Us 20150055523

US 20150055523Al
(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2015/0055523 A1
LEI et al.
(54)
(43) Pub. Date:
UL-DL INTERFERENCE MANAGEMENT

FOR TDD EIMTA
(52)
Feb. 26, 2015
US. Cl.
CPC H04W 72/04 (2013.01); H04L 5/14 (2013.01)
USPC
........................................................ ..
370/280
(71) Applicant: NOKIA CORPORATION, Espoo (Fl)

(72) Inventors: Haipeng LEI, Beijing (CN); Chunhai
Yao, Beijing (CN)
(21)
Appl. No.: 14/464,515
(22)
Filed;
(57)
ABSTRACT
Uplmk-downlmk (UL-DL) mterference management may
Aug, 20, 2014
bene?t various communication systems, such as communica
Related U-s- Application Data
tion systems of the third generation partnership project

(3GPP) long term evolution advanced (LTE-Advanced)
(60) Provisional application No. 61/868,215, ?led on Aug.
release 12 (R6142) More Speci?cally} 961mm methOds and
21 2013'
apparatuses may prowde LTE time d1V1sion duplex (TDD)
enhancement for DL-UL Interference Management and Traf
Publication Classi?cation
(51)
Int. Cl.
H04 W 72/04
H04L 5/14
?c Adaptation (TDD elMTA). A method can include deter

mining Whether to activate or deactivate TDD elMTA, or
other dynamic TDD, in a cell. The method can also include
(2006.01)
(2006.01)
informing at least one neighbor cell regarding a decision to

activate or deactivate TDD elMTA or other dynamic TDD.
Serving link
>
UL-DL interface
>
7
Cell 1 (Conf#2)
Cell 2 (Cont#1)
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Patent Application Publication
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 1 0f 12
US 2015/0055523 A1
Figu
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ARelrated
0
Switchng-po per|0d ty
ucroantifon
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 2 0f 12
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OLD
US 2015/0055523 A1
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 3 0f 12
310
eNB1
US 2015/0055523 A1
eNBZ
ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE

P
ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE

ACKNOWLEDGE
320
Figure 3
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 4 of 12
US 2015/0055523 A1
405
407
./
Determine UL/
DL Traffic
. .
Varlatlon
Determ'ne
Number Of
Attached Legacy
UES
Determine When to
410
Activate/Deactivate w
TDD eIMTA
Inform Neighbor
420
Cells of TDD eIMTA w
4303
Decrsron
Include Dynamic
Reconfiguration
and Timing
InCIUde T'm'ng
Receive
Activation
Receive
Deactivation
I,
UL/DL
440
450
4835
.
445
455
Apply UL/DL
Discontinue UL/ J
Interference
DL Interference
Scheme
Scheme
Mitigation
Mitigation
Figure 4
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 5 0f 12
Decide When to
Activate/Deactivate
TDD ellVITA
i
Send Request to
Central Node
i
Decide Whether to
Permit Activation/
Deactivation of TDD
ellVITA
530
i
Receive Central
Node
Figure 5
5540
US 2015/0055523 A1
lEiGroup Name
Presence
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 6 0f 12
Range IEtype and reference
Semanticsdescription
US 2015/0055523 A1
Criticality Assigned
Criticality
PCI
lNTEGERiO..503....) PhysioalCeltlD
Ceii ID
ECGI
TAC
TraokingAreaCode
Broadcast PLMNs
Corresponds to NUT in ref. TS 36.104 [16]
Corresponds to NM in ref. TS 36.164 [16]
9.2.14
Broadcast PLMNs
OCTETSTRING(2)
1..<maxnoot
BPLMNs>
>PLMN identity
CHOICE EUTRA-Mode-
9.2.4
info
>FDD
>>FDD|nfo
>>>UL EARFCN
EARFCN
9.2.26
>>>DL EARFCN
EARFCN
9.2.26
>>>ULTransmission M
Transmission
Bandwidth
Bandwidth
9.2.27
>>>DLTransmission M
Transmission
SameasULTransmissionBandwidthinthis
Bandwidth
Bandwidth
9227
release
>TDD
>>TDD|nfo
>>>EARFCN
9.2.26
>>>Transmission
Transmission
Bandwidth
>>>Subirame
Bandwidth
9.2.27
M
Assignment
>>>Specia|
ENUMERATEDisaO,
Uplink-downtink subirame
sa1, sa2, sa3, sa4,

sa5, sa6,...)
con?gurationiniormation deiined in ref. TS

36.211 [10]
Special subframe ooniigwationiniormation
Subframe Info
>>>>Speoia|
CorrespondstoNDMNULinrei.TS36.104[16i
defined in rei. TS 36.211 [19]

M
Subframe Patterns
ENUMERATED1ssp6.
ssp1. ssp2, ssp3,
ssp4, ssp5, ssp6.

sspT, ssp8, ssp9)
>>>>Cyc11o Pre?x
DL
>>>>Cyctio Pre?x
UL
ENUMERATED1Norm
at, Extended...)
M
ENUMERATED1Norm
at. Extended...)
Figure 6A - Table 1
PatentApplication Publication
>>>>DynamichD M
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet70f 12
BOOLEAN
US 2015/0055523 A1
DynamicTDDactlvebysmallcellitself
activating
>>>>>LlLlDL
BlTSlRlNOlSlZEl2ll DynamicLlLlDLreconfigurallonsetforrlerlving
recon?guration set
fixed subframe and ?exlble sublrame type

