Data rate coordination in protected variable-rate links

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0001The present invention relates generally to communication systems, and particularly to methods and systems for data rate coordination in wireless links.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002Various communication systems, such as microwave links, transfer data at variable data rates. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0075078, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method for transmitting signals via a point-to-point microwave radio link. In order to improve the efficiency on the radio link, transmitted packets are classified before transmission based on quality of service parameters assigned to each packet. The signals are modulated for transmission using a real-time adaptive modulation. The modulation is adapted based on the current traffic amount, signal quality measurements indicative of the propagation conditions on the radio link, and the classification of packets comprised in the signals.

0003Some communication systems increase the transmission reliability by using protected configurations of two or more communication links in parallel. For example, Ericsson LM (Kista, Sweden) offers a microwave link product line called MINI-LINK, which supports such protected configurations. Further details regarding this product are available in www.ericsson.com/products/hp/MINI_LINK_pa.shtml.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0004There is therefore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for communication, including:

0005sending first data over a first communication link to a destination communication system at a first data rate, which can be varied;

0006sending second data, including at least a portion of the first data, over a second communication link, from the source communication system to the destination communication system at a second data rate, which can be varied;

0007dynamically setting respective first and second data rates of the first and second communication links; and

0008at the destination communication system, selectively extracting at least the portion of the first data from one of the first and second data.

0009In some embodiments, dynamically setting the first and second data rates includes setting the data rates responsively to at least one parameter selected from a group of parameters consisting of a characteristic of the first communication link, a metric derived from the first communication link, an operating condition of the first communication link, a characteristic of the second communication link, a metric derived from the second communication link and an operating condition of the second communication link.

0010In another embodiment, the first data equals the second data, and selectively extracting at least the portion of the first data includes dynamically switching between the first and second communication links. Dynamically switching between the first and second communication links sometimes includes alternating between the first and second data without data loss.

0011In an embodiment, sending the first and second data includes framing the first data in data frames and sending first and second replicas of the data frames respectively over the first and second communication links, and dynamically switching between the first and second communication links includes extracting each of the data frames from one of the first and second replicas. Framing the first data in the data frames may include encoding the first data using a forward error correction (FEC) code to produce FEC blocks, and framing each of the FEC blocks in one of the respective data frames.

0012In yet another embodiment, the first and second communication links include point-to-point links operating in one of a microwave and a millimeter wave frequency band.

0013In still another embodiment, selectively extracting at least the portion of the first data includes calculating reception quality metrics of the first and second communication links and extracting at least the portion of the first data from one of the first and second data responsively to the reception quality metrics. Selectively extracting at least the portion of the first data may include extracting at least the portion of the first data from the first data as long as the reception quality metric of the first communication link does not exceed a predetermined threshold.

0014In some embodiments, the reception quality metrics include at least one metric selected from a group of metrics consisting of bit error rates (BER), frame error rates (FER), signal to noise ratios (SNR), mean square errors (MSE), forward error correction (FEC) code indications and metrics derived from equalizer coefficients.

0015In another embodiment, sending the first and second data includes encoding the first and second data using respective first and second forward error correction (FEC) codes and modulating the encoded first and second data using respective first and second signal constellations, and dynamically setting the first and second data rates includes jointly selecting the first and second FEC codes and the first and second signal constellations.

0016Dynamically setting the first and second data rates sometimes includes calculating a first data rate value for the first communication link irrespective of the second communication link, calculating a second data rate value for the second communication link irrespective of the first communication link, and setting the first and second data rates responsively to the first and second values.

0017In some embodiments, calculating the first and second data rate values includes determining the data rate values responsively to respective first and second reception quality metrics of the first and second communication links and to a target quality of service defined for the first and second communication links. Additionally or alternatively, calculating the first and second data rate values may include determining the data rate values responsively to a service type carried by the first and second data.

0018In an embodiment, dynamically setting the first and second data rates includes setting the first and second data rates to a minimum of the first and second data rate values. In an alternative embodiment, dynamically setting the first and second data rates includes setting the first and second data rates to a maximum of the first and second data rate values. Further alternatively, dynamically setting the first and second data rates includes setting the first and second data rates to an intermediate data rate between the first and second data rate values.

0019In another embodiment, the first data rate is higher than the second data rate, and sending the first and second data includes sending only the portion of the first data over the second communication link in order to protect the portion of the first data.

0020In yet another embodiment, when channel conditions of the first communication link deteriorate, dynamically setting the first and second data rates includes:

0021reducing the first data rate while extracting at least the portion of the first data from the first data;

0022when the first data rate reaches the second data rate, synchronizing the first and second data; and

0023when the channel conditions of the first communication link further deteriorate, beginning to extract at least the portion of the first data from the second data without data loss.

