IAB Backup for RAN Transport Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) in communication networks lack interoperability with optical fibre and microwave spectrum-based transport networks, leading to a lack of mechanisms for protecting or configuring these different transport solutions to ensure reliable backhaul data transmission and meet service level agreements (SLAs).
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for RAN nodes to perform discovery procedures to identify potential IAB connections, prepare configurations for IAB links, and establish IAB connections in case of failures in the transport network, allowing IAB to serve as a backup for optical fibre or microwave links to ensure continuous backhaul data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IAB connections are used as backup for transport network failures, then reliability of backhaul data transmission is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple transport solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements discovery procedures and configuration preparations in advance, before actual IAB connections are needed. RAN nodes perform discovery procedures to identify potential IAB connections and prepare configurations beforehand, so that when transport network failures occur, pre-prepared IAB connections can be rapidly established as backups, improving reliability without requiring complex real-time decision-making
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces IAB connections as intermediary backup paths between RAN nodes and the core network. When the primary transport network (optical fibre or microwave) fails, IAB connections serve as intermediate wireless relay paths, allowing backhaul data transmission to continue through alternative routes, thereby improving reliability while maintaining a manageable level of complexity through standardized IAB protocols
2Reliability
If IAB connections are established for backup purposes, then availability of backhaul transmission is improved, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables RAN nodes to autonomously perform discovery procedures, identify potential IAB connections, and prepare configurations without requiring complex centralized control for each decision. The nodes self-manage the backup connection establishment process, reducing the complexity of resource allocation while improving availability through automated failover capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes IAB connections multi-functional by designing them to serve both as primary wireless backhaul connections and as backup connections for transport network failures. This universal design allows the same IAB infrastructure to fulfill multiple roles, simplifying resource allocation complexity while enhancing backhaul transmission availability
3Adaptability or versatility
If discovery procedures are performed to identify IAB connections, then adaptability of transport solutions is improved, but loss of time occurs during connection establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs discovery procedures and configuration preparations in advance, before actual IAB connections are needed. RAN nodes identify potential IAB connections and prepare configurations beforehand, storing this information for rapid retrieval and activation when transport network failures occur, thus minimizing connection establishment time while maintaining high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic system where IAB connections can be rapidly activated based on real-time transport network conditions. The discovery information and configurations are maintained in a ready state, allowing the system to dynamically switch between primary transport network and IAB backup connections, achieving both adaptability and fast response time
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect there is provided a method of operating a first radio access network, RAN, node in a transport network, TN, of a communication network. The TN is for conveying backhaul data between a plurality of RAN nodes, and the RAN nodes provide a radio access network for wireless devices to use to access the communication network. The method in the first RAN node comprises performing (1501) a discovery procedure to identify one or more other RAN nodes in the plurality of RAN nodes with which an Integrated Access and Backhaul, IAB, connection can be established; preparing (1503) respective configurations for LAB counectious between the first RAN node and the identified one or more other RAN nodes; if a failure occurs in a first TN connection between two RAN nodes, establishing (1505) one or more of the IAB connections according to the respective prepared configuration; and using (1507) the established one or more IAB connections in place of, or in addition to, the first TN connection to convey backhaul