Evolutionary algorithms for geographic load balancing using a distributed antenna system

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are presented for balancing non-uniformly distributed network traffic in a wireless communications system having a plurality of digital remote units (DRUs). In some embodiments, a method comprises partitioning the plurality of DRUs into a plurality of DRU sectors, and dynamically repartitioning the plurality of DRU sectors depending on traffic conditions in at least one of the DRU sectors, such that the repartitioning satisfies at least one of a soft capacity constraint or a hard capacity constraint. The dynamic repartitioning may be based on at least one optimization algorithm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 providing a digital access unit (DAU) associated with a plurality of sectors of a base station, wherein the DAU is operable to receive signals from the base station;   providing a plurality of digital remote units (DRUs) associated with the DAU, wherein the DAU assigns a plurality of radio resources associated with the plurality of sectors to the plurality of DRUs based on a measure of network traffic;   partitioning the plurality of DRUs into a plurality of DRU groupings, wherein partitioning balances non-uniformly distributed network traffic;   measuring at least one metric associated with the plurality of DRU groupings;   comparing the at least one metric to at least one threshold; and   iterating the partitioning, measuring and comparing steps.