Dynamic Hardware Resource Allocation for C-RAN Physical Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
In centralized radio access networks (C-RAN), fixed hardware resource allocation can lead to inefficient use of resources due to varying traffic patterns between radio units (RU) and distributed units (DU), as traffic for each physical channel changes in real-time, potentially resulting in underutilization or overload of hardware resources.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device and method that dynamically allocate physical channels to hardware resources based on predicted computation amounts and available computation resources, using radio resource allocation information to optimize resource utilization across multiple hardware resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed hardware resource allocation is used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to varying traffic patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic hardware resource allocation where the DU determines computation amounts for physical channels in real-time based on actual traffic conditions and allocates hardware resources accordingly. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying traffic patterns, improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making algorithms.
2Device complexity
If hardware resources are fixedly allocated to containers, then device complexity is reduced, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates when traffic changes in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs prediction mechanisms where the DU predicts computation amounts for physical channels based on historical traffic data and current conditions. This preliminary estimation allows the system to pre-allocate or pre-reserve hardware resources before actual traffic arrives, ensuring efficient resource utilization while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured prediction algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where the DU continuously monitors actual traffic patterns, compares them with predicted computation amounts, and adjusts hardware resource allocation accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the system to learn from past performance and optimize resource allocation dynamically, improving efficiency without significantly increasing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If dynamic resource allocation is implemented, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to real-time computation and allocation decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource allocation process into distinct functional modules: traffic monitoring, computation amount prediction, hardware resource selection, and allocation execution. Each module handles a specific aspect of the dynamic allocation process, making the overall complex system more manageable through modular design. The DU coordinates these segments to achieve efficient resource utilization without overwhelming system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, a method of operating an electronic device may comprise: identifying radio resource allocation information for each of a plurality of physical channels in a first slot, based on a control plane message including radio resource allocation information for the first slot; identifying each of prediction operation amounts for each of the plurality of physical channels, based on the radio resource allocation information for each of the plurality of physical channels; identifying an available operation amount for each of a plurality of hardware resources supported by the electronic device; and allocating each of the plurality of physical channels to at least some of the plurality of hardware resources, based on the available operation amount for each of the plurality of hardware resources and the prediction operation amount for each of the plurality of physical channels.