Load Distribution in a Network of Small-Cell Base Stations

摘要

A network device may make a determination that a first backhaul connection, which serves a first base station, is congested and that a second backhaul connection, which serves a second base station, is not congested. This determination may be made based on a first periodic data cap imposed on the first backhaul connection, a traffic load on the first backhaul connection, a second periodic data cap imposed on the second backhaul connection, and a traffic load on the second backhaul connection. In response to the determination, the network device may configure a value of a cellular communication parameter utilized by one or both of the base stations. The configuration may comprise periodic adjustments of the value of the cellular communication parameter. The periodic adjustments may cause one or more mobile devices to be cyclically handed-over between the first base station and the second base station.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
in a network device of a first service provider, determining that a first backhaul connection, which serves a first base station, is congested and that a second backhaul connection, which serves a second base station, is not congested, the determining being made based on a first periodic data cap imposed on the first backhaul connection, a traffic toad on the first backhaul connection, a second periodic data cap imposed on the second backhaul connection, and a traffic load on the second backhaul connection; in response to determining that the first backhaul connection is congested and the second backhaul connection is not congested, configuring a value of a cellular communication parameter utilized by one or both of the first base station and the second base station, wherein the configuring results in one or more mobile devices being handed-over from the first base station to the second base station.