Base Station Inter-Cell Interference Avoidance via BWP Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G NR networks, inter-cell interference occurs due to adjacent base stations scheduling UEs on the same frequency range, leading to inefficient use of frequency resources and reduced communication quality, especially when uplink-to-downlink time-domain resource ratios are out of sync in TDD mode.

Innovation Solution

A method and base station configuration to determine a target time bucket where inter-cell interference occurs, adjust the time-frequency resource range allocated to UEs, and reconfigure scheduling to minimize overlap, using modules for interference determination, adjustment, and scheduling to optimize resource allocation and reduce interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If adjacent base stations schedule UEs on the same frequency range using BWPs, then frequency resource utilization is improved, but inter-cell interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency resource utilizationVSAvoidinter-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base station determines a target time bucket where inter-cell interference may occur in advance before actual transmission, and adjusts the time-frequency resource range before the target time bucket arrives. This preliminary adjustment prevents interference from occurring in the first place while maintaining efficient frequency resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the time-frequency resource range allocation based on real-time interference conditions. The base station modifies the allocated resources for UEs in the target time bucket when interference is detected, allowing flexible adaptation between resource efficiency and interference avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If inter-frequency networking is used to avoid inter-cell interference by scheduling UEs on different BWPs, then inter-cell interference is reduced, but frequency resource utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-cell interferenceVSAvoidfrequency resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of permanently assigning different BWPs to adjacent base stations, this invention preliminarily determines target time buckets where interference may occur and only adjusts resources in those specific time buckets. This allows same-BWP scheduling in most cases (maintaining high resource utilization) while preventing interference when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the time-frequency resource parameters dynamically based on interference conditions. Rather than fixing BWP assignments, it adjusts the time-frequency resource range allocation for specific UEs in target time buckets, allowing optimal balance between resource efficiency and interference avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If uplink-to-downlink time-domain resource ratios are out of sync between adjacent base stations, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but inter-cell interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidinter-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base station acquires uplink-to-downlink time-domain resource ratio information from adjacent base stations and determines target time buckets where interference may occur in advance. This allows the system to maintain different scheduling configurations for flexibility while proactively identifying and preventing interference scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where base stations exchange uplink-to-downlink time-domain resource ratio information with adjacent base stations. This feedback allows each base station to adjust its resource allocation in target time buckets based on the scheduling decisions of neighboring base stations, maintaining flexibility while avoiding interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3672344B1Method and base station for avoiding inter-cell interference
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3672344B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3672344B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3672344B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a method and base station for avoiding inter-cell interference. The method includes: determining a target time bucket where inter-cell interference may occur; adjusting a time-frequency resource range allocated individually by base stations based on a target BWP to a target UE in the target time bucket to determine a reallocated time-frequency resource range, the base stations including a first base station and a second base station involved in the inter-cell interference, the second base station being adjacent to the first base station; determining target scheduling-configuration information for avoiding the inter-cell interference according to the reallocated time-frequency resource range; and scheduling a first target UE on the target BWP according to the target scheduling-configuration information. With the method for avoiding inter-cell interference, the inter-cell interference can be effectively reduced or eliminated, and a user experience of a 5G network device can be improved.