Interference Coordinator for Cellular Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-load situations within dense local area networks, cellular communication systems face bandwidth limitations due to unfair resource allocation among cells, where heavily loaded cells are left with only their primary component carriers due to high interference coupling and lack of elaborate rules for accessing secondary component carriers.

Innovation Solution

A method where access nodes determine the need for additional shared component carrier resources, identify nodes with strong interference bonds, request and allocate resources, and form coalitions to optimize resource usage, allowing orthogonal sharing of component carriers to maximize spectral efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If component carriers are allocated autonomously using ACCS in dense local area networks, then interference management is simplified, but resource allocation becomes unfair and spectral efficiency is reduced under high-load situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference management complexityVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an interference coordinator as an intermediary entity that mediates resource allocation between access nodes. This coordinator collects interference coupling information from all access nodes, performs centralized optimization calculations, and distributes optimized component carrier assignments. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the simplified autonomous operation of individual nodes while introducing a coordinating intermediary that ensures fair and efficient resource allocation across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If heavily loaded cells are restricted to primary component carriers due to high interference coupling, then interference to neighboring cells is reduced, but bandwidth availability and network capacity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference to neighboring cellsVSAvoidbandwidth availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where component carrier assignments are not fixed but adapt based on real-time interference conditions and traffic load. The interference coordinator continuously collects updated interference coupling information and re-optimizes resource allocation accordingly. This allows heavily loaded cells to dynamically access additional component carriers when interference conditions permit, resolving the contradiction between limiting interference and maximizing bandwidth availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the allocation parameters (which component carriers are assigned to which access nodes) based on varying interference coupling measurements and traffic load conditions. By continuously monitoring and adjusting these parameters, the system can allow heavily loaded cells to use additional component carriers when it doesn't adversely affect neighboring cells, thereby increasing bandwidth availability while controlling interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If component carriers are shared as common resources among neighboring access nodes, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but coordination complexity and allocation fairness become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interference coordinator serves as a centralized intermediary that manages the sharing of component carriers among neighboring access nodes. It collects interference coupling information from all nodes, performs optimization calculations to determine fair allocations, and distributes assignment instructions. This approach maintains high resource utilization efficiency through coordinated sharing while avoiding the complexity of distributed negotiation protocols among multiple autonomous nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2543209B1Communication network apparatus and methods
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2543209B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2543209B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2543209B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method, apparatus and computer program for allocating resources in a communication system. An access node sends a request for shared resources to one or more neighboring access nodes which have a strong interference bond with the access node. The neighboring access nodes send a response identifying the nature of their use of the shared resources. The access node then determines a new allocation of the shared resources based on the responses. This new allocation is then signalled to the neighboring access nodes.