IAB Network Logical Channel Identifier Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated access and backhaul (IAB) networks face ambiguities in routing due to overlapping branches, leading to difficulties in determining the correct backhaul configuration and logical channel identifiers, which affects the quality of service and packet forwarding in wireless communication systems.
Innovation Solution
Configuring distinct logical channel identifiers for each backhaul configuration in IAB networks, allowing parent and child nodes to process packets based on specific backhaul configurations received from central units, thereby resolving routing ambiguities and ensuring correct packet processing and forwarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IAB networks use overlapping branches with shared BAP addresses and channel identifiers, then network resource utilization is improved, but routing ambiguities occur leading to incorrect packet forwarding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backhaul RLC channels into distinct logical channels with unique identifiers for each branch. By creating separate logical channels (first backhaul RLC channel and second backhaul RLC channel) with different logical channel identifiers, the system eliminates routing ambiguities while maintaining the ability to share physical network resources across overlapping branches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces logical channel identifiers as intermediary elements that mediate between the physical network resources and routing decisions. These identifiers act as mediators that disambiguate packets belonging to different branches, allowing the network to correctly identify and forward packets even when BAP addresses and physical channel identifiers overlap.
2Reliability
If distinct logical channel identifiers are configured for each backhaul configuration, then routing ambiguities are resolved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal approach where the same logical channel identifier configuration mechanism is applied across all backhaul links and branches. The parent node and child node use identical procedures to configure and identify logical channels, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the increased complexity of managing multiple distinct identifiers.
3Reliability
If packets are processed according to specific backhaul configurations based on logical channel identifiers, then quality of service is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring logical channel identifiers and backhaul configurations before packet transmission occurs. The parent node and child node establish the mapping between logical channel identifiers and backhaul configurations in advance, allowing packets to be processed quickly without time-consuming configuration lookups during actual data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a parent node may configure first and second backhaul radio link control (RLC) channels based on requests received from a first integrated access and backhaul (IAB) donor central unit (CU) and a second IAB donor CU, respectively. The parent node may select first and second logical channel identifiers for the first and second backhaul RLC channels, the second logical channel identifier being different from the first logical channel identifier, and may provide the first and second logical channel identifiers to the first IAB donor CU and the second IAB donor CU, respectively. The parent node may receive a packet including either the first logical channel identifier or the second logical channel identifier, and process the packet based on which of the first and second logical channel identifiers is included in the packet. Other aspects are provided.