Interference Cancellation in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heterogeneous wireless communication networks face inefficiencies due to interference between macro and pico/femto nodes, leading to imbalanced resource utilization and reduced throughput, particularly in cell range expansion scenarios where macro nodes relinquish resources to pico nodes, causing pico nodes to handle excessive burdens and macro nodes to underutilize distributed capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The formation of macro sets and quasi-Active Base Station (ABS) sets, along with subframe partitioning, allows for efficient resource allocation by designating quasi-ABSs that include data from multiple macro sets, enabling range expansion UEs to cancel interference from dominant macro node transmissions, thereby optimizing resource use and throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If macro nodes relinquish resources to pico nodes in cell range expansion scenarios, then pico nodes can provide service coverage, but pico nodes become overloaded and macro nodes underutilize their distributed capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice capacityVSAvoidload distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network resources by dividing macro node transmissions into multiple macro sets that are activated in different subframes. This allows pico nodes to serve range expansion UEs during subframes when specific macro sets are inactive, while macro nodes maintain service during other subframes. The segmentation of time resources (subframe partitioning) and spatial resources (macro sets) enables balanced load distribution without overloading any single node.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where macro nodes dynamically adjust their transmission patterns by activating different macro sets in different subframes based on network conditions and UE requirements. This dynamic switching allows the system to adaptively balance the load between macro and pico nodes, preventing pico node overload while maintaining macro node utilization through interference cancelation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If resource partitioning mechanisms are used to reduce interference between macro and pico nodes, then interference is reduced, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful macro node interference into a beneficial resource by enabling range expansion UEs to cancel interference from dominant macro node transmissions. Instead of simply partitioning resources to avoid interference, the system allows macro nodes to transmit during subframes assigned to pico nodes, and UEs use interference cancelation techniques to remove the macro signal. This approach increases overall resource utilization while maintaining acceptable interference levels through UE-side processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If macro nodes transmit data during subframes assigned to pico nodes, then resource utilization improves, but interference to pico node UEs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces interference cancelation processing at the UE as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between macro node transmissions and pico node communications. The UE receives both macro and pico signals and uses processing capabilities to separate and cancel the dominant macro interference, allowing the weaker pico signal to be decoded successfully. This intermediary processing enables both nodes to utilize the same time-frequency resources without excessive interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2912907B1Method and apparatus for improving resource usage in communication networks using interference cancelation
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2912907B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2912907B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2912907B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, method and devices utilized in wireless communication may include creating, scheduling and/or using a transmission having at least one quasi-ABS which includes at least one macro set corresponding to a designated sector of a plurality of sectors in a macro node. Such subframes may be formed and partitioned to provide for a partition which may be used by a range expansion resource, such as a pico node or user entity.