Base Station Failover Using Neighboring eNodeBs as Relays
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, particularly those using the LTE standard, maintaining continuous service coverage is challenging when an eNodeB experiences a backhaul link failure, as it disrupts data and voice services for user equipment (UE) in the covered geographic area.
Innovation Solution
The implementation involves using a malfunctioning eNodeB as a relay node by identifying and selecting neighboring eNodeBs based on parameters like usage data, capacity, signal strength, and number of sessions, allocating bandwidth, and relaying UE signals to these selected neighbors, and encapsulating packets to treat the eNodeB as a UE, ensuring seamless service continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an eNodeB experiences a backhaul link failure, then service coverage is disrupted, but using neighboring eNodeBs as relays introduces additional network complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs neighboring eNodeBs as intermediary relay nodes to forward traffic between UEs and the core network when the primary backhaul link fails. This intermediary approach maintains service coverage by introducing alternative communication paths through selected neighboring base stations, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by only activating relays when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between direct backhaul connection and relay-based connection modes based on link status. When the primary backhaul link is functional, normal operation continues; when failure occurs, the system transitions to using neighboring eNodeBs as relays. This dynamic adaptability maintains service continuity while minimizing unnecessary network complexity during normal operation.
2Reliability
If neighboring eNodeBs are selected based on multiple parameters, then service quality is improved, but the selection process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent evaluates multiple parameters (usage data, capacity, signal strength, number of sessions) to select optimal neighboring eNodeBs for relay functions. By changing the selection criteria from simple proximity-based to multi-parameter evaluation, the system improves relay quality and service continuity while managing complexity through structured parameter assessment.
3Reliability
If bandwidth is allocated for relay operations, then service continuity is maintained, but network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allocates bandwidth for relay operations partially - only to the extent necessary to maintain service continuity during backhaul failures. Rather than reserving full bandwidth for potential relay scenarios, the system dynamically allocates resources based on actual failure conditions and traffic requirements, maintaining service continuity while avoiding excessive resource consumption during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a base station in a network, includes detecting a malfunction associated with a backhaul link to the network; identifying one or more neighboring base stations located within a transmission range of the base station; selecting at least one of the one or more neighboring base stations based on one or more parameters, associated with the one or more neighboring base stations, in response to detecting the malfunction; receiving, by a radio frequency (RF) transceiver associated with the base station, a signal from a user equipment; and transmitting, by an RF transceiver associated with the base station, the signal to the selected at least one of the one or more neighboring base stations.