Uplink Interference Estimation for IRC and FSS Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cellular communications networks, particularly in LTE, the simultaneous use of Interference Rejection Combining (IRC) and Frequency Selective Scheduling (FSS) is less efficient due to compatibility issues and interference suppression leading to suboptimal resource allocation, as current methods do not effectively account for IRC gains when scheduling resources.
Innovation Solution
A method in a base station that calculates an interference and noise covariance matrix for uplink resource blocks, using multiple antenna elements and a channel covariance matrix for a virtual user equipment, enabling improved estimation and scheduling decisions that consider IRC gains, thus facilitating more efficient use of both IRC and FSS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If Interference Rejection Combining (IRC) is used to suppress interference, then interference suppression is improved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates due to suboptimal scheduling decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by calculating the actual interference and noise power experienced by each user equipment after IRC processing, using this measured feedback to adjust and optimize scheduling decisions. The base station measures the interference power on resource blocks assigned to different users and uses this information to make more accurate resource allocation decisions, thereby resolving the contradiction between interference suppression and resource allocation efficiency.
2Productivity
If Frequency Selective Scheduling (FSS) is used for resource allocation, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but compatibility with IRC deteriorates due to lack of consideration for IRC gains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter for scheduling decisions from traditional metrics (such as channel quality indicator) to the actual measured interference and noise power after IRC processing. This parameter change enables FSS to be compatible with IRC by making scheduling decisions based on the real interference conditions that users experience after IRC suppression, allowing both techniques to work together efficiently.
3Ease of operation
If current scheduling methods are used without considering IRC gains, then scheduling simplicity is maintained, but network performance deteriorates due to inaccurate interference estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the base station automatically measure and calculate the interference and noise power for each user equipment based on the received signals and IRC processing results. This self-measured interference information is then used by the scheduler to make accurate resource allocation decisions without requiring complex external interference measurement mechanisms, thus maintaining scheduling simplicity while improving network performance through reliable interference estimation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a base station (110) for providing an estimate of interference and noise power of an uplink resource block. The base station (110) is comprised in a cellular communications network (100). The base station (110) receives (401, 901) on multiple antenna elements (112a-c) of a receiver antenna (112) a signal comprising interference and noise. The base station (110) calculates (402, 902) an interference and noise covariance matrix for the resource block based on the received signal. The base station (110) then calculates (903, 403) the estimate based on the calculated interference and noise covariance matrix, the number of the multiple antenna elements (112a-c) of the receiver antenna (112) and a channel covariance matrix for a virtual user equipment. The provided estimate enables an interference and noise measure when Interference Rejection Combining (!RC) is applied in the uplink. Thereby more efficient use of uplink Frequency Selective Scheduling (FSS) together with uplink IRC and improved performance in the cellular communications network is enabled.