Methods and apparatus for adjusting maximum output power level

1. A method, implemented by a wireless device in a wireless communication system, for adjusting a maximum output power level of the wireless device, the method comprising:

obtaining an indication indicating a current level of criticality in the system in which a network node serving the wireless device is operating; and

adjusting the maximum output power level based on the current level of criticality indicated by the obtained indication.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting a signal to the network node serving the wireless device at a transmit power equal to or below the adjusted maximum output power level.

3. The method of claim 2 :

further comprising selecting at least one radio requirement depending on the current level of criticality indicated by the obtained indication;

wherein the signal is transmitted at a transmit power such that the selected at least one radio requirement is met.

4. The method of claim 1 :

further comprising transmitting a capability indicating that the wireless device is capable of adjusting the maximum output power level based on level of criticality in the system;

wherein the capability is transmitted to the network node serving the wireless device.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting the maximum output power level comprises:

selecting a configuration associated with the adjusted maximum output power level reflective of the indicated current level of criticality; and

applying the selected configuration for transmission.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the obtaining the indication indicating the current level of criticality comprises receiving the indication indicating the current level of criticality from the network node serving the wireless device.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the indication indicating the current level of criticality is received in response to a request from the wireless device.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the indication indicating the current level of criticality comprises at least one of:

an identifier of level of criticality, and

an amount of power by which the maximum output power level is to be adjusted.

9. The method of claim 6 :

wherein the indication indicating the current level of criticality comprises at least one of:

warning information related to an emergency situation; and

a parameter controlling a radio emission of the wireless device;

wherein the obtaining the indication indicating the current level of criticality also comprises determining the current level of criticality based on the received indication.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the obtaining the indication indicating the current level of criticality comprises receiving the indication indicating the current level of criticality from a subscriber user interface of the wireless device.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the obtaining the indication comprises determining the current level of criticality based on at least one of:

measurements performed by the wireless device;

an ongoing call;

a geographical location of the wireless device;

a frequency used for transmission;

a time of the day; and

a pre-defined rule mapping an operation scenario to level of criticality.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a permission to adjust the maximum output power level, from the network node serving the wireless device, before adjusting the maximum output power level.

13. A method, implemented by a network node of a wireless communication system serving a wireless device, for enabling an adjustment of a maximum output power level of the wireless device based on a current level of criticality in the system, the method comprising:

transmitting an indication to the wireless device, the indication indicating the current level of criticality in the system;

wherein the level of criticality causes the maximum output power level of the wireless device to be adjusted.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising receiving, from the wireless device, a capability indicating that the wireless device is capable of adjusting the maximum output power level based on a level of criticality in the system.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the indication indicating the current level of criticality in the system is transmitted based on the received capability.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the capability is received in response to a request from the network node.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising performing radio operation tasks and/or network management tasks related to the wireless device based on the received capability.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the radio operation tasks and/or network management tasks are performed based also on at least one of the following:

a type of the system in which the network node is operating;

the current level of criticality in the system;

a number of wireless devices served by the network node and having indicated a capability of adjusting their respective maximum output power level.

19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising forwarding the received capability to another network node.

20. A wireless device configured to be used in a wireless communication system and to adjust a maximum output power level of the wireless device, the wireless device comprising:

an interface configured to communicatively couple the wireless device to the wireless communication system;

a processing circuit, wherein the processing circuit is configured to:

obtain an indication indicating a current level of criticality in the system in which a network node serving the wireless device is operating; and

adjust the maximum output power level based on the current level of criticality indicated by the obtained indication.

21. The wireless device of claim 20 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to transmit, via the interface, a signal to the network node serving the wireless device at a transmit power equal to or below the adjusted maximum output power level.

22. The wireless device of claim 21 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to:

select at least one radio requirement based on the current level of criticality indicated by the obtained indication;

transmit the signal, via the interface, at a transmit power such that the selected at least one radio requirement is met.

23. The wireless device of claim 20 :

wherein the processing circuit is configured to transmit, via the interface, a capability indicating that the wireless device is capable of adjusting the maximum output power level based on level of criticality in the system;

wherein the capability is transmitted to the network node serving the wireless device.

24. A network node of a wireless communication system configured to serve a wireless device and to enable an adjustment of a maximum output power level of the wireless device based on a current level of criticality in the system, the network node comprising:

an interface configured to communicatively couple the network node to the wireless device; and

a processing circuit configured to transmit, via the interface, an indication to the wireless device, the indication indicating the current level of criticality in the system;

wherein the level of criticality causes the maximum output power level of the wireless device to be adjusted.

25. The network node of claim 24 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to receive, from the wireless device and via the interface, a capability indicating that the wireless device is capable of adjusting the maximum output power level based on a level of criticality in the system.

26. The network node of claim 25 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to transmit, via the interface, the indication indicating the current level of criticality in the system based on the received capability.