Wireless Measurement Enhancement Using SINR Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE network protocols face challenges in accurately determining cell handover and inter-cell interference coordination due to limitations in measurement bandwidth and the use of RSRP/RSRQ, which can lead to mis-determination and reduced network performance, especially in heterogeneous networks and CoMP scenarios.

Innovation Solution

Introducing a new measurement amount, such as signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which is reported by UE to the base station, assisting in cell selection, reselection, handover decisions, and inter-cell interference coordination, while also regulating measurement bandwidth and frequency range to provide accurate information for better network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If RSRP or RSRQ measurement amounts are used for cell handover decision and inter-cell interference coordination, then the measurement process is simple, but the accuracy of handover decision and interference coordination is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement process by introducing multiple measurement amounts (RSRP, RSRQ, and SINR) measured on different bandwidths (cell bandwidth and UE bandwidth). This segmentation allows the system to capture both overall signal quality and UE-specific reception conditions, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring a complete redesign of the measurement framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameters by adding SINR as a new measurement amount and introducing bandwidth as a dimensional parameter. By measuring RSRP, RSRQ, and SINR across different bandwidths (cell bandwidth and UE bandwidth), the system transforms the measurement from a single-parameter approach to a multi-parameter approach, significantly enhancing the precision of handover decisions and interference coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If measurement bandwidth is limited by allowedmeasbandwidth, then the measurement process is manageable, but the network cannot know the actual measurement bandwidth adopted by UE

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement bandwidth informationVSAvoidnetwork management efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by requiring the UE to report not only the measurement amounts (RSRP, RSRQ, SINR) but also the actual measurement bandwidth used. This feedback mechanism allows the network to know the precise bandwidth on which measurements were performed, enabling better interpretation of measurement results and more accurate handover decisions and interference coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds bandwidth as an additional dimension to the measurement reporting framework. Instead of only reporting measurement amounts, the system now reports measurement amounts across multiple bandwidth dimensions (cell bandwidth and UE bandwidth), providing the network with comprehensive information about the measurement conditions and improving overall network management capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If RSRP or RSRQ is used for heterogeneous networks and CoMP scenarios, then the existing measurement framework is maintained, but the measurement results cannot achieve better handover decision or interference coordination effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover success rateVSAvoidmeasurement framework complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE perform multiple measurements (RSRP, RSRQ, and SINR) on both cell bandwidth and UE bandwidth before making handover decisions. This preliminary multi-dimensional measurement provides the network with comprehensive information about signal quality and interference conditions, enabling more reliable handover decisions and interference coordination in heterogeneous networks and CoMP scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3270628B1Method and apparatus for enhancing measurement in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3270628B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3270628B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3270628B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses at a user equipment, UE, and a base station respectively, for enhancing measurement in a wireless communication system. The method at the UE includes: obtaining, by a user equipment, UE, according to a measurement period, a measurement amount comprising a signal to interference plus noise ratio, SINR, based on a reference signal, wherein the SINR comprises a signal to interference plus noise ratio being SINR = RSRP / (Intf1 + noise1) measured on a resource element, RE, comprising the reference signal, and wherein reference signal received power, RSRP, is a valid signal on the RE comprising the reference signal, Intf1 is an interference signal on the RE comprising the reference signal, noise1 is a noise signal on the RE comprising the reference signal; and reporting, by the UE, the measurement amount to a base station. The method at the base station includes: receiving the measurement amount reported by a UE, and performing inter-cell interference coordination or cell handover decision according to the measurement amount. The measurement period may be included in a message carrying configuration information sent from the base station to the UE, and be associated with one or more of measurement accuracy, power consumption of the UE, and a reference signal periodicity.