Flexible framework for multi-hop routing in an integrated access and backhaul network for 5g or other next generation network

Abstract

In a 5G network, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network can experience radio link failures or radio blockage conditions in mmWave frequency bands. Local IAB nodes that experience such conditions can make route changes in response to such situations to prevent packet loss or significant packet delay. Thus, in an IAB network, local IAB nodes can also utilize a routing function that monitors local conditions of IAB links to determine whether a change in route is required or not. Additionally, the local IAB nodes can receive external routing updates that can preempt a local IAB node routing function. Consequently, the IAB node can consider local routing preferences and external routing preferences prior to updating a routing table of the IAB node.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 generating, by a sub-node device of a hierarchical network, the sub-node device comprising a processor, first route data representative of a first route for packet data of the hierarchical network;   receiving, by the sub-node device from a centralized donor-node device of the hierarchical network, a control plane based message indicating whether to preempt the first route data with second route data representative of a second route for the packet data of the hierarchical network, wherein the centralized donor-node device monitors operating conditions corresponding to the sub-node device; and   in response to receiving, from the centralized donor-node device, the control plane based message indicating that the first route is to be preempted, selecting, by the sub-node device based on the second route data, the second route as a selected route.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to the second route being selected as the selected route, populating, by the sub-node device, a data structure with selected route data representing that the first route is to be preempted.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein network equipment comprises the centralized donor-node device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first route is generated in accordance with a local routing function of the sub-node device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second route is generated in accordance with a central routing function of the centralized donor-node device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to a link failure between the sub-node device of the hierarchical network and the centralized donor-node device of the hierarchical network, generating, by the sub-node device, redundant routing data that comprises the second route data.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second route data represents a routing cost metric of the second route to assist in route selection. 
     
     
         8 . A system, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
 generating, via a sub-node network equipment that is part of a hierarchical network, first route data representative of a first route for packet data via the hierarchical network; 
 receiving, via the sub-node network equipment from a centralized donor-node equipment of the hierarchical network and using a control plane, a routing update message indicating whether the first route is to be preempted by a second route for the packet data via the hierarchical network, wherein the centralized donor-node network equipment monitors operating conditions of the sub-node network equipment; and 
 in response to receiving, from the centralized donor-node network equipment, the routing update message indicating that the first route is to be preempted by the second route, selecting, via the sub-node network equipment, the second route data, resulting in selected route data representing that the second route has been selected. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 in response selecting the second route data, populating, by the sub-node network equipment, a data structure with preemptive route data representing that the first route is to be preempted.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second route data represents a routing cost metric of the second route to assist in route selection, and wherein the operations further comprise:
 based on the routing cost metric, selecting, via the sub-node network equipment, the second route data.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first route is generated in accordance with a local routing function of the sub-node network equipment. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the second route is generated in accordance with a central routing function of the centralized donor-node equipment. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 in response to a link failure between the sub-node network equipment of the hierarchical network and the centralized donor-node network equipment of the hierarchical network, generating redundant routing data that comprises the second route data.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 in response to a link failure between the sub-node network equipment of the hierarchical network and the centralized donor-node network equipment of the hierarchical network, selecting redundant routing data that comprises the first route data.   
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of sub-node network equipment, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
 generating first route data representative of a first route for packet data associated with a network;   receiving, from centralized donor-node network equipment via a control plane signal that indicates whether to preempt the first route data, second route data representative of a second route for the packet data associated with the network, wherein the centralized donor-node network equipment monitors operating conditions corresponding to the sub-node network equipment; and   in response to receiving the control plane signal from the centralized donor-node network equipment indicating that the first route is to be preempted by the second route, selecting the second route.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 in response to selecting the second route, generating a data structure comprising preemptive route data representing that the first route is to be preempted.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 routing the packet data in accordance with selected route data corresponding to the second route.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein a cost metric value is associated with pre-emption data representative of a weight to be given to the second route data. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 in response to receiving the second route data, determining a conflict between the second route data and the first route data.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 in response to a network link failure, generating redundant data representative of a copy of the first route data or the second route data.