INTEGRATED POWER CONTROL AND CONGESTION CONTROL IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a communication system having base stations and mobile stations using integrated control of both signal transmission power levels and signal congestion levels. In particular, the method includes measuring a quality such as a signal to interference ratio of a signal transmitted from a mobile station to a base station and measuring a total received signal power at the base station. The signal transmission power of the mobile station is changed based on comparisons of the measured signals with predetermined threshold values. When the measured total received signal power at the base station exceeds the corresponding predetermined threshold value, a congestion control algorithm is executed to reduce the signal congestion level.

Description: INTEGRATED POWER CONTROL AND CONGESTION CONTROL IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the control of power and traffic levels of transmitted signals in telecommunication systems, in particular spread spectrum, or code division multiple access (CDMA) systems. In a typical CDMA system, an information data stream to be transmitted is impressed upon a much-higher-bit-rate data stream produced by a pseudo-random code generator, such that each information signal is allocated a unique code. A plurality of coded information signals are transmitted as modulations of radio frequency carrier waves and are jointly received as a composite signal at a receiver. Each of the coded signals overlaps all of the other coded signals, as well as noise- related signals, in both frequency and time. By correlating the composite signal with one of the unique codes, the corresponding information signal can be isolated and decoded. In a mobile radiotelephone system, interference between different call connections using the same radio channel can be reduced by regulating the transmission power levels of mobile stations and base stations in the system. Preferably, only the transmission power necessary to maintain satisfactory call quality is used to reduce the likelihood of interference between calls using the same radio channel. An attribute such as a signal-to-noise interference ratio (SIR) can be used as a measure of quality or power of received signals in the system, i.e., as one measure of call quality in the system. The each connection between a mobile station and a base station can have a SIR, and SIR measures of different connections can be different. By regulating power in communication systems that use CDMA so that only the transmission power necessary to maintain satisfactory call quality is used, capacity of die system can be increased by approximately 70% as compared with an unregulated system where signal transmission power is unnecessarily large, assuming that all of the calls or connections have the same SIR target or required SIR. In addition, mobile stations in die system consume less energy when transmit power levels are maintained at a lowest possible level. Accordingly, batteries used to power mobile stations can have a smaller capacity, allowing the mobile stations to be lighter in weight and smaller in size. One known type of power control is so-called "fast" SIR-based control. The basic principle of fast SIR-based control of signal transmission power is mat under normal conditions, an increase in signal transmission power will cause a corresponding increase in SIR. In fast SIR-based control, when die SIR of the signal transmission is higher than necessary, the signal transmission power is decreased. When a SIR of a signal transmission from a mobile station to a base station is too low, the signal transmission power of the mobile station is increased. Precise details regarding fast-SIR based control of signal transmission power in CDMA systems will be apparent to those skilled in me art, and are not discussed in this document. When a mobile communication system is overloaded, signal transmissions within die system can mutually interfere. In such a scenario, increasing signal transmission power does not effectively increase die SIR because of "parry effects". The party effect phenomenon is similar to what happens at a party when people talking with each other speak loudly to hear over others who are speaking loudly, thus causing d e overall noise level to become large. Specifically, in a system employing fast SIR-based control of signal transmission power, a first mobile station experiencing a SIR that is below a SIR target value or threshold will increase signal transmission power to bring the SIR to the target value. If the interference that the first mobile station is trying to overcome is caused by signal transmissions from a second mobile station, and signal transmissions from the first and second mobile stations are mutually interfering, then ie signal transmission power increase by the first mobile station can cause a corresponding increase in interference with die second mobile station's signal transmission and degrade die second mobile station's SIR below its target value. In response the second mobile station will increase its signal transmission power to increase its SIR, thus exacerbating the original problem. Positive feedback is present in the system, and the mobile stations will each increase signal transmission power until maximum power levels are reached, widiout achieving the desired quality or power of the received signals. Party effects arising in one cell of die system can spread to neighboring cells in the system when, for