Cell Reference Signal Power Control for Interference Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power control methods in wireless communication networks, such as open-loop and closed-loop power control, fail to effectively manage inter-cell interference caused by constant transmission of cell reference signals, leading to reduced cell throughput and performance, especially in scenarios like ultra-dense networks.

Innovation Solution

A power processing method that monitors resource blocks at predetermined intervals to adjust the transmission power of cell reference signals, allowing them to be transmitted on specific resource blocks or symbols, thereby reducing interference and improving throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cell reference signal is transmitted continuously on entire bandwidth at constant power, then terminal can determine signal strength and perform channel estimation, but inter-cell interference increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strength determinationVSAvoidinter-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cell reference signal transmission by dividing the bandwidth into different resource blocks and transmitting reference signals only on specific resource blocks rather than entire bandwidth. This segmentation reduces inter-cell interference while maintaining necessary signal strength determination capability for terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by transmitting cell reference signals with different power levels or patterns on different resource blocks based on local interference conditions. In high interference scenarios, reference signals are transmitted on fewer resource blocks or at reduced power, while maintaining adequate coverage in low interference areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If open-loop power control is used for downlink signal adjustment, then signaling interaction is minimized, but control granularity is coarse and cannot achieve targeted local control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling interactionVSAvoidlocal control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling each cell to autonomously adjust its cell reference signal transmission power and resource block allocation based on locally measured interference conditions and traffic load, without requiring complex signaling interaction with network controller or other cells. This achieves fine-grained local control while minimizing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If closed-loop power control is used for uplink signal adjustment, then targeted control on UE granularity is achieved, but signaling interaction messages increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE granularity controlVSAvoidsignaling interaction messages
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control granularity from UE level to cell reference signal level, applying segmentation to the transmission resources. By controlling reference signal power on specific resource blocks rather than adjusting each UE's power individually, the patent achieves effective local control while reducing signaling overhead associated with UE-specific closed-loop control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If cell reference signal transmission power is reduced to lower inter-cell interference, then neighbor cell throughput improves, but signal strength determination capability may be degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneighbor cell throughputVSAvoidsignal strength determination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments reference signal transmission across different resource blocks, allowing selective power reduction on specific resource blocks while maintaining adequate power on others. This enables interference reduction in certain frequency regions while preserving signal strength determination capability in regions where it is more critical.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes transmission parameters (power level, resource block allocation) of cell reference signals based on measured interference conditions and traffic load. When interference is high, power is reduced or transmission is restricted to essential resource blocks; when interference is low or traffic requires it, power is increased to maintain signal strength determination accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3684094B1Power processing method and device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 ZTE CORP
  • EP3684094B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3684094B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3684094B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided are a power processing method, a power processing device, and a storage medium. The power processing method includes: resource blocks of a current cell are monitored at a predetermined time interval to obtain a monitoring result; and transmission power of a cell reference signal is reduced to a specified power according to the monitoring result, and the cell reference signal is transmitted on a transmission resource.