Packet-based downlink level control

• US 7,046,641 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2001
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Jarett, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Duong, Frank
• Application Number:
  US09/951,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20030048761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,709 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/311, 370315-325, 370/389, 370/395.1, 455/427, 455/522
• US Class Current: 370/318
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18513 Transmission in a satellite or space-based system
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/54 Signalisation aspects of the TPC commands, e.g. frame structure

Abstract

A packet-based downlink level control subsystem is provided for a wireless communication system. The subsystem includes a mechanism for embedding into each packet a power level code. The subsystem further includes a packet transmitter mechanism responsive to the embedded power level code for adjusting the power of the transmitted signal in accordance with the embedded power level code. This enables the transmitted power levels to be tailored to fit the needs of different individual receiving stations.

Claims

1. A packet-based downlink level control subsystem for a wireless communication system, such subsystem comprising:

a plurality of data packets each containing a user specific destination user identity code;

an embedding mechanism for embedding into each packet a power level code according to the destination user identity code, wherein the power level code identifies a power level for a specific user; and

a packet transmitter mechanism responsive to the power level code embedded within the data packet, wherein the packet transmitter mechanism adjusts the power of transmission for each data packet in accordance with the power level code.

2. A subsystem in accordance with claim 1 wherein the code embedding mechanism embeds the power level code into a packet header.

3. A subsystem in accordance with claim 1 wherein the embedded power level code is determined by a location of a receiving station relative to a center of a transmitted beam.

4. A subsystem in accordance with claim 1 wherein the embedded power level code is determined by a signal strength report received from a receiving station.

5. A subsystem in accordance with claim 1 wherein the code embedding mechanism includes a power level database listing power level codes in accordance with packet destinations and the code embedding mechanism accesses such database for determining the power level code to embed into a packet.

6. A subsystem in accordance with claim 1 wherein the packet transmitter mechanism includes:

a power amplifier for feeding amplified packet signals to a downlink antenna; and

a power control mechanism responsive to the power level codes in the packets to be transmitted for supplying gain control signals to the power amplifier for controlling signal strengths of transmitted packet signals.

7. A subsystem in accordance with claim 6 further including a time delay mechanism for delaying arrival of the packets at the power amplifier for allowing for settling of the power amplifier following a change in the gain control signal.

8. A method of controlling the power of downlink signals transmitted by a wireless communication system, such method comprising the steps of:

embedding a destination user identity code into a data packet;

determining the identity of an intended receiving station with the user identity code;

interrogating a database for determining the desired power level for the receiving station using the user identity code;

embedding a power level code into the data packet identifying the power level for the receiving station; and

adjusting power of a signal transmitted to the receiving station in accordance with the power level code.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the downlink signals are packet signals and the identities of the intended receiving stations are determined from destination user identity fields of the packets.

10. A packet-based downlink level control subsystem for a wireless communication system, such subsystem comprising:

a data packet having a destination user identity code embedded;

a mechanism that locates the destination user identity code within the data package and identifies a user;

a mechanism that uses the destination user identity code to interrogate a database to determine a power level for the user;

a mechanism that embeds a power level code into the data packet, wherein the power level code identifies the power level for the user; and

a power control mechanism that responds to the power level code embedded within the data packet, wherein the power control mechanism supplies gain control signals to a power amplifier.

11. A subsystem in accordance with claim 10, further including a time delay mechanism that delays the transfer of the data packet having the power level code embedded to a signal input terminal of the power amplifier.

12. A subsystem in accordance with claim 10, wherein the gain control signals provide an amplification factor according to the embedded power level code to the amplifier.

13. A packet-based downlink level control subsystem for a wireless communication system, such subsystem comprising:

an incoming data packet;

a destination user identity code embedded within the data packet, wherein the destination user identity code identifies a receiving station;

a database containing power level information, wherein the database is interrogated using the destination user identity code to determine a power level for the receiving station;

a power level code embedded within the data packet, wherein the power level code identifies the power level for the receiving station;

a power control mechanism, wherein the power control mechanism provides a gain control signal corresponding to the power level code; and

a power amplifier;

wherein the power amplifier receives the gain control signal and adjusts the amount of amplification for the data packet.

14. A subsystem in accordance with claim 13, further including a packet buffer that receives and buffers the incoming data packet, wherein the packet buffer includes circuitry that embeds the power level code into said data packet.

15. A subsystem in accordance with claim 13, wherein the database stores a listing of power level codes for various destination user identities.