Power control for wireless packet voice with application to EDGE system

In this paper, using the EDGE system as an example, we apply a Kalman filter power control method based on interference tracking and prediction to packet voice services in wireless networks. Our results reveal that power control significantly improves the spectral efficiency by enabling 1/3 frequency reuse while maintaining a stringent requirement of 2% packet loss probability for a voice service. More specifically, for allocated spectrum of 1.8, 3.6 and 5.4 MHz, the 1/3 reuse with the Kalman power control can yield 102.5%, 49.5% and 32.5% improvement in spectral efficiency, respectively, over 3/9 reuse (regardless of whether or not power control is used). We also find that the Kalman method provides 20% additional spectral efficiency when compared with a traditional SIR power control method, and the former method is more robust than the latter for increased power update period. The protocol requirements for the implementation of the Kalman method in the EDGE system are also discussed.