RIC Cell Selection for CoMP Using Beam Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio access network (RAN) technologies face challenges in selecting cells for coordinated multi-point (CoMP) functions, as current methods solely rely on signal reception strength, potentially leading to the selection of cells that do not effectively mitigate inter-cell interference, thereby limiting wireless network throughput.
Innovation Solution
A Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC) method that considers both the reception strength of synchronized signal blocks (SSBs) and the overlapping degrees between beamforming directions of transmission signals and SSBs to prioritize cells for CoMP functions, ensuring effective interference reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cell selection for CoMP function is based solely on SSB reception strength, then the selection process is simple, but the selected cell may not effectively mitigate inter-cell interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameters from only SSB reception strength to a composite evaluation including both reception strength and beamforming direction overlap degree. This allows the system to select cells that not only have strong signal reception but also transmit data in directions that minimize interference to the target UE.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to cell selection by considering beamforming direction overlap in addition to reception strength. This multi-dimensional approach evaluates both the magnitude of signal reception and the angular relationship between SSB beams and data transmission beams to comprehensively assess potential interference.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cell selection considers both reception strength and beamforming direction overlap, then inter-cell interference is reduced, but the selection process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The gNB autonomously determines beamforming directions for both SSB transmission and data transmission to the same UE, then self-evaluates the overlap degree between these directions. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional signaling or external measurement to assess beam alignment, simplifying the implementation despite the enhanced selection criteria.
3Ease of operation
If cells with high SSB reception strength are selected for CoMP, then the selection is straightforward, but the throughput improvement is limited due to persistent interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the cell selection criteria to include beamforming direction overlap degree alongside reception strength. This ensures that selected cooperative cells not only provide strong signal reception but also transmit data in angular directions that minimize interference to the target UE, thereby achieving both ease of selection and throughput improvement.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, a method of operating a network may comprise: obtaining, from a first cell from among a plurality of cells, information relating to the reception strength of a plurality of synchronized signal blocks (SSBs) from at least one cell from among the plurality of cells measured by first user equipment connected to the first cell, obtaining, from plurality of cells, the overlapping degrees between a first beamforming direction of a transmission signal for downlink traffic corresponding to a respective user equipment respectively connected to a respective cell among the plurality of cells and a plurality of second beamforming directions of a plurality of SSBs of the respective cell among the plurality of cells, determining, from the plurality of cells, a plurality of candidate cells for performing coordinated multi-point (COMP) with respect to the first user equipment, based on the information relating to the reception strength and the overlapping degrees, and determining at least one cell for performing COMP with respect to the first user equipment from among the plurality of candidate cells based on a comparison result of priorities set for plurality of candidate cells, respectively.