Network Interference Coordination via Uplink Differential Path Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current interference mitigation techniques in wireless communications are inadequate for latency-sensitive and bandwidth-limited applications, as they rely on channel quality data reporting, which is not suitable for all communication scenarios, particularly for voice calls and other jitter-sensitive services.

Innovation Solution

The system employs uplink monitoring to predict interference by determining differential path loss between sectors, allowing for interference coordination without channel quality data from end user devices, by reserving or limiting frequency use in specific time periods, thereby minimizing channelized downlink interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If channel quality data reporting is used for interference mitigation, then interference coordination can be performed, but it is not suitable for latency-sensitive and bandwidth-limited applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference coordination effectivenessVSAvoidapplicability to latency-sensitive services

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using downlink channel quality data reporting from user devices to coordinate interference, the patent inverts the approach by using uplink reference signal measurements from the network side. The network measures uplink reference signals to determine differential path loss and predict potential interference, then uses this information to coordinate downlink transmissions. This inversion eliminates the need for user device channel quality reporting while enabling interference coordination for latency-sensitive services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces uplink reference signals as an intermediary mechanism for interference coordination. Rather than directly relying on downlink channel quality reports, the network uses uplink reference signal measurements as an intermediary to infer downlink interference conditions. This intermediary approach allows the network to predict interference based on uplink path loss characteristics, enabling proactive interference coordination without waiting for channel quality reports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If uplink monitoring is used to predict interference, then interference coordination can be performed without channel quality data, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability without channel quality dataVSAvoidnetwork monitoring and processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the network's existing uplink monitoring infrastructure multi-functional by using it for both uplink scheduling and interference prediction. The same uplink reference signal measurements that are already collected for uplink resource allocation are now also utilized to determine differential path loss and predict downlink interference. This universality approach avoids adding separate monitoring mechanisms while enabling new interference coordination capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter used for interference prediction from downlink channel quality indicators to uplink differential path loss measurements. By transforming the measurement domain from downlink to uplink, the system can predict interference conditions without requiring complex downlink channel quality reporting mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining coordination effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If frequency and time allocations are dynamically adjusted, then spectral efficiency improves, but the complexity of coordination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidfrequency and time coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using uplink reference signal measurements to predict downlink interference conditions before actual downlink transmissions occur. The network calculates differential path loss based on uplink measurements and uses this prediction to pre-determine optimal frequency and time allocations, avoiding the need for complex real-time adjustments during transmission. This preliminary prediction approach simplifies dynamic coordination while maintaining high spectral efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10136396B2Method and system for network assisted interference coordination and mitigation

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 AT&T MOBILITY II LLC

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that obtains uplink parameters associated with different sectors of a wireless network where the uplink parameters are associated with uplink transmissions of a first end user device. The system can determine a differential path loss for the first end user device based on the uplink parameters where the differential path loss is between the different sectors of the wireless network. The system, responsive to a determination that the differential path loss does not satisfy a differential path loss threshold, can determine a restriction for utilization of a particular frequency and power level over a particular time period, where the determination that the differential path loss does not satisfy the differential path loss threshold can be performed without utilizing channel quality data from the first end user device. Other embodiments are disclosed.