Beacon Signal Interference Estimation in Wireless Spectrum Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently allocating spectrum and minimizing interference between co-located radio access networks, particularly in densely populated areas, due to limitations in existing spectrum sharing methods such as Common Radio Resource Manager (CRRM) and Geo-Location Databases (GLDBs, which lack accurate information on actual spectrum usage and local propagation conditions.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a communication device configured to broadcast beacon signals in unique orthogonal time and frequency resources during a measurement time period, allowing for precise interference estimation and dynamic resource allocation, which enables improved interference calculation and spectrum sharing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Common Radio Resource Manager (CRRM) is used for spectrum sharing, then spectrum allocation can be controlled, but radio networks lose their independency and may leak confidential information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum allocation controlVSAvoidconfidential information leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the spectrum sharing function into two parts: a centralized controller that manages spectrum allocation without accessing confidential network information, and autonomous radio networks that maintain their independency. The centralized controller uses beacon signal measurements to infer spectrum usage and make allocation decisions, while radio networks keep their operational details private.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism using beacon signals and measurement reports as a mediator between radio networks and the centralized controller. The controller indirectly observes spectrum usage through beacon signal measurements rather than directly accessing network information, thus maintaining both control and confidentiality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If Geo-Location Databases (GLDBs) are used to inform about free spectrum, then location-based spectrum information is provided, but the system lacks accurate information on actual spectrum usage and local propagation conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation-based spectrum informationVSAvoidactual spectrum usage accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where beacon signals are transmitted and measured by receiving devices. The measurement results (received power, pathloss) are fed back to the centralized controller, which uses this real-time feedback to accurately determine actual spectrum usage and local propagation conditions, improving measurement precision beyond static GLDB information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If beacon signals are broadcasted in shared time and frequency resources, then spectrum sharing is enabled, but interference estimation becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum sharing capabilityVSAvoidinterference estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by allocating specific orthogonal time-frequency resources for beacon signal transmission before actual data communication begins. This preliminary allocation ensures that beacon signals are transmitted in known, non-interfering resources, enabling accurate interference estimation that is then used to optimize subsequent shared resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3262869B1Communication devices, control device and methods thereof
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3262869B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3262869B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3262869B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a first communication device, a second communication device, and a control device. According to the present invention beacon signals are broadcasted by first communication devices (100) in a wireless communication system. The broadcasted beacon signals are used for calculation of received power or pathloss by second communication devices (300). The calculated received power or pathloss is used for estimating interference in the wireless communication system by control devices (500). Furthermore, the present invention also relates to corresponding methods, a computer program, and a computer program product.