SOHO BTS Interference Management via Antenna Beam Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inadequate coverage and interference issues in wireless communication networks, particularly in small office or home office (SOHO) environments, where RF holes and hidden node problems lead to dropped calls and interference with neighboring base transceiver stations, necessitating a system to manage power adjustments and minimize interference.
Innovation Solution
A SOHO base transceiver station management system that uses a variable attenuator and controller to adjust transmit power based on pilot signal strength measurements from mobile stations, optimizing RF coverage while reducing interference with macrocells and neighboring SOHO cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a SOHO BTS uses high transmit power to overcome interior wall attenuation, then coverage within the SOHO is improved, but interference with external macrocells and neighboring SOHO cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting the transmit power of individual antenna elements based on their specific directional coverage requirements. The controller selectively activates transmit paths and adjusts attenuator settings for each antenna element to provide targeted power adjustment in specific directions, ensuring sufficient coverage within the SOHO while minimizing interference in external directions where macrocells operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through the controller that continuously monitors pilot signal strength from mobile stations and dynamically adjusts the attenuator settings in real-time. The system transitions between different transmit path configurations and power levels based on detected interference conditions, allowing adaptive optimization of the trade-off between internal coverage and external interference.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional adaptive interference controls use solitary dipole or monopole antennas with power control, then some interference management is achieved, but selective reduction of transmitted RF power to eliminate interference is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the transmit system into multiple independent transmit paths, each with its own antenna element and variable attenuator. This segmentation allows the controller to independently adjust the power level of each transmit path based on the specific interference conditions in different directions, providing selective and granular interference control that solitary antennas cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the attenuation level of each transmit path based on detected pilot signal strength. The controller modifies the electrical parameter (attenuation) of individual antenna elements to dynamically adjust their radiated power, enabling selective reduction of RF power in directions causing interference while maintaining coverage in other directions.
3Reliability
If a SOHO BTS operates with sufficient transmit power to penetrate interior walls, then coverage reliability is improved, but the BTS subjects itself to high interference from external sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the controller to monitor pilot signal strength measurements from mobile stations and use this information to adjust attenuator settings. The system continuously receives feedback about the radio environment and adaptively modifies transmit power levels to maintain reliable coverage while minimizing susceptibility to and generation of external interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A small office/home office base transceiver station (SOHO BTS) server capable of managing interference by correlating pilot strength measurements sent by mobile devices and directing the attenuation settings for each transmit path. An array of antennas coupled to an array of transmit paths are selectively activated one at a time. When a transmit path is activated, the SOHO BTS server sets the associated variable attenuator to its maximum level. The SOHO BTS server detects whether a radio environment report or and a pilot strength measurement message (PSMM) containing information about a mobile station's pilot strength is present. When the pilot strength is greater than a predetermined value, the SOHO BTS server increases the setting on the attenuator. Otherwise, the SOHO BTS server decreases the attenuator setting until such pilot strength information is available or if the lowest attenuator setting has been set. The other transmit paths are also tested accordingly.