Inter-site Carrier Aggregation Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carrier aggregation technologies select primary and secondary cells based solely on signal intensity, failing to consider inter-cell load, which hampers optimal resource utilization and throughput in wireless communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that calculate the load difference between the current serving cell and neighboring cells, allowing a change in serving cells when the power difference exceeds a threshold adjusted by load offset and default offset, considering the resources used by other user equipment, to balance traffic load between cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cell selection is based solely on signal intensity, then connection reliability is improved, but resource utilization and throughput deteriorate due to load imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cell selection criterion from a single parameter (signal intensity) to multiple parameters (signal intensity and load condition). The eNB calculates both the reception signal intensity and the load condition of neighboring cells, then determines serving cell changes based on these combined parameters, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the eNB continuously monitors the load conditions of serving and neighboring cells, and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust cell selection decisions. The load condition feedback enables the system to balance traffic distribution while maintaining connection reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cell selection is based solely on signal intensity, then connection stability is improved, but throughput deteriorates due to inadequate traffic distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the cell selection parameters to include both signal intensity and load condition. The eNB evaluates multiple parameters simultaneously, ensuring that cell changes maintain connection stability while also optimizing throughput through improved traffic distribution across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment to cell selection by continuously monitoring load conditions and adapting serving cell assignments in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain stable connections while optimizing throughput based on current network conditions.
3Productivity
If inter-cell load is considered in cell selection, then resource utilization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms to manage the complexity of load-based cell selection. The eNB receives load condition information from neighboring cells and uses this feedback to make informed cell selection decisions, balancing resource utilization improvements against the added system complexity through structured information exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary role of the eNB that mediates between signal intensity measurements and load condition considerations. The eNB processes both types of information and makes the final cell selection decision, managing system complexity by centralizing the decision-making process rather than requiring direct UE involvement in load assessment.
4Productivity
If serving cell changes are made frequently to balance load, then resource distribution is improved, but connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing load-based cell selection only under specific conditions rather than continuously. The eNB evaluates both signal intensity and load conditions, and only triggers serving cell changes when both criteria are satisfied, avoiding excessive cell changes that would destabilize connections while still achieving improved resource distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides cushioning against unnecessary cell changes by requiring satisfaction of multiple conditions (signal intensity threshold and load condition) before triggering a serving cell change. This beforehand cushioning prevents frequent or premature cell changes that would harm connection stability while still enabling resource distribution improvements when conditions warrant changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for selecting a serving cell by a user equipment (UE) to which the inter-site carrier aggregation (CA) technology is according to the intensity of a reception signal of each carrier wave is provided. However, in order to improve resource usage and a throughput of the entire cells, a method is performed in which a PCell and an SCell are selected considering the intensity of a reception signal and a load between cells, the SCell is activated, and loads of the PCell and the SCell are adjusted. The method can balance an inter-cell traffic load, and eventually, increase usage of the entirety of a network and improve a throughput.