Interference-Aware Control Signaling in TDD Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 4G and 5G systems face challenges in managing co-channel interference in ultra-dense deployments, particularly due to half-duplex limitations and the hidden and exposed terminal problems, which hinder effective interference-aware scheduling and resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves dividing the control part of a physical domain resource into logical resources, reserving portions for control signaling, transmission requests, and interference information signaling, allowing for flexible scheduling and interference management in a framed TDD system, enabling all transmitters to receive interference-aware messages and making scheduling decisions based on overall network interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the control channel is divided into logical channels with scrambling, then control signaling capacity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signaling capacityVSAvoidchannel division and scrambling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control channel is divided into multiple logical control channels, each capable of carrying different control information. This segmentation allows parallel transmission of multiple control signals, increasing overall control signaling capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through structured organization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The divided logical control channels are designed to be universal and can be scrambled with different identifiers (such as cell IDs or device-specific IDs) to serve multiple purposes: differentiated addressing, interference randomization, and multiplexing of control information from different sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If ultra-dense deployment is implemented, then network capacity is improved, but co-channel interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidco-channel interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs time-division duplexing with periodic patterns where different cells or device groups transmit control signals in alternating time periods. This periodic action separates transmissions in time, allowing ultra-dense deployment while reducing co-channel interference through temporal isolation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control signaling mechanism includes feedback channels that allow receivers to report channel conditions and interference levels back to transmitters. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of transmission parameters to optimize network capacity while managing interference in ultra-dense deployments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If distributed scheduling is enabled, then resource utilization is improved, but scheduling coordination difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidscheduling coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes preliminary scheduling frameworks and resource allocation patterns in advance through control signaling. This preliminary action provides a structured basis for distributed scheduling decisions, improving resource utilization while reducing the coordination complexity by having pre-defined rules and patterns that devices can follow autonomously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3127384B1Interference aware control signalling
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP3127384B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3127384B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3127384B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention there is at least an apparatus to perform a method including dividing, by a network device, a control part of a physical domain resource corresponding to one or more subframes into logical resources; reserving a first portion of the logical resources for control signaling; and reserving a second portion of the logical resources for a transmission request; reserving a third portion of the logical resources for interference information. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention there is at least an apparatus to perform a method including controlling receiving a control part of a physical domain resource corresponding to one or more subframes, wherein the control part is divided into logical resources, wherein a first portion of the logical resources is reserved for control signaling, wherein a second portion of the logical resources is reserved for a transmission request, and wherein a third portion of the logical resources is reserved for interference information.