Dynamic Control Blanking in Heterogeneous Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous wireless networks, small scale eNBs experience interference from macrocell eNBs and UEs, leading to inefficient resource allocation and communication disruptions due to interference on control channels.
Innovation Solution
A method where small scale eNBs send downlink control blanking messages to UEs, requesting them to transmit uplink control blanking requests to macrocell eNBs or interfering UEs, allowing for the blanking of control resources and enabling interference-free communication by dynamically allocating control channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If resource blanking is implemented to reduce interference on data resources, then interference to small scale eNBs is reduced, but control channels themselves become subject to interference since they are also utilized by macrocell eNBs and UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control channel resources into dedicated segments for small scale eNBs, separating them from macrocell eNB control channels. This segmentation allows small scale eNBs to have dedicated control resources that are not subject to macrocell interference, while macrocells continue to use their own control channels independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension for control channel allocation by assigning specific frequency resources or time slots exclusively to small scale eNB control channels. This dimensional separation in the resource space ensures that control signals from small scale eNBs operate in an interference-free zone distinct from macrocell operations.
2Productivity
If control channels are shared among macrocell eNBs, UEs, and small scale eNBs, then resource utilization is efficient, but interference among devices and eNBs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control channel spectrum is segmented into distinct portions allocated to different network layers. Small scale eNBs are assigned specific frequency bands or resource blocks that are separated from macrocell control channels, enabling simultaneous operation without mutual interference while maintaining overall resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels of resource isolation are applied locally: small scale eNB control channels receive protected, interference-free resource allocation, while macrocell control channels operate independently. This local quality differentiation ensures that each entity receives appropriate resource protection based on its specific interference vulnerabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate requesting blanking over control resources from one or more interfering eNBs or devices. An eNB, such as a macrocell, femtocell or picocell eNB, can transmit a downlink control blanking message to a UE directing the UE to perform blanking (e.g., for uplink control resources) or request the blanking from the interfering eNBs or devices (e.g., for downlink control resources). The downlink control blanking message can specify the desired control resources and/or information to determine the control resources. Thus, dynamic control blanking is provided such that blanking is requested to mitigate interference over control resources for the small scale eNB. The small scale eNB can subsequently communicate control data to the UE over the control resources; the control data can include a resource blanking message that similarly directs the UE to request blanking of general data resource from the interfering eNBs or devices.