JP2009512357A - Method and apparatus for determining, communicating and using information including load factors for interference control - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and apparatus for determining, communicating and using information including load factors related to interference control United States Patent Application 20070290473 Kind Code: A1 A wireless terminal is capable of transmitting broadcast reference signals transmitted from a plurality of base station attachment points, eg, beacons and / or Receive and measure the pilot signal. The wireless terminal monitors and restores the presence / absence of broadcast load factor information corresponding to the attachment point. The wireless terminal generates an interference report and transmits it to a current attachment point, the report being a result of a measured received reference signal from the current attachment point, each of one or more different attachment points. Based on the measured received reference signal results from and the uplink load factor information results. If there is no successfully recovered broadcast uplink load factor corresponding to the attachment point, the wireless terminal uses a default value for the load factor. The generated interference reports are based on beacon signal measurements and uplink load factors, pilot signal measurements and uplink load factors, or a combination of beacon and pilot signal measurements and uplink load factors.
[Selection] Figure 22

Description

35U. S. C. §119 priority claim This patent application is “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING, COMMUNUNICATING AND USING INFORMATION WHICH CAN BE USED FOR INTERFERENCE CONTROL PURPOSES”. And a continuation-in-part application of US patent application 11 / 251,069 (filing date: October 14, 2005), N. No. 11 / 302,729 (filing date: December 14, 2005), which is a continuation-in-part of US Provisional Patent Application N. 60 / 792,128 (filing date: April 14, 2006), which claims the benefit of the filing date, each of these patent applications is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. Is incorporated into.

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for collecting, measuring, reporting and / or using information that can be used for interference control purposes in a wireless communication system.

In a wireless multiple-access communication system, wireless terminals compete for system resources to communicate with a common receiver over an uplink channel. An example of this situation is an uplink channel in a cellular radio system where a radio terminal transmits to a base station receiver. When a wireless terminal transmits on the uplink channel, it typically causes interference to the entire system, eg, a neighboring base station receiver. Since wireless terminals are distributed, controlling the interference generated by their transmission is a challenge.
Many cellular radio systems employ a simple uplink interference control strategy. For example, a CDMA voice system (e.g., IS-95) power controls these wireless terminals in such a way that the signals of the wireless terminals are received at the base station receiver at approximately the same power. State-of-the-art CDMA systems such as 1xRTT and 1xEV-DO allow for wireless terminals transmitting at different rates and received at different power at the base station. However, interference is controlled in a distributed manner that lowers the overall interference level without accurately controlling the wireless terminal that is the worst source of interference in the system.

  Such existing interference control techniques limit the uplink capacity of the wireless system.

  Used in determining the amount of signal interference created in neighboring cells and / or sectors when transmission occurs and / or in determining the amount of interference that a wireless terminal may encounter due to signal interference It would be useful if the information that can be provided to the base station. It is particularly desirable that information that can be used for interference determination purposes can be supplied to the base station by one or more wireless terminals.

  Load affects interference considerations in a wireless communication system. It would be beneficial if the wireless terminal and / or base station communicated the information. Furthermore, it is beneficial if the load information is used when the radio terminal and / or base station determines the interference level.

  Various received different types of downlink broadcast reference signals can be used at different times for the wireless terminal communicating the interference information to the base station. It would be beneficial if the methods and apparatus support utilizing different types of broadcast reference signals in determining interference information and / or in adapting reporting calculations to address a current set of conditions. .

Summary of the Invention

  Various embodiments are directed to methods and apparatus for collecting, measuring, reporting and / or using information that can be used for interference control purposes.

  According to various embodiments, a wireless terminal, eg, a mobile node, measures a reference signal transmitted from one or more base stations, eg, base station sector attachment point transmitters. The measured reference signal may be a beacon signal and / or a pilot signal, for example. The beacon signal can be a narrowband signal, such as a single tone. The beacon signal may have a duration consisting of one, two or more signal transmission periods, for example OFDM signal transmission periods. However, other types of beacon signals can be used, and the specific type of beacon signal is not critical to the present invention. From the measured reference signal, the wireless terminal, in some embodiments, generates one or more gain ratios that provide information regarding the relative gains of communication channels from different base stations to the terminal. In some embodiments, uplink base station attachment point loading factor information corresponding to one or more different base station attachment points is also used in generating the interference information.

  Based on the measurement of the signal energy, a relative gain generated from the energy measurement and an uplink load factor information report are generated and transmitted to one or more base stations, for example, a beacon ratio report is generated and a dedicated control channel Is transmitted to the current communication connection base station attachment point. The reports, e.g., uplink interference reports such as beacon ratio reports, can be in a number of different formats, changing the current serving base station attachment point to a single additional base station attachment point or a plurality of additional base stations. Information associated with attachment points can be provided. The current serving base station sector attachment point requests the wireless terminal to transmit an interference report that provides interference information related to a particular different base station sector attachment point, e.g., an adjacent cell and / or sector base station sector attachment point. Can do. This request is made in some embodiments by a current serving base station sector attachment point that transmits a specific interference report request to the wireless terminal. The request typically identifies directly or indirectly the interfering BS sector attachment point for which the specific report is sought. The wireless terminal responds to the request by sending the requested report.

  In addition to responding to specific interference report requests, the wireless terminal, in some embodiments, transmits interference reports generated according to a reporting schedule. In such embodiments, base station sector attachment points with active connections with wireless terminals can be predictable, eg, as part of a repetitive dedicated control channel reporting schedule, based on a predictable, eg, predetermined, scheduled interference report. Receive.

  Depending on the embodiment, the generation of the gain ratio and / or report may be different factors indicating relative transmit power levels for signals that can be used and / or measured by different base station sector attachment points. Can be a function. This method allows signals transmitted at different power levels, such as pilots and beacons, in generating a reliable relative channel gain estimate by taking into account the different relative transmit power levels of the various signals being measured. Signal can be measured and used.

  As described above, the wireless terminal receives and measures broadcast reference signals, eg, beacons and / or pilot signals, transmitted from multiple base station attachment points. The wireless terminal monitors and restores the broadcast load factor information corresponding to the base station attachment point. In some embodiments, uplink load factor information corresponding to a base station attachment point is communicated in a downlink broadcast report that carries one of at least four different load levels. In one such embodiment, the uplink load factor corresponding to a base station attachment point is communicated in a 3-bit report communicating one of eight load levels. In some embodiments, an uplink load factor report corresponding to a specific base station attachment point is communicated via a downlink broadcast from the same specific base station attachment point to which the uplink load factor report corresponds. . In some embodiments, a base station sector attachment point, eg, a current serving connection base station sector attachment point, broadcasts uplink load factor information corresponding to a plurality of local base station sector attachment points. In such an embodiment, a wireless terminal synchronized with respect to its current serving base station attachment point may even if the timing is not synchronized with respect to other local base station sector attachment points to which the wireless terminal is intended and / or Or these additional base station attachment points even if the broadcast control signal that communicates the uplink load factor information transmitted from these additional base station attachment points is too weak from the perspective of the wireless terminal and cannot be restored otherwise Uplink load factor information corresponding to can be restored and used.

  The wireless terminal generates and transmits an interference report to a current base station attachment point, the report being a result of a measured received reference signal from the current base station attachment point, one or more different Based on the measured received reference signal results from each of the base station attachment points and the uplink load factor information results. If there is no successfully restored broadcast uplink load factor corresponding to the base station attachment point used in the interference report, the wireless terminal sets a default value for the load factor corresponding to the base station attachment point. Use.

  The generated interference reports in various embodiments are based on beacon signal measurements and uplink load factors, pilot signal measurements and uplink load factors, or a combination of beacon and pilot signal measurements and uplink load factors. A transmission gain factor that relates one reference signal to another reference signal is used in some embodiments by the wireless terminal in generating an interference report. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, beacon signals are transmitted at the same power level throughout the system, pilot signals are transmitted at different levels in the system, and the pilot signal from a particular attachment point is pre- Sent at one of the determined power tier levels. The wireless terminal uses a transmission gain adjustment factor when necessary when comparing received reference signals that are sourced from different types and / or different attachment points. Further, the wireless terminal uses the received and / or default base station attachment point uplink load factor when scaling the received reference signal power level and generating an interference report.

  Other types of interference reports, e.g. specific interference reports, sometimes referred to as special interference reports, relate the current serving base station attachment point to a single additional base station attachment point, and in various embodiments said report A multi-level uplink load factor is used when generating. In some such embodiments, the single additional base station attachment point is selected by the current serving base station attachment point. Other types of interference reports, eg, general interference reports, relate current communication base station attachment points to one or more additional base station attachment points, and use one of the sum function and the maximum function. Generated, and in some embodiments, generated using multi-level uplink load factor information.

  While various embodiments have been described in the summary of the invention above, not all embodiments include the same features and some of the features described above are not required, although It should be understood that it is desirable in form. Numerous additional features, embodiments and benefits of the present invention are described in the following detailed description.

  Next, methods and apparatus for collecting, reporting and using information that can be used for interference control purposes according to various embodiments are described. The method and apparatus of the present invention is well suited for use with wireless multiple access, eg, multi-user, communication systems. The system can be implemented as an OFDM system, a CDMA system or other type of wireless system where signal interference due to transmissions from one or more transmitters, eg, adjacent base stations, is a concern.

  In the following, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to the cellular wireless data communication system 100 of the present invention shown in FIG. While a typical cellular radio system is used for the purpose of describing the present invention, the present invention is broader in scope than the examples and is generally generic to many other radio communication systems as well. Applicable.

  In a wireless data communication system, air link resources typically include bandwidth, time or code. Airlink resources that carry user data and / or voice traffic are called traffic channels. Data is communicated in traffic channel segments (traffic segments for short) through traffic channels. A traffic segment can serve as a basic or minimal unit of available traffic channel resources. The downlink traffic segment transfers data traffic from the base station to the wireless terminal, and the uplink traffic segment transfers data traffic from the wireless terminal to the base station. One exemplary system in which the present invention can be used is a spread spectrum OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) multiple access system in which a traffic segment includes a defined number of frequency tones in a finite time interval.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system 100 implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary wireless communication system 100 includes a plurality of base stations (BSs): base station 1 102, base station M 114. Cell 1 104 is the radio coverage area for base station 1 102. BS1 102 communicates with a plurality of wireless terminals (WTs), ie, WT (1) 106, WT (N) 108 located in cell 1 104. WT (1) 106 and WT (N) 108 are coupled to BS1 102 via wireless links 110 and 112, respectively. Similarly, cell M 116 is a radio coverage area for base station M 114. BS M 114 communicates with a plurality of wireless terminals (WTs), namely WT (1 ') 118, WT (N') 120 located in cell M 116. WT (1 ') 118 and WT (N') 120 are coupled to BS M 114 via wireless links 122 and 124, respectively. The WT (106, 108, 118, 120) may be a mobile and / or stationary wireless communication device. Mobile WTs, sometimes referred to as mobile nodes (MNs), can move throughout the system 100 and can communicate with base stations corresponding to the cell in which these mobile WTs are located. Region 134 is a boundary region between cell 1 104 and cell M 116. In the system of FIG. 1, the cells are shown as single sector cells. Multi-sector cells are also possible and supported. Base station sector transmitters may be identified based on base station identifiers and / or transmission information communicating sector identifiers, eg, beacon signals.

  Network node 126 is coupled to BS1 102 and BSM 114 via network links 128, 130, respectively. Network node 126 is also coupled to other network nodes / Internet via network link 132. The network links 128, 130, 132 can be, for example, optical fiber links. A network node 126, eg, a router node, is a WT, eg, WT (1) 106, for other nodes, eg, other base stations, AAA server nodes, located outside the cell where it is currently located, eg, cell 104. Provide connectivity to home agent nodes, communication peers, eg, WT (N ′) 120.

  FIG. 2 shows an exemplary base station 200 implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary BS 200 may be a more detailed representation of any of BS, BS1 102, BS M 114 of FIG. The BS 200 includes a receiver 202, a transmitter 204, a processor, such as a CPU 206, an I / O interface 208, an I / O interface, which are coupled together via a bus 214 through which various elements can exchange data and information. / O device 210 and memory 212. Base station 200 further includes a receiver antenna 216 coupled to receiver 202 and a transmitter antenna 218 coupled to transmitter 204. Transmitter antenna 218 is used to transmit information, eg, downlink traffic channel signals, beacon signals, pilot signals, assignment signals, interference report request messages, interference control indicator signals, etc. from BS 200 to WT 300 (see FIG. 3). The receiver antenna 216 is used to receive information, eg, uplink traffic channel signals, WT resource requests, WT interference reports, etc., from the WT 300.

  The memory 212 includes routines 220 and data / information 224. The processor 206 executes routines 220 stored in the memory 212 and uses data / information 224 to control the overall operation of the base station 200 and to implement the method. The I / O device 210, such as a display, printer, keyboard, etc., displays system information to the base station administrator and receives control and / or management input from the administrator. The I / O interface 208 couples the base station 200 to a computer network, other network nodes, other base stations 200, and / or the Internet. Thus, via the I / O interface 208, the base station 200 can exchange customer information and other data and synchronize signal transmission to the WT 300 if desired. In addition, the I / O interface 208 provides a high-speed Internet connection that allows WT 300 users to receive and / or transmit information via the base station 300 over the Internet. The receiver 202 processes a signal received via the receiver antenna 216 and extracts information content included in the received signal. The extracted information, such as data and channel interference report information, is communicated to the processor 206 via the bus 214 and stored in the memory 212. Transmitter 204 transmits information such as data, beacon signals, pilot signals, assignment signals, interference report request messages, interference control indicator signals to WT 300 via antenna 218.

  As described above, the processor 206 controls the operation of the base station 200 under the direction of the routine 220 stored in the memory 212. The routine 220 includes a communication routine 226 and a base station control routine 228. Base station control routine 228 includes a scheduler 230, a downlink broadcast signaling module 232, a WT report processing module 234, a report request module 236, and an interference indicator module 238. Report request module 236 may generate a specific interference report request for the specific BS sector identified in the report request. The generated report request is transmitted to one or more wireless terminals when the BS seeks interference information at a time other than a time determined by a predetermined or fixed report schedule. Data / information 224 includes downlink broadcast reference signal information 240, wireless terminal data / information 241, uplink traffic channel information 246, interference report request information message 248, and interference control indicator signal 250.

  Downlink broadcast reference signal information 240 includes beacon signal information 252, pilot signal information 254, and assigned signal information 256. A beacon signal is a relatively high power OFDM broadcast signal in which the transmitter power is concentrated on one or several tones for a short time, eg, 2 symbol times. Beacon signal information 252 includes identification information 258 and power level information 260. The beacon identification information 258 is used to identify a beacon signal and associate it with a specific BS 200, eg, a specific tone or set of tones that have a beacon signal at a specific time in a repetitive downlink transmission interval or cycle. Information can be included. Beacon power level information 260 includes information defining the power level at which the beacon signal is transmitted. The pilot signal is typically used to identify the base station, synchronize with the base station, and obtain a channel estimate at a moderate high power level, e.g. above the normal signaling level, to the WT. It can include broadcast known signals. Pilot signal information 254 includes identification information 262 and power level information 264. Pilot identification information 262 includes information used to identify a pilot signal and associate it with a particular base station 200. Pilot power level information 264 includes information defining the power level at which pilot signals are transmitted. Various signals that provide information regarding signal transmission power levels, eg, pilot and beacon signal transmission pilot levels, can be broadcast for use by wireless terminals in determining gain ratios and / or interference reports. Allocation signals include broadcast uplink and downlink traffic channel segment allocation signals that are typically transmitted at a power level higher than the normal signaling level to reach a WT with bad channel quality conditions in the cell . Allocation signaling information 256 includes identification information 266 and power level information 268. Allocation signaling identification information 266 includes information associating a specific tone at a specific time in a downlink timing cycle with an allocation for a specific BS 200. Allocation power level information 268 includes information defining the power level at which the allocation signal is transmitted.

  The wireless terminal data / information 241 includes a plurality of sets of WT data / information, WT1 information 242, and WTN information 244. The WT1 information 242 includes data 270, terminal identification information 272, interference cost report information 274, requested uplink traffic segment 276, and allocated uplink traffic segment 278. Data 270 was received from user data associated with WT 1, eg, WT 1 intended to communicate directly or indirectly by BS 200 to a peer node of WT 1, eg, WT N in which WT 1 is participating in a communication session. Data and information. Data 270 also includes received data and information originating from a peer node of WT1, eg, WTN. Terminal identification information 272 associates WT1 with the BS and includes an assigned identifier of the BS used by the BS to identify WT1. Interference cost report information 274 includes information identifying the interference cost of WT 1 being transferred in the feedback report from WT 1 to BS 200 and transmitting uplink signaling to the communication system. Requested uplink traffic segment 276 includes a request from WT 1 regarding uplink traffic segments allocated by BS scheduler 230, eg, number, type, and / or time constraint information. Assigned uplink traffic segment 278 includes information identifying the uplink traffic segment assigned to WT 1 by scheduler 230.

  Uplink traffic channel information 246 includes a plurality of uplink traffic channel segment information sets including information regarding segments that can be allocated by BS scheduler 230 to a WT requesting uplink air link resources. Uplink traffic channel information 246 includes channel segment 1 information 280 and channel segment N information 282. Channel segment 1 information 280 includes type information 284, power level information 286, definition information 288, and allocation information 290. The type information 284 includes information defining the characteristics of segment 1, such as the frequency and time extent of the segment. For example, the BS may support multiple types of uplink segments, eg, segments with large bandwidth but short duration and segments with small bandwidth but long duration. The power level information 286 includes information defining a specified power level when the WT transmits when using uplink segment 1. The definition information 288 includes information defining specific frequencies or tones and specific times constituting the uplink traffic channel segment 1. Allocation information 290 includes allocation information associated with uplink traffic segment 1, eg, the identifier of the WT to which uplink traffic channel segment 1 is allocated, the coding and / or modulation scheme used in uplink traffic channel segment 1. Including.

  The interference report request information message 248 used in some embodiments is a message sent as a broadcast message or as a message directed to a specific WT. BS 200 can transmit to WTs 300 on a common control channel and direct these WTs to determine and report interference information for specific base station transmitters, eg, base station sector transmitters in the communication system. . Interference report request information message 248 typically includes base station transmitter identification information 292 that identifies the particular base station sector currently designated for the interference report. As described above, some base stations are implemented as single sector base stations. Over time, the base station 200 can change the base station identification information 292 to correspond to each of the neighboring transmitters, thereby obtaining interference information regarding multiple neighboring transmitters.

  In some embodiments, the interference control indicator signal 250 used, for example when at least some of the uplink traffic segments are not explicitly assigned by the base station, can be used by any WT for the uplink traffic segments. This signal is broadcast to the WT 300 by the BS 200 in order to control the above in terms of interference. For example, a multi-level variable can be used when each level indicates how strictly BS 200 wants to control interference. The WT 300 receiving this signal can use this signal in combination with its own measured interference to determine if the WT 300 is authorized to use the uplink traffic segment it is controlling.