Set 1: ULlDL con?guration 9, 1, 2. 6
Set 2: ULlDL con?guration 9, A, 5
Set 3: ULlDL con?guration 9, 1, 2, 9, 4, 5, 6
BlTSlRlNO (SlZE(Sll OL reference configuratlon, e.g., ULlDL
>>>>>DL reference 0
con?guration
configuration 9, l, 2, S, A, 5, 6
>>>>>valirlationtiming 0
BlTSTRlNGlSlZEllOll
NumberofAntennaPorts 0
92.43
YES
ignore
PRACHCon?guratlon
PRACHCon?guration
YES
ignore
GLOBAL
ignore
9.2.59
MBSFNSubframelnfo
0..
MBSFNsubframedefinedlnTSS?SSll9]
<maxnoolMB
SFN>
>RadloframeAllocation
ENUMERATEDlnl.
Period
n2, n4, n8, n16, n32,
>Radloframe Allocation
INTEGER (0.7. ...)
Offset
>Subframe Allocation
CSG l0
9.2.5l
9.2.53
YES
ignore
MBMSServiceArea
Identity List
0..
<maxncclMB
SupportedMBMSServiceArealdentltleslntne GLOBAL
cell
ignore
MSServiceAr
ealclentlties >
>MBMS Senrlce Area
OCTET STRING(2)
Identity
MulllbandlnfoLisl
MBMS Service Area lrlentitles as defined ln TS
29.999 [29]
0
9.2.69
Figure 6B - Table 1 (Continued)
YES
ignore
lElGroup Name
Presence Range
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 8 0f 12
lEtype and reference
Semantics description
US 2015/0055523 A1
Criticality
PCl
INTEGER 10.599, ...)
Cell lD
ECGI
TAC
OCTETSTRlNGi2l
Physical Cell ID
Tracking Area Code
Broadcast PlMNs
9.2.14
Broadcast PLMNs
1..<maxnoo
tBPLMNs>
>PlMN identity
CHOICE EUTRA-Mode-
9.2.4
lnlo
>FDD
>>FDDlnlo
>>>UL EARFCN
EARFCN
>>>DL EARPCN
EARFCN
>>>UL Transmission
Transmission Bandrridtn
Corresponds to Not in ref. TS 36.104 [16]
Corresponds to NDL in ref. TS 36.104 [16]
9.2.26
9.2.26
Bandrridtn
>>>DLTransmission
9.2.2T
M
Benoirridtn
Transmission Bandwidth
SameasUlTransmissionBandwidtninthis
9.2.27
release
>TDD
>>TDDlnfo
>>>EARFCN
92.26
>>>Transmission
Transmission Bandwidth
Corresponds to NDLlNor in ref. TS 36.194
llfl
Bandwidth
>>>Sobirame
9.2.2T
M
ENUMERATEDisaO. sat,
Assignment
Uplink-downlinl subframe
sa2, sa3, sa4, sa5, sad...) coniigurationiniormation defined in ref. TS
36.211i19i
>>>Special
Special subframeconfigurationinformation
Sublrame Info
>>>>Special
defined in ref. TS 96.211 [10]

M
Subframe Patterns
ENUMERATEDlsspO,
ssp1. ssp2, ssp3, ssp4.
ssp5.
ssp9) sspfl, sspT, ssp8,
>>>>Cyclic Prefix
DL
>>>>Cyclic Prefix
UL
>>>>DrnameTDD
ENUMERATEDlNormal.
Extended...)
M
ENUMERATEDlNormal.
Extended...)
BOOLEAN
DynamioTDDactive byoentral node
activation
Figure 7A - Table 2
>>>>>Coup?ng loss
threshold for cell
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 9 0f 12
BlTSiRiNG (SiZEiSf)
clustering
US 2015/0055523 A1
For cell cluster forming, corresponding toS

threshold values {59, 60, 79, 89, 90, 490,
440, 120} dB
>>>>>UL-DL traffic
status reporting
BITSiRiNG fSiZEi2J)
period
>>>>>C|uster ID
>>>>>ULiDL
recon?guration set
BITSiRiNG fSiZE())
BITSTRiNG fSiZEi2))
Period for small cell reporting UL-DL traffic

ratio to central node via X2, corresponding
to 4 values {29, 40, 60, S?ims

Labling the cluster
Dynamic ULiDL recon?guration set for
deriving ?xed subfrarne and flexible
sublrarnetype
Set 4: ULfDl configuration 0, f, 2, 5
Set 2: ULfDl configuration 3, 4,5
Set 3: ULfDl configuration 9, i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
>>>>>va?dation
BlTSiRiNG fSiZEilO))
timing
NumberolAntenna Ports
9.2.43
YES
ignore
PRACH Configuration
PRACHCon?guration
YES
ignore
GLOBAL
ignore
9.2.59
MBSFN Sublrame Info
>RadioirameA?ocation
0.
<maxnoofM
BSFN>
l?
??BSEN subfrarne definedinTS 36.331 [9]
ENUMERATEDint, n2, n4,
Period
n8, n46, n32, ...)
>Radioirame Allocation
ll?
iNiEGER (9.7, ...)
l4
9.2.54
9.2.53
Offset
>Subirante Allocation
0564i)
MBMS Service Area
Identity List
0..
<maxnoofM
BMSServic
YES
Supported MBlAS ServiceArea identities in GLOBAL
the cell
ignore
ignore
eArealdenti
ties>
>MB??S Senrice Area
OCTET STRINGf2)
identity
Multibandlnfolist
??BMS Service Area identities as defined in
TS 23.903 [29]
0
9.2.69
YES
ignore
IEiGroup Name
Presence
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 10 0f 12
Range
IEtype and
reference
Semantics description
US 2015/0055523 A1
Criticality
PCI
iNTEGER 10-503, ...) PhysioalCelilD
Cell 1D
ECGI
Tracking AreaCode
Broadcast PLMNs
9.2.14
TAC
Broadcast PLMNs
OCTETSTRINGM)
1..<maxnoof
BPLMNs>
>PLMN Identity
CHOTCE EUTRA-Mode-
9.2.4
info
>TDD
>>FDD Info
>>>UL EARFCN
>>>BL EARFCN
EARFCN
Corresponds to NUT in ref. TS 36.104 [16]
Corresponds to NM in ref. TS 36.104 [16]
9.2.26
EARFCN
9.2.26
>>>UL Transmission
Transmission
Bandwidth
>>>DL Transmission
Bandwidth
9.2.2T
M
Bandwidth
Transmission
Same as UL Transmission Bandwidth in this
Bandwidth
reiease
9.2.27
>TDD
>>TDD Info
>>>EARFCN
9.2.26
>>>Transmission
Transmission
Bandwidth
>>>Snbframe
Bandwidth
9.2.27
M
Assignment
>>>Specia|
ENUMERATEDisaO,
Uptinkdownlihk suhframe
sa1, sa2, sa3, sa4,

