Micro Base Station Sub-Frame Configuration for Interference Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE-Advanced heterogeneous networks, co-channel interference between micro and macro cells leads to inefficient spectrum utilization due to high resource costs of Almost Blank Sub-frames (ABSs) used to minimize interference.
Innovation Solution
A method where a micro base station calculates sub-band interference values based on channel state information, generates interference level information, and requests the macro base station to configure sub-frames as either almost blank or in segments, optimizing resource usage by reserving some resource elements for data transmission while reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If Almost Blank Sub-frames (ABSs) are configured to minimize interference to user equipment served by the micro cell, then interference is reduced, but resource cost increases excessively and spectrum resources cannot be effectively utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the blanking treatment across different resource elements within sub-frames. Instead of uniformly blanking all resource elements, the system identifies and blanks only those specific resource elements that cause interference to micro cell user equipment, while leaving other resource elements available for data transmission. This selective approach reduces interference locally where needed while preserving spectrum resource utilization in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sub-frames into different types (first type and second type) based on interference conditions. First type sub-frames contain both blanked and non-blanked resource elements, while second type sub-frames contain only non-blanked resource elements. This segmentation allows the system to optimize interference reduction in specific sub-frames while maintaining data transmission in others, thereby balancing interference management with spectrum resource utilization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a large number of resource elements are blanked to reduce interference, then interference is minimized, but resource cost becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by selectively blanking only the necessary resource elements that cause interference, rather than blanking all resource elements. The network device determines, based on channel state information and interference conditions, which specific resource elements should be blanked and which should remain available for data transmission. This partial approach achieves sufficient interference reduction while avoiding the excessive resource cost of complete blanking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptation by allowing the sub-frame configuration to change based on real-time interference conditions and channel state information. The network device can dynamically adjust which sub-frames are configured as first type (with blanked resource elements) and which are configured as second type (without blanked resource elements). This dynamic approach optimizes the balance between interference reduction and resource utilization according to actual network conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing channel interference includes: a micro base station receiving channel state information reported by a user equipment and calculating a sub-band interference value based on the channel state information; the micro base station generating interference level information by comparing the sub-band interference value with a preset interference threshold, the interference level information indicating one of a first level and a second level, wherein the first level corresponds to the sub-band interference value being greater than the interference threshold, and the second level corresponds to the sub-band interference value being not greater than the interference threshold; the micro base station transmitting to a macro base station a sub-frame configuration request carrying the interference level information; and the macro base station configuring, in response to the sub-frame configuration request, a sub-frame in a sub-frame configuration mode.