Dynamic ABS Configuration for Inter-Cell Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for controlling interference between macro and small cell base stations, such as the Almost Blank Subframe (ABS) technique, often result in decreased network throughput when trying to avoid interference, as they either under or overuse ABSs based on the number of users in each cell.
Innovation Solution
A server apparatus and method that manages the number of terminals in macro and small cell base stations, calculates the ratio of users, and determines transmission and non-transmission patterns to optimize resource allocation and minimize interference, thereby improving network throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a large number of ABSs are used to avoid interference to HUEs, then interference avoidance is improved, but network throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic ABS configuration where the number and positioning of Almost Blank Subframes are adjusted in real-time based on the calculated ratio of MUEs to HUEs. When MUEs dominate, fewer ABSs are configured; when HUEs dominate, more ABSs are configured. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the interference avoidance mechanism flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of ABS configuration (number of blank subframes, their positions in the frame structure) based on the user ratio. By modifying these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between interference protection for HUEs and resource utilization for overall throughput.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a large number of ABSs are used to avoid interference to MUEs, then interference avoidance is improved, but network throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic ABS configuration in reverse scenario: when MUEs are the dominant user type (fewer HUEs present), the system reduces ABS configuration to minimize throughput loss. The base station dynamically adjusts the ABS pattern based on real-time user ratio monitoring, ensuring interference protection is applied only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies ABS parameters (number and positioning of blank subframes) based on whether MUEs or HUEs are the minority user group. This parameter adaptation ensures that interference avoidance measures are proportional to actual interference scenarios, preventing unnecessary throughput degradation.
3Device complexity
If ABS configuration is fixed regardless of user numbers, then system complexity is reduced, but interference control effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the base station continuously monitors the number of MUEs and HUEs, calculates their ratio, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust ABS configuration. This closed-loop control ensures that the system adapts to changing traffic conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making based on clear threshold criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station autonomously performs user counting, ratio calculation, and ABS configuration adjustment without requiring complex external coordination. The system serves itself by automatically adapting its interference mitigation strategy based on real-time observations of its own user population, reducing the need for complex inter-base-station signaling.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provided are a server apparatus, a base station apparatus, and an interference control method, wherein interference between cells is inhibited, and throughput of the entire network is improved. A number-of-UEs ratio calculation unit (204) calculates the ratio between the number of MUEs to receive a service within an MeNB cell, and the total number of HUEs to receive a service within all the HeNB cells existing within the MeNB cell. An ABS configuration determining unit (205) is provided with an ABS configuration table wherein ratios between the number of MUEs and the total number of HUEs, and ABS configurations are associated with each other, and determines, from the ABS configuration table, an ABS configuration to be applied to the MeNB or the HeNBs in accordance with the ratio between the number of MUEs and the total number of HUEs.