Route ID-Based Routing in IAB Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current destination-address-based routing in Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) networks is inefficient due to lack of information about intermediate nodes, leading to increased latency and signaling overhead, and inability to provide differentiated QoS treatment and load balancing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Route ID-based routing method that conveys information about the number of hops and QoS priority, allowing for dynamic path selection and rerouting, and reducing signaling overhead by updating route information in the adaptation header.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If destination-address-based routing is used in IAB networks, then routing simplicity is maintained, but routing flexibility and QoS differentiation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The routing information is segmented into two parts: a routing table stored at each IAB node containing destination address to next-hop mappings, and route information embedded in the adaptation header conveying hop count and QoS priority. This segmentation allows simple destination-based forwarding while providing additional routing context for flexibility and QoS differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptation header acts as an intermediary carrying route information (hop count, QoS priority) between network nodes. This intermediary structure enables enhanced routing capabilities without modifying the core destination-address-based forwarding mechanism, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and flexibility.
2Device complexity
If destination-address-based routing is used in IAB networks, then routing mechanism simplicity is maintained, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The route information (hop count, QoS priority) is merged into the existing adaptation header structure that is already present in IAB packets. This merging approach avoids additional signaling messages while providing enhanced routing information, thus reducing signaling overhead compared to separate signaling mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If route information is conveyed in adaptation header, then routing flexibility is improved, but header size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptation header is enhanced with route information fields that are locally optimized for IAB routing needs (hop count, QoS priority). This local quality enhancement provides necessary routing flexibility while keeping the header structure tailored to specific IAB requirements rather than using a generic oversized header.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method performed by a Central Unit (CU) for assist in routing a data packet towards a UE is provided. The CU and the UE are operating in an Integrated Access 5Backhaul (IAB) communications network. Based on topology information for the IAB communications network, the CU determines (801) routes, between one or more IAB nodes and/or one or more Distributed Units (DUs) operating in the IAB communications network. The CU transmits (802) route information of the determined routes to the one or more IAB nodes and/or the one or more DUs. Each respective route information 10comprises a route identity and a respective node identity of the one or more IAB nodes and/or DUs comprised in the respective route.