Network Coordinator Global Optimization Cellular Link Associations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cellular access networks face inefficiencies in load balancing due to sub-optimal association decisions between terminal devices and access nodes, which are made locally and cannot accurately match changing capacity and demand over time, leading to potential overloading issues.

Innovation Solution

A global optimization process is implemented using a network coordinator apparatus that collects measurement data on link conditions and simulates changes in associations between access nodes and terminal devices to determine the most efficient distribution, employing algorithms like simulated annealing to iteratively optimize associations and reduce computational complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If local association decisions are made in access nodes based on best link condition, then link availability is ensured, but load balancing becomes sub-optimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink availabilityVSAvoidload balancing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A global optimization server is introduced as an intermediary between access nodes and terminal devices. This server collects measurement data from multiple access nodes, performs centralized optimization calculations to determine optimal associations, and sends handover instructions back to access nodes. This intermediary enables global load balancing while maintaining local link availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from local two-dimensional decision-making (single access node evaluating its own connections) to a global multi-dimensional optimization approach. The global server considers associations across multiple access nodes and terminal devices simultaneously, adding spatial and temporal dimensions to the optimization problem to achieve better load balancing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If hot spots are deployed to address overloading areas, then local capacity is increased, but it is impossible to exactly match changing capacity and demand

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal capacityVSAvoidmatching capacity and demand
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic association optimization by continuously collecting measurement data, re-evaluating optimal associations, and issuing updated handover instructions. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt to changing capacity and demand conditions in real-time, unlike static hot spot deployments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The global optimization server establishes a feedback loop where measurement data from access nodes and terminal devices is continuously collected, used to recalculate optimal associations, and then implemented through handover instructions. This closed-loop feedback system enables the network to automatically adjust to changing conditions and exactly match capacity with demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If global optimization is implemented with iterative algorithms, then association efficiency is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassociation efficiencyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The global optimization problem is segmented into smaller sub-problems that can be solved iteratively. The optimization server divides the large-scale association optimization into manageable iterations, where each iteration optimizes a subset of associations. This segmentation reduces the computational burden of solving the entire problem at once while still achieving global optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial optimization actions in each iteration rather than attempting complete optimization in a single step. Each iteration makes partial progress toward the global optimum by optimizing a subset of associations, gradually converging to the optimal solution without requiring excessive computational resources in any single step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3682663B1Global optimization process for link associations
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP3682663B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3682663B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3682663B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This document discloses a solution for optimizing performance of a cellular communication system. According to an aspect, a method comprises: acquiring (200), by a network coordinator apparatus, measurement data indicating link conditions between the access nodes and terminal devices served by the access nodes of a cellular communication system; building (202), by the network coordinator apparatus, a globally optimized operating model on the basis of the measurement data by at least simulating (204) a change in at least one association between the access nodes and the terminal devices and determining, on the basis of the measurement data, an effect of the simulated change on overall performance of the cellular communication system; and upon completing said building, transmitting by the network coordinator apparatus one or more handover instructions (206) for handover of an association of one or more of the terminal devices according to the built operating model.