sa5, sa6,...i
onnfigurationinformation defined in ref. TS

96.211 [10]
Specialsnbframeoonfigurationinformation
Subtrame Info
>>>>Speoia|
Corresponds to NUT/NUT in ref. TS 36.104 [1 6]
defined in ref. TS 36.211 [10]

M
Subtrame Patterns
EMUMERATEDisspO,
ssp1. ssp2, ssp3,
ssp4, ssp5, ssp6,

sspT, ssp8, ssp9)
>>>>Cyo|io Prefix
DL
>>>>Cyo|io Prefix
UL
>>>>Dyhamie TDD
ENUMERATEDiNorm
at, Extended...)
M
ENUMERATEDiNorm
at, Extended...)
BOOLEAN
elMTA feature deactivating info
deaotivating
Figure 8A - Table 3
>>>>>ULfDL
configuration
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 11 of 12
Ii
US 2015/0055523 A1
BiTSTRlNGiSiZEf3ii TDD ULfDLoonfignrationforfixedTDDrnode,

corresponding to ULfDL con?guration 0, 1, 2, 3,
4,5,6
>>>>>va|idation
BiTSTRlNG
timing
(SIZEifiiii
NumberofAntennaPorfs 0
92.43
YES
ignore
PRACHConfgnrafion
PRACH Configuration
YES
ignore
GLOBAL
ignore
9.2.50
MBSFNSubframelnfo
0..
MBSFNsnbframedefinedinT836931[9]
<maxnoofMB
SFN>
>RadioframeA|iooation
Iii
ENUMERATEDfnf,
Period
n2, n4, n8, nf6, n32,

---i
>Radioframe Aliooafion
Iii
INTEGER (0.7,
Iii
9.2.51
9.2.53
YES
ignore
GLOBAL
ignore
YES
ignore
Offset
>SubframeA|iooation
CSGLD
MBMSServiceArea
IdentiiyLisf
0..
<maxnoofMB
SupportedMBMSServioeArealdentitiesinthe
oeil
MSSenrioeAr
eafdenfifies >
>MBMS Servioe Area
OCiET STRINGi2)
Identity
MultibandlnfoLisf
MBMS Senice Area identities as defined in i8
23.003i29]
0
92.50
Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 12 0f 12
US 2015/0055523 A1
910
UE
914
\
\ Processor
916
937
915
Memory /
\\Transceiver
Central Node
T/
930
934
\ Processor
Memory
936
/927
\ Transceiver
T
eNB
920
/
924
\
\ Processor
925
/
926
Memory /
\\ Transceiver
Figure 9
935
Feb. 26, 2015
US 2015/0055523 A1
UL-DL INTERFERENCE MANAGEMENT

FOR TDD EIMTA
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to and claims the bene?t

and priority of Us. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/868,215, ?led Aug. 21, 2013, which is hereby incorpo

rated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002]
1. Field
[0003] Uplink-downlink (UL-DL) interference manage

ment may bene?t various communication systems, such as
communication systems of the third generation partnership

project (3GPP) long term evolution advanced (LTE-Ad
vanced) release 12 (Rel-12). More speci?cally, certain meth
ods and apparatuses may provide LTE time division duplex
(TDD) enhancement for DL-UL Interference Management
and Traf?c Adaptation (TDD eIMTA).

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Currently, LTE TDD allows for asymmetric UL-DL
allocations by providing seven different semi-statically con
?gured TDD UL-DL con?gurations shown in FIG. 1. These
allocations can provide between 40% and 90% DL sub
frames. The current mechanism for adapting UL-DL alloca
tion is based on a system information change procedure with
a 640 ms period. The concrete TDD UL/DL con?guration is
semi-statically informed by SIB-1 signaling.

