Multi-Operator Multi-Vendor RAN Pooling and Slicing for Emergency Restoration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks during disasters or emergencies suffer from delays due to individual service providers operating independently, leading to degraded or unavailable services, which can be exacerbated by a lack of resource pooling and compliance with open industry standards.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for pooling resources across multiple network operators by detecting scenarios requiring resource sharing, obtaining availability data, generating a communication service plan, and adapting resources to meet quality thresholds, utilizing AI and machine learning to optimize resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If individual service providers operate independently in monolithic networks, then each provider can maintain operational independence and proprietary system control, but communication service restoration delays increase and resource optimization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network functions into separate, disaggregated components that can be independently managed and combined. By breaking down monolithic network architectures into modular network functions (NFV), the system enables flexible resource pooling across operators while maintaining operational independence, thereby reducing service restoration delays without requiring complete system reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges resources across multiple network operators through a common resource pool managed by a neutral host. This combining of previously siloed network resources enables collaborative service restoration during disasters while maintaining each operator's independence through standardized interfaces and protocols, directly addressing the time loss contradiction
2Adaptability or versatility
If vendors use proprietary systems independently, then each vendor can optimize for their specific technology, but cross-operator resource pooling and compliance with open standards are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal interfaces and standardized protocols that enable different vendor systems to interoperate seamlessly. The neutral host manages a common resource pool using standardized APIs that accept network functions from multiple vendors, providing multi-functionality and adaptability while simplifying integration through uniform interaction models rather than vendor-specific custom connections
Solution Approach 2:
The neutral host acts as an intermediary layer between different vendor systems and operators. This mediator translates and coordinates between proprietary systems and open standards, enabling resource pooling across operators without requiring direct integration between incompatible systems, thus improving both adaptability and ease of manufacture
3Productivity
If network resources are not disaggregated, then network infrastructure remains simple and manageable, but mix-and-match resource optimization is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by disaggregating network functions into independent, manageable units that can be dynamically allocated. This modular approach enables efficient mix-and-match resource optimization during disaster scenarios while controlling complexity through standardized management interfaces and automated orchestration, directly resolving the productivity-complexity contradiction
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a scenario that warrants a pooling of first resources associated with a first network operator with second resources associated with at least a second network operator that is different from the first network operator, based on the detecting, obtaining first data indicating an availability of a first portion of the first resources and second data indicating an availability of a first portion of the second resources, processing at least the first data and the second data to generate a plan for facilitating a communication service involving the first portion of the first resources and the first portion of the second resources, and facilitating the communication service based on the plan. Other embodiments are disclosed.