Radio Station Communication Load Estimation Without X2 Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating communication loads in radio communication networks, especially in multi-network environments, face challenges such as the inability of base stations without X2 interfaces to obtain load information from neighboring cells and the limitations of using Ec/No measurements for accurate load estimation due to interference dependencies.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves measuring a first quality indicator, including entire received power, and a second quality indicator, which is the signal-to-noise-and-interference ratio of a reference signal, to estimate communication loads by subtracting interference and noise power components from the received power, allowing for accurate physical resource block usage estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the X2 interface is used to acquire communication load information between base stations, then the communication load estimation accuracy is improved, but base stations without X2 interfaces cannot obtain load information from neighboring cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a measurement intermediary (radio terminal or third-party measurement device) that measures quality indicators (RSRP, SINR, Ec/No) of reference signals from neighboring cells and reports them to the base station. This intermediary approach allows load estimation without requiring direct X2 interface connectivity between base stations, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If Ec/No of pilot signal is measured to determine cell load concentration, then the measurement process is simplified, but highly accurate communication load estimation cannot be performed due to interference dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from single metric (Ec/No) to multiple metrics (RSRP, SINR, Ec/No) and uses their combinations and ratios to estimate load. By introducing RSRP as an additional parameter and using the relationship between these parameters, the patent achieves more accurate load estimation while maintaining reasonable measurement complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a radio terminal connects to different networks or operators, then network selection flexibility is improved, but load information from different networks cannot be notified to the terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables radio terminals to autonomously measure quality indicators of reference signals from neighboring cells belonging to different networks and operators. The terminal itself performs the measurement and load estimation without requiring network notification, achieving self-service information acquisition that resolves the information loss problem while maintaining network selection flexibility.
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AI summary
A method and a device for estimating a communication load, as well as a radio station and an upper-level apparatus in a radio communication system, are provided that can estimate a communication load in a target network with high accuracy by using received quality information. A communication load estimation function (1) for estimating a communication load in a network (NW) estimates the communication load in the network by using at least a first quality indicator (Q1), which is a quality measurement value including entire received power, and a second quality indicator (Q2), which is a quality measurement value including the signal-to-noise-and-interference ratio of a reference signal.