ORAN Distributed Unit Failover via Primary and Secondary CUs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G network configurations face service outages when Centralized Units (CUs) require reconfiguration or updates, as DUs are typically connected to a single CU, leading to suspension of services and network coverage gaps.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where each Distributed Unit (DU) is connected to a pool of multiple CUs, allowing dynamic switching between a primary and secondary CU based on operational parameters and criteria, ensuring seamless service continuity during CU reconfiguration or capacity limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a DU is connected to a single primary CU for simplified network architecture, then device complexity is reduced, but service continuity is compromised when the primary CU requires reconfiguration or updates
Solution Approach 1:
The DU pre-establishes a secondary CU connection and maintains a ready-to-switch configuration before any service interruption occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the primary CU requires reconfiguration, the DU can immediately switch to the secondary CU without service interruption, thus resolving the contradiction between simplified architecture and service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operational state of the DU-CU connections by transitioning from a static single-CU configuration to a dynamic multi-CU configuration. The DU can switch between primary and secondary CUs based on operational parameters such as service availability, load conditions, and reconfiguration needs, thereby maintaining service continuity while managing network complexity.
2Reliability
If a DU switches to a secondary CU during primary CU reconfiguration, then service continuity is maintained, but device complexity increases due to multiple CU connections
Solution Approach 1:
The DU-CU connection architecture transitions from a static single-connection model to a dynamic multi-connection model. The DU maintains connections to both primary and secondary CUs, but only actively uses the primary CU during normal operation. The system dynamically switches to the secondary CU when needed, allowing service continuity while managing complexity through controlled dynamic behavior rather than permanent complex configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary CU acts as an intermediary backup resource that the DU can switch to when the primary CU is unavailable. This intermediary connection provides a safety net for service continuity without requiring the DU to permanently maintain complex multi-connection logic, as the secondary CU remains in standby mode until needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the primary CU is reconfigured or updated, then network capabilities are improved, but service interruption occurs due to single-CU dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary CU is pre-configured with the necessary capabilities and settings to immediately take over from the primary CU. This preliminary preparation of the backup CU ensures that when the primary CU undergoes reconfiguration or updates, the service can seamlessly continue through the secondary CU, eliminating service interruption time while maintaining network update capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a cushion of redundancy by maintaining a ready-to-use secondary CU connection. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if the primary CU requires reconfiguration, there is already a prepared backup path in place, preventing service interruption and allowing the primary CU to be updated without time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
An Open radio access network (ORAN) configured for accessing a 5G Core network to provide voice and data services to one or more mobile terminals, includes radio units (RUs), distributed units (DUs) and a centralized unit (CU) pool. The ORAN is configured such that each DU is configured to be associated concurrently to a primary CU and a secondary CU, both selected from the CU pool according to predetermined criteria. Upon occurrence of a predetermined event, the DU switches the secondary CU to become the primary CU, without resulting an outage in the ORAN.