Communication Device Overheating Mitigation via Data Rate Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in mitigating overheating events in communication devices due to high workload, which can lead to damage from persistent temperature increases, especially in MIMO communication and carrier aggregation scenarios, with current methods like detaching and re-attaching to the network causing significant latency and service quality degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that adjust data rates on a wireless link by communicating uplink control signals, allowing for a change from a first data rate to a second, different data rate in response to overheating events, using control signals native to Layer 1 or Layer 2 of the communication protocol stack, and triggered by uplink control messages from higher layers, to reduce latency and mitigate overheating efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the UE detaches and re-attaches to the network to mitigate overheating events, then the overheating can be resolved, but the quality of service is severely affected and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network node proactively reduces the data rate before the overheating event fully develops, based on early indicators or predictive algorithms. This preliminary action prevents the full overheating scenario while avoiding the need for complete network detachment, thus reducing latency while still protecting against thermal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the data rate in real-time based on the UE's thermal state, transitioning between different operational modes (full rate, reduced rate, suspended transmission) without requiring network re-attachment. This dynamic adaptation allows continuous service with minimal interruption, resolving the contradiction between overheating protection and service continuity.
2Temperature
If the data rate is reduced to mitigate overheating events, then the temperature can be controlled, but the productivity of data transmission decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic thermal monitoring and data rate adjustment, alternating between high-rate transmission periods (when thermal conditions are acceptable) and reduced-rate periods (when thermal thresholds are approached). This periodic modulation allows the system to achieve cooling effects while maximizing overall data transmission productivity through optimal timing of high-rate intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple transmission parameters simultaneously (data rate, modulation scheme, resource allocation) rather than simply reducing data rate. These coordinated parameter changes allow for more efficient thermal management while maintaining higher effective productivity through optimized use of available resources during reduced-power operational modes.
3Productivity
If MIMO techniques and carrier aggregation are used to increase data rate, then productivity improves, but the workload on circuitry increases causing overheating events
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different MIMO configurations (number of spatial streams, antenna ports) and carrier aggregation levels based on real-time thermal conditions. When thermal thresholds are approached, the system automatically reduces MIMO complexity or deactivates carrier aggregation, allowing high productivity during cool periods while preventing overheating during high-load operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The network node monitors thermal indicators and proactively reduces MIMO carrier aggregation complexity before critical overheating occurs. This preliminary reduction in processing complexity prevents thermal damage while minimizing impact on productivity, as the system maintains optimal high-complexity configurations during safe thermal conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes: communicating, on a wireless link (111) between a network node (101) and a communication device (102), first data (2001) at a first data rate (210, 210-1, 210-2); and communicating, on the wireless link (111), at least one uplink control signal (2002) associated with an overheating event (221) at the communication device (102); and in response to said communicating of the at least one uplink control signal (2002): communicating, on the wireless link (111), second data (2001) at a second data rate (210, 210-1, 210-2), wherein the second data rate (210, 210-1, 210-2) is different from the first data rate (210, 210-1, 210-2).