Access point multi-level transmission power control supporting periodic high power level transmissions

• US 7,653,386 B2
• Filed: 05/05/2006
• Issued: 01/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bennett, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pérez-Gutiérrez; Rafael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel; Nimesh
• Application Number:
  US11/429,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20070259659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,362 Days
• Field of Search: 455/69, 455/522, 455450-4522, 370/334, 370/335, 370/338, 370/329
• US Class Current: 455/422.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/10 Flow control between communication endpoints
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/16 Deriving transmission power values from another channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/18 TPC being performed according to specific parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/283 Power depending on the position of the mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/322 Power control of broadcast channels
• 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 92/10 between terminal device and access point, i.e. wireless air interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A wireless access point and multiple wireless terminals exchange utilization, status, mobility and reception characteristics. Each wireless terminal generates reception characteristics based on transmissions received from the wireless access point and from other devices in the network. In one operating mode, the characteristics gathered by the wireless devices are forwarded to the wireless access point, and, based on all received characteristics, the wireless access point selects its own transmission power for different types of the transmissions. The access point transmits to client devices at reduced power levels, however, periodic beacons and other selected non-beacon transmissions are transmitted at a high power level to facilitate association by other client devices. In another mode, all characteristics are exchanged between every wireless terminal and the access point so that each can independently or cooperatively make transmission power control decisions. The utilization, status, mobility, and reception characteristics include received signal strength, error rates, estimated battery life, availability of unlimited power, active versus sleep mode ratios, anticipated bandwidth utilization, coding schemes available, deterministic/non-deterministic requirements, encryption and security requirements, quality of service requirements, position, velocity, stationary status, etc. Gathering of such characteristics involves both retrieval of preset parameters from memory and generating parameters based on received transmissions (including test packets).

Claims

1. A wireless network communicatively coupled to a packet switched backbone network, the wireless network comprising:

an access point having communication interface circuitry that communicatively couples with the packet switched backbone network, access point processing circuitry, and access point transceiver circuitry that manages communication by transmitting at a plurality of power levels;

the access point processing circuitry controls communication flow between the communication interface circuitry and the access point transceiver circuitry, the access point processing circuitry selects a first power level of the plurality of power levels for periodic beacon transmissions by the access point transceiver circuitry;

a first client device having first client processing circuitry and first client transceiver circuitry;

a second client device having second client processing circuitry and second client transceiver circuitry;

the first client transceiver circuitry and the second client transceiver circuitry both communicatively coupling with the packet switched backbone network via the access point transceiver circuitry, the access point processing circuitry, and the communication interface circuitry;

the first client processing circuitry evaluates transmissions from both the access point transceiver circuitry and the second client transceiver circuitry, and transmits to the access point transceiver via the first client transceiver circuitry a first plurality of characteristics relating to the evaluation by the first client processing circuitry;

the second client processing circuitry evaluates transmissions from both the access point transceiver circuitry and the first client transceiver circuitry, and transmits to the access point transceiver via the second client transceiver circuitry a second plurality of characteristics relating to the evaluation by the second client processing circuitry;

the access point processing circuitry assesses both the first plurality of characteristics and the second plurality of characteristics and, based on the assessment, selects a second power level of the plurality of power levels for a first transmission of data packets by the access point transceiver circuitry, addressed to the first client transceiver circuitry, and the first power level of the plurality of power levels for a second transmission by the access point transceiver circuitry, addressed to the first client transceiver circuitry, and the first power level is greater that the second power level; and

a third client device having third client transceiver circuitry that detects the second transmission, responds to the detection by determining the timing of the transmission and sends an association request transmission to the access point transceiver circuitry to initiate an association with access point to couple the third client device to the packet switched backbone network via the access point transceiver circuitry, the access point processing circuitry, and the communication interface circuitry.

2. The wireless network of claim 1 wherein the access point processing circuitry assesses both the first plurality of characteristics and the second plurality of characteristics and, based on the assessment, selects a third power level of the plurality of power levels for third transmissions by the access point transceiver circuitry to the second client transceiver circuitry and the first power level of the plurality of power levels for fourth transmissions by the access point transceiver circuitry to the second client transceiver circuitry, and the second power level is greater that the third power level.

3. The wireless network of claim 1 wherein the first transmission includes data packets from the packet switched backbone network and the second transmission includes acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the access point transceiver circuitry from the first client transceiver circuitry.

4. The wireless network of claim 1 wherein the first transmission and the second transmission both include data packets from the packet switched backbone network.

