Access Point Assignment Using Long-Term Channel Statistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed MIMO networks face challenges with intra-cell cross-link interference and inefficient AP assignment methods that lead to high computational cost, communication overhead, and latency due to frequent updates based on instantaneous channel state information.
Innovation Solution
A method for AP assignment in D-MIMO networks that monitors long-term channel statistics and updates assignments only when significant changes occur, using a utility function based on link quality to assign APs to uplink or downlink, leveraging a one-by-one assignment strategy like the Munkres algorithm to optimize performance with reduced computational resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent updates of AP assignments are performed based on instantaneous channel state information, then network performance optimization is improved, but computational cost and latency increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of long-term channel statistics at predetermined time intervals rather than continuous updates based on instantaneous CSI. The AP assignment is updated only when monitored link characteristics change more than a predetermined threshold, creating a periodic action that reduces computational overhead and latency while maintaining network performance optimization.
2Reliability
If exhaustive search methods are used for AP assignment optimization, then network performance is maximized, but computational cost increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter basis from instantaneous CSI to long-term channel statistics. By monitoring link characteristics such as path gain, received power, and SNR over predetermined time intervals and comparing them against threshold values, the system achieves near-optimal network performance with significantly reduced computational complexity compared to exhaustive search methods.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring and updating of AP assignments is performed, then link quality optimization is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential long-term channel statistics (path gain, received power, SNR) at predetermined intervals rather than continuously transmitting full instantaneous CSI. This selective extraction reduces communication overhead while maintaining sufficient information for AP assignment optimization based on significant link characteristic changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for access point assignment in a wireless communications network where multiple access points simultaneously serve multiple wireless devices, and where some of the multiple wireless devices are scheduled for uplink and some of wireless devices are scheduled for downlink. The method comprises monitoring link characteristics between the access points and the wireless devices over time. The method further comprises determining, when at least one link characteristic changes more than a predetermined amount, a utility function based on the monitored link characteristics, wherein the utility function is a function of a predetermined utility in terms of link quality in the wireless communications network versus a possible uplink or downlink assignment for each access point. The method also comprises assigning one or more access points to operate in either uplink or downlink based on the utility function.