LOAD MEASUREMENT AND LOAD BALANCING FOR PACKET PROCESSING IN A LONG TERM EVOLUTION EVOLVED NODE B

A controller that processes signals in a baseband frequency band is described. The controller includes a plurality of processing engines (PEs). The controller also includes a distributor/load balancer that includes at least one processor or processing core. The at least one processor or processing core is configured to (1) enter a first mode in which each new UE session is assigned to a PE that is currently processing a fewest number of UE sessions; (2) determine whether a processing load differential between a least loaded PE and a highest loaded PE exceed a first threshold for at least a time threshold; and (3) in response to the processing load differential between the least loaded PE and the highest loaded PE exceeding the first threshold for at least the time threshold, enter a second mode in which each new UE session is assigned to the least loaded PE.