Femto Access Point Self-Discovery for Interference Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Femto cell networks face challenges in dense areas due to interference between access points, leading to reduced coverage and capacity, and existing solutions struggle to balance coverage and interference effectively.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a self-discovery method for femto cells within a local network, where access points identify and broadcast their identities via LAN and radio interfaces, allowing for automatic handover and optimal configuration without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If transmission power of femto access points is increased to improve coverage, then network coverage is improved, but interference between adjacent femto cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidinterference between femto cells
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transmission power adjustment where each femto access point continuously monitors signal quality and automatically adjusts its transmission power level. This allows the system to adapt power levels in real-time based on actual interference conditions and coverage requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining coverage and minimizing interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where femto access points exchange information about signal quality, interference levels, and coverage status. This feedback loop enables each access point to adjust its operation based on network conditions, allowing optimal balance between coverage expansion and interference reduction through coordinated power control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-generated harmful factors

If transmission power of femto access points is reduced to minimize interference, then interference between femto cells is reduced, but network coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference between femto cellsVSAvoidnetwork coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission power based on real-time network conditions, allowing femto access points to operate at lower power levels when interference is minimal while increasing power when coverage expansion is needed. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to achieve both low interference and adequate coverage without fixed power limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission power parameter dynamically based on network conditions, allowing each femto access point to optimize its power level according to local interference patterns and coverage requirements. This parameter adjustment enables the system to resolve the contradiction between interference reduction and coverage maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If manual configuration of femto access points is used to optimize coverage and interference, then coverage and interference management is improved, but deployment complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage and interference managementVSAvoiddeployment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service configuration where femto access points automatically discover each other, exchange configuration parameters, and adjust their operation without manual intervention. The system performs self-optimization of coverage and interference management through automated algorithms, eliminating the need for complex manual deployment while maintaining optimal network performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automated feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor network conditions and automatically adjust femto access point configurations. This automated feedback loop replaces manual configuration processes, reducing deployment complexity while maintaining reliable coverage and interference management through continuous self-optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Area of stationary object

If multiple femto access points are deployed in dense areas to improve coverage, then network coverage is improved, but interference between access points increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidinterference between access points
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power control for each femto access point in dense deployments, allowing individual power level adjustment based on local interference conditions. This enables the system to support multiple access points in dense areas while maintaining manageable interference levels through coordinated dynamic power management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality control by allowing each femto access point to optimize its transmission parameters according to its specific local environment and interference conditions. This localized optimization enables dense deployments with manageable interference by tailoring each access point's operation to its specific context rather than using uniform settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2377343B1Method and device for configuring a plurality of access points for a local cellular network
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 ORANGE SA
  • EP2377343B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2377343B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2377343B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for configuring a local cellular network including a plurality of access points. According to the invention, such a method includes, every time a new access point belonging to said plurality of access points is activated: a step (300) of identifying at least one access point adjacent to said newly activated access point from an identification message broadcast by said access point adjacent to a set of active access points of said plurality of access points, and when said identification message has been received over a LAN interface of said newly activated access point, a step (303) of said newly activated access point broadcasting an identification message containing the identity thereof to said set of active access points.