Terminal Device Transmit Power Control for Dual Connectivity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, dual connectivity with low-speed backhaul limits the sharing of information among cells, making it difficult to use existing transmit power control methods effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method for efficiently controlling transmit power in terminal devices connected to multiple base stations, independent of backhaul speed, by utilizing periodic and aperiodic channel state information reporting and power allocation strategies across different cell groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dual connectivity with low-speed backhaul is used to connect terminal devices to multiple base stations, then communication coverage and reliability are improved, but information sharing among cells is limited and existing transmit power control methods cannot be used effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinformation sharing among cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the system into multiple cell groups (first cell group and second cell group) with different backhaul characteristics. The first cell group uses high-speed backhaul for efficient information sharing, while the second cell group uses low-speed backhaul for extended coverage. This segmentation allows each group to operate with appropriate power control strategies without requiring full information sharing across all cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a master base station as an intermediary that coordinates between cell groups with different backhaul speeds. The master base station receives channel state information from terminal devices and performs centralized power control calculations, enabling effective power control even when direct information sharing between all base stations is limited by low-speed backhaul.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If information sharing among cells is limited due to low-speed backhaul, then network coverage is extended, but transmit power control efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidtransmit power control efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network into cell groups based on backhaul capabilities. The first cell group with high-speed backhaul maintains efficient power control through rapid information exchange, while the second cell group with low-speed backhaul extends network coverage. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both extended coverage and maintained power control efficiency in different parts of the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary power control calculations at the master base station using available channel state information before actual transmission occurs. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-determine optimal power levels without requiring real-time information sharing between all base stations, thus maintaining power control efficiency despite limited information exchange in low-speed backhaul scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If existing transmit power control methods are used in dual connectivity with low-speed backhaul, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but power control accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidpower control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a master base station as an intermediary that centralizes power control functions. This intermediary receives channel state information from terminal devices and performs coordinated power control across multiple cell groups, achieving accurate power control without requiring complex distributed algorithms between all base stations. The master base station simplifies implementation while improving accuracy compared to existing methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where terminal devices report channel state information to the master base station, which then adjusts transmit power levels accordingly. This feedback loop enables accurate power control by continuously adapting to channel conditions, achieving better precision than open-loop methods while maintaining implementation simplicity through centralized control at the master base station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3160197B1Terminal device, base-station device, and communication method
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 SHARP KK
  • EP3160197B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3160197B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3160197B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal device that communicates with a base station apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits a channel and/or a signal based on a maximum output power in a first cell group in a certain subframe. In a case where information relating to uplink transmission in the second cell group is recognized, a residual power is allocated based on a priority level of a type of uplink transmission. The residual power is given by subtracting a power that is determined based on uplink transmission in the first cell group and a power that is determined based on the uplink transmission in the second cell group from a sum of maximum output powers of the terminal device. The maximum output power is a sum of the power that is determined based on the uplink transmission in the first cell group and a power that is allocated to the first cell group, of the residual power.