HK1142732B

HK1142732B - Open loop power offset update

Info

Publication number: HK1142732B
Application number: HK10108997.4A
Authority: HK
Inventors: S‧切莱比; C‧斯坦斯基; S‧兰格恩
Original assignee: 高通股份有限公司
Priority date: 2007-07-05
Filing date: 2008-06-30
Publication date: 2014-12-05

Description

Open loop power offset update

Technical Field

The following description relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to open loop power control in a wireless communication environment.

Background

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication and have become the dominant means by which most people worldwide have come to communicate. A typical wireless communication system or network may provide multiple users with access to one or more shared resources. For example, a system may use a variety of multiple access techniques such as Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Code Division Multiplexing (CDM), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), and so on. Wireless communication devices have become smaller and more efficient in meeting customer needs, including improved portability and convenience. Users have found many applications for wireless communication devices, such as cellular telephones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), etc., and these users require reliable service and an expanded coverage area.

Wireless communication networks are commonly used to communicate information regardless of where a user is located (inside or outside a structure) and whether the user is stationary or moving (e.g., in a vehicle, walking). Typically, wireless communication networks are established by mobile devices communicating with base stations or access points. The access points cover geographic areas or cells and the mobile device may move into or out of these geographic cells while operating the mobile device. To enable uninterrupted communication, resources of a cell that the mobile device has entered are allocated to the mobile device, and resources of a cell that the mobile device has exited are deallocated to the mobile device.

To achieve continuous coverage, access points associated with the network are geographically placed such that the user does not lose service as the user changes location. Thus, the mobile device may be handed off from the first base station to the second base station. In other words, a mobile device will be served by a first base station when the mobile device is in a geographic area associated with the first base station. When the mobile device moves into an area associated with a second base station, the mobile device will be handed off from the first base station to the second base station. Ideally, the handover occurs without data loss, service loss, etc. However, if the mobile device takes an excessive amount of time to establish communication with the base station, the call may be lost or the communication interrupted. In addition, insufficient communication with the base station may cause interference to neighboring devices.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In accordance with one or more examples or corresponding disclosure thereof, various aspects are described in connection with facilitating automatic correction of broadcast information via a feedback mechanism such that subsequent broadcast communications include more accurate information. The information included in the broadcast signal may relate to information necessary for the device to communicate with base stations or other devices in the vicinity of the device. Also, the broadcast information may include access point transmit power, access point receive power target, power loss, and other information. If it is determined that the broadcast information is incorrect, the access point (or other device broadcasting the information) may receive the suggested modification and selectively apply such modification to information contained in subsequent broadcast signals.

Another aspect relates to a method for facilitating selective adjustment of power control information transmitted in a broadcast signal. The method may include: the method includes receiving a broadcast signal including power control information from an access point and ascertaining whether a correction is suggested for the broadcasted power control information. The suggested correction may be communicated to the access point.

Another aspect relates to a wireless communications apparatus that includes a memory and a processor. The memory may hold instructions related to: the method includes evaluating power control information included in a broadcast signal, determining whether at least one error is present in the information, and notifying an access point of the at least one error in a feedback signal. The processor may be coupled to the memory and configured to execute instructions retained in the memory.

Another aspect relates to a wireless communications apparatus that enables selective modification of broadcast information in a wireless communication environment. The apparatus may include: the method includes identifying incorrect information included in a signal from an access point, and determining a proposed modification for the identified incorrect information. The apparatus can also include means for transmitting the suggested modification in a feedback signal to the access point.

Another aspect relates to a machine-readable medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions for evaluating a correctness of a signal from an access point and determining at least one proposed change to the signal. The instructions may also include transmitting the at least one suggested change to the access point in a feedback signal.

Another aspect relates to an apparatus comprising a processor, the apparatus in a wireless communication system. The processor may be configured to identify inaccurate information included in a signal from an access point. Additionally, the processor may be configured to determine a change that will correct the inaccurate information and provide a feedback signal including the determined change to the access point. The determined change may be based at least in part on information included in the signal.

Another aspect relates to a method for facilitating selective adjustment of information included in a broadcast signal. The method may include broadcasting a signal including power control information. The signal is broadcast to at least one device within a geographic area. The method may further comprise: receiving an acknowledgement signal from at least one device, the acknowledgement signal comprising at least one modification to power control information included in the broadcast signal; and selectively applying the at least one modification to power control information included in the broadcast signal.

Another aspect relates to a wireless communications apparatus that includes a memory and a processor. The memory may hold instructions related to: determining information to be included in a broadcast signal; receiving a device recommendation for updating information included in the broadcast signal; and selectively modifying the broadcast signal information based at least in part on the received device recommendation. The processor may be coupled to the memory and configured to execute instructions retained in the memory.

Another aspect relates to a wireless communications apparatus that shortens a length of an initial access phase in a wireless environment. The apparatus may include: the apparatus includes means for identifying information to be included in broadcast information transmitted to a plurality of devices, and means for receiving at least one reply signal from at least one of the plurality of devices in response to the broadcast signal. Means may also be included in the apparatus for altering at least a subset of information included in the broadcast signal based at least in part on the at least one reply signal.

Another aspect may relate to a machine-readable medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions for: transmitting a signal, wherein at least one device relies on the signal to gain access to a communication network; and evaluating feedback from the at least one device to identify incorrect information included in the transmitted signal. The instructions also relate to modifying the transmitted signal based on the feedback evaluation.

Another aspect relates to an apparatus in a wireless communication system. The apparatus may include a processor that may be configured to identify information to be included in a broadcast signal transmitted to a plurality of devices. The processor may be further configured to: evaluating one or more modifications to information in the broadcast signal, the one or more modifications received from a subset of the plurality of devices; and modifying information included in the subsequent broadcast signal based on the received one or more modifications.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more examples comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the one or more examples. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the examples may be employed and the described examples are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects set forth herein.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example system that selectively updates broadcast information in a wireless communication environment.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example system that effectuates correction of broadcast information for subsequent transmission in a wireless communication environment.

Fig. 4 illustrates an example communication network for facilitating automatic correction of broadcast information through a feedback mechanism.

Fig. 5 illustrates an example methodology that facilitates broadcasting corrected information in a wireless communication environment.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example methodology that facilitates selectively adjusting and reporting information modifications in a wireless communication environment.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example communication system implemented in accordance with various aspects including a plurality of cells.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example base station in accordance with various aspects.

Fig. 9 illustrates an example wireless terminal (e.g., mobile device, end node, etc.) implemented in accordance with aspects described herein.

Fig. 10 illustrates an example system that effectuates selective modification of broadcast information within a wireless communication environment.

Fig. 11 illustrates an example system that can shorten a length of an initial access phase in a wireless environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT (S) OF INVENTION

Various examples are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more examples. It may be evident, however, that such embodiment(s) may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more examples.

As used in this application, the terms "component," "module," "system," and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to: a process running on a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be a component. One or more components can reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the internet with other systems by way of the signal).

