Heterogeneous Network Load Balance via Shared Data Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular mobile broadband systems face challenges in efficiently offloading data traffic to small cells while maintaining network performance and avoiding overload, as user equipment (UEs) typically camp on macro cells due to power disparities, despite small cells offering greater capacity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing load balance in heterogeneous networks by dynamically tuning idle mode settings and steering user terminals from dedicated frequency carriers to shared carriers, using a shared carrier for data traffic and dedicated carriers for voice calls, with automatic activation of small cells and load balancing between macro and small cell layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If small cells are deployed to increase capacity and offload data traffic, then network capacity and data throughput are improved, but user equipment typically camps on macro cells due to power disparities, reducing the effectiveness of small cell deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency carrier parameter by introducing a shared carrier that is accessible to both macro cells and small cells, while voice traffic remains on dedicated carriers. This parameter change allows UEs to camp on small cells for data traffic without being blocked by power disparities, as the shared carrier provides equal access rights for camping purposes.
2Productivity
If UEs are steered to shared carrier for data traffic offload, then small cell utilization increases, but network congestion may occur on the shared carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic types by assigning voice traffic to dedicated carriers and data traffic to shared carriers. This segmentation prevents voice traffic from competing with data traffic on the shared carrier, reducing congestion on the shared carrier while enabling effective small cell utilization for data offload.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared carrier acts as an intermediary that enables UEs to access small cells for data traffic without directly competing with voice traffic. By introducing this intermediary carrier with specific access rules, the patent mediates between the need for small cell utilization and the need to prevent congestion.
3Reliability
If dedicated carriers are used for voice calls, then voice Quality of Experience is maintained, but data traffic offload to small cells is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments carriers by function: dedicated carriers handle voice traffic to ensure quality, while shared carriers handle data traffic to enable small cell offload. This functional segmentation allows both voice quality and data offload to coexist without interference.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided for managing load balance in cellular heterogeneous networks. The method comprises: providing a plurality of spectrum carriers for conveying communication signals to/from a macro cell. At least one of the carriers is a shared carrier for conveying communication signals to/from the macro cell and to/from at least one small cell located at the geographical vicinity of the macro cell, and wherein the shared carrier is characterized in that data is the only type of communication signals being conveyed thereat when the cellular network is under congestion. One or more other spectrum carriers are dedicated carriers adapted to essentially convey voice calls, and wherein user terminals are steered away from dedicated carriers to the shared carrier, so that when a data session is initiated for a user terminal camped on the shared carrier, that session will be conveyed one or more of the small cells.