Small Cell Base Station Power Control in Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Femtocell base stations in vehicles require a power control method that ensures adequate coverage without excessive interference or energy consumption, as traditional cell breathing approaches are not suitable for vehicles and may lead to power leakage beyond the vehicle's boundaries.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using femtocell base stations with Machine-Type-Communication units to auto-configure transmit power by gradually increasing signal strength and recognizing identifiers, setting the maximum permitted transmit power to cover the vehicle without unnecessary interference, and adjusting power levels based on vehicle reconfiguration or load changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional cell breathing approach is used to adjust transmit power based on user terminal distance, then coverage can be maintained, but power leakage beyond vehicle boundaries occurs and interference to macrocells increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless coverage continuityVSAvoidinterference to macrocells
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the transmit power control specific to the vehicle environment rather than using general cell breathing. The femtocell base station identifies vehicle boundaries and sets maximum transmit power locally within the vehicle, allowing different power management for inside versus outside the vehicle boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the femtocell base station communicates with macrocell base stations to identify vehicle boundaries and coordinate power levels. This intermediary communication prevents direct interference by mediating between the femtocell's need for coverage and the macrocell's need for interference-free operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If femtocell base station transmit power is increased to ensure coverage throughout the vehicle, then continuous coverage is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous coverageVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the maximum transmit power adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The femtocell base station dynamically sets the maximum transmit power based on identified vehicle boundaries and communication with macrocell base stations, allowing optimal power levels that maintain coverage while minimizing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-generated harmful factors

If manual cell planning and power adjustment is performed for femtocell deployment, then interference can be controlled, but deployment time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference controlVSAvoiddeployment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the femtocell base station to automatically identify vehicle boundaries and configure its own maximum transmit power without manual intervention. The system self-organizes by communicating with macrocell base stations to determine appropriate power levels, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual cell planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the femtocell base station perform boundary identification and power configuration automatically during initial deployment. This preliminary automated setup establishes interference control mechanisms before the femtocell begins normal operation, avoiding the need for subsequent manual adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2496028B1A small cell base station, a vehicle for passengers and method of automatically setting the maximum permitted transmit power of a small cell base station
Publication Date: 2013.09.18 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2496028B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2496028B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2496028B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method is provided of automatically setting the maximum permitted transmit power of a small cell base station by: positioning the base station at a first position within a vehicle for passengers; positioning a wireless transceiver at a second position within the vehicle; the base station sending signals with increasing transmit power; upon the transmit power reaching a level sufficient for the transceiver to receive the signal from the base station, the transceiver receiving the signal and sending a reply including an identifier of the transceiver; and the base station receiving the reply and setting its maximum permitted transmit power at said level.