PCI Allocation Range for Micro Base Station Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of micro Base Stations (BSs) in a communication system leads to a shortage of Physical Cell Identifiers (PCIDs), causing collisions and restricting the installation of micro BSs, as the number of allocable PCIDs is fixed and reused, resulting in inadequate signal differentiation for Mobile Stations (MSs).
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for dynamically allocating a different number of PCIDs to micro BSs based on cell or regional characteristics, determining a PCI allocation range using adjacent macro BSs' PCIDs, and broadcasting this range to MSs, ensuring exclusive allocation and reducing collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of micro BSs is increased to improve coverage and service quality, then the network capacity and coverage are improved, but the number of available PCIDs is exhausted leading to PCI collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PCID space by introducing a dedicated 1-bit flag (MSB) to distinguish macro BSs from micro BSs. This segmentation allows the previously shared PCID range to be divided into exclusive portions for macro and micro BSs, enabling independent PCID allocation for each BS type without collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an additional dimension to the PCID structure by utilizing the most significant bit (MSB) as a classification dimension. This dimensional extension transforms the original PCID from a single identification space into a two-tiered structure where the MSB indicates BS type (macro/micro) and the remaining bits provide unique identification within each type.
2Quantity of substance
If PCIDs are reused to accommodate more micro BSs, then the number of deployable micro BSs increases, but the distance between micro BSs with same PCID becomes too short causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PCID allocation space by reserving specific PCID ranges for macro BSs and micro BSs separately. This segmentation ensures that micro BSs can reuse PCIDs within their dedicated range without conflicting with macro BSs or other micro BSs, enabling dense deployment while maintaining signal differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing PCID reuse within specific geographic or logical domains (micro service areas) while maintaining global uniqueness through the combination of BS type flag and local PCID. This enables optimized local PCID allocation that reduces interference while maximizing resource utilization.
3Device complexity
If a fixed number of PCIDs is allocated to micro BSs to simplify management, then the system complexity is reduced, but the flexibility to adapt to different deployment scenarios is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic PCID allocation where the network management system can flexibly assign PCIDs from the dedicated micro BS pool based on actual deployment needs. The system dynamically determines the number of PCIDs required for micro BSs versus macro BSs, allowing adaptation to various deployment scenarios while maintaining simple management through automated allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in PCID allocation by allowing the network management system to adjust the PCID pool distribution between macro and micro BSs based on deployment requirements. The total PCID space remains fixed for simplicity, but the allocation parameters (how many go to each BS type) are dynamically adjustable to match different service area requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for allocating an identifier of a Base Station (BS) in a communication system are provided. The method includes determining a Physical Cell Identification (PCI) allocation range using Physical Cell Identifiers (PCIDs) of adjacent macro BSs located within a predetermined distance from a target macro BS, the PCI allocation range including PCIDs substantially allocable to at least one micro BS installed in a service area of the target macro BS, determining a PCI broadcast range using the PCI allocation range, the PCI broadcast range including PCIDs exclusively allocated to the at least one micro BS, and broadcasting the PCI broadcast range to Mobile Stations (MSs) located in the service area.