Dynamic wireless link adaptation
A system method that adapts wireless link parameters for a wireless communication link. A measure is determined of errors signal quality occurring in communication over a wireless link. In a case that the measure of errors signal quality corresponds to more errors than a first predetermined threshold, communication changes from a first set of wireless link parameters to a second set of wireless link parameters. The second set of wireless link parameters corresponds to higher error tolerance than the first set of wireless link parameters. In a case that the measure of errors signal quality corresponds to fewer errors than a second predetermined threshold, communication changes from the first set of wireless link parameters to a third set of wireless link parameters. The third set of wireless link parameters corresponds to lower error tolerance than the first set of wireless link parameters. Preferably, the measure of errors signal quality is determined by monitoring a number of NACK messages and a number of ACK messages that occur. It is determined that the measure of errors signal quality corresponds to more errors than the first predetermined threshold when more than a predetermined number of NACK messages occur in succession. It is determined that the measure of errors signal quality corresponds to fewer errors than the second predetermined threshold when more than a predetermined number of ACK messages occur in succession.
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This application is a continuation reissue of application Ser. No. 12/816,928, which is an application for reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 7,388,919 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/700.352, filed Nov. 3, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,947,479, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/665,394, filed Sep. 20, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,643,322. This application hereby incorporates by reference and claims benefit of these parent applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to dynamic adaptation of link parameters for wireless communication; in particular, the invention relates to dynamic adaptation of link parameters such as modulation scheme, symbol rate, and error correction scheme for a wireless communication link.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional wireless communication systems adapt their modulation schemes based on periodic measurements of channel quality. A measurement of channel quality used by these systems is a bit error rate (BER) statistic. These conventional systems have several drawbacks.
First, different modulation schemes can have radically different throughput efficiencies and error tolerances. As a result, a change in modulation schemes to accommodate an increase in communication errors can result in an unacceptable decrease in throughput efficiency.
Second, BER statistics take some time to change in order to reflect an increase in communication errors. The periodic nature of BER statistic computations exacerbates this problem. In particular, a change in a rate of communication errors is not reflected in the BER statistics until an end of a period. If the error rate changes near the end of the period, the BER statistics may not reflect the change until the end of the next period. During this delay, a modulation scheme with unacceptable error tolerance may be utilized, adversely impacting communication over a wireless link.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, what is needed is a system of dynamically adapting a set of wireless link parameters that provides a better selection of throughput versus error tolerance options and that adapts more efficiently to changes in communication error rates.
One embodiment of the present invention that addresses the foregoing need is a method of dynamically adapting wireless link parameters. A measure is determined of errors occurring in communication over a wireless link. In a case that the measure of errors corresponds to more errors than a first predetermined threshold, communication changes from a first set of wireless link parameters to a second set of wireless link parameters. The second set of wireless link parameters corresponds to higher error tolerance than the first set of wireless link parameters. In a case that the measure of errors corresponds to fewer errors than a second predetermined threshold, communication changes from the first set of wireless link parameters to a third set of wireless link parameters. The third set of wireless link parameters corresponds to lower error tolerance than the first set of wireless link parameters.
By utilizing at least three sets of wireless link parameters, the invention provides greater flexibility for adapting to changes in communication error rates.
Preferably, the measure of errors is determined by monitoring a number of NACK messages and a number of ACK messages that occur. It is determined that the measure of errors corresponds to more errors than the first predetermined threshold when more than a predetermined number of NACK messages occur in succession. It is determined that the measure of errors corresponds to fewer errors than the second predetermined threshold when more than a predetermined number of ACK messages occur in succession.
The foregoing monitoring for successive NACK and ACK messages can occur continuously. As a result, adaptation of wireless link parameters can occur as soon as a successive number of NACK or ACK messages is received, allowing for more rapid and efficient adaptation to communication conditions.
Each set of wireless link parameters can include a modulation scheme, a symbol rate, and/or an error correction scheme. In a preferred embodiment, each set of wireless link parameters includes Quadrature Amplitude Modulation or Quadrature Phase Shift Keying, high symbol rate or low symbol rate, and high forward error correction or low forward error correction.
