Coordinated Multipoint Interference Measurement Resource Element Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In coordinated multipoint transmission systems, user equipment faces challenges in accurately estimating channel state information due to interference from multiple sources, leading to suboptimal performance and inaccurate Channel Quality Indicators (CQI) reporting, especially when interference sources change or coordinating cells remain silent.

Innovation Solution

Configuring multiple sets of Resource Elements (REs) for interference measurement, each corresponding to a specific interference source, and transmitting configuration information to the user equipment to enable precise interference measurement and CQI reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single set of REs for interference measurement is configured, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates because the user equipment cannot accurately distinguish interference from different sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference measurement precisionVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the interference measurement resources into multiple separate sets of REs, where each set corresponds to a specific interference source. This segmentation allows the user equipment to measure interference from different sources independently, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through structured configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network side acts as an intermediary by configuring and indicating which set of REs the user equipment should use for interference measurement. This mediator approach enables the system to adapt to different interference scenarios without requiring the user equipment to independently determine the appropriate measurement resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sets of REs for interference measurement are configured, then the adaptability improves for different interference sources, but the device complexity increases due to multiple configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different interference sourcesVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the network side to flexibly configure multiple sets of REs and dynamically indicate which set should be used based on current interference conditions. This enables the system to adapt to varying interference sources while the network manages the complexity of multiple configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple sets of REs are designed to serve different interference measurement purposes, with each set being universally applicable to specific interference scenarios. This multi-functionality approach allows the same RE structure to be reused across different interference sources, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the user equipment measures interference from all possible sources, then the reliability of CQI reporting improves, but the loss of time increases due to comprehensive measurement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCQI reporting reliabilityVSAvoidinterference measurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having the user equipment measure only the interference from the specific source indicated by the network side, rather than measuring all possible interference sources. This selective measurement approach maintains CQI reliability for the relevant interference while reducing the time required for comprehensive measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The network side performs preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple sets of REs and pre-determining which interference source is most relevant. This allows the user equipment to directly measure the indicated interference source without needing to perform exhaustive measurements, reducing time loss while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2701423B1Method and device for measuring interference in coordinated multipoint transmission
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 CHINA ACAD OF TELECOMM TECH
  • EP2701423B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2701423B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2701423B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application discloses a method of and apparatus for interference measurement in coordinated multipoint transmission so as to enable a user equipment to report corresponding channel state information accurately with respect to different interference sources. In the method according to an embodiment of the invention, the network side configures a user equipment with a plurality of sets of REs for interference measurement with respect to different interference sources and instructs the user equipment to select a set of REs for interference measurement adapted to an actual application environment to perform interference measurement, and as such in CoMP transmission, the user equipment can report channel state information with respect to the different interference sources accurately according to a network environment, so that the network side can gain timely knowledge of a change in network environment, thus accommodating a demand of CoMP transmission and further improving the performance of the system.