RAN Coordinator for Hybrid Network Traffic Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing fragmentation of cellular network ownership and control, coupled with suboptimal radio resource allocation and UE mobility behaviors, leads to subpar Key Performance Indicator (KPI) values and network failures affecting both private and public subscribers in hybrid radio access networks (RANs).
Innovation Solution
A RAN coordinator is introduced to dynamically manage dedicated nodes and surrounding macro nodes, influencing UE mobility, load balancing, carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, and Quality-of-Service parameters to optimize traffic balancing and user experience across multiple RANs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated nodes are deployed in hybrid RANs to provide specialized services, then service coverage and capacity are improved, but network fragmentation and coordination complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A coordination entity is introduced as an intermediary component that manages communication and resource allocation between macro nodes and dedicated nodes. This mediator receives service requests, determines appropriate node assignments, and coordinates handovers, thereby reducing the direct coordination burden and simplifying the overall network management complexity while maintaining enhanced service coverage.
2Productivity
If dynamic UE mobility management is implemented across multiple RANs, then user experience and traffic balancing are improved, but control complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coordination entity merges the mobility management functions for both macro nodes and dedicated nodes into a single centralized component. By consolidating control responsibilities, the system achieves improved traffic balancing and user experience while reducing the distributed control complexity that would arise from separate management mechanisms.
3Productivity
If load balancing across dedicated and macro nodes is optimized, then network performance and resource utilization are improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coordination entity implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors load conditions across macro nodes and dedicated nodes. By collecting real-time measurements of resource utilization, traffic volume, and node capacity, the system dynamically adjusts load distribution decisions. This feedback loop simplifies the measurement process by centralizing data collection and providing structured information for load balancing decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive at least first network parameters and first performance indicators of a first access station in a first access network; receive at least second network parameters and second performance indicators of a second access station in a second access network; determine whether to steer a User Equipment device (UE) wirelessly connected to the first access station, from the first access station toward the second access station, based on the at least first and second network parameters and first and second performance indicators; and based on the determination, modify one or more of the first network parameters of the first access station and the second network parameters of the second access station.