Method of scheduling communication in a wireless communication network

A system and method of scheduling communication in a wireless communication network are provided. A first access node can determine a scheduling scheme based on data addressed to wireless devices in communication with the first, second, and third access nodes. The data addressed to the wireless devices in communication with the first access node can be transmitted during a first subframe of the scheduling scheme where the first access node does not transmit data addressed to the wireless devices in communication with the first access node during a second subframe of the scheduling scheme. The second and third access nodes can be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices that do not meet a signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the first subframe and to assign data addressed to wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the second subframe.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Wireless communication can be used as a means of accessing a communication network. Wireless communication has certain advantages over wired communications for accessing a network. For example, implementing a wireless interface can eliminate a need for a wired infrastructure thereby reducing the cost of building and maintaining network infrastructure. In addition, a wireless network can support added mobility by allowing a wireless device to access the network from various locations or addresses. A wireless interface can comprise at least one transceiver in active communication with another transceiver that is connected to the network.

Various types of network configurations can be used to communicate data over the wireless network. For example, a heterogeneous network can be configured to include various types of access nodes such as a macro access node, a micro access node, a pico access node, a femto access node, etc. In a heterogeneous network, a wireless device can be served by an access node having the lowest signal path loss rather than by an access node having the strongest signal strength as in traditional network configurations.

In a heterogeneous network, interference can occur at the cell edge of the short range, low power access nodes due to the macro access node. This interference can result in undesirable reduction in coverage and throughput to the wireless devices in communication with the short range access node. A scheduling scheme comprising almost blank subframes (ABS) can be used to create an opportunity for the wireless devices within the cell edge region of a short range access node to receive downlink information without interference from the macro access node.

OVERVIEW

A system and method of scheduling communication in a wireless communication network are provided. A first access node can determine a scheduling scheme based on data addressed to wireless devices in communication with the first access node, data addressed to wireless devices in communication with a second access node, and data addressed to wireless devices in communication with a third access node. The scheduling scheme can comprise a first subframe and a second subframe. The scheduling scheme can be communicated from the first access node to the second access node and the third access node. The data addressed to the wireless devices in communication with the first access node can be transmitted during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme where the first access node does not transmit data addressed to the wireless devices in communication with the first access node during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme. The second access node can be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices in communication with the second access node that do not meet a signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme. The second access node can also be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices in communication with the second access node that meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme. The third access node can be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices in communication with the third access node that do not meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme. The third access node can also be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices in communication with the third access node that meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary communication system100for scheduling communication in a wireless communication network. Communication system100can comprise wireless devices102,104,106,108,110,112, access nodes114,116,118, controller node120and a communication network122. Other network elements may be present in the communication system100to facilitate communication but are omitted for clarity, such as base stations, base station controllers, gateways, mobile switching centers, dispatch application processors, and location registers such as a home location register or visitor location register. Furthermore, other network elements may be present to facilitate communication, such as between access nodes114,116,118and communication network122, which are omitted for clarity, including additional processing nodes, routers, gateways, and physical and/or wireless data links for carrying data among the various network elements.

Wireless devices102,104,106,108,110,112can be any device configured to communicate over communication system100using a wireless interface. For example, wireless devices102,104,106,108,110,112can include a remote terminal unit, a cell phone, a smart phone, a computing platform such as a laptop, palmtop, or a tablet, a personal digital assistant, or an internet access device, and combinations thereof. It is noted that whileFIG. 1illustrates two wireless devices in communication with each access node114,116,118, any number of wireless devices can be implemented according to various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

The wireless interface of wireless devices102,104,106,108,110,112can include one or more transceivers for transmitting and receiving data over communication system100. Each transceiver can be associated with the same or different frequency bands, the same or different radio access technologies, the same or different network providers, and/or the same or different services. For example, wireless devices102,104,106,108,110,112can include a transceiver that is associated with one or more of the following: code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), long-term evolution (LTE), and/or high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), IEEE 802.11, wireless fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, infrared data association (IrDA), multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), etc.

