Communication Control Device for Dynamic TDD Link Direction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In TDD radio communication systems, variable link direction configurations between cells lead to interference issues, making it difficult to control interference while improving throughput.

Innovation Solution

Dynamic setting of link directions for each sub-frame in a radio communication system, with communication resources allocated differently based on cell location and traffic rates to minimize interference between adjacent cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If different link direction configurations are set for different cells to improve throughput, then the throughput is improved, but interference occurs between related cells

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidinterference between cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating resource allocation strategies based on cell location. Central cells are allocated communication resources in all sub-frames to maximize throughput, while peripheral cells have communication resources allocated only in sub-frames where their link direction matches adjacent cells. This localized adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing high throughput in central cells without causing interference to peripheral cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making resource allocation flexible and adaptive to changing traffic conditions. The base station dynamically determines whether to allocate communication resources based on real-time traffic rates and link direction configurations. When traffic rates change or link directions are adjusted, the resource allocation is updated accordingly, allowing the system to maintain high throughput while adapting to varying interference conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If link direction configuration is dynamically set based on traffic rate changes to improve throughput, then throughput is improved, but interference control becomes considerably difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidinterference control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies interference control complexity by applying local quality principles. Instead of managing interference across all cells uniformly, the system treats central and peripheral cells differently. Peripheral cells only transmit when their link direction matches adjacent cells, which inherently reduces interference control complexity while maintaining throughput improvement benefits in central cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the base station continuously monitors traffic rates and link direction configurations. Based on this feedback, the base station dynamically adjusts resource allocation decisions. This feedback loop enables automatic adaptation to changing conditions without requiring complex manual interference control, thus improving throughput while keeping control complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2849518B1Communication control device, communication control method, and system
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2849518B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2849518B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2849518B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a communication control device including a radio communication unit which communicates with one or more terminal devices in a cell over a channel in which a link direction is allowed to be dynamically set for each sub-frame which is a unit of time in radio communication, and a control unit which controls allocation of communication resources to the terminal device based on the setting of the link direction of the channel and a location of the terminal device in the cell.