Interference Suppression Load Management in Heterogeneous Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly WCDMA, face challenges in managing load and interference in heterogeneous networks due to lack of methods for estimating neighbor cell interference and air-interface load after interference suppression processing, and insufficient signaling mechanisms between radio base stations and network control nodes.

Innovation Solution

A method and arrangement for providing load measurements and managing interference in heterogeneous wireless communication systems, involving interference suppression in radio base stations, estimation of neighbor cell interference, and signaling of load measures to network control nodes for effective admission control and congestion management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If interference suppression is applied in low power cells to improve coverage, then coverage of hotspot areas is improved, but neighbor cell interference from macro cells increases and reduces effective coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidneighbor cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the radio base station node measures neighbor cell interference and sends load measurements to the radio network control node. The RNC uses this feedback to dynamically adjust admission control decisions and power allocation, creating a closed-loop system that responds to actual interference conditions rather than using static configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters including introducing new load measurement metrics (rise over thermal, noise rise) that account for interference suppression effects, and dynamically adjusting admission control thresholds based on measured interference levels. This allows the system to adapt parameter values rather than using fixed thresholds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If advanced interference suppressing receivers are used to improve performance, then peak data rates and system throughput are improved, but measurement and management of air interface load becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem throughputVSAvoidair interface load measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the load measurement process into distinct components: measuring total received power, measuring thermal noise power separately, calculating rise over thermal, and calculating noise rise. This segmentation allows each component to be measured and managed independently, simplifying the overall measurement task despite the complexity of interference suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate measurement quantities (rise over thermal, noise rise) that serve as mediators between the raw received signals and the final load assessment. These intermediaries simplify the relationship between interference suppression operations and load management decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If heterogeneous network deployments are implemented to address non-uniform traffic distribution, then capacity in hotspot areas is enhanced, but interaction between cells introduces new interference management challenges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacity in hotspot areasVSAvoidinterference management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic interference management where admission control decisions are made based on real-time load measurements rather than static configurations. The system continuously monitors rise over thermal and noise rise, and adjusts admission decisions dynamically to respond to changing traffic patterns and interference conditions in heterogeneous networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The radio base station node autonomously performs interference measurements and sends load reports to the RNC without requiring complex centralized coordination. Each node serves itself by making local measurements and allowing the RNC to make admission decisions based on this self-reported information, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2647143B1Method and arrangement for load management in heterogeneous networks with interference suppression capable receivers
Publication Date: 2016.07.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2647143B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2647143B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2647143B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a method of providing load measurements in an interference suppression capable radio base station node associated with a plurality of users in a heterogeneous wireless communication system, applying (S10) interference suppression to received signals in the radio base station node, to provide interference suppressed received signals. Subsequently, estimating (S20) neighbor cell interference based on the interference suppressed received signals, and estimating (S30) a reference received total wideband power, based on the interference suppressed received signals. Then performing the steps of determining (S40) a first load measure based on the interference suppressed received signals and the estimated reference received total wideband power, and determining (S50) a second load measure based on the interference suppressed received signals, the estimated reference received total wideband power and on the estimated neighbor cell interference.