Adjusting wireless coverage area resource assignment based on device altitude

摘要

In order to provide better wireless service to wireless communication devices (WCDs) at different altitudes (e.g., on different levels of a high-rise structure), a radio access network (RAN) may include antennas that are configured to provide coverage at these different altitudes. The RAN may assign resources, such as transmit power or frequencies, to wireless coverage areas serving particular altitude ranges in a proportion that is commensurate with the number of WCDs being served by these particular altitude ranges. As a result, RAN and WCD performance may improve.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
a radio access network (RAN) radiating to define a split wireless coverage area, wherein the split wireless coverage area comprises a first sub-area serving a first set of wireless communication devices (WCDs) that are above a threshold altitude and a second sub-area serving a second set of WCDs that are below the threshold altitude, wherein the RAN uses a first transmit power to define the first sub-area and a second transmit power to define the second sub-area; determining a first count of WCDs in the first set; determining a second count of WCDs in the second set; and the RAN adjusting at least one of the first transmit power and the second transmit power to attain a selected ratio of the first transmit power to the second transmit power, wherein the selected ratio of the first transmit power to the second transmit power is related to a ratio of the first count of WCDs to the second count of WCDs.