Hierarchical Cellular Resource Allocation via Usage Plan Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hierarchical cellular systems, interference between small cells and macrocells using the same frequency resource limits frequency efficiency and communication reliability, and existing methods to manage interference increase network overhead.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically allocates macrocell dedicated resources and shared resources based on usage rates, where the macrocell reports its usage plan to the small cell, allowing the small cell to allocate unused resources to terminals with high mobility and used resources to those with low mobility, using schemes like transmission power control and multi-antenna transmission to mitigate interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the macrocell and small cell use the same frequency resource, then frequency efficiency is improved, but interference between transmission/reception pairs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency efficiencyVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency resource into macrocell dedicated resources and shared resources. The shared resources are further segmented into time slots or resource blocks where the macrocell and small cell take turns using the same frequency, thereby reducing interference while maintaining frequency efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically allocates shared resources based on real-time channel conditions and usage rates. The macrocell reports its usage plan for shared resources, and the small cell adjusts its allocation accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize frequency efficiency while managing interference through flexible resource assignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If interference is continuously shared and updated between small cell and macrocell, then interference is reduced, but network overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidnetwork overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The macrocell reports its usage plan for shared resources in advance before actually using them. This preliminary action allows the small cell to prepare its own resource allocation strategy beforehand, reducing the need for continuous real-time updates and thereby lowering network overhead while still effectively managing interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the macrocell reports its shared resource usage plan to the small cell, which then adjusts its resource allocation accordingly. This selective feedback approach, triggered by specific events or time intervals rather than continuously, reduces overhead while maintaining effective interference management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If shared resource is allocated to terminals with high mobility, then communication reliability is improved, but frequency efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidfrequency efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different allocation strategies to different types of terminals based on their mobility characteristics. High-mobility terminals are prioritized for shared resources that offer better reliability, while low-mobility terminals are allocated from the macrocell dedicated resources to maintain frequency efficiency. This localized differentiation optimizes both reliability and efficiency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2430848B1Method of allocating resource for hierarchical cellular system and transmission frame for performing the method
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2430848B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2430848B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2430848B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Described herein is a resource allocation method for a hierarchical cellular system, and a transmission frame for performing the method. A macrocell dedicated resource and a shared resource are respectively controlled based on a usage rate of the macrocell dedicated resource and a usage rate of the shared resource. The macrocell reports a usage plan of the shared resource that the macrocell uses to a small cell, and the small cell may allocate the shared resource to terminals based on the usage plan of the shared resource. A control message related to the usage plan may be transmitted/received via the transmission frame.