AP Transmission Power Control for Multi-BSS Interference Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Co-channel interference in multi-AP environments causes increased latencies, reduced throughput, and degraded user experience due to high power amplification and uncoordinated channel selection, especially in densely populated areas with overlapping wireless coverage.

Innovation Solution

Implement transmission power adjustment operations that consider traffic patterns, AP capacities, and STA service needs to generate an interference reduction plan, optimizing channel selection and power levels across APs to minimize co-channel interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If high power amplification is used to extend wireless coverage, then coverage area is improved, but co-channel interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless coverage areaVSAvoidco-channel interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transmission power adjustment where APs continuously monitor their own traffic load and adjust their transmission power accordingly. During periods of low traffic, APs reduce power to minimize interference; during high traffic, they increase power to maintain coverage. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making coverage extension conditional on actual network needs rather than using constant high power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission power parameter dynamically based on traffic patterns and network conditions. By monitoring metrics such as packet error rates, signal strength, and traffic volume, the system adjusts power levels from minimum to maximum ranges, thereby extending coverage only when necessary while minimizing interference during low-activity periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If uncoordinated channel selection is used in multi-AP environments, then deployment simplicity is improved, but throughput is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment simplicityVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-organizing network functionality where APs automatically detect neighboring APs, assess channel conditions, and select optimal channels without manual configuration. The system uses built-in sensors and algorithms to monitor interference levels and autonomously adjusts channel assignments, thereby maintaining deployment simplicity while significantly improving throughput through intelligent self-coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where APs continuously monitor channel conditions, packet error rates, and interference levels. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust channel selections and power levels, creating a closed-loop system that automatically optimizes performance without requiring manual intervention or complex centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If APs operate on the same channel to simplify network configuration, then ease of operation is improved, but co-channel interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork configuration easeVSAvoidco-channel interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static channel assignment to dynamic channel selection where APs can switch between channels based on real-time conditions. The system maintains operational simplicity by automating this dynamic adjustment, allowing APs to operate on the same channel when interference is low but automatically migrate to different channels when interference increases, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and interference reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3984293B1Controlling transmission power across basic service sets (BSSS)
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3984293B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3984293B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3984293B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for controlling transmission power in a network having multiple access points (APs). In one aspect, by enabling control of transmission power adjustment operations, APs can effectively delivery data to stations (STAs) within the basis service set (BSS) in a manner that minimizes co-channel interference between nearby APs in the network. The transmission power adjustment operations may be used to generate an interference reduction plan that accounts for some or all of the traffic patterns in the network, the capacities of the APs in the network and the service needs of all the STAs in the network. In this manner, APs are afforded a more lenient approach to adequately delivering data to STAs within the BSS, while mitigating interference with other APs or STAs operating in nearby wireless coverage areas.