FDD-LTE Radio ICIC

Contents

ICIC Introduction ICIC theory and scheme ICIC Performance ICIC Application

What Is ICIC?

ICIC (Inter cell Interference Coordination) A set of techniques that based on FFR/SFR( fractional frequency reuse/soft frequency reuse) and power control/allocation, adaptive scheduling. It can be used to suppress ICI( inter cell interference) and to achieve improved coverage area compared to universal frequency reuse( frequency reuse factor is equal to one) network deployment and keep proper system spectrum efficiency simultaneously.

Interference coordination & management Overview

There are three main interference coordination & management methods

High spectral efficiency requirement needs mono-frequency network deployment Mono-frequency interference causes cell edge spectrum efficiency deteriorating

Interference coordination & management methods for handling mono-frequency interference Interference coordination based on SFR/FFR

Interference randomization

Interference cancellation

Interference coordination & management Comparison

Interference randomization
Though does not decrease interferences power but whitens it. SINR improvement is limited. Sole utilization of randomization can not satisfy the SINR requirement of LTE. Easy to implement.

High complexity

Interference cancellation

Strict resource allocation requirement Strict inter cell synchronization requirement

The last one for consideration

Combine

Interference coordination based on FFR

SFR/FFR allocates adjacent cells cell edge users orthogonal frequency, so inter cell interference is decreased. Residual interference is decreased by pro-active mode and passive mode interference coordination based on indicators exchanging between different adjacent eNodeBs. Balance of complexity and performance.

ICIC types for LTE

Based on frequency adjustment

Type-1: Static ICIC; Type-2: Semi-static ICIC; Type-3: Dynamic ICIC.

Modes for non-static ICIC: Mode-1: Pro-active Mode; Mode-2: Reactive Mode.

Comparison of Different ICIC Types in LTE

Low Complexity, Easy Implementation, Low Overhead, Low CAPEX and High OPEX, Fit to load of 35%~50%, Performance lightly improved. Not fit to varying load. High Complexity, Not easy Implementation, Middle Overhead, Middle CAPEX and Low OPEX, Suitable to load of 35%~70%. Performance improved more. Fit to slowly varying load.

Type 1 Static ICIC

Type 2 Semi-Static ICIC

Type 3 Dynamic ICIC

High Complexity, Hard Implementation, High overhead, High CAPEX and Low OPEX, Fit to load of 35%~70%, Performance improved most. Fit to varying load.

Contents

ICIC Introduction ICIC theory and scheme ICIC Performance ICIC Application

Universal Frequency Reuse (Reuse factor = 1)

All cells and sectors use the same frequency which is showed by the same grey color. ICI is generated

Sector 2

Sector 3

Sector 1

Different-Frequency Reuse (Reuse factor = 3)

neighbor sectors have different frequency which is showed by the different colors (red green and blue). ICI is decreased

Sector 2

Inner Sector 3 Sector 1

Fractional Frequency Reuse (1<Reuse factor<3)

Cell edge region in neighbor cells have different frequency which is showed by the different colors (red, green and blue). But cell center region in neighbor cells have the same frequency which is showed in the grey color. ICI is somehow decreased compared with monofrequency reuse. In FFR, total band=A+B+C+D.

Sector 2

Inner Sector 3 Sector 1

Soft Frequency Reuse (1<Reuse factor<3)

Cell edge region in neighbor cells have different frequency which is showed by the different colors (red, green and blue). Cell center region in neighbor cells have the other frequency which is showed in the grey color. ICI is somehow decreased compared with monofrequency reuse. In SFR, total band=A+B+C, D=total band cell edge band.

Sector 2

Inner Sector 3 Sector 1

ICIC Modes for LTE

Modes for Static ICIC Type-1: FFR; Type-2: SFR/SFR2.

Modes for Semi-Static ICIC Type-1: Pro-active SFR/SFR2; Type-2: Reactive SFR/SFR2.

