Inter-Cell Interference Coordination via Disjoint Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interference between macro and femto radio base stations sharing the same frequency spectrum is significant, leading to reduced downlink performance for femto cell users, and existing solutions like manual configuration and Frequency Selective Scheduling are error-prone or ineffective due to the lack of defined interfaces for Inter-Cell Interference Coordination.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where radio base stations share information on their scheduling schemes to allocate disjoint radio resources, allowing each station to determine a scheduling pattern that minimizes interference, using the S1 interface for data transmission and potentially incorporating handover signaling or system information broadcasting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If femto and macro base stations share the same frequency spectrum, then spectrum utilization is improved, but interference between the base stations increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into different resource blocks and applies different scheduling schemes to macro and femto base stations. By dividing the spectrum into discrete allocable units and assigning them through coordinated scheduling, the system maintains high spectrum utilization while preventing interference through proper resource separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary scheduling mechanism that coordinates resource allocation between macro and femto base stations. This intermediary layer receives scheduling requests, determines appropriate resource blocks for each base station type, and allocates them to minimize interference while maximizing spectrum utilization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual configuration is used for interference coordination, then interference reduction is achieved, but operational complexity and error-proneness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automated scheduling algorithms that autonomously determine and allocate resource blocks to macro and femto base stations. The system monitors interference conditions and dynamically adjusts scheduling decisions without manual intervention, eliminating configuration errors while maintaining interference coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where base stations report scheduling decisions and interference measurements to a central coordinator. The coordinator processes this feedback and adjusts future scheduling allocations accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that automatically optimizes interference management without manual configuration.
3Productivity
If Frequency Selective Scheduling is applied, then downlink performance is improved, but the solution becomes error-prone due to lack of defined interfaces for Inter-Cell Interference Coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal scheduling interface that works for both macro and femto base stations regardless of their specific configurations. This multi-functional scheduling mechanism handles different base station types, traffic conditions, and interference scenarios through a unified approach, ensuring reliable operation without interface-specific errors.
Data Source
AI summary
The exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses (800, 900) for facilitating reduction of interference in a network. According to exemplary embodiments, an apparatus acting as a first radio base station (macro or femto) (800, 900) is configured to acquire information including a scheduling scheme indicating information on how radio resources are allocated in second radio base station (femto or macro). The information is then used by a scheduler to allocate radio resources which are disjoint the radio resources already allocated by the scheduler of second radio base station.