Cellular Data Transfer Scheduling for Network Congestion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular networks face congestion due to increasing video consumption, leading to inefficient use of radio spectrum and potential network overload, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a scheduler to time-shift data transfers of delay-tolerant content by monitoring base station utilization, shifting traffic away from busy times and locations, allowing for flexible scheduling and transfer through different base stations based on forecasted locations and utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data transfers are conducted during peak usage periods to meet user demand, then user service availability is improved, but network congestion increases and spectrum efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by forecasting base station utilization and user locations in advance, then scheduling data transfers during off-peak periods before network congestion occurs. This allows delay-tolerant traffic to be shifted to optimal times without impacting peak-period service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduling system dynamically adjusts transfer times based on real-time and forecasted network conditions, user mobility patterns, and base station utilization. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize spectrum efficiency while maintaining service availability across varying network states.
2Productivity
If data transfers are delayed to off-peak periods to reduce network congestion, then network efficiency is improved, but user service response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different scheduling qualities to different traffic types: delay-tolerant traffic is shifted to off-peak periods for optimal network efficiency, while delay-sensitive traffic receives immediate service. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by treating different data transfers according to their specific timing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By performing preliminary forecasting of network conditions and user mobility, the system can proactively schedule delay-tolerant transfers during optimal windows without last-minute delays, thus improving network efficiency while minimizing actual user-perceived response time.
3Productivity
If data transfers are scheduled based on forecasted base station utilization and user location, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network-side scheduler as an intermediary that performs forecasting and optimization calculations, relieving the complexity burden from user devices. This centralized approach improves spectrum efficiency through intelligent scheduling while keeping individual device complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes scheduling parameters dynamically based on forecasted conditions, using algorithms that balance spectrum efficiency gains against computational complexity. By adjusting the level of forecasting detail and scheduling granularity, the system optimizes the trade-off between efficiency improvement and system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a deadline for completion of the transfer of the data content item to the mobile device. A set of locations of the mobile device is determined between the first time and the deadline, a candidate plurality of wireless base stations is identified, based on the forecasted plurality of locations, to wirelessly transfer a portion of the data content item to the mobile device during the time period. A utilization of a wireless base station of the candidate set of wireless base stations is forecasted during the time period, a transfer time is determined within the time period based on the forecasted utilization and the deadline, and the transfer time is provided to the mobile device. Other embodiments are disclosed.