Femto Node Transmit Power Self-Calibration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Femto cells in wireless communication systems cause interference due to ad-hoc deployment, affecting macro cellular networks and leading to coverage holes and reduced communication performance.

Innovation Solution

Adaptive power management for femto nodes based on received signal strength from macro access nodes and other femto nodes, allowing for dynamic adjustment of transmit power to mitigate interference and optimize coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If femto base stations are deployed to provide robust indoor wireless coverage, then coverage for indoor users is improved, but interference to macro cells and other femto cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindoor wireless coverageVSAvoidinterference to macro cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transmit power adjustment for femto base stations based on real-time interference measurements. The system continuously monitors interference levels and automatically adjusts power levels to maintain indoor coverage while reducing harmful interference to macro cells and other femto cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where femto base stations receive interference information from macro cells and other femto cells, process this information to determine appropriate power levels, and adjust their transmit power accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables automatic interference management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If ad-hoc deployment of femto base stations is allowed to meet user needs, then deployment flexibility is improved, but interference management becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidinterference management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables femto base stations to autonomously manage their own interference by automatically measuring interference levels, processing measurement information, and adjusting their transmit power without requiring manual configuration or complex external management systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmit power parameter dynamically based on measured interference conditions. By automatically adjusting this key parameter, the system simplifies interference management while maintaining deployment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If transmit power is increased to improve coverage, then coverage area is expanded, but interference to other cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidinterference to other cells
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power adjustment where the transmit power level is continuously adapted based on real-time interference measurements and coverage requirements, allowing the system to expand coverage when needed while reducing interference when conditions change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes the transmit power parameter to balance coverage requirements with interference reduction. By adjusting this parameter based on measured conditions, the system achieves optimal coverage without excessive interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2311193B1Self calibration of downlink transmit power
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2311193B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2311193B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2311193B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Transmit power (e.g., maximum transmit power) may be defined based on the maximum received signal strength allowed by a receiver and a total received signal strength from transmitting nodes at the receiver. Transmit power may be defined for an access node (e.g., a femto node) such that a corresponding outage created in a cell (e.g., a macro cell) is limited while still providing an acceptable level of coverage for access terminals associated with the access node. An access node may autonomously adjust its transmit power based on channel measurement and a defined coverage hole to mitigate interference and perform a self-calibration process.