Two-Stage UE Scheduling for Base Station Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
In packet-based mobile communication systems, existing scheduling algorithms fail to efficiently allocate radio resources among user equipments (UEs) with different levels, leading to reduced overall throughput as UEs with high maximum throughput miss scheduling opportunities and compete unfairly, especially when channel conditions are acceptable.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that perform proportional fair scheduling by determining first and second maximum throughputs for UEs based on channel quality information and UE levels, with a two-stage sorting process to allocate resources, considering both channel conditions and capabilities, thereby optimizing resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If proportional fair scheduling is performed based solely on channel quality information, then scheduling simplicity is maintained, but UEs with high maximum throughput may miss scheduling opportunities and overall throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sorting process into two distinct stages: first-stage sorting based on maximum throughput and average throughput ratios, and second-stage sorting for UEs with the same level. This segmentation allows the system to consider UE capabilities without significantly increasing overall scheduling complexity, as each stage has a specific focus and criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different sorting criteria to different groups of UEs based on their characteristics. UEs with the same level undergo second-stage sorting based on channel quality information, while UEs with different levels are primarily sorted by their throughput ratios. This local differentiation ensures that each UE group is scheduled appropriately according to its specific properties.
2Productivity
If resources are allocated based on maximum throughput without considering UE levels, then high-capability UEs can achieve high data rates, but unfair competition occurs and overall system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the scheduling parameter from considering only channel quality to considering both channel quality and UE level capabilities. By determining maximum throughput based on both channel quality information and UE levels, the system ensures that high-capability UEs can achieve high data rates while maintaining fair competition through the proportional fair scheduling mechanism that accounts for historical throughput.
3Reliability
If two-stage sorting is performed to consider both throughput ratios and channel quality, then resource allocation fairness is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sorting process into two distinct stages: first-stage sorting based on maximum throughput and average throughput ratios, and second-stage sorting for UEs with the same level. This segmentation allows the system to consider UE capabilities without significantly increasing overall scheduling complexity, as each stage has a specific focus and criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the second-stage sorting only to UEs that have the same level and are adjacent in the first-stage sorted list. This partial application of the more complex sorting criterion reduces the overall computational burden compared to applying it to all UEs, while still achieving improved fairness where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and apparatus for scheduling user equipments. The apparatus for allocating resources to UEs may include: a communication unit to send and receive data to and from one or more UEs; and a control unit to perform a process of determining the first maximum throughput based on channel quality information received from one or more UEs and UE levels, performing a first-stage sorting operation on a list of UEs based on the first maximum throughput and average throughput, performing, when there are two or more UEs that have the same UE level and are adjacent in the list, a second-stage sorting operation on those UEs based on the channel quality information, and allocating resources to at least one UE in the list. Accordingly, when UEs having different UE levels compete for resources, it is possible to increase the overall throughput of the base station.