Moreover, various aspects are described herein in connection with a wireless terminal. A wireless terminal can also be called a system, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile device, remote station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, user device, or User Equipment (UE). A wireless terminal may be a cellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a smartphone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a handheld communication device, a handheld computing device, a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a processing device connected to a wireless modem, and/or other suitable device for communicating. Moreover, various aspects are described herein in connection with a base station. A base station may be utilized for communicating with wireless terminal(s) and may also be referred to as an access point, a node B, or some other terminology.

Furthermore, various aspects or features described herein may be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques. The term "article of manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or media. For example, computer-readable media can include but are not limited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips, etc.), optical disks (e.g., Compact Disk (CD), Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), etc.), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., EPROM, card, stick, key drive, etc.). In addition, various storage media described herein can represent one or more devices and/or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" can include, without being limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing, and/or carrying instruction(s) and/or data.

Referring now to fig. 1, a wireless communication system or multi-user wireless environment 100 is illustrated in accordance with various aspects disclosed herein. System 100 can comprise one or more base stations 102 (e.g., access points) in one or more sectors that receive, transmit, repeat, etc., wireless communication signals to each other and/or to one or more mobile devices 104 and to one or more mobile devices 104. Each base station 102 can comprise a transmitter chain and a receiver chain, each of which can in turn comprise a plurality of components associated with signal transmission and reception (e.g., processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers, antennas, etc.), as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art. Base stations 102 can transmit information to mobile devices 104 over a forward link (downlink) and receive information from mobile devices 104 over a reverse link (uplink). Base station 102 can transmit a broadcast signal that includes information that allows mobile device 104 to identify and communicate with base station 102. The broadcast signal may include various information including access point pilot tone and/or power level information.

In a multi-user wireless network as illustrated by system 100, mobile devices 104 should limit their transmit power to a nominal level in order to reduce the amount of interference caused to other devices 104. However, transmitting with very little power places the mobile device 104 at risk of not being heard by the base station 102. Thus, excessive transmit power may cause undesirable interference to other mobile devices sharing the medium, while too little power may cause communication failure. One approach that may be used to mitigate interference is through closed loop power control, in which the base station 102 monitors the power received from individual mobile devices 104 and notifies the mobile devices 104 to adjust their transmit power to a desired level. For closed loop power control to operate properly, the mobile device 104 should be transmitting a signal. Therefore, it is not possible to use this scheme during the initial access phase when the mobile device 104 has not yet started transmitting.

The process for controlling mobile device power during the initial access phase may be through open loop power control, in which the mobile device 104 estimates its target transmit power based on the power of the received signal. This can assume that the forward link and reverse link losses are substantially the same and that the difference between the mobile transmit power and the received power is a constant offset. This offset may be referred to as Open Loop Power Offset (OLPO). The estimate of OLPO may be calculated by the mobile device 104 or the estimate of OLPO may be calculated by the base station 102 and communicated to the mobile device 104. The mobile device 104 can add the measured received power to the OLPO estimate to obtain an initial transmit power (e.g., a final offset value).

The estimation may not be accurate due to several unknown situations and variations in the system 100. This may result in the transmit power of the mobile device exceeding a desired level (e.g., causing excessive interference) or failing to reach a desired level (e.g., an access connection failure, etc.). In either case, the mobile device 104 will gradually blindly increase and/or decrease its power until an acknowledgement of successful transmission by the mobile device 104 is received from the base station 102. This extra step of power searching will extend the initial access phase, resulting in lost communication signals or other problems.

According to the disclosed aspects, this additional step can be reduced for subsequent mobile devices 104 initiating communication with the base station 102. For example, after successful access, the mobile device 104 can report its measured final offset value to the base station 102. The base station 102 may update its estimate of the OLPO based on the reports from one or more mobile devices 104, and the base station 102 may use this new value for future attempts (e.g., subsequent broadcast signals), which may reduce the lengthy access time used by other mobile devices 104 for subsequent access attempts. Thus, various aspects can provide faster and potentially more accurate open loop power control between base station 102 and mobile device 104 by updating the power offset value, if desired. These changes are made when the mobile device 104 successfully achieves access to the base station 102 or when the base station 102 achieves a sufficient level of trust (e.g., a determination from more than one device, an average of all changes received in a given interval or other criteria, etc.) related to the accuracy of the recommendation to change the broadcast information.

Fig. 2 is an illustration of an example system 200 that facilitates correcting broadcast information for subsequent transmission in a wireless communication environment. An access point 202 and a mobile device 204 are included in the system 200. It should be understood that system 200 may include multiple access points and multiple mobile devices, one access point and one mobile device being illustrated and described for simplicity. Access point 202 can broadcast information that allows mobile device 204 to identify access point 202 and establish communication with access point 202. At least one access point transmit power and access point receive power target should be included in the broadcast signal.

An example of incorrect information that may be corrected using the disclosed features is offset information, but other information and calculations may be corrected. Since the incorrect information relates to offset information, the mobile device 204 can measure the power offset at approximately the same time that the mobile device 204 is communicating with the access point 202 and determine what power offset information should have been included in the information broadcast by the access point 202 to allow the mobile device to more easily establish communication with the access point 202. Mobile device 204 can communicate this corrected information to access point 202 using a feedback or reply signal.

In more detail, the mobile device 204 can include a receiver 206, and the receiver 206 can be configured to receive information included in the broadcast signal from the base station 202 (as well as other communication signals from the base station 202 and other devices). Once a connection is established between mobile device 204 and access point 202, access point 202 can monitor incoming mobile device power and send a correction to mobile device 204. Such a correction can instruct the mobile device 204 to adjust its power so that the signal arrives at the access point 202 with a desired signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The SNR is a measure of the relative level of noise within the network and may correspond to the transmission quality. The SNR is the ratio of the useful signal being transmitted to noise or undesired signals.

