O-RAN Radio Discovery Mapping for Multi-Carrier CPRI Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods and systems struggle to manage multiple radio units connected to multiple CPRI ports in Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN), leading to data packet loss due to the inability to determine the correct CPRI port for each radio, as the DU port ID does not match the discovered CPRI port.
Innovation Solution
A Next Generation Distributed Unit (NGDU) with a RIM management controller and DU port registry is introduced, which receives DU port IDs, determines the connected processing unit, maps it to a CPRI port, and enables communication between the radio and corresponding DUs, using a DU port registry to simplify radio discovery and support multiple carrier radios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a radio is connected to two CPRI ports and communicates with multiple DUs, then the system provides flexibility of connecting radios to multiple DUs, but the DU is not able to determine which radio is connected to which CPRI port leading to data packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the DU port registry with all possible DU port ID to CPRI port mappings before radio discovery occurs. When a radio is discovered, the system can immediately determine the correct CPRI port by matching the received DU port ID against the pre-populated registry, eliminating the need for trial-and-error or post-discovery configuration adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The DU port registry acts as an intermediary data structure that mediates between the received DU port ID and the physical CPRI port identification. This registry serves as a lookup table that translates the logical DU port identifier into the physical CPRI port identifier, enabling the system to correctly route data packets without direct coupling between the radio and specific CPRI ports.
2Reliability
If the DU port ID does not match with the discovered CPRI port, then data packets get dropped leading to loss of data, but requiring a mechanism to correctly identify and map DU port IDs to CPRI ports increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically performing the DU port ID to CPRI port mapping through the discovery mechanism. When a radio discovers the NGDU, it receives a DU port ID, and the system automatically queries the DU port registry to determine the corresponding CPRI port without requiring manual configuration or complex external intervention. The registry itself is self-populated with the necessary mapping information.
3Device complexity
If excid is tightly coupled with FPGA number as well as CPRI port, then the mapping is fixed and simple, but there is no yang leaf to specify the CPRI port which got discovered through the M-plane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the excid coupling into distinct components: the FPGA number identification and the CPRI port identification. Instead of having a single tightly-coupled excid that combines both, the system uses the DU port registry to separately manage the mapping between DU port IDs (which identify the FPGA) and CPRI ports, allowing independent discovery and configuration of each component.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to a NGDU for managing radio units in an O-RAN. The NGDU includes a RIM management controller, a plurality of DUs, at least two processing units includes multiple CPRI ports and a plurality of RUs connected to each of the at least two processing units through the plurality of CPRI ports. The RIM management controller includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a DU port ID associated with the RU and determine a processing unit to which the at least one RU is connected based on the DU port ID. The processor is also configured to map the processing unit to a CPRI port in a DU port registry, determine the CPRI port connecting the RU to the NGDU based on the mapping and enable communication between the RU connected to the determined CPRI port and a corresponding DU over the ORAN.