Intelligent Remote Radio Unit Self-Diagnostic Microservice
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G wireless systems face high operational expenses due to costly false positive dispatches and maintenance activities for remote radio units (RRUs), as they lack self-management capabilities, leading to inefficient troubleshooting and potential unnecessary replacements.
Innovation Solution
Implementing intelligent remote radio units (iRRUs) with self-monitoring, self-diagnostic, and self-healing capabilities, facilitated by a virtual probe microservice and over-the-air connectivity, allowing for local issue resolution and reduced reliance on manual technician interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual monitoring and maintenance procedures are used for remote radio units, then operational control is maintained, but operational expenses increase due to false positive dispatches and unnecessary technician interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The remote radio unit is equipped with self-diagnostic capabilities that enable it to automatically monitor its own operational status, detect faults, and initiate corrective actions without external intervention. The system performs automated latency assessments of its communication links and can independently determine when technical assistance is actually required, thereby eliminating false positive dispatches and reducing operational expenses while maintaining network availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the remote radio unit monitors its operational parameters, assesses link latency, and reports status to the network management system. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of actual versus perceived faults, allowing the system to distinguish between genuine issues requiring technician intervention and false alarms, thereby optimizing both reliability and operational efficiency
2Productivity
If remote radio units lack self-management capabilities, then device complexity is low, but troubleshooting efficiency decreases leading to longer resolution times
Solution Approach 1:
The remote radio unit performs preliminary self-diagnostic actions automatically upon detecting operational issues. It proactively assesses link latency, tests communication paths, and gathers diagnostic information before technician arrival. This preliminary action significantly improves troubleshooting efficiency by providing technicians with accurate fault information upfront, reducing their workload and resolution time despite the added device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The self-management functionality is segmented into distinct modular components including latency assessment modules, diagnostic testing modules, and automated corrective action modules. This segmentation allows the system to perform complex troubleshooting functions while maintaining manageable device architecture, enabling high productivity without excessive complexity
3Ease of operation
If automated self-healing procedures are implemented, then false positive dispatches are reduced, but the extent of automation increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated self-healing procedures where the remote radio unit independently executes corrective actions for diagnosed faults. It can automatically restart services, reconfigure communication paths, and recover from common failures without human intervention. This self-service capability dramatically improves maintenance efficiency by eliminating false positive dispatches, while the automation is managed through standardized protocols that control system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The current disclosure facilitates the use of intelligent remote radio unites via the use of microservices and modems to make the radio head intelligent. If an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI) link is down, the radio head can communicate over the air via the wireless network to an operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) network. Thus, if the microservice is located at the radio head, the microservice can continuously monitor the radio head and evaluate its status. The microservice can then use this information to determine a status (e.g., latency, latency time, or the like) of the radio head and provide that information to the OAM. The microservice can facilitate rebooting or restarting of the radio head and/or run additional testing and/or measures on the link and/or the port of the radio head and provide that information over the air.