Communication methods and apparatus relating to cooperative and non-cooperative modes of operation

• US 8,504,099 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2007
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Corson, M. Scott, Li, Junyi
• Primary Examiner(s): Siddiqui, Kashif
• Application Number:
  US11/652,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20070254596A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,400 Days
• Field of Search: 455 59- 72, 455 421-4566, 4555501-5561, 455/63.1, 455/67.13
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0602 Systems characterised by the synchronising information used
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2601 Multicarrier modulation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/261 Details of reference signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0016 Time-frequency-code
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0035 Resource allocation in a cooperative multipoint environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/04 Error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/16 Performing reselection for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/24 Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/244 using a network of reference devices, e.g. beaconing
• 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 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 : adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 : adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for selecting and switching between cooperative and non-cooperative modes of communications device operation are described. Switching between modes may be, e.g., in response to a signal received form another device or in response to another device leaving the area. In cooperative mode operation the communications device acts in a manner that takes into consideration the effect of signal transmissions on other devices, e.g., the device may respond to interference control signaling, resource allocation signals and/or implement other interference management techniques. In the non-cooperative mode the device seeks to optimize its own communications performance without regard to the effect on one or more communications devices which may be in the area, e.g., devices with which it is not communicating. In the non-cooperative mode the device may ignore interference management control signals or transmit signals intended to cause another devices to reduce their transmissions or power output.

Claims

1. A method of operating a first wireless communications device, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from a second communications device via an air link;

determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the first communications device;

based on said determination, selecting between one of a cooperative communications mode of operation and a non-cooperative communications mode of operation, said selecting including selecting a cooperative communications mode of operation when it is determined that said first wireless communications device is in the cooperative communications relationship with the second communications device and selecting a non-cooperative mode of operation when it is determined that said first wireless communications device is in the non-cooperative communications relationship; and

in response to detecting that said second communications device is operating in a non-cooperative relationship, operating in said non-cooperative mode of operation, said operating in said non-cooperative mode of operation including;

switching from a first communications protocol to a second communications protocol, said second communications protocol being a communications protocol which is not supported by the second communications device but which uses a frequency band being used by the second communications device; and

disregarding an interference control signal from said second communications device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

operating in the selected mode of communications operation while communicating with a third communications device; and

wherein when said selected mode is a non-cooperative mode of operation, the step of operating in a non-cooperative mode of operation including operating to maximize data throughput between said first and third devices without regard to the impact on communications by said second device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the first communications device includes determining that said second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship when said second communications device is operating in a cellular mode of operation.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said interference control signal received from the second communications device is a transmission power control signal.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

operating in the selected mode of communications operation while communicating with a third communications device; and

wherein when said selected mode is a cooperative mode of operation, operating in a cooperative mode of operation, said operating in said cooperative mode of operation including responding to an interference control signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said interference control signal is an interference control signal from said second communications device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said interference control signal received from the second communications device is a transmission power control signal used to signal that the first communications device should reduce its transmission power level.

8. The method of claim 1,

wherein said signal received from a second device provides second device configuration information;

and

wherein determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship includes determining from the received second device information if the second communications device is operating in a cellular mode of operation in which said second communications device is responsive to resource allocation signals from a base station or is operating in an ad hoc mode of operation.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein while in said ad hoc mode of operation said second device controls the second device'"'"'s use of wireless communications resources independent of wireless communication resource allocation signals from any another device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship includes determining from the received signal if the second device corresponds to the same communications network as the first communications device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship includes at least one of:

determining from the received signal if the second device corresponds to a service provider used to provide communications services to the first communications device; and

determining from the received signal if the second communications device corresponds to a user group to which the first communications device corresponds.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting based on the determined cooperative or non-cooperative mode of operation, a device configuration to be used in communicating with a third communications device while operating in the selected mode of operation.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein when a non-cooperative mode of operation is selected, said device configuration is selected to optimize data throughput by said first communications device when communicating with the third communications device without regard to interference which will be generated with respect to said second communications device.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein when a non-cooperative mode of operation is selected, said device configuration is selected such that the first communications device uses a device configuration that supports a first communications protocol which is also supported by the third communications device but which is not supported by the second communications device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

detecting when said second communications device is no longer transmitting signals within the range of the first communications device; and

switching from the first configuration to a second configuration that supports a second communications protocol which is supported by said first and third communications devices and which was also supported by said second communications device which is out of range of the first communications device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said first and second protocols are OFDM and CDMA communications protocols, respectively.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said first communications protocol are different OFDM communications protocols.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said first communications protocol is Bluetooth and said second communications protocol is WiFi.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the first communications device includes:

