LTE eRAN6.

0 ICIC
Feature

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Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

 Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
Describe basic concepts of ICIC, such as CCU, CEU, etc.

Describe the ICIC A3/A6 event and related parameters

Describe downlink and uplink ICIC procedures

Perform enable/disable ICIC functions

Describe the deployment strategy of ICIC

List the main parameters of ICIC

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page3
 Contents
1. Overview of ICIC
2. Cell Center User and Cell Edge User Identification
3. Edge Band Mode Assignment
4. ICIC Event A3/A6
5. Edge Band Adjustment
6. Downlink ICIC
7. Uplink ICIC
8. ICIC Deployment Strategy

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page4
 Overview of ICIC
ICIC: Inter Cell Interference Coordination
Function:
Increase the cell edge user experience (throughput)
Increase the cell capacity

Interference Rejection Combining

(IRC) :applied at the physical layer
Huawei
interference
mitigation
solutions Inter-Cell Interference
Coordination (ICIC):applied at the
MAC layer

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

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 Types of ICIC

Static ICIC
ICIC
Dynamic ICIC

DL ICIC
ICIC
UL ICIC

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page6
 Contents
1. Overview of ICIC
2. Cell Center User and Cell Edge User Identification
3. Edge Band Mode Assignment
4. ICIC Event A3/A6
5. Edge Band Adjustment
6. Downlink ICIC
7. Uplink ICIC
8. ICIC Deployment Strategy

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page7
 Cell Center User and Cell Edge User
(CCU/CEU) identification
To implement ICIC, the eNodeB must first identify CCUs an
d CEUs correctly.
In the LTE system, UEs in the center of a cell usually enjoy f
avorable radio conditions and do not require ICIC. These U
Es are called Cell Center Users (CCUs).
UEs at the edge of a cell, however, are affected by interfere
nce from neighboring cells and therefore require interferen
ce mitigation. These UEs are called Cell Edge Users (CEUs).

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page8
 Cell Center User and Cell Edge User
(CCU/CEU) identification (Cont.)
When initially accessing a network, an UE is recognized as a CCU
After a handover, the UE is recognized as a CEU
After a short period following the initial access or handover, the e
NodeB starts to use event A3 or A6 for ICIC (referred to as ICIC e
vent A3 or A6) to determine whether the UEs are CEUs or CCUs.
If an ICIC A3/A6 report contains the measurement about the servi
ng cell only, the eNodeB treats the UE as a CCU
If an ICIC A3/A6 report contains the measurement result about at
least one neighboring cell, the eNodeB treats the UE as a CEU

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page9
 Contents
1. Overview of ICIC
2. Cell Center User and Cell Edge User Identification
3. Edge Band Mode Assignment
4. ICIC Event A3/A6
5. Edge Band Adjustment
6. Downlink ICIC
7. Uplink ICIC
8. ICIC Deployment Strategy

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page10
 Edge Band Mode Assignment
DL: ICIC operating band = system band of PDSCH
UL: ICIC operating band = system band - PUCCH band (PUS
CH)
The center band is mainly allocated to CCUs, and the edge
band is mainly allocated to CEUs.
Assignment of different edge bands to neighboring cells m
ust be planned, in Huawei eNodeB as MODE1, MODE2 and
MODE3.

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page11
 Edge Band Mode Assignment (Cont.)
UE CEU/CCU identification
ICIC A3 Event
CEU/CCU identification
ICIC A3 Event CEU CCU
CEU/CCU identification
ICIC A3 Event CEU CCU
UL/DL Power Control CEU PowerCCUControl
grant Power Control Power Control
Power Control
MAC Scheduling Power Control
MAC Scheduling
MAC Scheduling MAC Scheduling
MAC Scheduling MAC Scheduling
PRB
PRB
PRB
Edge band mode Edge band
assignment
Edge band mode adjustment
Edge band
PRB for edge assignment
Edge band mode adjustment
Edge
band Cellband
#1
assignment adjustment
PRB for Cell #2
center band Cell #N

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page12
 Edge Band Mode Assignment (Cont.)
MODE MODE MODE
1 2 3

MODE3

MODE2 PDSCH
MODE1 /
PUSCH

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page13
 Edge Band Mode Assignment (Cont.)

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page14
 Edge Band Mode Assignment (Cont.)

edge
band
Powe
r

cente

r
Powe
0dB referen 0dB
ce r
-
signal -3dB
band
1.77dB
50% of 66% of
RS RS -6dB
power power 25% of
RS
power
f f
(x) (x)
No ICIC ICIC

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page15
 Contents
1. Overview of ICIC
2. Cell Center User and Cell Edge User Identification
3. Edge Band Mode Assignment
4. ICIC Event A3/A6
5. Edge Band Adjustment
6. Downlink ICIC
7. Uplink ICIC
8. ICIC Deployment Strategy

