U.S. patent application number 09/144408 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-07 for signal splitting method for limiting peak power in a cdma system.
Invention is credited to HOLTZMAN, JACK, LUNDBY, STEIN A., TERASAWA, DAISUKE, TIEDEMANN, EDWARD G. JR..
Application Number | 20020015390 09/144408 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22508457 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020015390 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LUNDBY, STEIN A. ; et
al. |
February 7, 2002 |
SIGNAL SPLITTING METHOD FOR LIMITING PEAK POWER IN A CDMA
SYSTEM
Abstract
The invention is a method for limiting the peak transmit power
in a CDMA communication system. At least one of first and second
high transmit power regions are separated into a plurality of high
transmit power subregions. The high transmit power subregions of
the plurality of high subregions are shifted by time offsets of
differing durations to provide a plurality of time offset
subregions. First and second low transmit power regions are also
provided. At least one of the first and second low transmit power
regions is also separated into a plurality of transmit power
subregions and the low transmit power subregions are shifted by
time offsets of differing time durations. The subregions can be
time offset by a predetermined time duration or by a random time
duration.
Inventors: |
LUNDBY, STEIN A.; (SAN
DIEGO, CA) ; TIEDEMANN, EDWARD G. JR.; (SAN DIEGO,
CA) ; HOLTZMAN, JACK; (SAN DIEGO, CA) ;
TERASAWA, DAISUKE; (SAN DIEGO, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Qualcomm Incorporated
Patents Department
5775 Morehouse Drive
San Diego
CA
92121-1714
US
|
Family ID: |
22508457 |
Appl. No.: |
09/144408 |
Filed: |
August 31, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/311 ;
370/335; 370/341; 375/E1.002 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 2201/70706
20130101; H04W 52/36 20130101; H04B 2201/709709 20130101; H04B
1/707 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/311 ;
370/335; 370/341 |
International
Class: |
G08C 017/00 |
Claims
1. A method for limiting peak transmit power in a CDMA
communication system, comprising the steps of: (a) providing first
and second communication signals having respective first and second
high transmit power regions; (b) separating at least one of the
first and second high transmit power regions into a plurality of
high transmit power subregions; (c) time offsetting the high
transmit power subregions of the plurality of high subregions by
time offsets of differing durations to provide a plurality of time
offset subregions; and (d) transmitting the first and second
communication signals including the time offset subregions within
in the communication system.
2. The method for limiting peak transmit power of claim 1, wherein
the first and second communication signals further include
respective first and second low transmit power regions.
3. The method for limiting peak transmit power of claim 2,
comprising the step of separating at least one of the first and
second low transmit power regions into a plurality of low transmit
power subregions.
4. The method for limiting peak transmit power of claim 3,
comprising the step of time offsetting the low transmit power
subregions by time offsets of differing time durations.
5. The method for limiting peak transmit power of claim 1, wherein
the time offset subregions are time offset by a predetermined time
duration.
6. The method for limiting peak transmit power of claim 1, wherein
the time offset subregions are offset by a random time
duration.
7. The method for limiting peak transmit power of claim 1, wherein
at least one of the first and second high transmit power regions
comprises a pilot signal.
8. The method for limiting peak transmit power of claim 7, wherein
at least one of the first and second low transmit power regions
comprises a voice signal.
9. A system for limiting peak transmit power in a CDMA
communication system, comprising: (a) first and second
communication signals having respective first and second high
transmit power regions; (b) a plurality of high transmit power
subregions formed by dividing at least one of the first and second
high transmit power regions; (c) a plurality of time offset
subregions formed by time offsetting the high transmit power
subregions of the plurality of high subregions by time offsets of
differing durations; and (d) transmit signals formed by
transmitting the first and second communication signals including
the time offset subregions within in the communication system.
10. A system for limiting peak transmit power in a CDMA
communication system, comprising: (a) means for providing first and
second communication signals having respective first and second
high transmit power regions; (b) means for separating at least one
of the first and second high transmit power regions into a
plurality of high transmit power subregions; (c) means for time
offsetting the high transmit power subregions of the plurality of
high subregions by time offsets of differing durations to provide a
plurality of time offset subregions; and (d) means for transmitting
the first and second communication signals including the time
offset subregions within in the communication system.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to communication systems in
general and, in particular, to improving the transmission of
information signals in a communications system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] CDMA communication systems are very sensitive to peak
transmit power and are generally limited by interference related to
transmit power levels. One interference related limitation is the
so called "Near-Far Problem". In this problem as transmit power
increases during a transmission it causes more interference in
other channels. To deal with this additional interference the other
channels must increase their own transmit power. The increase in
transmit power by the other channels in turn generates more
interference for all the channels. This avalanche effect occurs
until the system is stabilized and all the channels are satisfied.
