Uplink Waveform Switching via Dual-Type Power Headroom Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing 3GPP protocols lack flexibility in waveform switching, particularly in scenarios with high uplink traffic, leading to inefficiencies in power management and potential bottlenecks in wireless communication systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for reporting power information that enables dynamic switching between different waveforms by enhancing the power headroom report (PHR) process, allowing user equipment to send power information related to both current and target waveforms, thereby optimizing signaling and reducing inefficiencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic waveform switching is implemented, then uplink coverage and flexibility are improved, but power management complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaveform switching flexibilityVSAvoidpower management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power headroom report is segmented into multiple types (first-type PHR for current waveform, second-type PHR for target waveform) with distinct triggering conditions and reporting formats. This segmentation allows the system to manage power information for different waveforms independently, reducing the complexity of managing unified power reports in dynamic waveform switching scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic waveform switching by enabling the UE to switch between DFT-S-OFDM and CP-OFDM waveforms based on traffic conditions and coverage requirements. The power headroom reporting mechanism is also made dynamic, with different reporting types triggered by different events (e.g., PHR timer expiration, downlink pathloss change, waveform switching), allowing the system to adapt power management to changing operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If existing PHR reporting protocol is used, then signaling overhead is reduced, but accuracy of power information for target waveform is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidpower information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the field indicating power information type) that enables the base station to distinguish between different types of power headroom reports. This intermediary element allows the system to maintain efficient signaling while accurately conveying whether the reported power information relates to the current waveform or the target waveform, thus resolving the contradiction between signaling overhead and information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If waveform switching is delayed, then system stability is maintained, but uplink performance bottleneck is not resolved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoiduplink throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE reports power headroom information for both current and target waveforms to the base station. The base station uses this feedback to make informed decisions about waveform switching timing and scheduling. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain stability by basing switching decisions on accurate power information while also enabling timely switching to resolve uplink bottlenecks when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables preliminary waveform assessment by having the UE calculate and report power headroom for the target waveform before actual switching occurs. This preliminary action allows the base station to evaluate whether waveform switching is appropriate and to prepare scheduling decisions in advance, balancing system stability with the need to resolve uplink performance bottlenecks timely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4686294A1Method and apparatus used in communication node for wireless communication

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 APOGEE 5G GLOBAL LLC

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AI summary

Disclosed in the present application are a method and apparatus used in a communication node for wireless communication. A communication node receives a first RRC message, the first RRC message indicating a first waveform and a second waveform for an uplink of a first serving cell; and sends a first MAC subPDU, the first MAC subPDU comprising a first MAC CE and a first field. At least the first field of the first MAC subPDU among both the first field of the first MAC subPDU and the first RRC message is used for determining whether the first MAC CE comprises first-type power information of the first serving cell, and the first-type power information is related to at least the first waveform among the first waveform and the second waveform, the first waveform and the second waveform being different from each other. The solution provided by the present application reduces signaling overheads so as to reduce effects on PHR procedures of existing protocols.