Cloud Platform Resource Control for O-RAN NF Energy Saving

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack a detailed implementation solution for how a network function (NF) of the O-RAN controls resources of a cloud platform.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling a cloud platform, enabling the NF to send a cloud resource configuration request message to configure cloud platform resources, including configuration information such as CPU power state, frequency, and memory usage, with timers and time offsets to manage energy-saving and performance adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the NF controls cloud platform resources directly, then energy-saving and performance adjustments can be made efficiently, but the system complexity increases due to the need for detailed configuration management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy-savingVSAvoidconfiguration management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud resource management module as an intermediary component between the NF and the cloud platform. This module handles the complex configuration management tasks, allowing the NF to control cloud resources without directly managing the complexity of configuration parameters, timers, and time offsets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control function is segmented into multiple modules: the NF sends control instructions to a cloud resource management module, which then interacts with the cloud platform. This segmentation separates the control logic from the configuration management, reducing the complexity burden on the NF while enabling efficient energy-saving and performance adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If detailed configuration parameters are managed for cloud resources, then resource control precision is improved, but the operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource control precisionVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud resource management module performs self-service by automatically managing configuration parameters, timers, and time offsets based on control instructions from the NF. This allows precise resource control without requiring the NF to directly handle operational complexities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the cloud resource management module monitors configuration status and adjusts parameters automatically. This feedback loop maintains precise resource control while shielding the NF from operational complexity through automated parameter management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If timers and time offsets are introduced for configuration execution, then service quality can be ensured through timing control, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidtiming management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud resource management module acts as an intermediary that handles timing management. It receives control instructions with timing requirements from the NF, manages timers and time offsets internally, and executes configurations at the appropriate times. This ensures service quality through timing control while preventing timing complexity from propagating to the NF.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4683285A1Cloud platform control method and apparatus, and device
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 CHINA MOBILE COMM GRP CO LTD
  • EP4683285A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4683285A1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4683285A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus for controlling a cloud platform. The method includes sending a cloud resource configuration request message to the cloud platform. The cloud resource configuration request message is used to configure the cloud platform resource for the network function. In embodiments of the disclosure, the network function may control the cloud platform resource. For example, the network function may trigger the cloud platform to enter an energy-saving mode by the cloud resource configuration request message, or may also trigger the cloud platform to recover from the energy-saving mode to a high-performance mode, thereby ensuring a service performance to a maximum extent while saving energy in the cloud platform.