Link Adaptation in Centralized Radio Access Networks

Solution Overview

Problem

In partly centralized radio access networks, the high Peak-to-Average-Computational-Effort-Ratio (PACER) leads to inefficient use of computational resources, resulting in high energy costs and potential operational failures due to insufficient resources during peak demands.

Innovation Solution

The system monitors and adjusts the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) and uplink power for user equipment on a per-UE basis to dynamically balance the computational load at the central processor, optimizing resource allocation based on current load and channel conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If computational resources are increased to handle peak demands, then system reliability is improved, but energy costs and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidenergy costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of computational load by adjusting modulation and coding schemes based on real-time channel conditions and computational effort measurements. The system transitions from static resource allocation to dynamic load adaptation, where the central processor adjusts processing parameters to match actual demand, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high reliability during peaks and reducing energy consumption during low-utilization periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (modulation order, coding rate, computational effort levels) based on measured channel conditions and computational load metrics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than maintaining fixed high-capacity resources, the system achieves reliable operation during peak demands while reducing energy consumption during lower-utilization periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If computational resources are increased to handle peak demands, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of computational load by adjusting modulation and coding schemes based on real-time channel conditions and computational effort measurements. The system transitions from static resource allocation to dynamic load adaptation, where the central processor adjusts processing parameters to match actual demand, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high reliability during peaks and reducing energy consumption during low-utilization periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the computational load into different levels (low, medium, high computational effort) and associates each level with specific modulation and coding schemes. This segmentation allows the system to handle peak demands reliably by activating higher computational levels only when necessary, rather than maintaining maximum complexity continuously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If modulation and coding scheme is adjusted to reduce computational load, then computational resource efficiency is improved, but data transmission rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputational resource efficiencyVSAvoiddata transmission rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes operational parameters (modulation order, coding rate, computational effort levels) based on measured channel conditions and computational load metrics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than maintaining fixed high-capacity resources, the system achieves reliable operation during peak demands while reducing energy consumption during lower-utilization periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of computational load by adjusting modulation and coding schemes based on real-time channel conditions and computational effort measurements. The system transitions from static resource allocation to dynamic load adaptation, where the central processor adjusts processing parameters to match actual demand, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high reliability during peaks and reducing energy consumption during low-utilization periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9882676B2Link-adaptation in partly centralized radio access networks

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 NEC CORP

AI summary

A method and system provides for adapting a computational load in a partly centralized radio access network. A computational load of computational elements of a central processor is measured or estimated, which central processor communicates with a plurality of radio access points and user equipment in the partly centralized radio access network. It is determined, by the central processor, whether the computational load should be reduced or increased. The computational load is adjusted by changing at least one of a modulation and coding scheme of the user equipment or an uplink power.