Coordinated Scheduling for Low Interference Resource Blocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices in cellular networks face reduced signal quality due to interference from legacy mobile entities, especially when located in areas with low channel gain, leading to decreased coverage and increased power consumption, as existing solutions do not effectively manage interference levels during data exchange.

Innovation Solution

A method where a central control entity coordinates wireless data exchange by scheduling communication entities with low interference levels in specific resource blocks, ensuring they only interfere with other low-interference devices, thereby reducing interference and enhancing signal quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If MTC devices transmit data using mobile communication networks to achieve coverage in areas with low channel gain (e.g., deep indoors or underground), then communication coverage is improved, but signal quality deteriorates due to high interference from legacy mobile entities in neighboring cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resource blocks into different types (first resource blocks for coverage enhancement with low interference requirements, and other resource blocks for normal operations). This segmentation allows MTC devices in coverage enhancement mode to be scheduled exclusively in first resource blocks where interference is controlled, thereby resolving the contradiction between extending coverage area and maintaining signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If MTC devices use time repetition in TTI bundling manner to achieve coverage enhancement of up to 15 dB, then signal quality at the receiver is improved through accumulation, but interference levels in neighboring cells increase due to repeated transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidinterference level
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specialized scheduling environment for coverage enhancement transmissions. First resource blocks are specifically designated with relaxed interference constraints, allowing MTC devices to perform repeated transmissions for coverage enhancement without causing excessive interference to other cells. This localized quality adjustment resolves the contradiction between improving received signal quality through repetition and reducing generated interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If MTC devices located in basements transmit with limited signal level, then power consumption is reduced, but signal quality at the receiving base transceiver station deteriorates due to low channel gain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring first resource blocks with specific interference constraints before MTC devices transmit. The base station identifies and reserves resource blocks where interference levels are acceptable for coverage enhancement transmissions. This preliminary preparation allows MTC devices to transmit at low power levels with the confidence that their signals will be received with adequate quality, as the resource blocks are pre-selected to favor their signal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If legacy mobile entities with high gain to serving base station are scheduled in the same resource blocks as MTC devices, then network capacity is improved, but interference levels at the MTC device increase causing SINR to drop

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidSINR
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resource block space into first resource blocks and other resource blocks based on interference characteristics. Legacy mobile entities are scheduled in other resource blocks, while MTC devices in coverage enhancement mode are scheduled in first resource blocks. This segmentation maintains high network capacity by keeping legacy entities active while protecting MTC devices from their interference, thereby resolving the contradiction between network capacity and SINR.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3308586B1Coordinated scheduling in low interference resource blocks
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3308586B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3308586B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3308586B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a method for coordinating a wireless data exchange between communication entities (10) and base transceiver stations (100-104) in at least one cellular network. The method comprises the steps of estimating a need of transmission resources needed for the data exchange between the communication entities (10) and the base transceiver stations (100-104) controlled by the central control entity (200), determining first resource blocks from possible resource blocks, to which the data exchange between the communication entities (10) and the base transceiver stations (100-104) should be limited, the possible resource blocks indicating the resource blocks that are available for the data exchange between the communication entities (10) and the base transceiver stations (100- 104), determining a maximum interference level that should not be exceeded in the first resource blocks, the maximum interference level taking into account the signal exchange from one of the communication entities (10) with a base transceiver station other than a serving base transceiver station serving said one communication entity, and informing the base transceiver stations (100-104) about the first resource blocks and the maximum interference level.