Small Cell Resource Allocation Controller for Interference Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heterogeneous wireless networks face challenges in managing interference between different types of network nodes, such as macro and small cells, which reduces system capacity and affects user equipment performance due to high density and close proximity of small cells.
Innovation Solution
A resource allocation controller dynamically allocates resources, including subframes and carriers, to small cells to mitigate interference by assigning Almost Blank Subframes (ABS) and using measurement reports from user equipment to optimize resource usage and interference coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If small cells are deployed in high density to increase system capacity, then network coverage and capacity are improved, but interference between network nodes increases and user equipment performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time domain by introducing Almost Blank Subframes (ABS) where transmitting nodes remain silent during specific subframes. This temporal segmentation allows receiving nodes to transmit or receive data without interference from neighboring cells, effectively dividing the communication resource in time to resolve the interference issue while maintaining high density deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the resource allocation controller pre-allocate ABS patterns to transmitting nodes before data transmission occurs. The controller receives information about receiving nodes and pre-determines which nodes should transmit during ABS periods, ensuring interference-free communication is established in advance rather than reactively managing interference
2Reliability
If dynamic resource allocation is implemented to reduce interference, then user equipment performance is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resource allocation controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving multiple small cells and coordinating ABS patterns across the entire network. This universal controller approach consolidates the complexity into a single entity that manages interference coordination for all nodes, rather than requiring complex distributed control mechanisms at each node
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the resource allocation controller receives information from receiving nodes about their transmission needs and channel conditions. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts ABS patterns and resource allocations to optimize user equipment performance while maintaining manageable network complexity through centralized decision-making
Data Source
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AI summary
A controller receives information relating to at least one of multiple small cells. Responsive to the received information, the controller coordinates allocation of resources for use by the small cells in communicating data with respective user equipments (UEs), where the coordinating of the allocation of resources reduces interference among the small cells.