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LTE Uplink
Power Control
Resource
Guide
A quick resource guide for you to
understand Uplink Power Control in
LTE
5 Ways to get Better
Understanding from this
Guide
In order to get better understanding about the Uplink Power
Control. Complete the checklist below.

Checklist # 1
Are you are aware of the number of Uplink Channel for Radio Air Interface in
LTE ??

Checklist # 2
Do you know the reason why power control is done for wireless communication
in the first place ?

Checklist # 3
You are aware of the concept of Resource Blocks in LTE ?

Checklist # 4
You have desire to learn

Checklist # 5
You plan to read the whole information , not just headlines and jump to
conclusion.
LTE Power Control (Case of
Uplink Channel : PUSCH)
www.TechTrained.com

In wireless communications, one of the main challenge is to adapt the

transmitting signal to overcome the variations of the wireless channel.
Wireless channel can have varying channel response under different
conditions.

For a signal to be transmitted successfully from the transmitter to the

receiver, it should adapt to the variations of the wireless channel. In order
to overcome the variations and channel response between the transmitter
(BS) and the receiver (user). Different techniques can be used.

How to adapt the signal to these channel variations?

In order to adapt signal from the variations of the wireless channel,

predefined procedures exist at Layer 2, and Layer 1 to prepare and massage
the signal from getting corrupted from these variations. We are not going
to list all of the ways and protection mechanisms done at these layers to
protect the signal. However , some specific ways to overcome these
variations include.

Power control (Today, we will be talking about this alone. )

Modulation scheme
Coding Rate etc.

POWER CONTROL vs. RATE CONTROL

When it comes to Packet switched technologies such as LTE, we are mainly

concerned with Data rate, unless if you are supporting Voice Services or
other supplementary services i.e., VoLTE etc.

Let’s keep our focus on to Data Services alone for a moment. In order to
provide data services, there can be two approaches to overcome channel
variations.

1. Rate Control
2. Power Control

In Power Control: Transmitted power is varied in accordance with channel

quality as shown in the diagram. Power is varied w.r.t. channel quality to
provide a fixed data rate.

In Rate Control: Transmitted power remains fixed. However, in order to

cope with variation in channel quality. Modulation and coding schemes are
varied to compensate for channel variations. In this case data rate is
variable, while transmitted power remains fixed as shown in the picture
below.

POWER CONTROL IN LTE

Let’s focus our discussion on Power Control in LTE for now.

In LTE , Power control takes place both in Downlink and Uplink. They way it
takes place in Downlink and Uplink will become evident in a little bit , as we
go further down the discussion. However, a picture is worth thousand
words. Therefore the picture below should explain you on Which channels
in DL and UL , power control takes place.

Downlink Power Control

In case of 4G DL, rather than varying power in the Downlink, full power is
distributed uniformly over the whole bandwidth. The same Power Spectral
Density (PSD) is used on all DL channels. For example, PDSCH, PHICH,
PDCCH etc.

How do we calculate PSD?

PSD is the power of a signal divided by Bandwidth.

PSD = Power / Bandwidth.

In case of PSD, it is normalized to one resource block.

Note: There are certain channels in DL, where power is varied accordingly.
We are not going to focus on how it is done and why in this topic for the
sake of discussion for now. If you have questions for power control in the
Downlink, leave them in the comments below.

Instead we will focus on UPLINK POWER CONTROL, with the detailed

discussion on Power control on one of the Uplink Channel as an example.

Do we Still Perform Power Control on Uplink (UL)?

As compared to Downlink. In case of Uplink in LTE, Power control is used.

As the battery of the phone(UE) is power limited compared to base station
power in the DL.

Uplink power control is used mainly for the following two reasons.

1. limit intracell and intercell interference

2. reduce UE power consumption

How to Perform Power Control for the Uplink?

Usually in Uplink. Power control is done in two ways. One is

Conventional Power Control

Fractional Power control.

