. The granularity of the predicted average slot power (e.g., the size of the steps between candidates for predicted average slot power and associated VDDs), in some aspects, may affect the accuracy of a backoff associated with the predicted VDD and the associated power efficiency. For example, a granularity of “X” (measured in V) associated with a power backoff granularity of “ Y” (measured in mW or dBm) would result in a maximum backoff inaccuracy of Y such that increasing the size of X may be associated with an increased value for Y and a decreased average efficiency, where the average efficiency would be related to the129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 5 average mismatch between an optimal backoff and the selected backoff and the average mismatch would depend on the step size (e.g., the step size, Y, would be associated with an upper bound for a backoff mismatch). Some aspects more specifically relate to a buck converter system which supports fast PA VDD supply switching as a fast APT enablement. For example, some aspects may relate to a switching controller and network of N step-down (or buck) converters. An apparatus, in some aspects, may include multiple buck converters which receive a control sequence from a controller (or controller block) and are scheduled and / or timed according to, or by, a scheduler in order to produce target VDD rail values (e.g., VDD values provided to a PA, for example, via a PA VDD supply) synchronized to the data slots / symbols based on a predicted average power associated with the slots / symbols. The controller, in some aspects, may receive advance scheduling information (e.g., which may be referred to as ahead-of-time scheduling information) from the scheduler and a voltage sequence from a predictor (or predictor block) to operate with an optimized efficiency to transmit upcoming transmissions. In some examples, an apparatus such as a network device (e.g., a base station or a component thereof) may be configured to provide, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a PA of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot and to obtain, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot immediately following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot. The apparatus may further be configured to switch, during a first symbol of the second slot immediately following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, where the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage.

[0025] Particular aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, by using the apparatus and / or method in accordance with aspects of the disclosure to switch a PA VDD supply between slots having different average powers, the described techniques can be used to enable fast APT for infrastructure PAs for reducing power consumption (e.g., for dense ultra-massive MIMO arrays associated with new extreme cases of greater power consumption for the network).129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 6

[0026] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the drawings describes various configurations and does not represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0027] Several aspects of telecommunication systems are presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods are described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0028] By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented as a “processing system” that includes one or more processors. When multiple processors are implemented, the multiple processors may perform the functions individually or in combination. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoC), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may execute software. Software, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise, shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, or any combination thereof.129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 7

[0029] Accordingly, in one or more example aspects, implementations, and / or use cases, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, such computer-readable media can include a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the types of computer- readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

[0030] While aspects, implementations, and / or use cases are described in this application by illustration to some examples, additional or different aspects, implementations and / or use cases may come about in many different arrangements and scenarios. Aspects, implementations, and / or use cases described herein may be implemented across many differing platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and packaging arrangements. For example, aspects, implementations, and / or use cases may come about via integrated chip implementations and other non-module-component based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail / purchasing devices, medical devices, artificial intelligence (Al)-enabled devices, etc.). While some examples may or may not be specifically directed to use cases or applications, a wide assortment of applicability of described examples may occur. Aspects, implementations, and / or use cases may range a spectrum from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip- level implementations and further to aggregate, distributed, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems incorporating one or more techniques herein. In some practical settings, devices incorporating described aspects and features may also include additional components and features for implementation and practice of claimed and described aspect. For example, transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily includes a number of components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antenna, RF-chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffer, processor(s), interleaver, adders / summers, etc.). Techniques described herein may be practiced in a wide variety of devices, chip-level129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 8 components, systems, distributed arrangements, aggregated or disaggregated components, end-user devices, etc. of varying sizes, shapes, and constitution.

[0031] Deployment of communication systems, such as 5GNR systems, may be arranged in multiple manners with various components or constituent parts. In a 5G NR system, or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a radio access network (RAN) node, a core network node, a network element, or a network equipment, such as a base station (BS), or one or more units (or one or more components) performing base station functionality, may be implemented in an aggregated or disaggregated architecture. For example, a BS (such as a Node B (NB), evolved NB (eNB), NR BS, 5G NB, access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), or a cell, etc.) may be implemented as an aggregated base station (also known as a standalone BS or a monolithic BS) or a disaggregated base station.

[0032] An aggregated base station may be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node. A disaggregated base station may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among two or more units (such as one or more central or centralized units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs)). In some aspects, a CU may be implemented within a RAN node, and one or more DUs may be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, may be geographically or virtually distributed throughout one or multiple other RAN nodes. The DUs may be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of the CU, DU and RU can be implemented as virtual units, i.e., a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU).

[0033] Base station operation or network design may consider aggregation characteristics of base station functionality. For example, disaggregated base stations may be utilized in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open radio access network (O- RAN (such as the network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance)), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN)). Disaggregation may include distributing functionality across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as distributing functionality for at least one unit virtually, which can enable flexibility in network design. The various units of the disaggregated base station, or disaggregated RAN architecture, can be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit.129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 9

[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagram 100 illustrating an example of a wireless communications system and an access network. The illustrated wireless communications system includes a disaggregated base station architecture. The disaggregated base station architecture may include one or more CUs 110 that can communicate directly with a core network 120 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 120 through one or more disaggregated base station units (such as a Near-Real Time (Near-RT) RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) 125 via an E2 link, or a Non-Real Time (Non-RT) RIC 115 associated with a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) Framework 105, or both). A CU 110 may communicate with one or more DUs 130 via respective midhaul links, such as an Fl interface. The DUs 130 may communicate with one or more RUs 140 via respective fronthaul links. The RUs 140 may communicate with respective UEs 104 via one or more radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, the UE 104 may be simultaneously served by multiple RUs 140.

[0035] Each of the units, i.e., the CUs 110, the DUs 130, the RUs 140, as well as the Near- RT RICs 125, the Non-RT RICs 115, and the SMO Framework 105, may include one or more interfaces or be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or to transmit signals, data, or information (collectively, signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of the units, or an associated processor or controller providing instructions to the communication interfaces of the units, can be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via the transmission medium. For example, the units can include a wired interface configured to receive or to transmit signals over a wired transmission medium to one or more of the other units. Additionally, the units can include a wireless interface, which may include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (such as an RF transceiver), configured to receive or to transmit signals, or both, over a wireless transmission medium to one or more of the other units.

[0036] In some aspects, the CU 110 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions can include radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), or the like. Each control function can be implemented with an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by the CU 110. The CU 110 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (i.e., Central Unit - User Plane (CU-UP)), control plane functionality (i.e., Central Unit - Control Plane (CU-CP)),129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 10 or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the CU 110 can be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. The CU-UP unit can communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface, such as an El interface when implemented in an O-RAN configuration. The CU 110 can be implemented to communicate with the DU 130, as necessary, for network control and signaling.

[0037] The DU 130 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions to control the operation of one or more RUs 140. In some aspects, the DU 130 may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and one or more high physical (PHY) layers (such as modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, demodulation, or the like) depending, at least in part, on a functional split, such as those defined by 3 GPP. In some aspects, the DU 130 may further host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer (or module) can be implemented with an interface configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU 130, or with the control functions hosted by the CU 110.

[0038] Lower-layer functionality can be implemented by one or more RUs 140. In some deployments, an RU 140, controlled by a DU 130, may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions, or low-PHY layer functions (such as performing fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, or the like), or both, based at least in part on the functional split, such as a lower layer functional split. In such an architecture, the RU(s) 140 can be implemented to handle over the air (OTA) communication with one or more UEs 104. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communication with the RU(s) 140 can be controlled by the corresponding DU 130. In some scenarios, this configuration can enable the DU(s) 130 and the CU 110 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture, such as a vRAN architecture.

[0039] The SMO Framework 105 may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework 105 may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements that may be managed via an operations and maintenance interface (such as an 01 interface).129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 11For virtualized network elements, the SMO Framework 105 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) 190) to perform network element life cycle management (such as to instantiate virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as an 02 interface). Such virtualized network elements can include, but are not limited to, CUs 110, DUs 130, RUs 140 and Near-RT RICs 125. In some implementations, the SMO Framework 105 can communicate with a hardware aspect of a 4G RAN, such as an open eNB (O- eNB) 111, via an 01 interface. Additionally, in some implementations, the SMO Framework 105 can communicate directly with one or more RUs 140 via an 01 interface. The SMO Framework 105 also may include a Non-RT RIC 115 configured to support functionality of the SMO Framework 105.

