PCI Selection Using Radio Environment Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, particularly in LTE, the existing methods fail to optimally select PCI values for cells to avoid collisions, confusions, and interference, given the limited number of allowed PCI values and overlapping radio coverages, which affects radio link quality.
Innovation Solution
A method to select the most suitable PCI value by checking constraints with neighbor cells and pre-allocated PCI values within Level 1-Radio Blocks, using detailed steps to identify candidate PCI values and choosing the one that satisfies all constraints or minimizing interference, with optional weighting of constraints and considering Level 2-Radio Blocks for enhanced optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If PCI values are randomly assigned or simply pre-allocated to cells, then the configuration process is simple and fast, but PCI collisions and confusions occur frequently in overlapping coverage areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-allocates PCI pools to Level 1-Radio Blocks before cell deployment. This preliminary organization of PCI resources by geographical radio blocks enables systematic PCI assignment that prevents collisions while maintaining configuration simplicity. The pre-allocation structure is established in advance, so when cells are deployed within these blocks, they automatically inherit the collision-avoidance properties of the pre-organized PCI pools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the service area into Level 1-Radio Blocks and further into Level 2-Radio Blocks, creating a hierarchical structure for PCI management. By dividing the coverage area into discrete radio blocks and assigning specific PCI pools to each block, the system prevents PCI collisions between cells in different blocks while allowing efficient resource utilization within blocks. This segmentation transforms the global PCI assignment problem into localized block-level assignments.
2Reliability
If PCI pools are pre-allocated to Level 1-Radio Blocks, then PCI collision avoidance is improved, but the complexity of PCI selection process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to PCI management by creating Level 1-Radio Blocks and Level 2-Radio Blocks. This dimensional organization transforms the flat PCI assignment problem into a multi-level structured process. Cells first inherit PCI pools from their parent Level 1-Radio Block, then perform constrained selection within Level 2-Radio Blocks, reducing the search space and simplifying the overall selection complexity while maintaining collision avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different PCI selection strategies to different hierarchical levels. At Level 1-Radio Block level, PCI pools are pre-allocated with specific properties. At Level 2-Radio Block level, cells perform constrained PCI selection from their inherited pools. This local quality approach optimizes the selection process at each hierarchical level rather than applying a uniform complex algorithm globally, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If comprehensive PCI constraint checking is performed for all neighbor cells, then interference minimization is achieved, but the computation time and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the neighbor cell checking process by utilizing the pre-established Level 1-Radio Block and Level 2-Radio Block structures. Instead of checking all possible neighbor cells globally, the system checks only within the constrained context of the cell's radio block hierarchy. This segmentation reduces the number of constraint checks required while maintaining comprehensive interference avoidance within the relevant geographical and radio coverage boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary organization of PCI pools at the Level 1-Radio Block level before individual cell PCI selection. This pre-allocation creates a filtered set of candidate PCIs that are already constrained to be compatible with cells in the same radio block. When a cell needs to select its PCI, it only needs to check compatibility within this pre-filtered pool rather than against all possible PCIs network-wide, significantly reducing computation time while maintaining interference minimization.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method to automatically select an optimal PCI value to be figured at a cell, among of set of available PCI values, using a radio environment map. the density of cells deployed in a radio network increases, configuration of cells becomes more more complex and therefore difficult to achieve manually. e radio parameters used during cell operation can be configured automatically, upon installation, or reconfigured during operation. In order to properly configure a cell, it is necessary to know the deployment of surrounding cells. articular, the optimal selection of the PCI (Physical Cell Identifier) at a given cell depends on the values configured at surrounding cells. present invention provides a method to automatically select an optimal PCI value to be figured at a cell, belonging to a network of cells, among of set of available PCI values, using a o environment map.