Mobile Station-Assisted Interference Mitigation in Heterogeneous Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous wireless networks, the increased number of access points due to smaller cells leads to significant coverage overlap, resulting in unacceptable levels of interference that negate the benefits of improved signal levels, as current coordination methods lack direct communication paths between access points, making real-time channel-dependent cooperation unachievable.

Innovation Solution

A mobile station communicates interference mitigation data between access points, assisting in radio resource conflict resolution by reporting conflicting claims and providing feedback to adjust resource assignments, thereby mitigating interference between access points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If smaller cells are deployed to increase network capacity, then signal levels are improved, but coverage overlap between cells increases leading to higher interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal levelVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile station acts as an intermediary between access points, carrying interference mitigation data that enables coordination. The mobile station receives resource assignment information from one access point and transmits it to another access point, facilitating indirect communication and coordination without requiring direct AP-to-AP links.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where mobile stations report interference conditions and resource assignment information back to access points. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of resource allocations to mitigate interference while maintaining improved signal levels from smaller cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If centralized network coordination is used, then overall control is achieved, but communication difficulties between access points prevent real-time coordination across cell boundaries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordination controlVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile station serves as a mediator that bridges communication gaps between access points. By routing coordination information through the mobile station, the system achieves real-time coordination across cell boundaries without relying on potentially unreliable direct AP-to-AP communication paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new communication dimension by utilizing the mobile station's connection to multiple access points simultaneously. This creates an alternative communication path that bypasses the limitations of direct AP-to-AP links and enables coordination in a previously unavailable dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If access points operate independently without direct communication, then device complexity is reduced, but interference coordination becomes unachievable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication infrastructureVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile station performs self-service by autonomously collecting resource assignment information from access points, processing interference mitigation data, and transmitting coordination information to other access points. This self-service capability enables interference coordination without adding complexity to the access point infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile station fulfills multiple functions: it serves as a user device, a communication relay, an information collector, and a coordination facilitator. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve interference coordination without requiring dedicated coordination infrastructure, thereby maintaining low device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2708054B1Mobile station-assisted interference mitigation
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2708054B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2708054B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2708054B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Devices and methods are provided for using a mobile station to mitigate interference between wireless access points. A mobile station communicates interference mitigation data corresponding to a first and second set of radio resources between a first and second wireless access point (AP). The interference mitigation data is processed by the first wireless AP to resolve conflicts in the claiming, and subsequent assignment, of the first and second radio resource assignments to the mobile station.