[0040] The Non-RT RIC 115 may be configured to include a logical function that enables non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence (Al) / machine learning (ML) (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updates, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the Near- RT RIC 125. The Non-RT RIC 115 may be coupled to or communicate with (such as via an Al interface) the Near-RT RIC 125. The Near-RT RIC 125 may be configured to include a logical function that enables near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions over an interface (such as via an E2 interface) connecting one or more CUs 110, one or more DUs 130, or both, as well as an O-eNB, with the Near-RT RIC 125.

[0041] In some implementations, to generate AI / ML models to be deployed in the Near-RT RIC 125, the Non-RT RIC 115 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from external servers. Such information may be utilized by the Near-RT RIC 125 and may be received at the SMO Framework 105 or the Non-RT RIC 115 from non-network data sources or from network functions. In some examples, the Non-RT RIC 115 or the Near-RT RIC 125 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the Non-RT RIC 115 may monitor long-term trends and patterns for performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO Framework 105 (such as reconfiguration via 01) or via creation of RAN management policies (such as Al policies).

[0042] At least one of the CU 110, the DU 130, and the RU 140 may be referred to as a base station 102. Accordingly, a base station 102 may include one or more of the CU 110,129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 12 the DU 130, and the RU 140 (each component indicated with dotted lines to signify that each component may or may not be included in the base station 102). The base station 102 provides an access point to the core network 120 for a UE 104. The base station 102 may include macrocells (high power cellular base station) and / or small cells (low power cellular base station). The small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells. A network that includes both small cell and macrocells may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include Home Evolved Node Bs (eNBs) (HeNBs), which may provide service to a restricted group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication links between the RUs 140 and the UEs 104 may include uplink (UL) (also referred to as reverse link) transmissions from a UE 104 to an RU 140 and / or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link) transmissions from an RU 140 to a UE 104. The communication links may use multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication links may be through one or more carriers. The base station 102 / UEs 104 may use spectrum up to X MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz) bandwidth per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to a total of Ex MHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in each direction. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL). The component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. A primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

[0043] Certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication link 158. The D2D communication link 158 may use the DL / UL wireless wide area network (WWAN) spectrum. The D2D communication link 158 may use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication may be through a variety of wireless D2D communications systems, such as for example, Bluetooth™ (Bluetooth is a trademark of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG)), Wi-Fi™ (Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance) based on129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 13 the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0044] The wireless communications system may further include a Wi-Fi AP 150 in communication with UEs 104 (also referred to as Wi-Fi stations (STAs)) via communication link 154, e.g., in a 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum or the like. When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the UEs 104 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communicating in order to determine whether the channel is available.

[0045] The electromagnetic spectrum is often subdivided, based on frequency / wavelength, into various classes, bands, channels, etc. In 5GNR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz). Although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “sub-6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. A similar nomenclature issue sometimes occurs with regard to FR2, which is often referred to (interchangeably) as a “millimeter wave” band in documents and articles, despite being different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz - 300 GHz) which is identified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a “millimeter wave” band.

[0046] The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR studies have identified an operating band for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125 GHz - 24.25 GHz). Frequency bands falling within FR3 may inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and thus may effectively extend features of FR1 and / or FR2 into midband frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5GNR operation beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR2-2 (52.6 GHz - 71 GHz), FR4 (71 GHz - 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz - 300 GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0047] With the above aspects in mind, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “sub-6 GHz” or the like if used herein may broadly represent frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. Further, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “millimeter wave” or the like if used herein129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 14 may broadly represent frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, FR4, FR2-2, and / or FR5, or may be within the EHF band.

[0048] The base station 102 and the UE 104 may each include a plurality of antennas, such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and / or antenna arrays to facilitate beamforming. The base station 102 may transmit a beamformed signal 182 to the UE 104 in one or more transmit directions. The UE 104 may receive the beamformed signal from the base station 102 in one or more receive directions. The UE 104 may also transmit a beamformed signal 184 to the base station 102 in one or more transmit directions. The base station 102 may receive the beamformed signal from the UE 104 in one or more receive directions. The base station 102 / UE 104 may perform beam training to determine the best receive and transmit directions for each of the base station 102 / UE 104. The transmit and receive directions for the base station 102 may or may not be the same. The transmit and receive directions for the UE 104 may or may not be the same.

[0049] The base station 102 may include and / or be referred to as a gNB, Node B, eNB, an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a TRP, network node, network entity, network equipment, or some other suitable terminology. The base station 102 can be implemented as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, a sidelink node, an aggregated (monolithic) base station with a baseband unit (BBU) (including a CU and a DU) and an RU, or as a disaggregated base station including one or more of a CU, a DU, and / or an RU. The set of base stations, which may include disaggregated base stations and / or aggregated base stations, may be referred to as next generation (NG) RAN (NG-RAN).

[0050] The core network 120 may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 161, a Session Management Function (SMF) 162, a User Plane Function (UPF) 163, a Unified Data Management (UDM) 164, one or more location servers 168, and other functional entities. The AMF 161 is the control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 and the core network 120. The AMF 161 supports registration management, connection management, mobility management, and other functions. The SMF 162 supports session management and other functions. The UPF 163 supports packet routing, packet forwarding, and other functions. The UDM 164 supports the generation of authentication and key agreement (AKA) credentials, user129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 15 identification handling, access authorization, and subscription management. The one or more location servers 168 are illustrated as including a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) 165 and a Location Management Function (LMF) 166. However, generally, the one or more location servers 168 may include one or more location / positioning servers, which may include one or more of the GMLC 165, the LMF 166, a position determination entity (PDE), a serving mobile location center (SMLC), a mobile positioning center (MPC), or the like. The GMLC 165 and the LMF 166 support UE location services. The GMLC 165 provides an interface for clients / applications (e.g., emergency services) for accessing UE positioning information. The LMF 166 receives measurements and assistance information from the NG-RAN and the UE 104 via the AMF 161 to compute the position of the UE 104. The NG-RAN may utilize one or more positioning methods in order to determine the position of the UE 104. Positioning the UE 104 may involve signal measurements, a position estimate, and an optional velocity computation based on the measurements. The signal measurements may be made by the UE 104 and / or the base station 102 serving the UE 104. The signals measured may be based on one or more of a satellite positioning system (SPS) 170 (e.g., one or more of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), global position system (GPS), non-terrestrial network (NTN), or other satellite position / location system), LTE signals, wireless local area network (WLAN) signals, Bluetooth signals, a terrestrial beacon system (TBS), sensor-based information (e.g., barometric pressure sensor, motion sensor), NR enhanced cell ID (NRE-CID) methods, NR signals (e.g., multi -round trip time (Multi -RTT), DL angle- of-departure (DL-AoD), DL time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA), UL time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA), and UL angle-of-arrival (UL-AoA) positioning), and / or other systems / signals / sensors.

[0051] Examples of UEs 104 include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor / actuator, a display, or any other similar functioning device. Some of the UEs 104 may be referred to as loT devices (e.g., parking meter, gas pump, toaster, vehicles, heart monitor, etc.). The UE 104 may also129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 16 be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology. In some scenarios, the term UE may also apply to one or more companion devices such as in a device constellation arrangement. One or more of these devices may collectively access the network and / or individually access the network.

[0052] Referring again to FIG. 1, in certain aspects, the base station 102 may have a fast APT component 199 that may be configured to provide, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a PA of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot and to obtain, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot immediately following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot. The fast APT component 199 may further be configured to switch, during a first symbol of the second slot immediately following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, where the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage. Although the following description may be focused on 5G NR, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas, such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

[0053] FIG. 2A is a diagram 200 illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G NR frame structure. FIG. 2B is a diagram 230 illustrating an example of DL channels within a 5G NR subframe. FIG. 2C is a diagram 250 illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G NR frame structure. FIG. 2D is a diagram 280 illustrating an example of UL channels within a 5G NR subframe. The 5G NR frame structure may be frequency division duplexed (FDD) in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated for either DL or UL, or may be time division duplexed (TDD) in which for a particular set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated for both DL and UL. In the examples provided by FIGs. 2A, 2C, the 5G NR frame structure is assumed to be TDD, with subframe 4 being129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 17 configured with slot format 28 (with mostly DL), where D is DL, U is UL, and F is flexible for use between DL / UL, and subframe 3 being configured with slot format 1 (with all UL). While subframes 3, 4 are shown with slot formats 1, 28, respectively, any particular subframe may be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0, 1 are all DL, UL, respectively. Other slot formats 2-61 include a mix of DL, UL, and flexible symbols. UEs are configured with the slot format (dynamically through DL control information (DCI), or semi- statically / statically through radio resource control (RRC) signaling) through a received slot format indicator (SFI). Note that the description infra applies also to a 5G NR frame structure that is TDD.