0024In still another embodiment, dynamically setting the first and second data rates includes synchronizing modifications of the first and second data rates between the first and second communication links and between the source and destination communication systems.

0025In some embodiments, the first communication link is part of a plurality of communication links connecting the source and destination communication systems, the second communication link includes a backup link for protecting one of the plurality of the communication links, and the method includes assigning the second communication link to protect the first communication link.

0026In another embodiment, the method includes monitoring respective channel conditions of the plurality of the communication links, and selecting a link having worst channel conditions among the plurality to serve as the first communication link and to be protected by the second communication link. In yet another embodiment, the backup link is part of two or more backup links for protecting respective two or more of the plurality of the communication links.

0027In some embodiments, dynamically setting the first and second data rates includes modifying the first and second data rates in coordination.

0028There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a communication apparatus, including:

0029a source communication system, which is arranged to transmit first data over a first communication link at a first data rate, which can be varied, and to transmit second data, including at least a portion of the first data, over a second communication link at a second data rate, which can be varied; and

0030a destination communication system, which is arranged to receive the first and second data and to selectively extract at least the portion of the first data from one of the first and second data,

0031wherein one of the source and destination communication systems includes a controller, which is arranged to dynamically set the first and second data rates in the first and second communication links.

0032The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a protected communication link, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

0034<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method for data rate coordination in a protected communication link, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Overview

0035Communication links, such as point-to-point microwave links, are sometimes deployed in protected configurations in which data is transmitted in parallel over a primary link and a secondary link. The receiving side selects the data of one of the links, typically based on reception quality metrics provided by the links.

0036When the primary and secondary links use variable data rates, such as when the two links use adaptive coding and modulation (ACM), the data rates of the links should be coordinated. Additionally, data rate variations should be synchronized among the different elements of the protected link.

0037Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for coordinating and synchronizing the data rates in protected communication links. The methods described herein can be used in dual-link configurations, as well as in configurations comprising a higher number of links.

0038The methods and systems described herein enable protected links to optimize their data throughput under varying channel conditions. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide different trade-offs between the level of protection and the achievable data throughput.

System Description

0039<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a protected communication link <b>20</b>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present example, link <b>20</b> comprises a point-to-point microwave link. In order to protect the data transmitted over the link, link <b>20</b> transfers the data in parallel over two communication links, referred to as a primary link and a secondary link.

0040Link <b>20</b> comprises a dual transmitter <b>24</b>, which transmits the data to a dual receiver <b>28</b>. Data entering the dual transmitter is formatted and encapsulated by a framer <b>36</b>. The formatted data is provided in parallel to a primary transmitter <b>40</b> and a secondary transmitter <b>44</b>. Each transmitter comprises a variable-rate transmit modem <b>45</b>, which modulates the data and applies forward error correction (FEC). The modulated signal is filtered, up-converted to a suitable radio frequency (RF) frequency and amplified by a transmitter front end (TX FE) <b>46</b>. The primary and secondary transmitters transmit the RF signals via transmit antennas <b>48</b> and <b>52</b>, respectively.

0041The signals transmitted by the primary and secondary transmitters respectively traverse primary and secondary wireless communication channels. The two channels differ from one another in frequency, polarization and/or antenna position. Since the two channels typically have different characteristics and conditions, poor channel conditions that may cause transmission errors are unlikely to be correlated between the channels. Thus, the two channels provide a certain amount of communication diversity and protection.

0042The signals transmitted over the primary and secondary channels are respectively received by receive antennas <b>56</b> and <b>60</b> and provided to a primary receiver <b>64</b> and a secondary receiver <b>68</b> in dual receiver <b>28</b>. Receivers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> process the received signals to extract the data.

0043Each receiver comprises a receiver front end (RX FE) <b>69</b>, which down-converts and digitizes the received RF signal. The RX FE may also perform functions such as filtering, equalization, gain control and/or carrier recovery. The digital signal produced by the RX FE is provided to a variable-rate receive modem <b>70</b>, which demodulates the signal and decodes the FEC code. Each of receivers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> provides the extracted data to a multiplexer (MUX) <b>72</b>, typically comprising a switch matrix.

0044MUX <b>72</b> selects whether to use the data provided by the primary or the secondary receiver, typically based on the reception quality measured by each receive modem <b>70</b>. The data is then de-formatted or de-capsulated by a de-framer <b>76</b> and provided as output.

