Dual-Connectivity Link Switching for Battery and Thermal Limits

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal devices experience increased power consumption when performing data transmission with multiple access network devices, particularly in 5G non-standalone networking, which affects user experience.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device in dual-connectivity mode switches between LTE and NR links based on power saving mode, battery level, and temperature conditions, releasing the NR link when power or temperature thresholds are met, and restoring it when conditions improve, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining user requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the terminal device uses both NR link and LTE link for communication to meet user requirements, then communication performance is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic link selection based on real-time detection of power saving mode status, battery power levels, and temperature conditions. The terminal device dynamically switches between using NR link only, LTE link only, or both links based on current operational conditions, resolving the contradiction between communication performance and power consumption through adaptive behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters (link selection) based on detected conditions such as power saving mode status, battery power thresholds, and temperature thresholds. By adjusting the communication link configuration according to these parameter changes, the system optimizes the balance between performance and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal device releases the NR link to reduce power consumption, then power saving is improved, but communication performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower savingVSAvoidcommunication performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the terminal device continuously monitors power saving mode status, battery power levels, and temperature conditions. Based on this feedback, the system makes informed decisions about when to release the NR link and when to restore it, ensuring that power saving actions do not permanently compromise communication performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts link configuration based on real-time conditions. When power saving conditions are detected, the NR link is released; when conditions improve, the link is restored. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize power saving while maintaining communication performance availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the terminal device maintains both NR link and LTE link for high performance communication, then communication performance is improved, but device temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication performanceVSAvoiddevice temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic link management based on real-time temperature monitoring. When temperature exceeds the second preset value, the system dynamically releases the NR link to reduce thermal load. When temperature returns to acceptable levels, the link is restored, thereby managing temperature while maintaining communication performance availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses temperature feedback to make informed decisions about link configuration. The continuous monitoring of temperature conditions provides feedback that triggers appropriate responses (releasing or restoring NR link), creating a closed-loop system that manages thermal conditions while preserving communication performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4404493B1Terminal device and communication method
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4404493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4404493B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4404493B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a terminal device and a communication method. The terminal device is in a dual-connectivity network including an LTE link and an NR link, and when the terminal device detects that the terminal device is in a power saving mode, and/or when the terminal device detects that battery power of the terminal device is less than or equal to a first preset value, and/or when the terminal device detects that temperature of a rear cover of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a second preset value, the terminal device releases the NR link, and uses the LTE link for communication; or when the terminal device detects that the terminal device is in a non-power saving mode, and/or when the terminal device detects that the battery power of the terminal device is greater than the first preset value, and/or when the terminal device detects that the temperature of the rear cover of the terminal device is less than the second preset value, the terminal device restores the NR link and uses both the NR link and the LTE link for communication. In the foregoing technical solution, power consumption of the terminal device is reduced while a user requirement is met.