Conventional Power control is used in attempt to maintain a constant

Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) at the receiver. UE increases
their transmit power to fully compensate any increase in path loss. The
scheme is shown in figure below.

Whereas for fractional Power Control scheme. It allows the received SINR
to decrease as the path loss increases, i.e., the received SINR decreases as
the UE moves towards cell edge. The UE transmit power at a reduced rate as
the path loss increases, when compared to conventional power control, i.e,
increase in path loss are only partially compensated.

Both concepts are shown beautifully in the picture below :)

What is the advantage of Fractional Power Control ?

Fractional power control scheme improves air-interface efficiency and

increase average cell throughput by reducing intercell interference.

As an example and comparison among the two schemes. UE transmit power

and received power spectral density as a function of path loss are shown
below. (The definition of Alpha and possible values are explained in the post
further down below. )

UE Transmit Power and Received Power Spectral Density (PSD) as a function

of path loss (Fractional Power Control )
UE Transmit Power and Received Power Spectral Density (PSD) as a function
of path loss ( Conventional Power Control )

Open Loop and Closed Loop Power Control?

From the perspective of power control, it is important to understand the

difference between Open Loop and Close loop power control.

Open Loop Power Control Diagram.

In case of Open Loop power control. UE will start with the objective to
compensate the path loss. Whether Open Loop Power control is done using
Fractional or Conventional Power Control scheme. It depends on the if they
enable Fractional Power control or disable it.

If fractional power scheme is used , it forms the Open Loop component of

power control.

Open loop power control can maintain target PSD as received by the
eNodeB. However a disadvantage of Open Loop Power control is, it cannot
compensate for issues like slow fading. Therefore we need to introduce
closed loop component.
Closed Loop Power Control:

Close Loop power control. In this case, the closed loop component is based
on feedback given by eNodeB to the UE. The receiver in Uplink which is
eNodeB will issue Special Transmit power control command (TPC) to the UE.
Based on the TPC, UE will either increase or decrease its power as instructed
to compensate for the path loss. Closed loop can compensate for issues such
as slow fading.

Why to have Open Loop and Closed Loop Power Control ?

If you are asking , why to have two components i.e., open and close loop in
the first place.

Well, a picture is wroth thousand words. Therefore take a look below.

Enough Background to Accelerate for Power Control on UPLINK IN LTE

If you have read down so far, Congratulations!!!! Now you are done with the
necessary perquisite and background needed to understand Power Control
and procedures in LTE Uplink.

Let’s dig a little deeper to perform power control on Physical Uplink

Shared Channel (PUSCH) channel.

Keep in mind the function of this PUSCH channel is to

Carry Data Traffic in the Uplink

It can also carry signaling traffic in the Uplink, only when signaling and
data are being transmitted at the same time instant in the Uplink.

Side Note : For those who don’t want to go through the gory details(for your
mind) of the Power control components and parameters for PUSCH. Do
yourself a favor, scroll all the way down on this article and read the Quick
Summary instead (4.4 mins read) .

What factors influence Power Control in Uplink on PUSCH

Now you know, what is the functionality and usage of PUSCH channel.

Let’s start with this question. Intuitively think about it.

What factors are going to affect power control on the Uplink for PUSCH.
Look at the picture above. You know which channel we are talking about
here. We are talking about PUSCH only. PUSCH = Channel which carries
data traffic in the uplink and can also carry control signaling when
required/needed.

For this PUSCH channel. Power control will depend upon mainly on the
following factors (though a lot more shown in picture ) .

Number of Resources
MCS
Path Loss
UE Max Power

The detailed number of parameters are listed below.

If you feel confused to see a number parameters listed above. Don’t be.

Let’s deal with these parameters on one by one, to keep our attention span
sane.

UE MAX POWER

As we know based on UE class category. It cannot transmit more than its

maximum UE power which is commonly 23 dBm for most LTE UEs in the
Uplink.

The objective of the eNOdeB is that UE should transmit only enough power
in the uplink in a range which is the minimum required amount. Neither
more, nor less than that.

Transmitting more or less than the required amount causes trouble.

