Special Subframe Configuration for LTE-TD-SCDMA Interference Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE-A systems lack a suitable signaling procedure to support additional special subframe configurations, such as special subframe configuration 9, which is necessary to minimize interference and increase resource efficiency between TDD LTE and TD-SCDMA systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus are provided to configure new special subframe configurations in a backward compatible manner by defining RRC parameters and information elements, allowing network devices to switch between legacy and additional configurations, and reserve spare values for future extensions, enabling efficient signaling and resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a legacy special subframe configuration (configuration 5) is used to avoid uplink-downlink overlap between TDD LTE and TD-SCDMA systems, then interference between systems is minimized, but resource efficiency is reduced due to the conservative guard period allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces new special subframe configuration parameters (configuration 9) with different symbol allocations (DwPTS: 6 symbols, GP: 6 symbols, UpPTS: 2 symbols) compared to legacy configuration 5 (DwPTS: 3 symbols, GP: 9 symbols, UpPTS: 2 symbols). This parameter change enables better resource efficiency while maintaining interference avoidance through optimized guard period placement
2Productivity
If an additional special subframe configuration is introduced to increase resource efficiency, then resource utilization is improved, but signaling complexity increases due to the need for new configuration procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the existing specialSubframeConfig information element to support both legacy configurations (0-8) and new configurations (9-10). The same RRC message structure and parameter encoding mechanisms are reused, allowing a single signaling framework to handle multiple configuration types without requiring separate dedicated signaling procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The network pre-configures multiple special subframe configurations (including configurations 9 and 10) and stores them in the UE. The actual configuration is then activated by simply changing the configuration index value, avoiding the need for complex real-time negotiation or multiple message exchanges when switching between configurations
3Adaptability or versatility
If new special subframe configurations are defined for Rel-11 UEs, then forward compatibility and advanced features are enabled, but backward compatibility with legacy UEs may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UE population into legacy UEs (Rel-8 to Rel-10) and new UEs (Rel-11 and later), allowing different configuration sets to be applied to different segments. Legacy UEs continue to use configurations 0-8 while Rel-11 UEs can utilize the additional configurations 9-10, with each UE type interpreting the configuration messages according to its capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The network acts as an intermediary that manages configuration distribution selectively. The eNodeB determines which UE type is connected and provides appropriate configuration messages accordingly, ensuring that legacy UEs receive only compatible configurations while Rel-11 UEs receive the extended configuration set, thus maintaining backward compatibility while enabling forward-looking features
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for enabling provision of an additional special subframe configuration to one or more communication devices. A method and apparatus may generate one or more parameters defining a new special subframe configuration associated with downlink communications. The new special subframe configuration is generated in addition to one or more other special subframe configurations. The new special subframe configuration includes information indicating a plurality of downlink symbols that exceed a number of downlink symbols of one of the other special subframe configurations which reduces overlap between a first system and a second system, the plurality of downlink symbols minimize interference between the first and second systems and increases utilization of resources. The method and apparatus may provide a message to one or more communication devices to enable at least a first subset of the communication devices to detect the new special subframe configuration.