[0054] FIGs. 2A-2D illustrate a frame structure, and the aspects of the present disclosure may be applicable to other wireless communication technologies, which may have a different frame structure and / or different channels. A frame (10 ms) may be divided into 10 equally sized subframes (1 ms). Each subframe may include one or more time slots. Subframes may also include mini-slots, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Each slot may include 14 or 12 symbols, depending on whether the CP is normal or extended. For normal CP, each slot may include 14 symbols, and for extended CP, each slot may include 12 symbols. The symbols on DL may be CP orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) (CP-OFDM) symbols. The symbols on UL may be CP-OFDM symbols (for high throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (for power limited scenarios; limited to a single stream transmission). The number of slots within a subframe is based on the CP and the numerology. The numerology defines the subcarrier spacing (SCS) (see Table 1). The symbol length / duration may scale with 1 / SCS.129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 18Table 1: Numerology, SCS, and CP

[0055] For normal CP (14 symbols / slot), different numerologies p 0 to 4 allow for 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 slots, respectively, per subframe. For extended CP, the numerology 2 allows for 4 slots per subframe. Accordingly, for normal CP and numerology p, there are 14 symbols / slot and 2^ slots / subframe. The subcarrier spacing may be equal to 2 * 15 kHz, where g is the numerology 0 to 4. As such, the numerology p=0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz and the numerology p=4 has a subcarrier spacing of 240 kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely related to the subcarrier spacing. FIGs. 2A-2D provide an example of normal CP with 14 symbols per slot and numerology p=2 with 4 slots per subframe. The slot duration is 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 16.67 ps. Within a set of frames, there may be one or more different bandwidth parts (BWPs) (see FIG. 2B) that are frequency division multiplexed. Each BWP may have a particular numerology and CP (normal or extended).

[0056] A resource grid may be used to represent the frame structure. Each time slot includes a resource block (RB) (also referred to as physical RBs (PRBs)) that extends 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, some of the REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE. The RS may include demodulation RS (DM-RS) (indicated as R for one particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS may129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 19 also include beam measurement RS (BRS), beam refinement RS (BRRS), and phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0058] FIG. 2B illustrates an example of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DCI within one or more control channel elements (CCEs) (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 CCEs), each CCE including six RE groups (REGs), each REG including 12 consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol of an RB. A PDCCH within one BWP may be referred to as a control resource set (CORESET). A UE is configured to monitor PDCCH candidates in a PDCCH search space (e.g., common search space, UE-specific search space) during PDCCH monitoring occasions on the CORESET, where the PDCCH candidates have different DCI formats and different aggregation levels. Additional BWPs may be located at greater and / or lower frequencies across the channel bandwidth. A primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of particular subframes of a frame. The PSS is used by a UE 104 to determine subframe / symbol timing and a physical layer identity. A secondary synchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of particular subframes of a frame. The SSS is used by a UE to determine a physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine a physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the locations of the DM-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which carries a master information block (MIB), may be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS)ZPBCH block (also referred to as SS block (SSB)). The MIB provides a number of RBs in the system bandwidth and a system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not transmitted through the PBCH such as system information blocks (SIBs), and paging messages.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 2C, some of the REs carry DM-RS (indicated as R for one particular configuration, but other DM-RS configurations are possible) for channel estimation at the base station. The UE may transmit DM-RS for the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and DM-RS for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS may be transmitted in the first one or two symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCH DM-RS may be transmitted in different configurations depending on whether short or long PUCCHs are transmitted and depending on the129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 20 particular PUCCH format used. The UE may transmit sounding reference signals (SRS). The SRS may be transmitted in the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS may have a comb structure, and a UE may transmit SRS on one of the combs. The SRS may be used by a base station for channel quality estimation to enable frequencydependent scheduling on the UL.

[0060] FIG. 2D illustrates an example of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame. The PUCCH may be located as indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgment (ACK) (HARQ-ACK) feedback (i.e., one or more HARQ ACK bits indicating one or more ACK and / or negative ACK (NACK)). The PUSCH carries data, and may additionally be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a base station 310 in communication with a UE 350 in an access network. In the DL, Internet protocol (IP) packets may be provided to a controller / processor 375. The controller / processor 375 implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 375 provides RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., MIB, SIBs), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs),129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 21 demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0062] The transmit (TX) processor 316 and the receive (RX) processor 370 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes a physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of the transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto physical channels, modulation / demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 handles mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator 374 may be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate may be derived from a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 350. Each spatial stream may then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318Tx. Each transmitter 318Tx may modulate a radio frequency (RF) carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0063] At the UE 350, each receiver 354Rx receives a signal through its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354Rx recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 may perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 350, they may be combined by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 356 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time-domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal includes a129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 22 separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by the base station 310. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimates computed by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals that were originally transmitted by the base station 310 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller / processor 359, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

[0064] The controller / processor 359 can be associated with at least one memory 360 that stores program codes and data. The at least one memory 360 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 359 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and / or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[0065] Similar to the functionality described in connection with the DL transmission by the base station 310, the controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIBs) acquisition, RRC connections, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, and security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0066] Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 358 from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 310 may be used by the TX processor 368 to select the appropriate coding and modulation schemes, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antennas 352 via separate transmitters 354Tx. Each transmitter 354Tx may modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 23

[0067] The UL transmission is processed at the base station 310 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver function at the UE 350. Each receiver 318Rx receives a signal through its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318Rx recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to a RX processor 370.

[0068] The controller / processor 375 can be associated with at least one memory 376 that stores program codes and data. The at least one memory 376 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and / or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[0069] At least one of the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375 may be configured to perform aspects in connection with the fast APT component 199 of FIG. 1.

[0070] In some aspects of wireless communication, a wireless communication system (e.g., cellular systems using OFDM modulation) may be associated with high ACER thresholds and may use signals with high PAPR, may face challenges associated with the efficiency of the infrastructure PA. In some aspects, system efficiency can be improved with pre-PA processing (e.g., DPD, CFR, etc.). Additional aspects may include advanced PA architectures (e.g., symmetric / asymmetric Doherty and LMBA), where the PA topology effects the system efficiency.

[0071] Such technologies may achieve significant efficiency improvement when the PA operates at the highest output power. However, multiple access transmitters may operate on variable instantaneous power, and may rarely use the maximum power. When the average power is lower than the maximum average power, the PA efficiency drops significantly, and, in high power systems, the loss of efficiency may increase operational costs. Aspects presented herein enable added efficiency and / or lower costs.

[0072] In some aspects, fast adaptive power tracking (fast APT) may be implemented to improve efficiency. Fast APT, in some aspects, may adapt a PA voltage (e.g., a reference voltage (VDD) associated with a power supply provided to a PA) to match the average power per slot of transmission. Fast APT may achieve high efficiency at129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 24 a variety of per slot average powers since the PA will be kept at an almost constant backoff (or power backoff) from a PA saturation point. Fast APT, in some aspects, may be implemented based on high VDD (48V-52V) switching. Aspects presented herein help to enable fast voltage conversion to a target VDD within a native time of the transmission standard (e.g., a slot, symbol, or CP associated with a symbol). Additionally, fast APT at a base station, in some aspects, may be more complicated than handset APT due to a higher output power and a faster transient.

