Radio Base Station Interference Detection Through Directional Signal Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to effectively detect and address interference between radio base stations with large and small coverage areas, particularly when a subsequent base station with a smaller coverage area is installed within the coverage area of a precedent base station with a larger area, leading to unnoticed interference.

Innovation Solution

A radio base station equipped with a detecting unit to analyze received signals for interference, an output unit to report interference information, and a specifying unit to identify the interfering base station, utilizing historical data and signal analysis to pinpoint the source of interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a subsequent base station with small coverage area is installed within the coverage area of a precedent base station with large coverage area, then the subsequent base station can provide localized service, but interference affecting the precedent base station occurs and remains undetected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage area of subsequent base stationVSAvoidinterference detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the subsequent base station (with small coverage area) detect interference from the precedent base station, the invention inverts the detection direction: the precedent base station (with large coverage area) actively detects interference signals coming from the subsequent base station by receiving and analyzing uplink signals transmitted by user equipment connected to the subsequent base station.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses user equipment as an intermediary to enable interference detection. The precedent base station receives uplink signals from user equipment that is actually connected to the subsequent base station, thereby indirectly detecting the presence and characteristics of the interfering subsequent base station without direct communication between base stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the subsequent base station performs interference detection, then it can identify interference sources, but it cannot detect interference from precedent base stations with large coverage areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference source identification accuracyVSAvoidinterference detection coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional interference detection approach by having the precedent base station (rather than the subsequent base station) perform the detection function. This allows the detection coverage to extend across the entire large coverage area of the precedent base station, enabling detection of interference from any location including subsequent base stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The precedent base station is given the additional function of detecting interference from subsequent base stations, making it a multi-functional device that both provides wide-area coverage and performs interference detection throughout its coverage area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If simulation is performed before installing a subsequent base station, then interference can be predicted, but interference from subsequently installed base stations cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference prediction timingVSAvoidinterference detection after installation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the precedent base station continuously monitors uplink signals and detects interference from subsequently installed base stations in real-time, providing ongoing detection capability rather than just pre-installation prediction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The precedent base station is pre-configured with the capability and authority to detect interference from subsequent base stations, establishing the detection mechanism before any subsequent base station is installed, so that detection is immediately available when interference occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12418815B2Interference detection apparatus, radio base station, interference detection method, and program

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 NEC CORP

AI summary

In order to enable a precedent base station to perform appropriate processing on interference by a subsequent base station in a mobile communication system, a base station 201 includes an interference source specifying unit 360 configured to obtain information related to a received signal received by the base station 201 from each of a plurality of directions and to specify, based on the information related to the received signal, a direction from the base station 201 to a transmission source which has caused interference affecting the base station 201.