Cell Reference Signal Power Adjustment for Coverage Control

Solution Overview

Problem

In cellular networks, especially in UMTS and LTE systems, there is a challenge in ensuring that the cell coverage area is optimally configured to prevent signal decodability beyond the desired geographic distance, leading to issues with user equipment (UE) attachment and service quality, as existing methods often result in excessive power consumption and interference.

Innovation Solution

A method is disclosed to dynamically adjust the cell reference signal transmit power based on propagation delay statistics from UE attach requests, iteratively determining an appropriate power level to ensure suitable cell coverage without exceeding the desired geographic distance, thereby optimizing cell size and power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If high transmit power is used to ensure coverage, then cell coverage area is improved, but power consumption and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell coverage areaVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of cell reference signal transmit power based on measured propagation delay statistics from UE attach requests. The system continuously monitors the distribution of UE distances and adjusts power levels accordingly, transitioning from static to dynamic power control to optimize the trade-off between coverage area and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from propagation delay measurements of UE attach requests to determine the actual coverage radius. This feedback loop allows the system to measure the distance distribution of connecting UEs and adjust transmit power to match the desired coverage area, preventing excessive power usage while maintaining adequate coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Area of stationary object

If high transmit power is used to ensure coverage, then cell coverage area is improved, but interference to neighboring cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell coverage areaVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of cell reference signal transmit power based on measured propagation delay statistics from UE attach requests. The system continuously monitors the distribution of UE distances and adjusts power levels accordingly, transitioning from static to dynamic power control to optimize the trade-off between coverage area and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from propagation delay measurements of UE attach requests to determine the actual coverage radius. This feedback loop allows the system to measure the distance distribution of connecting UEs and adjust transmit power to match the desired coverage area, preventing excessive power usage while maintaining adequate coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If manual configuration is used to set cell parameters, then configuration precision is improved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the cell to automatically determine its coverage radius and adjust its transmit power based on propagation delay statistics from UE attach requests. The system performs self-configuration by measuring the distances of connecting UEs and autonomously optimizing power settings, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining precise coverage control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from propagation delay measurements of UE attach requests to determine the actual coverage radius. This feedback loop allows the system to measure the distance distribution of connecting UEs and adjust transmit power to match the desired coverage area, preventing excessive power usage while maintaining adequate coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11528667B2SON accounting for max geographical distance

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 PARALLEL WIRELESS INC

AI summary

A method is disclosed for determining an appropriate transmit power of a cell based on a desired coverage distance, comprising: initializing, at a cell, a cell reference signal transmit power at a high power level; broadcasting a cell signal power measure to require a high signal power level for user devices attempting to connect to the cell; progressively lowering the cell signal power measure at the cell; broadcasting the lowered cell signal power measure; deriving a plurality of user equipment (UE) attach request distances based on a plurality of propagation delay statistics derived from UE attach requests received at the cell; comparing the plurality of UE attach request distances against a maximum distance to obtain a number of UE attach requests received from UEs physically located beyond the maximum distance; and setting the cell reference signal transmit power based on the number of UE attach requests received from beyond the maximum distance, thereby iteratively determining an appropriate cell reference signal transmit power based on the maximum distance and on UE attach requests received at the cell.