Radio Terminal Downlink Interference Reporting via Uplink Slots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio communication systems face challenges in detecting and addressing downlink interference, which affects multiple users and causes system congestion, as existing methods rely on bandwidth-wasting test signals and limited feedback from a subset of terminals, making it difficult to analyze overall interference impact.

Innovation Solution

A method where radio terminals monitor downlink channels for interference, report it on designated slots of the uplink channel when the interference reaches a predetermined threshold, using a radio downlink counter to determine the timing of reports, allowing the system to respond effectively to interference before it causes significant issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If base stations send test signals to radio terminals to detect downlink interference, then interference detection capability is improved, but bandwidth is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownlink interference detection capabilityVSAvoidbandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the base station actively sending test signals to detect interference, the patent inverts the approach by having radio terminals autonomously monitor downlink channels for interference and report findings back to the base station. This passive monitoring approach eliminates the need for bandwidth-consuming test signals while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

Radio terminals perform self-monitoring of downlink interference conditions and generate their own interference reports without requiring base station intervention. Each terminal independently assesses its reception quality and contributes to overall interference analysis, eliminating the need for centralized test signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of substance

If existing detection mechanisms rely on a subset of radio terminals to feedback interference reports, then bandwidth consumption is reduced, but the ability to analyze overall interference impact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth consumptionVSAvoidoverall interference impact information
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal reporting mechanism where all radio terminals, regardless of their current activity state (transmitting, receiving, or idle), can and do report interference conditions. This universal participation provides comprehensive coverage of interference impact across the entire cell, not just a subset of terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs partial reporting by having terminals report only when interference exceeds a predetermined threshold, rather than continuously reporting all conditions. This approach balances information gathering with bandwidth conservation, collecting sufficient data to analyze overall interference impact without excessive bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If downlink interference detection is implemented, then system congestion can be mitigated, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem throughputVSAvoidinterference detection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the interference detection function from the base station and relocates it to individual radio terminals. Each terminal independently monitors its own downlink reception quality, removing the computational burden from the base station while still enabling system-wide interference detection and congestion mitigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2494835B8Radio terminal and method for reporting downlink interference in a radio communication system
Publication Date: 2014.12.17 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A radio communication system comprises a base station and a plurality of radio terminals transmitting radio signals on an uplink channel to the base station and receiving radio signals from the base station on a downlink channel. The radio terminals are provided with information related to designated slots of an uplink channel, where the designated enable the radio terminal to report interference to the base station. The radio terminals further monitor radio signals on the downlink channel and detect interference in the downlink channel. Next, the radio terminals determine whether the interference in the downlink channel reaches a predetermined interference threshold, and report the interference on designated slots of the uplink channel when the interference reaches the predetermined interference threshold.