  The communication routine 226 implements various communication protocols used by the BS 200 and controls the entire transmission of user data. Base station control routine 228 controls the operation of I / O device 210, I / O interface 208, receiver 202, transmitter 204, and further controls the operation of BS 200 for implementing the method of the present invention. The scheduler 230 assigns the uplink traffic segments to these WTs 300 based on a number of restrictions: the power requirements of the uplink traffic segments under its control, the transmission power capacity of the WT 300, and the interference cost to the system. Assign to. Thus, the scheduler 230 can use information from interference reports received during scheduling of downlink transmissions, and often uses it in practice. Downlink broadcast signaling module 232 uses data / information 224 including downlink broadcast reference signal information 240 to determine a broadcast signal that can be used by WT 300 in determining downlink channel quality and uplink interference level, eg, Generate and transmit beacons, pilot signals, assignment signals, and / or other common control signals transmitted at known power levels. The WT interference report processing module 234 uses the data / information 224 including the interference cost report information 274 obtained from the WT 300 to process the uplink interference information, forward it to the correlation and scheduler 230. A report request module 236 used in some embodiments generates a series of interference report request messages 248 for requesting a series of uplink interference reports, each report corresponding to one of the neighboring base stations. To do. An interference indicator module 238 used in some embodiments generates a (multilevel) interference control indicator signal 250 that is transmitted to the WT 300 to control access to several uplink traffic channel segments.

  FIG. 3 shows an exemplary wireless terminal 300 implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary wireless terminal 300 may be a more detailed representation of any of WTs 106, 108, 118, 120 of exemplary system wireless communication system 100 of FIG. The WT 300 includes a receiver 302, a transmitter 304, an I / O device 310, and a processor 306, such as a CPU, that are coupled together via a bus 314 where various elements can exchange data and information. , And a memory 312. Receiver 302 is coupled to antenna 316 and transmitter 304 is coupled to antenna 318.

  The downlink signal transmitted from BS 200 is received through antenna 316 and processed by receiver 302. The transmitter 304 transmits an uplink signal to the BS 200 through the antenna 318. Uplink signals include, for example, uplink traffic channel signals and interference cost reports. The I / O device 310 includes user interface devices such as microphones, speakers, video cameras, video displays, keyboards, printers, data terminal displays, and the like. The I / O device 310 allows the operator of the WT 300 to obtain user data, voice, and / or video directed to, for example, a peer node and user data, voice, And / or can be used to interface with the operator to allow viewing of images.

  Memory 312 includes routines 320 and data / information 322. The processor 306 executes routines 320 in the memory 312 and uses data / information 322 to control basic operations of the base station 300 and to implement the method. Routine 320 includes a communication routine 324 and a WT control routine 326. The WT control routine 326 includes a reference signal processing module 332, an interference cost module 334, a report format selection module 329, and a scheduling determination module 330. The reference signal processing module 332 includes an identification module 336, a received power measurement module 338, and a channel gain ratio calculation module 340. The interference cost module 334 includes a filtering module 342, a determination module 344, and a report generation module 346. Report generation module 346 includes a quantization module 348.

  Data / information 322 includes downlink broadcast reference signal information 349, wireless terminal data / information 352, uplink traffic channel information 354, received interference report request information message 356, and received interference control indicator signal 358. And a received broadcast reference signal 353.

  The downlink broadcast reference signal information 349 includes a plurality of downlink broadcast reference signal information sets, a base station 1 downlink broadcast reference signal information 350, and a base station M downlink broadcast reference signal information 351. BS1 downlink broadcast reference signal information includes beacon signal information 360, pilot signal information 362, and allocation signaling information 364. Beacon signal information 360 includes identification information 366, eg, BS identifier and sector identifier information, and power level information 368. Pilot signal information 362 includes identification information 370 and power level information 372. Allocation signaling information 364 includes identification information 374 and power level information 376.

  Wireless terminal data / information 352 includes data 382, terminal identification information 384, interference cost report information 386, requested uplink traffic segment 388, and allocated uplink traffic segment 390.

  Uplink traffic channel information 354 includes a plurality of uplink traffic channel information sets, channel 1 information 391, and channel N information 392. Channel 1 information 391 includes type information 393, power level information 394, definition information 395, and allocation information 396. The scheduling module 330 controls, for example, scheduling of transmission interference reports according to a predetermined schedule, requested interference reports of the BS in response to received report requests, and user data.

  Received interference report request information message 356 includes base station identifier 397.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary system 400 implemented according to various embodiments and used to illustrate various features of the present invention. System 400 includes first, second and third cells 404, 406, 408 that are neighboring cells. First cell 404 includes a first base station including a first base station sector transmitter (BSS ₀ ) 410 and a wireless terminal 420 connected to BSS ₀ 410. The second cell 406 includes a second base station that includes a second base station sector transmitter (BSS ₁ ) 412. Third cell 408 includes a third base station that includes a third base station sector transmitter (BSS ₂ ) 414. As can be seen, the signal transmitted between BSS ₀ and WT 420 is subject to channel gain g ₀ . Signals transmitted between BSS ₁ and WT 420 are subject to channel gain g ₁ . Signals transmitted between BSS ₂ and WT 420 are subject to channel gain g ₂ .

WT420 is assumed to be connected to the _BSS 0 410 using _BSS 0 410 as an attachment point. Gain ratio G _i = the ratio of the channel gain from BSS _i to WT 420 and the channel gain from BSS ₀ to WT 420. That is, it is as follows.

G _i = g _i / g ₀
Assuming that the beacon signal is transmitted from the first, second and third BSS at the same power level, the received power (PB) of the beacon signal received from the base stations BSS ₀ , BSS ₁ , BSS ₂ is The gain ratio can be determined as follows.

G ₀ = g ₀ / g ₀ = 1 = PB ₀ / PB ₀
G ₁ = g ₁ / g ₀ = PB ₁ / PB ₀
G ₂ = g ₂ / g ₀ PB ₂ / PB ₀
The following description focuses on the operation of the uplink traffic channel according to various embodiments. In a typical system, the traffic segments that make up the uplink traffic channel are of different frequencies and to accommodate a wide class of wireless terminals operating with different device constraints on different sets of radio channels. Can be defined over a range of time. FIG. 6 is a graph 100A in which the vertical axis 102A is frequency and the horizontal axis 104A is time. FIG. 6 shows two types of traffic segments in the uplink traffic channel. The traffic segment represented by A 106A occupies twice the frequency range of the traffic segment represented by B 108A. Traffic segments in the uplink traffic channel can be dynamically shared between wireless terminals in communication with the base station. A scheduling module that is part of the base station can quickly assign traffic channel segments to different users according to traffic needs, device constraints and channel conditions that may typically vary over time. Thus, the uplink traffic channel is effectively shared and dynamically allocated segment by segment between different users. The dynamic allocation of traffic segments is shown in FIG. 6, where segment A is assigned to user # 1 by the base station scheduler and segment B is assigned to user # 2.

  In a typical system, traffic channel segment assignment information is transferred over an assignment channel that includes a series of assignment segments. Each traffic segment is associated with a corresponding unique assignment segment that carries assignment information that may also include the identifier of the wireless terminal and the coding and modulation scheme used within the traffic segment. FIG. 7 is a graph 200A in which the vertical axis 202A is frequency and the horizontal axis 204A is time. FIG. 7 shows two allocation segments A'206A and B'208A that carry allocation information for each of uplink traffic segments A 210A and B 212A. An assigned channel is a shared channel resource. The wireless terminal receives the allocation information carried on the allocation channel and transmits on the uplink traffic channel segment according to the allocation information.

  Base station scheduler 230 assigns traffic segments based on several considerations. One limitation is that the transmission power requirement for the traffic channel does not exceed the transmission power capability of the wireless terminal. Thus, a wireless terminal operating on a weaker uplink channel can allocate traffic segments that occupy a narrower frequency range in a typical system so that instantaneous power requirements do not impose severe constraints. Similarly, wireless terminals that generate a greater amount of interference can also be assigned traffic segments that include a smaller frequency range to reduce the effects of the generated instantaneous interference. Overall interference is controlled by scheduling wireless terminal transmissions based on the interference cost for the system defined below.

  The wireless terminal determines an interference cost for the system from the received downlink broadcast signal. In one embodiment, the wireless terminal reports the respective interference cost to the base station in the form of an interference report, and the base station makes an uplink scheduling decision to control uplink interference. In other embodiments, the base station broadcasts an interference control indicator and the wireless terminal compares each interference cost with the received indicator to determine each uplink transmission resource in an appropriate manner. For example, a mobile having an uplink transmission cost that is lower than the level indicated by the control indicator can transmit, and a mobile having an interference cost that exceeds the level indicated by the control indicator will refrain from transmitting.

  Next, typical interference costs that can be considered are described.

Consider a wireless terminal labeled m ₀ . Assume the wireless terminal is connected to the base station B _0. This wireless terminal and base station B _k , k = 0, 1,. . . , N−1, and G _{0, k} , where N is the total number of base stations in the system.

In a typical system, the amount of power transmitted by the wireless terminal m ₀ in the uplink traffic segment is usually the radio channel state, frequency range, and code in the traffic segment from the wireless terminal m ₀ to the base station B ₀ . It is a function of rate selection. The selection of the segment frequency range and code rate determines the transmit power used by the mobile, which is the amount that directly causes interference. SNR for the base station receiver is required to decode the traffic segment, requires a received power P _R per tone (code rate selection and the mobile terminal is a function of channel conditions during operation) traffic segments Assume that. This received power is related to the transmission power P _T per tone of the wireless terminal as follows.

P _R = P _T G _0,0
The per-tone interference produced by this wireless terminal at neighboring base station k can be calculated as follows:

Represented by From this equation, the interference generated by the wireless terminal m _{0 at} the base station B _k is proportional to the ratio of the transmission power and the channel gain to the base station k and its own base station. Therefore, r _{0, k} is called the interference cost of the radio terminal m ₀ for the base station B _k .

Generalizing this concept, the total interference per tone generated by the wireless terminal for all neighboring base stations is:

Therefore, {r _0,1,. . . , R _{0, N} } is the interference cost of radio terminal m ₀ for the entire system.

The overall instantaneous interference for base station B _k generated by mobile m ₀ is actually given by n _tones r _{0, k} , where n _tones is the frequency range of the traffic segment.

  Next, methods for determining interference costs in some embodiments are described. In one exemplary embodiment, each base station 102, 114 in exemplary system 100 broadcasts a periodic reference signal that can be detected and decoded by a wireless terminal at high power. The reference signal includes a beacon, pilot, or other common control signal. The reference signal may have a unique pattern that serves to identify the cell and sector of the base station.

  In a typical OFDM system 100, a beacon or pilot signal can be used as a reference signal. A beacon signal is a special OFDM symbol where most of the transmission power is concentrated on a small number of tones. The frequency position of these high power tones indicates the base station identifier. The pilot signal may also have a special hopping pattern that uniquely specifies the identifier of the base station 102. Thus, base station sectors can be identified from beacons and / or pilot signals in typical systems.

  In a CDMA system, a pilot signal can be used as a reference signal. In an IS-95 system, for example, a pilot is a known spreading sequence having a specific time offset as the base station identifier.

  While the exemplary system 100 described above uses a beacon or pilot signal to provide a reference signal for path loss estimation, the present invention can use other techniques to provide a reference signal. It can be applied in various systems.

  The reference signal is transmitted with a known power. Different reference signals can be transmitted with different powers. Different base stations 102, 114 may use different power levels for the same type of reference signal as long as the power is known to the mobile terminal.

The wireless terminal 106 first receives a reference signal to obtain the identifier of the base station 102. Next, the wireless terminal 106 measures the received power of the reference signal and calculates the channel gain from the base station 102 to the wireless terminal 106. Note that at a given location, the wireless terminal can receive reference signals from multiple base stations 102,114. On the other hand, the wireless terminal may not be able to receive reference signals from all base stations in the entire system. In a typical system, the wireless terminal m ₀ monitors G _0,0 for the connected base station B ₀ and G _{0, k} for the base station B _k if it can receive the corresponding reference signal. Thus, the wireless terminal m ₀ maintains an array of interference costs {r _{0, k} } for the set of base stations when it can receive the reference signal.

Note that the wireless terminal 106 can derive the interference cost by combining the estimates from multiple reference signals. For example, in the exemplary OFDM system 100, the wireless terminal 106 can use both beacons and pilots to arrive at an estimate of {r _{0, k} }.

The information on the interference cost {r _{0, k} } is used to control uplink interference and increase the capacity of the entire system. The uplink traffic channel can be used in two modes, and the use of interference costs in both modes is described below.

While the wireless terminals 106, 108 measure channel gain information from the downlink reference signal, it should be emphasized that interference is a measure of the cost that the interference will have in terms of the impact on the uplink. . The downlink and uplink channel gains between the wireless terminal 106 and the base station 102 may not always be the same. In order to eliminate the effects of short-term fluctuations, the estimation of the channel gain from the downlink reference signal is averaged (eg, using some form of low pass filtering) to determine the interference cost {r _0. An estimate of _k } is available, and in some embodiments is obtained.

Next, the use of the determined interference cost in the scheduled mode of operation is described. In one particular exemplary mode of operation, each of the uplink traffic segments is explicitly assigned by the base station to ensure that one uplink traffic segment is only used by at most one wireless terminal. In a typical OFDM system, the traffic segments are orthogonal to each other, so usually there is no intra-cell interference in the uplink traffic segment in this mode,
In accordance with the present invention, to facilitate scheduling at the base station 102, each wireless terminal 106, 108 transmits a series of interference reports to the base station 102 to which the wireless terminal is connected. These reports indicate the calculated interference cost {r _{0, k} } in some embodiments. In the extreme case, the report is a control message that includes the entire array of interference costs {r _{0, k} }. However, to reduce signaling overhead, in one embodiment, only a quantized version of the array {r _{0, k} } is transmitted. There are several {r _{0, k} } quantization methods as follows.

Report r _{0, total} which is the sum of all {r _{0, k} } Report the maximum value of {r _{0, k} } and the index k associated with the maximum value {r _{0, k} } Report one by one and the associated index k periodically. Report r _{0, k} using a fractional level. For example, two levels to indicate whether r _{0, k} is strong or weak The base station schedules, eg assigns, traffic segments as a function of interference information after receiving one or more reports. One scheduling policy is to limit the total interference generated by all scheduled wireless terminals to a predetermined threshold. Other scheduling policies categorize the wireless terminals into groups according to their reported {r _{0, k} }, and are therefore preferably smaller to reduce the effects of generated instantaneous interference. The traffic segment including the frequency range is assigned to a group having a large interference cost.

  Consider an embodiment in which each base station 102 is aware of its own set of neighboring base stations, ie, a set of base stations 114 determined to be neighboring base stations from the point of view of interference. In the basic embodiment, the base station 102 attempts to control the total interference to neighboring base stations. The basic embodiment is that, for example, all scheduled radio terminals may be approaching a particular one of the neighboring base stations (cell X), so almost all interference will be in that cell X. It can be a rough embodiment in the sense that it may be directed. In this case, cell X experiences severe interference at this moment. At other moments, the interference may be concentrated at different neighboring base stations, in which case cell X experiences little interference. Thus, in the above embodiment relating to the control of total interference, the interference for a particular neighboring base station can have a large variation. In order to avoid destabilization of inter-cell interference, the base station 102 must have sufficient margin to compensate for large variations with respect to the total interference generated.

In enhanced embodiments, the base station 102 broadcasts a message directing the wireless terminal 106, 108 to determine and report the interference cost for a particular base station B _k by a common control channel. Therefore, the wireless terminals m _j , j = 0, 1, 2,. . . Sends a report of r _{j, k} . Over time, base station 102 repeats this process for each base station in its neighboring set to determine the set of wireless terminals 106, 108 that interfere with each base station. When this classification is complete, the base station 102 simultaneously assigns uplink traffic segments to a subset of wireless terminals 106, 108 that interfere with different base stations, thereby reducing interference variations targeted to a particular base station. Can be reduced. Advantageously, since this interference has less variation, the base station 102 allows a larger total interference to be generated without significantly affecting system stability, thereby increasing system capacity. Can be made. Wireless terminals 106, 108 within the cell 104 cause negligible levels of interference to neighboring base stations 114 and can therefore be scheduled at any time.

  Next, the use of interference costs in unscheduled operating modes used in some but not necessarily all embodiments is described.

  In this unscheduled mode, each uplink traffic segment is not explicitly assigned by the base station 102. As a result, one uplink traffic segment may be used by multiple wireless terminals 106, 108. In CDMA systems, uplink traffic segments are not orthogonal to each other, so there is typically intra-cell interference in the uplink traffic segment in this mode.

  In this mode, each wireless terminal 106, 108 makes its own scheduling decision as to whether to use the uplink traffic segment and at what data rate and power, if used. In order to assist in reducing excessive interference and maintaining system stability, according to various embodiments, the base station broadcasts an interference control indicator. Each wireless terminal 106, 108 determines its scheduling decision by comparing the reference level with the interference cost.

  In one embodiment, the interference control indicator can be a multi-level variable, each level indicating how tightly the base station 102 wants to control the total interference. For example, when the lowest level is broadcast, each of the wireless terminals 106, 108 is allowed to use each of the traffic channel segments at their respective rates. When the highest level is broadcast, only wireless terminals 106, 108 with very low interference costs can use traffic channel segments. When the intermediate level is broadcast, wireless terminals 106, 108 with low interference costs can use all traffic channel segments, preferably traffic segments that include a larger frequency range, and wireless terminals with high interference costs. 106, 108 can use only a traffic segment consisting of a smaller frequency range at a lower data rate. The base station 102 can control the amount of interference generated by the wireless terminals 106 and 108 of the cell 104 for other base stations by dynamically changing the broadcast interference control level.

  FIG. 5 comprising the combination of FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C is a flowchart 1000 of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal, eg, a mobile node, according to various embodiments. Operation starts in step 1002, where the wireless terminal is powered on and initialized. Operation proceeds from step 1002 to step 1008 via step 1004, step 1006, and connection node B 1005.

In step 1004, the wireless terminal is operated and beacons and pilot signals are received from the current base station sector connection. Operation proceeds from step 1004 to 1010. In step 1010, the wireless terminal measures the power of the received beacon signal (PB ₀ ) and the received pilot channel signal (PP ₀ ) for the current base station sector connection. Operation proceeds from step 1010 to step 1012. In step 1012, the wireless terminal derives currently connected base station sector transmitter information, eg, BSS_slope and NSS_sectortype, from the received beacon signal. Step 1012 includes sub-step 1013. In sub-step 1013, the wireless terminal determines a power transmission tier level associated with a currently connected base station sector and a tone block in use.

In step 1006, the wireless terminal receives a beacon signal from one or more interfering base station sectors 1006. Operation proceeds from step 1006 to step 1014. Subsequent operations 1014, 1016, 1018 are performed for each interfering base station sector, eg, interfering base station sector _i (BSS _i ).

In step 1014, the wireless terminal measures the power of the received beacon signal (PB _i ) for the interfering base station sector. Operation proceeds from step 104 to step 1016. In step 1016, the wireless terminal derives interference base station sector transmitter information, eg, BSS_slope and BSS_sectortype, from the received beacon signal. Step 1016 includes sub-step 1017. In sub-step 1017, the wireless terminal determines the power transmission stage level associated with the interfering base station sector and the tone block in use.

