Method, network nodes, and computer program products for load based adaptive CRS power adjustment

A network node, the network node comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a non-transitory computer readable medium coupled to the processor, said computer readable medium containing instructions executable by the processor, whereby the network node is operative to:
• determine a first traffic load of a first network cell of a plurality of network cells comprising a second network cell and a third network cell,
• determine, for each of the plurality of network cells, a traffic load value, thereby determining a plurality of traffic load values,
• determine the average of said plurality of traffic load values, thereby determining an average traffic load of the plurality of network cells,
• determine whether the first traffic load of the first network cell is greater than the average traffic load of the plurality of network cells,
• adjust a power of a reference signal based on said determination, and
• transmit the adjusted reference signal in the first network cell, wherein
• the network node is configured to adjust the power of the reference signal based on said determining by performing a process comprising:
• determining a network performance parameter for the first network cell;
• determining whether the network performance parameter meets a network performance criteria;
• determining whether a current power of the reference signal is above a predetermined minimum power threshold by at least a power signal decrement;
• and
• decreasing the power of the reference signal by an amount equal to the power signal decrement as a result of determining that:
• 1) the first traffic load of the first network cell is greater than the determined average traffic load of the plurality of network cells, 2) the network performance parameter for the cell meets the network performance criteria, and 3) the current power level of the reference signal is above the predetermined minimum power level by at least the power signal decrement.

A computer product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer instructions, which when executed by a network node cause the network node to:

• determine a first traffic load of a first network cell of a plurality of network cells comprising a second network cell and a third network cell;
• determine, for each of the plurality of network cells, a traffic load value, thereby determining a plurality of traffic load values,
• determine the average of said plurality of traffic load values, thereby determining an average traffic load of the plurality of network cells,
• determine whether the first traffic load of the first network cell is greater than the average traffic load of the plurality of network cells;
• adjust a power of a reference signal based on said determining;
• and
• transmit the adjusted reference signal in the first network cell, wherein
• the computer instructions further configure the network node such that the network node adjusts the power of the reference signal based on said determining by performing a process comprising:
• determining a network performance parameter for the first network cell;
• determining whether the network performance parameter meets a network performance criteria;
• determining whether a current power of the reference signal is above a predetermined minimum power threshold by at least a power signal decrement;
• and
• decreasing the power of the reference signal by an amount equal to the power signal decrement as a result of determining that:
• 1) the first traffic load of the first network cell is greater than the determined average traffic load of the plurality of network cells, 2) the network performance parameter for the cell meets the network performance criteria, and 3) the current power level of the reference signal is above the predetermined minimum power level by at least the power signal decrement.

A method performed in a network node for adjusting a power offset for a cell specific reference signal (CRS) for use in a cell of a wireless network, the method comprising:

• the network node transmitting the CRS in the cell at a first power level;
• the network node determining the load of the cell;
• the network node determining whether the load of the cell exceeds a load threshold;
• the network node determining a network performance parameter for the cell;
• the network node determining whether the determined network performance parameter meets a network performance criteria;
• the network node determining whether the first power level is above a predetermined minimum power level by at least a power signal decrement;
• and
• the network node transmitting the CRS in the cell at a power level equal to the first power level minus the power signal decrement as a result of determining that:
• 1) the load of the cell exceeds the load threshold, 2) the network performance parameter for the cell meets the network performance criteria, and 3) the first power level is above the predetermined minimum power level by at least the power signal decrement.