Uplink Power Control for Inter-Cell Interference Mitigation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile communication systems face challenges in reducing inter-cell interference (ICI) due to distorted cell shapes, reduced frequency band availability, inefficient resource management, and inflexibility in cell planning, particularly at cell boundaries, which affects data transmission reliability and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves measuring the received signal power of downlink channel signals from neighboring base stations to determine optimal transmission signal power for uplink channels, allowing for adaptive management of frequency bands and reducing ICI by selectively using or adjusting power levels based on channel response measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If frequency band allocation is restricted at cell boundaries to reduce ICI, then inter-cell interference is reduced, but frequency reuse factor and resource utilization are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-cell interferenceVSAvoidfrequency reuse factor
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic frequency band allocation where terminals at cell boundaries can access all frequency bands but adjust their transmission power based on real-time channel conditions and interference levels. This dynamic approach replaces static frequency restrictions, allowing the system to adapt to varying interference conditions while maximizing resource utilization and frequency reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameter from frequency band allocation to transmission power adjustment. Instead of restricting terminals to specific frequency bands, the system allows flexible frequency access but controls interference through power level adjustments based on channel response measurements, thereby maintaining frequency reuse while reducing ICI.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fixed frequency band allocation is used at cell boundaries, then ICI is reduced, but system flexibility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-cell interferenceVSAvoidcell planning flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters based on real-time channel conditions rather than relying on fixed frequency allocations. This allows the network to adapt to changing cell shapes, terminal distributions, and interference patterns, providing flexibility in cell planning and deployment while maintaining ICI control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Terminals autonomously measure channel responses and adjust their own transmission power levels without requiring complex centralized frequency allocation management. This self-service approach simplifies network planning and allows flexible cell deployment while maintaining interference control through distributed decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If low channel coding rate is used for reliable transmission, then data transmission reliability is improved, but transmission efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses channel response measurements as feedback to dynamically adjust transmission parameters. By measuring the channel conditions and adapting power levels and coding rates accordingly, the system achieves reliable transmission without consistently using low coding rates, thereby improving transmission efficiency while maintaining reliability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP1895678B1Method for inter-cell interference mitigation for a mobile communication system
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 GOLDPEAK INNOVATIONS INC
  • EP1895678B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1895678B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1895678B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for reducing inter-cell interference (ICI) in a mobile communication system controls transmission signal power of an uplink signal from a terminal based on signal power measurement for a signal received from a base station of a neighboring cell. A terminal receives a signal from a base station of a neighboring cell via a wireless channel, measures a channel response against a threshold value across an applicable frequency band by using the received signal, determines a transmission signal power for each frequency band used for data transmission based on the measured channel response, and transmits data to a home cell base station according to the transmission signal power for each frequency band. The terminal may measure a channel response based on signals received from multiple base stations in multiple neighboring cells, and may also evaluate signal power of a signal transmitted from the home cell.