  Operation proceeds from step 1012 and step 1016 to step 1018. In step 1018, the wireless terminal calculates the channel gain ratio using the method of sub-step 1020 or the method of sub-step 1022.

In sub-step 1020, the wireless terminal computes a channel gain ratio G _i by using the beacon signal information. Sub-step 1020 includes sub-step 1024, in which the wireless terminal calculates G _i = PB _i / PB ₀ .

In sub-step 1022, the wireless terminal computes a channel gain ratio G _i by using the beacon signal information and pilot signal information. Sub-step 1022 includes sub-step 1026, in which the wireless terminal calculates G _i = PB _i / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ ), where K = tier 0 tone Transmitter power beacon reference level per tone for block / transmitter pilot signal reference level per tone for stage 0 tone block, Z ₀ = associated with power transmission stage level of tone block for current base station sector connected transmitter tone block Power scale factor.

  Operation proceeds from step 1018 via connecting node A 1042 to step 1043, where the wireless terminal generates one or more interference reports.

Returning to step 1008, in step 1008, the wireless terminal is operated to receive broadcast load factor information. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the wireless terminal receives load factor information for the current serving base station sector from the broadcast information transmitted by the current serving base station sector transmitter. The wireless terminal may receive load factor information for the interfering communicating base station sector from the broadcast information transmitted by the current or interfering communicating base station sector transmitter. Although the load factor information is shown to be received from the current serving base station sector, alternatively, the load factor information can be received from other nodes and / or pre-stored in the wireless terminal . For each base station sector of interest, operation proceeds to step 1028. In step 1028, the wireless terminal determines whether the load factor has been successfully restored from the received signal. If the load factor is successfully restored from the received signal, operation proceeds to step 1030 and the wireless terminal stores the load factor. For example, load factor b ₀ = load factor for the current communication base station sector, load factor b _k = load factor for the interfering base station sector k. If the load factor is not successfully restored from the received signal, operation proceeds to step 1032 and the wireless terminal sets the load factor to one. Load factors (b ₀ 1032, b ₁ 1034,..., B _k 1038,... Bn 1040) are obtained, and each load factor is obtained from one of step 1030 and step 1032.

Returning to step 1043, in step 1043, the wireless terminal generates one or more interference reports. Step 1043 includes sub-step 1044 and sub-step 1048. In sub-step 1044, the wireless terminal generates a specific report carrying interference to the serving base station sector by the specific interfering base station sector. Step 1044 includes sub-step 1046. In sub-step 1046, the wireless terminal calculates the report value = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (G _k ^* b _k / Z _k ), where b ₀ is the load factor of the current communication BBS. , B _k is the load factor of the interfering BBS to which the report corresponds, G _k = G _i if i = k, and Z ₀ is the power transmission stage level of the tone block for the current BSS connected transmitter tone block Z _k is the power scale factor associated with the power transmission stage level of the tone block for the interfering base station sector to which the report corresponds.

  In sub-step 1048, the wireless terminal generates a generalized report carrying information of interference to the communicating BSS by one or more interfering BSSs using, for example, information from each of the measured beacon signals of the interfering base station sector. Generating and using load factor information and power scale factor information.

  In some embodiments, step 1043 includes quantization.

  Operation proceeds from step 1043 to step 1050, in which the wireless terminal is operated and transmits a report to the current serving base station sector that serves as the current attachment point for the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, the report transmission is performed in response to a request from the serving base station sector. In some embodiments, the type of report transmitted, eg, specific or general, depends on received signaling that identifies the type of report from the base station sector. In some embodiments, the transmission of a specific type report reporting interference associated with a specific base station sector is made in response to a received base station signal identifying the specific base station sector. In various embodiments, interference reports are transmitted periodically according to a reporting schedule followed by the wireless terminal, eg, as part of a dedicated control channel structure. In some such embodiments, for at least some of the transmitted interference reports, the base station does not signal report selection information to select a report.

  In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of power transmission stage levels, e.g., 3, with different power scale factors associated with each power transmission stage level. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a 0 dB power scale factor is associated with a stage level 0 tone block and a 6 dB power scale factor is associated with a stage 2 tone block. In some embodiments, each attachment point corresponds to a base station sector transmitter and tone block, and each attachment point BSS transmitter tone block can be associated with a power transmission stage level. In some embodiments, a plurality of downlink tone blocks, eg, three tone blocks each having 113 adjacent equally spaced tones (tone block 0, tone block 1, tone block 2) Exists. In some embodiments, the same tone block, eg, tone block 0, uses different base station sector transmitters and has different power transmission stage levels associated with different base station sector transmitters. A wireless terminal that identifies a particular attachment point corresponding to a base station sector transmitter and tone block from information carried via a beacon signal using, for example, tone position and / or time position with a repeating transmission pattern The stored information is used to associate the identified attachment point with a particular power transmission stage level and power scale factor for a particular tone block.

In some embodiments, the load factor, eg, b _k , is a value greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1. In some embodiments, the value is communicated from the base station sector to the wireless terminal and is multiple levels, eg, 0 dB, -1 dB, -2 dB, -3 dB, -4 dB, -6 dB, -9 dB, -infinity Represents one of dB.

  In some embodiments, the beacon signal is transmitted from the base station sector transmitter with the same power regardless of the power transmission stage associated with the tone block being used. However, other downlink signals, such as pilot signals, are affected by the power transmission stage associated with the tone block for the base station sector transmitter. In some embodiments, the parameter K is a value greater than or equal to 6 dB. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the parameter K = 23.8 dB-7.2 dB = 16.6 dB.

  FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary communication system 800 implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary communication system 800 includes a plurality of cells, namely cell 1 802 and cell M 804. Exemplary system 800 is, for example, a typical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) spread spectrum wireless communication system, such as a multiple access OFDM system. Each cell 802, 804 of the exemplary system 800 includes three sectors. Various embodiments also allow cells that are not subdivided into multiple sectors (N = 1), cells with two sectors (N = 2), and cells with more than three sectors (N> 3). is there. Each sector supports one or more carriers and / or downlink tone blocks. In some embodiments, each downlink tone block has a corresponding uplink tone block. In some embodiments, at least a portion of all sectors support three downlink tone blocks. Cell 802 includes a first sector, sector 1 810, a second sector, sector 2 812, and a third sector, sector 3 814. Similarly, cell M 804 includes a first sector, sector 1 822, a second sector, sector 2 824, and a third sector, sector 3 826. Cell 1 802 includes a base station (BS) in each sector 810, 812, 814, base station 1 806, and a plurality of wireless terminals (WTs). Sector 1 810 includes WT (1) 836 and WT (N) 838 coupled to BS 806 via wireless links 840 and 842, respectively. Sector 2 812 includes WT (1 ') 844 and WT (N') 846 coupled to BS 806 via wireless links 848 and 850, respectively. Sector 3 814 includes WT (1 ″) 852 and WT (N ″) 854 coupled to BS 806 via wireless links 856, 858, respectively. Similarly, cell M804 includes a base station M808 in each sector 822, 824, 826 and a plurality of wireless terminals (WTs). Sector 1 822 includes WT (1 "") 868 and WT (N "") 870 coupled to BS M808 via wireless links 880 and 882, respectively. Sector 2 824 includes WT (1 "") 872 and WT (N "") 874 coupled to BS M808 via wireless links 884 and 886, respectively. Sector 3 826 includes WT (1 "") 876 and WT (N "") 878 coupled to BS M808 via wireless links 888 and 890, respectively.

  System 800 also includes a network node 860 that is coupled to BS1 806 and BS M 808 via network links 862, 864, respectively. Network node 860 is also coupled to other network nodes, such as other base stations, AAA server nodes, intermediate nodes, routers, etc., via network link 866. The network links 862, 864, 866 can be, for example, fiber optic cables. Each radio, eg WT 1 836 includes a transmitter as well as a receiver. At least a portion of the wireless terminal, eg, WT (1) 836, can travel the entire system 800 and establish a radio link with the base station in the cell in which the WT is currently located, eg, using a base station sector attachment point. Mobile node that can communicate via A wireless terminal (WT), eg, WT (1) 836, may communicate with a peer node, eg, another WT within or outside system 800, via a base station, eg, BS 806, and / or network node 860. it can. A WT, such as WT (1) 836, can be a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, a personal data assistant with a wireless modem, a laptop computer with a wireless modem, a data terminal with a wireless modem, and so on.

Next, a typical 4-bit downlink beacon ratio report (DLBNR4) is described. The beacon ratio report provides information that is a function of received measured downlink broadcast signals, eg, beacon signals and / or pilot signals, from the serving base station sector and from one or more other interfering base station sectors. provide. Qualitatively, beacon ratio reporting can be used to estimate the relative proximity of a WT to other base station sectors. Beacon ratio reporting can be used in controlling the WT uplink rate in the serving BS sector to prevent excessive interference to other sectors and is used in some embodiments. Beacon ratio reporting is in some embodiments based on two factors: (i) an estimated channel gain ratio represented by G _i and (ii) a load factor represented by b _i .

The channel gain ratio is defined as follows in some embodiments: In the tone block of the current connection, the WT, in some embodiments, is the uplink channel gain from the WT to any interfering base station sector i (BSSi) and the channel gain from the WT to the serving BSS. Determine an estimate of the ratio between. This ratio is expressed as _{G i.} Typically, the uplink channel gain ratio cannot be measured directly at the WT. However, since the uplink and downlink path gains are typically symmetric, the ratio can be estimated by comparing the relative received power of the downlink signals from the serving BSS and the interfering BSS. it can. One possible option for the reference downlink signal is a downlink beacon signal that is very suitable for this purpose because it can be detected at a very low SNR. In some embodiments, the beacon signal has a higher transmit power level per tone than other downlink signals from the base station sector. Furthermore, since the characteristics of the beacon signal are very good, it is not necessary to perform precise timing synchronization in detecting and measuring the beacon signal. For example, the beacon signal is, in some embodiments, a high power narrowband, eg, single tone, 2 OFDM symbol transmission duration signal. Thus, at a certain location, the WT can detect and measure beacon signals from base station sectors that cannot perform detection and / or measurement of other downlink broadcast signals, eg, pilot signals. By using beacon signals, the uplink path ratio is given by G _i = PB _i / PB ₀ , where PB _i / PB ₀ is the respective one from the interfering base station sector and the communicating base station sector, respectively. The measured received beacon power.

  Because beacons are typically less frequently transmitted, beacon signal power measurements may not be able to represent the average channel gain very accurately, especially in fading environments where power changes abruptly. For example, in some embodiments, one beacon signal that occupies two consecutive OFDM symbol transmission durations and corresponds to a downlink tone block of a base station sector is all beacon slots of 912 OFDM symbol transmission periods. Sent about.

On the other hand, pilot signals are transmitted much more frequently than beacon signals, for example, in some embodiments, pilot signals are transmitted during 896 of the 912 OFDM symbol transmission periods of a beacon slot. . If the WT can detect the pilot signal from the BS sector, the strength of the received beacon signal can be estimated from the measured received pilot signal instead of using the beacon signal measurement. For example, if the WT can measure the received pilot power PP _i of the interfering BS sector, it can estimate the received pilot power PP _i from estimated PB _i = KZ _i PP _i , where , K is the nominal ratio between the beacon power and pilot power of the interfering sector and is the same for each of the BS sectors, and Z _i is a sector dependent scaling factor.

Similarly, if the pilot signal power from the communication BS can be measured at the WT, the received beacon power PB ₀ can be estimated from the relationship, estimated PB ₀ = KZ ₀ PP ₀ , where Z ₀ and PP ₀ are the scaling factor and the measured received pilot power from the serving base station sector, respectively.

  If the received pilot signal strength can be measured corresponding to the communicating base station sector, and the received beacon signal strength can be measured corresponding to the interfering base station sector, the beacon ratio can be estimated from Pay attention.

G _i = PB _i / (PP ₀ KZ ₀ )
Note that if the pilot strength can be measured in both the communication and interference sectors, the beacon ratio can be estimated from:

G _i = PP _i KZ _i / (PP ₀ KZ ₀ ) = PP _i Z _i / (PP ₀ Z ₀ )
The scaling factors K, Z _i and Z ₀ are system constants or can be inferred by the WT from other information from the BS. In some embodiments, some of the scaling factors (K, Z _i , Z ₀ ) are system constants and some of the scaling factors (K, Z _i , Z ₀ ) Inferred from the information by the WT.

In some multi-carrier systems with different power levels on different carriers, the scaling factors Z _i and Z ₀ are a function of the downlink tone block. For example, a typical BSS has three power stage levels, one of the three power stage levels being associated with each downlink tone block corresponding to the BSS attachment point. In some such embodiments, a different one of the three power stage levels is associated with each of the different tone blocks of the BSS. Continuing with the example, for a given BSS, each power stage level is associated with a nominal bss power level (eg, one of bssPowerNominal0, bssPowerNominal1, and bssPowerNominal2), and the pilot channel signal is the nominal bss power for the tone block. Transmitted at a power level relative to the level, eg, 7.2 dB higher than the nominal bss power level in use by the tone block. However, the relative transmit power level of beacons per tone for the BSS is the same regardless of the tone block in which the beacon is transmitted, for example 23.8 dB higher than the bss power level used by the power stage 0 block (bssPowerNominal0). Thus, in this example, for a given BSS, the beacon transmission power is the same in each of the tone blocks, while the pilot transmission power is different, for example, the pilot transmission power of different tone blocks corresponds to different power stage levels. . One set of scale factors for this example is K = 23.8-7.2 dB, the ratio between beacon power and pilot power for stage 0, and Z _i is the interfering sector for stage 0 sector power. Stage relative nominal power.

In some embodiments, the parameter Z ₀ is stored information as determined by the communicating BSS's bssSectorType how the current connection's tone block is used in the communicating BSS. For example, it is determined from the table 900 of FIG. For example, Z ₀ = 1 if the tone block of the current connection is used as a stage 0 tone block by the communicating BSS. If the tone block of the current connection is used as a stage 1 tone block by the communication BSS, Z ₀ = bssPowerBackoff01. If the tone block of the current connection is used as a stage 2 tone block by the communicating BSS, Z ₀ = bssPowerBackoff02.

  FIG. 9 includes an exemplary power scaling factor table 900. First column 902 shows the use of a tone block as either a stage 0 tone block, a stage 1 tone block, or a stage 2 tone block. The second column 904 shows the scaling factor associated with each stage (0, 1, 2) tone block as (1, bssPowerBackoff01, bssPowerBackoff02), respectively. In some embodiments, bssPowerBackoff01 is 6 dB and bssPowerBackoff02 is 12 dB.

  In some embodiments, the DCCH DLBNR4 report may be one of a general beacon ratio report and a special beacon ratio report. In some such embodiments, a downlink traffic control channel, such as DL. TCCH. The FLASH channel transmits a special frame in a beacon slot, and the special frame includes a “DLBNR4 report request field”. That field can be used by the communicating BSS to control the selection. For example, if the field is set to zero, the WT reports a general beacon ratio report; otherwise, the WT reports a special beacon ratio report.

  The general beacon ratio report according to various embodiments indicates that the relative interference that the WT will generate for all interfering beacons or the “closest” interfering beacon if the WT transmits to the serving BSS in the current connection. Measure costs. The special beacon ratio report according to some embodiments measures the relative interference cost that the WT will generate for a particular BSS if the WT transmits to the serving BSS in the current connection. The specific BSS is a BSS indicated using information received in the DLBNR4 request field of the special downlink frame. For example, in some embodiments, a particular BSS is a BSS whose bssSlope is equal to the value of the “DLBNR4 Report Request Field”, eg, in unsigned integer format, and whose bssSectorType is equal to mod (ulUltraslotBeaconslotIndex, 3). , Where ulUltraslotBeaconslotIndex is the uplink index of the beacon slot within the ultra slot of the current connection. In some embodiments, there are 18 indexed beacon slots in the ultra slot.

In various embodiments, both the general beacon ratio and the special beacon ratio are both calculated channel gain ratios G1, G2,. . . From, it is determined as follows. The WT receives the uplink load factor transmitted in the downlink broadcast system subchannel and determines the variable b ₀ from the uplink load factor table 950 of FIG. The table 950 includes a first column 952 that lists eight different values (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) that can be used for the uplink load factor, and the second column 954 describes the corresponding values (0, -1, -2, -3, -4, -6, -9, -infinity) related to the b value in the unit of dB. For other BSSi, WT attempts to receive b _i from the uplink loading factor sent in the downlink broadcast system subchannel of BSSi in the tone block of the current connection. If the WT cannot receive the UL load factor b _i , the WT sets b _i = 1.

In some embodiments, in single carrier operation, the WT calculates the next power ratio as a general beacon ratio report. That is, when ulUltraslotBeaconslotIndex is an even number, b ₀ / (G ₁ b ₁ + G ₂ b ₂ ...), And when ulUltraslotBeaconslotIndex is an odd number, it is b ₀ / max (G ₁ b ₁ , G ₂ b ₂ ). , UlUltraslotBeaconslotIndex is the uplink index of the beacon slot in the ultra slot of the current connection, and operation + represents a regular addition. When a specific beacon ratio report needs to be transmitted, the WT, in some embodiments, calculates b ₀ / (G _k B _k ), where index k represents a specific BSSk. In some embodiments, there are 18 indexed beacon slots in the ultra slot.

  FIG. 11 is a table 1100 illustrating an exemplary format for a 4-bit downlink beacon ratio report (DLBNR4) according to various embodiments. The first column 1102 describes the 16 different bit patterns that the report can carry, and the second column 1104 is reported corresponding to each bit pattern, for example in the range of -3 dB to 26 dB. Enter the reported power ratio. The wireless terminal reports general and specific bit ratio reports by selecting and communicating DLBNR4 table entries close to the determined report value. In this exemplary embodiment, general and specific bit ratio reports use the same table for DLBNR4, and in some embodiments, different tables can be used.

  FIG. 12 shows an exemplary orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) wireless communication system 8000, eg, an OFDM spread spectrum multiple access wireless communication system, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. Exemplary wireless communication system 800 includes a plurality of base stations coupled together via a backhaul network and a plurality of wireless terminals, eg, mobile nodes. Exemplary base stations (base station 1 8002, base station 2 8004, base station 3 8006, base station 4 8008) and exemplary wireless terminal 1 (WT1) 8010 are shown in FIG.

