Power control for point-to-multipoint services provided in communication systems

• US 20030134655A1
• Filed: 03/28/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Tiedemann, Edward G. Jr., Wang, Jun, Chen, Tao
• Granted Patent: US 7,742,781 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/522
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/185 with management of multicast group membership
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1877 Measures taken prior to transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/068 using time-dependent keys, e.g. periodically changing keys cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for controlling usage of secret information H04L9/088
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/164 at the network layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/04 Protocols for data compression, e.g. ROHC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/161 Implementation details of TCP/IP or UDP/IP stack architecture; Specification of modified or new header fields
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/164 Adaptation or special uses of UDP protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 : Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/30 : Public key, i.e. encryption algorithm being computationally infeasible to invert or user's encryption keys not requiring secrecy
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 : using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 : where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/08 : Closed loop power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/12 : Outer and inner loops
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/14 : Separate analysis of uplink or downlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/16 : Deriving transmission power values from another channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/322 : Power control of broadcast channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/327 : Power control of multicast channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/54 : Signalisation aspects of the TPC commands, e.g. frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 : Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 : Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/00 : Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

To enable point-to-multipoint communication services in an existing cellular communication system infrastructure, each member subscriber station, i.e., a subscriber station participating in such a service, is receiving a forward link shared channel, and in certain embodiments additionally a forward link dedicated channel. Because transmission on the forward link channels from neighboring sectors presents interference to the transmission from the sector serving the subscriber station, it is desirable to control the forward link channel transmission power to the minimum acceptable power. Additionally, a transmission form each member subscriber station on a reverse link channel presents interference to other subscriber stations. Therefore, it is desirable to control the reverse link channel transmission to the minimum signal level. Consequently, a method and apparatus for a power control that enables point-to-multipoint services in an existing infrastructure of a wireless cellular telephone system is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

determining sectors whose coverage area contain active subscriber stations belonging to a group; and

transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link shared channel from the determined sectors.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link shared channel from the determined sectors comprises:

puncturing the reverse link power control commands into the forward link shared channel.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link shared channel from the determined sectors comprises:

inserting the reverse link power control commands into the forward link shared channel.

4. A method for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

receiving at a subscriber station belonging to a group a forward link shared channel;

adjusting at an active subscriber station belonging to the group reverse link transmission power in accordance with the reverse link power control commands contained in the forward link shared channel.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

ignoring at a passive subscriber station belonging to the group the reverse link power control commands contained in the forward link shared channel.

6. A method for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

transmitting user data on a forward link shared channel; and

transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel comprises:

puncturing the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel comprises:

inserting the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

9. A method for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

receiving at a subscriber station belonging to a group a forward link shared channel;

receiving at the subscriber station a forward link dedicated channel; and

adjusting at an active subscriber station belonging to the group reverse link transmission power in accordance with reverse link power control commands contained in the forward link dedicated channel.

10. A method power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

determining sectors whose coverage area contain active subscriber stations belonging to a group; and

transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel from the determined sectors.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel from the determined sectors comprises:

puncturing the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel from the determined sectors comprises:

inserting the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

13. A method for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

receiving at a subscriber station belonging to a group a forward link shared channel;

receiving at each active subscriber station belonging to a group a forward link dedicated channel; and

adjusting at the active subscriber station reverse link transmission power in accordance with reverse link power control commands contained in the forward link dedicated channel.

14. A method for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

monitoring at a sector at least one reverse link channel to detect a quality metric of a forward link shared channel; and

adjusting the forward link shared channel power in accordance with the worst quality metric.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said adjusting the forward link shared channel in accordance with the worst quality metric comprises:

decreasing the forward link shared channel power by a second amount if quality metric of all of the at least one reverse link channel indicate decrease in power.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said adjusting the forward link shared channel power in accordance with the worst quality metric comprises:

increasing the forward link shared channel power by a second amount if quality metric from at least one of the at least one reverse link channel indicate increase in power.

17. A method power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

determining at each subscriber station belonging to a group a quality metric of a forward link shared channel; and

transmitting the determined quality metric.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said transmitting the determined quality metric comprises:

transmitting the determined quality metric if the determined quality metric is less than a threshold.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein said transmitting the determined quality metric if the determined quality metric is less than a threshold comprises:

transmitting the determined quality metric if the determined quality metric is less than a pre-determined threshold.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising:

increasing the threshold by a first amount if an information sent on the forward link shared channel is received with sufficient decoder metric.

