Dynamic BWP Allocation for vRAN Slice Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for network slicing at the radio access network (RAN) face challenges in providing isolation between slices and dynamically allocating radio resources across virtualized radio access points (vRAPs), leading to suboptimal spectral efficiency and inability to adapt to real-time needs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a radio resource controller to dynamically allocate bandwidth parts (BWP) across vRAPs sharing a common carrier bandwidth, optimizing both bandwidth and computing resource allocations based on contextual information using a parametrized policy, such as neural networks, to maximize spectral efficiency and adapt to changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If static radio resource allocation is used across vRAPs, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but spectral efficiency is suboptimal and cannot adapt to real-time needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic radio resource allocation by allowing the radio resource controller to continuously adjust bandwidth part allocations to individual vRAPs based on real-time contextual information such as channel conditions, traffic load, and computing availability. This transforms the static allocation mechanism into a dynamic one that adapts to changing network conditions, thereby improving spectral efficiency without requiring fundamental architectural changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the radio resource controller collects contextual information from multiple vRAPs and uses this feedback to optimize bandwidth allocation decisions. The controller monitors network state and adjusts resource distribution accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that improves spectral efficiency through continuous adaptation rather than static pre-configuration
2Reliability
If dedicated RU is allocated to each vRAP, then isolation between slices is ensured, but resource utilization is suboptimal due to inability to share common radio band dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the common radio band into multiple bandwidth parts that can be dynamically allocated to different vRAPs. This segmentation allows the system to maintain logical isolation between network slices through dedicated bandwidth assignments while still enabling physical sharing of the common radio front-end, thus achieving both slice isolation and improved resource utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The common radio unit is designed to serve multiple vRAPs simultaneously through time- and frequency-division multiplexing of bandwidth parts. This universal approach allows a single RU to fulfill the functions of multiple dedicated RUs by dynamically allocating bandwidth parts to different vRAPs based on their instantaneous needs, thereby achieving both multi-tenancy and slice isolation
3Productivity
If bandwidth is allocated statically to each vRAP, then allocation simplicity is maintained, but spectral efficiency is not maximized under time-varying wireless links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where the radio resource controller adjusts the size and assignment of bandwidth parts to individual vRAPs in real-time based on contextual information including channel conditions, traffic demand, and computing availability. This dynamic approach enables the system to adapt to time-varying wireless links and maximize spectral efficiency by allocating more bandwidth to vRAPs with favorable conditions and less to those with poor conditions
4Productivity
If common radio band is shared across vRAPs, then resource efficiency improves, but isolation between network slices becomes harder to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the common radio band into distinct bandwidth parts that are exclusively allocated to specific vRAPs or network slices. This segmentation creates logical isolation between slices while enabling physical sharing of the common radio front-end, as each slice operates in its assigned bandwidth part without interference from other slices, thus achieving both resource efficiency and slice isolation
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of dynamically allocating radio resources across a set of virtualized radio access points, vRAPs (2), in a virtual radio access network, vRAN (1), the method comprising: collecting contextual information across all vRAPs (2) that share a common carrier bandwidth of a physical radio access point (3), mapping, by a radio resource controller (5) according to an internal mapping policy, the contextual information of the vRAPs (2) into an allocation of vRAN slices to the vRAPs (2), wherein each vRAN slice comprises allocated computing resources and an allocated bandwidth part, BWP, of the common carrier bandwidth, the BWPs being orthogonal across the vRAN slices, and notifying the vRAPs (2) of their individual BWP allocations.