阅读说明：本技术 用于多ap协调中上行功率控制的系统和方法 (System and method for uplink power control in multi-AP coordination ) 是由 容志刚 于 2020-04-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：各实施例根据两个或更多个接入点(access point,AP)与站点(station,STA)之间的路径损耗计算在一个AP参考的目标功率电平。然后,所述计算出的目标功率电平在下行消息中发送给所述STA,所述下行消息还可以包括指示用于发送上行帧的资源位置的资源分配信息。然后,所述STA可以使用所述目标功率电平计算用于通过所述下行帧指示的所述资源位置发送所述上行帧的上行功率电平。除了路径损耗值之外,所述目标功率电平还可以根据在所述AP处测量的干扰电平和/或与所述上行帧相关联或解码所述上行帧所需的目标接收功率电平计算。(Embodiments calculate a target power level referenced at one Access Point (AP) based on path losses between two or more APs and a Station (STA). Then, the calculated target power level is sent to the STA in a downlink message, where the downlink message may further include resource allocation information indicating a resource location for sending an uplink frame. Then, the STA may calculate an uplink power level for transmitting the uplink frame through the resource location indicated by the downlink frame using the target power level. The target power level may be calculated from an interference level measured at the AP and/or a target received power level required to associate with or decode the uplink frame, in addition to a path loss value.)

1. A method of communicating in a wireless system, the method comprising:

a first Access Point (AP) sends a downlink frame to a Station (STA), where the downlink frame includes resource allocation information indicating a resource location for sending the uplink frame and an indication of a target power level, and the target power level is calculated by the first AP according to a first path loss between the first AP and the STA and a second path loss between a second AP and the STA.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the downlink frame further comprises an indication of a transmit power of the downlink frame and an identifier of the second AP.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

the first AP calculates the target power level using the first path loss between the first AP and the STA, a first interference level measured by the first AP, the second path loss between the second AP and the STA, and a second interference level measured by the second AP.

4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

the first AP calculates the first path loss between the first AP and the STA by using the uplink received power measurement of the first AP and the transmission power level of an uplink frame previously transmitted by the STA.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

the first AP receiving a message from the second AP indicating the second path loss between the second AP and the STA and a second interference level measured by the second AP.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

the first AP receiving a message from the second AP indicating the second path loss between the second AP and the STA and a target received power level of the uplink frame at the second AP.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

the first AP calculates the target power level according to the first path loss between the first AP and the STA, a first interference level measured by the first AP, the second path loss between the second AP and the STA, and the target received power level of the uplink frame at the second AP.

8. A first Access Point (AP), comprising:

a processor;

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program for execution by the processor, the program comprising instructions that, when executed, cause the AP to:

and sending a downlink frame to a Station (STA), wherein the downlink frame comprises resource allocation information indicating a resource position for sending the uplink frame and an indication of a target power level, and the target power level is calculated by the first AP according to a first path loss between the first AP and the STA and a second path loss between the second AP and the STA.

9. The first AP of claim 8, wherein the downlink frame further comprises an indication of a transmit power of the downlink frame and an identifier of the second AP.

10. The first AP of claim 8 or 9, wherein one or more processors are further to execute the instructions to:

calculating the target power level using the first path loss between the first AP and the STA, a first interference level measured by the first AP, the second path loss between the second AP and the STA, and a second interference level measured by the second AP.

11. The first AP of any one of claims 8-10, wherein one or more processors are further to execute the instructions to:

calculating the first path loss between the first AP and the STA using the uplink received power measurement of the first AP and the transmit power level of the uplink frame previously transmitted by the STA.

12. The first AP of any one of claims 8-11, wherein one or more processors are further to execute the instructions to:

receiving, from the second AP, a message indicating the second path loss between the second AP and the STA and a second interference level measured by the second AP.

13. The first AP of any one of claims 8-12, wherein one or more processors are further to execute the instructions to:

receiving, from the second AP, a message indicating the second path loss between the second AP and the STA and a target received power level of the uplink frame at the second AP.

14. The first AP of claim 13, wherein one or more processors are further to execute the instructions to:

calculating the target power level according to the first path loss between the first AP and the STA, a first interference level measured by the first AP, the second path loss between the second AP and the STA, and the target received power level of the uplink frame at the second AP.

15. A method of communicating in a wireless system, the method comprising:

a Station (STA) receiving a downlink frame from a first Access Point (AP), the downlink frame including resource allocation information indicating a resource location where the uplink frame is transmitted, an indication of a target power level, and an identifier of a second AP;

the STA at least determines an uplink transmission power level according to the target power level;

and the STA sends the uplink frame through the resource according to the uplink sending power level.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein determining the uplink transmit power level based at least on the target power level comprises:

the STA determines the path loss to the first AP according to the receiving power level of the downlink frame;

the STA determines the uplink transmit power level based on the target power level and the path loss from the STA to the first AP.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein determining the uplink transmit power level based on the pathloss and the target power level comprises calculating the uplink transmit power level as a sum of the target power level and the pathloss.

18. A Station (STA), comprising:

a processor;

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program for execution by the processor, the program comprising instructions to:

receiving a downlink frame from a first Access Point (AP), the downlink frame including resource allocation information indicating a resource location for transmitting a packet, an indication of a target power level, and an identifier of a second AP;

determining an uplink transmission power level at least according to the target power level;

and transmitting an uplink frame through the resource according to the uplink transmission power level.

19. The STA of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the uplink transmit power level based at least on the target power level comprise instructions to:

determining path loss according to the received power level of the downlink frame;

and determining the uplink transmission power level according to the target power level and the path loss.

20. The STA of claim 19 wherein the instructions to determine the uplink transmit power level based on the pathloss and the target power level include instructions to calculate the uplink transmit power level as a sum of the target power level and the pathloss.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for wireless communication and, in particular embodiments, to a system and method for uplink power control in a communication system with multi-access point coordination.

