Wireless Receiver Power Reduction via Conditional Channel Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 4G and 5G networks, there is a significant power consumption issue due to the need for continuous channel estimation and monitoring of control channels, even when channel characteristics remain stable or when data transmission is sparse, leading to inefficient power usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine whether to decode a control channel and deactivate communication interfaces based on previous TTI information, reducing unnecessary channel estimation and power consumption by reusing channel characteristics and selectively turning off components when no data channel is present in the current TTI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If channel estimation is performed every TTI to ensure accurate data reception, then reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the channel estimation operation conditional rather than fixed. The terminal dynamically adjusts whether to perform channel estimation based on comparing channel quality indicators (CQI) between current and previous TTIs. When channel characteristics are stable (CQI difference below threshold), estimation is skipped; when changes are detected, estimation is performed. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliable reception and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of channel estimation from a fixed periodic operation to a conditional operation based on parameter comparison. By monitoring CQI parameter changes over time and using threshold-based decision making, the system adapts its behavior to actual channel conditions. This parameter-driven approach allows the terminal to maintain reception reliability when needed while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during stable periods.
2Reliability
If control channel is continuously monitored to detect sparse data transmission, then data reception reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively monitoring the control channel only when necessary rather than continuously. The terminal performs control channel decoding only after detecting channel changes through CQI comparison. This partial monitoring approach maintains the ability to detect sparse data transmissions reliably while avoiding the excessive power consumption of continuous monitoring during stable channel periods.
3Speed
If communication interface remains active to process received signals in real-time, then reception responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by activating the communication interface and performing channel estimation only at specific intervals when channel changes are detected, rather than maintaining continuous operation. The terminal periodically checks CQI differences and conditionally activates the interface for signal processing. This periodic activation maintains reception responsiveness when needed while dramatically reducing power consumption during stable channel periods when the interface can remain dormant.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication method of a receiver, including performing a first determination of whether to decode a control channel of a current time transmission interval (TTI) based on control channel information of a previous TTI; decoding the control channel of the current TTI based on a result of the first determination; performing a second determination of whether a data channel is included in the current TTI based on a result of the decoding; and performing a third determination of whether to deactivate a communication interface configured to process a received signal based on a result of the second determination.