WO2018229526A1

WO2018229526A1 - Adaptive scheduling

Info

Publication number: WO2018229526A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/053478
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ricardo Paredes Cabrera
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2017-06-12
Filing date: 2017-06-12
Publication date: 2018-12-20

Abstract

A method and a network node for adaptive scheduling based on measurements of dynamic data are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method in a network node for a wireless communication system, the network node configured to provide data communications with a wireless device is provided. The method includes acquiring static data indicative of at least one target of performance of the data communications. The method also includes measuring dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications. The method further includes providing feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data. The at least one control function is responsive to the feedback to adjust the actual performance of the data communications toward the targets of performance.

Description

ADAPTIVE SCHEDULING

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to wireless communication and in particular, to adaptive scheduling based on measurements of dynamic data. BACKGROUND

Fifth generation (5G) wireless networks must accommodate greater demands than older technologies to handle a great mixture of devices and applications, including a very large number of devices simultaneously connected (i.e., machine-to- machine communication, narrow band Internet of things (NB-IoT), etc.), high throughput services, etc. For this reason, there is a need to combine the higher air interface bandwidth provided by 5G with better scheduling solutions which can optimize not only the quality of service for all users, but also the number of simultaneously connected users.

The current solutions react to congestion poorly by imposing scheduling priorities based on static scheduling algorithms that do not consider many critical criteria needed to optimize the scheduling decisions.

Current scheduling solutions are based on detecting traffic for radio bearers, computing scheduling priorities for all radio bearers that have data queued waiting for transmission, and choosing from among the highest priorities the set to transmit at the next transmission opportunity. Even though the scheduling priorities are calculated using algorithms that take into account the QoS characteristics of the traffic, the algorithms are too generic to provide accurate results. For example, Delay-based Scheduling (DBS) and Proportional Fair Scheduling (PFS) take into account one radio bearer (the one the bearer was created for) but fail to consider the number of radio bearers in the system (of the same type or different types), the level of resources used in the past and available now and in the future, etc.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments advantageously provide a method and network node for adaptive scheduling based on measurements of dynamic data. According to one aspect, a method in a network node for a wireless communication system, the network node configured to provide data communications with a wireless device, is provided. The method includes acquiring static data indicative of at least one performance target of the data communications. The method also includes measuring dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications. The method further includes providing feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data. The method also includes adjusting the actual performance of the data communications toward the performance target responsive to the feedback.

According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the static data includes at least one of a target delay, a target bitrate, a number of bearers and a target speed. In some embodiments, the dynamic data includes at least one of an actual average delay, an actual average speed, a relative speed, an actual average scheduled bitrate, an actual average arriving bitrate, an actual bitrate speed and a congestion measure. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and decreasing admission of future bearer requests. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and decreasing at least one of a retry timer value and an access control barring factor. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of adding, removing and replacing secondary cells for a bearer, the adjusting being based on feedback indicative of one of an overload and an under load. In some embodiments, a control function of the at least one control function is a load balancing control function and the feedback is indicative of one of an overload and an under load. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes adjusting a number of bearers to be used for transmission from the network node to wireless devices. In some

embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes adjusting a rate at which data packets are scheduled for transmission by the network node. Some embodiments include modifying resource utilization by decreasing a measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization exceeds a first threshold and by increasing the measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization falls below a second threshold. In some embodiments, the dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications is measured for a plurality of bearers grouped according to one of a set of at least one quality of service class identifier, QCI, and a set of QCIs having at least one common characteristic. In some embodiments, resource utilization is timed by clocks whose speeds are relative to each other and relative to network conditions.

According to another aspect, a network node of a wireless communication system, the network node configured to provide data communications with a wireless device, is provided. The network node includes processing circuitry configured to acquire static data indicative of at least one performance target of the data

communications. The processing circuitry is further configured to measure dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications. The processing circuitry is further configured to provide feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data. The processing circuitry is further configured to adjust by the at least one control function, the actual performance of the data communications toward the performance target.

