Dynamic Functionality Split for Wireless Network Slices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face rigidity and lack of intelligence in functionality splits between Distributed Units (DU) and Centralized Units (CU), leading to trade-offs between low-latency and powerful computing, which limits flexibility in serving diverse communication services.
Innovation Solution
A wireless network controller dynamically selects and assigns different functionality splits for User Equipment (UE) based on service requests, allowing DU and CU to process network applications in optimized configurations for each UE, enabling flexible and intelligent use of functionality splits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a DU-heavy and CU-light functionality split is used, then low-latency is improved, but computing power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic functionality split selection where the network controller can adaptively choose different DU-CU split configurations based on real-time service requirements. The system transitions from static to dynamic functionality allocation, allowing the same physical architecture to serve both low-latency services (with DU-heavy split) and compute-intensive services (with CU-heavy split) by adjusting the functional distribution between DU and CU units.
2Power
If a CU-heavy and DU-light functionality split is used, then computing power is improved, but low-latency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic adjustment of functionality split based on service type. For compute-intensive services requiring CU-heavy configuration, the network controller allocates more processing functions to the CU. For latency-sensitive services, it switches to DU-heavy configuration, thereby dynamically optimizing the balance between computing power and latency performance.
3Device complexity
If rigid functionality splits are used in wireless access points, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic functionality split selection mechanisms that allow wireless access points to adapt to different service requirements. The network controller receives service type information and automatically selects appropriate DU-CU split configurations, transforming the system from static to adaptive without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the functionality split configuration based on service requirements. By adjusting which network applications are executed at the DU versus the CU, the system optimizes performance characteristics (latency, computing power) for different service types while maintaining a manageable device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless network controller selects a network slice for a User Equipment (UE). The wireless network controller selects a functionality split for the UE based on the selected network slice and indicates the selected functionality split to a Centralized Unit (CU). The CU indicates the selected functionality split to a Distributed Unit (DU). The DU exchanges user communications with the UE. The DU processes the user communications with the network applications allocated to the DU in the selected functionality split for the UE. The DU exchanges the user communications with the CU. The CU processes the user communications with the network applications allocated to the CU in the selected functionality split for the UE.