Self-configuring repeater system and method

[0001] The following disclosure relates generally to communications systems and, more particularly, to a self-configuring RF repeater in a telecommunications system.

[0002] A telecommunications system may provide communication services to a number of areas called “cells.” Within a cell, a base transceiver station (BTS) may transmit data to a mobile device on a downlink channel using one frequency and receive data from the mobile device on an uplink channel using another frequency. Each mobile device may adjust the power at which it transmits (e.g., the strength of the mobile device's output signal) depending on its distance from the base station.

[0003] Certain telecommunications technologies, such as those based on code division multiple access (CDMA), require that mobile devices within a cell adjust their output power such that the signal strength received at the BTS is the same for all the mobile phones being serviced. Accordingly, to keep the signal strength equal at the BTS, mobile devices close to the BTS may use relatively low output power and mobile devices farther away may use an amount of output power that increases with distance. At the edge of the cell, the mobile devices may reach their maximum output power levels.

[0004] The increasing demand for high speed data services requires that telecommunications systems provide more bandwidth than may be needed for voice communications. Different ways to provide this bandwidth are available. For example, the power levels of the BTS and mobile devices may be increased. However, this may present health issues. Another way of providing the bandwidth is to bring the mobile devices closer to the BTS so that the existing power can be used in a smaller area. For wide area coverage, this solution may be expensive because it requires that additional cells be added to fill in gaps in the coverage area left by the smaller cells.

[0005] Another solution is to add “repeaters” that receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from a BTS and amplify the signal before sending it to a mobile device. A repeater may also amplify the signal from the mobile device before transmitting it to the BTS, enabling the mobile devices to use less power. The amount of amplification or “gain” of the repeater affects the efficiency of the repeater. If the gain is set too low, then the repeater is not covering as much area as possible and so is not being efficient. If the gain is too high, the repeater may generate noise and transmit the noise to the BTS. If the noise reaches a certain level, the noise may overwhelm signals being received by the BTS from other mobile devices not using the repeater, which reduces the effective size of the cell serviced by the BTS.

[0006] Accordingly, the gain of a repeater must be set so that it provides effective coverage but does not produce too much noise. Currently, the gain is set for each repeater by a technician. Because repeaters are used primarily for specialized applications, this is not difficult. However, due in part to the need for higher bandwidth in telecommunications systems, it may become expensive and time-consuming to manually optimize the gain of each repeater as repeaters are being deployed in far greater numbers.

[0007] Therefore, what is needed is a system and method for automatically setting the gain of an RF repeater in a telecommunications network.

[0008] In one embodiment, a method for automatically configuring a first and second gain of a repeater in a telecommunications system is provided. The telecommunications system utilizes the repeater to receive data from a transceiver via a downlink channel associated with the first gain and to send data to the transceiver via an uplink channel associated with the second gain. The method samples a power level of the downlink channel and compares the sampled power level to a reference power level. The first gain is adjusted so that the sampled power level is within a predetermined range of the reference power level and then the second gain is adjusted to equal the first gain. This enables a balance to be automatically achieved between a coverage area of the repeater and a level of noise associated with the uplink channel.

[0009] Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

[0015] The present disclosure relates generally to communications systems and, more particularly, to a self-configuring RF repeater. It is understood, however, that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a method 10 is operable to automatically adjust the gain of a radio frequency (RF) repeater in a telecommunications system. As will be described later in greater detail using specific examples, the repeater may receive a signal from a base transceiver station (BTS) on a downlink channel, alter the gain of the signal if desired, and send the signal to a mobile device. Likewise, the repeater may receive a signal from the mobile device, alter the gain of the signal if desired, and send the signal to the BTS on an uplink channel.

[0017] The gain of the repeater may be balanced between a desired minimum signal strength and a desired maximum noise level. For example, the desired minimum signal strength may ensure that a signal provided by the repeater is strong enough to cover a desired area. Because increasing the gain may cause the repeater to amplify its own noise and send the noise back to the BTS, the maximum desired noise level may ensure that the noise generated by the repeater as the gain is increased does not negatively impact the BTS.