Wireless device102can be in communication with access node114through communication link124. Wireless device104can be in communication with access node114through communication link126. Wireless device106can be in communication with access node116through communication link128. Wireless device108can be in communication with access node116through communication link130. Wireless device110can be in communication with access node118through communication link132. Wireless device112can be in communication with access node118through communication link134. Links124,126,128,130,132,134can use various communication media, such as air, space, metal, optical fiber, or some other signal propagation path—including combinations thereof. Communication links124,126,128,130,132,134may comprise many different signals sharing the same link. Communication links124,126,128,130,132,134could include multiple signals operating in a single “airpath” comprising beacon signals, user communications, communication sessions, overhead communications, frequencies, timeslots, transportation ports, logical transportation links, network sockets, packets, or communication directions. For example, user communication between wireless device102and access node114could share the same representative wireless link, but be transferred over different communication sessions, frequencies, timeslots, packets, ports, sockets, logical transport links, or in different directions—including combinations thereof.

Access nodes114,116,118can be any network node configured to provide communication between wireless devices102,104,106,108,110,112and communication network122. Access nodes114,116,118can be standard access nodes or short range, low power access nodes. In an exemplary embodiment, access nodes114,116can be short range, low power access nodes within at least a portion of an overlapping coverage area of access node118, where access node118can be a standard access node. A standard access node can be a macrocell access node such as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an eNodeB device, or an enhanced eNodeB device, or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a macrocell access node can have a coverage area in the range of approximately five kilometers to thirty five kilometers and an output power in the tens of watts. A short range access node can include a microcell access node, a picocell access node, a femtocell access node, or the like such as a home NodeB or a home eNodeB device. In an exemplary embodiment, a microcell access node can have a coverage area of approximately two kilometers and an output power of a few watts. In another exemplary embodiment, a picocell access node can have a coverage area of approximately a half a kilometer and an output power of less than one watt. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a femtocell access node can have a coverage area in the range of 50-200 meters and an output power in the range of 0.5 to 1 watt. Femtocell access nodes can be cellular access nodes or WiFi access nodes. In addition, a wireless device configured to enter a hotspot mode can be a femtocell access node. It is noted that while three access nodes114,116,118are illustrated inFIG. 1, any number of access nodes can be implemented within system100.

Controller node120can be any network node configured to communicate information and/or control information over system100. For ease of illustration, controller node120is shown inFIG. 1to be in communication with access node118through communication link142. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that controller node120can also be in communication with access nodes114and/or116. Controller node120can be a standalone computing device, computing system, or network component, and can be accessible, for example, by a wired or wireless connection, or through an indirect connection such as through a computer network or communication network. For example, controller node120can include a mobility management entity (MME), a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), a Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) node, a rights management server (RMS), a subscriber provisioning server (SPS), a policy server, etc. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that controller node120is not limited to any specific technology architecture, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and can be used with any network architecture and/or protocol.

Access node114can be in communication with access node116through communication link136. Access node114can be in communication with access node118through communication link138. Access node116can be in communication with access node118through communication link140. Access node118can be in communication with controller node120through communication link142. Controller node120can be in communication with communication network122through communication link144. Communication links136,138,140,142,144can be wired or wireless and use various communication protocols such as Internet, Internet protocol (IP), local-area network (LAN), optical networking, hybrid fiber coax (HFC), telephony, T1, or some other communication format—including combinations, improvements, or variations thereof. Wireless communication links can be a radio frequency, microwave, infrared, or other similar signal, and can use a suitable communication protocol, for example, Global System for Mobile telecommunications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), or Long Term Evolution (LTE), or combinations thereof. Other wireless protocols can also be used. Links136,138,140,142,144can be a direct link or might include various equipment, intermediate components, systems, and networks.

In operation, a first access node, such as access node118can determine a scheduling scheme based on data addressed to wireless devices110,112, data addressed to wireless devices102,104, and data addressed to wireless devices106,108. The scheduling scheme can comprise a first subframe and a second subframe. Access node118can communicate the scheduling scheme to access nodes114,116. Data addressed to wireless devices110,112can be transmitted from access node118during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme. In addition, access node118does not transmit data addressed to wireless devices110,112during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme. Access node114can be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices102,104that do not meet a signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme and to assign data addressed to wireless devices102,104that meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme. Access node116can be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices106,108that do not meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme and to assign data addressed to wireless devices106,108that meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme.

