Distributed Base Station Radio Head Reassignment for Intercell Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Distributed base station systems experience high intercell interference, leading to performance loss and coverage holes, particularly in densely populated areas like cities, despite the use of distributed radio heads (RHs) and hubs.

Innovation Solution

A method and network entities that identify RHs experiencing high intercell interference and logically rearrange them to neighboring cells, reducing interference by changing their association with hubs without physical movement, using interference measurements from UEs or RHs and adjusting fronthaul connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If RHs are distributed in densely populated areas to increase coverage, then coverage area is improved, but intercell interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidintercell interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling dynamic reconfiguration of RH-to-cell associations. Instead of fixed static assignments, the system allows RHs to be dynamically reassigned to different cells based on real-time interference conditions and signal strength measurements, transforming the rigid cell structure into a flexible adaptive system that can respond to changing network conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of cell association assignment for Radio Heads. By modifying which cell an RH is logically associated with (rather than physically moving the RH), the system optimizes the assignment based on measured signal strength and interference levels, transforming the cell association parameter to reduce intercell interference while maintaining coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If RHs are physically moved to reduce intercell interference, then interference is reduced, but system complexity and deployment difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintercell interferenceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating a logical association mapping between RHs and cells that is independent from physical location. Instead of physically relocating RHs, the system copies and maintains a software-defined logical relationship that assigns RHs to different cells based on their signal characteristics, achieving interference reduction without physical movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical/physical system of moving RHs with an information-based system. Rather than physically relocating hardware to reduce interference, the system uses measurement data and logical reassignment to achieve the same goal, replacing physical reconfiguration with software-based cell association changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If fixed cell arrangement is used for simplicity, then ease of operation is improved, but interference optimization is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidintercell interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously measures signal strength and interference levels from UEs connected to RHs. This feedback information is used to automatically adjust cell associations, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions without requiring manual reconfiguration, thus maintaining ease of operation while optimizing interference reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250317777A1Methods and network entities for mitigating interference in a base station system

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for mitigating intercell interference experienced in a distributed base station system comprising a Digital Unit (DU), a Hub, and a plurality of Radio Heads (RH) connected to the Hub via a fronthaul connection. The plurality of RHs comprises a first set logically arranged in a first cell and a second set logically arranged in a second cell. The method comprises obtaining, for individual of the first set of RHs, interference information on estimated interference experienced in an area served by the individual of the first set of RHs from signals sent by the plurality of RHs excluding the first set of RHs, determining, based on the obtained interference information, that a first RH of the first set of RHs suffers from intercell interference, and initiating change of the logical arrangement of the first RH from the first cell to the second cell.