example, high signal transmission power levels in the one cell interfere excessively with signal transmissions in an adjacent cell. U.S. Patent No. 5,574,982 to Almgren et al ("Almgren") provides a solution to avoid party effects in cellular radio communication systems. Almgren is incorporated by reference into diis document. Almgren describes monotonically reducing a target carrier-to- interference ratio (C/I) or SIR as signal transmission power is increased. Thus, as signal power is increased to compensate for interference, the allowable level of interference is also increased. In effect, die system avoids the large reduction in signal quality of all users in die same cell mat would result from party effects by tolerating a smaller reduction in signal quality, i.e., by increasing the allowable level of signal interference. However, although party effects .are avoided, signal quality is nevertheless reduced. Problems can arise, however, in a system having a slow, quality-based power control in addition to a fast, closed loop SIR-based power control d at uses die method described in Almgren. In such a system, when an experienced signal quality (typically, a frame error rate) decreases below an acceptable value, e.g. , when tlie system is overloaded, die slow power control will increase the SIR target by increasing the value of a specified SIR direshold. In contrast, the fast, SIR-based power control will effectively decrease d e SIR target as signal power is increased to remedy d e reduction in signal quality. Thus, d e system suffers from d e disadvantage diat the slow power control and die fast power control can counteract each other because they both alter the SIR target in different directions. Consequently, die fast power control can only temporarily stabilize the system. M. Andersin, in "Power Control and Admission Control in Cellular Radio Systems" , Ph.D. diesis, Royal Instimte of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, May 1996, describes a system wherein control of signal transmission power is integrated with removal of signal connections. The integration is achieved by performing fast, closed loop SIR-based control of signal transmission power only for supported signal connections, and deactivating all od er (i.e., unsuppoπed) signal connections by setting their respective signal transmission powers to zero. A supported signal connection is a signal connection whose SIR target can be achieved within the system. In contrast, an unsupported signal connection is a signal connection whose SIR target cannot be achieved within die system. Connection removal algorithms are used to select specific connections which can be removed to stabilize the system. In other words, the SIR-based power control algorithm is not altered based on signal traffic congestion levels within the system. Instead, die set of signal connections controlled by die SIR-based power control algorithm is altered. The connection removal algorithm removes signal connections until remaining signal connections can each achieve d eir SIR targets under the control of d e SIR-based power control algorithm. Such an integrated control will cause a communications system to a) require additional signaling over die air interface, since knowledge of die output power of die mobile stations is needed: b) require more complex infrastructure for die mobile stations and die base stations since the fast closed loop power control cannot be applied when deactivating some connections; and c) be unable to protect real time services in the deactivation phase. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention overcomes disadvantages of die foregoing techniques by providing integrated control of bodi signal transmission power and signal traffic congestion, e.g., data transfer rate, in a CDMA communications system. In a CDMA communications system wherein some users might not require real-time communication, d e signal transmission power is controlled based on a) a measured signal quality, such as SIR, and b) a level of signal traffic congestion within the system. A total signal power received at a base station in the system can provide a measure of signal traffic congestion. Congestion control can be performed, for example, based on die total signal power received at die base station. Congestion control can include reducing signal traffic congestion from a first level to a second level by lowering d e transmission bit rate for those users diat do not require real-time communication, performing an interffequency handover, or terminating communications between at least one mobile station and die base station. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features and objects of the invention will be understood by reading uiis description in conjunction with d e drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a CDMA communication system according to an embodiment of die invention; FIG. 2 illustrates internal configurations of a base station and a mobile station shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating signal transmission power control and congestion control according to a first embodiment of die invention; and FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating signal transmission power control and congestion control according to a second embodiment of die invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows a CDMA communications system having cells C1-C7, wherein each cell includes one of d e base stations B1-B7 and one or more of the mobile stations M11-M71. The