In an exemplary embodiment, by utilizing the same scheduling scheme in the second access node and the third access node, the second subframes in the second access node and the second subframes in the third access node can be synchronized, such that the unnecessary ABS due to the second subframes can be reduced, which increases the capacity of the first access node and first subframes of the scheduling scheme.

The scheduling scheme can comprise 0-N first subframes and 0-N second subframes provided that the combination of number of subframes equals N. For example, in LTE N equals ten subframes per frame. The scheduling scheme of one frame can be determined to comprise a combination of 0-10 first subframes and 0-10 second subframes. In an exemplary embodiment, when no wireless device within the cell edge region requires resources to transmit uplink data, the number of second subframes can be selected to be 0 and the frame can be configured to include 10 first subframes.

By utilizing the same scheduling scheme at the second access node and the third access node, the second subframes associated with the second access node and the second subframes associated with the third access node can be synchronized and a number of ABS within each frame can be determined to maximize the capacity of the first access node.

FIG. 2illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method of scheduling communication in a wireless communication network. The method will be discussed with reference to the exemplary communication system100illustrated inFIG. 1. However, the method can be implemented with any suitable communication system. In addition, althoughFIG. 2depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways.

At202, a network node can determine a scheduling scheme comprising a first subframe and a second subframe. For example, access node118and/or controller node112can determine the scheduling scheme. A scheduling scheme can be any scheme associated with scheduling resources for an access node to be in communication with a wireless device. A scheduling scheme can comprise a plurality of frames and each frame can comprise a plurality of subframes where the plurality of subframes comprises at least one first subframe and at least one second subframe. The number of first subframes and second subframes determined within the scheduling scheme can be based on various factors such as the amount of information to be sent in the downlink to wireless devices in communication with each access node, a load on each access node, a load on the network, and an application requirement of an application running on a wireless device in communication with an access node. The load on each access node can comprise a number of wireless devices in communication with each access node, a total amount of data addressed to all wireless devices in communication with each access node, an amount of uplink and/or downlink traffic associated with each wireless device, the total bandwidth available for scheduling communication at each access node, etc. The load on the network can comprise a total amount of traffic associated with each network node in the backhaul of system100, a throughput of each network node, a processing load at each network node, and any delay associated with each network node.

In an exemplary embodiment, the scheduling scheme can be further determined based on a signal condition of wireless devices in communication with access nodes114,116,118. For example, wireless devices in communication with access nodes114,116can experience interference from access node118if they are located in the cell edge of access nodes114,116. Therefore, a signal condition of the wireless devices in communication with access nodes114,116,118can be determined prior to determining the scheduling scheme. The signal condition can be indicative of a signal quality and/or signal strength and be based on a signal characteristic. For example, the signal condition can be based on at least one of received signal strength indication (RSSI), a throughput value of the access node, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value, a carrier to noise ratio (CNR) value, a radio type value, energy per bit to noise power spectral density ratio, energy per symbol to noise power spectral density ratio, modulation error rate (MER), signal noise and distortion (SINAD), signal to interference (SII), signal to noise plus interference ratio (SNIR), and signal to quantization noise ratio (SQNR).

After the signal characteristic associated with each wireless device is classified as meeting the signal condition (e.g. the wireless device is located at the cell edge of the associated access node) and not meeting the signal condition (e.g. the wireless device is not located at the cell edge of the associated access node), the network node can determine the scheduling scheme. In an exemplary embodiment, when data addressed to a wireless device, such as wireless device102,104,106,108, exceeds a threshold amount and the wireless device is determined to be located at the cell edge of the associated access node, the scheduling scheme associated with access node118can comprise a greater number of almost blank subframes.

The scheduling scheme can be communicated to a second and third access node at204. For example, after controller node120and/or access node118determines the scheduling scheme for access nodes118,114,116to communicate with wireless devices110,112,102,104,106,108, respectively, the scheduling scheme is communicated to access nodes114,116.

At206, data can be transmitted from a first access node to wireless devices in communication with the first access node during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme. In addition, data can be prevented from being transmitted from the first access node during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme. For example, access node118can transmit data addressed to wireless devices110,112during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme and not transmit data addressed to wireless devices110,112during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme.

