Multi-tier Clustering for Wireless Interference Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication systems face interference issues between clusters in Virtual Cellular Networks (VCNs) due to limited cooperative Base Stations (BSs), which affect system capacity and complexity, and existing methods either increase complexity or are limited to fixed BS distribution environments.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tier clustering method where Base Stations (BSs) and User Equipment (UE) collaborate to determine and manage clusters based on Received Signal Strength Indicators (RSSIs), allowing flexible assignment of clusters to minimize interference and adapt to user movement, using a processing method that broadcasts cluster information, measures RSSIs, and selects optimal clusters for data service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If overlapped clustering method is used to minimize interference between clusters, then interference problem between users on cluster boundaries is reduced, but beamforming configuration complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network into multiple tiers of clusters (first-tier and second-tier clusters) with different granularities. Each tier handles interference at different levels, allowing the system to reduce inter-cluster interference through hierarchical segmentation without requiring complex beamforming configurations across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to cluster management by allowing dynamic switching between first-tier and second-tier clusters based on user movement and interference conditions. This multi-dimensional approach (spatial tiers + temporal switching) reduces interference without increasing beamforming complexity at any single point in time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If disjoint clustering method is used to apply network MIMO, then network MIMO can be implemented, but interference problem between clusters still exists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of disjoint clustering (network MIMO capability) with overlapped clustering (interference reduction) by creating a multi-tier structure where first-tier clusters provide MIMO functionality through disjoint BS subsets, while second-tier clusters provide interference mitigation through overlapping membership. This combination allows the system to achieve both network MIMO and reduced inter-cluster interference simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If fixed BS distribution environment is assumed for clustering, then cluster configuration is simplified, but the method is limited and cannot adapt to changing user distributions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic cluster configuration where BSs can transition between different cluster tiers based on real-time user distribution and interference conditions. The multi-tier structure allows flexible reconfiguration without requiring complete redesign of the clustering architecture, enabling adaptation to changing environments while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized tier definitions.
4Productivity
If more BSs are included in cooperative clusters to increase system capacity, then system capacity increases, but backhaul overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooperative BS set into multiple tiers, where first-tier clusters contain BSs with strong cooperation relationships (lower backhaul overhead) and second-tier clusters provide additional capacity with controlled overlap. This segmentation allows the system to include more BSs in the cooperative network while managing backhaul overhead by limiting the scope of full cooperation to smaller, more manageable first-tier clusters.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for configuring and managing/controlling a cluster, which is a set of Base Stations (BSs) for transmitting signals cooperatively, are provided. The method includes broadcasting cluster set information indicating information about a plurality of clusters including a serving BS to a User Equipment (UE), receiving a report of information about Received Signal Strength Indicators (RSSIs) of control signals transmitted from BSs included in the plurality of clusters from the UE, and assigning any one of the plurality of clusters to a cluster for servicing the UE based on the information about the RSSIs of the control signals.