Distributed Unit Resource Synchronization During Virtualized RAN Scaling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems with virtualized RAN environments, there is a need for efficient data transmission and reception methods that optimize resource utilization and synchronization between distributed units (DUs) to prevent resource wastage and errors during scaling operations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving monitoring radio resource allocation status, determining changed radio resource allocation information, and synchronizing time information is employed to efficiently allocate resources between DUs, using synchronization messages that include bitmap information, frame/slot information, and common signal indications to ensure non-overlapping resource usage and synchronized operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If DUs are pooled and virtualized to reduce the number of servers, then CAPEX and OPEX are reduced, but resource allocation synchronization between DUs becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a synchronization message as an intermediary mechanism that carries resource allocation information between DUs. This message includes bitmap information indicating resource allocation status and synchronization time information, enabling coordinated resource management across virtualized DUs without requiring complex direct coordination between each DU pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms resource allocation synchronization by changing the parameter representation method. Instead of individual resource allocation messages between DU pairs, the system uses bitmap parameters that compactly represent multiple resource allocation states simultaneously. This parameter transformation simplifies the synchronization process while maintaining comprehensive resource control.
2Productivity
If radio resource allocation is dynamically changed to optimize traffic handling, then resource utilization improves, but synchronization timing between DUs becomes critical and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining synchronization time information in advance before actual resource allocation changes are implemented. The synchronization message includes pre-calculated timing information that tells DUs when to apply resource allocation changes, ensuring that all DUs transition to new resource configurations simultaneously without conflicts or timing errors.
3Loss of energy
If the number of DUs is reduced through pooling, then power consumption decreases, but the complexity of managing shared resources across DUs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments shared resource management into two independent parts: resource allocation decisions made by individual DUs based on local traffic conditions, and synchronization coordination achieved through standardized synchronization messages. This segmentation allows each DU to operate independently while maintaining coherent shared resource management, reducing the complexity of coordinating all DUs centrally.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a first distributed unit (DU) in a wireless network system includes monitoring radio resource allocation status information allocated to the first DU, determining changed radio resource allocation information based on the radio resource allocation status information, identifying synchronization time information for applying the changed radio resource allocation information, transmitting, to a second DU, a synchronization message including the synchronization time information and the changed radio resource allocation information, and performing, based on the synchronization message, transmission or reception of a message with a radio unit (RU) that is connected to the first DU and that is connected to the second DU.