Multi-Antenna Power Averaging for RF Cutback Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computing devices face performance reductions due to power cutbacks when transmitting electromagnetic signals to comply with RF exposure regulations, as existing time-averaging and antenna-switching techniques fail to optimize transmission power independently and rely on real-time information.

Innovation Solution

Spatial averaging of transmission power by separately determining the transmit power capacities for each antenna, based on respective transmit power limits and ability to receive base signals, allowing independent or reduced dependence on other antennas, to improve antenna-switching decisions and reduce power cutbacks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If maximum transmission power is used to support services in remote locations, then communication performance is improved, but RF exposure regulations are exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidRF exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the antenna system into multiple spatially separated antennas, allowing independent power determination for each antenna. This segmentation enables the device to transmit at higher powers through multiple antennas while maintaining compliance with RF exposure regulations at any single antenna location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from time-averaging power limits to spatial-averaging power limits by utilizing the spatial dimension. Instead of limiting power over time at a single location, the system distributes transmission across multiple spatial locations (antennas), allowing higher overall transmission power while maintaining regulatory compliance at each spatial point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If power cutbacks are applied to comply with RF exposure regulations, then RF exposure compliance is improved, but device performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRF exposure complianceVSAvoiddevice performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the transmission across multiple antennas with independent power control, the system avoids power cutbacks on individual antennas while maintaining overall RF exposure compliance. Each antenna can operate at optimal power levels without being constrained by aggregate power limits applied to a single antenna.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter from time-averaged power limits to spatially-independent power limits. This parameter change allows each antenna to determine its transmit power capacity based on its own transmit power limit rather than being constrained by the average power of other antennas, thereby eliminating the need for performance-reducing power cutbacks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If time-averaging techniques are used to manage transmit power, then RF exposure compliance is improved, but transmission power optimization is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRF exposure complianceVSAvoidtransmission power optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent shifts from temporal averaging (time-averaging) to spatial independence by determining power limits based on spatial separation of antennas. This dimensional shift from time to space allows each antenna to operate independently without being constrained by time-averaged power limits, thereby improving transmission power optimization while maintaining RF exposure compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary determination of spatially-independent transmit power capacities for each antenna based on their respective power limits and spatial separation. This preliminary action enables optimized antenna switching decisions and transmission power management before actual transmission occurs, improving both compliance and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If antenna switching is performed without separate power capacity determination, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission power optimization is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower determination complexityVSAvoidtransmission power optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power determination process into independent calculations for each antenna based on their individual power limits and spatial separation. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by allowing parallel, independent power capacity determinations rather than requiring complex inter-dependent calculations, while simultaneously enabling optimized antenna switching based on each antenna's specific power capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each antenna determines its own transmit power capacity independently based on its own transmit power limit and spatial separation from other antennas. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex centralized power management, reducing device complexity while enabling each antenna to operate at its optimal power level for improved transmission performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4352883B1Spatial averaging of transmission power to reduce power cutbacks
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP4352883B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4352883B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4352883B1 patent drawingFigure 3-1

AI summary

Techniques and devices for spatial averaging of transmission power to reduce power cutbacks are described. The techniques of spatial averaging may enable separate determinations of transmit power capacities for each antenna of a computing device if each antenna is spaced apart from a neighboring antenna by a minimum distance. The transmit power capacities may be based on transmit power limits and, in general, may be determined independently from, or with reduced dependence on, a transmit power of another antenna. These separate determinations may allow for spatial averaging of transmission power of a device to improve antenna-switching decisions and reduce a dependence upon power cutbacks. When power cutbacks are unavoidable, the separate determinations may additionally improve antenna-switching decisions at cutback powers to optimize the transmission power of the device.