Hydra Radio Access Network (Hydra-RAN): Multi-Functional Communications and Sensing Networks: Adaptive UE Uplink Power Optimization

This paper introduces the Hydra radio access network (Hydra-RAN), a multi-functional architecture that integrates communications and sensing to enable novel adaptive user equipment (UE) uplink power optimization in ultra-dense millimeter-wave (MMW) environments. Unlike conventional uplink power control schemes which rely on static path loss models or reactive adjustments, Hydra-RAN leverages real-time proximity estimation and sensing feedback from distributed sensing and radio units (SRUs). This allows UEs to dynamically scale their transmission power according to both distance to the serving SRU and desired signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) thresholds. A coordinated power adjustment mechanism, managed by the Hydra distributed unit (H-DU), mitigates co-channel interference in overlapping SRU coverage areas through a global interference model that incorporates spatial separation metrics and multi-node feedback. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed adaptive power control approach achieves up to 45% energy savings at the UE level, reduces uplink interference by 38% in ultra-dense deployments, and maintains QoS requirements even under non-line-of-sight (NLoS) conditions. Furthermore, machine learning algorithms deployed at the edge enable predictive power adjustments based on UE mobility patterns and environmental dynamics, laying the foundation for sustainable and autonomous multi-functional systems.