Uplink Power Control via Random Access Preamble Counts

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing uplink power control methods in LTE systems consume excessive measurement resources due to continuous monitoring of signal transmission power, leading to resource waste and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for adjusting cell-level and UE-level uplink power parameters based on the number of random access preamble transmissions, where the base station determines adjustments based on the ratio of single-time to multi-time accesses, reducing the need for continuous power measurement and optimizing power settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous measurement of signal transmission power is performed, then power control precision is improved, but measurement resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower control precisionVSAvoidmeasurement resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using random access preamble transmission counts as a pre-indicator of power control needs. Instead of waiting for continuous measurement data, the system proactively adjusts power parameters based on the preamble count metric that is already available from the random access procedure, enabling early power optimization without requiring extensive continuous measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the random access preamble transmission count as an intermediary metric that bridges the gap between access behavior and power control decisions. This intermediary measure allows the system to infer power control needs from access patterns without requiring direct continuous power measurements, thereby reducing measurement resource consumption while maintaining control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If statistical analysis of measured data is performed for power configuration optimization, then power control accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower configuration accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential information needed for power control from the random access preamble transmission count, separating this key metric from the need for extensive continuous measurement and statistical analysis. By taking out this specific indicator, the system can make power configuration decisions based on readily available access data rather than requiring time-consuming statistical analysis of continuous power measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If cell-level power parameters are adjusted frequently, then system adaptability is improved, but measurement resource waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem adaptabilityVSAvoidmeasurement resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by monitoring the random access preamble transmission count and using this information to trigger cell-level power parameter adjustments. The feedback mechanism works by detecting when preamble counts indicate power control issues and then initiating targeted parameter adjustments, providing system adaptability while avoiding unnecessary frequent adjustments that would waste measurement resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment using random access preamble counts before initiating cell-level power parameter adjustments. This preliminary action allows the system to determine when adjustments are actually needed based on access behavior patterns, thereby improving adaptability to real conditions while avoiding unnecessary adjustments that would consume measurement resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3051884B1Uplink power control method and device
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3051884B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3051884B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3051884B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide an uplink power control method and apparatus. The uplink power control method in the present invention includes: determining, by a base station according to a first quantity of accesses and a second quantity of accesses, whether to adjust a cell-level uplink power parameter, where the first quantity of accesses is a count of times that user equipments UEs within a coverage area of a cell of the base station access the cell by sending a random access preamble for one time, and the second quantity of accesses is a count of times that the UEs within the coverage area of the cell access the cell by sending a random access preamble for at least two times; and if determining to adjust the cell-level uplink power parameter, adjusting, by the base station, the cell-level uplink power parameter, and sending an adjusted cell-level uplink power parameter to UE within the coverage area of the cell, so that the UE within the coverage area of the cell sends an uplink signal according to the adjusted cell-level uplink power parameter. The embodiments of the present invention save a measurement resource.