RAN Cell Selective Uplink Power Control for UE Battery Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile communications systems, closed-loop power control for uplink control channels can interfere with Discontinuous Reception (DRX) features, leading to unnecessary power consumption in user equipment (UE) when transmit power control messages are continuously sent, even if they are ineffective in adjusting the uplink channel power.

Innovation Solution

The radio access network (RAN) cell selectively controls transmit power by tracking the effectiveness of power control messages and measuring uplink channel power, determining when to send further messages based on the variance in channel quality, thereby conserving processing power in the UE.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transmit power control messages are continuously sent to adjust uplink control channel power, then the target signal quality is maintained, but unnecessary power is consumed in the UE when the messages are ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink signal qualityVSAvoidpower consumption in UE

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by monitoring the effectiveness of transmit power control messages through measuring uplink channel power and determining variance in channel quality. When the variance is below a threshold, the system stops sending messages, avoiding unnecessary power consumption while maintaining signal quality through adaptive feedback control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuously sending power control messages, the system applies partial action by sending messages only when the variance in channel quality exceeds a threshold. This selective approach prevents excessive messaging when channel conditions are stable, reducing UE power consumption while maintaining adequate signal quality control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Speed

If transmit power control messages are sent frequently, then power adjustment responsiveness is improved, but processing power in UE is wasted on ineffective messages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower adjustment responsivenessVSAvoidprocessing power waste in UE

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the frequency of power control messages based on real-time channel conditions. By calculating variance in uplink channel quality and comparing it to a threshold, the system adapts its messaging rate - sending messages quickly when channel conditions change rapidly, and reducing messaging frequency when conditions are stable, thus optimizing both responsiveness and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If power control commands are sent to adjust UE transmit power, then uplink channel quality is maintained, but battery life is reduced due to continuous processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink channel qualityVSAvoidbattery life in UE

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor uplink channel quality and the effectiveness of power control commands. By determining whether messages are effective through variance analysis, the system provides feedback to stop sending commands when they become ineffective, thereby preserving battery life while maintaining channel quality through intelligent feedback-driven control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the UE to autonomously determine when power control messages are ineffective based on local measurements of uplink channel power and variance calculations. This self-determination capability allows the UE to stop processing messages when unnecessary, extending battery life without requiring constant network control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10912030B2Selectively controlling transmit power from a radio access network (RAN) cell to user equipment (UE) in closed-loop power control for uplink control channel based on variation in measured uplink signal quality

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 ANI ACQUISITION SUB LLC

AI summary

Selectively controlling transmit power from a radio access network (RAN) cell to user equipment (UE) in closed-loop power control for uplink control channel based on variation in measured uplink signal quality. To avoid the RAN cell continuously sending transmit power control messages that may not be effective in further adjusting transmit power of the UE, the RAN cell selectively controls transmit power of the UE based on effectiveness in such transmit power control changing uplink channel signal quality. The determined effectiveness of the transmit power control can be used by the RAN cell to determine when the next transmit power control message should be sent to the UE. The RAN cell can be configured to indirectly measure the uplink channel power by reviewing the received uplink channel quality in a report communicated from the UE to the RAN cell.