Orthogonal DMRS Ports for Interference Cancellation in LTE

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current interference mitigation techniques in LTE networks, such as CoMP, RNTP, and ABS-based eICIC, are inadequate for highly dense small cell deployments, particularly when small cells operate on different frequency bands, leading to unsuitable backhaul latency and interference cancellation challenges.

Innovation Solution

Implementing advanced receiver-based interference mitigation using coordinated reference signals, specifically orthogonal DMRS ports and zero power CSI-RS configurations, to enable accurate interference estimation and cancellation at the user equipment (UE) side, reducing the reliance on transmitter coordination and backhaul latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If transmitter coordination techniques (CoMP, RNTP, ABS-based eICIC) are used for interference mitigation, then interference cancellation capability is improved, but backhaul latency increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference cancellation capabilityVSAvoidbackhaul latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs interference measurement and estimation autonomously using reference signals from neighboring cells without requiring real-time transmitter coordination. The advanced receiver calculates interference covariance matrices and suppresses interference locally, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating backhaul latency dependencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Reference signals (CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS) serve as intermediaries that carry interference information from neighboring cells to the UE. These signals enable the UE to measure and estimate interference characteristics without direct transmitter-transceiver coordination, bridging the information gap efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If transmitter coordination techniques are used for interference mitigation, then interference cancellation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference cancellation capabilityVSAvoidreceiver complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach from coordinate-based interference avoidance to statistical interference suppression. By estimating interference covariance matrices and using advanced signal processing parameters (weighting vectors, projection operators), the receiver achieves superior interference cancellation without complex transmitter coordination mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If dense small cell deployment is implemented, then network capacity is improved, but interference measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidinterference measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary interference measurement and estimation using reference signals before actual data reception. By pre-calculating interference covariance matrices and characterizing interference conditions in advance, the UE can accurately measure and suppress interference even in dense small cell environments with rapidly changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2959625B1Methods of interference measurement for advanced receiver in LTE/LTE-a
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2959625B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2959625B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2959625B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method for communication in a wireless communications network is provided. The method comprises: transmitting, by a network element in a first cell, a first DMRS on a first DMRS port; transmitting, by the network element, a first PDSCH on the first DMRS port; and transmitting, by the network, information indicating that the first DMRS port is used to transmit the first PDSCH, and information about a second DMRS port that is not used to transmit the first PDSCH but is used to transmit a second DMRS, wherein the first DMRS and the second DMRS are orthogonal to one another.