Cell-Based Processing Method for Interference Cancellation in LTE Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In small cell LTE networks, user equipment (UE) experiences interference when switching to a newly activated cell, which degrades user experience due to strong interference from the common signals transmitted by the activated cell.

Innovation Solution

A method where the first base station transmits common channel information of the first cell to the second base station, allowing the UE to perform interference cancellation, thereby reducing interference from the newly activated cell during the switching process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a sleeping cell is activated to provide service coverage, then the coverage range is expanded and network capacity is improved, but strong interference is caused to UEs during the switching process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage rangeVSAvoidinterference to UE
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by notifying the UE of the newly activated cell's common channel information before the UE actually switches to that cell. The source base station provides the UE with reference signal information (such as CRS or CSI-RS) of the target cell in advance, enabling the UE to prepare for interference cancellation before the interference becomes problematic during switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful interference from the newly activated cell into a beneficial situation by enabling the UE to cancel this interference. By providing the UE with common channel information of the interfering cell, the UE can use this previously harmful signal as a known reference to perform interference cancellation, thereby transforming the interference problem into an opportunity for improved switching performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If common channel information is transmitted to enable interference cancellation, then user experience is improved, but network signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by reusing existing signaling messages for multiple purposes. The common channel information of the target cell is carried within existing base station communication protocols and UE measurement reporting structures, allowing the same signaling framework to serve both its original function and the additional function of enabling interference cancellation without requiring entirely new signaling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2999269B1Cell-based processing method, system, and related apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 ZTE CORP
  • EP2999269B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2999269B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2999269B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cell-based processing method and system, and a related device are described, and the method may include: a first base station to which a first cell belongs transmits common channel information of the first cell to a second base station to which a second cell belongs, wherein the first cell is a cell activated by a network side according to sleeping cell discovery information transmitted by a User Equipment (UE), the second cell is a cell for currently providing a service for the UE, and the common channel information of the first cell is used for downlink interference cancellation. The system may include the first base station configured to transmit common channel information of a first cell under this base station to a second base station to which a second cell belongs, wherein the first cell is a cell activated by a network side according to sleeping cell discovery information transmitted by a UE, the second cell is a cell for currently providing a service for the UE; and the second base station configured to receive the common channel information of the first cell, and the common channel information of the first cell is used for downlink interference cancellation.