LTE Backhaul Signaling Pipelining via Unsolicited Grants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems with separate wireless and wireline networks lack visibility and coordination, leading to inefficient architectures and increased latency when combined.
Innovation Solution
A pipelining system and method that utilizes a modem and Modem Termination System (MTS) in a wireless-wired backhaul environment, employing unsolicited grants and bandwidth reports to expedite Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) initialization messages and Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling across networks like DOCSIS and LTE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate wireless and wireline networks with separate traffic scheduling algorithms are used, then network independence and operational simplicity are maintained, but architecture efficiency deteriorates and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines wireless LTE signaling traffic and wireline DOCSIS backhaul traffic into a unified scheduling framework. The MTS schedules both types of traffic together, creating an integrated system where wireless uplink grants and wireline MAP grants are coordinated through a single scheduling entity, thereby improving architecture efficiency while managing integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The MTS is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a wireline DOCSIS CMTS and a wireless LTE eNodeB, and serves as a unified scheduling entity for both traffic types. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain network independence while achieving coordinated scheduling, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and complexity.
2Loss of time
If traditional scheduled grants are used for SCTP initialization messages, then traffic scheduling control is maintained, but signaling latency increases due to scheduling delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scheduling actions by pre-configuring unsolicited uplink grants for SCTP initialization messages before the actual signaling traffic arrives. The MTS anticipates the need for SCTP initialization and prepares unsolicited grants in advance, eliminating waiting time and reducing signaling latency while maintaining scheduling control through the unified scheduler.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements unsolicited grants that allow SCTP initialization messages to skip the traditional scheduling queue and be transmitted immediately when bandwidth is available. This rushing through of critical signaling messages bypasses normal scheduling delays, significantly reducing latency while the unified MTS maintains overall traffic scheduling control.
3Productivity
If visibility and coordination between separate networks are limited, then network security and operational independence are maintained, but efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of wireless LTE and wireline DOCSIS networks into a single MTS entity. This unified architecture provides full visibility and coordination between previously separate networks, enabling efficient joint scheduling of wireless and wireline traffic while maintaining operational independence through logical separation of functions within the integrated system.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for reducing latency in a wireless-to-wired backhaul environment, such as a LTE-Backhaul environment. In the LTE-Backhaul embodiment, the system and method rely on a modification to the eNodeB (eNB). This modification causes the eNB to generate a bandwidth report (BWR) upon receipt of a buffer status report (BSR) associated with an RRC encapsulated NSA signaling. The BWR provides a notification to the backhaul system that SCTP signaling, which is associated with the RRC encapsulated NSA signaling, is forthcoming. In addition, the present system and method provides for a periodic transmission of a grant (e.g., a MAP in a DOCSIS embodiment) in the backhaul portion. The backhaul grant provides for the modem to immediately forward the BWR to the modem termination system (MTS) upon receipt of the BWR such that the MTS may prepare a grant for the forth coming SCTP signaling.