Hierarchical Control Loops for Cloud RAN Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Efficient control of resources in cloud-based wireless communication systems is challenging, particularly in 5G networks, due to differing latency and timing requirements across tiers, and existing solutions fail to manage delays and resource scheduling effectively.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method with multiple control loops, where each loop is configured to allocate resources with specific latency requirements, with the innermost loop managing the most critical resources and outer loops handling less critical allocations, enabling dynamic deployment and load balancing of microservices based on resource usage statistics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single control loop is used for resource allocation in cloud-based radio access networks, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot meet different latency requirements of various tiers and causes scheduling delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the resource allocation control into multiple hierarchical control loops (first control loop for ultra-reliable low-latency communication resources, second control loop for enhanced mobile broadband resources, third control loop for massive machine type communication resources). Each control loop independently manages resources with specific latency requirements, preventing scheduling delays while maintaining structured complexity through modular design.
2Productivity
If traditional cloud computing resource allocation is used, then parallel processing capacity is high, but scheduling delays increase and cannot meet communication system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where each control loop continuously monitors and adjusts resource distribution based on real-time traffic conditions and latency requirements. The first control loop dynamically allocates resources for ultra-reliable low-latency communication when needed, while the second and third loops manage other traffic types, enabling the system to adaptively balance parallel processing capacity with scheduling delay constraints.
3Reliability
If resources are allocated without tier separation, then resource management is simple, but Quality of Experience becomes unstable during overload situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different resource allocation strategies and control mechanisms to different tiers of resources based on their specific Quality of Experience requirements. The first control loop implements strict latency control for ultra-reliable low-latency communication resources, while the second and third loops use more flexible allocation for enhanced mobile broadband and massive machine type communication resources, respectively. This localized quality approach ensures QoE stability during overload by preventing any single tier from degrading overall system performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods in a communication system are provided. The solution comprises operating a radio access network, where the radio access network comprises two or more resource tiers, each tier having different latency/timing requirements. The resource allocation for the radio access network is realised (200) with two or more control loops, where each control loop is configured to allocate resources with different latency requirements, and control resources between the tiers. Resources of the inmost tier are controlled (202) by an inmost control loop with lowest latency resource allocation, and resources of the outer tiers are controlled (204) by one or more outer control loops for less latency critical resource allocation, each outer control loop having less critical latency requirement compared to loops closer to the inmost loop.