Uplink Power Control via Trigger Frame MCS Settings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing uplink transmission power for multiple users in orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) and multi-user multiple-input-multiple-output (MU-MIMO) networks, leading to issues like power imbalance, interference, and reduced throughput due to the near-far effect and hardware limitations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an advanced power control method where the access point (AP) transmits individualized power control commands and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) settings for each station, based on hardware limitations and channel conditions, allowing for independent adjustment of power and transmission rate, using a trigger frame that includes specific parameters like target received signal strength indication (RSSI) and link margin, to optimize uplink multi-user transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If individualized power control commands are transmitted to each station, then power control accuracy and throughput are improved, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the power control mechanism into station-specific segments by including individual power control commands for each station in the trigger frame. Each command is tailored to the specific hardware limitations and channel conditions of that station, enabling precise power control without requiring complex centralized processing for each transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access point performs preliminary analysis of each station's hardware limitations and channel conditions before transmitting the trigger frame. Power control commands are pre-calculated and included in the trigger frame based on downlink pathloss measurements and station capabilities, eliminating the need for real-time calculations during uplink transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If power control commands are based on detailed hardware limitations and channel conditions, then power control accuracy is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower control accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where stations report their hardware limitations and the access point measures downlink pathloss for each station. This feedback loop enables the access point to calculate accurate power control commands that account for specific hardware characteristics and channel conditions, achieving high measurement precision through iterative refinement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The access point acts as an intermediary that collects hardware limitation information from stations and measures channel conditions. It processes this information and generates power control commands that bridge the gap between raw measurements and actionable power settings, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If separate power control commands are used for different stations, then power imbalance and interference are reduced, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the trigger frame by combining uplink scheduling information, power control commands, and MCS settings into a single downlink transmission. This consolidation reduces signaling overhead compared to separate messages while still providing individualized power control for each station through efficiently packed command fields.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3391693B1Power control for uplink transmissions
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3391693B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3391693B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3391693B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for wireless communication are provided. In one aspect, the apparatus is configured to determine a target receiver power level for uplink transmission. The apparatus is configured to transmit a frame to a wireless device. The frame may include information associated with the determined target receiver power level for uplink transmission and a transmit power level at which the frame is to be transmitted.