[0073] Various aspects relate generally to the use of a step-down converter (e.g., a buck converter or step-down voltage regulator) to reduce the power consumption of the PA, which is the largest consumer of power (-60-70% of the RU). A step-down converter such as a buck converter, in some aspects, converts a higher input voltage to a lower output voltage. In some aspects, an average slot power (based on BW) is predicted and the VDD may be set to provide a maximum power (Pmax) which has the smallest backoff to the predicted average power. In some aspects, the backoff may be based on a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and / or other attributes. The granularity of the predicted average slot power (e.g., the size of the steps between candidates for predicted average slot power and associated VDDs), in some aspects, may affect the accuracy of a backoff associated with the predicted VDD and the associated power efficiency. For example, a granularity of “X” (measured in V) associated with a power backoff granularity of “Y” (measured in mW or dBm) would result in a maximum backoff inaccuracy of Y such that increasing the size of X may be associated with an increased value for Y and a decreased average efficiency, where the average efficiency would be related to the average mismatch between an optimal backoff and the selected backoff and the average mismatch would depend on the step size (e.g., the step size, Y, would be associated with an upper bound for a backoff mismatch). Some aspects more specifically relate to a buck converter system which supports fast PA VDD supply switching as a fast APT enablement. For example, some aspects may relate to a switching controller and network of N step-down (or buck) converters. An apparatus, in some aspects, may include multiple buck converters which receive a control sequence from a controller (or controller block) and are scheduled and / or timed according to, or by, a scheduler in order to produce target VDD rail values (e.g., VDD values provided to a PA, for example, via a PA VDD supply) synchronized to the data slots / symbols based on a predicted average power associated with the129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 25 slots / symbols. The controller, in some aspects, may receive ahead-of-time scheduling information from the scheduler and a voltage sequence from a predictor (or predictor block) to operate with an optimized efficiency to transmit upcoming transmissions. In some examples, an apparatus such as a network device (e.g., a base station or a component thereof) may be configured to provide, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a PA of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot and to obtain, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot immediately following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot. The apparatus may further be configured to switch, during a first symbol of the second slot immediately following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, where the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage.

[0074] FIG. 4 is a diagram 400 illustrates elements of a fast APT component 199 in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. Diagram 400 illustrates a supply voltage (e.g., VDD 401) for a fast APT component 199. The VDD 401, in some aspects, may be provided to fast APT switch 410 and, more specifically, to a set of step-down converters (e.g., including a first step-down converter 411, a second stepdown converter 412, and an N* step-down converter 413) of the fast APT switch 410. In some aspects, the set of step-down converters 411-413 may be a set of buck converters. Each step-down converter in the set of step-down converters 411-413, in some aspects, may be associated with a different corresponding candidate reference voltage (e.g., V V2, ... VN) in a set of N (e.g., where N is greater than 1) candidate reference voltages. The set of candidate reference voltages may be provided to a switch 415 that can switch an output voltage (Vout, corresponding to a VDD supply 417 for a PA 450) between reference voltages in the set of candidate reference voltages within a time that is below a threshold time. In some aspects, the threshold time may be one of a symbol, a length of a CP, or a windowed overlap and add (WOLA) processing time associated with a slot.

[0075] The fast APT component 199, in some aspects, may include a predictor 420 and a scheduler 430 (e.g., algorithms, processors, or programs implementing the functions ascribed to the predictor 420 and / or the scheduler 430). The predictor 420 may receive129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 26 an indication of one or more upcoming transmissions associated with one or more upcoming slots. The predictor 420 may, based on the indication, determine and / or predict an average power over each of the one or more upcoming slots. The scheduler 430 may receive an indication of a timing of the one or more upcoming transmissions and determine and / or predict scheduling information associated with the one or more upcoming slots.

[0076] The controller 440 may receive information regarding the determined and / or predicted average power over each of the one or more upcoming slots (e.g., an indication of an average power over each of the one or more upcoming slots) from the predictor 420 and the determined and / or predicted scheduling information from the scheduler 430. The controller 440, based on the output from the predictor 420 and / or the scheduler 430 (which may be incorporated into a single component, algorithm, etc., or the controller itself), may provide an indication of a voltage sequence 441 and an indication of a switch enable 442. For example, the indication of the voltage sequence 441, in some aspects, may include an indication of a sequence of selected voltages from a set of candidate reference voltages (e.g., the set of candidate reference voltages 1 , K2, ... VN) and the indication of the switch enable 442 may include an indication of the timing and / or scheduling of switching times associated with the sequence of selected voltages (e.g., associated with, or based on, the predicted average power over each of the one or more upcoming slots). In some aspects, the set of N candidate reference voltages provided by the set of step-down converters 411-413 may be updated on a rolling basis with optimized voltages (selected from a number of candidate reference voltages that is greater than N) indicated by the controller 440 based on the output from the predictor 420 and / or the scheduler 430 such that the optimized voltages are included in the indication of the voltage sequence 441 with the indication of the switch enable 442 including an indication of the timing and / or scheduling of switching times associated with the sequence of selected voltages as for the case of the fixed set of . N candidate reference voltages.

[0077] Based on the indication of the voltage sequence 441 and the indication of the switch enable 442, the fast APT component 199 may output a sequence of different voltages (as Voutor VDD supply 417) for PA 450. The different voltages output by the fast APT component 199, in some aspects, may be selected to optimize the efficiency of129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 27 the PA 450 based on the predicted and / or determined average power over each of the one or more upcoming slots.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 illustrating aspects associated with using a fast APT component in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. Diagram 500 illustrates a set of subframes 510 associated with a set of slots 520 (e.g., shown for a SCS of 30 KHz, where other SCSs may be associated with different radio frame / slot / subframe structures). Each slot in the set of slots 520 may be associated with a plurality of symbols (e.g., 14 symbols) in a set of symbols 530. In association with a set of transmissions, a sequence of VDD supply voltages 540 may be provided to a PA associated with the set of transmissions transmitted at a sequence of powers 550.

[0079] In some aspects, the sequence of VDD supply voltages 540 may be associated with switching, for example, from a first voltage to a second voltage during a transition period between a beginning of a slot 531 and an end of a transition 532 (e.g., following the beginning of a slot 531 by a transition time associated with a switching time of the fast APT component 199). The transition time (e.g., the time between the beginning of the slot 531 and the end of the transition 532), in some aspects, may be less than a symbol length (e.g., the transition may end before the end of the first symbol 533), less than the length of a CP, or a WOLA processing time associated with a slot. After the end of the transition 532, the fast APT component may provide a constant voltage during a set of remaining symbols in the slot (e.g., until the beginning of the next slot associated with a different voltage). Although shown with a transition between each slot, in some aspects, a set of adjacent slots may be associated with a same average power over the slot and a same VDD supplied to the PA.

[0080] The sequence of powers 550 illustrates a power associated with a transmission during the final 13 symbols of each slot. In some aspects, when the transition time is less than a CP or WOLA processing time, the transmission may begin in the first symbol (symbol 0) and the power may not be zero, or near-zero, throughout the whole first symbol. For example, the first slot may be associated with a transmission that begins within the first symbol, while subsequent slots may be associated with a transmission that begins after the first symbol of the slot (where a same fast APT component, in129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 28 some aspects, may consistently transmit, or omit transmission, during a first symbol associated with a slot associated with a voltage transition).

[0081] FIG. 6 is a call flow diagram 600 illustrating a method in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. The method is illustrated in relation to a base station 602 (e.g., as an example of a network device or network node that may include one or more components of a disaggregated base station) in communication with a UE (e.g., as an example of a wireless device, not shown). The base station 602, in some aspects, may include a predictor 601, a scheduler 603, a controller 605, a fast APT switch 607, and a PA 609 (e.g., where the functions ascribed to the predictor 601, the scheduler 603, the controller 605, the fast APT switch 607 may be implemented, or included, in a fast APT component 199 of the base station 602 and the functions may be implemented as a set of one or more components / algorithms / modules). The functions ascribed to the base station 602 (or the component thereof), in some aspects, may be performed by one or more components of a network entity, a network node, or a network device (a single network entity / node / device or a disaggregated network entity / node / device as described above in relation to FIG. 1). Accordingly, references to “transmitting” in the description below may be understood to refer to a first component of the base station 602 outputting (or providing) an indication of the content of the transmission to be transmitted by a different component of the base station 602. Similarly, references to “receiving” in the description below may be understood to refer to a first component of the base station 602 receiving (or otherwise obtaining) a transmitted signal and outputting (or providing) the received signal (or information based on the received signal) to a different component of the base station 602.

