Macrocell Power Control for Heterogeneous Network Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous wireless communication networks, strong interference occurs between macrocell and picocell base stations sharing the same RF spectrum, leading to reduced signal quality and data throughput due to the larger footprint of macrocell base stations encompassing smaller coverage areas of picocell stations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a time-domain resource partitioning scheme where the macrocell base station transfers signals at a first power level during one set of time slots and at a second power level during another set, determining the quantity of devices within a distance threshold to adjust power levels and minimize interference with picocell base stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If macrocell base station transmits at high power level continuously, then system capacity and network coverage are improved, but strong interference is introduced to picocell base station signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidinterference to picocell signals

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The macrocell base station transmits data packets periodically during designated subframes allocated for macrocell transmission, while remaining silent during picocell transmission subframes. This periodic transmission pattern allows the macrocell to maintain system capacity while avoiding continuous interference to picocell operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission resources are segmented into different subframes, with specific subframes allocated for macrocell transmission and others for picocell transmission. This time-domain segmentation allows both base station types to operate simultaneously without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between macrocell capacity and picocell signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If time-domain resource partitioning is implemented, then signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is improved, but data throughput is reduced due to inhibited transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-interference-plus-noise ratioVSAvoiddata throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of completely inhibiting transmissions during partitioned subframes, the macrocell base station performs periodic transmissions of data packets during its allocated subframes. This maintains higher data throughput compared to complete inhibition while still achieving the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio improvement through time-domain partitioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The macrocell base station maintains continuous useful action by transmitting data packets periodically rather than completely stopping transmissions during picocell subframes. This ensures that the macrocell continues to serve its users with acceptable throughput while allowing picocell operations to proceed with reduced interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If picocell base stations share the same RF spectrum as macrocell base station, then spectrum utilization is improved, but strong interference occurs between the two types of base stations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidinterference between base stations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shared RF spectrum is segmented into different subframes, with specific subframes allocated for macrocell transmission and others for picocell transmission. This time-domain segmentation enables both base station types to utilize the same frequency spectrum simultaneously without causing mutual interference, thereby achieving both spectrum utilization and interference reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The time-domain resource partitioning scheme acts as an intermediary mechanism that coordinates transmissions between macrocell and picocell base stations. By introducing this scheduling intermediary, the system enables spectrum sharing while preventing direct interference through coordinated transmission timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8401481B1Increased wireless communication transmissions in heterogeneous networks

Publication Date: 2013.03.19 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A wireless communication system comprises a macrocell base station and a communication control system, wherein picocell base stations inhibit wireless communications during a first set of time slots and transfer the wireless communications during a second set of the time slots. The macrocell base station is configured to transfer wireless communication signals at a first power level to a plurality of wireless communication devices during the first set of the time slots. The communication control system configured to determine a quantity of the wireless communication devices that are within a distance threshold of the macrocell base station. The macrocell base station is configured to transfer additional wireless communication signals at a second power level during the second set of the time slots to at least some of the wireless communication devices if the quantity exceeds a quantity threshold.