In some embodiments, the static data includes at least one of a target delay, a target bitrate, a number of bearers and a target speed. In some embodiments, the dynamic data includes at least one of an actual average delay, an actual average speed, a relative speed, an actual average scheduled bitrate, an actual average arriving bitrate, an actual bitrate speed and a congestion measure. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and decreasing acceptance of future bearer requests. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and decreasing a retry timer value. In some embodiments, a control function of the at least one control function is a carrier aggregation control function, the feedback is indicative of one of an overload and an under load and adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of adding, removing and replacing secondary cells for a bearer. In some embodiments, a control function of the at least one control function is a load balancing control function and the feedback is indicative of one of an overload and an under load. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes adjusting a number of bearers to be used for transmission from the network node to wireless devices. In some embodiments, adjusting the performance of the data communications includes adjusting a rate at which data packets are scheduled for transmission by the network node. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry is further configured to modify resource utilization by decreasing a measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization exceeds a first threshold and by increasing the measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization falls below a second threshold. In some embodiments, the dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications is measured for a plurality of bearers grouped according to one of a set of at least one quality of service class identifier, QCI, and a set of QCIs having at least one common characteristic. In some embodiments, resource utilization is timed by clocks whose speeds are relative to each other and relative to network conditions.

According to yet another aspect, a network node of a wireless communication system, the network node configured to provide data communications with a wireless device, is provided. The network node includes a static data acquisition module configured to acquire static data indicative of at least one performance target of the data communications. The network node includes a dynamic data measurement module configured to measure dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications. The network node includes a feedback module configured to provide feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data. The network node includes at least one control function module responsive to the feedback to adjust the actual performance of the data communications toward the performance target. In some embodiments, the dynamic data includes at least one of an actual average delay, an actual average speed, a relative speed, an actual average scheduled bitrate, an actual average arriving bitrate, an actual bitrate speed and a congestion measure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system constructed according to principles set forth herein;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network node configured to provide data communications with a wireless device;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a network node configured to provide data communications with a wireless device;

FIG. 4 illustrates scheduler clocks providing feedback to control functions;

FIG. 5 illustrates sets of bearers, each set having static data and dynamic data; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary process in a network node for providing data communications with a wireless device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to adaptive scheduling based on measurements of dynamic data. Accordingly, components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As used herein, relational terms, such as "first" and "second," "top" and "bottom," and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.

In some embodiments, a solution to scheduling user and control plane traffic is provided. The proposed solution combines the static view provided by the QoS requirements and constraints with the dynamic view provided by the traffic patterns, resource utilization, and scheduling speed. The proposed solution also influences control functions such as admission control, access control, congestion control, mobility, carrier aggregation and load balancing, by providing a feedback loop into at least one of these functions to adjust the functions dynamically as conditions change. Embodiments provide an adaptive solution for scheduling and admission control, providing a potential benefit to access control and mobility as well. In some embodiments, data and functionality are separated into a static view and a dynamic view. The static view includes what is expected to be provided in terms of quality of service (QoS) requirements and constraints for different traffic types. The static view can be managed and maintained by control functions such as admission control functions, access control functions, congestion control, mobility, carrier aggregation and load balancing. The static view consists of a set of clocks, each clock managing a specific QoS behavior. When a bearer is created, modified or removed, the object with the correct QoS behavior is modified. Each QoS object stores a set of bearers and parameters that assist the scheduler to make scheduling decisions. The set of bearers stored by the QoS object is referred to as a bearer group. The objects can be processed using different clocks based on requirements for that object. In some embodiments, the specific resource utilizations of objects are relative with respect to one another, relative with respect to the requirements of the bearer group represented by the object and/or relative with respect to the network conditions, i.e., real traffic patterns in the network. The static view is built based on the requirements and constraints of a bearer or a set of bearers that make a unit such as a service or network slice. As used herein, a service is a set of one or more bearers which together implement the service or application as seen by the end user, such as a video session, (e.g., video bearer and sound bearer and control bearer), a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) (e.g., sound bearer plus control bearer). Network slicing has been defined in the fifth generation 3GPP standards as a way to partition a service provider's access network (e.g., radio access network (RAN)) into logical units or subnetworks for the purpose of providing specific services such as machine to machine communication. A traffic clock can manage bearers and resources for a network slice (instead of or in addition to using QCI grouping). A bearer or set of bearers is entered one time only into the object that matches the desired QoS behavior, and is removed when the bearer goes away. In the static view, the bearer or set of bearers are separated based on their desired QoS behavior.

