Multi-panel UE Status Signaling for 5G Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, face inefficiencies in managing multiple-panel user equipment (UE) for optimal performance and power management, lacking effective signaling mechanisms to coordinate panel activation and deactivation, which affects transmission properties and battery life.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of signaling mechanisms that allow both the base station and multi-panel UE to be aware of the current panel status, enabling explicit or implicit status signaling for scheduling and activation/deactivation processes, with the base station transmitting commands to manage panel usage based on power consumption and exposure limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple panels are activated in multi-panel UE, then communication performance is improved, but power consumption increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic panel activation and deactivation based on communication conditions. The base station receives panel status information from the UE and sends activation/deactivation commands to adjust panel usage dynamically, allowing the system to adapt between performance and power consumption needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational state parameter of panels from static to dynamic. By introducing panel status reporting mechanisms and activation/deactivation commands, the system can change the activation state of panels based on communication requirements, thereby optimizing the balance between performance and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If panel status signaling is implemented, then coordination between base station and UE is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordination efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts panel status information from general uplink transmissions and handles it separately through specific signaling mechanisms. The UE sends panel status in uplink control information or MAC CE, and the base station responds with specific activation/deactivation commands, separating this coordination function from general data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces panel status information as an intermediary element that facilitates coordination between UE and base station. This intermediate signaling layer enables the system to track and manage panel states without requiring complex direct communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If panels are deactivated for power saving, then battery life is extended, but transmission capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidtransmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic panel activation and deactivation based on communication activity patterns. Panels are activated when communication is needed and deactivated when not needed, creating a periodic on-off pattern that extends battery life while maintaining transmission capability when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary panel activation based on predicted communication needs. The base station can proactively activate panels before actual transmission is needed based on scheduling information, ensuring transmission capability is ready while minimizing the duration of active state to conserve battery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3966985B1Multi-panel activation/deactivation status reporting
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3966985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3966985B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3966985B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides signaling for multi -panel user equipment (MPUE) activation and deactivation status. The MPUE may include a plurality of panels. The MPUE may determine a nominal number of active panels. The MPUE may map a number of panel identifiers equal to the nominal number of active panels to an actual number of active panels of the plurality of panels. The MPUE may receive, from a base station, a downlink control information (DCI) scheduling a communication based on one of the panel identifiers. The MPUE may determine a panel for the communication based on the mapping. The MPUE may communicate according to the DCI using the determined panel.