Multi-Hop Relay Scheduling for Interference Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless multi-hop relay communication systems face inefficiencies in resource allocation and interference management, leading to reduced link quality and increased costs, especially in areas with severe shadowing or near cell boundaries, where additional base stations or increased transmission power are not feasible solutions.
Innovation Solution
The system divides relay stations into groups based on potential interference levels and employs a communication control device to manage signal transmission power and timing, allowing for phased communication that minimizes interference and optimizes resource usage, enabling independent communication between relay stations and users or base stations within each phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If relay stations are deployed to improve coverage and link quality in areas with severe shadowing or near cell boundaries, then link quality and coverage are improved, but interference between simultaneous transmissions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments relay stations into different groups based on their geographic locations and interference characteristics. Each group is assigned specific time slots for transmission, preventing simultaneous transmissions that would cause interference while maintaining improved coverage and link quality in shadowed areas and cell boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic time-slot-based transmission scheduling where relay stations transmit in alternating time slots rather than continuously. This periodic action allows the system to maintain reliable links in difficult coverage areas while controlling interference by ensuring that not all relay stations transmit simultaneously.
2Productivity
If multiple serving stations transmit simultaneously to improve spectrum efficiency, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but interference levels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of serving stations (base stations and relay stations) into different transmission groups. Within each time slot, only stations from specific groups transmit simultaneously, which maintains spectrum efficiency by keeping multiple stations active while controlling interference through spatial and temporal separation of transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts which serving stations transmit in each time slot based on current interference conditions and traffic requirements. This dynamic scheduling allows the system to maximize spectrum efficiency by enabling simultaneous transmissions when interference levels are acceptable while preventing excessive interference when stations are densely packed.
3Area of stationary object
If relay stations are placed outside base station coverage area to extend coverage, then coverage area is extended, but additional directional antennas are required increasing hardware cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables relay stations to serve multiple functions: they can communicate with base stations using omni-directional antennas when within coverage area, and simultaneously serve as serving stations for user equipment in their own coverage areas. This multi-functionality allows relay stations to extend coverage to areas outside the base station's direct coverage without requiring additional directional antennas at each relay station.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication system includes one or more base stations, which may include one or more antennas for signal communications; a transceiver device, and a communication control device. The transceiver device is configured to communicate with a first group of relay stations being configured to receive and relay a first group of wireless communication signals from at least one base station and a second group of relay stations being configured to receive and relay a second group of wireless communication signals from at least one base station. The communication control device is configured to control one or both of (1) signal transmission power of at least one antenna and (2) signal communication timing of at least one antenna. The communication control device is also configured to divide a service period of the antenna into multiple phases, to enable communication of signals directed toward or from the first group of relay stations in a first phase, and to enable the second group of relay stations to communicate signals with one or both of the user device and the base station, during at least a part of the first phase, independently from the signals directed toward or from the first group of relay stations.