A method for controlling at least one configuration parameter of a communication between a transmitting device and a receiving device, and a corresponding control device.

Abstract

A method for controlling at least one configuration parameter of a communication between a transmitting device and a receiving device, and a corresponding control device. This application relates to a method for controlling a configuration parameter of a wireless communication between a transmitting device and a receiving device of a telecommunications system, the method taking into account the number of active reconfigurable reflective surfaces (RIS) within an RIS deployment zone of the system, and the respective positions of said transmitting device, the receiving device, and the deployment zone. This application also relates to a corresponding control device, computer program, and recording medium (Fig. 4).

Description

Title of the invention: Method for controlling at least one configuration parameter of a communication between a transmitting device and a receiving device, and corresponding control device

[0001] 1. Scope of the invention

[0002] The present application is in the field of wireless communication networks comprising at least one network device known as a “Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface” (RIS).

[0003] It relates to a method of controlling at least one configuration parameter of a communication between a transmitting device and a receiving device, and the corresponding control devices, computer program and information medium.

[0004] 2. Prior art

[0005] Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) are a recent technological innovation in the telecommunications sector. An RIS is structured as a two-dimensional matrix of elementary cells allowing dynamic modification of the characteristics (particularly in terms of direction) of a reflected electromagnetic wave, in response to an incident wave.

[0006] This dynamic modification capability offers a new control functionality over the communication channels between transmitting and receiving devices, compared to traditional wireless communication systems. This dynamic modification can substantially improve the strength of the signal received at the user terminals.

[0007] The ability of a RIS to modulate the electromagnetic propagation environment can improve the spectral efficiency of a signal. For example, this ability can be particularly beneficial for compensating for a degradation in transmission and / or reception data rates when a line-of-sight (LoS) link between a transmitting base station and receivers is hindered by physical obstacles. An RIS can thus be integrated into a multitude of structures such as building facades, interior partitions, aerial platforms, or roadside billboards to create wireless environments conducive to wave propagation.

[0008] The present application aims to improve the reliability (particularly in terms of quality of service) of communications in a network including an RIS deployment area.

[0009] 3. Description of the invention

[0010] The present application aims to improve the situation by means of a method for controlling at least one configuration parameter of a wireless communication between at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device of a telecommunications system, said method taking into account a number of reconfigurable reflective surfaces (RIS) active in at least one RIS deployment zone of said system, and the respective positions of said transmitting device, said receiving device and said deployment zone.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the method takes into account the distance between said receiving device and said emitting device.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the method takes into account the dimensions of the deployment area.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the method takes into account the angle whose vertex is the position of said emitting device and one side of which is a segment formed by the positions of the emitting device and the receiving device and another side is a side of the deployment area.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the deployment area corresponds to the portion of a first circular sector not covered by a second circular sector with a radius smaller than the radius of the first sector and with the same center and angle as the first sector.

[0015] In some embodiments, the method is characterized in that the transmitting device is a base station.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the configuration parameter is an emission power of said emitting device and in that the method comprises: - a calculation of a target transmission power for said transmitting device for a required reception throughput and / or a required reception gain, taking into account an active RIS density in said deployment area, - a configuration of said emitting device with an emission power at least equal to said target emission power.

[0017] Thus an operator has the possibility of knowing in advance and controlling the transmission power of the transmitting device necessary and sufficient with regard to its energy consumption, to obtain a quality of service requested in terms of throughput and / or gain in reception.

[0018] In some embodiments, the configuration parameter is a required bandwidth of the communication link between the transmitting device and the receiving device, and in that the method comprises: - a calculation of a target bandwidth for said communication link for a required receive throughput and / or a required receive gain, taking into account an active RIS density in said deployment area, - a configuration of said communication link with a bandwidth at least equal to said target bandwidth.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the calculation of the target transmission power, or target bandwidth respectively, takes into account a power loss factor between the transmitting device, the RIS active in said deployment area and the receiving device.

[0020] In some embodiments, the process comprises: - a calculation of the current value of a receive throughput and / or receive gain for said required receive throughput and / or gain, taking into account the size of said deployment area, - a conditional adjustment of the number of active RIS in the deployment area, taking into account the current value and a required value of the data rate and / or the received gain. Thus, an operator can know in advance and control the number of active RIS in a given deployment area, a number necessary and sufficient for the quantitative optimization of active RIS to achieve the required quality of service in terms of data rate and / or received gain.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the calculation of the target transmission power, or target bandwidth respectively, also takes into account a gain relative to at least one RIS in said deployment area. Thus, it is possible for an operator to quantify a desired transmission power and / or bandwidth when an RIS deployment area contains different types of active RIS, each with its own specific gain.

[0022] In some embodiments, the required throughput and / or gain in reception is obtained via a user interface of a control device and / or a communication interface of the control device.

