Method for transmit and receive power control in mesh systems

• US 20060253736A1
• Filed: 04/05/2006
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rudolf, Marian, Roy, Vincent
• Granted Patent: US 8,909,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0001 Systems modifying transmission characteristics according to link quality, e.g. power backoff adaptive data allocation for multicarrier modulation H04L5/0044; controlling transmission power for radio systems H04W52/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2655 Synchronisation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/146 Uplink power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/18 TPC being performed according to specific parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/243 taking into account interferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/286 during data packet transmission, e.g. high speed packet access [HSPA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/362 Aspects of the step size
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/367 Power values between minimum and maximum limits, e.g. dynamic range
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/46 in multi hop networks, e.g. wireless relay networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/50 at the moment of starting communication in a multiple access environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/54 Signalisation aspects of the TPC commands, e.g. frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0473 the resource being transmission power
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/002 Transmission of channel access control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling transmit and receive power level of a mesh point (MP) operating in a mesh wireless communication network of a plurality of MPs. Power capability information of a new MP is sent to at least one existing MP in the mesh network. The existing MP accepts the new MP as a member of the mesh network and sends allowed power setting information to the new MP. The new MP adjusts its power level in accordance with the allowed power setting information.

Claims

1. A method for controlling transmit and receive power level of a mesh point (MP) operating in a mesh wireless communication network, the mesh network including a plurality of MPs, the method comprising:

sending power capability information of a new MP to at least one existing MP in the mesh network;

the existing MP accepting the new MP as a member of the mesh network and sending allowed power setting information to the new MP; and

,

the new MP adjusting its power level in accordance with the allowed power setting information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the new MP reports its power capability information by at least one of broadcasting, multicasting and unicasting in either a solicited or un-solicited manner.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the new MP reports its power capability information with a Mesh ASSOCIATION or Mesh AUTHENTICATION frame.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the new MP reports its power capability information as part of the Mesh BEACON frames or the Mesh PROBE RESPONSE frames.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the power capability information is part of directed special purpose per-link or multi-hop Mesh POWER CAPABILITY frames.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the power capability information includes at least one of a minimum and maximum transmit power and adjustment step size settings that the new MP supports;

a minimum and maximum receive power and adjustment step size settings, sensitivity levels and CCA thresholds settings that the new MP supports;

the modes that the new MP supports; and

the operational bandwidth that the MP supports; and

the number of bands and sub-bands that the new MP is capable of operating on simultaneously.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the new MP obtains the allowed power setting information from other MPs by at least one of broadcasting, multicasting and unicasting either solicited or un-solicited manner.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the allowed power setting information is included in a Mesh BEACON frame or Mesh PROBE RESPONSE frame.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the allowed power setting information is included in a Mesh ASSOCIATION or Mesh AUTHENTICATION frame.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the allowed power setting information is included in a special purpose per-link or multi-hop Mesh ALLOWED POWER SETTING frame.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the allowed power setting information includes at least one of power master (PM) address or PM identifier;

regulatory domain the mesh network currently operates in;

frequency bands and sub-bands the mesh network currently operates in;

minimum, instantaneous and maximum transmit power allowed settings;

minimum, instantaneous and maximum receive power allowed settings;

minimum, instantaneous and maximum CCA threshold allowed settings;

validity timers or time-out values;

measurement intervals and configuration;

silence periods; and

temporary offset values for any of the above plus associated life-time values.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the allowed power setting information is signalled for at least one of the entire mesh network, a particular mesh link or path, and a particular mesh node or a particular radio interface of a mesh node.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the allowed power setting information is signalled by at least one of absolute values, relative values and a combination of absolute and relative values.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the new MP and the existing MP establish a peer-to-peer relationship.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the new MP and the existing MP establish a master-slave relationship.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the new MP and the existing MP periodically receives updated allowed power setting information from other MPs.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein each MP requests reporting of measurements from neighboring MPs regarding at least one of power settings, perceived signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), link margin values, perceived interference power and channel busy times.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one MP is elected as a power master (PM) among the MPs.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein a first MP in the mesh network automatically becomes the PM.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein a new PM is elected each time a new MP joins by negotiation among the existing MPs and the new MP.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the PM is identified by means of layer 2 or layer 3 broadcast, multicast or dedicated signaling received as part of initial set-up procedures.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein a predetermined MP becomes a PM and fixed for a predetermined time period.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein a mesh portal of the mesh network automatically becomes the PM.

