Cooperative Precoding for Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In two-tier cellular networks, existing precoding schemes at small-cell transmitters are independent, leading to wasted transmit dimensions and low efficiency due to dimension restrictions, causing interference and reducing spectral efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing cooperative cross-tier precoding (CTP) and intra-tier precoding (ITP) using channel state information (CSI) to optimize transmit signals, increasing transmit dimensions and reducing interference between macro-cell and small-cell networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If independent precoding is used at small-cell transmitters, then device complexity is reduced, but transmit dimensions are wasted and spectral efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecoding complexityVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines independent precoding operations at multiple small-cell transmitters into a cooperative precoding scheme. By merging the precoding functions and sharing channel state information, the system achieves better spectral efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through distributed implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent exploits additional spatial dimensions by coordinating transmissions across multiple small-cell transmitters. This dimensional expansion allows the system to overcome the dimension restrictions of independent precoding, enabling more efficient use of transmit dimensions and improving spectral efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If independent precoding is used at small-cell transmitters, then ease of operation is improved, but interference management capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecoding implementation easeVSAvoidinterference to macro-cell
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a macro-cell receiver as an intermediary that provides feedback about received interference levels. This intermediary enables coordinated interference management without requiring direct complex interaction between all small-cell transmitters, maintaining ease of operation while improving interference control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the macro-cell receiver informs small-cell transmitters about the interference caused by their transmissions. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of precoding strategies to minimize harmful interference while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If dimension restriction is imposed on precoding, then device complexity is reduced, but throughput and capacity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecoding dimension managementVSAvoidsmall-cell throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent overcomes dimension restrictions by utilizing the spatial dimensions provided by multiple cooperative small-cell transmitters. This multi-transmitter coordination expands the effective dimension space available for precoding, enabling higher throughput without proportionally increasing individual device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal precoding framework that can adapt to different numbers of small-cell transmitters and channel conditions. This multi-functional approach allows the system to optimize throughput for various configurations without requiring complex transmitter-specific designs, improving overall capacity efficiently.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3017640B1System and method for cooperative precoding in heterogenous two-tier wireless networks
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3017640B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3017640B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3017640B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments are provided for a cooperative cross-tier precoding (CTP) and intra-tier precoding (ITP) scheme for two-tier networks. The cooperative precoding scheme allows exploitation of extra transmit dimensions at the second-tier network, thereby increasing the achievable throughput at the second-tier network. The embodiments allow significant increase in throughput of the second-tier network due to both CTP between the second-tier network and the first-tier network, and efficient ITP between the second-tier network transmitters. The increase in transmit dimension allows for efficient linear inra-tier precoding, which significantly reduces the intra-tier interference. A processor coupled to the second-tier network transmitters is configured to perform CTP of transmit signals in the second-tier network for cancelling signal interference from the second-tier network transmitters to a first-tier network receiver, thereby generating CTP matrix information. The processor then performs, using the CTP matrix information, ITP for reducing intra-signal interference from the second-tier transmitters to corresponding second-tier receivers.