  Base station 1 8002 is a three-sector base station including base station sector S0 (BSS0) 8012, base station sector S1 (BSS1) 8014, and base station sector S2 (BSS2) 8016. Each base station sector (8012, 8014, 8016) has a corresponding nominal stage 0 power level (BSS0 nominal stage 0 power level 8018, BSS1 nominal stage 0 power level 8020, BSS2 nominal stage 0 power level 8022). Base station 2 8004 is a three-sector base station including base station sector S0 (BSS0) 8024, base station sector S1 (BSS1) 8026, and base station sector S2 (BSS2) 8028. Each base station sector (8024, 8026, 8028) has a corresponding nominal stage 0 power level (BSS0 nominal stage 0 power level 8030, BSS1 nominal stage 0 power level 8032, BSS2 nominal stage 0 power level 8034). Base station 3 8006 is a three-sector base station including base station sector S0 (BSS 0) 8036, base station sector 1 (BSS 1) 8038, and base station sector S2 (BSS2) 8040. Each base station sector (8036, 8038, 8040) has a corresponding nominal stage 0 power level (BSS0 nominal stage 0 power level 8042, BSS1 nominal stage 0 power level 8044, BSS2 nominal stage 0 power level 8046). Base station 4 8008 is a single sector base station with nominal stage 0 power level 8048.

  Each nominal stage 0 power level corresponds to a power level associated with one of the downlink tone blocks used by the corresponding base station sector transmitter. In some embodiments, each downlink tone block is associated with a corresponding uplink tone block. In this exemplary embodiment, each base station sector corresponds to one or more physical attachment points, and each physical attachment point corresponds to a downlink / uplink tone block pair. For example, for a base station sector transmitter that communicates downlink user data using multiple downlink tone blocks corresponding to multiple physical attachment points, the nominal stage 0 power level is the downlink tone block with the highest power level. Associated with In addition, other downlink tone blocks are referenced at the nominal power level with respect to the stage 0 tone block power level, and the nominal power level of these tone blocks has a smaller value. For example, for a given BSS, a stage 1 tone block has a lower power level than a stage 0 tone block, and a stage 2 tone block has a lower power level than a stage 1 tone block.

  FIG. 13 shows the exemplary system 8000 of FIG. 12 and provides additional details corresponding to each of the base station sectors to illustrate various features. This exemplary embodiment represents a wireless communication system that uses three non-overlapping downlink tone blocks (tone block 0, tone block 1, and tone block 2). For example, each downlink tone block corresponds in some embodiments to 113 OFDM tones, and a combination of three tone blocks corresponds to a 5 MHz system. In this exemplary embodiment, a beacon signal is transmitted in each tone block by the BSS, and the beacon is communicated at a power level with respect to the stage 0 power level. However, the pilot signal and user data signal may or may not be transmitted in a given tone block, and the pilot / user data signal is transmitted by the base station sector at a power level relative to the power stage level of the corresponding tone block. . Each base station sector transmits one beacon signal per tone block per beacon slot. In this exemplary embodiment, the sector type is determined by determining which tone block is a stage 0 tone block, and stage 1 and stage 2 tone blocks are determined by associating them with the second type in use. Is done.

  Block 8050 relates to BSS0 8012 of base station 1 8002 (i) tone block 0 is associated with stage power level 0 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0; (ii) tone block 1 is associated with stage power level 1 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1; (iii) Tone block 2 is associated with stage power level 2 and beacon, pilot and user data signals Indicates that communication is performed in tone block 2. Block 8052 refers to BSS1 8014 for base station 1 8002 (i) tone block 0 is associated with stage power level 2 and beacons, pilots and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0; (ii) tone block 1 is associated with stage power level 0 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1; (iii) Tone block 2 is associated with stage power level 1 and beacon, pilot and user data signals Indicates that communication is performed in tone block 2. Block 8054 relates to BSS2 8016 of base station 1 8002 (i) tone block 0 is associated with stage power level 1 and beacons, pilots and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0; (ii) tone block 1 is associated with stage power level 2 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1; (iii) Tone block 2 is associated with stage power level 0 and beacon, pilot and user data signals Indicates that communication is performed in tone block 2.

  Block 8056 relates to BSS0 8024 of base station 2 8004, (i) tone block 0 is associated with stage power level 0, beacons, pilots and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0, and (ii) tone block 1 is associated with stage power level 1 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1; (iii) Tone block 2 is associated with stage power level 2 and beacon, pilot and user data signals Indicates that communication is performed in tone block 2. Block 8058 relates to BSS1 8026 of base station 2 8004, (i) tone block 0 is associated with stage power level 2, beacons, pilots and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0, and (ii) tone block 1 is associated with stage power level 0 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1; (iii) Tone block 2 is associated with stage power level 1 and beacon, pilot and user data signals Indicates that communication is performed in tone block 2. Block 8060 refers to BSS2 8028 for base station 2 8004 (i) tone block 0 is associated with stage power level 1 and beacons, pilots and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0; (ii) tone block 1 is associated with stage power level 2 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1; (iii) Tone block 2 is associated with stage power level 0 and beacon, pilot and user data signals Indicates that communication is performed in tone block 2.

  Block 8062 relates to BSS0 8036 of base station 3 8006, (i) tone block 0 is associated with stage power level 0, beacons, pilots and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0, and (ii) tone block 1 is associated with stage power level 1 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1; (iii) tone block 2 is used for beacon signaling but for pilot and user data signaling. Indicates that it is not possible. Block 8064 is for BSS1 8038 of base station 3 8006, (i) tone block 0 is used for beacon signaling but not for pilot and user data signaling, and (ii) tone block 1 is the stage power level Associated with 0, the beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1, and (iii) tone block 2 is used for beacon signaling but not for pilot and user data signaling. Block 8066 is for BSS2 8040 of base station 3 8006, (i) tone block 0 is used for beacon signaling but not for pilot and user data signaling, and (ii) tone block 1 is for beacon signaling Used but not for pilot and user data signaling, (iii) Tone block 2 is associated with stage power level 0, indicating that beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 2 .

  Block 8068 relates to the BSS of base station 4 8008: (i) tone block 0 is associated with stage power level 0; beacons, pilots and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0; (ii) tone block 1 Is associated with stage power level 1 and the beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1; (iii) tone block 2 is associated with stage power level 2 and the beacon, pilot and user data signals are , Indicating that communication is performed in tone block 2.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the exemplary system 8000 of FIGS. 12 and 13, intended to illustrate exemplary beacon ratio reporting methods according to various embodiments, illustrating exemplary signaling received and processed by the WT. Including. In the example of FIG. 14, the wireless terminal 8010 has a wireless connection 8070 with a BSS 8016 that uses tone block 1 physical attachment points. For beacon ratio reports communicated over connection 8070, BSS 8016 is a contact BSS, sometimes represented by BSS ₀ . In this example, from a WT 8012 perspective, BSSs 8012, 8026, 8036, 8008 represent interfering base station sectors, sometimes denoted BSS _i .

  From communication BSS 8016, the wireless terminal receives and processes beacon signal 8078 and pilot tone signal 8076 communicated in tone block 1. Note that WT1 8010 is timing synchronized with respect to the BSS 8016 tone block 1 attachment point and thus can accurately measure the pilot channel. For each interfering BSS (8012, 8026, 8036, 8008), the wireless terminal 8010 receives and processes the beacon signals (8072, 8082, 8086, 8090) communicated in tone block 1, respectively. A duration consisting of two consecutive OFDM symbol transmission periods, for example using a single tone transmitted at a relatively high transmission power level per tone compared to other downlink broadcast signals, eg pilot signals A beacon signal with can be detected more easily than a pilot signal in the longer range, and precise timing synchronization need not be measured accurately. Further, uplink load factor information signals (8080, 8074, 8084, 8088, 8092) are communicated from each of the BSSs (8016, 8012, 8026, 8036, 8008), respectively. These uplink load factor information signals (8080, 8074, 8084, 8088, 8092) are communicated as broadcast signals because, for example, the transmission power level per tone is lower than the transmission power level per tone of the beacon. , It may or may not be successfully restored. If the uplink load factor cannot be successfully restored, a default value, eg, a value of 1, is used in the beacon ratio report calculation.

  Next, generation of a typical general beacon ratio report is described, and the generated general beacon ratio report is communicated over connection 8070 via a dedicated control channel segment.

BSS and BSS _{0 in} communication are BSS 8016. PP ₀ is the power measured by the wireless terminal of the received pilot signal 8076. The interfering BSS ₁ is the BSS 8012 and PB ₁ is the measured power of the received beacon signal 8072. The interfering BSS ₂ is BSS 8026, and PB ₂ is the measured power of the received beacon signal 8082. The interfering BSS ₃ is BSS 8036, and PB ₃ is the measured power of the received beacon signal 8086. The interfering BSS ₄ is BSS 8008 and PB ₄ is the measured power of the received beacon signal 8090. The uplink load factors (b0, b1, b2, b3, b4) are restored from the signals (8080, 8074, 8084, 8088, 8092), respectively, when restored successfully. The value of each b is 0 or more and 1 or less. If the predetermined b cannot be restored, the default value 1 is used. Since tone block 1 is used by the BSS 8102 for pilot and user data signaling, the indicator function I ₁ = 1. Since tone block 1 is used by BSS 8026 for pilot and user data signaling, the indicator function I ₂ = 1. Since tone block 1 is not used by BSS 8036 for pilot and user data signaling, the indicator function I ₃ = 0. Since tone block 1 is used by the BSS 8008 for pilot and user data signaling, the indicator function I ₄ = 1.

K is the ratio of transmit power per tone between the beacon channel and the pilot channel for the stage 0 tone block and is a constant for the system. Since tone block 1 of BSS 8016 is a stage 2 tone block, Z ₀ = bssPowerbackoff02. Since tone block 1 of BSS 8012 is a stage 1 tone block, Z ₁ = bssPowerbackoff01. Since tone block 1 of BSS 8026 is a stage 0 tone block, Z ₂ = 1. Since I ₃ = 0, Z ₃ is not applicable. Since tone block 1 of BSS 8008 is a stage 1 tone block, Z ₄ = bssPowerbackoff01.

In the general case where n interfering base station sectors are considered, the first type of general beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ ^* I ₁ + G ₂ b _{2 ^{/ Z 2 * I 2 + G}} 3 b 3 / Z 3 * I 3 + G 4 b 4 / Z 4 * I 4 + ... G n b n / Z n * I n) and generic beacon of the second type Ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (max (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ ^* I ₁ , G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ ^* I ₂ , G ₃ b ₃ / Z ₃ ^* I ₃ , G ₄ b ^{_{4 / Z 4 * I 4,}} ..., a ^{_{G n b n / Z n *}} I n)).

here,
G ₁ = PB ₁ / PB ₀ or PB ₁ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₂ = PB ₂ / PB ₀ or PB ₂ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₃ = PB ₃ / PB ₀ or PB ₃ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₄ = PB ₄ / PB ₀ or PB ₄ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
.
.
.
G _n = _{PB n} / _{PB 0} or ^{_{PB n / (PP 0 * K}} * Z 0)
For the specific case of FIG. 14 where four interfering base station sectors are considered, the first type of general beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ ^* I ₁ + G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ ^* I ₂ + G ₃ b ₃ / Z ₃ ^* I ₃ + G ₄ b ₄ / Z ₄ ^* I ₄ ) and a second type of general beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / ( a ^{_{max (G 1 b 1 / Z}} 1 * I 1, G 2 b 2 / Z 2 * I 2, G 3 b 3 / Z 3 * I 3, G 4 b 4 / Z 4 * I 4).

here,
G ₁ = PB ₁ / PB ₀ or PB ₁ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₂ = PB ₂ / PB ₀ or PB ₂ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₃ = PB ₃ / PB ₀ or PB ₃ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₄ = PB ₄ / PB ₀ or PB ₄ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
Further, since I ₁ = 1, I ₂ = 1, I ₃ = 0, and I ₄ = 1, the general beacon ratio reporting equation is reduced as follows: That is, the first type general beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ + G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ + G ₄ b ₄ / Z ₄ ) and the second type General beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (max (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ , G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ , G ₄ b ₄ / Z ₄ ).

here,
G ₁ = PB ₁ / PB ₀ or PB ₁ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₂ = PB ₂ / PB ₀ or PB ₂ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₄ = PB ₄ / PB ₀ or PB ₄ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
FIG. 15 is an illustration of the exemplary system 8000 of FIGS. 12 and 13 and illustrating exemplary signaling received and processed by the WT 8010 for purposes of illustrating exemplary beacon ratio reporting methods according to various embodiments. Including. In the example of FIG. 15, wireless terminal 8010 has two concurrent wireless connections: a first wireless connection 8070 with BSS 8016 using tone block 1 physical attachment points and a physical attachment point of tone block 1. Having a second physical connection with BSS 8026. For beacon ratio reports communicated over connection 8070, BSS 8016 is the serving BSS, sometimes represented by BSS ₀ , and BSS 8012, 8026, 8036, 8008 represents the interfering base station sector, sometimes represented by BSS _i. . For beacon ratio reports communicated over connection 8071, BSS 8026 is the serving BSS, sometimes represented by BSS ₀ , and BSS 8012, 8026, 8036, 8008 represents the interfering base station sector, sometimes represented by BSS _i. .

  The same signal described above with respect to FIG. 14 may be used by WT 8010 in generating a beacon ratio report for connection 8070. Further, pilot signal 8083 in tone block 1 from BSS 8026 can be used by WT 8010 in generating a beacon ratio report for connection 8070.

In the general case where n interfering base station sectors are considered, the first type of general beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ * I ₁ + G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ * I ₂ + G ₃ b ₃ / Z ₃ ^* I ₃ + G ₄ b ₄ / Z ₄ ^* I ₄ + ... G _n b _n / Z _n ^* I _n ) and a second type of general beacon Ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (max (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ ^* I ₁ , G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ ^* I ₂ , G ₃ b ₃ / Z ₃ ^* I ₃ , G ₄ b ^{_{4 / Z 4 * I 4,}} ..., a ^{_{G n b n / Z n *}} I n)).

here,
G ₁ = PB ₁ / PB ₀ or PB ₁ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ ) or (PP ₁ ^* Z ₁ ) / (PP ₀ ^* Z ₀ )
G ₂ = PB ₂ / PB ₀ or PB ₂ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ ) or (PP ₁ ^* Z ₂ ) / (PP ₀ ^* Z ₀ )
G ₃ = PB ₃ / PB ₀ or PB ₃ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ ) or (PP ₃ ^* Z ₃ ) / (PP ₀ ^* Z ₀ )
G ₄ = PB ₄ / PB ₀ or PB ₄ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ ) or (PP ₄ ^* Z ₄ ) / (PP ₀ ^* Z ₀ )
.
.
.
G _n = _{PB n} / _{PB 0} or ^{_{PB n / (PP 0 * K}} * Z 0) or ^{_{(PP n * Z n) /}} (PP 0 * Z 0)
For the specific case of FIG. 15 where four interfering base station sectors are being considered for connection 1 8070, the first type of general beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ ^* I ₁ + G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ ^* I ₂ + G ₃ b ₃ / Z ₃ ^* I ₃ + G ₄ b ₄ / Z ₄ ^* I ₄ ) and second type general beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ^{_{0) / (max (G 1}} b 1 / Z 1 * I 1, G 2 b 2 / Z 2 * I 2, G 3 b 3 / Z 3 * I 3, G 4 b 4 / Z 4 * I 4) It is.

Here, BSS 8016 is BSS ₀ , BSS 8012 is BSS ₁ , BSS 8026 is BSS ₂ , BSS 8036 is BSS ₃ , BSS 8008 is BSS ₄ , and the availability of pilot signal information The following is considered.

G ₁ = PB ₁ / PB ₀ or PB ₁ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₂ = PB ₂ / PB ₀ or PB ₂ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ ) or (PP ₂ ^* Z ₂ ) / (PP ₀ ^* Z ₀ )
G ₃ = PB ₃ / PB ₀ or PB ₃ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₄ = PB ₄ / PB ₀ or PB ₄ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
Further, since I ₁ = 1, I ₂ = 1, I ₃ = 0, and I ₄ = 1, the general beacon ratio reporting equation is reduced as follows: That is, the first type general beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ + G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ + G ₄ b ₄ / Z ₄ ) and the second type General beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (max (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ , G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ , G ₄ b ₄ / Z ₄ )).

here,
G ₁ = PB ₁ / PB ₀ or PB ₁ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₂ = PB ₂ / PB ₀ or PB ₂ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ ) or (PP ₂ ^* Z ₂ ) / (PP ₀ ^* Z ₀ )
G ₄ = PB ₄ / PB ₀ or PB ₄ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
For the specific case of FIG. 15 where four interfering base station sectors are considered for connection 2 8071, the first type of general beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ ^* I ₁ + G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ ^* I ₂ + G ₃ b ₃ / Z ₃ ^* I ₃ + G ₄ b ₄ / Z ₄ ^* I ₄ ) and second type general beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ^{_{0) / (max (G 1}} b 1 / Z 1 * I 1, G 2 b 2 / Z 2 * I 2, G 3 b 3 / Z 3 * I 3, G 4 b 4 / Z 4 * I 4) It is.

Here, BSS 8026 is BSS ₀ , BSS 8016 is BSS ₁ , BSS 8012 is BSS ₂ , BSS 8036 is BSS ₃ , BSS 8008 is BSS ₄ , and the availability of pilot signal information The following is considered.

G ₁ = PB ₁ / PB ₀ or PB ₁ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ ) or (PP ₁ ^* Z ₁ ) / (PP ₀ ^* Z ₀ )
G ₂ = PB ₂ / PB ₀ or PB ₂ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₃ = PB ₃ / PB ₀ or PB ₃ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₄ = PB ₄ / PB ₀ or PB ₄ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
Further, since I ₁ = 1, I ₂ = 1, I ₃ = 0, and I ₄ = 1, the general beacon ratio reporting equation is reduced as follows: That is, the first type general beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ + G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ + G ₄ b ₄ / Z ₄ ) and the second type General beacon ratio report = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (max (G ₁ b ₁ / Z ₁ , G ₂ b ₂ / Z ₂ , G ₄ b ₄ / Z ₄ )).

here,
G ₁ = PB ₁ / PB ₀ or PB ₁ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ ) or (PP ₁ ^* Z ₁ ) / (PP ₀ ^* Z ₀ )
G ₂ = PB ₂ / PB ₀ or PB ₂ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )
G ₄ = PB ₄ / PB ₀ or PB ₄ / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ )

In some embodiments, the wireless terminal attempts to obtain a channel gain ratio, eg, G _i , using the pilot signal if reliable pilot signal information can be recovered from the two sources. If the attempt is not possible, the wireless terminal attempts to obtain the channel gain ratio using the pilot signal from the serving base station sector and the beacon signal from the other base station sector.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of the exemplary system 8000 of FIGS. 12 and 13 and illustrating exemplary signaling received and processed by the WT 8010 for purposes of illustrating exemplary beacon ratio reporting methods according to various embodiments. Including. In the example of FIG. 16, wireless terminal 8010 has a second concurrent connection with BSS 8026 using a first wireless connection 8001 and a physical attachment point of tone block 2 using BSS 8016 using a physical attachment point of tone block 1. It has a wireless connection 8003. For beacon ratio reports communicated over connection 8001, BSS 8016 is the serving BSS, sometimes denoted BSS ₀ , BSS 8012, 8026, 8036, 8008 represents the interfering base station sector, sometimes BSS _i , eg, BSS ₁ , BSS ₂ , BSS ₃ , BSS ₄ . For beacon ratio reporting communicated over connection 8003, BSS 8026 is the serving BSS, sometimes denoted BSS ₀ , BSS 8012, 8016, 8036, 8008 represents the interfering base station sector, sometimes BSS _i , eg, BSS ₁ , BSS ₂ , BSS ₃ , BSS ₄ .

