Altitude-Based Wireless Coverage Resource Allocation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless communication networks face challenges in providing effective coverage to wireless communication devices (WCDs) on higher floors of buildings due to antennas being primarily configured for ground-level coverage, resulting in poor service for WCDs at elevated altitudes.

Innovation Solution

A radio access network (RAN) uses a split wireless coverage area with different transmit powers and frequencies to serve WCDs above and below a threshold altitude, adjusting power and frequency allocation based on the number of WCDs at each altitude to ensure commensurate resource allocation, utilizing GPS and signal strength measurements to determine device altitude.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If antennas are arranged to provide wireless coverage at ground level, then coverage at ground level is improved, but coverage for WCDs on upper floors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless service qualityVSAvoidcoverage across different altitudes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wireless coverage area into multiple altitude-based zones (first coverage area for lower altitudes, second coverage area for higher altitudes). Each zone is served by dedicated antennas with specific beamforming configurations, allowing independent optimization of coverage for each altitude segment rather than using a single omnidirectional coverage approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different antennas with distinct beamforming parameters tailored to specific altitude zones. Lower-altitude coverage uses antennas optimized for ground-level buildings, while higher-altitude coverage uses antennas with elevated beam patterns, ensuring each local area receives appropriately optimized signal characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If transmit power is increased to extend coverage to higher altitudes, then coverage area is expanded, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless coverage areaVSAvoidtransmit power

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different antennas with distinct beamforming parameters tailored to specific altitude zones. Lower-altitude coverage uses antennas optimized for ground-level buildings, while higher-altitude coverage uses antennas with elevated beam patterns, ensuring each local area receives appropriately optimized signal characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts beamforming parameters and resource allocation based on real-time conditions including altitude, building density, and WCD distribution. This allows the network to optimize power usage by adapting coverage patterns to current environmental conditions rather than maintaining fixed high-power transmission across all areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If frequency resources are allocated without considering altitude distribution, then resource allocation is simplified, but service quality for specific altitude groups deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidservice quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network controller receives information about WCD altitude distribution and dynamically adjusts frequency resource allocation accordingly. The system monitors the proportion of WCDs in different altitude zones and reallocates frequency resources to match the actual distribution, ensuring adequate capacity for each altitude group while optimizing overall network efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts beamforming parameters and resource allocation based on real-time conditions including altitude, building density, and WCD distribution. This allows the network to optimize power usage by adapting coverage patterns to current environmental conditions rather than maintaining fixed high-power transmission across all areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9357552B1Adjusting wireless coverage area resource assignment based on device altitude

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 SPRINT SPECTRUM LLC

AI summary

In order to provide better wireless service to wireless communication devices (WCDs) at different altitudes (e.g., on different levels of a high-rise structure), a radio access network (RAN) may include antennas that are configured to provide coverage at these different altitudes. The RAN may assign resources, such as transmit power or frequencies, to wireless coverage areas serving particular altitude ranges in a proportion that is commensurate with the number of WCDs being served by these particular altitude ranges. As a result, RAN and WCD performance may improve.