[0082] The base station 602 and / or the fast APT component 199 of the base station 602 may perform a set of prediction and control operations 620 as described below in relation to operations at 621 and 622, an indication of an average power 623, an indication of scheduling information 624, an indication of a voltage sequence 625, and an indication of a switching activity 626. The predictor 601 and / or the scheduler 603, in some aspects, may, at 621 receive information regarding one or more (e.g., a set of “K”) upcoming transmissions. The information received at 621, in some aspects, may allow the predictor 601 to determine and / or predict, at 622, an average power over each slot (each of a set of K slots) associated with the one or more (A) upcoming129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 29 transmissions and may allow the scheduler 603 to determine and / or predict scheduling information. The predictor 601 may, in some aspects, provide, and the controller 605 may receive, an indication of the average power 623 predicted for each of the next K slots or an indication of a set of voltages associated with the upcoming transmissions. The set of voltages, in some aspects, may be selected based on the determined and / or predicted average power over each slot (each of the set of K slots) associated with the one or more (A) upcoming transmissions to optimize the efficiency of the PA during the one or more (A) upcoming slots. In some aspects, the set of voltages may be a set of reference (or output) voltages selected from a set of candidate reference voltages that may be the output of the fast APT switch 607 and the fast APT component 199.

[0083] In some aspects, the scheduler 603 may provide, and the controller 605 may receive, an indication of scheduling information 624 associated with the one or more (A) upcoming transmissions where the scheduling information may indicate a set of times for switching associated with the set of indicated voltages. For example, if multiple adjacent slots are associated with a same average power and / or voltage (e.g., for K = 5 the set of voltages may be {VltV1, V3, V3, V2]), the set of voltages may include fewer than K elements (e.g., {VltV3, V2}) and the scheduling information may indicate a time associated with switching between subsequent elements of the set of voltages (e.g., {T0, T2, T4}).

[0084] Based on the indication of the average power 623 and the indication of the scheduling information 624, the controller may provide an indication of a voltage sequence 625, and an indication of switching activity 626 (similar to the switch enable 442) to the fast APT switch 607 (e.g., corresponding to the fast APT switch 410 of FIG. 4). The fast APT switch 607, in some aspects, may, at a beginning of a 1stslot 628, begin a transition from providing a current voltage to the PA 609 to providing a first voltage (e.g., Voltage630) to the PA based on the indication of the voltage sequence 625. The first voltage may be provided for a first transmission 632 (TX ) from, or associated with, the PA 609 to one or more receiving devices (e.g., UEs, relays, etc.) at a transition completion 634 and for a subsequent set of symbols and / or slots. The time period between the beginning of the 1stslot 628 and the transition completion 634 (e.g., a transition duration), in some aspects, may be shorter than a symbol, shorter than a time associated with a CP associated with a symbol, or a WOLA processing time associated with a slot. Accordingly, in some aspects, the first transmission 632129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 30 associated with the 1stslot may include 13 symbols of data if the transition duration is longer than a CP and / or WOLA processing time (where a data transmission is omitted during a transition period) or may include 14 symbols of data if the transition duration is shorter than a CP and / or a WOLA processing time.

[0085] Similarly, the fast APT switch 607, in some aspects, may, at a beginning of a 2ndslot 636, begin a transition (or switch) from providing the first voltage (l^ 630) to the PA 609 to providing a second voltage (e.g., Voltage V2638) to the PA 609 based on the indication of the voltage sequence 625. The second voltage may be provided for a second transmission 640 (TX2) from, or associated with, the PA 609 to one or more receiving devices (e.g., UEs, relays, etc.) at a transition completion 642 and for a subsequent set of symbols and / or slots. Additional voltages indicated by the indication of the voltage sequence 625 may be provided as described for the first transmission 632 (and the second transmission 640) for a set of subsequent slots up to and including for a Kthslot 644 associated with a Kthvoltage (e.g., Voltage VK646) and a Kthtransmission 648. In some aspects, as described above, there may be fewer than K transitions between the 1stslot and the Kthslot if adjacent slots are associated with a same average power (or a same range of average powers associated with a same output voltage for the fast APT switch 607 and / or the fast APT component 199) and / or a same voltage provided to the PA 609. Similarly, if adjacent slots are associated with a same voltage, in some aspects, a second (or subsequent) slot may utilize 14 symbols of the slot for data transmission as there may be no time during which data is omitted during a transition.

[0086] While the fast APT switch 607 is providing the indicated voltages according to the indicated timing, the base station 602 and / or the fast APT component 199 of the base station 602 may continue to perform an additional set of prediction and control operations 650 for an additional set of one or more (e.g., an additional set of “K”) upcoming transmissions. The additional set of prediction and control operations 650, in some aspects, may result in an additional indication of a voltage sequence 652, and an additional indication of a switching activity 654. As described above for the one or more upcoming transmissions, based on the additional indication of a voltage sequence 652, and the additional indication of the switching activity 654. The fast APT switch 607, in some aspects, may, at a beginning of an (K + l)t / lslot 656, begin a transition from providing the Kthvoltage (e.g., Voltage VK646) to the PA 609 to129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 31 providing a (K + l)t / lvoltage (e.g., Voltage VK+1658) to the PA 609 based on the additional indication of the voltage sequence 652. The (K + l)t / lvoltage may be provided for a (K + l)t / ltransmission 660 (TXK+1) from, or associated with, the PA 609 to one or more receiving devices (e.g., UEs, relays, etc.) at a transition completion and for a subsequent set of symbols and / or slots. As described above in relation to the set of prediction and control operations 620, the additional set of prediction and control operations 650 may indicate the voltages to be provided to the PA 609 for a set of K slots and the prediction and control operations may be repeated for a plurality of subsequent sets of K upcoming transmissions.

[0087] FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 illustrating a relationship between an average power over a slot and an associated voltage in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. In some aspects, the voltage associated with an average power over a slot may be a voltage selected to optimize a PA efficiency without saturating the PA (causing the PA to non-linearly amplify the incoming signal and / or transmission). For a continuously variable voltage the relationship between the average power over the slot and the optimized voltage may be represented by the line 710. Line 720, in some aspects, may represent an output voltage associated with an average power (or a range of average powers) over a slot when selecting from a set of 4 candidate reference voltages (e.g., {V1, V6, V11, VN} which may be identified asF3, F4] inthe particular implementation). Similarly line 730, in some aspects, may represent an output voltage associated with an average power (or a range of average powers) over a slot when selecting from a set of 6 candidate reference voltages (e.g., {Vi,4, V7, F10, V13, V / v} which may be identified as {l^, k2, F3, P4, V5, V6} in the particular implementation). As a final example, line 740, in some aspects, may represent an output voltage associated with an average power (or a range of average powers) over a slot when selecting from a set of 16 candidate reference voltages (e.g., {V- ... , Fw] which may be identified as {Vlt... , V16} in the particular implementation).

[0088] While illustrated for the case of evenly spaced voltages, in some aspects, the candidate voltages may be distributed based on likely average powers over a slot. In some aspects, the distribution of candidate reference voltages may be based on a logarithmic scale such that the diagram 700 may be interpreted based on a logarithmic scale used for one or both of the optimized voltage axis and the average power over a slot axis. Diagram 700 illustrates that with a set of (quantized) candidate reference voltages, a129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 32 particular range of average powers over a slot (e.g., from Pmtn,a to Pmax,a) may be associated with a candidate reference voltage with index a (where a is illustrated to correspond to V6(or a second candidate reference voltage identified as V2for the specific implementation using a set of 4 candidate reference voltages).

[0089] FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a network device such as a base station (e.g., the base station 102, 602; the network entity 1002). In some aspects, the base station may select a first reference voltage to optimize a PA efficiency during a first slot based on a first average power over the first slot. In some aspects, the base station (or an associated fast APT component 199) may include a set of three or more step-down converters configured to provide a set of three or more candidate reference voltages including at least the first reference voltage and a second reference voltage. Selecting the first reference voltage, in some aspects, may include selecting the first reference voltage from the set of three or more candidate reference voltages. In some aspects, the set of three or more step-down converters may include a set of three or more buck converters and each buck converter in the set of three or more buck converters may be associated with a different candidate reference voltage in the set of three or more candidate reference voltages. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (or one or more of the fast APT component 199 including the step-down converters 411-413 as illustrated in FIG. 4, the fast APT switch 607, the controller 605, and / or the predictor 601) may select the voltage sequence 625 including a voltage selected for the first slot (e.g., the 1stslot 628) based on the determined and / or predicted average power over the first slot associated with the first transmission to optimize the efficiency of the PA during the first slot.

