Pilot signal transmission management

• US 8,165,577 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2009
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Chang, Henry, Dunn, Doug
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Don
• Application Number:
  US12/407,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20100240314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422.1, 455/423, 455/436, 455/453, 455/517, 455/552, 455/502, 455/503
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/325 Power control of control or pilot channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/38 TPC being performed in particular situations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals

Abstract

A base station is configured to reduce interference with other base stations and/or devices in a multi-cell wireless network. The base station includes a wireless interface, detector and controller. To reduce interference, the wireless interface may provide services to a first wireless communication device (WCD) using a pilot signal emitted from the base station at a reduced power level. In the reduced pilot signal mode, when the detector detects a second WCD within the base station'"'"'s service area, the controller increases the pilot signal'"'"'s power level above the reduced power level in order to establish communications with the second WCD. Upon successfully connecting to the first and second WCDs, the base station may again reduce the pilot signal'"'"'s power level to reduce interference with other base stations or wireless devices.

Claims

1. A base station, comprising:

a wireless interface configured to provide wireless communication services to a first wireless communication device using a pilot signal emitted from the base station at a reduced power level lower than a nominal power level of the pilot signal;

a detector configured to detect a second wireless communication device within an area served by the base station; and

a controller configured to increase the pilot signal'"'"'s power level above the reduced power level in response to detecting the second wireless communication device.

2. The base station of claim 1, wherein the reduced power level is set to minimize interference with devices other than the first and second wireless communication devices.

3. The base station of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to incrementally increase the pilot signal'"'"'s power level over a predetermined time period.

4. The base station of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the second wireless communication device is authorized to receive services from the base station.

5. A base station comprising:

a wireless interface configured to provide wireless communication services to a first wireless communication device using a pilot signal emitted from the base station at a predetermined power level;

a detector configured to detect a second wireless communication device within an area served by the base station;

a controller configured to increase the pilot signal'"'"'s power level above the predetermined power level in response to detecting the second wireless communication device; and

a transmitter configured to transmit one or more power control commands to the first wireless communication device after detecting the second wireless communication device.

6. The base station of claim 5, wherein the power control commands instruct the first wireless communication device to maintain its transmit power level.

7. The base station of claim 6, wherein the power control commands occur prior to the base station increasing the power level of the pilot signal.

8. A femtocell base station comprising:

a wireless interface configured to provide wireless communication services to a first wireless communication device using a pilot signal emitted from the femtocell base station at a predetermined power level;

a detector configured to detect a second wireless communication device within an area served by the femtocell base station; and

a controller configured to increase the pilot signal'"'"'s power level above the predetermined power level in response to detecting the second wireless communication device.

9. A base station comprising:

a wireless interface configured to provide wireless communication services to a first wireless communication device using a pilot signal emitted from the base station at a predetermined power level, the predetermined power level based on a quality of an air link between the base station and the first wireless communication device;

a detector configured to detect a second wireless communication device within an area served by the base station; and

a controller configured to increase the pilot signal'"'"'s power level above the predetermined power level in response to detecting the second wireless communication device.

10. The femtocell base station of claim 9, wherein the predetermined power level is a reduced power level that is lower than a nominal power level of the pilot signal.

11. A method of managing pilot signal transmission from a base station, the method comprising:

serving a first wireless communication device using a pilot signal emitted from the base station at a predetermined power level;

receiving an uplink communication signal transmitted from the second wireless communication device to another base station to detect detecting a second wireless communication device within an area served by the base station; and

increasing the pilot signal'"'"'s power level above the predetermined power level in response to detecting the second wireless communication device.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

decoding the uplink communication signal using a long code mask corresponding to the second wireless communication device, wherein the uplink communication signal is detected when the uplink signal is successfully decoded.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the pilot signal is a communication pilot signal.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein increasing includes:

incrementally increasing the pilot signal'"'"'s power level over a predetermined time period.

15. A method of managing pilot signal transmission from a base station, the method comprising:

serving a first wireless communication device using a pilot signal emitted from the base station at a reduced power level that is lower than a nominal power level of the pilot signal;

detecting a second wireless communication device within an area served by the base station; and

increasing the pilot signal'"'"'s power level above the reduced power level in response to detecting the second wireless communication device.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving a detection signal transmitted from the second wireless communication device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the detection signal is an uplink communication signal transmitted to another base station.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

setting the reduced power level to minimize interference with devices other than the first and second wireless communication devices.

19. A method of managing pilot signal transmission from a base station, the method comprising:

serving a first wireless communication device using a pilot signal emitted from the base station at a predetermined power level;

detecting a second wireless communication device within an area served by the base station;

increasing the pilot signal'"'"'s power level above the predetermined power level in response to detecting the second wireless communication device; and

transmitting one or more power control commands to the first wireless communication device after detecting the second wireless communication device and prior to increasing the pilot signal'"'"'s power level.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting the power control commands occurs prior to the base station increasing the power level of the pilot signal.