Hierarchical RAN Architecture for Inter-Station Collaboration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio access network (RAN) architectures, such as 5G, suffer from low inter-station collaboration efficiency due to a flat architecture, limiting the ability to provide efficient connectivity and new services like computing, data, intelligence, and trustworthiness.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical RAN architecture is introduced, featuring a cluster node (cNode) for centralized collaboration and serving nodes (sNode) for task scheduling, supporting centralized inter-station collaboration and providing enhanced connectivity services, with options for non-SBA and SBA based architectures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a flat RAN architecture is used, then the architecture is simple, but inter-station collaboration efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the RAN architecture into a hierarchical structure with access nodes and a centralized management node. The centralized management node handles high-level coordination and resource allocation, while access nodes handle local operations. This segmentation improves collaboration efficiency by reducing the scope of coordination required between nodes, directly addressing the low inter-station collaboration efficiency in flat architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized management node acts as an intermediary between access nodes. It mediates resource allocation, coordination, and control decisions, reducing the direct communication overhead and coordination complexity between access nodes. This intermediary approach enables more efficient inter-station collaboration while managing architectural complexity centrally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flat RAN architecture is used, then device complexity is low, but the ability to provide new services is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized management node is designed with multi-functional capabilities, handling resource allocation, coordination, control, and support for various services including connectivity, computing, data, intelligence, and trustworthiness. This universal design enables the architecture to provide diverse new services without requiring separate dedicated components for each service type, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through a unified platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The hierarchical architecture enables dynamic resource allocation and flexible service deployment. The centralized management node can dynamically allocate resources and coordinate functions based on service requirements, allowing the system to adapt to new services and changing conditions. This dynamic capability enhances versatility while the modular hierarchical structure keeps complexity manageable through standardized interfaces and procedures.
3Productivity
If centralized collaboration is implemented, then inter-station collaboration efficiency is improved, but architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The architecture is segmented into access nodes and a centralized management node with clearly defined functional boundaries. Access nodes perform local operations independently, while the centralized management node handles coordination and resource allocation. This segmentation allows centralized collaboration to improve efficiency without requiring complete centralization of all functions, thereby managing architectural complexity through functional distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The architecture implements local autonomy at the access node level, where each node can independently manage its own operations and resources. The centralized management node provides coordination and resource allocation services as needed. This local quality approach enables efficient collaboration through centralized coordination when required, while maintaining simplicity at the local level, thus managing overall architectural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a radio access network architecture. The radio access network architecture includes a cluster node and a serving node. The serving node provides task scheduling and executing functions, and the cluster node provides a region-level centralized collaboration function for the serving node and a collaboration function between cross-region cluster nodes.