Static ICIC in LTE-introduction

Static ICIC

No coordination between different eNodeBs. Based on FFR/SFR/SFR2, i.e. , Try to allocate orthogonal cell edge resources to neighbor cells. The frequency reuse factor target for cell edge is 3, and the frequency reuse factor target for cell center is 1. i.e., both the cell edge efficiency and system efficiency is under consideration in design. Different resources allocation is allowed and power control is allowed for interference mitigation. Such as FFR, SFR, SFR2.

Static ICIC in LTE-Frequency Allocation Scheme

Different Frequency Resource Allocation schemes FFR (Fractional Frequency Reuse)

In FFR, one frequency band in a sector is defined as use or not use, The Power for different frequency band is the same. The system equivalent frequency reuse factor in the interval of [1, N].

System bandwidth divided into N orthogonal parts. Each sector edge use one part orthogonal to neighbor sectors. Each sector center use the same part with neighbor sectors.

Static ICIC in LTE-Frequency Allocation Scheme

SFR (Soft Frequency Reuse)

In SFR, one frequency band in a sector is not defined as use or not use, but defined as how much power allocated the frequency was used in a cell. The system equivalent frequency reuse factor in the interval of [1, N]. Main principle for SFR:

System bandwidth divided into N orthogonal parts. For each sector, select some parts as main carriers, others as auxiliary carriers, The power of main carriers are higher than auxiliary carriers. Main carriers for different neighbor sectors are orthogonal. Main carriers can be used for overall sector, but auxiliary carriers can only be used in cell center. By Adjusting the proportionality between main carrier power and auxiliary carrier power, SFR can adapt to the load distribution in cell edge and cell center.

SFR2(Combination of SFR and FFR)

Static ICIC in LTE-Frequency Allocation Scheme

FFR

System bandwidth divided into 4 bands, Cell Center reuse 1,Cell Edge reuse 3
P Cell 1 F

Cell 2
F

Cell 3
F

A B C D

A B C D

A B C D

B,C are not used. A is first allocated to Cell edge user (CEU) . D is only used for Cell center user (CCU). Unallocated part of A can be used for CCU together with D.

A,C are not used. B is first allocated to Cell edge user (CEU) . D is only used for Cell center user (CCU).

A,B are not used. C is first allocated to Cell edge user (CEU) . D is only used for Cell center user (CCU).

Unallocated part of B can be used for

CCU together with D.

Unallocated part of C can be used for

CCU together with D.

Static ICIC in LTE-Frequency Allocation Scheme

SFR

System bandwidth divided into 3 bands, Cell Center reuse (1 3), Cell Edge reuse 3.
P Cell 1 P Cell 2

Cell 3

B
D1=B+C

B
D2=A+C

B
D3=A+B

A is first allocated to CEU . D1 is only used for CCU. Unallocated part of A can be used for CCU together with D1.

B is first allocated to CEU . D2 is only used for CCU. Unallocated part of B can be used for CCU together with D2.

C is first allocated to CEU . D3 is only used for CCU. Unallocated part of C can be used for CCU together with D3.

Static ICIC in LTE-Frequency Allocation Scheme

SFR2

system bandwidth divided into 4 bands, Cell Center reuse (1 3), Cell Edge reuse 3.
P Cell 1
F P Cell 2 F P Cell 3 F

A B C D
D1=B+C+D

A B C D
D2=A+C+D

A B C D
D3=A+B+D

A is first allocated to CEU. D1 is only used for CCU. Unallocated part of A can be used for CCU together with D1. In D1, D is first allocated to CCU.

B is first allocated to CEU. D2 is only used for CCU. Unallocated part of B can be used for CCU together with D2. In D2, D is first allocated to CCU.

C is first allocated to CEU. D3 is only used for CCU. Unallocated part of C can be used for CCU together with D3. In D3, D is first allocated to CCU.

