Data Splitting for Wireless Cell Edge Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE networks, user equipment (UE) experiences service degradation at cell edges due to interference from other cells, affecting throughput and quality of service, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

Data splitting methods are implemented across multiple base stations or by user equipment, at various layers such as the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), Radio Link Control (RLC), or Media Access Control (MAC) layers, to distribute data transmission across multiple component carriers, mitigating interference and enhancing performance at cell edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data transmission is performed through a single base station in LTE networks, then the system maintains simple architecture and operation, but user equipment at cell edges experiences service degradation due to interference from other cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of serviceVSAvoiddata transmission architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data transmission function by splitting data into multiple portions that are transmitted through different base stations simultaneously. This allows UE at cell edges to receive data from multiple sources, diversifying the transmission paths and reducing dependence on a single base station, thereby improving reliability and quality of service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple base stations into a cooperative transmission system where multiple base stations work together to transmit data to the same UE. This merging of transmission resources enables the system to overcome cell edge interference by utilizing multiple transmission points, improving service reliability without requiring complete architectural overhaul.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple base stations are used for data transmission to overcome cell edge interference, then quality of service improves, but system complexity and resource management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of serviceVSAvoidresource management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary that centrally manages the cooperative transmission process. This controller coordinates data splitting, determines which portions are transmitted through which base stations, and handles resource allocation. By centralizing control functions, the system achieves improved quality of service through multiple base stations while maintaining operational simplicity through unified management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If data is split and transmitted through multiple base stations, then interference is reduced and throughput improves, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoiddata processing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data into multiple portions at the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer or Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, with each portion assigned to different base stations for transmission. This segmentation enables parallel transmission through multiple paths, increasing overall data throughput while distributing the processing load across different network elements rather than concentrating complexity in a single device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-base-station transmission to multi-base-station transmission, adding a spatial dimension to data transmission. By utilizing multiple base stations simultaneously, the system creates parallel transmission channels that increase throughput. The data processing complexity is managed by implementing segmentation at protocol layers that already exist in the LTE architecture, minimizing additional processing burden.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4009733A1Data split between multiple sites
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC
  • EP4009733A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4009733A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4009733A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Methods and systems for splitting data in a wireless communications network. Data may be split to use multiple base stations for transmission to user equipment, or may be split by user equipment for transmission to multiple base stations. Data splitting may be performed at the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, at the Radio Link Control layer, or at the Media Access Control layer on user equipment or on a base station. Data may instead be split in a network node, such as in a serving gateway.