O-RAN Programmable RAN Hook Points for Telemetry and Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Open RAN architecture faces challenges in flexible data collection for monitoring and telemetry applications due to high volumes of telemetry data, and real-time control operations face tight time constraints, making it difficult to implement new features without affecting performance.
Innovation Solution
A programmable RAN platform using dynamic service models that define hook points within network functions, allowing codelets to execute and communicate via O-RAN interfaces, enabling flexible and efficient data access and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated processing hardware is used for each base station, then processing reliability is improved, but deployment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal edge data center platform that can serve multiple base stations and perform various RAN processing functions. Generic computing resources are shared across multiple cells, allowing the same infrastructure to handle different processing tasks for multiple base stations, thereby reducing per-station deployment costs while maintaining processing reliability through centralized management
2Adaptability or versatility
If generic computing resources are used in edge data center, then scalability is improved, but processing performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the edge data center can flexibly assign computing resources based on workload demands. The system can scale resources up or down dynamically, and allocate processing power to different cells based on their specific needs, thereby maintaining high processing performance while achieving scalability through generic computing infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments RAN processing into distributed units (DUs) and centralized unit (CU) functions, allowing generic computing resources to be divided and allocated to different processing tasks. This segmentation enables the system to handle diverse workloads efficiently on shared infrastructure, maintaining performance while achieving scalability
3Measurement precision
If more telemetry data is collected for monitoring applications, then measurement precision is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates telemetry data collection and processing functions into separate modular components within the edge data center. By separating data collection from data processing and analyzing functions, the system can collect comprehensive telemetry data for high measurement precision while managing processing complexity through dedicated analysis modules rather than monolithic processing
4Adaptability or versatility
If new control features are implemented in real-time, then adaptability is improved, but time constraints make it difficult to meet performance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary configuration of control features and processing pipelines in the edge data center. By pre-configuring processing routines and having ready-to-execute codelets, the system can quickly deploy new control features without extensive real-time setup, thereby achieving high adaptability while meeting strict time constraints for control operations
Data Source
AI summary
A communications network utilizes dynamic service models to facilitate programmability within a radio access network. An analysis node is configured to execute an analysis application based on information from a virtual network function. The virtual network function configured to provide a dynamic service model that defines one or more hook points within instructions for operating the virtual network function and one or more parameters that can be accessed by a codelet at the hook point. The virtual network function dynamically receives a codelet from the analysis node. The virtual network function verifies that the codelet complies with the dynamic service model. The virtual network function executes the codelet at one of the hook points.