LTE Base Station Segmentation for Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems suffer from significant latency and high installation and maintenance costs, necessitating an efficient and cost-effective solution to reduce latency and improve communication efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that coordinates communication between user devices and core networks through a combination of evolved NodeB base stations and remote radio heads, utilizing a fronthaul Ethernet connection for message exchange, including layer 1 and layer 2 configuration and radio resource control (RRC) connections, to reduce latency and optimize data packet transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional LTE systems are used, then communication coverage and basic functionality are maintained, but latency remains significant and communication efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the base station functionality into separate network elements: Remote Radio Heads (RRHs) for radio frequency operations and Baseband Units (BBUs) for signal processing. This segmentation allows parallel processing of communication tasks, reducing latency while maintaining communication efficiency through specialized functional distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing fronthaul connections between RRHs and BBUs, and by performing radio resource control (RRC) connection setup in advance. Configuration messages for layer 1 and layer 2 are prepared and transmitted beforehand, reducing the time required for actual data communication and thereby reducing latency.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional LTE base station architecture is used, then full functionality is provided, but installation and maintenance costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the base station into modular RRH and BBU components that can be independently deployed, installed, and maintained. This segmentation reduces installation complexity and maintenance costs, as individual modules can be serviced without affecting the entire system, while still providing full LTE functionality through coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fronthaul Ethernet connections as an intermediary communication medium between RRHs and BBUs. This standardized interface simplifies integration and reduces installation complexity by using conventional Ethernet infrastructure, thereby lowering deployment costs while maintaining full base station functionality.
3Reliability
If separate message transmission for layer 1/2 configuration and RRC connections is used, then protocol compliance is maintained, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmission of layer 1 and layer 2 configuration messages with RRC connection setup messages into a unified fronthaul communication stream. This combining allows multiple protocol elements to be transmitted simultaneously through the same channel, maintaining protocol compliance while reducing the total time required for connection establishment and thereby reducing latency.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, a method, and a computer program product for coordinating communication of data packets between a user device and a core network are disclosed. The system includes a first device communicatively coupled to the core network, a second device communicatively coupled to the first device. The second device receives signals from the user device. The first device and the second device share at least one functionality associated with layer 2 of a long term evolution radio access network.