  From BSS 8016, the wireless terminal receives and processes beacon signal 8011 communicated in both tone block 1 and tone block 2 and pilot tone signal 8009 communicated in tone block 1. Note that WT1 8012 is timing synchronized with respect to the BSS 8016 tone block 1 attachment point and thus can accurately measure the pilot channel. From BSS 8026, the wireless terminal receives and processes beacon signal 8017 communicated in tone block 1 and tone block 2 and pilot signal 8015 communicated in tone block 2. Note that WT1 8010 is timing synchronized with respect to the BSS 8026 tone block 2 attachment point and thus can accurately measure the pilot channel. From each interference BSS (8012, 8036, 8008), the wireless terminal 8010 receives and processes beacon signals (8005, 8021, 8025) communicated in tone block 1 and tone block 2, respectively. Further, uplink load factor information signals (8013, 8007, 8019, 8023, 8027) are communicated from each of the BSSs (8016, 8012, 8026, 8036, 8008), respectively. These uplink load factor information signals (8013, 8007, 8019, 8023, 8027) are communicated as broadcast signals because, for example, the transmission power level per tone is lower than the transmission power level per tone of the beacon. , It may or may not be successfully restored. If the uplink load factor cannot be successfully restored, a default value, eg, a value of 1, is used in the beacon ratio report calculation.

  In the example of FIG. 16, the two connections use different tone blocks. The gain ratio calculated for the beacon ratio report communicated over connection 1 8001 uses tone block 1 received pilot tone signal 8009 from base station sector 8016 and received beacon signals from other base station sectors. be able to. The gain ratio calculated for the beacon ratio report communicated over connection 2 8003 uses received pilot tone signal 8015 for tone block 2 from base station sector 8026 and received beacon signals from other base station sectors. be able to.

  In some exemplary embodiments, for the base station sector, OFDM signals from one tone block are accurately synchronized with respect to OFDM symbols from other tone blocks. The BSS uses a common transmitter and a single OFDM symbol corresponding to three tone blocks, eg, a single OFDM symbol containing 339 tones, each comprising three tone blocks consisting of 113 tones , Consider generating. In some such embodiments, the gain ratio calculated for the beacon ratio report communicated over connection 1 8001 is tone block 1 received pilot tone signal from base station sector 8016, tone block 1 from BSS 8026. Received pilot tone signals and other beacon signals received from other base station sectors, and the gain ratio calculated for the beacon ratio report communicated over connection 2 8003 is from base station sector 8026 The received pilot tone signal of tone block 2, the received pilot tone signal of tone block 2 from BSS 8016, and received beacon signals from other base station sectors can be used.

  FIG. 17, comprising a combination of FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, and 17D, is a flowchart 5500 of an exemplary method of operating a wireless terminal, eg, a mobile node, according to various embodiments. Operation starts in step 5502, where the wireless terminal is powered on and initialized. Operation proceeds from step 5502 to step 5508 via step 5504, step 5506, and connection node A 5505.

In step 5504, the wireless terminal is operated to receive beacons and pilot signals corresponding to the first current base station connection. Operation proceeds from step 5504 to step 5510. In step 5510, the wireless terminal measures received beacon signal power (PB ₀ ) and received pilot channel signal power (PP ₀ ) for the first current base station sector connection. Operation proceeds from step 5510 to step 5512. In step 5512, the wireless terminal derives transmitter information for the first currently connected base station sector, eg, BSS_slope and BSS_sector type, from the received beacon signal. Step 5512 includes sub-step 5513. In sub-step 5513, the wireless terminal determines a power transmission stage level associated with the first currently connected base station sector and the tone block being used.

In step 5506, the wireless terminal receives beacon signals from one or more interfering base station sectors for which the wireless terminal does not have a current connection and / or one or more interfering bases for which the wireless terminal has a current connection. Receive beacons and pilot signals from the station sector. Operation proceeds from step 5506 to step 5514 for each interfering base station sector (BSS _i ) to which the wireless terminal has a current connection. Subsequent operations 5514, 5518, 5520 are performed for each of the interfering base station sectors, eg, interfering base station sector _i (BSS _i ). Operation proceeds from step 5506 to step 5516 for each interfering base station sector (BSS _i ) for which the wireless terminal does not have a current connection. Subsequent operations 5516, 5522, 5524 are performed for each of the interfering base station sectors, eg, interfering base station sector _i (BSS _i ).

In step 5514, the wireless terminal measures the received beacon signal power (PB _i ) and the received pilot channel signal power (PP _i ) for the interfering current base station sector connection. Operation proceeds from step 5514 to step 5518. In step 5518, the wireless terminal derives from the received beacon signal transmitter information of the currently connected base station sector in interference, eg, BSS_slope and BSS_sector type. Step 5518 includes sub-step 5519. In sub-step 5519, the wireless terminal determines a power transmission stage level associated with the currently connected base station sector in interference and the tone block in use.

Operation proceeds from step 5512 and step 5518 to step 5520 via connection node B 5521. In step 5520, the wireless terminal calculates the channel gain ratio using the method of sub-step 5538 or the method of sub-step 5540 or the method of sub-step 5541. In sub-step 5538, the wireless terminal computes a channel gain ratio G _i by using the beacon signal information. Sub-step 5538 includes sub-step 5542, where the wireless terminal calculates G _i = PB _i / PB ₀ .

In sub-step 5540, the wireless terminal computes a channel gain ratio G _i by using the beacon signal information and pilot signal information. Sub-step 5540 includes sub-step 5544. In sub-step 5544, the wireless terminal calculates G _i = PB _i / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ ), where K = transmitter power beacon reference level per tone for stage 0 tone block / stage 0. Transmitter pilot signal reference level per tone for tone block, Z ₀ = power scale factor associated with power transmission stage level of tone block for first current base station sector connected transmitter tone block.

In sub-step 5541, the wireless terminal computes a channel gain ratio G _i using pilot signal information. Sub-step 5541 includes sub-step 5546. In sub-step 5546, the wireless terminal calculates G _i = (PP _i ^* Z _i ) / (PP ₀ ^* Z ₀ ), where Z ₀ = for the first current base station sector connected transmitter tone block The power scale factor associated with the power transmission stage level of the tone block and Z ₁ = power scale factor associated with the power transmission stage level of the tone block for the BSSi connected transmitter tone block. Operation proceeds from step 5520 via connecting node D 5534 to step 5536, where the wireless terminal generates one or more interference reports.

In step 5516, the wireless terminal measures the power (PB _i ) of the received beacon signal for the interfering base station sector. Operation proceeds from step 5516 to step 5522. In step 5522, the wireless terminal derives interfering base station sector transmitter information, eg, BSS_slope and BSS_sector type, from the received beacon signal. Step 5522 includes sub-step 5523. In sub-step 5523, the wireless terminal determines a power transmission stage level associated with the interfering base station sector and the tone block in use.

  Operation proceeds from step 5512 and step 5522 to step 5524 via connection node C 5525. In step 5524, the wireless terminal calculates the channel gain ratio using the method of sub-step 5526 or the method of sub-step 5528.

In sub-step 5526, the wireless terminal computes a channel gain ratio G _i by using the beacon signal information. Sub-step 5526 includes sub-step 5530, in which the wireless terminal calculates G _i = PB _i / PB ₀ .

In sub-step 5528, the wireless terminal computes a channel gain ratio G _i by using the beacon signal information and pilot signal information. Sub-step 5528 includes sub-step 5532, in which the wireless terminal calculates G _i = PB _i / (PP ₀ ^* K ^* Z ₀ ), where K = tone for stage 0 tone block Transmitter power beacon reference level per unit / transmit pilot signal reference level per tone for stage 0 tone block, Z ₀ = power scale associated with tone block power transmission stage level for current base station sector connected transmitter tone block Is a factor.

  Operation proceeds from step 5524 via connecting node D 5534 to step 5536, where the wireless terminal generates one or more interference reports.

Returning to step 5508, in step 5508, the wireless terminal is operated to receive broadcast load factor information signals from the first current serving base station sector transmitter and from the interfering base station sector transmitter. For each base station sector under consideration, operation proceeds to step 5548. In step 5548, the wireless terminal determines whether the load factor has been successfully restored from the received signal. If the load factor is successfully restored from the received signal, operation proceeds to step 5550, where the wireless terminal stores the load factor. For example, load factor b ₀ = load factor for the current first communicating base station sector, load factor b _k = load factor for the interfering base station sector k. If the load factor is not successfully restored from the received signal, operation proceeds to step 5552, where the wireless terminal sets the load factor to one. The load factor (b ₀ 5554, b ₁ 5556, ..., b _k 5558, ... b _n 5560) is obtained, and each load factor is obtained from one of step 5550 and step 5552.

Returning to step 5536, in step 5536, the wireless terminal generates one or more interference reports. Step 5536 includes sub-step 5562 and sub-step 5564. In sub-step 5562, the wireless terminal generates a specific report carrying interference from the specific interfering base station sector to the first serving base station sector. Step 5562 includes sub-step 5566. In sub-step 5566, the wireless terminal calculates a report value = (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (G _{k *} b _{k *} Z _k ), where b ₀ is the load factor of the current communication BSS. , B _k is the load factor of the interfering BSS to which the report corresponds, G _k = G _i for i = k, and Z ₀ is the power transmission of the tone block for the current first BSS connected transmitter tone block The power scale factor associated with the stage level, and Z _k is the power power factor associated with the power transmission stage level of the tone block for the interfering base station sector to which the report corresponds.

In sub-step 5564, the wireless terminal carries information of interference to the first BSS in communication with one or more interfering BSSs using, for example, information from each of the measured beacon signals of the interfering base station sector. Generating a general type report and using load factor information and power scale factor information. Four alternative exemplary calculations for general type reporting are included as sub-steps 5570, 5572, 5574, 5576. For example, an exemplary embodiment of general type reporting in an exemplary single carrier operation embodiment is b ₀ / (Σ _k G _k ^* b _k ). The sum is done for each of the interfering BBS _k that the wireless terminal can detect for the beacon or pilot signal. For example, another exemplary embodiment of general type reporting in a single carrier operation embodiment is b ₀ / (max _k (G _k ^* b _k )). For example, another exemplary embodiment of a general type report in an operation embodiment of an exemplary multi-carrier, eg, three carriers, is (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (Σ _k (I _k ^* G _k ^* b _k / Z _k )), where I _k is an indicator function of whether the uplink of BSS _k is active in the current tone block. That is, I _k = 1 if the BSSk uplink is active, and I _k = 0 if BSS _k is inactive in the current tone block. The sum is performed for each of the interfering BSS _k that the wireless terminal can detect for the beacon or pilot signal. Another exemplary embodiment of general type reporting in an operation embodiment, eg, multi-carrier, eg, 3 carriers, is (b ₀ / Z ₀ ) / (max _k (I _k ^* Gk ^* b _k / Z _k )) Where I _k is an indicator function of whether the uplink of BSS _k is active in the current tone block. That is, I _k = 1 if the BSS _k uplink is active, and I _k = 0 if the BSS _k is inactive in the current tone block.

  In some embodiments, step 5536 includes quantization. For example, a typical beacon ratio report carries four information bits representing one of 16 levels ranging from -4 dB to 28 dB. The table 1100 of FIG. 11 for a typical 4-bit downlink beacon ratio method (DLBNR4) represents the above.

  Operation proceeds from step 5536 to step 5568, in which the wireless terminal is operated and a report is transmitted to the first current serving base station sector that communicates as the current attachment point for the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, the transmission of the report is in response to a request from the serving base station sector. In some embodiments, the type of report transmitted, eg specific or general, is a function of received signaling from the base station sector that identifies the type of report. In some embodiments, the transmission of a specific type report that reports on interference associated with a specific base station sector is responsive to a received base station signal that identifies the specific base station sector. . In various embodiments, interference reports are periodically transmitted according to a reporting schedule followed by the wireless terminal, eg, as part of a dedicated control channel structure. In some such embodiments, for at least some of the transmitted interference reports, the base station does not signal report selection information for selecting a report. In some embodiments, the base station uses two types of general beacon ratio reports, eg, the sum of information from each of the received interfering BSSs, as a function of the current position in the iterative timing structure. Alternating computing between one type and a second type based on information from a single worst interference BSS. For example, a first type of general beacon ratio report is calculated when the beacon slot index is even in the ultra slot, and the second type of general beacon ratio is calculated when the beacon slot index is odd in the ultra slot. A report is calculated. In some embodiments, the WT only sends a general beacon ratio report by default and only sends a specific beacon ratio report when requested by the base station.

  In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of power transmission stage levels, eg, three, having different power scale factors associated with each stage level. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a power scale factor of 0 dB is associated with a stage level 0 tone block, a power scale factor of 6 dB is associated with a stage 1 level tone block, and a power scale factor of 12 dB is a stage 2 tone. Associated with a block. In some embodiments, each attachment point corresponds to a base station sector transmitter and tone block, and each attachment point BSS transmitter tone block can be associated with a power transmission stage level. In some embodiments, there are a plurality of downlink tone blocks, eg, three tone blocks (tone block 0, tone block 1, tone block 2) each having 113 equally spaced tones. Exists. In some embodiments, the same tone block, eg, tone block 0, uses different base station sector transmitters and has different power transmission stage levels associated with different base station sector transmitters. A wireless terminal that identifies a particular attachment point corresponding to a base station sector transmitter and tone block from information carried via a beacon signal using, for example, tone position and / or time position with a repeating transmission pattern The stored information can be used to associate the identified attachment point with a particular power transmission stage level and power scale factor for a particular tone block.

In some embodiments, the load factor, eg, b _k , is a value greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1. In some embodiments, the value is communicated from the base station sector to the wireless terminal and is multiple levels, eg, 0 dB, -1 dB, -2 dB, -3 dB, -4 dB, -6 dB, -9 dB, -infinity Represents one of dB. Table 950 of FIG. 10 shows exemplary uplink load factor information that can be communicated by the base station sector via a downlink broadcast channel.

  In some embodiments, the beacon signal is transmitted at the same power from the base station sector transmitter regardless of the power transmission stage associated with the tone block being used. However, other downlink signals, such as pilot signals, are affected by the power transmission stage associated with the tone block for the base station sector transmitter. In some embodiments, the parameter K is a value greater than or equal to 6 dB. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the parameter K = 23.8 dB-7.2 dB = 16.6 dB.

  FIG. 18 is a drawing 1800 of exemplary timing structure information and corresponding interference report information, eg, beacon ratio report report information, for an exemplary embodiment. The exemplary timing structure includes an uplink ultraslot indicated by row 1802, indicating an uplink ultraslot with index = 0 followed by an uplink ultraslot with index = 1. In the exemplary embodiment, each ultra slot includes 18 indexed beacon slots indicated by row 1804. Each beacon slot includes, for example, 912 consecutive OFDM symbol transmission periods. In this exemplary embodiment, the wireless terminal can report two different types of beacon ratio reports to the serving base station sector, eg, via a dedicated control channel segment, where the first type of beacon ratio report is The second type of beacon ratio report is a specific beacon ratio report sometimes referred to as a special beacon ratio report. The first type of beacon ratio report is a general beacon ratio report, and two sub-type general beacon ratio reports are used. The first sub-type general beacon ratio report determines the report value as a function of the sum of one or more interfering base station sectors. The second sub-type general beacon ratio report determines the report value as a function of the maximum value in terms of interference values, eg, the worst individual base station sector. As indicated by row 1806, the sub-type general beacon ratio report used is a function of the beacon slot index. For even values of beacon slot index (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16), the wireless terminal determines the report using a sum function when sending a general beacon ratio report. . For odd values of beacon slot index (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17), the wireless terminal determines the report using the maximum function when sending a general beacon ratio report. . Row 1808 communicates a report corresponding to a base station sector identified in the request and having a sector type that is a function of the beacon slot index value when the wireless terminal transmits a specific beacon ratio report. For example, consider that three different sector types (sector type 0, sector type 1, and sector type 2) are used. The request signal from the serving base station requesting a particular type of beacon ratio report can include a cell identifier value, e.g., a slope value, and the uplink timing structure over which the report is communicated determines the sector type. Can do. For example, for a bit slot with index = (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15), the wireless terminal is identified by the communicated cell identifier value when reporting a specific beacon ratio report, and further sector type = Report a specific beacon ratio report associating the communicating base station sector with another base station sector having zero. For bit slots with index = (1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16), the wireless terminal is identified by the communicated cell identifier value and has sector type = 1 when reporting a specific beacon ratio report Report a specific beacon ratio report associating base stations with other base station sectors. For beacon slots with index = (2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17), the wireless terminal is identified by the communicated cell identifier value and has sector type = 2 when reporting a specific beacon ratio report Report a specific beacon ratio report associating base stations with other base station sectors.

  Note that by implementing a reporting format based on this predetermined timing structure understood by both base stations and wireless terminals, the system supports various reporting formats while limiting the amount of signaling overhead. It should be. Furthermore, for a specific beacon ratio report, the identification of the target base station sector is obtained in part by the information contained in the request signal and in part by the location in the uplink timing structure, and thus the target It should be noted that fewer bits are needed for overhead signaling to identify the base station sector to be.

  FIG. 19 shows exemplary beacon ratio report request downlink signaling and exemplary uplink beacon ratio report signaling in FIG. 1900 for an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 1900, base station sector 1902, which is the current attachment point for wireless terminal 1904, includes a downlink traffic channel control signal that includes information in beacon ratio report request field 1908, eg, as part of the downlink traffic control channel flush signal. 1906 is transmitted. In some embodiments, the signal including the beacon ratio report request field is a broadcast signal that is intended for use by multiple wireless terminals, for example. Thus, the level of overhead control signaling required when individual control signals are broadcast for multiple connected wireless terminals to be used, thereby individually controlling for the type of interference report each wireless terminal is to transmit. Pull down. In some embodiments, a single beacon ratio report request downlink signal may correspond to multiple uplink interference reports communicated by the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, a single beacon ratio report request downlink signal corresponds to a single uplink interference report for an individual wireless terminal. In some embodiments, a single beacon ratio report request downlink signal corresponds to a single interference uplink report for each of a plurality of different wireless terminals. The beacon ratio report request field includes a value indicating the request. Table 1901 is an exemplary beacon ratio report request field report format that can be used by BSS 1902 and WT 1904. The first column 1918 of the table 1901 indicates the value carried by the report, and the second column 1920 contains information carried by the corresponding value. If the value is zero, the wireless terminal reports a general beacon ratio report. If the value is a positive integer other than zero, the wireless terminal reports a specific beacon ratio report, and the value corresponds to a cell identifier parameter, eg, slope value, used by the intended base station sector. The slope value is a value corresponding to the slope of the pilot tone signal in some embodiments. However, in some embodiments, multiple base station sectors in the same cell use the same value for slope, and therefore uplink timing information is indicated by a specific specific beacon ratio report, eg, row 1808. It is also used to determine the specific base station sector to be used for timing information.

