Unlicensed 5G Carrier Power Balancing for Coverage and Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networks deploying unlicensed bands face inefficiencies in power usage and interference due to regulatory limitations on downlink power levels, leading to reduced indoor and outdoor coverage and increased energy waste.
Innovation Solution
The system optimizes coverage and power usage by determining and adjusting transmission powers of primary and secondary carriers based on channel state information and location data from user devices, particularly at cell edges, using techniques like beamforming and listen-before-talk procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If downlink power levels are limited by regulatory requirements, then interference is reduced and coexistence with other systems is improved, but coverage area and signal strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating transmission power strategies based on user device location. User devices are categorized into cell-edge devices (requiring higher power for coverage) and non-cell-edge devices (where lower power suffices). This location-based power differentiation resolves the contradiction by concentrating power only where needed for coverage extension while maintaining lower power elsewhere to minimize interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic transmission power adjustment based on real-time channel state information and user device locations. The network dynamically modifies power allocation between primary and secondary carriers according to current network conditions, user distribution, and interference measurements. This dynamic approach allows the system to adaptively balance coverage requirements against interference constraints.
2Area of stationary object
If transmission power is increased to improve coverage, then signal strength and coverage area are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of transmission power dynamically based on user device location and channel conditions. Instead of using fixed high power to ensure coverage, the system adjusts power levels according to actual network needs, modifying power allocation between primary and secondary carriers. This parameter change approach achieves coverage optimization while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing enhanced power only to the extent necessary for cell-edge coverage rather than uniformly increasing power across all transmissions. The system identifies specific user devices requiring coverage enhancement and directs power resources selectively to those cases, avoiding excessive power consumption in areas where coverage is already sufficient.
3Strength
If transmission power is increased to extend coverage, then signal strength is improved, but interference with other systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating enhanced signal strength only in specific locations (cell-edge regions) where coverage is insufficient, rather than uniformly increasing power across all transmission directions. This localized power enhancement achieves the necessary signal strength improvement while limiting the spatial extent of interference generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network continuously monitors channel state information, user device locations, and interference levels. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts transmission power on primary and secondary carriers to maintain adequate signal strength while preventing excessive interference. The feedback loop enables real-time optimization of the signal-strength-versus-interference trade-off.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, media, and systems are provided for optimizing coverage and power usage in a network deploying an unlicensed band. A first transmission power associated with a primary carrier and a second transmission power associated with a secondary carrier are determined. Location data and channel state information from a user device utilizing the primary carrier and the secondary carrier are received. An interference level may be determined using the channel state information. Based on the location data and the interference level, the second transmission power associated with the secondary carrier is reduced and the first transmission power of the primary carrier is increased. In some aspects, a beamforming technique is applied for downlink transmissions via a 5G New Radio unlicensed band. In some aspects, upon detection of an increase of 3 dBi antenna gain, the second transmission power is reduced by 1 dBm.