Adaptive vCU Placement for Changing vRAN Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The placement of virtualized central units (vCUs) in radio access networks (RANs) is static and does not adapt to changing conditions, leading to suboptimal configurations that can impact quality of service and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implement adaptive and dynamic placement of vCUs based on network changes and service demands, utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence to adjust parameters such as location, load distribution, and resource allocation, allowing for real-time reconfiguration of vRANs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If vCU placement is made static based on initial system design, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to changing network conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to changing network conditionsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic vCU placement by enabling the vCU to be relocated between different locations (e.g., between a first location associated with a first vDU and a second location associated with a second vDU) based on changing network conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to varying service demands and network states, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple static placement and achieving adaptability to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If vCU placement is made static based on initial system design, then ease of operation is improved, but quality of service deteriorates under changing conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of serviceVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system monitors network conditions and service demands, then uses this information to determine optimal vCU placement. The vCU is relocated based on feedback about changing network states, ensuring quality of service is maintained while avoiding the need for manual reconfiguration, thus preserving operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If adaptive vCU placement is implemented based on changing conditions, then adaptability and quality of service are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of serviceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically monitor its own state, evaluate placement options, and relocate the vCU without external intervention. This self-managing capability allows the system to maintain high quality of service through adaptive placement while minimizing the operational complexity burden on users or administrators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12563409B2Apparatuses and methods for facilitating an adaptive central unit placement/deployment solution for radio access networks

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, allocating a first virtualized distributed unit (vDU) to a first virtualized central unit (vCU) and a second vDU to a second vCU as part of a first configuration of a virtualized radio access network (vRAN), detecting a change in a condition in the vRAN subsequent to the allocating, and based on the detecting, reallocating the second vDU to the first vCU as part of a second configuration of the vRAN. Other embodiments are disclosed.