Backhaul Link Interference Management for Wireless Base Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless communication networks face challenges in managing inter-cell interference, leading to reduced cell capacity and quality of service due to inefficient resource allocation and increased communication traffic from conventional interference reporting mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an event-based load indicator reporting policy over a wired backhaul communication link between base stations, allowing for dynamic adjustment of interference sets based on channel quality indicators and uplink signals to optimize resource scheduling and mitigate interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional interference reporting mechanisms are used over the air interface, then interference management is achieved, but cell throughput deteriorates due to increased communication traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference managementVSAvoidcell throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a backhaul communication link as an intermediary channel between base stations for exchanging load indicator messages. This mediator separates the interference management communication from the air interface, allowing base stations to coordinate interference mitigation without consuming precious air interface resources, thus preserving cell throughput while achieving effective interference management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the communication channels into two distinct paths: air interface for user data transmission and backhaul link for interference management coordination. This segmentation allows interference reporting to occur independently without competing with user traffic on the air interface, maintaining both interference management capability and cell throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If interference indicators are reported over the air interface, then interference information is obtained, but resource allocation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference informationVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The backhaul communication link serves as an intermediary that enables interference information exchange between base stations without consuming air interface resources. This allows complete interference information to be transmitted through the backhaul channel, improving information availability while maintaining resource allocation efficiency on the air interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If load indicator messages are continuously exchanged over backhaul link, then interference control is improved, but backhaul traffic increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference controlVSAvoidbackhaul traffic
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements event-triggered periodic action where load indicator messages are exchanged only when specific events occur (such as changes in interference conditions or load thresholds). This approach maintains effective interference control by responding to actual events while minimizing unnecessary backhaul traffic by avoiding continuous periodic exchanges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the reporting frequency and message content based on changing network conditions, interference levels, and load parameters. When interference conditions are stable, reporting is reduced; when interference changes occur, reporting frequency increases. This adaptive parameter adjustment maintains interference control effectiveness while optimizing backhaul traffic volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2130335B1Backhaul communication for interference management
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2130335B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2130335B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2130335B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

System(s) and method(s) are provided for inter-cell interference management in a wireless communication system. A base station perform interference management by conveying and receiving load indicator messages over a backhaul communication link to disparate neighboring base stations that serve interfering mobile stations. Reporting of load indicators takes place according to a reporting policy that is event-based, and accounts for variations of interference metrics over available time-frequency resources. Communication with neighboring base stations is limited to a monitoring interference set, which can be determined statically, according to deployment characteristics of a wireless network, or the set can be adjusted dynamically according to a set of received UL signals or a set of DL CQI measurement reports. Reporting policy and interference set can be autonomously adapted to optimize backhaul traffic as well as interference control.