Dynamic Physical Cell ID Allocation in Wireless Small Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for allocating Physical Cell IDs (PCIs) in wireless communication systems are inflexible and costly, particularly in ultra-dense small cell deployments, leading to increased interference and high maintenance burdens, as they require manual configuration and are not adaptable to automatic or unplanned deployment scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for dynamically managing PCIs by grouping them based on predetermined criteria such as PCI values mod 3 or mod 6, allowing reallocation based on the on/off state of small cells, enabling PCI reuse and flexible allocation within small cell clusters to reduce interference and maintenance costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed PCI allocation method is used in conventional technology, then PCI assignment is simple and stable, but maintenance cost increases and flexibility decreases in ultra-dense small cell deployments

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmaintenance burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic PCI allocation where the PCI management entity continuously monitors the operational states of small cells and automatically reallocates PCIs based on current network conditions. When small cells are turned on or off, the system dynamically adjusts PCI assignments without requiring manual intervention, transforming the static PCI allocation into a dynamic adaptive process that reduces maintenance burden while improving flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service through automated PCI reallocation mechanisms. The PCI management entity autonomously detects changes in small cell states and performs PCI reassignment without human intervention. This self-service capability allows the network to automatically adapt to deployment changes, eliminating the need for manual planning and configuration while maintaining optimal PCI distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If manual PCI configuration is required, then PCI allocation is straightforward, but it cannot adapt to automatic configuration mechanisms like plug-and-play

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic configurationVSAvoiddeployment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the PCI management entity continuously monitors the operational states of small cells and uses this information to make real-time PCI allocation decisions. The system receives feedback about cell on/off states and automatically adjusts PCI assignments accordingly, enabling seamless adaptation to plug-and-play deployment scenarios while maintaining optimal interference management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing PCI management rules and monitoring mechanisms that are ready to automatically respond to deployment changes. The PCI management entity is pre-configured to detect state changes and execute reallocation algorithms, enabling immediate automatic configuration when new small cells are deployed without requiring manual planning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If PCIs are not dynamically reallocated when small cells turn on/off, then configuration is simple, but interference between small cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidPCI management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the PCI management entity continuously monitors the operational states of small cells and uses this information to make real-time PCI allocation decisions. The system receives feedback about cell on/off states and automatically adjusts PCI assignments accordingly, enabling seamless adaptation to plug-and-play deployment scenarios while maintaining optimal interference management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing PCI management rules and monitoring mechanisms that are ready to automatically respond to deployment changes. The PCI management entity is pre-configured to detect state changes and execute reallocation algorithms, enabling immediate automatic configuration when new small cells are deployed without requiring manual planning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3188530B1Device and method in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3188530B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3188530B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3188530B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are a device and method in a wireless communication system, the device comprising an access determination unit configured to determine an access requirement of a user equipment (UE); and a control unit configured to switch a target small cell of the device from a closed state to an open state based on the access requirement of the UE, and reallocate to the target small cell a new physical cell identifier different from the physical cell identifier used in the closed state. According to the embodiment of the present invention, a physical cell identifier can be dynamically allocated in accordance with the open/closed state of the small cell, reducing the burden of cell planning and maintenance cost, and having greater flexibility.