Controlling Network Node Backhaul Delay Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio access networks face challenges in maintaining service quality and node capacity due to varying backhaul delay characteristics, especially when using Internet Protocol (IP) networks, which can lead to degraded performance and increased buffering requirements during soft handover operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and network node configuration that measures and adapts to backhaul delays by calculating buffer times for each radio link, buffering data accordingly, and prioritizing data transmission on links with shorter delays to maintain synchronization and minimize buffering needs, even in environments with high jitter and variable backhaul characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transmitted over multiple radio links with different backhaul delay characteristics, then service continuity is maintained during handover, but buffering requirements increase and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures backhaul delay characteristics in advance before handover occurs and uses this information to pre-calculate appropriate buffer sizes for each radio link. This preliminary measurement and preparation allows the system to maintain service continuity during handover while optimizing buffer requirements based on actual delay characteristics rather than using excessive default buffering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts buffer sizes based on measured backhaul delay characteristics. Instead of using fixed buffer sizes, the system adapts buffer parameters in real-time according to the actual network conditions and delay variations on each radio link, thereby reducing overall buffering requirements while maintaining service continuity.
2Reliability
If buffer size is increased to handle variable backhaul delays, then service quality is maintained, but node capacity and performance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of buffer size from a fixed value to a dynamically adjusted value based on measured backhaul delay characteristics. By modifying this parameter according to actual network conditions, the system maintains service quality while minimizing the buffer size required, thereby preserving node capacity and performance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If synchronous transmission is enforced across all radio links, then macro diversity combining is achieved, but timing adaptation becomes slow and buffering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of backhaul delay characteristics before handover to establish appropriate timing relationships. This advance preparation enables the system to achieve synchronous transmission and macro diversity combining while minimizing buffering requirements, as the timing parameters are optimized based on actual measured delays rather than conservative defaults.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and controlling network node (140) for transmitting data to a user equipment (130) over a set of radio links (115, 125), when a radio link (115, 125) is added, or removed. The controlling network node (140) is configured to communicate data to the respective radio network node (110, 120) over a respective backhaul link (118, 128), of which at least one backhaul link (118) is connected over an Internet Protocol, IP, network (150). The method (500) comprises measuring (501) the time delay over the corresponding backhaul link (118, 128) for each radio link (115, 125), determining (502) time difference between them, calculating (503) a buffer time for each radio link (115, 125), and buffering (507) data in a buffer (625) for the calculated period of time before forwarding the data to the radio network node (110, 120), for transmission to the user equipment (130).