PUCCH and PUSCH Power Prioritization Under MPE Back-Off

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G wireless communication systems, maximum permissible exposure (MPE) events cause unpredictable power back-off (PBO) leading to radio link failures (RLFs) due to reduced uplink power, especially when a user is in close proximity to the antenna, affecting both uplink and downlink signals.

Innovation Solution

Implementing MPE uplink budget prioritization for physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) by prioritizing control signals over user plane traffic, using dynamic power distribution and priority rules to ensure successful MPE event signaling and maintain link connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If power back-off is applied during MPE events to reduce exposure, then harmful electromagnetic exposure is reduced, but uplink transmission power is reduced causing radio link failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic exposureVSAvoidradio link reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink transmission into different channels (PUCCH for control signals and PUSCH for user data) and applies different power allocation strategies to each. During MPE events, control signals receive prioritized power allocation to maintain link reliability, while user data transmission power is reduced, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing exposure and maintaining reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating power allocation across different transmission components. Control signals (PUCCH) are given higher power priority with Q_offset values of 6-15 dB, while user plane traffic (PUSCH) receives lower priority. This localized differentiation ensures critical control functions maintain reliability even when overall power is reduced during MPE events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If uplink power is reduced during MPE events, then maximum permissible exposure limits are met, but control signal transmission reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMPE complianceVSAvoidcontrol signal transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by configuring priority rules and power offset parameters before MPE events occur. The network pre-configures Q_offset values (6-15 dB for control signals) and priority levels for different uplink channels. When an MPE event is detected, these pre-configured settings are immediately applied, ensuring control signals maintain sufficient power without requiring real-time calculations during the event.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the UE monitors MPE event conditions and power allocation effectiveness. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts power distribution between control and data channels, ensuring that control signal transmission reliability is maintained while meeting MPE compliance requirements through iterative optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If dynamic power distribution is implemented to prioritize control signals, then link connectivity is maintained during MPE events, but power allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink connectivityVSAvoidpower allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent manages complexity by changing key parameters to discrete, pre-configured values rather than continuous adjustments. Power offsets are defined as specific dB values (6, 9, 12, 15 dB) for different channel types and MPE conditions. Priority levels are quantized into distinct categories (high priority for PUCCH, low priority for PUSCH). This parameter discretization simplifies the power allocation algorithm while maintaining effective link connectivity during MPE events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4238363B1Maximum permissible exposure (MPE) uplink (UL) budget prioritization for physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4238363B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4238363B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4238363B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for maximum permissible exposure (MPE) uplink (UL) budget prioritization for physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) are provided. For example, with a restricted UL power budget under MPE event duration, the user equipment (UE) may prioritize the transmissions of control signals (e.g., PUCCH, medium access control control element (MAC CE), or PUSCH carrying measurement report only) over PUSCH carrying UL user plane traffic.