Interference Suppression Zone for Heterogeneous Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heterogeneous wireless networks face significant interference management challenges due to the higher transmission power of macro cells, which causes excessive interference for small cells, especially when macro and small cell coverage areas overlap, leading to reduced spectral efficiency and difficulty in per-UE network-controlled Inter-Cell Interference Coordination.
Innovation Solution
The creation of an interference suppression zone in the macro cell coverage area bordering the small cell coverage area, where the transmission power of UEs is reduced, and methods are implemented to redirect UEs to small cells early, minimizing macro to small cell interference, including determining the scope and proximity of the interference suppression zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If macro cells use high transmission power to provide coverage, then coverage area is improved, but interference to small cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating an interference suppression zone with specific power reduction rules applied locally near small cell boundaries, while macro cells maintain normal power levels in other areas. This allows differentiated power control in different spatial locations to simultaneously achieve coverage and interference reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power adjustment where UE transmission power is dynamically reduced when detected to be in an interference suppression zone, and dynamically restored when outside such zones. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain coverage while suppressing interference only where and when needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If resource splitting is used between macro and small cells, then interference is reduced, but scheduling complexity and synchronization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of UE transmission power dynamically based on location relative to small cell boundaries, rather than changing resource allocation parameters. This parameter change approach achieves interference reduction through power control instead of complex resource splitting, avoiding increased scheduling complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If per-UE network controlled ICIC is implemented, then interference coordination is improved, but system complexity and synchronization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables UEs to self-determine their location relative to interference suppression zones using broadcast boundary information, and self-adjust their transmission power accordingly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex network-controlled per-UE ICIC while achieving similar interference coordination results.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided a wireless system for providing an interference suppression zone in a portion of the macro cell coverage area bordering the small-cell coverage area for a small cell, but outside that small-cell coverage area. The transmission power of a UE located within the interference suppression zone is minimized to minimize the inter-cell interference to the small cells. The invention methodology further operates to enhance the redirection/redistribution methods of the art for UEs located in the interference suppression zone, further reducing macro to small cell interference. In further embodiments of the invention, methods are provided for determining the scope of an interference suppression zone and for determining proximity of an UE to the interference suppression zone.