Base Station Selection Using Backhaul Quality Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base station selection methods in mobile communication networks often result in bandwidth and reliability limitations due to the focus on local signal strength, neglecting the quality of upstream backhaul connections, which can lead to poor network performance.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that selects a base station based on characteristic data indicative of backhaul connection quality, including RSRP values and mask values, to prioritize macro base stations over femto base stations, reducing reliance on unreliable lower-quality connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If base station selection is based solely on local signal strength, then local connection strength is improved, but backhaul connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends base station selection from a single-dimensional local signal strength metric to a multi-dimensional evaluation framework that incorporates both local connection characteristics (signal strength) and backhaul connection characteristics (quality, reliability). This dimensional expansion allows the system to consider multiple factors simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between strong local connection and reliable backhaul connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection parameters from solely local signal strength to include backhaul connection quality metrics. By modifying the selection criteria to incorporate backhaul characteristics such as connection quality and reliability, the system can make informed decisions that balance both local and backhaul performance requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If more base stations are deployed to increase network coverage, then network coverage is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where base stations provide characteristic data about their backhaul connections to user equipment. This feedback allows the system to automatically select appropriate base stations based on real-time quality information, reducing the need for complex manual configuration and network management as the number of base stations increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables user equipment to autonomously select base stations by evaluating both local and backhaul connection characteristics. This self-service capability reduces the burden on network operators to manually manage and optimize each base station connection, thereby managing network complexity even as coverage expands.
3Ease of operation
If base stations with poor backhaul connections are selected, then local connection availability is improved, but overall network performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having base stations pre-provide characteristic data about their backhaul connection quality before user equipment makes a selection decision. This advance information availability allows user equipment to evaluate and select base stations with adequate backhaul performance in advance, preventing connection to poor performance nodes and maintaining overall network productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus configured to operate in a network comprises: control circuitry configured to perform a selection operation to select a preferred base station from one or more base stations in the network, each base station having a backhaul connection; connection circuitry configured to connect to the preferred base station; and communication circuitry configured to receive characteristic data of the backhaul connection of each of the one or more base stations. The control circuitry is configured to perform the selection operation in dependence on the characteristic data.