Therefore, in order to maximize the capacity of such a system it is
desirable that each user transmit only the minimum power necessary
to achieve a required quality of service. Another problem that can
degrade the performance of other links in a transmission system is
a waveform that contains a discontinuous power pattern. This
problem compounds the Near-Far Problem.
[0005] Transmit power amplifiers provide another area where
interference can limit the capacity of CDMA communication systems.
The maximum output power of transmit power amplifiers is determined
by a number of design parameters including power dissipation and
unwanted emissions. Unwanted emissions are those that are outside
the bandwidth of the input signal. Most of the unwanted emissions
occur due to intermodulation within the power amplifier.
Intermodulation is caused by high transmit power levels that drive
the amplifier into a nonlinear region.
[0006] Unwanted emissions are often limited by regulatory bodies,
such as the FCC. Industry standards may also set limits on unwanted
emissions in order to avoid interference with the same or another
system. To maintain unwanted emissions within the desired limits,
the output power of the transmit power amplifier is selected so
that the probability of exceeding the emission limits is very
small. When a waveform having a nonlinear envelope is amplified,
the maximum output is determined by the portion of the waveform
that has the highest power level. Additionally, if the requested
output power exceeds the maximum permitted output power, a
transmitter can limit the output power to the maximum permitted
level in order to keep the unwanted emissions within the prescribed
limits.
[0007] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown graphical
representation 10 of transmission waveforms 12, 18. Transmission
waveform 12 is formed of waveform portions 14, 16 having differing
power levels. The transmit power level limitation of the amplifier
is will be reached by portion 14 rather than by portion 16 because
portion 14 has the highest instantaneous power. In contrast,
transmission waveform 18 has a constant envelope. Transmitting at
the maximum power permits higher energy transmission, as
illustrated by the areas under transmission waveforms 12, 18. In
order to maximize the total transmit energy over a period of time
it is therefore desirable that the signal applied to the
transmitter have a peak to average power ratio as close to one as
possible. Furthermore, in addition to preventing the peak transmit
power problems, a constant power level reduces self interference
that can result from fast changes of the loading in the power
amplifier.
[0008] For example, FIG. 2 shows a plurality of transmission
waveforms 20a-n. The number n of transmission waveforms 20a-n can
be very large. For example, n can commonly have a value of two
hundred or more in CDMA communication systems. Transmission signal
20a-n is formed of pilot portions 22, control portions 24, voice
portions 26, and data portions 28. Pilot portions 22 of
transmission signals 20a-n always have a high power level. By
definition, in order to serve as a pilot signal, portion portions
22 must always be high. Data portions 28 are usually relatively
high because it is a very highly utilized time slot. Voice portions
26, on the other hand, are typically low because voice signals have
many unused periods.
[0009] Total power waveform 30 represents the total power of
transmission waveforms 20a-n summed together. Because pilot
portions 22 and data portions 22 are at high levels within
transmission waveforms 20a-n, the corresponding portions 32, 36 of
total power waveform 30 are high. Because voice portions 26 vary
and are usually low, portion 34 of total power waveform 30 can vary
from close to zero to an intermediate level 34.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention is a method for limiting the peak transmit
power in a CDMA communication system. At least one of first and
second high transmit power regions are separated into a plurality
of high transmit power subregions. The high transmit power
subregions of the plurality of high subregions are shifted by time
offsets of differing durations to provide a plurality of time
offset subregions. First and second low transmit power regions are
also provided. At least one of the first and second low transmit
power regions is also separated into a plurality of transmit power
subregions and the low transmit power subregions are shifted by
time offsets of differing time durations. The subregions can be
time offset by a predetermined time duration or by a random time
duration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The features, objects, and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent form the detailed description
set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in
which like reference characters identify corresponding elements
throughout and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a graphical representation of transmission
waveforms;
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a plurality of transmission signals in a
communication system;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a graphical representation of a transmission
waveform;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a graphical representation of transmission
waveforms;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a graphical representation of transmission
waveforms;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart representation of an algorithm for
predicting the peak transmit power level in a CDMA system; and
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a graphical representation of a transmission
waveform; interleaved according to the method of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a graphical
representation of transmit waveform 50. A large number of waveforms
such as transmit waveform 50 are conventionally transmitted
simultaneously in CDMA communication systems. Transmit waveforms 50
are formed of a plurality of slots 54. Within each slot 54 are
three regions having power levels A, B, and C. If a number of
transmit waveforms 50 are transmitted through a communication band
in such a way that power levels A of the various waveforms 50 occur
simultaneously, the total power transmitted through the band
reaches a peak at that time. Likewise, if transmit waveforms 50 are
transmitted such that power levels C occur simultaneously, the
total power of the band reaches a low level at that time.
