Throttling transmit power in a WWAN device based upon thermal input

• US 8,229,492 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2009
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Panian, James L., Grilli, Francesco, Spartz, Michael K., Lewis, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lam T
• Application Number:
  US12/437,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20100285828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 455/522, 455/355, 455/77, 455/73, 455/86, 455/333, 455/334, 455/452.2, 455/127.2, 455/127.1, 455/126.1, 455/69, 370/329, 370/318, 370/319, 370/321, 370/230, 370/328, 370/342, 370/377, 370/235, 370/252, 725/62
• US Class Current: 455/522
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/146 Uplink power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/246 where the output power of a terminal is based on a path parameter calculated in said terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/36 with a discrete range or set of values, e.g. step size, ramping or offsets
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/367 Power values between minimum and maximum limits, e.g. dynamic range

Abstract

Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate throttling transmit power of a WWAN module based upon thermal input. For instance, the thermal input can be a detected temperature, a signal from a computing device associated with the WWAN module, a signal from an alternate technology module (e.g., WiFi module, WiMax module, . . . ) associated with the WWAN module, or the like. A target transmit power of the WWAN module can be reduced (e.g., by a predetermined amount, . . . ) upon occurrence of a condition (e.g., the detected temperature exceeding a threshold, the computing device or the alternate technology module requesting a decrease in thermal power, . . . ), for example. Moreover, negotiation between the WWAN module and a base station can be effectuated to select an appropriate class (power class or Multi Slot Class) and/or operating mode when the target transmit power of the WWAN module is altered.

Claims

1. A method that facilitates throttling transmit power of a WWAN module in a wireless communication environment, comprising:

determining a target transmit power to be utilized by a WWAN module as a function of an obtained temperature related input;

communicating with the base station to select a second class for the WWAN module when the target transmit power falls outside of a range associated with a previously allocated first class for the WWAN module;

communicating with a base station to coordinate a transition to the target transmit power; and

sending data via the WWAN module at or below the target transmit power.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the WWAN module is at least one of included in a computing device or removeably connectable to the computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtained temperature related input is a detected temperature.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising selecting the target transmit power based upon an amount that the detected temperature is above a threshold temperature.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining the target transmit power by lowering a previous target transmit power by a predetermined amount when the detected temperature is recognized to be greater than a threshold temperature.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtained temperature related input is a temperature related input from an external source.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the external source is at least one of a computing device associated with the WWAN module or an alternate technology module associated with the WWAN module.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the temperature related input from the external source includes at least one of a request to lower a maximum transmit power or a temperature measurement yielded by the external source.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating with the base station to cooperatively select an operating mode for employment by the WWAN module when determining that a lowest practical class has been allocated to the WWAN module.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

dynamically adjusting a class of the WWAN module based upon the obtained temperature related input;

transmitting a UE CAPABILITY INFORMATION command to inform the base station as to the adjustment in the class; and

receiving a TRANSPORT FORMAT COMBINATION CONTROL command that enables selecting a corresponding data rate based upon the adjustment in the class, wherein the corresponding data rate correlates to an output thermal power.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending data below the target transmit power when the WWAN module is located within close proximity of the base station; and

sending data at the target transmit power when the WWAN module is located at an edge of a cell associated with the base station.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the communicating with the base station comprises:

transmitting, to the base station, a message that signals a change in capabilities of the WWAN module.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the communicating with the base station further comprises:

monitoring, in response to the transmitting, for an acknowledgement from the base station that the change in capabilities has been granted.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the communicating with the base station further comprises:

receiving, in response to the transmitting, an acknowledgement from the base station that the change in capabilities has been granted.

15. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a WWAN module;

a memory that retains instructions related to selecting a target transmit power for the WWAN module based upon a received input pertaining to temperature, communicating with a base station to select a second class for the WWAN module when the target transmit power falls outside of a range associated with a previously allocated first class for the WWAN module, cooperating with the base station to coordinate a transition to the selected target transmit power, and transmitting data with the WWAN module at or below the target transmit power; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

16. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the WWAN module is at least one of coupled to a socket of a motherboard of the wireless communications apparatus or removeably connectable to the wireless communications apparatus.

17. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the received input pertaining to temperature is a measured temperature.

18. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory further retains instructions related to choosing the target transmit power as a linear function of an amount that the measured temperature is above a threshold temperature.

19. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the memory further retains instructions related to lowering the target transmit power for the WWAN module by a predetermined amount when at least one of a measured temperature is determined to be greater than a threshold temperature, a signal is received from a computing device requesting that thermal power be lowered, or a request is received from an alternate technology module to lower the thermal power.

20. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein received input pertaining to temperature is obtained from an external source that is at least one of a computing device or an alternate technology module, where the alternate technology module is associated with at least one of WiFi or WiMax.

21. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 15, wherein the memory further retains instructions related to communicating with the base station to cooperatively select an operating mode for employment by the WWAN module when determining that a lowest practical class has been allocated to the WWAN module.

22. A wireless communications apparatus that enables throttling transmit power for a WWAN module as a function of thermal related conditions in a wireless communication environment, comprising:

means for adjusting a target transmit power utilized by a WWAN module based upon a temperature related input;

means for communicating with a base station to select an updated class to be used by the WWAN module when the adjusted target transmit power is outside of a range set forth by a previously allocated class; and

means for communicating with the base station to select an updated operating mode to be employed by the WWAN module when the updated class is determined to be insufficient for the WWAN module.

23. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 22, wherein the WWAN module is one or more of coupled to a motherboard of a computing device or removably connectable to the computing device.

24. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 22, further comprising means for transmitting data utilizing at least one of a transmit power equal to or less than the adjusted target transmit power, the updated class, or the updated operating mode.

25. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 22, further comprising means for selecting the adjusted target transmit power as a linear function of an amount that a detected temperature exceeds a threshold temperature, wherein the detected temperature is at least part of the temperature related input.

26. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 22, further comprising means for reducing the target transmit power for the WWAN module by a preset amount when at least one of a detected temperature is greater than a threshold temperature, a signal from the computing device requests that thermal power be lowered, or a signal from the alternate technology module requests that the thermal power be lowered.

27. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

code for determining a target transmit power for a WWAN module by evaluating a pre-programmed setpoint minus thermal algorithm adjustments;

code for comparing a temperature detected by the WWAN module to a threshold temperature;

code for communicating with a base station to select a second class for the WWAN module when the target transmit power falls outside of a range associated with a previously allocated first class for the WWAN module; and

code for lowering the target transmit power by a predetermined amount when the temperature detected by the WWAN module exceeds the threshold temperature.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 27, further comprising code for lowering the target transmit power by a predetermined amount when at least one of a notebook request to lower thermal power is received or an alternate technology request to lower the thermal power is received.

28. A non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising:

code for determining a target transmit power for a WWAN module by evaluating a pre-programmed setpoint minus thermal algorithm adjustments;

code for comparing a temperature detected by the WWAN module to a threshold temperature;

code for lowering the target transmit power by a predetermined amount when the temperature detected by the WWAN module exceeds the threshold temperature;

code for determining whether the lowered target transmit power is less than a target transmit power allowed by a first class allotted to the WWAN module; and

code for negotiating to a second, lower class with a network when the lowered target transmit power is less than the target transmit power allowed by the first class allotted to the WWAN module.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, further comprising code for continuing to compare the temperature detected by the WWAN module to the threshold temperature when the lowered target transmit power is greater than the target transmit power allowed by the first class allotted to the WWAN module.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, further comprising:

code for determining whether the second, lower class is a lowest practical class obtained by the WWAN module; and

code for negotiating to a disparate operating mode when the second, lower class is the lowest practical class obtained by the WWAN module.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 30, further comprising code for continuing to compare the temperature detected by the WWAN module to the threshold temperature when the second, lower class is not the lowest practical class obtained by the WWAN module.

