Cellular Network Resource Allocation for Handover QoE
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio resource allocation algorithms in cellular networks fail to optimize Quality of Experience (QoE) for real-time applications like video streaming, as they do not adequately consider dynamic changes in resource requirements and traffic scenarios, leading to sub-optimal solutions and perceptible reductions in user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that estimate total resource requirements before handover, determine decrement factors for each user equipment, and allocate resources decrementally over time to ensure sufficient capacity, using Quality of Experience metrics like Mean Opinion Score to optimize resource distribution and prevent perceptible degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If throughput maximization algorithms are used for resource allocation, then network capacity utilization is improved, but Quality of Experience for real-time applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optimization parameter from throughput to QoE by introducing a QoE metric that evaluates user satisfaction based on data rate, delay, delay variation, and packet loss. The resource allocation algorithm is modified to maximize this QoE parameter instead of raw throughput, thereby improving real-time application performance while maintaining reasonable network utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network node continuously monitors resource allocation outcomes and QoE metrics, then adjusts subsequent allocations based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures that resource distribution adapts to actual user experience conditions, preventing sub-optimal allocations that would degrade QoE.
2Device complexity
If static resource allocation is used, then allocation simplicity is improved, but adaptability to dynamic traffic scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the resource allocation from a static to a dynamic process by continuously evaluating QoE metrics and adjusting allocations in response to changing traffic conditions, handovers, and user requirements. The system adapts its resource distribution in real-time based on monitored performance parameters, ensuring optimal QoE under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary QoE evaluation and resource allocation adjustments before handover events occur. By predicting handover timing and pre-allocation of resources, the system prevents QoE degradation that would otherwise occur during handover transitions, maintaining seamless user experience.
3Quantity of substance
If bandwidth is increased to meet growing video application demand, then service capacity is improved, but resource exhaustion accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from increasing physical bandwidth to optimizing the utilization parameter. By introducing QoE-based allocation that considers actual user needs and application requirements, the system achieves better service quality without proportionally increasing bandwidth consumption, thereby slowing resource exhaustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by allocating resources based on actual QoE needs rather than providing maximum possible bandwidth to all users. The system identifies and addresses only the portion of bandwidth requirement that actually impacts user experience, avoiding wasteful over-provisioning that would accelerate resource exhaustion.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of allocating radio resources in a cellular network, comprising the steps, by a network node associated with a destination cell, of, prior to a handover of a moving user equipment from an originating cell to the destination cell, receiving (17) a moving user resource requirement and a predicted handover time for the moving user equipment, estimating (18) a total resource requirement comprising a sum of the moving user resource requirement and an initial resource requirement comprising a sum of resource requirements of other user equipments in the destination cell, determining (19) whether a capacity of the destination cell is sufficient to provide for the total resource requirement. If the capacity is not sufficient, a decrement factor is determined for each user equipment in the destination cell by determining (20) a required resource reduction using a difference between the capacity and the total resource requirement, determining (21) a reduction factor for each user equipment in the destination cell by allocating a portion of the required resource reduction to each user equipment, determining (22) a number of rescheduling events that will occur before the handover time and calculating (23) the decrement factor for each existing user equipment by dividing the reduction factor by the number of rescheduling events and at each rescheduling event, and decrementing (24) the resources available to each user equipment by the respective decrement factor. On handover, the moving user equipment is provided (25) with an allocated radio resource equal to at least part of the moving user resource requirement.