Near-RT RIC Coordination of SON and RRM in Open RAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing O-RAN architectures face challenges in integrating Self-Organizing Network (SON) and Radio Resource Management (RRM) functionalities due to multi-vendor interoperability issues, leading to poor performance and inefficient resource management in heterogeneous networks.
Innovation Solution
The system and method enable SON and RRM functionalities by integrating them into Near-Real Time (RT) and Non-Real Time (RT) RIC entities within the O-RAN architecture, utilizing a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) module to facilitate data collection and execution localization, ensuring all necessary data is available at a single network entity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SON and RRM functionalities are distributed across multiple vendors in O-RAN architecture, then multi-vendor interoperability is attempted, but network performance and resource management efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges SON and RRM functionalities into a single centralized execution site within the O-RAN architecture. This consolidation ensures that all necessary data for RAN level optimizations are available at one location, eliminating the performance degradation caused by multi-vendor distributed implementations while maintaining interoperability through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized execution site is designed to perform multiple functions including SON algorithms execution, RRM functionalities, data collection, and network optimization. This universal platform can handle various vendor implementations through standardized interfaces, achieving both multi-vendor support and consistent network performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If SON algorithms are left to individual implementation by vendors, then implementation flexibility is increased, but coordination and interoperability between different vendors deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized interface layer and centralized execution site that acts as an intermediary between different vendor implementations. This mediator enables coordination and data sharing between vendors while allowing each to maintain their own SON algorithm implementations, thus preserving flexibility while improving interoperability.
3Quantity of substance
If data collection for RRM functionalities is distributed across multiple network entities, then data source availability is increased, but data consolidation and optimization efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data collection and consolidation function to a centralized execution site. This central entity collects all necessary data from distributed sources across the network, consolidates it, and performs RRM optimizations. This approach maintains comprehensive data availability while dramatically improving optimization efficiency by eliminating distributed processing bottlenecks.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates wireless communication, more particularly to systems and methods for enabling self-organizing networks in an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN). A system via Near-RT RIC assigns at least one of one or more time-sensitive SON functional elements and one or more time-sensitive RRM functional elements in at least one of the Near-RT RIC and the EMS entity associated with the SMO module. The system via a Near-RT RIC may assign at least one of one or more time-sensitive SON functional elements and one or more time-sensitive RRM functional elements in at least one of the Near-RT RIC and the EMS entity associated with the SMO module. The Near-RT RIC may access via at least one of the xAPPs associated with the O-RAN and the EMN entity or the NMS entity, one or more Performance Monitoring (PM) counters, by requesting respective E2 Nodes via the E2 interface or via the O1 interface, respectively.