Interference Coordination via Restricted Measurement Subframes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in interference coordination, particularly with low-power base stations that do not establish signaling interfaces with macro networks, leading to inaccurate measurements and inefficient handover processes, resulting in network congestion and futile handovers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for interference coordination that involves obtaining measurement configuration and resource information for restrictive measurement, performing measurements, and reporting results, with a base station of a victim cell sending an eICIC request to an aggressor cell to determine subframe configuration for enhanced ICIC, allowing accurate measurement and handover decisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If unrestricted measurement is performed by UE, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to interference from aggressor cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement process is segmented into two distinct types: unrestricted measurement for coverage assessment and restricted measurement for accuracy assessment. The UE performs both measurements separately, with restricted measurement focusing only on specific subframes where interference is minimized, thereby achieving both broad coverage and high accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Restricted measurement acts as an intermediary mechanism between unrestricted measurement and handover decision-making. By introducing this intermediate measurement type that focuses on interference-free subframes, the system can accurately assess victim cell quality without being contaminated by aggressor cell interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If UE in victim cell performs measurement, then handover opportunity is improved, but network congestion worsens due to excessive handovers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover opportunityVSAvoidnetwork congestion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network configures restricted measurement resources based on interference conditions, and UE reports measurement results that trigger conditional handover decisions. This feedback loop prevents unnecessary handovers by ensuring handovers only occur when victim cell quality is genuinely superior during interference-free periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The network performs preliminary configuration of restricted measurement resources before handover decisions are made. By pre-configuring measurement subframes and resources, the system prepares the UE with accurate measurement capabilities in advance, enabling informed handover decisions that avoid network congestion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If low-power base stations do not establish signaling interface with macro network, then device complexity is reduced, but interference coordination capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignaling interface complexityVSAvoidinterference coordination capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential interference coordination functionality from complex inter-base station signaling and implements it through UE-side restricted measurement. By taking out the measurement and reporting function from the base station signaling interface and placing it in the UE, the system achieves interference coordination without requiring direct signaling between low-power and macro base stations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10623969B2Measuring and sending method, apparatus and system for interference coordination

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A measurement method, a sending method, a measurement apparatus, and a sending system for interference coordination are disclosed. The measurement method includes: obtaining measurement configuration information, and obtaining measurement resource information for restrictive measurement; performing measurement according to the measurement configuration information and the measurement resource information for restrictive measurement, and obtaining a measurement result; and reporting the measurement result. Therefore, the interfered UE can perform measurement accurately and report the measurement result as a basis of handover.