In-Device Coexistence Interference Mitigation via Status Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-device coexistence (IDC) interference occurs in user equipment (UE) with multiple wireless interfaces operating in adjacent or overlapping radio frequency bands, leading to signal interference between different wireless technologies like LTE, ISM, and GNSS, which existing methods struggle to fully resolve without network intervention and potential recurrence of interference issues.

Innovation Solution

The UE sends an indication to the wireless access network node about the status of the interfering transmission component, allowing the network to determine if it is active or inactive, and withholding the IDC over indication until the component is deactivated, thereby preventing unnecessary handovers to problematic frequencies and reducing interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE sends an IDC over indication to the network node, then the network can resolve the IDC interference issue, but the UE may be handed over to frequencies that still experience interference if the transmission component remains active

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIDC interference resolution reliabilityVSAvoidresidual interference after handover
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary assessment of the transmission component status before sending the IDC over indication. By checking whether the transmission component is active or inactive in advance, the UE prevents premature handover decisions that would lead to residual interference, ensuring more reliable interference resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE provides feedback to the network node about the actual status of the transmission component causing IDC interference. This feedback mechanism allows the network to make informed handover decisions based on real-time component status, preventing handovers to frequencies that would still experience interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the UE performs handover to avoid IDC interference, then interference is reduced, but the UE may lose connectivity to the original frequency that could be used if the transmission component were inactive

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIDC interference levelVSAvoidfrequency selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The handover decision is made dynamic based on the real-time status of the transmission component. When the component is inactive, the UE can adaptively use the original frequency; when active, the UE transitions to alternative frequencies. This dynamic approach maximizes frequency selection flexibility while minimizing interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters (frequency selection) based on the transmission component status. By monitoring the component status and adjusting frequency selection accordingly, the system achieves both interference reduction and maintained connectivity flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the UE withholds the IDC over indication until the transmission component is inactive, then unnecessary handovers are prevented, but the UE experiences longer duration of interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover procedure complexityVSAvoidinterference duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The UE autonomously monitors the transmission component status and self-determines when to send the IDC over indication. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex network-side monitoring and decision-making, simplifying the overall procedure while enabling timely interference resolution when the component becomes inactive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2982218B1Communicating an indication relating to in-device coexistence interference
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2982218B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2982218B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2982218B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) sends, to a wireless access network node, an indication for indicating whether a transmission component causing in-device coexistence (IDC) interference in the UE is active or inactive.