Channel Quality Assessment for Interference Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy mobile communications devices, such as those operating under 3GPP LTE release 8, are unable to distinguish between non-reduced power and reduced-power subframes, which hinders their ability to capitalize on the performance benefits offered by enhanced inter-cell interference coordination, as specified in release 10 of the 3GPP LTE standard, due to a lack of specificity in channel quality assessment measurements.
Innovation Solution
Sending specific instructions to mobile communications devices to perform channel quality assessments in both non-reduced power and reduced-power subframes, allowing the system to determine whether the device is performing instantaneous or averaging measurements, thereby enabling effective channel quality assessment and interference coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If legacy mobile communications devices (release 8) operate in heterogeneous networks with macro and pico cells, then they can provide basic wireless coverage, but they are unable to distinguish between non-reduced power and reduced-power subframes, resulting in inability to capitalize on enhanced inter-cell interference coordination benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach where the device performs channel quality assessments on both non-reduced power and reduced-power subframes separately. By treating these as distinct measurement objects and using them as intermediaries to determine the measurement type, the system enables legacy devices to benefit from eICIC without requiring native subframe distinction capability. The intermediary measurements bridge the gap between legacy device limitations and advanced network coordination requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by instructing the device to perform channel quality assessments with different configurations for different subframe types. By varying the measurement parameters (which subframes to measure, how to process the measurements), the system enables legacy devices to effectively distinguish and respond to different subframe types even without inherent subframe identification capability, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If channel quality assessment measurements are performed without specificity for different subframe types, then legacy devices can operate with their existing capabilities, but the system cannot determine whether instantaneous or averaging measurements are being performed, hindering effective interference coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the channel quality assessment process into distinct parts: assessments on non-reduced power subframes and assessments on reduced-power subframes. By dividing the measurement process into separate segments for different subframe types, the system enables precise determination of measurement type (instantaneous vs. averaging) while maintaining ease of operation for legacy devices. Each segment can be processed independently, allowing the network to identify the measurement approach used.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the device perform channel quality assessments on both types of subframes before the network needs to determine the measurement type. This preliminary measurement collection enables the network to analyze the results and identify whether instantaneous or averaging measurements were performed, thereby improving measurement precision without complicating device operation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If macro cells transmit continuously to maintain their communications, then macro cell coverage is maintained, but interference is posed to mobile communications devices in communication with pico cells, reducing the effective footprint of pico cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through almost blank subframes, where the macro cell periodically stops transmitting data transmissions during specific subframes while maintaining control signal transmissions. This periodic interruption pattern allows pico cell devices to experience reduced interference during designated subframes, improving their effective footprint and performance, while the macro cell maintains overall transmission continuity for its own devices. The periodic nature balances both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different transmission characteristics in different time locations (subframes). During almost blank subframes, the macro cell provides a different transmission quality (reduced power, no data transmissions) specifically in the time domain where pico cell devices need to communicate. This local differentiation in transmission quality allows the macro cell to maintain overall continuity while reducing harmful interference in specific time windows for pico cell operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A process, device and computer-readable storage medium that incorporate teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, providing a first instruction to mobile user equipment to cause the mobile user equipment to perform a first channel quality assessment of a non-reduced power subframe of a wireless signal comprising the non-reduced power subframe, an almost blank subframe and a reduced power subframe. A second instruction is provided to the mobile user equipment to cause the mobile user equipment to perform a second channel quality assessment of the almost blank subframe. A determination is made as to whether the mobile user equipment is performing instantaneous channel quality measurements based on a result of the first channel quality assessment and a result of the second channel quality assessment. Other embodiments are disclosed.