Packet-Based Power Allocation for Forward Link Data Traffic

We consider the allocation of power across forward-link packets in a wireless data network. The packets arrive according to a random (Poisson) process, and have fixed length so that the data rate for a given packet is determined by the assigned power and the channel gain to the designated user. Each user's service preferences are specified by a utility function that depends on the received data rate. The objective is to determine a power assignment policy that maximizes the time-averaged utility rate, subject to a constraint on the probability that the total power exceeds a limit (corresponding to an outage). For a large, heavily loaded network, we introduce a Gaussian approximation for the total transmitted power, which is used to decompose the power constraint into three more tractable constraints. We present a solution to the modified optimization problem that is a combination of admission control and pricing. The optimal trade-off between these approaches is characterized. Numerical examples illustrate the achievable utility rate and power allocation as a function of the packet arrival rate.     

Interference in Mobile Wireless Systems: An Editorial Introduction

Wireless Personal Communications -     

Maximizing the output energy of a linear channel with a time- andamplitude-limited input

The problem of maximizing the output energy of a linear time-invariant channel, given that the input signal is time and amplitude limited, is considered. It is shown that a necessary condition for an input μ to be optimal, assuming a unity amplitude constraint is that it satisfy the fixed-point equation=sgn [F(μ)], where the functional F is the convolution of μ with the autocorrelation function of the channel impulse response. It is also shown that all solutions to this equation for which |μ|=1 almost everywhere correspond to local maxima of the output energy. Iteratively recomputing μ from the fixed-point equation leads to an algorithm for finding local optima. Numerical results are given for the cases where the transfer function is ideal low-pass and has two poles. These results support the conjecture that in the ideal low-pass case the optimal input signal is a single square pulse. A generalization of the preceding fixed-point condition is also derived for the problem of maximally separating N outputs of a discrete-time, linear, time-invariant channel     

Bounds on maximum throughput for digital communications withfinite-precision and amplitude constraints

The problem of finding the maximum achievable data rate over a linear time-invariant channel is considered under constraints different from those typically assumed. The limiting factor is taken to be the accuracy with which the receiver can measure the channel output. More precisely, the following problem is considered. Given a channel with known impulse response h(t), a transmitter with an output amplitude constraint, and a receiver that can distinguish between two signals only if they are separated in amplitude at some time t ₀ by at least some small positive constant d, what is the maximum number of messages, N_max, that can be transmitted in a given time interval [0,T]? Lower bounds on N_max can be easily computed by constructing a particular set of inputs to the channel. The main result is an upper bound on N_max for arbitrary h(t). The upper bound depends on the spread of h(t), which is the maximum range of values the channel output may take at some time t₀>0 given that the output takes on a particular value α at time t=0. Numerical results are shown for different impulse responses, including two simulated telephone subscriber loop impulse responses     

Preadmission psychosocial screening of older orthopedic surgery patients: evaluation of a Social Work Service

A preadmission social work intervention was evaluated for impact on length of hospital stay (LOS) and patient satisfaction. Psychosocial issues related to function and post-discharge needs were assessed at an exploratory level. A modified post-test only control group design was used. Study group patients were screened before hospitalization and offered services on admission. Control group patients received standard care. Study group patients were significantly more satisfied with services but impact on length of stay was not demonstrated with one possible exception. Post-operative complications were significantly related to longer LOS; however, unlike control group patients, study group patients with complications did not have significantly longer LOS. Women and those limited in preadmission physical function were most likely to report insufficient help after discharge. A more intensive preadmission intervention is recommended to improve impact on LOS and informal support system involvement, while future outcome studies would clarify the nature of service gaps and high risk groups.     

Interference in Mobile Wireless Systems: An Editorial Introduction

Wireless Personal Communications -     

Optimization of signal sets for partial-response channels. I.Numerical techniques

Given a linear, time-invariant, discrete-time channel, the problem of constructing N input signals of finite length K that maximize minimum l₂ distance between pairs of outputs is considered. Two constraints on the input signals are considered: a power constraint on each of the N inputs (hard constraint) and an average power constraint over the entire set of inputs (soft constraint). The hard constraint, problem is equivalent to packing N points in an ellipsoid in min(K,N-1) dimensions to maximize the minimum Euclidean distance between pairs of points. Gradient-based numerical algorithms and a constructive technique based on dense lattices are used to find locally optimal solutions to the preceding signal design problems. Two numerical examples are shown for which the average spectrum of an optimized signal set resembles the water pouring spectrum that achieves Shannon capacity, assuming additive white Gaussian noise