Wireless Backhaul Coordination Using Time Division Multiplexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems operating in millimeter wave frequencies, inefficient resource allocation and uncoordinated signaling occur due to the dense deployment of access nodes without wireline backhaul links, leading to increased costs and reduced network efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a large-scale time division multiplexed schedule using radio access technology (RAT) for coordinated resource allocation among access nodes, enabling time synchronization and efficient scheduling through node functions such as Access Node Functions (ANFs) and User Equipment Functions (UEFs), which manage resource allocation and signaling protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If access nodes are densely deployed in millimeter wave frequency ranges, then coverage area is improved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates due to lack of wireline backhaul links

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical wireline backhaul link with a wireless backhaul link using radio access technology. This substitution enables dense deployment of access nodes without requiring extensive physical infrastructure, thereby maintaining coverage area improvement while avoiding the resource allocation inefficiencies that would otherwise result from lack of coordination in wireless-only backhaul networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If wireless backhaul links are used instead of wireline backhaul links, then deployment cost is reduced, but signaling coordination deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment costVSAvoidsignaling coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coordinating entity that acts as an intermediary to manage and coordinate signaling between access nodes using wireless backhaul links. This intermediary ensures that resource allocation and signaling protocols are properly synchronized, thereby maintaining reliable coordination while enabling the cost benefits of wireless backhaul deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic scheduling and time-division multiplexing for resource allocation among access nodes. By establishing regular, periodic communication intervals and scheduled resource allocation cycles, the system ensures consistent signaling coordination across the wireless backhaul network, preventing the coordination deterioration that would otherwise occur with ad-hoc wireless communications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If wireline backhaul links are deployed for all access nodes, then resource allocation coordination is improved, but deployment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation coordinationVSAvoiddeployment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by providing wireline backhaul links only to specific anchor access nodes rather than all access nodes. These anchor nodes with wireline connections serve as coordination points that manage resource allocation for neighboring access nodes using wireless backhaul. This partial deployment of wireline infrastructure achieves sufficient coordination while avoiding the excessive cost of universal wireline backhaul deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3494749B1Coordination of signaling and resource allocation in a wireless network using radio access technology
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3494749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3494749B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3494749B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The use of a radio access technology (RAT) may enable wireless communication using one or more node functions at a wireless node, such as a base station or access node. Additionally, multiple wireless nodes may communicate in a network using a schedule that is aligned with a frame structure. For example, a wireless node may establish a link with different wireless nodes using a RAT that supports a synchronized frame structure, such as a millimeter wave (mmW) RAT. The wireless nodes may instantiate one or more node functions, such as an access node function (ANF) and a user equipment function (UEF). The wireless nodes may then communicate according to active and suspended modes using the node functions, where the communication is based on a schedule aligned with the frame structure.