Active Set Modification for Backhaul Capacity Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, especially during soft handover, the increased backhaul load on base stations due to redundant data transmissions can lead to a decrease in available backhaul capacity, affecting network efficiency and quality of service.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that dynamically modify the status of base stations associated with a communication device to release backhaul capacity by identifying and adjusting the status of base stations with the heaviest load, such as transitioning them from an active set to a monitored set or removing their radio link, while maintaining a strong radio link quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soft handover is used to maintain communication with multiple base stations, then communication reliability is improved, but backhaul capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidbackhaul capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the active set of base stations based on real-time backhaul load conditions. When backhaul capacity becomes constrained, the system automatically modifies which base stations remain in the active set, transitioning from a static to dynamic configuration that adapts to changing network conditions while maintaining communication reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of base stations by modifying their status between active and non-active states. This parameter change allows the network to optimize the balance between communication reliability (maintained through diverse base station connections) and backhaul capacity (preserved by limiting active transmissions when load is high)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If base stations maintain active connections with communication devices during soft handover, then communication quality is improved, but backhaul load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidbackhaul load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes base stations from the active set when their inclusion would excessively increase backhaul load. By taking out specific base stations from active communication roles while maintaining their potential availability, the system reduces backhaul load while preserving communication quality through the remaining active base stations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8880090B2Active set modification to release backhaul capacity

Publication Date: 2014.11.04 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

System(s), method(s), and device(s) that enable release of backhaul capacity associated with base stations are presented. During soft handover, a communication device can have its connection maintained with more than one base station. A link controller component can identify a radio link having the highest quality and can determine the relative backhaul load of each base station communicating with the communication device. The link controller component determines whether the base station having the highest radio link quality is experiencing the heaviest backhaul load relative to the other base stations. If the base station with the highest link quality does not also have the heaviest backhaul load, the link controller component identifies the base station having the heaviest backhaul load and the identified base station can have its status modified with respect to the communication device for a desired period of time, in accordance with predefined status modification criteria.