[0090] At 804, the base station may provide, during the first slot, the first reference voltage to the PA of the base station in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot. For example, 804 may be performed by CU processor(s) 1012, DU processor(s) 1032, RU processor(s) 1042, transceiver(s) 1046, antenna(s) 1080, and / or fast APT component 199 of FIG. 10. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (or one or more of the fast APT component 199 or the fast APT switch 607) may provide the first voltage (e.g., Voltage630) to the PA 609 based on the indication of the voltage sequence 625 in association with the first transmission 632 (TA .129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 33

[0091] In some aspects, the base station may transmit, during the first slot and while providing the PA with the first reference voltage, the first transmission. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (e.g., via a transceiver associated with the PA 609) may transmit the first transmission 632 (TX-^) during the 1stslot 628 while providing the first voltage (e.g., Voltage 630) to the PA 609 based on the indication of the voltage sequence 625.

[0092] At 808, the base station may obtain, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot (immediately) following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot. For example, 808 may be performed by CU processor(s) 1012, DU processor(s) 1032, RU processor(s) 1042, transceiver(s) 1046, antenna(s) 1080, and / or fast APT component 199 of FIG. 10. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (or one or more of the fast APT component 199, the fast APT switch 607, the controller 605, and / or the predictor 601) may, at 621 receive information regarding one or more (e.g., a set of “K”) upcoming transmissions including a second slot (e.g., the 2ndslot 636) following the first slot (e.g., 1stslot 628).

[0093] In some aspects, the base station may select a second reference voltage to optimize the PA efficiency during the second slot based on the second average power over the second slot. Selecting the second reference voltage, in some aspects, may include selecting the second reference voltage from the set of three or more candidate reference voltages. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (or one or more of the fast APT component 199, the fast APT switch 607, the controller 605, and / or the predictor 601) may select the voltage sequence 625 including a voltage selected for the second slot (e.g., the 2ndslot 636) based on the determined and / or predicted average power over the second slot associated with the second transmission to optimize the efficiency of the PA during the second slot.

[0094] At 812, the base station may switch, during a first symbol of the second slot (immediately) following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, the second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission. For example, 812 may be performed by CU processor(s) 1012, DU processor(s) 1032, RU processor(s) 1042, transceiver(s) 1046, antenna(s) 1080, and / or fast APT component 199 of FIG. 10. In some aspects, the second reference voltage may129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 34 different from the first reference voltage. The first transmission, in some aspects, may be associated with a first average power over the first slot (e.g., a first average power in a first range of average powers associated with the first reference voltage) and the second transmission may be associated with the second average power over the second slot (e.g., a second average power in a second range of average powers associated with the second reference voltage) that is different from the first average power over the first slot. In some aspects, the first reference voltage may be based on the first average power over the first slot and the second reference voltage may be based on the second average power over the second slot. The switch, in some aspects, may occur within a time that is shorter than a CP or a WOLA processing time associated with the first slot. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (or one or more of the fast APT component 199 or the fast APT switch 607) may, at the beginning of the 2ndslot 636, begin a transition (or switch) from providing the first voltage (V 630) to the PA 609 to providing a second voltage (V2638) to the PA 609 based on the indication of the voltage sequence 625.

[0095] In some aspects, the base station may transmit, during the second slot and while providing the PA with the second reference voltage, the second transmission. In some aspects, each symbol in the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises data associated with the second transmission such that transmitting the second transmission includes transmitting data in each symbol in the set of remaining symbols. The set of remaining symbols of the second slot, in some aspects, includes at least a last 13 symbols of the second slot. In some aspects, the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises at least a part of the first symbol of the second slot, e.g., when the switch occurs within a time that is shorter than a CP or a WOLA processing time associated with the first slot. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (e.g., via a transceiver associated with the PA 609) may transmit the second transmission 640 (TX2) during the 2ndslot 636 while providing the second voltage (e.g., V2638) to the PA 609 based on the indication of the voltage sequence 625.

[0096] FIG. 9 is a flowchart 900 of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a network device such as a base station (e.g., the base station 102, 602; the network entity 1002). At 902, the base station may select a first reference voltage to optimize a PA efficiency during a first slot based on a first average power129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 35 over the first slot. In some aspects, the base station (or an associated fast APT component 199) may include a set of three or more step-down converters configured to provide a set of three or more candidate reference voltages including at least the first reference voltage and a second reference voltage. Selecting the first reference voltage at 902, in some aspects, may include selecting, at 903, the first reference voltage from the set of three or more candidate reference voltages. For example, 902 and 903 may be performed by CU processor(s) 1012, DU processor(s) 1032, RU processor(s) 1042, transceiver(s) 1046, antenna(s) 1080, and / or fast APT component 199 of FIG. 10. In some aspects, the set of three or more step-down converters may include a set of three or more buck converters and each buck converter in the set of three or more buck converters may be associated with a different candidate reference voltage in the set of three or more candidate reference voltages. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (or one or more of the fast APT component 199 including the step-down converters 411-413 as illustrated in FIG. 4, the fast APT switch 607, the controller 605, and / or the predictor 601) may select the voltage sequence 625 including a voltage selected for the first slot (e.g., the 1stslot 628) based on the determined and / or predicted average power over the first slot associated with the first transmission to optimize the efficiency of the PA during the first slot.

[0097] At 904, the base station may provide, during the first slot, the first reference voltage to the PA of the base station in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot. For example, 904 may be performed by CU processor(s) 1012, DU processor(s) 1032, RU processor(s) 1042, transceiver(s) 1046, antenna(s) 1080, and / or fast APT component 199 of FIG. 10. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (or one or more of the fast APT component 199 or the fast APT switch 607) may provide the first voltage (e.g., Voltage 1 630) to the PA 609 based on the indication of the voltage sequence 625 in association with the first transmission 632 (TA .

[0098] At 906, the base station may transmit, during the first slot and while providing the PA with the first reference voltage, the first transmission. For example, 906 may be performed by CU processor(s) 1012, DU processor(s) 1032, RU processor(s) 1042, transceiver(s) 1046, antenna(s) 1080, and / or fast APT component 199 of FIG. 10. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (e.g., via a transceiver associated with the PA 609) may transmit the first transmission 632 (TX-J during the 1stslot129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 36628 while providing the first voltage (e.g., Voltage630) to the PA 609 based on the indication of the voltage sequence 625.

[0099] At 908, the base station may obtain, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot immediately following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot. For example, 908 may be performed by CU processor(s) 1012, DU processor(s) 1032, RU processor(s) 1042, transceiver(s) 1046, antenna(s) 1080, and / or fast APT component 199 of FIG. 10. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (or one or more of the fast APT component 199, the fast APT switch 607, the controller 605, and / or the predictor 601) may, at 621 receive information regarding one or more (e.g., a set of “K”) upcoming transmissions including a second slot (e.g., the 2ndslot 636) following the first slot (e.g., 1stslot 628).

[0100] At 910, the base station may select a second reference voltage to optimize the PA efficiency during the second slot based on the second average power over the second slot. Selecting the second reference voltage at 910, in some aspects, may include selecting, at 911, the second reference voltage from the set of three or more candidate reference voltages. For example, 910 and 911 may be performed by CU processor(s) 1012, DU processor(s) 1032, RU processor(s) 1042, transceiver(s) 1046, antenna(s) 1080, and / or fast APT component 199 of FIG. 10. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (or one or more of the fast APT component 199, the fast APT switch 607, the controller 605, and / or the predictor 601) may select the voltage sequence 625 including a voltage selected for the second slot (e.g., the 2ndslot 636) based on the determined and / or predicted average power over the second slot associated with the second transmission to optimize the efficiency of the PA during the second slot.

