Radio Receiver Temperature Control Using Dynamic PDSCH Disabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In radio communication systems, particularly in LTE connected mode, high data throughput leads to increased junction temperature, causing positive feedback between leakage power and temperature, resulting in thermal runaway issues, and existing data throttling methods either slow down temperature reduction or resort to artificial out-of-service methods that impair device functionality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a temperature control method that transitions between 'PDCCH Only Mode' and 'Normal Mode' based on system temperature thresholds, where the PDCCH region is continuously monitored while the PDSCH region is temporarily switched off to reduce power consumption and temperature, allowing for controlled temperature management without impairing uplink activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data throughput is increased in LTE connected mode, then communication performance is improved, but junction temperature increases leading to thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of receiver activity by transitioning between connected mode and idle mode based on thermal conditions. The system dynamically controls the activation of HW blocks (PDCCH monitoring, PDSCH reception) to modulate power consumption and temperature, allowing high throughput when cool and reducing activity when thermal thresholds are approached, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining productivity and controlling temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of the radio receiver by modifying the reception mode (from full connected mode with PDCCH/PDSCH to reduced mode with only PDCCH or idle mode). This parameter change in the operational state allows the system to reduce power dissipation and junction temperature while maintaining essential communication functionality, thereby resolving the temperature-throughput contradiction.
2Reliability
If data throttling is applied to reduce temperature, then thermal runaway is prevented, but temperature reduction speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic monitoring of thermal conditions and periodic transitions between operational modes. The system continuously monitors temperature and periodically adjusts the receiver state (connected mode, idle mode, or reduced activity) based on thermal thresholds. This periodic control action enables rapid response to thermal conditions, preventing slow temperature reduction while maintaining thermal stability through timely mode switches.
3Temperature
If artificial out-of-service method is used for temperature control, then thermal issues are resolved, but device functionality is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the receiver functionality into distinct operational modes: full connected mode (PDCCH+PDSCH), reduced mode (PDCCH only), and idle mode. Instead of completely disabling the device (artificial out-of-service), the system selectively disables specific HW blocks (PDSCH reception) while maintaining others (PDCCH monitoring for uplink grants). This segmented approach reduces temperature while preserving essential uplink functionality, avoiding complete service interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively disabling only the downlink data reception (PDSCH) while maintaining uplink capability through PDCCH monitoring. This partial disabling is sufficient to reduce temperature significantly without completely shutting down the device. The system applies just enough throttling to control temperature while preserving critical communication functions, avoiding the excessive action of artificial out-of-service.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (300) for temperature control in a radio receiver includes: receiving (301) a sequence of radio subframes, wherein each radio subframe (200) in the sequence of radio subframes comprises at least one control region (201) and at least one data region (202); monitoring (302) temperature information indicating a system temperature (T) of the radio receiver; and if the temperature information indicates that the system temperature (T) exceeds (303) a first threshold (T1), transition (304) to a second state (305) in which receiving the at least one data region is disabled.