Per-Carrier Capability Reduction for 5G Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing UE capability reduction mechanism in LTE systems is not flexible enough to address overheating issues specific to certain frequency ranges or component carriers in 5G NR systems, as it only applies globally and does not account for the differences between FR1 and FR2 frequency ranges.
Innovation Solution
A method for UE capability reduction is proposed, allowing per-component-carrier or per-frequency-range reductions, where the UE detects overheating conditions and requests specific reductions in carrier numbers, bandwidth, or MIMO rank, enabling targeted capability adjustments rather than global reductions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If global UE capability reduction is applied to mitigate overheating, then thermal management is improved, but system capacity and data rates are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UE capability reduction approach by introducing per-component-carrier and per-frequency-range reduction mechanisms. Instead of applying a global reduction that affects all carriers uniformly, the system can now independently reduce capabilities on specific carriers or frequency ranges that are causing overheating, while maintaining full capability on other carriers. This segmentation allows targeted thermal management without unnecessary loss of system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by enabling differentiated capability reduction strategies for different components of the UE system. Specifically, different capability reduction levels can be applied to different component carriers or frequency ranges based on their individual thermal conditions and capacity requirements. This allows the system to optimize the balance between thermal management and capacity preservation on a localized basis.
2Device complexity
If per-UE capability reduction is used, then thermal management is simplified, but flexibility for frequency-specific reductions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the capability reduction mechanism from a single per-UE level to multiple segmented levels including per-component-carrier and per-frequency-range. This segmentation maintains the simplicity of UE-level control while adding the flexibility to target specific frequency ranges or carriers, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic capability reduction by allowing the network to selectively apply reduction measures based on real-time thermal conditions and operational requirements. The system can dynamically switch between different reduction strategies (per-UE, per-carrier, or per-frequency-range) depending on the specific overheating conditions, thereby achieving both simplicity and flexibility.
3Productivity
If carrier aggregation is used to increase bandwidth, then data rates are improved, but overheating risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables segmentation of the carrier aggregation configuration by allowing independent capability reduction on specific component carriers or frequency ranges. When overheating is detected, the network can selectively reduce capabilities on the most thermally problematic carriers while maintaining aggregation and high data rates on other carriers, thus resolving the contradiction between bandwidth and thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting capability parameters (such as maximum bandwidth, MIMO rank, or number of aggregated carriers) on a per-component-carrier or per-frequency-range basis. This allows the system to optimize the balance between data rate performance and thermal management by changing operational parameters only where necessary to mitigate overheating.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for UE capability reduction on a per-component-carrier or a per-frequency-range basis is proposed. In NR networks, UE may be operating in multiple frequency ranges (FRs) and configured with multiple component carriers (CCs) under carrier aggregation. UE can detect an overheating problem due to the RF activity supporting high bandwidth or high MIMO rank on a specific FR or a specific CC. Accordingly, UE indicates to the network a preference for a capability reduction on the specific FR or the specific CC, e.g., a reduced number of carriers, a reduced maximum bandwidth, or a reduced MIMO rank. Such per-FR or per-CC request allows UE to restrict or reduce its capability in a manner that is specific to certain component carriers and/or certain frequency ranges rather than to a global capability reduction that affects all carriers/frequencies.