The second access node can be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices in communication with the second access node that do not meet a signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the first subframe and to assign data addressed to wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme at208. For example, access node118and/or controller node120can instruct access node114to transmit data addressed to wireless devices at the cell edge during the second subframe (e.g. when access node118is not transmitting data to wireless devices110,112) and to transmit data addressed to wireless devices not at the cell edge during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme.

At210, the third access node can be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices in communication with the third access node that do not meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the first subframe and to assign data addressed to wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme. For example, access node118and/or controller node120can instruct access node116to transmit data addressed to wireless devices at the cell edge during the second subframe and to transmit data addressed to wireless devices not at the cell edge during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary scheduling scheme for scheduling communication in a network. The scheduling scheme can comprise a frame having a plurality of subframes. The pattern of the subframes can be based on various factors including the amount of information to be sent in the downlink to wireless devices in communication with each access node, a load on each access node, a load on the network, an application requirement of an application running on a wireless device in communication with an access node, etc. The load on each access node can comprise a number of wireless devices in communication with each access node, a total amount of data addressed to all wireless devices in communication with each access node, an amount of uplink and/or downlink traffic associated with each wireless device, the total bandwidth available for scheduling communication at each access node, etc. The load on the network can comprise a total amount of traffic associated with each network node in the backhaul, a throughput of each network node, a processing load at each network node, and any delay associated with each network node. For example, the scheduling scheme associated with access node118can comprise subframes302in which access node118can transmit downlink data to wireless devices110,112and almost blank subframes304in which access node118does not transmit downlink data to wireless devices110,112. During the almost blank subframes304, access nodes114,116can transmit downlink data to wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold (e.g. the wireless devices are located in cell edge of the associated access node) during subframes308. In addition, access nodes114,116can transmit downlink data to wireless devices that do not meet the signal condition threshold (e.g. the wireless devices are not located in the cell edge of the associated access node) during subframes306.

It is noted that while three almost blank subframes304are illustrated inFIG. 3, any number of almost blank subframes304can be included in the scheduling scheme. For example, when the amount of data addressed to wireless devices110,112exceeds a threshold and the amount of data addressed to wireless devices in the cell edge of access nodes114,116is below a threshold, the number of almost blank subframes304can be reduced. When the amount of data addressed to wireless devices in the cell edge of access nodes114,116is greater than a threshold and/or the amount of data addressed to wireless devices110,112is below a threshold, the number of almost blank subframes304can be increased.

FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary communication system400for scheduling communication in a wireless communication network. Communication system400can comprise wireless devices402,404,406,408,410, access nodes412,416,422, gateway428, controller node430, and communication network432. Other network elements may be present in the communication system400to facilitate communication but are omitted for clarity, such as base stations, base station controllers, gateways, mobile switching centers, dispatch application processors, and location registers such as a home location register or visitor location register. Furthermore, other network elements may be present to facilitate communication, such as between access nodes412,416,422and communication network432, which are omitted for clarity, including additional processing nodes, routers, gateways, and physical and/or wireless data links for carrying data among the various network elements.

Wireless devices402,404,406,408,410can be any device configured to communicate over communication system400using a wireless interface. For example, wireless devices402,404,406,408,410can include a remote terminal unit, a cell phone, a smart phone, a computing platform such as a laptop, palmtop, or a tablet, a personal digital assistant, or an internet access device, and combinations thereof.

The wireless interface of wireless devices402,404,406,408,410can include one or more transceivers for transmitting and receiving data over communication system400. Each transceiver can be associated with the same or different frequency bands, the same or different radio access technologies, the same or different network providers, and/or the same or different services. For example, wireless devices402,404,406,408,410can include a transceiver that is associated with one or more of the following: code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), long-term evolution (LTE), and/or high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), IEEE 802.11, wireless fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, infrared data association (IrDA), multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), etc.

While not illustrated inFIG. 4for clarity, wireless devices402,404can be in communication with access node416through communication links. Wireless devices406,408can be in communication with access node422through communication links. Wireless devices410can be in communication with access node412through communication links. The communication links can use various communication media, such as air, space, metal, optical fiber, or some other signal propagation path—including combinations thereof. The communication links may comprise many different signals sharing the same link. The communication links could include multiple signals operating in a single “airpath” comprising beacon signals, user communications, communication sessions, overhead communications, frequencies, timeslots, transportation ports, logical transportation links, network sockets, packets, or communication directions. For example, user communication between wireless device402and access node416could share the same representative wireless link, but be transferred over different communication sessions, frequencies, timeslots, packets, ports, sockets, logical transport links, or in different directions—including combinations thereof.

