Dynamic Buffer Status Granularity Control in Mobile Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for determining the granularity level of buffer status reports in mobile communication systems cannot dynamically adjust to real-time conditions, leading to suboptimal bandwidth allocation and reduced decision-making accuracy for base stations.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where the base station dynamically determines and communicates a granularity level for buffer status reports to user equipment based on system conditions such as available resources, reporting overheads, and user satisfaction, allowing for adaptive reporting granularity to optimize scheduling grants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If buffer status reports are consolidated for all radio bearers into a single report, then reporting overhead is reduced, but decision-making accuracy for bandwidth allocation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereporting overheadVSAvoiddecision-making accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments buffer status reporting by creating multiple granularity levels (Level 0: all RBs consolidated, Level 1: RB groups consolidated, Level 2: individual RBs reported separately). This segmentation allows the system to choose appropriate reporting detail based on traffic conditions, resolving the contradiction between overhead reduction and decision-making accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic granularity level adjustment where the base station determines and signals the appropriate granularity level based on real-time system conditions (available resources, traffic load, user satisfaction). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between overhead and accuracy depending on current operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If buffer status reports are sent for each individual radio bearer, then decision-making accuracy is improved, but reporting overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecision-making accuracyVSAvoidreporting overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the granularity level parameter dynamically based on system conditions. When traffic load is high or resources are abundant, higher granularity (more detailed reporting) is used. When resources are constrained, lower granularity (consolidated reporting) is applied, thus adapting the reporting overhead to current system needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial reporting by selecting which radio bearers require detailed reporting based on their priority, traffic type, and current buffer status. Not all RBs need equally detailed reporting at all times, so the system applies reporting effort selectively rather than uniformly to all bearers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If predetermined schemes are used for determining granularity level grouping, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to real-time conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegranularity determination complexityVSAvoidreal-time condition adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the base station monitors system conditions (available resources, user satisfaction with scheduling grants) and adjusts the granularity level accordingly. This feedback loop enables automatic adaptation to real-time conditions without requiring complex manual configuration or predetermined rigid schemes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of granularity levels based on monitored conditions. The base station automatically determines appropriate granularity levels and signals them to UEs, eliminating the need for external configuration or complex predetermined schemes while maintaining adaptability to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1909442B1System and methods for determining granularity level of information about buffer status
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 IND TECH RES INST
  • EP1909442B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1909442B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1909442B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for controlling communication overhead from a user equipment to a base station. The base station determines a granularity level of an amount of information about a buffer status of a user equipment buffer. The base station makes the determination based on at least one variable parameter. The determined granularity level is sent to the user equipment, and received thereby. The buffer status is sent to the base station from the user equipment in accordance with the determined granularity level.