Uplink Interference Characterization via UE Grouping

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE cellular radio communication systems, there is no direct protection against inter-cell, intra-system interference, and the decentralized network architecture increases the complexity of interference coordination, leading to high signalling and computational loads due to the large number of potential interference sources in the uplink.

Innovation Solution

A method where transceiver stations share interference information to characterize uplink co-channel interference, allowing them to request power reductions from neighboring stations, and group user equipment to reduce signalling load, enabling efficient interference control and mitigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If transceiver stations share interference information to characterize uplink co-channel interference, then interference mitigation accuracy is improved, but signalling load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference characterization accuracyVSAvoidsignalling load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large set of user equipments into a limited number of groups based on their interference characteristics. Each transceiver station reports group-level interference metrics rather than individual UE measurements, reducing signalling load while maintaining adequate interference characterization accuracy for coordination decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial interference characterization by focusing only on the most significant interference sources and parameters. Transceiver stations exchange limited sets of interference metrics that capture the essential interference situation without reporting all possible measurement data, achieving a balance between accuracy and signalling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If transceiver stations exchange detailed interference information for each user equipment, then interference coordination accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference coordination accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the population of user equipments into discrete groups based on their interference characteristics relative to neighboring cells. This segmentation allows transceiver stations to process and coordinate interference management at the group level rather than individually for each UE, significantly reducing computational complexity while preserving coordination effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple individual UE interference measurements into aggregated group-level metrics. By combining information from multiple UEs within a group and representing their collective interference impact through consolidated parameters, the system reduces computational burden while maintaining sufficient accuracy for interference coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If user equipment are grouped for interference characterization, then signalling load is reduced, but interference measurement precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignalling load reductionVSAvoidinterference measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating interference groups that are locally optimized for each victim cell's specific interference situation. Groups are formed based on the relative interference characteristics of UEs with respect to particular neighboring cells, ensuring that each group represents a coherent interference source pattern for the specific coordination scenario, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite grouping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2116092B1Characterization of co-channel interference in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2013.12.11 TELECOM ITALIA SPA
  • EP2116092B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2116092B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2116092B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Method for characterizing interference in a radio communication system including a plurality of user equipments communicating with transceiver stations; the method including: determining quantities indicative of interference (attenuation or power) experienced by a transceiver station interfered by interfering user equipments; and exchanging between transceiver stations information based on these quantities and concerning interference from the interfering user equipments. In particular, the user equipments are in communication with respective serving transceiver stations, and exchanging includes sending from the serving transceiver stations to the interfered transceiver stations information concerning interference from user equipments served by the serving transceiver stations and interfering with the interfered transceiver stations. The method further includes grouping, by the serving transceiver station, the interfering user equipments according to a given grouping criterion in order to form groups thereof.