Scheduling Duty Cycle Control for mmWave Buffer Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems, particularly those operating at mmWave frequencies, face challenges with high path-loss and increased phase noise, leading to buffer overrun and power consumption issues due to intense baseband processing and high data rates, which are difficult for low-cost and low-energy devices to manage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a scheduling duty cycle control mechanism where base stations receive feedback information from user equipment to determine and communicate a schedule that includes a duty cycle, limiting the maximum instantaneous rate and scheduling duty cycle to prevent buffer overrun and manage power consumption, by applying limitations on the UE's scheduling duty cycle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the base station operates at mmWave frequencies with high bandwidth to achieve high data rates, then the data transmission speed is improved, but the path-loss increases and phase noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rateVSAvoidpath-loss and phase noise

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic duty cycle control where the base station alternates between active transmission periods and sleep periods. The UE is scheduled to transmit feedback information only during specific active periods, then enters a sleep state during inactive periods. This periodic operation reduces the cumulative effect of high path-loss and phase noise while maintaining high data rates during active transmission windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the duty cycle parameters based on channel conditions and traffic requirements. The base station determines active and inactive periods adaptively, allowing the system to optimize between data rate and energy consumption in real-time. This dynamic scheduling enables the system to operate at high frequencies when needed while reducing exposure to harmful effects during inactive periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the base station implements intense baseband processing to achieve high data rates, then the productivity is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing rateVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic duty cycle control where the base station alternates between active transmission periods and sleep periods. The UE is scheduled to transmit feedback information only during specific active periods, then enters a sleep state during inactive periods. This periodic operation reduces the cumulative effect of high path-loss and phase noise while maintaining high data rates during active transmission windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback information from the UE to dynamically adjust the duty cycle scheduling. The UE transmits feedback about its buffer status and processing capabilities, allowing the base station to optimize the active/inactive periods to match actual data processing needs. This feedback mechanism ensures that high-power processing occurs only when necessary, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the base station schedules continuous transmission to maintain high data rates, then the productivity is improved, but the buffer overrun risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidbuffer overrun prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic duty cycle control where the base station alternates between active transmission periods and sleep periods. The UE is scheduled to transmit feedback information only during specific active periods, then enters a sleep state during inactive periods. This periodic operation reduces the cumulative effect of high path-loss and phase noise while maintaining high data rates during active transmission windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE transmit feedback information about its buffer status before the base station finalizes the scheduling decision. This advance notification allows the base station to proactively adjust the duty cycle parameters to prevent buffer overrun, rather than reacting after overrun has occurred. The base station can pre-configure inactive periods that align with UE buffer clearance needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240365306A1Control of scheduling duty cycle

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Wireless communications systems and methods related to communicating in a communication medium are provided. A base station (BS) receives from a user equipment (UE), feedback information of the UE. The BS determines a schedule for the UE. The schedule includes a scheduling duty cycle based on the feedback information of the UE. The BS communicates with the UE, a communication signal based on the schedule.