Access nodes412,416,422can be any network node configured to provide communication between wireless devices402,404,406,408,410and communication network432. Access nodes412,416,422can be standard access nodes or short range, low power access nodes. In an exemplary embodiment, access node412can be a standard access node having a coverage area414. Access node416can be short range, low power access node having a coverage area of420and access node422can be a short range, low power access node having a coverage area of426. Access nodes416,422can be within at least a portion of an overlapping coverage area414of access node412where each access node416,422has a coverage area that includes a cell edge portion between the full strength coverage area418,424and the edge of the cell coverage area420,426.

A standard access node can be a macrocell access node such as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an eNodeB device, or an enhanced eNodeB device, or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a macrocell access node can have a coverage area in the range of approximately five kilometers to thirty five kilometers and an output power in the tens of watts. A short range access node can include a microcell access node, a picocell access node, a femtocell access node, or the like such as a home NodeB or a home eNodeB device. In an exemplary embodiment, a microcell access node can have a coverage area of approximately two kilometers and an output power of a few watts. In another exemplary embodiment, a picocell access node can have a coverage area of approximately a half a kilometer and an output power of less than one watt. In yet another exemplary embodiment, a femtocell access node can have a coverage area in the range of 50-200 meters and an output power in the range of 0.5 to 1 watt. Femtocell access nodes can be cellular access nodes or WiFi access nodes. In addition, a wireless device configured to enter a hotspot mode can be a femtocell access node. It is noted that while three access nodes412,416,422are illustrated inFIG. 4, any number of access nodes can be implemented within system400.

Access nodes412,416,422can comprise a processor and associated circuitry to execute or direct the execution of computer-readable instructions to obtain information. Access nodes412,416,422can retrieve and execute software from storage, which can include a disk drive, a flash drive, memory circuitry, or some other memory device, and which can be local or remotely accessible. The software comprises computer programs, firmware, or some other form of machine-readable instructions, and may include an operating system, utilities, drivers, network interfaces, applications, or some other type of software, including combinations thereof. Access nodes412,416,422can receive instructions and other input at a user interface.

Gateway428can be any network node configured to interface with other network nodes using various protocols. Gateway428can communicate user data over system400. Gateway428can be a standalone computing device, computing system, or network component, and can be accessible, for example, by a wired or wireless connection, or through an indirect connection such as through a computer network or communication network. For example, gateway428can include a serving gateway (SGW) and/or a public data network gateway (PGW), etc. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that gateway428is not limited to any specific technology architecture, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and can be used with any network architecture and/or protocol.

Controller node430can be any network node configured to communicate information and/or control information over system400. Controller node430can be configured to transmit control information associated with a handover procedure. Controller node430can be a standalone computing device, computing system, or network component, and can be accessible, for example, by a wired or wireless connection, or through an indirect connection such as through a computer network or communication network. For example, controller node430can include a mobility management entity (MME), a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), a Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) node, a rights management server (RMS), a subscriber provisioning server (SPS), a policy server, etc. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that controller node430is not limited to any specific technology architecture, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and can be used with any network architecture and/or protocol.

Access node412can be in communication with access node416through communication link434. Access node412can be in communication with access node422through communication link436. Access node422can be in communication with gateway428through communication link438. Access node412can be in communication with gateway428through communication link440. Access node416can be in communication with gateway428through communication link442. Access node422can be in communication with controller node430through communication link444. Access node412can be in communication with controller node430through communication link446. Access node416can be in communication with controller node430through communication link448. Gateway428can be in communication with controller node430through communication link450and with communication network432through communication link452. Communication links434,436,438,440,442,444,446,448,450,452can be wired or wireless and use various communication protocols such as Internet, Internet protocol (IP), local-area network (LAN), optical networking, hybrid fiber coax (HFC), telephony, T1, or some other communication format—including combinations, improvements, or variations thereof. Wireless communication links can be a radio frequency, microwave, infrared, or other similar signal, and can use a suitable communication protocol, for example, Global System for Mobile telecommunications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), or Long Term Evolution (LTE), or combinations thereof. Other wireless protocols can also be used. Links434,436,438,440,442,444,446,448,450,452can be a direct link or might include various equipment, intermediate components, systems, and networks.

