Telecommunications networks and devices

• US 9,072,061 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2008
• Issued: 06/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
• Original Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
• Inventors: Proctor, Toby, Chami, Youssef
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hai V
• Application Number:
  US12/450,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20110076998A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,643 Days
• Field of Search: 455/423, 455/67.11
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/27 for locating or positioning the transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/327 Received signal code power [RSCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/283 Power depending on the position of the mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/325 Power control of control or pilot channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/50 at the moment of starting communication in a multiple access environment

Abstract

A mobile telecommunications network, such as a GSM, UMTS or LTE network, may include, in addition to the conventional radio access network comprising the base stations, one or more additional access points. An access point may be connected to the network core by an IP transport broadband connection. The access point may be configured to appear to the mobile terminal as a conventional base station. Arrangements are disclosed which allow the access point to dynamically adjust the power output through its Common Pilot Channel relative to one or more users. In other words, the greater the distance a user is from the access point, the greater the output power.

Claims

1. A method of dynamically determining an output power level of an access point in a mobile telecommunications network, the method comprising:

determining a first parameter measurement relating to a distance a mobile terminal is from the access point;

using the first parameter measurement to determine an initial setting of the output power level of the access point; and

the access point selectively dynamically adjusting the output power level of the access point from the initial setting based upon a second parameter measurement relating to a service type provided to the mobile terminal, wherein the output power level of the access point is adjusted differently when the service type is a voice call than when the service type is a data transmission.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first parameter measurement is a measurement relating to received signal code power from the mobile terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second parameter measurement further relates to the available downlink dedicated channel power.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second parameter measurement further relates to the available channel capacity.

5. An access point configured to transmit an output signal in a mobile telecommunications network, the output signal intended for reception by one or more proximate mobile terminals, the access point comprising:

a parameter determination device configured to determine a first parameter measurement relating to a distance a proximate mobile terminal is from the access point;

a power level determination device configured to use the first parameter measurement to dynamically determine an initial setting of a power level of the output signal of the access point; and

an adjustment device configured by the access point to selectively dynamically adjust the output power level from the initial setting based upon a second parameter measurement relating to a service type provided to the mobile terminal, wherein the output power level of the access point is adjusted differently when the service type is a voice call than when the service type is a data transmission.

6. The access point of claim 5, wherein the first parameter measurement determined by the parameter determination device is a measurement relating to received signal code power from the proximate mobile terminal.

7. The access point of claim 5, wherein the power level determination device is further configured to determine a maximum and a minimum output power level, and the adjustment device is further configured to ensure that all adjustments of the output power level are maintained at or between these levels.

8. The access point of claim 5, wherein the parameter determination device is further configured to gather statistics relating to one or more locations of the proximate mobile terminal when in communication with the AP, and the power level determination device is further configured to use the statistics in determining appropriate maximum and minimum output power level settings for each of the one or more locations.

9. The access point of claim 5, wherein the parameter determination device is further configured to gather statistics relating to at least one of:

a time of day and a time of week when the proximate mobile terminal is in communication with the AP, and the power level determination device is further configured to use the statistics in determining appropriate maximum and minimum output power level settings for the at least one of;

the time of day and the time of week.

10. The access point according to claim 5, wherein the second parameter measurement further relates to the available downlink dedicated channel power.

11. The access point according to claim 5, wherein the second parameter measurement further relates to the available channel capacity.