In contrast to the static view, the dynamic view records the actual behavior of the scheduler, monitors the behavior of traffic for each traffic type, monitors congestions levels for resources specific to a traffic type, records actual scheduling speed per set of bearers, compares what is expected with actual behavior, and adjusts scheduling speeds, bearer admission speed, access control speed, etc., based on the monitored conditions.

Referring now to the drawing figures where like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a block diagram of a wireless communication system 10 constructed according to principles set forth herein. The wireless communication network 10 includes a cloud 12 which may include the Internet and/or the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Cloud 12 may also serve as a backhaul network of the wireless communication network 10. The wireless communication network 10 includes one or more network nodes 14A and 14B, which may communicate directly via an X2 interface in LTE embodiments, and are referred to collectively as network nodes 14. It is contemplated that other interface types can be used for communication between network nodes 14 for other communication protocols such as New Radio (NR). The network nodes 14 may serve wireless devices 16A and 16B, referred to collectively herein as wireless devices 16. Note that, although only two wireless devices 16 and two network nodes 14 are shown for convenience, the wireless communication network 10 may typically include many more wireless devices (WDs) 16 and network nodes 14. Further, in some embodiments, WDs 16 may communicate directly using what is sometimes referred to as a side link connection.

The term "wireless device" or mobile terminal used herein may refer to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node 14 and/or with another wireless device 16 in a cellular or mobile communication system 10. Examples of a wireless device 16 are user equipment (UE), target device, device to device (D2D) wireless device, machine type wireless device or wireless device capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, tablet, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongle, etc.

The term "network node" used herein may refer to any kind of radio base station in a radio network which may further comprise any base transceiver station (BTS), base station controller (BSC), radio network controller (RNC), evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), NR gNodeB, NR gNB, Node B, multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, relay node, donor node controlling relay, radio access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), etc.

Although embodiments are described herein with reference to certain functions being performed by a network node 14, it is understood that the functions can be performed in other network nodes and elements. It is also understood that the functions of the network node 14 can be distributed across network cloud 12 so that other nodes can perform one or more functions or even parts of functions described herein.

The network node 14 may include a dynamic data measurement unit 18 configured to measure dynamic data indicative of actual performance of data communications between the network node 14 and the wireless device 16. The dynamic data that is measured may include average delay, average speed, relative speed, average scheduled bit rate, average arriving bit rate, bitrate speed and congestion.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network node 14 configured to provide data communications with a wireless device 16. The network node 14 has processing circuitry 22. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry may include a memory 24 and processor 26, the memory 24 containing instructions which, when executed by the processor 26, configure processor 26 to perform the one or more functions described herein. In addition to a traditional processor and memory, processing circuitry 22 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and/or control, e.g., one or more processors and/or processor cores and/or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and/or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry).

Processing circuitry 22 may include and/or be connected to and/or be configured for accessing (e.g., writing to and/or reading from) memory 24, which may include any kind of volatile and/or non-volatile memory, e.g., cache and/or buffer memory and/or RAM (Random Access Memory) and/or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and/or optical memory and/or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only

Memory). Such memory 24 may be configured to store code executable by control circuitry and/or other data, e.g., data pertaining to communication, e.g., configuration and/or address data of nodes, etc. Processing circuitry 22 may be configured to control any of the methods described herein and/or to cause such methods to be performed, e.g., by processor 26. Corresponding instructions may be stored in the memory 24, which may be readable and/or readably connected to the processing circuitry 22. In other words, processing circuitry 22 may include a controller, which may include a microprocessor and/or microcontroller and/or FPGA (Field- Programmable Gate Array) device and/or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) device. It may be considered that processing circuitry 22 includes or may be connected or connectable to memory, which may be configured to be accessible for reading and/or writing by the controller and/or processing circuitry 22.

