Beam Control Signaling for Wireless Device Panel Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless devices with multiple physical antenna panels face high power consumption, even when idle, as all panels must remain active to maintain radio performance, limiting power efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing beam control signalling that allows wireless devices to associate specific panels with physical antenna panels, enabling network nodes to select optimal beams for communication, thereby deactivating unnecessary panels and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all physical antenna panels are kept active to maintain radio performance, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam management where the network node continuously monitors beam quality metrics (RSRP, SINR) and adapts beam selection in real-time. This allows the system to maintain reliable communication using only the necessary active panels while dynamically switching between beams based on channel conditions, thereby reducing power consumption without sacrificing radio performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state of antenna panels from a static 'all-on' configuration to a dynamic state where panels can be individually activated or deactivated based on beam selection. By controlling the activation state parameter of each panel according to communication needs, the system maintains reliability when required while minimizing power consumption by keeping unnecessary panels in a low-power state.
2Use of energy by moving object
If beam control signalling with panel association is implemented, then power efficiency is improved by deactivating panels, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an association identifier as an intermediary element that links logical beam identifiers to physical antenna panel identifiers. This intermediary enables the network node to indirectly control panel activation through beam management procedures, avoiding the need for complex direct panel control signalling while achieving power efficiency through selective panel deactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing beam management signalling mechanism serve multiple functions: it simultaneously performs beam selection for communication and controls antenna panel activation states. By embedding panel association information within existing beam control procedures (such as beam reporting and beam indication), the system achieves power efficiency without requiring separate complex panel control signalling protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method, performed at a network node, for beam control signalling. The network node is configured to communicate with a wireless device comprising one or more physical antenna panels. Each physical antenna panel is configured to communicate with the network node using one or more panels. The method comprises receiving, from the wireless device, control signalling indicative of an association of the one or more panels with one or more corresponding physical antenna panels. The method comprises selecting, based on the association, one or more beams to be used by the wireless device in communication with the network node.