Dual Signalling Control for gNB-CU-CP Failure Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining network support when a gNB-CU-CP fails, leading to slow and complex recovery processes that impact still-serving DUs and require coordination to ensure the previous realization of the gNB-CU-CP is dead before restoration, resulting in traffic disruptions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless node with a local control unit that communicates with two signalling control units, each with a different cell identity, where one acts as a primary and the other as a secondary or backup, enabling redundancy measures to ensure continuous communication even if the primary fails, without requiring core network updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single gNB-CU-CP is used for controlling DUs, then the system structure is simple, but the system availability deteriorates when the gNB-CU-CP fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different roles (primary and secondary) to different signalling control units based on their operational status. The local control unit dynamically selects which signalling control unit to use based on failure conditions, making each signalling control unit have different functional qualities depending on whether it is primary or secondary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures a secondary signalling control unit before any failure occurs. This secondary unit is prepared in advance with the necessary cell identities and signalling capabilities, so that when the primary unit fails, the transition to the secondary unit can occur immediately without requiring preliminary setup actions.
2Reliability
If redundancy measures are implemented with multiple signalling control units, then the system reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the secondary signalling control unit multi-functional by enabling it to take over the primary unit's functions when needed. The same signalling control unit can serve as either a secondary backup or become the primary active unit depending on operational conditions, reducing the need for completely separate redundant systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the primary signalling control unit's functionality in the secondary unit, including cell identities and signalling capabilities. This copying approach allows the secondary unit to immediately assume the primary role without requiring complex reconfiguration, as it already possesses the necessary functional copies.
3Reliability
If the primary gNB-CU-CP fails, then system availability deteriorates, but implementing backup solutions increases device complexity and coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical signalling control functions from the primary gNB-CU-CP and places them in the secondary signalling control unit. By separating these essential functions into a dedicated backup unit with its own cell identities, the system reduces coordination complexity during failure scenarios, as the secondary unit can operate independently once activated.
4Reliability
If a single cell identity is used for a cell, then the signalling is simple, but the redundancy capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cell identities into a single cell's signalling framework. The same physical cell can broadcast and use multiple cell identities depending on which signalling control unit is active, allowing the system to maintain redundancy capability while presenting a unified cell interface to user equipment, thus managing cell identity complexity efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication system comprises a wireless node for communication with wireless devices camping on a first cell, the node including a local control unit controlling communication between the system and the wireless devices, the system further comprising a first signalling control unit and a second signalling control unit), both provided for handling signalling of a first group of cells at least including the first cell and each providing a different cell identity for this cell, wherein the first signalling control unit acts as a primary signalling control unit for the first group of cells and the second signalling control unit acts as a secondary signalling control unit for the first group of cells.