Cellular Base Station Interconnection via Proximity-Based Logical Grids
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of base stations in cellular networks makes full mesh connectivity expensive and impractical, especially for geographically adjacent stations that need direct communication for handover services across different network elements and sub-networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a partial mesh connectivity by forming groups of geographically adjacent network elements using GPS-based proximity calculations, establishing logical grids such as VPNs to enable direct communication between adjacent base stations, reducing the need for extensive network resource provisioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full mesh connectivity is implemented between all base stations, then direct communication between adjacent base stations is enabled, but the number of required network connections and resources increases exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the base stations into geographically adjacent groups and establishes logical grids (such as VPNs) within these segments rather than full mesh connectivity across all base stations. This segmentation reduces the number of required connections while maintaining direct communication capability for adjacent base stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating logical grids that provide full mesh connectivity only within geographically adjacent groups of base stations, rather than requiring full mesh connectivity between all base stations. Each local group maintains direct communication capability while reducing overall network complexity.
2Ease of operation
If full mesh connectivity is provided in the backhauling network, then direct connectivity between adjacent base stations is achieved, but the cost and resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing logical grids that provide direct connectivity only where geographically adjacent base stations require it, rather than providing full mesh connectivity to all base stations. This partial implementation reduces network resource consumption while maintaining ease of operation for adjacent base station communication.
3Productivity
If the number of base stations is increased to support more users, then network coverage and capacity are improved, but the complexity of establishing full mesh connectivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments base stations into geographically adjacent groups and establishes logical grids within these segments. This segmentation allows the network to scale by adding more base stations to existing groups or creating new groups, without requiring full mesh connectivity establishment for each new station, thus reducing connectivity establishment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces logical grids (such as VPNs) as intermediary structures that simplify connectivity establishment. Instead of directly establishing individual connections between all base stations, the logical grid acts as a mediator that provides structured connectivity within geographically adjacent groups, reducing the complexity of connectivity establishment as the number of base stations increases.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for interconnecting base stations of a cellular network via a transport network which comprises a plurality of network elements (NEs), wherein at least two of the plurality of NEs are collocated with respective base stations. The method comprises the steps of: establishing in the TN at least one proximity group that comprises a plurality of geographically adjacent NEs; establishing a logical grid connectivity between NEs that are members of the same proximity group to enable direct communications there-between, thereby enabling establishment of communications paths between base stations collocated with the at least two of the plurality of NEs, wherein that path extends via the at least two respective NEs communicating directly there-between.