Millimeter Wave Backhaul Base Station Latency Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The projected growth in mobile data demand is expected to outpace the capacity provided by even the next generation of LTE, known as LTE-Advanced, necessitating a solution for increased bandwidth and reduced latency in cellular networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for establishing a low latency millimeter wave (mmW) backhaul connection, where a base station receives a mmW relay schedule from an evolved Node B within one LTE scheduling interval, initializes mmW radio transmission resources, and transmits data packets between base stations using these resources, allowing transmission to begin before reception is complete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If LTE-Advanced is used to increase cellular network bandwidth, then network capacity is improved, but it cannot keep pace with projected mobile data demand growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from sub-6 GHz frequency bands used in LTE-Advanced to millimeter wave (mmW) frequency bands (24 GHz and above), representing a fundamental parameter change in the electromagnetic spectrum. This enables significantly larger bandwidth availability to meet growing data demands that outpace LTE-Advanced capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional approach by establishing mmW backhaul connections as a separate transmission medium alongside existing LTE infrastructure. This creates an additional capacity dimension through wireless backhaul links between base stations, rather than merely improving existing LTE links
2Device complexity
If traditional LTE scheduling intervals are used for mmW relay scheduling, then compatibility with existing LTE infrastructure is maintained, but scheduling latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having base stations pre-initialize mmW radio transmission resources according to received mmW relay schedules before actual data transmission is needed. This advance preparation eliminates waiting time during data forwarding operations while maintaining compatibility with LTE scheduling intervals for schedule delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing base stations to begin transmitting data packets before receiving them completely, dynamically overlapping reception and transmission operations. This dynamic approach reduces overall latency while maintaining synchronization with LTE scheduling frameworks
3Reliability
If data packets are transmitted only after complete reception, then data integrity is ensured, but transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-initializing mmW radio transmission resources and preparing transmission buffers before complete data packet reception. This allows the system to have transmission-ready resources in advance, reducing the time from packet reception completion to transmission start
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by enabling overlapping reception and transmission operations at base stations. While receiving a data packet from one base station, the same base station can simultaneously transmit previously received packets to other base stations, ensuring continuous utilization of transmission resources without idle waiting periods
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed for establishing a low latency millimeter wave (mmW) backhaul connection. A base station may receive a mmW relay schedule from an evolved Node B (eNB) within one Long Term Evolution (LTE) scheduling interval. The base station may decode the mmW relay schedule, and initialize a mmW radio transmission resource according to the mmW relay schedule. The base station may receive a data packet from a second base station in a mmW transmission time interval (TTI) based on the mmW relay schedule using the initialized mmW radio transmission resource, and may transmit the data packet to a third base station based on the mmW relay schedule using the initialized mmW radio transmission resource. The transmitting may begin before the reception of the data packet is complete.