Hierarchical Resource Management for Wireless Mesh Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mesh wireless communication networks, such as backhauling or fronthauling, network-wide resource partitioning often leads to underutilization of resources due to half-duplexing constraints and limited isolation between antenna patterns, restricting concurrent two-way communications and limiting the reuse of frequency, time, and code resources.

Innovation Solution

A hierarchical network resource management topology is implemented, where a centralized wireless node transmits scheduling commands to other nodes to allocate resources, enabling distributed resource management and allowing for concurrent communication by determining compliant resource allocations based on existing allocations and policies, thereby optimizing resource utilization across links.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If network-wide resource partitioning is implemented in mesh wireless networks, then resource allocation control is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates due to underutilization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation controlVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network is divided into hierarchical segments with master wireless nodes and slave wireless nodes. Each segment operates semi-autonomously with local scheduling decisions, allowing resource partitioning at multiple levels rather than a single network-wide level. This segmentation enables better local resource utilization while maintaining overall control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resource allocation system transitions from static network-wide partitioning to dynamic hierarchical scheduling. Master wireless nodes can dynamically adjust resource allocations for slave nodes based on real-time channel conditions, traffic demands, and network state, enabling resources to be reused efficiently across different spatial and temporal dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If half-duplexing constraints are enforced, then interference control is improved, but concurrent two-way communications are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference controlVSAvoidconcurrent communication capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system moves from single-link half-duplex operation to multi-dimensional concurrent communication. By utilizing multiple spatial dimensions (different antenna patterns, beams, and spatial directions), the network enables simultaneous two-way communications on different spatial paths while maintaining interference control through spatial separation rather than temporal exclusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Master wireless nodes act as intermediaries that coordinate resource allocations between slave nodes. The master node receives scheduling commands from upstream, determines compliant resource allocations for downstream links, and transmits scheduling commands to slave nodes. This intermediary coordination enables concurrent communications by intelligently managing resource reuse across multiple links while preventing harmful interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If antenna pattern isolation is limited, then device complexity is reduced, but resource reuse is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna isolation requirementsVSAvoidresource reuse efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes operational parameters including spatial direction, beamforming patterns, and resource allocation timing to enable resource reuse. By varying these parameters across different links and time slots, the network achieves effective isolation and resource reuse without requiring high physical antenna pattern isolation, thus maintaining simpler device architectures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If centralized scheduling commands are transmitted, then resource allocation control is improved, but network latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation controlVSAvoidnetwork latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized scheduling function is segmented and distributed to master wireless nodes at different hierarchical levels. Each master node autonomously determines resource allocations for its slave nodes based on local conditions and upstream scheduling commands, reducing the latency associated with centralized decision-making while maintaining coordinated resource allocation across the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10701727B2Techniques and apparatuses for resource management for a wireless network

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. A wireless node may receive a first scheduling command identifying a first resource allocation via a first link, may determine a second resource allocation based at least in part on the first resource allocation and a resource allocation policy, may transmit a second scheduling command identifying the second resource allocation via a second link, and may communicate network traffic on the first link and the second link using the first resource allocation and the second resource allocation, respectively. Numerous other aspects are provided.