COOPERATIVE DATA MULES

• US 20140105083A1
• Filed: 10/15/2012
• Published: 04/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: KRISHNASWAMY, Dilip, DAS, Soumya, SOLIMAN, Samir Salib, BHUSHAN, Naga
• Granted Patent: US 9,338,726 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/311
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/10 based on available power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/22 using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus provides or enables dynamic cooperative wireless data delivery service based on dynamic proximate locations of mobile nodes in wireless networks. A source wireless terminal may offload data for delayed transmission by a neighboring wireless terminal. The source may attempt delayed data transmission via any cooperating neighboring node (mule), whether mobile or stationary. A utility function may be used to compare costs of communicating via direct links or through opportunistically available links provided by mules. The mule may advertise availability of indirect data delivery service including probable latency time associated with the indirect delivery service.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

receiving information from a proximate user equipment (UE) advertising availability of an indirect data delivery service provided by the UE;

determining a probable latency time associated with the indirect delivery service;

transmitting a data packet to the UE for delivery to a packet data network using the indirect delivery service when a characteristic of the indirect data delivery service satisfies one or more performance optimization criteria; and

directly delivering the data packet to the packet data network when the characteristic of the indirect data delivery service does not satisfy the one or more performance optimization criteria.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE when the probable latency time allows a delivery deadline associated with the data packet to be satisfied.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the probable latency time is provided in the information advertising availability of the indirect data delivery service that is received from the UE.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the probable latency time is based on an expected access by the UE of the packet data network.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the probable latency time is determined based on a statistical analysis of prior accesses by the UE of the packet data network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet is transmitted using the indirect delivery service when transmitting through the indirect delivery service reduces channel overhead of a wireless network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE when the UE indicates that one or more packets from other transmitters are already scheduled for transmission to the packet data network.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE when the UE advertises an aggregation service that permits transmission of data packets from a plurality of source devices through an established channel.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE when the UE advertises access to the packet data network through a wireless network transmitter that operates at lower transmission power than the transmission power of a local wireless network transmitter.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE when the UE advertises access to the packet data network through a wireless network channel that provides higher data throughput or lower channel cost than a collocated transmitter.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE when the UE advertises access to the packet data network through a wireless network transmitter that has established a higher quality channel to a wireless base station than a corresponding channel of a local wireless network transmitter.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE when the UE advertises access to the packet data network through a radio access network (RAN) that is different from a locally available RAN.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE when the UE advertises future access to the packet data network through a RAN that is different from a currently available RAN.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE when the UE advertises access to the packet data network through a WiFi network, wherein the probable latency time associated with the indirect delivery service is calculated based on an expected connection between the UE and the WiFi network.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the probable latency time corresponds to a latest delivery time, and wherein the performance optimization criteria comprise a threshold probability of delivery of one or more data packets within the latest delivery time.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein transmitting the data packet to the UE comprises transmitting the data packet to a plurality of UEs, each UE advertising a probability of delivery within the latest delivery time, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the plurality of UEs when a combined probability of delivery calculated for the plurality of UEs exceeds the threshold probability of delivery.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the data packet is one of a plurality of data packets transmitted to the packet data network through a plurality of UEs.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more performance optimization criteria comprises battery life, and wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE for delivery to the packet data network using the indirect delivery service in order to prolong local battery power.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more performance optimization criteria comprises network loading criteria, and wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE for delivery to the packet data network at a time when network loading is expected to be lower than current network loading.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting one or more data packets received from the UE transmitting to the packet data network.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the information advertising availability of the indirect data delivery service is provided by the UE through a peer-to-peer network.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the peer-to-peer network comprises a Bluetooth network or a long term evolution (LTE) network.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the peer-to-peer network comprises a discovery channel embedded in a wireless network.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the data packet to the UE includes communicating the data packet through a device-to-device communication channel embedded in a wireless network.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the wireless network comprises an LTE network.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the data packet comprises encrypted data.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the performance optimization criteria comprises a pricing incentive associated with a reduction in channel overhead of a wireless network associated with transmitting the data packet to the packet data network through the UE.

28. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for receiving information from a nearby user equipment (UE) advertising availability of an indirect data delivery service provided by the UE;

means for determining a probable latency time associated with the indirect delivery service;

means for transmitting a data packet to the UE for delivery to a packet data network using the indirect delivery service when a characteristic of the indirect data delivery service satisfies one or more performance optimization criteria; and

means for delivering the data packet directly to the packet data network when the characteristic of the indirect data delivery service does not satisfy the one or more performance optimization criteria.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet transmits the data packet to the UE when the probable latency time allows a delivery deadline associated with the data packet to be satisfied.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the probable latency time is provided in the information advertising availability of the indirect data delivery service that is received from the UE.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the probable latency time is based on an expected access by the UE of the packet data network.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the probable latency time is determined based on a statistical analysis of prior accesses by the UE of the packet data network.

33. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet transmits the data packet using the indirect delivery service when transmitting through the indirect delivery service reduces channel overhead of a wireless network.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet transmits the data packet to the UE when the UE indicates that one or more packets from other transmitters are already scheduled for transmission to the packet data network.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet transmits the data packet to the UE when the UE advertises an aggregation service that permits transmission of data packets from a plurality of source devices through an established channel.

36. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet transmits the data packet to the UE when the UE advertises access to the packet data network through a wireless network transmitter that operates at lower transmission power than the transmission power of a local wireless network transmitter.

37. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet transmits the data packet to the UE when the UE advertises access to the packet data network through a wireless network channel that provides higher data throughput or lower channel cost than a collocated transmitter.

38. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet transmits the data packet to the UE when the UE advertises access to the packet data network through a wireless network transmitter that has established a higher quality channel to a wireless base station than a corresponding channel of a local wireless network transmitter.

39. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet transmits the data packet to the UE when the UE advertises access to the packet data network through a radio access network (RAN) that is different from a locally available RAN.

40. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet transmits the data packet to the UE when the UE advertises future access to the packet data network through a RAN that is different from a currently available RAN.

41. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet transmits the data packet to the UE when the UE advertises access to the packet data network through a WiFi network, wherein the probable latency time associated with the indirect delivery service is calculated based on an expected connection between the UE and the WiFi network.

42. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the probable latency time corresponds to a latest delivery time, and wherein the performance optimization criteria comprise a threshold probability of delivery of one or more data packets within the latest delivery time.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet to the UE transmits the data packet to a plurality of UEs, each UE advertising a probability of delivery within the latest delivery time, wherein the data packet is transmitted to the plurality of UEs when a combined probability of delivery calculated for the plurality of UEs exceeds the threshold probability of delivery.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the data packet is one of a plurality of data packets transmitted to the packet data network through a plurality of UEs.

45. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the one or more performance optimization criteria comprises battery life, and wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE for delivery to the packet data network using the indirect delivery service in order to prolong local battery power.

46. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the one or more performance optimization criteria comprises network loading criteria, and wherein the data packet is transmitted to the UE for delivery to the packet data network at a time when network loading is expected to be lower than current network loading.

47. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising means for transmitting one or more data packets received from the UE transmitting to the packet data network.

48. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the information advertising availability of the indirect data delivery service is provided by the UE through a peer-to-peer network.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the peer-to-peer network comprises a Bluetooth network or a long term evolution (LTE) network.

50. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the peer-to-peer network comprises a discovery channel embedded in a wireless network.

51. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for transmitting the data packet to the UE utilizes a device-to-device communication channel embedded in a wireless network.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the wireless network comprises an LTE network.

53. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the data packet comprises encrypted data.

54. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the performance optimization criteria comprises a pricing incentive associated with a reduction in channel overhead of a wireless network associated with transmitting the data packet to the packet data network through the UE.

55. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a processing system configured to;

receive information from a proximate user equipment (UE) advertising availability of an indirect data delivery service provided by the UE;

determine a probable latency time associated with the indirect delivery service;

transmit a data packet to the UE for delivery to a packet data network using the indirect delivery service when a characteristic of the indirect data delivery service satisfies one or more performance optimization criteria; and

directly deliver the data packet to the packet data network when the characteristic of the indirect data delivery service does not satisfy the one or more performance optimization criteria.

56. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising code for;

receiving information from a proximate user equipment (UE) advertising availability of an indirect data delivery service provided by the UE;

determining a probable latency time associated with the indirect delivery service;

transmitting a data packet to the UE for delivery to a packet data network using the indirect delivery service when a characteristic of the indirect data delivery service satisfies one or more performance optimization criteria; and

directly delivering the data packet to the packet data network when the characteristic of the indirect data delivery service does not satisfy the one or more performance optimization criteria.

57. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

estimating a maximum period of time required for a first user equipment (UE) to deliver data to a wireless wide area network (WWAN);

calculating a probability that the data can be delivered by the first UE within the maximum period of time, wherein the probability is based on likelihood that a connection between the UE can be sustained or established within the maximum period of time; and

advertising a data offload capability to a second UE in a peer-to-peer message that includes information quantifying the maximum period of time and the probability.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising:

receiving the data from the second UE in response to the peer-to-peer message; and

transmitting the data from the first UE before the maximum period of time has expired.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the data is transmitted from the first UE to a third UE in response to another peer-to-peer message advertising data offload capability of the third UE.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the data is transmitted from the first UE to the WWAN using a pre-established communications channel.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein the step of advertising the data offload capability to the second UE includes broadcasting the peer-to-peer message to a plurality of UEs, and wherein the step of receiving the data from the second UE includes receiving data from the plurality of UEs.

62. The method of claim 57, wherein at least one of the maximum period of time and the probability is determined based on a statistical analysis of prior connections between the first UE and the WWAN.

63. The method of claim 57, wherein the first UE is traveling and wherein at least one of the maximum period of time and the probability is determined based on previous travels of the first UE.

64. The method of claim 57, wherein the peer-to-peer message is transmitted when the second UE has a superior connection to the WWAN and wherein at least one of the maximum period of time and the probability relates to an expected connection.

65. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for estimating a maximum period of time required for a first user equipment (UE) to deliver data to a wireless wide area network (WWAN);

means for calculating a probability that the data can be delivered by the first UE within the maximum period of time, wherein the probability is based on likelihood that a connection between the UE can be sustained or established within the maximum period of time; and

means for advertising a data offload capability to a second UE in a peer-to-peer message that includes information quantifying the maximum period of time and the probability.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, further comprising:

means for receiving the data from the second UE in response to the peer-to-peer message; and

means for transmitting the data from the first UE before the maximum period of time has expired.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the data is transmitted from the first UE to a third UE in response to another peer-to-peer message advertising data offload capability of the third UE.

68. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the data is transmitted from the first UE to the WWAN using a pre-established communications channel.

69. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the means for advertising the data offload capability to the second UE broadcasts the peer-to-peer message to a plurality of UEs, and wherein the means for receiving the data from the second UE receives data from the plurality of UEs.

70. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein at least one of the maximum period of time and the probability is determined based on a statistical analysis of prior connections between the first UE and the WWAN.

71. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the first UE is traveling and wherein at least one of the maximum period of time and the probability is determined based on previous travels of the first UE.

72. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the peer-to-peer message is transmitted when the second UE has a superior connection to the WWAN and wherein at least one of the maximum period of time and the probability relates to an expected connection.

73. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a processing system configured to;

estimate a maximum period of time required for a first user equipment (UE) to deliver data to a wireless wide area network (WWAN);

calculate a probability that the data can be delivered by the first UE within the maximum period of time, wherein the probability is based on likelihood that a connection between the UE can be sustained or established within the maximum period of time; and

advertise a data offload capability to a second UE in a peer-to-peer message that includes information quantifying the maximum period of time and the probability.

74. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-volatile computer-readable medium comprising code for;

estimating a maximum period of time required for a first user equipment (UE) to deliver data to a wireless wide area network (WWAN);

calculating a probability that the data can be delivered by the first UE within the maximum period of time, wherein the probability is based on likelihood that a connection between the UE can be sustained or established within the maximum period of time; and

advertising a data offload capability to a second UE in a peer-to-peer message that includes information quantifying the maximum period of time and the probability.