Base Station Interference Management via X2 Interface Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE Advanced mobile communication systems, carrier aggregation technology faces challenges in reducing interference between macro and pico base stations, leading to deteriorated communication quality and inefficient load dispersion.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of inter-base station communication via X2 and S1 interfaces allows macro and pico base stations to exchange information for determining and managing the use of component carriers, enabling the suspension or reduction of transmission power to mitigate interference, thereby improving communication quality and load distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If carrier aggregation technology is implemented to widen bandwidth, then communication capacity increases, but interference between macro and pico base stations deteriorates communication quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where base stations exchange information about component carrier usage status through X2 and S1 interfaces. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of component carrier allocation based on actual interference conditions and load status, allowing the system to maintain high communication capacity while adapting to interference conditions that affect quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary communication interfaces (X2 interface between base stations and S1 interface to the core network) that mediate the coordination between macro and pico base stations. These intermediaries enable the exchange of component carrier usage information and facilitate cooperative resource management, resolving the interference problem while preserving the benefits of carrier aggregation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If component carriers are allocated to pico base stations to improve load distribution, then productivity increases, but interference from macro base stations worsens communication quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload distributionVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary actions by allowing base stations to proactively exchange information about intended component carrier usage before actual transmission begins. This advance notification allows receiving base stations to prepare interference mitigation strategies, such as adjusting their own component carrier allocation or transmission parameters, thereby reducing the impact of interference while maintaining load distribution benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic component carrier allocation where the assignment of component carriers to macro or pico base stations is not fixed but adapts in real-time based on interference conditions and load status. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize the balance between load distribution and interference mitigation by flexibly reassigning component carriers as conditions change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If transmission power is maintained at high levels to ensure coverage, then communication reliability is improved, but interference increases and power consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecoverageVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables parameter changes by allowing base stations to dynamically adjust transmission power levels based on component carrier usage status and interference conditions. Through the exchanged information about component carrier allocation, base stations can identify opportunities to reduce power on certain carriers while maintaining coverage through other carriers, thereby reducing overall power consumption while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3276870B1Base station and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP3276870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3276870B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3276870B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A macro base station MeNB in a mobile communication system that supports a carrier aggregation technology defined in a 3GPP standard, communicates with a pico base station PeNB #1 via an X2 interface. The macro base station MeNB transmits information to the pico base station PeNB the information being used when the pico base station PeNB determines a component carrier requested to be limitedly used by the macro base station MeNB or a component carrier requested to be released from use limitation by the macro base station MeNB.