[0020] However, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention
transmit waveforms 50 are time offset with respect to each other in
such a way that the high power levels A do not line up with each
other. In this way the high levels and the low levels of the
various transmit waveforms 50 are averaged out. This results, most
importantly, in a lower peak transmit power in the communication
band. As previously described, a lower peak transmit power reduces
unwanted emissions and interference.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown graphical
representation 70 of transmit waveforms 74a-n. Transmit waveforms
74a-n can include pilot portions 78, power up/down portions 82,
control portions 86, and data portion 90 within each time slot 72.
Data portions 90 contain data pulse 92. The peak transmit power of
a band carrying transmit waveforms 74a-n is the sum of the power of
each waveform 74a-n. Thus, in order to minimize the peak transmit
power, and to thereby minimize unwanted emissions, the sum of
transmit waveforms 74a-n can be averaged and smoothed.
[0022] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the averaging
of the high transmit levels A of transmit waveforms 74a-n is
accomplished by providing each successive waveform 74a-n with the
same fixed offset when a new waveform 74a-n is added to the
communication band. Thus, for illustrative purposes, transmit
waveforms 74a-n are identical to each other except that they are
time offset from each other by differing multiples of the fixed
time offset t.sub.0.
[0023] For example, if transmit waveform 74a is the first signal to
be transmitted by a communication band, it can be transmitted with
zero offset. If transmit waveform 74b is the next signal to be
transmitted within the communication band it can receive time
offset t.sub.0 with respect to transmit waveform 74a. If transmit
waveform 74c is the next signal to be transmitted it can be time
offset by t.sub.0 with respect to transmit waveform 74b. This is
equivalent to a time offset of 2t.sub.0 from waveform 74a. Each
subsequent transmit waveform 74a-n to be transmitted by way of the
communication band can then receive an additional offset t.sub.0 in
the same manner. It will be understood however that it is not
always possible to shift every waveform by any time offset that may
be required by this method.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown graphical
representation 100 including transmit waveform 74 and total
transmit power waveform 96. When practicing the method of the
present invention, further averaging of transmit waveforms 74a-n,
and therefore further improvement in the peak transmit power, can
be obtained by smoothing data pulse 92 within data portion 90 of
waveforms 74a-n prior to applying time offsets. In order to obtain
this further improvement, conventional techniques for distributing
the information of data pulse 92 throughout data portion 90 can be
used. Additionally, the position of data pulse 92 within data
portion 90 can be varied in order to minimize the peak transmit
power. Using these methods a transmit power level 94 can result
within in total transmit power waveform 96.
[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the various
portions within time slots 72 of transmit waveforms 74a-n can be
separated from each other and transmitted in any of the possible
sequences. For example, within time slot 72 data portion 90 can be
separated from the remainder of transmit waveform 74a and
transmitted first. Pilot portion 78 can be separated and
transmitted next after data portion 90. The remaining portions
within time slot 72 can also be transmitted in any sequence.
Applying this technique to the waveform of graphical representation
50, portions A, B, and C can be transmitted as ABC, ACB, or in any
other order. Furthermore, the sequences can be varied from one
transmit waveform 74a-n to the next
[0026] Improved results can be obtained in the method of separating
and reordering the portions of transmit waveforms 74a-n by randomly
changing the sequence of the transmissions of the waveform
portions. This results in further averaging and smoothing of the
contributions to the total transmit power made by the various
waveforms. New transmission sequences can be continuously produced
by a random number generator. In this case both the transmitter and
the receiver must have knowledge of the parameters of the random
number generator in order to permit decoding by the receiver.
