Wireless Device Latency-Based Base Station Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Relay base stations in wireless networks introduce additional latency due to wireless backhaul connections, which can be detrimental for latency-sensitive applications like voice calls, necessitating a method for wireless communication devices (WCDs) to select serving base stations with sufficiently low latency.
Innovation Solution
WCDs determine whether they are served by relay or non-relay base stations and measure communication latency with a call server, comparing it to a latency threshold to decide on handovers to non-relay base stations or alternative networks, ensuring voice calls are maintained at an acceptable quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If relay base stations are used to extend wireless coverage, then coverage area is improved, but communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic base station selection where the WCD continuously monitors latency measurements and dynamically switches between relay and non-relay base stations based on current network conditions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to use relay base stations for coverage extension when necessary while switching to non-relay base stations when low latency is required for voice calls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of base station selection from static to latency-based dynamic selection. By measuring round-trip latency to the call server and comparing it against thresholds, the system adjusts which base station serves the WCD, thereby resolving the contradiction between coverage area and communication latency.
2Area of stationary object
If relay base stations are used for voice calls, then network coverage is improved, but voice call quality deteriorates due to high latency
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines whether to use relay or non-relay base stations for voice calls based on real-time latency measurements. When latency exceeds the threshold, the WCD initiates handover to a non-relay base station, ensuring voice call quality is maintained while still allowing relay base stations to provide coverage when latency conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the WCD measures latency to the call server and uses this information to make informed decisions about base station selection. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that voice call quality is maintained by switching away from relay base stations when latency becomes excessive.
3Reliability
If WCD continuously monitors latency and performs handovers, then voice call quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the WCD autonomously performs latency measurements, compares measurements against thresholds, and initiates handovers without requiring complex network control. This self-service approach improves voice call quality while minimizing the increase in device complexity by using straightforward measurement and comparison logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device (WCD) can communicate with either a first radio access network (RAN) that uses a packet-switched network under the control of a call server for voice calls, or a second RAN that uses a circuit-switched network for voice calls. When served by the first RAN, the WCD determines whether it should be served by a relay base station of the first RAN (a base station that has a wireless backhaul to a donor base station), a non-relay base station of the first RAN, or a base station of the second RAN, by measuring a communication latency with the call server. If the latency is greater than a threshold latency for voice calls, the WCD initiates a handover to a non-relay base station (if served by a relay base station) or to a base station of the second RAN (if served by a non-relay base station).