Method And Apparatus For Improved Load Balancing
Various methods and devices are provided to address the need for improved network load balancing. In a first method, a suitability for providing forward link service to a mobile device is determined for each wireless resource of a plurality of wireless resources. Each suitability determination is based on a pilot strength associated with that wireless resource and a loading metric associated with that wireless resource. Also, the weighting of the pilot strength relative to the loading metric in the determination is diminished as a loading level of that wireless resource increases. A wireless resource of the plurality of wireless resources is selected to provide forward link service to the mobile device based on the suitability determinations.
1 . A method for improved load balancing, the method comprising:
determining, for each wireless resource of a plurality of wireless resources, a suitability for providing forward link service to a mobile device,
wherein each suitability determination is based on a pilot strength associated with that wireless resource and a loading metric associated with that wireless resource, and
wherein the weighting of the pilot strength relative to the loading metric in the determination is diminished as a loading level of that wireless resource increases;
selecting, based on the suitability determinations, a wireless resource of the plurality of wireless resources to provide forward link service to the mobile device.
2 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein each wireless resource of the plurality of wireless resources comprises at least one wireless resource from the group of a carrier, a sector and a cell.
3 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wireless resources comprises wireless resources associated with active set members of the mobile device.
4 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wireless resources comprises wireless resources for which pilot strength measurements have been received from the mobile device.
5 . The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising
indicating the selected wireless resource to the mobile device.
6 . The method as recited in claim 5 , wherein indicating the selected wireless resource to the mobile device comprises
indicating the selected wireless resource via traffic channel assignment messaging.
7 . A network node comprising:
a network interface for communication with other network devices;
a wireless transceiver; and
a processing unit, communicatively coupled to the network interface and the wireless transceiver, configured
to determine, for each wireless resource of a plurality of wireless resources, a suitability for providing forward link service to a mobile device, wherein each suitability determination is based on a pilot strength associated with that wireless resource and a loading metric associated with that wireless resource, wherein the weighting of the pilot strength relative to the loading metric in the determination is diminished as a loading level of that wireless resource increases, and
to select, based on the suitability determinations, a wireless resource of the plurality of wireless resources to provide forward link service to the mobile device.
8 . The network node as recited in claim 7 , wherein each wireless resource of the plurality of wireless resources comprises at least one wireless resource from the group of a carrier, a sector and a cell.
9 . The network node as recited in claim 7 , wherein the plurality of wireless resources comprises wireless resources associated with active set members of the mobile device.
10 . The network node as recited in claim 7 , wherein the plurality of wireless resources comprises wireless resources for which pilot strength measurements have been received from the mobile device.
11 . The network node as recited in claim 7 , wherein the processing unit is further configured
to indicate the selected wireless resource to the mobile device via the wireless transceiver.
12 . The network node as recited in claim 11 , wherein being configured to indicate the selected wireless resource to the mobile device comprises
being configured to indicate the selected wireless resource via traffic channel assignment messaging.