Radio Link Data Rate Backoff Under QoS Constraints

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in optimizing network energy savings while maintaining user equipment quality of service requirements, particularly in future generations like 6G, where increased power consumption due to massive antenna elements and large system bandwidth necessitate more efficient energy management techniques.

Innovation Solution

Implementing data rate backoff mechanisms that determine and adjust data rates below maximum achievable levels based on quality of service requirements, using UE assistance information to proactively manage transmission and reception in time, frequency, spatial, and power domains, thereby optimizing network energy savings without compromising UE performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If data rate is reduced below maximum achievable level, then network energy consumption is decreased, but quality of service requirements may not be met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork energy consumptionVSAvoidquality of service fulfillment
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the data rate limit adjustable rather than fixed. The network node dynamically determines a data rate backoff value that reduces the data rate limit below the maximum achievable data rate, and this backoff value can be updated based on feedback from the user equipment. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize energy consumption while ensuring quality of service requirements are met through iterative refinement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the user equipment sends responses (acknowledgements or negative acknowledgements) to the network node regarding the determined data rate backoff values. Based on this feedback, the network node can determine updated backoff values or adjust resource allocation. This feedback loop ensures that energy optimization decisions are continuously validated against actual quality of service performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by stationary object

If data rate limit is reduced for energy savings, then network power consumption decreases, but data transmission capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork power consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the data rate limit parameter through the introduction of a data rate backoff value. Instead of directly reducing transmission capacity, the system changes the operational parameter (data rate limit) to an optimized value that balances energy consumption and transmission capacity. The backoff value acts as a controlled parameter adjustment that achieves energy savings while maintaining sufficient productivity through selective optimization rather than blanket reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If data rate backoff is implemented, then network energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional signaling and determination processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork energy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the energy optimization function into a separate, dedicated mechanism (data rate backoff determination). Rather than attempting to optimize all system parameters simultaneously, the invention isolates the data rate limit adjustment as a specific extractable function that can be independently controlled and optimized. This extraction simplifies the overall system complexity by focusing optimization efforts on a single key parameter while maintaining other system functions unchanged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4704462A1Data rate backoff
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4704462A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4704462A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4704462A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a method comprising determining, by an apparatus, one or more data rate backoff values for reducing a data rate limit of a radio link between the apparatus and a user equipment to be less than a maximum achievable data rate of the radio link, while fulfilling one or more quality of service requirements of the user equipment; and transmitting, by the apparatus, to the user equipment, a message indicating the one or more data rate backoff values.