Active WDM Equipment for 5G RAN Fronthaul Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fronthaul technology in existing systems is not suitable for 5G mobile communication scenarios, particularly due to high optical fiber consumption, weak management and maintenance capabilities, and increased costs in managing and maintaining color optical modules in Radio Access Networks (RAN).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of active Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) equipment that transmits management requests to Radio Remote Units (RRUs)/Active Antenna Units (AAUs) to obtain status information, including RRU/AAU and color optical module status, enabling joint management by wireless and transport systems, thereby improving operational and maintenance capabilities at a lower cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical fiber direct access is used to connect RRU/AAU and DU, then connection reliability is improved, but optical fiber consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fronthaul connection into multiple wavelength channels, allowing multiple RRU/AAU connections to share the same physical optical fiber infrastructure. Each RRU/AAU is assigned specific wavelength channels for uplink and downlink, reducing the need for dedicated optical fibers while maintaining connection reliability through wavelength-division multiplexing.
2Quantity of substance
If passive WDM solution is adopted to save trunk fibers, then optical fiber consumption is reduced, but management and measurement capability of color optical modules deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces active WDM equipment as an intermediary between the passive WDM infrastructure and the RRU/AAU color optical modules. This active equipment provides centralized management, monitoring, and control capabilities for the color optical modules, enabling efficient operation and maintenance while maintaining the fiber-saving benefits of passive WDM architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the active WDM equipment continuously monitors the status of color optical modules and provides real-time information to the network management system. This enables proactive management, fault detection, and performance optimization of optical modules without requiring manual intervention.
3Extent of automation
If active transmission equipment is deployed remotely at RRU/AAU, then network control capability is improved, but deployment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions into the centralized DU and active WDM equipment, eliminating the need for separate active transmission equipment at remote RRU/AAU locations. This consolidation maintains automated network control capability while significantly reducing deployment complexity and the number of equipment units required.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided in the present disclosure are a control method for a radio access network, a network device, and a system, the method comprising: sending a management request to a remote radio unit (RRU)/active antenna unit (AAU); and receiving from the RRU/ AAU side a management request response corresponding to the management request, the management request response carrying first state information and/or second state information, the first state information being used to indicate the state of the RRU/AAU, and the second state information being used to indicate the state of a color light module on the RRU/AAU.