0045MUX <b>72</b> can apply different policies and criteria in choosing between the primary and secondary receivers. In some embodiments, the data transmitted over the primary and secondary links is partitioned by framer <b>36</b> into frames, and the receiver of each link calculates a reception quality metric for each received frame.

0046For example, the data in each frame may be encoded with a block FEC code, such as a low-density parity check (LDPC) code. The FEC decoder in the receive modem of each link produces a metric indicating whether the frame was decoded correctly, or whether the decoded frame has remaining uncorrected bit errors. Alternatively, the reception quality metric may comprise any other suitable metric, such as bit error rate (BER), frame error rate (FER), signal to noise ratio (SNR) and/or mean square error (MSE) estimates of the received frame.

0047Further alternatively, in some embodiments, each of the primary and secondary receivers comprises an adaptive equalizer, which compensates for the channel response of the respective communication link. Each equalizer comprises a digital filter, whose coefficient values can be adapted. In these embodiments, one or more of the equalizer coefficient values in each of the two receivers can also be used as reception quality metrics.

0048MUX <b>72</b> examines the two reception quality metrics produced by the primary and secondary receivers for a particular frame, and determines which of the two decoded frame to forward to de-framer <b>76</b>. MUX <b>72</b> may choose between the primary and secondary links on a frame-by-frame basis, selecting the frame having the highest reception quality. In an alternative embodiment, a minimum threshold is defined for the metric. The MUX selects the frames of the primary link, as long as their metric values are higher than the threshold. When the metric values of the frames of the primary link drop below the threshold, the MUX selects the frames of the secondary link, provided their metrics have higher values.

0049Note that the definition of the two links as primary and secondary may be arbitrary and may change with time. For example, at any given time, the link whose frames are currently selected by MUX <b>72</b> can be defined as being the primary link, and the other link defined as the secondary link. When MUX <b>72</b> begins to select the frames of the other link, the link roles may be reversed.

0050Both the primary and secondary links transfer data at a variable data rate. Varying the data rate of a particular link enables the link to adapt to changing channel conditions and other operating conditions, such as weather-related changes in the channel attenuation, fading and interference. When channel conditions are good, the data rate can be increased, thus increasing the link throughput without compromising quality. When channel conditions deteriorate, the service quality can be maintained by reducing the data rate.

0051As noted above, the transmit and receive modems in both the primary and the secondary links comprise variable-rate modems. In some embodiments, the links vary their data rates using adaptive coding and modulation (ACM). In ACM, the code rate of the FEC code and the signal constellation used by the modem are jointly selected to provide the desired data rate and/or quality of service. Typically, multiple combinations of code rate and signal constellation are predefined. Each combination of code rate and signal constellation is referred to as an ACM setting. A suitable ACM setting is selected and used at any given time, often based on reception quality measurements performed by the receiver.

0052In some embodiments, the signal constellations of different ACM settings have different numbers of symbols, i.e., a different number of bits per symbol. For example, a set of four ACM settings may use four-symbol quaternary phase shift keying (QPSK), sixteen-symbol quadrature-amplitude modulation (16-QAM), 64-QAM and 256-QAM constellations. These four constellations modulate two, four, six and eight bits per symbol, respectively. The baud rate (and hence the RF bandwidth) of the transmitted signal is usually the same for all ACM settings, so as to fully utilize the bandwidth allocated to the link. Each ACM setting uses a particular FEC code. The code rates used in the different ACM settings are typically in the range of 0.5-1, although lower code rates can also be used.

Data Rate Coordination

0053As noted above, embodiments of the present invention are mainly concerned with coordinating the data rates of the primary and secondary links. When the two links transmit the same data, their data rates should be coordinated, even though their channel conditions may differ. Link <b>20</b> comprises a system controller <b>80</b>, which examines the reception quality in the primary and secondary links and jointly determines the ACM settings to be used by the links.

0054Controller <b>80</b> may determine the ACM settings of the two links based on the estimated channel conditions measured by the primary and secondary receivers. The receivers can use any suitable method or metric for estimating the channel conditions. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0075078, cited above, describes signal quality measurements that can be used for this purpose. Additionally or alternatively, controller <b>80</b> may determine the ACM setting using any other suitable policy or criterion and based on any suitable operating conditions of the primary and secondary links, such as based on the service type (e.g., voice, video) carried by the data and/or the desired quality of service.

0055In some embodiments, controller <b>80</b> enforces a single ACM setting in both the primary and the secondary links. As a result, MUX <b>72</b> accepts two parallel streams of frames from the two links, and may select the appropriate frames, as described above. The protection provided in these embodiments is hitless, since no bits are lost when switching between the primary and the secondary links.

