Dynamic Radio Unit Switching Between 5G and Wi-Fi
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G RAN systems lack a flexible and adaptive mechanism to dynamically switch between 5G and Wi-Fi protocols based on load conditions and user requirements, limiting the efficient utilization of radio resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Software-Defined RAN Intelligent Controller (SD-RIC) to manage and optimize radio units (RUs) for dynamic switching between 5G and Wi-Fi protocols, utilizing a static radio for reliability and a dynamic radio for adaptability, based on client and network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-protocol RAN controller is used, then the system is simple and reliable, but it cannot dynamically adapt to different radio services and protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The RAN controller is designed with multi-protocol support capabilities, enabling it to handle multiple radio access technologies (5G NR, Wi-Fi, IoT protocols) through a single unified platform. This allows the controller to serve diverse radio services without requiring separate dedicated controllers for each protocol, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements dynamic protocol switching capabilities that allow it to adapt its operating mode based on real-time service requirements and network conditions. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to optimize performance for different protocols as needed, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity by making the system flexible rather than statically complex.
2Productivity
If RUs are statically configured for specific protocols, then the system is simple to manage, but radio resources cannot be efficiently allocated to changing user demands
Solution Approach 1:
Radio units are configured with dynamic reconfigurability, allowing them to switch between different protocol modes (5G NR, Wi-Fi, IoT) based on real-time network conditions and user service requirements. This dynamic configuration capability enables efficient resource allocation to changing demands while the underlying management system handles the complexity of coordination and state tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements software-defined radio capabilities that allow radio units to change their operational parameters and protocol stack configurations dynamically. This enables the same physical radio resource to be reassigned to different protocols and services as needed, improving productivity while the software layer manages the complexity of parameter coordination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the RAN controller serves only a single protocol, then the system is easier to operate, but it cannot meet diverse service requirements of the user base
Solution Approach 1:
The RAN controller is designed as a universal platform that can operate with multiple radio access technologies and protocols simultaneously or switch between them. This multi-functional capability enables the system to meet diverse service requirements (5G mobile broadband, Wi-Fi access, IoT connections) while the unified architecture maintains operational simplicity through standardized management interfaces and centralized control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
System, methods, and computer-readable media for switching a dynamic radio of a single RU between Radio Access Technology (RAT) protocols based on a Software-Defined RAN intelligent controller (SD-RIC). The SD-RIC efficiently assigning RAN resources by converting a radio access point to either 5G or Wi-Fi based on the load conditions and the number of users seen on the network, so that it appropriately servers the customer and end devices. To determine the load conditions may be based on active users on a particular cell, and then the resource utilization cue is a connection latency. A single radio unit includes a primary radio and a secondary radio, each being independently tuned. The primary radio is static while a secondary one can be influenced based on the conditions, turning into N-RU or Wi-Fi.