Grid of Beams Power Pattern Control for Interference Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks using grid-of-beams beamforming, traditional interference control measures are ineffective when beam selection is based solely on received signal power, leading to potential interference and traffic load imbalances.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication network node with a control unit that adjusts the power patterns of antenna beams based on estimated signal power and interference, defining each power pattern as a product of the antenna beam's radiation pattern and transmitted power, to achieve a desired envelope shape that minimizes interference and balances traffic load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If beam selection is based only on received signal power, then user terminal can easily select the best beam, but interference control measures are lost and traffic load imbalances occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam selection simplicityVSAvoidinterference and traffic load imbalance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where user terminals report channel state information (CSI) and beam quality measurements back to the network node. The control unit uses this feedback to dynamically adjust beamforming weights, power allocation, and beam selection criteria, enabling the system to maintain interference control while allowing simple user-side beam selection based on received power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes multiple parameters including beamforming weights, transmit power levels, and beam selection thresholds based on network conditions, user terminal reports, and interference measurements. The control unit adjusts these parameters to optimize the balance between simple user selection and interference control, modifying system behavior adaptively rather than using fixed criteria.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional cell-based interference control measures are used in grid-of-beams system, then interference between cells can be minimized, but these measures become ineffective when beam selection is power-based

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-cell interferenceVSAvoidinterference control effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static cell-based interference control to dynamic beam-based control. The system continuously adapts beamforming weights, power allocation, and beam patterns based on real-time channel conditions, user terminal feedback, and interference measurements. This dynamic approach maintains interference control effectiveness in grid-of-beams systems where traditional cell boundaries are relaxed or eliminated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different beamforming strategies and power allocation schemes to different spatial regions and user terminals. Each beam is optimized with specific forming weights and power levels tailored to its coverage area and served users, enabling localized interference control that adapts to specific network conditions rather than applying uniform cell-level control measures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If power patterns of antenna beams are controlled based on estimated signal power and interference, then interference is reduced and traffic load is balanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference and traffic loadVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where user terminals autonomously perform beam selection based on received power measurements and report channel state information. The network node's control unit automatically adjusts beamforming weights and power allocation based on these reports and interference measurements, reducing the need for complex manual configuration and external intervention while maintaining effective interference control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating beamforming weights, power allocation schemes, and beam selection criteria based on historical data and predicted network conditions. The control unit prepares multiple candidate beam configurations in advance, enabling rapid adaptation to changing conditions without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining effective interference control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3289694B1A device and a method for controlling a grid of beams
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3289694B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3289694B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3289694B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication network node (1) comprising at least one antenna arrangement (2). Each antenna arrangement (2) is arranged to communicate with user terminals (3, 4, 5) by means of at least two antenna beams (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) constituting a grid of beams. Each user terminal (3, 4, 5) is arranged to communicate via at least one respective antenna beam (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) that is selected in dependence of received power from said antenna beams (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13). The node (1) comprises a control unit (14) that is arranged to control a power pattern of at least two controlled antenna beams (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) in dependence of estimated signal power and interference created by each of said controlled antenna beams (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13), where each power pattern is defined as a product of the corresponding antenna beam's radiation pattern and transmitted power.