Frequency Sub-region Scheduling for Heterogeneous Network Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional scheduling approaches in wireless communication networks are inadequate for handling diversified interference within the receiving spectrum in heterogeneous networks, as they cannot configure devices to report channel quality indicators in a frequency-differentiated manner, leading to suboptimal resource allocation due to varying interference levels across different frequency regions.

Innovation Solution

A method where a network node partitions the frequency region into sub-regions and configures devices to report separate channel quality indicator values for each sub-region, allowing for adaptive scheduling based on these reports to mitigate interference and optimize resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional scheduling approaches are used in heterogeneous networks, then the system can maintain basic operation, but it cannot handle diversified interference within the receiving spectrum, leading to suboptimal resource allocation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidability to handle diversified interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency region is divided into multiple sub-regions, allowing the system to handle different interference conditions in each sub-region separately. This segmentation enables frequency-differentiated channel quality indicator reporting and scheduling, improving resource allocation efficiency in heterogeneous networks with diversified interference patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different scheduling and resource allocation strategies to different frequency sub-regions based on their specific interference characteristics. Each sub-region can have its own channel quality indicator reporting and scheduling decisions, allowing local optimization rather than uniform treatment across the entire frequency spectrum

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If frequency-differentiated channel quality indicator reporting is implemented, then resource allocation can be optimized for diversified interference, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring channel quality indicator reporting for all frequency regions uniformly, the system implements partial action by only requiring separate reporting for sub-regions where diversified interference is detected. This reduces signaling overhead while still capturing the necessary information for optimized resource allocation in affected areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If separate channel quality indicator values are reported for each sub-region, then link adaptation precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel quality measurement precisionVSAvoiddevice reporting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency region is divided into multiple sub-regions, allowing the system to handle different interference conditions in each sub-region separately. This segmentation enables frequency-differentiated channel quality indicator reporting and scheduling, improving resource allocation efficiency in heterogeneous networks with diversified interference patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different scheduling and resource allocation strategies to different frequency sub-regions based on their specific interference characteristics. Each sub-region can have its own channel quality indicator reporting and scheduling decisions, allowing local optimization rather than uniform treatment across the entire frequency spectrum

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3097731B1Scheduling for heterogeneous networks
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3097731B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(c)
  • EP3097731B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3097731B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method is disclosed of a first network node of a cellular communication network comprising at least the first and a second network node. The first network node is adapted to transmit a first, desired, signal over a first frequency region using a first radio access technology, and the second network node is adapted to transmit a second, interfering, signal over a second frequency region using a second radio access technology. The first radio access technology is a single radio frequency carrier radio access technology. The first frequency region is partitioned into two or more sub-regions and the second frequency region is one of the sub-regions of the first frequency region. The method comprises determining that a wireless communication device residing in a cell served by the first network node is interfered by the second signal during signal reception over the first frequency region, and sending a first configuration message to the wireless communication device, wherein the first configuration message is adapted to cause the wireless communication device to report separate channel quality indicator values for each of the two or more sub-regions. The method also comprises receiving a channel quality indicator report indicative of the separate channel quality indicator values, and scheduling transmission of the first signal to the wireless communication device in one or more of the two or more sub-regions based on the received channel quality indicator report. Corresponding computer program product, arrangements and network node are also disclosed.