IAB Node Data Counter for Fair UE Bearer Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In integrated access backhaul (IAB) networks, especially in 5G systems, the medium access control (MAC) layer struggles to prioritize UE bearers fairly when they are mapped to the same logical channel, leading to unfair data handling due to the inability to distinguish between them for scheduling purposes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a data counter mechanism within the IAB node to track and manage data transfer for each UE bearer, ensuring that the UE bearer with the lowest counter value is prioritized for transmission, and adjusting counters to maintain fairness among bearers with similar Quality of Service (QoS) characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple UE bearers are mapped to the same logical channel for resource efficiency, then resource utilization improves, but fairness among bearers deteriorates due to inability to distinguish them for scheduling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling mechanism by introducing separate data counters for each UE bearer within the same logical channel. This allows the MAC entity to track and manage data volume independently for each bearer, enabling fair scheduling decisions while maintaining resource efficiency through shared logical channel mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces data counters as an intermediary mechanism between the logical channel layer and the scheduling layer. These counters serve as a mediator that provides the necessary differentiation information for fair scheduling without requiring separate logical channels, thus resolving the contradiction between resource efficiency and fairness.
2Speed
If data is transferred without tracking individual bearer usage, then processing speed improves, but resource distribution fairness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary tracking by maintaining data counters for each UE bearer before data transfer occurs. This pre-established tracking mechanism enables the system to quickly determine scheduling priorities based on pre-calculated counter values, maintaining high processing speed while ensuring fair resource distribution through the selection of bearers with lowest counter values.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where data counters are continuously updated based on transferred data volumes. The MAC entity uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust scheduling decisions, selecting bearers with lowest counter values for transmission, thereby maintaining both speed and fairness through continuous monitoring and adaptation.
3Productivity
If UE bearers are prioritized without considering data usage balance, then transmission efficiency improves, but equity among bearers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic prioritization where the priority of each UE bearer is not fixed but changes based on real-time data counter values. The MAC entity dynamically selects the bearer with the lowest counter value for transmission, creating a flexible scheduling system that maintains transmission efficiency while automatically ensuring equity among bearers through adaptive priority adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods of handling user traffic in an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network. For instance, a data counter for two or more of a plurality of user equipment (UE) bearers handled by an IAB node can be configured. Data corresponding to the two or more UE bearers of the plurality of UE bearers can be received. A first UE bearer can be selected. The first UE bearer is the UE bearer having the lowest data counter value of the two or more UE bearers. Data corresponding to the first UE bearer can be transferred to a mobile terminal (MT) in the IAB node. The data counter for the first UE bearer can be increased by a total size of the transferred data.