[0023] The features, presented in isolation in this application in connection with certain embodiments of the process of this application, can be combined with each other according to other embodiments of this process.

[0024] According to another aspect, the present application also relates to a control device for a wireless telecommunications system, said control device comprising at least one processor adapted to implement the method of the present application in any of its embodiments.

[0025] Thus, in certain embodiments, at least one processor adapted to implement control of at least one configuration parameter of a wireless communication between at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device of said telecommunications system, said control taking into account a number of reconfigurable reflective surfaces active in at least one RIS deployment area of said system, and the respective positions of the transmitting device, the receiving device and the deployment area.

[0026] In some embodiments, the control device is said emitting device.

[0027] In some embodiments, the control device is a device other than said emitting device.

[0028] The present application also relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the various embodiments of the above process, where the computer program is executed by a processor and a recording medium readable by an electronic device and on which the computer program is recorded.

[0029] For example, the present application relates to a computer program comprising instructions for the implementation, when the computer program is executed by a processor of an electronic device, of a method for controlling at least one configuration parameter of a wireless communication between at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device of a telecommunications system, said method taking into account a number of reconfigurable reflective surfaces (RIS) active in at least one RIS deployment zone of said system, and the respective positions of said transmitting device, said receiving device and said deployment zone.

[0030] For example, the present application also relates to a processor-readable recording medium of an electronic device on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for the implementation, when the computer program is executed by the processor, of a method for controlling at least one configuration parameter of a wireless communication between at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device of a telecommunications system, said method taking into account a number of reconfigurable reflective surfaces (RIS) active in at least one RIS deployment zone of said system, and the respective positions of said transmitting device, said receiving device and said deployment zone.

[0031] The program mentioned above may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0032] The recording (or information) media referred to in this application may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, a medium may include a storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording device.

[0033] Such a means of storage can, for example, be a hard drive, a flash memory, etc.

[0034] On the other hand, an information medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by radio, or by other means. A program according to the invention can, in particular, be downloaded onto an Internet-type network.

[0035] Alternatively, an information carrier may be an integrated circuit in which a program is incorporated; in the present application, the circuit is adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of any of the embodiments of the method which is the subject of this patent application.

[0036] 4. Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0038] Figure 1 presents a simplified view of a system, cited by way of example, in which at least some embodiments of the method of the present application can be implemented.

[0039] Figure 2 presents a simplified view of a device adapted to implement at least certain embodiments of the control method of this application,

[0040] Figure 3 presents an overview of the control method in some of its embodiments,

[0041] Figure 4 presents a simplified geometric representation of a polar coordinate system of certain elements of system 100 of Figure 1.

[0042] Figure 5 shows certain embodiments of the control method of Figure 3 where the parameter to be controlled is a value of a second configuration parameter,

[0043] Figure 6 presents some embodiments of the control method of Figure 3 where the parameter to be controlled is a value of a first configuration parameter.

[0044] 5. Description of embodiments

[0045] The present application aims to improve the reliability of communications between a transmitting device and a receiving device of a communication system, taking into account, for the configuration of the communication system, the contributions (in terms of signal efficiency) of a plurality of RIS, controllable by the transmitting device deployed in at least one geographical area (also referred to hereafter as the deployment area).

[0046] Thus, unlike prior art solutions which take into account a single RIS to predict the quality of a signal, the present application takes into account the impacts of a plurality of RIS.

[0047] In particular, in certain embodiments, the present application aims to help a communications system comprising a plurality of RIS to achieve a required quality of service for a receiving device (e.g., a user terminal) connected to a transmitting device (e.g., a base station) of the system. An operator can advantageously know in advance whether, for example, the transmitting power of the transmitting device meets a required quality of service or whether the transmitting device can meet it by transmitting at a given power.

[0048] Quantifying the system's performance (in its current configuration or during adaptation) can, for example, take into account the position and transmission power of the transmitting device, the geographical location of the RIS units, and the density of deployed RIS units. Configuration elements that can be acted upon (i.e., that can be controlled) include, for example, the transmission power of the transmitting device, or the number of active RIS units in the RIS deployment area.

[0049] The invention can also save time in determining and setting up the active RIS deployment area and in configuring a transmitting device (such as a base station for example).

[0050] This application also proposes, in at least some embodiments, to adapt the system configuration (for example, the transmission power of the transmitting device and / or the number of active RIS) if necessary in order to influence system performance and / or meet a quality of service requirement. Thus, the method of this application, in at least some of its embodiments, can help an operator to predict and decide, for example, on the necessary and sufficient transmission power to obtain a desired (required) quality of service (such as a receive throughput) while avoiding greater than necessary energy consumption by the transmitting device.The process described in this application, in at least some of its embodiments, can thus help to improve the financial profitability of the communication system by limiting the energy consumption of the system's transmitting device and reducing the ecological footprint associated with the system's energy expenditure.

