CoMP Coordination Across Multiple Operators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication networks face interference issues due to the increasing demand for mobile broadband access, leading to degraded performance in both downlink and uplink transmissions, especially in multi-operator environments where cross-operator interference is not effectively managed.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for wireless communication that involve obtaining channel-related information from neighbor UEs served by different base stations, determining channel estimates, and selecting beamforming vectors and transmission schedules to minimize interference, allowing for coordinated multipoint (CoMP) operations across multiple operators without the need for time division multiplexing (TDM) or frequency division multiplexing (FDM) sharing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple operators deploy CoMP systems in the same geographical area using the same spectrum, then spectral efficiency and network capacity are improved, but cross-operator interference increases and degrades transmission performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidcross-operator interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report channel state information (CSI) and interference measurements to their serving base stations. This feedback enables base stations to adjust beamforming vectors and transmission parameters dynamically, allowing multiple operators to coordinate their CoMP operations while mitigating cross-operator interference through continuous adaptation based on real-time channel conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key transmission parameters including beamforming vectors, precoding matrices, and power allocation coefficients to optimize performance. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on channel estimates and interference conditions, the system achieves efficient spectrum utilization while reducing harmful interference between different operators' CoMP networks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If base stations transmit at higher power to serve more UEs and increase broadband access capacity, then network throughput is improved, but interference to other UEs and transmissions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidtransmission interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using beamforming to direct transmission energy specifically toward intended UEs rather than omnidirectional broadcasting. This spatially selective transmission increases signal strength for target users while minimizing interference to other UEs in different spatial directions, enabling higher throughput without proportional increase in harmful interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary channel estimation and interference prediction before actual data transmission. Base stations use reference signals and channel state information to pre-calculate optimal beamforming vectors and power levels, allowing transmissions to be configured in advance to maximize throughput while preemptively avoiding interference to other users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3488536B1Joint COMP with multiple operators
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3488536B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3488536B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3488536B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Joint aspects of coordinated multiple (CoMP) operations is discussed between multiple entities that may be in different CoMP clusters or even deployed by different operators.