Parallel Preamble Transmission Power Management in LTE Dual-Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication systems, particularly in LTE with dual-connectivity, power limited situations can lead to overlapping random access procedures between master and secondary cell groups, causing UE to drop transmissions due to lack of knowledge about preamble powers at the MAC layer, resulting in inefficient resource allocation and potential handover issues.

Innovation Solution

The physical layer determines a power limited situation and communicates this to higher layers, enabling the MAC layer to select resources appropriately, postpone or drop preamble transmissions, and control resource allocation or handovers between cell groups to avoid power overload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the UE transmits overlapping preambles for MCG and SCG random access procedures simultaneously, then the random access capacity is improved, but the transmit power exceeds the maximum value due to power limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverandom access capacityVSAvoidtransmit power
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power scaling where the UE adjusts the power of overlapping preambles based on detected power limitations. The physical layer monitors power conditions and triggers power scaling adjustments when simultaneous MCG and SCG preamble transmissions would exceed maximum transmit power, allowing flexible adaptation to power constraints while maintaining dual-connectivity random access capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the power parameter of preambles dynamically based on power limitation detection. When power limited situations are detected, the UE modifies preamble power levels through scaling factors, transitioning from fixed power transmission to adaptive power transmission that responds to real-time power conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the MAC layer performs power scaling according to priority rules, then the transmit power is controlled within limits, but the UE may completely drop one of the transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmit power controlVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary detection of power limited situations by the physical layer before transmissions occur. By detecting power constraints in advance and triggering early power scaling adjustments, the system prevents complete transmission drops rather than reacting after the fact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the physical layer monitors power conditions and provides information to the MAC layer about power limited situations. This feedback loop enables the MAC layer to adjust power scaling decisions based on actual physical layer power conditions, improving transmission reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If PRACH resources are configured to never overlap in MCG and SCG, then power limited situations are avoided, but the RACH capacity is limited as resources are divided between cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower limitation avoidanceVSAvoidRACH capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes PRACH resource allocation dynamic rather than statically separated. The system allows temporal overlap of MCG and SCG PRACH resources but applies dynamic power scaling when overlaps occur, enabling full utilization of available resources while managing power constraints through real-time adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If dual-connectivity is supported in asynchronous networks, then the network flexibility is improved, but power limited situations may occur due to lack of synchronicity knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidpower management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service power management where the UE autonomously detects power limited situations and performs power scaling without requiring network coordination or synchronicity knowledge. The physical layer monitors power conditions and triggers power scaling independently, enabling dual-connectivity operation in asynchronous networks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3968714B1Parallel preamble transmission in power limited situations
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3968714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3968714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3968714B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various communication systems may benefit from parallel preamble transmissions. In particular, communication systems of the long term evolution of the third generation partnership project may benefit from methods and systems for parallel preamble transmission in power limited situations. A method can include determining at a physical layer of a device that a predetermined condition has been met with respect to a power limited situation. The method can also include communicating an indication that the predetermined condition has been met to a higher layer of the device based on the determining that the predetermined condition has been met.