Method and apparatus for providing individual power control information in a wireless local area network/wireless wide area network (WLAN/WWAN)

• US 20050143119A1
• Filed: 10/28/2004
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chandra, Arty, Hunkeler, Teresa Joanne
• Application Number:
  US10/975,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20050143119A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/522
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/288 taking into account the usage mode, e.g. hands-free, data transmission, telephone

Abstract

Method and apparatus employed by wireless network components such as access points (APs) for controlling transmitting power level of individual wireless transmitter/receiver units (WTRUs) by establishing a power transmit level based on prior transmit and receiving transmission and reception statistics such as signal to noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER), frame error rate (FER) and/or the like. Power transmit level information is preferably communicated through any one of a clear to send (CTS), request to send (RTS), data and acknowledge (ACK) frame. Alternatively the power control information may be inserted into a beacon frame or an individual control frame specifically designated for power control. The WTRUs preferably have battery level sensors and adjust power control level responsive to a sensed battery level. Alternatively, the APs and WTRUs may reverse roles and the WTRUs may provide power transmit level information to an AP to facilitate transmissions by the AP.

Claims

1. A method employed by an access point (AP) of a wireless network to control transmit power of a targeted wireless transmit receive units (WTRUs), said method comprising:

determining a desired power transmission level for a given WTRU;

inserting data reflective of the determined desired power transmission level along with identity data of said given WTRU in a communication frame; and

transmitting said communication frame whereby said given WTRU is enabled to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining of the desired transmit power level includes utilizing prior transmit and receive statistics by determining and storing data including at least one of signal to noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER), frame error rate (FER), transmit power of signals received from the given WTRU in addition to prior messages dealing with transmit and receive power levels.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the AP has an adjustable antenna and the determining of the desired transmit power level includes modifying the desired transmit power level responsive to an adjustment of said adjustable antenna.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

inserting data in given bits of a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) header to identify the power control information that is being sent in the frame.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the inserting data reflective of the determined desired power transmission level includes inserting desired power transmission level data in a given number of initial bytes of a data part of the frame.

6. A method employed by a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) in a wireless network comprising:

broadcasting a general power constraint message to other WTRUs;

determining a desired power transmission level for a given WTRU;

inserting data reflective of the desired power transmission level along with identity data of said given WTRU in a communication frame; and

transmitting said communication frame whereby said given WTRU is enabled to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the WTRU irrespective of the general power constraint message.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the WTRU is an access point (AP) of a wireless local area network (WLAN) and broadcasting a general power constraint message is performed by the AP in beacon frames.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired power transmission level includes inserting the desired power transmission level data into the beacon frames.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired power transmission level includes inserting the desired power transmission level data into a clear-to-send (CTS), request-to-send (RTS), data or acknowledge (ACK) frame.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising inserting data in given bits of a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) header to identify the desired power transmission level data that is being sent in the frame.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired power transmission level includes inserting the desired power transmission level data in a given number of the initial bytes of a data part of the frame.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired power transmission level includes inserting the desired power transmission level data in a Medium Access Control (MAC) header.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising inserting data reflective of the AP transmission power level in the communication frame along with the desired power transmission level and identity data of said given WTRU.

14. The method of claim 7 wherein determining the desired transmit power level includes utilizing prior transmit and receive statistics by determining and storing data including at least one of signal to noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER) and frame error rate (FER), transmit power of signals received from the given WTRU in addition to prior messages dealing with transmit and receive power levels.

15. The method of claim 7 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired power transmission level includes inserting the desired power transmission level data into an individual control frame specifically designated for power control.

16. A wireless communication method for a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) in a wireless network comprising:

receiving a broadcast of a general power constraint message from an access point (AP) of the wireless network;

establishing a wireless communication association with the AP;

receiving a communication frame from the AP having data reflective of a desired power transmission level along with identity data of the WTRU; and

adjusting transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP based on the received desired power transmission level data irrespective of the general power constraint message.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the broadcast of a general power constraint message is received in beacon frames in a wireless local area network (WLAN).

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the WTRU is powered by a battery and the adjusting transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP further includes:

measuring remaining battery energy capacity; and

modifying transmission power based on the received desired power transmission level data and the measured remaining energy capacity.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the adjusting transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP includes using the received desired power transmission level data as a basis for adjustment when the measured remaining energy capacity of the battery is above a given threshold.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the adjusting transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP includes using the received desired power transmission level data as a basis for adjustment and reducing the adjustment as a function of a difference of the measured remaining energy capacity and the given threshold when the measured remaining energy capacity of the battery is below the given threshold.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising transmitting a low battery message to the AP when the power adjustment is reduced.

