Interference Reduction Request for Dominant Neighboring Base Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE-A cellular communication systems, autonomous component carrier selection by base stations can lead to interference issues, causing degradation in primary component carrier quality and coverage, resulting in network disruptions and communication quality losses when neighboring base stations use the same carrier, necessitating inefficient signaling to reduce interference.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus to determine interfering neighboring base stations by evaluating interference parameter values, generating and transmitting an interference reduction request specifically to dominant interfering base stations, rather than all neighboring stations, to minimize network disruption and maintain communication quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If autonomous component carrier selection is implemented without centralized control, then base station autonomy and network flexibility are improved, but interference management capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase station autonomyVSAvoidinterference management
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where base stations monitor interference levels on component carriers and report to a network controller. The network controller processes this feedback and coordinates carrier selection across the network to minimize interference, thus maintaining autonomy while improving interference management through distributed feedback loops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary that receives interference information from autonomous base stations and coordinates carrier allocation. This intermediary enables centralized interference management without completely removing base station autonomy, as the controller works with base station reports to optimize overall network performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If all neighboring base stations receive interference reduction requests, then comprehensive interference mitigation is achieved, but signaling overhead and network disruption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference reductionVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by directing interference reduction requests only to specific neighboring base stations that are identified as dominant interferers on particular component carriers. Instead of broadcasting to all neighbors, the system targets requests locally to where they are most needed, reducing unnecessary signaling while maintaining effective interference mitigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by sending interference reduction requests to only the necessary subset of neighboring base stations rather than all of them. The system identifies dominant interferers and sends requests selectively, achieving sufficient interference reduction without the excessive signaling that would result from universal requests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Speed

If primary component carrier is used for initial connection, then connection establishment speed is improved, but vulnerability to interference from neighboring base stations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidinterference vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having base stations report their selected primary component carriers to the network controller before actual connections are established. The network controller uses this advance information to coordinate carrier allocation and identify potential interference scenarios, allowing preventive measures to be taken before connections are made, thus maintaining fast connection establishment while reducing interference vulnerability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2462756B1Reducing interference from dominant interfering neighboring base stations
Publication Date: 2013.12.25 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2462756B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2462756B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2462756B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An apparatus comprising a monitor configured to determine at least one dominant interfering neighbouring base station dependent on an associated at least one neighbouring base station interference parameter value and generator configured to generate at least one interference reduction request for the at least one dominant interfering neighbouring base station.