IAB Node Cell Selection via Hop Number Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) networks, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing cell selection and handover processes, particularly when IAB-donors and IAB-nodes share the same cell ID, leading to issues in distinguishing between them and prioritizing resource allocation for backhaul traffic.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a mechanism where IAB nodes and donors use distinct hop numbers and synchronization signals to differentiate themselves, allowing User Equipment (UE) to perform cell selection or reselection based on these identifiers, and prioritizing backhaul traffic by partitioning Random Access Channel (RACH) resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If IAB-donors and IAB-nodes share the same cell ID, then resource allocation can be simplified, but it becomes difficult to distinguish between them for proper resource prioritization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification mechanism by introducing hop number as a distinct identifier layer. While cell IDs remain shared for resource allocation simplicity, each IAB-node is assigned a unique hop number (IAB-donor=0, IAB-node=1) that enables differentiation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple resource allocation based on cell ID while simultaneously enabling node distinction through hop number for proper resource prioritization.
2Length of moving object
If IAB-nodes use higher antenna gain for extended coverage, then backhaul reach is improved, but cell selection and handover management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring hop numbers in each IAB-node before operation. This pre-assignment of hierarchical identifiers (hop number 0 for donors, hop number 1 for nodes) enables UEs to perform cell selection and handover based on simple hop number comparison rather than complex signal strength analysis. The preliminary configuration of these identifiers simplifies the real-time decision-making process for cell selection and handover management.
3Productivity
If load balancing requires non-nearest neighbor connections, then traffic distribution is improved, but antenna beam targeting becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces hop number as an intermediary parameter that mediates between load balancing requirements and beam targeting. Instead of UEs directly selecting base stations based on complex multi-hop path analysis, the hop number serves as a simplified intermediary metric. UEs can perform load balancing by selecting IAB-nodes with appropriate hop numbers while maintaining straightforward beam targeting, thus decoupling the complexity of non-nearest neighbor connections from the beamforming process.
Data Source
AI summary
An Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node that communicates over a radio interface is provided. The IAB node includes: processing circuity configured to perform cell selection or cell reselection based on whether a corresponding cell is associated with an IAB donor or the IAB node. A hop number is defined for each of the IAB donor and the IAB node, where the hop number of the IAB donor is “0”.