Multi-Antenna Transmission Activation for Wireless Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Uplink transmit diversity (ULTD) shows worse performance than conventional single-antenna operation under certain higher-speed conditions, and existing approaches to activating ULTD do not account for maximum power reduction when used with advanced features like multi-carrier, leading to suboptimal performance.

Innovation Solution

Evaluating operating conditions such as maximum power reduction, uplink data rate requirements, and battery status to selectively activate or deactivate multiple-antenna transmission in user equipment (UE), allowing network nodes or the UE to optimize multi-antenna operation based on these conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If uplink transmit diversity (ULTD) is activated to improve network capacity and coverage, then spectral efficiency and system capacity are enhanced, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic activation and deactivation of ULTD based on real-time evaluation of operating conditions including battery status, data rate requirements, and maximum power reduction status. The system transitions between SISO and MIMO modes adaptively, allowing the device complexity to vary according to current operational needs rather than being fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the transmission system by evaluating multiple conditions (battery status, data rate requirements, power reduction status) and switching between different transmission modes (SISO and MIMO) based on these parameter evaluations, thereby optimizing the balance between network capacity and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If uplink transmit diversity (ULTD) is activated to enhance coverage, then cell coverage is extended, but power consumption increases leading to reduced battery life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell coverageVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts between single-antenna and multi-antenna transmission modes based on real-time evaluation of battery status and coverage requirements. When battery status indicates limited power availability, the system deactivates ULTD to conserve energy, while activating it when coverage extension is prioritized and power status permits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent evaluates battery status as a key parameter and changes the transmission mode accordingly, switching from MIMO (higher power consumption) to SISO (lower power consumption) when battery status deteriorates, thereby managing the trade-off between coverage enhancement and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If uplink transmit diversity (ULTD) is activated under maximum power reduction conditions with advanced features like multi-carrier, then network capacity is improved, but performance deteriorates due to suboptimal operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidperformance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism that evaluates the maximum power reduction status and other operating conditions before activating ULTD. The system receives feedback about power reduction requirements from advanced features like multi-carrier operation, and uses this feedback to determine whether ULTD activation would be beneficial or harmful, thereby avoiding suboptimal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of operating conditions including maximum power reduction status, battery status, and data rate requirements before activating ULTD. This preliminary assessment prevents activation of ULTD under conditions where it would deteriorate performance, such as when maximum power reduction is already applied due to multi-carrier operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Speed

If multiple-antenna transmission is continuously activated to maintain high data rates, then peak user bit rate is increased, but power consumption increases and coverage is reduced under certain conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeak user bit rateVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between single-antenna and multi-antenna transmission modes based on real-time evaluation of data rate requirements and power status. The system activates multiple-antenna transmission only when high data rates are required and power status permits, and deactivates it when coverage or power conservation becomes prioritized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes transmission parameters by evaluating data rate requirements and power status, switching between transmission modes to optimize the balance between achieving peak user bit rate and managing power consumption according to current operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2724480B1Selecting uplink multi-antenna transmission to enhance coverage
Publication Date: 2015.08.19 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2724480B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2724480B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2724480B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Several advanced features in wireless network, such as multi-carrier operation, multi-RAT/multi-mode transmission, etc., may not be exploited to their fullest potential when uplink transmit diversity is used in conjunction with them. Several techniques described herein address these problems. An example method begins with the evaluation (610) of operating conditions for a mobile terminal transmitter and, based on the operating conditions, selectively activating or deactivating(620) multiple-antenna transmission by the mobile terminal. The operating conditions that are evaluated include,in some embodiments, the applicability of power backoff (maximum power reduction, or "MPR"), including whether Additional MPR (A-MPR) or power management MPR (P-MPR) are applicable. Other operating conditions that are evaluated may include uplink data rate requirements or limitations for the mobile terminal, and/or the actual or estimated status of the battery in the UE.