Central Controller Location Estimation for Wireless Frequency Reuse

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless networks, existing methods fail to accurately estimate the relative positions of base stations and subscriber terminals, leading to inefficiencies in frequency reuse due to interference and limited range of distance information.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a central controller to process distance information from terminals to estimate base station and terminal positions, enabling the use of electronically steerable antennas for scheduling resources non-conflictingly, thereby achieving high frequency reuse by synchronizing base stations and directing resources based on geographical location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If distance information is used to estimate relative positions of base stations and terminals, then location accuracy is improved, but the range and reliability of distance information is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidrange of distance information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses terminal devices as intermediary nodes to measure and report distance information between base stations. Instead of directly measuring between base stations, the terminal acts as a mediator that can be positioned anywhere in the coverage area, enabling indirect distance measurement that overcomes the limited range of direct base station-to-base station measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional location estimation (using only x-y coordinates) to three-dimensional location estimation by incorporating distance measurements from multiple terminals at different positions. This additional dimensional information from multiple measurement points enables more accurate and reliable base station localization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If frequency reuse is increased to improve network capacity, then spectral efficiency is improved, but interference between base stations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by directing antenna beams specifically toward terminals in need of service while nulling interference in directions of neighboring base stations. This creates spatially selective transmission characteristics where different regions of the antenna radiation pattern have different properties, allowing frequency reuse without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamically adjustable electronically steerable antennas that can change beam direction and shape in real-time based on terminal locations and interference conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high frequency reuse while actively managing interference as terminals move and traffic patterns change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If electronically steerable antennas are used for direction-based scheduling, then frequency reuse is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency reuseVSAvoidscheduling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the base station antenna system multi-functional by combining location estimation, interference measurement, and directional scheduling capabilities in a single electronically steerable antenna array. This universal system performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate devices, reducing overall system complexity while achieving high frequency reuse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of energy

If location-based scheduling is implemented to reduce interference, then spectral efficiency is improved, but information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary location estimation of base stations using terminal measurements before implementing directional scheduling. By pre-establishing the geometric relationships and interference patterns, the system reduces real-time processing requirements during actual scheduling operations, as much of the spatial information is already known and can be used for rapid beamforming decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8224340B2Method and apparatus to estimate relative base station and subscriber terminal locations and using it to increase frequency reuse

Publication Date: 2012.07.17 WICHORUS LLC

AI summary

Method for estimating position information of base stations as well as terminals for three dimensional centralized real-time spectrum management to achieve high spectral efficiency. In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises i) understanding the position information of plurality of base stations, wherein the plurality of terminals and the base stations form a wireless network, ii) determining, at the central controller, position of a terminal via plurality of communication wirelessly between the base stations and a terminal and between the base station and the central controller, iii) applying network wide real time knowledge at the central controller to electronically steerable antennas to use a resource in a different direction then where it is used by other base stations to achieve frequency reuse of one.