22. The method of claim 16 further comprising transmitting a non-conforming adjustment message to the AP when the adjusting transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP based on the received desired power transmission level data is effected by WTRU determined criteria.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the adjusting transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP based on the received desired power transmission level data is also based on at least one WTRU determined criteria from among remaining battery capacity, maximum power level, minimum power level and unsupported features.

24. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

determining a desired AP power transmission level for AP transmissions to the WTRU;

inserting data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level along with identity data of the WTRU in a communication frame; and

transmitting said communication frame whereby the AP is enabled to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the WTRU.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level includes inserting the desired AP power transmission level data into a clear-to-send (CTS), request-to-send (RTS), data or acknowledge (ACK) frame.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising inserting data in given bits of a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) header to identify the desired AP power transmission level data that is being sent in the frame.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level includes inserting the desired power transmission level data in a given number of the initial bytes of a data part of the frame.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level includes inserting the desired AP power transmission level data in a Medium Access Control (MAC) header.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein determining the desired AP transmit power level includes utilizing prior transmit and receive statistics by determining and storing data including at least one of signal to noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER) and frame error rate (FER), transmit power of signals received from the AP in addition to prior messages dealing with transmit and receive power levels.

30. The method of claim 24 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level includes inserting the desired power transmission level data into an individual control frame specifically designated for power control.

31. A wireless communication method for a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) in a wireless network comprising:

receiving a broadcast of a general power constraint message from an access point (AP) of a wireless local area network (WLAN);

establishing a wireless communication association with the AP;

determining a desired AP power transmission level for AP transmissions to the WTRU;

inserting data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level along with identity data of the WTRU in a communication frame; and

transmitting said communication frame whereby the AP is enabled to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the WTRU.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level includes inserting the desired AP power transmission level data into a clear-to-send (CTS), request-to-send (RTS), data or acknowledge (ACK) frame.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising inserting data in given bits of a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) header to identify the desired AP power transmission level data that is being sent in the frame.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level includes inserting the desired power transmission level data in a given number of the initial bytes of a data part of the frame.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level includes inserting the desired AP power transmission level data in a Medium Access Control (MAC) header.

36. The method of claim 31 wherein determining the desired AP transmit power level includes utilizing prior transmit and receive statistics by determining and storing data including at least one of signal to noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER) and frame error rate (FER), transmit power of signals received from the AP in addition to prior messages dealing with transmit and receive power levels.

37. The method of claim 31 wherein the inserting data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level includes inserting the desired power transmission level data into an individual control frame specifically designated for power control.

38. A wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) configured for use in a wireless network comprising:

a transmitter configured to broadcast general power constraint messages to other WTRUs;

a processor configured to determine a desired power transmission level for a given WTRU and to insert data reflective of the desired power transmission level along with identity data of said given WTRU in a communication frame; and

said transmitter configured to transmit communication frames including desired power transmission level and identity data to enable said given WTRU to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the WTRU irrespective of the general power constraint message.

39. The WTRU according to claim 38 configured as an access point (AP) of a wireless local area network (WLAN) wherein said transmitter is configured to broadcast the general power constraint messages in beacon frames.

40. The AP of claim 39 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired power transmission level by inserting the desired power transmission level data into the beacon frames.

41. The AP of claim 39 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired power transmission level by inserting the desired power transmission level data into a clear-to-send (CTS), request-to-send (RTS), data or acknowledge (ACK) frame.

42. The AP of claim 41 wherein said processor is configured to insert data in given bits of a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) header to identify the desired power transmission level data that is being sent in the frame.

43. The AP of claim 41 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired power transmission level by inserting the desired power transmission level data in a given number of the initial bytes of a data part of the frame.

44. The AP of claim 41 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired power transmission level by inserting the desired power transmission level data in a Medium Access Control (MAC) header.

45. The AP of claim 41 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the AP transmission power level in the communication frame along with the desired power transmission level and identity data of said given WTRU.

46. The AP of claim 39 wherein said processor is configured to determine the desired transmit power level by utilizing prior transmit and receive statistics by determining and storing data including at least one of signal to noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER) and frame error rate (FER), transmit power of signals received from the given WTRU in addition to prior messages dealing with transmit and receive power levels.

