Interference Coordination for Enhanced Control Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous networks, especially those defined in 3GPP LTE-A standards, the interference between cells of different power levels, such as macro base stations and Pico cells, disrupts the enhanced control channels, making it difficult for user equipment to reliably receive scheduling information, as the interference from stronger macro base stations can overpower the signals from Pico cells.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for interference coordination where a cell sends enhanced-control-channel scheduling indication information to neighboring cells, allowing them to adjust their scheduling of physical resource blocks (PRBs) based on transmit power information, thereby minimizing interference and ensuring the reliability of enhanced control channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a low-power Pico cell is introduced to expand service coverage, then the service range is expanded, but the Pico cell signal is overwhelmed by strong interference from macro base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating treatment for different PRBs based on their interference characteristics. Specifically, PRBs are classified into first PRBs (with strong interference) and second PRBs (without strong interference), and different scheduling strategies are applied to each type, allowing the system to optimize performance locally for each resource block rather than applying a uniform approach across all resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scheduling parameter (which PRBs are allocated to enhanced control channels) based on interference conditions. By dynamically adjusting the scheduling configuration according to measured interference levels and network conditions, the system adapts the resource allocation parameters to mitigate interference while maintaining service coverage expansion.
2Area of stationary object
If range expansion is used to expand Pico cell service range, then coverage is improved, but interference from macro base station becomes stronger than the usable signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating treatment for different PRBs based on their interference characteristics. Specifically, PRBs are classified into first PRBs (with strong interference) and second PRBs (without strong interference), and different scheduling strategies are applied to each type, allowing the system to optimize performance locally for each resource block rather than applying a uniform approach across all resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the available PRBs into different categories based on interference characteristics. By dividing the resource blocks into first PRBs (subject to strong interference) and second PRBs (not subject to strong interference), the system can apply targeted scheduling strategies to each segment, improving overall reliability of enhanced control channel reception.
3Productivity
If enhanced control channels are transmitted in high-interference PRBs, then resource utilization is maximized, but the enhanced control channel cannot be reliably received
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating treatment for different PRBs based on their interference characteristics. Specifically, PRBs are classified into first PRBs (with strong interference) and second PRBs (without strong interference), and different scheduling strategies are applied to each type, allowing the system to optimize performance locally for each resource block rather than applying a uniform approach across all resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-classifying PRBs into different categories based on their interference characteristics before scheduling enhanced control channels. The network device performs interference measurement and PRB classification in advance, then uses this pre-established classification to make informed scheduling decisions, ensuring that enhanced control channels are allocated to appropriate PRBs before transmission occurs.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for interference coordination, relates to the field of communications technologies, and can solve an interference problem of enhanced control channels between cells, thereby ensuring performance of an enhanced control channel of each cell. The present invention includes: generating enhanced-control-channel scheduling indication information, where the enhanced-control-channel scheduling indication information includes first scheduling indication information and/or second scheduling indication information, the first scheduling indication information is used for identifying a PRB corresponding to an interfered-with enhanced control channel in the cell, and the second scheduling indication information is used for indicating transmit power information corresponding to each PRB in the cell; and sending the enhanced-control-channel scheduling indication information to a neighboring cell, so that the neighboring cell determines, according to the enhanced-control-channel scheduling indication information, a PRB, of which a scheduling manner needs to be adjusted, in the neighboring cell. Embodiments of the present inversion are applied to a procedure for interference coordination between neighboring cells.