[0006] TDD eIMTA is a feature for LTE Rel-12 or beyond.
The purpose of TDD eIMTA is to realize tra?ic adaptation to
match uplink and downlink tra?ic variation. While there may

be various interference coordination mechanisms, there is
currently no mechanism for properly managing UL-DL inter
ference that may be caused by activation of TDD eIMTA.
[0007] For example, while many interference mitigation

schemes may be known, the typical pre-condition of such
schemes is that the neighboring cell already knows the inter
ference source. For example, one method is to use eNB-to
eNB measurement, in which the eNB always measures the

?exible subframes of neighboring cells. If the transmission
direction of neighboring cell is changed frequently, then this

eNB is aware that its neighboring cell has activated TDD
eIMTA mode.
SUMMARY
[0008] According to a ?rst embodiment, a method can
include determining whether to activate or deactivate a
dynamic time division duplex uplink downlink recon?gura

tion in a cell. The method can also include informing at least
one neighbor cell regarding a decision to activate or deacti
vate the dynamic time division duplex uplink downlink
recon?guration.
[0009] In a variation, the activation can be by a base station
of the cell itself.
[0010] In variation, a base station of the cell can determine
the cells own uplink/downlink tra?ic variation. The decision
of whether to activate or deactivate the dynamic time division
duplex uplink downlink recon?guration can be based on the
tra?ic variation.
[0011] In variation, a base station of the cell can determine
the cells own number of attached legacy user equipment. The
decision of whether to activate or deactivate the dynamic time
division duplex uplink downlink recon?guration can be based

on the number of attached legacy user equipment.
[0012] In a variation, the informing the at least one neigh
bor cell is performed using X2 signaling.

[0013] In a variation, the informing can include, when the
decision is to activate the dynamic time division duplex
uplink downlink recon?guration, sending an information ele
ment that includes a dynamic uplink/downlink recon?gura
tion set and concrete validation timing.
decision is to activate the dynamic time division duplex
ment that includes a downlink recon?guration con?guration
and concrete validation timing.
decision is to deactivate the dynamic time division duplex
ment that includes timing information and the TDD UL/DL
con?guration to be used in ?xed TDD mode.
[0016] In a variation, the informing includes distinguishing
between activation and deactivation by one bit with a Boolean
value.
[0017] According to a second embodiment, a method can
include receiving a signal indicating activation or deactiva
tion of dynamic time division duplex uplink downlink recon

?guration. The method can also include adjusting uplink
downlink interference mitigation based on the signal.
[0018]
In a variation, the method can include, when the
signal indicates activation of dynamic time division duplex

uplink downlink recon?guration, request formation of a cell
cluster within the cell, boost uplink transmission power in
?exible subframes, or reduce downlink transmission power in
?exible subframes.
[0019] In a variation, the method can include, when the
signal indicates deactivation of dynamic time division duplex

uplink downlink recon?guration, de-forming a cell cluster,
resume using normal uplink transmission power adjustment
or downlink transmission power, or falling back to ?xed time
division duplex mode and using a same uplink-downlink
con?guration.
[0020] According to a third embodiment, a method can
include deciding whether to activate or deactivate a dynamic
time division duplex uplink downlink recon?guration in a

cell. The method can also include sending a request to a
central node.
[0021] In variant, the central node includes one of an over
laid Macro eNB, a selected small cell eNB, or an operations
and maintenance server.
[0022] In variant, the method further includes receiving a

command from the central node to perform the dynamic time
division duplex transmission. The method can also include
performing the dynamic time division duplex uplink down

link recon?guration in the cell.
[0023] In a variation, the request can be signaled using
backhaul signaling.
[0024]
In a variation, the command can be signaled using
backhaul signaling.
[0025] According to a fourth embodiment, a method can
include receiving a request to activate or deactivate a dynamic
time division duplex uplink downlink recon?guration in a

cell. The method can also include providing a command
responsive to the request, either requiring or forbidding acti

vation or deactivation of the dynamic time division duplex
uplink downlink recon?guration.
Feb. 26, 2015
US 2015/0055523 A1
[0026]
In a variation, the command can be signaled using
neighboring cell may be a legacy base station (BS). Certain
backhaul signaling.
embodiments can manage this kind of interference and avoid
[0027]
system performance loss.
In variation, the backhaul signaling can include at
least one of a coupling loss threshold for cell clustering, a
[0044]
reporting period of uplink-downlink tra?ic status, a cluster
backhaul signaling to manage the UL-DL interference caused

by the activation of TDD eIMTA.
identi?er, a dynamic uplink/downlink recon?guration set,

and a validation timing.
[0045]
[0028] According to ?fth through eighth embodiments, an
For example, certain embodiments can provide

FIG. 4 illustrates a case in which TDD eIMTA in a
apparatus can include at least one processor and at least one
small cell can be activated by the small cell itself, according

to certain embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, each small cell
memory including computer program code. The at least one

memory and the computer program code can be con?gured
eNB can, at 405, determine its own UL/DL traf?c variation.

Moreover, each small cell eNB can, at 407, determine its own
to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least
number of attached legacy UEs. At 410, each small cell eNB
to perform the method according to a respective method of the

?rst through fourth embodiments in any of their variations.
can determine when to activate/ deactivate the feature based

on its own UL/DL tra?ic variation and the number of attached
[0029] According to ninth through twelfth embodiments,
legacy UEs.
an apparatus can includes means for performing a respective
[0046] After it decides to activate/deactivate TDD eIMTA

feature, the eNB can, at 420, inform its decision to its neigh
boring cells. For example, a small cell eNB can inform its
one of the methods of the ?rst through fourth embodiments in

any of their variations.
[0030]
According to thirteenth through sixteenth embodi
ments, a non-transitory computer readable medium can be
encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware,

perform a respective one of the methods of the ?rst through
fourth embodiments in any of their variations.
[0031] According to seventeenth through twentieth

embodiments, a computer program product can encode
instructions for performing a respective one of the methods of
the ?rst through fourth embodiments in any of their varia
tions.
[0032] According to twenty-?rst and twenty-second

embodiments, respectively, a system can include the appara
tuses of the ?fth through eighth embodiments or the apparatus
of the ninth through twelfth embodiments.
TDD eIMTA activating/ deactivating decision to its neighbor

ing cells via X2 signaling.
[0047] When the small cell eNB is activating the TDD
eIMTA feature, the eNB can, at 430, con?gure the informa
tion element (IE) to include the dynamic UL/DL recon?gu
ration set and concrete validation timing Alternatively, this
information element (IE) can include the DL reference con
?guration and the concrete validation timing. When the small

cell eNB is deactivating the TDD eIMTA feature, the eNB
can, at 435, con?gure the IE to include the timing information
and the TDD UL/DL con?guration to be used in ?xed TDD
mode. The activation/deactivation can be distinguished by
one bit with a Boolean value.
[0048] Upon receiving a signaling indicating activation at