In operation, a network node such as access node412and/or controller node430can determine a scheduling scheme based on data addressed to wireless devices410in communication with access node412, data addressed to wireless devices402,404in communication with access node416, and data addressed to wireless devices406,408in communication with access node422. The scheduling scheme can comprise a first subframe and a second subframe. The scheduling scheme can be communicated from access node412and/or controller node430to access nodes416,422. Each access node416,422can determine whether the data addressed to wireless devices that meet a signal condition threshold (e.g. the wireless devices within the cell edge of access nodes416,422) exceeds an allocation threshold. When the data addressed to wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold exceeds the allocation threshold, access node412can instruct the access nodes416,422to modify allocation of data addressed to at least one wireless device that meets the signal condition threshold. Alternatively, access node412can instruct the access nodes416,422to initiate a handover procedure to access node412. Then data addressed to the wireless devices in communication with access node412can be transmitted during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme where access node412does not transmit data addressed to the wireless devices410during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme. Access nodes416,422can then be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices that do not meet a signal condition threshold402,406to be transmitted during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme and to assign data addressed to wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold404,408to be transmitted during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme.

FIG. 5illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method of scheduling communication in a wireless communication network. The method will be discussed with reference to the exemplary communication system400illustrated inFIG. 4. However, the method can be implemented with any suitable communication system. In addition, althoughFIG. 5depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways.

At502, a network node can determine a scheduling scheme comprising a first subframe and a second subframe. For example, access node412or controller node430can determine the scheduling scheme. A scheduling scheme can be any scheme associated with scheduling resources for an access node to be in communication with a wireless device. A scheduling scheme can comprise a plurality of frames and each frame can comprise a plurality of subframes where the plurality of subframes comprises at least one first subframe and at least one second subframe. The number of first subframes and second subframes determined within the scheduling scheme can be based on various factors such as the amount of information to be sent in the downlink to wireless devices in communication with each access node, a load on each access node, a load on the network, and an application requirement of an application running on a wireless device in communication with an access node. The load on each access node can comprise a number of wireless devices in communication with each access node, a total amount of data addressed to all wireless devices in communication with each access node, an amount of uplink and/or downlink traffic associated with each wireless device, the total bandwidth available for scheduling communication at each access node, etc. The load on the network can comprise a total amount of traffic associated with each network node in the backhaul of system400, a throughput of each network node, a processing load at each network node, and any delay associated with each network node.

In an exemplary embodiment, the scheduling scheme can be further determined based on a signal condition of wireless devices in communication with access nodes402,404,406,408,410. For example, wireless devices in communication with access nodes416,422can experience interference from access node412if they are located in the cell edge of access nodes416,422. Therefore, a signal condition of the wireless devices402,404,406,408,410in communication with access nodes412,416,422can be determined prior to determining the scheduling scheme. The signal condition can be indicative of a signal quality and/or signal strength and be based on a signal characteristic. For example, the signal condition can be based on at least one of received signal strength indication (RSSI), a throughput value of the access node, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value, a carrier to noise ratio (CNR) value, a radio type value, energy per bit to noise power spectral density ratio, energy per symbol to noise power spectral density ratio, modulation error rate (MER), signal noise and distortion (SINAD), signal to interference (SII), signal to noise plus interference ratio (SNIR), and signal to quantization noise ratio (SQNR).

After the signal characteristic associated with each wireless device is classified as meeting the signal condition (e.g. the wireless device is located at the cell edge of the associated access node) and not meeting the signal condition (e.g. the wireless device is not located at the cell edge of the associated access node), the network node can determine the scheduling scheme. In an exemplary embodiment, when data addressed to a wireless device, such as wireless devices402,404,406,408,410, exceeds a threshold amount and the wireless device is determined to be located at the cell edge of the associated access node, the scheduling scheme associated with access node412can comprise a greater number of almost blank subframes.

The scheduling scheme can be communicated to a second and third access node at504. For example, after controller node430and/or access node412determines the scheduling scheme for access nodes412,416,422to communicate with wireless devices402,404,406,408,410, respectively, the scheduling scheme is communicated to access nodes416,422.

