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.

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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
Interference
randomization
randomization

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Interference
Interference
coordination
coordination
based
based on
on SFR/FFR
SFR/FFR

Interference
Interference
cancellation
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

Interference
coordination
based on FFR

The last one

for
consideration

Combine

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.

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ICIC types for LTE

Based on frequency adjustment

Modes for non-static ICIC:

Type-1: Static ICIC;

Mode-1: Pro-active Mode;

Type-2: Semi-static ICIC;

Mode-2: Reactive Mode.

Type-3: Dynamic ICIC.

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Comparison of Different ICIC Types in LTE

Type 1 Static ICIC

Type 2 Semi-Static
ICIC

Type 3 Dynamic ICIC

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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.
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

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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

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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.

C
B

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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.

C
B

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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Static ICIC in LTE-Frequency Allocation

Scheme

FFR

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

Cell 1

A B C D

P
F

Cell 2

A B C D

P
F

Cell 3

A B C D

B,C are not used. A is first allocated

A,C are not used. B is first allocated

A,B are not used. C is first allocated

to Cell edge user (CEU) . D is only

to Cell edge user (CEU) . D is only

to Cell edge user (CEU) . D is only

used for Cell center user (CCU).

used for Cell center user (CCU).

used for Cell center user (CCU).

Unallocated part of A can be used

Unallocated part of B can be used for

Unallocated part of C can be used for

for CCU together with D.

CCU together with D.

CCU together with D.

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Static ICIC in LTE-Frequency Allocation

Scheme

SFR

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

Cell 1

Cell 2

D1=B+C

Cell 3

D2=A+C

A is first allocated to CEU . D1 is only

B is first allocated to CEU . D2 is only

used for CCU. Unallocated part

used for CCU. Unallocated part

of A can be used for CCU together

of B can be used for CCU together

with D1.

with D2.

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

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Static ICIC in LTE-Frequency Allocation

Scheme

SFR2

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

Cell 1

A B C D

P
F

D1=B+C+D

Cell 2

A B C D

P
F

D2=A+C+D

Cell 3

A B C D

D3=A+B+D

A is first allocated to CEU. D1 is only

B is first allocated to CEU. D2 is only

C is first allocated to CEU. D3 is only

used for CCU. Unallocated part of A

used for CCU. Unallocated part of B

used for CCU. Unallocated part of C

can be used for CCU together with

can be used for CCU together with

can be used for CCU together with

D1. In D1, D is first allocated to CCU.

D2. In D2, D is first allocated to CCU.

D3. In D3, D is first allocated to CCU.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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Semi-static ICIC in LTE-X2 signaling-DownlinkRNTP

X2 signaling interacting flow chart:

RNTP for Downlink

if if

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.

E A (nPRB )
RNTPthreshold
( 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;

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Contents

ICIC Introduction

ICIC theory and scheme

ICIC Performance

ICIC Application

ICIC Simulation Results-Semi-Static Uplink

Frequency reuse scheme

Different system
load simulation.

ESE

RB Usage

bps/Hz/cell

bps/Hz/user

Load=90%
FR=1

1.027

0.0281

93.87

SFR

1.060

0.0217

88.32

1.019
Load=80%
0.934
0.969

0.0282

93.41

0.0403
0.0439

82.18
76.26

0.942
Load=70%
0.873

0.0419

81.66

0.058

72.55

0.914

0.0594

67.74

0.884
Load=50%
0.735

0.0642

72.34

0.0647

54.22

0.780

0.0785

50.79

0.761
Load=35%

0.0798

52.96

FR=1

0.612

0.1006

37.75

SFR

0.628

0.075

34.33

HII

0.627

0.0905

37.79

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

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SE

ICIC Simulation Results-Semi-Static Uplink

ESE figure for

Different system
load simulation.

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ICIC Simulation Results-Semi-Static Uplink

SE figure for
Different system
load simulation.

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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.

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ICIC Simulation Results-Semi-Static Downlink

70 load k 0.15
FreqUse
Type

CEU
Ratio

OC RB

PwRatio

SE

ESE

bps/Hz/cell bps/Hz/user
FR=1
SFR

0.5
0.4

12
16

1
2

ALLRBratio

Avg.Bler

bps/Hz/user

1.7469
1.5803

0.0329
0.0380

72.7162
69.6275

5.6788
4.3261

SE

ESE

ALLRBratio

Avg.Bler

bps/Hz/user

45 load k 0.10
FreqUse
Type

CEU
Ratio

OC RB

PwRatio

bps/Hz/cell bps/Hz/user
FR=1

0.4

16

1.1984

0.0206

45.8041

4.0891

SFR

0.4

16

1.1011

0.0235

43.9899

2.6279

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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.

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Contents

ICIC Introduction

ICIC theory and scheme

ICIC Performance

ICIC Application

ICIC Application Scenario

Rural

Sub-Urban

ICIC Be suitable;

ICIC Be suitable;

The service load change very

Important future living place.

slowly;

Sub-Urban Scenarios Pls. See

Rural Scenarios Pls. See figures

below.

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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.

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ICIC Roadmap

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Stage 1-2009Q4

Stage 2-Planning

Static ICIC
Semi-static ICIC

Dynamic ICIC