Multi-sector Cell Control Channel Transmission via Uplink Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-sector cell networking, signal interference occurs when a sector in one cell transmits control channel information, affecting non-adjacent cells and degrading network performance.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that select a working sector based on uplink signal strength information to send control channel information only through that sector, reducing interference and improving signal-to-interference ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If control channel information is sent through all sectors of a cell in joint transmission manner, then the control channel capacity is increased and more user equipments can be served, but signal interference occurs in non-adjacent cells and handover performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel capacityVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating transmission behavior across different sector types within the same cell. Adjacent sectors maintain joint transmission to serve edge users, while non-adjacent sectors use selective transmission to avoid interference. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between maintaining high control channel capacity and preventing signal interference in non-adjacent cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic transmission selection where the base station dynamically determines whether to transmit control channel information in each sector based on real-time conditions. The determination module evaluates sector adjacency relationships and user equipment locations to adaptively adjust transmission strategies, enabling the system to optimize between capacity and interference prevention dynamically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If sector splitting technology is used to increase the number of sectors, then the number of carriers that can be allocated is increased and capacity expansion is achieved, but the coverage area of each cell is reduced and network planning complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecapacityVSAvoidnetwork planning complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling a single cell to serve multiple functions through its sectors. The cell identity information is reused across all sectors, and the same cell can simultaneously serve both adjacent and non-adjacent sectors with different transmission strategies. This multi-functionality allows capacity expansion through sector splitting while maintaining simplified network planning by reusing cell identities.

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

3Reliability

If control channel information is transmitted in all sectors, then user equipment in overlapping coverage areas can receive signals, but unnecessary signal transmission occurs and system resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess success rateVSAvoidsystem resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by transmitting control channel information only in necessary sectors rather than all sectors. The determination module identifies which sectors actually need to transmit based on user equipment locations and coverage overlap conditions. This partial transmission approach maintains reliable service for users in overlapping areas while avoiding unnecessary transmissions that would waste system resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2819447B1Method and device for sending control channel information based on common cell networking
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2819447B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2819447B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP2819447B1 patent drawingFigure 4b~4c

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for sending control channel information based on multi-sector cell networking. The method includes: obtaining, according to an uplink signal sent by a user equipment, uplink signal strength information corresponding to each sector, where each sector uses a same cell identification, and the uplink signal strength information is used to indicate a level corresponding uplink signal strength; selecting a working sector for the user equipment from the sectors according to the uplink signal strength information corresponding to each sector; and sending control channel information to the user equipment through the working sector, and not skipping sending control channel information to the user equipment through the sectors except the working sector, to prevent a problem in a multi-sector cell networking technology that when a sector in a certain cell transmits a signal, a cell not adjacent to the sector is interfered with by the signal.