Base Station Transmitter Configuration via UE Reference Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for adjusting transmitter configuration in cellular networks lack precision and efficiency, leading to power wastage and interference issues, as they rely on manual drive tests or UE-based measurements that are either costly or less precise.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize selected user equipment (UEs) with low variability in received power as reference points to determine generic changes in signal power, allowing for automated adjustments to transmitter configuration, thereby improving power control and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If drive tests with dedicated measuring equipment are used to measure received signal power, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses user equipment (UE) devices to copy the measurement function of dedicated measuring equipment. Instead of using specialized drive test equipment, the system leverages the built-in reception capabilities of regular mobile devices to measure received signal power, thereby eliminating the need for complex dedicated measuring equipment while maintaining measurement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables user equipment to perform self-measurement of received signal power. The UE devices automatically measure and report their own received power levels to the network management system, eliminating the need for external dedicated measuring equipment and manual drive tests
2Ease of operation
If UE based network performance measurement is used to collect data about received power level, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process by selecting specific user equipment devices as reference points rather than using all UEs. By dividing the measurement task among selected reference UEs with low mobility and stable positions, the system maintains automation while improving measurement precision through selective data collection from reliable sources
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the selection criteria for measurement subjects by choosing UEs with specific characteristics (low mobility, stable positions) as reference points. This parameter-based selection filters out noisy measurements from highly mobile devices, thereby improving overall measurement precision while maintaining the automated nature of UE-based measurement
3Reliability
If transmitter power is configured slightly above the desired level to allow for atmospheric conditions, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network management system continuously receives measured received power levels from reference UEs and automatically adjusts transmitter configuration in response. This closed-loop control allows the system to maintain reliable coverage by adjusting power only when necessary based on actual measurements, rather than maintaining a constant excessive power margin
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static transmitter power configuration to dynamic adjustment based on real-time measurements. The transmitter power level is continuously adapted according to the measured received power at reference points, allowing the system to respond to changing atmospheric conditions and traffic patterns, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing unnecessary energy consumption
4Reliability
If transmitter power is increased to ensure adequate signal coverage, then coverage reliability is improved, but harmful interference between cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from measured received power levels at reference points in different cells to control transmitter power adjustments. By monitoring actual coverage conditions through UE measurements and adjusting power only when and where needed, the system maintains adequate signal coverage while minimizing excessive power transmission that would cause interference to neighboring cells
Data Source
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AI summary
Adjusting transmitter configuration for a base station transmitter (80) of a cell of a wireless network, involves receiving (100) indications of received power measured at user equipments (UE) of customers over a first period of time of service operation of the cell, determining (110) a generic change in the received power over a second period of time at chosen ones of the user equipments in an area, chosen to represent reference points within the area, and chosen based on variability in the received power. Then an adjustment is made (120) to the transmitter configuration based on the determined generic change in the received power. Selecting which UEs to use can enable detection of finer gradations in the generic changes in the received power to be distinguished from the larger changes in individual indications of the received power. This can lead to better control of the transmitter configuration under changing conditions.