Inter-Cell Interference Coordination via Uplink Reference Signal Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The LTE communications system faces significant inter-cell interference due to the use of single-frequency networking, which affects service performance, especially at cell edges, and existing methods fail to accurately measure and mitigate interference across all user equipment (UE) in a cell, including both edge and non-edge UEs.
Innovation Solution
A cell management apparatus and interference coordination system that utilize uplink reference signals to measure interference, allowing neighboring cells to determine the position and quality of these signals, enabling coordinated downlink transmit power adjustments across cells to reduce inter-cell interference and improve network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If single-frequency networking is used to improve spectrum utilization, then spectrum utilization is improved, but inter-cell interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of frequency resource allocation by introducing enhanced inter-cell interference coordination (eICIC) mechanisms that dynamically adjust resource allocation parameters. Specifically, it uses almost blank subframes (ABS) where transmitting cells reduce or eliminate transmissions during specific subframes to protect receiving cells from interference, thereby resolving the contradiction between spectrum utilization and inter-cell interference through parameter optimization
2Reliability
If downlink transmit power is increased to improve service performance, then service performance is improved, but interference to other cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through almost blank subframes (ABS) where cells periodically switch between normal transmission modes and blank transmission modes. During ABS, cells periodically reduce or eliminate downlink transmissions for specific durations, creating time-domain patterns that allow neighboring cells to receive signals without interference. This periodic modulation of transmit power resolves the contradiction by providing interference-free windows while maintaining overall service performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling flexible and adaptive transmit power adjustment based on real-time channel conditions and interference measurements. The system dynamically configures ABS patterns and adjusts downlink transmit power levels according to traffic load, channel quality, and interference conditions, allowing the network to adaptively balance service performance and interference mitigation rather than using fixed power levels
3Device complexity
If interference measurement is limited to cell edge UEs, then measurement complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing an interference measurement mechanism that serves multiple functions simultaneously. The same measurement resources and procedures are used to measure interference for both cell edge UEs and non-cell edge UEs, and to support both downlink and uplink interference coordination. This multi-functional approach maintains measurement simplicity while extending accuracy benefits to all UEs in the cell, not just edge users
Data Source
AI summary
An interference coordination method, apparatus, and system are provided in a communications system, which including a first cell and at least one neighboring cell of the first cell. A first cell management apparatus corresponding to the first cell sends configuration information of an uplink reference signal to at least one second cell management apparatus corresponding to the at least one neighboring cell, so that each second cell management apparatus measures the uplink reference signal sent by UE within the first cell, to obtain a second measured value; and the first cell management apparatus measures the uplink reference signal sent by the UE, to obtain a first measured value; an interference coordination apparatus coordinates downlink transmit power of the first cell and the at least one neighboring cell according to the first measured value and at least one second measured value, which effectively reduces inter-cell interference and increases a network capacity.