Dynamic Small Cell Interference Management in Heterogeneous Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous networks, the optimal arrangement of cells is hindered by the conservative method of uniformly avoiding interference, which prevents dynamic configuration of small cells, leading to suboptimal communication efficiency due to terminal movement and fading.

Innovation Solution

A communication control apparatus and method that utilizes a networking control entity to dynamically select a protection target cell and determine the small cell installation area, allowing the dynamic AP to configure the new small cell while minimizing interference to selected cells, thereby optimizing cell arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a conservative method is used to uniformly avoid interference to existing cells, then interference to existing cells is reduced, but optimal arrangement of cells cannot be realized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference to existing cellsVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of existing cells through protection target selection. Instead of uniformly avoiding interference to all existing cells, the system selectively identifies specific protection target cells based on their contribution to communication efficiency. This allows the dynamic AP to configure small cells with optimized coverage that interferes minimally with high-value existing cells while maximizing overall network performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics through the protection target cell selection mechanism that adapts to changing network conditions. As terminals move and fading patterns change, the system dynamically re-evaluates which existing cells should be protected and adjusts the dynamic AP's coverage accordingly. This enables the cell arrangement to optimize itself over time rather than maintaining a static conservative configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If coverage of new small cell is set conservatively to prevent harmful interference, then interference is minimized, but communication efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmful interferenceVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the coverage parameters of the dynamic AP based on the selected protection target cells. The system modifies transmission power, coverage radius, and frequency allocation parameters to achieve optimal balance between minimizing interference to protected cells and maximizing communication efficiency. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the new small cell to operate at higher power levels than conservative methods would permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements skipping by allowing the dynamic AP to rapidly configure and deploy small cells without excessive conservative constraints. The protection target cell selection mechanism enables the system to quickly identify acceptable coverage areas and activate new cells faster, improving network responsiveness to changing traffic conditions and terminal movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic AP is utilized to allow dynamic configuration, then adaptability to changing conditions is improved, but interference management becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic configuration capabilityVSAvoidinterference management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of the protection target cell selection function that mediates between the dynamic configuration needs of the AP and the interference constraints of existing cells. This intermediary layer simplifies the complexity by providing a structured approach: identify protection targets, calculate acceptable coverage, and configure the dynamic AP accordingly. This mediation reduces the overall system complexity compared to managing all possible interference scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the interference management problem into distinct steps: selecting protection target cells, determining their coverage areas, and configuring the dynamic AP accordingly. This segmentation breaks down the complex interference management task into manageable components, making the dynamic configuration process more tractable and less complex than holistic approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3451749B1Terminal apparatus operable as access point
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3451749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3451749B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3451749B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a communication control apparatus including: a selection unit that uses information related to one or more terminal apparatuses operable as an access point for a small cell to select a protection target cell to be protected from interference caused by a new small cell newly configured, among one or more existing cells; and a control unit that gives an instruction of an operation of the new small cell to the at least one terminal apparatus existing at a position determined in a manner that interference to each of the protection target cells selected by the selection unit does not exceed an allowable level.