Systems and methods for directional mesh networks with joint backhaul and access link design

Abstract

A cellular communications network may be configured to leverage a millimeter wave (mmW) mesh network. Base stations may be configured to operate as mmW base stations (mBs). Such base stations may be configured to participate in the mmW mesh network and to access the cellular communications network (e.g., via cellular access links). A network device of the cellular communications network (e.g., an eNB) may operate as a control entity with respect to one or more mBs. Such a network device may govern mesh backhaul routing with respect to the cellular communications network and the mmW mesh network. Such a network device may configure the mmW mesh network, for example by performing a process to join a new mB to the mmW mesh network. A WTRU may send and receive control information via a cellular access link and may send and receive data via the mmW mesh network.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for configuring a millimeter wave (mmW) mesh network, the method comprising:
 receiving, from a candidate node configured for millimeter wave communication, a request to join the mmW mesh network;   transmitting, to the candidate node, a mesh neighbor candidate list associated with the candidate node;   testing the candidate node, in accordance with the mesh neighbor candidate list, for conformance with the mmW mesh network; and   if the testing indicates that the candidate node conforms with the mmW mesh network, joining the candidate node to the mmW mesh network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request is indicated in a message received from the candidate node via a cellular access link. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the candidate node, an mmW base station identification associated with the candidate node; and   authenticating the mmW base station identification.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein testing the candidate node comprises initiating a beam orientation procedure between the candidate node and a mesh node from the mesh neighbor candidate list. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein testing the candidate node further comprises providing information to the mesh node prior to initiating the beam orientation procedure. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein testing the candidate node further comprises determining at least one of signal levels between a mesh node and the candidate node or interference levels between the mesh node and the candidate node. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein joining the candidate node to the mmW mesh network comprises transmitting a notification indicative of the candidate node joining the mmW mesh network. 
     
     
         8 . A network device, the network device comprising:
 a processor configured to:   receive, from a candidate node configured for millimeter wave communication, a request to join the mmW mesh network;   transmit, to the candidate node, a mesh neighbor candidate list associated with the candidate node;   test the candidate node, in accordance with the mesh neighbor candidate list, for conformance with the mmW mesh network; and   if performance of the test indicates that the candidate node conforms with the mmW mesh network, join the candidate node to the mmW mesh network.   
     
     
         9 . The network device of  claim 8 , wherein the request is indicated in message received from the candidate node via a cellular access link. 
     
     
         10 . The network device of  claim 8 , the processor further configured to:
 receive, from the candidate node, an mmW base station identification associated with the candidate node; and   authenticate the mmW base station identification.   
     
     
         11 . The network device of  claim 8 , wherein the test of the candidate node comprises initiating a beam orientation procedure between the candidate node and a mesh node from the mesh neighbor candidate list. 
     
     
         12 . The network device of  claim 11 , wherein the test of the candidate node comprises providing information to the mesh node prior to initiating the beam orientation procedure. 
     
     
         13 . The network device of  claim 8 , wherein the test of the candidate node comprises determining at least one of signal levels between a mesh node and the candidate node or interference levels between the mesh node and the candidate node. 
     
     
         14 . The network device of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit a notification indicative of the candidate node joining the mmW mesh network. 
     
     
         15 . A method of routing cellular communications involving a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) configured for millimeter wave (mmW) communication, the method comprising:
 receiving, via a cellular access link, a request indicative of transmitting data via the WTRU;   performing beam acquisition with a candidate mmW base station;   obtaining channel gain information pertaining to the candidate mmW base station; and   transmitting, via the cellular access link, the channel gain information to a network device associated with the WTRU.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein performing beam acquisition comprises receiving, via the cellular access link, location information pertaining to the candidate mmW base station. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising identifying, based upon the channel gain information, a route for transmitting the data to the WTRU via mmW communication. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising comparing the channel gain information to average gain information pertaining to the candidate mmW base station. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising, if a difference between the channel gain information and the average gain information is within a predetermined threshold, transmitting the data to the WTRU via the candidate mmW base station. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising, if a difference between the channel gain information and the average gain information exceeds a predetermined threshold, transmitting the data to the WTRU via a second mmW base station that is different from the candidate mmW base station.