The memory 24 is configured to store dynamic data 28 acquired by the dynamic data measurement unit 18 implemented by the processor 26. The processor 26 also implements a static data acquisition unit 30 configured to acquire static data indicative of performance targets of the data communications between the network node 14 and the wireless devices 16. A feedback unit 32 implemented by the processor 26 is configured to provide feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data. A control function 34 is configured to adjust by the at least one control function, the actual performance of the data communications toward the performance targets in response to the feedback from the feedback unit 32. The transceiver 36 is configured to transmit and receive data to and from a wireless device 16. In some embodiments, the transceiver 36 is implemented as one or more separate receivers and transmitters.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a network node 14 configured to provide data communications with a wireless device 16. The network node 14 includes a dynamic data measurement module 19 configured to measure dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications with the wireless device 16. The network node 14 includes a static data acquisition module 31 configured to acquire static data indicative of performance targets of the data communications. A feedback module 33 is configured to provide feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data. The network node 14 also includes at least one control function module 35 responsive to the feedback to adjust the actual performance of the data communications toward the performance targets. The transceiver module 37 is configured to transmit and receive data to and from a wireless device 16.

FIG. 4 illustrates scheduler clocks 40-1 through 40-n providing feedback to control functions 42 which may include admission control, access control, mobility, carrier aggregation and load balancing. The control functions 42 provide adjustments to the clocks 40- 1 through 40-n based on the feedback. FIG. 5 illustrates sets of bearers 44-1 through 44-n, each set having static data and dynamic data. The static data includes target delay, set size (number of bearers in the set), target speed, target priority, target per transmission time interval (TTI). The target speed is equal to the set size divided by the target delay. The dynamic data includes the actual speed, actual priority, actual delay, previous marker, current marker, actual TTI, data view (circular list) and congestion. In some embodiments, a clock is implemented with a circular list or buffer which requires marking the current positions as the list is traversed repeatedly. The marker points to a position in the list. The current marker minus the last marker is equal to how much advancement has occurred since the last time the clock was processed. The actual speed is equal to the set size divided by the actual delay and congestion equals target speed divided by actual speed. Additional statistics per set include overall speed, target speed per TTI, and actual speed per TTI. In FIG. 5, feedback based on the static and dynamic data is fed to an admission control function 46. For example, the feedback may cause the admission control function 46 to admit fewer wireless devices 16. The scheduler 48 is also influenced by dynamic data. For example, fewer packets may be scheduled per unit time when congestion is high.

As a first example, consider the following requirements:

· type of traffic: non-guaranteed bit rate;

• minimum inter-packet delay = 35 milliseconds (ms);

• maximum inter-packet delay = 45 ms;

• minimum bit rate = 50 kilo-bits per sec (kbps);

• maximum bit rate = 70 kbps; and

· priority = 7 (range 1 to 255, 1 being highest priority).

Suppose in this example, the following constraints are specified:

• target delay = 40 ms; • target bitrate = 60 kbps;

• number of bearers admitted: 50; and

• target speed: 50/40 ms = 1.25 bearers per millisecond.

These parameters comprise the static view of the system with respect to this data set. Suppose the following is actually measured:

• actual average delay = 50 ms;

• actual average speed = 50/50 ms = 1 bearer per millisecond;

• relative speed = 1/1.25 = 80% of target speed;

• actual average scheduled bitrate = 50 kbps;

· actual average arriving bitrate = 70 kpbs;

• actual bitrate speed = 50 kbps/60 kbps = 83.33% of target;

• congestion for this set = (1.25/1)-1 = 25%; and

• congestion in terms of bit rate = 60 kbps/50 kbps = 120% of expected bit rate. These data comprise the dynamic view of the system with respect to this data set. With this dynamic view information, a feedback loop can provide feedback to the various control functions. For example, feedback to the admission control function may result in rejection of future bearer requests to reduce bearers in this set by 25% from 50 to 37. Feedback to the access control function may result in increasing the retry time value by 25%, for example. Feedback to the carrier aggregation control function may indicate 25% overload for this traffic type (non-GBR). Feedback to the load balancing control function may indicate 25% overload for this traffic type.