[0051] Furthermore, the process of the present application, in at least some of its embodiments, can for example be implemented in a planning tool developed and / or used by an operator so as to help improve the management of its communication system

[0052] Fig. 1 represents a 100 wireless telecommunication system in which certain embodiments of the control method of the present application can be implemented.

[0053] By "wireless telecommunications system", we mean here a telecommunications system implementing wireless communications, and, optionally, wired communications.

[0054] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the system 100 comprises at least one transmitting device 130 and at least one receiving device 140 which may be, for example, a base station or even a cellular telephone terminal in certain embodiments.

[0055] The transmitting device 130 is an electronic telecommunications device which, by means of a transmitting radio antenna, can radiate electromagnetic waves into space. The receiving device 140, which is also an electronic telecommunications device, has the capacity to receive electromagnetic waves by means of a receiving radio antenna. The propagation behavior of electromagnetic waves depends on their frequencies and the medium through which they travel. Thus, for frequency bands within the radiocommunication domain and for lower levels of the atmosphere, any obstruction between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna will block a signal emitted by the transmitting antenna, just as light can be perceived by the eye.Therefore, since the ability to visually see a transmitting antenna (without taking into account the limitations of the eye's resolution) is roughly equivalent to the ability to receive a radio signal from it, the propagation characteristic at these frequencies is often called "line of sight" or "line of line of sight" or LoS.

[0056] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the system 100 also includes at least one physical structure 150 (such as a high-rise building in a city center), located along the path of the LoS link 136 between the transmitting device and the receiving device. This physical structure, which may hinder or even prevent the direct propagation of the electromagnetic wave between the two devices, thus potentially creates a reception exclusion zone (not shown in the diagram).

[0057] When the direct LoS link between at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device is blocked by an obstacle, nearby reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) can be used to bypass the obstacle and establish an indirect LoS link between said devices. For example, the positioning (or activation) of RIS in an obstacle-filled environment can be implemented to attempt to enable any transmitting / receiving pair of devices in the system that lacks a direct LoS to communicate via these RIS by establishing an indirect LoS. This positioning results in the definition of at least one RIS deployment zone, comprising a plurality of RIS. In some embodiments, an RIS deployment zone may contain RIS that can be dedicated and controlled by a single transmitting device.In other embodiments, a RIS deployment zone may contain RIS shared by several transmitting and receiving devices. controllable by a network monitoring device. In other embodiments, a RIS deployment zone may include both at least one RIS dedicated to a single device and at least one RIS shared by several devices (including possibly the device controlling a dedicated RIS).

[0058] In some embodiments, the positioning of RIS in a deployment area can be implemented in such a way as to seek to limit the number of RIS in the deployment area (for obvious reasons of installation and maintenance cost), (for example, the actual positioning of RIS can be preceded by prior estimates aimed at determining a priori an efficient positioning of RIS).

[0059] It is possible, during the operation of the system 100, to select a subset of active RIS from among the deployed RIS, and to parameterize them (for example by choosing their channel coefficients and their phase shifts, so as to increase (for example maximize) the receiving rate of the receiving device.

[0060] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the system 100 comprises at least one RIS deployment zone containing a set of active RIS 110 and inactive RIS(s) 112, located on the LoS link path between at least one transmitting device 130 on the one hand and at least one receiving device 140 on the other. Each active RIS in the deployment zone modifies the phase of the signal it receives, for example randomly, on command from the transmitting device 130.

[0061] The transmitting and receiving devices can therefore communicate with each other via the active RIS 110 in the RIS deployment zone 120 in a wireless communication network 160 such as a local area network or LAN and / or a wide area network, or WAN.

[0062] For example, the wireless communication network can be a corporate or home LAN or a WAN of the internet type, or cellular, GSM - Global System for Mobile Communications, UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, Wifi - Wireless, etc.).

[0063] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the system 100 may include at least one device 170 for at least partial control (or supervision) of the system 100.

[0064] Figure 2 illustrates a simplified structure 200 of an electronic device 200, adapted to implement the principles of this application. Depending on the embodiment, it may be a server and / or a terminal. The device 200 may, for example, correspond to the transmitting device 130 of the system 100 or to the control device 170 of the system 100 illustrated in Figure 1.

[0065] The device 200 includes, in particular, at least one memory M 210. The device 200 may, in particular, include a buffer memory, volatile memory, for example of the RAM type (for "Random Access Memory" according to the terminology English), and / or non-volatile memory (for example, ROM (for "Read Only Memory" according to English terminology). The device 200 may also include a processing unit UT 220, equipped, for example, with at least one P processor 222, and controlled by a computer program PG 212 stored in memory M 210. At initialization, the code instructions of the computer program PG are, for example, loaded into RAM before being executed by the P processor. Said at least one P processor 222 of the processing unit UT 220 may, in particular, implement, individually or collectively, any one of the embodiments of the method of the present application (described in particular in relation to [Fig. 3]), according to the instructions of the computer program PG.

