Terminal Relay for Interference Control in Multi-Cell Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Interference between macro cells and femtocells in multi-cell communication systems leads to adverse effects, such as reduced signal reception and increased interference, due to the independent operation and difficulty in direct interference control between these cells.

Innovation Solution

A communication method where terminals relay feedback messages between base stations to facilitate interference control, allowing for coordinated interference management through dynamic spectrum management, optimal resource scheduling, and other techniques, reducing overhead and improving signal quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If terminals relay feedback messages between base stations for interference control, then interference management coordination is improved, but message transmission overhead and time are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference control coordinationVSAvoidmessage transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal acts as an intermediary device that relays feedback messages between the first base station and the second base station. The terminal receives the feedback message from one base station and transmits it to the other base station, enabling interference control coordination without requiring direct communication links between the base stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where channel information and interference data are transmitted from terminals to base stations, and control decisions are fed back to adjust transmission parameters. This closed-loop feedback enables dynamic interference management based on real-time channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If direct interference control between macro cell and femtocell is implemented, then interference reduction is improved, but system complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference between cellsVSAvoidinterference control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal serves as a mediator that simplifies the interference control system by handling the message relay between base stations. This approach reduces the complexity of direct base station-to-base station coordination while still achieving effective interference management through the terminal's relay function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal utilizes its existing communication capabilities and channel knowledge to perform interference control relay functions. By leveraging the terminal's inherent resources and information, the system achieves interference management without requiring additional complex infrastructure or centralized coordination mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3451554B1Multi-cell communication system that performs interference control using relay of terminal
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3451554B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3451554B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3451554B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multi-cell communication system comprises at least a first base station and first terminal and a second base station and second terminal. When the first and second base stations need to perform interference control, the first terminal may relay a message related to the interference control between the first base station and the second base station. That is, the first terminal may transfer a message related to the interference control from the first base station to the second base station, and a message related to the interference control from the second base station to the first base station. As such, the first base station and the second base station can transmit/receive messages that are for performing interference control via the first terminal.