System and method for energy-efficient transmission power control, routing and transmission scheduling in wireless communication networks

• US 6,748,233 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2000
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telcordia Technologies Incorporated (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Telcordia Technologies Incorporated (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Arnold, Hamilton W., Devasirvatham, Daniel M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, John J
• Application Number:
  US09/698,972
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422.1, 455/456.3, 455/525, 455/552.1, 455/446, 455/11.1, 455/522, 455/67.16, 455/69, 455/507, 455/510, 455/512, 455/524, 455/456.2, 455/451, 455/448, 455/445, 455/432, 455/67.11, 455/62, 455/67.7, 455/67.14
• US Class Current: 455/522
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/18 based on predicted events
• 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 52/22 taking into account previous information or commands
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/223 predicting future states of the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/226 using past references to control power, e.g. look-up-table
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/282 taking into account the speed of the mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/283 Power depending on the position of the mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/46 in multi hop networks, e.g. wireless relay networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/00 Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A mobile system capable of proactively predicting characteristics for optimal communication among mobile nodes comprises a network controller and adaptive predictive mobile nodes. The adaptive predictive mobile nodes contain a position location technology element, a database containing information on factors affecting radio propagation, and a prediction processor. To provide energy efficient power control and routing for a communication, the adaptive predictive mobile node determines its current and predicted future position and the current and future predicted positions of other nodes in the network. Based on the information obtained, the adaptive predictive node executes a set of prediction capabilities in the prediction processor. After executing these capabilities, the adaptive predictive node identifies the advantaged location, power level, transmission parameters, communication time and route for communications between nodes. The adaptive predictive mobile node can then communicate when the criteria are met or may request scheduling for the communication based on the criteria. To request scheduling, the adaptive predictive node communicates the identified criteria to the network control entity. The network control entity determines whether the request can be supported. If the network can support the request, the communication is scheduled. If the network cannot support the request, the adaptive predictive node has the option of recalculating the criteria for communication and requesting scheduling based on the alternative criteria.

Claims

1. An adaptive predictive mobile node for energy efficient transmission power control in a wireless communication network, said node comprising:

a position location technology element;

a database containing information on factors affecting radio propagation in the geographic areas in which the adaptive predictive mobile node and neighboring nodes are located; and

a prediction processor, said prediction processor including a location prediction capability, a transmitted power level prediction capability, and a communication time prediction capability, whereby said prediction processor estimates the future locations of other mobile nodes in the network, an advantaged location and power level for communication, and an advantaged future time for communication.

2. A method for energy-efficient power control and routing in a wireless communication network including a plurality of mobile nodes, said method comprising the steps of:

calculating in a first mobile node, the current position of said first mobile node;

determining, in said first mobile node, the current and future positions of other of said nodes;

executing, in a processor in said first mobile node, (1) a propagation prediction capability, wherein said prediction capability performs the step of predicting the transmission characteristics between said first mobile node and another of said nodes, (2) a transmission power level prediction capability, and (3) a communicating time prediction capability;

identifying an advantaged location, transmitted power level, and future time for communication between said first mobile node and another of said mobile nodes; and

in response to said identifying step, communicating data between said first mobile node and said another mobile node.

3. A method for energy-efficient power control, routing and scheduling in a wireless communication network including a plurality of mobile nodes and a network controller, said method comprising the steps of:

calculating, in a first mobile node, the current position of said first mobile node;

determining, in said first mobile node, the current and future positions of other of said nodes and the priority of data to be communicated;

executing, in a processor in said first mobile node, a propagation prediction capability, a transmitted power level prediction capability, and a future communication time prediction capability;

identifying an advantaged position, transmitted power level, and future time for communication between said first mobile node and another of sad mobile nodes;

communicating a request for scheduling of transmission at said advantaged position and future time from said first mobile node to said network control entity;

determining, in said network control entity, whether the network can support said scheduling request at said future time; and

communicating said determination from said network control entity to said first mobile node.