Background

Current generation wireless communication systems provide high data rates for mobile communication devices, enabling a rich multimedia environment for users of mobile communication devices. As the complexity of applications available to users continues to increase, there is a need to increase the throughput and decrease the latency of data transmissions on communication devices. For example, emerging technologies and applications, such as high definition video (e.g., 4k, 8k, etc.), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), etc., over a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) have significantly higher performance requirements (e.g., higher throughput, lower latency, etc.) for wireless communication systems than existing technologies and applications.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 Working Group (WG) has established a Study Group (SG) called Extra High Throughput (EHT) to develop a new generation of Physical (PHY) and Media Access Control (MAC) layers with the goal of increasing peak throughput, improving efficiency, and reducing latency. The target of the EHT SG is to operate in the frequency band between 1GHz to 7.125 GHz. One technique that may help achieve EHT goals is multi-AP (multi-AP) coordination. A plurality of coordinated Access Points (APs) are used to decode signals received from a Station (STA) so that the STA can transmit at a lower power.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical advantages are generally achieved by embodiments of the present invention, which describe systems and methods for uplink power control in multi-AP coordination.

In one embodiment, a method of communicating in a wireless system is provided. In this example, the method includes a first Access Point (AP) sending a downlink frame to a Station (STA). Examples of a station include any component capable of establishing a wireless connection with an AP, such as a User Equipment (UE), a mobile station, a sensor, and/or other wireless enabled device. The downlink frame includes resource allocation information indicating a resource location where the uplink frame is transmitted and an indication of a target power level. And the target power level is calculated by the first AP according to the first path loss between the first AP and the STA and the second path loss between the second AP and the STA. In one example, the downlink frame further includes an indication of a transmit power of the downlink frame and an identifier of the second AP. In the same example, or in another example, the method further comprises: the first AP calculates the target power level using the first path loss between the first AP and the STA, a first interference level measured by the first AP, the second path loss between the second AP and the STA, and a second interference level measured by the second AP. In any of the above examples, or in another example, the method further comprises: the first AP calculates the first path loss between the first AP and the STA by using the uplink received power measurement of the first AP and the transmission power level of an uplink frame previously transmitted by the STA. In any of the above examples, or in another example, the method further comprises: the first AP receiving a message from the second AP indicating the second path loss between the second AP and the STA and a second interference level measured by the second AP. In any of the above examples, or in another example, the method further comprises: the first AP receiving a message from the second AP indicating the second path loss and a target received power level between the second AP and the STA to decode the uplink frame at the second AP. In any of the above examples, or in another example, the method further comprises: the first AP calculates the target power level according to the first path loss between the first AP and the STA, and the first AP measures a first interference level, the second path loss between the second AP and the STA and the target received power level so as to decode the uplink frame at the second AP. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

In another embodiment, another method of communicating in a wireless system is provided. In this example, the method includes a Station (STA) receiving a downlink frame from a first Access Point (AP). The downlink frame includes resource allocation information indicating a resource location where the uplink frame is transmitted, an indication of a target power level, and an identifier of the second AP. The method also includes the STA determining an uplink transmit power level based at least on the target power level, the STA transmitting the uplink frame over the resource based on the uplink transmit power level. In one example, determining the uplink transmit power level based at least on the target power level comprises: the STA determines the path loss to the first AP according to the receiving power level of the downlink frame; the STA determines the uplink transmit power level based on the target power level and the path loss from the STA to the first AP. In the same example, or in another example, determining the uplink transmit power level from the pathloss and the target power level includes calculating the uplink transmit power level as a sum of the target power level and the pathloss. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a network 100 for communicating data;

fig. 2A and 2B are diagrams of a wireless system for multi-AP coordination;

FIG. 3 is a protocol diagram of a communication sequence for uplink power control in a wireless system with multi-AP coordination;

fig. 4 is a flow chart of a method for communicating in a wireless system;

fig. 5 is a flow chart of a method for communicating in a wireless system;

fig. 6A-6B are block diagrams of an electronic device for sending and receiving signaling over a telecommunications network;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computing system;

fig. 8 is a diagram of a communication system.

Detailed Description

The formation and use of the disclosed embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the embodiments, and do not limit the scope of the invention.

Using multiple AP coordination to communicate with a Station (STA) may reduce interference in communications and improve throughput by increasing the number of potential spatial streams that may pass through a communication channel. Since diversity gain or signal energy combining gain in a multi-AP system results in a reduction in the target power for a given interference level required to decode the signal, both the interference generated in the system and the power transmitted by the STAs may be reduced. Examples of a station include any component capable of establishing a wireless connection with an AP, such as a User Equipment (UE), a mobile station, a sensor, and/or other wireless enabled device.

Some uplink power control techniques for enabling multi-AP coordination require each AP in a multi-AP system to send a downlink frame to the STA indicating a Target received power level (Target _ APi, i ═ 1, 2, 3 … …) for a single AP, which the STA can use to calculate a Target power level (also referred to as a system Target power level (Target _ Sys)). Sending multiple messages to the STA may result in additional delay, resulting in a drift between the received power and the Target power level (e.g., Target _ Sys), and increased overhead in the downlink channel.

Aspects of the present invention calculate a target power level referenced at one of the APs from path losses between the two or more respective APs and the STA. Then, the calculated target power level is sent to the STA in a downlink message, where the downlink message may further include resource allocation information indicating a resource location for sending an uplink frame. Then, the STA may calculate an uplink power level for transmitting the uplink frame through the resource location indicated by the downlink frame using the target power level.

The target power level may be calculated from an interference level measured at the AP and/or a target received power level required to associate with or decode the uplink frame, in addition to a path loss value. In some embodiments, the downlink frame includes an identifier of a neighboring AP (e.g., an AP different from the AP transmitting the downlink frame) and/or an indication of a transmit power level used to transmit the downlink frame. The STA may calculate the uplink transmission power as the sum of the path loss measured from the downlink frame and the target power level indicated by the downlink frame.

