IAB Node Resource Configuration for Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently configuring resources for integrated access and backhaul radio access network sharing, leading to conflicts and inefficiencies in network performance.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a method for resource configuration in integrated access and backhaul (IAB) radio access network sharing, where a base station transmits an indication of a resource configuration to an IAB donor CU, allowing the CU to generate a cell resource configuration that does not conflict with user equipment (UE) specific resource configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If resource configuration is performed in IAB dual connection without coordination between CUs, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but interference and scheduling errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidscheduling accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary coordination mechanism between the first CU and second CU, where the network node acts as a mediator to exchange resource configuration information. This allows both CUs to maintain scheduling flexibility while coordinating resource allocation to avoid conflicts and interference, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the network node transmit resource configuration information from the first CU to the second CU before actual resource allocation occurs. This advance coordination enables the second CU to configure resources that are aware of the first CU's allocations, preventing scheduling errors while maintaining flexibility in resource management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If resource configuration information is exchanged between CUs, then scheduling errors are reduced, but network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling accuracyVSAvoidnetwork complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the coordination function into a dedicated network node that handles the exchange of resource configuration information between CUs. This separation of concerns reduces the complexity burden on individual CUs while maintaining reliable scheduling through centralized coordination, effectively managing the trade-off between reliability and network complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If IAB node uses same frequency resources for access and backhaul, then spectral efficiency is improved, but interference between links increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling the IAB node to use the same frequency resources for both access and backhaul links (improving spectral efficiency) while the coordinating network node ensures that specific resource allocations are optimized to minimize interference. This allows frequency reuse at the local level while managing interference through coordinated resource configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4211916B1Interference mitigation in integrated access and backhaul (IAB) dual connection
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4211916B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4211916B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4211916B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A IAB-node is provided with two Distributed Units (DU). The first one depends from a first IAB - donor Central Unit and the second from a second Central Unit of a gNB base station. The interference in a cell served by the IAB-node and associated with the second DU is reduced by the IAB-node sending a first resource configuration of the cell to the IAB donor CU, the first resource comprising information allowing the IAB donor CU to generate a second resource configuration for the cell.