Wireless Network Interference Mitigation via Subframe Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heterogeneous wireless communication networks face challenges with inter-cell interference due to differences in transmission power levels and cell types, leading to reduced reliability and increased erroneous transmissions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves configuring wireless communication systems to utilize candidate subframes with reduced interference, where the number of uplink transmission copies is adjusted to align downlink transmissions with interference-protected subframes, and coordinating transmission patterns between network nodes to minimize interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If low-power nodes are deployed in heterogeneous networks, then network density and adaptability are improved, but inter-cell interference increases and transmission reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the downlink transmission timeline into distinct phases: an initial downlink transmission phase followed by a second downlink transmission phase. This temporal segmentation allows the system to separate interference-prone transmissions from protected transmissions, enabling low-power nodes to operate in heterogeneous networks while maintaining reliability through coordinated interference avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the first network node transmit downlink data before the second network node transmits feedback information. This preliminary transmission establishes a time sequence where the first node's transmission completes before the second node's feedback begins, preventing overlap and interference between heterogeneous network nodes.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If low-power nodes transmit with reduced power, then network cost and energy consumption are reduced, but sensitivity to interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of reduced transmission power (which causes interference sensitivity) into a beneficial timing constraint. By scheduling downlink transmissions to complete before feedback transmissions begin, the system exploits the low-power node's limited transmission window to create interference-free periods, turning the power limitation into a protective mechanism against interference.
3Reliability
If transmission timing is coordinated between network nodes, then inter-cell interference is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of transmission timing by defining specific phase relationships between downlink and feedback transmissions. Instead of complex continuous coordination, the system uses discrete timing phases where downlink transmissions occur in an initial phase and feedback transmissions occur in a second phase, simplifying coordination while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring communication in a wireless communication system includes obtaining, at a first network node, information indicating a plurality of candidate subframes for downlink transmissions to a wireless communication device in a first cell served by the first network node. Each candidate subframe satisfies a candidate condition that relates to transmissions in a second cell during that subframe. The method also includes determining, based on the obtained information, a number of copies of an uplink transmission a wireless communication device should transmit in consecutive uplink subframes so that a downlink transmission related to the uplink transmission will occur during one of the candidate subframes. Additionally, the method includes configuring the wireless communication device to transmit the determined number of copies of the uplink transmission in consecutive subframes.