IAB Node Routing via Control Data Descrambling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In cellular networks, the delay caused by intermediate IAB nodes performing post-processing and pre-processing on downstream signals before they can be transmitted to downstream IAB nodes is significant, especially in scenarios with strict latency requirements, leading to potential reliance on wired backhaul connections.

Innovation Solution

The method involves an intermediate IAB node receiving a downstream signal with control data and payload data, determining the recipient downstream IAB node by descrambling the control data using the node's scrambling identifier, and then forwarding the payload data to the intended node, thereby reducing the need for extensive processing and minimizing delay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If intermediate IAB node performs post-processing and pre-processing on downstream signals, then signal quality and reliability are improved, but transmission delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate IAB node performs only partial processing (descrambling and identification) rather than complete post-processing and pre-processing. By processing only the control data portion to identify the destination node and forwarding the payload data without full processing, the system achieves sufficient reliability for routing while dramatically reducing processing delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Speed

If time slots for transmission and reception are kept short, then communication latency is reduced, but processing time for intermediate nodes becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication latencyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The downstream signal is segmented into control data and payload data. The intermediate IAB node processes only the control data portion (descrambling and destination identification) within the short time slot, while the payload data is forwarded with minimal processing. This segmentation allows the system to maintain short time slots for low latency while performing necessary processing on only the critical control portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If intermediate IAB node performs full demodulation and decoding, then data accuracy is improved, but processing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The essential routing information (destination node identification) is extracted from the control data through descrambling, without performing full demodulation and decoding of the entire downstream signal. The intermediate node extracts only the necessary information for routing decisions and forwards the payload data, thereby maintaining data accuracy for routing while reducing processing complexity and time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4309302B1Routing data over a wireless communication link
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4309302B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4309302B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4309302B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

It is provided a method for routing data over a wireless communication link in a cellular network, the method being performed in an intermediate integrated access and backhaul, IAB, node. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a downstream signal from an upstream node, the downstream signal comprising control data and payload data, wherein the downstream signal is intended for a downstream IAB node; determining that the downstream IAB node is the recipient of the downstream signal by determining that the control data of the downstream signal can be descrambled using a scrambling identifier of the downstream IAB node; and forwarding the payload data of the downstream signal to the downstream IAB node.