SSB-Compatible Interference Coordination for Reliable Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inter-cell interference in wireless networks, particularly in LTE and 5G systems, leads to poor signal quality measurements and incorrect radio link failure declarations for user equipment (UEs) during cell range expansion due to interference from aggressor cells, affecting handover and connection stability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing interference coordination patterns to identify and protect specific resources within aggressor cells to reduce interference, allowing UEs to perform accurate signal measurements and handovers by transmitting synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) on interference-protected resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If cell range expansion is implemented to extend coverage, then coverage area is improved, but signal quality measurement accuracy deteriorates due to inter-cell interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource spectrum by introducing specific interference coordination patterns (e.g., pattern 0-3 in 5G NR) that divide time-frequency resources into protected and non-protected portions. This segmentation allows SSB transmissions to occur in dedicated interference-free resource slots, enabling accurate signal quality measurements while maintaining expanded coverage areas through coordinated multi-cell resource allocation.
2Measurement precision
If interference coordination patterns are applied to protect resources, then signal quality measurements are improved, but device complexity increases due to pattern configuration and management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by defining standardized interference coordination patterns with specific periodicities (e.g., 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, 160ms) and resource offset values. These parameterized patterns can be dynamically selected and configured through RRC signaling, allowing the system to adapt measurement resources to different deployment scenarios while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized parameter sets rather than custom configurations.
3Reliability
If synchronization signal blocks are transmitted on protected resources, then handover reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to dedicated interference-free resource allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through interference coordination patterns that allocate interference-free resources at regular intervals (e.g., every 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms). This periodic structure ensures that UEs receive sufficient SSB transmissions for reliable measurements and handovers while allowing other cells to utilize non-protected resources for data transmissions in between, thereby balancing handover reliability with overall resource utilization efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an example embodiment, a method may include determining, by a first base station associated with a first cell based on a synchronization signal block (SSB) configuration indicating one or more resources on which a synchronization signal block (SSB) may be transmitted by a second cell, one or more interference protected resources on which the first cell will reduce interference towards the second cell; and sending, by the first base station associated with the first cell to a second base station associated with the second cell, information identifying the one or more interference protected resources on which the first cell will reduce interference towards the second cell.