Distributed Restrictive Measurement Resources for Interference Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultra-dense heterogeneous networks, densely distributed small cells cause serious mutual interference, affecting the measurement accuracy of neighboring-cell radio resource management (RRM) and macro-cell radio link monitoring (RLM) performed by macro user equipment (UE).
Innovation Solution
A distributed coordination mechanism where the base station serving each neighboring cell sends restrictive measurement resources directly to the user equipment (UE), allowing the UE to perform accurate RRM and RLM by using different restrictive measurement resources for each interfering small cell, thereby reducing backhaul transmission load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If small cells are densely distributed to increase network capacity, then network coverage and capacity are improved, but mutual interference between small cells increases and measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into separate phases by introducing specific subframe types (ABS and non-ABS subframes). The network segments the transmission resources so that some subframes are dedicated for interference-free measurement, while others carry normal traffic. This segmentation allows the UE to perform accurate RRM measurements on neighboring small cells during ABS subframes when interference is minimized, thus resolving the contradiction between dense small cell deployment and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ABS (Almost Blank Subframe) as an intermediary mechanism between the small cells and the UE. During ABS subframes, small cells transmit reduced power or no data, creating an interference-free window that acts as a mediator to enable accurate measurements. This intermediary approach allows dense small cell deployment while maintaining measurement accuracy by temporarily reducing interference during measurement periods.
2Reliability
If centralized coordination mechanism is used to manage restrictive measurement resources, then measurement coordination is improved, but backhaul transmission load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by allowing each small cell to independently generate and manage its own ABS pattern and restrictive measurement resources without requiring centralized coordination. Each small cell autonomously determines its measurement resources based on local traffic conditions and interference patterns. This local decision-making approach maintains reliable measurement coordination while eliminating the need for extensive backhaul communication, thus resolving the contradiction between coordination reliability and backhaul load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables small cells to self-configure their restrictive measurement resources and ABS patterns without external intervention. Each small cell autonomously manages its measurement resources, generates appropriate ABS patterns, and provides this information to UEs in its coverage area. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable measurement coordination while minimizing backhaul transmission load, as no centralized controller needs to exchange coordination information with multiple small cells.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a measurement method and an apparatus. The method includes: receiving, by served user equipment UE accessing a serving base station, restrictive measurement resources of at least two neighboring cells that are respectively sent by base stations serving the at least two neighboring cells; and performing, by the served UE based on the restrictive measurement resources, RRM measurement on a neighboring cell, in the at least two neighboring cells, whose measurement resource needs to be limited, and/or performing radio link monitoring RLM on a serving cell of the UE based on the restrictive measurement resources. According to the method, the served UE can learn the restrictive measurement resource of the neighboring cell, and according to the restrictive measurement resource learnt by the served UE, the served UE performs neighboring-cell RRM measurement and/or performs RLM on the serving cell of the served UE, so as to obtain an accurate measurement result.