Backhaul Congestion Handling via Dynamic Handover Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication networks with backhaul networks connected to radio access networks face congestion issues, particularly due to the high cost of building new transport networks for small cells and the challenge of managing congestion in small cell backhaul networks, which can be outside the operator's control.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and node configuration that identifies congestion in data communication paths within the backhaul network and notifies a handover control management functionality, allowing for the decision to initiate handover of data packet traffic from one Radio Base Station to another to alleviate congestion, utilizing Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) and Active Queue Management (AQM) mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If new transport network infrastructure is built for small cells, then network capacity and performance are improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic handover control that adapts to real-time congestion conditions in backhaul networks. The system continuously monitors congestion levels and dynamically adjusts handover decisions, allowing the network to optimize capacity utilization without requiring additional infrastructure. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by achieving improved productivity through intelligent resource allocation rather than physical expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (handover thresholds, congestion tolerance levels) based on real-time network conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the network can maintain optimal performance and capacity utilization within existing infrastructure constraints, avoiding the need for costly new builds while maintaining high productivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If statistical multiplexing and overbooking are used in existing networks, then infrastructure cost is reduced, but network reliability and performance under peak load deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where congestion information from the backhaul network is continuously monitored and fed back to the handover control functionality. This feedback loop allows the system to detect congestion early and adjust handover decisions accordingly, preventing performance degradation before it occurs. The feedback mechanism maintains reliability by ensuring that statistical multiplexing operates within safe limits while still achieving cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by proactively identifying congestion conditions before they lead to performance degradation. The congestion identification mechanism detects early signs of overload and triggers preventive handover decisions, ensuring that reliability is maintained even as the network operates close to capacity limits through overbooking.
3Productivity
If handover is initiated based on congestion notification, then congestion in backhaul paths is alleviated, but handover control complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates congestion identification and handover control functionalities into a unified system. The handover control functionality serves multiple purposes: normal mobility management, congestion-responsive handover, and network optimization. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated controller that handles all these tasks efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to nodes and method in such nodes of a Radio Access Network or a Backhaul Network connected to the Radio Access Network comprising a number of Radio Base Station nodes being connected to the Backhaul Network comprising communication paths for transferring data packets. There are nodes configured to support the performing of a method involving receiving a notification indicating congestion in one or more data paths of the Backhaul Network and deciding based on current radio information and data path information to initiate handover of data packet traffic from one Radio Base Station to another Radio Base Station for solving the congestion problem in the indicated one or more data communication paths.