Typically, the access request is a first signal that the mobile device 204 sends to the access point 202, e.g., via the transmitter 208. Thus, prior to receiving the signal, access point 202 is unaware of the power level at which the signal from mobile device 204 arrived. However, based on access point transmission power (AP) included in the broadcast signal_TxPwr) Information, a power offset estimator 210 associated with the mobile device 204 can ascertain a transmit power (AT) corresponding to the transmission using closed loop power control_TxPwr) Coarse adjustment of (3). Mobile device transmit power (AT)_TxPwr) The signal may be based on the power AT which the mobile device receives the signal (AT)_RxPwr) Plus any path loss (L). Therefore, the temperature of the molten metal is controlled,

AT_RxPwr＝AP_TxPwr-L equation (1)

And finding the path loss (L):

L＝AP_TxPwr-AT_RxPwrequation (2)

Based on the determined path loss (L), the transmit power allocator 212 can allocate mobile device transmit power (AT)_TxPwr) Setting to the determined path loss (L) plus the access point received power target (AP)_RxPwr)：

AT_TxPwr＝AP_RxPwr+ L equation (3)

Therefore, the temperature of the molten metal is controlled,

AT_TxPwr＝AP_RxPwr+(AP_TxPwr-AT_RxPwr) Equation (4)

The above-described process is generally referred to as open loop power control and has several drawbacks that may be overcome with the aspects disclosed herein. For example, there may be some calibration error and/or multiple errors in measuring the received pilot power and/or device transmit power. The result of these errors may be that the initial access from the mobile device 204 arrives at too high a power or at too low a power. If the power is too high, the power may cause interference to other mobile devices 204 within the system 200. If the power is too low, access point 202 may not hear communications from mobile device 204, which may result in a delay before mobile device 204 can communicate with access point 202. The transmit power of the mobile device 204 can be changed until the mobile device 204 can eventually communicate with the access point 202, resulting in a delay when changing power. This slight delay can cause problems, particularly during handovers where it is important to quickly establish a connection. The disclosed aspects can reduce the delay for subsequent mobile devices to effectuate communications with access point 202.

Access point received power target (AP)_RxPwr) Or offset value information may be communicated to the access point through the information notifier 214. The communication may include a suggestion to adjust the information in the broadcast signal so that the signal includes correction information related to the offset value so that a device receiving the broadcast signal knows and can quickly calculate the value that the mobile device should take to transmit. It should be understood that other corrections to the broadcast signal information may be applied using the disclosed features.

Access point 202 can modify the broadcast information based on the suggestion (e.g., according to the received suggestion). Access point 202 can request and receive an acknowledgement from one or more mobile devices before changing the information. Alternatively or additionally, access point 202 may wait until a predetermined number of similar suggestions are received and adjust the broadcast information based on an average or other combination (composition) of all received suggestions. Access point 202 can establish other criteria (e.g., trust level) to establish authentication before changing the information included in the broadcast signal.

The memory 216 may be operatively coupled to the mobile device 204. Memory 216 can store information related to mobile device identification information, mobile device transmit power, path loss, access point receive power target, access point transmit power, OLPO, and other suitable information related to verifying information included in signals received from access point 202. The memory 216 may hold instructions related to: the method may include evaluating information included in the broadcast signal, determining whether at least one error is present in the information, and notifying the access point 202 of the at least one error in a feedback signal. A recommendation may be sent to access point 202 to correct errors in the next broadcast signal. The error may relate to a power offset value and/or other information included in the broadcast signal. Additionally and/or alternatively, memory 216 can retain instructions for notifying access point 202 if the information contained in the broadcast signal is correct. Additionally, the memory 216 may hold instructions for: a power offset value is determined by comparing the access point transmit power to the device receive power, and the transmit power of the mobile device 204 is set to the sum of the offset value and the access point receive power target. According to some aspects, the memory 216 may hold instructions for: the next broadcast signal is examined and information is provided regarding the accuracy of the next broadcast signal.

The memory 216 may store protocols relating to the following operations: generating acknowledgements, suggesting changes to the broadcast information, taking action to control communications between mobile device 204 and access point 202, etc., such that system 200 can employ stored protocols and/or algorithms to enable improved communications in the wireless network as described herein. It will be appreciated that the data store (e.g., memories) components described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. By way of example, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include Read Only Memory (ROM), Programmable ROM (PROM), Electrically Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can include Random Access Memory (RAM), which can act as external cache memory. By way of example and not limitation, RAM is available in a variety of forms such as synchronous RAM (DRAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDRSDRAM), Enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchronous Link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 216 of the disclosed aspects is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and other suitable types of memory.

Processor 218 may be operatively connected to mobile device 204 (and/or memory 216) and may be operative to execute instructions retained in the memory. Processor 218 may also be used to assist in analyzing information related to information in correction system 200. Processor 218 can be a processor dedicated to analyzing and/or generating information received by receiver 206, a processor that controls one or more components of system 200, and/or a processor that both analyzes and generates information and controls one or more components of system 200.

Referring now to fig. 3, an example system 300 that selectively updates broadcast information in a wireless communication environment is illustrated. The system 300 includes at least one access point 302 and at least one mobile device 304. The access point 302 includes a transmitter 306, which transmitter 306 can continuously or periodically broadcast forward link information that allows mobile devices 304 within a geographic range of the access point 302 to identify the access point 302 (or network) and selectively gain access to the access point 302. Such selective access may be based on various criteria, including signal strength or signal quality, among other factors. According to an example, the broadcast information may include access point transmit power, access point receive power target, amount of power loss, power offset information, corrected delta value, or a combination thereof, and/or other information.

The mobile device 304 can measure pilot power from information included in the broadcast signal. The pilot power is the transmit power of the access point minus any path loss. Path loss is defined as the power loss that occurs when a radio wave moves through space during a particular path. The mobile device 304 can determine the transmit power of the access point by subtracting the received pilot power (Pow)_RxPil) To find a pathPower loss (L):

L_DL＝Pow_TxPil-Pow_RxPilequation (5)

Wherein Pow_TxPilIs the total pilot power of the access point 302. L is_DLIndicating the downlink path loss. It should be noted that equation (4) is substantially the same as equation (1). For uplink access requests arriving at a desired SNR level, the access point receives a power Pow_RxAcsThe following should be:

Pow_RxAcssnrTgtAcs + PowNoise equation (6)

Or, similarly, on the mobile device side:

Pow_TxAcs＝Pow_RxAcs+L_ULequation (7)

Suppose L_DLIs equal to L_ULThen, then

Pow_TxAcs+Pow_RxPil＝Pow_RxAcs+Pow_TxPilEquation (8)

Pow_TxPilAnd Pow_RxAcsBoth items may be known to the access point 302. Therefore, the access point 302 can set Z to Pow on the right side of equation (8) through the broadcast channel_RxAcs+Pow_TxPilTo the mobile device 304. The parameter Z is referred to as the open loop gain offset. The mobile device 304 can add the Z offset to its received pilot power to obtain an estimate of its initial transmit power:

Pow_TxAcs＝Z-Pow_RxPilequation (9)

If the mobile device 304 is unsuccessful in making the access, the mobile device 304 can reattempt the access at a different power level that is higher or lower than the initial access power in equation (9). Finally, if the mobile device 304 is accessible, the mobile device 304 can accessThe access point 302 includes a final open loop power gain offset Z that the mobile device 304 can connect to the access point 302_final. The access point 302 may use Z_finalTo fine tune its copy of the gain offset and include this value in its broadcast signal.

To facilitate selective updating of the broadcast information, the mobile device 304 can notify the access point 302 of any incorrect data and/or provide suggestions as to how the information will be corrected at substantially the same time as the mobile device 304 receives the broadcast signal. The mobile device 304 can be used to automatically perform such notification, or the access point 302 can specifically request such information.

