Macro Node Sub-Frame Power Management for Interference Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for managing power consumption and interference in heterogeneous cellular networks are inefficient, particularly due to frequent node activations/deactivations and latency issues, and require non-standard message definitions, making them difficult to implement and unsuitable for dynamic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method that dynamically manages data transmission on a sub-frame basis by allowing macro nodes to transmit at low power during Almost Blank Sub-frames and small nodes to transmit at normal power during non-ABS sub-frames, based on current and historic traffic load conditions, using standard messages and optimizing sub-frame patterns to reduce power consumption and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If macro nodes transmit at high power continuously, then coverage and capacity are maintained, but power consumption increases and interference to small nodes worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The macro node transmits at high power during normal sub-frames and switches to low power during ABS (Almost Blank Sub-frames) periodically. This periodic power adjustment allows small nodes to transmit during low-interference ABS periods while maintaining overall coverage through high-power transmission during non-ABS periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The macro node dynamically adjusts its transmission power based on the sub-frame type (normal or ABS) and traffic conditions. The system transitions from static high-power transmission to dynamic power adjustment, optimizing the balance between coverage, interference, and power consumption.
2Productivity
If small nodes transmit at high power continuously, then capacity is enhanced, but interference to macro node users worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Small nodes transmit at high power during ABS sub-frames when macro node interference is minimized, and reduce or stop transmission during normal sub-frames when macro nodes transmit at high power. This periodic transmission pattern allows small nodes to enhance capacity during low-interference periods while protecting macro node users.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If nodes are frequently activated and deactivated to manage interference, then interference and power consumption are reduced, but node reliability and longevity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of frequently activating and deactivating nodes, the system dynamically adjusts transmission power levels and sub-frame patterns. Both macro and small nodes remain active but modulate their transmission according to traffic conditions and interference management requirements, reducing wear from frequent on/off cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (transmission power levels, sub-frame patterns, ABS configurations) rather than changing the operational state of nodes themselves. This allows flexible interference management while maintaining continuous node operation, improving reliability and longevity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If complex coordination schemes are implemented to manage interference, then interference coordination improves, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments time into distinct sub-frame types (normal and ABS) with predetermined power levels and transmission patterns. This temporal segmentation simplifies coordination by creating clear, repeatable patterns that nodes can follow without complex real-time negotiation, reducing implementation complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (300j) is proposed for managing, in a cellular network (100) comprising a macro node (M) and at least one small node (S I ) associated therewith, data transmission on a sub-frame basis. The method (300) comprises, at macro node (M) side: based on channel quality information from user equipments (UE) associated with the macro node (M), grouping (205M,305) said user equipments (UE) into a first group (GN,M) of user equipments that can be served at a macro node first transmission power and a second group (GF,M) of user equipments that have to be served at a macro node second transmission power higher than the macro node first transmission power, determining (220M,325) a sub-frames pattern (SPj) comprising a number of no -transmission sub-frames (N ABS,no ) wherein data transmission is prevented at the macro node (M) side, a number of limited-transmission sub-frames (N ABS,,lim ) wherein data transmission is allowed at the macro node (M) side at only the macro node first transmission power, and a number of normal-transmission sub-frames (N non-ABS ) wherein data transmission is allowed at the macro node (M) side at the macro node second transmission power, said determining (220M,325) being based on power consumptions (P ABS ,P non- ABS ) of the macro node (M), on data traffic associated with the macro node (M), and on minimum numbers of no -transmission (R ABS-no ) and limited-transmission (R ABS-lim ) sub-frames requested by the at least one small node (S i ) according to data traffic and interference conditions thereof, and serving user equipments (UE) of said first (G N,M ) and second (G F,M ) groups of user equipments associated with the macro node (M) according to the sub-frames pattern (SP j ).