Selective Interference Cancellation in Heterogeneous Network Range-Expansion Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, especially in heterogeneous networks, user equipment (UE) operating in range-expansion regions face challenges in effectively canceling interfering macro cell power, leading to suboptimal interference cancellation and reduced data rates due to fixed IC feature application across varying radio conditions.

Innovation Solution

The UE selectively enables relevant interference cancellation techniques based on determining its operation in a range-expansion region, configuring to perform post-decoding data-channel interference cancellation and non-data-channel interference cancellation, utilizing network-provided assistance information to optimize interference cancellation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed IC features are applied across all radio conditions, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but interference cancellation efficiency deteriorates in range-expansion regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidinterference cancellation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of IC features based on detected radio conditions. The receiver determines whether it is operating in a range-expansion region and selectively enables relevant IC techniques (such as post-decoding data-channel IC and non-data-channel IC) based on this determination, transforming the fixed IC approach into a dynamic one that adapts to varying radio environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the IC system by selectively enabling or disabling specific IC features based on the detected range-expansion region conditions. This parameter change allows the system to optimize interference cancellation efficiency for RE regions while maintaining ease of operation through automated detection and configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If selective IC feature configuration is implemented for range-expansion regions, then interference cancellation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and network signaling load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference cancellation efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the IC feature set into different categories (post-decoding data-channel IC, non-data-channel IC, etc.) and selectively applies only the relevant segments based on the detected radio conditions. This segmentation allows the system to improve interference cancellation efficiency by applying only necessary IC features rather than all possible features, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver autonomously detects whether it is operating in a range-expansion region and self-configures the appropriate IC features without requiring manual intervention or complex network signaling. This self-service approach minimizes the increase in device complexity by implementing the detection and configuration logic within the receiver itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If comprehensive interference cancellation is applied, then signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is improved, but network signaling load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-interference-plus-noise ratioVSAvoidnetwork signaling load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial IC action by selectively enabling only the relevant IC features needed for range-expansion region operation. Instead of applying comprehensive IC to all signals, the system applies IC selectively to post-decoding data-channel signals and non-data-channel signals only when operating in RE regions, thereby improving SINR while minimizing network signaling load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3036853B1Selective interference cancellation in the range-expansion region of a heterogeneous network
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3036853B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3036853B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3036853B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A mobile terminal determines that it is operating in a range-expansion region and performs interference cancellation techniques that are particularly advantageous in the range-expansion region. An example method of receiving a target link signal at a receiving device, where the target link signal is received in a received signal that also includes an interfering link signal, thus includes determining (510) that the receiving device is operating in a range-expansion region of a low-power node in a heterogeneous network deployment, based on a serving-cell geometry metric or a dominant-interferer ratio metric or both. The method further includes configuring (520) the receiving device to perform interference cancellation, responsive to determining that the receiving device is operating in a range-expansion region. The example method continues with performing (530) the configured interference cancellation on the interfering link signal, and then demodulating and decoding (540) the target link signal.