440, the neighboring cell can use some UL-DL interference
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] For proper understanding of the invention, reference

should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0034]
FIG. 1 illustrates the seven current kinds of TDD
UL/DL con?gurations.
[0035]
FIG. 2 illustrates the caused UL-DL interference
mitigation scheme(s) at 450. For example, the neighboring

cell can request to form a cell cluster with the cell, boost UL
transmission power in ?exible subframes, or reduce DL trans
mission power in ?exible subframes. Additionally, the neigh

boring cell can avoid DL transmission in the subframes which
may be used for physical uplink control channel (PUCCH)

transmission in the sending cell. Other mitigation schemes
between neighboring cells

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates an eNB con?guration update.
are also permitted.
[0037]
445, the neighboring cell can stop the UL-DL interference

mitigation schemes at 455. For example, the cell cluster can
be de-formed, normal UL transmission power adjustment or
small cell can be activated by the small cell itself, according

to certain embodiments.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a case in which TDD eIMTA in a
small cell can be activated by a central node, according to

certain embodiments.
[0039] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate Table l, which shows a ?rst
served cell information IE.
[0040] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate Table 2, which shows a sec
ond served cell information IE.
[0041] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate Table 3, which shows a third
served cell information IE.
[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates a system according to certain
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] When one cell activates dynamic TDD mode and its
neighboring cell is in ?xed TDD mode then severe UL-DL
interference can occur. There are a variety of reasons that the
neighboring cell may be in a ?xed TDD mode. For example,

the neighboring cell may not activate TDD eIMTA or the
[0049] Upon receiving a signal indicating deactivation at
DL transmission power can be used, or the cell can fall back

to ?xed TDD mode and use the same UL-DL con?guration. It
is not mandatory that the neighboring cell take these steps.

For example, if the neighboring cell predicts that TDD
eIMTA will soon be reactivated, it may continue applying the
UL/DL interference mitigation scheme(s).

[0050]
small cell can be activated by a central node, according to

certain embodiments. This central node could be the overlaid
Macro eNB, one selected small cell eNB or operations and
maintenance (OAM) server. The small cell eNB may decide,
at 510, to activate/deactivate its TDD eIMTA feature. Thus,
the small cell eNB can, at 520, send request signaling to the
central node. The central node can, at 530, decide whether to
permit it and small cell eNB can wait for the feedback sig
naling from the central node as below:
[0051] The request from the small cell eNB to the central
node, at 520, can performed using backhaul signaling that is

transmitted from the small cell eNB to the central node in
Feb. 26, 2015
US 2015/0055523 A1
order to request TDD eIMTA activation/deactivation.

Another backhaul signaling can be used from the central node
to the small cell eNB to activate/deactivate TDD eIMTA of
the small cell at 540.
[0052]
For TDD eIMTA activation, the backhaul signaling
can include the coupling loss threshold for cell clustering,
reporting period of UL-DL tra?ic status (for example, UL

DL tra?ic ratio reporting period), cluster ID, dynamic UL/DL
recon?guration set, and validation timing. For TDD eIMTA
deactivation, this backhaul signaling can include the valida
tion timing and the TDD UL/DL con?guration to be used in
?xed TDD mode.
[0053] In this way, performance gain of dynamic TDD can
be obtained while avoiding unnecessary UE power consump
tion or eNB power reduction.
[0054] The TDD eIMTA feature may mainly bene?t low or

medium tra?ic load cases. Thus, the TDD eIMTA feature
could be frequently activated or deactivated. Neighboring

cells can, therefore, know the feature status and can take into
account the proper interference mitigation scheme according

to the available information, such as dual loop power control,
scheduling limitation.
[0055] As mentioned above, if the TDD eIMTA feature in
small cell can be activated/deactivated by the small cell itself,
then each small cell eNB can determine when to activate/
deactivate the feature based on its own UL/DL tra?ic varia
tion and the number of attached legacy UEs. Other criteria can
also be used.
[0056]
One example is shown in FIG. 3. For example, as
[0058] With this information, eNB2 can take measures to

reduce the interference or protect the PUCCH transmission of
eNB l. TDD eIMTA activating information can be transmitted
in the signaling eNB con?guration update and an IE can be
included in Served Cell Information IE in Table l.
[0059] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate Table l, which shows a ?rst
served cell information IE. Based on the above analysis, one
example new IE is shown in Table 1. This new IE can indicate
TDD eIMTA activating, including the dynamic UL/DL

recon?guration set or DL reference con?guration in 3GPP
technical speci?cation (TS) 36.423. This signaling can be

transmitted from small cell eNBl to small cell eNB2 via X2
interface. This IE can contain cell con?guration information
of a cell that a neighbor eNB may need for the X2 AP inter
face.
[0060]
On the other hand, if dynamic TDD feature in small
cell is activated by a central node, then a new backhaul sig

naling can be transmitted from small cell eNB to the central
node in order to request eIMTA activating. The central node
could be the overlaid Macro eNB, one selected small cell eNB
or OAM. Another backhaul signaling may be needed from the
central node to the small cell eNB to activate/deactivate
eIMTA of this small cell taking into consideration interfer
ence management. For eIMTA activating, this backhaul sig

naling can include the coupling loss threshold for cell cluster
forming, UL-DL tra?ic ratio reporting period, cluster ID,

