RAN Resource Allocation for Wireless Devices via Soft Handoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assignment of traffic channels in wireless communication networks using Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technologies can lead to inefficiencies and unfair resource allocation, resulting in call failures or unnecessary roaming for wireless communication devices (WCDs) when multiple WCDs contend for scarce resources during call initiation.
Innovation Solution
A Radio Access Network (RAN) determines resource availability across multiple wireless coverage areas and allocates at least one traffic channel to each WCD by prioritizing assignments, potentially limiting or foregoing channel assignment via channel assignment into soft handoff (CASHO) procedures to ensure equitable resource distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If channel assignment into soft handoff (CASHO) procedures are performed to assign multiple traffic channels to a WCD, then initial call quality is improved, but traffic channel resources become scarce for other WCDs resulting in call failures or roaming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the channel assignment strategy adaptive rather than static. The RAN evaluates each WCD's soft handoff capability and dynamically adjusts the assignment approach: WCDs with soft handoff capability may receive multiple channels via CASHO, while those without such capability are assigned single channels from available resources. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing call quality for capable devices while preserving resources for others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating channel assignment treatment based on individual WCD characteristics. Rather than uniformly applying CASHO to all WCDs, the system identifies which WCDs have soft handoff capability and applies multi-channel assignment only to those specific cases. This localized approach ensures high call quality for capable devices while preventing resource exhaustion that would harm other WCDs.
2Reliability
If multiple traffic channels are assigned to a single WCD through CASHO, then the WCD can decode bearer data more reliably, but other WCDs may experience call failures or roaming to another service provider
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts channel allocation based on real-time assessment of WCD capabilities and resource availability. When a WCD demonstrates soft handoff capability, the system dynamically assigns multiple channels to improve its bearer data decoding reliability. Simultaneously, it dynamically adjusts other assignments to maintain overall call establishment success rates, preventing the harmful scenario where one WCD's multi-channel assignment causes other WCDs to fail or roam.
3Productivity
If the RAN assigns resources equitably to all WCDs, then call failures are reduced, but CASHO opportunities are foregone which could improve call quality for capable WCDs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different assignment strategies to different WCDs based on their capabilities. WCDs with soft handoff capability receive preferential treatment through CASHO procedures, granting them multiple channels and superior call quality. WCDs without such capability receive standard single-channel assignments. This differentiated approach resolves the contradiction by ensuring equitable treatment is applied locally to each WCD's capability level rather than uniformly to all.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically evaluates each WCD's soft handoff capability and adjusts the assignment strategy accordingly. This dynamic assessment allows the system to maximize call quality for capable devices through CASHO while maintaining high call establishment success rates across the network by adapting resource allocation to individual device characteristics and overall resource availability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for assigning a resource to a wireless communication device (WCD) based on soft handoff capabilities are presented. In particular, a radio access network (RAN) component, such as a base station controller (BSC) may receive call initiation requests from multiple WCDs. Some of these WCDs may be eligible for channel-assignment-into-soft-handoff (CASHO), wherein a WCD is assigned multiple traffic channels from multiple wireless coverage areas during call initiation procedures. However, the RAN component may take into account the effects of CASHO on WCDs with limited wireless coverage. Thus, if CASHO procedures could result in one or more WCDs not being assigned a traffic channel, the RAN component may refrain from performing CASHO, or at least refrain from performing CASHO to its full extent, in order to assign at least one traffic channel to other WCDs.