Wireless Mode Selection via Centralized Interference Cost Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless terminals often lack the information needed to determine the most suitable communication mode (direct or infrastructure) that minimizes overall system interference, leading to suboptimal decisions due to limited knowledge of their surroundings and potential interference effects on multiple cells.
Innovation Solution
A centralized control node determines the communication mode based on interference considerations across multiple cells, comparing direct and infrastructure mode interference cost estimates to select the mode with the lowest system-wide interference, without requiring frequent distribution of network interference information to wireless terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless terminals make mode decisions independently based on limited local information, then device autonomy and simplicity are improved, but system-wide interference optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A control node acts as an intermediary between wireless terminals and the network infrastructure. The control node collects interference information from multiple cells, processes it centrally, and provides mode recommendations to terminals. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling terminals to make informed decisions without requiring them to have complete system knowledge, thus maintaining device autonomy while achieving system-wide interference optimization.
2Productivity
If centralized control determines communication mode based on system-wide interference information, then overall system performance is improved, but information distribution complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex interference information processing function from individual terminals and concentrates it in a dedicated control node. The control node collects interference data from multiple cells, processes it centrally, and provides simplified mode recommendations to terminals. This extraction eliminates the need for complex information distribution systems while maintaining system-wide optimization, as the control node handles all interference analysis centrally.
3Measurement precision
If interference information is frequently distributed to wireless terminals, then mode decision accuracy is improved, but network resource consumption and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously distributing complete interference information to all terminals, the system provides partial information in the form of mode recommendations only when needed. The control node determines communication modes based on current interference conditions and provides these recommendations to terminals on demand, rather than continuously updating all terminals with full interference data. This reduces signaling overhead and network resource consumption while maintaining sufficient accuracy for mode decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for determining a mode of wireless communications to be used by a wireless terminal, e.g., a direct communications mode or an infrastructure communications mode are described. In some embodiments, the mode to be used is determined by a control node based on interference which will be caused to the system taking into consideration at least an area, e.g., cell, in which the wireless terminal seeking to communicate is not located. System interference cost estimates for each mode under consideration are generated and compared. Interference cost estimates may, and do, correspond to different frequency bands when the direct mode uses a different frequency band than the infrastructure communications mode. Separate interference cost estimates and mode determinations are made for different communications directions in some embodiments. The determined mode to be used is communicated to the devices seeking to communicate, e.g., via one or more base stations.