Multi-Operator Fronthaul Prioritization Under Traffic Surge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communications networks face challenges in accommodating multiple network operators and RAN technologies, particularly in non-ideal fronthaul networks, where surges in traffic can cause bandwidth limitations and latency issues, and there is a lack of fronthaul-aware scheduling for shared infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A method for allocating fronthaul bandwidth resources involves assigning priorities to network operators, establishing packet-based communications, monitoring for allocation violations and congestion anomalies, and mitigating these issues through a switch/monitor system that includes a supervisor module, traffic monitor, and overload control module to manage Ethernet resources and packet streams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a shared fronthaul network is used to accommodate multiple operators and RAN technologies, then network resource utilization and adaptability are improved, but bandwidth limitations and latency issues worsen during traffic surges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-operator and multi-RAN capabilityVSAvoidservice quality under traffic surge

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts scheduling decisions based on real-time fronthaul network conditions, traffic demands, and service requirements. The scheduler modifies resource allocation, packet prioritization, and transmission parameters adaptively to maintain service quality during traffic surges while supporting multiple operators and RAN technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fronthaul-aware scheduler implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor network status, traffic patterns, and service quality metrics. This feedback information is used to adjust scheduling decisions in real-time, ensuring that bandwidth limitations and latency issues are addressed promptly while maintaining multi-operator support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If fronthaul-aware scheduling is implemented to manage traffic surges, then service quality and reliability are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice quality under traffic surgeVSAvoidscheduling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fronthaul-aware scheduling function is segmented into modular components that can be independently implemented and managed. The scheduler is divided into separate modules handling different RAN technologies, operators, and traffic types, which reduces overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive service quality management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The scheduler is designed as a universal fronthaul-aware scheduling system that handles multiple RAN technologies, operators, and traffic types through a single integrated platform. This multi-functional approach avoids the complexity of maintaining separate scheduling systems for each operator or technology while still providing specialized service quality management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If packet streams are prioritized to manage bandwidth allocation, then bandwidth utilization efficiency is improved, but monitoring and control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilization efficiencyVSAvoidmonitoring and control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Packet prioritization schemes are pre-configured and established before traffic surges occur, based on service requirements, operator agreements, and historical traffic patterns. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of real-time monitoring and control decisions while maintaining efficient bandwidth utilization during critical periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12507115B2Integrated radio network with multi operator and multi signal format fronthaul capability

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 JOHN MEZZALINGUA ASSOC LLC

AI summary

Disclosed is an integrated radio network that can host a plurality of network operators, each of which may be transmitting and receiving packetized signals over a fronthaul network. Each of the network operators may have one or more prioritized packet streams whereby a given network operator may have a plurality of prioritized packet streams having a different allocated priority, and the plurality of network operators may have a differentiated priority among each other. The integrated radio network has a switch/monitor that (1) identifies one or more network operators exceeding their respective allocations and mitigates the violation; and (2) identifies fronthaul network bottlenecks and takes action to mitigate the bottleneck by reducing or impeding low priority packet streams.