Access Point Air Interface Resource Negotiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining reliable communication between access points, especially when wired backhaul links become unreliable, leading to interference and disrupted network access for mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
Access points communicate over an air interface, using co-located wireless devices or portions thereof, to manage interference and exchange critical data, enabling communication even when wired backhaul links are unreliable, and facilitating resource allocation and interference mitigation between disparate access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access points communicate over wired backhaul links, then network reliability is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase when wired infrastructure is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The air interface is designed to serve dual purposes: communicating with mobile devices (UEs) and communicating between access points (eNBs). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate wired backhaul infrastructure, reducing device complexity while maintaining communication reliability. The base station uses the same radio resources and protocols to perform both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Access points use their own co-located wireless devices or portions of the air interface to facilitate inter-access point communication. This self-service approach allows the system to provide backhaul functionality without external wired infrastructure, reducing dependency on complex external networks while maintaining reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If access points use separate dedicated interfaces for inter-access point communication, then interference is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air interface resources are segmented into different time-frequency slots for UE communication and eNB communication. By dividing the available resources and assigning specific portions to inter-access point communication, the system reduces interference while using the same physical interface, avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Inter-access point communication occurs in periodic time slots or subframes that are distinct from UE communication periods. This periodic separation in time allows the same air interface to serve both purposes with minimal interference, reducing device complexity compared to maintaining separate continuous interfaces.
3Device complexity
If the air interface is used for both inter-access point communication and user equipment communication, then device complexity is reduced, but interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The allocation of air interface resources between UE communication and eNB communication is dynamic and adaptable. The system can adjust time-frequency resource allocation based on traffic conditions, ensuring that interference is managed dynamically while maintaining the benefit of using a single air interface for both purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms to monitor interference levels and adjust resource allocation accordingly. By continuously monitoring the air interface conditions and adapting resource distribution between UE and eNB communications, the system reduces interference while maintaining the simplified architecture of using a single air interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate communicating between access points using the same air interface as for serving wireless devices. Access points can communicate with one another over the air interface to exchange interference management messages related to negotiating and/or allocating resources among the access points or other messages. In addition, access points can prepare served wireless devices for time periods where the access points communicate with disparate access points over the air interface to mitigate confusion or radio link failure detection by the served wireless devices.