IAB Node Preemptive Scheduling for Low Latency Backhaul

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) nodes in radio access networks introduce significant latency due to multiple wireless hops, which can hinder communication efficiency between mobile devices and base stations, especially when physical barriers obstruct direct RF links.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an intelligent controller within IAB donor nodes that generates routing information bases and forwarding information bases to select optimal paths with minimal latency, and using preemptive scheduling requests to manage uplink and downlink transmissions, ensuring efficient data routing and reducing packet delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If IAB nodes are used to extend network coverage through wireless backhaul links, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but transmission latency increases due to multiple wireless hops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidtransmission latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preemptive scheduling where the IAB node sends scheduling requests to both the donor base station and child IAB nodes before actual data transmission. This advance scheduling establishes transmission permissions and resource allocations beforehand, eliminating waiting time during actual data flow and compensating for the latency introduced by multiple wireless hops in the IAB architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple IAB node hops are used to overcome physical barriers, then connectivity reliability is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to increased latency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes continuous scheduling relationships where IAB nodes maintain preemptive scheduling requests and granted permissions across multiple hops. This continuity ensures that data transmission can proceed without interruption or waiting for re-scheduling at each hop, maintaining communication efficiency while utilizing multiple IAB nodes to overcome physical barriers and ensure connectivity reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If traditional scheduling methods are used in IAB networks, then system complexity is kept low, but transmission delays increase due to lack of optimized path selection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling system complexityVSAvoidpacket transmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the IAB network into hierarchical segments with the donor base station at the top, IAB nodes in the middle, and child IAB nodes or UEs at the bottom. Each segment handles scheduling independently through preemptive scheduling requests, allowing localized optimization without requiring complex centralized control across the entire network, thus reducing overall system complexity while minimizing transmission delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11477808B2System and method for low latency integrated access and backhaul

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A network device may be configured to: send a preemptive scheduling request to an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node over a wireless link between the network device and the IAB node; receive a scheduling grant from the IAB node over the wireless link; and send data to the IAB node over the wireless link at times indicated by the scheduling grant from the IAB node.