Node B Uplink Rate Control for Interference Management

Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile communication systems, the interference between uplink signals from multiple User Equipments (UEs) in WCDMA communication systems decreases the reception performance of Node B, as increased uplink transmit power to mitigate interference affects other signals, limiting the received power level and radio resources available for E-DCH packet data service.

Innovation Solution

A method to equally allocate uplink rates between primary and non-primary UEs by controlling the signal strengths, where the Node B receives target total power levels and ratios from a Radio Network Controller (RNC) and compares current power levels to determine if a rate decrease is needed for non-primary UEs when total radio resources exceed targets, ensuring balanced resource management and preventing overload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If uplink transmit power of UE is increased to mitigate interference, then reception performance of Node B is improved, but interference with other uplink signals increases and radio resources are depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereception performanceVSAvoidradio resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating between primary UEs (served by the Node B) and non-primary UEs (served by other Node Bs). The Node B selectively controls uplink rates only for non-primary UEs based on their contribution to interference, while primary UEs are not subjected to this rate control. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying power control only where necessary to mitigate inter-cell interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of uplink data rate for non-primary UEs dynamically based on the total received power level at the Node B. When the received power exceeds a threshold, the Node B sends rate decrease commands to non-primary UEs, adjusting their transmission parameters to reduce interference while maintaining acceptable reception performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If uplink transmit power is limited to prevent interference with other signals, then radio resources are preserved, but reception performance of Node B deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio resourcesVSAvoidreception performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating between primary UEs (served by the Node B) and non-primary UEs (served by other Node Bs). The Node B selectively controls uplink rates only for non-primary UEs based on their contribution to interference, while primary UEs are not subjected to this rate control. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying power control only where necessary to mitigate inter-cell interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the Node B acts as a mediator that receives power level information from non-primary UEs and sends rate control commands back to them. This intermediary control mechanism allows the system to balance radio resource preservation with maintaining acceptable reception performance by adjusting non-primary UE rates based on overall cell conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If Node B controls uplink rates for non-primary UEs to balance resource allocation, then radio resource management is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio resourcesVSAvoidcontrol mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating between primary UEs (served by the Node B) and non-primary UEs (served by other Node Bs). The Node B selectively controls uplink rates only for non-primary UEs based on their contribution to interference, while primary UEs are not subjected to this rate control. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying power control only where necessary to mitigate inter-cell interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where non-primary UEs report their uplink transmit power or buffer status to the serving Node B, which then determines appropriate rate control commands. The Node B sends these control commands back to the non-primary UEs, creating a closed-loop feedback system that enables balanced radio resource management through relatively simple control signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP1708536B1Method of managing radio resources and node B apparatus implementing the same

Publication Date: 2013.11.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

A method of managing radio resources and a Node B implementing the same are provided. If the total radio resources used in a cell exceed target radio resources signaled by an RNC, uplink rates are equally allocated to primary UEs and non-primary UEs by controlling the signal strengths of the primary and non-primary UEs.