Wireless Interference Coordination via Blanking Bitmap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intercell interference in wireless communications systems significantly decreases the performance of communications devices, as existing interference mitigation schemes are inadequate in effectively coordinating interference between adjacent cells.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that involve a first transmission point receiving a blanking bitmap from a second transmission point to adjust transmission beams and schedule communications, thereby reducing interference by blanking or modifying transmissions in specific intervals and directions, allowing other users to communicate with reduced interference and maintaining system synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional interference mitigation schemes are used, then system complexity is reduced, but interference coordination effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference coordination effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interference mitigation approach by dividing the time domain into specific intervals and the spatial domain into transmission beams. The blanking bitmap provides fine-grained control over specific time-frequency resources, allowing selective interference reduction without coordinating all transmissions. This segmented approach improves coordination effectiveness while maintaining reasonable system complexity by focusing only on problematic interference paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by enabling interference mitigation specifically in affected cells rather than system-wide coordination. The victim cell receives targeted blanking bitmap information from the aggressor cell, allowing local adaptation of transmission schedules. This localized approach improves interference coordination effectiveness in specific areas without requiring complex global system coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If transmission beams are adjusted to reduce interference, then interference reduction effectiveness is improved, but transmission resource utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference reduction effectivenessVSAvoidtransmission resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by adjusting only specific transmission beams that cause interference to victim cells, rather than blanking all transmissions. The blanking bitmap selectively identifies and mitigates interference from particular beams during specific time intervals, allowing other beams and time resources to continue normal transmissions. This partial approach reduces interference effectively while preserving overall transmission resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through time-interleaved blanking patterns where transmissions are adjusted in specific time intervals rather than continuously. The blanking bitmap indicates which time resources require interference mitigation, allowing periodic transmission adjustments that reduce interference while maintaining resource utilization during non-blanked intervals. This periodic approach balances interference reduction with sustained productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If blanking bitmap information is exchanged between cells, then interference coordination is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference coordinationVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation by encoding interference mitigation information into a compact blanking bitmap format. Instead of exchanging detailed transmission schedule information, the system uses binary bitmap parameters that efficiently represent which time resources require blanking. This parameter transformation reduces signaling overhead while maintaining effective interference coordination through the compact information exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3259948B1System and method for interference coordination in wireless communications systems
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3259948B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3259948B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3259948B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

A method for reducing interference at a first transmission point (TP) includes receiving a blanking bitmap from a second TP, the blanking bitmap includes an indicator of an interval of time when transmissions occurring on a transmission beam originating from the second TP are adjusted to reduce interference to the first TP, and scheduling communications for a user equipment (UE) served by the first TP in accordance with the blanking bitmap.