[0066] The device may also include, or be coupled to, at least one LO 230 input / output module, such as a communication module, enabling, for example, the device 200 to communicate with other devices of the system 100, via wired or wireless communication interfaces, and / or such as an interface module with a user of the device (also referred to more simply in this application as a "user interface" or "human-machine interface").

[0067] By user interface (or "human-machine interface") of the device, we mean for example an interface integrated into the device 200, or a part of a third device coupled to this device by wired or wireless means of communication.

[0068] A user interface may in particular be an "output" user interface adapted for rendering (or controlling rendering) an output element of a computer application used by the device 200, for example an application running at least partially on the device 200 or an "online" application running at least partially remotely, for example on the server 180 of the system 100 or an application accessible via the device 200. Examples of output user interfaces of the device include one or more screens, in particular at least one graphics screen (touchscreen for example), one or more speakers, a connected headset, one or more light indicator(s) such as light-emitting diodes (or LEDs for "Light Electronic Display" according to English terminology).

[0069] By rendering, we mean here a display (or "output" according to English terminology) on at least one user interface, in any form whatsoever, for example including textual, audio and / or video components, or a combination of such components.

[0070] Furthermore, a user interface can be a user interface, referred to as an "input" user interface, adapted for acquiring a command from a user of the device 200 (acquiring a receive rate required by the user, or a transmit power required by the user, for example). This may include, in particular, a action to be performed in connection with a configuration parameter, and / or a command to be sent to a computer application used by the device 200, for example an application running at least partially on the device 200 or an "online" application running at least partially remotely, for example on a server 180 of the system 100. Examples of input user interface of the device 200 include a sensor, an audio and / or video acquisition means (microphone, camera (webcam) for example), a keyboard, a mouse.

[0071] The device 200 can include (or be coupled via a communication module to) various elements for acquiring contextual data, relating in particular to the physical environment of the wireless communication system, (geographic location of the transmitting and / or receiving device and / or the deployment area of ​​active RIS and / or physical obstacles, etc...).

[0072] Said at least one microprocessor of the device 200 can in particular be adapted to control at least one configuration parameter of the wireless telecommunications system i.e. in particular a configuration parameter of the transmitting device of the system 100.

[0073] The method 300 for controlling at least one configuration parameter of the present application is now described in general terms and in connection with [Fig. 3], in some of its embodiments. The control method 300 can be implemented, for example, by the device 200 described above.

[0074] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the method 300 may include a step of obtaining 310 a required value of a first quality of service configuration parameter (for example a required receive rate DRequis or a required receive gain GRequiS).

[0075] The method 300 may also include a step of obtaining 320 characteristics of at least one RIS deployment zone 120 such as for example a number of active RIS and / or an average gain of active RIS in the RIS deployment zone and / or the dimensions of the RIS deployment zone 120.

[0076] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the method 300 can further implement a control 330 of at least one configuration parameter of said wireless telecommunication system.

[0077] This control may in particular take into account at least one characteristic of the RIS deployment area obtained 320 and at least one quality of service parameter obtained 310.

[0078] The control implemented may differ depending on the embodiment. Examples of control will be detailed later in relation to Figures 5 and / or 6.

[0079] In some embodiments, such as in the example of [Fig.3], the process 300 may include an optional confirmation 340 of the check performed.

[0080] The confirmation may include the transmission of a message containing an in training related to the configuration check performed (such as check validation information). The message can be sent via an output interface of device 200 (for example via a human-machine interface and / or via a communication interface of the device) and / or to a storage unit coupled to device 200 (to be accessible for reading later by an operator for example).

[0081] As explained above, the control method 300 can take into account characteristics of the RIS deployment area. One way to describe said area is to use a simplified geometric representation of said wireless telecommunication system in order to obtain an analysis and / or prediction of the configuration parameters.

[0082] As illustrated in [Fig.4], the wireless communication system 100 can be at least partially modeled as a two-dimensional geometric system (in polar coordinates for example) representing the positions of at least one transmitting device 130 (for example a base station), at least one receiving device 140 (for example a mobile terminal) as well as the position of at least one deployment zone of the active RIS 110.

[0083] In the example of [Fig. 4], where the description of the geometric system uses polar coordinates, the position of a point is determined by an angle (with respect to a reference direction) and a distance. It is then possible to model the radiation from the transmitting device by a circle 410 centered on the transmitting device and with a coverage area 410, whose radius Re is the maximum distance at which a radio signal, emitted by the transmitting device, can be received with a given target quality. At least one receiving device is located inside this circle, and its distance from the transmitting device is denoted R.