[0101] At 912, the base station may switch, during a first symbol of the second slot immediately following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, the second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission. For example, 912 may be performed by CU processor(s) 1012, DU processor(s) 1032, RU processor(s) 1042, transceiver(s) 1046, antenna(s) 1080, and / or fast APT component 199 of FIG. 10. In some aspects, the second reference voltage may different from the first reference voltage. The first transmission, in some aspects, may129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 37 be associated with a first average power over the first slot (e.g., a first average power in a first range of average powers associated with the first reference voltage) and the second transmission may be associated with the second average power over the second slot (e.g., a second average power in a second range of average powers associated with the second reference voltage) that is different from the first average power over the first slot. In some aspects, the first reference voltage may be based on the first average power over the first slot and the second reference voltage may be based on the second average power over the second slot. The switch, in some aspects, may occur within a time that is shorter than a CP or a WOLA processing time associated with the first slot. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (or one or more of the fast APT component 199 or the fast APT switch 607) may, at the beginning of the 2ndslot 636, begin a transition (or switch) from providing the first voltage (V 630) to the PA 609 to providing a second voltage (V2638) to the PA 609 based on the indication of the voltage sequence 625.

[0102] At 914, the base station may transmit, during the second slot and while providing the PA with the second reference voltage, the second transmission. For example, 914 may be performed by CU processor(s) 1012, DU processor(s) 1032, RU processor(s) 1042, transceiver(s) 1046, antenna(s) 1080, and / or fast APT component 199 of FIG. 10. In some aspects, each symbol in the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises data associated with the second transmission such that transmitting the second transmission includes transmitting data in each symbol in the set of remaining symbols. The set of remaining symbols of the second slot, in some aspects, includes at least a last 13 symbols of the second slot. In some aspects, the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises at least a part of the first symbol of the second slot, e.g., when the switch occurs within a time that is shorter than a CP or a WOLA processing time associated with the first slot. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the base station 602 (e.g., via a transceiver associated with the PA 609) may transmit the second transmission 640 (TX2) during the 2ndslot 636 while providing the second voltage (e.g., V2638) to the PA 609 based on the indication of the voltage sequence 625.

[0103] FIG. 10 is a diagram 1000 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a network entity 1002. The network entity 1002 may be a BS, a component of a BS, or may implement BS functionality. The network entity 1002 may include at least one129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 38 of a CU 1010, a DU 1030, or an RU 1040. For example, depending on the layer functionality handled by the component 199, the network entity 1002 may include the CU 1010; both the CU 1010 and the DU 1030; each of the CU 1010, the DU 1030, and the RU 1040; the DU 1030; both the DU 1030 and the RU 1040; or the RU 1040. The CU 1010 may include at least one CU processor 1012. The CU processor(s) 1012 may include on-chip memory 1012'. In some aspects, the CU 1010 may further include additional memory modules 1014 and a communications interface 1018. The CU 1010 communicates with the DU 1030 through a midhaul link, such as an Fl interface. The DU 1030 may include at least one DU processor 1032. The DU processor(s) 1032 may include on-chip memory 1032'. In some aspects, the DU 1030 may further include additional memory modules 1034 and a communications interface 1038. The DU 1030 communicates with the RU 1040 through a fronthaul link. The RU 1040 may include at least one RU processor 1042. The RU processor(s) 1042 may include on-chip memory 1042'. In some aspects, the RU 1040 may further include additional memory modules 1044, one or more transceivers 1046, one or more antennas 1080, and a communications interface 1048. The RU 1040 communicates with the UE 104. The on-chip memory 1012', 1032', 1042' and the additional memory modules 1014, 1034, 1044 may each be considered a computer-readable medium / memory. Each computer-readable medium / memory may be non-transitory. Each of the processors 1012, 1032, 1042 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory. The software, when executed by the corresponding processor(s) causes the processor(s) to perform the various functions described supra. The computer-readable medium / memory may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor(s) when executing software.

[0104] As discussed supra, the fast APT component 199 that may be configured to provide, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a PA of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot and to obtain, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot immediately following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot. The fast APT component 199 may further be configured to switch, during a first symbol of the second slot immediately following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 39 voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, where the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage. The fast APT component 199 may be within one or more processors of one or more of the CU 1010, DU 1030, and the RU 1040. The fast APT component 199 may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carry out the stated processes / algorithm, implemented by one or more processors configured to perform the stated processes / algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for implementation by one or more processors, or some combination thereof. When multiple processors are implemented, the multiple processors may perform the stated processes / algorithm individually or in combination. The network entity 1002 may include a variety of components configured for various functions. In one configuration, the network entity 1002 may include means for providing, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a PA of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot. The network entity 1002 may include means for obtaining, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot. The network entity 1002 may include means for switching, during a first symbol of the second slot following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, wherein the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage. The network entity 1002 may include means for refraining, while switching from providing the first reference voltage to providing the second reference voltage to the PA, from transmitting a third transmission. The network entity 1002 may include means for selecting the first reference voltage to optimize a PA efficiency during the first slot based on the first average power over the first slot. The network entity 1002 may include means for selecting the first reference voltage from the set of three or more candidate reference voltages. The network entity 1002 may include means for transmitting, during the first slot and while providing the PA with the first reference voltage, the first transmission. The network entity 1002 may include means for selecting the second reference voltage to optimize the PA efficiency during the second slot based on the second average power over the second slot. The network entity 1002 may include means for selecting the second reference voltage from the set of three or129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 40 more candidate reference voltages. The network entity 1002 may include means for transmitting, during the second slot and while providing the PA with the second reference voltage, the second transmission. The network entity 1002 may further include means for performing any of the aspects described in connection with the flowcharts in FIGs. 8 or 9, and / or performed by the base station in the communication flow of FIG. 6. The means may be the fast APT component 199 of the network entity 1002 configured to perform the functions recited by the means. As described supra, the network entity 1002 may include the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375. As such, in one configuration, the means may be the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and / or the controller / processor 375 configured to perform the functions recited by the means or as described in relation to FIGs. 8 and 9.

[0105] Various aspects relate generally to the use of a step-down converter (e.g., a buck converter or step-down voltage regulator) to reduce the power consumption of the PA, which is the largest consumer of power (-60-70% of the RU). A step-down converter such as a buck converter, in some aspects, converts a higher input voltage to a lower output voltage. In some aspects, an average slot power (based on BW) is predicted and the VDD may be set to provide a maximum power (Pmax) which has the smallest backoff to the predicted average power. In some aspects, the backoff may be based on a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and / or other attributes. The granularity of the predicted average slot power (e.g., the size of the steps between candidates for predicted average slot power and associated VDDs), in some aspects, may affect the accuracy of a backoff associated with the predicted VDD and the associated power efficiency. Some aspects more specifically relate to a buck converter system which supports fast PA VDD supply switching as a Fast APT enablement. For example, some aspects may relate to a switching controller and network of N step-down (or buck) converters. An apparatus, in some aspects, may include multiple buck converters which receive a control sequence from a controller (or controller block) and are scheduled and / or timed according to, or by, a scheduler in order to produce target VDD rail values (e.g., VDD values provided to a PA, for example, via a PA VDD supply) synchronized to the data slots / symbols based on a predicted average power associated with the slots / symbols. The controller, in some aspects, may receive ahead-of-time scheduling information from the scheduler and a voltage sequence129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 41 from a predictor (or predictor block) to operate with an optimized efficiency to transmit upcoming transmissions. In some examples, an apparatus such as a network device (e.g., a base station or a component thereof) may be configured to provide, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a PA of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot and to obtain, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot immediately following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot. The apparatus may further be configured to switch, during a first symbol of the second slot immediately following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, where the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage.

[0106] Particular aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, by using the apparatus and / or method in accordance with aspects of the disclosure to switch a PA VDD supply between slots having different average powers, the described techniques can be used to enable Fast APT for infrastructure PAs for reducing power consumption (e.g., for dense ultra-massive MIMO arrays associated with new extreme cases of greater power consumption for the network).

