MIB Buffer Handling in Split RAN to Avoid Midhaul SFN Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
The split architecture of vCU and vDU in a cloud native environment introduces messaging congestion and network issues, leading to high latency and error rates in transmitting Master Information Block (MIB) messages, which affects UE synchronization.
Innovation Solution
Shift the periodic SFN generation from the vCU to the vDU, using a dummy SFN (D-SFN) initially sent by the vCU, and have the vDU calculate and update the SFN at a fixed offset, ensuring timely delivery to the UE without Midhaul delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the MIB message is transmitted through the Midhaul between vCU and vDU in a split architecture, then the architecture achieves functional distribution and cloud native deployment flexibility, but messaging congestion and network issues occur leading to high latency and error rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SFN generation function from the MIB transmission path. The vDU generates SFNs locally using a utility function, separating this time-critical function from the vCU-Midhaul-vDU messaging path. This segmentation allows the MIB transmission to proceed without waiting for SFN updates from the vCU, eliminating the reliability bottleneck while preserving the split architecture's deployment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The vDU performs preliminary action by pre-generating SFNs using a utility function before they are needed for MIB transmission. The SFN generation is decoupled from the MIB message flow, allowing the vDU to have SFNs ready in advance without depending on timely delivery of MIB updates from the vCU through the Midhaul.
2Extent of automation
If the vCU sends MIB encoded buffer with SFN through Midhaul to vDU, then centralized control is maintained, but latency increases due to network transmission delays and messaging congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling the vDU to generate SFNs locally using a utility function, rather than receiving them centrally from the vCU. This local generation capability allows the vDU to operate independently in terms of time synchronization, eliminating the latency caused by Midhaul transmission while maintaining centralized control over the overall system architecture and configuration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If periodic SFN updates are sent from vCU to vDU via Midhaul, then synchronization is maintained, but messaging congestion occurs increasing error rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the SFN generation function from the MIB message transmission path. Instead of embedding SFN updates within MIB messages that traverse the Midhaul, the vDU generates SFNs independently using a utility function. This extraction eliminates the coupling between MIB transmission reliability and SFN synchronization, allowing both functions to operate independently without interfering with each other's reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for implementing dynamic content handling of inter layer messages in a pod based cloud native environment, the method includes: receiving, by a virtual centralized unit (vCU), at least one Master Information Block (MIB) parameter configured by a virtual element management system (vEMS); preparing, by the vCU, a MIB encoded buffer may include a Dummy System Frame Number (D-SFN); sending, by the vCU, once at the time of startup initiation, the MIB encoded buffer with the D-SFN to a virtual distributed unit (vDU) via a Midhaul between the vCU and the vDU; receiving, by the vDU, the MIB encoded buffer with the D-SFN via the Midhaul; for each received MIB encoded buffer, by the vDU, calculating a new SFN from an utility function; updating the MIB encoded buffer; and sending the updated MIB encoded buffer with the new SFN from the utility function to a user entity (UE).