0056On the other hand, since both links are constrained to have the same ACM setting, in some cases one of the links may operate sub-optimally. For example, under a certain policy, the system controller sets both links to an ACM setting derived from the link whose channel conditions are the worst, so that both links produce frames having acceptable performance. In this case, the link having the better channel conditions may potentially provide higher throughput, but is forced to remain at a lower data rate in order to provide hitless protection to the worse link. In this case, potential throughput is compromised for the sake of protection.

0057Under a different policy, the system controller may set both links to an ACM setting derived from the link having the best channel conditions. In this case, the link throughput is increased, but the level of protection is typically degraded. While some frames received over the link having the worse channel condition may be decoded correctly, other frames may have unacceptable performance and will not be able to provide protection. In other words, some protection capability is traded for throughput. Under yet another policy, the system controller may choose to set the two links to an intermediate ACM setting, or to any other suitable ACM setting.

0058In alternative embodiments, controller <b>80</b> may set different ACM settings on the primary and the secondary links. In these embodiments, each of the primary and secondary links is assigned an ACM setting in accordance with its channel conditions. Thus, the data rates of the two channels may differ from one another. MUX <b>72</b> continuously selects the frames of the higher data rate link, and disregards the lower data rate frames of the other link.

0059When the channel conditions of the higher data rate link deteriorate beyond those of the other link, the controller may choose to switch, using MUX <b>72</b>, to the frames received by the lower rate link. This switching operation may be hitless or involve some data loss, depending on the specific implementation.

0060For example, in some embodiments, part of the data transmitted over the primary link is classified as sensitive data that requires protection. While all data is transmitted over the primary link, only the sensitive data is transmitted over the secondary link. Thus, the primary link operates at a higher data rate than the secondary link. As long as channel conditions in the primary link are acceptable, the system controller selects to extract the data from the primary link. When the primary link's conditions deteriorate, the controller may switch to the secondary link. In this configuration, only the sensitive data, i.e., the data common to the two links, is protected.

0061Since in the configuration described above the primary and secondary links use different ACM settings, switching from the primary to the secondary link usually involves some data loss. In some embodiments, however, link <b>20</b> can provide hitless protection to the sensitive data. For example, when the primary link conditions deteriorate, controller <b>80</b> may gradually change the ACM setting of the primary link to ACM settings having lower data rates, until both the primary and secondary links use the same ACM setting. At this stage, the controller synchronizes the two links, i.e., causes them to transmit the same data in parallel, time-synchronized frames. If the primary link continues to deteriorate, the controller can perform a hitless switch to the secondary link.

0062In embodiments in which the primary and secondary links use different ACM settings, protection capability is typically traded for throughput. In order to support these configurations, transmitter <b>24</b> generally comprises two separate framers <b>36</b> that serve the primary and secondary links

0063The policies carried out by the system controller may change over time. For example, different ACM settings may imply different policies. Additionally or alternatively, the policy may change over time based on, for example, user input.

0064When implementing any of the policies described above, the system controller may accept raw channel condition estimates from the primary and secondary receivers and determine the desired ACM settings. Alternatively, each of the two receivers may determine a requested, or target, ACM setting for its link and send the request to the controller.

0065The change of ACM setting is typically performed synchronously in the different elements of link <b>20</b>. In embodiments in which a single ACM setting is assigned to both the primary and the secondary links, controller <b>80</b> notifies framer <b>36</b> of the new ACM setting to be used. Framer <b>36</b> inserts ACM setting indications into the formatted frames. Transmit modems <b>45</b>, receive modems <b>70</b>, MUX <b>72</b> and de-framer <b>76</b> extract the ACM setting indications from the frames and change their settings accordingly. As a result, synchronization between the primary and secondary links is maintained.

0066In embodiments in which different ACM settings may be assigned to the primary and secondary links, transmitter <b>24</b> comprises two separate framers <b>36</b> serving the two links. In these embodiments, the system controller notifies each framer of the ACM setting assigned to its respective link. Each framer inserts the appropriate ACM setting indications into the frames it produces. The transmit and receive modems of each link extract the ACM setting indications and synchronize accordingly. MUX <b>72</b> and de-framer <b>76</b> synchronize with the currently-selected link.

0067Typically, link <b>20</b> comprises a reverse communication channel <b>82</b>, which enables management data to be transmitted from receiver <b>28</b> to transmitter <b>24</b>. Controller <b>80</b> may be physically located either in transmitter <b>24</b> or in receiver <b>28</b>. When the system controller is located in the receiver, the reverse channel is used for notifying the new ACM setting to framer <b>36</b>. When the system controller is located in the transmitter, the reverse channel is used to transmit the channel condition estimates or the requested ACM settings from the primary and secondary receivers to the system controller. When link <b>20</b> is part of a bidirectional link, the reverse channel can be implemented by inserting the management data into the traffic of the opposite direction link.

