Full Duplex Mode Switching for Inter-Cell Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in 5G wireless communication systems is to effectively utilize full duplex transmission without introducing excessive inter-cell interference (ICI), which compromises network performance due to differences in traffic volumes and types across neighboring cells.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method to determine relevant neighboring access nodes based on interference thresholds and bidirectional transmission preference metrics, allowing access nodes to switch between half duplex and full duplex modes while minimizing ICI, using a distributed or centralized scheme to manage duplex modes and ensure optimal network operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If full duplex transmission is applied to all cells, then channel capacity is doubled, but heavy inter-cell interference is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel capacityVSAvoidinter-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different cells to operate in different duplex modes (full duplex or half duplex) based on their individual traffic conditions and interference environments. Each cell's duplex mode is determined locally according to its specific needs rather than uniformly across the entire network, thus achieving high capacity where appropriate while limiting interference where necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling cells to dynamically switch between full duplex and half duplex modes according to changing traffic conditions. The network can adaptively adjust the duplex mode of individual cells in real-time, allowing the system to optimize between capacity and interference management as traffic patterns evolve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If full duplex mode is used in high traffic load cells, then throughput is improved, but interference to neighboring cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidinterference to neighboring cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where cells monitor their own traffic conditions and the interference impact on neighboring cells. Based on this feedback information, the network controller can make informed decisions about whether a cell should operate in full duplex mode, continuously adjusting operations to balance throughput improvement against interference generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by having cells assess potential interference impact before switching to full duplex mode. The system evaluates whether enabling full duplex would cause harmful interference to neighbors, and only permits the mode change if the interference impact is acceptable, thus preventing harmful effects before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If adaptive full duplex selection is implemented, then network performance is optimized, but decision complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoiddecision complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary network controller that centralizes the complex decision-making process for full duplex mode selection. Individual cells report their traffic conditions to the controller, which then determines the optimal duplex mode for each cell based on overall network conditions. This intermediary approach simplifies the decision process for individual cells while achieving optimized network-wide performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3593481B1Method and information exchange mechanism for full duplex transmission
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3593481B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3593481B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3593481B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to an aspect, a method comprises detecting a need to change a duplex mode in a first network node from half duplex to full duplex, determining relevant neighboring network nodes of the first network node, determining duplex pairing information of the first network node, wherein the duplex pairing information of the first network node comprises duplex information of the relevant neighboring network nodes, the duplex information comprising at least information on a current duplex mode of a corresponding neighboring network node, using the duplex pairing information to determine duplex modes of the relevant neighboring network nodes, if all the relevant neighboring network nodes operate in half duplex mode, causing changing the duplex mode of the first net-work node to full duplex; and in response to the causing changing the duplex mode, causing updating information on a current duplex mode of the first net-work node.