[0084] In a geometric system of polar coordinates of [Fig.4], it is also possible to model said RIS deployment zone 120 as the portion 420 of a first circular sector not covered by a second circular sector of radius less than the radius of the first sector and of the same center and angles as the first sector.

[0085] This sectoral portion 420 can be defined using four variables which are a minimum angle 0min, a maximum angle 0max as well as radial distances Rmin and Rmax.

[0086] The minimum angle 0min is the angle measured from a polar axis connecting the transmitting device 130 and the receiving device 140 to the limit of the circular sectors closest to the polar axis. In other words, it is the minimum angle whose vertex is the position of the transmitting device 130 and whose sides are represented, on the one hand, by the line representing the connection between the position of the transmitting device 130 and the position of the receiving device 140, and on the other hand, by the line representing the connection between the position of the transmitting device 130 and the position, in the deployment zone, of the The active RIS closest angularly to the position of the receiving device 140.

[0087] The maximum angle 0max is the angle measured from the polar axis to the other limit of the circular sectors, i.e., the limit furthest from the polar axis. It is the maximum angle whose vertex is the position of the transmitting device 130 and whose sides are represented, on the one hand, by the line representing the connection between the position of the transmitting device and the position of the receiving device, and on the other hand, by the line representing the connection between the position of the transmitting device and the position, in the deployment zone, of the active RIS furthest angularly from the position of the receiving device 140.

[0088] In the illustrated example, these two angles are measured counterclockwise from the polar axis. Of course, in other embodiments, they can be measured clockwise.

[0089] The radial distance Rmin is the distance representing the length of the radius from the origin of the geometric system (the origin point of the coordinates), i.e. the position of the transmitting device 130, to the nearest limit of the origin point of the circular sector 420. In other words, Rmin is defined as the distance between the position of the transmitting device and the position, in the deployment area, of the nearest active RIS in terms of distance from the position of the transmitting device.

[0090] The radial distance Rmax is the distance representing the length of the radius from the origin of the geometric system (the origin point of the coordinates), i.e. the position of the transmitting device 130 to the furthest limit of the origin point of the circular sector 420. In other words, Rmax is defined as the distance between the position of the transmitting device and the position, in the deployment area, of the most distant active RIS in terms of distance from the position of the transmitting device.

[0091] The way in which these variables are taken into account may vary depending on the embodiment. It is further detailed, by way of example, below in certain embodiments illustrated by Figures 5 and 6.

[0092] Figure 5 illustrates certain embodiments where the control of the configuration 330 of the process 300 includes a calculation 532 of a target value of a second configuration parameter (for example a target transmission power PeCibie and / or a target bandwidth WCibie of the communication link between the transmitting device and the receiving device corresponding to the required value obtained 310 of the first quality of service parameter (for example a required throughput in reception on the receiving device 140 chosen by an operator).

[0093] The control of the configuration 330 of the process 300 may also conditionally include an adaptation step 534 of the current value of the second configuration parameter (for example, a current transmission power PeCourante or a current bandwidth WCourante of the communication link between the device

[0094]

[0095]

[0096]

[0097] transmitter and receiver device). The target value of the second configuration parameter can be, depending on the embodiment, a maximum or minimum value of this second parameter allowing the required value of the first parameter obtained to be obtained. For example, it can be a minimum transmission power of the transmitting device to obtain the required reception rate DRequis of the receiving device. During communication between the transmitting device and the receiving device, the signal transmitted by the transmitting device is also received by the deployed RIS. Each active RIS modifies the phase of the signal it receives, for example randomly, on command from the transmitting device. In connection with the system modeling described as an example in Figure 4, the impact of RIS on communication between a transmitting device covering an area Re and a receiving device positioned at a distance R from the transmitting device can be calculated by integrating the power received by the receiving device from all active RIS deployed in a portion of the sector between the distances Rmin and Rmax and between the angles 0min and 0max. It is therefore possible to characterize a gain factor Hris, induced by the active RIS, using the following expression: (1)WHERE: ■ L ■ T--------rdrdO J Rmm &mm f(r2+ R^Rra^) - R is the distance between the position of the receiving device and the position of the transmitting device. - r is the radius of the center of the circle, between the minimum radius Rmin and the maximum radius Rmax. - 0 is an angle whose vertex is the position of said emitting device and varying between the minimum angle 0mi„ and the maximum angle 0 WMIX

[0098] Calculation 532 may also take into account at least one other parameter such as a loss coefficient and / or at least one factor affecting the overall performance of the system and / or the distance between the transmitting device and the receiving device.

