Base Station Downlink Beacon for P2P Power Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless spectrum in wide area network systems is often underutilized, and existing methods struggle to manage interference when integrating peer-to-peer communications with WAN communications without disrupting the WAN system.

Innovation Solution

A method where a base station transmits a reference signal in its downlink frequency band to control peer-to-peer wireless terminals' transmission power levels, allowing dynamic regulation of interference and efficient sharing of WAN uplink bandwidth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If peer to peer communications are integrated into WAN uplink bandwidth, then spectrum utilization is improved, but interference to WAN communications increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidinterference to WAN communications
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base station transmits downlink signals containing power control information that peer-to-peer terminals use to adjust their uplink transmission power. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic power adjustment where the base station monitors interference levels and sends corresponding power control commands to P2P terminals, resolving the contradiction by allowing spectrum sharing while maintaining WAN communication quality through continuous feedback-based power regulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the transmission power parameter of peer-to-peer terminals based on downlink signal measurements. By adjusting the power level parameter in response to base station downlink transmissions, the system optimizes spectrum utilization while preventing excessive interference to WAN communications, effectively resolving the technical contradiction through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If peer to peer terminals transmit in uplink band, then bandwidth sharing is improved, but power control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth sharingVSAvoidpower control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station acts as an intermediary that simplifies power control for peer-to-peer terminals. Instead of requiring complex distributed power control algorithms between P2P terminals, the base station receives measurement reports from P2P terminals and sends centralized power control commands, reducing complexity while enabling effective bandwidth sharing through this intermediary control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Peer-to-peer terminals autonomously measure downlink signal power and apply power control adjustments based on received commands without requiring complex coordination with other P2P terminals. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system complexity while enabling adaptive bandwidth sharing through independent terminal actions guided by base station control signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If downlink band is used for control signals, then base station design simplicity is improved, but uplink bandwidth availability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase station design simplicityVSAvoiduplink bandwidth availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates control signal transmission from data transmission by using the downlink frequency dimension for control purposes while maintaining uplink bandwidth availability for data. This dimensional separation allows the base station to transmit power control information in the downlink band without restricting uplink bandwidth usage, resolving the contradiction by utilizing different frequency dimensions for different functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2078343B1Methods and apparatus related to power control and/or interference management in a mixed wireless communications system supporting wan signaling and peer to peer signaling
Publication Date: 2016.10.19 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2078343B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2078343B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2078343B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus related to the sharing of wide area network (WAN) uplink bandwidth with peer to peer communication signaling usage are described. The base station regulates the level of interference from the peer to peer signaling by generating and transmitting peer to peer transmission power control signals intended for peer to peer wireless terminals in the local vicinity. A base station transmits into a downlink frequency band a signal, e.g., a beacon or broadcast channel signal, to be used by a peer to peer wireless terminal in controlling its peer to peer transmit power level into the corresponding uplink frequency band. The peer to peer wireless terminal receives and evaluates the base station signal. The determined information from the evaluation is used in determining whether or not peer to peer signal transmission is permitted and/or in determining a peer to peer transmission power level.