Semi-static ICIC in LTE-introduction

Coordination between different eNodeBs; Frequency allocation adapts to load distribution in Cell edge and cell center. Reallocation is done on a time scale corresponding to seconds. X2 signaling such as HII, OI and RNTP are supported. Based on FFR, i.e. , Try to allocate orthogonal cell edge resources to neighbor cells. The frequency reuse factor target for cell edge is 3, and the frequency reuse factor target for cell center is 1. i.e., both the cell edge efficiency and system efficiency is under consideration in design. Different resources allocation is allowed and power control is allowed for interference mitigation. Such as FFR, SFR, SFR2.

Semi-static ICIC in LTE-X2 signaling

X2 signaling interacting

Interacting signaling: HII and OI are used for uplink semi-static ICIC. RNTP is used for downlink semi-static ICIC. Interacting mode: HII and RNTP are pro-active mode. OI is reactive mode. Interacting interval: Several tens of milliseconds for semi-static ICIC. Interacting granularity: Each RB has corresponding indicators. Interacting flow chart: different respectively for different indicators. Interacting cells: cells in the neighbor cell list(NCL).

Semi-static ICIC in LTE-X2 signaling-HII

X2 signaling interacting flow chart:

HII for Uplink

If one PRB is allocated to CEU by scheduler, the HII indicator for the PRB is generated as 1, otherwise 0. The HII bitmap is generated for each target cell based on cell related CEUs HII Indicator statistics in report interval. Upon receiving HII bitmap, in lightly load the HII indicated PRBs will not be allocated to CEU and high SINR CCU; in high load the power of HII indicated PRBs will be lowered.
Classify CEU and CCU Decide CCU and CEU Band allocation
If lightly load, HII indicated PRBs will not be allocated to CEU and high SINR CCU If high load, power Of HII indecated PRBs be lowered

S C H E D U L E R

UEs RSRP report System load statistics Service Type Neighbor cellsHII IoT test on Each PRB

Allocate time-frequency and power resources to CCU and CEU Generate HII for CEU PRB Decide UEs power variable

HII

Power Control

UEs Tx power and SINR statistics

Semi-static ICIC in LTE-X2 signaling-OI

X2 signaling interacting flow chart:

OI for Uplink

The OI indicator for each PRB is generated in the IOT test. OI have four values: high, medium, low, and null. The bitmap is generated based on RNTP indicators statistics in report interval and sent to all neighbor cells in NCL by X2 interface. If OI from strong interfering cells received, the Tx power of the OI indicated PRB should be Adjusted based on OI, UEs SINR and Tx Power statistics.
Generate OI for CEU PRB Decide UEs power variable in inner loop Power control Power Control IoT test on Each PRB Neighbor cellsOI UEs Tx power and SINR statistics UEs RSRP report System load statistics

OI

S C H E D U L E R

Classify CEU and CCU Decide CCU and CEU Band allocation Allocate time-frequency and power resources to CCU and CEU Decide uplink power variable in outer loop Power control for overall cell

Service Type

Semi-static ICIC in LTE-X2 signalingDownlink-RNTP

X2 signaling interacting flow chart:

RNTP for Downlink

If one PRB is allocated by scheduler, the RNTP indicator for the PRB is generated by eNodeB as follows. The RNTP bitmap is generated based on RNTP indicators statistics in report interval and sent to all neighbor cells in NCL. Upon receiving RNTP bitmap, the PRB with RNTP=1 will not be allocated to CEU whose CQI is too small.
Classify CEU and CCU Decide CCU and CEU Band allocation Allocate timefrequency and power resources to CCU and CEU UEs RSRP report System load statistics Neighbor cellsRNTP UEs CQI report and power statistics for UEs PRB Service Type

if if

E A ( nPRB ) RNTP threshold ( p) Emax_ nom

RNTP ( nPRB ) 0; if no promise about the upper E (n ) limit of A( p ) PRB is made Emax_ nom RNTP ( nPRB ) 1;

S C H E D U L E R

Generate RNTP for each PRB

Contents

ICIC Introduction ICIC theory and scheme ICIC Performance ICIC Application

ICIC Simulation Results-Semi-Static Uplink

Different system load simulation.