[0099] For example, in certain embodiments, the calculation may take into account signal power loss coefficients. Such coefficients characterize the impact affecting the quality of the transmitted and / or received signal. For example, these may be coefficients, denoted hereinafter as <5 (also called "pathloss") and K, characterizing a power loss due to the propagation of a signal transmitted directly between the transmitting device and the receiving device. In certain embodiments, these may be coefficients defined by a communication standard, such as a standard from a standardization group known as 3GPP (for 3rd Generation Partnership Project) or a standardization group known as ITU (for International Telecommunication Union), such as the coefficients defined in the document "Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network: UMTS 900 MHz Work Item Technical Report" of 3GPP and / or in the document: "ITU-R Recommendation P.525-3 Calculation of free space attenuation P Series Propagation of radio waves".

[0100] In such embodiments, with this notation, when a transmitting device emits at a power Pe, the power received by a receiving device Pr located at a distance R from the transmitting device corresponds to the expression:

[0101] Pr = K^

[0102] In some embodiments, it may also be a Kris factor characterizing the power loss due to signal propagation between the transmitting device, the deployed RIS, and the receiving device).

[0103] In some embodiments, a thermal noise coefficient Nth at the receiving device may be taken into account, which is another example of a factor characterizing the power loss between the emitting device and the receiving device.

[0104] From parameters such as the gain factor Hris, the receive data rate Dr, the bandwidth W of the wireless telecommunication system, the signal power loss factors and coefficients affecting the overall system performance, the distance R, and the density of active RIS deployed in the deployment area, it is possible to obtain the transmitted power P of the transmitting device (e.g., the base station) for a density pRis of active RIS in the deployment area with a gain GRjs. For example, it can be expressed as:

[0105] p (2), where a = KI^+K^G^p^H^

[0106] The power received by the receiving device due to the direct signal is generally low because of obstacles compared to the power received by said receiving device due to the indirect signal passing through the RIS. Therefore, in some embodiments, the term KR6 can be considered negligible compared to the term KRis GRis pR. HRis. In this case, the equation can be simplified to the form: [°107] p = + <2 bis) K Ris PRisHRls

[0108] In the example in Figure 5, the present expression can be used to calculate the target value of the second parameter, i.e. the value of the target transmission power PeciMe of the transmitting device for a required value Dr of the first quality of service parameter (here a required receive rate).

[0109] Equation (2) takes into account a gain GRis. In some embodiments, it

[0110] [YES]

[0112]

[0113]

[0114]

[0115]

[0116]

[0117]

[0118]

[0119]

[0120] may be a unit gain, which may (depending on the implementation methods) be different for each RIS or be considered identical for each RIS. In some embodiments, this may be an average gain. For example, an average gain of RIS GMRis in the deployment area can be characterized as follows: √(grk hr^), where the factor S represents the area of ​​the RIS zone. deployment of active RIS. In such embodiments, the GMRix factor characterizes the average gain per unit area of ​​the active RIS deployment zone. This factor has both a "physical" meaning, through the GRtK gain factor, and a "topological" meaning, through the factor that characterizes the deployment zone and surface area. In other embodiments where the RIS units in the deployment area do not necessarily all have the same unit gain, the GRix gain of an RIS can, for example, be a function of the RIS's position in the deployment area. For example, if we denote it as Gris(r, ff), the gain factor Hrix can be expressed as H1 / ½ with [RmaxcOmax / x _ (Ibis) -----zdrdB v J Rts J RminJ 0mm \ fr-ZRrcosO) And the expression for the power emitted by the emitting device becomes: ^Nth (2bis) K Ris Pri / HrIs considering that the power received by the receiving device due to the direct signal is low compared to the power received by said receiving device due to the indirect signal passing through the RIS. As illustrated in [Fig. 5], the process 300 may include an adaptation 534 of the value of the second parameter. This adaptation may be implemented, conditionally, when the current value of said second parameter does not correspond to its target value. For example, in the case where the current value of the transmitting power Pecourante of the transmitting device is less than the target value of the transmitting power PeciMe of the transmitting device, the adaptation may include an increase in the transmitting power. For example, when the control device 200 is a supervisory device 170, separate from the transmitting device, the adaptation may include an emission to the transmitting device of a request to change the transmitting power to increase the transmitting power of the transmitting device to match its target value. For example, when the control device 200 is the transmitting device 130, the adaptation may include a modification of the transmitting device's power output to match its target value.

[0121] Another example is the case where the current value of the emission power Pecourante of the emitting device is greater than the target value of the emission power PecMe of the emitting device, the adaptation may include a decrease in the emission power.

[0122] For example, when the control device 200 is a supervisory device 170, separate from the transmitting device, the adaptation may include an emission to the transmitting device of a request to modify the emission power to decrease the emission power of the transmitting device in order to match its target value.

[0123] For example, when the control device 200 is the emitting device 130, the adaptation may include a modification of the emitting power of the emitting device to decrease the emitting power of the emitting device in order to match its target value.

[0124] The adaptation 534 of the second parameter (for example, the transmit power of the transmitting device) helps to achieve a quality of service corresponding to the required quality of service obtained 310 (for example, a receive throughput or a receive gain at the receiving device). In particular, such adaptation can help to save energy by supplying the transmitting device with just the necessary power (and avoiding unnecessary energy consumption) while still satisfying a required quality of service (for example, necessary for the proper functioning of telecommunications).

