Uplink Precoding Fallback for Fewer PUSCH TX Antenna Ports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 5G NR technologies face inefficiencies in power management for user equipment (UE) due to continuous RF activation of antenna ports during low uplink traffic, leading to suboptimal power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for reducing the number of antenna ports associated with uplink precoding, involving UE and network entity communication to transmit and receive reference signals using a reduced number of antenna ports, along with Transmit Precoder Matrix Indicators (TPMI) to optimize power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the number of antenna ports is reduced for uplink precoding, then power consumption is reduced, but communication reliability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the UE to dynamically adjust the number of active antenna ports based on uplink traffic conditions. When uplink traffic is low, the UE reduces the number of active antenna ports to save power. When uplink traffic increases, the UE activates additional antenna ports to maintain communication reliability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between power consumption and communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of antenna port activation status based on traffic conditions. The network entity signals the UE to activate or deactivate specific antenna ports corresponding to PUSCH transmissions. By changing which antenna ports are active rather than physically modifying the hardware, the system optimizes power consumption while maintaining the ability to restore full reliability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If RF activation is continuous for antenna ports, then communication readiness is maintained, but power management efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication readinessVSAvoidpower management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous RF activation, the patent implements periodic or conditional activation of antenna ports. The UE maintains RF activation only when needed for actual uplink transmissions. The network entity monitors traffic conditions and signals the UE to activate or deactivate antenna ports accordingly, transforming continuous action into conditional action that improves power management efficiency while maintaining communication readiness when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20260100735A18 TX pusch fallback to less TX pusch transmissions

Publication Date: 2026.04.09 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Example implementations include a method, apparatus and computer-readable medium of wireless communication by a user equipment, comprising receiving, from a network entity, an indication to reduce a number of antenna ports associated with uplink precoding. The implementations further include transmitting, to the network entity, a reference signal using the reduced number of antenna ports. The implementations further include receiving, from the network entity, a message indicating a Transmit Precoder Matrix Indicator (TPMI) associated with the reduced number of antenna ports.