UTRAN enhancements for the support of inter-cell interference cancellation

• US 9,246,541 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2009
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Sambhwani, Sharad Deepak, Flore, Oronzo
• Primary Examiner(s): Mattis, Jason
• Assistant Examiner(s): Clawson, Stephen J
• Application Number:
  US12/361,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20090196162A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,554 Days
• Field of Search: 370/201
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7103 the interference being multiple access interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2201/70702 Intercell-related aspects

Abstract

Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate providing uplink inter-cell interference cancellation. A radio network controller can receive measurement reports in order to identify non-serving nodes that are receiving interference from user equipment. Based on evaluation of such measurement reports, an interference message can be communicated to a Node B, wherein such measurement report can include information that allows the Node B to cancel or terminate the interference caused by such identified user equipment.

Claims

1. A method that facilitates eliminating excessive uplink interference via inter-cell interference cancellation, comprising:

receiving a message from a Radio Network Controller (RNC), wherein the message is at least one of a Radio Network Subsystem Application Part (RNSAP) message or a Node B Application Part (NBAP) message that includes information related to performing a Radio Link procedure for a user equipment (UE) and a non-serving node B;

evaluating the message to identify that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B based upon the information; and

cancelling the uplink interference from the UE utilizing the evaluating of the message to increase an uplink capacity of the non-serving node B.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the Radio Link procedure is at least one of a Radio Setup procedure or a Radio Addition procedure.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information includes an information element (IE), wherein the information element is at least one of UL scrambling code, UL DPCCH Slot Format, Frame Offset, Chip Offset, Maximum Number of UL DPDCHs, Maximum Set of E-DPDCHs, Puncture Limit, E-TFCS Information, E-TTI, or E-DPCCH Power Offset.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising employing the cancelling of the uplink interference within a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN).

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining a list of interfering user equipment for at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying that the UE is interfering with at least one of a base station, another non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference as the inter-cell interference occurs.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing a listing of UEs that are interfering with at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference in the cancelling of the uplink interference from the UE.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating the message based at least in part on a measurement report for the UE.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein receiving the message comprises receiving the message at a Node B, wherein the information identifies interfering UEs.

10. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

receive a message from a Radio Network Controller (RNC), wherein the message is at least one of a Radio Network Subsystem Application Part (RNSAP) message or a Node B Application Part (NBAP) message that includes information related to performing a Radio Link procedure for a user equipment (UE) and a non-serving node B;

evaluate the message to identify that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B based upon the information;

cancel the uplink interference from the UE based on evaluating the message to increase an uplink capacity of the non-serving node B; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

11. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the Radio Link procedure is at least one of a Radio Setup procedure or a Radio Addition procedure.

12. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the information includes an information element (IE), wherein the information element is at least one of UL scrambling code, UL DPCCH Slot Format, Frame Offset, Chip Offset, Maximum Number of UL DPDCHs, Maximum Set of E-DPDCHs, Puncture Limit, E-TFCS Information, E-TTI, or E-DPCCH Power Offset.

13. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to employ the cancelling of the uplink interference within a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN).

14. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to maintain a list of interfering user equipment for at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference.

15. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to identify that the UE is interfering with at least one of a base station, another non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference as the inter-cell interference occurs.

16. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to utilize a listing of UEs that are interfering with at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference in cancelling the uplink interference from the UE.

17. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to create the message based at least in part on a measurement report for the UE.

18. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive the message at a Node B, wherein the information identifies interfering UEs.

19. A wireless communications apparatus that enables eliminating excessive uplink interference via inter-cell interference cancellation, comprising:

means for receiving a message from a Radio Network Controller (RNC), wherein the message is at least one of a Radio Network Subsystem Application Part (RNSAP) message or a Node B Application Part (NBAP) message that includes information related to performing a Radio Link procedure for a user equipment (UE) and a non-serving node B;

means for evaluating the message to identify that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B based upon the information; and

means for cancelling the uplink interference from the UE based on evaluating the message to increase an uplink capacity of the non-serving node B.

20. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, wherein the Radio Link procedure is at least one of a Radio Setup procedure or a Radio Addition procedure.

21. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, wherein the information includes an information element (IE), wherein the information element is at least one of UL scrambling code, UL DPCCH Slot Format, Frame Offset, Chip Offset, Maximum Number of UL DPDCHs, Maximum Set of E-DPDCHs, Puncture Limit, E-TFCS Information, E-TTI, or E-DPCCH Power Offset.

22. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for employing the canceling of the uplink interference within a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN).

23. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for maintaining a list of interfering user equipment for at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference.

24. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for identifying that the UE is interfering with at least one of a base station, another non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference as the inter-cell interference occurs.

25. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for utilizing a listing of UEs that are interfering with at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference in cancelling the uplink interference from the UE.

26. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for creating the message based at least in part on a measurement report for the UE.

27. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 19, wherein the means for receiving the message comprises means for receiving the message at a Node B, wherein the information identifies interfering UEs.

28. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to receive a message from a Radio Network Controller (RNC), wherein the message is at least one of a Radio Network Subsystem Application Part (RNSAP) message or a Node B Application Part (NBAP) message that includes information related to performing a Radio Link procedure for a user equipment (UE) and a non-serving node B;

code for causing the at least one computer to evaluate the message to identify that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B based upon the information; and

code for causing the at least one computer to cancel the uplink interference from the UE based on evaluating the message to increase an uplink capacity of the non-serving node B.

29. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the Radio Link procedure is at least one of a Radio Setup procedure or a Radio Addition procedure.

30. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the information includes an information element (IE), wherein the information element is at least one of UL scrambling code, UL DPCCH Slot Format, Frame Offset, Chip Offset, Maximum Number of UL DPDCHs, Maximum Set of E-DPDCHs, Puncture Limit, E-TFCS Information, E-TTI, or E-DPCCH Power Offset.

31. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to employ the canceling of the uplink interference within a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN).

32. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to maintain a list of interfering user equipment for at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference.

33. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to identify that the UE is interfering with at least one of a base station, another non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference as the inter-cell interference occurs.

34. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to utilize a listing of UEs that are interfering with at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference in cancelling the uplink interference from the UE.

35. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to create the message based at least in part on a measurement report for the UE.

36. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to receive receives the message at a Node B, wherein the information identifies interfering UEs.

37. A method that facilitates implementing inter-cell interference cancellation, comprising:

receiving a portion of a measurement report related to a user equipment (UE), wherein the measurement report relates to a time from detection of a non-serving node B to an active set update to include the non-serving node B;

evaluating the portion of the measurement report to identify that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B based upon characteristics of the non-serving node B measured by the UE that achieve or exceed a first threshold that is lower than a second threshold used for active set management for a serving node B; and

transmitting an interference message to the non-serving node B based upon the characteristics of the non-serving node B being between the first threshold and the second threshold, wherein the interference message specifies the UE and includes at least one information element enabling the non-serving node B to increase its uplink capacity by terminating interference from the UE.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising transmitting the interference message utilizing RNSAP to at least one of the non-serving node B, a base station, the UE, a neighboring cell, or a cell receiving inter-cell interference from the UE.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising transmitting the interference message utilizing NBAP to at least one of the non-serving node B, a base station, the UE, a neighboring cell, or a cell receiving inter-cell interference from the UE.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the transmitting further comprises transmitting the interference message with a Radio Link Setup Procedure.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the transmitting further comprises transmitting the interference message with a Radio Link Addition Procedure.

42. The method of claim 37, further comprising creating the interference message with at least one of UL scrambling code, UL DPCCH Slot Format, Frame Offset, Chip Offset, Maximum Number of UL DPDCHs, Maximum Set of E-DPDCHs, Puncture Limit, E-TFCS Information, E-TTI, or E-DPCCH Power Offset.

43. The method of claim 37, further comprising maintaining a list of interfering user equipment for at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference.

44. The method of claim 37, further comprising identifying that the UE is interfering with at least one of a base station, another non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference as the inter-cell interference occurs.

45. The method of claim 37, further comprising utilizing a listing of UEs that are interfering with at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference in identifying that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B.

46. The method of claim 37, wherein the interference message enables uplink interference cancellation within a UTRAN based upon the information within the interference message.

47. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

receive a portion of a measurement report related to a user equipment (UE), wherein the measurement report relates to a time from detection of a non-serving node B to an active set update to include the non-serving node B;

evaluate the portion of the measurement report to identify that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B based upon characteristics of the non-serving node B measured by the UE that achieve or exceed a first threshold that is lower than a second threshold used for active set management for a serving node B;

transmit an interference message to the non-serving node B based upon the characteristics of the non-serving node B being between the first threshold and the second threshold, wherein the interference message specifies the UE and includes at least one information element enabling the non-serving node B to increase its uplink capacity by terminating interference from the UE; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

48. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 47, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit the interference message utilizing RNSAP to at least one of the non-serving node B, a base station, the UE, a neighboring cell, or a cell receiving inter-cell interference from the UE.

49. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 47, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit the interference message utilizing NBAP to at least one of the non-serving node B, a base station, the UE, a neighboring cell, or a cell receiving inter-cell interference from the UE.

50. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 47, wherein the at least one processor transmits the interference message with a Radio Link Setup Procedure.

51. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 47, wherein the at least one processor transmits the interference message with a Radio Link Addition Procedure.

52. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 47, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to create the interference message with at least one of UL scrambling code, UL DPCCH Slot Format, Frame Offset, Chip Offset, Maximum Number of UL DPDCHs, Maximum Set of E-DPDCHs, Puncture Limit, E-TFCS Information, E-TTI, or E-DPCCH Power Offset.

53. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 47, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to maintain a list of interfering user equipment for at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference.

54. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 47, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to identify that the UE is interfering with at least one of a base station, another non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference as the inter-cell interference occurs.

55. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 47, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to utilize a listing of UEs that are interfering with at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference in identifying that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B.

56. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 47, wherein the interference message enables uplink interference cancellation within a UTRAN based upon the information within the interference message.

57. A wireless communications apparatus that enables implementing inter-cell interference cancellation, comprising:

means for receiving a portion of a measurement report related to a user equipment (UE), wherein the measurement report relates to a time from detection of a non-serving node B to an active set update to include the non-serving node B;

means for evaluating the portion of the measurement report to identify that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B based upon characteristics of the non-serving node B measured by the UE that achieve or exceed a first threshold that is lower than a second threshold used for active set management for a serving node B; and

means for transmitting an interference message to the non-serving node B based upon the characteristics of the non-serving node B being between the first threshold and the second threshold, wherein the interference message specifies the UE and includes at least one information element enabling the non-serving node B to increase its uplink capacity by terminating interference from the UE.

58. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, further comprising means for transmitting the interference message utilizing RNSAP to at least one of the non-serving node B, a base station, the UE, a neighboring cell, or a cell receiving inter-cell interference from the UE.

59. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, further comprising means for transmitting the interference message utilizing NBAP to at least one of the non-serving node B, a base station, the UE, a neighboring cell, or a cell receiving inter-cell interference from the UE.

60. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, wherein the means for transmitting transmits the interference message with a Radio Link Setup Procedure.

61. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, wherein the means for transmitting transmits the interference message with a Radio Link Addition Procedure.

62. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, further comprising means for creating the interference message with at least one of UL scrambling code, UL DPCCH Slot Format, Frame Offset, Chip Offset, Maximum Number of UL DPDCHs, Maximum Set of E-DPDCHs, Puncture Limit, E-TFCS Information, E-TTI, or E-DPCCH Power Offset.

63. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, further comprising means for maintaining a list of interfering user equipment for at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference.

64. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, further comprising means for identifying that the UE is interfering with at least one of a base station, another non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference as the inter-cell interference occurs.

65. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, further comprising means for utilizing a listing of UEs that are interfering with at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference in identifying that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B.

66. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 57, wherein the interference message enables uplink interference cancellation within a UTRAN based upon the information within the interference message.

67. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to receive a portion of a measurement report related to a user equipment (UE), wherein the measurement report relates to a time from detection of a non-serving node B to an active set update to include the non-serving node B;

code for causing the at least one computer to evaluate the portion of the measurement report to identify that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B based upon characteristics of the non-serving node B measured by the UE that achieve or exceed a first threshold that is lower than a second threshold used for active set management for a serving node B; and

code for causing the at least one computer to transmit an interference message to the non-serving node B based upon the characteristics of the non-serving node B being between the first threshold and the second threshold, wherein the interference message specifies the UE and includes at least one information element enabling the non-serving node B to increase its uplink capacity by terminating interference from the UE.

68. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to transmit the interference message utilizing RNSAP to at least one of the non-serving node B, a base station, the UE, a neighboring cell, or a cell receiving inter-cell interference from the UE.

69. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to transmit the interference message utilizing NBAP to at least one of the non-serving node B, a base station, the UE, a neighboring cell, or a cell receiving inter-cell interference from the UE.

70. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to transmit transmits the interference message with a Radio Link Setup Procedure.

71. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to transmit transmits the interference message with a Radio Link Addition Procedure.

72. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to create the interference message with at least one of UL scrambling code, UL DPCCH Slot Format, Frame Offset, Chip Offset, Maximum Number of UL DPDCHs, Maximum Set of E-DPDCHs, Puncture Limit, E-TFCS Information, E-TTI, or E-DPCCH Power Offset.

73. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to maintain a list of interfering user equipment for at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference.

74. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to identify that the UE is interfering with at least one of a base station, another non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference as the inter-cell interference occurs.

75. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to utilize a listing of UEs that are interfering with at least one of a base station, the non-serving node B, a neighboring cell, or a cell having inter-cell interference in identifying that the UE is interfering with the non-serving node B.

76. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the wherein the interference message enables uplink interference cancellation within a UTRAN based upon the information within the interference message.