Uplink Power Control for Multiple Transmit Antennas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication networks face interference issues due to non-orthogonal transmissions from multiple user equipments (UEs) to base stations, degrading performance and causing interference across the network.

Innovation Solution

Implementing uplink power control techniques that adjust transmit power for multiple antennas at UEs, using either common power control or per-antenna group power control, to minimize interference and improve signal quality, with TPC commands generated based on received signal quality, power, or interference metrics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple UEs transmit simultaneously on the uplink using non-orthogonal multiplexing, then network capacity and data rate are improved, but interference between UEs increases and performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the transmit power level of each UE based on channel conditions, interference measurements, and quality of service requirements. This power control mechanism modifies the transmission parameters to optimize the trade-off between network capacity and interference, allowing simultaneous non-orthogonal transmissions while managing harmful interference effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If transmit power is increased to improve signal quality and reliability, then data transmission reliability is improved, but interference to other UEs and base stations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidinterference to other base stations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by applying differentiated power control strategies to different UEs, antenna ports, and transmission channels based on their specific channel conditions, interference environments, and service requirements. Each UE's transmit power is individually optimized rather than applying a uniform power level, thereby improving reliability for each link while minimizing overall network interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where base stations measure received signal quality and interference levels, then provide power control commands back to UEs to adjust their transmit power. This closed-loop control system continuously adapts transmit power based on real-time network conditions, maintaining reliable data transmission while preventing excessive interference to other cells and UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Object-generated harmful factors

If per-antenna group power control is implemented to reduce interference, then interference control capability is improved, but device complexity and control overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the multiple transmit antennas into separate antenna groups, each with independent power control. This allows differentiated power management for different antenna groups based on their channel characteristics and interference profiles, improving interference control capability while maintaining manageable complexity through structured group management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3675379B1Method and apparatus for uplink power control for multiple transmit antennas
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3675379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3675379B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3675379B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques for controlling the transmit power of a user equipment (UE) using multiple antennas for uplink transmission are described, In one design, the UE receives at least one transmit power control (TPC) command for the multiple antennas. The UE adjusts the transmit power for each antenna based on the TPC command(s). In one design, the UE receives a single TPC command for all antennas and adjusts the transmit power for each antenna based on this TPC command. All antennas may then have equal transmit power. In another design, the UE receives multiple TPC commands for multiple antenna groups, one TPC command for each antenna group. Each antenna group may include one antenna or more than one antenna. The UE adjusts the transmit power for each antenna group based on the TPC command for that antenna group. All antennas in each antenna group may have equal transmit power.