Channel allocation using enhanced pathloss estimates

• US 6,498,934 B1
• Filed: 03/24/1999
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unwired Planet LLC (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Muller, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOORE, JAMES K
• Application Number:
  US09/275,416
• Time in Patent Office: 1,371 Days
• Field of Search: 455/446, 455/447, 455/450, 455/452, 455/522, 455/67.6, 455/63
• US Class Current: 455/450
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/10 Dynamic resource partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/12 Fixed resource partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/16 Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]

Abstract

A method and apparatus for channel allocation using pathloss estimates. Pathloss values between mobile stations located in one cell and base stations located in surrounding cells are calculated. Using the calculated pathloss values the system can determine the amount of interference which will be caused to transmissions in the surrounding base stations by allocating a certain channel to a base station located in the one cell. The system also can determine the source of the interference and use such a determination in the allocation of channels.

Claims

1. In a cellular communication system a method for cell planning and channel allocation comprising the steps of:

determining a pathloss value between a mobile station located in a first cell and a base station located in a second cell;

determining an interference value for interference caused by said base station located in said second cell to a transmission between said mobile station and a base station located in said first cell; and

allocating a channel to a group of channels assigned to said base station located in said first cell based upon said interference determination and said pathloss value, wherein said cellular communication system uses a CDMA transmission scheme, and wherein said second cell is added to a neighboring cell list for said mobile station depending upon said pathloss value.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of determining a pathloss value includes identifying said base station by connection specific information associated with said transmission.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said connection specific information includes at least one of a frequency, a channelization code and a scrambling code.

4. In a cellular communication system a method for transmission power level selection for a channel assigned to a base station located in a first cell comprising the steps of:

determining a pathloss value between a mobile station located in said first cell and a base station located in a second cell;

determining an interference caused by said base station located in said second cell to a transmission between said mobile station and said base station located in said first cell; and

allocating a transmission power level to said transmission between said mobile station and said base station located in said first cell based upon said interference determination and said pathloss value, wherein said cellular communication system uses a CDMA transmission scheme, and wherein said second cell is added to a neighboring cell list for said mobile station depending upon said pathloss value.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of determining a pathloss value includes identifying said base station by connection specific information associated with said transmission.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said connection specific information is at least one of a frequency, a channelization code and a scrambling code.

7. In a cellular communication system a method for cell planning and channel allocation comprising the steps of:

determining a first pathloss value between a mobile station, located in a first cell and transmitting on a first channel to a first base station, and a second base station;

determining a second pathloss value between said mobile station and a third base station;

determining a source of interference to said transmission based on said pathloss values, said first channel, and the channels which are allocated to said second and third base stations.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

allocating a channel to said first base station based on said interference determination and said first and second pathloss values.

9. In a cellular communication system an apparatus used for cell planning and channel allocation comprising:

means for determining a pathloss value between a mobile station located in a first cell and a base station located in a second cell;

means for determining an interference value for interference caused by said base station located in said second cell to a transmission between said mobile station and a base station located in said first cell; and

means for allocating a channel to a group of channels assigned to said base station located in said first cell based upon said interference determination and said pathloss value, wherein said cellular communication system uses a CDMA transmission scheme, and wherein said second cell is added to a neighboring cell list for said mobile station depending upon said pathloss value.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said means for determining a pathloss value includes identifying said base station by connection specific information.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said connection specific information includes at least one of a frequency, a channelization code and a scrambling code associated with said transmission.

12. In a radiocommunications system, a method for cell planning and channel allocation comprising the steps of:

identifying a base station located in a first cell by connection specific information;

instructing a mobile station in a second cell to search for and synchronize to a transmission using said connection specific information;

reporting, by said mobile station, signal strength of said transmission, average power level used by said mobile station during a measurement period, and average signal level received from said first cell; and

calculating pathloss between said first cell and said second cell.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said connection specific information includes at least one of a frequency, channelization code and a scrambling code.