Cloud-Orchestrated Distributed Unit Deployment for Radio Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio-based networks require manual deployment and configuration, are vendor-specific, and lack flexibility, leading to high costs and inefficiencies, especially in transitioning to 5G networks which offer increased bandwidth and connectivity demands.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cloud-based management system for distributed units (DUs) in radio-based networks, allowing automated deployment, configuration, and management of DUs on virtualized cloud provider infrastructure, decoupling hardware from software, and utilizing a cloud delivery model for scalable and flexible network provisioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual deployment and configuration methods are used for radio-based networks, then vendor-specific control and stability are maintained, but deployment efficiency is low and operational costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-deployment of distributed units through cloud-based orchestration. The management system automatically provisions, configures, and manages DUs on virtualized cloud infrastructure without requiring manual vendor-specific interventions, allowing the network to deploy itself efficiently while maintaining stability through standardized interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical deployment processes with automated cloud-based software orchestration. The cloud management system uses virtualization and automation scripts to deploy distributed units, substituting human-operated manual configuration with automated digital processes that significantly improve deployment efficiency and reduce operational costs
2Adaptability or versatility
If hardware is tightly coupled with vendor-specific software, then system stability is maintained, but flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the radio access network into independent functional units: distributed units (DUs) that can be virtualized and deployed on cloud infrastructure, separated from proprietary hardware. This segmentation allows DUs to be independently managed, scaled, and migrated across different cloud platforms, enhancing network flexibility while reducing hardware-software coupling complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud-based management system creates a universal platform that can deploy and manage distributed units across multiple vendor ecosystems and cloud infrastructures. The standardized interfaces and virtualization layer enable a single system to perform multiple functions across different hardware platforms, increasing adaptability without requiring complex vendor-specific integrations
3Extent of automation
If cloud-based virtualization is implemented for distributed units, then deployment automation and scalability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based management system as an intermediary layer between the physical radio infrastructure and the virtualized distributed units. This intermediary orchestrates automation tasks, handles resource allocation, and manages the complexity of cloud infrastructure, thereby enabling automated deployment without exposing the full system complexity to end users or operators
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for automated deployment and management of distributed units (DUs) in a radio-based network. In one embodiment, it is determined to deploy a radio-based network at least partially using infrastructure of a cloud provider network. A radio access network (RAN)-enabled edge server of the cloud provider network is deployed to a physical location of the radio-based network. The RAN-enabled edge server is configured to perform a set of distributed unit (DU) functions for the radio-based network.