The broadcast information adjuster 310 may be used to selectively modify or change information in the broadcast signal for future broadcasts. For example, the broadcast information adjuster 310 may modify the broadcast information substantially simultaneously with receiving the correction notification or suggestion from the mobile device 304. Additionally or alternatively, the broadcast information adjuster 310 may request authentication from other mobile devices to determine whether the corrected information received from the mobile device 304 is correct. Depending on the proposed changes, the broadcast information adjuster 310 may not modify the information included in the broadcast signal. Additionally or alternatively, if different information is received from the mobile device 304, the broadcast information adjuster 310 may average the received changes, may take the median of recent reports or apply any other meaningful statistical measure, and transmit the changes in the broadcast information. Other modifications, adjustments, or acceptances of the received proposed changes may be implemented by the broadcast information adjuster 310.

Subsequent mobile devices receiving the broadcast signal (e.g., new devices entering the geographic range of the access point) may benefit from more accurate information (e.g., modified information) in the broadcast signal. As such, these subsequent mobile devices may more efficiently establish and maintain communications with the access point 302. If there are additional modifications that should be made (e.g., the information is still incorrect or other information is determined to be incorrect), the subsequent mobile device may suggest such modifications in a similar manner as described above. If the information is acceptable (e.g., correct), subsequent mobile devices will not have to send information to inform the access point 302 that the information is correct. However, according to some aspects, this information may be communicated to the access point 302.

A memory 312 may be operatively coupled to access point 302. The memory 312 may store information and/or retain instructions related to determining information to include in a broadcast signal. The information in the broadcast signal may relate to at least one of access point transmit power, access point receive power target, path loss, or power offset, or a combination thereof. The memory 312 may also store information and/or retain signaling related to: the method includes receiving a device recommendation for updating information included in a broadcast signal, and selectively modifying the broadcast signal information based in part on the received device recommendation. Additionally, memory 312 may store information and/or hold instructions for: determining a trust level associated with a device providing the recommendation; requesting confirmation of the provided advice from the at least one second device; requesting confirmation of information included in the broadcast signal; averaging values received from a plurality of devices prior to selectively modifying information in the broadcast signal; after modifying the broadcast signal, receiving feedback from the device providing the recommendation to verify that the appropriate modification was made; and/or the memory 312 may store other suitable information related to updating and verifying the accuracy of the information included in the broadcast signal.

Processor 314 can be operatively coupled to access point 302 (and/or memory 312) to facilitate analysis of information related to updating and verifying broadcast information, and/or processor 314 can be operative to execute instructions retained in memory 312. Processor 314 can be a processor dedicated to analyzing information received by receiver 308 and/or generating information that can be used by transmitter 206 and/or broadcast information adjuster 310, a processor that controls one or more components of system 300, and/or a processor that both analyzes information, generates information, and controls one or more components of system 300.

Referring to fig. 4, an example communication network 400 for facilitating automatic correction of broadcast information via a feedback mechanism is illustrated. The system 400 may be used to modify information that is determined to be incorrect and selectively apply this modified information to subsequent communications. The information may be broadcast to multiple devices in the vicinity, where the devices rely partially or completely on such broadcast information (e.g., power offset information).

In more detail, the system includes an access point 402 and mobile devices 404 and 406. The mobile device 404 may be a first device that enters the geographic range of the access point 402 and the second mobile device 406 may enter the geographic range of the access point 402 after the first mobile device 404. The access point 402 may periodically or continuously transmit or broadcast the forward link information as shown at 408 (and 414). This information allows nearby devices 404, 406 to selectively use the access point 402. Such selective use may be based on various criteria, including signal strength or signal command, among other factors. The broadcast information may include access point transmit power, access point receive power target, and/or other information.

The first mobile device 404 can measure the received pilot power, which is the transmit power of the access point minus any path loss. The mobile device 404 can determine the path loss power (L) by subtracting the received pilot power from the broadcast access point transmit power. Mobile device 404 can set its transmit power to the access point receive power plus the determined path loss. The mobile device 404 can transmit a communication 410 to the access point 402 using the determined transmit power level.

The above process is commonly referred to as open loop power control and has several drawbacks that can be overcome with the features disclosed herein. One drawback is that there is some kind of calibration error and/or errors in measuring the received pilot power and/or the device transmit power. The result of these errors may be that the initial access arrives at too high a power or at too low a power. If the power is too high, the power may create interference. If the power is too low, the access point may not hear communications from the mobile device. Errors in calibration and/or measurement will result in delays before the mobile device can communicate with the access point. This delay is a function of the mobile device changing its transmit power until it can eventually communicate with the access point. This slight delay can cause problems, particularly during handovers where it is important to quickly establish a connection.

The disclosed aspects overcome this delay so that subsequent mobile devices 406 coming within range of the access point 402 can obtain fast communication with the access point 402. The mobile device 404 receives the broadcast information from the base station 402 in the forward link 408 and, similar to the process described above, calculates its device transmit power. After mobile device 404 is in communication with access point 402, mobile device 404 measures the power offset and determines what power offset information access point 402 should have broadcast. The mobile device 404 transmits this offset information to the access point 402 in a feedback loop, shown at 412.

The access point 402 can selectively modify its broadcast information based on information received from the mobile device 404. If the broadcast signal is updated with information received from the mobile device 404, the updated signal may be broadcast 414 (and 408) and listened to by subsequent mobile devices 406 that enter the geographic range of the access point 402. Likewise, the mobile device 406 can benefit from updated (and possibly correct) information in the broadcast signal to reduce the amount of time required to establish communication (shown at 416) with the access point 402. If the broadcast information (or a sub-portion of the broadcast information) is incorrect, the mobile device 406 provides a recommendation to the access point 402 in a manner similar to that described above. If the broadcast information is correct, the mobile device 406 can provide this information to the access point 402, however, this notification is not necessary.

Referring to fig. 5-6, methodologies relating to updating broadcast information for subsequent delivery of such broadcast information to provide more accurate information that may be relied upon are illustrated. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance with one or more aspects, occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with one or more aspects.

Fig. 5 is an illustration of an example methodology 500 that facilitates selectively adjusting information included in a broadcast signal within a wireless communication environment. The method 500 begins at 502, where information including power control information is broadcast (e.g., periodically, continuously) at 502. The information may be broadcast to one or more devices within or near a geographic area, where the devices rely in part or in whole on the broadcast information. The broadcast signal may include information related to an access point received power target, access point transmit power, power offset, path loss, or a combination thereof, and/or other information. In some cases, the access point power target (or other information included in the signal) is incorrect, and a mobile device that comes near the access point and relies on that information to communicate with the access point may not be able to obtain instant communications with the access point. For example, if the power target is too low, the access point may not be able to hear communications from the mobile device. If the power target is too high, interference may occur with other devices in the vicinity. If the mobile device determines that a portion or subset of the information (power target, power offset, or other information) included in the broadcast signal is incorrect, the access point may request corrected information from the mobile device. According to some aspects, a broadcast signal includes a request for one or more devices to confirm whether information included in the broadcast signal is correct or incorrect.

