Uplink Power Control via Downlink Carrier Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

In advanced mobile communication systems with carrier aggregation, controlling uplink transmission power is challenging due to unclear associations between downlink and uplink carriers, leading to increased signaling overhead and processing load.

Innovation Solution

The method involves grouping uplink component carriers and using a common power control command based on the relationship between downlink and uplink carriers, with the base station sending a carrier aggregation message that maps downlink carriers to corresponding uplink carriers, allowing for efficient power control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If carrier aggregation is used to increase transmission speed, then data rate is improved, but uplink transmission power control becomes unclear and signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidpower control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multiple uplink carriers into distinct groups, where each group is associated with a specific downlink carrier. This segmentation allows the UE to clearly identify which uplink carrier(s) should use the power control command received on a particular downlink carrier, resolving the ambiguity in carrier aggregation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mapping relationship between downlink carriers and uplink carriers. The downlink carrier serves as an intermediary that carries power control commands intended for specific uplink carriers, establishing a clear indirect control path that resolves the ambiguity in multi-carrier power control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple uplink carriers are allocated to increase transmission capability, then data rate is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the downlink carrier serve multiple functions: it not only carries data but also carries power control commands for specific uplink carriers. This multi-functionality allows the system to control multiple uplink carriers efficiently without requiring separate dedicated control channels for each uplink carrier, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the power control command transmission function with the existing downlink data transmission function. By combining these functions into a single downlink carrier, the system avoids the need for separate signaling channels, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining effective power control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If uplink transmission power is increased to improve signal quality, then transmission reliability is improved, but inter-cell interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidinter-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the base station sends power control commands to the UE based on received signal quality measurements. The UE adjusts its uplink transmission power according to these feedback commands, allowing dynamic optimization of signal quality while preventing excessive power transmission that would cause inter-cell interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3445099B1Method and apparatus for controlling uplink transmission power in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3445099B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3445099B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3445099B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A method and apparatus for controlling uplink transmission power of a wireless communication system is provided. The method for controlling uplink transmission power of a user equipment in a wireless communication system includes aggregating a plurality of uplink carriers into an uplink carrier group by frequency; selecting one of a plurality of downlink carriers associated with at least one of the uplink carriers of the uplink carrier group in terms of path loss; and determining transmission power of the uplink carriers based on the path loss of the selected downlink carrier. The method and apparatus for controlling uplink transmission power according to the present invention is advantageous to minimize the signaling overhead and processing load of the user equipment aggregating multiple carriers in a wireless communication system.