Differentiated Inner Loop Power Control for Wireless Uplink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in power usage and performance due to indifferent power control methods that do not account for different operational needs of various communication services, leading to suboptimal power consumption and system degradation.

Innovation Solution

User equipment (UE) identifies upcoming uplink data transmissions by communication type and applies differentiated closed-loop and open-loop power control functions, utilizing semi-static configurations for subframe sets to optimize power control based on specific operational needs, thereby enhancing power efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a same operation level is applied to both services with different operational set points, then power control is simplified and easier to implement, but power usage efficiency deteriorates and system performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower control operationVSAvoidpower usage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments power control operations by introducing separate inner loop power control functions (first and second inner loop power control functions) tailored to different service types. This allows the system to divide and conquer the power control problem by applying service-specific control mechanisms rather than a unified approach, thereby improving power usage efficiency while maintaining operational feasibility through structured segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic power control by allowing the selection of different inner loop power control functions based on service type requirements. The system dynamically adapts the power control behavior to match the operational characteristics of each service, enabling optimal power efficiency for both low-latency and non-low-latency services without requiring static, one-size-fits-all control parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If differentiated power control functions are applied to different communication types, then power usage efficiency is improved, but device complexity and control mechanism complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower usage efficiencyVSAvoidpower control mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring specific inner loop power control functions for specific service types. Each service type (low-latency vs. non-low-latency) receives customized power control parameters and functions tailored to its local operational requirements. This localized optimization improves overall power efficiency without requiring complete system-wide complexity, as each service segment maintains its own optimized control characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying inner loop power control parameters (such as target signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio, accumulation step sizes, and adjustment coefficients) based on service type. These parameter variations enable differentiated power control behavior for different communication types, achieving improved power efficiency through controlled parameter diversification rather than fundamental architectural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If inner loop power control is optimized for specific services, then system performance is improved, but the complexity of power control configuration and management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidpower control configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple inner loop power control functions and their associated parameters before actual service operation. The system prepares service-specific power control configurations in advance, allowing rapid selection and activation based on service type without requiring complex real-time decision-making or configuration adjustments during operation, thereby improving system performance while managing configuration complexity through advance preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3497983B1Inner loop power control
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3497983B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3497983B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3497983B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) may identify an upcoming uplink data transmission. The UE may associate the uplink data transmission with a communication type. In some cases, the UE may receive an indication of the communication type in an uplink grant or the UE may determine an identifier for decoding a downlink transmission and further determine the communication type based on the identifier. The UE may then determine and apply a closed-loop power control function, and/or in some cases an open-loop power control function, for the uplink data transmission based on the communication type. In aspects, the UE may receive a semi-static configuration of subframe sets each associated with an additional closed-loop power control function. The UE may then determine a closed-loop power control function for each of the subframe sets based on the communication type associated with each subframe set.