Uplink Power Allocation for Component Carriers with UCI

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently allocating transmission power for uplink transmissions across different component carriers, leading to potential loss in throughput and increased current consumption due to the limitation of total transmission power, which affects user equipment (UE) performance, especially in scenarios with heavy traffic demand or cell edge conditions.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a method where user equipment (UE) allocates transmission power by limiting the power for an uplink transmission on one component carrier with uplink control information (UCI) while maintaining usable power for another component carrier without UCI, using a threshold adjustment value to ensure the total uplink transmission power does not exceed the network-configured maximum, thereby allowing simultaneous transmission on both carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transmission power is limited on a component carrier with UCI to prioritize control information, then uplink control reliability is improved, but data transmission throughput on other component carriers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink control information reliabilityVSAvoiddata transmission throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink transmission power allocation by component carrier, allowing independent power control for each carrier. The UE determines a first power limit for the primary component carrier (PCC) with UCI and a second power limit for the secondary component carrier (SCC) without UCI, enabling differentiated power management that resolves the contradiction between control reliability and data throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by setting different power limit characteristics for different component carriers. The PCC receives a first power limit that ensures UCI reliability, while the SCC receives a second power limit optimized for data throughput. This localized power allocation strategy allows each carrier to operate at optimal performance levels for its specific function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If total transmission power is increased to maintain throughput on all carriers, then data delivery capability is improved, but current consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink throughputVSAvoidcurrent consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power allocation where the UE adjusts power limits on different component carriers based on real-time transmission conditions. The first power limit for PCC and second power limit for SCC are determined dynamically, allowing the system to maintain required throughput while minimizing total power consumption by allocating power only where necessary

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the power allocation parameters by introducing separate power limits (first power limit for PCC, second power limit for SCC) instead of using a single total power constraint. This parameter differentiation enables the system to achieve the same throughput with lower total power by optimizing the power distribution across carriers with different UCI requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If power is allocated uniformly across all component carriers, then simplicity of power management is maintained, but transmission efficiency deteriorates due to power limits on carriers that don't require it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower allocation simplicityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power allocation management into carrier-specific power limits. The UE determines a first power limit for PCC with UCI and a second power limit for SCC without UCI independently, rather than applying uniform power management. This segmentation improves transmission efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through automated carrier-based differentiation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3524019B1Power allocation for uplink transmissions
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3524019B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3524019B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3524019B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to wireless communications and, more particularly, to how to allocate transmission power for uplink transmissions on different component carriers.