Antenna Panel Switching for Terminal Power and Standby Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the number of antenna panels in terminal devices increases, so does power consumption, posing an urgent need to reduce power consumption while maintaining effective communication.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an antenna panel control method where at least one antenna panel can be selectively turned off based on predetermined conditions, either actively by the user or controlled by the network side device, to conserve power and extend standby time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of antenna panels is increased to improve communication capacity and MIMO performance, then system spectrum utilization and peak rate are improved, but power consumption of the terminal device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic antenna panel control where the terminal device or network side device can activate or deactivate antenna panels based on real-time communication conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to use more antenna panels when high communication capacity is needed and fewer panels when power consumption is a concern, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational state parameter of antenna panels (active/inactive) based on communication requirements. By controlling the number of active antenna panels, the system can adjust its power consumption while maintaining adequate communication capacity, effectively managing the trade-off between productivity and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple antenna panels are activated to enhance transmission performance, then MIMO capability is improved, but standby time of the terminal device decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission performanceVSAvoidstandby time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control of antenna panel activation where panels are activated only when transmission performance is required and deactivated during standby periods. This dynamic on-demand activation ensures that transmission performance is maintained when needed while extending standby time when full performance is not required, resolving the contradiction between reliability and duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If antenna panels are turned off to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but communication capability may be degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the activation state of antenna panels based on communication condition parameters. When communication conditions are good or data transmission is not required, panels are deactivated to improve energy efficiency. When communication capability is needed, panels are activated accordingly, thus dynamically balancing energy efficiency and communication capability based on actual system needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3911027B1Turning off an antenna panel of a terminal
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3911027B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3911027B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3911027B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an antenna panel control method, terminal device, and network-side device, said method comprising: determining a first antenna panel to be closed; and controlling the first antenna panel to be in a closed state.