Master Base Station Adaptive Flow Control for Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE-A systems lack a detailed method for data transmission and reception in dual connectivity scenarios where terminals are connected to multiple ENBs, necessitating a method to determine load offloading and resource distribution between macro and small cells for improved data transmission rates.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a master base station to receive load and channel information from other base stations, determine a secondary base station to share the terminal's load, and adjust resource distribution based on channel quality, enabling adaptive flow control through bearer division.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dual connectivity is implemented between different ENBs to aggregate multiple cells, then data transmission rate is improved, but the complexity of data transmission and reception control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission path by introducing a master ENB and secondary ENB with distinct roles. The master ENB handles control plane functions and coordinates resource allocation, while secondary ENBs focus on data plane functions. This segmentation allows multiple cells to be aggregated for higher data rates while distributing control complexity across multiple entities rather than concentrating it in a single system.
Solution Approach 2:
The master ENB acts as an intermediary between the terminal and secondary ENBs. It receives control plane signals from the terminal, determines load conditions, and coordinates data transmission with secondary ENBs. This intermediary role simplifies the overall control architecture by providing a central coordination point, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from direct peer-to-peer coordination between multiple ENBs and the terminal.
2Productivity
If load balancing is performed between master ENB and secondary ENB, then system capacity is improved, but the difficulty of determining resource distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the master ENB receives load information from secondary ENBs and channel quality information from terminals. Based on this feedback, the master ENB dynamically determines the optimal distribution of resources and data flows. This feedback loop enables automatic adaptation to changing system conditions, simplifying the resource distribution determination process while improving system capacity through effective load balancing.
3Productivity
If multiple base stations are involved in dual connectivity, then channel utilization is improved, but the number of coordination operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control plane and data plane functions across multiple ENBs in a coordinated manner. The master ENB consolidates control plane handling, while data plane functions are distributed to secondary ENBs based on channel conditions and load requirements. This merging approach allows efficient utilization of multiple channels while reducing the number of independent coordination operations needed, as the master ENB provides centralized coordination for data plane activities.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling an adaptive flow in a wireless communication system. A method of a master base station in a wireless communication system, in which base stations having different cell sizes coexist, comprises the steps of: receiving load information from at least one other base station, receiving channel information about the at least one other base station from a terminal connected to the master base station, determining a secondary base station capable of load sharing for the terminal on basis of the channel information and the load information, and requesting, from the terminal, a further connection to the secondary base station. A base station in a macro cell determines offloading for downlink transmission of the terminal on the basis of the load information of a small cell, and determines a resource distribution ratio of the macro cell and the small cell for downlink transmission of the terminal on the basis of the channel quality information that is reported from the terminal whereby a transmission rate for the terminal can be increased according to the load of the small cell and the channel state of the terminal, and the cell transmission rate of the system can be improved overall.