Micro Base Station Interference Mitigation via Dynamic Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile telecommunications networks, uplink interference occurs when micro base stations and macro base stations operate on the same frequency channel, leading to performance degradation and capacity reduction, as mobile terminals increase power to compensate for lesser coverage, causing interference to adjacent macro base stations.

Innovation Solution

A control algorithm at the micro base station adapts based on signal parameter measurements to constrain the maximum power of mobile terminals, determining a threshold that minimizes interference impact on neighboring macro base stations by calculating the maximum acceptable power and adjusting the received signal threshold to prevent excessive interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mobile terminals increase power to compensate for lesser coverage from micro base stations, then coverage reliability is improved, but uplink interference to macro base stations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage reliabilityVSAvoiduplink interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The micro base station receives signal parameter measurements from mobile terminals and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the received signal threshold. The terminal measures signal parameters from both the micro base station and neighboring macro base stations, reports them to the micro base station, which then calculates an appropriate threshold to prevent excessive interference while maintaining adequate coverage reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically changes the received signal threshold parameter based on measured signal conditions. Instead of using a fixed threshold, the system adjusts the threshold according to the difference between signal parameters measured from the micro base station and neighboring macro base stations, thereby adapting to varying interference conditions and optimizing both coverage reliability and interference mitigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If micro base stations operate on the same frequency channel as macro base stations, then network capacity is improved, but interference between cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidinter-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different received signal thresholds for different mobile terminals based on their local interference conditions. Each terminal's threshold is customized according to its specific measurements of signal parameters from both the micro base station and neighboring macro base stations, allowing the system to accommodate multiple terminals with varying interference scenarios while maintaining overall network capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The received signal threshold is made dynamic rather than static. The micro base station continuously receives signal parameter measurements from terminals and adjusts thresholds in real-time based on changing interference conditions. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maintain high network capacity by allowing flexible resource allocation while mitigating interference as conditions change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a fixed received signal threshold is used at micro base stations, then device complexity is reduced, but interference mitigation effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol algorithm complexityVSAvoiduplink interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal performs self-measurement of signal parameters from both the micro base station and neighboring macro base stations, and reports these measurements to the micro base station. The micro base station then uses this self-service data from terminals to autonomously calculate and apply appropriate received signal thresholds, eliminating the need for complex external coordination while achieving effective interference mitigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2324672B1Interference mitigation in a mobile telecommunications network
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 VODAFONE GRP PLC
  • EP2324672B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2324672B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2324672B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a mobile telecommunications network a mobile terminal (1) is prevented from communicating at a level that would introduce an unacceptable level of interference at a neighbouring base station (22) by introducing a received signal threshold criteria at its base station (20) that can adapt to the variation in signal levels at its base station and its neighbours.