Modem Capability State Negotiation for Power Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless modems face inefficiencies in power consumption due to the need to maintain peak processing capabilities even during low data rate scenarios, leading to battery life reduction and thermal issues, as existing power management techniques like DRX and DTX increase latency and are network-controlled, limiting device-driven power optimization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where the modem can dynamically adjust its capability states by negotiating with the network to operate at varying peak data processing capabilities, allowing it to reduce power consumption by switching to lower capability states when not needed, and signaling changes to ensure compliance with network requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the modem maintains peak processing capability always, then the data rate requirement is met, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The modem dynamically adjusts its processing capability between different states (e.g., state 1 for peak performance, state 2 for reduced performance) based on actual data rate requirements. This dynamic state transition allows the system to match processing power consumption with actual throughput needs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high data rate capability and reducing power consumption during low-demand periods.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the modem uses network-controlled power management (DRX/DTX), then power consumption is reduced, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modem autonomously determines when to transition between capability states based on its own processing requirements and data rate conditions, rather than relying on network-controlled mechanisms like DRX/DTX. This self-service approach allows the modem to optimize power consumption without the latency penalties associated with network-scheduled power management, as the device can independently adjust its state in response to local conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the modem switches between low-power and high-power modes, then power consumption is optimized, but switching is not instantaneous
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple capability states (e.g., state 1, state 2, and intermediate states) that the modem can transition between. By having these states pre-established with different processing capabilities and power consumption characteristics, the modem can make faster transitions compared to building capability from scratch or requiring full re-initialization, thus reducing the switching penalty while still enabling power optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses pertaining to device-driven power scaling in advanced wireless modem architectures are described. A processor of a communication apparatus with time-varying peak processing capability during active operations negotiates with a wireless network, to which the communication apparatus is communicatively connected, to select one of a plurality of temporary capability states ranging between zero and peak performance of the communication apparatus. The processor initiates a capability state change such that the communication apparatus enters the selected temporary capability state from a current temporary capability state of the plurality of temporary capability states. The lifetime of the selected temporary capability state exceeds a control information period used by the wireless network to dynamically schedule data transmissions with the communication apparatus. The data transmissions between the communication apparatus and the wireless network are constrained according to the selected temporary capability state.