Wireless Device Interstitial Action for Heterogeneous Network Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heterogeneous wireless networks face challenges in managing inter-cell interference, particularly in scenarios where cell range expansion and low-power node deployments lead to increased interference, affecting signal quality and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing restricted measurement patterns and low-interference subframe patterns for inter-cell interference coordination, allowing wireless devices to perform auxiliary actions during interstitial occasions, such as performing measurements or reducing power consumption, to enhance performance without impacting normal operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cell range expansion and low-power node deployments are implemented to enhance network coverage and capacity, then network performance and service experience are improved, but inter-cell interference increases affecting signal quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidinter-cell interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the time-frequency resources by introducing restricted measurement patterns that divide subframes into measurement subframes and non-measurement subframes. This segmentation allows the system to perform measurements during low-interference periods while maintaining normal operations during other periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between enhancing network capacity through cell range expansion and managing inter-cell interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic measurement patterns where wireless devices perform measurements at regular intervals during designated measurement subframes. This periodic action allows the system to periodically assess and adapt to interference conditions, enabling low-power nodes to be deployed for capacity enhancement while interference is managed through periodic measurement and coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If restricted measurement patterns are implemented for inter-cell interference coordination, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by configuring restricted measurement patterns in advance through network signaling. The measurement patterns, including measurement subframes and non-measurement subframes, are predetermined and signaled to wireless devices before measurements are performed. This preliminary configuration simplifies the device implementation as devices only need to follow the pre-configured pattern rather than dynamically determining measurement timing, thus improving measurement accuracy without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If low-power nodes are deployed to enhance network coverage, then area coverage is improved, but interference management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidinterference management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces restricted measurement patterns as an intermediary mechanism between low-power nodes and wireless devices. This intermediary framework provides a standardized method for interference management that simplifies the deployment of low-power nodes for coverage enhancement. The measurement patterns act as a mediator that coordinates between different nodes, reducing the overall interference management complexity while enabling broader area coverage through low-power node deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2721863B1Improving wireless device performance in heterogeneous networks
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2721863B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP2721863B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3
  • EP2721863B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method in a wireless device for improving wireless device performance, and to corresponding methods in a radio network node and to the corresponding nodes. The method comprises identifying (910) an occasion comprising a time period during which at least one time-frequency resource element, in a subframe that is transmitted between the wireless device and the radio network node, does not comprise information intended for the wireless device, or is not a time-frequency resource element in which the wireless device is expected to transmit. The method further comprises performing (920) an auxiliary action during the identified occasion to improve the wireless device performance.