Power Amplifier State Control for Discontinuous Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power control methods in wireless communication systems are inefficient in managing power amplifier states during discontinuous transmission modes, leading to unnecessary power consumption when no data is being transmitted.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines whether a transmitter has information to transmit and causes the power amplifier to enter a low power state, with a configurable time delay between the determination and the power state change, allowing for autonomous detection and control of power amplifier states without requiring signaling from a system module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the power amplifier is switched off immediately when no data is transmitted, then power consumption is reduced, but transmission readiness is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransmission readiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining the power amplifier in a low power state for a configurable delay period after determining no data needs transmission. This delay allows the system to prepare for potential upcoming transmissions, ensuring the power amplifier can quickly transition to full power state when data becomes available, thus balancing power savings with transmission readiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the power amplifier remains in high power state during idle periods, then transmission readiness is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission readinessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the power amplifier's state configurable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically transitions between high power state and low power state based on transmission needs, with a configurable delay parameter that allows optimization of the balance between power consumption and transmission readiness according to specific application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If autonomous detection of transmission needs is implemented, then system complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling requirementsVSAvoidtransmission detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the radio module to autonomously detect whether transmission data is available and independently control the power amplifier's power state. This eliminates the need for external system module signaling, reduces system complexity, and allows the radio module to self-optimize its power consumption based on actual transmission needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2996406B1Method, apparatus and computer program
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2996406B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2996406B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2996406B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method comprising: determining whether a transmitter of an apparatus has information to transmit; and causing a power amplifier of said apparatus to enter a first power state in response to said determining; wherein said determining is carried out within a radio portion of said apparatus.