Wireless Scheduling for Low Power Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern wireless communication systems operating at millimeter wave frequencies face high path loss and increased power consumption due to the complexity of determining necessary precoders for beamforming, leading to higher power usage and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method for scheduling wireless communications that involves a base station receiving a capability message from a user equipment (UE) to introduce a scheduling delay, allowing the UE's RF chain to transition from an OFF state to an ON state before receiving a downlink control frame, thereby reducing power consumption by indicating a scheduled time for frame reception or transmission based on the UE's capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beamforming techniques are used to increase signal gain and overcome high path loss, then system performance is improved, but power consumption and complexity increase due to additional communication overhead for determining precoders
Solution Approach 1:
The base station transmits a downlink control frame in advance that indicates a scheduled time for frame reception, allowing the UE's RF chain to transition from OFF to ON state before the actual data transmission. This preliminary scheduling action enables the UE to enter a reduced power state during intervals when no transmission is occurring, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining beamforming performance when needed.
2Reliability
If the UE keeps the RF chain in ON state to ensure immediate reception capability, then reliability of communication is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RF chain is activated periodically based on scheduled transmission times rather than remaining continuously ON. The base station provides scheduling information that enables the UE to activate the RF chain only during specific time intervals when transmissions are expected, allowing the UE to alternate between ON and reduced power states, thereby reducing average power consumption while maintaining reliable reception capability when needed.
3Productivity
If the base station provides frequent scheduling updates to optimize transmission timing, then communication efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The downlink control frame serves multiple functions: it provides scheduling information for frame reception timing, enables power state management, and conveys transmission parameters. By consolidating these functions into a single control mechanism, the system achieves efficient scheduling without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same control structure handles multiple aspects of communication management.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this disclosure provide techniques for communicating in a wireless communications system. In particular, in an embodiment a base station receives a capability message from a user equipment (UE) indicating downlink scheduling delay. The base station transmits a downlink control frame to the UE in response to determining that transmitting a frame to the UE satisfies a scheduling delay condition. The downlink control frame indicates a scheduling delay of the frame equal to or greater than the downlink scheduling delay. The base station then transmits the frame to the UE in accordance with the downlink control frame.