UE Power Max: 23 dBm

Accordingly, there are limits and thresholds specified for transmission in

the uplink to keep UE uplink power in the desired range. UE power is
specified as Pcmax

PCMAX_L ≤ PCMAX ≤ PCMAX_H

Where,

PCMAX_L = lower end of the maximum power UE is allowed to transmit

PCMAX_H = higher end of the maximum power UE is allowed to transmit.

As an example , if 23 dBm = PCMAX_H

and 21 dBm = PCMAX_L

in this case UE would be permitted to define its maximum output power

using a value between 23 and 21 dBm.

(Note: If you have specific questions on P_CMAX_L and P_CMAX_H . Put in

the comments below or send an email and we can continue the discussion)

Even though if we think intuitively, Higher uplink transmission Power can

solve the Uplink throughput and accessibility and retainability issues
problems related to Performance and Optimization.

However, the downside is, it will not only drain UE battery, plus it will result
increase in inter and intra cell interference as well.

Therefore, you need to be careful with the parameters, and different factors
affecting power control. By understanding the big picture and factors
involved, you can always decide and optimum value.

MODELING THE POWER CONTROL on PUSCH

Now let’s come back to the part where we will model the power control
equation for PUSCH channel on LTE in Uplink.

We know that we need to model the power in the uplink to an optimal value
between lowest and highest value.

PUSCH Power Conrol

We know the maximum value is

Pcmax = Pupper

And the minimum value will be equal to the one needed by the UE based on
the calculations and including the factors affecting power control.

With this in mind, for a given subframe ‘i’ the power transmitted for
PUSCH can be minimum of the two.

PUSCH Transmit Power (i) = min PUPPER (i), P CALCULATED(i)

Time to Break down, Pcalculated:

Pcalculated is the sum of Open Loop and Close Loop.

Pcalculated (i) = P calculated_open_loop (i) + P calculated_closed_loop(i)

Open Loop for PUSCH:

Open loop is dependent upon the factors which affect power control. Let's
list the factors which only affect Open Loop Power control for PUSCH.
Mentioned in the diagram below.
Therefore, arranging the open loop power control factors into an equation ,
to consolidate its effect.

P calculated_open_loop = 10*LOG (# of Resource Blocks) + Power needed

at eNodeB + (Path_Loss* Factor to Enable or Disable Fractional Power
Control ) + MCS

Let’s break down the factors discussed in the equation above into
reasonable expressions for Power Control on PUSCH.

# of Resource Blocks for PUSCH = MPUSCH

MPUSCH is the PUSCH bandwidth during subframe 'i' expressed in terms of

Resource Blocks. This variable is used to increase the UE transmit power for
larger resource block allocations.

The UE transmit power is increased in direct proportion to the number of

allocated Resource Blocks.

In other words, the transmit power per Resource Block remains constant if
other factors remain fixed. This is also referred as maintaining a constant
power spectral density

Path Loss = PL

Path loss is the downlink path loss calculated by the UE as a combination of

RSRP measurements and knowledge of the reference signal transmit power
PL = Reference Signal Transmit Power – RSRP measurements.

The Reference signal transmit power is broadcast within SIB 2 and can also
be signaled with an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message. Its value
range from -60 to 50 dBm.

Power needed at eNodeB = Po_PUSCH

Po_PUSCH represents the eNodeB received power per Resource Block

assuming a path loss of 0 dB.

The received power per Resource Block is maintained as the path loss
increases when using conventional power control alone.

The received power per Resource Block is decreased as the path loss
increases when using fractional power control. (Details are below).

Factor to enable or disable Fractional Power Control = α

Alpha (α ) is used to configure the use of fractional power control. This is the
same variable as that used by the eNodeB when calculating Po_PUSCH.

A value of 1 disables fractional power control.

