Coordinated Power-Zone Assignment in Wireless Backhaul

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless backhaul networks face inefficiencies in resource scheduling due to uncoordinated power-zone assignments, which fail to maximize network utility and do not guarantee optimal solutions, especially in interference-limited environments.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of coordinated power-zone assignment methods, such as Auction-Based Power-Zone Assignment (AB-PZA) and Clustering-and-Exhaustive-Search Power-Zone-Assignment (CES-PZA), which optimize network utility by assigning Remote Backhaul Modules (RBMs) to power-zones on a one-to-one basis, leveraging Soft Frequency Reuse techniques and auction approaches for distributed and asynchronous implementation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If uncoordinated power-zone assignment is used per hub basis, then device complexity is reduced, but network utility maximization and interference mitigation are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoordination complexityVSAvoidnetwork utility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network is segmented into multiple hubs, each independently performing power-zone assignment based on local channel state information. This segmentation allows distributed decision-making that reduces coordination complexity while maintaining network utility through localized optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters dynamically by adjusting power allocation across different zones based on real-time channel conditions. Each hub independently modifies its power-zone assignment parameters to maximize network utility without requiring complex inter-hub coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional proportional fair scheduling is used, then implementation simplicity is improved, but optimal solution guarantee and one-to-one mapping constraint are not satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidoptimal solution guarantee

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary power-zone assignment based on channel state information before actual data transmission. This preliminary optimization ensures that the assignment satisfies one-to-one mapping constraints and achieves optimal solution guarantees while maintaining implementation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses channel state information feedback to continuously optimize power-zone assignments. Each hub receives feedback about channel conditions and adjusts its power-zone assignment accordingly, ensuring optimal solutions are achieved while keeping the implementation straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If coordinated power-zone assignment is implemented across the network, then network utility and interference mitigation are improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork utilityVSAvoidcoordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each hub independently performs power-zone assignment by serving itself based on local channel state information. This self-service approach achieves coordinated optimization across the network without requiring complex inter-hub coordination mechanisms, thus improving network utility while limiting computational complexity increases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Speed

If per-hub independent scheduling is used, then implementation speed is improved, but interference management and network-wide optimization are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling speedVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each hub independently changes power allocation parameters based on real-time channel state information, enabling fast scheduling decisions. This parameter-based approach allows rapid adaptation to changing conditions while managing interference through localized power control without requiring slow centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9253740B2Method and apparatus for coordinated power-zone-assignment in wireless backhaul networks

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 BLINQ NETWORKS

AI summary

Methods are disclosed for scheduling resources in a wireless backhaul network comprising a plurality of N Hubs, each Hub serving a plurality of K Remote Backhaul Modules (RBMs), using a coordinated power zone assignment across the backhaul network. For each Hub, a one-to-one power zone assignment, of each of the K RBM to one of the K power zones, is computed by maximizing a selected network utility across the backhaul network. Coordinated power zone assignment according to preferred embodiments based on the auction approach offers a close-to-global-optimal solution. Coordinated scheduling based on first assigning RBMs to hubs heuristically, and then optimally scheduling RBMs within each hub also offers significant performance improvement as compared to non-coordinated systems. Preferred embodiments offer a significant performance improvement as compared to conventional systems. They are low in complexity, and compatible with the physical constraints of SFR-based wireless backhaul network, which make them amenable to practical implementation.