HeNB-Gateway Interference Control via X2 Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

In radio communications systems, interference between Home eNBs (HeNBs) and Macro-eNBs, particularly in Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) environments, affects communication quality due to shared spectrum usage, and existing systems lack effective co-existence solutions.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling intercell interference by allowing a serving access node to instruct interfering HeNBs to adjust transmit power, balance load, or coordinate interference through a bi-directional X2 interface, using a HeNB-Gateway that manages intercell interference and communicates with both HeNBs and Macro-eNBs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If HeNBs and Macro-eNBs share a common radio spectrum to increase system capacity, then the number of devices that can be served increases, but interference between HeNBs and Macro-eNBs increases and communication quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of devices servedVSAvoidinterference between HeNBs and Macro-eNBs
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An interference coordination entity is introduced as an intermediary between HeNBs and Macro-eNBs. This entity receives interference information from both types of base stations, processes the data, and coordinates resource allocation to minimize interference. The mediator enables co-channel deployment by managing the interactions between HeNBs and Macro-eNBs, allowing both to share spectrum while maintaining communication quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters such as power levels, resource block allocations, and modulation schemes based on real-time interference conditions. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system optimizes the balance between serving more devices and maintaining communication quality in the presence of interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If HeNBs are arbitrarily deployed in CSG environments to improve network coverage, then coverage area increases, but interference to UEs connected to Macro-eNBs increases and communication quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidinterference to UEs connected to Macro-eNBs
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The interference coordination entity acts as a mediator that receives interference reports from Macro-eNBs about UEs affected by HeNB transmissions. It then coordinates with HeNBs to adjust their transmission parameters, enabling arbitrary HeNB deployment for coverage extension while protecting Macro-eNB UEs from excessive interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different transmission qualities and resource allocations to different spatial regions. HeNBs transmit with higher power and priority to their authorized CSG UEs in their local coverage area, while the coordination entity ensures that transmissions do not excessively interfere with Macro-eNB UEs in neighboring areas, creating localized quality zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If existing systems use segregated architecture between HeNBs and Macro-eNBs to simplify deployment, then deployment complexity decreases, but the EPC cannot resolve co-existence issues and interference control capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment complexityVSAvoidco-existence issue resolution capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An X2 interface and interference coordination entity are introduced between the segregated HeNB and Macro-eNB architectures. This intermediary layer maintains the simplicity of separate deployments while adding coordination capabilities that enable the system to resolve co-existence issues and control interference, effectively bridging the gap between simple deployment and intelligent coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2510732B1Method for controlling interference in a radio communications system and apparatus thereof
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2510732B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2510732B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

Method and Apparatus thereof, for controlling intercell interference in a radio communications system (1000) having a plurality of user equipment (10-1, 10-2) and a plurality of access nodes (100, 200), comprising the steps of : - a user equipment (10-2) of said plurality connected to a serving access node (100), upon determining that an access node (200) of said plurality is causing interference, transmitting a request to said serving access node (300); - said serving access node (100) forwarding said request to an apparatus (300) controlling said interfering access node (200) over an X2 interface, and - said apparatus (300), instructing said interfering access node (200) to execute said request.