24. The method of claim 18 wherein a MP with the most links to neighbor MPs becomes the PM.

25. The method of claim 18 wherein the MPs in the mesh network determine the PM by means of a random number draw.

26. The method of claim 18 wherein the MPs in the mesh network determine the PM as a function of the number of hops from a mesh portal or from a certain predetermined MP.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein a first MP in the mesh network sets the allowed power setting and sends the allowed power setting information to subsequently joining MPs.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein signaling messages and information exchanged between MPs is implemented by means of at least one of layer 2 signaling frames or information elements (IEs), and layer 3 or above signaling packets or IEs.

29. The method of claim 1 wherein the existing MP includes immediate neighbor MPs, other mesh nodes that the new MP can reach by other MPs and other network entities beyond the immediate reach of the wireless mesh.

30. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitting and receiving messages between MPs are implemented by at least one of a direct-link, a multi-hop frame signaling and via a wired backhaul.

31. The method of claim 1 wherein the exchange of messages between MPs is implemented by layer 2 hardware/software in medium access control (MAC) or station management entity (SME), above layer 2 software or combination thereof.

32. The method of claim 1 wherein the MPs are subject to configuration settings set by an entity controlling the mesh network and the MPs report statistics and feedback to the controlling entity.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the configuration settings and reportable statistics set in and reported by at least one of databases in physical layer (PHY), MAC or SME;

signaling messages between layer 2 MAC or SME to above protocol entities; and

primitives exchanged between SME, MAC, PHY and other protocol entities in a MP.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the configuration settings includes at least one of admissible transmit, receive and CCA value setting and ranges;

admissible mode settings;

admissible band and sub-band settings;

mesh transmit power control (TPC) feature on or off;

addresses and identifiers for PM;

timer values;

for TPC; and

transmit power change command for the MP.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein the reportable statistics include at least one of current TPC settings, modes, bandwidth, number of simultaneous channels of the MP and neighbor MPs;

and channel statistics.

36. A mesh point (MP) in a network of mesh points in wireless communication, comprising:

a processor configured to send its own power capability information to at least one existing MP in the mesh network, and to adjust its power level in accordance with allowed power setting information received from another MP in the network.

37. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein each MP reports its power capability information by one of broadcasting, multicasting and unicasting either solicited or un-solicited manner.

38. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein each MP reports its power capability information with a Mesh ASSOCIATION or Mesh AUTHENTICATION frame.

39. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein each MP reports its power capability information as part of the Mesh BEACON frames or the Mesh PROBE RESPONSE frames.

40. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the power capability information is part of directed special purpose per-link or multi-hop Mesh POWER CAPABILITY frames.

41. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the power capability information includes at least one of a minimum and maximum transmit power and adjustment step size settings that the MP supports;

a minimum and maximum receive power and adjustment step size settings, sensitivity levels and CCA thresholds settings that the MP supports;

the modes that the MP supports;

the operational bandwidth that the MP supports; and

the number of bands and sub-bands that the MP is capable of operating on simultaneously.

42. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein each MP obtains the allowed power setting information from the MP by at least one of broadcasting, multicasting and unicasting in either a solicited or un-solicited manner.

43. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the allowed power setting information is included in a Mesh BEACON frame or Mesh PROBE RESPONSE frame.

44. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the allowed power setting information is included in a Mesh ASSOCIATION or Mesh AUTHENTICATION frame.

45. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the allowed power setting information is included in a special purpose per-link or multi-hop Mesh ALLOWED POWER SETTING frame.

46. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the allowed power setting information includes at least one of:

power master (PM) address or PM identifier;

regulatory domain the mesh point currently operates in;

frequency bands and sub-bands the mesh point currently operates in;

minimum, instantaneous and maximum transmit power allowed settings;

minimum, instantaneous and maximum receive power allowed settings;

minimum, instantaneous and maximum CCA threshold allowed settings;

validity timers or time-out values;

measurement intervals and configuration;

silence periods; and

temporary offset values for any of the above plus associated life-time values.

47. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the allowed power setting information is signaled for at least one of:

the entire mesh network, a particular mesh link or path, a particular mesh node and a particular radio interface of a mesh node.

48. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the allowed power setting information is signaled as one of an absolute value, a relative value, or a combination thereof.

49. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the processor establishes a peer-to-peer relationship between the MP and another network MP.

50. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the processor establishes a master-slave relationship between the MP and another network MP.

51. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the MP periodically receives updated allowed power setting information from other MPs.

52. The mesh point of claim 51 wherein each MP requests reporting of measurements from neighboring MPs regarding at least one of power settings, perceived signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), link margin values, perceived interference power and channel busy times.

53. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the allowed power setting information is sent to subsequently joining MPs.

54. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein signaling messages and information exchanged between MPs is implemented by means of at least one of layer 2 signaling frames or information elements (IEs), layer 3 or above signaling packets or IEs.

55. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the transmitting and receiving messages between MPs are implemented by at least one of a direct-link, a multi-hop frame signaling and via a wired backhaul.

56. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the exchange of messages between MPs is implemented by layer 2 hardware/software in medium access control (MAC) or station management entity (SME), above layer 2 software or combination thereof.

57. The mesh point of claim 36 wherein the MPs are subject to configuration settings set by an entity controlling the mesh network and the MPs report statistics and feedback to the controlling entity.

58. The mesh point of claim 57 wherein the configuration settings and reportable statistics set in and reported by at least one of databases in physical layer (PHY), MAC or SME;

signaling messages between layer 2 MAC or SME to above protocol entities; and

primitives exchanged between SME, MAC, PHY and other protocol entities in a MP.

59. The mesh point of claim 57 wherein the configuration settings includes at least one of:

admissible transmit, receive and CCA value setting and ranges;

admissible mode settings;

admissible band and sub-band settings;

mesh transmit power control (TPC) feature on or off;

addresses and identifiers for the PM;

timer values for TPC; and

transmit power change command for the MP.

60. The mesh point of claim 57 wherein the reportable statistics include at least one of current TPC settings, modes, bandwidth, number of simultaneous channels of the MP and neighbor MPs;

and channel statistics.

61. In a mesh network of mesh points, a mesh point (MP) comprising:

a processor configured to send a power master request information element to neighboring MPs to indicate that a power maser (PM) selection for the mesh network is required and to receive power master response information elements from the network MPs and to select a PM according to a comparison procedure that evaluates selection criteria received in the power master response information elements.

62. The mesh point of claim 61 wherein a first MP to belong to the mesh network is selected as the PM.

63. The mesh point of claim 61 wherein a new PM is selected each time a new MP joins by negotiation among the existing MPs and the new MP.

64. The mesh point of claim 61 wherein the PM is identified by means of layer 2 or layer 3 broadcast, multicast or dedicated signaling received as part of an initial set-up procedure.

65. The mesh point of claim 61 wherein a predetermined MP is selected as the PM and fixed for a predetermined time period.

66. The mesh point of claim 61 wherein the processor selects its MP as a mesh portal for the mesh network, and sets all transmit power control settings for the Mesh network accordingly, and mandates all subsequently joining MPs to propagate these settings to other mesh network MPs.

67. The mesh point of claim 61 wherein the processor selects an MP with the most links to neighbor MPs as the PM.

68. The mesh point of claim 61 wherein the processor determines the PM by means of a random number draw.

69. The mesh point of claim 61 wherein the processor determines the PM as a function of the number of hops from a mesh portal or from a certain predetermined MP.