Frequency reuse scheme

SE ESE bps/Hz/cell bps/Hz/user Load=90% 1.027 1.060 1.019 Load=80% 0.934 0.969 0.942 Load=70% 0.873 0.914 0.884 Load=50% 0.735 0.780 0.761 Load=35% 0.612 0.628 0.627 0.0281 0.0217 0.0282 0.0403 0.0439 0.0419

RB Usage % 93.87 88.32 93.41 82.18 76.26 81.66

FR=1 SFR HII FR=1 Static SFR Semi-static SFR+HII

FR=1 Static SFR Semi-static SFR+HII

FR=1 Static SFR Semi-static SFR+HII FR=1 SFR HII

0.058 0.0594 0.0642

0.0647 0.0785 0.0798 0.1006 0.075 0.0905

72.55 67.74 72.34

54.22 50.79 52.96 37.75 34.33 37.79

ICIC Simulation Results-Semi-Static Uplink

ESE figure for Different system load simulation.

ESE 0.12 FR=1 SFR HII OI HII+OI

0.1

0.08

bps/Hz

0.06

0.04

0.02

0 99% 90% 80% Load 70% 50% 35%

ICIC Simulation Results-Semi-Static Uplink

SE figure for Different system load simulation.

SE 1.200 FR=1 SFR HII OI HII+OI

1.000

0.800

bps/Hz

0.600

0.400

0.200

0.000 99% 90% 80% Load 70% 50% 35%

ICIC Simulation Results-Semi-Static Uplink

Some comments HII is introduced into uplink semi-static ICIC compared with uplink static ICIC. Compared with FR=1, semi-static ICIC using HII can improve cell edge spectrum efficiency.

Compared with static SFR, under high load and low load scenarios semi-static ICIC is better; under medium load, semi-static ICIC has near performance. Compared with static SFR, semi-static ICIC is more capable of tracking system load variation.

ICIC Simulation Results-Semi-Static Downlink

70 loadk0.15
FreqUse Type FR=1 SFR CEU Ratio OC RB PwRatio SE ESE ALLRBratio bps/Hz/user 72.7162 69.6275 Avg.Bler % 5.6788 4.3261 bps/Hz/cell bps/Hz/user

0.5 0.4

12 16

1 2

1.7469 1.5803

0.0329 0.0380

45loadk0.10
FreqUse Type FR=1 SFR CEU Ratio 0.4 0.4 OC RB 16 16 PwRatio 1 2 SE ESE ALLRBratio bps/Hz/user 45.8041 43.9899 Avg.Bler % 4.0891 2.6279 bps/Hz/cell bps/Hz/user 1.1984 0.0206 1.1011 0.0235

ICIC Simulation Results-Semi-Static Downlink

Some comments For downlink ICIC, individual frequency band allocation will not have obvious advantage to interference mitigation. Interference mitigation depend on the power allocation for CCU and CEU. For CEU, signal transmit power is higher. So performance increasing of CEU must be at the cost of CCU performance decreasing. From the statistics, in order to improve ESE, SE is degraded. It can be seen that, SFR can improve ESE at the cost of SE.

Contents

ICIC Introduction ICIC theory and scheme ICIC Performance ICIC Application

ICIC Application Scenario

Rural

Sub-Urban

ICIC Be suitable; The service load change very slowly; Rural Scenarios Pls. See figures below.

ICIC Be suitable; Important future living place. Sub-Urban Scenarios Pls. See figures below.

ICIC Application Scenario

Urban

static ICIC not suitable; density people and complicated radio propagation environment. Service load change more quickly because of subscribers moving; Urban Scenarios Pls. See figures below.

ICIC Roadmap

Stage 1-2009Q4

Stage 2-Planning

Static ICIC Semi-static ICIC

Dynamic ICIC