UE Receiver Branch Switching for Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for dynamic user equipment receiver reconfiguration in cellular telecommunication systems often result in reduced channel quality indicator (CQI) reporting and inefficient power use, as they rely on threshold-based or signaling-dependent criteria that are not adaptive to changing radio conditions, leading to suboptimal power management and network resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A method where user equipment (UE) with at least two receiver branches switches off or activates branches based on a predefined threshold difference between measured channel quality and maximum reportable CQI values, allowing for efficient battery conservation without compromising network performance or CQI reporting capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If receiver diversity is employed at UE, then system capacity and coverage are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the UE to dynamically switch between receiver diversity modes (one or two receiver branches) based on real-time radio conditions. The UE monitors channel quality indicators and adapts its receiver configuration accordingly, transitioning from static to dynamic operation to optimize the trade-off between system capacity and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the receiver by adjusting the number of active receiver branches based on measured channel quality. When channel conditions are good, the UE operates with one receiver branch; when conditions deteriorate, it switches to two branches, thereby adapting system parameters to maintain reliability while minimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If UE switches off receiver branches to save power, then battery life is extended, but channel quality reporting accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidchannel quality indicator reporting
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE continuously monitors channel quality indicators and uses this information to determine when to switch receiver branches on or off. The feedback loop ensures that power-saving decisions are based on actual channel conditions, preventing degradation of measurement precision by only reducing receiver branches when channel quality is sufficiently good.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The UE autonomously manages its own receiver configuration based on internally measured channel quality metrics. The device performs self-assessment of radio conditions and makes independent decisions about receiver branch activation without requiring external control, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while optimizing power consumption through self-service resource management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If threshold-based reconfiguration is used, then power management is simplified, but adaptability to changing radio conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower managementVSAvoidadaptability to radio conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms static threshold-based reconfiguration into a dynamic adaptation mechanism. The UE continuously evaluates channel quality indicators and adjusts receiver configuration in real-time, enabling the system to adapt to changing radio conditions while maintaining simplified power management through automated decision-making based on predefined quality thresholds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2171883B1Methods and arrangements in a cellular telecommunication system
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2171883B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2171883B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2171883B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and a UE having a receiver with at least two receiver branches, capable of measuring or estimating a first channel quality of at least one down link channel. The UE comprises means for determining whether a first condition is fulfilled where said first condition is fulfilled when a difference between a measured or estimated first channel quality and a predefined maximum reportable channel quality indicator value is greater than or equal to a first threshold (Ti), and means for switching off at least one receiver branch for the reception of the at least one down link channel provided that the first condition is fulfilled. It also relates to a method and a radio base station comprising means for signaling the first threshold (Ti) to the user equipment.