Network assisted user association and offloading techniques for integrated multi-rat heterogeneous networks
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A macro base station (MBS) to operate as an enhanced/evolved Node B (eNB) in an LTE network, comprising:
- an air interface to communicate with users within a macrocell and connect associated users to a core network;
an interface to communicate with a plurality of pico base stations (PBSs) via a backhaul link;
processing circuitry configured to;
identify a number M of the weakest users associated with the MBS according to a defined strength metric where M is a specified integer;
request a list of preferred PBSs for offloading from a candidate user selected from the M weakest users where L is a specified integer;
receive a differential pico system utility from a candidate PBS selected from the candidate user'"'"'s preferred PBSs which reflects the difference in overall throughput for the candidate PBS if the candidate user were to be offloaded to the candidate PBS;
receive a user utility from the candidate PBS which reflects the throughput for the candidate user if the candidate user were to be offloaded to the candidate PBS; and
,offload the candidate user from the MBS to the candidate PBS if such offloading would meet criteria that include an increase in the user utility by a specified extent and a decrease in the pico system utility for the candidate PBS by no more than a specified extent.
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Abstract
Methods and systems are described that incorporate joint network assisted offloading and cross-RAT (Radio Access Technology) user mapping techniques for integrated multi-RAT Het-Nets. Techniques are described for network based offloading and user association methods for multi-tier, multi-RAT HetNets, which account for overall user as well as network utility.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A macro base station (MBS) to operate as an enhanced/evolved Node B (eNB) in an LTE network, comprising:
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an air interface to communicate with users within a macrocell and connect associated users to a core network; an interface to communicate with a plurality of pico base stations (PBSs) via a backhaul link; processing circuitry configured to; identify a number M of the weakest users associated with the MBS according to a defined strength metric where M is a specified integer; request a list of preferred PBSs for offloading from a candidate user selected from the M weakest users where L is a specified integer; receive a differential pico system utility from a candidate PBS selected from the candidate user'"'"'s preferred PBSs which reflects the difference in overall throughput for the candidate PBS if the candidate user were to be offloaded to the candidate PBS; receive a user utility from the candidate PBS which reflects the throughput for the candidate user if the candidate user were to be offloaded to the candidate PBS; and
,offload the candidate user from the MBS to the candidate PBS if such offloading would meet criteria that include an increase in the user utility by a specified extent and a decrease in the pico system utility for the candidate PBS by no more than a specified extent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method performed by a macro base station (MBS) operating as an enhanced/evolved Node B (eNB) in an LTE network, comprising:
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allowing users to initially associate with either the MBS or a pico base station (PBS) operating within a macrocell served by the MBS as a function of the signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) measured by the users; identifying a number M of the weakest users associated with the MBS according to a defined strength metric; requesting a list of L preferred PBSs for offloading from a candidate user selected from the M weakest users where L is a specified integer; receiving a differential pico system utility from a candidate PBS selected from the candidate user'"'"'s preferred PBSs which reflects the difference in overall throughput for the candidate PBS if the candidate user were to be offloaded to the candidate PBS; receiving a user utility from the candidate PBS which reflects the throughput for the candidate user if the candidate user were to be offloaded to the candidate PBS; and
,offloading the candidate user from the MBS to the candidate PBS if such offloading would meet criteria that include an increase in the user utility by a specified extent and a decrease in the pico system utility for the candidate PBS by no more than a specified extent. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification