Hypergraph Frequency Allocation for 5G Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

5G/NR communications networks face challenges with severe interference and reduced coverage due to ultra-dense deployment of small cells, making effective resource allocation difficult in heterogeneous ultra-dense networks (HUDN).

Innovation Solution

A network management platform uses a hypergraph modeling approach with quantum solvers to assign operating transmission frequencies, minimizing distinct frequencies and reducing interference by representing cells as vertices and cumulative transmission interference regions as hyperedges, thereby optimizing frequency allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ultra-dense deployment of small cells is implemented, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but inter-cell interference increases and resource allocation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidinter-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency resource allocation problem into two distinct parts: distinct frequencies for different network slices and shared frequencies within slices. This segmentation allows independent optimization of interference management for each slice while maintaining overall network capacity through dense cell deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by implementing slice-specific frequency allocation where each network slice receives tailored frequency resources based on its specific requirements and interference characteristics. This allows different slices to operate with optimized frequency configurations suited to their local conditions within the ultra-dense network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If more distinct operating transmission frequencies are allocated to cells, then inter-cell interference is reduced, but the complexity and cost of frequency management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-cell interferenceVSAvoidfrequency management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges frequency resources at the slice level, allowing multiple cells within the same network slice to share common frequency resources. This combining approach reduces the total number of distinct frequencies needed compared to traditional per-cell allocation, thereby simplifying frequency management while still managing interference through slice isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal frequency pools for each network slice that can be dynamically allocated to multiple cells within that slice. These universal frequency resources serve multiple functions: they provide interference coordination across cells, enable flexible resource distribution, and simplify management by treating frequencies as slice-level resources rather than cell-specific assignments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If traditional frequency allocation methods are used in HUDN, then implementation is simple, but network performance deteriorates due to severe interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidnetwork performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary frequency allocation by assigning distinct frequency pools to different network slices before cells are deployed or activated. This advance planning and configuration of slice-specific frequency resources enables simple operational deployment while ensuring that interference management strategies are already in place, thereby maintaining both ease of implementation and network performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3735078B1Cell resource allocation
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LTD
  • EP3735078B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3735078B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3735078B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A device generates (410) a hypergraph for a plurality of cells included in a communications network. The device identifies (420) one or more parameters for allocating operating transmission frequencies to the plurality of cells. The plurality of cells correspond to vertices of the hypergraph, and one or more cumulative transmission interference regions, associated with the plurality of cells, correspond to hyperedges of the hypergraph. The device generates (430) a constraint model based on the hypergraph and the one or more parameters. The device determines (440), using a quantum solver, one or more minimum energy states of the constraint model. The one or more minimum energy states correspond to respective operating transmission frequency allocation configurations for the plurality of cells. The device assigns (450), based on a minimum energy state of the one or more minimum energy states, operating transmission frequencies to the plurality of cells.