Hybrid Virtualization Baseband Controller for C-RAN Scalability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing baseband controllers implemented using special-purpose hardware face bottlenecks as the number of users increases, particularly with the general-purpose processor becoming overwhelmed, and scaling these systems often relies on proprietary hardware that lacks economies of scale and rapid processing improvements.

Innovation Solution

A baseband controller architecture that combines special-purpose hardware with a virtual platform, partitioning functions into a Central Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU), where the CU is implemented using a virtual platform and the DU using special-purpose hardware, allowing for independent scaling and efficient distribution of control and user plane functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If special-purpose hardware is used to implement baseband controller functions, then processing reliability and time-critical performance are improved, but scalability and adaptability deteriorate due to proprietary hardware dependencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing reliabilityVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The baseband controller is segmented into two distinct functional units: a virtual platform implementing control plane functions (Layer 3 RRC, RRM, SON, cell management and Layer 2 MAC scheduler) and a special-purpose hardware unit implementing user plane functions (Layer 2 RLC, MAC, and Layer 1 physical layer functions). This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently - the virtual platform provides scalability and adaptability while the hardware unit ensures processing reliability and time-critical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual platform is designed to be multi-functional, capable of implementing various control plane functions across different wireless access technologies (LTE, 5G NR). This universal platform can be scaled and adapted to different deployment scenarios without requiring proprietary hardware changes, thereby improving both scalability and adaptability while maintaining reliable connectivity through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If general-purpose processors are used to implement baseband controller functions, then adaptability and ease of scaling are improved, but processing speed and time-critical performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Different processing qualities are applied to different functional domains: the virtual platform uses general-purpose processors optimized for adaptability and control plane tasks, while the user plane and time-critical functions are offloaded to specialized hardware accelerators and FPGAs that provide high-speed deterministic processing. This local quality differentiation ensures each domain receives the appropriate processing characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

A standardized interface layer acts as an intermediary between the virtual platform and the special-purpose hardware unit. This interface mediates the interaction between the adaptable software-based control plane and the high-speed hardware-based user plane, allowing the general-purpose processor to maintain adaptability while the hardware component delivers the required processing speed through defined communication protocols and data formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If proprietary hardware is used for baseband controllers, then time-critical user plane processing is improved, but economies of scale and cost-effectiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime-critical processingVSAvoidcost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the advantages of both virtualized and hardware-based approaches by combining a scalable virtual platform with targeted hardware acceleration for time-critical functions. This hybrid architecture allows economies of scale to be realized through standardized virtual platform deployments while maintaining time-critical performance through selective hardware acceleration, thereby improving cost-effectiveness without sacrificing processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11528778B2Baseband controller for centralized radio access network (C-RAN) implemented using hybrid virtualization architecture

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC

AI summary

One embodiment is directed to a baseband controller for use with a plurality of radio points to provide wireless service to user equipment (UE) using a wireless interface. The baseband controller makes use of a hybrid virtualized architecture comprising special-purpose hardware configured to implement at least some of the LAYER-1 functions for the wireless interface and a virtual platform configured to implement some of the functions for the wireless interface. Such a baseband controller can be used in dual connectivity radio access networks.