Low Power Node Bandwidth Adjustment for Heterogeneous Network Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous networks, low power nodes (LPNs) often have underutilized resources due to varying load conditions and interference from macro nodes, leading to suboptimal downlink transmission in transition zones, where the path loss is lower to the LPN but the received power density is higher from neighboring macro nodes.
Innovation Solution
A method and network node that determine the load of downlink resources and adjust the available bandwidth for scheduling, reallocating power to optimize the transition zone by increasing or decreasing the LPN's range, thereby improving resource utilization and reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If cell range expansion is used to expand the serving area of an LPN beyond its regular coverage area, then the LPN can serve more UEs in transition zones, but the downlink experiences much interference from macro nodes and the SINR at UEs associated to the LPN becomes very low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting the bandwidth allocation specifically for the LPN cell in transition zones rather than uniformly across all cells. The LPN receives adjusted bandwidth configuration that optimizes its serving capacity in specific geographical areas (transition zones) while macro nodes maintain their original bandwidth, creating localized optimization without system-wide interference issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bandwidth parameter for the LPN cell to optimize its performance. By adjusting the bandwidth available for scheduling in the LPN cell, the system can improve resource utilization and SINR in transition zones without requiring changes to macro node configurations, thus resolving the contradiction between expanded coverage and maintained signal quality.
2Reliability
If ABS of the macro node is used for reducing the DL interference, then the interference to LPN UEs is reduced, but the utilization of the macro node resources is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing macro node transmission (ABS) to protect LPN UEs, the patent inverts the approach by adjusting the LPN cell's bandwidth configuration. This allows the LPN to optimize its resource utilization and SINR without requiring macro nodes to reduce their resource usage, thus maintaining macro node productivity while improving LPN performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the LPN cell to self-optimize its performance by adjusting its own bandwidth configuration based on load conditions and interference characteristics. This self-service approach allows the LPN to improve its SINR and resource utilization without relying on macro node ABS, thereby maintaining macro node resource utilization while protecting LPN UEs from excessive interference.
3Length of stationary object
If the bandwidth available for scheduling of the LPN cell is reduced, then the power spectral density increases and the range of the LPN is increased, but the capacity of the LPN is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the bandwidth configuration adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The bandwidth available for scheduling in the LPN cell can be dynamically adjusted based on load conditions, allowing the system to optimize between range and capacity according to actual network conditions, thus resolving the static contradiction between extended range and maintained capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by adjusting the bandwidth configuration in advance based on predicted or current load conditions. By proactively optimizing the bandwidth allocation before traffic patterns change, the system can maintain optimal balance between LPN range and capacity, preventing the need for reactive adjustments that might temporarily degrade performance.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of a network node for improving utilization of resources of a cell 102 provided by a radio base station (RBS), the cell covering a geographical area and being a cell served by a low power node (LPN) 101 of the RBS in a heterogeneous network 100. The method comprises determining a load of downlink (DL) resources of the cell used for wireless communication terminal(s) 104 connected to the cell. The method also comprises deciding, based on said determined load, that the DL bandwidth of the cell available for scheduling should be adjusted, allowing the power of the LPN to be reallocated for the adjusted bandwidth available for scheduling whereby a transition zone area 103 between the LPN and at least one neighboring node 105 will be adjusted accordingly. The transition zone is an area in which a path-loss is lower to the LPN than to the at least one neighboring node but a received DL power density is lower from the LPN than from the at least one neighboring node.