Dynamic downlink power allocation for supporting higher order modulation

A network entity configured to enable higher order modulation, HOM, mode support for at least one HOM mode capable wireless device, the network entity comprising:

• a communication interface configured to receive an uplink communication from the at least one HOM mode capable wireless device;
• and
• processing circuitry including a memory and a processor, the memory in communication with the processor, the memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to:
• determine a legacy mode power offset value for at least one of the at least one HOM mode capable wireless device in a legacy modulation mode;
• calculate a power headroom value for sending downlink data to the at least one HOM mode capable wireless device;
• when the power headroom value exceeds a threshold value:
• enable the HOM mode support for at least one of the at least one HOM mode capable wireless device using the identified legacy mode power offset value;
• when the power headroom value does not exceed the threshold value:
• determine when a HOM mode power offset value is available, the HOM mode power offset value corresponding to a lower energy per resource element, EPRE, than an EPRE corresponding to the legacy mode power offset value;
• and
• when the HOM mode power offset value is available:
• enable the HOM mode support for at least one of the at least one HOM mode capable wireless device using the HOM mode power offset value.

A network entity configured to enable higher order modulation, HOM, mode support for at least one HOM mode capable wireless device, the network entity comprising:

• a communication module configured to receive an uplink communication from the at least one HOM mode capable wireless device;
• a power offset value determination module configured to determine a legacy mode power offset value for at least one of the at least one HOM mode capable wireless device in a legacy modulation mode;
• a power headroom calculation module configured to calculate a power headroom value for sending downlink data to the at least one HOM mode capable wireless device;
• and
• an HOM mode enablement module configured to:
• when the power headroom value exceeds a threshold value:
• enable the HOM mode support of at least one of the at least one HOM mode capable wireless device using the identified legacy mode power offset value;
• when the power headroom value does not exceed the threshold value:
• determine when a HOM mode power offset value is available, the HOM mode power offset value corresponding to a lower energy per resource element, EPRE, than an EPRE corresponding to the legacy mode power offset value;
• and
• when the HOM mode power offset value is available:
• enable the HOM mode support for at least one of the at least one HOM mode capable wireless device using the HOM mode power offset value.