Variable UE Uplink Duty Cycle for Exposure-Limited Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power control methods in 5G and LTE integrated networks fail to efficiently manage uplink duty cycles, leading to potential violations of exposure limits and heat management issues in user equipment (UE), particularly in scenarios like EN-DC and NR dual connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A method for determining and adjusting the uplink duty cycle based on actual, estimated, or maximum uplink duty cycles, allowing the UE to increase output power while adhering to exposure limits by borrowing power from FDD UL and adjusting peak uplink power levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the UE increases uplink output power to improve communication performance, then power transmission capability is improved, but exposure limits and heat management requirements are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing discontinuous uplink transmission based on TDD (Time Division Duplexing) patterns. The UE transmits uplink signals only during designated uplink slots and remains silent during downlink slots, creating a periodic transmission pattern. This allows the UE to increase peak power during transmission intervals while maintaining average power within safety limits, thereby resolving the contradiction between high power transmission capability and exposure/heat management requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of transmit power dynamically based on the duty cycle. By adjusting the peak power level according to the proportion of uplink slots in the TDD pattern, the system optimizes power usage. The UE selects peak power levels that maximize communication performance during active transmission periods while ensuring that the time-averaged power remains within safety thresholds, thus resolving the power versus safety contradiction.
2Reliability
If the UE transmits continuously to maintain connection, then communication reliability is improved, but duty cycle management and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through TDD-based discontinuous transmission, where the UE alternates between uplink transmission and silence according to configured patterns. This periodic structure maintains connection reliability by ensuring regular transmission opportunities while preventing continuous transmission that would waste energy and violate duty cycle limits. The reliability is maintained through structured periodic communication rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the network provides TDD configuration information to the UE, and the UE reports its transmission status and power levels. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of transmission parameters to maintain reliable connections while optimizing duty cycle compliance and power consumption, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and transmission duration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the UE operates in dual connectivity scenarios with multiple networks, then service versatility is improved, but power control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating power control into independent components for different network connections. In dual connectivity scenarios, the UE manages power for the first network (e.g., LTE) and second network (e.g., 5G NR) separately, applying TDD patterns and power control mechanisms to each connection independently. This segmentation reduces overall complexity by breaking down the power control problem into manageable parts that can be handled by existing mechanisms in each network domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by using a unified approach to power control that works across multiple network types. The TDD-based duty cycle mechanism and peak power adjustment method are applied consistently in both LTE and 5G NR connections, allowing the same power control framework to serve multiple network technologies in dual connectivity scenarios, thereby reducing complexity despite the multi-network environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a user equipment, UE, that is served by a radio access network, RAN, includes determining an uplink duty cycle for uplink transmission by the UE to the RAN, and selecting a peak uplink power level in response to the determined uplink duty cycle. A method of operating a UE according to some embodiments that communicates with a RAN via a plurality of component carriers includes determining an aggregate uplink duty cycle based on scheduled uplink time intervals across the plurality of component carriers, and selecting a peak uplink transmission power level for transmitting uplink signals on the plurality of component carriers in response to the determined aggregate uplink duty cycle. Related devices are also disclosed.