Radio Resource Allocation for HetNet mmWave Backhaul
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to effectively allocate radio resources in heterogeneous networks (HetNets) for mm-wave backhaul and access links, particularly for both downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions, and do not optimize network throughput, compatibility with time-division duplex (TDD) mode, and interference management.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that schedules and allocates radio resources by grouping transmission flows using a maximum independent set (MIS) heuristic, considering interference information, TDD constraints, power allocation, and dynamic interference monitoring, enabling Spatial Division Multiple Access (SDMA) and water-filling power allocation to maximize network throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If concurrent transmissions are exploited for lower energy consumption and higher energy efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but the scheme is not applicable to the complicated joint backhaul and access links in a HetNet with DL and UL transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource allocation problem into two distinct parts: backhaul link resource allocation and access link resource allocation. The backhaul resource allocator specifically handles mmWave backhaul links while the access resource allocator handles sub-6GHz access links, allowing each allocator to be optimized for its specific link type while maintaining overall system applicability to complex HetNet scenarios with joint backhaul and access transmissions.
2Productivity
If spatial multiplexing is exploited to improve network performance, then network throughput is improved, but interference management becomes more complex and requires sophisticated scheduling procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary that coordinates resource allocation between backhaul and access links. This controller receives channel state information from both link types, performs joint optimization considering interference relationships, and generates resource allocation decisions that maximize spatial multiplexing gains while managing interference complexity centrally rather than at distributed nodes.
3Productivity
If wired/fibre backhaul is equipped for all small cells to support HetNet, then network performance is improved, but it is economically not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the transmission medium parameter from wired/fibre to wireless mmWave backhaul links. By utilizing the abundant mmWave spectrum and directional beamforming capabilities, the system achieves high-capacity backhaul connections without requiring physical fibre infrastructure, thereby maintaining network performance while dramatically reducing deployment costs and infrastructure requirements.
4Loss of time
If TDMA scheme is adopted in mmWave standards, then time division multiplexing is achieved, but spatial multiplexing is not exploited and no scheduling procedure exists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges TDMA time division multiplexing with SDMA spatial division multiple access in a unified resource allocation framework. The system divides time resources into slots and further divides spatial resources into beams and links within each slot, allowing concurrent transmissions in both time and space dimensions. This combination enables the system to achieve time division multiplexing efficiency while simultaneously exploiting spatial multiplexing gains through coordinated beamforming and interference management.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus (100) and corresponding method (200) for scheduling and allocating radio resources. The apparatus comprises a processor (101), which is configured to schedule a plurality of transmission flows into a plurality of groups (102) according to a transmission request of at least one UE and according to interference information. Further, the processor (101) is configured to allocate a transmission duration to each transmission flow, wherein transmission flows of the same group (102) are allocated the same transmission duration, according to traffic demand information of the at least one UE. Finally, the processor (101) is configured to allocate a transmission power to each transmission flow, wherein for transmission flows of the same group (102) the transmission powers are allocated according to a channel quality of each transmission flow of the group.