Mobile Cell Dynamic Positioning for Network Traffic Offloading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dynamic mobile traffic loads, particularly at 'traffic hotspots,' pose challenges for mobile networks due to their transient and unpredictable nature, leading to network congestion, which existing technologies like Self-Organizing Networks (SON) struggle to manage effectively.

Innovation Solution

Deploying mobile cells, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or other mobile apparatus equipped with necessary antennas, to dynamically offload network traffic by determining optimal geographic positions based on current traffic load and the location of highest system capacity-intensive mobile terminals, and optimizing their location according to the directional movement of these terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mobile cells are deployed to offload network traffic, then network capacity and offloading capabilities are enhanced, but device complexity and system coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidsystem coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile cell autonomously determines its own positioning by receiving traffic load information from the network, identifying high-capacity terminals, and calculating optimal coordinates without requiring complex centralized control. The system self-organizes by automatically tracking terminal movements and adjusting its position to maintain optimal service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile cell implements dynamic positioning that continuously adapts to changing network conditions. It receives real-time traffic load information, identifies current high-capacity terminals, and adjusts its coordinates dynamically to follow terminal movements, transforming a static network infrastructure into a dynamic, adaptive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If mobile cells dynamically reposition to follow high-capacity terminals, then traffic hotspots are effectively served, but positioning accuracy and response time to traffic changes are challenged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic hotspot responseVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile cell establishes a feedback loop by continuously receiving traffic load information from the network, identifying high-capacity terminals based on their positions, moving to optimal coordinates, and repeating the process. This closed-loop system ensures accurate tracking of traffic hotspots while maintaining positioning precision through iterative adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile cell proactively positions itself in advance of predicted traffic movements by monitoring terminal patterns and preemptively relocating to areas where high-capacity terminals are likely to move, rather than merely reacting to already-formed traffic hotspots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If mobile cells are used to address transient traffic peaks, then network congestion is alleviated, but the transient and unpredictable nature of traffic hotspots makes effective management difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecongestion reliefVSAvoidtraffic pattern flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile cell autonomously detects and responds to transient traffic patterns by independently analyzing real-time traffic load information, identifying emerging hotspots, and self-positioning to serve them. This self-service capability enables the system to adapt to unpredictable traffic variations without requiring pre-programmed responses to specific traffic scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3375216B1Dynamic positioning method for mobile cells
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3375216B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3375216B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3375216B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatus (200), systems, and methods are disclosed for determining dynamic positioning of mobile cells (200). Dynamic positioning provides for navigating a mobile cell (200), such as an unmanned aerial vehicle or the like, to a location suitable for offloading current network traffic, such that the suitable location maximizes offloading capabilities. The methodology described takes into account both the current traffic load on the network and the location of the highest system capacity-intensive mobile terminals (218) in determining an initial position for deploying the mobile cell (200). Additionally, the location of the deployed mobile cell (200) is optimized, over time, based on tracking the direction of movement (222) of the highest capacity-intensive mobile terminals (218), and, in some embodiments, service quality indicators provided by the mobile terminals and/or contextual information captured by the mobile cell apparatus (200).