Uplink Power Control for Mu-MIMO Interference Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Efficient use and management of limited wireless frequency spectrum is crucial as mobile networks face challenges in servicing growing user bases without overloading, particularly in cases where spectrum is scarce, leading to reduced uplink capacity and coverage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multi-user MIMO (Mu-MIMO) with aggregated modular adaptive antenna arrays that leverage larger apertures and advanced semiconductor technology to enhance uplink capacity and coverage, utilizing lower frequency bands for both local and remote user equipment, and employing coherence blocks to manage interference and optimize channel state information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional antenna arrays are used in higher frequency bands, then spectral efficiency can be improved, but uplink capacity and coverage are reduced due to limited spectrum availability and increased interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional antenna arrays to three-dimensional volumetric antenna arrays, adding a spatial dimension to signal transmission. This enables signals to propagate through multiple spatial paths simultaneously, improving uplink capacity and coverage in lower frequency bands without sacrificing spectral efficiency. The 3D array structure creates additional degrees of freedom for beamforming and spatial multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the antenna array into multiple modular volumetric units that can be independently configured and positioned. Each module contains multiple antenna elements arranged in a three-dimensional configuration, allowing flexible deployment to optimize coverage areas. This segmentation enables the system to serve multiple users simultaneously with dedicated spatial beams, enhancing both capacity and spectral efficiency.
2Productivity
If more spectrum is acquired to serve growing user bases, then network capacity can be increased, but costs increase and spectrum availability becomes more limited
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing three-dimensional antenna arrays, the patent exploits the spatial dimension to increase network capacity within existing spectrum allocations. The volumetric array structure enables multiple spatial streams and improved signal propagation paths, effectively multiplying the capacity available from each frequency band without requiring additional spectrum acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of antenna geometry from planar to volumetric, and operates in lower frequency bands with larger apertures. This parameter change allows the system to achieve higher capacity in underutilized frequency ranges, providing an alternative to acquiring additional high-frequency spectrum that is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive.
3Reliability
If larger apertures are used in lower frequency bands, then uplink capacity and coverage are enhanced, but the physical size of the antenna system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large aperture requirement into multiple smaller modular volumetric antenna units distributed in three-dimensional space. Each module maintains a manageable physical footprint while collectively providing the equivalent of a large aperture through coherent signal combining. This modular approach achieves large effective aperture without requiring a single large physical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the size constraint by transitioning from two-dimensional planar arrays to three-dimensional volumetric arrays. This allows the system to achieve large effective apertures by utilizing vertical and depth dimensions in addition to horizontal spread, thereby improving uplink capacity without proportionally increasing the ground footprint of the antenna system.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, over an uplink (UL) via a combination of coherent modular antenna arrays, first transmissions from a first user equipment (UE) and second transmissions from a second UE, wherein the first UE and the second UE are being served by the cell in multi-user (Mu)-multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) mode, determining, based on the first transmissions and the second transmissions, that a probability of the second UE interfering with the first UE in the UL satisfies a particular threshold, responsive to the determining, identifying an adjustment to an UL transmit power for the first UE, and causing the first UE to implement the adjustment to the UL transmit power. Other embodiments are disclosed.