Femto node power adjustment using requests for registration

• US 8,792,886 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2010
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Meshkati, Farhad, Chande, Vinay, Yavuz, Mehmet
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US12/765,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20100273481A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,559 Days
• Field of Search: 455/522, 455/444, 455/435.1, 370331-333
• US Class Current: 455/435.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3827 Portable transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/16 for PBS [Private Base Station] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/143 Downlink power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/18 TPC being performed according to specific parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/225 Calculation of statistics, e.g. average, variance
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/242 taking into account path loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/244 Interferences in heterogeneous networks, e.g. among macro and femto or pico cells or other sector / system interference [OSI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/245 taking into account received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/325 Power control of control or pilot channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/20 between access points

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods for adjusting a transmission power at a femto node are described herein. According to the systems, devices, and methods herein, a measurement of a signal transmitted from a transmitting node may be communicated to the femto node, for example from a user equipment or a neighboring femto node, for use in adjusting the power. The transmitting node may comprise the femto node, a macro node, or a neighboring femto node. In addition, statistics regarding such measurements may be communicated to the femto node for use in adjusting the power. The femto node may also adjust the power based on unsuccessful registration attempts or interference communications received at the femto node.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising:

a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a first signal with a first power to a reception region;

a receiver configured to wirelessly receive a request for registration from one or more user devices;

a registration unit configured to store information identifying at least one user device, wherein only user devices that are identified in the registration unit are permitted to communicate with other user devices via the transmitter and via the receiver; and

a power adjustment unit configured to adjust the first power based at least in part on a characteristic of the request for registration from the one or more user devices if information in the registration unit does not identify the one or more user devices.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver is located within a second reception region and a second signal is wirelessly transmitted to the one or more user devices in the second reception region from a second transmitter, the second reception region being substantially larger than the reception region.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to collect statistical information related to the request for registration in order to identify if the request for registration is an indication of excessive interference at the one or more user devices.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive information from the one or more user devices indicative of a measurement derived from reception of the first signal at the one or more user devices, and wherein the characteristic comprises the measurement at least in part.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the information indicative of the measurement indicates a path loss of the first signal at each of the one or more user devices and is associated with the request for registration of each of the one or more user devices, wherein requests for registration associated with a path loss that is less than a predetermined threshold are ignored during the collection of the collected statistical information.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power adjustment unit is configured to utilize an upper and a lower limit for the first power, wherein the upper limit and the lower limit are identified based upon at least one of the received request for registration or the collected statistical information.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power adjustment unit is configured to adjust the first power based on the collected statistical information, wherein the collected statistical information comprises at least one of an average number of the requests for registration received over a predetermined duration, a histogram of a number of the requests for registration received over a plurality of predetermined times, a moving average of a number of the requests for registration received by the receiver, and an autoregressive filter on an amount of the requests for registration received by the receiver.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power adjustment unit is configured to reduce the first power by a predetermined amount for each unsuccessful request for registration having at least one predetermined characteristic.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the power adjustment unit is configured to gradually increase the first power according to a predetermined recovery schedule subsequent to the first power being reduced.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power adjustment unit is configured to adjust the first power at least in part based on at least one of a home user device measurement report, a macro user device measurement report, and information from a network listen module.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power adjustment unit is configured to defer adjustment of the first power until a predetermined quantity of unsuccessful requests for registration have been received.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the power adjustment unit is configured to adjust the first power only if the predetermined quantity of the unsuccessful requests for registration were received within a defined period.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a processor configured to adjust the predetermined quantity or the defined period if the power adjustment unit adjusts the first power more frequently than a maximum adjustment limit during the defined period.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to store the information identifying the one or more user devices, wherein the power adjustment unit is configured to ignore requests for registration in excess of a maximum request limit received from at least one of the one or more user devices.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power adjustment unit is configured to adjust the first power by an amount proportional to a quantity of the requests for registration received within a defined period.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises at least in part a time of day at which the request for registration was received.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises at least in part a user device from which a first request for registration was received.

63. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a femto node base station.

67. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the characteristic corresponds to an average number of unsuccessful registration attempts in one day.

