NB-IoT Carrier Segmentation for IAB Backhaul and Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of integrated access and backhaul (IAB) base stations using millimeter wave time division duplex (TDD) bands in urban environments becomes prohibitively expensive due to the short range and low obstacle penetration ability of millimeter wave radio signals, requiring numerous IAB nodes with clear line-of-sight, which is impractical for efficient coverage.
Innovation Solution
The use of Narrow-Band Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT) carriers in conjunction with frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) carriers for IAB implementation, allowing for the deployment of IAB donor nodes and wirelessly linked nodes, with NB-IoT carriers used for both backhaul and access links, and FDD/TDD carriers for supplemental bandwidth, enabling carrier aggregation to optimize data throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If millimeter wave TDD bands are used for IAB deployment, then data transmission bandwidth is improved, but deployment cost and complexity increase significantly due to short range and low obstacle penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple carriers (e.g., 20 MHz carriers) and assigns different carriers to different functions (access links vs. backhaul links). This allows the system to use lower frequency bands for backhaul to achieve better penetration and extended range, while reserving higher bandwidth carriers for access links that require high data rates, thereby resolving the contradiction between bandwidth and deployment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different frequency characteristics to different parts of the communication system: lower frequency carriers are used for backhaul links requiring obstacle penetration and extended range, while higher frequency carriers with larger bandwidth are used for access links requiring high data rates. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction by matching frequency characteristics to specific functional requirements
2Power
If millimeter wave TDD bands are used for IAB deployment, then data transmission capacity is improved, but coverage range deteriorates due to short range and low obstacle penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into separate access and backhaul links, each using different frequency carriers. The backhaul links use lower frequency carriers that provide extended range and better obstacle penetration, while access links use higher bandwidth carriers for high data capacity. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between capacity and coverage range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lower frequency carriers as intermediaries for backhaul communication between IAB nodes and the core network. These intermediary carriers provide the necessary range and penetration to connect distant nodes, while the high-capacity carriers are reserved for access links where short-range high-speed communication is sufficient
3Area of stationary object
If multiple IAB nodes are deployed to achieve coverage, then coverage area is improved, but deployment cost increases due to numerous nodes required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency resources to allow each IAB node to efficiently utilize available spectrum for both access and backhaul functions. By providing dedicated carriers for backhaul communication, the system reduces the need for excessive node deployment, as each node can maintain reliable connections over longer distances with better penetration, thereby reducing deployment cost while maintaining coverage area
4Length of stationary object
If NB-IoT carriers are used for backhaul and access links, then coverage range and penetration are improved, but data throughput decreases due to limited bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication functions into backhaul and access links, assigning different carrier types to each. NB-IoT carriers with narrow bandwidth are dedicated to backhaul links where extended range and penetration are critical, while wider bandwidth carriers are assigned to access links where high data throughput is the priority. This functional segmentation resolves the contradiction between range and throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality characteristics of frequency carriers to different parts of the system: narrowband NB-IoT carriers provide excellent range and penetration for backhaul, while wider bandwidth carriers provide high throughput for access. This localized matching of carrier characteristics to functional requirements resolves the contradiction between coverage range and data throughput
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless backhaul link is established between the IAB node and an IAB donor node via a first Narrow-Band Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT) carrier, in which the IAB donor node provides the IAB node with access to a wired backhaul connection that links to a core network of the wireless carrier network. One or more corresponding wireless backhaul links are further established between the IAB node and one or more additional IAB nodes via a one or more corresponding NB-IoT carriers. A wireless access link is then established between the IAB node and an NB-IoT user device or between the IAB donor node and the NB-IoT user device via a second NB-IoT carrier.