The foregoing sets of parameters have been found to provide good flexibility for adapting communication over a wireless link to accommodate various error rates. Other parameters may be utilized, possibly but not necessarily including the foregoing parameters.
Each set of wireless link parameters corresponds to a relationship between throughput efficiency and error tolerance. The first predetermined threshold preferably corresponds to where the relationship for the first set of wireless link parameters intersects the relationship for the second set of wireless link parameters. The second predetermined threshold preferably corresponds to where the relationship for the first set of wireless link parameters intersects the relationship for the third set of wireless link parameters.
An optimal set of parameters tends to be automatically selected for a given error rate by using theses intersections as thresholds for changing between sets of parameters.
The invention also can be embodied in communication systems, communication hardware, MMDS head ends, and software for controlling MMDS communication that utilizes the foregoing methods. Other embodiments of the invention are possible.
By virtue of the foregoing arrangements, the invention provides a better selection of throughput versus error tolerance options and adapts more efficiently to changes in communication error rates.
This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof in connection with the attached drawings.
In the following description, a preferred embodiment of the invention is described with regard to preferred process steps and data structures. However, those skilled in the art would recognize, after perusal of this application, that embodiments of the invention may be implemented using one or more general purpose processors or special purpose processors adapted to particular process steps and data structures operating under program control, that such process steps and data structures can be embodied as information stored in or transmitted to and from memories (e.g., fixed memories such as DRAMs, SRAMs, hard disks, caches, etc., and removable memories such as floppy disks, CD-ROMs, data tapes, etc.) including instructions executable by such processors (e.g., object code that is directly executable, source code that is executable after compilation, code that is executable through interpretation, etc.), and that implementation of the preferred process steps and data structures described herein using such equipment would not require undue experimentation or further invention.
Device 5 includes processor 6, memory 7, input/output (I/O) 8 and transmitter/receiver 9, which communicate with each other over bus 10. Processor 6 controls the operation of device 5 based on instructions stored in memory 7. According to the invention, processor 6 can modify wireless communication link parameters (“wireless link parameters”) for communication over a wireless link such as wireless link 3.
Memory 7 can be a fixed memory such as DRAMs, SRAMs, hard disks, caches, etc., or removable memory such as floppy disks, CD-ROMs, data tapes, etc, or any combination of these memories. Memory 7 preferably stores instructions executable by processor 6 and data for use during execution of those instructions. Data stored in memory 7 preferably includes wireless link parameters for communication over a wireless link. Processor 6 executes the instructions stored in memory 7 so as to implement dynamic adaptation of these wireless link parameters, as explained in more detail below with respect to
I/O 8 is provided for sending and/or receiving data from an external source. This data preferably includes data to be sent and/or data received over a wireless communication link. Alternatively, I/O can be omitted, and data can be sent and/or received from another source connected to bus 10 such as memory 7 or transmitter/receiver 9.
Transmitter/receiver 9 provides an interface to a wireless communication link such as wireless link 3. Transmitter/receiver 9 in
The vertical axis of the graph in
For the sake of conciseness, the term “error rate” herein represents errors caused by noise, interference and any other factors (e.g., distance) that can degrade signal quality and result in lower SINR. Likewise, the term “error tolerance” herein represents tolerance to noise, interference and any other factors that can degrade signal quality and result in lower SINR.
Lines 11 through 18 in
As between the sets of wireless link parameters represented by lines 11 and 12, line 11 has lower error tolerance and represents a preferred set of wireless link parameters for lower error rates (i.e., higher SINR). Line 12 has higher error tolerance and represents a preferred set of wireless link parameters for higher error rates (i.e., lower SINR). According to the invention, wireless link parameters preferably should be switched from those represented by line 11 to those represented by line 12 at the point at which lines 11 and 12 intersect.
Lines 12 to 18 are interrelated in a similar manner as lines 11 and 12, as shown by the graph in
The graph in
Of course, the invention is equally applicable to different sets and different orderings of wireless link parameters. These different sets can include some, none, or all of the wireless link parameters discussed above, as well as other wireless link parameters. For example, the parameters can include different modulation schemes and variations on those modulation schemes (e.g., 16 QAM vs. 64 QAM), different symbol rates and encodings, different error correction schemes, and the like. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to eight sets of wireless link parameters. Any number of different sets of wireless link parameters may be utilized.
