Licensed-to-Unlicensed Spectrum Migration for Same-RAT Congestion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies do not effectively manage network traffic offloading between licensed and unlicensed spectrums within the same Radio Access Technology (RAT) in view of network slicing enhancements, leading to network congestion and poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for migrating network traffic between licensed and unlicensed spectrums within the same RAT, utilizing triggers such as capacity thresholds and schedules to switch traffic between licensed and unlicensed spectrums while maintaining network connectivity, involving network controllers and RRC connection reconfigurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network traffic is managed solely on licensed spectrum, then network connectivity is maintained, but network congestion occurs and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic migration between licensed and unlicensed spectrums based on real-time network conditions. The system dynamically adjusts traffic routing decisions by monitoring metrics such as channel occupancy time, throughput, and congestion levels, allowing the network to adaptively shift traffic loads to optimize performance and prevent congestion while maintaining connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to network traffic management by utilizing unlicensed spectrum as an additional transport dimension alongside the traditional licensed spectrum. This dimensional expansion allows the network to offload traffic to a second spectrum dimension, thereby increasing overall capacity and reducing congestion without sacrificing the reliability provided by the licensed spectrum.
2Productivity
If network traffic is offloaded to unlicensed spectrum, then network congestion is reduced, but traffic migration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces network slicing as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies traffic migration management. By creating logical partitions of the network infrastructure, each slice can be independently managed and configured for specific traffic types or priorities. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of spectrum switching from individual traffic flows, allowing centralized policy-based control and reducing the operational burden on network devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter-based triggering mechanisms for traffic migration, where specific thresholds (such as channel occupancy time exceeding 75% of the slot duration or throughput degradation beyond a defined margin) automatically initiate spectrum switching. This parameter-driven approach transforms complex migration decisions into straightforward threshold comparisons, significantly reducing control logic complexity while enabling proactive congestion avoidance.
3Productivity
If traffic migration between spectrums is implemented, then network performance is optimized, but network configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary configuration of migration parameters and thresholds during network setup or maintenance windows. Channel occupancy time thresholds, throughput margins, and migration triggers are pre-defined and stored in network elements before actual traffic migration occurs. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time configuration calculations during active traffic management, reducing operational complexity while enabling optimized performance through pre-established migration policies.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to migrating network traffic from a licensed spectrum to an unlicensed spectrum within the same radio access technology (RAT). In one aspect, a method includes identifying a user device connected to a cellular wireless access technology, over a licensed spectrum; determining whether a condition for switching network traffic associated with the user device to an unlicensed spectrum is triggered; in response to determining that the condition is triggered, determining an unlicensed spectrum to move the network traffic to, the unlicensed spectrum being within a same cell as the licensed spectrum or in a different cell compared to a cell in which the licensed spectrum is; and migrating at least a portion of the network traffic to the unlicensed spectrum while maintaining network connectivity of the user device over the cellular wireless access technology.