As a second example, consider the following requirements:

• type of traffic: guaranteed bit rate;

• minimum inter-packet delay = 30 milliseconds (ms);

· maximum inter-packet delay = 40 ms;

• guaranteed bit rate = 256 kbps;

• maximum bit rate = 384 kbps; and

• priority = 2 (range 1 to 255, 1 being highest priority).

Suppose in this example, the following constraints are specified:

· target delay = 35 ms;

• target bitrate = 256 kbps; • number of bearers admitted: 100; and

• target speed: 100/35 ms = 2.86 bearers per millisecond.

· actual average delay = 32 ms;

• actual average speed = 100/32 ms = 3.125 bearers per millisecond;

• relative speed = 3.125/2.86 = 109.27 % of expected;

• actual average scheduled bitrate = 300 kbps;

• actual average arriving bitrate = 350 kpbs;

· actual bitrate speed = 300 kbps/256 kbps = 117 % of target;

• congestion for this set = (2.86/3.125)-1 = -8.48 % (i.e., no congestion); and

• congestion in terms of bit rate = 256 kbps/300 kbps = 85.54% of expected, (no congestion)

These data comprise the dynamic view of the system with respect to this data set. With this dynamic view information, a feedback loop can provide feedback to the various control functions. For example, feedback to the admission control function may result in admission of future bearer requests to increase bearers in this set by 8.48 % from 100 to 108. Feedback to the access control function may result in decreasing the retry time value by 8.48 %, for example, and setting a barring factor to allow 8.48 % more WDs. Feedback to the carrier aggregation control function may indicate 8.48 % more load for this traffic type (GBR). Feedback to the load balancing control function may indicate that the cell can handle 8.48 % more load for this traffic type.

As a third example, consider the following requirements:

• type of traffic: non-guaranteed bit rate;

· minimum inter-packet delay = 70 milliseconds (ms);

• maximum inter-packet delay = 80 ms;

• minimum bit rate = 30 kbps;

• maximum bit rate = 40 kbps; and

• priority = 8 (range 1 to 255, 1 being highest priority).

Suppose in this example, the following constraints are specified:

• target delay = 75 ms; • target bitrate = 35 kbps;

• number of bearers admitted: 150; and

• target speed: 150/75 ms = 2 bearers per millisecond.

• actual average delay = 75 ms;

• actual average speed = 150/75 ms = 2 bearers per millisecond;

• relative speed = 2/2 = 100 % of target;

• actual average scheduled bitrate = 25 kbps;

· actual average arriving bitrate = 25 kbps (less traffic than expected);

• actual bitrate speed = 25 kbps/35 kbps = 71.43 % of target (not enough traffic);

• congestion for this set = (2/2)- 1 = 0 % (i.e., no congestion); and

• congestion in terms of bit rate = 25 kbps/35 kbps = 71.43 % of expected, (no congestion).

These data comprise the dynamic view of the system with respect to this data set. With this dynamic view information, a feedback loop can provide feedback to the various control functions. For example, feedback to the admission control function may result in admission of additional bearers based on bitrate statistics, whereas no additional bearers are admitted if the admission control decision is based on scheduling entities per transmission time interval (SE/TTI) without taking into account the bitrate statistics. Feedback to the access control function may result in no change based on these dynamic view statistics. Feedback to the carrier aggregation control function may indicate some bit rate space but not enough SE/TTI space. Feedback to the load balancing control function may indicate some bit rate space but not enough SE/TTI space.

