Base Station Auto-Configuration via Hardware Logical Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The configuration process of base stations, especially in densely deployed 5G networks, is labor-intensive and time-consuming due to the need for manual link and attribute configuration, which can lead to mismatches between stored configuration information and actual hardware connections, causing operational issues.

Innovation Solution

An auto-configuration method and apparatus that determines the actual connection status of hardware nodes by comparing inventory and prestored configuration information, updating the configuration accordingly, and establishing logical mapping between hardware and logical resources, allowing for automated configuration of base stations without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual configuration is used for base station link and attribute configuration, then configuration accuracy can be ensured, but configuration duration becomes very long and workload is very large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs self-configuration by automatically detecting hardware nodes, obtaining their configuration information, and completing link configuration without manual intervention. The control node sends detection requests to hardware nodes, collects responses, and automatically generates configuration parameters, enabling the system to configure itself autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Configuration information is pre-stored in each hardware node during manufacturing or initial setup. When the base station needs configuration, it retrieves this pre-stored information automatically, eliminating the need for manual configuration input and significantly reducing configuration time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If manual configuration is used for base station hardware nodes, then configuration detail control is possible, but configuration workload increases significantly with densely deployed base stations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration controlVSAvoidconfiguration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Each hardware node automatically provides its own configuration information when queried by the control node. The system eliminates manual configuration operations by enabling hardware nodes to self-report their parameters, significantly reducing the workload for densely deployed base stations while maintaining operational control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control node implements a universal configuration management mechanism that can handle multiple hardware nodes of different types (baseband units, remote radio units, HUBs) through a single automated process. This multi-functional approach allows the system to efficiently manage configurations across diverse hardware without requiring separate manual procedures for each device type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If prestored configuration information is used without verification, then configuration speed is fast, but mismatches with actual hardware connection status occur causing base station operational failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration speedVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control node sends detection requests to hardware nodes and collects their responses to verify actual connection status. This feedback mechanism compares the prestored configuration information with the actual hardware status, identifying and correcting mismatches to ensure configuration reliability while maintaining automated configuration speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Configuration information is pre-stored in hardware nodes for quick retrieval, but the system incorporates preliminary verification through automated detection before final configuration application. This ensures that the fast-prestored information is validated against actual hardware status, preventing mismatches while maintaining configuration speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3537751B1Method and device for automatic configuration, and base station
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3537751B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3537751B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3537751B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide an auto-configuration method and apparatus, and a base station, to shorten configuration duration of a base station. The method includes: determining physical configuration information of a base station, where the base station includes a control node and at least one hardware node, the physical configuration information of the base station indicates topology information and hardware attribute information of each node that needs to be configured, and all the nodes that need to be configured include some or all of the at least one hardware node; determining logical mapping configuration information of the base station, where the logical mapping configuration information of the base station indicates a mapping relationship between a hardware resource included in the base station and a logical resource corresponding to the hardware resource, and the hardware resource includes each node that needs to be configured; and sending the physical configuration information of the base station and the logical mapping configuration information of the base station to the base station, so that the base station configures, based on the physical configuration information of the base station and the logical mapping configuration information of the base station, each node that needs to be configured.