Embodiments of the present invention may be used to determine the uplink transmit power level of a STA. Since the wireless environment is dynamically changing, the STA may adjust its uplink transmit power level to accommodate the change in the wireless environment. Embodiments of the present invention allow a STA to calculate an uplink transmit power level in a single step after receiving a target power level in a downlink frame. Calculating the uplink transmission power level in a single step reduces drift between the actual reception power level and the target reception power level at the AP, as compared to a technique of calculating the uplink transmission power level using multiple steps after receiving messages indicating a single target reception power level of respective APs from the multiple APs to decode an uplink frame. Reducing the drift may reduce the uplink transmit power level of the STA, thereby saving battery power of the STA while also consuming less spectrum and computing resources.

Fig. 1 shows a network 100 for transmitting data. The network 100 includes an AP 110 having a coverage area 101, a plurality of STAs 120, and a backhaul network 130. AP 110 may include any component capable of providing wireless access by establishing a wireless connection with STA120, such as a personal computer or smart phone and other wireless-enabled devices. STA120 may include any component capable of establishing a wireless connection with AP 110, such as a User Equipment (UE), a mobile station, a sensor, and/or other wireless enabled device. Backhaul network 130 may be any component or collection of components that enable data to be exchanged between AP 110 and a remote end (not shown). In some embodiments, network 100 may include various other wireless devices, such as relays, femtocells, and the like.

Fig. 2A and 2B show wireless systems 201, 202, respectively, for multi-AP coordination. The wireless systems 201, 202 include a plurality of APs 211, 212 for communicating with STAs 220 over wireless links 221, 222. AP 211 and/or AP 212 may transmit downlink frames to STA220 and receive uplink frames from STA 220. The downlink/uplink transmissions may include various parameters such as target power levels, interference levels, path loss measurements/values, target received power levels, AP identifiers, and the like. The APs 211, 212 may also exchange messages between each other, which may include various parameters, such as a target power level, an interference level, a path loss measurement/value, a target received power level, and the like. It should be understood that although the wireless systems 201, 202 are described as including only two APs in communication with the STA220, embodiments of the present invention are equally applicable to implementations in which three or more APs communicate with the STA.

In the wireless system 201, the APs 211, 212 directly coordinate with each other without using a central controller. In contrast, in the wireless system 202, the APs 211, 212 are indirectly coordinated through the central controller 205. The central controller 205 may be co-located with one of the APs 211, 212, or may be a separate device from the APs 211, 212 (e.g., located at a different physical location than the APs 211, 212). The central controller 205 may be any component or collection of components for facilitating coordination between the APs 211, 212. The central controller 205 may be configured to perform various operations including, but not limited to, combining the upstream signals received by the APs 211, 212, selecting the best upstream signal received by the APs 211, 212, and selecting the upstream data packet successfully decoded by the APs 211, 212. The central controller 205 may be wirelessly coupled to the APs by a wired connection, or a combination of wireless and wired connections.

In multi-AP coordination, an uplink signal transmitted by a STA may be received by multiple APs. Upstream frames may be processed using different techniques. In one example, uplink frames transmitted by STAs are received as received signals at different APs, and the received signals are combined together before passing through a channel decoder to form a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) signal with better SINR to achieve improved diversity gain and energy gain. In another example, uplink frames transmitted by the STA are received as received signals at different APs, and the received signal with the best SINR is selected to pass through a channel decoder to obtain diversity gain. In yet another example, uplink frames transmitted by the STAs are received as received signals at different APs, each of which demodulates and decodes the respective received signal to obtain uplink data. The uplink signal reception is successful if any one of the plurality of APs successfully decodes the uplink data packet. Thus, diversity gain can be achieved.

Aspects of the present invention calculate a target power level at an AP according to path losses between two or more corresponding APs and an STA, and then transmit the target power level to the STA in a downlink frame. Fig. 3 shows a communication sequence 300 for uplink power control in a multi-AP coordinated wireless system 201, 202. When the STA220 performs an uplink transmission 310 to the APs 211, 212, the communication sequence 300 begins and the APs 211, 212 may use the uplink transmission 310 to calculate path losses over the wireless links 221, 222 extending between the APs 211, 212 and the STA220, respectively. The upstream transmission 310 may include any type of signal (e.g., upstream frames, packets, control messages, probes, etc.). In one embodiment, the uplink transmission 310 includes a high efficiency null data packet PHY protocol data unit (HE NDP PPDU) carrying null data fields. The APs 211, 212 may calculate the path loss of the wireless links 221, 222 from the received power of the uplink transmission 310. The APs 211, 212 may also determine interference levels from measurements using the uplink transmissions 310, and the interference levels may then be used to calculate a single target power level at the respective AP. In one embodiment, the Target power level (Target _ Sys) for a multi-AP system is calculated from the single Target power level required to decode the uplink frame at each AP and the path loss from the station to each AP, as shown in the following equation: target _ Sys ═ min (Target _ AP1+ PL _ STA _ AP1, Target _ AP2+ PL _ STA _ AP2) -PL _ STA _ AP1, where Target _ Sys is the Target power for the dual AP system 201 or 202, referenced at AP 211 as the first AP (AP 1); target _ AP1 and Target _ AP2 are the single Target received power levels required to decode the uplink frames at the first AP and the second AP, respectively, PL _ STA _ AP1 is the path loss from the station to the first AP, PL _ STA _ AP2 is the path loss from the station to the second AP, min () is a minimum function that returns the minimum value of the input element.

The Target _ Sys may be determined using the following facts: the station transmit power may be minimized to a level at which uplink frames are decoded by at least one of the two APs. In another embodiment, the target power levels for decoding uplink frames at two APs are correlated to their interference level measurements, including noise: target _ AP 2-Target _ AP1+ Int _ AP 2-Int _ AP1, where Int _ AP1 and Int _ AP2 are interference levels at AP1 and AP2, respectively.

Next, AP 212 sends a message 320 to AP 211, message 320 including an indication of the path loss of link 222. The message 320 may also include an indication of interference measurements made by the AP 212. Upon receiving the message 320, the AP 211 may calculate the Target power level, Target _ Sys, of the system to transmit in the downlink frame 330, the downlink frame 330 including the resource allocation of the uplink frame and the identifier of the AP 212. The station can then use the information of the downlink frame 330 to transmit the uplink frame 340.

Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of a method 400 that may be performed by the AP 211 for communicating in a wireless system. At step 410, the AP 211 receives an uplink transmission from the STA 220. At step 420, the AP 211 calculates the path loss of the link 221 from the uplink transmission received in step 410. For example, the path loss may be calculated using the received power level of the uplink transmission received in step 410 and the transmission power level of the uplink transmission received in step 410. The transmission power level of the uplink transmission may be specified by the uplink transmission. At step 430, AP 211 receives a message from AP 212 indicating the path loss of link 222. The message may also include information regarding the interference level measured at the AP 212 and/or the target received power level for decoding uplink frames at the AP 212. At step 440, the AP 211 calculates a target power level based on the path loss of the link 221 and the path loss of the link 222. The target received power level may also be calculated from the interference levels of the two APs 211, 212 and/or a single target received power level. At step 450, the AP 211 transmits a downlink frame to the STA220, the downlink frame including resource allocation information indicating a resource location for transmitting the uplink frame and an indication of a target power level. The downlink frame may also include a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) of the AP 212. In step 460, the AP 211 receives the uplink frame from the STA220 through the resource indicated by the downlink frame transmitted in step 450.

Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of a method 500 that may be performed by the STA220 for communicating in a wireless system. At step 510, the STA220 sends an uplink transmission to the AP 211 and the AP 212. The transmitted uplink frame may include an indication of the transmit power level so that the AP can calculate its path loss to the station. At step 520, the STA220 receives a downlink frame from the AP 211, the downlink frame including resource allocation information indicating a resource location for transmitting the uplink frame and an indication of a target power level. The downlink frame may also include an indication of its transmit power level and an identifier of the neighboring AP. Next, at step 530, the STA220 measures the path loss according to the received power level of the downlink frame. The path loss measured from the AP 211 to the STA220 is the difference between the transmission power level of the downlink frame transmitted from the AP 211 and the reception power level of the frame at the STA 220. Then, at step 540, the STA220 determines an uplink transmission power level based on the path loss and the target power level. The STA220 adds the target power level specified by the AP 211 and the path loss from the STA220 to the AP 211 to obtain the transmission power level of the uplink frame to be transmitted by the STA 220. STA220 may also limit the transmit power level according to its maximum transmit power. Finally, in step 550, the uplink frame is transmitted through the resource according to the uplink transmission power level.

Although the multi-AP system presented herein shows two APs, the exemplary embodiments presented herein are also applicable to more than two APs. In this case, for each AP (APi, i ═ 1, 2, 3 … …), the serving AP/controller may receive a single interference level (Int _ APi) and/or a single Target power level (Target _ APi) and path loss from the site to the AP (PL _ STA _ APi). Different mathematical functions may be used to determine the system target power using a single target power per AP and the path loss to the station. Thus, the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limited by the examples presented herein. The STAs may be implemented as general Electronic Devices (EDs) and the AP may be implemented as a general base station that is part of a general communication system.

Using multi-AP coordination may reduce interference in communications and improve throughput by increasing the number of potential spatial streams that may pass through a communication channel. In multi-AP coordination, an uplink signal transmitted by a STA may be received by multiple APs. For example, uplink signals received at different APs may be used to enhance uplink quality. The uplink signals received at different APs may be combined together before passing through the channel decoder to form a better SINR signal. Thus, diversity gain and energy gain can be achieved. And selecting the uplink signal with the best SINR to pass through a channel decoder. Thus, diversity gain can be achieved. Multiple APs may receive the uplink signal and demodulate and decode it to obtain an uplink data packet. The uplink signal reception is successful if any one of the plurality of APs successfully decodes the uplink data packet. Thus, diversity gain can be achieved.

To enable uplink multi-user transmission (e.g., OFDMA and uplink MU-MIMO), the power of the received signals of multiple STAs at the AP receiver needs to be below a threshold to avoid significant interference between STAs. Uplink transmit power control may be used to ensure that the power of the received signals of multiple STAs at the AP receiver is at an appropriate level.

Existing uplink Power Control methods, such as those disclosed in U.S. patent No. 9,967,827 entitled "Power Control System and Method (System and Method for Power Control)" and IEEE p802.11ax/D3.1, August 2018, both of which documents are incorporated herein by reference, consider only one AP as an uplink receiver. In multi-AP coordination, a plurality of APs may become uplink receivers. In consideration of the diversity gain and/or energy gain that may be achieved by uplink multi-AP coordination, an uplink power control method needs to be developed to reduce power consumption of the STA and/or reduce interference to an Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS).

U.S. provisional application 62,768,229 discloses methods in which a STA receives multiple indications of a target uplink received power from an AP, one indication for each AP participating in uplink multi-AP coordination. Then, the STA derives the uplink transmission power according to the target uplink received powers and the path losses measured between the STA and the AP.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the STA receives an indication of a Target power level (Target _ Sys) from the AP and derives an uplink transmit power level based on the Target power level and the measured path loss between the STA and the AP, and the derived uplink transmit power level may be used for proper uplink multi-AP coordination. The STA may first transmit a first uplink frame to a first AP (e.g., AP 1). The first uplink frame may cause the AP1 to measure the uplink path loss between the STA and the AP1 (PL _ STA _ AP 1). The first uplink frame may also cause a second AP (e.g., AP2) to measure an uplink path loss (PL _ STA _ AP2) between the STA and the AP 2. The uplink frame may be in the form of a High Efficiency Null Data Packet PHY Protocol Data Unit (HE NDP PPDU) (not carrying a Data field), a sounding signal, a Data Packet, or a control Packet. Other options are also possible.

