5G OpenRAN Controller Virtualization for Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transition to 5G networks is costly and complex, requiring significant investment for RAN and Packet Core upgrades, and existing technologies lack efficient solutions for gradual migration from 4G to 5G, especially in terms of reducing deployment and maintenance costs while ensuring seamless coverage and capacity.
Innovation Solution
The 5G OpenRAN controller virtualizes existing cells and cores into dynamic pools of resources, providing standard interfaces to packet cores and supporting multi-technology RANs, enabling efficient migration and reducing deployment complexity through software-defined architecture and network orchestration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 5G network is deployed with complete upgrade of RAN and Packet Core, then network performance and capabilities are improved, but deployment cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 5G deployment into multiple phases: Phase 1 uses 4G RAN with 5G Packet Core for initial 5G capabilities, Phase 2 introduces 5G RAN gradually, and Phase 3 achieves full 5G deployment. This segmentation allows operators to achieve 5G performance benefits without immediately undertaking the complete complexity of full 5G RAN and Packet Core deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by deploying the 5G Packet Core and control plane functions in Phase 1 before the full 5G RAN is ready. This allows the network to prepare 5G capabilities, perform network slicing, and establish 5G core functions in advance, so that when 5G RAN is deployed in Phase 2, the infrastructure is already in place and ready to operate at full 5G performance.
2Device complexity
If gradual migration from 4G to 5G is implemented, then deployment cost is reduced, but migration efficiency and seamless coverage may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified 5G Packet Core that serves both 4G and 5G RANs simultaneously during the migration phase. This multi-functional core handles 4G EPS bearers and 5G PDU sessions, manages both 4G E-UTRAN and 5G NR RANs, and provides seamless mobility between 4G and 5G networks, thereby maintaining high migration efficiency while reducing deployment costs through a single core infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The 5G Packet Core acts as an intermediary between 4G and 5G networks during migration. It translates between 4G and 5G protocols, manages handovers between 4G and 5G RANs, and maintains user sessions across both networks. This intermediary function enables efficient migration by allowing dual operation of 4G and 5G infrastructures without compromising seamless coverage or requiring complete 4G shutdown.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing 4G infrastructure is fully replaced with 5G, then future-proofing is achieved, but investment risk increases due to incomplete 5G standard finalization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic migration architecture where the network can flexibly adjust the ratio of 4G to 5G RAN resources based on 5G standard maturation and operational experience. Operators can start with 100% 4G RAN connected to 5G Packet Core, gradually introduce 5G RAN nodes as standards finalize, and dynamically balance traffic between 4G and 5G access networks. This dynamic approach future-proofs the network by ensuring 5G capability while reducing investment risk through incremental deployment rather than complete replacement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multi-technology RAN support is provided in 5G Packet Core, then network flexibility and migration options are improved, but core complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of multi-technology RAN support into separate, standardized interface layers within the 5G Packet Core. The control plane implements separate N2 interfaces for 4G and 5G RANs, and the user plane implements separate N3 interfaces, allowing each RAN type to be handled through dedicated protocol stacks. This extraction isolates the complexity into manageable, standardized components while maintaining overall core flexibility, as each technology interface can be developed and maintained independently.
Data Source
AI summary
A device, method and software are presented for a 5G OpenRAN controller. In one embodiment the 5G OpenRAN controller includes an interface for an EPC virtualization stack; an interface for a radio virtualization stack; a software suite executing on the 5G OpenRAN controller; and wherein the 5G OpenRAN controller virtualizes existing cells into a pool of virtualized resources that can be allocated dynamically and virtualizes multiple cores into a pool of resources for multi-technology RANs and presents them as standard interfaces to a packet core.