O-RAN Network Function Updates for Bulk Remote Cell Site Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Updating network functions (NFs) in cellular networks, particularly in O-RAN deployments, is challenging due to the need for individual manual intervention at each site, leading to inefficiencies in time and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A network function (NF) update manager is employed to remotely manage and update NFs across multiple cell sites, allowing parallel updates and customized workflows tailored to specific NF brands, with health checks and dependency management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual individual updates are performed at each cell site, then update reliability is maintained, but update time and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the update process into distinct phases: preparation phase (generating update packages offline), deployment phase (transferring packages to cell sites), and execution phase (performing updates at each site). This segmentation allows parallel execution of updates across multiple cell sites while maintaining individual site reliability through controlled phase transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by preparing update packages offline before deployment. Update packages are generated, validated, and staged in advance at a central location, then distributed to multiple cell sites simultaneously. This preliminary preparation ensures that when updates are executed at cell sites, they can proceed reliably without requiring real-time manual intervention.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual individual updates are performed at each cell site, then update accuracy is maintained, but resource consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The update manager system provides universal functionality by handling multiple cell sites through a single centralized platform. It can manage updates for diverse NF types (DU, CU, O-RAN components) across numerous cell sites using the same infrastructure, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools and manual resources while maintaining update accuracy through standardized procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and distributes copy of update packages to multiple cell sites simultaneously. Instead of manually transferring update content to each site individually, the update package is copied and deployed in parallel across all target cell sites, significantly reducing resource consumption while ensuring each site receives the exact same validated update content for accuracy.
3Productivity
If remote centralized management is implemented, then update efficiency increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The update manager acts as an intermediary between the central management system and cell sites. It handles complex operations such as generating update packages, managing dependencies, and coordinating deployments, thereby simplifying the interface to cell sites and enabling efficient remote management without requiring proportional increases in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service capabilities where the update manager automatically performs tasks such as validating update packages, checking dependencies, and coordinating deployments across cell sites without requiring manual intervention at each site. This automation increases update efficiency while the standardized self-service processes actually reduce overall system complexity by eliminating manual coordination overhead.
4Productivity
If bulk parallel updates are performed, then productivity increases, but control and monitoring difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The update manager implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the status of parallel updates across multiple cell sites. It tracks progress, detects issues, and provides real-time status information, enabling effective control and monitoring of bulk operations. The system can identify which cell sites are updating successfully and which require attention, maintaining productivity while reducing monitoring difficulty through automated feedback loops.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for remotely performing network function updates at cell sites is provided. An example method includes determining, by one or more processors, to perform a network function (NF) update of a NF at one or more cell sites of a cellular network; determining, by the one or more processors, the one or more cell sites to perform the NF update; generating, by the one or more processors, one or more operations to perform the NF update of the NF; establishing, by the one or more processors, one or more connections between an NF update manager and one or more devices at the one or more cell sites determined to perform the NF update, wherein the NF update manager is located remotely from the one or more cell sites; and causing the NF update to be performed at the one or more cell sites.