Radio Access Network Slot Permutation for Interference Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication networks face interference and congestion due to increased demand for mobile broadband access, particularly in scenarios where multiple radio access networks (RANs) share the same frequency, leading to degraded performance and CSG issues in small cell deployments.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for determining and selecting transmission slot assignments across multiple RANs on the same frequency, using permutations and indices to manage channel access, and re-selecting reserved slots in case of excessive failed transmissions to alleviate interference and ensure fair channel access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple RANs share the same frequency to increase network capacity, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but interference and congestion increase leading to degraded performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission frame is segmented into multiple transmission slots with different assignments. Each RAN is assigned specific slots within a frame structure, dividing the shared frequency resource into time-separated segments. This segmentation allows multiple RANs to operate on the same frequency simultaneously while reducing interference through temporal separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission slot assignments follow a periodic frame structure where slot allocations repeat in a predetermined pattern. This periodic action enables predictable interference management and allows receiving devices to anticipate and filter out interference from other RANs based on known transmission patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If transmission slots are shared among multiple RANs to improve resource utilization, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but channel access fairness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum efficiencyVSAvoidchannel access fairness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Transmission slot assignments are predetermined and configured in advance for each RAN within the frame structure. This preliminary action establishes fair access rules before transmissions occur, ensuring that each RAN has pre-allocated opportunities to transmit without having to compete dynamically, thereby maintaining channel access fairness while achieving high spectrum efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the time-domain parameters of transmission slots by assigning different slot positions, durations, and patterns to different RANs. This parameter differentiation allows multiple RANs to share the frequency resource efficiently while maintaining fairness through structured temporal separation rather than random access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic slot assignment is used to adapt to varying traffic conditions, then network adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission slot assignment structure incorporates dynamic elements where slot configurations can be adjusted based on traffic conditions while maintaining an overall periodic framework. This allows the system to adapt to varying demands without requiring completely dynamic reconfiguration, balancing adaptability with manageable complexity through semi-static patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10194466B2Sharing channel access across multiple radio access networks
Publication Date: 2019.01.29 QUALCOMM INC
  • US10194466B2 patent drawing
  • US10194466B2 patent drawing
  • US10194466B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Management of shared transmission resources is disclosed for multiple radio access networks (RANs) sharing access to a finite number of transmission slots. Multiple permutations of slot assignments are configured in which each competing network is assigned a specific slot in each permutation. The sequence of permutations provides a fair distribution of spectrum access by the competing networks, such that in each permutation of the permutation sequence, networks assigned to lower priority slots may be assigned to higher priority slots in later permutations.