Downlink Traffic Disaggregation in Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing varying RAN resource loads and power consumption demands from mobile devices with diverse QoS requirements, particularly in handling ultrareliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) due to fluctuating network loads and energy-saving modes.
Innovation Solution
A terrestrial radio network node analyzes non-terrestrial downlink signal strength and uplink signal strength to determine traffic disaggregation, requesting that latency-sensitive traffic be handled by non-terrestrial network nodes using appropriate modulation and coding schemes, based on received channel characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If terrestrial RAN nodes handle all downlink traffic to meet latency requirements, then latency is reduced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments downlink traffic into different QoS categories (URLLC and eMBB) and routes them through different network paths. URLLC traffic with stringent latency requirements is handled by terrestrial RAN nodes, while eMBB traffic with higher latency tolerance is offloaded to non-terrestrial network nodes, thereby reducing overall power consumption while meeting latency requirements for critical traffic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a traffic disaggregation mechanism where the terrestrial RAN node acts as an intermediary that selectively offloads specific downlink traffic flows to non-terrestrial network nodes based on QoS requirements, allowing the system to balance latency performance with energy efficiency
2Reliability
If terrestrial RAN nodes handle all downlink traffic, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic handling responsibilities between terrestrial and non-terrestrial network nodes based on QoS requirements. Terrestrial nodes maintain control plane functions and handle URLLC traffic for reliability, while non-terrestrial nodes handle eMBB downlink traffic, distributing complexity across the disaggregated network architecture
3Use of energy by moving object
If non-terrestrial network nodes handle downlink traffic, then power consumption is reduced, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by matching traffic characteristics with appropriate network node capabilities. URLLC traffic requiring low latency is locally handled by terrestrial RAN nodes, while eMBB traffic tolerant of higher latency is routed to non-terrestrial nodes, optimizing the trade-off between power consumption and latency on a per-traffic-flow basis
Data Source
AI summary
A terrestrial radio access network node, conducting a communication session with a user equipment, may determine to offload, or disaggregate, downlink traffic, associated with the communication session, for delivery by a non-terrestrial network node based on an uplink signal strength, at the terrestrial node, corresponding to the user equipment and based on a downlink signal strength, at the user equipment, corresponding to the non-terrestrial network node. A determination to offload the downlink traffic flow for delivery via the non-terrestrial node may be based on analysis of the uplink signal strength or the downlink signal strength with respect to at least one criterion received from core network equipment. The user equipment may indicate to the terrestrial node downlink channel information corresponding to the non-terrestrial node and the terrestrial node may transmit to the non-terrestrial node transmission information usable by the non-terrestrial node to transmit the downlink traffic to the user equipment.