Alpha can have a range of values from

0,
0.4,
0.5,
0.6,
0.7,
0.8,
0.9,
1

Modulation and Coding scheme = ∆TF

It increases the UE transmit power when transferring a large number of

bits per Resource Element. This links the UE transmit power to the
Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS). The number of bits per Resource
Element is high when using 64 QAM and a large transport block size. The
number of bits per Resource Element is low when using QPSK and a small
transport block size. Increasing the UE transmit power helps to achieve the
SINR requirements associated with higher order modulation schemes and
high coding rates.

Now combining all the expressions listed above into the OPEN LOOP
Equation.

PCALCULATED_OPEN_LOOP = 10×LOG(MPUSCH) + PO_PUSCH + + ∆TF

As for power control, if we want to include the factor to include power

control at subframe (basis) level. Let's call the subframe 'i'.

The above equation will become.

PCALCULATED_OPEN_LOOP(i) = 10×LOG(MPUSCH(i)) + PO_PUSCH(i) + + ∆TF(i)

CLOSED LOOP PORTION

P calculated_closed_loop = f(i)

The closed loop component depends on eNodeB providing feedback to the

UE in the form of Transmit Power Control (TPC) commands.

The close loop portion of the power control depends on the following
factors.

For those who have firm grip on LTE air interface and control channel
structure scheme of LTE, they will agree that TPC commands are signaled to
the UE within following Downlink Control Information (DCI) formats
 DCI forma 0
DCI format 3
DCI format 3A
DCI format 4

Interpretation and application of TPC commands depends on if either

accumulation mode is enabled or not. UE can be instructed about setting it
up or not in RRC messages.

When TPC Accumulation Mode is Enabled:

If it is enabled then, closed loop portion is replaced as follows below.

f(i) = f(i-1) + δPUSCH (i - KPUSCH)

δPUSCH (i - KPUSCH) is the TPC command received during subframe ‘i-

Kpusch’.

KPUSCH = 4 for FDD

For TDD. Kpusch is dependent upon the UL-DL subframe configuration and
subframe number.

When TPC Accumulation Mode is Disabled:

In case when TPC is disabled, then feedback close loop equation becomes.

f(i) = + δPUSCH (i - KPUSCH)

This mode only uses TPC commands sent on DCI formats 0 and 4.

It has more range of commands compared to accumulation mode, to

compensate for not being able to sum multiple commands over time.
What is the ROLE OF Po_PUSCH?

Let’s repeat the definition of this Po_PUSCH once again.

“Po_PUSCH represents the eNodeB received power per Resource Block

assuming a path loss of 0 dB.

The received power per Resource Block is maintained as the path loss
increases when using conventional power control alone.

The received power per Resource Block is decreased as the path loss
increases when using fractional power control.”

eNodeB takes into account the following factor to receive a target power
from UE:

Target SINR
Interference and noise per Resource Block at the eNB
UE maximum power to transmit
Number of allocated resource blocks
Factor to enable / disable Fractional Power Control.

Keeping above factors in mind. The way to calculate Po_PUSCH is:

PO_PUSCH = ɑ × (SINR + IN) + (1 - ɑ) × (PCMAX - 10 × LOG(MPUSCH))

Po_PUSCH Use Cases

For Alpha (ɑ) = 1:

Value of Po_PUSCH is smallest

For Alpha (ɑ) < 1 :

Value of Po_PUSCH increases as value of Alpha. UE transmit power only
partially compensates the path loss when fractional power control is
enabled.

For Alpha (ɑ) = 0:

Value of Po_PUSCH is maximum when alpha = 0. Corresponds to maximum

transmit capability of the UE, irrespective of the path loss.

Po_PUSCH Components:

Po_PUSCH depends on two factors as listed in the equation above.

Po_NOMINAL_PUSCH
Po_UE_PUSCH

Therefore, Po_PUSCH is signaled to the UE as a combination of the above two

factors. In equation form, it can be written as shown below.

PO_PUSCH(i) = PO_NOMINAL_PUSCH(i) + PO_UE_PUSCH(i)

Nominal: Specifies the cell specific factor / component. Its value can be
anywhere between - 126 to 24 dBm.