[0018] In step 12, the repeater samples the strength of a signal (e.g., the signal's power level) received from the BTS on the downlink channel. The sample power level (P_s) is compared to a reference power level (P_REF) in step 14. Based on the comparison, a determination is made in step 16 as to whether P_s is within a predetermined range of P_REF. If yes, the method 10 may return to step 12 for another sample. If no, the gain of the downlink is altered in step 18 so that P_s is within the predetermined range. For example, if P_s is too strong, the repeater lowers the downlink gain (e.g., attenuates the downlink signal). If P_s is too weak, the repeater increases the downlink gain (e.g., amplifies the downlink signal). Once the gain is adjusted, the repeater applies the same amount of gain to the uplink channel in step 18 and returns to step 12 to take another sample. Accordingly, the gain of the repeater is adapted to the signal strength of the BTS to maximize the coverage area of the repeater while minimizing the uplink noise at the BTS.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, in another embodiment, a telecommunications network 30 illustrates a system in which the method described in reference to FIG. 1 may be practiced. The network 30 comprises a plurality of cells 32a, 32b, which, for purposes of clarity, are omni-cells (e.g., not sectorized). In general, a cell may contain more than one sector if the cell is not an omni-cell. For instance, a tri-sectored cell contains three sectors. The quality of service provided to each cell 32a, 32b may vary, depending on environmental conditions, traffic, construction, and similar factors. Accordingly, certain areas in each cell 32a, 32b may receive poor service or, in extreme conditions, no service (e.g., a coverage “hole”).

[0020] In the present example, the network 30 is a wireless network, and may be connected to other wireless and/or wireline networks, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 34. Each cell 32a, 32b in the network 30 includes a BTS 36a, 36b, respectively, which is connected to a base station controller (BSC) 38. A mobile switching center (MSC) 40 may be used to connect the network 30 with other networks such as the PSTN 34.

[0021] The network 30 enables at least one mobile device 42 to establish a communication session with another communication device 44 via the BTS 36a associated with the cell 32a in which the mobile device 42 is located. For example, a request to establish a voice communication session by the mobile device 42 may be directed by the MSC 40 to (1) the second mobile device 44 registered with the MSC 40 and within range of one of the BTSs 36a, 36b, (2) a voice terminal 46 coupled to the PSTN 34, or (3) a voice terminal (not shown) coupled elsewhere to the telecommunications network 30. If the communication session is a data transfer session, the request may be to connect the mobile device 42 to a computer or other data device via the network 30.

[0022] The cells 32a, 32b overlap so that the mobile device 42 may travel from one cell to another (e.g., from the cell 32a to the cell 32b) while maintaining a communication session. In a “handoff” region 48 (e.g., the area where the cells 32a, 32b overlap), the mobile device 42 may be serviced by both the BTS 36a and the ETS 36b.

[0023] Each BTS 36a, 36b transmits data to the respective mobile device 42, 44 via downlink channel and receives data from the mobile device via an uplink channel. Each BTS 36a, 36b transmits a constant power signal (a “pilot” signal) on the downlink channel. The pilot signal transmitted by each BTS 36a, 36b may be used by the mobile devices 42, 44 to determine the relative signal strength of each BTS 36a, 36b.

[0024] Each BTS 36a, 36b may also transmit power control information to the mobile devices 42, 44, respectively. The power control information aids in balancing resource usage with the quality of an established communication session. For example, if the quality of the communication session is poor, the BTS may send the mobile device a signal indicating that the mobile device should increase its output power. This may increase the quality of the communication session by increasing the signal strength at the BTS, but will deplete the mobile device's energy supply more quickly (assuming that the mobile device is powered by a battery or other limited energy source).

[0025] If the signal level of the communication session is too high, the BTS may send the mobile device a signal indicating that the mobile device should decrease its output power. This may decrease the quality of the communication session, but the decrease may not be noticeable. For example, if a frame erasure rate of two percent (e.g., two percent of the voice frames for the communication session are dropped) is acceptable, then the BTS may control the mobile device's output power so that approximately two percent of the frames are lost. This provides an acceptable quality of service for the communication session while conserving power.

