Access Node Scheduling Algorithm Selection by Cell Location

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Solution Overview

Problem

Telecommunication systems face efficiency issues due to excessive load on certain network portions, leading to suboptimal service quality, especially during high data traffic conditions, as existing technologies struggle to effectively balance and distribute traffic across the network.

Innovation Solution

The system determines the location of small cells relative to the edge of the access node signal area and selects a scheduling algorithm, such as low, medium, or high proportional fairness, to optimize data transmission to wireless devices, thereby managing resource distribution and mitigating interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single scheduling algorithm is used for all wireless devices in the access node signal area, then the device complexity is reduced, but the service quality and resource distribution efficiency deteriorate under high load conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling algorithm complexityVSAvoidservice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selecting different scheduling algorithms based on the geographic location of wireless devices within the signal area. Devices in different locations (e.g., cell center vs. cell edge) are assigned different scheduling algorithms optimized for their specific channel conditions, thereby improving service quality without uniformly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the scheduling algorithm selection adaptive and location-dependent. The system dynamically determines the appropriate scheduling algorithm based on the wireless device's position within the access node signal area, allowing the network to adapt to varying load conditions and channel characteristics across different spatial regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If traffic is concentrated on certain network portions, then the device complexity and resource management is simplified, but the productivity and system efficiency deteriorate due to excessive load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource management complexityVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the access node signal area into different geographic regions (e.g., cell center, cell edge) and applying different scheduling algorithms to each segment. This spatial segmentation allows the system to manage resources more effectively across different load conditions, improving overall system productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through localized resource management strategies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3178278B1Systems and methods for scheduling communication at an access node
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 SPRINT SPECTRUM LP
  • EP3178278B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3178278B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3178278B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods are described for scheduling transmissions from an access node. A location may be determined for a plurality of small cells within an access node signal area. Based on the determined locations, a scheduling algorithm may be selected for the access node, where the scheduling algorithm may comprise one of a low proportional fairness scheduling algorithm, a medium proportional fairness scheduling algorithm, and a high proportional fairness scheduling algorithm. Data may then be transmitted from the access node to a plurality of wireless devices based on the selected scheduling algorithm.