5. The wireless network of claim 1 wherein the first transmissions and the second transmissions both includes acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the access point transceiver circuitry from the first client transceiver circuitry.

6. The wireless network of claim 1 wherein the access point processing circuitry alternates between N first transmissions and M second transmissions, and N and M are both integers that are greater than zero.

7. The wireless network of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of characteristics further include mobility characteristics of the first client device.

8. The wireless network of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of characteristics further include utilization characteristics of the first client device.

9. The wireless network of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of characteristics further include status characteristics of the first client device.

10. A method used by a wireless access point that manages communication exchanges with a first wireless device and a second wireless device, the wireless access point responds to association requests by a third wireless device, the method comprising:

selecting a first power level of the plurality of power levels for first wireless transmissions by the access point, the first transmissions comprising periodic beacon transmissions;

receiving a first characteristic relating to a first evaluation by the first wireless device of wireless transmissions received by the first wireless device;

receiving a second characteristic relating to a second evaluation by the second wireless device of wireless transmissions received by the second wireless device;

assessing the first characteristic and the second characteristic and, based on the assessment, selecting a second power level of the plurality of power levels, the first power level being greater than the second power level;

wirelessly transmitting at the both the first power level and the second power level between the periodic beacon transmissions to permit the third wireless device that cannot detect the wireless transmissions at the second power level at least one other opportunity to detect the wireless transmissions at the first power level between the beacon transmissions; and

receiving an association request from the third wireless device, the association request being transmitted by the third wireless device after the third wireless device detects the wireless transmissions by the wireless access point device at the first power level between the periodic beacon transmissions.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the assessing of both the first plurality of characteristics and the second plurality of characteristics includes selecting a third power level of the plurality of power levels for third transmissions by the access point to the second client device and the first power level of the plurality of power levels for fourth transmissions by the access point to the second client device, and the second power level is greater that the third power level.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the first transmission includes data packets from the packet switched backbone network and the second transmission includes acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the access point transceiver circuitry from the first client transceiver circuitry.

13. An access point that manages communication exchanges between a plurality of wireless devices and a packet switched backbone network, the plurality of wireless devices comprising a plurality of associated devices and at least one unassociated device, the access point comprising:

interface circuitry that communicatively couples with the packet switched backbone network;

wireless transceiver circuitry that supports transmissions at a plurality of power levels;

processing circuitry, communicatively coupled to both the interface circuitry and the wireless transceiver circuitry, that receives via the wireless transceiver circuitry information from each of the plurality of wireless devices, such information comprising at least reception information related to a transmission from the wireless transceiver circuitry;

the processing circuitry makes a first selection from the plurality of power levels for periodic beacon transmissions by the wireless transceiver circuitry;

the processing circuitry makes a second selection from the plurality of power levels for transmissions between the periodic beacon transmissions and by the wireless transceiver circuitry to the at least one unassociated device; and

the processing circuitry, based on at least part the information received via the wireless transceiver circuitry, makes at least a third selection from the plurality of power levels for transmissions by the wireless transceiver circuitry to the plurality of associated devices.

14. The access point of claim 13, wherein the at least the third selection comprising:

selecting a first transmission power level that reaches at least one of the plurality of associated devices but not at least one other of the plurality of associated devices, and selecting a second transmission power level that reaches the at least one other of the plurality of associated devices.

15. The access point of claim 13, wherein the first selection and the second selection corresponding to a first power level, the third selection corresponding to a second power level, and the second power level being less than the first power level.

16. The access point of claim 13, wherein the at least the third selection comprising the third selection from the plurality of power levels for transmissions by the wireless transceiver circuitry that cannot be adequately received by at least one of the plurality of associated devices;

and a fourth selection from the plurality of power levels for transmissions by the wireless transceiver circuitry to the at least one of the plurality of associated devices that cannot adequately receive transmissions pursuant to the third selection.

17. An access point that manages communication exchanges between a plurality of wireless devices and a packet switched backbone network, the access point comprising:

interface circuitry that communicatively couples with the packet switched backbone network;

wireless transceiver circuitry;

processing circuitry, communicatively coupled to both the interface circuitry and the wireless transceiver circuitry, that receives via the wireless transceiver circuitry information from each of the plurality of wireless devices, such information comprising at least reception information related to transmissions from the wireless transceiver circuitry and from others of the plurality of wireless devices;

the processing circuitry directs transmission of periodic beacons via the wireless transceiver circuitry;

the processing circuitry, based on at least part the information received via the wireless transceiver circuitry, sends a first instruction identifying a plurality of transmission power levels for transmissions from each of at least one of the plurality of wireless devices; and

the processing circuitry, based on at least part the information received via the wireless transceiver circuitry, sends a second instruction identifying at least one transmission power level for transmissions from each of at least one other of the plurality of wireless devices.