The second AP (e.g., AP2) sends an indication of PL _ STA _ AP2 to the AP1 after measuring the uplink path loss (PL _ STA _ AP2) between the STA and the AP2 and the noise and interference level Int _ AP2 measured at the AP 2. The AP2 may send the indication of PL _ STA _ AP2 directly to the AP1 or may send the indication to the AP1 through a central controller. The AP2 may also send an indication of the noise and interference level Int _ AP2 measured at the AP2 to the AP 1. The AP2 may send an indication of Int _ AP2 directly to the AP1 or may send an indication to the AP1 through a central controller. The AP1 may prepare to schedule uplink transmissions for the STAs and decide on a Target received power level, Target _ AP1, at the AP 1. For example, the AP1 may decide Target _ AP1 according to the bandwidth of the uplink resources allocated for uplink transmission, the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) configured for uplink transmission, and the noise and interference level Int _ AP1 measured at the first AP. The AP1 may then derive a second Target received power level, Target _ AP2, for transmission at the AP 2. For example, AP1 may decide Target _ AP2 as: target _ AP2 is Target _ AP1+ Int _ AP 2-Int _ AP 1. The AP1 may derive the system Target power level, Target _ Sys, from Target _ AP1, Target _ AP2, PL _ STA _ AP1, and PL _ STA _ AP 2. For example, the Target _ Sys may be derived as: target _ Sys ═ min (Target _ AP1+ PL _ STA _ AP1, Target _ AP2+ PL _ STA _ AP2) -PL _ STA _ AP 1. In this way, the STA may derive an uplink transmission power level for the uplink transmission using the Target _ Sys so that at least one AP, AP1, or AP2 can satisfy the corresponding Target reception power level. This may reduce the transmission power level of the STA compared to the case where the STA is connected to only one AP.

The STA may then receive a first downlink frame (e.g., a trigger frame) from a first AP (e.g., AP 1). The first downlink frame may include uplink scheduling information indicating a resource allocation (e.g., frequency resource location) for uplink transmission by the STA. The first downlink frame may also include an indication of a system Target power level (e.g., Target _ Sys) of the STA. The first downlink frame may also include an indication of the downlink transmit power PDL _ TX _ AP1 of the AP 1. The indication of the downlink transmission power may be in the form of the transmission power of the downlink frame, or may be in the form of the transmission power of the downlink frame normalized to a bandwidth (e.g., 20MHz bandwidth). Other forms of indication are also possible. The first downlink frame may also include an indication of an identifier of AP2, e.g., BSSID, MAC address of AP 2. The indication of the identifier of the AP2 may be used by the STA to receive an acknowledgement of the uplink transmission from the AP2 after the uplink transmission.

The STA measures the downlink received power PDL _ RX _ AP1 of the first downlink frame from the AP1 and derives the path loss from the AP1 to the STA (PL _ AP1_ STA) as the difference between the downlink transmitted power of the AP1 and the downlink received power of the AP 1. For example, PL may be derived as: PL _ AP1_ STA ═ PDL _ TX _ AP 1-PDL _ RX _ AP 1. When the uplink and downlink use the same frequency band, the uplink path loss from the STA to the AP1 may be correlated with (or the same as) the downlink path loss from the AP1 to the STA (e.g., PL _ STA _ AP1 — PL _ AP1_ STA). After the STA acquires the path loss from the AP1, the uplink transmission power PUL _ TX is derived from the path loss PL _ AP1_ STA and the Target uplink received power Target _ Sys, for example, the PUL _ TX is Target _ Sys + PL _ AP1_ STA. The uplink transmission power may also be limited according to a maximum transmission power level of the STA (e.g., PUL _ TX _ Max), e.g., PUL _ TX _ Real ═ min (PUL _ TX, PUL _ TX _ Max). The STA may start uplink transmission at the transmit power of PUL TX _ Real on the resource indicated in the uplink scheduling information included in the first downlink frame for a short interframe space (SIFS) duration after the end of the first downlink frame received from the AP 1.

For example, the STA may transmit the HE NDP PPDU, the AP1 and the AP2 may measure path losses PL _ STA _ AP1 and PL _ STA _ AP2, respectively, PL _ STA _ AP1 being 83dB and PL _ STA _ AP2 being 77 dB. The AP2 may measure the noise and interference level at the AP2, Int _ AP2 ═ 90 dBm. The AP2 may send indications of PL _ STA _ AP2 and Int _ AP2 to the AP 1. The AP1 may measure the noise and interference level at the AP1, Int _ AP1 ═ 87 dBm. The AP1 may schedule uplink transmissions for the STA and may decide a first Target received power level at the AP1 (e.g., Target _ AP1 — 67 dBm). The AP1 may then derive a second Target received power level for transmission at the AP2 (Target _ AP2) as: target _ AP2 is Target _ AP1+ Int _ AP 2-Int _ AP1 is-67 dBm + (-90 dBm) - (-87 dBm) — 70 dBm. The AP1 may then derive the system Target power level, Target _ Sys, from Target _ AP1, Target _ AP2, PL _ STA _ AP1, and PL _ STA _ AP2 as: target _ Sys ═ min (Target _ AP1+ PL _ STA _ AP1, Target _ AP2+ PL _ STA _ AP2) -PL _ STA _ AP1 ═ min (-67 dBm +83dB, -70 dBm +77dB) -83 dB ═ min (16dBm,7dBm) -83 dB ═ 76 dBm.

The STA may receive the trigger frame from the AP 1. The trigger frame may include uplink scheduling information. The trigger frame may also indicate that the Target power level, Target _ Sys, is-76 dBm (e.g., as previously derived by AP 1). The trigger frame may also indicate that the downlink transmit power PDL _ TX _ AP1 of the AP1 is 23 dBm. The trigger frame may also indicate an identifier of AP2 (e.g., BSSID of AP 2). The STA may measure the received power of the trigger frame from the AP 1. In one specific example, PDL _ RX _ AP1 is-60 dBm. The STA may derive the Path Loss (PL) between the AP1 and the STA as: PL _ AP1_ STA ═ PDL _ TX _ AP 1-PDL _ RX _ AP 1. In one specific example, PL _ AP1_ STA is 23 dBm- (-60 dBm) — 83 dB. Then, the STA may derive the uplink transmit power (PUL _ TX) from the path loss and the Target _ Sys, e.g., Target _ Sys + PL _ AP1_ STA. In one specific example, PUL _ TX ═ -76 dBm +83dB ═ 7 dBm. In comparison, if there is no uplink multi-AP coordination (e.g., the STA is only connected to the AP1), the target uplink received power is-67 dBm, and the uplink transmit power is-67 dBm +83 dB-16 dBm. Assuming that the maximum transmission power PUL _ TX _ Max of the STA is 20dBm, the STA derives an uplink transmission power level PUL _ TX _ Real as: PUL _ TX _ Real ═ min (PUL _ TX _ Max, PUL _ TX) ═ min (20dBm,7dBm) ═ 7 dBm.

