Dynamic Fronthaul Bit Rate Adaptation for Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fronthaul technologies face scalability issues due to high bit rate requirements, leading to bottlenecks in wireless communication networks, as they need to carry more than 12 times the actual air-interface traffic rate, which increases costs and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Adapting the bit rate of time-domain sample representations in fronthaul links based on actual traffic load, allowing for dynamic adjustment of sampling rates and quantization bits to optimize bandwidth usage while maintaining air performance levels, enabling statistical multiplexing and reducing overall capacity requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high bit rate transmission is used to maintain radio signal quality, then signal quality is preserved, but fronthaul capacity requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio signal qualityVSAvoidfronthaul capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of fronthaul bit rate based on actual traffic load conditions. The system monitors traffic load and adjusts the number of quantization bits and sampling rate accordingly, transitioning from static high bit rate transmission to dynamic variable bit rate transmission. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable - using high bit rate only when necessary for signal quality while reducing bit rate during low traffic periods to conserve fronthaul capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters including the number of quantization bits per IQ sample and the sampling rate based on traffic load conditions. Instead of using fixed high-bit quantization (e.g., 15-30 bits) and constant sampling rates, the system dynamically adjusts these parameters to match actual traffic demands, thereby reducing fronthaul capacity requirements while maintaining signal quality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If constant bit rate transmission is used to simplify implementation, then system complexity is reduced, but fronthaul link utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission system complexityVSAvoidfronthaul link utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic bit rate adaptation mechanisms that monitor traffic load and adjust transmission parameters in real-time. This transforms the static constant bit rate system into a dynamic variable bit rate system, improving fronthaul link utilization efficiency by matching transmission capacity to actual traffic demands while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized adaptation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If high quantization bits are used to maintain signal quality, then radio signal quality is preserved, but fronthaul data rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio signal qualityVSAvoidfronthaul data rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the number of quantization bits per IQ sample based on traffic load conditions. Instead of using fixed high quantization bits (e.g., 15-30 bits) for all conditions, the system adjusts the quantization precision to match actual traffic demands, thereby reducing fronthaul data rate while maintaining radio signal quality when high precision is actually needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If high sampling rate is used to capture signal details, then signal accuracy is improved, but fronthaul capacity requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal accuracyVSAvoidfronthaul capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the sampling rate based on traffic load conditions and signal characteristics. Instead of using constant high sampling rates that exceed actual needs, the system adapts the sampling rate to match traffic demands, thereby reducing fronthaul capacity requirements while maintaining signal accuracy when high precision sampling is actually required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3427509B1Apparatus and method of controlling utilization of a fronthaul link in a wireless communication network
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3427509B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3427509B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3427509B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method (10) of controlling utilization of a fronthaul link in a wireless communication network, the fronthaul link being configured to transport a time-domain sample representation of a carrier having a traffic load, the time-domain sample representation of the carrier being generated at a bit rate. The method comprising: obtaining (12) an indication of a traffic load of the carrier; determining (14) a new bit rate for the time-domain sample representation of the carrier, the new bit rate being dependent on the indication of the traffic load of the carrier; and generating (16) a control signal configured to cause the time-domain sample representation of the carrier to be generated at the new bit rate.