TV White Space Power Control via Dynamic Backoff Messaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems in TV white space networks face challenges in efficiently managing transmit power to optimize bandwidth usage and minimize interference, particularly in achieving the necessary power levels for successful communication while adhering to regulatory requirements.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a power control mechanism where a first apparatus generates and transmits a message to a second apparatus, including indications of transmitter power backoffs, allowing both devices to adjust their transmit power levels to achieve a target signal-to-noise ratio, thereby optimizing power usage and ensuring successful communication within regulatory limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transmit power is increased to ensure successful communication, then communication reliability is improved, but interference to other TV white space devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transmit power control by adjusting the power backoff parameter based on channel conditions and regulatory requirements. Each device independently controls its transmit power level by modifying the power backoff value, allowing the system to adapt power parameters to balance communication reliability with interference mitigation in TV white space environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where devices exchange power backoff information through control messages. Each device reports its current power backoff level to others, enabling the network to coordinate power levels and reduce interference while maintaining reliable communication links based on actual channel conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-generated harmful factors

If transmit power is reduced to minimize interference, then interference is decreased, but communication quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power control where transmit power levels are not fixed but continuously adjusted based on channel conditions, distance between devices, and regulatory constraints. The power backoff parameter is dynamically modified to achieve the minimum necessary power for successful communication while minimizing interference, rather than using static power levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system adjusts the power backoff parameter to optimize the trade-off between communication quality and interference. By changing this key parameter based on measured channel conditions and received signal strength, the system can adaptively find the optimal power level that maintains communication quality while reducing unnecessary interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If power control messaging is implemented between devices, then power management efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reuses existing IEEE 802.11 control message frameworks to carry power backoff information, allowing the same messaging infrastructure to serve both traditional WLAN control functions and TV white space power management. This multi-functional approach enables power control without requiring entirely new communication protocols or message types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses standardized control messages as intermediaries to convey power backoff information between devices. Rather than requiring direct complex negotiation protocols, devices exchange power control data through structured control messages that follow existing WLAN conventions, simplifying the power management interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2638744B1Power control for TV white space devices
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2638744B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2638744B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2638744B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3A

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for using power control in a television white space (TVWS) network. One example method generally includes generating, at a first apparatus, a message for controlling a transmit power of a second apparatus-the message including a first indication of a first transmitter power backoff for the first apparatus and a second indication of a second transmitter power backoff for the second apparatus-and transmitting, to the second apparatus, the message based on the first transmitter power backoff. In this manner, messaging may be used to enable transmit power control of devices in a TVWS network, which may operate in accordance with the IEEE 802.11af standard.