The second and/or third access node can compare the scheduling scheme to the amount of data addressed to the wireless devices in communication with the second and/or third access node to be allocated. When the amount of data addressed to wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold (e.g. the wireless devices are in the cell edge of the access node coverage area) exceeds the number of subframes assigned in the scheduling scheme, the second and/or third access node can send and the network node can receive an indication that data addressed to the wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold exceeds an allocation threshold at506. For example, access node416can determine that the data addressed to wireless device404exceeds the allocation threshold because the amount of data addressed to wireless device404cannot be fully allocated during the second subframes of the scheduling scheme. Access node416can determine that the allocation threshold is exceeded based on various factors. For example, access node416can further determine whether applications running on each wireless device that meet the signal condition threshold. For instance, delay sensitive applications can be given higher data allocation priority than non-delay sensitive applications. Access node416can rank each wireless device404that meets the signal condition threshold based on an amount of data addressed to each wireless device, the modulation and coding scheme associated with each wireless device, an application running on each wireless device, a signal characteristic of each wireless device, etc. Access node416can then send a message to access node412and/or controller node430comprising an indication that data addressed to all wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold exceeds the allocation threshold.

At508, the network node can instruct the second access node and/or third access node to modify data allocation or initiate a handover of at least one wireless device. For example, access node412and/or controller node430can instruct access nodes416and/or422to modify how the data addressed to wireless devices404,408that meet the signal condition threshold is allotted during the scheduling scheme or to initiate a handover of at least one wireless device404,408to access node412. In an exemplary embodiment, when an application running on a wireless device404,408that meets the signal condition threshold is a non-delay sensitive application, access node412and/or controller node430can instruct access node416and/or422to delay allocation of data addressed to wireless devices404,408until a subsequent frame. In another exemplary embodiment, when a time sensitive application is running on wireless devices404,408, access node412and/or controller node430can instruct access node416and/or422to initiate handing over any number of wireless devices to access node412until the data addressed to wireless devices404,408is reduced below the allocation threshold. Alternatively, access node412and/or controller node430can instruct access node416and/or422to initiate handing over any number of wireless devices until the amount of data addressed to wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold is reduced below the allocation threshold.

The first access node can transmit data during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme at510. For example, access node412can transmit data addressed to wireless devices410during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme and not transmit data addressed to wireless devices410during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme.

The second access node can be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices in communication with the second access node that do not meet a signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the first subframe and to assign data addressed to wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme at512. For example, access node412and/or controller node430can instruct access node416to transmit data addressed to wireless devices at the cell edge404during the second subframe (e.g. when access node412is not transmitting data to wireless devices410) and to transmit data addressed to wireless devices not at the cell edge402during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme (e.g. when access node412is transmitting data to wireless devices410).

At514, the third access node can be instructed to assign data addressed to wireless devices in communication with the third access node that do not meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the first subframe and to assign data addressed to wireless devices that meet the signal condition threshold to be transmitted during the second subframe of the scheduling scheme. For example, access node412and/or controller node430can instruct access node422to transmit data addressed to wireless devices at the cell edge during the second subframe and to transmit data addressed to wireless devices not at the cell edge during the first subframe of the scheduling scheme.

FIG. 6illustrates an exemplary processing node600in a communication system. Processing node600comprises communication interface602, user interface604, and processing system606in communication with communication interface602and user interface604. Processing node600is capable of monitoring communications in a communication network. Processing system606includes storage608, which can comprise a disk drive, flash drive, memory circuitry, or other memory device. Storage608can store software610which is used in the operation of the processing node600. Software610may include computer programs, firmware, or some other form of machine-readable instructions, including an operating system, utilities, drivers, network interfaces, applications, or some other type of software. Processing system606may include a microprocessor and other circuitry to retrieve and execute software610from storage608. Processing node600may further include other components such as a power management unit, a control interface unit, etc., which are omitted for clarity. Communication interface602permits processing node600to communicate with other network elements. User interface604permits the configuration and control of the operation of processing node600.

Examples of processing node600include access nodes114,116,118,412,416,422, controller nodes120,430, and gateway428. Processing node600can also be an adjunct or component of a network element, such as an element of access nodes114,116,118,412,416,422, controller nodes120,430, and gateway428. Processing node600can also be another network element in a communication system.