In SIFS, after the end of the trigger frame from the AP1, the STA may start uplink transmission at a transmission power of 7dBm on the resource indicated in the uplink scheduling information included in the trigger frame from the AP 1. The uplink transmit power of the STA is reduced from 16dBm to 7dBm, which is 9dBm lower than the case where the STA is connected to only the AP 1.

In one embodiment, the AP1 derives the system Target power level, Target _ Sys, from Target _ AP1, Target _ AP2, PL _ STA _ AP1, and PL _ STA _ AP2 using the following method: target _ Sys ═ min (Target _ AP1+ PL _ STA _ AP1, Target _ AP2+ PL _ STA _ AP2) -PL _ STA _ AP1 ═ min (PUL _ TX _ AP1, PUL _ TX _ AP2) -PL _ STA _ AP1, where PUL _ TX _ AP1 ═ Target _ AP1+ PL _ STA _ AP1 is the uplink transmit power level such that the receive power at AP1 meets the Target receive power level at AP1, and PUL _ TX _ AP2 ═ Target _ AP2+ PL _ STA _ AP2 is the uplink transmit power such that the receive power at AP2 meets the Target receive level power at AP 2. In the present embodiment, when the STA derives the uplink transmission power of the uplink transmission using the Target _ Sys, the uplink transmission power is actually the lower of the PUL _ TX _ AP1 and the PUL _ TX _ AP 2. In the present embodiment, other formulas may be used to derive the system Target power level, Target _ Sys, from PUL _ TX _ AP1 and PUL _ TX _ AP 2. In one example, the Target _ Sys may be derived as (PUL _ TX _ AP1+ PUL _ TX _ AP 2)/2-PL _ STA _ AP 1. In this example, when the STA can derive the uplink transmission power of the uplink transmission using the Target _ Sys, the uplink transmission power is actually an average of the PUL _ TX _ AP1 and the PUL _ TX _ AP2, instead of the lower one of the PUL _ TX _ AP1 and the PUL _ TX _ AP 2.

However, in yet another embodiment, the Target _ Sys may be derived as Target _ Sys max (PUL _ TX _ AP1, PUL _ TX _ AP2) -Correction _ Factor-PL _ STA _ AP1, where max () is a maximum function that returns the maximum value of the input element and Correction _ Factor is a numerical value, e.g., in dB. When there are two APs participating in multi-AP coordination, the Correction factor may be set to a fixed value (e.g., 3dB) to compensate for the combined gain of the uplink signals at the APs. In this example, when the STA derives the uplink transmit power for the uplink transmission using the Target _ Sys, the uplink transmit power is actually the larger of the PUL _ TX _ AP1 and the PUL _ TX _ AP2 minus the Correction _ Factor.

Although multi-AP coordination is illustrated with two APs as an example, the method may be extended to cover the case where more than two APs participate in multi-AP coordination.

In an embodiment, the uplink transmit power control method may be used for multi-AP coordination, which may reduce power consumption of the STA compared to a case where the STA is connected to only one AP. In some examples, embodiments reduce interference to Overlapping Base Service Set (OBSS). Embodiments may set uplink transmission power such that a received signal at an AP is at an appropriate level, enabling OFDMA and MU-MIMO to be used for an uplink, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency. Embodiments of the present invention may reduce the downlink overhead (e.g., carry information in the trigger frame) compared to the method proposed in U.S. provisional application No. 62,768,229.

A method of communicating in a wireless system is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: a station sends a first uplink frame; a station receives a first downlink frame including resource allocation information indicating a resource location for transmitting a message, an indication of a Target power level (Target _ Sys), an indication of a first transmission power level, and an indication of an identifier of a second Access Point (AP) from the first AP; the station determines a second transmission power level according to the target power level and the first transmission power level; the station transmits the message at a resource location having a second transmit power level. Examples of methods that may be followed are: (a) the indication of the Target power level is used to reference the Target _ Sys of the first access AP; (b) enabling path loss measurements of the first AP and the second AP by the first uplink frame; (c) determining the second transmit power level comprises: measuring a first reception power level of the first downlink frame, determining a path loss according to the first reception power level, and then determining a second transmission power level according to the path loss, wherein the PUL _ TX is a Target _ Sys + PL _ AP1_ STA, the PUL _ TX is the second transmission power level, the Target _ Sys is a Target power level, and the PL _ AP1_ STA is the path loss.

Another method of communicating in a wireless system is disclosed herein, the method comprising: a first Access Point (AP) receiving a first upstream frame from a station; the first AP determines a first path loss according to the first uplink frame; the first AP receives an indication of a second path loss between the second AP and the site; the first AP determines a first target power level according to the first path loss and the second path loss; a first AP sends a first downlink frame, wherein the first downlink frame comprises resource allocation information indicating a resource position for sending a message, an indication of a first Target power level (Target _ Sys), an indication of a first sending power level and an indication of an identifier of a second AP; the first AP receives a message at a resource location, wherein the message is transmitted at a second transmit power level determined based on the first target power level and the first transmit power level. Examples of methods that may be followed are: (a) an indication of a first target power level is referenced at a first Access Point (AP); (b) determining the first target power level from the first path loss (PL _ STA _ AP1) and the second path loss (PL _ STA _ AP2) comprises: the first AP determining a second Target power level (Target _ AP 1); the first AP determining a third Target power level (Target _ AP 2); the first AP determines a first Target power level from the first path loss, the second Target power level, and a third Target power level, wherein the first Target power level is determined by applying a mathematical function to the first path loss, the second Target power level, and the third Target power level, e.g., (i) Target _ Sys ═ min (Target _ AP1+ PL _ STA _ AP1, Target _ AP2+ PL _ STA _ AP2) -PL _ STA _ AP1, min () is a minimum function that returns a minimum value of the input element; (ii) target _ Sys ═ (Target _ AP1+ PL _ STA _ AP1+ Target _ AP2+ PL _ STA _ AP 2)/2-PL _ STA _ AP 1; (iii) target _ Sys ═ max (Target _ AP1+ PL _ STA _ AP1, Target _ AP2+ PL _ STA _ AP2) -Correction _ Factor-PL _ STA _ AP1, where max () is a maximum function of the maximum of the returned input elements. Example (b) further includes: the first AP measures a first noise and interference level (Int _ AP1), the first AP receives a second noise and interference level (Int _ AP2) from the second AP, and determines a third Target power level, which is Target _ AP2 — Target _ AP1+ Int _ AP 2-Int _ AP 1.

