Dynamic Carrier Aggregation Scheduling Ratio Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carrier aggregation in LTE networks complicates maintaining a desired data transmission ratio between heavy and normal users, leading to an unintended equalization of data rates when heavy users are served with multiple carriers and normal users are not, thereby defeating the policy of reducing data transmission to heavy users.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic adjustment of the per-carrier scheduling ratio based on the relative carrier-aggregation capabilities and usage levels of users, allowing the network to adjust the scheduling ratio across multiple component carriers to maintain a target aggregate ratio, such as changing from a 2:1 to a 4:1 ratio when a heavy user is served with two carriers and a normal user is not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carrier aggregation is applied to heavy users to increase data transmission capacity, then the data throughput for heavy users is improved, but the aggregate data transmission ratio between heavy users and normal users deteriorates (becomes equal instead of maintained at desired ratio)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the per-carrier scheduling ratio adjustable rather than fixed. The eNodeB dynamically modifies the per-carrier scheduling ratio based on the number of component carriers allocated to each user type. When heavy users receive N component carriers and normal users receive 1 component carrier, the system adjusts the per-carrier scheduling ratio from the target aggregate ratio to (N × target aggregate ratio), ensuring the actual aggregate ratio maintains the desired policy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scheduling ratio parameter dynamically based on carrier aggregation configuration. The system monitors the number of component carriers assigned to heavy versus normal users and adjusts the per-carrier scheduling ratio parameter accordingly. This parameter change ensures that even when heavy users receive multiple carriers, the aggregate data transmission ratio between user types remains at the policy-defined target.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed per-carrier scheduling ratio is applied to maintain fair resource allocation, then resource allocation fairness is improved, but the actual aggregate data transmission ratio deteriorates when users have different carrier aggregation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static per-carrier scheduling ratio to a dynamic one that adapts to carrier aggregation configurations. The eNodeB continuously adjusts the per-carrier scheduling ratio based on real-time monitoring of component carrier allocation to different user types, ensuring both fairness and policy compliance simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the eNodeB monitor the actual aggregate data transmission ratio resulting from carrier aggregation allocations and adjust the per-carrier scheduling ratio accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the system maintains the target aggregate ratio while accommodating varying carrier aggregation capabilities among users.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are methods and systems that may help to dynamically schedule data transmissions in accordance with a fairness policy between different classes of a users. An example method may be implemented in an access network that is configured for carrier-aggregation service via a plurality of component carriers in a given coverage area, and involves: (i) determining a usage level in the given coverage area, and (ii) determining that the usage level in the given coverage area is greater than a threshold usage level and responsively: (a) determining relative carrier-aggregation capabilities between two or more classes of user equipment (UE) that have established data connections in the coverage area, and (b) adjusting a per-carrier scheduling ratio for the given coverage area based on the relative carrier-aggregation capabilities between the two or more UE classes.