LTE Resource Scheduling Using Interference Factor Mapping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE scheduling methods do not adequately account for user equipment (UE) interference, leading to suboptimal service efficiency and throughput, especially at the cell edge, due to the lack of consideration for interference in priority calculations.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that calculate an interference factor for each UE using an interference factor mapping rule, which is then used to adjust the priority for resource allocation, thereby minimizing interference impact and improving service efficiency and throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional scheduling priority calculation is used (based on channel quality, historical throughput, service attribute), then the scheduling complexity is low and the system is simple to operate, but the service efficiency for UEs at cell edge deteriorates due to insufficient consideration of interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice efficiencyVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The priority calculation is segmented into multiple components: traditional priority factors (channel quality, historical throughput, service attribute) and a new interference factor. The interference factor is further segmented by calculating separate interference values from different directions (cell-specific reference signals from neighboring cells) and combining them. This segmentation allows the system to incorporate interference considerations without completely redesigning the scheduling algorithm, thus improving service efficiency while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interference factor is calculated in advance before the final priority determination. The base station pre-calculates interference values from neighboring cells using cell-specific reference signals, stores these interference factors, and then combines them with traditional priority factors when scheduling decisions are made. This preliminary calculation approach allows the system to account for interference without adding significant computational burden during the actual scheduling process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If interference factor calculation is added to priority calculation, then the service efficiency for UEs at cell edge is improved, but the calculation complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcalculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses existing cell-specific reference signals that are already transmitted for other purposes (channel estimation, interference measurement) to calculate the interference factor. Instead of introducing new dedicated reference signals or measurements, the solution leverages existing signaling resources to gather interference information, thereby improving throughput without significantly increasing processing overhead or system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cell-specific reference signals serve multiple functions: they are used for traditional channel quality estimation and now also for interference factor calculation. By making these reference signals multi-functional, the system avoids the need for additional dedicated interference measurement resources, thus improving throughput while keeping the calculation complexity and processing overhead manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If interference factor is considered in scheduling, then the user experience is improved, but the scheduling algorithm complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidscheduling algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interference factor is dynamically adjusted based on current channel conditions and interference measurements. Rather than using fixed interference compensation values, the system continuously updates interference factors using recent cell-specific reference signal measurements, allowing the scheduling algorithm to adapt to changing conditions. This dynamic approach improves user experience by ensuring accurate interference compensation while managing algorithm complexity through efficient update mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3007504B1Resource scheduling method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.11.01 ZTE CORP
  • EP3007504B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3007504B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3007504B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for scheduling resources. The method includes that: an interference factor of each User Equipment (UE) in a scheduling queue of a current subframe is calculated by using an interference factor mapping rule; a priority corresponding to each UE in the scheduling queue of the current subframe is calculated by using the interference factor of each UE; and resources are allocated for each UE according to the priority corresponding to each UE in the scheduling queue of the current subframe.