In one embodiment, a method of communicating in a wireless system is provided. In this example, the method includes a first Access Point (AP) sending a downlink frame to a Station (STA). The downlink frame includes resource allocation information indicating a resource location where the uplink frame is transmitted and an indication of a target power level. And the target power level is calculated by the first AP according to the first path loss between the first AP and the STA and the second path loss between the second AP and the STA. In one example, the downlink frame further includes an indication of a transmit power of the downlink frame and an identifier of the second AP. In the same example, or in another example, the method further comprises: the first AP calculates the target power level using the first path loss between the first AP and the STA, a first interference level measured by the first AP, the second path loss between the second AP and the STA, and a second interference level measured by the second AP. In any of the above examples, or in another example, the method further comprises: the first AP calculates the first path loss between the first AP and the STA by using the uplink received power measurement of the first AP and the transmission power level of an uplink frame previously transmitted by the STA. In any of the above examples, or in another example, the method further comprises: the first AP receiving a message from the second AP indicating the second path loss between the second AP and the STA and a second interference level measured by the second AP. In any of the above examples, or in another example, the method further comprises: the first AP receiving a message from the second AP indicating the second path loss and a target received power level between the second AP and the STA to decode the uplink frame at the second AP. In any of the above examples, or in another example, the method further comprises: the first AP calculates the target power level according to the first path loss between the first AP and the STA, and the first AP measures a first interference level, the second path loss between the second AP and the STA and the target received power level so as to decode the uplink frame at the second AP. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

In another embodiment, another method of communicating in a wireless system is provided. In this example, the method includes a Station (STA) receiving a downlink frame from a first Access Point (AP). The downlink frame includes resource allocation information indicating a resource location where the uplink frame is transmitted, an indication of a target power level, and an identifier of the second AP. The method also includes the STA determining an uplink transmit power level based at least on the target power level, the STA transmitting the uplink frame over the resource based on the uplink transmit power level. In one example, determining the uplink transmit power level based at least on the target power level comprises: the STA determines the path loss to the first AP according to the receiving power level of the downlink frame; the STA determines the uplink transmit power level based on the target power level and the path loss from the STA to the first AP. In the same example, or in another example, determining the uplink transmit power level from the pathloss and the target power level includes calculating the uplink transmit power level as a sum of the target power level and the pathloss. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Fig. 6A and 6B are block diagrams of an Electronic Device (ED) for sending and receiving signaling over a telecommunications network. As shown in fig. 6A, ED 610 includes at least one processing unit 600. Processing unit 600 implements various processing operations of ED 610. For example, processing unit 600 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input/output processing, or any other function that enables ED 610 to operate in system 800 of FIG. 8. The processing unit 600 also implements the methods and teachings described in detail above. Each processing unit 600 includes any suitable processing or computing device for performing one or more operations. For example, each processing unit 600 may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, field programmable gate array, or application specific integrated circuit.

The ED 610 also includes at least one transceiver 602. The transceiver 602 is used to modulate data or other content for transmission by at least one antenna or Network Interface Controller (NIC) 604. The transceiver 602 is also used to demodulate data or other content received by at least one antenna 604. Each transceiver 602 includes any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission or processing signals received wirelessly or through a wire. Each antenna 604 includes any suitable structure for transmitting or receiving wireless or wired signals. One or more transceivers 602 may be used for the ED 610, and one or more antennas 604 may be used for the ED 610. Although shown as a single functional unit, the transceiver 602 may also be implemented using at least one transmitter and at least one separate receiver.

The ED 610 also includes one or more input/output devices 606 or interfaces. Input/output devices 606 facilitate interaction with users or other devices in the network (network communications). Each input/output device 606 includes any suitable structure for providing information to or receiving information from a user, such as a speaker, microphone, keypad, keyboard, display, or touch screen, including network interface communications.

In addition, the ED 610 includes at least one memory 608. Memory 608 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by ED 610. For example, the memory 608 may store software or firmware instructions executed by the one or more processing units 600 and data for reducing or eliminating interference in the incoming signals. Each memory 608 includes one or more of any suitable volatile or non-volatile storage and retrieval device. Any suitable type of memory may be used, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), hard disk, optical disk, Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, memory stick, Secure Digital (SD) memory card, and the like.

As shown in fig. 6B, the AP 670 includes at least one processing unit 650, at least one transceiver 652 (including the functionality of a transmitter and a receiver), one or more antennas 656, at least one memory 658, and one or more input/output devices or interfaces 666. A scheduler, as understood by those skilled in the art, is coupled to the processing unit 650. The scheduler may be included within the AP 670 or operate separately from the AP 670. The processing unit 650 implements various processing operations of the AP 670, such as signal encoding, data processing, power control, input/output processing, or any other functions. The processing unit 650 may also implement the methods and teachings described in detail above. Each processing unit 650 includes any suitable processing or computing device for performing one or more operations. For example, each processing unit 650 may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, field programmable gate array, or application specific integrated circuit.

