User Equipment Transmission Power Control via Sensor-Based Radiation Compliance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In mmWave wireless networks, User Equipment (UE) experiences excessive exposure to radiation due to high transmission power, exceeding regulatory limits, especially in dual transmission scenarios, posing health risks that existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

The UE employs sensors to detect user interactions and adaptively calculate maximum transmission power, ensuring compliance with regulatory limits by adjusting power levels based on user proximity and position, using a processor to manage transmission power and estimate power headroom reports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If beam forming and high transmission power are used to increase data rates and transmission distance, then network performance is improved, but user exposure to radiation exceeds regulatory limits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidradiation exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transmission power adjustment by continuously monitoring user presence through sensors (proximity sensors, cameras, depth sensors) and adapting the transmission power level in real-time. When a user is detected within a predetermined distance, the system dynamically reduces transmission power to comply with regulatory limits while maintaining high data rates when users are absent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmission power parameter based on detected user conditions. The processor determines whether to transmit at full power or reduced power by evaluating sensor data about user proximity and position, thereby adjusting the radiation exposure parameter while maintaining network performance when appropriate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If transmission power is reduced to comply with radiation limits, then user safety is improved, but network performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation exposureVSAvoiddata rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic sensing and power adjustment cycles. The processor periodically activates sensors to detect user presence, evaluates the detected conditions, and adjusts transmission power accordingly. This periodic action allows the system to maintain high power (and thus high data rates) during periods when no users are present while ensuring safety when users are detected

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission power is made dynamic rather than static, allowing the system to switch between high-power mode (for optimal data rates) and low-power mode (for safety compliance) based on real-time user presence detection, thereby resolving the trade-off between performance and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sensors are added to detect user interactions, then radiation compliance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages existing multi-functional components in modern UEs. Cameras, depth sensors, and proximity sensors are already present for other purposes (photography, augmented reality, user interface). The invention repurposes these existing sensors for radiation compliance monitoring, thereby avoiding the need to add dedicated hardware and minimizing additional system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the UE's own existing sensor suite to monitor user presence and self-regulate transmission power. The processor within the UE performs the detection and control functions using already-present hardware, eliminating the need for external monitoring devices or complex additional control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3900444B1Controlling transmission power of user equipment in a mmwave wireless network
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3900444B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3900444B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3900444B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. Methods and systems for controlling transmission power of User Equipment (UE) based on user interactions. The methods and systems include detecting user interactions with transmitted signals of the UE using information collected from at least one sensor, and using the information collected from the at least one sensor to estimate the transmission power of the UE for compliance with regulatory organization limits for user exposer to signals.