Method and apparatus for automatic transmit power variation in a wireless communication system

• US 20050143115A1
• Filed: 12/26/2003
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Agere Systems Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kamerman, Adriaan, Hiddink, Gerrit Willem
• Granted Patent: US 7,894,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/522
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/267 taking into account the information rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/283 Power depending on the position of the mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/36 with a discrete range or set of values, e.g. step size, ramping or offsets

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for automatic transmit power variation in a wireless communication system. A wireless communication device according to the present invention includes a dynamic transmit power controller that adapts a transmit power level based on a transmission rate of the data. One aspect of the dynamic transmit power controller selects a maximum allowable power level that is based on limits specified for a given region and frequency band, or a maximum directional gain of an antenna (or both). Another aspect of the dynamic transmit power controller selects a maximum capable power level that is based on the transmission rate, frequency band, or characteristics of a transmitter output amplifier (or a combination of the foregoing). Generally, the transmit power level is selected based on a minimum of the maximum allowable power level and the maximum capable power level.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a dynamic transmit power controller that adapts a transmit power level based on a transmission rate of said data.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said dynamic transmit power controller selects a maximum allowable power level.

3. The wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein said maximum allowable power level is based on limits specified for a given region and frequency band.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein said maximum allowable power level is based on a maximum directional gain of an antenna.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said dynamic transmit power controller selects a maximum capable power level.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 5, wherein said maximum capable power level is based on said transmission rate.

7. The wireless communication device of claim 5, wherein said maximum capable power level is based on characteristics of a transmitter output amplifier.

8. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising a comparator for selecting said transmit power level based on a minimum of a maximum allowable power level and a maximum capable power level.

9. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said device is implemented in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 Standard.

10. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said device is implemented in accordance with the HIPERLAN/2 Standard.

11. A method for wireless communication, comprising the steps of:

transmitting one or more frames of data; and

adapting a transmit power level based on a transmission rate of said data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said transmitting step selects a maximum allowable power level.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said maximum allowable power level is based on limits specified for a given region and frequency band.

14. The method claim 12, wherein said maximum allowable power level is based on a maximum directional gain of an antenna.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said dynamic transmit power controller selects a maximum capable power level.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said maximum capable power level is based on said transmission rate.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said maximum capable power level is based on characteristics of a transmitter output amplifier.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of selecting said transmit power level based on a minimum of a maximum allowable power level and a maximum capable power level.

19. A method for wireless communication, comprising the steps of:

transmitting one or more frames of data; and

selecting a transmit power level based on a lower value of a maximum allowable power level and a maximum capable power level, wherein at least one of said maximum allowable power level and said maximum capable power level are based on a transmission rate of said data.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said maximum allowable power level is based on limits specified for a given region and frequency band.

21. The method claim 19, wherein said maximum allowable power level is based on a maximum directional gain of an antenna.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said maximum capable power level is based on said transmission rate.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein said maximum capable power level is based on characteristics of a transmitter output amplifier.