Uplink Interference Source Identification in Heterogeneous Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE-Advanced heterogeneous networks, existing methods for inferring uplink interference sources based on Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) suffer from low accuracy due to the low reference signal transmission power of low power base stations, leading to incorrect identification of interference sources.

Innovation Solution

A communication control method where the low power base station notifies the high power base station of its reference signal transmission power, and the user terminal measures and reports both the reference signal received power and transmission power, allowing the high power base station to estimate path loss and accurately determine if the user terminal is an interference source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the high power base station uses RSRP-based interference source inference, then the interference source can be identified, but the inference accuracy is low due to low reference signal transmission power of low power base stations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference source inference accuracyVSAvoidreference signal transmission power

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter used for interference source inference from RSRP (which is affected by low transmission power) to path loss estimation. By using path loss = reference signal transmission power - reference signal received power, the system compensates for the low transmission power effect, enabling accurate distance-based interference source identification even when the low power base station transmits at low power levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the low power base station transmits reference signals at low power to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the user terminal cannot accurately measure signal strength for interference detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption of low power base stationVSAvoidreference signal received power measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the low power base station notifies the high power base station of its reference signal transmission power, and the high power base station requests the user terminal to report the measured reference signal received power. This feedback loop enables the high power base station to calculate path loss and accurately determine whether the user terminal is an interference source, even when the low power base station operates at low energy consumption levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9473970B2Communication control method, base station, and user terminal

Publication Date: 2016.10.18 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A communication control method including a first base station and a second base station having a smaller coverage area than the first base station, comprises: a step A, performed by the second base station, of notifying the first base station of a reference signal transmission power of the second base station; a step B, performed by a user terminal connected to the first base station, of measuring a reference signal received power from the second base station, and then reporting the reference signal received power to the first base station; and a step C, performed by the first base station, of estimating a path loss between the second base station and the user terminal, on the basis of the reference signal transmission power notified from the second base station in the step A and the reference signal received power reported from the user terminal in the step B.