NR Power Transition Phase Coherence Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In new radio (NR) wireless communications systems, phase coherence loss occurs when transmitters change power levels during transmissions, particularly in uplink transmissions, due to implementation constraints of mobile devices compared to base stations, leading to difficulties in data reception and decoding.

Innovation Solution

The system mitigates phase coherence loss by allowing devices to transmit with different power levels for reference signals and data within an OFDM symbol and takes actions such as manipulating digital gains in the transmit chain to maintain phase coherence, while keeping analog gains unchanged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If transmitters change power levels during transmissions to meet implementation constraints of mobile devices, then device adaptability and power management flexibility are improved, but phase coherence is lost leading to reception and decoding difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower level adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidphase coherence
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a phase compensation mechanism as an intermediary between power level changes and signal transmission. The compensating phase rotation is calculated based on the power transition characteristics and applied to maintain phase coherence. This intermediary element (phase compensation) allows the system to achieve both power level flexibility and phase coherence maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the phase parameter dynamically in response to power level transitions. By calculating and applying phase compensation values that correspond to power changes, the system maintains the relationship between amplitude and phase parameters. This parameter coordination ensures that power level adjustments do not degrade phase coherence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If different power levels are used for reference signals and data within an OFDM symbol to optimize transmission efficiency, then data throughput is improved, but phase coherence loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidphase coherence
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different power levels to different portions of the transmission (reference signals versus data) while applying localized phase compensation to each portion. This allows optimal power allocation for different signal types while maintaining phase coherence within each localized segment. The phase compensation is tailored to the specific power transition characteristics of each signal portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary phase compensation calculations before transmission based on the scheduled power levels for reference signals and data. By pre-calculating the phase compensation values based on known power transitions, the system prepares the phase corrections in advance, ensuring that phase coherence is maintained throughout the transmission without real-time degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If power transitions are implemented in mobile devices to satisfy implementation constraints, then device power management capability is improved, but error rates increase due to phase coherence loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management capabilityVSAvoiderror rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiver detects phase coherence degradation caused by power transitions and communicates this information back to the transmitter. The transmitter then adjusts its phase compensation strategy based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that continuously optimizes phase coherence maintenance while preserving power management flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3685611B1Methods and apparatuses for handling power transitions in new radio
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3685611B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3685611B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3685611B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for handling power transitions in transmissions in new radio (NR) devices. An exemplary method includes changing from using a first transmit power during a first portion of a transmission to a second transmit power during a second portion of the transmission, and taking action to mitigate a potential phase coherence loss associated with the changing from the first transmit power to the second transmit power.