Hybrid Joint Processing in Radio Access Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inter-cell interference in small cell RANs limits their data rates due to shared spectral resources, necessitating improved coordination mechanisms like CoMP technology, which increases complexity and backhaul demands.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical architecture with a services node that employs a hybrid joint processing scheme, splitting data protocol processing between radio nodes and the services node, particularly for cell-edge UEs, to mitigate interference by using multiple cells for downlink data transmission and uplink data reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If CoMP technology is used to mitigate inter-cell interference, then data rate is improved, but device complexity and backhaul demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the joint processing functionality into two parts: L1 processing (PHY layer) remains at radio nodes while L2 protocol processing (PDCP/RLC/MAC) is hosted at the services node. This segmentation allows cell-edge UEs to benefit from CoMP-like interference mitigation through centralized L2 processing without requiring full CoMP implementation at radio nodes, thus improving data rates while limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The services node acts as an intermediary that hosts L2 protocol processing for cell-edge UEs. This intermediary approach enables coordinated multi-point processing benefits by centralizing L2 functions, allowing multiple radio nodes to serve cell-edge UEs with improved interference management while the services node handles the complex protocol processing, thereby reducing the complexity burden on individual radio nodes.
2Productivity
If CoMP technology is used to mitigate inter-cell interference, then spectral efficiency is improved, but backhaul capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting processing functions and hosting L2 protocol processing at the services node rather than requiring all L1-L2 processing at radio nodes, the patent reduces the amount of data that must be transmitted over backhaul links. Cell-edge UEs benefit from centralized L2 processing that improves spectral efficiency through coordinated multi-point operation, while the backhaul burden is managed by the services node architecture.
3Productivity
If L2 protocol processing is hosted at the services node for cell-edge UEs, then interference mitigation is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic protocol processing relocation where the location of L2 protocol processing can be moved between services node and radio nodes based on UE position. For cell-edge UEs experiencing interference, L2 processing is hosted at the services node to improve interference mitigation. When UEs move to cell interiors with better signal conditions, L2 processing can be relocated to radio nodes, reducing latency for those users.
4Reliability
If hybrid joint processing is used for cell-edge UEs, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hybrid joint processing selectively only to cell-edge UEs rather than all UEs in the system. By identifying UEs at cell edges experiencing interference and applying centralized L2 protocol processing specifically to these users, the system improves signal-to-noise ratio for affected users while limiting the complexity increase to only the necessary subset of the system, rather than requiring all radio nodes to implement full hybrid processing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of joint processing of data in a radio access network (RAN) that includes a plurality of radio nodes each associated with a cell and a services node operatively coupled to the radio nodes is provided. The services node provides connectivity to a core network. The method includes determining that a plurality of first UEs (User Equipment) each being serviced by a selected set of the cells is to operate in accordance with a hybrid joint processing scheme. Information is transferred between the plurality of first UEs and the radio nodes in accordance with the hybrid joint processing scheme by performing L1 layer processing on the radio nodes and L2 layer processing at the services node.