[0107] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flowcharts disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flowcharts may be rearranged. Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various blocks in a sample order, and are not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0108] The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not limited to the aspects described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims. Reference to an element in the singular does not mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Terms such as “if,” “when,” and “while” do not imply an immediate temporal relationship or reaction. That is,129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 42 these phrases, e.g., “when,” do not imply an immediate action in response to or during the occurrence of an action, but simply imply that if a condition is met then an action will occur, but without requiring a specific or immediate time constraint for the action to occur. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof’ include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof’ may be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members of A, B, or C. Sets should be interpreted as a set of elements where the elements number one or more. Accordingly, for a set of X, X would include one or more elements. When at least one processor is configured to perform a set of functions, the at least one processor, individually or in any combination, is configured to perform the set of functions. Accordingly, each processor of the at least one processor may be configured to perform a particular subset of the set of functions, where the subset is the full set, a proper subset of the set, or an empty subset of the set. A processor may be referred to as processor circuitry. A memory / memory module may be referred to as memory circuitry. If a first apparatus receives data from or transmits data to a second apparatus, the data may be received / transmitted directly between the first and second apparatuses, or indirectly between the first and second apparatuses through a set of apparatuses. A device configured to “output” data, such as a transmission, signal, or message, may transmit the data, for example with a transceiver, or may send the data to a device that transmits the data. A device configured to “obtain” data, such as a transmission, signal, or message, may receive, for example with a transceiver, or may obtain the data from a device that receives the data. Information stored in a memory includes instructions and / or data. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 43 to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words “module,” “mechanism,” “element,” “device,” and the like may not be a substitute for the word “means.” As such, no claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

[0109] As used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of information, one or more conditions, one or more factors, or the like. In other words, the phrase “based on A” (where “A” may be information, a condition, a factor, or the like) shall be construed as “based at least on A” unless specifically recited differently.

[0110] The following aspects are illustrative only and may be combined with other aspects or teachings described herein, without limitation.

[0111] Aspect 1 is a method of wireless communication at a network device, comprising: providing, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a power amplifier (PA) of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot; obtaining, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot; and switching, during a first symbol of the second slot following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, wherein the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage.

[0112] Aspect 2 is the method of aspect 1, wherein the first transmission is associated with a first average power over the first slot and the second transmission is associated with the second average power over the second slot that is different from the first average power over the first slot.

[0113] Aspect 3 is the method of aspect 2, wherein the first reference voltage is based on the first average power over the first slot and the second reference voltage is based on the second average power over the second slot.

[0114] Aspect 4 is the method of aspect 3, wherein the first reference voltage is selected to optimize a PA efficiency during the first slot based on the first average power over129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 44 the first slot and the second reference voltage is selected to optimize the PA efficiency during the second slot based on the second average power over the second slot.

[0115] Aspect 5 is the method of any of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the network device comprises a set of three or more step-down converters configured to provide a set of three or more candidate reference voltages including at least the first reference voltage and the second reference, wherein the first reference voltage is selected from the set of three or more candidate reference voltages; and the second reference voltage is selected from the set of three or more candidate reference voltages.

[0116] Aspect 6 is the method of aspect 5, wherein the set of three or more corresponding step-down converters comprise a set of three or more buck converters and each buck converter in the set of three or more buck converters is associated with a different corresponding candidate reference voltage in the set of three or more candidate reference voltages.

[0117] Aspect 7 is the method of any of aspects 1 to 6, further comprising: refraining, while switching from providing the first reference voltage to providing the second reference voltage to the PA, from transmitting a third transmission.

[0118] Aspect 8 is the method of any of aspects 1 to 7, wherein each symbol in the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises data associated with the second transmission.

[0119] Aspect 9 is the method of aspect 8, wherein the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises at least a last 13 symbols of the second slot.

[0120] Aspect 10 is the method of aspect 8, wherein the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises at least a part of the first symbol of the second slot and the switching occurs within a time that is shorter than a cyclic prefix or a windowed overlap and add (WOLA) processing time associated with the first slot.

[0121] Aspect 11 is the method of any of aspects 1 to 10, further comprising: transmitting, during the first slot and while providing the PA with the first reference voltage, the first transmission; and transmitting, during the second slot and while providing the PA with the second reference voltage, the second transmission.

[0122] Aspect 12 is an apparatus for wireless communication at a device including a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory and, based at least in part on information stored in the memory, the at least one processor is configured to implement any of aspects 1 to 11.129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 45

[0123] Aspect 13 is the apparatus of aspect 12, further including a transceiver or an antenna coupled to the at least one processor.

[0124] Aspect 14 is an apparatus for wireless communication at a device including means for implementing any of aspects 1 to 11.

[0125] Aspect 15 is a computer-readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) storing computer executable code, where the code when executed by a processor causes the processor to implement any of aspects 1 to 11.129025-2383WO01

Claims

Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 46CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for wireless communication at a network device, comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and, based at least in part on stored information that is stored in the at least one memory, the at least one processor, individually or in any combination, is configured to: provide, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a power amplifier (PA) of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot; obtain, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot immediately following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot; and switch, during a first symbol of the second slot immediately following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, wherein the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transmission is associated with a first average power over the first slot and the second transmission is associated with the second average power over the second slot that is different from the first average power over the first slot.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first reference voltage is based on the first average power over the first slot and the second reference voltage is based on the second average power over the second slot.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one processor, individually or in any combination, is further configured to:129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 47 select the first reference voltage to optimize a PA efficiency during the first slot based on the first average power over the first slot; and select the second reference voltage to optimize the PA efficiency during the second slot based on the second average power over the second slot.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a set of three or more step-down converters configured to provide a set of three or more candidate reference voltages including at least the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage, wherein: to select the first reference voltage, the at least one processor, individually or in any combination, is configured to select the first reference voltage from the set of three or more candidate reference voltages; and to select the second reference voltage, the at least one processor, individually or in any combination, is configured to select the second reference voltage from the set of three or more candidate reference voltages.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the set of three or more step-down converters comprise a set of three or more buck converters and each buck converter in the set of three or more buck converters is associated with a different candidate reference voltage in the set of three or more candidate reference voltages.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each symbol in the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises data associated with the second transmission.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises at least a last 13 symbols of the second slot.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises at least a part of the first symbol of the second slot and the switch occurs within a time that is shorter than a cyclic prefix or a windowed overlap and add (WOLA) processing time associated with the first slot.129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 4810. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver coupled to the at least one processor, the transceiver being configured to: transmit, during the first slot and while providing the PA with the first reference voltage, the first transmission; and transmit, during the second slot and while providing the PA with the second reference voltage, the second transmission.

11. A method of wireless communication at a network device, comprising: providing, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a power amplifier (PA) of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot; obtaining, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot; and switching, during a first symbol of the second slot following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, wherein the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first transmission is associated with a first average power over the first slot and the second transmission is associated with the second average power over the second slot that is different from the first average power over the first slot.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first reference voltage is based on the first average power over the first slot and the second reference voltage is based on the second average power over the second slot and wherein the first reference voltage is selected to optimize a PA efficiency during the first slot based on the first average power over the first slot and the second reference voltage is selected to optimize the PA efficiency during the second slot based on the second average power over the second slot.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 49 refraining, while switching from providing the first reference voltage to providing the second reference voltage to the PA, from transmitting a third transmission.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the network device comprises a set of three or more step-down converters configured to provide a set of three or more candidate reference voltages including at least the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage and each step-down converter in the set of three or more step-down converters is associated with a different corresponding candidate reference voltage in the set of three or more candidate reference voltages.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein each symbol in the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises data associated with the second transmission.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises at least a last 13 symbols of the second slot.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the set of remaining symbols of the second slot comprises at least a part of the first symbol of the second slot and the switching occurs within a time that is shorter than a cyclic prefix or a windowed overlap and add (WOLA) processing time associated with the first slot.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: transmitting, during the first slot and while providing the PA with the first reference voltage, the first transmission; and transmitting, during the second slot and while providing the PA with the second reference voltage, the second transmission.

20. A computer-readable medium storing computer executable code at a network device, the code when executed by a processor causes the processor to:129025-2383WO01Qualcomm Ref. No. 2403932WO 50 provide, during a first slot, a first reference voltage to a power amplifier (PA) of the network device in association with a first transmission scheduled during the first slot; obtain, for a second transmission scheduled during a second slot immediately following the first slot, an indication of a second average power over the second slot; and switch, during a first symbol of the second slot immediately following the first slot, from providing the first reference voltage to providing, during a set of remaining symbols of the second slot, a second reference voltage to the PA of the network device in association with the second transmission, wherein the second reference voltage is different from the first reference voltage.129025-2383WO01

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