BAP Topology Identifiers for Routing Across Overlapping IAB Topologies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in integrated access and backhaul (IAB) networks, face challenges in efficiently managing and routing traffic across overlapping topologies, leading to inefficiencies and potential disruptions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and apparatus that utilize a first and second backhaul adaptation protocol (BAP) configurations associated with respective topologies, enabling the apparatus to determine and route traffic based on specific topology identifiers, thereby optimizing traffic management across overlapping networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single BAP configuration is used for traffic routing in IAB networks, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to manage overlapping topologies and route traffic accurately deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the BAP configuration by introducing topology identifiers that divide the network into distinct topological domains. Each topology receives its own BAP configuration parameters, allowing independent optimization and management. This segmentation enables accurate traffic routing across overlapping topologies while maintaining manageable complexity through structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a topological dimension to BAP configuration by introducing topology identifiers as an additional layer of abstraction. This dimensional extension allows the system to distinguish between different topological views of the same physical network, enabling multi-topology support without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple BAP configurations are implemented for different topologies, then traffic routing accuracy improves, but the device complexity and configuration management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal BAP configuration framework that can handle multiple topologies through a common structure. The topology identifier acts as a universal key that routes traffic to the appropriate configuration set, allowing a single configuration management mechanism to serve multiple topological domains simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The topology identifier serves as an intermediary between the physical network infrastructure and the logical BAP configurations. This mediator layer abstracts the complexity of multiple topologies, providing a clean interface for traffic routing decisions without exposing the underlying configurational complexity.
3Productivity
If topology-specific BAP configurations are used, then traffic management efficiency improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring topology associations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses topology identifiers as distinctive markers that uniquely identify different topological domains. These identifiers act like color codes that make topology associations immediately detectable and measurable, allowing network elements to quickly determine which topology a packet belongs to without complex analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The BAP configuration structure is designed to self-identify topology associations through embedded topology identifiers in configuration messages. Network elements can automatically detect and measure topology relationships by examining these identifiers, eliminating the need for external monitoring or complex detection mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A second network node determines a backhaul adaptation protocol (BAP) configuration associated with a backhaul traffic transport and including a topology identifier corresponding to a topology of a plurality of topologies for which traffic associated with the topology is transported based on the BAP configuration. The second network node sends, to a first network node, the BAP configuration associated with the backhaul traffic transport. The first network node receives a first BAP configuration associated with a first topology identifier (ID) corresponding to a first topology, and a second BAP configuration associated with a second topology ID corresponding to a second topology that overlaps at least in part with the first topology. The first network node determines with which traffic is associated routes traffic associated with the first topology ID based on the first BAP configuration, and traffic associated with the second topology ID based on the second BAP configuration.