Methods and apparatus for downlink macro-diversity in cellular networks
First Claim
1. A method by a first access node, comprising:
- duplicating a subset of incoming packets that are destined for an end node and that match criteria specified in configuration data as a plurality of duplicate packets based on a signal received from a second access node;
forwarding at least one packet of the subset of the incoming packets to the end node;
receiving an indication of a desired change of a preferred downlink from a first access link corresponding to the first access node to a second access link corresponding to the second access node; and
discarding by the first access node one or more packets of the subset of the incoming packets without sending the one or more packets of the subset of the incoming packets to the end node in response to the indication.
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Abstract
The invention described herein enables a form of downlink macro-diversity in packet-switched cellular networks. It allows packets to be selectively delivered from a network/internetwork to an end node, e.g., a wireless communication device or terminal, over a set of available link-layer connections to/from the end node, through one or more access nodes, e.g., base stations. Downlink macro-diversity is particularly important when the link-layer connections between the end node and the corresponding access node, e.g., the access links, are subject to independent or partially correlated time variations in signal strength and interference. In accordance with the invention, the end node dynamically selects the downlink to be used out of a set of available access links on a per packet basis subject to prevailing channel conditions, availability of air-link resources and other constraints. The invention improves the robustness and efficiency of communication, overall utilization of air-link resources, and quality of service experienced by the end node.
38 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method by a first access node, comprising:
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duplicating a subset of incoming packets that are destined for an end node and that match criteria specified in configuration data as a plurality of duplicate packets based on a signal received from a second access node; forwarding at least one packet of the subset of the incoming packets to the end node; receiving an indication of a desired change of a preferred downlink from a first access link corresponding to the first access node to a second access link corresponding to the second access node; and discarding by the first access node one or more packets of the subset of the incoming packets without sending the one or more packets of the subset of the incoming packets to the end node in response to the indication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A first access node, comprising:
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means for duplicating a subset of incoming packets that are destined for an end node and that match criteria specified in configuration data as a plurality of duplicate packets based on a signal received from a second access node; means for forwarding at least one packet of the subset of the incoming packets to the end node; means for receiving an indication of a desired change of a preferred downlink from a first access link corresponding to the first access node to a second access link corresponding to the second access node; and means for discarding by the first access node one or more subsets of the subset of the incoming packets without sending the one or more packets of the subset of the incoming packets to the end node in response to the indication. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A first access node, comprising:
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a processor; and circuitry coupled to said processor configured to duplicate a subset of incoming packets that are destined for an end node and that match criteria specified in configuration data as a plurality of duplicate packets based on a signal received from a second access node, forward at least one packet of the subset of the incoming packets to the end node, receive an indication of a desired change of a preferred downlink from a first access link corresponding to the first access node to a second access link corresponding to the second access node, and discard one or more packets of the subset of the incoming packets without sending the one or more packets of the subset of the incoming packets to the end node in response to the indication. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions thereon capable of being executed by a computer, the instructions comprising:
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code for causing a first access node to duplicate a subset of incoming packets that are destined for an end node and that match criteria specified in configuration data as a plurality of duplicate packets based on a signal received from a second access node; code for causing the first access node to forward at least one packet of the subset of the incoming packets to the end node; code for causing the first access node to receive an indication of a desired change of a preferred downlink from a first access link corresponding to the first access node to a second access link corresponding to the second access node; and code for causing the first access node to discard one or more packets of the subset of the incoming packets without sending the one or more packets of the subset of the incoming packets to the end node in response to the indication.
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Specification