Base Station Receiver Sensitivity Adjustment for Heterogeneous Network Coverage Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous wireless communication networks, the uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) coverage imbalance between macro cells and low-power cells leads to interference and handover failures due to mismatched coverage boundaries, as UL coverage is not aligned with DL coverage.

Innovation Solution

The base station adjusts its receiver sensitivity to match UL coverage with DL coverage, with adjustments determined by a control entity or self-determined through direct communication with other base stations, and signaled to user equipment (UE) for uplink transmission power adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If low-power cells are deployed with overlaid large cells to improve coverage, then coverage area is improved, but uplink and downlink coverage imbalance occurs leading to interference and handover failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidhandover success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic coverage matching by allowing base stations to adjust their receiver sensitivity dynamically. The network controller collects receiver sensitivity information from multiple base stations and determines appropriate sensitivity adjustments to ensure that uplink coverage boundaries align with downlink coverage boundaries, thereby resolving the coverage imbalance that causes handover failures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the receiver sensitivity parameter of base stations to achieve coverage matching. By adjusting the receiver sensitivity of low-power cells relative to macro cells, the system aligns uplink and downlink coverage areas, preventing interference and handover failures while maintaining the expanded coverage area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If base station receiver sensitivity is adjusted to match coverage, then coverage balance is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional signaling and coordination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage matchingVSAvoidsignaling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary that centralizes the collection of receiver sensitivity information from multiple base stations and the determination of sensitivity adjustments. This mediator coordinates the coverage matching process, reducing the signaling burden on individual base stations and UEs while achieving reliable coverage matching through centralized control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2995112B1Methods and systems for wireless communication in heterogeneous networks
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2995112B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2995112B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2995112B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for coverage matching in heterogeneous wireless communication networks are provided. The base station may adjust its receiver sensitivity to match the uplink and downlink coverage. In some implementations, the base station may transmit parameters reflecting its receiver sensitivity capability to a control entity. The control entity determines the required receiver sensitivity for the base station and transmits the receiver sensitivity adjustment information to the base station. The base station may adjust its receiver sensitivity based on the receiver sensitivity adjustment information. In some implementations, the base station may exchange its receiver sensitivity information with other base stations and adjust its receiver sensitivity based on information received from other base stations. The base station or control entity may also inform the user equipment (UE) about the base station receiver sensitivity such that the UE may adjust their transmission powers based on the base station's receiver sensitivity.