Inter-Frequency Load Balancing via UE Performance Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load balancing mechanisms in cellular networks fail to reliably select User Equipment (UE) for relocation between cells, leading to inefficient distribution of traffic load and potential degradation of UE performance due to inadequate consideration of radio link quality in both source and target cells.
Innovation Solution
A method where Radio Base Stations (RBS) select UEs for relocation based on measured and estimated performance values across overlapping cells, with feedback from relocated UEs to update performance estimates, ensuring that UEs with the highest signal gain are relocated to achieve load balance while maintaining or improving service quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current load balancing mechanisms are used to relocate UEs between cells, then traffic load distribution is improved, but UE performance deteriorates due to inadequate consideration of radio link quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report measured performance values (such as RSRP, RSRQ, throughput) of both source and target cells to the RBS. This feedback loop enables the RBS to make informed relocation decisions based on actual radio link quality measurements, ensuring that UEs are only relocated when performance improvement is expected, thus resolving the contradiction between load distribution and UE performance maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurements and performance estimations before executing UE relocation. The RBS selects UEs for relocation based on estimated performance values calculated from measured parameters, and only initiates relocation when the estimated performance in the target cell exceeds that of the source cell. This preliminary assessment prevents performance degradation while achieving load balancing.
2Productivity
If UEs are relocated based on basic load balancing criteria, then system capacity is improved, but resource wastage occurs due to inadequate performance prediction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple threshold-based or rule-based relocation mechanisms with a performance estimation system that calculates expected UE performance in target cells using measured radio link parameters. This substitution of the decision-making mechanism enables more accurate prediction of relocation outcomes, preventing wasteful relocations that would not improve performance while still achieving system capacity optimization through balanced load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the decision parameters for UE relocation from basic load metrics alone to a comprehensive set of parameters including measured RSRP, RSRQ, throughput, and estimated performance values. By changing these parameters and using them to calculate performance estimates, the system can identify relocations that truly improve performance, avoiding resource wastage while maintaining system capacity benefits.
3Measurement precision
If performance measurement and feedback mechanisms are implemented, then UE selection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional components in the LTE network, such as the RBS's existing measurement and reporting infrastructure, to implement performance estimation. The same measurement mechanisms already used for other purposes (channel quality indication, handover decisions) are repurposed to gather data for load balancing decisions, avoiding the need for separate dedicated measurement systems and thus limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to self-assess performance by utilizing measurements already being performed by UEs for other functions. UEs continuously measure radio link quality parameters for channel adaptation and handover purposes; these same measurements are used by the RBS to estimate performance and make load balancing decisions. This self-service approach achieves accurate UE selection without requiring additional complex measurement infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and device load balancing in a telecommunications network is provided where a selection of one or more User Equipments (UEs), to be relocated from a source cell to a target cell is based on a prediction value of the performance in the target cell. The prediction of the performance in the target cell is performed by mapping the current load of the target cell and a current detected signal of the target cell, into a perceived performance, perceived by UEs that have been relocated previously. After relocation of the UE the perceived performance in the target cell is measured and fed back by the target cell radio base station (RBS) to the source cell RBS, and used for updating the predicted performance value.