Wireless Load Rebalancing via Carrier Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load balancing techniques in wireless communications networks face challenges such as high computational complexity, potential performance degradation, and increased costs due to dynamic load balancing, which often result in suboptimal performance and increased call drop rates, especially when handling varying radio channel characteristics across different carriers.
Innovation Solution
A method for incremental and iterative load rebalancing that selects a subset of carriers based on effective usage, identifying heavily and lightly loaded carriers, and moving mobile devices between them to optimize statistical performance distribution, using algorithms to adjust and normalize measured usage to account for non-linear performance degradation, and prioritizing handoffs based on path loss and performance impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dynamic load balancing is employed to move mobile devices between carriers, then network performance is improved, but computational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of carriers into different groups based on their load characteristics and radio channel properties. By dividing carriers into segments with similar characteristics, the system can apply simplified load balancing rules to each segment rather than evaluating all carriers globally, thus reducing computational complexity while maintaining performance benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial load balancing by selectively moving mobile devices only when necessary and only between specific carrier pairs that meet certain criteria. This partial action approach avoids the excessive computational burden of continuously evaluating all possible device-carrier assignments while still achieving performance improvement in critical scenarios.
2Productivity
If dynamic load balancing is employed to move mobile devices between carriers, then load distribution is optimized, but performance degradation occurs during handoff
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares for potential handoff performance degradation by establishing selection criteria that evaluate target carrier conditions before initiating handoff. The system cushions against poor handoff outcomes by selecting target carriers that meet specific radio channel and load criteria, thereby reducing the risk of call drops and performance degradation during the handoff process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system monitors handoff outcomes and uses this information to refine future handoff decisions. By incorporating feedback from actual handoff performance and radio channel conditions, the system learns to make better carrier selection decisions, reducing performance degradation over time.
3Device complexity
If static load balancing is used, then computational cost is reduced, but performance optimization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic elements into an otherwise static load balancing framework. While the overall system structure remains simple and computationally efficient like static load balancing, the patent dynamically adjusts carrier selection based on real-time radio channel conditions and load measurements, enabling performance optimization without significant computational overhead.
4Adaptability or versatility
If carriers are spread across multiple frequency bands, then spectrum utilization is improved, but load balancing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by recognizing that different frequency bands have different radio channel characteristics and treating each band or carrier segment with customized load balancing considerations. Instead of applying a uniform load balancing algorithm across all carriers, the system adapts its approach to local carrier characteristics, simplifying the overall complexity while effectively utilizing diverse spectrum resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for load rebalancing are provided. A node B selects a subset of carriers from a plurality of carriers of the node B according to effective usages for the plurality of carriers, determines a heavily loaded carrier and a lightly loaded carrier from the subset of carriers according to effective usages of the subset of carriers, select a mobile device assigned to the heavily loaded carrier as a candidate for handoff, and performs a handoff of the selected mobile device from the heavily loaded carrier to the lightly loaded carrier.