Backhaul Node Intelligent Handover Thresholds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE networks lack intelligent load balancing and handover assistance for eNodeBs, leading to inefficient data handling and resource management in backhaul links.
Innovation Solution
A wireless network backhaul node that receives loading information from eNodeBs, determines overloaded and underloaded nodes, and sets handover thresholds to manage handovers, thereby assisting eNodeBs with load balancing and offloading handover processing to reduce data loops and messaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If eNodeBs perform handover processing autonomously using traditional LTE protocols, then handover operations can be executed, but network efficiency deteriorates due to data loops and excessive messaging between eNodeBs, SGW, and MME
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a backhaul network element as an intermediary that receives handover requests from source eNodeB, coordinates the handover process with target eNodeB, and manages data forwarding. This mediator approach eliminates data loops by centralizing control and reduces messaging overhead by handling communications through a single point in the backhaul network, thus improving handover efficiency while reducing network resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the handover processing function from the eNodeBs and relocates it to the backhaul network element. By taking out the complex handover coordination logic from the radio access network nodes and placing it in the backhaul, the system eliminates the need for multiple round-trip messages between eNodeBs and core network elements, thereby reducing messaging overhead and improving overall handover efficiency.
2Productivity
If handover thresholds are set to enable frequent handovers, then load balancing can be achieved, but network stability deteriorates due to excessive handover operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the backhaul network element monitors network conditions including eNodeB load levels and handover performance. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts handover thresholds to achieve optimal load balancing while preventing excessive handovers. The feedback loop allows the system to learn from past handover operations and stabilize the network by adjusting thresholds based on observed conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes handover thresholds dynamic rather than static by allowing the backhaul network element to adjust them based on real-time network conditions. This dynamic approach enables the system to balance load effectively during peak periods while maintaining stability during normal conditions, avoiding the pitfalls of both fixed low thresholds (which cause excessive handovers) and fixed high thresholds (which prevent adequate load balancing).
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless network backhaul node serves eNodeBs. The backhaul node exchanges user data and network signaling between the eNodeBs and a Long Term Evolution (LTE) core. The backhaul node receives loading information from the eNodeBs and determines overloaded eNodeBs and underloaded eNodeBs. The backhaul node selects handover thresholds for the eNodeBs to inhibit handovers from the underloaded eNodeBs to the overloaded eNodeBs and to encourage handovers from the overloaded eNodeBs to the underloaded eNodeBs. The backhaul node transfers the selected handover thresholds to the eNodeBs. The backhaul node also performs X2 and/or S1 handover assistance for the eNodeBs.