CBRS SON Manager Interference Reduction via REM Reports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current CBRS deployments lack efficient techniques for Radio Resource Management (RRM) to reduce interference among CBRS devices in private LTE networks, leading to suboptimal throughput and resource utilization due to the absence of well-defined interference management protocols.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Self-Organizing Network (SON) manager that creates a Radio Environment Map (REM) and employs CBRS grouping parameters to manage transmission power and mobility load, minimizing interference among CBRS user equipment by consolidating REM reports from peer devices and using a virtual radio interface for efficient channel allocation and handover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If CBRS spectrum is shared among multiple users and devices in private LTE networks, then spectrum utilization and network coverage are improved, but interference among CBRS devices increases due to lack of efficient RRM techniques

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidinterference among CBRS devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a Spectrum Access System (SAS) as an intermediary that mediates between CBRS devices and the shared spectrum. The SAS receives REM reports from multiple CBSDs, processes this information, and makes intelligent spectrum allocation decisions to minimize interference while maximizing utilization. This intermediary coordinates resource allocation across the network, resolving the contradiction between shared access and interference control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where CBRS devices continuously monitor and report radio environment conditions (REM reports) to the SAS. The SAS uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust spectrum allocation, transmission power, and resource assignment. This closed-loop feedback system enables real-time interference management while maintaining high spectrum utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If CBRS devices operate autonomously without centralized coordination, then device complexity and operational flexibility are reduced, but interference management capability and throughput deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous operationVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network into autonomous CBRS devices that perform local measurements and reporting, while the SAS handles centralized coordination for spectrum management. This segmentation allows devices to operate autonomously at the radio level (maintaining ease of operation) while the SAS provides centralized intelligence for throughput optimization through coordinated resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the autonomous operation capabilities of individual CBRS devices with the centralized coordination of the SAS. Devices autonomously perform local functions (measurement, reporting, transmission) while the SAS merges this information to make global optimization decisions. This combination preserves operational simplicity at the device level while achieving high throughput through centralized intelligence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If contiguous block of spectrum is allocated to all CBRS users in a region, then spectrum allocation simplicity is improved, but interference control capability worsens due to lack of granular resource management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum allocation simplicityVSAvoidinterference among users
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static contiguous spectrum allocation into a dynamic resource allocation system. The SAS dynamically assigns specific frequency resources, time slots, and power levels to individual CBSDs based on real-time REM reports and network conditions. This dynamic approach maintains the simplicity of initial contiguous block allocation while enabling fine-grained interference control through adaptive resource management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different CBRS devices to use different portions of the spectrum simultaneously based on their specific location, interference environment, and service requirements. The SAS allocates frequency resources non-uniformly across the network, giving each device optimized local spectrum access rather than uniform contiguous allocation, thereby reducing interference while maintaining allocation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4029309B1Reducing interference in CBRS networks
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP4029309B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4029309B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4029309B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for radio resource management in a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) network include one or more CBRS devices (CBSDs) which can obtain a group type associated with the CBSDs and their associated Radio Environment Map (REM) reports of one or more frequency channels of the CBRS network. The group type and the REM reports may be provided to a Self-Organizing Network (SON) manager of the CBRS network, where the SON manager may determine and provide to the CBSDs, one or more of a channel utilization information, transmission power, or mobility load management information for the CBSD, based on the group type and the REM reports.