Multidimensional load balancing
AssigneeSprint Spectrum L.P.
InventorsYu Zhou, Chunmei Liu, Daniel Vivanco
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Multiple network resources are considered when distributing network load among access nodes. For example, traffic load, user load, and bearer load may all be considered in the decision to move a wireless device from one access node to another. An N-dimensional load vector is calculated where each of the N dimensions is associated with a network resource utilization factor. A load vector is calculated for each of the access nodes being considered for load balancing. The load vectors for access nodes under consideration for load balancing are subtracted to create a difference vector. When the magnitude of the difference vector is greater than a threshold, the communication system balances the load between the two access nodes.
Claims14
A method of balancing load among wireless access nodes, comprising:
- calculating a plurality of load vectors each associated with one of a plurality of access nodes, each of the plurality of load vectors based on a plurality of network resource utilization indicators and a corresponding plurality of basis vectors for each of the plurality of network resource utilization indicators, wherein:
- the plurality of load vectors includes at least a first load vector associated with a first access node and a second load vector associated with a second access node;
- and
- the plurality of network resource utilization indicators includes a traffic load indicator that is based on a plurality of modulation and coding scheme indicators each associated with a plurality of wireless devices communicating with at least one of the plurality of access nodes;
- calculating a first magnitude of a first difference vector, the first difference vector being a vector difference between the first load vector and the second load vector;
- and,
- in response to the first magnitude meeting a threshold requirement, initiating a handoff of a wireless device between the first access node and the second access node.
A communication system, comprising:
- a first access node, the first access node having a first active connection to a wireless device, the first access node being associated with a first load vector, the first load vector based on a first plurality of network resource utilization indicators and a corresponding plurality of basis vectors for each of the first plurality of network resource utilization indicators;
- a second access node, the second access node being associated with a second load vector, the second load vector based on a second plurality of network resource utilization indicators and the corresponding plurality of basis vectors for each of the second plurality of network resource utilization indicators;
- and,
- a processing node configured to determine a first magnitude of a vector difference between the first load vector and the second load vector, the processing node also configured to cause a handoff of a wireless device between the first access node and the second access node in response to the first magnitude meeting a threshold requirement,
- wherein, the first plurality of network resource utilization indicators and the second plurality of network resource utilization indicators include traffic load indicators that are based on a plurality of modulation and coding scheme indicators each associated with a plurality of wireless devices communicating with the first access node and the second access node.
A method of operating a communication system, comprising:
- determining a first vector difference between a first load vector associated with a first plurality of network resource utilization indicators that correspond to utilization of resources on a first access node and a second load vector associated with a second plurality of network resource utilization indicators that correspond to utilization of resources on a second access node;
- determining a magnitude of the first vector difference;
- and,
- based on the magnitude meeting a threshold requirement, selecting the first access node and the second access node for load balancing, wherein:
- the load balancing includes ending a first active connection between the first access node and a wireless device and initiating a second active connection between the wireless device and the second access node;
- and,
- the first active connection is selected to be ended based on a modulation and coding scheme associated with the wireless device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.