Distributed Radio Access Network Control Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional wireless network architectures, such as those with single-mode radio access networks, face limitations in scalability, outage tolerance, and efficient handoff of mobile users due to fixed dedicated connections between base stations and base station controllers, leading to reduced capacity and increased downtime.

Innovation Solution

A multimode wireless radio access network with a distributed architecture separates control signals from data streams, using a Radio Resource Server to manage multiple Wireless Access Gateways, allowing for efficient handoff and increased scalability, and enabling continued operation even if one component experiences an outage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fixed dedicated connections are used between base stations and base station controllers in single-mode RAN, then control and data processing is simplified, but network scalability and capacity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol processing complexityVSAvoidnetwork scalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monolithic BSC into multiple distributed BSC instances (BSC-1, BSC-2, etc.), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the network to scale by adding more BSC instances without increasing the complexity of individual BSC units, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplified control processing and network scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic connection routing where base stations can be dynamically assigned to different BSC instances based on load conditions and failure states. The system dynamically reroutes control and data streams around failed components, providing adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through automated dynamic allocation algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If monolithic BSC architecture is used, then control signal processing is centralized and simple, but outage tolerance and service availability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol architecture complexityVSAvoidoutage tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the single BSC into multiple distributed BSC instances, the patent eliminates the single point of failure. Each BSC instance can independently handle control signals for assigned base stations, so if one BSC fails, others continue operating, thereby improving outage tolerance while maintaining architectural simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements redundant BSC instances that are pre-configured and standby-ready. When a BSC failure occurs, the system automatically activates backup instances to take over failed base station connections, providing beforehand cushioning against outages and maintaining service availability without complex real-time decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If single-mode operation is implemented, then radio resource management is simplified, but RAN capacity and coverage flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio resource management complexityVSAvoidRAN capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes each BSC instance multi-functional by enabling support for multiple radio access modes (e.g., GSM, UMTS, LTE) within the same distributed architecture. Each BSC can dynamically serve different modes based on demand, increasing overall RAN capacity and coverage flexibility while maintaining simplified resource management through standardized protocols and modular resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If fixed dedicated connections are used for control signals and data streams, then processing is straightforward, but handoff efficiency and network reconfiguration flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidhandoff efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic connection routing where control and data streams can be dynamically reassigned between BSC instances during handoff operations. Instead of fixed dedicated connections, the system dynamically establishes new paths and reroutes existing streams, enabling efficient handoffs and network reconfiguration while maintaining straightforward processing through automated routing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8045972B2Multimode wireless radio access network with distributed processing

Publication Date: 2011.10.25 MAYFLOWER COMM CO INC

AI summary

A multimode Radio Access Network (RAN) for wireless communication is disclosed. The RAN separates the control signals from the data streams for their distributed processing. The control signals are transmitted between base stations and a Radio Resource Server (RRS), while the data streams are communicated between the base stations and Wireless Access Gateways (WAGs). The base station and WAG resources are managed by the RRS. Besides providing single and multiple radio mode access to a mobile user for efficient communication with other wireless communication networks, the RAN infrastructure has a high outage tolerance and can be scaled cost effectively for wider coverage and increased data traffic capacity.