[0026] To extend the coverage area of the cells 32a, 32b or to fill in coverage holes, repeaters 50a, 50b may be positioned within the cells 32a, 32b and associated with the “donor” BTSs 36a, 36b, respectively. In the present embodiment, the operation of the BTSs 36a, 36b may not account for the presence of the repeaters 50a, 50b (e.g., the BTSs 36a, 36b may not be “aware” of the repeaters 50a, 50b). As stated previously, the repeaters 50a, 50b operate by receiving signals from the associated BTSs 36a, 36b on downlink channels, altering the signals (e.g., amplifying or attenuating the signals), and sending the signals on to mobile devices. Likewise, the repeaters 50a, 50b may receive signals from mobile devices, alter the signals, and send the signals on to BTSs 36a, 36b via uplink channels. When in operation, each repeater 50a, 50b may have a coverage area 52a, 52b, respectively. Accordingly, without altering the behavior of the BTSs 36a, 36b, the repeaters 50a, 50b may provide telecommunications services to mobile devices within the coverage areas 52a, 52b.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 3, in another embodiment, a repeater 60 includes a first antenna 62, a second antenna 64, a downlink amplifier chain 66, an uplink amplifier chain 68, a first switch 70, a second switch 72, and a comparator 74. The downlink amplifier chain 66 includes an amplifier 76, a variable attenuator 78, and a test point 80. The uplink amplifier chain 68 includes an amplifier 82 and a variable attenuator 84. Two diplexers 86, 88 may be utilized to separate the downlink and uplink signals at the first and second antennas 62, 64, respectively. It is understood that certain components may be combined or altered if desired. For example, the diplexers 86, 88 may be included in the amplifier chains 66, 68. Furthermore, the amplifiers 76, 82 may be variable.

[0028] In the present example, the repeater 60 includes a gain balancer 90 to equalize the gain G1 of the downlink amplifier chain 66 and the gain G2 of the uplink amplifier chain 68. Because the downlink and uplink channels may use different frequencies, the gain balancer 90 may use a downlink converter 92 and an uplink converter 94 to convert one of the frequencies for comparison.

[0029] In operation, in order for the repeater 60 to balance the downlink gain G1 and uplink gain G2, an initialization process may be utilized to ensure that the initial gains are approximately equal. To accomplish equality, the gain balancer 90 may emit a low signal at the frequency of the downlink channel. The signal may be simultaneously transmitted to the downlink amplifier chain 66 (the downlink initialization signal) and to the uplink amplifier chain 68 (the uplink initialization signal) as indicated by arrow 95. Because the uplink channel utilizes a different frequency than the downlink channel, the uplink initialization signal going to the uplink amplifier chain 68 first passes through the downlink converter 92, which converts the uplink initialization signal from the downlink frequency to the uplink frequency.

[0030] The downlink and uplink initialization signals pass through the amplifier chains 66, 68, respectively, before arriving at the switches 70, 72. The switches 70, 72 serve to prevent the downlink and uplink initialization signals from reaching the antennas 62, 64, and instead divert the signals back to the gain balancer 90 as indicated by arrows 96, 97. Before reaching the gain balancer 90, the uplink initialization signal passes through the uplink converter 94, which converts the signal from the uplink frequency to the downlink frequency.

[0031] The downlink and uplink initialization signals may then be compared by the gain balancer 90. If the signals are not balanced (e.g., their power levels do not fall within some desired range), then the gain balancer 90 may alter the gains G1 and/or G2 of the downlink and uplink amplifier chains 66, 68 (indicated by arrow 98) to balance the downlink and uplink initialization signals. After the gain is altered, the initialization process may continue by comparing the downlink and uplink initialization signals. This process may continue until a desirable balance between the downlink and uplink initialization signals is achieved. This balancing process may occur when the repeater 60 is powered on, at desired intervals, or according to some other specified criteria.

[0032] After the initialization process is complete, the antenna 62 may receive a number of signals from a BTS via a downlink channel. The signals are diverted by the diplexer 86 to the downlink amplifier chain 66. As previously described, one of the downlink signals may be a pilot signal, which is a constant power signal used by a mobile device to determine the relative signal strength of the base station.

[0033] The pilot signal passes through the amplification chain (where the signal strength may be adjusted) and arrives at the test point 70. The test point 70 samples the pilot signal strength and passes the sample P_s to the comparator 74, which compares P_s to a reference power level P_REF. The comparison process will be described later in greater detail in reference to FIG. 4, and so will be summarized for purposes of clarity in discussing FIG. 3.

[0034] The comparator 74 may alter the gain G1 in the downlink amplifier chain 66 to bring P_s to within a certain margin of P_REF (as indicated by arrow 99). For example, the comparator 74 may alter the setting of the variable attenuator 78. Once the gain G1 of the downlink amplifier chain 66 is adjusted such that P_s reaches the desired range, the comparator 74 applies the gain G1 to the uplink amplifier chain 68 (e.g., G2 is set equal to G1). Accordingly, P_REF can be selected based on an acceptable uplink channel noise level.

