Small Cell Grouping for Interference Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in managing interference between densely deployed small cells, which affects coverage, mobility, and load balancing, particularly in heterogeneous networks where small cells operate at different power levels, leading to inefficient resource allocation and increased complexity in handover and load balancing algorithms.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves grouping small cells into distinct power levels and deploying them in phases, with the first group operating at higher power levels for initial coverage and the second group at lower power levels for capacity enhancement, using frequency and time domain interference coordination techniques to minimize interference, and employing a same almost blank subframe pattern to support coexistence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If small cells are densely deployed to increase network capacity, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but interference between small cells increases and complicates network optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments small cells into different groups based on their transmit power levels. High-power small cells form one group while low-power small cells form another group, allowing independent optimization and simplified interference management for each group rather than treating all small cells uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different power levels to different small cells based on their local deployment conditions and traffic demands. High-power small cells are deployed in areas requiring broader coverage while low-power small cells are used in areas with specific capacity needs, optimizing local network performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If small cells operate at different power levels to provide heterogeneous coverage, then coverage and capacity are optimized, but interference management and handover algorithms become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides small cells into distinct groups based on power levels, with high-power small cells in one group and low-power small cells in another. This segmentation simplifies handover algorithms by providing clear criteria for user equipment to select appropriate cells based on power level and signal strength, reducing the complexity of inter-group handovers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power level parameter of small cells to create distinct operational groups. By controlling transmit power levels, the system creates predictable interference patterns and cell coverage areas, simplifying the logic required for handover decisions compared to allowing all cells to operate at arbitrary power levels.
3Device complexity
If incremental deployment phases are used to reduce complexity, then deployment flexibility is improved, but deployment time and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary deployment of high-power small cells to establish initial network coverage and create a foundation for subsequent low-power small cell deployments. This preliminary action allows the network to become operational in phases, reducing overall deployment complexity while managing time through structured sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic deployment phases where high-power small cells are deployed first, followed by low-power small cells in subsequent phases. This periodic approach to network expansion allows for systematic planning and resource allocation, balancing deployment complexity with time management through structured intervals.
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for dense small cell deployment. In one or more embodiments, a plurality of small cells is grouped into a first group of small cells having a first power level and a second group of small cells having a second power level. In one or more embodiments, each power level in the first set of power levels is greater than each power level in the second set of power levels. In one or more embodiments, the small cells of the first group performs frequency domain inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC) between the small cells of the first group. In one or more embodiments, the small cells of the second group performs time domain ICIC with the small cells in the first group. In one or more embodiments, the small cells of the first group use a same almost blank subframe (ABS) pattern.