Inter-Frequency Measurement Configuration for Heterogeneous Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous mobile communication networks, inter-frequency measurements are impacted by inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC), leading to inaccurate Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements and inefficient handovers, particularly due to the introduction of 'blank' or 'almost blank' subframes (ABS) which can result in too-optimistic results or interference issues.
Innovation Solution
A base station transceiver apparatus and mobile transceiver apparatus are designed to communicate and determine measurement configurations based on radio resource utilization of overlay base stations, providing information on which subframes to use for inter-frequency measurements, either during ABS or non-ABS subframes, to ensure accurate RRM measurements and efficient handovers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inter-frequency measurements are performed without considering ABS configuration, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to interference from overlay base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The base station transceiver determines and provides measurement configuration information to the mobile transceiver before inter-frequency measurements are performed. This configuration includes indications of ABS patterns or non-ABS subframes of overlay base stations, enabling the mobile transceiver to pre-plan its measurement strategy and avoid interference-affected resources, thereby improving measurement accuracy without adding complex real-time processing
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement configuration is tailored specifically to the local interference environment by indicating which subframes or resources of overlay base stations should be avoided or prioritized. This allows the mobile transceiver to apply different measurement strategies for different frequency resources based on their interference characteristics, improving overall measurement accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity through targeted rather than universal configuration
2Measurement precision
If measurements are performed during non-ABS subframes of overlay base stations, then interference is reduced, but available measurement resources decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement configuration enables dynamic adaptation of measurement resources based on ABS patterns. The mobile transceiver can dynamically select which subframes to use for measurements on different frequency channels, concentrating measurements on non-ABS subframes when high accuracy is needed while accepting that fewer resources are available, rather than uniformly distributing measurements across all subframes
Solution Approach 2:
The ABS pattern creates periodic opportunities for interference-free measurements. The measurement configuration leverages this periodicity by scheduling measurements to coincide with periodic non-ABS subframes of overlay base stations, allowing the system to achieve accurate measurements at regular intervals while accepting gaps in between when measurements are deferred
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ABS patterns are implemented for interference coordination, then interference to picocells is reduced, but inter-frequency measurement accuracy for macrocell UEs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base station transceiver provides feedback to the mobile transceiver about the ABS patterns of overlay base stations. This feedback enables the mobile transceiver to adjust its measurement strategy in response to the interference coordination scheme, selecting measurement resources that avoid ABS periods and thereby maintaining measurement accuracy despite the presence of ABS patterns that protect picocells
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
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AI summary
A concept for base station transceiver apparatus (100;100a;100b), mobile transceiver apparatus (200,200a,200b) for determining information on a measurement configuration for a mobile transceiver (200;200a;200b), the base station transceiver apparatus (100;100a;100b) being adapted for communicating with the mobile transceiver (200;200a;200b) using radio signals of a first frequency channel. The base station transceiver apparatus (100;100a;100b) comprising provision means (110) adapted for receiving information on a radio resource utilization of an overlay base station transceiver (400-450), the overlay base station transceiver (400-450) being operative for communicating with the mobile transceiver (200;200a;200b) using radio signals of a second frequency channel, the second frequency channel being distinct from the first frequency channel and comprising a plurality of radio resources. The base station transceiver apparatus (100;100a;100b) further comprising measurement configuration means (120) adapted for determining a measurement configuration for measuring signals of the second frequency channel by the mobile transceiver (200;200a;200b) based on information on the radio resource utilization of the overlay base station transceiver (400-450), the measurement configuration comprising information on radio resources used by the overlay base station transceiver (400-450) to be measured. The mobile transceiver apparatus (200;200a;200b) comprises communication means (210) adapted for receiving information on a measurement configuration from the base station transceiver (100; 1 00a; I 00b), the information on the measurement configuration comprising information on radio resources used by the overlay base station transceiver (400-450) to be measured and measurement means (220) adapted for measuring signals of the second frequency channel based on the information on the radio resources to determine a measurement result.