Immersion-Cooled Far-Edge Server for Pole-Mounted RRU Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telecom providers face challenges in providing connectivity to remote radio-units (RRUs) due to high costs and environmental constraints, as traditional far-edge wireless-telecom servers require environmentally-controlled server rooms or long fiber-optic cable runs, which are often cost-prohibitive and difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
A far-edge wireless-telecom server design that includes an internal enclosure filled with dielectric liquid, pumps for circulation, network, radio, and power connections passing through the enclosure walls, and fans for air direction, allowing placement near RRUs without the need for server rooms or extensive cabling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional environmentally-controlled server rooms are used for far-edge wireless-telecom servers, then server reliability and environmental protection are improved, but infrastructure cost and deployment complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the environmental control function from the traditional server room infrastructure and integrates it directly into the server unit itself. The server includes an sealed enclosure with internal temperature control, humidity control, and protection against environmental contaminants, allowing the server to be placed in any environment without requiring a dedicated controlled server room.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing environmental control specifically where needed - inside the server enclosure - rather than controlling the entire server room environment. The server has localized climate control systems including temperature control, humidity control, and air filtration that operate independently within the server unit.
2Reliability
If long fiber-optic cable runs are used to connect servers to RRUs in remote locations, then connectivity is maintained, but cost and signal quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the server and RRU into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for long fiber-optic cable runs. The combined unit contains both the wireless communication functionality of the RRU and the processing functionality of the server, with all connections made internally rather than through external cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the traditional separate server and RRU components into a single modular unit that can be deployed as one package. This segmented approach allows the entire system to be placed close to the antenna structure without requiring separate locations for servers and RRUs.
3Loss of time
If servers are placed close to RRUs to meet timing constraints, then timing precision is improved, but environmental exposure and protection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides beforehand cushioning by incorporating protective measures into the server enclosure before deployment. The sealed enclosure protects against dust, moisture, and other environmental contaminants, while internal climate control systems prevent temperature and humidity extremes that could affect timing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials in the enclosure construction, combining materials with different properties to achieve both environmental protection and thermal management. The enclosure provides protection against environmental contaminants while allowing for heat dissipation, and includes insulation layers for temperature control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables cost-effective and efficient deployment of wireless-telecom servers proximate to RRUs, maintaining connectivity and meeting strict timing constraints while reducing infrastructure costs.
Implementation Method 1
the internal enclosure is filled with a dielectric liquid... one or more pumps configured to circulate the dielectric liquid within the internal enclosure
Implementation Method 2
one or more pumps configured to circulate the dielectric liquid within the internal enclosure
Implementation Method 3
one or more fans configured to direct air around the internal enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a wireless-telecom server for implementation proximate a remote radio-unit (RRU) (e.g., on a same pole as the RRU). The server includes an internal enclosure with wireless-telecom network cards and a dielectric liquid disposed therein. The server also includes pumps configured to circulate the dielectric liquid within the internal enclosure. The server further includes a network connection configured to communicate with a network, radio connection configured to communicate with the RRU, and a power connection configured to supply power to the server. The network connection, the radio connection, and the power connection pass through a wall of the internal enclosure. The server also includes fans configured to direct air around the internal enclosure. By configuring the server for placement proximate the RRU, a need for a server room near the RRU and/or a high number of long fiber-optic cable runs may be obviated.