Base Station Power Allocation for Cell Edge Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular communications networks face challenges in improving user satisfaction, especially at the edge of cells, and energy efficiency, due to asymmetric communication between cells of different sizes and technologies, and the complexity of managing inter-cell interference in LTE systems.
Innovation Solution
A method for autonomously controlling downlink transmit power across sub-bands in base stations, adjusting power based on long-term and short-term performance thresholds and user happiness factors, without requiring direct communication between cells, to optimize power distribution and reduce unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct communication links between basestations are established for interference coordination, then interference management capability is improved, but network complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary entity that manages interference coordination between basestations. Instead of requiring direct communication links between all basestations (which would create network complexity), the controller acts as a central mediator that receives information from and sends coordination decisions to all basestations, thereby simplifying the network architecture while maintaining interference management capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements autonomous power allocation algorithms at each basestation that enable self-service interference management. Each basestation independently adjusts its transmit power based on local conditions and feedback, reducing the need for complex inter-basestation communication while still achieving interference coordination through distributed autonomous decision-making
2Reliability
If power is increased to improve user satisfaction at cell edge, then user performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allocating different power levels to different spatial regions and user groups. Specifically, it implements power boosting only for cell-edge users who experience interference, while maintaining normal power levels for cell-center users. This localized power allocation improves cell-edge user satisfaction without unnecessarily increasing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power allocation that continuously adapts power levels based on real-time channel conditions, user distribution, and interference patterns. The system dynamically adjusts transmit power to maintain minimum quality of service thresholds rather than using fixed high power, thereby improving user satisfaction only when and where needed while reducing unnecessary energy consumption
3Productivity
If power allocation is optimized for cell center users, then overall network throughput is improved, but cell edge user performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing enhanced power allocation only to the extent necessary for cell-edge users to achieve minimum quality of service thresholds. Instead of uniformly increasing power across all users (excessive action), the system selectively applies power boosting only to cell-edge users who need it, thereby maintaining overall network throughput efficiency while improving cell-edge performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power allocation parameter distribution across different user groups and spatial regions. It implements non-uniform power allocation where cell-edge users receive higher power weights compared to cell-center users, fundamentally changing the parameter distribution from uniform to differentiated, thereby balancing throughput efficiency with cell-edge performance
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a method for controlling a power allocation in a base station of a cell in a cellular communications network across a plurality of sub-bands. It is determined whether a long-term performance achieved by the cell exceeds a first threshold value and a total transmit power is allocated across the sub-bands according to whether the long-term performance achieved by the cell exceeds the first threshold value. A basestation configured to operate in accordance with the method is also provided.