21. The method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising:

decreasing the threshold by a second amount if an information sent on the forward link shared channel is received with insufficient decoder metric.

22. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said transmitting the determined quality metric comprises:

transmitting the determined quality metric on a reverse link dedicated channel, assigned to said subscriber station.

23. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said transmitting the determined quality metric comprises:

transmitting the determined quality metric on a reverse link common channel, monitored by the subscriber station.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said transmitting the determined quality metric comprises:

requesting by a subscriber station an assignment of a reverse link dedicated channel over the reverse link common channel monitored by the subscriber station; and

transmitting the determined quality metric on the reverse link dedicated channel.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said requesting by a subscriber station an assignment of a reverse link dedicated channel comprises:

requesting by a subscriber station an assignment of a reverse link dedicated channel over an access channel.

26. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

means for determining sectors whose coverage area contain active subscriber stations belonging to a group; and

means for transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link shared channel from the determined sectors.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein said means for transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link shared channel from the determined sectors comprises:

means for puncturing the reverse link power control commands into the forward link shared channel.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein said means for transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link shared channel from the determined sectors comprises:

means for inserting the reverse link power control commands into the forward link shared channel.

29. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

means for receiving at a subscriber station belonging to a group a forward link shared channel;

means for adjusting at an active subscriber station belonging to the group reverse link transmission power in accordance with the reverse link power control commands contained in the forward link shared channel.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, further comprising:

means for ignoring at a passive subscriber station belonging to the group the reverse link power control commands contained in the forward link shared channel.

31. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

means for transmitting user data on a forward link shared channel; and

means for transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said means for transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel comprises:

means for puncturing the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said means for transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel comprises:

means for inserting the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

34. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

means for receiving at a subscriber station belonging to a group a forward link shared channel;

means for receiving at the subscriber station a forward link dedicated channel; and

means for adjusting at an active subscriber station belonging to the group reverse link transmission power in accordance with reverse link power control commands contained in the forward link dedicated channel.

35. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

means for determining sectors whose coverage area contain active subscriber stations belonging to a group; and

means for transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel from the determined sectors.

36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein said means for transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel from the determined sectors comprises:

means for puncturing the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

37. The apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein said means for transmitting reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel from the determined sectors comprises:

means for inserting the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

38. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

means for receiving at a subscriber station belonging to a group a forward link shared channel;

means for receiving at each active subscriber station belonging to a group a forward link dedicated channel; and

means for adjusting at the active subscriber station reverse link transmission power in accordance with reverse link power control commands contained in the forward link dedicated channel.

39. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

means for monitoring at a sector at least one reverse link channel to detect a quality metric of a forward link shared channel; and

means for adjusting the forward link shared channel power in accordance with the worst quality metric.

40. The apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein said means for adjusting the forward link shared channel in accordance with the worst quality metric comprises:

means for decreasing the forward link shared channel power by a second amount if quality metric of all of the at least one reverse link channel indicate decrease in power.

41. The apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein said means for adjusting the forward link shared channel power in accordance with the worst quality metric comprises:

means for increasing the forward link shared channel power by a second amount if quality metric from at least one of the at least one reverse link channel indicate increase in power.

42. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

means for determining at each subscriber station belonging to a group a quality metric of a forward link shared channel; and

means for transmitting the determined quality metric.

43. The apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein said means for transmitting the determined quality metric comprises:

means for transmitting the determined quality metric if the determined quality metric is less than a threshold.

44. The apparatus as claimed in claim 43, wherein said means for transmitting the determined quality metric if the determined quality metric is less than a threshold comprises:

means for transmitting the determined quality metric if the determined quality metric is less than a pre-determined threshold.

45. The apparatus as claimed in claim 43, further comprising:

means for increasing the threshold by a first amount if an information sent on the forward link shared channel is received with sufficient decoder matrix.

46. The apparatus as claimed in claim 43, further comprising:

means for decreasing the threshold by a second amount if an information sent on the forward link shared channel is received with insufficient decoder matrix.

47. The apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein said means for transmitting the determined quality metric comprises:

means for transmitting the determined quality metric on a reverse link dedicated channel, assigned to said subscriber station.

48. The apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein said means for transmitting the determined quality metric comprises:

means for transmitting the determined quality metric on a reverse link common channel monitored by the subscribed station.