[0125] Calculation 532 can also take into account, according to embodiments, other specific quality of service parameters, related to the second configuration parameter whose value is calculated (an example of such another parameter is the current bandwidth WCoUrante of the communication link between the sending device and the receiving device when the second parameter is a target bandwidth WCibie for a required receive rate DRequis.).

[0126] In another embodiment, an adaptation of the current value of the first configuration parameter may be necessary if said current value does not correspond to the required value of said parameter, so as to make it correspond to the required value of the first parameter.

[0127] Thus, as illustrated in [Fig.6], the configuration control 330 may include a calculation 632 of the current value of the first parameter (for example the current receive rate DCoUrantOr the current gain GCourant) after obtaining the characteristics of the deployment area of ​​the active RIS 320 on the one hand, and the required quality of service parameters 310 on the other.

[0128] Knowledge of Hris makes it possible, for example, to characterize a quality of service parameter of the telecommunications system such as the receive throughput Dr of the A receiving device (e.g., a terminal) located at a distance R from the transmitting device (e.g., a base station) receives data from the transmitting device. The receive data rate Dr can, for example, be calculated using the following expression: F01291 / PKfP+PK^G,,- p Hris\(3) LJD, = W LogA 1 +-------k ' rh /

[0130] This expression thus makes it possible to calculate a current value of the receive rate as a function of the characteristics of the deployment area (in particular of the RIS active in the deployment area), of a transmitting power of the transmitting device and of the current bandwidth of said communication link.

[0131] As seen previously, the term K R0 can be considered negligible compared to the term KRjs GRis pRlHRjs.. In this case, the expression for the receiving flow rate can be simplified into the form: [°1321 D, = W Logjl + ) <3 bis»

[0133] Furthermore, knowledge of Hrix can also be used to characterize a quality of service parameter of the telecommunications system in terms of the link rate between the transmitting device and the receiving device (also called receive gain), which can for example be expressed by the gain G given by the equation below:

[0134] _ Log^+PK^ Gl& prHriv) (4) " Log^N^+PK^ )

[0135] In the same way as for the flow rate, the term PKRÔ can be considered negligible in this equation compared to the term P KRis GRii. PRiHR^.., the expression for the receive gain can be simplified in certain embodiments into the following form:

[0136] Log^N^PK^G^ prHris).(4 bis) Log^+PKR*)

[0137] If the current value of the receive throughput and / or gain does not correspond to the required value, an adaptation 634 of at least one RIS of the deployment area may be performed. This adaptation may, for example, have the effect of bringing the current value of the first parameter closer to its required value (for example, the required receive throughput DRequiS or the required receive gain GRequiS) (for example, an objective may be to make the current value of the first parameter match its required value).

[0138] For example, an adaptation 634 by successive trials of the number of active RIS in the deployment area can be carried out.

[0139] In certain embodiments, the adaptation of at least one RIS may only act on RISs dedicated to the transmitting device, so as not to cause any side effects on another transmitting device of the system. In certain embodiments, The adaptation can act on dedicated RIS as well as shared RIS, for example to favor the presence of shared RIS in the communication system (for reasons of hardware cost or system simplicity). If the current value of the receive throughput does not correspond to the required value, an adaptation 634 by successive testing of the number of active RIS in the deployment area can be carried out with the objective of matching the current value of the first parameter with its required value (for example the required receive throughput DRequis or the required receive gain GRequis).

[0140] In one embodiment, a check 340 of the current value of said first quality of service parameter is carried out by the device 200 in order to carry out, if necessary, another test of the number of active RIS in the RIS deployment area.

[0141] For example, in the case where the current value of the receiving rate of the receiving device is less than its required value, the adaptation may include an increase in the number of active RIS.

[0142] For example, when the control device 200 is a supervisory device 170, separate from the transmitting device, the adaptation may include an emission to the transmitting device of a request to activate at least one RIS in the RIS deployment area to increase the value of the current receiving rate in order to match its required value (or at least to bring it closer to this required value with an acceptable tolerance (for example with a deviation less than a maximum deviation accessible via a configuration file, or obtained, in addition to obtaining 310 the required value of the first parameter).

[0143] For example, when the control device 200 is the transmitting device 130, the adaptation may include activating at least one RIS in the RIS deployment area to increase the value of the current receive rate to match its required value.

[0144] Another example is the case where the current receive rate of the receiving device is greater than the required receive rate. The adaptation may then include a reduction in the number of active RIS.

