Communication Terminal Device Thermal Management via Adaptive HARQ
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication terminal devices, such as smartphones, face thermal issues due to intense modem activity, leading to overheating, especially during high data transmission rates, as they struggle to control downlink data reception efficiently and reduce thermal energy consumption without degrading user experience or network coverage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the communication terminal device autonomously decides to skip or delay transmitting ACK/NACK signals in the HARQ protocol, using DTX (Discontinuous Transmission) to reduce transmission power and manage thermal conditions by controlling the number of HARQ processes and ACK/NACK transmissions based on thermal feedback, thereby reducing thermal energy generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the modem transmits ACK/NACK signals continuously to maintain network connectivity and data reception, then downlink throughput is improved, but thermal energy consumption increases causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by enabling discontinuous transmission of ACK/NACK signals based on thermal conditions. The system alternates between normal continuous transmission and reduced transmission periods when thermal thresholds are exceeded, thereby controlling thermal energy consumption while maintaining acceptable downlink throughput performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transmission behavior adaptive and adjustable. The modem dynamically adjusts its transmission strategy based on real-time thermal feedback, switching between different transmission modes (normal vs. reduced) to balance between maintaining throughput and controlling temperature.
2Temperature
If the modem reduces transmission power to manage thermal conditions, then thermal energy consumption is reduced, but downlink data reception speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring thermal conditions and using this information to adjust transmission behavior. The thermal feedback mechanism enables the system to reduce transmission power when temperatures are high while maintaining the ability to restore full transmission speed when thermal conditions improve, thus balancing between thermal management and data reception speed.
3Loss of energy
If the modem uses DTX to skip ACK/NACK transmissions, then transmission power is reduced, but network connectivity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback to monitor thermal conditions and adjust transmission behavior accordingly. By implementing discontinuous transmission based on thermal feedback, the system reduces transmission power when needed while maintaining network connectivity through selective transmission of ACK/NACK signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies periodic action by implementing regular intervals of reduced transmission activity. This periodic DTX pattern reduces overall transmission power consumption while maintaining sufficient network connectivity through scheduled transmission opportunities.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of this disclosure a communication terminal device is provided, comprising: a transceiver configured to communicate with a communication device according to a retransmission protocol; a controller configured, for a message transmitted from the communication device to the communication terminal device, to at least one of decide, upon a successful receipt of the message from the communication device, if the controller controls the transceiver not to transmit an acknowledgement message which is to be transmitted according to the retransmission protocol; and decide, upon an unsuccessful receipt of the message from the communication device, if the controller controls the transceiver not to transmit a negative acknowledgement message which is to be transmitted according to the retransmission protocol.