Network-assisted resource management for wireless data networks

摘要

We propose a framework for network-assisted radio resourcenmanagement in wireless data networks. This type of radio resourcenmanagement techniques offer implementation and capacity benefitsncompared to conventional, interference-measurement based, dynamicnchannel assignment (DCA) algorithms. The basic idea is to use interbasensignaling to shift most of the burden of the resource allocation fromnthe air interface to the backbone infrastructure. By exchanging channelnassignment as well as other relevant information in real time throughnthe backbone network, each base can calculate the impact of a resourcenassignment on the system. As a result, rapid interference measurements,nwhich are typically needed to implement DCA schemes, are replaced by anlimited amount of path loss measurements and the computation ofninterference conditions by the base stations. This significantly reducesnthe measurement and over-the-air signaling requirements, and can alsonprovide an opportunity for a better optimization of the systemnperformance. We focus on two specific algorithms: network-assistednleast-interference-based dynamic packet assignment (NA-LI-DPA) andnnetwork-assisted dynamic packet assignment with throughput optimizationn(NA-DPA). NA-LI-DPA closely resembles a least-interference-based dynamicnchannel assignment algorithm, and NA-DPA attempts to further improve thenoverall system throughput. The algorithms, as defined, are appropriatenfor a best-effort data service, where the primary goal is to provide anhigher throughput. However, it will be clear from the discussion that itnis also feasible to alter the algorithms to optimize performance metricsnother than throughput, e.g., to ensure a certain quality of service. Wenshow through simulation that, for a system like enhanced general packetnradio service (EGPRS) system, NA-DPA can provide a throughput that isn50% higher than random packet assignment, and 25% higher than thatnobtained by conventional DCA algorithms