UE Coexistence Management for LTE-ISM Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional LTE systems face coexistence issues due to interference between radios, particularly with ISM bands like Bluetooth and WLAN, where eNBs are not adequately aware of uplink interference, leading to unresolved coexistence problems and performance degradation.

Innovation Solution

User Equipment (UE) autonomously declares a Radio Link Failure, switches to a new channel or Radio Access Technology, and communicates the coexistence issue to the eNB, facilitating coordinated channel management through logical lines and software messaging to mitigate interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If LTE uplink transmission is performed in ISM band adjacent channels, then LTE communication capability is improved, but interference to Bluetooth and WLAN radios occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLTE communication capabilityVSAvoidInterference to Bluetooth and WLAN
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs autonomous detection of coexistence issues before they cause severe degradation. When interference is detected between LTE uplink and ISM band radios (Bluetooth/WLAN), the UE proactively declares Radio Link Failure and switches to a new channel or RAT, preventing the interference from escalating to unacceptable levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the UE monitors downlink interference and reports coexistence issues to the eNB. The eNB uses this feedback to adjust uplink resource allocation and frequency selection, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to interference conditions and resolves coexistence problems dynamically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If eNB relies on downlink measurement reports for handover decisions, then network control is simplified, but uplink coexistence issues are not detected and handovers fail to resolve interference

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNetwork control complexityVSAvoidHandover effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The handover decision process is segmented into two independent evaluation paths: downlink quality assessment (RSRP reports) handled by the eNB, and uplink coexistence assessment (interference detection) handled autonomously by the UE. This segmentation allows each entity to optimize for its specific function without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The UE performs preliminary detection of uplink coexistence issues independently before handover decisions are made. By detecting interference problems in advance and declaring Radio Link Failure proactively, the UE ensures that handovers are triggered based on actual coexistence conditions rather than relying solely on downlink measurements that may not reflect uplink interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If UE unilaterally switches channels to avoid interference, then coexistence performance improves, but eNB may handover back to original corrupted channel due to lack of awareness

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCoexistence performanceVSAvoideNB awareness of uplink interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

When the UE autonomously switches channels or declares Radio Link Failure due to coexistence issues, it provides feedback to the eNB about the interference conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures the eNB becomes aware of the uplink coexistence problems and can adjust its handover decisions accordingly, preventing ping-pong effects between corrupted and clean channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The UE performs preliminary assessment of channel conditions and proactively declares Radio Link Failure before attempting unilateral channel switching. This preliminary action ensures that the eNB is notified of coexistence issues in advance, allowing coordinated channel management rather than unilateral changes that the eNB cannot track.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple radios operate simultaneously in a single device, then device functionality is enhanced, but in-device coexistence interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDevice functionalityVSAvoidIn-device coexistence interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The UE implements self-service mechanisms for coexistence management by autonomously detecting interference between its own radios and declaring Radio Link Failure when coexistence issues are detected. This self-service approach allows the device to manage its own interference problems without requiring external intervention, maintaining enhanced functionality while mitigating self-generated interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of coexistence issues between multiple radios before interference degrades performance to unacceptable levels. By monitoring for signs of interference and proactively declaring Radio Link Failure, the system prevents severe degradation while maintaining the ability to operate multiple radios simultaneously for enhanced device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2601812B1Method and apparatus to facilitate support for multi-radio coexistence
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2601812B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2601812B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2601812B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method of wireless communication includes monitoring coexistence issues among supported radios in a User Equipment (UE). The method includes determining a coexistence policy for communication resource operation within a user equipment (UE) and configuring communication resources of the user equipment in accordance with the determined coexistence policy. The policy may give priority to an LTE modem, an ISM modem, or may implement a variable priority scheme. The policy may be communicated to each modem from a host over a software messaging communication line. Modems in the UE may communicate with each other through logical lines providing real time communication. The policy may determine the operation of each modem and the treatment of the logical lines by each modem.