Fronthaul Connectivity Monitoring Without Loopback Message Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

The processing and bandwidth overhead associated with Loop-back Protocol (LBM) messages for transport connectivity verification and monitoring in radio access networks (RAN) and distributed antenna systems (DAS) increases significantly with the number of radio units or access points, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Utilize control-plane and user-plane messages for over-the-air (OTA) wireless communication, such as Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), Master Information Block (MIB), and Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), to verify and monitor transport connectivity between entities in RAN and DAS, instead of sending explicit LBM messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If explicit Loop-back Protocol (LBM) messages are sent for transport connectivity verification, then connectivity monitoring is achieved, but processing and bandwidth overhead increases significantly with the number of radio units

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport connectivity verificationVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines transport connectivity verification with existing control-plane and user-plane messages. Instead of sending separate LBM messages, the verification function is merged into messages that are already being transmitted for other purposes (such as SSB, MIB, PRACH messages), thereby eliminating redundant communication overhead while maintaining connectivity monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes existing control-plane and user-plane messages serve multiple functions: their original purpose plus transport connectivity verification. By embedding verification functionality into universally used messaging protocols, the system achieves connectivity monitoring without requiring dedicated verification messages, thus reducing overall message volume and processing burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If explicit Loop-back Protocol (LBM) messages are sent for transport connectivity verification, then connectivity monitoring is achieved, but bandwidth overhead increases significantly with the number of radio units

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport connectivity verificationVSAvoidbandwidth overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges connectivity verification data into existing control-plane and user-plane message streams. By combining verification information with messages that are already being transmitted for control and user data purposes, the patent eliminates the need for separate verification message transmissions, thereby reducing total bandwidth consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Existing messaging protocols are made multi-functional to carry both their original payload and connectivity verification information. This approach allows the same bandwidth to serve dual purposes, reducing the total quantity of data transmitted across the fronthaul interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If explicit LBM messages are sent for transport connectivity verification, then connectivity monitoring is achieved, but power consumption increases due to increased processing throughput

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport connectivity verificationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines connectivity verification processing with the processing of existing control-plane and user-plane messages. By merging these functions, the system avoids the additional power consumption that would result from separate verification message handling, as the verification function piggybacks on already-necessary processing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes processing operations multi-functional by having control-plane and user-plane message handlers perform both their original processing tasks and connectivity verification functions simultaneously. This eliminates redundant processing cycles and reduces overall power consumption while maintaining verification capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250357972A1Reduced overhead loop back messaging (LBM) for packet-based fronthaul interface

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC

AI summary

One embodiment is directed to a radio access network (RAN) comprising a distributed unit (DU) and one or more radio units (RUs) coupled to the DU over a fronthaul network. The RAN is configured to verify and monitor the transport connectivity between the DU and at least one RU using at least one of control-plane or user-plane messages communicated over the fronthaul network for a purpose other than verifying or monitoring the transport connectivity between the DU and said at least one RU. Other embodiments are disclosed.