Cellular Interference Estimation via Signal and Utilization Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular radio networks face interference issues due to signals from neighboring base stations, which existing technologies struggle to accurately estimate and mitigate, affecting mobile device performance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where mobile devices report received signal power levels and airlink utilization of interfering base stations to their serving base stations, using these inputs to calculate an estimated interference level through processing by a processor with computer-executable instructions, potentially aided by a central controller or direct exchange between base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mobile devices report signal strength and airlink utilization information, then interference estimation accuracy is improved, but network signaling overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interference estimation process is segmented into distinct components: mobile devices measure and report signal strength (RSRP) and quality (RSRQ) separately, base stations report airlink utilization separately, and the serving base station combines these segmented measurements using an estimation function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary estimation function that processes measurements from multiple sources (mobile device signal strength, mobile device signal quality, and base station airlink utilization) to produce the final interference estimate. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system by providing a standardized method to combine heterogeneous data sources.
2Measurement precision
If multiple parameters are collected for interference estimation, then estimation accuracy is improved, but information processing and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the most critical parameters needed for interference estimation: reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), and airlink utilization. By selecting and extracting only these essential parameters rather than processing all available measurements, the system achieves accurate interference estimation while minimizing data processing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parameters are collected and processed at different locations based on their local availability and relevance: mobile devices locally compute RSRP and RSRQ from their received signals, while base stations locally track their airlink utilization. This local quality approach ensures each parameter is measured at the optimal location with minimal data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for estimating interference on a cellular network includes a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium with computer executable instructions stored thereon. The computer executable instructions perform the following method when executed by the processor: causing the processor to receive from a user equipment, first information indicating a strength of a signal received at the user equipment from an interfering base station; causing the processor to receive second information indicating an airlink utilization of the interfering base station; and causing the processor to process the first information and the second information according to an estimation function to produce an interference estimate.