Interference Notification for Wireless Collision Avoidance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In ultra-dense wireless communication networks, existing MAC protocols struggle with interference management, particularly in high-data-traffic scenarios, leading to increased collisions and reduced radio resource efficiency due to the hidden node problem and inadequate interference avoidance mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A method where communication devices proactively transmit interference notifications when detecting potential conflicts, allowing devices to adjust their data transmissions and avoid collisions by sharing information about requested radio resources and receiving warnings about impending interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If communication devices use traditional MAC protocols with listen before talk and random back-off mechanisms, then collision avoidance is attempted, but in ultra-dense networks with directional beams, the hidden node problem causes increased collisions and reduced radio resource efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidradio resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by introducing an interference notification mechanism that proactively warns devices of potential collisions before they occur. When a device detects that its planned transmission may interfere with another device's transmission, it sends an interference notification message containing resource request information and beam direction data, allowing the other device to adjust its transmission plan in advance and avoid collisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by creating a closed-loop interference management system. Devices monitor the radio channel for interference notifications, process the resource request and beam direction information, and adjust their transmission behavior accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables continuous optimization of resource allocation and collision avoidance in ultra-dense networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If communication devices transmit directional beams to improve signal strength and coverage, then transmission quality is enhanced, but devices cannot hear each other's transmissions leading to the hidden node problem

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidtransmission awareness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary interference notification mechanism that bridges the information gap created by directional beams. When device A transmits a directional beam to device B, device A can send interference notifications to other devices (like device C) that may be affected. These notifications contain resource request information and beam direction data, allowing device C to become aware of the transmission even though it cannot directly hear device A's data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If more radio resources are allocated to handle high data traffic in ultra-dense networks, then data throughput increases, but interference management becomes more complex and collisions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidinterference management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the MAC protocol to include interference notification messages with specific parameters such as resource request information and beam direction data. This structured approach to interference management transforms the complex interference control problem into a manageable signaling exchange, allowing devices to systematically negotiate resource allocation and avoid collisions even in high-traffic ultra-dense networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3186942B1Communication devices and methods therein for enabling interference management of data transmissions in a wireless communications network
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3186942B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3186942B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3186942B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to a first communication device (122, 124) and method therein for enabling interference management of data transmissions from a second communication device (110) to a third communication device (121) in a wireless communications network (100). Furthermore, embodiments herein also relates to a second communication device (110) and method therein for enabling interference management of data transmissions from the second communication device (110) to a third communication device (121) in a wireless communications network (100). First, the second communication device (110) transmits information relating to a request for a first set of radio resources of a radio channel for a first data transmission to the third communication device (121). Then, this information relating to a request for radio resources of a radio channel for a first data transmission from the second communication device (110) to the third communication device (121) is received by the first communication device (122, 124). In response thereto, the first communication device (122, 124) transmits an interference notification to the second communication device (110) when the received information relating to a request for radio resources of the radio channel is determined to conflict with requested radio resources of the radio channel for a second data transmission to or from the first communication device (122, 124). Thus, the second communication device (110) receives at least one interference notification from at least one first communication device (122, 124) indicating that its transmitted information relating to a request for radio resources of the radio channel has been determined to conflict with requested radio resources of the radio channel for at least one second data transmission to or from the at least one first communication device (122, 124).