47. The AP of claim 39 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired power transmission level by inserting the desired power transmission level data into an individual control frame specifically designated for power control.

48. A wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) for use in a wireless network comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a broadcast of a general power constraint message from an access point (AP) of the wireless network;

said receiver further configured to receive a communication frame from the AP having data reflective of a desired power transmission level along with identity data of the WTRU; and

a transmitter having an associated processor configured to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP based on the received desired power transmission level data irrespective of the general power constraint message.

49. The WTRU of claim 48 wherein receiver is configured to receive the broadcast of general power constraint messages in beacon frames in a wireless local area network (WLAN).

50. The WTRU of claim 49 further comprising a battery to provide electric power and wherein said processor is configured to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP by measuring remaining battery energy capacity and modifying transmission power based on the received desired power transmission level data and the measured remaining energy capacity.

51. The WTRU of claim 50 wherein said processor is configured to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP by using the received desired power transmission level data as a basis for adjustment when the measured remaining energy capacity of the battery is above a given threshold.

52. The WTRU of claim 51 wherein said processor is configured to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP by using the received desired power transmission level data as a basis for adjustment and reducing the adjustment as a function of a difference of the measured remaining energy capacity and the given threshold when the measured remaining energy capacity of the battery is below the given threshold.

53. The WTRU of claim 52 wherein said transmitter is configured to transmit a low battery message to the AP when the power adjustment is reduced.

54. The WTRU of claim 48 wherein said transmitter is configured to transmit a non-conforming adjustment message to the AP when said processor'"'"'s adjustment of transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP based on the received desired power transmission level data is effected by WTRU determined criteria.

55. The WTRU of claim 54 wherein said processor is configured to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the AP based on the received desired power transmission level data and based on at least one WTRU determined criteria from among remaining battery capacity, maximum power level, minimum power level and unsupported features.

56. The WTRU of claim 48 wherein said processor is configured to determine a desired AP power transmission level for AP transmissions to the WTRU and to insert data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level along with identity data of the WTRU in a communication frame and wherein said transmitter is configured to transmit said communication frame whereby the AP is enabled to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the WTRU.

57. The WTRU of claim 56 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level by inserting the desired AP power transmission level data into a clear-to-send (CTS), request-to-send (RTS), data or acknowledge (ACK) frame.

58. The WTRU of claim 57 wherein said processor is configured to insert data in given bits of a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) header to identify the desired AP power transmission level data that is being sent in the frame.

59. The WTRU of claim 57 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level by inserting the desired power transmission level data in a given number of the initial bytes of a data part of the frame.

60. The WTRU of claim 57 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level by inserting the desired AP power transmission level data in a Medium Access Control (MAC) header.

61. The WTRU of claim 56 wherein said processor is configured to determine the desired AP transmit power level by utilizing prior transmit and receive statistics by determining and storing data including at least one of signal to noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER) and frame error rate (FER), transmit power of signals received from the AP in addition to prior messages dealing with transmit and receive power levels.

62. The WTRU of claim 56 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level by inserting the desired power transmission level data into an individual control frame specifically designated for power control.

63. A wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) for use in a wireless network comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a broadcast of a general power constraint message from an access point (AP) of the wireless network;

a processor configured to determine a desired AP power transmission level for AP transmissions to the WTRU and to insert data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level along with identity data of the WTRU in a communication frame; and

a transmitter configured to transmit said communication frame whereby the AP is enabled to adjust transmission power of wireless signals directed to the WTRU.

64. The WTRU of claim 63 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level by inserting the desired AP power transmission level data into a clear-to-send (CTS), request-to-send (RTS), data or acknowledge (ACK) frame.

65. The WTRU of claim 64 wherein said processor is configured to insert data in given bits of a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) header to identify the desired AP power transmission level data that is being sent in the frame.

66. The WTRU of claim 64 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level by inserting the desired power transmission level data in a given number of the initial bytes of a data part of the frame.

67. The WTRU of claim 64 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level by inserting the desired AP power transmission level data in a Medium Access Control (MAC) header.

68. The WTRU of claim 63 wherein said processor is configured to determine the desired AP transmit power level by utilizing prior transmit and receive statistics by determining and storing data including at least one of signal to noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER) and frame error rate (FER), transmit power of signals received from the AP in addition to prior messages dealing with transmit and receive power levels.

69. The WTRU of claim 63 wherein said processor is configured to insert data reflective of the desired AP power transmission level by inserting the desired power transmission level data into an individual control frame specifically designated for power control.