Proxy-Based Load Balancing for IAB Network Topology Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless access backhaul technologies face challenges in scalable and fair load balancing across multiple user equipment (UE) bearers in integrated access and wireless backhaul networks, particularly in scenarios with high UE density, leading to potential service interruptions and increased signaling load during inter-donor topology adaptation.
Innovation Solution
A proxy-based mechanism for inter-donor topology adaptation is proposed, where the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection of the top-level IAB node is migrated to a target CU without directly or indirectly serving UEs or IAB nodes, allowing the source CU to act as a proxy for F1 and RRC connections, thereby reducing service interruptions and signaling load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If direct migration of IAB node connections to target CU is performed during inter-donor topology adaptation, then load balancing is achieved, but service interruptions and signaling load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The source CU acts as a proxy intermediary between the IAB node and target CU during topology adaptation. The source CU maintains existing F1 and RRC connections while forwarding traffic to the target CU, eliminating direct migration disruptions. This intermediary approach allows seamless load balancing without causing service interruptions to UEs and descendant nodes.
2Productivity
If full migration of IAB node connections is performed during inter-donor topology adaptation, then load distribution is optimized, but signaling load and reconfiguration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection management is segmented into two independent parts: F1 connections remain anchored at the source CU while user plane traffic is forwarded to the target CU. This segmentation allows load distribution optimization without requiring full reconfiguration of F1 interfaces, thereby reducing signaling load and avoiding unnecessary reconfiguration of descendant nodes.
3Reliability
If inter-donor topology adaptation directly serves UEs during migration, then connectivity is maintained, but service interruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The source CU establishes a proxy forwarding path to the target CU before any traffic migration occurs. This preliminary action ensures that connectivity is pre-configured through the proxy, allowing seamless traffic redirection without service interruptions to UEs during the topology adaptation process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional topology adaptation methods are used, then load balancing is attempted, but reconfiguration of descendant nodes is required
Solution Approach 1:
The source CU proxy acts as an intermediary that absorbs the complexity of topology adaptation, allowing descendant nodes to maintain their existing configurations. The proxy handles all necessary reconfiguration and forwarding operations, isolating descendant nodes from changes and eliminating the need for their reconfiguration while maintaining full topology adaptation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method (700) by a first Centralized Unit, CU1, (20) in an Integrated Access and Backhaul, IAB, network includes transmitting (702) a first message to a second CU, CU2, (30) or receiving a first message from the CU2. The first message includes information indicating that a portion of offloaded traffic is to be returned to the CU1, and the offloaded traffic was previously offloaded from the CU1 to the CU2.