Po_PUSCH (0) It can be signaled during RRC Connection Setup, RRC

Connection Reconfiguration and RRC Connection Re-establishment
messages.

Po_PUSCH(1): It is broadcast in SIB2 or can be signaled within RRC

configuration message.

Po_PUSCH (2): We will not discuss it in this post

Po_UE_PUSCH: represents the UE specific component.

Performance Engineers Note: So far we have discussed about the ins and
out of Power control on PUSCH and the factors affecting it. Configuring and
changing any of the above mentioned parameters, will dramatically change
any of the following:

power control on PUSCH,

 UE battery consumption,
interference,
Performance KPIs such Accessibility, Retainability etc.

In practice, usually the value of P0_NOMINAL is the only one available

parameter most Telecom vendors offer to operators in order to change or
configure uplink power control parameters in Uplink for PUSCH.

Increasing the value of P0_NOMINAL avoid interference. It improves uplink

throughput and accessibility but will result in increase of inter cell
interference. Therefore, care should be taken while keeping an eye on
network performance when changing this value.

QUICK SUMMARY (Approx. 4.4 Minutes Read )

Having said enough about PUSCH power control. Let’s go through the quick
summary now and

review what we have learned so far.

Ready let's jump right in !!!

In order to perform power control in the Uplink, keep in mind there are two
portions.

Open Loop Power control

Closed Loop Power Control.

What factors Uplink Power for PUSCH depends on?

Thinking about, on what factors power control depends upon?

To make your life easier. Power control in the uplink on PUSCH channel
depends on the following factors shown below in the picture.
(In order to understand why power control in Uplink for PUSCH depends on
the factors listed below in the picture. Read the article from the start once
again :) )

Ideally, uplink power needs to be 0nly minimally required as needed to

avoid interference and decrease UE batter consumption. Therefore, Power
on PUSCH is computed as minimum

among the UE max power and power computed taking factors into account

Power on Uplink PUSCH = Min (UE max power , Power computed through
dependency factors listed above on red canvas )

Writing this mathematically , it becomes.

PPUSCH = min Pcmax , 10×LOG(MPUSCH(i)) + PO_PUSCH(i) + + ∆TF (i) + f(i)

Where,

1. PCMAX = configured UE transmitted max power defined in TS 36.101

2. Po_PUSCH = Target Power Spectral Density
3. MPUSCH = Number of assigned resource blocks
4. PL = Estimated Downlink Path Loss
5. α = Factor to enable or disable Fractional Power Control (also termed as
Cell Specific factor)
6. f(i) = Closed loop component of Power control (TPC commands)
7. ∆TF = Modulation and coding scheme (transport format-depending
compensation)
Open Loop Portion of the above Equation is Shown as:

POPEN_LOOP_PUSCH = min Pcmax , 10×LOG(MPUSCH(i)) + PO_PUSCH(i) + + ∆TF (i)

Closed Loop Portion of the above Equation is Shown as:

PCLOSED_LOOP_PUSCH = f(i)

MAIN OPERATION

First UE will set up the operating point of Target power to be received by the
eNodeB in the uplink, using Open Loop Power control.

In order to compensate for any effects such as slow fading etc. Close Loop
portions kicks in , once eNodeB gives feedback using TPC commands.

Taking that feedback into account, UE will increase or decrease its power in
the uplink.

The procedure will run, based on the TPC commands being received. In case
of LTE for uplink. Power control command is received every 5th sub frame,
which means power control takes place 200 times a second, which is much
lesser than previous technologies, where power control can take place up to
1500 times a second.

Alright good deal. This quick summary , gives you a high level idea on :
 How power control takes place on PUSCH channel.
What factors are involved in power control.
What can be configured to improve performance and/or optimize the
network.

If you have read all of the details above. Then , do the following.

1. Put your questions and comments below

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Sources:

TS 36.213, TS 36.101, LTE in Bullets, TS 36.331

 Curious for
Questions ?
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Send them on
azar@TechTrained.com

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