UE Resource Partitioning Information for Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, dominant interference scenarios lead to performance degradation due to interference from neighboring base stations, which existing technologies fail to adequately address through resource partitioning and reference signal processing.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) to utilize resource partitioning information (RPI) to identify subframes with little or no interference between serving and non-serving Node Bs, allowing the UE to use reference signals from these subframes for measurements while avoiding those with significant interference, thereby improving channel estimation and interference estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If resource partitioning is implemented between serving and non-serving Node Bs, then interference is reduced in protected subframes, but measurement accuracy deteriorates when using reference signals from all subframes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterferenceVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement process by dividing subframes into two categories: protected subframes (with resource partitioning applied) and non-protected subframes. The UE selectively performs channel estimation and measurements only on protected subframes where interference is minimized, thereby resolving the contradiction between interference reduction and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using different measurement strategies for different subframe types. Protected subframes are used for accurate channel estimation and measurements, while non-protected subframes are excluded or treated differently. This ensures high measurement quality in specific locations (subframes) where conditions are favorable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If reference signals from all subframes are used for measurements, then measurement coverage is maximized, but interference degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement data volumeVSAvoidcommunication performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the useful measurement data from protected subframes while excluding data from non-protected subframes that would introduce interference degradation. This selective extraction maintains sufficient measurement data volume for reliable communication while eliminating the harmful interference component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the resource partitioning structure into a benefit by identifying and utilizing protected subframes specifically for measurements. The interference management mechanism (resource partitioning) creates distinct protected subframes that are then leveraged to improve measurement reliability, turning the potential limitation of partitioning into an advantage for selective measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP2701445B1Resource partitioning
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2701445B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2701445B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2701445B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Communication in a dominant interference scenario may be supported by performing inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC). According to certain aspects of ICIC, resource coordination/partitioning may be performed to allocate resources to a serving Node B located near the vicinity of a strong interfering Node B. The interfering Node B may avoid transmitting on the allocated/protected resources, but transmissions from the interfering Node B on resources not allocated to the serving Node B (i.e., unprotected) may cause significant interference on cell-specific reference signal (CRS) tones of the serving Node B. Therefore, if the CRS tones of the unallocated/unprotected resources are used, performance degradation may result to various operations of the serving Node B. Therefore, certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for a UE receiver in utilizing resource partitioning information (RPI) for performing CRS processing in a heterogeneous network (HetNet).