18. The access point of claim 17, wherein the first instruction identifies a first of the plurality of transmission power levels for transmission of a first type, and a second of the plurality of transmissions for transmissions of a second type.

19. The access point of claim 17, wherein the first instruction identifies a first of the plurality of transmission power levels for some transmissions, and a second of the plurality of transmissions for other transmissions.

20. The access point of claim 17, wherein the plurality of transmission power levels comprising a first transmission power level capable of reaching all of the plurality of wireless devices;

and a second transmission power level incapable of reaching all of the plurality of wireless devices.

21. The access point of claim 17, wherein the processing circuitry, based on at least part the information received via the wireless transceiver circuitry, selects a plurality of access point transmission power levels for the wireless transceiver circuitry.

22. A communication network comprising:

a first device having a first wireless transceiver that transmits at a plurality of power levels;

a second device having a second wireless transceiver;

a third device having a third wireless transceiver;

the second device generates a first reception characteristic based on at least one transmission from the third wireless transceiver, and the second device transmits the first reception characteristic to the first wireless transceiver of the first device;

the third device generates a second reception characteristic based on at least one transmission from the second wireless transceiver, and the third device transmits the second reception characteristic to the first wireless transceiver of the first device;

the first device, based on the first reception characteristic, selects a first power level of the plurality of power levels for a first transmissions by the first transceiver circuitry to the second transceiver circuitry, and selects a second power level of the plurality of power levels for second transmissions by the first transceiver circuitry to the second transceiver circuitry, and the first power level is greater than the second power level.

23. The communication network of claim 22, wherein the at least one transmission from the third wireless transceiver comprises at least a portion of an ongoing data exchange.

24. The communication network of claim 22, wherein the at least one transmission from the third wireless transceiver comprises at least one test signal exchange.

25. The communication network of claim 22, wherein the first device is further operable to select the first power level of the plurality of power levels for third transmissions by the first transceiver circuitry to the third transceiver circuitry, and selects a third power level of the plurality of power levels for fourth transmissions by the first transceiver circuitry to the third transceiver circuitry, and the first power level is greater than the third power level.

26. A wireless network communicatively coupled to a packet switched backbone network, the wireless network comprising:

an access point having communication interface circuitry that communicatively couples with the packet switched backbone network, access point processing circuitry, and access point transceiver circuitry that manages communication by transmitting at a plurality of power levels;

the access point processing circuitry controls communication flow between the communication interface circuitry and the access point transceiver circuitry;

a first client device having first client processing circuitry and first client transceiver circuitry;

a second client device having second client processing circuitry and second client transceiver circuitry;

the first client transceiver circuitry and the second client transceiver circuitry both communicatively coupling with the packet switched backbone network via the access point transceiver circuitry, the access point processing circuitry, and the communication interface circuitry; and

the access point processing circuitry selects a first power level of the plurality of power levels for a first transmission by the access point transceiver circuitry, addressed to the first client transceiver circuitry, and a second power level of the plurality of power levels for a second transmission by the access point transceiver circuitry, addressed to the first client transceiver circuitry, and the first power level is greater that the second power level.

27. The wireless network of claim 26 wherein the access point processing circuitry selects a third power level of the plurality of power levels for third transmissions by the access point transceiver circuitry to the second client transceiver circuitry and the first power level of the plurality of power levels for fourth transmissions by the access point transceiver circuitry to the second client transceiver circuitry, and the second power level is greater that the third power level.

28. The wireless network of claim 26 wherein the first transmission includes data packets from the packet switched backbone network and the second transmission includes acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the access point transceiver circuitry from the first client transceiver circuitry.

29. The wireless network of claim 26 wherein the first transmission and the second transmission both include data packets from the packet switched backbone network.

30. The wireless network of claim 26 wherein the first transmissions and the second transmissions both includes acknowledgement data that is based on data packets received by the access point transceiver circuitry from the first client transceiver circuitry.

31. The wireless network of claim 26 wherein the access point processing circuitry alternates between N first transmissions and M second transmissions, and N and M are both integers that are greater than zero.