Base Station CU Cell Storage Capacity Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current 5G RAN architecture faces challenges when a base station control unit (CU) reaches its maximum capacity for storing information about served cells, leading to potential deadlocks and failure in setting up new cells, as there is no adequate guidance on how to handle scenarios where the number of cells exceeds the supported maximum.
Innovation Solution
A method is proposed where the CU receives requests from distributed units (DUs) to store information on cells, responds with a message indicating the maximum capacity is exceeded, and allows the DU to revise the list of cells to be stored, enabling partial addition of cells within the capacity limits, thereby avoiding deadlocks and ensuring continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the CU stores information for a large number of cells to support extensive network coverage, then the network capacity and coverage are improved, but the CU reaches its maximum storage capacity leading to deadlocks and failure in setting up new cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allowing the DU to revise the cell list dynamically. When the CU reaches maximum capacity, instead of rejecting all cell setup requests, the system accepts partial additions by removing least recently used cells. This enables continuous operation at or near maximum capacity without deadlocks, resolving the contradiction between storing maximum cell information and maintaining system reliability.
2Reliability
If the CU rejects new cell setup requests when maximum capacity is reached, then the existing stored cell information is preserved, but the system becomes unresponsive and deadlocks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by transforming the static reject-accept decision into a dynamic revision process. When maximum capacity is reached, the CU responds with a revision request containing a subset of cells to remove, allowing the DU to adjust the cell list dynamically. This maintains system responsiveness and prevents deadlocks while preserving data integrity through controlled capacity management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the CU stores information for all requested cells, then complete network coverage is achieved, but the device complexity and memory requirements increase beyond maximum capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the stored cell list based on capacity parameters. When the number of stored cells approaches maximum capacity, the system changes the parameter set by removing least recently used cells and adding new ones. This allows the system to adapt to varying network coverage requirements while maintaining storage within device capacity limits.
Data Source
AI summary
An example of this disclosure provides a method (500) performed by a base station control unit (CU). The method comprises receiving (502) a request from a base station distributed unit (DU) to store information for a first plurality of cells to be served by the base station DU. The method also comprises sending (504) a response to the base station DU, wherein the response indicates that storing information for the first plurality of cells would exceed a maximum number of cells that can be stored by the base station CU.