CRAN Cluster Partitioning via Virtual Transmission Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud Radio Access Networks (CRAN) face challenges in achieving efficient joint processing due to increased computational costs and interference issues as the size of hyper-cells grows, particularly in large networks with numerous user equipment (UEs), making stringent synchronization and accurate channel knowledge difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
The system partitions a CRAN cluster into virtual transmission points (V-TPs) to minimize UEs near the boundary of each V-TP, using an interference coordinating entity (ICE) to adjust the partitioning criterion repeatedly until no UEs are near the boundary, thereby reducing joint processing overhead and ensuring joint processing can be performed within at least one V-TP set.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If joint processing is implemented in large CRAN clusters, then throughput and coverage are improved, but computational costs and processing overhead increase dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a large CRAN cluster into multiple smaller sub-clusters, each managed by a separate interference coordinating entity (ICE). This segmentation reduces the computational burden on each ICE while maintaining the overall joint processing benefits across the entire network through coordinated operation between multiple ICEs.
2Area of stationary object
If hyper-cell size increases to improve coverage, then more UEs are served, but synchronization accuracy and channel knowledge become difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
By partitioning large CRAN clusters into smaller sub-clusters, the patent reduces the spatial extent of each sub-cluster, thereby maintaining better synchronization accuracy and channel knowledge within each sub-cluster while still providing extended coverage through the coordinated operation of multiple sub-clusters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables each ICE to optimize channel knowledge and synchronization locally within its sub-cluster, allowing each sub-cluster to maintain high measurement precision for its local UEs while collectively covering a larger area through the network of sub-clusters.
3Productivity
If virtual transmission points are formed to reduce interference, then joint processing efficiency improves, but the number of boundary UEs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs iterative optimization where the ICE adjusts V-TP configurations based on feedback about boundary UE conditions, modifying partitions to reduce interference while maintaining joint processing efficiency. The system continuously monitors and adapts V-TP formations to minimize harmful effects on boundary UEs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for operating an interference coordinating entity (ICE) includes partitioning, by the ICE, a cloud radio access network (CRAN) cluster by grouping transmission points (TPs) serving user equipments (UEs) in accordance with a partitioning criterion into at least one virtual transmission point (V-TP) to produce a V-TP set (block 805). The UEs to be served are preferably offset from a V-TP boundary. The method also includes saving, by the ICE, V-TP information to a memory (block 807).