MAC Control Plane Splitting for 5G Inter-Cell Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio access network (RAN) architectures face challenges in efficiently splitting the control plane and user plane for media access control, particularly in 5th generation wireless systems, which hinders advanced inter-cell coordination and resource management.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a RAN architecture where the RAN controller splits the media access control (MAC) control plane and user plane, with evolved Node Bs (eNBs) performing MAC layer user plane functionalities and the RAN controller handling MAC control plane functions, enabling centralized multi-user and multi-cell coordination through standardized message formats and interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the MAC control plane and user plane are kept together in a single node, then the architecture is simpler and easier to implement, but advanced inter-cell coordination and resource management cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MAC layer into two independent planes: control plane (MAC-CP) and user plane (MAC-UP). The MAC-CP is centralized in the RAN controller to handle coordination functions, while the MAC-UP is distributed to eNBs for local user data handling. This segmentation enables inter-cell coordination capabilities while maintaining operational simplicity at each node.
2Productivity
If MAC layer functionalities are centralized in the RAN controller, then multi-user and multi-cell coordination is improved, but the processing load and latency for user data increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating MAC-CP and MAC-UP, the patent enables parallel processing where MAC-UP operations at eNBs handle user data immediately without waiting for centralized MAC-CP processing. The MAC-CP handles coordination tasks independently, eliminating the latency penalty of centralized processing for user data while maintaining efficient resource allocation through centralized coordination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the MAC layer is split between RAN controller and eNBs, then advanced 5G technologies are supported, but the interface complexity and standardization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized interface between MAC-CP and MAC-UP that acts as an intermediary, defining clear message formats and protocols for coordination. This standardized interface simplifies the complexity by providing well-defined interaction rules between the split MAC components, enabling 5G technologies while managing interface complexity through standardization.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein are methods, apparatus and systems for a RAN controller, that may comprise a processor, and a device readable media having instructions stored there on that, when being executed by the one or more processors, cause the processor to perform: receive, from a base station, a MAC user plane (UP) message via an interface, wherein the MAC UP message is associated with a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) to be transferred between the base station and a user equipment (UE), or with a channel condition between the base station and the UE; generate a MAC control plane (CP) message, based at least in part on the MAC UP message, wherein the MAC CP message is associated with MAC layer multi-user scheduling or MAC layer multi-cell coordination; and transmit the MAC CP message to the base station via the interface.