Interference Coordination in Heterogeneous Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous networks, strong interference from macro node devices to micro node users occurs due to the reuse of time-frequency resources, causing significant interference to user terminals.

Innovation Solution

An interference coordination method that involves acquiring user channel state information, pairing users to determine optimal transmit power and precoding matrices, and transmitting data only to the second user on a shared time-frequency resource, thereby avoiding interference with the first user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If time-frequency resources are reused in heterogeneous networks, then resource utilization and network capacity are improved, but strong interference occurs from macro nodes to micro node users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating transmission strategies for different users on the same time-frequency resource. The base station identifies a first user experiencing strong interference and a second user without strong interference, then applies different handling: preventing data transmission to the first user while allowing transmission to the second user. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by protecting vulnerable users while maintaining resource reuse benefits for robust users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameter (data transmission status) based on user-specific channel conditions. By detecting whether a user experiences strong interference from macro nodes and adjusting the transmission parameter accordingly (transmit or not transmit), the system dynamically adapts to local conditions. This parameter change enables the system to maintain high resource utilization while protecting users from harmful interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If transmit power of macro node devices is increased, then coverage and signal strength are improved, but strong interference is caused to micro node users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having user terminals detect and report channel state information indicating whether they experience strong interference from macro nodes. The base station uses this feedback to make informed transmission decisions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain high transmit power for coverage while protecting micro node users by identifying and excluding them from transmissions when interference would be harmful.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If data is transmitted to multiple users on the same time-frequency resource, then resource efficiency is improved, but interference between users increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making transmission decisions user-specific rather than blanket decisions for all users. The base station identifies which users experience strong interference and which do not, then applies different transmission strategies to each user group. This allows the system to maintain resource efficiency by transmitting to non-interfered users while protecting interfered users, resolving the contradiction between resource efficiency and interference reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2677813B1Interference coordination method, base station and communication system
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2677813B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2677813B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2677813B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide an interference coordination method, a base station, and a communication system, which relate to the field of communications technologies, and can reduce interference caused by a base station or a base station group to a user served by another base station. The method includes: acquiring first user channel state information on a first time-frequency resource on which interference coordination is to be performed; acquiring second user channel state information on the first time-frequency resource; pairing a first user and a second user according to the first user channel state information and the second user channel state information to obtain transmit power and a precoding matrix that are corresponding to the second user; and transmitting data to the second user on the first time-frequency resource according to the transmit power and the precoding matrix, but not transmitting data to the first user on the first time-frequency resource.