Low-Cost Internet Base Station Traffic Offload Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless service providers face challenges in determining precise locations for additional macro BTSs or sectors due to insufficient traffic data from macro BTSs, necessitating the collection of traffic data in localized geographical areas to effectively plan their networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Low-Cost Internet Base Stations (LCIBs) operating in unrestricted mode to off-load traffic from macro networks, allowing for the collection of traffic data in localized areas, which is then used to plan network enhancements such as adding LCIBs, carriers, or adjusting macro BTS coverage areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If macro BTS traffic data is used for network planning, then network planning can be performed, but the precision of traffic data in localized geographical areas is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the macro network coverage area into multiple localized geographical areas by deploying LCIBs in specific buildings or locations. Each LCIB collects traffic data for its specific localized area, transforming the aggregated macro-level data into precise location-specific data. This segmentation enables accurate traffic measurement at the building or neighborhood level rather than across entire macro BTS coverage areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by having LCIBs deployed in specific geographical locations (buildings, neighborhoods) to collect traffic data locally. Each LCIB provides customized traffic measurement for its specific location, enabling network planners to make location-specific decisions about where to add capacity, rather than relying on averaged macro-level data that masks local variations.
2Measurement precision
If LCIBs are deployed in unrestricted mode to collect localized traffic data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and network management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling LCIBs to automatically configure themselves and begin collecting traffic data without requiring complex manual setup. The LCIBs in unrestricted mode can autonomously attach to available macro networks and start measuring traffic, reducing the complexity of deployment and management while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing LCIBs that can operate in multiple modes (restricted and unrestricted) and perform multiple functions (traffic collection, network planning support, potential customer service). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices and simplifies overall network management while providing precise localized traffic data.
3Productivity
If more macro BTSs are added to improve network capacity, then network performance is improved, but capital costs and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using LCIBs to collect and analyze traffic data in advance, identifying specific locations where network capacity is needed before actually deploying additional macro BTSs. This preliminary traffic measurement and analysis phase allows planners to target capacity additions precisely, avoiding unnecessary deployment of macro BTSs in areas that don't need them, thereby reducing capital and operating costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces LCIBs as intermediary devices between mobile users and macro BTSs. These LCIBs can handle traffic locally, acting as a mediator that relieves pressure on macro BTSs. By using LCIBs as intermediaries to provide additional capacity in specific locations, the network can improve productivity without proportionally increasing the number of expensive macro BTSs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are provided for planning a service-provider network. The service-provider network includes a macro network and a number of low-cost internet base stations (LCIBs), where the macro network includes a number of macro base transceiver stations (BTSs). One or more LCIBs are selected. The selected LCIBs are instructed to operate in an unrestricted mode and then operate in the unrestricted mode for an evaluation period. After the evaluation period ends, an off-loaded-traffic amount is determined for at least a portion of the macro network for the evaluation period. The off-loaded-traffic amount is then associated with the one or more selected LCIBs. Then, the service-provider network is planned based on the off-loaded-traffic amount.