base stations and mobile stations can have an internal configuration as shown in FIG. 2, where die base station Bl and d e mobile station Mil each have a processor 200, 250, a transmitter 210, 240 and a receiver 220, 230 respectively. According to an aspect of the invention, when a cell in the system enters an unstable or overloaded state, for example when signal transmission power levels become too high and/or SIR levels become too low, a power control algorithm avoids party effects by simultaneously lowering signal transmission quality targets or iresholds and adjusting signal transmission power, dius stabilizing the power vector, i.e., stabilizing signal transmission power levels within the system. Congestion control is also activated to reduce a level of signal traffic by either delaying, transferring to another frequency, or terminating a user's communications. The congestion can be controlled while the power control algorithm is stabilizing the power vector, or after the power vector has been stabilized. Thus, die power control algorithm stabilizes the power vector, and the congestion control reduces die signal traffic in die cell until the system is back in a stable state and die transmission quality targets or diresholds are restored to acceptable levels. Suitable processors located in base stations and/or mobile stations of die system can perform the power and congestion control functions. Congestion can be reduced from a first level to a second level by selecting a signal transmission between a mobile station and a mobile station within die cell, and then lowering the bit transmission rate of die signal transmission. Alternatively, an interfrequency handover can be performed to shift the selected signal transmission to a different frequency to reduce congestion on the original frequency, or die selected signal transmission can be terminated. According to an embodiment of die invention, lowering the bit transmission rate is preferable to shifting the selected signal transmission to a different frequency, which is in turn preferable to terminating the signal transmission. Situations where the bit rate is not lowered can include, for example, the simation where die bit rate is already at a minimum rate specified either by the system, or by user requirements (e.g. , when d e data carried by the signal transmission represent a real time voice communication between people and lowering die bit rate would unacceptably hinder die communication). If the bit rate is not lowered or if lowering die bit rate does not sufficiently reduce congestion, tiien frequency handover or termination can be considered. If other signal frequencies are also congested or otherwise unavailable, then it may not be possible to change die frequency of d e selected signal transmission. In that situation, the signal transmission can be terminated in order to reduce congestion. Signal transmissions can be selected for bit rate reduction, frequency handover, or termination based on a variety of factors, including: a) whetiier real-time delivery of data via a particular signal transmission is required or desired, b) current transmission bit rates of various signals, c) d e priority of a particular signal transmission over other signal transmissions, d) availability of other frequency channels, and e) relative contribution to congestion by a particular signal transmission. As diose of ordinary skill in die art will recognize, suitable processors located in base stations and/or mobile stations of die system can be used to make diese determinations and perform congestion control. Further details regarding techniques for reducing congestion will also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in d e art. and are not described in this document. When die power control algorithm is properly chosen, party effects can be confined to a particular cell, which means diat sources of instability can easily be found and taken care of. In addition, if die power vector is stable when the congestion control alters one user's communications within the cell, then a resulting change in congestion can be rapidly detected and communications of other users within the cell are less likely to be altered or disrupted by d e congestion control. According to an exemplary embodiment of die invention, signal transmission power of a mobile station is increased when he following condition is true: (SIR m /SIR t )*((P r /P t ) n ) < 1 where SIR,,, is a SIR measured, e.g., by the base station. SIR 1 is a specified SIR threshold, P r is a total power received at the base station. P' is a chosen direshold, and n is a chosen coefficient. When d e condition is false, signal power of die mobile station is decreased. Those skilled in die art will recognize diat the direshold for total received power at the base station, P\ can be chosen for a particular system by testing the system with different values of P', and dien selecting a value d at yields satisfactory performance. Those skilled in die art will also note diat when n = 0, the algorithm describes ordinary SIR-based fast power control. When n is greater than zero, die algorithm effectively reduces die SIR target as signal transmission power increases. In an embodiment of die invention, values for n are chosen based on a comparison between P r and P'. When P r is less dian die direshold value P c , n is chosen to be 0. When die total signal power P r received at the base station exceeds the direshold value P 1 , n is set to a value greater dian zero, for example between about 0.2 and about 