Methods, systems and computer programs for improving data throughput via backhaul sharing

Abstract

Improvement of data throughput via backhaul sharing is accomplished by accessing a cell site servicing data transmission at a first data rate and a connected backhaul network having a backhaul data rate. A determination of whether the first data rate exceeds the backhaul data rate is made and an excess data rate is determined. When the first data rate exceeds the backhaul data rate a neighboring cell site having a second backhaul networks is accessed. A determination is made of how much additional capacity the second backhaul network can handle. When the neighboring cell site can handle the excess data rate backhaul sharing using beamforming is initiated.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 requesting, by a processing system including a processor, backhaul sharing when a first backhaul data rate available to a first cell site via a first backhaul network is determined to be insufficient, wherein the requesting comprises a first communication over an X2 interface;   receiving, by the processing system, a notification that a second cell site is available to share a second backhaul connection with the first cell site, wherein the notification comprises a second communication over the X2 interface; and   initiating, by the processing system, backhaul sharing using beamforming between the first cell site and the second cell site.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving the notification that the second cell site is available to share the second backhaul connection comprises receiving an indication of a first amount of additional capacity the second backhaul connection can handle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining, by the processing system, a first amount of additional capacity the second backhaul connection can handle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the determining the first amount of additional capacity the second backhaul connection can handle is based on beamforming conditions between the first cell site and the second cell site. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 determining, by the processing system, that the second backhaul connection no longer has the first amount of additional capacity; and   requesting, by the processing system, further backhaul sharing from a third cell site.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the processing system, a second notification that the third cell site is available to share a third backhaul connection with the first cell site; and   initiating, by the processing system, backhaul sharing using beamforming between the first cell site and the third cell site.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initiating backhaul sharing using beamforming between the first cell site and the second cell site comprises using pre-determined beam parameters set up at time of site commissioning. 
     
     
         8 . A device comprising:
 a first antenna array capable of transmitting beam forming transmissions;   a processing system including a processor, the processing system coupled to the first antenna array; and   a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:   requesting backhaul sharing when a first backhaul data rate available to the device via a first backhaul network is determined to be insufficient, wherein the requesting comprises a first communication over an X2 interface;   receiving, by the processing system, a notification that a first neighboring cell site is available to share a second backhaul connection with the device, wherein the notification comprises a second communication over the X2 interface; and   initiating, by the processing system, backhaul sharing using beamforming between the device and the first neighboring cell site.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the receiving the notification that the first neighboring cell site is available to share the second backhaul connection comprises receiving an indication of a first amount of additional capacity the second backhaul connection can handle. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise determining, by the processing system, a first amount of additional capacity the second backhaul connection can handle. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the determining the first amount of additional capacity the second backhaul connection can handle is based on beamforming conditions between the device and the first neighboring cell site. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 determining, by the processing system, that the second backhaul connection no longer has the first amount of additional capacity; and   requesting, by the processing system, further backhaul sharing from a second neighboring cell site.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving, by the processing system, a second notification that the second neighboring cell site is available to share a third backhaul connection with the device; and   initiating, by the processing system, backhaul sharing using beamforming between the device and the second neighboring cell site.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the initiating backhaul sharing using beamforming between the device and the first neighboring cell site comprises using pre-determined beam parameters set up at time of site commissioning. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
 determining a first data rate for a first cell site to provide communications to a user equipment (UE);   determining a first backhaul data rate available to the first cell site;   determining that the first data rate exceeds the first backhaul data rate;   responsive to the determining that the first data rate exceeds the first backhaul data rate, requesting backhaul sharing, wherein the requesting comprises a first communication over an X2 interface;   receiving a notification that a second cell site is available to share a second backhaul connection with the first cell site, wherein the notification comprises a second communication over the X2 interface; and   initiating backhaul sharing using beamforming between the first cell site and the second cell site.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the receiving the notification that the second cell site is available to share the second backhaul connection comprises receiving an indication of a first amount of additional capacity the second backhaul connection can handle. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 15 , further comprising determining a first amount of additional capacity the second backhaul connection can handle. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the determining the first amount of additional capacity the second backhaul connection can handle is based on beamforming conditions between the first cell site and the second cell site. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 determining, by the processing system, that the second backhaul connection no longer has the first amount of additional capacity; and   requesting, by the processing system, further backhaul sharing from a third cell site.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the initiating backhaul sharing using beamforming between the first cell site and the second cell site comprises using pre-determined beam parameters set up at time of site commissioning.