O-RAN RU-DU Address Reassignment Without Service Restart
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for wireless networks, particularly in 5G, leads to spectrum congestion, slower speeds, and reduced reliability due to the need for denser infrastructure and higher device workloads, necessitating improved radio network technology to manage resource allocation and reduce latency.
Innovation Solution
A processor-based system dynamically updates mappings between radio units (RUs) and distributed units (DUs) in an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) using a lookup table to switch routing paths without restarting or reconfiguring RUs or DUs, optimizing bandwidth and load balancing through application programming interfaces (APIs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional RAN technologies are used to manage increased radio traffic, then network capacity can be increased, but spectrum congestion occurs leading to slower network speeds and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the RAN into independent functional units (RUs and DUs) that can be dynamically reassigned. This segmentation allows the system to handle increased traffic by distributing load across multiple units without causing system-wide congestion, thereby maintaining reliability while increasing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic mapping between RUs and DUs that can be reassigned in real-time based on traffic conditions. This dynamic approach allows the network to adapt to varying traffic demands, preventing spectrum congestion and maintaining network reliability even as capacity increases.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RUs and DUs are restarted or reconfigured to update mappings, then network address changes can be implemented, but latency increases and continuous operation is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains a lookup table that pre-stores multiple network address mappings between RUs and DUs. When reassignment is needed, the system simply switches to a pre-prepared mapping entry rather than performing configuration changes during operation, thus eliminating latency while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lookup table as an intermediary layer between RUs and DUs. This intermediary stores and manages network address mappings, allowing seamless reassignment without direct reconfiguration of the RU-DU connection, thereby maintaining continuous operation while enabling flexible mapping updates.
3Speed
If denser infrastructure is deployed to meet network demand, then low-latency connectivity can be provided, but logistical challenges increase especially in urban areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal DU that can serve multiple RUs through dynamic mapping. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated infrastructure at each location, as a single DU can be reassigned to different RUs based on demand, thereby maintaining high connectivity speed while simplifying deployment logistics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual dimension through software-based mapping between physical RUs and DUs. This allows the system to provide low-latency connectivity by optimizing logical connections rather than physically deploying more infrastructure, thus improving speed while reducing deployment complexity in urban areas.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and techniques to perform dynamic mapping between one or more Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) radio units (RUs) and one or more O-RAN distributed units (DUs). For example, processors or computing systems to perform switching of mappings between open radio unit (O-RU) and open distributed unit (O-DU) in an open radio access network (O-RAN). In at least one embodiment, a processor including circuitry performs a program to cause reassigning of mappings between radio unit (RUs) and distributed unit (DUs) without the need of restarting or reconfiguration of RUs and/or DUs in an O-RAN network.