Dual-Connectivity PRB Allocation for Intermodulation Distortion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dual-connectivity scenarios, concurrent uplink transmissions in 4G and 5G networks lead to third-order intermodulation-distortion (IM3) products that violate power spectral density (PSD) restrictions, necessitating power-backoff, which reduces effective coverage and throughput.
Innovation Solution
Access nodes coordinate to select uplink PRB frequency ranges that minimize the additional maximum power reduction (A-MPR) required, using correlation data to determine optimal PRB pairs that result in lower A-MPR levels, thereby reducing IM3 products' PSD impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If concurrent uplink transmissions are performed in 4G and 5G networks, then data rate and network capability are improved, but third-order intermodulation-distortion products are generated that violate power spectral density restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting specific physical resource block (PRB) frequency ranges for uplink transmissions in 4G and 5G networks. By changing the frequency parameters of the transmitted signals, the system generates intermodulation products that fall within acceptable power spectral density restrictions, thus maintaining high data rates while complying with regulatory requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful intermodulation-distortion products into beneficial outcomes by strategically selecting PRB frequency ranges that cause the intermodulation products to land in guard bands or low-interference regions. This transforms what would normally be harmful spectral emissions into acceptable signal characteristics that maintain network performance
2Object-generated harmful factors
If power-backoff is applied to reduce intermodulation-distortion products, then PSD restrictions are complied with, but effective coverage and throughput are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying power-backoff, the patent changes the frequency parameters of the transmitted signals by selecting specific PRB ranges. This parameter change approach maintains full transmission power while ensuring that intermodulation products fall within acceptable PSD limits, thereby preserving both compliance and throughput performance
3Object-generated harmful factors
If power-backoff is applied to reduce intermodulation-distortion products, then PSD restrictions are complied with, but effective coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency allocation parameters rather than reducing transmission power. By selecting PRB frequency ranges that produce acceptable intermodulation products, the system maintains full power transmission and thus preserves effective coverage area while still complying with PSD restrictions
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for controlling PRB allocation in dual-connectivity service in which a first access node serves a UE on a first carrier concurrently with a second access node serving the UE on a second carrier. In an example implementation, the first and second access nodes interwork with each other to select a pair of (i) a first group of PRBs within the first carrier for uplink transmission from the UE to the first access node and (ii) a second group of PRBs within the second carrier for uplink transmission from the UE to the second access node, with the selecting being based on minimizing a maximum-power-reduction (MPR) that would be applied for concurrent transmission by the UE to the first access node and to the second access node. The access nodes could then accordingly coordinate the UE's concurrent uplink transmissions.