Uplink Subband Partitioning for Interference Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks face interference issues that degrade uplink coverage, particularly in scenarios where User Equipment (UE) experiences interference from neighboring evolved Node Bs (eNBs), leading to reduced performance and potential radio link failures.
Innovation Solution
The method involves negotiating between eNBs to partition subband resources on the uplink, assigning protected and unprotected subbands to reduce interference, allowing UEs to communicate effectively even in dominant interference scenarios by utilizing resources yielded by interfering cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If more UEs access the wireless network to meet growing demand for mobile broadband access, then network capacity and user coverage are improved, but interference between neighboring base stations increases, degrading uplink performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the uplink frequency spectrum into multiple subbands and further into resource blocks, allowing fine-grained allocation of frequency resources. This segmentation enables the network to assign specific frequency portions to specific UEs or base stations, reducing overlapping interference while maintaining overall network capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements differentiated treatment for different frequency resources by marking certain resource blocks as protected or non-protected. This allows the system to provide enhanced interference protection to specific local frequency regions where interference is most problematic, while other regions operate with standard interference management.
2Area of stationary object
If base stations transmit at high power to maintain coverage, then downlink coverage is improved, but uplink interference from neighboring base stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements eICIC (enhanced inter-cell interference coordination) where base stations proactively coordinate their transmissions by exchanging information about intended resource usage. This preliminary coordination allows interfering base stations to adjust their transmissions in advance, using techniques like muted subframes or adjusted power levels to prevent harmful interference before it occurs.
3Reliability
If the network allocates more resources to serve edge UEs experiencing interference, then uplink coverage is improved, but network resources become congested
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial interference coordination by providing enhanced protection only to specific subbands or resource blocks that are most affected by interference, rather than applying uniform protection across all resources. This partial action approach ensures reliable service for edge UEs in critical frequency regions while allowing other regions to operate with standard resource allocation, maintaining overall network productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are for communication in a wireless network in which a User Equipment (UE) associated with a first evolved Node B (eNB) experiences interference from a second eNB. The method includes negotiating by the first eNB of the wireless network with a second eNB of the wireless network for a partitioning of subband resources on an uplink. A first subset of subband resources is assigned to the first eNB, and a second subset of subband resources is assigned to the second eNB. A method and apparatus are for communication in a wireless network. The method includes decoding a downlink control channel received during a protected downlink subframe to determine an uplink subframe n containing a protected subband for uplink transmission. The method also includes transmitting data during the uplink subframe n on the protected subband.