Network Manager for Broadcast Offload During Cellular Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and cost of cellular networks due to the rising number of communication devices, coupled with the demand for high-quality, low-latency data transmission, leads to congestion and operational challenges, particularly during events with high user engagement.
Innovation Solution
A network manager that communicatively couples a broadcast network with a load data source network, providing configuration proposal data to optimize the use of radio access network resources for efficient data transmission, leveraging the broader coverage and lower complexity of broadcast networks to offload load data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cellular networks dimension for average load, then network complexity is reduced, but congestion and overload situations occur during high-demand events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic network dimensioning by enabling real-time adjustment of network resources based on actual load conditions. The system monitors traffic patterns and dynamically allocates additional capacity during high-demand events, transitioning from static average-load dimensioning to adaptive resource provisioning that maintains reliability without permanent complexity overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring backup capacity and establishing hot-standby networks that can be rapidly activated. Resource reservations and pre-established communication paths enable immediate response to overload conditions without requiring complex real-time decision-making during congestion events.
2Productivity
If more transmitters with higher capabilities are provided to serve increased number of devices, then service quality is improved, but costs and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a hot-standby network that serves multiple functions: it acts as a backup system for reliability, provides additional capacity during high-demand events, and remains dormant during normal conditions. This multi-functional approach allows the same infrastructure to support both low-load and high-load scenarios without requiring separate dedicated resources for each condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by activating or deactivating network components based on load conditions. Instead of maintaining fixed high-capacity infrastructure, the system dynamically adjusts the operational state of transmitters and network elements, transitioning between active and standby modes to match actual service demands.
3Reliability
If unicast communication model is used in cellular networks, then individual device service quality is maintained, but network load increases during broadcast events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication model by implementing a hybrid architecture that separates broadcast traffic from unicast traffic. The hot-standby network specifically handles broadcast and multicast traffic for events like live sports, while the primary network continues to serve individual unicast communications, dividing the network load management function across different network paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The hot-standby network acts as an intermediary system that mediates between content sources and end users during high-demand events. It receives broadcast content and distributes it to users without requiring the primary cellular network to handle the full broadcast load, thus protecting the main network from overload while maintaining service quality.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a network manager comprising a data interface configured to communicatively couple to at least one radio access network, and to communicatively couple to a load data source network; and a network controller configured to receive request data with regard to the transmission of a load data from the load data source network, to provide configuration proposal data defining at least one set of radio access network resources for transmission of the load data based on the request data; and to output the configuration proposal data in response to the request data; wherein the data interface is configured to receive confirmation data in response to the configuration proposal data; and wherein the network controller is configured to provide configuration data based on the confirmation data to at least one radio access network. Further, the present disclosure provides a respective method.