  In some other embodiments, the wireless terminal transmits a first type of report by default and transmits a second type of report when a beacon ratio report request signal is communicated. For example, a default beacon ratio report can be communicated by default, and if the base station wishes to communicate a specific beacon ratio report, the base station sends a beacon ratio report request signal including cell identifier information. connect.

  Dedicated control channel segment signal 1910 includes beacon ratio report 1912 with request information and uplink timing structure information. Dedicated control channel segment signal 1914 includes beacon ratio report 1916 with request information and uplink timing structure information. For example, request field 1908 carries a value of 0, report 1912 corresponds to a beacon ratio report communicated during a beacon slot with index = 0, and beacon ratio with report 1916 communicated during a beacon slot with index = 1. Consider responding to reports. The beacon ratio report 1912 is a general beacon ratio report that uses a sum function to calculate a report value, which relates the detected base station sector of the same tone block to the serving base station sector. The beacon ratio report 1916 is a general beacon ratio report that uses a maximum function to calculate a report value, which relates the detected base station sector of the same tone block to the serving base station sector. Next, request field 1908 carries a value of 1, report 1912 corresponds to the beacon ratio report communicated during the beacon slot with index = 0, and beacon with report 1916 communicated during the beacon slot with index = 1. Consider responding to ratio reporting. The beacon ratio report 1912 identifies the current serving base station sector attachment point associated with the local base station sector identified by slope value = 1, having sector type = 0 and using the same tone block as the serving base station sector. This is a beacon ratio report. The beacon ratio report 1916 identifies the current serving base station sector attachment point associated with the local base station sector identified by slope value = 1, having sector type = 1, and using the same tone block as the serving base station sector. This is a beacon ratio report.

  FIG. 20 is an illustration of an exemplary communication system 2000 implemented in accordance with various embodiments. An exemplary communication system 2000 includes a plurality of base stations (BS1 2001, BS2 2002, BS3 2003, BS4 2004, BS5 2005, BS6 2006, BS7 2007, BS8 2008, BS9 2009, coupled together via a backhaul network. BS10 2010). BS (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) is a three-sector base station. BS1 2001 includes a first sector 2012 having a slope value = 2 and a sector type value = 0, a second sector 2014 having a slope value = 2 and a sector type value = 1, a slope value = 2 and a sector type value = 2. The third sector 2016. BS2 2002 includes a first sector 2018 with slope value = 1 and sector type value = 0, a second sector 2020 with slope value = 1 and sector type value = 1, slope value = 1 and sector type value = 2. A third sector 2022. BS3 2003 includes a first sector 2024 with slope value = 1 and sector type value = 0, a second sector 2026 with slope value = 1 and sector type value = 1, slope value = 1 and sector type value = 2. A third sector 2028. BS4 2004 includes a first sector 2030 with slope value = 2 and sector type value = 0, a second sector 2032 with slope value = 2 and sector type value = 1, slope value = 2 and sector type value = 2. The third sector 2034. BS5 2005 includes a first sector 2036 with slope value = 3 and sector type value = 0, a second sector 2038 with slope value = 3 and sector type value = 1, slope value = 3 and sector type value = 2. A third sector 2040. BS6 2006 includes a first sector 2042 with slope value = 4 and sector type value = 0, a second sector 2044 with slope value = 4 and sector type value = 1, slope value = 4 and sector type value = 2. A third sector 2046. BS7 2007 includes a first sector 2048 with slope value = 5 and sector type value = 0, a second sector 2050 with slope value = 5 and sector type value = 1, slope value = 5 and sector type value = 2. A third sector 2052. BS8 2008 includes a first sector 2054 with slope value = 6 and sector type value = 0, a second sector 2056 with slope value = 6 and sector type value = 1, slope value = 6 and sector type value = 2. A third sector 2058. BS9 2009 includes a first sector 2060 with slope value = 7 and sector type value = 0, a second sector 2062 with slope value = 7 and sector type value = 1, slope value = 7 and sector type value = 2. A third sector 2064. BS10 2010 includes a first sector 2066 with slope value = 8 and sector type value = 0, a second sector 2068 with slope value = 8 and sector type value = 1, slope value = 8 and sector type value = 2. A third sector 2070.

  The exemplary communication system 2000 also includes a plurality of wireless terminals. Exemplary WT A 2072 and exemplary WT B 2072 are shown connected to base station 5 2005 second sector 2038 via wireless links (2076, 2078), respectively. The base station sector 5 2005 second sector 2038 attachment point transmits a broadcast downlink traffic channel control signal including a beacon ratio report request field value, for example, as shown in FIG. WT A 2072 is in the ON operational state and is assigned an uplink dedicated control channel segment for communicating uplink control reports, and a portion of the uplink reports can be used for interference reports, e.g., beacon ratio reports. Become. Similarly, WT B 2074 is in the ON operational state and is assigned an uplink dedicated control channel segment for communicating uplink control reports, and a portion of the uplink report is an interference report, eg, beacon ratio. Become a report. The WT (2072, 2074) receives broadcast beacon ratio report request information when determining the type of beacon ratio report to be communicated. In some embodiments, the information is used in conjunction with timing structure information in determining information to include in the uplink interference report.

  It should be noted that the slope value used as the base station identifier is locally unique, but not unique within the system 2000. For example, slope value = 1 is used as a cell identifier by both BS1 2001 and BS3 2003. However, there is no ambiguity about which base station is the intended target between the WT and the base station attachment point. During control signaling, using a locally unique base station identifier as opposed to a unique base station identifier for the system reduces the number of bits required to represent the base station, thereby utilizing multiple base stations. It is possible to reduce the control signaling overhead in a system that performs the same. The same principle can be used for a base station including multiple sectors and is used in various embodiments. For example, a typical five-sector base station can use three different sector types with two of the sector type values used twice.

  FIG. 21 is a drawing 2100 illustrating exemplary downlink control signaling and uplink interference reporting, eg, beacon ratio reporting, corresponding to the system 2000 of FIG. The first row 2104 includes a timeline that indicates when a specific report of the beacon ratio report is possible corresponding to different base station sector types. In this example, there are three different sector types (sector type 0, sector type 1, and sector type 2). According to this embodiment, the reporting structure alternates between three types, for example, each block represents a time interval of a beacon slot (see FIG. 18). The second row 2106 indicates the beacon ratio report request value included in the broadcast downlink traffic control channel signal (see FIG. 19). The third row 2108 shows WT A's communicated report type, where G = general report and S = specific report. Fourth row 2110 indicates, for the WT A specific report, the base station and base station sector type used in calculating the specific report. The fifth row 2112 indicates the WT B communicated report type, where G = general report and S = specific report. Sixth row 2114 indicates, for the WT B specific report, the base station and base station sector type used in calculating the specific report.

  The first value in row 2106 is 0 indicating that the corresponding interference report should be a general type report. Thus, both WT A and WT B send a general uplink beacon ratio report. The second value in row 2096 is 4 indicating that the corresponding report should be a specific type report corresponding to the local base station sector using slope value = 4. The time for the corresponding uplink beacon ratio report is in the beacon slot used for sector type 0. Accordingly, the WT sends a specific beacon ratio report to BS 5 sector 2038 that associates base station 6 sector type 0 sector 2042 with base station 5 sector type 1 sector 2038. The third and fourth values of row 2106 are zero, so the corresponding beacon ratio report is a general beacon ratio report. The fifth value in row 2106 is 1, indicating that the corresponding report should be a specific type report corresponding to the local base station sector using slope value = 1. The time for the corresponding uplink beacon ratio report is in the beacon slot used for sector type 2. Accordingly, the WT sends a specific beacon ratio report to BS 5 sector 2038 that associates base station 3 sector type 2 sector 2028 with base station 5 sector type 1 sector 2038. The sixth value in row 2106 is 0, so the corresponding beacon ratio report is a general beacon ratio report. The seventh value in row 2106 is 2, indicating that the report should be a specific type report corresponding to the local base station sector using slope value = 2. The time for the corresponding uplink beacon ratio report is in the beacon slot used for sector type 0. Thus, the WT sends a specific beacon ratio report to BS 5 sector 2038 that associates base station 4 sector type 0 sector 2030 with base station 5 sector type 1 sector 2038. The eighth, ninth and tenth values of row 2106 are 0, so the corresponding beacon ratio report is a general beacon ratio report. The eleventh value in row 2106 is 2, indicating that the report should be a specific type report corresponding to the local base station sector using slope value = 2. The time for the corresponding uplink beacon ratio report is in the beacon slot used for sector type 2. Accordingly, the WT sends a specific beacon ratio report to BS5 sector 2038 that associates base station 4 sector type 2 sector 2034 with base station 5 sector type 1 sector 2038. The twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth values of row 2096 are zero, so the corresponding beacon ratio report is a general beacon ratio report.

  In this exemplary embodiment, there is a constant interval between the downlink control channel signal containing the beacon ratio reporting request for the WT and the corresponding uplink interference reporting opportunity, as indicated by the dotted arrows. A relationship exists. This connection in the timing structure is understood by both the base station and the wireless terminal, reducing overhead signaling. In this exemplary embodiment, WT A and WT B transmit their uplink beacon ratio reports corresponding to the same request at different times within the uplink timing structure. For other embodiments and / or other wireless terminals, reports may be communicated concurrently using different tones, eg, in a tone block. Further, in some embodiments, one wireless terminal can be in different reporting operating modes with respect to the other wireless terminal, so that the reporting frequency by one WT can be different for a given time interval, eg, in a given time interval. The reporting frequency may vary.

  Although described with respect to two exemplary wireless terminals, in some embodiments, the same beacon ratio report request broadcast control signal can be utilized by a number of additional wireless terminals using base station sector attachment points. It should be understood that it is sometimes used. For example, a base station sector attachment point can have a maximum of 31 concurrent on-state users, each of these on-state users dedicated to transmit uplink control channel reports including beacon ratio reports. Receiving the control channel, consider that each on-state user can receive and utilize the same broadcast beacon ratio report request downlink signal.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart 2200 of an exemplary wireless terminal operation method according to various embodiments. The exemplary method begins at step 2202, where the wireless terminal is powered on and initialized. Operation proceeds from start step 2202 to steps 2204, 2206, 2208, and in some embodiments, step 2210. In step 2204, the wireless terminal monitors to detect received broadcast signals communicating uplink load factors, each broadcast uplink load factor corresponding to an attachment point. In step 2206, the wireless terminal is operated to receive a first signal, eg, a beacon or pilot signal, from a first attachment point. In step 2208, the wireless terminal is operated and a second signal, such as a beacon or pilot signal, is received from the second attachment point. In step 2210, when executed, the wireless terminal is operated to receive a third signal, eg, a beacon or pilot signal, from a third attachment point.

  Operation proceeds from step 2206 to step 2226, where the wireless terminal performs a first measurement on the received first signal, eg, signal power measurement. Operation proceeds from step 2208 to step 2228, where the wireless terminal performs a second measurement on the received second signal, eg, signal power measurement. Operation proceeds from step 2210 to step 2230, where the wireless terminal performs a third measurement on the received third signal, eg, signal power measurement. Operation proceeds from step 2226, 2228, and 2230 to step 2232.

  Returning to step 2204, in step 2204, the wireless outputs the received uplink load factor information that is forwarded for use in step 2232. Corresponding to the first attachment point to which the wireless terminal has a connection, the wireless terminal outputs the received first uplink load factor information 2212. Corresponding to the second attachment point, the wireless terminal may or may not be able to detect and restore the uplink load factor. If the wireless terminal detects and restores the uplink load factor corresponding to the second attachment point in step 2214, the wireless terminal receives the received second uplink load factor information 2216 used in step 2232. Forward. However, if the wireless terminal has not detected and restored the uplink load factor corresponding to the second attachment point, the wireless terminal sets the second uplink load factor to a default value, eg, a value of 1, in step 2218. , And the default value is used in step 2232. Corresponding to the third attachment point, the wireless terminal may or may not be able to detect and restore the uplink load factor. If, in step 2220, the wireless terminal detects and restores the uplink load factor corresponding to the third attachment point, the wireless terminal receives the received third uplink load factor information 2222 used in step 2232. Forward. However, if the wireless terminal has not detected and restored the uplink load factor corresponding to the third attachment point, the wireless terminal sets the third uplink load factor to a default value, eg, a value of 1, in step 2224. , And the default value is used in step 2232.

  In step 2232, the wireless terminal uses the result of the second measurement based on the measurement of the first signal that is the first received uplink load factor corresponding to the first attachment point to report an uplink interference report. Is generated. Step 2232 includes Step 2234, in which the wireless terminal determines a ratio of the first and second values, the first value being the result of the first load factor and the first signal measurement. The second value is a function of the second result of the second measurement. In some embodiments, the second value is also a function of the product of the second load factor corresponding to the second attachment point and the result of the second signal measurement.

  In some embodiments, eg, in some embodiments where three or more received signals from three different attachment points are used in generating the interference report, step 2234 includes step 2236. . In step 2236, the wireless terminal generates a second value using the result of the third measurement. Step 2236 includes substep 2238 and substep 2240, one of which is performed to generate an interference report. In some embodiments, at different times, different ones of sub-steps 2238 and 2240 are used to generate an interference report. In sub-step 2238, the wireless terminal sums the third and fourth values, the third value is a function of the result of the second signal measurement, and the fourth value is the third signal measurement. Is a function of the result of In sub-step 2240, the wireless terminal sets a second value to a maximum value of the third and fourth values, wherein the third value is a function of a result of a second signal measurement, The fourth value is a function of the result of the third signal measurement.

  Operation proceeds from step 2232 to step 2242. In step 2242, the wireless terminal transmits the generated uplink interference report from step 2232.

  In some embodiments, the first and second signals are OFDM signals. In some other embodiments, the first and second signals are CDMS signals.

In some embodiments, for at least some interference reports, the first value is generated according to the following equation: b ₀ PB ₀ and the second value is the following equation: b ₁ PB ₁ + b _{2 is} generated according to PB ₂ , where b ₀ is the load factor corresponding to the first attachment point, and PB ₀ is the measured beacon signal received from the first attachment point B ₁ is the load factor corresponding to the second attachment point, PB ₁ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the second attachment point, and b ₂ is the first Is the load factor corresponding to 3 attachment points, and PB ₂ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the 3rd attachment point .

In some embodiments, for at least some interference reports, the first value is generated according to the following equation: b ₀ PB ₀ and the second value is the following equation: MAX ( b ₁ PB ₁ , b ₂ PB ₂ ), where b ₀ is the load factor corresponding to the first attachment point, and PB ₀ is the received beacon signal from the first attachment point , B ₁ is the load factor corresponding to the second attachment point, PB ₁ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the second attachment point, b ₂ is a loading factor corresponding to the third attachment point, PB ₂ is measured in received beacon signal from the third attachment point It is a power.

  FIG. 23 is an illustration of an exemplary wireless terminal 2300 implemented in accordance with various embodiments. A typical wireless terminal 2300 includes a receiver module 2302, a transmitter module 2310, a processor 2306, a user I / O coupled together via a bus 2312 through which various elements can exchange data and information. A device 2308 and a memory 2302 are included. Memory 2310 includes routines 2318 and data / information 2320. A processor 2306, eg, a CPU, controls the operation of wireless terminal 2300 and executes routine 2318 in memory 2310 to implement the method and uses data / information 2320.

  Receiver module 2302, eg, an OFDM receiver, is coupled to receive antenna 2314 through which wireless terminal 2300 receives downlink signals from the base station attachment point, where the downlink signal is an uplink attachment point load factor, It includes a beacon signal and a broadcast signal that carries a pilot signal. A transmitter module 2304, eg, an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to a transmit antenna 2316 through which the wireless terminal 2300 transmits an uplink signal to a base station attachment point, which uplink signal is generated by an interference report, eg, A beacon ratio report communicated via a dedicated control channel segment. In some embodiments, the same antenna is used for the receiver and transmitter, eg, in conjunction with a duplex module. In some other embodiments, transmitter module 2304 is a CDMA transmitter and receiver module 2302 is a CDMA receiver. In some embodiments, transmitter module 2304 and / or receiver module 2302 support both OFDM and CDMA signaling.

  The I / O device 2308 includes, for example, a microphone, a keyboard, a keypad, a switch, a camera, a speaker, a display, and the like. I / O device 2308 allows a user of WT 2300 to input data / information, access output data / information, control applications, control at least some functions of WT 2300, eg, initiate a communication session Enable.

  The routine 2318 includes a communication routine 23222 and a wireless terminal control routine 2324. Communication routine 2322 implements various communication protocols used by wireless terminal 2300. The wireless terminal control routine 2324 includes an uplink load factor signal monitoring module 2326, a load factor determination module 2328, a first measurement module 2330, a second measurement module 2332, and an interference report generation module 2334.

  Uplink load factor signal monitoring module 2326 detects received broadcast signals communicating at least one uplink load factor, each broadcast uplink load factor corresponding to an attachment point. The first measurement module 2330 measures a first type of received signal, for example, the first measurement module 2330 is a beacon signal measurement module that measures a received beacon signal. The first signal measurement module 2330 includes a signal power measurement module 2331 that measures the power of the received beacon signal. The second measurement module 2332 measures a second type of received signal, for example, the second measurement module 2332 is a pilot signal measurement module that measures the received pilot signal. The second measurement module 2332 includes a signal power measurement module 2333 that measures the power of the received pilot signal.

  The interference report generation module 2334 may be configured to increase based on a measurement of a first received signal, eg, a received beacon or pilot signal, and a first received uplink load factor corresponding to the first attachment point. Generate a link interference report. In various embodiments, the interference report generation module generates an uplink interference report using a measurement of a second signal from a second attachment point, eg, a received beacon or pilot signal. The interference report generation module includes a first value generation module 2336, a second value generation module 2338, a sum module 2342, and a maximum value selector module 2344. The second value generation module 2338 includes a multiplier module 2340.

  The first value generation module 2336 generates the first value 2384 as a function of the product of the first load factor and the result of the first signal measurement. For example, the first load factor may correspond to the attachment point of the current connection being used as an attachment point by the wireless terminal, and the first signal may be a received beacon from the attachment point of the current connection or It can be a pilot signal.

  The second value generation module 2338 determines the second value 2386 as a result of the second measurement, for example, a received beacon or pilot signal from an attachment point different from the attachment point used by the first value generation module. Generated as a function of the measurement result. For example, the second signal can be received from a sector adjacent to the current communication attachment point and / or from an attachment point in an adjacent cell.

  Multiplier module 2340 is used to generate a product of the second load factor corresponding to the second attachment point and the result of the second signal measurement.

  In some embodiments, the interference report generation module 2334 generates at least one up by generating the second value using the result of the third measurement of the third signal from the third attachment point. Generate a link interference report.

The sum module 2342 sums the third and fourth values (2338, 2390), the third value is a function of the result of the second signal measurement, and the fourth value is the third value. It is a result function of the result of signal measurement. In some embodiments, for at least some interference reports, the first value is generated according to the following equation: b ₀ PB ₀ and the second value is the following equation: b ₁ PB ₁ + B ₂ PB ₂ , where b ₀ is the load factor corresponding to the first attachment point, and PB ₀ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the first attachment point. Yes, b ₁ is the load factor corresponding to the second attachment point, PB ₁ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the second attachment point, and b ₂ is the third Is the load factor corresponding to the attachment point, and PB ₂ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the third attachment point .