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page16
 ICIC Event A3/A6 Based on RSRP Measure
ment
ICIC event A3 is used for reporting RSRP (Reference Signal Receiv
ed Power) measurement reports, based on which DL ICIC and UL
ICIC can determines the type of a UE in the serving cell.
ICIC event A3 is reported in event-triggered periodical reporting
mode.
Entering condition:
Leaving condition:
ICIC event A6 is reported in event-triggered periodical reporting
mode.
Entering condition:
Leaving condition:
ICIC event A3 is reported only if either the entering condition or l
eaving condition for ICIC event A3 is met for a period of time

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page17
 Entering Condition for ICIC Event A3
Entering condition:Mn Ofn Ocn Hys Ms Ofs Ocs Off

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page18
 Leaving Condition for ICIC Event A3
Leaving condition: Mn Ofn Ocn Hys Ms Ofs Ocs Off

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page19
 More Parameters of ICIC Event A3

MaxReportCellNum parameter: the maximum number of reported neighboring cells

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

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 Related MML of ICIC Event A3
MOD CELLDLICICMCPARA

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page21
 Related MML of ICIC Event A3 (Cont.)
MOD CELLULICICMCPARA

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page22
 ICIC Event A3 Parameters Setting
A3Offset => CEU Number
Hysteresis => probability of Ping-Pong ICIC A3
TimeToTrigger => probability of Ping-Pong ICIC A3
ReportInterval => frequency of sending measurement r
eports & UE info updated in time
ReportAmount => UE power consumption & CEU thro
ughput improved by dynamic UL ICIC
Note: TriggerQuantity only support RSRP now

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page23
 Contents
1. Overview of ICIC
2. Cell Center User and Cell Edge User Identification
3. Edge Band Mode Assignment
4. ICIC Event A3/A6
5. Edge Band Adjustment
6. Downlink ICIC
7. Uplink ICIC
8. ICIC Deployment Strategy

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page24
 Edge Band Adjustment
If the static ICIC is used, edge bands sizes remain unchang
ed and during the higher load, overlapping PRBs may cause
inter-cell interference.

Collision

Neighboring cell X X X

Serving cell Y Y Y Y

cell edge PRBs defined

X: cell edge PRBs occupied in the neighboring cell in static ICIC

Y: cell edge PRBs occupied in the current cell cell center PRBs defined
in static ICIC

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page25
 Edge Band Adjustment (Cont.)
Only dynamic ICIC adjusts edge bands.

Shrinking
Neighboring cell X X X

Serving cell Y Y Y Y
Expanding

cell edge PRBs defined

X: cell edge PRBs occupied in the neighboring cell in static ICIC

Y: cell edge PRBs occupied in the current cell cell center PRBs defined
in static ICIC

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page26
 Contents
1. Overview of ICIC
2. Cell Center User and Cell Edge User Identification
3. Edge Band Mode Assignment
4. ICIC Event A3/A6
5. Edge Band Adjustment
6. Downlink ICIC
2.1 Static DL ICIC
2.2 Dynamic DL ICIC
7. Uplink ICIC
8. ICIC Deployment Strategy

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page27
 Static DL ICIC
The major techniques used in Static DL ICIC are DL band di
vision activated by DlIcicSwitch to DlIcicStaticSwitch_ON
_ENUM value and UE type determination based on previou
sly explained techniques.

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page28
 Dynamic DL ICIC
If dynamic DL ICIC is enabled, the eNodeB allocates an initi
al DL edge band to each cell based on the cell bandwidth a
nd edge band mode.
Then, the eNodeB periodically triggers adjustments of the
DL edge band.
Dynamic DL ICIC adjusts DL edge bands for cells based on t
he interference and load information exchanged betwee
n the cells.

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page29
 Dynamic DL ICIC (Cont.)
Huawei-defined message includes:
ID of the source cell

ID of the target cell
Coordination request indication
Load status of the source cell
Edge band status of the source cell

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page30
 Dynamic DL ICIC (Cont.)
If the edge band of the cell is adjusted, during the dynamic
ICIC procedure, this cell notifies neighboring cells of this ad
justment. Based on this information neighboring cells eithe
r expand or shrink their edge bands.

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page31
 DL ICIC Algorithm Switch MML
MOD ENODEBALGOSWITCH

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 Contents
1. Overview of ICIC
2. Cell Center User and Cell Edge User Identification
3. Edge Band Mode Assignment
4. ICIC Event A3/A6
5. Edge Band Adjustment
6. Downlink ICIC
7. Uplink ICIC
2.1 Static UL ICIC
2.2 Dynamic UL ICIC
8. ICIC Deployment Strategy

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page33
 Static UL ICIC
The major techniques used in Static UL ICIC are DL band di
vision activated by UlIcicFreqSwitch to STATIC and UE typ
e determination based on similar techniques as with DL ICI
C.

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page34
 Dynamic UL ICIC
If dynamic UL ICIC is enabled, the eNodeB allocates an initi
al UL edge band to each cell based on the cell bandwidth a
nd edge band mode.
The eNodeB triggers adjustments of the UL edge band base
d on the edge band mode and High Interference Indicator
(HII) messages from neighboring cells, containing:
ID of the source cell:
ID of the target cell:
Interference information

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page35
 Dynamic UL ICIC (Cont.)
If the difference between the PRB number actually used by
CEUs and PRBs reserved for the edge band is excessively la
rge for a cell, the eNodeB triggers an edge band adjustmen
t. If the edge band of the cell is adjusted, the cell transmits
the updated HII messages to its neighboring cells.
Neighboring cells then expand or shrink their edge bands.