18. A method of wireless communication, the method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting a first signal with a first power to a reception region;

receiving a request for registration from one or more user devices;

determining that the one or more user devices are not identified in a registration unit configured to store information identifying at least one user device; and

adjusting the first power based at least in part on a characteristic of the request for registration from the one or more user devices.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the receiving is performed within a second reception region and a second signal is wirelessly transmitted to the one or more user devices in the second reception region from a transmitter, the second reception region being substantially larger than the reception region.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising collecting statistical information related to the request for registration in order to identify if the request for registration is an indication of excessive interference at the one or more user devices.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising receiving information from the one or more user devices indicative of a measurement derived from reception of the first signal at the one or more user devices, wherein the characteristic comprises the measurement at least in part.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the information indicative of the measurement indicates a path loss of the first signal at each of the one or more user devices and is associated with the request for registration of each of the one or more user devices, wherein requests for registration associated with a path loss that is less than a predetermined threshold are ignored during the collection of the collected statistical information.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the adjusting comprises utilizing an upper and a lower limit for the first power, wherein the upper limit and the lower limit are identified based upon at least one of the received request for registration or the collected statistical information.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the first power based on the collected statistical information, wherein the collected statistical information comprises at least one of an average number of the requests for registration received over a predetermined duration, a histogram of a number of the requests for registration received over a plurality of predetermined times, a moving average of a number of the requests for registration received by the receiving, and an autoregressive filter on an amount of the requests for registration received by the receiving.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the adjusting comprises reducing the first power by a predetermined amount for each received unsuccessful request for registration having at least one predetermined characteristic, wherein the adjusting comprises gradually increasing the first power according to a predetermined recovery schedule subsequent to reducing the first power.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the first power at least in part based on at least one of a home user device measurement report, a macro user device measurement report, and information from a network listen module.

27. The method of claim 18, further comprising deferring adjustment of the first power until a predetermined quantity of unsuccessful requests for registration have been received.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the adjusting is performed only if the predetermined quantity of the unsuccessful requests for registration were received within a defined period.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising adjusting the predetermined quantity or the defined period if the first power is adjusted more frequently than a maximum adjustment limit during the defined period.

30. The method of claim 18, wherein requests for registration in excess of a maximum request limit received from at least one of the one or more user devices are ignored.

31. The method of claim 18, wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the first power by an amount proportional to a quantity of the requests for registration received within a defined period.

32. The method of claim 18, wherein the characteristic comprises at least in part a time of day at which the request for registration was received or a user device from which a first request for registration was received.

64. The method of claim 18, wherein the wirelessly transmitting, receiving, determining, and adjusting are performed by a femto node base station.

68. The method of claim 18, wherein the characteristic corresponds to an average number of unsuccessful registration attempts in one day.

33. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising:

means for wirelessly transmitting a first signal with a first power to a reception region;

means for receiving a request for registration from one or more user devices;

means for determining that the one or more user devices are not identified in a registration unit configured to store information identifying at least one user device; and

means for adjusting the first power based at least in part on a characteristic of the request for registration from the one or more user devices.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for receiving is located within a second reception region and a second signal is wirelessly transmitted to the one or more user devices in the second reception region from a transmitter, the second reception region being substantially larger than the reception region.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising means for collecting statistical information related to the request for registration in order to identify if the request for registration is an indication of excessive interference at the one or more user devices.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising means for receiving information from the one or more user devices indicative of a measurement derived from reception of the first signal at the one or more user devices, wherein the characteristic comprises the measurement at least in part.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the information indicative of the measurement indicates a path loss of the first signal at each of the one or more user devices and is associated with the request for registration of each of the one or more user devices, wherein the apparatus further comprises means for ignoring requests for registration associated with a path loss that is less than a predetermined threshold are ignored during the collection of the collected statistical information.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the means for adjusting is configured to utilize an upper and a lower limit for the first power, wherein the upper limit and the lower limit are identified based upon at least one of the received request for registration or the collected statistical information.

39. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the means for adjusting is configured to adjust the first power based on the collected statistical information, wherein the collected statistical information comprises at least one of an average number of the requests for registration received over a predetermined duration, a histogram of a number of the requests for registration received over a plurality of predetermined times, a moving average of a number of the requests for registration received by the means for receiving, and an autoregressive filter on an amount of the requests for registration received by the means for receiving.

40. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for reducing the first power by a predetermined amount for each received unsuccessful request for registration having at least one predetermined characteristic, and wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for gradually increasing the first power according to a predetermined recovery schedule subsequent to reducing the first power.

41. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for adjusting the first power at least in part based on at least one of a home user device measurement report, a macro user device measurement report, and information from a network listen module.

42. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising means for deferring adjustment of the first power until a predetermined quantity of unsuccessful requests for registration have been received.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the means for adjusting is configured to adjust the first power only if the predetermined quantity of the unsuccessful requests for registration were received within a defined period.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for adjusting the predetermined quantity or the defined period if the first power is adjusted more frequently than a maximum adjustment limit during the defined period.

45. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising means for ignoring requests for registration in excess of a maximum request limit received from at least one of the one or more user devices are ignored.

46. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for adjusting comprises means for adjusting the first power by an amount proportional to a quantity of the requests for registration received within a defined period.

47. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the characteristic comprises at least in part a time of day at which the request for registration was received or a user device from which a first request for registration was received.

65. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the apparatus is a femto node base station.

48. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising

code for causing the computer to wirelessly transmit a first signal with a first power to a reception region;

code for causing the computer to receive a request for registration from one or more user devices;

code for causing the computer to determine that the one or more user devices are not identified in a registration unit configured to store information identifying at least one user device; and

code for causing the computer to adjust the first power based at least in part on a characteristic of the request for registration from the one or more user devices.

49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the receiving is performed within a second reception region and a second signal is wirelessly transmitted to the one or more user devices in the second reception region from a transmitter, the second reception region being substantially larger than the reception region.

50. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to collect statistical information related to the request for registration in order to identify if the request for registration is an indication of excessive interference at the one or more user devices.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to receive information from the one or more user devices indicative of a measurement derived from reception of the first signal at the one or more user devices, and wherein the characteristic comprises the measurement at least in part.

52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 51, wherein the information indicative of the measurement indicates a path loss of the first signal at each of the one or more user devices and is associated with the request for registration of each of the one or more user devices, wherein requests for registration associated with a path loss that is less than a predetermined threshold are ignored during the collection of the collected statistical information.

53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the adjusting comprises utilizing an upper and a lower limit for the first power, wherein the upper limit and the lower limit are identified based upon at least one of the received request for registration or the collected statistical information.

54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50, wherein the code for causing the computer to adjust the first power comprises code for causing the computer to adjust the first power based on the collected statistical information, wherein the collected statistical information comprises at least one of an average number of the requests for registration received over a predetermined duration, a histogram of a number of the requests for registration received over a plurality of predetermined times, a moving average of a number of the requests for registration received by the computer, and an autoregressive filter on an amount of the requests for registration received by the computer.

55. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the code for causing the computer to adjust the first power comprises code for causing the computer to reduce the first power by a predetermined amount for each received unsuccessful request for registration having at least one predetermined characteristic, wherein the code for causing the computer to adjust the first power comprises code for causing the computer to gradually increase the first power according to a predetermined recovery schedule subsequent to the first power being reduced.

56. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the code for causing the computer to adjust the first power comprises code for causing the computer to adjust the first power at least in part based on at least one of a home user device measurement report, a macro user device measurement report, and information from a network listen module.

57. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to defer adjustment of the first power until a predetermined quantity of the requests for registration have been received.

58. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 57, wherein the code for causing the computer to adjust the first power is configured to adjust the first power only if the predetermined quantity of the requests for registration were received within a defined period.

59. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 58, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to adjust the predetermined quantity or the defined period if the first power is adjusted more frequently than a maximum adjustment limit during the defined period.

60. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the computer to ignore requests for registration in excess of a maximum request limit received from at least one of the one or more user devices are ignored.

61. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the code for causing the computer to adjust the first power comprises code for causing the computer to adjust the first power by an amount proportional to a quantity of the requests for registration received within a defined period.

62. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the characteristic comprises at least in part a time of day at which the request for registration was received or a user device from which a first request for registration was received.

66. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein the computer is part of a femto node base station.