Antenna Array Radar Proximity Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in the 5G frequency range, face challenges in managing electromagnetic radiation exposure to humans, as devices may exceed maximum permissible exposure limits when in close proximity, risking biological effects like tissue warming, and reducing transmission power can lead to connectivity issues such as Radio Link Failure.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize an antenna array as a radar to determine the distance between a user equipment and a human, allowing for dynamic reduction of transmission power when the user is close, thereby maintaining compliance with exposure limits while minimizing connectivity disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If transmission power is reduced to comply with exposure limits, then electromagnetic radiation exposure to users is reduced, but connectivity reliability deteriorates due to Radio Link Failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission power based on real-time distance measurements obtained during configured gaps. The apparatus transitions from static power levels to dynamic power control, where power is reduced only when the user is within the trigger distance, maintaining full power when safe, thus resolving the contradiction between exposure compliance and connectivity reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where distance measurement results from radar operations during gaps feed into power control decisions. The determined distance triggers appropriate power adjustments, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts transmission power to actual exposure conditions, preventing both over-exposure and unnecessary connectivity issues
2Measurement precision
If gaps are configured in uplink transmission and/or downlink reception, then distance measurement can be performed using antenna array as radar, but transmission productivity decreases due to interrupted communication
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic gaps configured in the uplink and/or downlink transmission for radar distance measurements. These periodic interruptions allow the antenna array to function as radar while maintaining overall communication productivity by limiting measurements to specific intervals rather than continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna array serves multiple functions: it performs both wireless communication transmission/reception and radar distance measurement. By reusing the same hardware for dual purposes during configured gaps, the system achieves precise distance measurement without requiring separate dedicated measurement hardware, thus minimizing the impact on transmission productivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces electromagnetic radiation exposure to users by dynamically adjusting transmission power based on proximity, ensuring compliance with exposure limits while maintaining connectivity by using configured gaps in transmission configurations.
Implementation Method 1
use at least one antenna array of the apparatus as a radar to determine a distance between the apparatus and a user or an object
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, for example a user equipment, configured to transmit, to a base station node, a request for at least one gap to be configured in an uplink transmission and/or downlink reception of the apparatus, during at least one configured gap of the apparatus, use at least one antenna array of the apparatus as a radar to determine a distance between the apparatus and a user or an object, and responsive to the determined distance being less than a preconfigured trigger distance, reduce a transmission power of the apparatus by a factor chosen in dependence of by how much the determined distance is less than the trigger distance.