Inter DU Carrier Aggregation via Centralized Unit Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G networks face challenges in achieving reliable and fast content transmission due to increased cellular traffic, leading to poor throughputs and negative network performances caused by non-aggregable radio frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
Implementing inter Distributed Unit (DU) carrier aggregation by a Centralized Unit (CU) to identify and configure suitable DUs for data transmission across aggregated component carriers, considering coverage overlapping, frequency bands, distances, and traffic load, and scheduling data transmission based on channel quality and Quality of Service (QOS) requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carrier aggregation is supported within a same cell site, then throughput is improved, but RF coverage limitations prevent aggregation of certain frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier aggregation function into two parts: the CU (Centralized Unit) performs scheduling and aggregation coordination across multiple DUs, while individual DUs handle local radio frequency transmission. This segmentation allows frequency bands from different DUs to be aggregated even when they cannot be aggregated within a single cell site, overcoming RF coverage limitations while maintaining high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The CU acts as an intermediary that coordinates carrier aggregation across multiple DUs. It receives scheduling requests, determines resource allocation, and manages the aggregation of component carriers from different DUs, enabling inter-DU carrier aggregation that overcomes the RF coverage constraints of single-cell-site aggregation.
2Productivity
If multiple DUs from different cells are used for carrier aggregation, then bandwidth and throughput are enhanced, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scheduling and coordination functions of multiple DUs into a single CU. This centralization consolidates the complexity of coordinating inter-DU carrier aggregation into one entity, allowing multiple DUs to be managed efficiently without proportionally increasing overall system complexity. The CU handles resource allocation, scheduling, and aggregation coordination across all connected DUs.
Solution Approach 2:
The CU is designed as a universal coordinating entity that can manage multiple DUs and handle various carrier aggregation scenarios. It performs multiple functions including scheduling, resource allocation, and aggregation coordination, making the system scalable and reducing per-DU coordination overhead.
3Reliability
If carrier aggregation is implemented across different cells, then network performance is improved, but scheduling and resource allocation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The CU performs preliminary scheduling and resource allocation decisions before data transmission. It determines which component carriers from which DUs should be aggregated for each UE, and pre-allocates resources. This preliminary action simplifies the actual transmission process and reduces the difficulty of real-time scheduling across multiple cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the CU monitors the performance of aggregated carriers and adjusts scheduling decisions accordingly. This feedback loop enables the CU to optimize resource allocation across multiple DUs based on actual network conditions, improving network performance while managing scheduling complexity through adaptive control.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies for inter DU carrier aggregation are disclosed. An example method includes identifying, by a CU, multiple DUs associated with the CU for carrier aggregation. A first subset of the DUs is associated with a first cell and a second subset of the DUs associated with a second cell. The method also includes configuring, by the CU, the DUs to aggregate selected component carriers, and scheduling, by the CU, data transmission across the aggregated selected component carriers as a basis for the DUs to transmit and receive data.