UL-DL recon?guration set and validation timing.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 6B, the UL/DL recon?guration
set can be selected for deriving ?xed subframe and ?exible
shown in FIG. 3, if small cell eNB 1 decides to activate its own
subframe type. For example, the sets can be as follows: set 1
eIMTA feature, it can send the eIMTA activating information

at 310 to its neighboring small cell eNB2. Here and elsewhere
can be UL/DL con?gurations 0, l, 2, and 6; set 2 can be

UL/DL con?gurations 3, 4, and 5; and set 3 can be UL/DL
in this discussion eIMTA is provided as one example of a
con?guration 0, l, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This dynamic recon?gu
dynamic time division duplex transmission, such as TDD

transmission with dynamic UL/DL con?guration. The same
approaches may also be applied to other examples of dynamic
time division duplex transmission. Dynamic TDD can refer to
ration set can mean that the adaptive UL/DL con?guration

can only be selected from the recon?guration set. For
a case in which a cell can dynamically select the TDD UL/DL
con?guration with the most appropriate UL-DL resource

ratio for the purpose of matching the instantaneous UL and
DL tra?ic variation. Thus, any of the con?gurations in FIG. 1
may be used. For ?xed TDD, by contrast, the cell always
adopts only one UL/DL con?guration irrespective of instan

taneous UL and DL tra?ic variation. Thus, activation of TDD
eIMTA can be one example of activation of dynamic TDD,
for example, for one small cell. Moreover, deactivation of
example, if set 1 is used, then adaptive UL/DL con?guration

can only be selected from one of con?gurations 0, l, 2, and 6.
By contrast, if set 2 is selected, then adaptive UL/DL con
?guration can be chosen from one of con?gurations 3, 4, and
5. The selected sets are examples. Other sets can be formed.
[0062]
Based on the indicated recon?guration set, the
receiving eNB can know which is subframe is ?xed or ?exible
in the cell of sending eNB served. For example, if set 1 is used

in the sending cell, then the sending cell can only select the
con?guration 0, 1,2, or 6. So subframes 0, l, 2, 5, 6, and 7 are,
in this case, ?xed subframes, while subframes 3, 4, 8, and 9
TDD eIMTA can refer to reverting to ?xed TDD for that same
are ?exible subframes. If set 2 is used in the sending cell, then
small cell.
the sending cell can only select con?guration 3, 4, or 5. So, in

this example, subframes 0, l, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are ?xed
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 3, the neighboring small cell eNB2
can acknowledge this information at 320. The information
includes dynamic UL/DL recon?guration set and validation
timing. With the knowledge of dynamic UL/DL recon?gura

tion set, the neighboring cell can know the subframe type, for
example, which subframe is ?xed or ?exible or which sub
frame is con?icting or non-con?icting. Thus, the neighboring

cell can boost UL transmission power or request the aggressor
cell to reduce DL transmission power in the ?exible/con?ict
ing subframe to combat the suffered UL-DL interference.
Alternatively, this information element (IE) can include the

DL reference con?guration and the concrete validation tim
ing. The DL reference con?guration can be used to derive the
uplink subframes for PUCCH transmission. Such a request to
the aggressor cell can be combined with the acknowledge
ment of the eNB con?guration update.
subframes, while subframes 3 and 4 are ?exible subframes. If

set 3 is used in the sending cell, then the sending cell can
select all seven existing con?gurations. Thus, in this case,

subframes 0, l, 2, 5, 6 are ?xed subframes, while subframes
3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 are ?exible subframes.
[0063] Furthermore, PUCCH transmission may suffer
severe interference from a neighboring cells downlink trans
mission. Thus, the information element (IE) can include the

DL reference con?guration. Based on the indicated DL ref
erence con?guration, the receiving eNB can derive which
uplink subframes shall be used for PUCCH transmission in
the sending eNB. Then the receiving cell can protect the
PUCCH of sending cell by avoiding DL transmission orusing

the same transmission direction in the subframes which may
be used for PUCCH transmission in the sending cell.
Feb. 26, 2015
US 2015/0055523 A1
[0064] UL-DL interference of the kind being considered

may happen only in ?exible subframes. Based on the indi
cated recon?guration set, the receiving eNB can know the
?exible subframe location and adopt UL-DL interference
therein. The processors 914, 924, and 934 and memories 915,
925, and 935, or a subset thereof, can be con?gured to provide
mitigation schemes only in these ?exible subframes.
means corresponding to the various blocks of FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0065]
The cluster ID ?eld can be used for a cell clustering
915, 925, and 935, respectively. The memory may include

computer program instructions or computer code contained
[0074]
As shown in FIG. 9, transceivers 916, 926, and 936
interference mitigation scheme. In this case, all the pico cells
can be provided, and each device may also include an
within the same cluster can use the same UL-DL con?gura
antenna, respectively illustrated as 917, 927, and 937. Other

con?gurations of these devices, for example, may be pro
vided. For example, central node 930 may be con?gured for
wired communication, rather than wireless communication,
tion. This cluster ID can be the label of the formed cluster.

