Small Cell Clusters for Mobile Network Retransmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE mobile networks, there is a challenge in increasing downlink and uplink coverage and capacity, particularly in scenarios where small cell nodes with reduced transmit power are deployed within the coverage area of a macro eNB, leading to inefficiencies in resource utilization and communication reliability.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of small cell clusters that opportunistically use white space and employ distributed beamforming and single frequency network (SFN) techniques to retransmit packets between the macro eNB and user equipment (UE), enhancing coverage and reducing battery consumption by forming relay networks and reusing resources efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If small cell nodes with reduced transmit power are deployed within macro eNB coverage area, then coverage enhancement and capacity improvement are achieved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to idle small cell nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges idle small cell nodes into clusters that work together as a coordinated retransmission system. Multiple small cell nodes are combined to form a collective resource pool that can be dynamically allocated for retransmission operations, transforming individually idle resources into a unified productive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables small cell nodes to serve multiple functions: their primary function for local coverage and an additional function as retransmission resources for the cluster. This multi-functionality allows idle small cell nodes to be repurposed for retransmission operations, improving overall resource utilization while maintaining their original coverage role.
2Productivity
If small cell nodes are deployed to enhance coverage, then system capacity increases, but communication reliability deteriorates due to limited transmit power of individual small cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple small cell nodes into a coordinated cluster that acts as a unified transmission system. By merging their transmission capabilities and coordinating their signals, the cluster achieves reliable communication for distant UEs while maintaining individual nodes' lower power operation, thus preserving system capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the small cell cluster as an intermediary between the macro eNB and distant UEs. The cluster receives data from the macro eNB and retransmits it to UEs that are too far for direct macro cell coverage, enabling reliable communication without requiring increased transmit power from individual small cells or the macro eNB.
3Use of energy by moving object
If distant UE connections are established with reduced transmit power, then energy consumption decreases, but communication reliability worsens due to signal weakness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces relay small cell nodes as intermediaries between the macro eNB and distant UEs. These relay nodes receive signals from the macro eNB and forward them to distant UEs, enabling communication at lower power levels while maintaining reliability through the cooperative transmission chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the transmission resources of multiple small cell nodes to create a coordinated retransmission system that can reliably reach distant UEs. By combining their signals through coordinated transmission, the system achieves reliable delivery without requiring any single node to transmit at high power, thus conserving UE battery energy.
4Productivity
If white space resources are utilized for retransmission, then spectrum efficiency improves, but system complexity increases due to resource coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the small cell cluster autonomously identifies and utilizes available white space resources for retransmission operations. The system automatically detects unused spectrum resources and allocates them for retransmission without requiring complex centralized coordination, thus improving spectrum efficiency while limiting complexity growth.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to enable retransmitting of communications in a mobile network using small cell clusters are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein for a macro node in a mobile network include configuring a cluster of small cell nodes in communication with the macro node to perform retransmission of downlink packets sent from the macro node to a first user equipment (UE) served by the macro node. Such example methods also include sending a first downlink packet from the macro node for receipt by the first UE. Such example methods further include receiving acknowledgment information for the first downlink packet from the cluster of small cell nodes.