RAN TDM Slot Scheduling via Signal Quality and Data Priority
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-channel time division multiplexing (TDM) wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in capacity utilization due to scheduling methods based on first-come-first-served or weighted fair queueing, which do not adequately consider the priority of traffic and signal quality of wireless communication devices (WCDs).
Innovation Solution
A Radio Access Network (RAN) that schedules TDM slots by considering both the priority of data and the signal quality of WCDs, using tables to map signal qualities and data priorities to optimize slot assignments, ensuring successful transmissions by prioritizing devices with better signal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If scheduling is performed based on first-come-first-served or weighted fair queueing techniques, then the scheduling process is simple to implement, but the wireless capacity utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the scheduling parameters by incorporating signal quality metrics and traffic priority levels into the scheduling decision process. Instead of using only queue position or fixed weights, the scheduler dynamically adjusts slot assignments based on real-time channel conditions and data priority, thereby improving wireless capacity utilization while maintaining manageable complexity through structured parameter evaluation
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduling system transitions from static first-come-first-served or fixed-weight queueing to a dynamic approach where slot assignments are continuously adjusted based on current signal quality measurements and traffic priority requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize wireless capacity utilization in response to changing channel conditions while preserving the core TDM framework
2Reliability
If TDM slots are assigned without considering signal quality, then the scheduling process is straightforward, but transmission success rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of signal quality metrics before making slot assignment decisions. By assessing channel conditions and data priority in advance of the scheduling decision, the system can pre-determine optimal slot assignments that maximize transmission success rate, thereby reducing the complexity of real-time scheduling while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduling mechanism incorporates feedback from signal quality measurements to adjust slot assignments. The system continuously monitors channel conditions and uses this feedback information to make informed scheduling decisions, thereby improving transmission success rate while managing complexity through systematic feedback integration
3Productivity
If all WCDs are served equally regardless of channel conditions, then the scheduling algorithm is simple, but overall system performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality differentiation by treating each WCD's channel conditions and traffic requirements individually in the scheduling process. Instead of uniform treatment, the algorithm assigns slots based on each device's specific signal quality and data priority, thereby improving overall system performance while maintaining algorithmic manageability through localized decision-making rules
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for assigning time-division multiplexed (TDM) slots in a multi-channel TDM system are presented. Preferably, a radio access network (RAN) assigns forward link and reverse link transmissions between the RAN and one or more wireless communication devices (WCDs) to TDM slots on various wireless channels. When making these assignments, the RAN may take into account (i) the priority of data that the RAN queues for the WCDs, and (ii) the signal quality at which the WCDs can receive the various wireless channels.