Radio Frequency Assignment Using Interference Cost Functions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The coexistence of different radio access technologies in mobile telecommunications networks leads to interference issues in assigning radio frequencies to base stations, which existing solutions primarily address as hardware-related problems, neglecting the importance of network planning and interference levels between co-existing networks.

Innovation Solution

A method is proposed to address interference by defining a radio frequency plan that considers interference levels between different radio mobile telecommunications networks, using a cost function to evaluate and optimize frequency assignments, taking into account mutual interference, frequency reuse constraints, and channel group configurations, allowing for the selection of an optimal frequency assignment plan that minimizes interference across networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If radio frequencies are assigned to base stations of different networks without considering interference levels, then frequency assignment is simplified, but interference between co-existing networks increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency assignment complexityVSAvoidinterference between networks
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary simulations of electromagnetic field propagation to characterize interference levels between base stations before actual frequency assignment. By pre-calculating interference matrices and using them to define cost functions, the system avoids complex real-time interference calculations while ensuring optimal frequency allocation that minimizes interference between co-existing networks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transforms the frequency assignment problem from a simple allocation task to an optimization problem by introducing cost functions that incorporate interference levels as key parameters. The cost functions evaluate multiple frequency assignment plans based on simulated interference characteristics, allowing the system to select plans that minimize harmful interference while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If interference characterization based on electromagnetic field simulations is performed, then interference levels between networks are accurately captured, but computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference level accuracyVSAvoidfrequency assignment processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs electromagnetic field propagation simulations and interference characterization in advance, before actual frequency assignment operations. The interference matrices obtained from these preliminary simulations are stored and reused for evaluating multiple frequency assignment plans, avoiding repeated complex simulations and significantly reducing processing time for the actual assignment task

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates simplified representations of interference characteristics through cost functions that copy the essential interference patterns obtained from detailed electromagnetic simulations. These cost functions serve as lightweight models that can be rapidly evaluated for different frequency assignment plans without requiring full electromagnetic simulation computations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3304960B1Method and system of assigning radio frequencies to base stations
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 TELECOM ITALIA SPA
  • EP3304960B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3304960B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3304960B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of assigning radio frequencies to base stations (105-1) of a first radio telecommunications network operating in a first radio frequency band and co-existing with at least a second radio telecommunications network (110, 110-1;115, 115-1) operating in a second radio frequency band at least partially overlapping the first radio frequency band. The method comprises: simulations of electromagnetic field propagation; defining a cost function for quantitatively evaluating a radio frequency assignment plan for the base stations of the first radio telecommunications network; calculating an initial radio frequencies assignment plan for the base stations of the first radio telecommunications network; calculating at least one alternative radio frequency assignment plan starting from the initial radio frequency assignment plan; selecting as radio frequency assignment plan for the base stations of the first radio telecommunications network one of the alternative radio frequency assignment plans based on the values of the cost function, and assigning to the base stations (105-1) of the first radio telecommunications network frequencies in accordance with the radio frequency assignment plan selected.