Each transceiver 652 includes any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission to one or more Electronic Devices (EDs) or other devices. Each transceiver 652 also includes any suitable structure for processing signals received wirelessly or by wire from one or more EDs or other devices. Although shown as combined into a transceiver 652, the transmitter and receiver may be separate components. Each antenna 656 includes any suitable structure for transmitting or receiving wireless or wired signals. Although a common antenna 656 is shown here as coupled to the transceiver 652, one or more antennas 656 may be coupled to the one or more transceivers 652 such that separate antennas 656 may be coupled to the transmitter and receiver (if the transmitter and receiver are separate components). Each memory 658 includes one or more of any suitable volatile or non-volatile storage and retrieval devices. Each input/output device 666 facilitates interaction with users or other devices in the network (network communications). Each input/output device 666 includes any suitable structure for providing information to or receiving/providing information from a user, including network interface communications.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a computing system 700 that may be used to implement the apparatus and methods disclosed herein. For example, a computing system may be any entity of a UE, AN Access Network (AN), Mobility Management (MM), Session Management (SM), User Plane Gateway (UPGW), or Access Stratum (AS). A particular device may use all or only a subset of the components shown, and the level of integration may vary from device to device. Further, a device may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processing units, processors, memories, transmitters, receivers, etc. Computing system 700 includes a processing unit 702. The processing unit includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 714, memory 708, and may also include a mass storage device 704, a video adapter 710, and an I/O interface 712 connected to bus 720.

Bus 720 may be one or more of any of several types of bus architectures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, or a video bus. CPU 714 may include any type of electronic data processor. The memory 708 may include any type of non-transitory system memory, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, memory 708 may include ROM for use during startup and DRAM for storing programs and data for use during execution of the programs.

Mass storage 704 may include any type of non-transitory storage device for storing data, programs, and other information and making the data, programs, and other information accessible via bus 720. The mass storage 704 may include, for example, one or more of a solid state drive, hard disk drive, magnetic disk drive, or optical disk drive.

The interfaces of the video adapter 710 and the I/O interface 712 may couple external input and output devices to the processing unit 702. As shown, examples of input and output devices include a display 718 coupled to the video adapter 710 and a mouse, keyboard, or printer 716 coupled to the I/O interface 712. Other devices may be coupled to the processing unit 702, and more or fewer interface cards may be used. A serial interface such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) (not shown) may be used as an interface for the external device.

The processing unit 702 also includes one or more network interfaces 706, and the one or more network interfaces 706 may include wired (e.g., ethernet cables) or wireless links to access nodes or different networks. The network interface 706 allows the processing unit 702 to communicate with remote units over a network. For example, the network interface 706 may provide wireless communication via one or more transmitter/transmit antennas and one or more receiver/receive antennas. In one embodiment, the processing unit 702 is coupled to a local area network 722 or a wide area network for data processing and communication with remote devices, such as other processing units, the Internet, or remote storage facilities.

It should be understood that one or more steps of the embodiment methods provided herein may be performed by corresponding units or modules. For example, the signal may be transmitted by a transmitting unit or a transmitting module. The signal may be received by a receiving unit or a receiving module. The signals may be processed by a processing unit or processing module. Other steps may be performed by the determination unit or module, or the measurement unit or module. The respective units or modules may be hardware, software or a combination thereof. For example, one or more units or modules may be integrated circuits, such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

Fig. 8 is a diagram of a communication system 800 that enables multiple wireless or wired users to transmit and receive data and other content. System 800 can implement one or more channel access methods such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA, single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), or non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA).

In this example, communication system 800 includes Electronic Devices (EDs) 810a-810c, Radio Access Networks (RANs) 820a-820b, a core network 830, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 840, the Internet 850, and other networks 860. Although fig. 8 shows a certain number of these components or elements, any number of these components or elements may be included in system 800.

The EDs 810a-810c are configured to operate or communicate within the system 800. For example, the EDs 810a-810c may be configured to transmit or receive over a wireless or wired communication channel. Each ED810a-810c represents any suitable end-user device, and may include the following (or may be referred to as): user Equipment (UE), wireless transmit or receive unit (WTRU), mobile station, fixed or mobile subscriber unit, cellular telephone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), smartphone, laptop, computer, touchpad, wireless sensor, or consumer electronics.

Here RANs 820a-820b include base stations 870a-870b, respectively. Each base station 870a-870b is configured to wirelessly interface with one or more of EDs 810a-810c to enable access to core network 830, PSTN 840, internet 850, or other networks 860. For example, the base stations 870a-870B may include (or be) one or more of several well-known devices, such as a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), a Node-B (NodeB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a home NodeB, a home eNodeB, a site controller, an Access Point (AP), or a wireless router. The EDs 810a-810c are used to connect to and communicate with the internet 850 and may access a core network 830, PSTN 840, or other network 860.

In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 8, base station 870a forms a portion of RAN820a, which RAN820a may include other base stations, elements, or devices. Further, base station 870b forms a portion of RAN820 b, which may include other base stations, elements, or devices. Each base station 870a-870b may transmit or receive wireless signals within a particular geographic area (sometimes referred to as a "cell"). In some embodiments, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology may be employed such that each cell has multiple transceivers.

Base stations 870a-870b communicate with one or more of the EDs 810a-810c over one or more air interfaces 890 using wireless communication links. These air interfaces 890 may employ any suitable radio access technology.

It is contemplated that system 800 may utilize multi-channel access functionality, including schemes as described above. In particular embodiments, the base station and the ED implement a 5G New Radio (NR), LTE-A, or LTE-B. Of course, other multiple access schemes and wireless protocols may be used.

The RANs 820a-820b communicate with a core network 830 to provide voice, data, applications, voice over IP (VoIP), or other services to the EDs 810a-810 c. It is to be appreciated that the RANs 820a-820b or the core network 830 may be in direct or indirect communication with one or more other RANs (not shown). Core network 830 may also serve as a gateway access for other networks, such as PSTN 840, internet 850, and other networks 860. Further, some or all of the EDs 810a-810c may be capable of communicating with different wireless networks over different wireless links using different wireless technologies or protocols. Instead of (or in addition to) wireless communication, the ED may communicate with a service provider or switch (not shown) and with the internet 850 via wired communication channels.

Although fig. 8 shows one example of a communication system, various changes may be made to fig. 8. For example, communication system 800 may include any number of EDs, base stations, networks, or other components in any suitable configuration.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is therefore intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.