[0066] The validation timing ?eld can be the concrete sys
tem frame number (SFN) to start activating/deactivating

eIMTA.
[0067] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate Table 2, which shows a sec
ond served cell information IE. Based on the above analysis,
and in such a case antenna 937 would illustrate any form of
communication hardware, without requiring a conventional

antenna.
one example new IE is shown in Table 2. The new IE can
[0075]
capture the activation of TDD eIMTA by a central node,
dently, be a transmitter, a receiver, or both a transmitter and a

receiver, or a unit or device that is con?gured both for trans
including the coupling loss threshold, UL-DL tra?ic ratio

reporting period, cluster ID, UL-DL recon?guration set in
3GPP TS 36.423. This signaling can be transmitted from
Transceivers 916, 926, and 936 can each, indepen
mission and reception.

[0076] Processors 914, 924, and 934 can be embodied by
central node to a small cell eNB via an X2 interface.
any computational or data processing device, such as a central
[0068]
processing unit (CPU), application speci?c integrated circuit
This IE can contain cell con?guration information
of a cell that a neighbor eNB may need for the X2 AP inter
(ASIC), or comparable device. The processors can be imple
face. Table 2 may be just like Table 1 except that UL/DL

recon?guration set may have a bitstring size 3 instead of size
2. For eIMTA deactivating, this backhaul signaling can
include the ?xed UL/DL con?guration and validation timing.
[0069] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate Table 3, which shows a third
mented as a single controller, or a plurality of controllers or

processors.
[0077]
Memories 915, 925, and 935 can independently be
any suitable storage device, such as a non-transitory com
puter-readable medium. A hard disk drive (HDD), random

access memory (RAM), ?ash memory, or other suitable
served cell information IE. Based on the above analysis, one

example new IE is shown in Table 3. The new IE can capture
memory can be used. The memories can be combined on a
the deactivation of TDD eIMTA including the ?xed TDD

UL/DL con?guration in 3GPP TS 36.423. This signaling can
from the one or more processors. Furthermore, the computer
be transmitted from one eNB to another eNB via X2 interface.

This IE can contain cell con?guration information of a cell
that a neighbor eNB may need for the X2 AP interface.
program instructions stored in the memory and which may be

processed by the processors can be any suitable form of
computer program code, for example, a compiled or inter
preted computer program written in any suitable program
[0070] In certain embodiments, activation/deactivation

informing, requesting and central node feedback signaling
are one-shot signaling considering that the corresponding
procedure does not need to be as frequently transmitted as
UL/DL con?guration exchange signaling. For the purpose of

UL-DL interference mitigation, this UL/DL con?guration
info may need to be exchanged at least with a period of 40 ms,
considering the 20 ms delay for X2 interface. In that sense,
that activation/deactivation informing, requesting and central

node feedback signaling can be considered separate signaling
and not a subset of UL/ DL con?guration exchange signaling.
[0071]
Certain embodiments may have various bene?ts or
advantages. For example, in certain embodiments a neighbor

ing cell can know eNB eIMTA status. Moreover, in certain
embodiments, the interference can be easily managed, even
though there may be some additional backhaul signaling.
[0072] FIG. 9 illustrates a system according to certain
embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment, a system
may include multiple devices, such as, for example, at least

one UE 910, at least one eNB 920 or other base station or
access point, and at least one central node 930. In certain
systems, only UE 910 and eNB 920 may be present, and in

other systems UE 910, eNB 920, and a plurality of other user
equipment may be present. Other con?gurations are also pos
sible. The central node 930 may include an overlaid macro
eNB or OAM in addition to traditional core network ele
single integrated circuit as the processor, or may be separate
ming language.
[0078] The memory and the computer program instructions
can be con?gured, with the processor for the particular
device, to cause a hardware apparatus such as UE 910, eNB
920, and central node 930, to perform any of the processes
described above (see, for example, FIGS. 3-5). Therefore, in

certain embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable
medium can be encoded with computer instructions that,
when executed in hardware, perform a process such as one of
the processes described herein. Alternatively, certain embodi

ments of the invention can be performed entirely in hardware.
[0079] Furthermore, although FIG. 9 illustrates a system

including a UE, eNB, and central node, embodiments of the
invention may be applicable to other con?gurations, and con
?gurations involving additional elements.

[0080] One having ordinary skill in the art will readily
understand that the invention as discussed above may be
practiced with steps in a different order, and/ or with hardware
elements in con?gurations which are different than those
which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has
been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it

would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain
modi?cations, variations, and alternative constructions

would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and
scope of the invention.
ments.
[0073] Each of these devices may include at least one pro

cessor, respectively indicated as 914, 924, and 934. At least
one memory can be provided in each device, and indicated as
GLOSSARY
[0081] ASIC Application Speci?c Integrated Circuit

[0082]
BS Base Station
Feb. 26, 2015
US 2015/0055523 A1
[0083]
[0084]
CPU Central Processing Unit

DAI Downlink Assignment Index
[0085]
[0086]
[0087]
DCI Downlink Control Information

DL Downlink
eIMTA enhancement for DL-UL Interference Man
agement and Traf?c Adaptation

[0088]
[0089]
[0090]
eNB evolved Node B

GP Guard Period
IE Information Element
[0091]
[0092]
[0093]
[0094]
LTE Long Term Evolution

OAM Operations and Maintenance
PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel
RAM Random Access Memory
[0095] ROM Read Only Memory

[0096]
RRC Radio Resource Control
[0097]
[0098]
[0099]
[0100]
SFN System Frame Number

