Orthogonal Muted Resource Element Patterns for CoMP Interference Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for interference measurement in coordinated multi-point (CoMP) transmission systems, such as LTE-Advanced, face challenges in accurately estimating interference levels due to the complexity of cooperation areas and the need for orthogonal reference signals, which can lead to inaccurate post-coordination interference estimation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method that configures muted resource element patterns for different cooperation areas, ensuring they are mutually orthogonal, allowing for accurate interference measurement by muting resource elements in cells outside the cooperation area and signaling these patterns to user equipment (UE) for precise interference reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If orthogonal reference signals are used for interference measurement in CoMP transmission, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple orthogonal patterns and coordination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference measurement accuracyVSAvoidcooperation area configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reference signal resources by creating multiple orthogonal muted resource element patterns, each associated with a specific cooperation area. This segmentation allows the UE to measure interference from different cooperation areas separately using different orthogonal patterns, thereby improving measurement precision while managing complexity through structured resource allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by configuring cell-specific muted resource element patterns that are tailored to each cell's cooperation area. Each cell mutes reference signals in specific resource elements according to its local coordination requirements, enabling accurate interference measurement for that specific local context without requiring uniform complex configuration across the entire network

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If multiple muted resource element patterns are configured for different cooperation areas, then interference estimation accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepost-coordination interference estimation accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of resource element muting patterns by configuring different mute patterns for different cooperation areas. The base station signals to the UE which specific muted resource element pattern to use for measuring interference from a particular cooperation area. This parameter-based configuration allows accurate post-coordination interference estimation while managing signaling overhead through efficient pattern indication rather than transmitting full interference measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2652982B1Method and apparatus providing interference measurement in a coordinated multi-point transmission environment
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2652982B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2652982B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2652982B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method includes receiving signaling from a base station, where the signaling includes information descriptive of a muted resource element pattern configuration when operating in a cell that is associated with at least one multi-cell cooperation area. The method further includes making at least one measurement according to the received information for at least one of the cooperation areas for making an interference estimate and transmitting measurement results to the base station. Another method includes transmitting signaling that contains information descriptive of a muted resource element pattern configuration to a user equipment operating in a cell that is associated with at least one multi-cell cooperation area. This method further includes muting resource element transmissions in accordance with the information descriptive of the muted resource element pattern configuration; and receiving from the user equipment at least one measurement made according to the transmitted signaling for at least one of the cooperation areas. In these methods different cooperation areas are associated with mutually orthogonal muted resource elements. Corresponding apparatus and computer programs stored on non-transitory computer readable medium are also disclosed.