Suppose, for example, that a clock is scheduling at the correct speed, but the bit rates are lower than expected. A possible cause for this condition includes there not being enough traffic. Another possible cause is that the RF conditions of the air interface associated with one or more bearers are worse than expected. In this case, one of the following adjustments may be applied: 1. The carrier aggregation (C A) control function can add more cells to the bearer impacting the low bit rates;

2. The CA control functions can switch one or more cells with poor RF conditions impacting a bearer and replace it/them with one or more cells with better RF conditions;

3. The power control functions can increase the transmission power for the impacted bearers;

4. The access control functions can advertise a lower congestion barring factors and retry timers for the associated resources for the associated cell(s); and/or 5. The access control functions can advertise a higher congestion level via the barring factors and retry timers for the associated resources for the associated cell(s).

Suppose instead, that the SE/TTI speed is lower than expected with higher than expected overall bit rate. Suppose further that the clock that defines the set of bearers meets the bit rate requirement. The lower SEs per TTI in this case means that some bearers are not using their share of resources (e.g., one or more bearers have less traffic to transmit than expected) while other bearers are using more than their share of resources. In this case, the clock is not configured to perform traffic shaping (to restrict traffic per bearer to its expected rate). Possible adjustments that may be made include:

1. The admission control function can admit more bearers into the object. Admission of more bearers would be acceptable even if admitting more bearers produces oversubscription of expected resource utilization, given the underutilization of resources by current admitted bearers.

2. The access control functions can advertise lower congestion levels via the barring factors and retry timers for the associated resources for the associated cell(s).

As a third example, suppose that SEs/TTI speed is lower than expected with lower than expected overall bit rate. In this case, the clock meets the bit rate requirement for individual bearers but the overall bit rate is lower than expected. The lower SEs per TTI in this case means that some bearers are not using their share of resources (e.g., one or more bearers have less traffic to transmit than expected) while other bearers are restricted to use only their expected share of resources (e.g., traffic shaping enforced).

As a fourth example, suppose that one or more clocks have lower speeds in terms of SEs/TTI and bit rates. A possible adjustment is to enable different control functions to act on the feedback of the clocks which are congested.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary process in a network node 14 for providing data communications with a wireless device 16. The process includes acquiring, via the static data acquisition unit 30, static data indicative of targets of performance of the data communications (block S100). The process also includes measuring, via the dynamic data measurement unit 18, dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications (block S102). The process also includes providing, via the feedback unit 32, feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data (block S104). The process includes the at least one control function 34 being responsive to the feedback to adjust the actual performance of the data communications toward the performance targets (block S106).

In some embodiments, the static data includes at least one of a target delay, a target bitrate, a number of bearers and a target speed. In some embodiments, the dynamic data 28 includes at least one of an actual average delay, an actual average speed, a relative speed, an actual average scheduled bitrate, an actual average arriving bitrate, an actual bitrate speed and a congestion measure. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and decreasing admission of future bearer requests. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and decreasing at least one of a retry timer value and an access control barring factor. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of adding, removing and replacing carrier aggregation secondary cells for a bearer, the adjusting being based on feedback indicative of one of an overload and an under load. In some embodiments, a control function of the at least one control function is a load balancing control function and the feedback is indicative of one of an overload and an under load. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes adjusting a number of bearers to be used for transmission from the network node 14 to wireless devices 16. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes adjusting a rate at which data packets are scheduled for transmission by the network node 14. Some embodiments include modifying resource utilization by decreasing a measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization exceeds a first threshold and by increasing the measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization falls below a second threshold. In some embodiments, the dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications is measured for a plurality of bearers grouped according to one of a set of at least one quality of service class identifier, QCI, and a set of QCIs having at least one common characteristic. In some embodiments, resource utilization is timed by clocks whose speeds are relative to each other and relative to network conditions.

In some embodiments, a network node 14 of a wireless communication system, the network node 14 configured to provide data communications with a wireless device 16, is provided. The network node 14 includes processing circuitry 22 configured to acquire static data indicative of at least one target of performance of the data communications. The processor circuitry 22 is further configured to measure dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications. The processor circuitry 22 is further configured to provide feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data. The processing circuitry 22 is further configured to responsive to the feedback, adjust by the at least one control function 34, the actual performance of the data communications toward the performance targets.

