Time-Domain Resource Partitioning for Interference Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks face interference issues due to transmissions from neighboring base stations, which degrade performance on both downlink and uplink, and existing methods like MBSFN subframes have limitations in mitigating interference effectively.
Innovation Solution
The method involves broadcasting and transmitting time-domain resource partitioning information (RPI) to user equipment (UE), allowing it to identify protected resources with reduced or eliminated interference from neighboring cells, enabling cooperative resource allocation between serving and non-serving Node Bs, and facilitating radio resource management and radio link monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If MBSFN subframes are used to mitigate interference, then interference from neighboring cells is reduced, but network flexibility and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource partitioning information (RPI) that can be adjusted and updated based on current network conditions and interference patterns. The RPI indicates which time-domain resources are protected from interference, allowing the system to adaptively change protected subframes rather than using fixed MBSFN configurations. This enables the network to respond to changing traffic demands and interference conditions while maintaining interference coordination benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of resource allocation by introducing RPI that dynamically modifies which subframes are protected. Instead of fixed MBSFN subframe configurations, the RPI allows flexible adjustment of protected resource patterns, enabling the network to optimize interference mitigation for different scenarios such as heterogeneous networks with macro and femto cells, varying traffic loads, and different interference conditions.
2Reliability
If time-domain resource partitioning is implemented for eICIC, then interference coordination is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time-domain resources into protected and unprotected subframes based on RPI information. This segmentation allows UEs to identify specific time resources where interference is coordinated, separating the resource types for clear handling. The RPI bitmap structure further segments the indication into manageable bits representing different subframe protection states, making the complexity tractable through structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The RPI acts as an intermediary information element that mediates between the complex interference coordination requirements and the UE's resource identification needs. The RPI provides a standardized interface that translates network-side interference coordination decisions into UE-actionable information, simplifying the overall system architecture by introducing this intermediate layer of abstraction.
3Productivity
If protected resources are identified for UE operations, then network performance is improved, but resource allocation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic updates of resource partitioning information through broadcast channels and dedicated signaling. The protected resources are identified in a periodic manner, allowing the network to maintain performance improvements on protected subframes while periodically re-evaluating and reconfiguring the protection patterns. This periodic action enables the system to balance performance optimization with adaptive reconfiguration based on changing conditions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus for partitioning resources for enhanced inter-cell interference coordination (eICIC) are provided. Certain aspects involve broadcasting a message indicating time-domain resource partitioning information (RPI), where a user equipment (UE) may be operating in idle mode. With the RPI, the UE may be able to identify protected resources with reduced/eliminated interference from neighboring cells. The RPI in this broadcasted message may be encoded as a bitmap as an alternative or in addition to enumeration of the U/N/X subframes. Other aspects entail transmitting a dedicated or unicast message indicating the time-domain RPI, where a UE may be operating in connected mode. With the RPI, the UE may be able to determine channel state information (CSI), make radio resource management (RRM) measurements, or perform radio link monitoring (RLM), based on one or more signals from a serving base station during the protected time-domain resources.