Beam-Specific Power Control for Multi-Beam Wireless Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in effectively managing power control for directional beam environments, particularly in ensuring that the aggregate transmit power of multiple directional uplink transmission beams does not exceed the maximum transmit power of user equipment (UE) while maintaining efficient communication.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves determining and reporting beam-specific power parameters, such as maximum output power and power headroom, on a per-beam basis, allowing each directional uplink transmission beam to be independently controlled. The UE reports these parameters to the base station, enabling the allocation of transmission power and resource management to prevent exceeding the maximum transmit power threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple directional uplink transmission beams are used simultaneously, then communication capacity and reliability are improved, but the risk of exceeding maximum transmit power increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidpower overload risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power control mechanism by introducing beam-specific power parameters (PCMAX,b) that divide the total power management into independent per-beam control units. This allows each directional beam to be managed separately with its own power constraints, enabling simultaneous multi-beam operation while preventing aggregate power from exceeding the maximum transmit power limit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces new power parameters specific to directional beams (PCMAX,b for maximum output power per beam and PHR,b for power headroom per beam) that change the power control model from a aggregate-level parameter to a beam-level parameter. This parameter transformation enables fine-grained power allocation across multiple beams while maintaining overall power constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If beam-specific power parameters are reported for each directional beam, then power allocation precision is improved, but signaling overhead and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower allocation precisionVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE pre-calculate and report beam-specific power parameters (PCMAX,b and PHR,b) before actual power allocation decisions are made. This advance reporting allows the base station to have precise knowledge of each beam's power capabilities and constraints, enabling optimized power allocation without real-time computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses beam-specific power parameters as intermediary variables that mediate between the UE's power capabilities and the base station's resource allocation decisions. These parameters serve as a compact information interface that conveys essential power constraints without requiring complex real-time negotiations or detailed signaling about each beam's instantaneous state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If aggregate power control is used for multiple beams, then device complexity is reduced, but individual beam power optimization is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower control complexityVSAvoidbeam power optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power control function by introducing beam-specific parameters (PCMAX,b and PHR,b) that allow independent power management for each directional beam. This segmentation enables the base station to optimize power allocation per beam based on channel conditions, traffic requirements, and interference levels, rather than applying a single aggregate power constraint to all beams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different power parameters and control strategies for different beams based on their specific characteristics. Each beam can have its own maximum output power (PCMAX,b) and power headroom (PHR,b) values tailored to its directional channel conditions, antenna configuration, and service requirements, enabling localized power optimization without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3704905B1Power control in directional beam environments
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3704905B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3704905B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3704905B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques are provided for power control in directional beam environments. A user equipment (UE) may determine one or more power parameters on a beam-by-beam basis. Each directional uplink transmission beam in a communication link between the UE and the base station may be independently controlled using these beam-specific power parameters. Examples of these beam-specific power parameters may include a maximum output power for a given directional uplink transmission beam and a difference between the maximum output power for the given directional uplink transmission beam and an estimated transmit power for the given directional uplink transmission beam. The UE may report one or more of these beam-specific power parameters to a base station using a beam-specific report.