Small Cell Base Station Interference Cancellation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Small cell base stations face interference issues during network listen periods when transmitting data, leading to service disruptions for connected mobile devices due to self-induced interference from concurrent transmission and reception on the same frequency channel.

Innovation Solution

The method involves detecting control signals from neighboring base stations, selecting a base station with a more accurate time and frequency reference, and compensating for self-induced interference by generating baseband or radio frequency signals to cancel out interference, reducing transmit power, and rescheduling transmissions to avoid interference periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the small cell base station transmits data during network listen periods, then transmission continuity is maintained, but self-induced interference occurs causing service disruptions for mobile devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission continuityVSAvoidservice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission and reception operations in time by identifying specific time intervals (e.g., subframes, slots, or symbols) for network listening and separating them from data transmission intervals. This temporal segmentation allows the base station to alternate between listening for control signals from neighboring base stations and transmitting data to mobile devices, preventing self-induced interference while maintaining overall transmission continuity through proper resource scheduling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic network listen intervals where the base station temporarily suspends transmission to listen for control signals from neighboring base stations at regular intervals. This periodic action pattern allows the system to maintain synchronization and interference management capabilities while ensuring that data transmission resumes in between listen periods, balancing reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the small cell base station suspends transmission during network listen periods, then self-induced interference is avoided, but service disruption occurs for connected mobile devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference avoidanceVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts transmission parameters during network listen periods by modifying transmit power levels, scheduling transmissions around listen intervals, or temporarily pausing data transmission only when necessary. This dynamic approach allows the base station to adapt transmission behavior in real-time based on whether a network listen operation is occurring, minimizing service disruption while maintaining interference avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes transmission parameters such as power level, modulation scheme, or resource allocation during network listen periods to reduce or eliminate self-induced interference. By adjusting these parameters dynamically based on the operational state (transmitting vs. listening), the system maintains service quality while preventing interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the small cell base station listens for control signals from neighboring base stations, then synchronization and interference management are improved, but transmission interruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidtransmission interruption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs network listen operations at predetermined intervals before they are strictly necessary for synchronization updates. By proactively listening for control signals from neighboring base stations in advance, the base station maintains accurate synchronization information and interference management data, reducing the frequency and duration of transmission interruptions while preserving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3033895B1Avoiding suspended transmission during network listen for small cell base stations
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3033895B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3033895B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3033895B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques for compensating for self-induced interference in a small cell base station are provided. The techniques include detecting control signals from a neighboring base station associated with a wireless communication network, the control signals being transmitted by the neighboring base station at predetermined intervals, and compensating for self-induced interference caused by a transmitter of the small cell base station transmitting during the predetermined intervals in which control signals are received from the neighboring base station and the transmitter of the small cell base station is transmitting data.