The maximum value selector module 2344, when used, sets the second value as the maximum of the third and fourth values (2388, 2390), the third value being the result of the second signal measurement. The fourth value is a function of the result of the third signal measurement. In some embodiments, for at least some interference reports, the first value is generated according to the following equation: b ₀ PB ₀ and the second value is the following equation: MAX (b ₁ PB ₁ , b ₂ PB ₂ ), where b ₀ is the load factor corresponding to the first attachment point, and PB ₀ is a measurement of the received beacon signal from the first attachment point B ₁ is the load factor corresponding to the second attachment point, PB ₁ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the second attachment point, and b ₂ is a loading factor corresponding to the third attachment point, PB ₂ is measured in received beacon signal from the third attachment point A power, b ₂ is the load factor for that corresponding to the third attachment point, PB ₂ is the measured power of received beacon signal from the third attachment point.

  In some embodiments, for at least some of the generated interference reports, at least some of the first, second and third signal measurements are measurements of pilot channel signals. In some embodiments, the transmission power of the pilot signal is related to the transmission power of the beacon signal and / or the transmission power of the pilot signal from one attachment point is related to the transmission power of the pilot signal from different attachment points. A scaling factor is used for this purpose.

  In some embodiments, the interference report generation module 2344 may have a variety of different types of reports, such as specific reports relating current communication base station attachment points to a single identified other base station attachment point, Summarize current communication base stations in relation to one or more other base station sectors from which signals, eg, beacons and / or pilots, are received, and generate further reports A general report of the first subtype using the type function and the current contact base station attachment point is the source of the signal, e.g. beacon and / or pilot, when it is received, e.g. Supports a general report of the second subtype that uses a summation function in generating additional reports related to multiple other base station sectors. Tosuru.

  The load factor determination module 2328 sets the load factor to a default value when there is no successfully received load factor corresponding to the target attachment point. For example, the load factor determination module 2328 sets the second load factor to a default value when there is no second load factor successfully received from the second attachment point.

  Data / information 2320 includes received beacon signal information 2346, received pilot signal information 2348, received uplink load factor information 2350, measured beacon information 2352, measured pilot information 2354, Default uplink load factor information 2356, and interference report information 2358. Received beacon signal information 2346 may include received beacon signal information corresponding to various attachment points (attachment point 1 information 2360,..., Attachment point N information 2362). Received pilot signal information 2348 may include received pilot signal information corresponding to various attachment points (attachment point 1 information 2364, ..., attachment point N information 2366). Received uplink load factor information 2350 may include received uplink load factor information corresponding to various attachment points (attachment point 1 information 2368,..., Attachment point N information 2370). The measured beacon signal information 2352 may include measured beacon signal information corresponding to various attachment points (attachment point 1 information 2372, ..., attachment point N information 2374). The measured pilot signal information 2354 can include measured pilot signal information corresponding to various attachment points (attachment point 1 information 2376, ..., attachment point N information 2378). The default uplink load factor information 2356 may include default uplink load factor information corresponding to various attachment points (attachment point 1 information 2380, ..., attachment point N information 2382).

  The combination of information stored and used in generating an uplink interference report at one given time may be different from the information stored at another time. For example, at one predetermined time point, the wireless terminal corresponds to the received pilot signal and beacon signal information corresponding to the attachment point 1, the received beacon signal information corresponding to the attachment point 2, and the attachment point 3. Received beacon signal information, received uplink load factor information corresponding to attachment point 1, received uplink load factor information corresponding to attachment point 2, and measured corresponding to attachment point 1. Pilot signal information, measured beacon signal information corresponding to attachment point 1, measured beacon signal information corresponding to attachment point 2, measured beacon signal information corresponding to attachment point 3, and attachment And default uplink loading factor information corresponding to the preparative point 3 may include. Continuing the example, at other predetermined times, the wireless terminal receives received pilot signal and beacon signal information corresponding to attachment point 1, received beacon signal information corresponding to attachment point 2, and attachment point 3. Received pilot signal information and received beacon signal, received uplink load factor information corresponding to attachment point 1, received uplink load factor information corresponding to attachment point 3, and attachment Measured pilot signal information corresponding to point 1, measured beacon signal information corresponding to attachment point 1, measured beacon signal information corresponding to attachment point 2, and measured corresponding to attachment point 3 Pa It may include a lot signal information, and the measured beacon signal information corresponding to attachment point 3, and default uplink loading factor information corresponding to attachment point 2, a.

  The interference report information 2358 includes a first value 2384, a second value 2386, a third value 2388, a fourth value 2390, a total value 2392, a maximum value 2394, and a determined ratio 2396. , Quantized report value 2398. The first value 2384 is the result of the operation of the first value generation module 2366, and the second value 2386 is the result of the operation of the second value generation module 2338. The third and fourth values (2388, 2390) are intermediate processing values used in generating at least some interference reports, eg, interference reports that take into account information from three or more different attachment points. . Total value 2392 is the result of the operation by total module 2342. Maximum value 2394 is the result of the operation of maximum value sector module 2344. The determined ratio is a determined ratio of the first and second values determined by the interference report generation module. Quantized report value 2398 is a value that is one of a plurality of quantized levels communicated in the interference report to communicate the determined ratio 2396.

  FIG. 24 comprising the combination of FIG. 24A and FIG. 24B is a flowchart 2400 of an exemplary wireless terminal operating method. The exemplary method begins at step 2402, where the wireless terminal is powered on and initialized. Operation proceeds from start step 2402 to steps 2404, 2406 and 2408.

  In step 2404, the wireless terminal receives base station identification information including a control signal that communicates a locally unique base station identifier where the second attachment point is located. In step 2406, the wireless terminal receives a first signal, eg, a beacon signal or a pilot signal, from a first attachment point to which the wireless terminal has a connection. In step 2408, the wireless terminal receives signals, eg, beacons and / or pilot signals, from one or more attachment points in addition to the first attachment point. Step 2406 includes sub-step 2412, in which the wireless terminal receives a second signal, eg, a beacon or pilot signal, from a second attachment point and the received base station from step 2404. The identification information corresponds to the second attachment point. Step 2406 includes one or more additional substeps corresponding to received signals from additional attachment points, eg, received beacons and / or pilot signals, at various times. For example, in sub-step 2414, the wireless terminal receives an Nth signal, such as a beacon or pilot signal, from an Nth attachment point.

  Operation proceeds from step 2406 to step 2410. In step 2410, the wireless terminal performs a first measurement on the received first signal, eg, a power measurement of the received first signal. Operation proceeds from sub-step 2412 to step 2416. In step 2416, the wireless terminal performs a second measurement on the received second signal, eg, a power measurement of the received first signal. Operation proceeds from sub-step 2414 to step 2418. In step 2418, the wireless terminal performs an Nth measurement on the received Nth signal, eg, a power measurement of the received Nth signal.

  In some embodiments, eg, some embodiments using multi-sector base stations, operation proceeds from step 2416 to step 2420. In other embodiments, eg, some embodiments having a single sector base station per cell, operation proceeds from step 2416 to step 2422.

  In step 2420, the wireless terminal determines a sector identifier corresponding to a base station identifier received from the time when the control signal is received, and the sector identifier identifies a sector to communicate as a second attachment point. In some embodiments, the sector identifier is determined as a function of stored timing structure information and time slots in the repetitive structure corresponding to the received signal time.

  Operation proceeds from step 2420 to step 2422. In step 2422, the wireless terminal identifies a second signal of the one or more received signals of step 2408 corresponding to different attachment points as a function of the received base station identification information. Operation proceeds from step 2422 to step 2424.

  In step 2424, the wireless terminal generates a report, eg, an interference report such as a specific interference report, based on the measurement of the first and second signals. In some embodiments, the report is an interference report that is a ratio of the first value to the second value, the first value being a function of the measured power of the first signal, and A value of 2 is a function of the measured power of the second signal. Operation proceeds from step 2424 to step 2426. In step 2426, the wireless terminal determines a transmission time for transmitting the generated report according to a predetermined function using a time at which the control signal is received as a transmission time control input. In some embodiments, the predetermined function determines that the transmission time is a time that corresponds to a certain predetermined offset from the time at which the control signal is received.

  Operation proceeds from step 2426 to step 2428, where a generated report is transmitted, eg, a generated specific interference report relating two attachment points. Operation proceeds from step 2428 to step 2432 via connecting node A 2430. In step 2432, the wireless terminal receives a control signal indicating that the interference report should be based on signals received from a plurality of different transmitters in addition to the first attachment point. Operation proceeds from step 2432 to step 2434. In step 2434, the wireless terminal performs measurements on a plurality of signals received from a plurality of different transmitters and from a first attachment point. Operation proceeds from step 2434 to step 2436.

  In step 2436, the wireless terminal generates a report, eg, an interference report based on one of the sum and maximum values derived from the results of the signals from different transmitters. For example, the generated interference report may be a first sub-type general interference report that uses a sum function in generating the report. Alternatively, the generated interference report can be a second sub-type general interference report that uses a maximum function in generating the report. In some embodiments, step 2436 includes substep 2438. In sub-step 2438, the wireless terminal determines whether the interference report should be based on a sum or maximum value as a function of timing structure information. Operation proceeds from step 2436 to step 2440, where the wireless terminal transmits the generated report from step 2436.

  In some embodiments, receiving base station identification information, step 2404 includes receiving a broadcast signal from a first attachment point, wherein the broadcast signal is for controlling a plurality of wireless terminals. Used. By this method, the signaling overhead is reduced from the amount of overhead that would otherwise be required to individually signal the base station identification information to each of the wireless terminals in communication with the first attachment point.

  FIG. 25 comprising the combination of FIG. 25A and FIG. 25B is a flowchart 2500 of an exemplary wireless terminal operating method according to various embodiments. Operation starts in step 2502, where the wireless terminal is powered on and initialized. The operations start from step 2502, step 2504, step 2506, step 2508, step 2533 via connection node A 2532, step 2535 via connection node B 2534, step 2544 via connection node C 2536, and some implementations. In the form, proceed to step 2546 via connection node D 2538.

  In step 2504, the wireless terminal continuously receives a broadcast control signal including a request for interface report information from the attachment point of the current connection. With respect to the received request, operation proceeds from step 2504 to step 2510. In step 2510, the wireless terminal determines from the received interference report information request the type of interference report requested, specific or general, and, for a particular type of report, the local terminal corresponding to the attachment point. To determine a unique cell identifier. Step 2510 includes sub-step 2512. In sub-step 2512, if the received request value is zero, the wireless terminal determines that the requested report type is a general report as indicated by report type = general output 2514. In sub-step 2512, if the received value is not zero, the wireless terminal determines that the requested report type is a specific report as indicated by report type = specific output 2516. Further, if the received value is not zero, the wireless terminal sets the cell identifier to be the same as the received request value, for example, the positive request value is a set of possible positive integers. Each different possible positive integer corresponds to a different pilot channel slope value. The output cell identifier value is represented by output 2518.

  In step 2506, the wireless terminal continuously receives beacons and / or pilot signals from the current attachment point. Operation proceeds from step 2506 to step 2520. In step 2520, the wireless terminal measures the strength of the received beacon and / or pilot signal from the current attachment point that outputs received signal strength information 2526 for the current attachment point.

  In step 2508, the wireless terminal continuously receives beacons and / or pilot signals from additional attachment points. Operation proceeds from step 2508 to step 2522, and at some points to step 2524, where the wireless terminal begins with the additional attachment point that outputs received signal strength information 2528 for the first additional attachment point. Measure the strength of the received beacons and / or pilot signals. In step 2524, the wireless terminal measures the strength of received beacons and / or pilot signals from different additional attachment points that output received signal strength information 2530 for the Nth additional attachment point.

  Returning to step 2533, in step 2533, the wireless terminal receives wireless terminal on state identification information associated with a dedicated control channel structure, which is transmitted by the wireless terminal to the current attachment point. Includes reporting time within an iterative structure for reporting. Step 2533 outputs information identifying the segment used for interference report 2540.

  Returning to step 2535, in step 2535, the wireless terminal continuously continually outputs the timing in the iterative timing structure used by the current connection and the output current time information 2542, eg, in the iterative OFDM timing structure. Track index information.

  Returning to step 2544, in step 2544, the wireless terminal continuously determines interference reports to be communicated. Step 2544 uses as input the current time information 2542 and information identifying the segment for interference report 2540 and timing structure information related to the current connection. If it is determined in step 2544 that an interference report should be communicated, operation proceeds from step 2544 to step 2552, step 2558, and step 2566.

  In step 2552, the wireless terminal determines whether the time corresponds to a first or second type of general report. If the time corresponds to a first type of general report, then the general report subtype = sum function type as indicated by output 2554. However, if the time corresponds to a second type of general report, then the general report subtype = maximum function type, as indicated by output 2556.

  In step 2558, the wireless terminal determines to which sector type the time corresponds with respect to the attachment point for the specific type report. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the repetitive timing structure is divided into beacon slots, there are three different sector types, and the sector types associated with the indexed beacon slots are three different sector types. Alternate between. (See FIG. 18.) The output of step 2558 is one of sector type = sector type 0 2560, sector type = sector 1 2562, and sector type = sector type 2 2564.

  In some embodiments, the wireless terminal uses uplink load factor information in calculating interference reports and includes steps 2546 and 2548. In step 2546, the wireless terminal continuously monitors and receives uplink load factor information corresponding to the attachment point. Operation proceeds from step 2546 to step 2548, where the wireless terminal applies a default uplink load factor value for a target attachment point for which no uplink load factor information has been received. Uplink load factor information 2550 that is received and / or default information is output from steps 2546 and / or 2548.

Returning to step 2556, in step 2556, the wireless terminal generates an interference report according to the requested report type (specific or general). In the case of a general report, the report also follows the report subtype (total function type or maximum function type), and in the case of a specific report, the report is identified by a combination of cell identifier / sector type identifier Associated with the identified attachment point and the current attachment point. The inputs available for step 2566 are:
Report type information 2568, general report subtype information 2570, cell identification information 2518, sector type information 2574, information relating beacons to pilot transmit power level, received attachment strength information 2526 for the current attachment point, first addition It includes at least some of the received strength information 2528 of the attachment point, the received strength information 2530 of the Nth additional attachment point, and the uplink load factor information 2550. Report type information 2568 identifies whether the report is a general report or a specific report and whether it is one of outputs 2514 and 2516. General report subtype information 2570 identifies whether the sum function or the maximum function is used when generating a report if the report is a general report. General report subtype information 2570 is one of outputs 2554 and 2556. Cell ID information 2518 is a value received from the received report request control signal. Sector type information 2574 is one of outputs 2560, 2562 and 2564. Information relating the beacon / pilot transmission power level includes power stage level information, other gain information relating the transmission power of the beacon signal for the attachment point under consideration to the transmission power of the pilot signal, and transmissions between different attachment points. Information relating power levels.

  For general reporting, the wireless terminal receives received strength information 2526, 2528,. . . , 2530 is used to generate an interference report and the sub-type of the report, the total function type or maximum function type, is determined by information 2570. For a specific type report, the wireless terminal may receive received strength information 2526 for the current attachment point (received strength information 2528 for the first additional attachment point, ..., Nth additional attachment point). A report associated with one of the determined strength information 2530, which is determined by the identification of additional attachment points corresponding to the combination of cell identifier 2518 and sector type 2574.

  Operation proceeds from step 2566 to step 2584, where the wireless terminal transmits the generated interference report to the current attachment point.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram of a table 2600 illustrating exemplary interference report signal usage and report calculations in accordance with various embodiments. The first column 2602 describes descriptive information related to the interference report communicating the ratio of the first value and the second value. The second column 2504 describes the first value, the third column 2606 describes the second value, the fourth column 2608 describes the third value, and the fifth column 2510. Describes the fourth value, the sixth column 2612 describes the first signal type, the seventh column 2614 describes the second signal type, and the eighth column 2616 contains the first signal type. Three signal types are described.

  Each row (2618, 2620, 2622, 2624, 2626, 2628, 2630, 2632, 2632) describes a different report. Row 2618 relates to specific interference reporting using received beacon signal power measurements. Row 2620 relates to a specific interference report using received pilot signal power measurements. Row 2622 relates to a specific interference report using received pilot and beacon signal power measurements. Row 2624 relates to a first sub-type general interference report using received beacon signal power measurements. Row 2626 relates to a second type subtype interference report using received beacon signal power measurements. Row 2628 relates to a first sub-type general interference report using received pilot signal power measurements. Row 2630 relates to a second subtype of interference reporting using received pilot signal power measurements. Row 2632 relates to a first sub-type general interference report using received pilot and beacon signal power measurements. Row 2630 relates to a second subtype of interference reporting using received pilot and beacon signal power measurements.

In table 2600, b ₀ is the load factor corresponding to the first attachment point, PB ₀ is the measured power of the received pilot signal from the first attachment point, and PP ₀ is the first Is the measured power of the received pilot signal from one attachment point, b ₁ is the load factor corresponding to the second attachment point, and PB ₁ is received from the second attachment point Is the measured power of the beacon signal, PP ₁ is the measured power of the received pilot signal from the second attachment point, and b ₂ is the load factor corresponding to the third attachment point , PB ₂ is measured power der of the received pilot signal from the second attachment point . PP ₂ is the measured power of the received pilot signal from the second attachment point. For example, the first attachment point can correspond to the current contact attachment point with which the interference report is communicated, and the second and third attachment points correspond to other local attachment points in the system. can do. K is a scaling factor that relates the transmission power strength of the beacon signal to the transmission power strength of the pilot signal.

  In this example, it can be assumed that beacon signals are transmitted from attachment points 1, 2, and 3 at the same transmission power level, and that pilot signals are transmitted from attachment points 1, 2, and 3 the same. It can be assumed that it is transmitted at a power level.

  In some embodiments, the beacon signal is transmitted with the same transmission power regardless of the attachment point, and the transmission power level of the pilot signal varies as a function of the attachment point. In some such embodiments, different power stage levels are used for different attachment points, and scaling factors relating the power stage levels of different attachment points can be used in the interference report calculation.

  Table 2600 describes a typical general report that uses information from three different attachment points, and the formula used expands to include using measurements of received power from additional attachment points. Can do.

  FIG. 27 is a drawing of an exemplary wireless terminal 2700 implemented in accordance with various embodiments. A typical wireless terminal 2700 includes a receiver module 2702, a transmitter module 2704, a processor 2706, an I / O device, which are coupled together via a bus 2712 through which various elements can exchange data and information. 2708 and memory 2710. Memory 2710 includes routines 2718 and data / information 2720. A processor 2706, eg, a CPU, executes routines 2718 in memory 2710 and uses data / information 2720 to control the operation of wireless terminal 2700 and implement the method of the present invention.

