Cooperative Access Node Selection for Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellular communication networks face interference and signal attenuation issues due to tight frequency reuse and dense node deployment, limiting capacity and requiring effective techniques for selecting supporting access nodes for cooperative signal reception.

Innovation Solution

A method for selecting supporting access nodes based on link characteristics, such as signal quality, path gain, and latency, to enhance carrier signal energy reception and mitigate interference, involving the comparison of links between the terminal and potential supporting access nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If tight frequency reuse and dense deployment of access nodes are used, then network coverage and capacity are improved, but co-channel interference increases and reduces SINR

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidco-channel interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines signals from multiple access nodes through cooperative signal reception. The serving access node and supporting access nodes jointly receive and process uplink signals from terminals, merging their reception capabilities to improve signal quality and reduce interference impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a selection mechanism that acts as an intermediary to identify and select optimal supporting access nodes based on link characteristics. This intermediary selection process enables the system to choose the most suitable nodes for cooperation, thereby managing interference effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If large cell radii are used in rural environments, then coverage area is improved, but signal propagation losses increase and reduce received carrier signal strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsignal propagation loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines reception signals from multiple access nodes to compensate for propagation losses. By merging the received signals at the serving access node, the system effectively increases the received carrier signal strength despite large cell radii and associated path losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If wall penetration for indoor users is required, then indoor coverage is improved, but perceived signal attenuation increases and limits capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindoor coverageVSAvoidperceived signal attenuation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines signals from multiple access nodes to compensate for wall penetration losses. The cooperative reception mechanism merges signals that have penetrated through walls, effectively increasing the received signal strength for indoor users and maintaining capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If cooperative signal reception from multiple access nodes is implemented, then interference reduction and signal strength improvement are achieved, but complexity of selecting and coordinating supporting access nodes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference reductionVSAvoidselection and coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary selection of supporting access nodes based on link characteristics before actual cooperative signal reception. The serving access node identifies suitable supporting nodes using criteria such as link quality, distance, and current load, preparing the cooperation framework in advance to reduce real-time coordination complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The serving access node autonomously selects its own supporting access nodes based on predetermined selection criteria and available network information. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex centralized coordination, as each access node can independently make selection decisions based on local conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2342833B1Method and device for link-characteristic based selection of supporting access nodes
Publication Date: 2012.08.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2342833B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2342833B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2342833B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

For uplink cooperation of a serving access node (100-1) one or more supporting access nodes (100-2) are selected. The selection is based on a characteristic of a link between a terminal (200) served by the serving access node (100-1) and the supporting access node (100-2), or is based on a characteristic of a link between a further terminal (200') served by the supporting access node (100-2) and the serving access node (100-1). The characteristics of the links may comprise a signal quality, e.g. a path gain, a signal strength, or a latency. The characteristics of the links may also comprise scheduling information, e.g. time resources and/or frequency resources used on the link.