Femtocell Interference Control via X2-to-S1 Message Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Femtocell base stations, installed in uncoordinated and dense environments, experience interference issues due to the lack of an X2 interface, which degrades service quality and causes call drops, and existing interference control methods require new message definitions on the S1 interface, leading to resource wastage and processing inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Converting existing X2 interference control messages into a format compatible with the S1 interface protocol to enable interference control between femtocell base stations, using a generation unit to convert and a transmission unit to send the adapted messages through the S1 interface, thereby avoiding the need for new message definitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If femtocell base stations are installed in uncoordinated and dense environments, then service coverage and capacity are improved, but interference between base stations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidinterference between base stations

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an interference coordination message as an intermediary mechanism that is transmitted between femtocell base stations through the core network. This message serves as a mediator to convey interference information and coordination decisions, enabling distributed interference management without requiring direct peer-to-peer interfaces between base stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The interference coordination mechanism implements feedback by continuously exchanging interference information between base stations through the core network. Each base station reports its interference conditions and receives coordination decisions from neighboring base stations, creating a closed-loop control system that dynamically adjusts transmission parameters to minimize interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of energy

If existing X2 interference control messages are converted to S1 interface format, then resource efficiency is improved, but message format compatibility challenges arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication resource efficiencyVSAvoidmessage format compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adapting the message format parameters from the X2 interface to the S1 interface. Specifically, the interference coordination message structure, information elements, and protocol encoding are modified to match S1 interface specifications while preserving the core interference control functionality. This allows existing X2 messages to be efficiently converted and transmitted through the S1 interface without requiring entirely new message definitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8606310B2Method and apparatus for controlling interference between base stations

Publication Date: 2013.12.10 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

A method for controlling interference between base stations in a radio communication system in which an indirect interface for indirectly connecting the base stations exists and an direct interface for directly connecting the base stations does not exist, the method includes: converting a first interference control message used in the direct interface into a format of a protocol of the indirect interface to thereby generate a second interference control message; and transmitting the second interference control message through the indirect interface.