Terminal ADC Bit Resolution Control for 5G Energy Savings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges in reducing energy consumption, particularly in 5G networks where high data transfer rates and extensive IoT applications lead to increased energy demands, necessitating efficient methods to minimize terminal energy usage.

Innovation Solution

A terminal adjusts the bit resolution of its analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to reduce energy consumption, determining an optimal bit resolution value based on energy consumption parameters and reporting this to the base station, which then limits the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and channel quality indicator (CQI) values to ensure efficient data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the terminal uses high bit resolution ADC to maintain high data transfer rates, then data transmission quality is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of ADC bit resolution based on current channel conditions and traffic requirements. The terminal can switch between different bit resolution modes (e.g., 6-bit, 8-bit, 10-bit) according to real-time network conditions, making the system adaptive rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high precision when needed and low power mode when acceptable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of ADC bit resolution to balance performance and power consumption. By adjusting this key parameter dynamically, the system can operate at high precision (e.g., 10-bit) for critical data transmission or switch to lower precision (e.g., 6-bit) for less demanding scenarios, directly addressing the energy-quality tradeoff

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal uses low bit resolution ADC to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but data transmission quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddata transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts ADC bit resolution based on channel quality indicators and traffic patterns. When channel conditions are good and traffic requirements are moderate, the terminal can use lower bit resolution (e.g., 6-bit) to save energy. When conditions deteriorate or high-quality transmission is required, the system automatically switches to higher bit resolution (e.g., 10-bit) to maintain quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the terminal monitors channel quality, transmission performance, and power consumption levels. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts ADC bit resolution to achieve optimal balance. The base station also provides feedback on received signal quality, enabling closed-loop optimization of the power-quality tradeoff

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal adjusts ADC bit resolution dynamically, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic ADC bit resolution switching with pre-configured resolution levels and decision thresholds. The terminal maintains a set of predefined bit resolution modes (e.g., 6-bit, 8-bit, 10-bit) with associated power consumption characteristics. Switching between these predefined modes reduces the complexity of real-time optimization while still achieving significant energy savings compared to fixed high-resolution operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3821651B1Method and apparatus for reducing energy consumption of terminal in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3821651B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3821651B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3821651B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a terminal may obtain a parameter related to energy consumption of the terminal, determine a bit resolution value of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of the terminal for reducing the energy consumption of the terminal, and set the bit resolution value of the ADC as the determined bit resolution value.