In some embodiments, the static data includes at least one of a target delay, a target bitrate, a number of bearers and a target speed. In some embodiments, the dynamic data 28 includes at least one of an actual average delay, an actual average speed, a relative speed, an actual average scheduled bitrate, an actual average arriving bitrate, an actual bitrate speed and a congestion measure. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and decreasing acceptance of future bearer requests. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and decreasing a retry timer value and an access control barring factor. In some embodiments, a control function 34 of the at least one control function is a carrier aggregation control function, the feedback is indicative of one of an overload and an under load and adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of adding, removing and replacing secondary cells for a bearer. In some embodiments, a control function 34 of the at least one control function is a load balancing control function and the feedback is indicative of one of an overload and an under load. In some embodiments, adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes adjusting a number of bearers to be used for transmission from the network node 14 to wireless devices 16. In some embodiments, adjusting the performance of the data communications includes adjusting a rate at which data packets are scheduled for transmission by the network node 14. In some

embodiments, the processing circuitry is further configured to modify resource utilization by decreasing a measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization exceeds a first threshold and by increasing the measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization falls below a second threshold. In some embodiments, the dynamic data 28 indicative of actual performance of the data communications is measured for a plurality of bearers grouped according to one of a set of at least one quality of service class identifier, QCI, and a set of QCIs having at least one common characteristic. In some embodiments, resource utilization is timed by clocks whose speeds are relative to each other and relative to network conditions.

In some embodiments, a network node 14 of a wireless communication system, the network node 14 configured to provide data communications with a wireless device 16, is provided. The network node 14 includes a static data acquisition module 31 configured to acquire static data indicative of at least one target of performance of the data communications. The network node 14 includes a dynamic data measurement module 19 configured to measure dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications. The network node 14 includes a feedback module 33 configured to provide feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data. The network node 14 includes at least one control function module 35 responsive to the feedback to adjust the actual performance of the data communications toward the performance targets. In some embodiments, the dynamic data includes at least one of an actual average delay, an actual average speed, a relative speed, an actual average scheduled bitrate, an actual average arriving bitrate, an actual bitrate speed and a congestion measure.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the concepts described herein may be embodied as a method, data processing system, and/or computer program product. Accordingly, the concepts described herein may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects all generally referred to herein as a "circuit" or "module." Furthermore, the disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a tangible computer usable storage medium having computer program code embodied in the medium that can be executed by a computer. Any suitable tangible computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, electronic storage devices, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Some embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, systems and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer (thereby creating a special purpose computer), special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory or storage medium that can direct a computer or other

programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

It is to be understood that the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that

communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the concepts described herein may be written in an object-oriented programming language such as Java® or C++. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the disclosure may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method in a network node (14) for a wireless communication system, the network node configured to provide data communications with a wireless device, the method comprising:

acquiring static data indicative of at least one performance target of the data communications (SI 00);

measuring dynamic data (28) indicative of actual performance of the data communications (SI 02);

providing feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data (28) (S 104) ; and

adjusting the actual performance of the data communications toward the performance target responsive to the feedback (S106).

2. The method of Claim 1 , wherein the static data includes at least one of a target delay, a target bitrate, a number of bearers and a target speed.

3. The method of any of Claims 1 and 2, wherein the dynamic data includes at least one of an actual average delay, an actual average speed, a relative speed, an actual average scheduled bitrate, an actual average arriving bitrate, an actual bitrate speed and a congestion measure.

4. The method of any of Claims 1-3, wherein adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and a decreasing of admission of future bearer requests.

5. The method of any of Claims 1-4, wherein adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and decreasing at least one of a retry timer value and an access control barring factor.

6. The method of any of Claims 1-5, wherein adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of adding, removing and replacing secondary cells for a bearer, the adjusting being based on feedback indicative of one of an overload and an under load.

