NGDU M-Plane Bridging for RU-DU Protocol Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Open-RAN networks, there is a mismatch in protocols between radio units (RUs) and distributed units (DUs) due to non-ORAN compliant protocols like SOAP, leading to communication issues, and there is a lack of a common interface for seamless integration of hardware and software elements from different vendors.
Innovation Solution
A Next Generation Distributed Unit (NGDU) with a RIM M-plane manager that enables communication between RUs and DUs using a non-NETCONF interface, translating and managing control plane identifiers to facilitate communication through a RIM M-plane controller, allowing seamless integration and compatibility across different vendors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If RUs use non-O-RAN compliant protocols like SOAP to communicate with the RIM manager, then existing RU hardware can be used, but protocol mismatch occurs between RUs and DUs leading to communication issues
Solution Approach 1:
The NGDU acts as an intermediary between RUs using non-O-RAN protocols (SOAP) and DUs using O-RAN compliant protocols (NETCONF). It translates and forwards communications between these different protocol interfaces, enabling interoperability without requiring changes to existing RU hardware while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the protocol parameter from non-O-RAN compliant (SOAP) to O-RAN compliant (NETCONF) at the NGDU layer. This parameter transformation allows RUs to continue using their existing proprietary protocols while the NGDU translates these into standard O-RAN protocols for communication with DUs.
2Reliability
If a common interface is implemented for all RUs and DUs, then seamless integration is achieved, but existing non-O-RAN RUs cannot communicate with O-RAN DUs
Solution Approach 1:
The NGDU provides universal functionality by supporting multiple protocol interfaces simultaneously. It can communicate with RUs using non-O-RAN protocols (SOAP) and with DUs using O-RAN compliant protocols (NETCONF), making it adaptable to different vendor equipment while enabling seamless integration within the O-RAN architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The NGDU serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between heterogeneous RU and DU interfaces. It receives communications from RUs using proprietary protocols, translates them into O-RAN compliant formats, and forwards them to DUs, thereby enabling interoperability between different vendors' equipment.
3Reliability
If protocol translation is implemented at the NGDU, then communication between RUs and DUs is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NGDU implements protocol translation functionality as a mediator layer. It contains a SOAP service that receives non-O-RAN compliant communications from RUs, translates them into NETCONF/O-RAN compliant formats, and forwards them to DUs. This centralized translation approach enables communication while managing complexity within a single network element.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments includes a NGDU for enabling communication in an O-RAN. The NGDU includes a RIM M-plane manager comprising a M-plane model, multiple DUs connected to the RIM M-plane manager and communicating with the RIM M-plane manager over a NETCONF interface and multiple RUs connected to the RIM M-plane manager and communicating with the RIM M-plane manager over a non-NETCONF interface. The RIM M-plane manager receives a first communication from RU over the non-NETCONF interface; send it to OSS and receive IP associated with DU for executing M plane service. The RIM M-plane controller starts a Netconf Callhome procedure with the DU and allows it to configure CP identifier at the RIM M-Plane manager. The RIM M-plane controller determines non-NETCONF interface compatible version of the CP identifier, sends the non-NETCONF interface compatible version of the CP identifier to the RU, and enables the communication between the RU and the DU.