determining a service provider corresponding to the second device; and

comparing the service provider corresponding to the second device to a servicer provider corresponding to the first device;

determining that second device is in a cooperative communications relationship when the determined service provider corresponding to the second device matches the servicer provider corresponding to the first device; and

determining that the second device is in a non-cooperative communications relationship when the determined service provider corresponding to the second device does not match the servicer provider corresponding to the first device.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the first communications device includes:

determining a user group identifier corresponding to the second device; and

comparing the determined user group identifier corresponding to the second device to a user group identifier corresponding to the first device;

determining that the second device is in a cooperative communications relationship when the determined user group identifier corresponding to the second device matches the user group identifier corresponding to the first device; and

determining that the second device is in a non-cooperative communications relationship when the determined user group identifier corresponding to the second device does not match the determined user group identifier corresponding to the first device.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the first communications device includes:

comparing at least one of;

i) a service provider determined to correspond to the second communications device and ii) a user group determined to correspond to the second communications device to a list including at least one of i) service providers known to operate in a non-cooperative manner and ii) user groups known to operate in a non-cooperative manner.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the first communications device includes:

determining a technology or communications protocol being used by said second communications device; and

determining that the second communications device is in a non-cooperative relationship when said determined technology or communications protocol is a technology or communications protocol which does not support at least one of i) power control signaling and ii) interference control signaling.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein when said selecting selects the non-cooperative mode of operation, the method further comprises:

participating in a communications session with a third communications device which supports both first and second communications protocols, the second communications protocol not being supported by the second communications device, said communication session with the third communications device being implemented using the second communications protocol after selection of the second communications protocol by said first communications device.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein said interference control signal is a resource allocation signal.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein said interference control signal includes is a transmission power level control signal.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein said second communications protocol which is not supported by the second communications device causes more interference to the second communications device than the first communications protocol.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said first communications protocol is a WiFi communications protocol and said second communications protocol is Bluetooth.

28. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

switching back to use of the first communications protocol when it is detected that the second communications devices has left an area in which the first communications device is located.

29. The method of claim 1,

wherein said cooperative mode of operation is a cellular mode of operation and wherein said non-cooperative mode of operation is an ad-hoc mode of operation;

and

wherein said second device is a device with which said first communications device does not have a communications session.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein said first communications device corresponds to a first communications network;

and

wherein determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the first communications device includes;

determining the communications network to which the second communications device corresponds; and

determining that the second communications device is operating in a co-operative mode of operation if the determined communications network is the first communications network; and

determining that the second communications device is operating in a non-cooperative mode of operation if the determined communications network is different from the first communications network.

31. A first communications device, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a signal from a second communications device via an air link;

a mode determination module for determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the first communications device;

a mode selection module for selecting, based on said determination, between one of a cooperative communications mode of operation and a non-cooperative communications mode of operation, said mode selection module selecting a cooperative communications mode of operation when it is determined that said first wireless communications device is in the cooperative communications relationship with the second communications device and selecting a non-cooperative mode of operation when it is determined that said first wireless communications device is in the non-cooperative communications relationship; and

an interference control module responsive to the selected mode of operation, said interference control module controlling, when the selected mode of operation is a non-cooperative mode, said first communications device to;

switch from a first communications protocol used by the second communications device to a second communications protocol, said second communications protocol being a communications protocol which is not supported by the second communications device but which uses a frequency band being used by the second communications device; and

to disregard an interference control signal from said second communications device.

32. The communications device of claim 31, further comprising:

a communications module for communicating with a third communications device while operating in the selected mode of communications; and

a data throughput maximization module for maximizing data throughput between said first and third devices without regard to the impact on communications by said second device when said selected mode is a non-cooperative mode of operation.

33. The communications device of claim 32,

wherein said determination module determines that said second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship when said second communications device is operating in a cellular mode of operation.

34. The communications device of claim 33, wherein said interference control signal is a transmission power control signal.

35. The communications device of claim 31, wherein said interference control module is responsive to interference control signals when the selected mode is a cooperative mode of operation.

36. The communications device of claim 31,

wherein determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship includes determining from the received second communications device information if the second communications device is operating in a cellular mode of operation in which said second communications device is responsive to resource allocation signals from a base station or is operating in an ad hoc mode of operation.

37. The communications device of claim 31, wherein the mode determination module includes a submodule for determining from a received signal at least one of:

whether the second communications device corresponds to a service provider used to provide communications services to the first communications device; and

whether the second communications device corresponds to a user group to which the first communications device corresponds.

38. The communications device of claim 37, further comprising:

a storage device including stored information indicating at least one of a service provider and a user group corresponding to said communications device.

39. The communications device of claim 37, further comprising:

a storage device including stored information indicating at least one of a service provider and a user group corresponding to said communications device which are considered non-cooperative.

