IAB Node Cell Selection Using Upstream Access Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

The lack of an effective integrated access and backhaul (IAB) method in IAB architecture hinders successful data packet transmission in dense NR cell networks.

Innovation Solution

The current IAB node acquires information about cell access from an upstream IAB node and determines candidate cells or executes access attempts based on this information, using system messages and access control parameters to ensure successful data packet transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If IAB node attempts to access the network without cell access information from upstream nodes, then the access procedure can be initiated, but the data packet transmission cannot be successfully guaranteed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata packet transmission reliabilityVSAvoidaccess procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the upstream IAB node provide cell access information to the current IAB node before the access attempt is made. This allows the current IAB node to determine candidate cells in advance, ensuring reliable data packet transmission while maintaining a relatively simple access procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the IAB node uses the same carrier frequency for both access link and backhaul link, then spectrum efficiency is improved, but interference between access and backhaul transmissions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum efficiencyVSAvoidinterference between access and backhaul links
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different cells to have different configurations regarding carrier frequency usage. The network can configure whether access and backhaul links use the same or different frequencies on a per-cell or per-link basis, enabling optimization of spectrum efficiency while managing interference locally where it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3836743B1Network access method and apparatus, network device, and computer readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 ZTE CORP
  • EP3836743B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3836743B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Provided are a network access method and apparatus, a network device, and a storage medium. The network access method includes: a current integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node acquiring information about cell access from an upstream IAB node; and the current IAB node determining a candidate cell and/or executing an access attempt according to the information about the cell access.