Programmable system architecture for routing data packets in virtual base stations

Abstract

In an example embodiment, a distributed platform includes at least one node for performing baseband processing of signals, the at least one node including a memory and a processor. The memory has computer readable instructions stored therein. The processor is configured to execute computer readable instructions to enable independent operation of a plurality of radio protocol stacks and a plurality of backhaul protocol stacks for performing baseband processing functions of a plurality of base stations , each of the plurality of base stations is configured to serve one or more user equipments. The processor is further configured to manage data packet flow between the plurality of radio protocol stacks and the plurality of backhaul protocol stacks.

Description

Background technique [0001] In Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, base stations (eg, e-NodeBs) are implemented based on proprietary purpose-built hardware, which prevents such networks from adapting to rapidly changing network conditions, demands, services, etc. More recently, as part of the trend towards network function virtualization of the radio access network (RAN) (in order to address the above-mentioned disadvantages), the baseband unit (BBU) of such an e-NodeB is virtualized and implemented on a cloud environment (as a virtualized One of the use cases for network functions (VNFs), running on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) servers). In this trend, flexibility and control are important to take full advantage of a given cloud environment. [0002] However, vBBUs according to the prior art maintain tightly coupled radio and backhaul protocol stacks, which makes it difficult to provide a truly flexible and controllable path between the radio and backhaul (or, edge cloud)...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] Although currently available above schemes offer better flexibility compared to hardware-specific, purpose-built e-NodeBs, embedding the backhaul protocol stack inside the vBBU prevents flexible mapping between radio and backhaul resources, and Prevents backhaul resources from being truly scaled independently of radio stacks (i.e., the number of backhaul stacks scales with the number of vBBUs)

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