Cellular Resource Scheduling for Inter-Cell Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular communication systems with a frequency reuse factor of 1 face significant inter-cell interference, especially in urban areas, leading to an interference-limited environment where system capacity does not increase despite increased transmit power, and existing technologies like FFR and soft FFR struggle to adaptively control inter-cell interference in response to changes in cell environment and user distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for scheduling resource allocation in a cellular communication system that includes a bitmap generator and a scheduler, which receive and process scheduling information from neighbor cells to adaptively adjust resource allocation patterns, including frequency and power resources, to control inter-cell interference dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If frequency reuse factor is set to 1 to maximize frequency transmission efficiency, then spectral efficiency is improved, but inter-cell interference increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating resource allocation strategies based on spatial location within the cell. Inner area resources are allocated differently from outer area resources, with the outer area receiving power-restricted resources that use lower transmit power to reduce inter-cell interference at cell boundaries while maintaining high spectral efficiency in the inner area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cell into inner area and outer area regions, and further divides frequency resources into first resources (for inner area) and second resources (for outer area). This segmentation allows independent optimization of resource allocation for different spatial regions, resolving the contradiction between spectral efficiency and inter-cell interference.
2Reliability
If FFR technology is applied to control inter-cell interference in cell boundary areas, then SINR and throughput are improved, but available frequency resources are reduced causing decreased average sector capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power transmission parameter for different resource types. Power-restricted resources use lower transmit power compared to conventional resources, allowing the system to maintain high spectral efficiency while reducing inter-cell interference at cell boundaries. This parameter change enables simultaneous improvement of SINR and sector capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely restricting power for all resources, the patent applies partial power restriction only to second resources allocated to outer area users. This partial action allows the system to mitigate inter-cell interference where needed while maintaining full power transmission capability for inner area users, thereby preserving average sector capacity.
3Productivity
If FFR technology uses remaining resources as power-restricted resources, then all available frequency resources are utilized, but inter-cell interference control becomes less effective in certain scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the base station scheduler adaptively assigns first resources or second resources to users based on real-time channel conditions and interference levels. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize frequency resource utilization while maintaining effective inter-cell interference control by adjusting resource allocation in response to changing network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where users report channel conditions and interference levels to the base station. This feedback enables the scheduler to make informed decisions about resource allocation, ensuring that power-restricted resources are assigned only when and where inter-cell interference is significant, thereby maintaining both frequency resource utilization and interference control effectiveness.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If existing FFR and soft FFR technologies are used, then inter-cell interference is controlled in cell boundary areas, but adaptability to changes in cell environment and user distribution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the base station scheduler adaptively assigns first resources or second resources to users based on real-time channel conditions and interference levels. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize frequency resource utilization while maintaining effective inter-cell interference control by adjusting resource allocation in response to changing network conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where users report channel conditions and interference levels to the base station. This feedback enables the scheduler to make informed decisions about resource allocation, ensuring that power-restricted resources are assigned only when and where inter-cell interference is significant, thereby maintaining both frequency resource utilization and interference control effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for controlling inter-cell interference in an evolved Node-B for a cellular communication system with a frequency reuse factor of 1 are provided. The apparatus includes a bitmap generator for receiving scheduling information from evolved Node-Bs of a plurality of neighbor cells, and for generating scheduling information including its cell's bitmap information for the resource allocation using the received neighbor cells' scheduling information, and a scheduler for scheduling the resource allocation for UEs in its cell based on the scheduling information provided from the bitmap generator and power allocation information of the UEs in its cell.