Autonomous Port Role Assignment in Base Station Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio base station network initialization processes are time-consuming and prone to failures due to the need for preconfigured topology maps and centralized control, which can lead to network mismatches and downtime during reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
Radio equipment with dynamically configurable ports that can autonomously determine and switch between master and slave roles based on detected communication, eliminating the need for preconfigured topology maps and enabling self-configuration and hot swapping without direct remote access to the radio equipment controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If centralized control with preconfigured topology maps is used for network initialization, then network configuration can be controlled centrally, but configuration time increases and network downtime occurs during reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements autonomous port role assignment where radio equipment ports automatically determine their own master or slave roles through detection and negotiation protocols, eliminating the need for centralized configuration commands. Each port independently services itself by listening for communication patterns and autonomously switching roles based on detected network conditions, thereby reducing configuration time and eliminating downtime during reconfiguration events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic port role assignment where ports can switch between master and slave roles during operation based on detected communication patterns. This dynamic adaptation allows the network to reconfigure automatically without centralized intervention, reducing the time loss associated with static preconfigured topology maps that require centralized updates during changes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If preconfigured topology maps are used for network initialization, then network structure can be predefined, but network mismatches occur and reconfiguration requires downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where ports continuously monitor communication patterns on the network and use this information to autonomously determine and switch their master or slave roles. This real-time feedback loop ensures that the network structure dynamically adapts to actual connection states, eliminating mismatches between preconfigured topology maps and actual network conditions while maintaining stability through continuous self-correction.
Solution Approach 2:
Each port independently monitors network communication and autonomously determines its role without requiring centralized verification or reconfiguration. This self-service approach ensures that the actual network structure always matches the operational topology, eliminating mismatches and avoiding downtime during structure changes.
3Ease of operation
If centralized control commands are used for port role assignment, then configuration can be managed centrally, but configuration complexity and operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates centralized port role assignment commands by enabling each port to autonomously determine its own role through detection of communication patterns. This self-service mechanism drastically reduces configuration complexity and operational expenses by removing the need for centralized management of port roles, while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adaptation to network conditions.
4Ease of manufacture
If ports are configured as master or slave based on preconfiguration, then role assignment can be predetermined, but adaptability to network changes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic port role assignment where ports can switch between master and slave roles during operation based on detected communication patterns. This dynamic capability maintains the simplicity of initial configuration (ease of manufacture) while dramatically improving adaptability to network changes, as ports automatically adjust their roles to match actual network topology and operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of ports by allowing them to switch their master/slave role designation based on detected network conditions. This parameter change enables the system to maintain simple initial configuration while achieving high adaptability, as the port roles are not fixed but can be dynamically adjusted through autonomous detection and negotiation.
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to a method for configuring ports of radio equipments connected to an internal network of a base station of a mobile communications network. The application also relates to the corresponding radio equipment and the corresponding radio equipment controller The method comprises: activating at least one port of the radio equipment to become an activated port, changing the activated at least one port to a non-connected slave state in which the activated at least one port listens to a communication on a link of the internal network for a time period, upon detection of the communication on the link changing the activated at least one port to a connected slave state, or upon expiry of the time period changing the activated at least one port to a non-connected master state in which the activated at least one port actively sends data into the link of the internal network.