Method and apparatus for increasing spectral efficiency using mitigated transmit power near band-edge

• US 20070053418A1
• Filed: 11/08/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Goldburg, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 7,386,043 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/34 TPC management, i.e. sharing limited amount of power among users or channels or data types, e.g. cell loading
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/367 Power values between minimum and maximum limits, e.g. dynamic range

Abstract

A method and apparatus for increasing the spectral efficiency of communications systems by employing portions of the spectrum, which portions might otherwise be reserved as all or part of guard bands and not utilized (i.e., effectively wasted), for communicating at reduced power levels between devices that are determined to experience relatively high performance (e.g., relatively little path loss, etc.). In a communication system having a first predefined maximum system transmission power level for in-band transmissions, a method is provided for determining that communication performance between a first communication device and a second communication device exceeds a performance threshold. Based on the determination, a first band-edge channel for communication between the first communication device and the second communication device (i.e., transmission from the first device to the second device and/or visa versa) is assigned. Finally, the first communication device and/or the second communication device utilize one or more band-edge channels (each may use a different band-edge channel) for transmitting a relatively reduced power level.

Claims

1. In a communication system having a first predefined maximum system transmission power level for in-band transmissions, a method in a first communication device comprising:

determining that communication performance between a first communication device and a second communication device exceeds a performance threshold;

based on the determination, assigning a first band-edge channel for communication between the first communication device and the second communication device; and

the first communication device transmitting a first signal for reception by the second device via the first band-edge channel, the first signal transmitted at a reduced power level that is below the first predefined maximum system transmission power level.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the first communication device receiving a second signal transmitted by the second communication device, the second signal transmitted at or below the reduced power level.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

the first communication device receiving the second signal via the first band-edge channel.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

the first communication device receiving the second signal via a second band-edge channel.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

the first communication device transmitting an indication to the second communication device indicating a maximum transmission power level to be used by the second device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a power control mechanism for assigning a temporary assigned power level for transmitting the first signal, the temporary assigned power level being less than the reduced power level.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

determining a minimum level of communication performance for transmitting the first signal; and

selecting, based on determining the minimum level of performance, the temporary assigned power level.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing a power control mechanism for assigning a temporary assigned power level for transmitting the second signal, the temporary assigned power level being less than the reduced power level.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

determining a minimum level of communication performance for transmitting the second signal; and

selecting, based on determining the minimum level of performance, the temporary assigned power level.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein communication performance is determined based on a metric selected from the group consisting of signal-to-noise ration (SNR), signal-to-interference-noise ration (SINR), received signal strength indication (RSSI), bit error rate (BER), and frame error rate (FER).

11. The method of claim 7, wherein communication performance is determined based on a metric selected from the group consisting of signal-to-noise ration (SNR), signal-to-interference-noise ration (SINR), received signal strength indication (RSSI), bit error rate (BER), and frame error rate (FER).

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

after transmitting the first signal, determining that interference affecting communication between the first and second communication devices is above a threshold; and

increasing the amount of power used to transmit from the first communication device.

13. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

after receiving the second signal, determining that interference affecting communication between the first and second communication devices is above a threshold; and

increasing the amount of power used to transmit from the second communication device.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing the first predefined maximum system transmission power level for in-band transmissions from the first communication device to the second communication device;

providing a second predefined maximum system transmission power level for in-band transmissions from the second communication device to the first communication device; and

causing the second communication device to transmit below the second predefined maximum system transmission power level.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first communication device comprises a base station and the second communication device comprises a terminal.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second predefined maximum transmission power levels are equal.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second predefined maximum transmission power levels are unequal.

18. In a communication system, a method comprising the acts of:

providing a first set of one or more channels for in-band transmissions;

providing a second set of one of or more channels for in-band transmissions, the second set of channels in closer proximity to a band edge than the first set of channels; and

transmitting within the second set of channels at a first power level that is less than a second power level used for transmitting within the first set of channels.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the act of:

determining that communication performance of a first device is above that of a second device; and

based on the determination, assigning the first device to the first set of channels; and

assigning the second communication device to the second set of channels.