Briefly, wireless link parameters are dynamically adapted. A measure is determined of errors occurring in communication over a wireless link. In a case that the measure of errors corresponds to more errors than a first predetermined threshold, communication changes from a first set of wireless link parameters to a second set of wireless link parameters. The second set of wireless link parameters corresponds to higher error tolerance than the first set of wireless link parameters. In a case that the measure of errors corresponds to fewer errors than a second predetermined threshold, communication changes from the first set of wireless link parameters to a third set of wireless link parameters. The third set of wireless link parameters corresponds to lower error tolerance than the first set of wireless link parameters.
In more detail, a measure or measures are determined in step S401 of errors occurring in communication over a wireless link. This measure can be generated by a receiving device, a sending device, or both. In step S402, this measure is compared to thresholds. If the measure indicates that more errors than a first threshold have occurred, then flow proceeds to step S403. If the measure indicates that less errors than a second threshold have occurred, then flow proceeds to step S404. Otherwise, flow returns to step S401. A preferred method for implementing steps S401 and S402 is described below with respect to
The first threshold in step S402 preferably is a predetermined threshold corresponding to where the relationship for a first set of wireless link parameters intersects the relationship for a second set of wireless link parameters Likewise, the second threshold in step S402 preferably is a predetermined threshold corresponding to where the relationship for the first set of wireless link parameters intersects the relationship for a third set of wireless link parameters.
In step S403, wireless link parameters are changed from the first set of wireless link parameters to the second set of wireless link parameters. According to the invention, the second set of wireless link parameters corresponds to higher error tolerance than the first set of wireless link parameters.
In step S404, wireless link parameters are changed from the first set of wireless link parameters to the third set of wireless link parameters. According to the invention, the third set of wireless link parameters corresponds to lower error tolerance than the first set of wireless link parameters.
After steps S403 and S404, flow returns to step S401.
By virtue of the foregoing operation, wireless link parameters are dynamically adapted to a preferred set of wireless link parameters for a given measure of errors.
Briefly, the measure of errors used according to
Thus, in step S501, a number of successively received and/or generated NACK messages is compared to a threshold. If this number of NACK messages exceeds the threshold (or alternatively equals or exceeds the threshold), then it is determined that more errors than the first predetermined threshold have occurred.
In step S502, a number of successively received and/or generated ACK messages is compared to a threshold. If this number of ACK messages exceeds the threshold (or alternatively equals or exceeds the threshold), then it is determined that less errors than the second predetermined threshold have occurred.
The thresholds used in steps S501 and S502 are preferably dependent upon the current set of wireless link parameters that are being used for a communication, as discussed below with reference to
In
Thresholds N1 to N7 indicate thresholds for NACK messages. Each of these NACK thresholds corresponds to the threshold used in step S501 of
Thresholds A2 to A8 indicate thresholds for ACK messages. Each of these ACK thresholds corresponds to the threshold used in step S502 of
If communication is in state i and Ni successive NACK messages are received and/or generated, communication transitions to state i+1. The set of wireless link parameters is changed to that associated with state i+1. This state corresponds to higher error tolerance for the error rate corresponding to Ni successive NACK messages. For even higher error rates, this state corresponds to higher throughput efficiency than state i.
If communication is in state i and Ai successive ACK messages are received and/or generated, communication transitions to state i−1. The set of wireless link parameters is changed to that associated with state i−1. This state corresponds lower error tolerance for the error rate corresponding to Ai successive ACK messages. For even lower error rates, this state corresponds to higher throughput efficiency than state i.
Because the foregoing operations utilize NACK and ACK messages to trigger state changes, wireless link parameters react dynamically. State changes occur without having to wait for an accumulation of errors to affect BER statistics. Furthermore, the foregoing operation can be easily expanded to accommodate virtually any number of different types and sets of wireless link parameters, providing great flexibility in adapting a communication link to changing conditions.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTSAlthough preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, many variations are possible which remain within the content, scope and spirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application.
Claims
1. A method of dynamically adapting wireless link parameters, comprising:
- determining a plurality of states, each state corresponding to a plurality of wireless link parameters;
- determining a plurality of thresholds for transitioning from a current state to a next state of said plurality of states, said thresholds comprising a number of NACK messages or a number of ACK messages received using said wireless link parameters for said current state; and
- transitioning among said plurality of states based on said thresholds, thereby dynamically adapting said wireless link parameters for a wireless link.
