IAB Network Routing via Group Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) network release 16 does not allow for effective re-routing of Backhaul Adaptation Protocol (BAP) packets in the upstream direction, leading to issues with radio link failures and congestion, as it lacks the ability to identify alternative IAB donor DUs for routing, resulting in packet discarding due to mismatched addresses and IP filtering.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to manage routing by providing unique addresses and group identifiers to IAB network nodes, allowing for the configuration of alternate routing paths and filtering conditions, enabling the re-routing of data packets through different IAB donor DUs within the same group, and updating headers to avoid packet discarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple backhaul paths are set up between IAB-donor and access IAB-node to provide topological redundancy, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple intermediate IAB nodes and routing configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backhaul network into multiple independent paths through intermediate IAB nodes, each path can be configured separately. This allows the system to provide redundancy while managing complexity through modular path configuration, where each segment (path) operates independently and can be managed individually.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic routing where the selected backhaul path can change based on network conditions. The system can dynamically switch between multiple configured paths when primary paths fail or become congested, providing adaptability without requiring permanent complex static configurations for all possible scenarios.
2Productivity
If data packets are routed through alternative IAB donor DUs in case of radio link failure or congestion, then productivity is improved, but loss of information increases due to packet discarding from address mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the routing parameter by introducing group identifiers that group IAB donor DUs together. When a packet needs to be rerouted due to link failure or congestion, the system can redirect it to another donor DU within the same group, and the filtering conditions are updated to accept packets from alternative donors in the same group, thus preventing packet loss while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The group identifier acts as an intermediary concept that mediates between the source IAB node and the alternative destination IAB donor DU. Instead of directly checking for address mismatches, the system uses the group identifier as an intermediate classification mechanism to determine whether to accept rerouted packets, thereby preventing information loss.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If IP filtering is applied at IAB donor DUs to ensure security, then object-generated harmful factors are reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to packet discarding when destination address does not match local address
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different filtering behaviors at different IAB donor DUs based on their group membership. Each donor DU can be configured with specific filtering conditions that allow it to accept packets from authorized sources (including alternative donors in the same group) while maintaining security. This enables selective acceptance rather than blanket rejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering conditions at IAB donor DUs are made dynamic and can be updated based on routing decisions. When a donor DU is configured to accept packets from alternative donors in the same group, its filtering behavior adapts to the current routing context, allowing reliable packet delivery while maintaining security through controlled filtering rather than static address matching only.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, at an IAB network node, for routing data packets over one or more wireless backhaul links in an integrated access and backhaul, IAB, network comprising a donor network node, having a donor CU and a plurality of donor DUs, and a plurality of IAB network nodes is disclosed. Each donor DU and IAB network node are assigned a unique address and each donor DU is assigned to one of one or more groups with a unique group identifier assigned to each group of the one or more groups. The IAB network node is configured with routing configuration information including a unique address of at least one donor DU corresponding to at least one destination donor DU, at least one path identifier identifying at least one routing path to the at least one destination donor DU, the unique address of a donor DU or IAB network node of the IAB network that is a next node in the at least one routing path and the group identifier associated with the at least one destination donor DU. The method comprises: receiving a data packet for a destination donor DU, the data packet including the unique address of the destination donor DU for the data packet and a path identifier identifying the routing path to the destination donor DU; determining whether there is an available routing path to the destination donor DU based on the unique address of the destination donor DU and the path identifier included in the data packet and the routing configuration information, and based on the unique address of the destination donor DU included in the data packet and the routing configuration information. When no available routing path is determined, the method further comprises determining an alternate routing path for the data packet for the destination donor DU using the routing configuration information and based on the unique address of the destination donor DU and the group identifier associated with the destination donor DU, wherein the alternate routing path is to a different destination donor DU in the same group as the destination donor DU with the same group identifier; and routing the data packet using the determined alternate routing path.