Dynamic Physical Resource Block Blanking for Interference Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE and 5G networks, physical resource blocks (PRBs) assigned by schedulers can lead to inefficient use of radio resources due to interference between adjacent sets, resulting in suboptimal radio frequency conditions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic PRB blanking by measuring RF condition metrics and comparing them to predetermined thresholds, allowing for the blanking of PRBs facing adjacent sets, thereby reducing interference and optimizing resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If PRB sets are assigned to adjacent sectors or base stations, then resource utilization increases, but interference occurs between facing sets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic blanking of PRB sets by adjusting the blanking configuration based on measured RF condition metrics. The system transitions from static resource allocation to dynamic adaptation, where PRB sets are selectively blanked in response to real-time interference conditions, thereby maintaining high resource utilization while mitigating harmful interference effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the blanking parameter (whether to blank a PRB set) based on the RF condition metric. By dynamically adjusting this parameter according to measured interference levels, the system optimizes the trade-off between resource utilization and interference reduction, allowing PRB sets to be used when conditions are favorable and blanked when interference would be harmful.
2Productivity
If facing PRB sets are used to increase scheduling flexibility, then network capacity improves, but RF conditions deteriorate due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where RF condition metrics are continuously measured and used to determine whether to blank PRB sets. This closed-loop control allows the system to maintain high network capacity by utilizing facing PRB sets when RF conditions are good, while automatically blanking them when interference degrades reliability, thus optimizing the trade-off between capacity and signal quality.
3Reliability
If dynamic PRB blanking is implemented to reduce interference, then RF condition metrics improve, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the resource allocation problem into manageable segments by evaluating PRB sets individually based on their facing relationships and measured RF conditions. Rather than optimizing the entire resource allocation at once, the system segments the decision-making process into discrete evaluations of each PRB set, making the complex optimization task more tractable while still achieving improved RF conditions through selective blanking.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects provided herein provide methods, systems, and a non-transitory computer storage medium storing computer instructions for dynamic blanking of physical resource blocks (PRBs) in a network. The method begins with measuring a radio frequency (RF) condition metric for a network element. The network element may be a base station or a sector of a base station. The RF condition metric is then compared with a predetermined blanking threshold. Based on the comparison, a first set of PRBs facing a second set of PRBs on a second network element may be dynamically blanked.