IAB Node Capability Coordination via Joint Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G network technologies face challenges in coordinating the capabilities of integrated access backhaul (IAB) nodes, particularly in managing the capabilities of mobile termination (MT) and distributed unit (DU) functions, which affects interoperability and optimized performance of access and backhaul links.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a capability management system that generates and exchanges capability messages between network components, using RRC and F1-AP signaling to convey MT-specific and DU-specific capabilities, allowing joint indication of IAB node capabilities and reducing signaling overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate capability management for MT and DU functions is implemented, then capability coordination accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability coordination accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines MT capability information and DU capability information into a single joint capability message. The capability manager generates one unified message that includes both MT-specific capabilities (e.g., access link capabilities) and DU-specific capabilities (e.g., backhaul link capabilities), eliminating the need for separate signaling exchanges and reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining complete capability coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The joint capability message serves multiple functions simultaneously: it conveys MT capabilities for access link management, DU capabilities for backhaul link management, and coordination information for integrated access-backhaul operation. This multi-functional message structure reduces the number of separate signaling procedures needed in IAB nodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If joint indication of IAB node capabilities is implemented, then signaling overhead is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidcapability management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capability manager internally segments the capability management task into distinct components: MT capability extraction, DU capability extraction, and joint message generation. This segmentation allows the complex joint indication process to be broken down into manageable steps, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining the benefits of unified signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The capability manager acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the MT function, DU function, and the network. It receives capability information from both MT and DU, processes and coordinates this information, and generates the unified joint capability message. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the complex coordination logic in a dedicated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11234183B2Facilitation of capability configuration and coordination for integrated access and backhaul 5G or other next generation network

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

In order to support integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network functionality, such as topology formation/adaptation, and access and backhaul link management, capability signaling can be configured and exchanged between the network, parent IAB nodes, and child IAB nodes. This can include messages related to IAB-node distributed unit (DU) function capabilities, IAB-node mobile termination (MT) function capabilities, joint IAB-node DU/MT capabilities, and internal IAB node and network capability management and coordination functions. Additionally, the aforementioned system can comprise an IAB capability manager function to coordinate capability messages between the MT and DU functions.