Wireless Access Point Transmit Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications networks, access points and stations often operate at maximum power levels, leading to inefficiencies and interference, especially in overlapping coverage areas, which degrades network performance by increasing power consumption and impairing dynamic clear channel assessment.
Innovation Solution
Implementing selective power control in both time and frequency domains, allowing access points to set and announce specific power levels for stations or groups, coordinating power settings between access points to minimize interference and optimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access points and stations operate at maximum power level, then communication coverage and reliability are improved, but power consumption increases and interference occurs in overlapping coverage areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmit power control where access points and stations continuously adjust their power levels based on real-time channel conditions, distance, and interference measurements. Instead of operating at fixed maximum power, the system dynamically selects optimal power levels to maintain communication reliability while minimizing power consumption and interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power level parameter adaptively based on environmental conditions. Access points transmit power control indicators to stations, and both parties adjust their transmit power levels according to channel quality, distance from access point, and detected interference levels, thereby optimizing the balance between reliability and energy efficiency.
2Area of stationary object
If access points and stations operate at maximum power level, then communication coverage is improved, but interference between overlapping basic service sets increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different power levels to different spatial locations and stations. Access points transmit power control indicators to individual stations based on their specific distance and channel conditions. Stations in overlapping coverage areas with good signal quality are instructed to use lower power levels, while stations at cell edges maintain higher power levels, thereby maintaining coverage area while reducing interference in overlapping regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where access points monitor channel conditions and transmit power control indicators to stations. Stations report their received signal quality and interference levels, allowing access points to adjust power control indicators iteratively. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain adequate coverage while dynamically reducing interference in overlapping basic service sets.
3Reliability
If stations operate at high power level to avoid hidden node problems, then channel awareness is improved, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power control for stations based on their specific situation. Instead of requiring all stations to operate at maximum power to detect hidden nodes, the system dynamically adjusts each station's power level based on its distance from the access point, received signal quality, and detected channel activity. Stations with good signal quality and no hidden node concerns use lower power levels, while stations that actually need high power for channel awareness maintain appropriate levels.
Solution Approach 2:
Stations autonomously adjust their transmit power levels based on power control indicators received from their access point and local channel conditions. Each station independently determines its optimal power level considering its specific distance, signal quality, and hidden node detection needs, rather than uniformly operating at maximum power. This self-service approach reduces unnecessary power consumption while maintaining channel awareness where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication system includes a first wireless access point, and a first set of at least one first station in wireless communication with the first wireless access point. The first wireless access point controls power for communications with a first station in the set of at least one first station. The first wireless access point may control power in a time-domain, announcing a power level for use during a time window. The first wireless access point may control power levels in a frequency-domain, announcing different power levels for different frequency subchannels within a frequency channel. The wireless communication system may further include an additional wireless access point, and an additional set of at least one additional station in wireless communication with the additional wireless access point. The first and additional wireless access points control power to avoid interference between the first and additional wireless access points.