Backhaul Link Configuration via Control Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication networks face challenges in reducing data transmission delay and optimizing backhaul communications, particularly in transitioning from idle to connected mode for wireless backhaul links.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a network node receives control signaling from user equipment and notifies a backhaul client to configure a communications link to a backhaul hub before receiving user data, allowing for speculative reservation of backhaul capacity and reducing delay by predicting the need for backhaul resources based on preceding signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the backhaul client waits to receive user data before configuring the communications link to the backhaul hub, then the system ensures data is available for transmission, but the data transmission delay increases and the time to switch from idle to connected mode is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission delayVSAvoidbackhaul connection readiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The backhaul client performs preliminary actions by initiating communications link configuration to the backhaul hub upon receiving control signaling, before the user data actually arrives. This advance preparation includes establishing the connection and notifying the backhaul hub of upcoming data transmission needs, thereby reducing the time to switch from idle to connected mode when the data arrives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system cushions against potential delays by pre-configuring the backhaul communications link in anticipation of incoming user data. By detecting control signaling that precedes user data and initiating connection setup beforehand, the system creates a buffer that absorbs the transition time from idle to connected state, ensuring faster data transmission when the data arrives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Productivity

If the network node waits for user data before initiating backhaul configuration, then the system avoids unnecessary connection setup, but the productivity of data transmission is reduced due to longer preparation time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidbackhaul control signaling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network node uses feedback from control signaling received from user equipment to trigger backhaul configuration. The control signaling serves as an early indicator that user data is forthcoming, and this feedback mechanism allows the backhaul client to proactively initiate connection setup, improving transmission efficiency without requiring complex predictive algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The backhaul client autonomously determines when to initiate communications link configuration by monitoring for control signaling from the network node. This self-service approach allows the system to automatically optimize backhaul preparation timing based on observed signaling patterns, improving productivity without adding complex centralized control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2989843B1Configuration of communications link to backhaul hub based on control signalling received prior to user data
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2989843B1 patent drawingFigure 1~11
  • EP2989843B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2989843B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided configuration of a communications link. The configuration involves wirelessly receiving control signalling from a user equipment by a network node functional unit. The control signalling relates to an uplink communications resource between the user equipment and the network node functional unit. The configuration further involves notifying, in response to receiving the control signalling and prior to receiving any user data associated with the control signalling from the user equipment on the uplink communications resource, a backhaul client functional unit to configure a communications link to a backhaul hub.