Power Throttling in Multi-Carrier Reverse Link Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-carrier wireless communication systems, existing power control techniques struggle to efficiently manage transmission power across multiple channels, leading to potential amplifier saturation and interference, particularly on the reverse link, where power amplifier headroom is limited.
Innovation Solution
An access terminal equipped with a processing unit, memory, receive circuitry, transmit circuitry, and a throttle control unit that determines if the power amplifier headroom is sufficient by summing pilot, overhead, and traffic channel power levels across all assigned carriers and throttles power by reducing transmit power of one or more channels until the sum is within the maximum allowed transmit power, prioritizing secondary and then primary reverse link carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If transmission power is increased across multiple channels to improve communication capacity and data rate, then the communication system can support higher throughput and more users, but the power amplifier may become saturated leading to distortion and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power allocation that continuously adjusts transmit power levels across different channels based on current system conditions. The base station monitors channel quality, interference levels, and power amplifier headroom, then dynamically redistributes power resources to maintain optimal operation without saturation while maximizing communication capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes power distribution parameters across multiple channels rather than using fixed power allocation. By adjusting power levels on individual forward and reverse link channels based on traffic demand and channel conditions, the system can increase overall capacity while keeping the total power within amplifier limits to prevent saturation.
2Reliability
If transmission power is increased to improve signal quality and reduce interference, then communication reliability improves, but power amplifier headroom is reduced making the system more vulnerable to saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic power control that adjusts transmit power in real-time based on feedback from channel conditions and amplifier performance. This allows the system to maintain high signal quality when needed while preserving amplifier headroom by reducing power when channels are good, creating a flexible adaptation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the base station monitors both channel quality metrics and power amplifier performance, then uses this information to adjust power allocation. This closed-loop control ensures signal quality requirements are met while preventing amplifier saturation by maintaining appropriate headroom margins.
3Device complexity
If power is allocated uniformly across all channels to simplify control, then device complexity is reduced, but power amplifier headroom management becomes inefficient leading to potential saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power control function into distinct components: channel quality assessment, power requirement calculation, and power allocation decision-making. This segmentation allows complex adaptive power management to be implemented through modular, manageable functions rather than a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniform power allocation, the system changes power parameters individually for each channel based on specific channel conditions and traffic requirements. This differentiated parameter adjustment improves amplifier headroom utilization efficiency while the systematic approach keeps control complexity manageable.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, the patent application comprises an access terminal, comprising a processing unit, a memory operably connected to the processing unit, a receive circuitry operably connected to the processing unit, a transmit circuitry having a power amplifier used in both single carrier and multi-carrier operations, wherein said transmit circuitry is operably connected to the processing unit, and a throttle control unit operably connected to the power amplifier, adapted to throttle power to provide sufficient headroom for the power amplifier.