TDD Time Division Duplex
TPC Transmit Power Control
UE User Equipment
[0101] UL Uplink
We claim:
1. A method, comprising:
determining whether to activate or deactivate a dynamic
time division duplex uplink downlink recon?guration in

a cell; and
activate or deactivate the dynamic time division duplex
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

when the signal indicates activation of dynamic time divi
sion duplex uplink downlink recon?guration, requesting

formation of a cell cluster within the cell, boost uplink
transmission power in ?exible subframes, or reduce
downlink transmission power in ?exible subframes.
when the signal indicates deactivation of dynamic time
division duplex uplink downlink recon?guration, de

forming a cell cluster, resuming using normal uplink
transmission power adjustment or downlink transmis
sion power, or falling back to ?xed time division duplex
mode and using a same uplink-downlink con?guration.

deciding whether to activate or deactivate a dynamic time
division duplex uplink downlink recon?guration in a

cell; and
sending a request to a central node.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the central node

includes one of an overlaid Macro eNB, a selected small cell
eNB, or an operations and maintenance server.

receiving a command from the central node to perform the
dynamic time division duplex transmission; and

performing the dynamic time division duplex uplink down
link recon?guration in the cell.
receiving a request to activate or deactivate a dynamic time

cell; and
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the activation is by a

base station of the cell itself.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein a base station of the cell
determines the cells own uplink/downlink tra?ic variation,
providing a command responsive to the request, either

requiring or forbidding activation or deactivation of the
dynamic time division duplex uplink downlink recon
and wherein the decision of whether to activate or deactivate
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the command is
?guration.
the dynamic time division duplex uplink downlink recon?gu
signaled using backhaul signaling.
ration is based on the traf?c variation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a base station of the cell
determines the cells own number of attached legacy user
equipment, and wherein the decision of whether to activate or
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the backhaul signal

ing comprises at least one of a coupling loss threshold for cell
deactivate the dynamic time division duplex uplink downlink

recon?guration is based on the number of attached legacy
user equipment.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the informing com
prises, when the decision is to activate the dynamic time
division duplex uplink downlink recon?guration, sending an

information element that includes a dynamic uplink/down
link recon?guration set and concrete validation timing.
prises, when the decision is to activate the dynamic time
clustering, a reporting period of uplink-downlink traf?c sta

tus, a cluster identi?er, a dynamic uplink/downlink recon
?guration set, and a validation timing,

17. An apparatus, comprising:
at least one processor; and
at least one memory including computer program code,

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program
code are con?gured to, with the at least one processor,
cause the apparatus at least to
determine whether to activate or deactivate a dynamic time

cell; and
inform at least one neighbor cell regarding a decision to
information element that includes a downlink recon?guration
con?guration and concrete validation timing.

prises, when the decision is to deactivate the dynamic time

information element that includes timing information and the

TDD UL/DL con?guration to be used in ?xed TDD mode.

receive a signal indicating activation or deactivation of
receiving a signal indicating activation or deactivation of
?guration; and
adjusting uplink-downlink interference mitigation based
on the signal.
?guration; and
adjust uplink-downlink interference mitigation based on
the signal.
Feb. 26, 2015
US 2015/0055523 A1

21. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded

with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a
process comprising:

receive a request to activate or deactivate a dynamic time

cell; and
provide a command responsive to the request, either requir
ing or forbidding activation or deactivation of the
?guration.
process comprising:
determining whether to activate or deactivate a dynamic
time division duplex uplink downlink recon?guration in

a cell; and
receiving a signal indicating activation or deactivation of
?guration; and
adjusting uplink-downlink interference mitigation based
on the signal.

process comprising:
receiving a request to activate or deactivate a dynamic time

cell; and
providing a command responsive to the request, either
requiring or forbidding activation or deactivation of the
?guration.

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(19) United States

(43) Pub. Date:

UL-DL INTERFERENCE MANAGEMENT

Feb. 26, 2015

(71) Applicant: NOKIA CORPORATION, Espoo (Fl)

Appl. No.: 14/464,515

Uplmk-downlmk (UL-DL) mterference management may

Aug, 20, 2014

bene?t various communication systems, such as communica

Related U-s- Application Data

tion systems of the third generation partnership project

(60) Provisional application No. 61/868,215, ?led on Aug.

release 12 (R6142) More Speci?cally} 961mm methOds and

apparatuses may prowde LTE time d1V1sion duplex (TDD)

enhancement for DL-UL Interference Management and Traf

?c Adaptation (TDD elMTA). A method can include deter

informing at least one neighbor cell regarding a decision to

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 1 0f 12

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 2 0f 12

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 3 0f 12

ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE

ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 4 of 12

Cells of TDD eIMTA w

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 5 0f 12

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 6 0f 12

Range IEtype and reference

Corresponds to NUT in ref. TS 36.104 [16]

Corresponds to NM in ref. TS 36.164 [16]

sa1, sa2, sa3, sa4,

con?gurationiniormation deiined in ref. TS

Special subframe ooniigwationiniormation

defined in rei. TS 36.211 [19]

ssp1. ssp2, ssp3,

ssp4, ssp5, ssp6.

Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet70f 12

fixed subframe and ?exlble sublrame type

n2, n4, n8, n16, n32,

INTEGER (0.7. ...)

>MBMS Senrlce Area

MBMS Service Area lrlentitles as defined ln TS

Figure 6B - Table 1 (Continued)

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 8 0f 12

lEtype and reference

INTEGER 10.599, ...)

Tracking Area Code

Corresponds to Not in ref. TS 36.104 [16]

Corresponds to NDL in ref. TS 36.104 [16]

Corresponds to NDLlNor in ref. TS 36.194

sa2, sa3, sa4, sa5, sad...) coniigurationiniormation defined in ref. TS

defined in ref. TS 96.211 [10]

ssp1. ssp2, ssp3, ssp4.

DynamioTDDactive byoentral node

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 26, 2015 Sheet 9 0f 12