[0027] In addition to using a fixed time offset t.sub.0 for each
new waveform, it is possible to select an individual offset for
each new waveform according to an algorithm. For example, the new
time offset can be selected by determining which of the possible
offsets is being used by the lowest number of existing calls.
Additionally, the individual offsets can be determined by a peak
power algorithm adapted to provide a minimum increase in the peak
transmit power according to the shape or expected shape of the new
transmission signals. The algorithm can be a heuristic one. In
order to perform this function the peak power minimization
algorithm must be able to predict the transmit power waveform over
a period of time, for example over a transmit frame.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown transmit power
prediction algorithm 120. Transmit power prediction algorithm 120
can be used to predict the new total power resulting from the
addition of, for example, each transmission waveform 74a-n to a
communication system. Additionally, algorithm 120 can be used to
predict a new total power for adding a transmission waveform 74a-c
at each of a number of possible time offsets. Thus, it is possible
to select the optimum time offset resulting in the minimum increase
in peak transmit power. By determining the optimum time offset for
each new transmit waveform 74a-n as it is added to the
communication system in this manner further improvement in system
performance is obtained in an heuristic manner.
[0029] For example, the total transmit power of some known systems
can be calculated as:
{overscore (P)}.sub.n=.alpha.{overscore (P)}.sub.n-1+(1-.alpha.)
{overscore (e)}.sub.n
[0030] where:
(1-.alpha.)<1
[0031] is the forgetting factor, {overscore (P)}.sub.n is the
vector with the frame power estimate at time n with elements
{overscore (P)}.sub.n' corresponding to the estimated power during
the ith symbol in the frame, and {overscore (e)}.sub.n is the
vector containing the measured power for a frame at time n.
[0032] When a new channel set up is required in order to add a new
transmission waveform, the base station can compute the transmit
power waveform W resulting from the addition of the new channel.
The base station can then compute the resulting power vectors
corresponding to each of the possible time offsets as follows:
({overscore (P)}.sub.n').sub.(k)={overscore
(P)}.sub.n+cycl.sub.k(W)
[0033] where cyclk( ) is an operator that produces a cyclic shift
of the vector W by k elements. The new channel can then be set up
with the time offset that corresponds to the ({overscore
(P)}.sub.n').sub.(k) having the peak power to average power ratio
closest to one.
[0034] It will be understood that when a waveform such as
transmission waveform 50 is separated into sections having power
levels A, B and C, the transmission sequence of the sections can be
selected in a similar heuristic manner. For example, the resulting
peak transmit power can be determined for each possible
transmission sequence and the transmission sequence resulting in
the lowest peak transmit power can be selected.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown graphical
representation 130 of transmit power waveform 132. It is understood
by those skilled in the art that each region A, B and C of
representation 50 can be separated into subregions. The subregions
of each region can be as small as desired, with subregions having a
single symbol being permitted. The subregions formed by dividing
the regions in this manner can then be interleaved with respect to
each other in order to form transmit power waveform 132.
Additionally, one region of the transmission waveform can be left
intact while the remaining regions can be interleaved. This is set
forth as transmit power waveform 134.
[0036] The order of the transmission of the interleaved subregions
can be a predetermined order, a random order, or any other order
understood by those skilled in the art. Separation and interleaving
of transmission waveforms in this manner provides excellent
averaging of transmission waveforms and minimizing of peak transmit
power. When regions within a transmit power waveform are
interleaved in this manner the receiver must wait for the end of a
slot before it can begin decoding.
[0037] The previous description of the preferred embodiments is
provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the
present invention. The various modifications to these embodiments
will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the
generic principles defined herein may be applied to other
embodiments without the use of the inventive faculty. Thus, the
present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments
shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with
the principles and novel features disclosed. It will be understood
that all of the methods disclosed herein can be used at the time of
call set up or at any time during a transmission after set up.
[0038] Additionally, it will be understood that the various methods
can be combined with each other in any manner. In particular, all
of the separable waveform methods can be used independently or in
conjunction with the previously described time shifting based
methods, with or without the random or heuristic methods.
Furthermore, the various methods disclosed herein can be performed
either at the time of call setup or at any time during transmission
of the transmission waveforms.
* * * * *