At 504, corrected information is received in the reply signals from the one or more mobile devices. The corrected information may include one or more modifications to information transmitted in the broadcast signal. For example, one or more mobile devices can determine what information in a broadcast signal should be modified so that subsequent mobile devices receive the correct information from an access point in an initial communication (e.g., signal). The corrected information may include offset information or other information that may reduce the amount of time required for the device to establish communication with the access point. According to some aspects, if no correction to the broadcast signal is required, then at 504 no reply signal is received. According to other aspects, an acknowledgement signal is received at 504, the acknowledgement signal indicating that the broadcast signal information is correct.

At 506, the modified information received from the one or more mobile devices may be selectively applied by the access point to correct the information included in the broadcast signal. For example, if the access point determines that its broadcast information is reliable, the access point may selectively adjust the information. The information may not be considered reliable unless a trust level is reached. The level of trust may be derived in part from mobile device reliability based on historical information or based on other criteria. No modification may be applied to the broadcast signal until the information is deemed reliable.

However, if the information is determined to be unreliable or not validated by other devices, the access point does not adjust the broadcast information. In some cases, the access point may request more information from the same mobile device or from other mobile devices that can hear the broadcast signal. For example, the access point may request confirmation of the at least one modification from the second mobile device (or more mobile devices) prior to updating the broadcast signal.

The access point may make modifications to information received from one or more mobile devices before applying such modifications to information included in the broadcast signal. For example, if measurements (or other information) received from more than one device do not match and/or the measurements are similar, the measurements may be averaged. Other criteria may also be used to selectively modify information (e.g., identification of the mobile device providing the modified information, reliability of the mobile device based on historical information, etc.). The method 500 may continue at 502 where the modified (or same) information is broadcast. Also, when changes occur within the communication network such that at least a subset of the broadcast signal information is incorrect, the information included in the broadcast signal may be continuously modified as needed. According to some aspects, feedback information (e.g., a notification as to whether the broadcast information is correct or incorrect) may be requested and/or received from at least one mobile device periodically or continuously to verify that the broadcast information remains as correct as possible.

Referring to fig. 6, a methodology 600 for facilitating automatic correction of broadcast information via a feedback mechanism is illustrated. The method 600 begins at 602, and broadcast information is received at 602. This information may be received (or actively searched) when the device enters the geographic region of the base station (e.g., is handed off to the geographic region of the base station, upon power up, etc.). The broadcast information can include various types of information including, but not limited to, an identification of an access point, an access point transmit power level, an access point receive power target level, an offset value, and other information that can be used by the mobile device to identify and use the access point.

The information included in the broadcast signal may be correct or one or more portions of the information in the broadcast signal may be inaccurate. If the information is correct, the mobile device can quickly establish communication with the access point. The mobile device may send an acknowledgement to the access point indicating that the information is correct, however, this is not required.

If the information or a subset of the information in the broadcast signal is incorrect, then at 604, a determination is made as to which information is incorrect. The determination may be made based on: the information is used to establish communications and, if no communications are established within a predetermined interval, the information is modified (e.g., the transmit power level is adjusted) until communications are established. For example, the access point transmit power and the device receive power may be compared to determine the difference between the two powers. The access point transmit power may be known from information included in the broadcast signal. The difference between the two powers may be referred to as a power loss or power offset value. Additionally or alternatively, calculations may be performed to correct the information, or other actions may be taken to determine if any of the information is incorrect and to conclude that a necessary correction is necessary. According to some aspects, the broadcast signal may include a request for the mobile device to verify that a subset (or all) of the information included in the broadcast signal is accurate and/or needs to be changed.

At 606, a message (e.g., in a feedback signal) including the proposed change may be delivered to a device, such as an access point, that transmits the broadcast information. For example, power offset information may be provided to the access point suggesting that the power offset information be included in subsequent broadcast signals. The device transmitting the broadcast information may selectively modify the broadcast information and deliver the modified broadcast information until another change is suggested, which may be selectively applied. Also, if changes are determined to be needed in the broadcast information, the changes are made so that devices that later receive the broadcast information receive the correct information or modified information that is deemed to be correct. According to some aspects, the access point may be notified if the information included in the broadcast signal does not need to be modified (e.g., is correct), however, such notification is not required.

It is to be appreciated that, in accordance with one or more aspects described herein, inferences can be made regarding dynamically updating broadcast information. As used herein, the term to "infer" or "inference" refers generally to the process of reasoning about or inferring states of the system, environment, and/or user from a set of observations as captured via events and/or data. Inference can be employed to identify a specific context or action, or can generate a probability distribution over states, for example. This inference is probabilistic-that is, the computation of a probability distribution over states of interest based on a consideration of data and events. Inference can also refer to techniques employed for composing higher-level events from a set of events and/or data. Such inference results in the construction of new events or actions from a set of observed events and/or stored event data, whether or not the events are correlated in close temporal proximity, and whether the events and data come from one or several event and data sources.

According to one example, one or more of the methods described above can include selectively making inferences regarding changes to information included in the broadcast signal. According to another example, inferences can be made regarding a number of verifications that should be received based on the type of information suggested for change. According to another example, inferences can be made regarding the likelihood that a suggested change is accurate based on the identification of the device providing the suggestion. It will be appreciated that the foregoing examples are illustrative in nature and are not intended to limit the number of inferences that can be made or the manner in which such inferences are made in conjunction with the various embodiments and/or methods described herein.

Fig. 7 depicts an example communication system 700 implemented in accordance with various aspects that includes a plurality of cells: cell I702, cell M704. It should be noted that there is a small overlap of neighboring cells 702, 704 as indicated by cell border region 768, and thus signal interference may occur between signals transmitted by base stations in neighboring cells. Each cell 702, 704 of system 700 includes three sectors. According to various aspects, cells that are not divided into multiple sectors (N-1), cells with two sectors (N-2), and cells with more than three sectors (N > 3) are also possible. Cell 702 includes a first sector (sector I710), a second sector (sector II 712), and a third sector (sector III 714). Each sector 710, 712, 714 has two sector boundary regions, respectively; each boundary region is shared between two adjacent sectors.

