Selection of air interface protocol based on spectral efficiency

摘要

A method and system is disclosed for selection of an air interface protocol based on spectral efficiency (SE). When a request for service is received from a wireless communication device on a first air interface, a requested SE of the request will be determined, and a first ratio of the requested SE to an average SE on the first air interface computed. If the first ratio is greater than a threshold, the requested service will be provided on the first air interface. Otherwise, a projected SE of providing the requested service on a second air interface will be determined, and a second ratio of the projected SE to an average SE on the second air interface computed. If the first ratio is greater than the second ratio, the requested service will be provided on the first air interface. Otherwise, the requested service will be provided on the second air interface.

主权项

1. In a wireless communication system comprising a first radio access network (RAN) configured to serve wireless communication devices (WCDs) on a first air interface according to a first air interface protocol, a second RAN configured to serve WCDs on a second air interface according to a second air interface protocol, and a network device communicatively connected to both the first and second RANs, a method comprising:
at the first RAN, receiving a wireless transmission on the first air interface from a WCD including a message requesting a wireless service from the first RAN, the message including information indicative of a requested spectral efficiency for the requested wireless service, wherein the spectral efficiency corresponds to a metric of bit rate per utilized bandwidth; at the network device, receiving the information indicative of the requested spectral efficiency; based on the information, determining by the network device the requested spectral efficiency for providing the requested wireless service on the first air interface of the first RAN according to the first air interface protocol; at the network device, making a comparison of the requested spectral efficiency with at least one of (a) a threshold, or (b) a projected spectral efficiency for providing the requested wireless service on the second air interface of the second RAN according to the second air interface protocol; and based on the comparison, providing the WCD the requested wireless service on one of (i) the first air interface of the first RAN according to the first air interface protocol, or (ii) the second air interface of the second RAN according to the second air interface protocol; wherein the requested wireless service comprises a wireless communication service.