Multi-RAT Traffic Aggregation Scheduling for Uplink Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in synchronizing uplink communications due to opportunistic transmissions over WLAN connections, leading to out-of-order packet reception and synchronization issues in WWAN networks with RAN aggregation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing techniques for scheduling communications between wireless devices and access points in RAN aggregation, where a first access point schedules downlink and uplink communications using parameters for both WWAN and WLAN connections, ensuring coordinated data transfer and synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If uplink transmissions over WLAN occur opportunistically without scheduling, then the UE can utilize available WLAN bandwidth flexibly, but synchronization issues arise in WWAN due to out-of-order packet reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the eNodeB sends scheduling grants to the UE for uplink transmissions over WLAN. The UE reports buffer status and transmission status to the eNodeB, which uses this feedback to adjust scheduling decisions. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that opportunistic WLAN transmissions are coordinated with WWAN synchronization requirements, preventing out-of-order packet reception while maintaining flexible bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary scheduling actions where the eNodeB provides advance scheduling grants to the UE before WLAN transmissions occur. These pre-scheduled time slots and resource allocations ensure that uplink packets are transmitted in a coordinated manner across both WLAN and WWAN, maintaining synchronization without restricting the flexibility of WLAN bandwidth utilization.
2Productivity
If RAN aggregation is implemented over WLAN and WWAN, then network throughput and connectivity are improved, but complexity increases in coordinating communications across multiple access points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scheduling functions for both WLAN and WWAN communications into a single eNodeB controller. This unified scheduling entity consolidates the coordination of multiple access points, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining improved network throughput through RAN aggregation. The eNodeB integrates scheduling grants for both networks, eliminating the need for separate coordination mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The eNodeB is designed with multi-functional capability to handle both WWAN and WLAN scheduling operations. This universal scheduling entity can manage communications across different radio access technologies using a unified control plane, simplifying the coordination complexity while enabling RAN aggregation to boost network throughput and connectivity.
3Productivity
If downlink communications are scheduled over both WWAN and WLAN, then data transfer efficiency is improved, but synchronization challenges increase for uplink communications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the eNodeB as an intermediary that mediates between WLAN and WWAN uplink transmissions. The eNodeB receives scheduling requests from the UE, processes buffer status reports, and issues coordinated scheduling grants that ensure uplink packets are transmitted in sync across both networks. This intermediary role resolves synchronization challenges while maintaining the data transfer efficiency gains from dual-connectivity downlink communications.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Certain aspects of the described aspects relate to scheduling communications in wireless networks using traffic aggregation. A UE communicates with a first access point using a first RAT over a first connection to access a first wireless network, and with a second access point using a second RAT over a second connection. The UE can receive, from the first access point, one or more parameters for scheduling communications with the second access point. The UE can also schedule communications with the second access point based at least in part on the one or more parameters.