Sector boundary regions can create signal interference between signals transmitted by base stations in adjacent sectors. Line 716 represents the sector boundary region between sector I710 and sector II 712; line 718 represents a sector boundary region between sector II 712 and sector III 714; line 720 represents the sector boundary region between sector III 714 and sector I710. Likewise, cell M704 includes a first sector (sector I722), a second sector (sector II 724), and a third sector (sector III 726). Line 728 represents a sector boundary region between sector I722 and sector II 724; line 730 represents the sector boundary region between sector II 724 and sector III 726; line 732 represents the boundary region between sector III 726 and sector I722. Cell I702 includes a Base Station (BS), a base station I706, and a plurality of End Nodes (ENs) (e.g., wireless terminals) in each sector 710, 712, 714. Sector I710 includes EN (1)736 and EN (x)738 coupled to BS 706 by wireless links 740, 742, respectively; sector II 712 includes EN (1 ') 744 and EN (X') 746 coupled to BS 706 by wireless links 748, 750, respectively; sector III 714 includes EN (1 ") 752 and EN (X") 754 coupled to BS 706 through wireless links 756, 758, respectively. Likewise, cell M704 includes a base station M708 and a plurality of End Nodes (ENs) in each sector 722, 724, 726. Sector I722 includes EN (1)736 'and EN (x) 738' coupled to BS M708 by wireless links 740 ', 742', respectively; sector II 724 includes EN (1 ') 744' and EN (X ') 746' coupled to BS M708 by wireless links 748 ', 750', respectively; sector III 726 includes EN (1 ") 752 'and EN (X") 754' coupled to BS 708 by wireless links 756 ', 758', respectively.

System 700 also includes a network node 760 coupled to BS I706 and BS M708 via network links 762, 764, respectively. Network node 760 is also coupled to other network nodes (e.g., other base stations, AAA server nodes, intermediate nodes, routers, etc.) and the internet via network link 766. Network links 762, 764, 766 may be, for example, fiber optic cables. Each end node, e.g., EN (1)736, may be a wireless terminal including a transmitter as well as a receiver. A wireless terminal, such as EN (1)736, may move through system 700 and may communicate over a wireless link with a base station in the cell in which the EN is currently located. A Wireless Terminal (WT), e.g., EN (1)736, may communicate with peer nodes, e.g., other WTs within system 700 or outside system 700, via a base station, e.g., BS 706 and/or network node 760. The WT, e.g., EN (1)736, may be a mobile communication device such as a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant with wireless modem, etc.

Each base station performs tone subset allocation using a method for a strip-symbol periods (non-strip-symbol periods) that is different from a method for allocating tones and determining tone hopping in the remaining symbol periods (e.g., non-strip-symbol periods). The wireless terminal uses the tone subset allocation method in conjunction with information received from the base station (e.g., base station slope ID, sector ID information) to determine nodes that can be used to receive data and information at a specified strip-symbol period. Tone subset allocation sequences are constructed in accordance with various aspects to spread inter-sector and inter-cell interference over individual tones.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example base station 800 in accordance with various aspects. Base station 800 implements tone subset allocation sequences, where different tone subset allocation sequences are generated for different respective sector types of a cell. The base station 800 may be used as any of the base stations 706, 708 of the system 700 of fig. 7. The base station 800 includes a receiver 802, a transmitter 804, a processor 806 (e.g., CPU), an input/output interface 808, and memory 810 coupled together by a bus 809, where the various elements 802, 804, 806, 808, and 810 can exchange data and information via the bus 809.

Sectorized antenna 803 coupled to receiver 802 is used for receiving data and other signals, e.g., channel reports, from wireless terminal transmissions for each sector within the base station's cell. Sectorized antenna 805 coupled to transmitter 804 is used for transmitting data and other signals (e.g., control signals, pilot signals, beacon signals, etc.) to wireless terminals 1000 (see fig. 9) within each sector of the base station's cell. In various aspects, base station 800 may employ multiple receivers 802 and multiple transmitters 804, e.g., a single receiver 802 for each sector and a single transmitter 804 for each sector. For example, the processor 806 may be a general purpose Central Processing Unit (CPU). Processor 806 controls the operation of base station 800 and implements the methods based on indications of one or more routines 818 stored in memory 810. Input/output (I/O) interface 808 provides a connection to other network nodes, connecting BS 800 to other base stations, access routers, AAA server nodes, etc. other networks and the internet. Memory 810 includes routines 818 and data/information 820.

Data/information 820 includes data 836, tone subset allocation sequence information 838, and Wireless Terminal (WT) data/information 844, where information 838 includes downlink signed time information 840 and downlink tone information 842, and data/information 844 includes a plurality of WT information sets: WT 1 info 846 and WT N info 860. Each WT info set (e.g., WT 1 info 846) includes data 848, terminal ID 850, sector ID 852, uplink channel information 854, downlink channel information 856, and mode information 858.

Routines 818 include communications routines 822, base station control routines 824, and data update routines 862. Base station control routines 824 include a scheduler module 826 and signaling routines 828, where signaling routines 828 include a tone subset allocation routine 830 for a signed period, other downlink tone allocation hopping routines 832 for other symbol periods (e.g., non-signed periods), and a beacon routine 834. The data update routines 862 may also include feedback evaluation routines (not shown) and/or device characteristic evaluation routines (not shown).

Data 836 includes data to be transmitted which is sent to encoder 814 of transmitter 804 for encoding prior to transmission to WTs, and received data from WTs which has been processed after reception by decoder 812 of receiver 802. Downlink signed time information 840 includes frame synchronization structure information such as superslot, beaconslot, and ultraslot (ultraslot) structure information, as well as information indicating whether a given symbol period is a signed period and, if so, the index of the signed period and whether the signed is a reset point for truncating the tone subset allocation sequence used by the base station. Downlink tone info 842 includes information including the carrier frequency assigned to base station 800, the number and frequency of tones, and the set of tone subsets to be allocated to the strip-symbol periods, as well as other cell and sector specific values, e.g., slope index, and sector type.

Data 848 may include data received by WT 1900 from peer nodes, data that WT 1900 wishes to send to peer nodes, and downlink channel quality report feedback information. Terminal ID 850 is a base station 800 assigned ID that identifies WT 1900. Sector ID 850 includes information identifying the sector in which WT 1900 is operating. For example, sector ID 852 can be used to determine the sector type. Uplink channel information 854 includes information identifying channel segments allocated for use by scheduler 826 by WTs 1900 (e.g., uplink traffic channel segments for data, dedicated uplink control channels for request, power control, time control, etc.).

Each uplink channel assigned to WT 1900 includes one or more logical tones, each logical tone following an uplink hopping sequence. Downlink channel information 856 includes information indicating channel segments allocated by scheduler 826 to WTs 1900 for carrying data and/or information (e.g., downlink traffic channel segments for user data). Each downlink channel allocated to WT 1900 includes one or more logical tones. Each logical tone is followed by a downlink hopping sequence. Mode information 858 includes information identifying the operational status of WT 1900 (e.g., sleep, hold, on).

Communications routines 822 control the base station 800 to perform various communications operations and implement various communications protocols. Base station control routines 824 are used to control the base station 800 to perform basic base station functional tasks (e.g., signal generation and reception, scheduling) and to implement method steps for some aspects, including transmitting signals to wireless terminals using tone subset allocation sequences during strip-symbol periods.

The signaling routine 828 controls the operation of the receiver 802 with the decoder 812 and the transmitter 804 with the encoder 814. The signaling routine 828 is responsible for controlling the generation of the transmit data 836 as well as control information. Tone subset allocation routine 830 constructs tone subsets for use in a strip-symbol period using the method of this aspect and using data/information 820 including downlink strip-symbol time information 840 and sector ID 852. The downlink tone subset allocation sequences are different for each sector type in a cell and different for neighboring cells.