49. The apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein said means for transmitting the determined quality metric comprises:

means for requesting by a subscriber station an assignment of a reverse link dedicated channel over the reverse link common channel monitored by the subscriber station; and

means for transmitting the determined quality metric on the reverse link dedicated channel.

50. The apparatus as claimed in claim 49, wherein said means for requesting by a subscriber station an assignment of a reverse link dedicated channel comprises:

means for requesting by a subscriber station an assignment of a reverse link dedicated channel over an access channel.

51. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

a control unit at an access network configured to determine sectors whose coverage area contain active subscriber stations belonging to a group; and

a sector communicatively coupled to said control unit, configured to transmit reverse link power control commands on a forward link shared channel.

52. The apparatus as claimed in claim 51, wherein said sector transmits reverse link power control commands on a forward link shared channel by being configured to puncture the reverse link power control commands into the forward link shared channel.

53. The apparatus as claimed in claim 51, wherein said sector transmits reverse link power control commands on a forward link shared channel by being configured to insert the reverse link power control commands into the forward link shared channel.

54. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

a subscriber station configured to;

receive a forward link shared channel; and

adjust reverse link transmission power in accordance with the reverse link power control commands contained in the forward link shared channel.

55. The apparatus as claimed in claim 54, wherein said subscriber station is further configured to ignore the reverse link power control commands contained in the forward link shared channel if said subscriber station does not transmit on a reverse link.

56. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

a sector configured to;

transmit user data on a forward link shared channel; and

transmit reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel.

57. The apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein said sector transmits reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel by being configured to puncture the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

58. The apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein said sector transmits reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel by being configured to insert the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

59. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

a subscriber station configured to;

receive a forward link shared channel;

receive a forward link dedicated channel; and

adjust reverse link transmission power in accordance with reverse link power control commands contained in the forward link dedicated channel.

60. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

a control unit at an access network configured to determine sectors whose coverage area contain active subscriber stations belonging to a group; and

a sector communicatively coupled to said control unit, configured to transmit reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel from the determined sectors.

61. The apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein said transmits reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel by being configured to puncture the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

62. The apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein said sector transmits reverse link power control commands on a forward link dedicated channel by being configured to insert the reverse link power control commands into the forward link dedicated channel.

63. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

a sector configured to monitor at least one reverse link channel to detect a quality metric of a forward link shared channel; and

a control unit at an access network communicatively coupled to said sector, configured to adjust the forward link shared channel power in accordance with the worst quality metric.

64. The apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein said control unit is adjusts the forward link shared channel power by being configured to decrease the forward link shared channel power by a second amount if quality metric of all of the at least one reverse link channel indicate decrease in power.

65. The apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein said control unit adjusts the forward link shared channel power by being configured to increase the forward link shared channel power by a second amount if quality metric from at least one of the at least one reverse link channel indicate increase in power.

66. An apparatus for power control for point-to-multipoint services in a communication system, comprising:

subscriber station configured to;

determine a quality metric of a forward link shared channel; and

transmit the determined quality metric.

67. The apparatus as claimed in claim 66, wherein said subscriber station transmits the determined quality metric by being configured to transmit the determined quality metric if the determined quality metric is less than a threshold.

68. The apparatus as claimed in claim 66, wherein said subscriber station transmits the determined quality metric by being configured to transmit the determined quality metric if the determined quality metric is less than a pre-determined threshold.

69. The apparatus as claimed in claim 67, wherein said subscriber station is further configured to increase the threshold by a first amount if an information sent on the forward link shared channel is received with sufficient decoder metric.

70. The apparatus as claimed in claim 67, wherein said subscriber station is further configured to decrease the threshold by a second amount if an information sent on the forward link shared channel is received with insufficient decoder metric.

71. The apparatus as claimed in claim 66, wherein said subscriber station is further configured to transmit the determined quality metric on a reverse link dedicated channel, assigned to said subscriber station.

72. The apparatus as claimed in claim 66, wherein said subscriber station is further configured to transmit the determined quality metric on a reverse link common channel monitored by the subscriber station.

73. The apparatus as claimed in claim 66, wherein said subscriber station is further configured to:

request an assignment of a reverse link dedicated channel over the reverse link common channel monitored by the subscriber station; and

transmit the determined quality metric on the reverse link dedicated channel.

74. The apparatus as claimed in claim 73, wherein said subscriber station is further configured to request an assignment of a reverse link dedicated channel over an access channel.