Relay Node Congestion Avoidance in Mobile Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Third and fourth generation mobile telecommunications systems face congestion issues due to increased demand and the addition of new infrastructure and services, particularly in heterogeneous networks where relay nodes can become bottlenecks, leading to data transmission delays and packet loss.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine path information for data transmission from mobile terminals to a base station, estimating congestion likelihood for relay nodes and adjusting paths to reduce congestion by rerouting traffic around overloaded relay nodes, using buffer status reports and historical data to identify and mitigate potential congestion points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If relay nodes are added to extend coverage and support heterogeneous network deployment, then network coverage area is improved, but network congestion and data transmission delays worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary congestion assessment by estimating congestion likelihood for relay nodes before data transmission occurs. Path information is determined based on this preliminary assessment, allowing the network to proactively route traffic around potential congestion points rather than reacting to congestion after it occurs. This prevents transmission delays while maintaining extended coverage through relay nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic path determination that adapts to changing network conditions. The base station continuously assesses congestion likelihood and adjusts path information accordingly, allowing the network to dynamically reroute traffic around congested relay nodes while maintaining optimal use of available relay nodes for coverage extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If more relay nodes are deployed to handle increased traffic demand, then network capacity is improved, but congestion likelihood at specific relay nodes worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidcongestion likelihood
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the base station receives buffer status reports from relay nodes and uses this information to assess congestion likelihood. This feedback loop enables the base station to identify congested relay nodes and adjust path information to redistribute traffic, allowing the network to scale capacity while maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring and adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the routing parameter (path information) based on assessed congestion likelihood. When congestion is detected at a relay node, the system modifies the path parameter to redirect traffic through alternative relay nodes, effectively distributing the traffic load across the network to maintain reliability as capacity increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If traffic is routed through relay nodes to optimize transmission paths, then data transmission speed is improved, but congestion and packet loss at relay nodes worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidcongestion and packet loss
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by assessing congestion likelihood and determining alternative paths before congestion occurs. By proactively identifying potential bottleneck relay nodes and routing traffic through alternative paths in advance, the system prevents congestion and packet loss while maintaining optimized transmission speeds through relay nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3262866B1Congestion avoidance in a network with base station and relay nodes
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3262866B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3262866B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3262866B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method of reducing congestion in a mobile telecommunications system, the system comprising a plurality of mobile terminals, one or more relay nodes and a base station, the mobile terminals, relay nodes and base station being configured to communicate via a wireless interface. The method comprises determining first path information indicating one or more paths for transmitting data from the plurality of mobile terminals to the base station, wherein a path comprises a series of one or more edges, the series of edges being from one or more mobile terminals to the base station, directly or via one or more relay nodes; estimating, based on the first path information, a congestion likelihood for a first relay node to cause congestion for data transmission in the system; and if the estimated congestion likelihood for the first relay node is above a first threshold, determining second path information so as to reduce the congestion likelihood for the first relay node.