Radio Network Node Age Mapping for Uplink Queue Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems lack information about the queuing delay of packets in the uplink buffer of user equipment (UE), complicating efficient resource allocation for time-critical data transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A radio network node maintains an age map to track the estimated arrival time of data in the UE's uplink buffer, updating it based on Buffer Status Reports (BSRs) and grants, and extends the BSR to include queuing delay information, allowing for more efficient resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the radio network node allocates uplink resources based only on the Buffer Status Report (BSR) indicating data volume, then the resource allocation process is simple, but the timeliness and efficiency of time-critical data transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an age map as an intermediary data structure between the BSR and the scheduling decision. The age map stores tuples of (data volume, arrival time) and enables the radio network node to track packet age without requiring complex modifications to the existing BSR mechanism. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by adding manageable complexity to achieve better scheduling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary tracking of data arrival times in the age map before actual scheduling decisions are made. By maintaining this historical information about when data arrived in the UE buffer, the system can make informed scheduling decisions that prioritize time-critical data, thereby improving productivity without requiring real-time complex calculations during scheduling.
2Loss of time
If the radio network node tracks packet arrival times using an age map, then the timeliness of data transmission improves, but the complexity of the scheduling process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The age map serves as an intermediary that stores arrival time information separately from the scheduling logic. This allows the system to track packet age and reduce transmission delays while keeping the scheduling algorithm relatively simple, as it only needs to query the age map for timing information rather than implementing complex real-time analysis.
3Measurement precision
If the BSR is extended to include queuing delay information, then the resource allocation accuracy for time-critical data improves, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the BSR to include queuing delay information, the patent performs the measurement and tracking of arrival times preliminarily at the radio network node using the age map. This approach obtains precise queuing delay measurements without increasing BSR size or signaling overhead, as the timing information is collected and stored locally at the network node.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a radio network node for communicating with a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communications network. The method includes receiving a buffer status report (BSR) from the UE, the BSR indicating a current amount of data buffered in an uplink (UL) buffer of the UE for a logical channel or a logical channel group. The method includes determining whether to update an age map for the logical channel of the radio network node by determining a difference between the current amount of data indicated in the BSR message and a sum of data values stored in the age map. The age map is also updated when data is received from the UE in accordance with a UL grant. The BSR may be extended to include both the amount of data in the UL buffer and an age of the oldest data in the UL buffer.