Predictive Channel Offloading for Wireless Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for spectral resources in wireless communication systems exceeds the available supply below 6 GHz, leading to overcrowding, and the poor propagation characteristics of higher-frequency bands above 6 GHz, such as millimeter-wave bands, limit coverage and require specific conditions like Line-of-Sight links for successful offloading, necessitating efficient measurement and monitoring strategies to determine favorable conditions for offloading communications.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that measure channel conditions of lower-frequency channels to predict the feasibility of offloading to higher-frequency channels above 6 GHz, using classifiers to analyze signal characteristics like reference-signal-strength, delay spread, and channel impulse response energy, and dynamically tune the monitoring rate based on success rates, quality of service, and load indicators to conserve energy and optimize offloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous monitoring of high-frequency channels is performed to ensure accurate offloading decisions, then offloading reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffloading reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs periodic monitoring of high-frequency channels at dynamically adjusted rates rather than continuous monitoring. The monitoring rate is adapted based on prediction accuracy and channel conditions, allowing the system to maintain reliable offloading decisions while significantly reducing energy consumption during idle or stable periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses measurements from the first channel to self-assess the conditions of the second channel through prediction algorithms. This self-service mechanism allows the system to make informed offloading decisions without requiring continuous direct monitoring of the second channel, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If frequent monitoring of the second channel is performed to capture favorable offloading conditions, then offloading opportunity detection is improved, but resource waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoffloading opportunity detectionVSAvoidresource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring rate of the second channel is dynamically adjusted based on real-time assessment of channel conditions and prediction results. When favorable conditions are detected or predicted, the monitoring rate increases to capture offloading opportunities; when conditions are unfavorable, the rate decreases to conserve resources, optimizing both detection capability and resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the monitoring parameter (rate of occurrence) of the second channel based on prediction outcomes and channel conditions. By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the system achieves high offloading opportunity detection when needed while minimizing resource waste during periods when offloading is unlikely to succeed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the monitoring rate of the second channel is increased to improve offloading decisions, then measurement accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel condition measurement accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of the second channel's favorability using predictions based on first channel measurements before initiating frequent monitoring. This preliminary action allows the system to allocate monitoring resources efficiently, ensuring high measurement accuracy only when and where it is likely to yield beneficial offloading decisions, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Use of energy by moving object

If monitoring of the second channel is reduced to conserve energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but offloading decision accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidoffloading decision accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the first channel as an intermediary to indirectly assess the conditions of the second channel through prediction algorithms. By measuring the first channel continuously (which is energy-efficient) and using its characteristics to predict second channel conditions, the system maintains accurate offloading decisions without requiring continuous direct monitoring of the second channel, thus achieving both energy efficiency and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3017623B1Method and apparatus of switching communications from a first channel to a second channel of higher-frequency
Publication Date: 2017.11.08 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3017623B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3017623B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3017623B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus can be configured to measure channel conditions of a first channel (310). The first channel can correspond to a first frequency. The method can also include predicting whether the channel conditions of a second channel are favorable for offloading communication occurring on the first channel to the second channel based on measurements performed on the first channel (320). The second channel can correspond to a second frequency. The second frequency can be higher than the first frequency. The method can also include determining a rate of occurrence for monitoring the second channel based on the results of the predicting (330).