Open RAN SON and RRM Split for Multi-Vendor Coordination
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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 across multi-vendor environments, leading to interoperability issues, poor performance, and inefficient resource allocation due to proprietary implementations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for enabling SON and RRM functionalities within the Near-Real Time (RT) and Non-Real Time (RT) RIC entities of the O-RAN architecture, utilizing a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) module to facilitate data collection and execution split localization, ensuring all necessary data is available at a single network entity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SON and RRM functionalities are implemented using proprietary implementations across multi-vendor environments, then each vendor can optimize their own performance, but interoperability issues and coordination problems arise leading to poor overall network performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal RIC platform that can execute SON and RRM functional elements from multiple vendors through standardized interfaces. The RIC architecture provides a common execution environment that accommodates different vendor implementations while maintaining interoperability through standardized data models and communication protocols, resolving the contradiction between vendor-specific optimization and multi-vendor compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The RIC acts as an intermediary layer between the RAN and core network, mediating the execution of SON and RRM functionalities. It provides a standardized interface that allows multi-vendor functional elements to interact through common protocols, eliminating direct vendor-to-vendor coordination issues while maintaining the ability to execute specialized algorithms from different vendors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If SON functionalities are distributed across multiple network entities, then vendor-specific optimizations can be maintained, but data availability and coordination efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts SON and RRM functional elements from their traditional distributed locations in RAN nodes and consolidates them in the RIC. This extraction allows centralized data collection and processing while maintaining the ability to execute vendor-specific algorithms, improving data availability without losing vendor optimization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The RIC architecture segments SON and RRM functionalities into independent functional elements that can be selectively executed. This segmentation allows different vendor-specific functions to operate independently while sharing common data resources, maintaining vendor optimization while improving overall data availability through centralized management.
3Reliability
If manual monitoring and optimization is performed in HetNets, then detailed control over network performance can be achieved, but operational expenses and deployment time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation through the RIC, which automatically monitors network performance, executes SON algorithms for optimization, and performs self-healing operations. The system collects performance data, analyzes it using embedded algorithms, and automatically implements corrective actions without human intervention, replacing manual operations with automated intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The RIC establishes continuous feedback loops that monitor network performance metrics, evaluate them against target thresholds, and automatically trigger optimization algorithms. The system continuously collects performance data, processes it through SON functional elements, and adjusts network parameters in real-time based on the evaluation results, enabling automated closed-loop optimization.
Data Source
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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.