0.3, thus effectively lowering the target SIR as signal transmission power of a mobile station is increased. In addition, congestion control is activated when P r exceeds the direshold value P 1 . The congestion control forces the system back into a stable state where P r does not exceed P. The fast power control only alters the SIR target during a very short amount of time in which die fast power control and the congestion control stabilize the system. This technique is particularly advantageous in a system using a slow, quality- based power control in addition to a fast, SIR-based power control such as that described in Almgren. This is because according to the invention, the SIR target is altered for only a relatively short time, which is too short for d e slow power control to react and attempt to increase the experienced signal quality by increasing the SIR direshold, SIR 1 . Quality measurements in the quality-based power control can also be disregarded during a short period of time when n is greater man zero. Thus, in the invention fast power control and slow power control work togetiier and not at cross- purposes. Fig. 3 is a flow diagram showing a method for controlling congestion and transmission signal power according to a first embodiment of die invention. The method begins at step S300, and proceeds to step S310. In step S310, a determination is made whether P r is greater than P. If P r is greater than P\ dien n is set equal to 0.25 in step S320, and the method moves from step S320 to step S330. In step S330, congestion is reduced. From step S330, the method moves to step S350 where a determination is made whether a condition such as: (SIR πι /SIR t )*((P r /P l ) π ) < 1 is satisfied. If die condition is not satisfied, tiien the metiiod moves from step S350 to step S370, where die mobile station signal transmission power is decreased. From step S370 the method moves back to step S310, and die process repeats. If the condition is satisfied, tiien the metiiod moves from step S350 to step S360, where mobile station signal transmission power is increased. From step S360 the method moves to step S310. If at step S310 P r is determined to be less than P\ then the method moves from step S310 to step S340, where n is set equal to zero. From step S340 die metiiod moves to step S350, and proceeds as described above. Fig. 4 is a flow diagram showing a method for controlling congestion and transmission signal power according to a second embodiment of the invention. The method begins at step S400 and proceeds to step S420, where a determination is made whether P r is greater d an P'. If yes, then n is set equal to 0.25 in step S430. If no, tiien n is set equal to zero in step S440. From each of steps S430 and S440 die method moves to step S450. In step S450, a determination is made whether a condition such as: (SIR m /SIR t )*((P r /P t ) π ) < 1 is satisfied. If die condition is satisfied, then the method proceeds to step S460 where mobile station signal transmission power is increased. From step S460 the method moves to step S480. If die condition is not satisfied in step S450, tiien the method moves to step S470, where the mobile station signal transmission power is decreased. From step S470, the method moves to step S480, where a determination is made whether a convergence criterion is satisfied. If the convergence criterion is not satisfied, then the metiiod moves from step S480 to step S420 and die cycle repeats. The convergence criterion is a measure of how rapidly d e total power received at die base station, P r , is changing during a time Δt. For example, die convergence criterion can be: | P r (t) - P r (t - Δt) | < e where P r (t) is the total power received at die base station at a time t, and e is a chosen value or direshold. If in step S480 die convergence criterion is satisfied, then tiie method moves from step S480 to step S490, where a determination is made whether P r is greater than P'. If P r is greater than P\ then the metiiod moves to step S495, where congestion is reduced. From step S495, d e metiiod moves to back to step S420. and die process repeats. If in step S490 P r is determined to be less dian P\ tiien the method moves directly back to step S420. It will be understood diat Applicant's invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described above and that modifications may be made by persons skilled in die art. The scope of Applicant's invention is deteπnined by the following claims, and any and all modifications that fall within diat scope are intended to be included therein.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A method of controlling a communication system having base stations and mobile stations, comprising the steps of: controlling signal transmission power of at least one station in die system based on a signal traffic congestion in the system; measuring a received signal power at one of the base stations; comparing the measured signal power with a first threshold value; and controlling the signal traffic congestion in the system based on the comparison of die measured signal power witi the first threshold value. 2. The metiiod of claim 1, wherein the step of controlling congestion comprises: performing at least one of lowering a bit rate of signal transmission between a first mobile station and a first base station, performing an interfrequency handover of signal transmissions between the first mobile station and the second base station, and terminating die signal transmission between the first mobile station and d e first base station. 