Uplink Control Channel Power Control Across Multiple Carriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing power control for uplink control channels on multiple component carriers, particularly in scenarios where transmissions occur on both primary and secondary component carriers, which can lead to inefficiencies in latency and throughput performance.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution is to implement power control techniques for uplink control channels on multiple component carriers, which include determining the power control techniques for uplink control channels on multiple component carriers, including closed-loop power control and open-loop power control configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If power control is implemented for uplink control channels on multiple component carriers, then power control efficiency is improved and throughput is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink control channel transmissions across multiple component carriers, with each carrier having independent power control parameters and TPC commands. This allows parallel power control management for different carriers, improving overall throughput while managing complexity through modular segmentation of the power control function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic power control where transmit power for each component carrier is adjusted in real-time based on received TPC commands and channel conditions. This dynamic adjustment optimizes power efficiency and throughput by adapting to changing network conditions, while the automated nature of the adjustments reduces the operational burden on the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If power control is implemented for uplink control channels on multiple component carriers, then latency is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes preliminary power control configurations and TPC command structures for multiple component carriers before transmission begins. This pre-configuration enables faster power adjustments and reduces processing latency during actual transmissions, as the device doesn't need to calculate power parameters from scratch for each carrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device automatically processes TPC commands and adjusts transmit power for each component carrier without requiring manual intervention or complex coordination. This self-service approach to power control reduces operational complexity while enabling rapid power adjustments that minimize transmission latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4316034B1Power control techniques for uplink control channels on multiple component carriers
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4316034B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4316034B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4316034B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described for uplink carrier aggregation in which uplink control channel communications may be transmitted on a primary component carrier (CC) and one or more secondary CCs. Uplink transmission power control for the control channel communications may be determined based on a power control configuration provided by a base station. The primary CC and secondary CC(s) may use a same set of power control parameters based on being within a same frequency band, and may use different power control parameters when one or more of the CCs are in a different frequency bands. Power control commands to increase or decrease transmit power may be accumulated on a per-CC basis, or across multiple CCs, based at least in part on the power control configuration.