Base Station Load Balancing via Active User Information Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication systems, load balancing between cells is inefficient due to the lack of sharing of active user information between base stations, leading to suboptimal user throughput and ineffective load balancing control.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication system where base stations share information on the number of active users through inter-BS interfaces, allowing for load balancing control that considers both cell loads and user throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If load information is transmitted and received between base stations through inter-BS interface, then load balancing between cells can be performed, but information on the number of active users is not shared, leading to suboptimal load balancing control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload balancing efficiencyVSAvoidactive user information sharing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple types of operation information (load information and active user information) into a single information exchange mechanism between base stations. By merging these previously separate information streams, the system achieves comprehensive load balancing control that considers both cell load and user throughput, resolving the information sharing gap without requiring additional separate interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inter-BS interface is enhanced to serve multiple functions: it not only transmits traditional load information but also actively user information and other operation information. This multi-functional information exchange mechanism allows the same interface to support both load balancing and user throughput optimization, eliminating the need for separate dedicated interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If load balancing is performed based only on cell load information, then load leveling between cells is achieved, but user throughput is not optimized and may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell load levelingVSAvoiduser throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where base stations continuously exchange both load information and active user information, and the load balancing control is dynamically adjusted based on this combined feedback. This allows the system to respond to changes in both cell load and user throughput conditions, optimizing the balance between load leveling and throughput maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters used for load balancing control from considering only cell load to considering multiple parameters including cell load and active user information. This multi-parameter approach enables more nuanced control decisions that can level cell loads while simultaneously optimizing user throughput based on the combined information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If operation information is transmitted through inter-BS interface, then centralized SON algorithms can access neighbor base station data, but information transmission delays may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized SON algorithm executionVSAvoidinformation transmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes preliminary action by having base stations continuously exchange operation information including active user information before centralized SON algorithms need to make decisions. This proactive information gathering ensures that when load balancing or optimization decisions are required, the necessary data is already available, reducing decision-making delays while maintaining centralized algorithm execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2892273B1Communication system, base station, and communication method
Publication Date: 2018.04.18 NEC CORP
  • EP2892273B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2892273B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2892273B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system in which information about the number of active users in each cell can be shared between base stations. A communication system according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a first base station controlling a first cell and a second base station connected to the first base station through an inter-base-station interface, wherein the first base station transmits operation information on the first cell to the second base station through the inter-base-station interface, wherein the operation information on the first cell includes information about a load on the first cell and information about the number of active users in the first cell.