3. The metiiod of claim 1, wherein the step of controlling signal transmission power comprises: measuring a quality of a signal transmitted from one of the mobile stations to the one base station; comparing the measured quality with a second direshold value; and changing d e signal transmission power of the one mobile station based on die comparisons of die measured values with the direshold values. 4. The metiiod of claim 3, wherein the signal transmission power of the one mobile station is increased when a) (SIR SIR') < 1 and P r < P, or b) (SIR m /SIR t )((P r /P t ) n ) < 1 and P r > P, wherein: SIR is a signal to interference ratio measured at die one base station of a signal transmitted from the one mobile station; SIR' is a predetermined signal to interference ratio threshold value; P r is a total signal power received at die one base station; P 1 is a predetermined total received signal power threshold value; and n is greater d an zero. 5. The metiiod of claim 4, wherein n is between about 0.2 and about 0.3. 6. The metiiod of claim 4, wherein die step of controlling congestion is performed when P r > P l and comprises the steps of: selecting a signal transmission between a first mobile station and a first base station; performing at least one of lowering a bit rate of the selected signal transmission, executing an interfrequency handover of the selected signal transmission, and terminating the selected signal transmission; and repeating the steps of selecting and performing until P r < P. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the signal transmission is selected based on whether delivery of data via he signal transmission is desired in real time. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of performing is prioritized such diat lowering the bit rate of the signal transmission and executing an interfrequency handover are preferred over terminating die selected signal transmission. 9. The method of claim 6, wherein die step of performing is prioritized such diat lowering die bit rate of the signal transmission is preferred over executing an interfrequency handover. 10. A method of stabilizing a communication system having base stations and mobile stations, comprising the steps of: reducing signal traffic congestion from a first level to a second level; stabilizing a power vector of the system based on die signal traffic congestion; and repeating the steps of stabilizing die power vector and reducing signal traffic congestion until a total signal power received at the one base station is less than a first threshold value. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein die step of stabilizing die power vector comprises the steps of: measuring the total signal power received at the one base station; comparing the measured signal power with the first threshold value; measuring a quality of a signal transmitted from one of die mobile stations to one of die base stations; comparing the measured quality with a second direshold value; and changing the signal transmission power of the one mobile station based on d e comparisons of the measured values with die threshold values; 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of reducing congestion comprises: when the measured total signal power received at die one base station is greater than the first threshold value, selecting a signal transmission between a first mobile station and a first base station and performing at least one of lowering a bit rate of die selected signal transmission, performing an interfrequency handover of the selected signal transmission, and terminating tiie selected signal transmission. 13. An apparatus for stabilizing a communication system having base stations and mobile stations, comprising: means for stabilizing a power vector of the system based on signal traffic congestion in the system; and means for reducing congestion in die system from a first level to a second level by selecting a signal transmission between a first mobile station and a first base station and performing at least one of lowering a bit rate of the selected signal transmission, performing an interfrequency handover of the selected signal transmission, and terminating the selected signal transmission. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for stabilizing a power vector of the system comprises: means for measuring a total signal power received at one of the base stations: means for comparing the measured signal power with a first threshold value; means for measuring a quality of a signal transmitted from one of the mobile stations to the one base station; means for comparing the measured quality with a second direshold value; and means for changing the signal transmission power of the one mobile station based on die comparisons of the measured values with the threshold values. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein die means for stabilizing comprises a processor located at one of the stations. 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means for reducing congestion comprises a processor located at one of the stations. 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means for reducing congestion reduces congestion based on the comparison of the measured signal power with the first threshold value.

Inventors: KNUTSSON JENS, PERSSON MAGNUS, KNUTSSON, JENS, PERSSON, MAGNUS
Applicants: ERICSSON TELEFON AB L M, TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
Application year: 1998
Main classification: H04B7
IPC codes: H04B7, H04W52