WT 900 receives signals in strip-symbol periods according to downlink tone subset allocation sequences; base station 800 uses the same downlink tone subset allocation sequences to generate the transmitted signals. Other downlink tone allocation hopping routine 832 uses information including downlink tone information 842 and downlink channel information 856 to construct downlink tone hopping sequences for symbol periods other than the signed period. The downlink data tone hopping sequences are synchronized across multiple sectors of the cell. Beacon routine 834 controls the transmission of beacon signals (e.g., signals with higher signal power concentrated on one or a few tones) that can be used for synchronization purposes (e.g., to synchronize the frame timing structure of the downlink signal) and thus the tone subset allocation sequence relative to the superslot boundary.

The data update routines 862 may also include feedback evaluation routines (not shown) and/or device characteristic evaluation routines (not shown). The feedback may be evaluated to determine whether data included in the transmitted signal should be updated, deleted, added, etc. The feedback may be from one or more devices and may relate to all or a sub-portion of the data transmitted by base station 800. Additionally or alternatively, characteristics associated with the device providing the feedback may be evaluated to determine whether the data should be modified. In addition, the data update routine 862 may control data modification based on a trust level associated with the modified data and/or the device providing the modification. According to some aspects, the data update routine 862 may be based on an aggregation of the received feedback and/or based on other criteria.

Fig. 9 illustrates an example wireless terminal (e.g., end node, mobile device..) 900 that can be used as any one of the wireless terminals (e.g., end node, mobile device..) such as EN (1)736 of system 700 shown in fig. 7. Wireless terminal 900 implements a tone subset allocation sequence. Wireless terminal 900 includes a receiver 902 with a decoder 912, a transmitter 904 with an encoder 914, a processor 906, and a memory 908 coupled together by a bus 910, wherein the various elements 902, 904, 906, 908 may exchange data and information via the bus 910. An antenna 903 used for receiving signals from base station 800 (and/or different wireless terminals) is coupled to receiver 902. An antenna 905 used for transmitting signals, e.g., to base station 800 (and/or a disparate wireless terminal) is coupled to transmitter 904.

The processor 906 (e.g., a CPU) controls the operation of the wireless terminal 900 and implements methods by executing routines 920 and using data/information 922 in memory 908. Data/information 922 includes user data 934, user information 936, and tone subset allocation sequence information 950. User data 934 may comprise data destined for a peer node, where the data is routed to encoder 914 for encoding prior to transmission by transmitter 904 to base station 800, user data 934 further comprising data received from base station 800, where the data has been processed by decoder 912 in receiver 902. User information 936 includes uplink channel information 938, downlink channel information 940, terminal ID information 942, base station ID information 944, sector ID information 946, and mode information 948.

Uplink channel information 938 includes information identifying uplink channel segments that base station 800 has allocated to wireless terminal 900 for use in transmitting to base station 800. The uplink channels may include uplink traffic channels, dedicated uplink control channels (e.g., request channels, power control channels, and timing control channels). Each uplink channel includes one or more logical tones, each logical tone following an uplink tone hopping sequence. The uplink hopping sequence is different between each sector type of a cell and between adjacent cells. Downlink channel information 940 includes information identifying downlink channel segments that base station 800 has allocated to WT 900 for use when BS 800 is transmitting data/information to WT 900. The downlink channels may include downlink traffic channels and assignment channels, each downlink channel including one or more logical tones, each logical tone following a downlink hopping sequence, wherein the downlink hopping sequences are synchronized between each sector of the cell.

User info 936 further includes terminal ID information 942, which is an identification assigned by base station 800, base station ID information 944 which identifies the particular base station 800 with which the WT has established communications, and sector ID information 946 which identifies the particular sector of the cell in which WT 900 is currently located. Base station ID 944 provides a cell slope value, sector ID information 946 provides a sector index type; the cell slope value and sector index type may be used to derive the tone hopping sequence. Mode information 948, also included in user info 936, identifies whether WT 900 is in sleep mode, hold mode, or on mode.

Tone subset allocation sequence information 950 includes downlink strip-symbol time information 952 and downlink tone information 954. Downlink strip-symbol time information 952 includes frame synchronization structure information such as superslot, beaconslot, and ultraslot structure information as well as information specifying whether a given symbol period is a strip-symbol period, and if so, the index of the strip-symbol period and whether the strip-symbol is a reset point used by the base station to truncate the tone subset allocation sequence. Downlink tone information 954 includes information including a carrier frequency assigned to base station 800, the number and frequency of tones, and a set of tone subsets assigned to the strip-symbol periods, as well as other cell and sector specific values, such as slope, slope index, and sector type.

Routines 920 include communications routines 924, wireless terminal control routines 926, information correction routines 928, and notification routines 930. Communications routines 924 control the various communications protocols used by WT 900. By way of example, communications routines 924 may enable receiving broadcast signals (e.g., from base station 800). Wireless terminal control routines 926 control the basic functions of the wireless terminal 900, including controlling the receiver 902 and transmitter 904.

Information correction routines 928 may control selective correction of information included in signals received from an access point. The selective correction can relate to information used by wireless terminal 900 to identify and establish communication with an access point. For example, the correction may relate to a power offset or other information that should be included in the signal or that should be modified. The notification routine 930 may control the notification of the correction and/or the verification of the correctness of the information included in the signal.

Referring to fig. 10, an example system 1000 that facilitates selective modification of broadcast information in a wireless communication environment is illustrated. For example, system 1000 may reside at least partially within a mobile device. It is to be appreciated that system 1000 is illustrated as including functional blocks, which can represent functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination thereof (e.g., firmware). System 1000 includes a logical grouping 1002 of electrical components that can act separately and/or in combination.

Logical grouping 1002 can include an electrical component for identifying incorrect information received in the signal 1004. The signal may be received from an access point and may include various information including, but not limited to, an access point power target, an access point transmit power, a power offset, and the like. Moreover, the signal may include a request to verify at least a portion of the information included in the signal.

Moreover, logical grouping 1002 can include an electrical component for determining a suggested modification 1006. The suggested modification may be a modification related to information in the signal that should be changed, added, deleted, etc. For example, the logic module may determine a power offset value. The power offset value may be based in part on information included in the signal, such as access point transmit power. The access point transmit power may be compared to the received power and the difference between the two powers determined, which may be used as a power offset value.

Logical grouping 1002 can include an electrical component for sending the proposed modification in a feedback signal 1008. The suggested modification may be a power offset value that should be included (or updated) in the signal. By way of illustration, a feedback signal can be transmitted to an access point, where the access point can use the information to selectively modify information in the signal. According to some aspects, the result of the authentication (if authentication is requested) may be communicated to the access point. A next signal may be received from the access point and evaluated. The result of whether the next signal is correct or incorrect may be sent to the access point in a feedback notification.