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page36
 UL ICIC Algorithm Switch MML
MOD ENODEBALGOSWITCH

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Page37
 Neighboring Cell List Management
Neighboring cell lists for UL ICIC are classified into two level
s: UE level and cell level.
A UE-level neighboring cell list, which records the informati
on about neighboring cells, is created on the basis of an RS
RP measurement report sent from the UE. The list is update
d on the basis of the subsequent RSRP measurement report
s from the UE.
A cell-level neighboring cell list contains the information ab
out the interfering cells indicated in the RSRP measurement
reports from all the CEUs in a cell.

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page38
 OI Message Processing
An OI message provides information that the average interf
erence caused to all RBs in a cell is large. It also provides th
e level of interference caused to each RB.
An OI message contains the following information:
ID of the source cell
Interference indication

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page39
 Contents
1. Overview of ICIC
2. Cell Center User and Cell Edge User Identification
3. Edge Band Mode Assignment
4. ICIC Event A3/A6
5. Edge Band Adjustment
6. Downlink ICIC
7. Uplink ICIC

8. ICIC Deployment Strategy

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page40
 DL ICIC Deployment Strategy (1/3)
DL ICIC is not recommended if any of the following situatio
ns occurs:
Operators have high requirements for cell capacity but low re
quirements for cell coverage.
The total load of cells is high but the edge load is low.

There are only a few UEs in cells, and therefore the system th
roughput is low after ICIC is enabled because of limited powe
r or frequency band.
The system bandwidth is less than 3 MHz.

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Page41
 DL ICIC Deployment Strategy (2/3)
When the load of neighboring cells is approximately balanc
ed and the edge load is relatively low, static DL ICIC can be
used to allocate mutually orthogonal edge bands to differe
nt cells for inter-cell interference mitigation.
Dynamic DL ICIC can be used when the load of neighborin
g cells is not evenly distributed. It adjusts the edge bands o
f different cells dynamically and thus mitigates inter-cell int
erference.

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Page42
 DL ICIC Deployment Strategy (3/3)
When the inter-cell interference is very high and neither st
atic DL ICIC nor dynamic DL ICIC can achieve expected ICIC
effects, the Reuse3 mode can be used to allocate mutually
orthogonal bands to different cells for interference mitigati
on. In this mode, however, the system capacity decreases a
ccordingly because only 1/3 of the ICIC operating band is u
sed in each cell.

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page43
 UL ICIC Deployment Strategy (1/4)
UL ICIC is not recommended if any of the following situatio
ns occurs:
Operators have high requirements for cell capacity but low re
quirements for cell coverage.
Cells are not interfered or UEs are insensitive to interference,
for example, most UEs are located in the cell center.
The edge load of most cells is low, that is, CEUs have a relativ
ely low RB usage or interference level.
The system bandwidth is 1.4 MHz, and therefore only a few R
Bs are available. In this situation, UL ICIC affects scheduling.

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page44
 UL ICIC Deployment Strategy (2/4)
Static UL ICIC is recommended if any of the following situat
ions occurs:
The load of neighboring cells is approximately balanced.
Most cells have relatively low edge load, that is, the RB usage
of CEUs is not higher than one third of the system RB usage.

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page45
 UL ICIC Deployment Strategy (3/4)
Dynamic UL ICIC is recommended if the following situation
s occur:
The load of neighboring cells is not balanced.
The RB usage of CEUs in cells with high edge load is higher th
an one third of the system RB usage.

The RB usage of CEUs in cells with low edge load is lower than
one third of the system RB usage.

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Page46
 UL ICIC Deployment Strategy (4/4)
Time-domain ICIC is applicable to intra-eNodeB cells, which
are time synchronized. If the frequency resources cannot
meet the requirements of CEUs in intra-eNodeB neighborin
g cells with heavy edge load, time-domain UL ICIC can be a
pplied to improve the effect of UL ICIC.

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page47
 ICIC Related MML Review
MOD ENODEBALGOSWITCH, switching on/off ICIC algorith
m
MOD CELLDLICICMCPARA, setting DL ICIC A3 parameters
MOD CELLDLICIC, setting DL ICIC band mode
MOD CELLULICICMCPARA, setting UL ICIC A3 parameters
MOD CELLULICIC, setting UL ICIC band mode

Copyright 2014 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

Page48
 Summary
The basic concepts of ICIC, such as CCU, CEU, Center Band, etc.
The ICIC A3/A6 event (entering and leaving) and related paramet
ers
The downlink and uplink ICIC procedures
The deployment strategy of ICIC
MML to enable/disable ICIC functions
MML to setting ICIC bandmode
MML to seeting ICIC A3/A6 event

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Thank you
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