  Receiver module 2702, eg, an OFDM receiver, is coupled to antenna 2714 through which the wireless terminal receives downlink signals from the base station attachment point. Downlink signals include various broadcast signals including beacon signals, pilot signals, base station identification information, eg, locally unique cell identifiers corresponding to attachment points used in specific type reports, and requested interference report type information. , For example, information that distinguishes between specific interference reports and general interference reports. In some embodiments, the locally unique base station identifier is the identifier of the sectorized base station where the second attachment point is located. The receiver module 2702 receives a plurality of signals from a plurality of attachment points, the plurality of signals including a second signal, for example, the second signal is a beacon or pilot signal from a second attachment point. And the second attachment point is an addition of a first attachment point, eg, an attachment point of the current connection.

  A transmitter module 2704, eg, an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to a transmit antenna 2716 via which the wireless terminal transmits an uplink signal that includes generated interference reports, eg, beacon ratio reports communicated on a dedicated control channel. . In various embodiments, receiver module 2702 and transmitter module 2704 use the same antenna, eg, in conjunction with a duplex module.

  The routine 2718 includes a communication routine 2722 and a wireless terminal control routine 2724. The wireless terminal control routine 2724 includes a monitoring module 2726, a first measurement module 2728, eg, a beacon signal measurement module, a second measurement module 2732, eg, a pilot signal measurement module, an interference report generation module 2734, a signal It includes an identification module 2736, a transmission time determination module 2738, a sector type determination module 2740, and a control module 2742. The first measurement module 2728 includes a signal power measurement module 2331. The second measurement module 2732 includes a signal power measurement module 2333.

  The communication module 2722 implements various communication protocols used by the wireless terminal 2700. The monitoring module 2726 may be used when broadcast base station identification information, eg, received signal strength measurements of beacons and / or pilots are obtained and used in specific interference reports that are required to communicate over the uplink. A locally unique base station identifier such as a cell slope value corresponding to the base station attachment point from which it is obtained is detected. The first measurement module 2728 measures a first type of received signal, eg, a beacon signal. Second signal measurement module 2732 measures a second type of signal, eg, a pilot signal. The interference report generation module 2732 generates a report based on the measurement of the first received signal and the measurement of the second received signal, and the first received signal is a first attachment point to which the wireless terminal has a connection. The second received signal is a received signal from the second attachment point corresponding to the base station identification information detected by the monitoring module 2726.

  The signal identification module 2736 identifies a second signal of the plurality of signals as a function of detected broadcast base station identification information. Therefore, signal identification uses information from the monitoring module 2726 when identifying the second signal. In some embodiments, the detected broadcast base station identification information is detected in a broadcast signal from a first attachment point, and the broadcast signal is used to control a plurality of wireless terminals.

  The transmission time determination module 2738 determines the time at which the generated interference report is transmitted according to a predetermined function that uses the time when the control signal including the base station identification information is received as the transmission time control input. In some embodiments, the predetermined function determines the transmission time to be a time corresponding to a certain predetermined offset from the time at which the control signal is received.

  The sector type determination module 2740 determines a sector identifier corresponding to the received base station identifier from the time at which the control signal is received, and the sector identifier identifies a sector to communicate as a second attachment point. In some embodiments, the sector identifier is determined as a function of stored timing structure information and time slots in the repetitive structure corresponding to the received signal time.

  Control module 2742 controls interference report generation module 2734 to generate different types of reports in response to different received control signals, wherein the different types of reports include at least a first type of report and a second type of report. Including a type report, wherein the first type report communicates a ratio of a first value to a second value, wherein one of the first value and the second value is a current connection The other of the first and second values of the attachment point is designated to the wireless terminal by the attachment point of the current connection, for example, for the current connection The attachment point selects which of the other possible attachment point signals to use in calculating the interference report. For example, the first type of report can be a specific beacon ratio report and the second type of report can be a general beacon ratio report. One received control signal, eg, a value of 0 in an interference report request broadcast signal, can signal that a general report is requested to be communicated. A positive integer value in another received control signal, eg, an interference report request broadcast signal, can mean that a specific beacon ratio report is being requested, and the positive integer value is the second attachment. Used to identify points.

  In some embodiments, a second type of report, such as a general beacon ratio report, is generated using a maximum function or a sum function when processing signal measurement information corresponding to one or more signals. The

  In various embodiments, the interference report is an interference report that is a ratio of a first value to a second value, where the first value is a first signal, eg, a first attachment that is a current connection. Is a function of the measured power of the beacon or pilot signal from the point, the second value is the second signal, e.g. another base station attachment point, e.g. a neighboring cell using the same carrier and / or tone block and It is a function of the measured power of the beacon or pilot signal from the / or sector attachment point.

  Data / information 2720 includes stored timing structure information 2744, detected broadcast base station identification information 2746, first received signal measurement information 2748, second received signal measurement information 2750, The generated interference report information 2752, the current attachment point connection ID information 2754, the attachment point corresponding to the detected base station identification information 2756, the control signal reception time information 2758, and the received locally unique base station Identification 2760, identified second attachment point sector type 2762, determined time slot information 2764, first type of interference report, eg, specific interference report, information 2766, and second type of interference Reports, eg, general reports, information 2768.

  While the methods and apparatus of the various embodiments have been described with respect to an OFDM system, they are applicable to a wide variety of communication systems including a number of non-OFDM and / or non-cellular systems.

  In various embodiments, the nodes described herein perform steps corresponding to one or more methods, eg, signal processing, beacon generation, beacon detection, beacon measurement, connection comparison, connection implementation. To be implemented using one or more modules. In some embodiments, various features are implemented using modules. The module can be implemented using software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware. Many of the methods or method steps described above involve a machine, e.g. a general purpose computer with or without additional hardware, to implement all or part of the method described above, e.g. in one or more nodes. Can be implemented using machine-executable instructions, such as software, contained in a memory device, such as a RAM, a floppy-readable medium such as a floppy disk, for controlling the computer. . Thus, among other things, various embodiments are readable by a machine including instructions executable by the machine to cause the machine, eg, processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of the steps of the methods described above. Targeting various media.

  Many additional variations on the methods and apparatus described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above description. Such variations should be considered within the scope. The methods and apparatus of the various embodiments are CDMA, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and / or various other types that can be used to provide a wireless communication link between an access node and a mobile node. And can be used in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the access node is implemented as a base station that establishes a communication link with the mobile node using OFDM and / or CDMA. In various embodiments, a mobile node may include a notebook computer, personal data assistant (PDA), or other device that includes receiver / transmitter circuitry and logic and / or routines for implementing the methods of the various embodiments. Implemented as a portable device.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication system implemented in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station implemented in various embodiments. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a wireless terminal implemented in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates a system for measuring relative gain associated with a plurality of interfering base stations in accordance with various embodiments where a wireless terminal is connected to a base station sector. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for measuring signal energy, determining gain, and providing an interference report according to various embodiments. It is a figure which shows a part of FIG. It is a figure which shows a part of FIG. It is a figure which shows a part of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an uplink traffic channel and segments included therein. FIG. 5 shows an assignment that a base station can use to assign uplink traffic channel segments to wireless terminals. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication system implemented in accordance with various embodiments. 4 includes an exemplary power scaling factor table implemented in accordance with the present invention. 4 includes an exemplary uplink load factor table used in various embodiments in generating an interference report. 7 is a table showing an exemplary format for an exemplary interference report, eg, a beacon ratio report, according to various embodiments. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) wireless communication system, eg, an OFDM spread spectrum multiple access wireless communication system, implemented in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 12 illustrates the exemplary system of FIG. 12 and provides additional details corresponding to each of the base station sectors to illustrate various features. FIG. 14 is a diagram of an exemplary system shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 intended to illustrate exemplary beacon ratio reporting methods according to various embodiments, including exemplary signaling received and processed by a wireless terminal. FIG. 14 is a diagram of an exemplary system shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 intended to illustrate exemplary beacon ratio reporting methods according to various embodiments, including exemplary signaling received and processed by a wireless terminal. FIG. 14 is a diagram of an exemplary system shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 intended to illustrate exemplary beacon ratio reporting methods according to various embodiments, including exemplary signaling received and processed by a wireless terminal. FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of operation of a wireless terminal, eg, a mobile node, with the combination of FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, and 17D, according to various embodiments. It is a figure which shows a part of FIG. It is a figure which shows a part of FIG. It is a figure which shows a part of FIG. It is a figure which shows a part of FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary timing structure information and corresponding interference report information for an exemplary embodiment, eg, report information for a beacon ratio report. FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary beacon ratio report request downlink signaling and exemplary uplink beacon ratio report signaling for an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary communication system implemented in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 21 illustrates exemplary downlink control signaling and uplink interference reports, eg, beacon ratio reports, corresponding to the exemplary system of FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary wireless terminal operating method according to various embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary wireless terminal implemented in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 25 is a flowchart of an exemplary wireless terminal operating method comprising the combination of FIGS. 24A and 24B. It is a figure which shows a part of FIG. It is a figure which shows a part of FIG. FIG. 26 is a flow diagram of an exemplary wireless terminal operation method comprising the combination of FIGS. 25A and 25B and according to various embodiments. It is a figure which shows a part of FIG. It is a figure which shows a part of FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates a table illustrating exemplary interference report signal usage and report calculations according to various embodiments. FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary wireless terminal implemented in accordance with various embodiments.

Claims (51)

A wireless terminal operation method,
Monitoring to detect a received broadcast signal communicating at least one uplink load factor, each broadcast uplink load factor corresponding to an attachment point;
Receiving a first signal from a first attachment point;
Making a first measurement on the received first signal;
Generating an uplink interference report based on the measurement of the first signal and a first received uplink load factor corresponding to the first attachment point;
Transmitting the generated uplink interference report. Receiving a second signal from a second attachment point;
Making a second measurement on the received second signal, and generating an uplink interference report generates the uplink interference report using a result of the second measurement. The method of claim 1 comprising:   The method of claim 2, wherein the first and second measurements are signal power measurements.   4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first signal is a beacon or pilot signal and the second signal is a beacon or pilot signal.   The uplink interference report communicates a ratio of a first and a second value, wherein the first value is a function of a product of the first load factor and the result of the first signal measurement; 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second value is a function of the second result of the second measurement.   The method of claim 5, wherein the first and second signals are OFDM signals.   6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second value is also a function of a product of a second load factor corresponding to the second attachment point and the result of the second signal measurement.   8. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving the second load factor before generating the uplink interference report.   8. The method of claim 7, further comprising setting the second load factor to a default value. Receiving a third signal from a third attachment point;
Performing a third measurement on the received third signal, and generating an uplink interference report generates the second value using a result of the third measurement. The method of claim 5 comprising: Using the result of the third measurement to generate the second value,
Summing third and fourth values, wherein the third value is a function of the result of the second signal measurement, and the fourth value is the value of the third signal measurement. 11. The method of claim 10, comprising being a function of the result. The first value is generated according to the following equation:
b ₀ PB ₀
The second value is generated according to the following equation:
b ₁ PB ₁ + b ₂ PB ₂
Here, b ₀ is the load factor corresponding to the first attachment point,
PB ₀ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the first attachment point;
b ₁ is a load factor corresponding to the second attachment point;
PB ₁ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the second attachment point;
b ₂ is a load factor corresponding to the third attachment point,
The method of claim 11, wherein PB ₂ is the measured power of a received beacon signal from the third attachment point. Using the result of the third measurement to generate the second value,
Setting the second value to the maximum of the third and fourth values, wherein the third value is a function of the result of the second signal measurement, and the fourth value The method of claim 10, comprising: being a function of the result of the third signal measurement. The first value is generated according to the following equation:
b ₀ PB ₀
The second value is generated according to the following equation:
MAX (b ₁ PB ₁ , b ₂ PB ₂ )
Here, b ₀ is the load factor corresponding to the first attachment point,
PB ₀ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the first attachment point;
b ₁ is a load factor corresponding to the second attachment point;
PB ₁ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the second attachment point;
b ₂ is a load factor corresponding to the third attachment point,
The method of claim 13, wherein PB ₂ is the measured power of a received beacon signal from the third attachment point. A wireless terminal,
A monitoring module for detecting a received broadcast signal communicating at least one uplink load factor, each broadcast uplink load factor corresponding to an attachment point;
A first measurement module for measuring a first type of received signal;
A second measurement module for measuring a second type of received signal, a first received signal measurement and a first received uplink load factor corresponding to the first attachment point; A report generation module for generating an uplink interference report based on,
A wireless terminal comprising: a transmitter for transmitting the generated uplink interference report.   The wireless terminal according to claim 15, wherein the uplink interference report generation module generates an uplink interference report using the measurement of a second signal from a second attachment point.   The wireless terminal according to claim 16, wherein each of the first and second measurement modules includes a signal power measurement module. The first signal is a beacon or pilot signal;
The wireless terminal according to claim 17, wherein the second signal is a beacon or a pilot signal. The uplink interference report communicates a ratio of first and second values, and the report generation module
i) a first value generation module for generating the first value as a function of a product of the first load factor and the result of the first signal measurement;
The wireless terminal according to claim 17, comprising: ii) a second value generation module for generating the second value as a function of the second result of the second measurement.   20. The multiplier of claim 19, wherein the second value generation module includes a multiplier module for generating a product of a second load factor corresponding to the second attachment point and the result of the second signal measurement. Wireless terminal.   21. The load factor determination module according to claim 20, further comprising a load factor determination module for setting the second load factor to a default value when there is no second load factor successfully received from the second attachment point. The wireless terminal described. A wireless terminal,
Means for detecting received broadcast signals communicating at least one uplink load factor, each broadcast uplink load factor corresponding to an attachment point;
Means for measuring a received signal of a first type;
Means for measuring a second type of received signal;
Means for generating an uplink interference report based on a measurement of the first received signal and a first received uplink load factor corresponding to the first attachment point;
Means for transmitting the generated uplink interference report.   23. The wireless terminal of claim 22, wherein the means for generating an uplink interference report generates an uplink interference report using the measurement of a second signal from a second attachment point.   24. The wireless terminal of claim 23, wherein the means for measuring a first type of received signal and the means for measuring a second type of received signal each include a signal power measurement module. . The first signal is a beacon or pilot signal;
The wireless terminal according to claim 24, wherein the second signal is a beacon or a pilot signal. The uplink interference report communicates a ratio of the first and second values;
Said means for generating an uplink interference report comprises:
i) means for generating the first value as a function of a product of the first load factor and the result of the first signal measurement;
25. The wireless terminal of claim 24, comprising: ii) means for generating the second value as a function of the second result of the second measurement.   27. The wireless terminal according to claim 26, wherein the first and second signals are CDMA signals.   27. The wireless terminal according to claim 26, wherein the first and second signals are OFDM signals.   The means for generating the second value includes means for generating a product of a second load factor corresponding to the second attachment point and the result of the second signal measurement. 26. The wireless terminal according to 26.   30. The radio of claim 29, further comprising means for setting the second load factor to a default value if there is no second load factor successfully received from the second attachment point. Terminal.   The means for generating an uplink interference report generates at least one uplink interference report by generating the second value using a result of a third measurement from a third attachment point. Item 27. The wireless terminal according to Item 26. Said means for generating an uplink interference report comprises:
Means for summing third and fourth values, wherein the third value is a function of the result of the second signal measurement, and the fourth value is the third signal 32. The wireless terminal of claim 31, comprising means that is a function of the result of the measurement. The first value is generated according to the following equation:
b ₀ PB ₀
The second value is generated according to the following equation:
b ₁ PB ₁ + b ₂ PB ₂
Here, b ₀ is the load factor corresponding to the first attachment point,
PB ₀ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the first attachment point;
b ₁ is a load factor corresponding to the second attachment point;
PB ₁ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the second attachment point;
b ₂ is a load factor corresponding to the third attachment point,
PB _2, the third wireless terminal according to claim 32 which is the measured power of received beacon signals from the attachment point. Said means for generating an uplink interference report comprises:
Means for setting the second value to a maximum of the third and fourth values, wherein the third value is a function of the result of the second signal measurement; 32. The wireless terminal according to claim 31, comprising a value of which is a function of the result of the third signal measurement. The first value is generated according to the following equation:
b ₀ PB ₀
The second value is generated according to the following equation:
MAX (b ₁ PB ₁ , b ₂ PB ₂ )
Here, b ₀ is the load factor corresponding to the first attachment point,
PB ₀ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the first attachment point;
b ₁ is a load factor corresponding to the second attachment point;
PB ₁ is the measured power of the received beacon signal from the second attachment point;
b ₂ is a load factor corresponding to the third attachment point,
PB _2, the third wireless terminal according to claim 34 which is the measured power of received beacon signals from the attachment point. A computer-readable medium,
A method of operating a wireless terminal comprising:
Monitoring to detect a received broadcast signal communicating at least one uplink load factor, each broadcast uplink load factor corresponding to an attachment point;
Receiving a first signal from a first attachment point;
Making a first measurement on the received first signal;
Generating an uplink interference report based on the measurement of the first signal and a first received uplink load factor corresponding to the first attachment point;
A computer readable medium comprising machine executable instructions for implementing a method comprising: transmitting the generated uplink interference report. A computer readable medium according to claim 36, comprising:
As part of the step of generating an uplink interference report,
Instructions executable by a machine to receive a second signal from a second attachment point;
Instructions executable by a machine to perform a second measurement on the received second signal;
37. The computer readable medium of claim 36, further comprising instructions executable by a machine for generating the uplink interference report using the result of the second measurement.   38. The computer readable medium of claim 37, wherein the first and second measurements are signal power measurements.   39. The computer readable medium method of claim 38, wherein the first signal is a beacon or pilot signal and the second signal is a beacon or pilot signal.   The uplink interference report communicates a ratio of a first and a second value, wherein the first value is a function of a product of the first load factor and the result of the first signal measurement; 40. The computer readable medium of claim 38, wherein the second value is a function of the second result of the second measurement.   41. The computer readable medium method of claim 40, wherein the first and second values are OFDM signals.   41. The computer readable medium of claim 40, wherein the second value is also a function of a product of a second load factor corresponding to the second attachment point and the result of the second signal measurement.   43. The computer readable medium of claim 42, further comprising instructions executable by a machine to receive the second load factor prior to generating the uplink interference report.   43. The computer readable medium of claim 42, further comprising a machine executable instruction for setting the second load factor to a default value. An apparatus operable in a communication system,
Monitoring to detect a received broadcast signal communicating at least one uplink load factor;
Receiving a first signal from a first attachment point;
Making a first measurement on the received first signal;
Generating an uplink interference report based on the measurement of the first signal and a first received uplink load factor corresponding to the first attachment point;
An apparatus comprising: a processor configured to transmit the generated uplink interference report, each broadcast uplink load factor corresponding to an attachment point. The processor is
Receiving a second signal from a second attachment point;
Performing a second measurement on the received second signal;
46. The apparatus of claim 45, configured to generate the uplink interference report using the result of the second measurement.   The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the first and second measurements are signal power measurements. The first signal is a beacon or pilot signal;
48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the second signal is a beacon or pilot signal.   The uplink interference report communicates a ratio of a first and second value, the first value being a function of a product of the first load factor and the result of the first signal measurement; 48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the second value is a function of the second result of the second measurement.   50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the second value is also a function of a product of a second load factor corresponding to the second attachment point and the result of the second signal measurement. The processor is
51. The apparatus of claim 50, configured to receive the second load factor prior to generating the uplink interference report.

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