E2 Node Re-Dispatch Across nRT-RICs for RAN Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication systems face scalability challenges with near real-time radio access network intelligent controllers (nRT-RICs) due to their inability to handle massive numbers of E2 nodes, leading to inflexibility, manageability issues, and reduced resilience during failure or overload events, while current solutions are expensive and not compatible with current specifications.
Innovation Solution
A re-dispatch technique is implemented to dynamically reconfigure E2 nodes to connect with alternative nRT-RICs, allowing flexible registration and maintaining service quality by redistributing computational workload across multiple nRT-RIC instances, adhering to O-RAN standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple nRT-RIC instances are employed to share computational workload, then scalability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple nRT-RIC instances into a unified management framework where a single nRT-RIC can serve multiple E2 nodes through dynamic configuration updates. This reduces the effective number of active controllers while maintaining the scalability benefits of having multiple instances available, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nRT-RIC is designed with multi-functionality to handle various E2 nodes through a single instance. The controller can dynamically configure and reconfigure multiple E2 nodes, perform load balancing, and provide resilience services, making one nRT-RIC instance universal enough to replace multiple specialized controllers, thus improving scalability while controlling complexity.
2Ease of operation
If E2 nodes are pre-configured to communicate with a single predefined nRT-RIC, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates during failure or overload events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration updates that allow E2 nodes to change their associated nRT-RIC controller based on system conditions. The pre-configuration provides ease of operation during normal conditions, while the dynamic reconfiguration capability enables adaptability during failures or overloads, resolving the contradiction between static simplicity and dynamic flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the nRT-RIC monitors system conditions and automatically triggers reconfiguration of E2 nodes when failures or overloads are detected. This feedback loop maintains ease of operation by automating the adaptation process, allowing the system to respond to changing conditions without requiring manual intervention from operators.
3Device complexity
If a single nRT-RIC instance serves all E2 nodes, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates during failure events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring backup nRT-RIC instances and establishing reconfiguration pathways before failures occur. When a primary nRT-RIC fails, the system can quickly switch to pre-prepared backup instances, maintaining reliability without requiring complex real-time decision-making or increasing the number of actively managing controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for discarding failed nRT-RIC instances and recovering services through alternative instances. When a controller fails, its managed E2 nodes are recovered by transferring them to healthy nRT-RIC instances, maintaining system reliability while keeping the overall controller architecture relatively simple through selective activation of backup resources.
4Adaptability or versatility
If E2 nodes are dynamically reconfigured to connect with alternative nRT-RICs, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to configuration management complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the nRT-RIC system to automatically perform configuration updates and reconfigurations without manual intervention. The controllers autonomously manage the complexity of dynamic reconfiguration, allowing E2 nodes to adapt to different controllers while the system handles the operational complexity, thus improving adaptability while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for ensuring reliable service for E2 nodes in a radio access network. The system includes a first near real time radio access network intelligent controller. An E2 node is in network communication with the first near real time radio access network intelligent controller. The E2 node includes a configuration file with the network address of the first near real time radio access network intelligent controller. A second near real time radio access network intelligent controller has a network address. The network address of the second near real time radio access network intelligent controller is supplied to the E2 node. Through a re-dispatch procedure, the E2 node establishes network communication with the second near real time radio access network intelligent controller. Alternatively, the second intelligent controller may initiate the re-dispatch procedure to establish network communication with the E2 node.