7. The method of any of Claims 1-6, wherein a control function (34) of the at least one control function is a load balancing control function and the feedback is indicative of one of an overload and an under load.

8. The method of any of Claims 1-7, wherein adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes adjusting a number of bearers to be used for transmission from the network node (14) to wireless devices (16).

9. The method of any of Claims 1-8, wherein adjusting the actual performance of the data communication includes adjusting a rate at which data packets are scheduled for transmission by the network node (14).

10. The method of any of Claims 1-9, further comprising modifying resource utilization by decreasing a measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization exceeds a first threshold and by increasing the measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization falls below a second threshold.

11. The method of any of Claims 1-10, wherein the dynamic data (28) indicative of actual performance of the data communications is measured for a plurality of bearers grouped according to one of a set of at least one quality of service class identifier, QCI, and a set of QCIs having at least one common characteristic.

12. The method of any of Claims 1-11, wherein resource utilization is timed by clocks whose speeds are relative to each other and relative to network conditions.

13. A network node (14) of a wireless communication system, the network node configured to provide data communications with a wireless device, the network node comprising:

processing circuitry (22) configured to:

acquire static data indicative of at least one performance target of the data communications;

measure dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications ;

provide feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data; and

adjust by the at least one control function (34), the actual performance of the data communications toward the performance target.

14. The network node (14) of Claim 13, wherein the static data includes at least one of a target delay, a target bitrate, a number of bearers and a target speed.

15. The network node (14) of any of Claims 13 and 14, wherein the dynamic data includes at least one of an actual average delay, an actual average speed, a relative speed, an actual average scheduled bitrate, an actual average arriving bitrate, an actual bitrate speed and a congestion measure.

16. The network node (14) of any of Claims 13-15, wherein adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and decreasing acceptance of future bearer requests.

17. The network node (14) of any of Claims 13-16, wherein adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of increasing and decreasing at least one of a retry timer value and an access control barring factor.

18. The network node (14) of any of Claims 13-17, wherein adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes one of adding, removing and replacing secondary cells for a bearer, the adjusting being based on feedback indicative of one of an overload and an under load.

19. The network node (14) of any of Claims 13-18, wherein a control function (34) of the at least one control function is a load balancing control function and the feedback is indicative of one of an overload and an under load.

20. The network node (14) of any of Claims 13-19, wherein adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes adjusting a number of bearers to be used for transmission from the network node (14) to wireless devices (16).

21. The network node (14) of any of Claims 13-20, wherein the adjusting the actual performance of the data communications includes adjusting a rate at which data packets are scheduled for transmission by the network node (14).

22. The network node (14) of any of Claims 13-21, the processing circuitry further configured to modify resource utilization by decreasing a measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization exceeds a first threshold and by increasing the measure of resource utilization when the measure of resource utilization falls below a second threshold.

23. The network node (14) of any of Claims 13-22, wherein the dynamic data (28) indicative of actual performance of the data communications is measured for a plurality of bearers grouped according to one of a set of at least one quality of service class identifier, QCI, and a set of QCIs having at least one common characteristic.

24. The network node of any of Claims 13-23, wherein resource utilization is timed by clocks whose speeds are relative to each other and relative to network conditions.

25. A network node (14) of a wireless communication system, the network node configured to provide data communications with a wireless device, the network node comprising:

a static data acquisition module (31) configured to acquire static data indicative of at least one performance target of the data communications;

a dynamic data measurement module (19) configured to measure dynamic data indicative of actual performance of the data communications;

a feedback module (33) configured to provide feedback to at least one control function based on the static and dynamic data; and

at least one control function module (35) responsive to the feedback to adjust the actual performance of the data communications toward the performance target.

26. The network node (14) of Claim 25, wherein the dynamic data (28) includes at least one of an actual average delay, an actual average speed, a relative speed, an actual average scheduled bitrate, an actual average arriving bitrate, an actual bitrate speed and a congestion measure.