Wireless Device Power Control for Multi-Channel Prioritization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power control mechanisms in wireless communication systems, particularly for 4G and 5G networks, face challenges in efficiently managing power across multiple channels and prioritizing transmissions to ensure compliance with regulatory limits and maintain network performance, especially in high-power operations and frequency bands like FR2, where precise power control is complex due to the difficulty of testing and verifying output power at antenna connectors.

Innovation Solution

Implementing WD-specific power limitations per serving cell, configured by the network node, to reserve power for secondary cells and manage power allocation dynamically, using absolute or relative limits to ensure compliance with specific absorption rate (SAR) regulations and adapt to changing radio conditions, while preventing the dropping of secondary cells during power-limited situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If power control is implemented for multiple channels in carrier aggregation, then power allocation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to independent power control per cell and carrier frequency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower allocation efficiencyVSAvoidpower control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power control mechanism is segmented into cell-specific power limits (PMax per serving cell) and WD-specific power limits (Pmax per cell). This segmentation allows independent configuration of power limits for each cell while maintaining overall power management efficiency, resolving the contradiction by organizing complexity into manageable segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network node configures WD-specific power limits (Pmax) in advance for each serving cell before power-limited situations occur. This preliminary configuration enables the WD to quickly determine available power for secondary cells without complex real-time calculations, improving power allocation efficiency while reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If WD-specific power limits are configured per serving cell, then power reservation for secondary cells is improved, but signaling overhead increases due to network node configuration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower reservation efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

WD-specific power limits (Pmax) are configured locally for each serving cell based on its specific characteristics and requirements. This localized configuration allows efficient power reservation for secondary cells by providing cell-specific power information without requiring global power management signaling, thus reducing overall signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If power limits are enforced for FR2 frequency band, then compliance with regulatory limits is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty of testing output power at antenna connectors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidoutput power measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach for FR2 frequency band by measuring power at an internal reference point within the WD rather than directly at the antenna connector. This intermediary measurement point is accessible and measurable, allowing the WD to accurately determine configured maximum output power (PCMAX) and enforce power limits while maintaining regulatory compliance despite the measurement accessibility challenge in FR2.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If secondary cells are maintained during power-limited situations, then network performance is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The WD dynamically adjusts power allocation to secondary cells based on available power determined by WD-specific limits. When power is available, secondary cells operate at higher power levels to maintain network performance. When power is limited, the WD automatically reduces secondary cell power while maintaining their operation, thus maintaining network performance while adapting power consumption to available resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20230413192A1Power control for multi-channels and power prioritization

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method, network node and wireless device (WD) and apparatus for power control for multiple channels and power prioritization are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method in a network node includes determining a first WD-specific power limit for each cell c of a cell group that includes at least one primary cell, PCell, and up to N secondary cells, SCells, N being a non-negative integer. The method also includes transmitting an indication of the first WD-specific power limit.