Converged Wireless Access Controller for Multi-Protocol Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional radio access technologies require separate controllers and radios for different protocols like 5G and Wi-Fi, leading to increased costs and difficulties in maintaining quality of service, especially during data transfer between these technologies.

Innovation Solution

A converged enterprise wireless access platform using Open RAN architecture integrates licensed cellular and unlicensed Wi-Fi technologies into a single radio network with a single controller, employing software-based signal processing and AI for analytics and spectrum management across both licensed and unlicensed bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate controllers are used for different radio access technologies (5G, Wi-Fi), then each technology can be independently managed, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetechnology independenceVSAvoidcontroller quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple radio access technology controllers (5G NR, Wi-Fi) into a single converged radio access network controller. The controller includes multiple processing subsystems, each capable of handling different RAT protocols simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of separate controllers while maintaining technology-specific management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The radio access network controller is designed as a universal platform that can handle multiple radio access technologies through configurable processing subsystems. Each subsystem can be dynamically allocated to different RATs based on network requirements, enabling one controller to perform multiple functions that previously required separate dedicated controllers.

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

2Reliability

If separate controllers are used for different radio access technologies, then technology-specific optimization is possible, but Quality of Service maintenance becomes difficult during data transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetechnology optimizationVSAvoidQoS management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The converged controller acts as an intermediary that receives data transfer requests and determines the appropriate processing subsystem to handle the transfer. When data needs to move between different RATs, the controller mediates the transfer by routing it through the appropriate subsystems, ensuring QoS requirements are met while maintaining technology-specific optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically allocates and configures processing subsystems based on real-time network conditions and QoS requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to changing data transfer demands between different RATs, maintaining optimal performance and QoS without requiring separate static controllers for each technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple separate controllers are deployed, then each can be optimized for its specific protocol, but overall system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol optimizationVSAvoidcontroller quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple protocol-optimized controllers into a single multi-functional controller that maintains protocol-specific processing capabilities through separate processing subsystems. This merging reduces the total number of physical controllers while preserving the benefits of protocol optimization through software-based processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed as a universal platform with configurable processing subsystems that can be optimized for different protocols. This multi-functionality allows a single controller to replace multiple specialized controllers, reducing quantity while maintaining protocol optimization through flexible resource allocation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4195871A1Converged wireless access system and method
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 INTEL CORP
  • EP4195871A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4195871A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4195871A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless communication system includes a radio head and a radio head processor, comprising a first processing subsystem, configured to process a signal according to a first radio access technology; the new radio distributed unit, comprising a second communication port, configured to couple the new radio distributed unit to the radio head; a third communication port, configured to couple the new radio distributed unit to a new radio centralized unit or an edge network processor; and a new radio distributed unit processor, comprising a second processing subsystem, and configured to process a signal according to the first radio access technology; wherein either the radio head processor or the new radio distributed unit processor further comprises a third processing subsystem, configured to process a signal according to a second radio access technology, different from the first radio access technology.