0068Typically, the system controller comprises a general-purpose processor, which is programmed in software to carry out the functions described herein. The software may be downloaded to the processor in electronic form, either locally or over a network.

0069The link configuration of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an exemplary configuration, chosen purely for the sake of conceptual clarity, and other suitable configurations can also be used. For example, a single transmit antenna can serve both the primary and secondary links instead of antennas <b>48</b> and <b>52</b>. Similarly, dual receiver <b>28</b> can use a single receive antenna. If both links share the same transmit and receive antennas, diversity between the links should be achieved using other means, such as using different frequencies or polarizations for the two links.

0070Although <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> focuses on a single transmission direction, link <b>20</b> may comprise a bidirectional communication link between two communication systems. Each system comprises a dual transmitter and a dual receiver. In these embodiments, some system elements may be common to both the receiver and transmitter. For example, the transmit and receive modems of a particular system can be implemented as a single, variable-rate modem. Although some hardware may be common to both link directions, each direction functions as an independent communication link.

0071<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method for data rate coordination in communication link <b>20</b>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method begins with primary receiver <b>64</b> and secondary receiver <b>68</b> evaluating their respective channel conditions, at a channel evaluation step <b>90</b>. System controller <b>80</b> determines the desired ACM settings in the two links, based on the evaluated channel conditions, at a desired setting calculation step <b>92</b>. Alternatively, each of receivers <b>64</b> and <b>68</b> determines the desired ACM setting of its link and reports the requested ACM setting to the system controller.

0072System controller <b>80</b> examines the channel conditions (or the ACM setting requests) of the primary and determines whether or not to change the ACM settings, at a change evaluation step <b>94</b>. The controller evaluates a change condition, which is typically pre-configured according to operator policy. Several possible policies were described hereinabove, and the controller may alternatively use any other suitable condition.

0073If the controller determines that no change in ACM setting is necessary, the method loops back to step <b>90</b> above. Otherwise, the controller initiates a change of ACM settings, at a setting update step <b>96</b>. As described above, the controller may set the same ACM setting or different settings in the primary and secondary links.

0074The system controller may use any suitable method for coordinating and synchronizing the change in ACM setting among the transmitters and receivers of the primary and secondary links. For example, in some embodiments each data frame comprises an ACM field, which indicates the ACM setting used in the next frame. Alternatively, the ACM field may indicate the ACM setting of the current frame or of a frame having any other offset with respect to the current frame. The system controller, using framer <b>36</b>, inserts the desired ACM setting indication into the ACM setting fields of the data frames. When the data frames traverse the primary and secondary links, the transmitters and receivers extract the contents of the ACM setting fields and configure their ACM settings accordingly.

Protection of Multiple Links

0075In some embodiments, link <b>20</b> may comprise N primary links, N>1. The primary links typically transfer different data streams and may use different ACM settings. An additional link is defined as a secondary link and is assigned to provide protection to any one of the primary links. A system controller common to all N+1 links typically monitors the channel conditions of the links, and implements the desired protection policy. Any suitable policy can be used for determining which of the N primary links is to be protected by the secondary link. These configurations are referred to as 1:N protection.

0076For example, the system controller may identify the primary link having the worst channel conditions, i.e., the link most likely to require protection. The controller then assigns the secondary link to protect the identified primary link. For example, in some embodiments the secondary link begins to transmit the same data as the primary link it protects, using parallel time-synchronized frames. The data is then extracted on a frame-by-frame basis from either the primary link or the secondary link. Alternatively, the secondary link can protect the selected primary link using any of the methods and configurations described above. The system controller continues to monitor the channel conditions of the N primary links, and may occasionally select a different primary link to be protected by the secondary link.

0077Alternatively, M:N protection, in which M secondary links protect N primary links, can similarly be implemented. In both 1:N and M:N configurations, the system controller can carry out any suitable policy for changing the ACM settings of the various links, determining which primary link(s) should be protected, and switching to the secondary link(s) when necessary.

0078Although the embodiments described herein mainly address configurations in which the primary and secondary links have separate transmitters and receivers that are continuously active, the principles of the present invention can also be used in other configurations. For example, the primary and/or secondary links may operate during only part of the time. Additionally or alternatively, some of the transmitter and/or receiver hardware may be shared between the primary and secondary links.

0079It will thus be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not disclosed in the prior art.