MAC Layer Virtualization for Channel-Aware Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile network virtualization systems do not allow mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) to fully utilize varying channel qualities of their individual subscribers, as the physical layer and medium access control are managed by the mobile network operator (MNO), limiting their ability to make channel-aware resource block assignments.
Innovation Solution
The system introduces virtual medium access control (vMAC) layers that allow service groups to program their own scheduling logic, with the underlying MAC layer virtualizing physical resource blocks into virtual resource blocks (vRBs) and allocating them to vMAC layers, enabling channel-aware scheduling and decoupling the resource assignment from the scheduling operations, allowing MVNOs and service groups to dynamically manage their resources based on virtual channel state information (vCSI).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the physical layer and medium access control are managed by the mobile network operator (MNO), then resource management is centralized and simplified, but mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) cannot utilize varying channel qualities of their individual subscribers
Solution Approach 1:
The MAC layer is segmented into multiple virtual MAC (vMAC) layers, each serving a specific service group or MVNO. Each vMAC layer can independently implement channel-aware scheduling for its subscribed users, while the underlying physical layer remains managed by the MNO. This segmentation enables adaptability without requiring complete restructuring of the physical layer management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization dimension to the MAC layer, creating multiple virtual MAC layers that operate simultaneously over a single physical MAC layer. This dimensional addition allows MVNOs to access channel quality information and make scheduling decisions without modifying the physical layer management structure, thus achieving adaptability while maintaining centralized control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple virtual MAC layers are introduced to enable channel-aware scheduling, then MVNOs can dynamically manage resources, but the MAC layer structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The underlying physical MAC layer is designed to serve multiple vMAC layers simultaneously, acting as a universal interface that handles resource allocation for all service groups. This multi-functionality allows the physical layer to maintain simplified management while supporting multiple virtual layers that each provide dynamic resource management for their respective MVNOs.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical MAC layer acts as an intermediary between the multiple vMAC layers and the physical resource blocks. It receives scheduling requests from various vMAC layers, consolidates resource allocation decisions, and manages the actual physical resource assignment. This intermediary role enables dynamic resource management at the virtual layer while keeping physical layer management relatively simple.
3Productivity
If virtual resource blocks are mapped to physical resource blocks dynamically, then resource utilization is improved, but conflict-free mapping becomes more difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the physical MAC layer monitors resource allocation requests from multiple vMAC layers and provides information about available physical resource blocks. This feedback enables dynamic mapping of virtual resource blocks to physical resource blocks while ensuring that conflicts are avoided, as the physical MAC layer has global visibility of resource availability and can make coordinated assignment decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed within is a communication architecture for medium access control (MAC) layer virtualization, where the architecture is made up of: a MAC layer, a plurality of physical resource blocks (RBs) associated with the MAC layer, a plurality of virtual medium access control (vMAC) layers (each vMAC layer corresponding to a separate service group, where each service group programs its own scheduling logic in each vMAC instance), a plurality of virtual resource blocks (vRBs) associated with each vMAC layer (the vRBs filled with data packets according to the scheduling logic in each vMAC instance), where the MAC layer virtualizes the RBs as vRBs and assigns them to each vMAC layer.