RAN Buffer Pattern Detection for Reverse Link Gating
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, the reverse link data rate of a device can be limited by its forward link capacity, leading to bursty data transmissions and potential packet delays or losses due to congestion, especially when acknowledgments are delayed or when devices are waiting for forward link data.
Innovation Solution
The radio access network (RAN) detects patterns of buffer occupancy to identify when the reverse link data rate is gated by the forward link capacity and allocates additional capacity to the device, smoothing data flow by prioritizing forward link transmissions and managing buffer thresholds to prevent burstiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the RAN transmits data in the forward direction to the WCD, then the WCD can receive data, but the reverse link data rate is limited by the forward link capacity causing bursty transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The RAN proactively detects the pattern of buffer occupancy that indicates forward link gating before it causes severe congestion. By identifying the recurrence of the specific pattern (forward buffer high while reverse buffer low, then vice versa), the system takes preliminary action to smooth the data flow and prevent the instability that would otherwise occur
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors buffer occupancy patterns in both forward and reverse directions, using this feedback to detect when the reverse link data rate is being gated by forward link capacity. This feedback mechanism enables the RAN to identify and respond to gating conditions, improving reverse link productivity while maintaining data flow stability
2Reliability
If the RAN queues packets in buffers to manage data flow, then packet loss is reduced, but packet delays increase due to congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The RAN uses preliminary action by detecting the recurring buffer occupancy pattern that signals forward link gating. By identifying this pattern before it leads to severe congestion, the system can take preventive measures to smooth data flow, thereby maintaining packet delivery reliability while minimizing the time packets spend queued in buffers
3Productivity
If the RAN allocates more forward link capacity to the WCD, then the reverse link data rate improves, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback by continuously monitoring buffer occupancy patterns to detect when reverse link performance is being constrained by forward link capacity. This feedback enables the RAN to allocate forward link capacity dynamically and selectively to specific WCDs exhibiting the gating pattern, improving their reverse link data rate without causing unnecessary congestion across the entire network
Solution Approach 2:
The RAN applies local quality by targeting capacity allocation to specific WCDs that exhibit the forward link gating pattern, rather than uniformly increasing capacity for all users. This localized approach improves the reverse link data rate for affected devices while minimizing the impact on overall network congestion
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for improving the performance of a radio access network (RAN) are presented. In particular, for a given WCD, a RAN may detect a pattern of forward link buffer occupancy and reverse link buffer occupancy that is indicative of the given WCD's reverse link data rate suffering from the effects of the WCD's forward link being congested. Accordingly, the RAN may allocate additional forward link capacity to the given WCD, so that the given WCD may be able to receive more data on the forward link. As a result, the WCD may also be able to transmit at a higher reverse link data rate.