33. In a wireless communications system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

alter a target transmit power utilized by a WWAN module based upon a temperature related input;

communicate with a base station to select an updated class to be used by the WWAN module when the altered target transmit power is outside of a range set forth by a previously allocated class; and

communicate with the base station to select an updated operating mode to be employed by the WWAN module when the updated class is determined to be insufficient for the WWAN module.

34. A method that facilitates coordinating WWAN module transmit power alterations based upon thermal input in a wireless communication environment, comprising:

receiving data sent from a WWAN module at or below a first target transmit power level;

communicating with the WWAN module to coordinate a transition to a second target transmit power level, the transition to the second target transmit power level being a function of a temperature related input obtained by the WWAN module; and

receiving data sent from the WWAN module at or below the second target transmit power level subsequent to the transition.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising cooperatively selecting a class together with the WWAN module.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising selecting a lower, second class to be used by the WWAN module when the second target transmit power level is lower than a target transmit power allowed by a first class allotted to the WWAN module.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising selecting a second operating mode to be used by the WWAN module when the lower, second class is not practical for the WWAN while employing a first operating mode.

38. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to coordinating a transition from a first target transmit power level to a second target transmit power level to be used by a WWAN module, the transition being based upon a temperature related input obtained by the WWAN module, and obtaining data sent from the WWAN module at or below the second target transmit power level subsequent to the transition; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

39. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 38, wherein the memory further retains instructions related to cooperatively selecting a class together with the WWAN module.

40. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 38, wherein the memory further retains instructions related to cooperatively selecting a lower, second class to be used by the WWAN module when the second target transmit power level is lower than a target transmit power allowed by a first class allotted to the WWAN module.

41. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 40, wherein the memory further retains instructions related to selecting a second operating mode to be used by the WWAN module when the lower, second class is not practical for the WWAN while employing a first operating mode.

42. A wireless communications apparatus that enables coordinating control of transmit power employed by a WWAN module as a function of thermal input in a wireless communication environment, comprising:

means for communicating with a WWAN module to select an updated class to be used by the WWAN module when an adjusted target transmit power to be used by the WWAN module is outside of a range set forth by a previously allocated class;

means for communicating with the WWAN module to select an updated operating mode to be employed by the WWAN module when the updated class is determined to be insufficient for the WWAN module; and

means for receiving data sent via the WWAN module utilizing a transmit power equal to or less than the adjusted target transmit power.

43. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 42, wherein the updated class is a lower class as compared to the previously allocated class when the adjusted target transmit power is below the range and the updated class is a higher class as compared to the previously allocated class when the adjusted target transmit power is above the range.

44. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 42, wherein the updated operating mode is one of Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), CDMA2000, or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).

45. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

code for communicating with a WWAN module to identify an updated class to be used by the WWAN module when an adjusted target transmit power to be used by the WWAN module is outside of a range set forth by a previously allocated class;

code for communicating with the WWAN module to determine an updated operating mode to be employed by the WWAN module when the updated class is determined to be insufficient for the WWAN module; and

code for receiving data sent via the WWAN module utilizing a transmit power equal to or less than the adjusted target transmit power.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the updated class is a lower class as compared to the previously allocated class when the adjusted target transmit power is below the range and the updated class is a higher class as compared to the previously allocated class when the adjusted target transmit power is above the range.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the updated operating mode is one of Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), CDMA2000, or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).

48. In a wireless communications system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive data sent from a WWAN module at or below a first target transmit power level;

communicate with the WWAN module to coordinate a transition to a second target transmit power level, the transition to the second target transmit power level being a function of a temperature related input obtained by the WWAN module; and

receive data sent from the WWAN module at or below the second target transmit power level subsequent to the transition.