2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said wireless link parameters comprise a modulation scheme, a symbol rate, and an error correction scheme.
3. A method as in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of states can only transition to and from one or two adjacent states.
4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of states are stored in a memory.
5. An apparatus that dynamically adapts wireless link parameters, comprising:
- a wireless link interface to a wireless link;
- a processor; and
- a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to control communication over the wireless link interface, the instructions including the steps of:
- determining a plurality of states, each state corresponding to a plurality of wireless link parameters;
- determining a plurality of thresholds for transitioning from a current state to a next state of said plurality of states, said thresholds comprising a number of NACK messages or a number of ACK messages received using said wireless link parameters for said current state; and
- transitioning among said plurality of states based on said thresholds, thereby dynamically adapting said wireless link parameters for the wireless link.
6. A method of dynamically adapting wireless link parameters for communicating data messages over a wireless link, comprising:
- selecting one or more wireless link parameters for transmission of the data messages over the wireless link;
- establishing a first state and a second state of operation for the wireless link, the first state associated with a first set of wireless link parameters and the second state associated with a second set of wireless link parameters;
- measuring the signal quality of the wireless link, wherein measuring the signal quality of the wireless link comprises counting a number of NACK messages and a number of ACK messages received during a period of time;
- transitioning from the first state to the second state when the signal quality of the wireless link is worse than a first predetermined threshold; and
- transitioning from the second state to the first state when the signal quality of the wireless link exceeds a second predetermined threshold.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second set of wireless link parameters enables transmission of the data messages with a higher error tolerance than the first set of wireless link parameters.
8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first set of wireless link parameters enables transmission of the data messages with a lower error tolerance than the second set of wireless link parameters.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:
- establishing a third state of operation for the wireless link associated with a third set of wireless link parameters; and
- establishing a third predetermined threshold and a fourth predetermined threshold based on the signal quality of the wireless link, the third set of wireless link parameters enabling transmission of the data messages with a higher error tolerance than the second set of wireless link parameters.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:
- transitioning from the second state to the third state when the signal quality of the wireless link is less than the third predetermined threshold; and
- transitioning from the third state to the second state when the signal quality of the wireless link exceeds the fourth predetermined threshold.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the operation of the wireless link can transition from the second state to one of the first state and the third state based on the second and third predetermined thresholds.
12. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein transitioning from the second state to the third state occurs when the number of NACK messages exceeds the third predetermined threshold.
13. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein transitioning from the third state to the second state occurs when the number of ACK messages exceeds the fourth predetermined threshold.
14. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the third predetermined threshold comprises a second number of NACK messages and the fourth predetermined threshold comprises a second number of ACK messages.
15. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first set of wireless link parameters and said second set of wireless link parameters each comprise a modulation scheme, a symbol rate, and an error correction scheme.
16. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein one of the first predetermined threshold and the second predetermined threshold is determined by measuring throughput efficiency versus signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) for the wireless link parameters.
17. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein one of the first and second states is established based on a highest throughput efficiency for a current measurement of the signal quality of the wireless link.
18. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first predetermined threshold is determined using throughput efficiency versus signal to interference and noise ratio.
19. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first predetermined threshold comprises a first number of NACK messages and the second predetermined threshold comprises a second number of ACK messages.
20. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein transitioning from the first state to the second state occurs when the number of NACK messages exceeds the first predetermined threshold.
21. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein transitioning from the second state to the first state occurs when the number of ACK messages exceeds the second predetermined threshold.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 11, 2013
Date of Patent: Jul 21, 2015
Assignee: Wi-LAN, Inc. (Ottawa)
Inventors: Subir Varma (San Jose, CA), Reza Majidi-Ahy (Los Altos, CA), Joseph Hakim (Boulder Creek, CA), Wendy Chiu Fai Wong (San Jose, CA)
Primary Examiner: Young T Tse
Application Number: 13/861,313
International Classification: H04L 27/00 (20060101); H04L 1/00 (20060101); H04B 17/00 (20060101);