[0035] Other downlink channel signals may then be scaled in relation to the power signal, as they will pass through the downlink amplifier chain 66 and be subject to the associated gain G1. For example, if the BTS transmits a pilot signal at two watts and traffic (e.g., data) signals at 100–1000 milliwatts (mW), then a reference signal of approximately 200 mW will result in the repeater transmitting a pilot signal of approximately 200 mW and traffic signals of 1–100 mW.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 4, in another embodiment, a method 100 is operable to adaptively adjust the gains G1 and G2 of the downlink and uplink amplifier chains in a repeater, such as the repeater 60 of FIG. 3. The method may begin with an initialization step 102, which will be described in greater detail in reference to FIG. 5. In step 104, a power level sample P_s is taken of the pilot signal from the downlink channel. In step 106, P_s is compared to a predetermined reference power level P_REF. For purposes of illustration, P_s is to be within a range with a maximum value of P_REF*1.25 and a minimum value of P_REF*0.8. In addition, a minimum level of gain G_MIN and maximum level of gain G_MAX may be established. For example, G_MIN may represent the highest level of attenuation possible without damaging the repeater 60. Likewise, G_MAX may represent the highest level of amplification possible without damaging the repeater 60. It is understood that G_MIN and G_MAX may vary according to the particular repeater structure and may represent “safe” levels that are less than the actual defined maximum limits of the repeater 60.

[0037] If it is determined in step 106 that P_s>(P_REF*1.25) and that the current gain G1 is between G_MIN and G_MAX, then P_s is too high. This indicates that the uplink noise from the repeater to the donor BTS is higher than desired, and that the performance of the BTS may be adversely effected. Accordingly, the method 100 continues to step 108, where G1 and G2 are multiplied by 0.8 (e.g., the gain G1 of the downlink amplifier chain is reduced and then the same reduction is made to the gain G2 of the uplink amplifier chain). The method 100 then continues to step 114, where it waits for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 200 ms) before obtaining another sample P_s.

[0038] If it is determined in step 106 that P_s is not greater than (P_REF*1.25) or that the current gain G1 is not between G_MIN and G_MAX, then P_s is not too high. The method 100 then continues to step 110, where it determines whether P_s<(P_REF*0.8) and the current gain G1 is between G_MIN and G_MAX. If yes, then P_s is too low, which indicates that the repeater is not servicing a large enough coverage area. Accordingly, the method 100 continues to step 112, where G1 and G2 are multiplied by 1.25 (e.g., the gain G1 of the downlink amplifier chain is increased and then the same increase is made to the gain G2 of the uplink amplifier chain). The method 100 then continues to step 114, where it waits for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 200 ms) before obtaining another sample P_s.

[0039] If it is determined in step 110 that P_s is not less than (P_REF*0.8) or that the current gain G1 is not between G_MIN and G_MAX, then P_s is not too low. The method 100 then proceeds to step 114 and waits for the predetermined amount of time before returning to step 104 and taking another sample.

[0040] Accordingly, the repeater can configure itself by incrementing the gains G1 and G2 until a desired balance between coverage area and noise is achieved. In this manner, a relationship between the pilot power and the uplink noise level at the BTS may be utilized to self-configure the repeater.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 5, a method 120 may be executed during the initialization process in step 102 of FIG. 4. The method 120 begins in step 122 with the generation of a test signal that is to be passed to a downlink and an uplink amplifier chain. Due to frequency differences in the amplifier chains, a determination may be made in step 124 as to whether the signal needs to be converted before being transferred to one or both of the amplifier chains. If yes, the signal is converted in step 126 before being sent to the amplifier chains in step 128.

[0042] In step 130, the gains of the uplink and downlink amplifier chains are compared by determining the difference in the power levels of the signals. If the signals fall within a desired range relative to each other (e.g., if the signals are relatively equal in strength) as determined in step 132, the method 120 ends. However, if the signals do not fall within the desired range, then one or both of the gains of the amplifier chains are adjusted in step 134, and the method 120 returns to step 122.

[0043] While the preceding description shows and describes one or more embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the BTS, the repeater, and/or the mobile device may not exist in the same fashion in other technologies or implementations, but the same functionality may be achieved using other components. In addition, other methods of obtaining or calculating the strength of a downlink signal may be utilized in developing a desired solution. Furthermore, balancing the respective gains of the downlink and uplink amplifier chains may be accomplished using a number of steps or approaches that are different from those described above. Therefore, the claims should be interpreted in a broad manner, consistent with the present disclosure.