Additionally, system 1000 can include a memory 1010 that retains instructions for executing functions associated with electrical components 1004, 1006, and 1008. While electrical components 1004, 1006, and 1008 are shown as being external to memory 1010, it is to be understood that one or more of electrical components 1004, 1006, and 1008 can exist within memory 1010.

Referring to fig. 11, illustrated is a system 1100 that facilitates reducing a length of an initial access phase in a wireless communication environment. System 1100 can reside at least partially within a base station, for instance. It is to be appreciated that system 1100 is illustrated as including functional blocks, which can represent functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination thereof (e.g., firmware). System 1100 includes a logical grouping 1102 of electrical components that can act separately and/or in combination. For instance, logical grouping 1102 may include an electrical component for identifying information to include in a broadcast signal 1104. The broadcast signal may be transmitted to a plurality of devices and may include a variety of information related to system 1100, and the broadcast signal may include various information that devices may receive and rely on to identify system 1100 and gain access (e.g., initial access phase) to system 1100. The broadcast information may also include a request for one or more devices to respond and/or verify the accuracy of the information included in the broadcast signal.

Moreover, logical grouping 1102 can include an electrical component for receiving an acknowledgement signal from one or more devices 1106. The reply signal may be responsive to the broadcast signal. For example, if one or more of the respective devices determine that the information in the broadcast signal is incorrect, one or more of the respective devices may automatically provide updated information and/or suggestions to modify one or more portions of the information. According to some aspects, if the information is correct, one or more devices may reply, indicating that the information is accurate. Additionally and/or alternatively, one or more devices may provide suggestions or other feedback only if there is a request for such information to be included in the broadcast signal.

Moreover, logical grouping 1102 can include an electrical component for altering at least a subset of the information included in the broadcast signal 1108. The change may be based on the one or more answer signals, or may be based on other criteria. By way of illustration, varying at least a subset of the information may be optimized by taking into account individual characteristics of one or more received reply signals and/or characteristics of the device providing the recommendation. For example, if more than one reply signal is received, averaging or aggregation of the signals may be used to alter the information. A confidence level of accuracy of information (e.g., reply signals) provided by one or more devices may be analyzed to determine whether information within the broadcast signal should be altered. The changed information may relate to power information or other information, where the corrected information may reduce the amount of time it takes for subsequent devices to identify and access system 1100. A request to verify the accuracy of the modified information may be sent in a subsequent broadcast signal for nearby devices.

It is to be understood that the aspects described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, or any combination thereof. For a hardware implementation, the processing unit may be implemented within one or more of the following components: an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Digital Signal Processing Device (DSPD), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a processor, a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof.

When the aspects are implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, program code or code segments, they can be stored in a machine-readable medium, such as a storage component. A code segment may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable mechanism including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

For a software implementation, the techniques described herein may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. The software codes may be stored in memory units and executed by processors. The memory unit may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor, in which case it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means as is known in the art.

What has been described above includes examples of one or more aspects. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the disclosed aspects are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term "includes" is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, the term "or" as used in the detailed description or claims means a "non-exclusive or".

Claims

1. A method that facilitates selectively adjusting power control information transmitted in a broadcast signal, comprising:

receiving a broadcast signal from an access point, the broadcast signal including power control information;

ascertaining whether a correction is suggested for the broadcasted power control information;

when the correction is suggested, communicating the suggested correction to the access point,

wherein the proposed correction is a power offset value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the suggested correction to the access point is provided as a feedback signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein ascertaining whether a correction is suggested further comprises:

the difference between the access point transmit power and the device receive power is compared and assigned as the power loss.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

sending information about the power loss to the access point as a recommendation to include the information about the power loss in a subsequent broadcast signal.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

notifying the access point if the power control information received in the broadcast signal does not require modification.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast signal includes a request, the request being a request to verify whether at least a portion of the power control information included in the broadcast signal is correct.

7. A wireless communications apparatus that facilitates selective modification of broadcast power control information transmitted in a broadcast signal from an access point in a wireless communication environment, comprising:

means for identifying incorrect information included in a signal from an access point;

means for determining a suggested modification for the identified incorrect information; and

means for transmitting the proposed modification in a feedback signal to the access point,

wherein the proposed modification is a power offset value.

8. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

means for evaluating a next signal from the access point;

means for notifying the access point whether the next signal is correct or includes incorrect information.

9. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

means for determining a power offset value based in part on information included in the signal;

means for transmitting the power offset value to the access point.

10. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

means for receiving a request from the access point to authenticate at least a portion of information included in the signal;

means for providing a result of the authentication to the access point.

11. A method that facilitates selectively adjusting power control information included in a broadcast signal, comprising:

broadcasting a signal including power control information, the signal being broadcast to at least one device within a geographic area;

receiving an acknowledgement signal from the at least one device, the acknowledgement signal comprising at least one modification to the power control information included in the broadcast signal;

selectively applying the at least one modification to the power control information included in the broadcast signal,

wherein the reply signal includes power offset information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein broadcasting a signal including power control information further comprises:

requesting at least one modification to the power control information if at least a portion of the power control information is incorrect.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

periodically receiving feedback from the at least one device.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

continuously receiving feedback from the at least one device.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the power control information included in the broadcasted signal relates to one of the group consisting of an access point transmit power, an access point receive power target, a path loss, and a power offset.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

broadcasting the modified signal including the at least one modification.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein broadcasting the signal including the power control information further comprises:

requesting confirmation for determining whether the power control information included in the broadcast signal is correct.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein selectively applying the at least one modification to the power control information included in the broadcast signal further comprises:

requesting validation of the at least one modification from at least a second device.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving at least one second reply signal from a second device, the at least one second reply signal comprising a modification similar to the at least one modification;

applying the modified average to the power control information included in the broadcast signal.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein selectively applying the at least one modification to the power control information included in the broadcast signal further comprises:

waiting until a trust level is reached before applying the at least one modification.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the trust level is derived in part from reliability of the at least one device based on historical information.

22. A wireless communications apparatus that facilitates reducing a length of an initial access phase in a wireless environment, comprising:

means for identifying information to be included in a broadcast signal transmitted to a plurality of devices;

means for receiving at least one reply signal from at least one of the plurality of devices in response to the broadcast signal;

means for changing at least a subset of the information included in the broadcast signal based in part on the at least one reply signal,

wherein the at least one reply signal includes power offset information.

23. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

means for requesting the at least one of the plurality of devices to verify the accuracy of the information included in the broadcast signal.

24. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

means for analyzing a characteristic associated with the at least one of the plurality of devices that provided the at least one reply signal.

25. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

means for analyzing a trust level associated with the at least one of the plurality of devices prior to changing information included in the broadcast signal.

26. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

means for aggregating a plurality of reply signals.

27. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 22, further comprising:

means for requesting verification of the accuracy of the modified broadcast signal.