[0145] For example, when the control device 200 is a supervisory device 170, separate from the transmitting device, the adaptation may include sending to the transmitting device a request to deactivate at least one RIS in the RIS deployment area to reduce the value of the current receive rate to match its required value (or at least to bring it closer to this required value with an acceptable tolerance (for example with a deviation less than a maximum deviation accessible via a configuration file, or obtained, in addition to obtaining 310 the required value of the first parameter).

[0146] For example, when the control device 200 is the emitting device 130, The adaptation may include disabling at least one RIS in the RIS deployment area to decrease the current receive throughput value to match its required value.

[0147] Another example of adapting the number of active RIS in the deployment area is modifying the density of active RIS by physically adding (or physically removing) at least one RIS, and activating it, in the deployment area. This can also be a modification, by the control device 200, of the unit gain of at least one RIS in the deployment area (via a different RIS setting) or the replacement, via technical intervention in the deployment area, of at least one RIS present in the deployment area by at least one other RIS having different characteristics, such as a unit gain different from that of the previously present RIS.

[0148] Adaptation 634, in such embodiments, can thus help to determine a priori, based on a number of active RIS, whether the receiving device (for example, a user terminal) can achieve a required throughput and / or gain in reception. In particular, method 300 can be implemented during a simulation and / or planning of future actual operation, in order to help define (for example, optimize) the number of active RIS in an RIS deployment area and / or the positioning of the RIS in said deployment area (and therefore the sizing of the deployment area) relative to at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device.

[0149] In certain embodiments, it may be necessary to take into account the height differences (therefore considered non-negligible) between the deployment area of ​​active RIS and the transmitting and / or receiving devices. For example, the expressions for the power, flow rate and gain values ​​can be deduced from a simplified geometric model of a cylindrical coordinate system of the deployment area of ​​active RIS and the transmitting and / or receiving devices of system 100 in [Fig. 1].

[0150] The process of the present application can thus help, in at least some embodiments, to predict and quantify the performance of a communications system and to know a priori whether it will achieve the required performance (throughput, energy efficiency) and quality of service for a receiving device (such as a terminal) connected to a transmitting device (such as a base station), depending on its location.

[0151] The method of the present application can, for example, be implemented locally, in a transmitting device (such as a base station), or be implemented in a device separate from the transmitting device, such as the supervisory device 170 of [Fig. 1]. The method can, for example, be integrated into a planning tool developed and / or used by an operator running at least partially on and / or through one of these devices.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling at least one configuration parameter of a wireless communication between at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device of a telecommunications system, said method taking into account a number of reconfigurable reflective surfaces (RIS) active in at least one RIS deployment zone of said system, and the respective positions of said transmitting device, said receiving device and said deployment zone.

2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the method takes into account the distance between said receiving device and said transmitting device.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the method takes into account the dimensions of the deployment zone.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the method takes into account the angle having as its vertex the position of said transmitting device and one of the sides of which is a segment formed by the positions of the transmitting device and the receiving device and another side is a side of the deployment zone.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the deployment zone corresponds to the portion of a first circular sector not covered by a second circular sector of radius less than the radius of the first sector and of the same center and angle as the first sector.

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the transmitting device is a base station.

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the configuration parameter is a transmission power of said transmitting device and in that the method comprises: - a calculation of a target transmission power of said transmitting device for a required reception rate and / or a required reception gain taking into account an active RIS density in said deployment zone, - a configuration of said transmitting device with a transmission power at least equal to said target transmission power.

8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the configuration parameter is a required bandwidth of the communication link between the transmitting device and the receiving device and in that the method comprises: - a calculation of a target bandwidth of said communication link for a required reception rate and / or a required reception gain taking into account an active RIS density in said deployment zone, - a configuration of said communication link with a bandwidth at least equal to said target bandwidth.

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8 characterized in that the calculation of the target transmission power, respectively of the target bandwidth, takes into account a power loss factor between the transmitting device, the RIS active in said deployment zone and the receiving device.

10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the method comprises: - a calculation of the current value of a reception flow rate and / or a reception gain taking into account the dimension of said deployment zone, - a conditional adaptation of the number of active RIS in the deployment zone taking into account said current value and a required value of said reception flow rate and / or said reception gain.

11. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein said calculation of the target transmission power, respectively of the target bandwidth, further takes into account a gain relating to at least one RIS of said deployment zone.

12. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 11 characterized in that the required reception rate and / or required reception gain is obtained via a user interface of a control device and / or a communication interface of the control device.

13. Device for controlling a wireless telecommunications system, said control device comprising at least one processor adapted to implement a control of at least one configuration parameter of a wireless communication between at least one transmitting device and at least one receiving device of said telecommunications system, said control taking into account a number of reconfigurable reflective surfaces (RIS) active in at least one RIS deployment zone of said system, and the respective positions of the transmitting device, the receiving device and the deployment zone.

14. A control device according to claim 13 wherein said control device is said transmitting device

15. A control device according to claim 13 wherein said control device is a device other than said transmitting device.

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