40. A first communications device, comprising:

receiver means for receiving a signal from a second communications device via an air link;

mode determination means for determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the first communications device;

mode selection means for selecting, based on said determination, between one of a cooperative communications mode of operation and a non-cooperative communications mode of operation, said means for selecting select a cooperative communications mode of operation when it is determined that said first wireless communications device is in the cooperative communications relationship with the second communications device and select a non-cooperative mode of operation when it is determined that said first wireless communications device is in the non-cooperative communications relationship; and

means for controlling interference, said means for controlling interference being responsive to the selected mode of operation, said means for controlling interference controlling the first communications device, when the selected mode of operation is a non-cooperative mode, to;

switch from a first communications protocol used by the second communications device to a second communications protocol, said second communications protocol being a communications protocol which is not supported by the second communications device but which uses a frequency band being used by the second communications device; and

disregard an interference control signal from said second communications device.

41. The communications device of claim 40, wherein the mode determination means includes means for determining from a received signal at least one of:

whether the second communications device corresponds to a service provider used to provide communications services to the first communications device;

whether the second communications device corresponds to a user group to which the first communications device corresponds; and

wherein said mode determinations means for determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the first communications device determine that said second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship when said second communications device corresponds to a service provider used to provide communications services to the first communications device.

42. The communications device of claim 41, further comprising:

storage means including stored information indicating at least one of a service provider and a user group corresponding to said communications device.

43. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying machine executable instructions for controlling a first wireless communications device to implement a method of communicating with another communications device, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from a second communications device via an air link;

determining from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the first communications device;

based on said determination, selecting between one of a cooperative communications mode of operation and a non-cooperative communications mode of operation, said selecting including selecting a cooperative communications mode of operation when it is determined that said first wireless communications device is in the cooperative communications relationship with the second communications device and selecting a non-cooperative mode of operation when it is determined that said first wireless communications device is in the non-cooperative communications relationship; and

in response to detecting that said second communications device is operating in a non-cooperative relationship, operating in said non-cooperative mode of operation, said operating in said non-cooperative mode of operation including;

switching from a first communications protocol to a second communications protocol, said second communications protocol being a communications protocol which is not supported by the second communications device but which uses a frequency band being used by the second communications device; and

disregarding an interference control signal from said second communications device.

44. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 43, further embodying machine executable instructions for:

operating in the selected mode of communications operation while communicating with a third communications device; and

wherein when said selected mode is a non-cooperative mode of operation, operating in a non-cooperative mode of operation including operating to maximize data throughput between said first and third devices without regard to the impact on communications by said second device.

45. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 43, further embodying machine executable instructions for:

operating in the selected mode of communications operation while communicating with a third communications device; and

operating in a cooperative mode of operation, when said selected mode is a cooperative mode of operation, said operating in the cooperative mode of operation including responding to an interference control signal.

46. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 43, further embodying machine executable instructions for:

selecting based on the determined cooperative or non-cooperative mode of operation, a device configuration to be used in communicating with a third communications device while operating in the selected mode of operation.

47. An apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive a signal communicated from a second communications device via an air link;

determine from the received signal whether the second communications device is in a cooperative communications relationship or a non-cooperative communications relationship with the apparatus;

based on said determination, select between one of a cooperative communications mode of operation and a non-cooperative communications mode of operation, said selection including selecting a cooperative communications mode of operation when it is determined that said apparatus is in the cooperative communications relationship with the second communications device and selecting a non-cooperative mode of operation when it is determined that said apparatus is in the non-cooperative communications relationship; and

in response to detecting that said second communications device is operating in a non-cooperative relationship, control said apparatus operate in said non-cooperative mode of operation, said operating in said non-cooperative mode of operation including;

switching from a first communications protocol to a second communications protocol, said second communications protocol being a communications protocol which is not supported by the second communications device but which uses a frequency band being used by the second communications device, and

disregarding an interference control signal from said second communications device.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said processor is further configured to:

control said apparatus to operate in the selected mode of communications operation while controlling the communications with a third communications device; and

wherein when said selected mode is a non-cooperative mode of operation, control said apparatus to operate in a non-cooperative mode of operation including operating to maximize data throughput between said apparatus and said third communications device without regard to the impact on communications by said second communications device.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said processor is further configured to:

control said apparatus to operate in the selected mode of communications operation while controlling the communications with a third communications device; and

wherein when said selected mode is a cooperative mode of operation, operating in said cooperative mode of operation includes controlling a response to an interference control signal.

50. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said processor is further configured to:

select based on the determined cooperative or non-cooperative mode of operation, a device configuration to be used in communicating with a third communications device while operating in the selected mode of operation.