O-RAN RU eAxC ID Alarm Handling in Energy Saving Mode

Solution Overview

Problem

In O-RAN fronthaul communication, when the O-RU operates in energy saving mode, messages with incorrect eAxC IDs for inactive antennas are transmitted, leading to deteriorated communication quality.

Innovation Solution

The RU apparatus transmits an alarm message upon receiving an incorrect eAxC ID, and the DU apparatus adjusts its transmission to use correct eAxC IDs based on the alarm, preventing further deterioration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the O-DU transmits messages with eAxC IDs for inactive antennas to the O-RU in energy saving mode, then the management function can control all antennas, but the communication quality deteriorates due to incorrect eAxC ID usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement control capabilityVSAvoidcommunication quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the eAxC ID selection antenna-specific and mode-dependent. The O-RU determines whether to use the first or second eAxC ID based on the operation mode (energy saving or non-energy saving) and the specific antenna involved. This localized adaptation ensures that only the appropriate eAxC ID is used for each antenna in each mode, preventing communication quality deterioration while maintaining management versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the eAxC ID configuration flexible and adaptive to changing operation modes. The system dynamically switches between using the first eAxC ID (for non-energy saving mode) and the second eAxC ID (for energy saving mode) based on the current state. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal communication quality regardless of the operation mode while preserving full management control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If the O-RU operates in energy saving mode with stopped antenna functions, then power consumption is reduced, but communication quality deteriorates when receiving messages with incorrect eAxC IDs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the eAxC ID selection antenna-specific and mode-dependent. The O-RU determines whether to use the first or second eAxC ID based on the operation mode (energy saving or non-energy saving) and the specific antenna involved. This localized adaptation ensures that only the appropriate eAxC ID is used for each antenna in each mode, preventing communication quality deterioration while maintaining management versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the eAxC ID configuration flexible and adaptive to changing operation modes. The system dynamically switches between using the first eAxC ID (for non-energy saving mode) and the second eAxC ID (for energy saving mode) based on the current state. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain optimal communication quality regardless of the operation mode while preserving full management control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If continuous transmission of messages with incorrect eAxC IDs occurs, then management commands can be continuously sent, but communication quality deterioration increases progressively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand transmission efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the eAxC ID selection antenna-specific and mode-dependent. The O-RU determines whether to use the first or second eAxC ID based on the operation mode (energy saving or non-energy saving) and the specific antenna involved. This localized adaptation ensures that only the appropriate eAxC ID is used for each antenna in each mode, preventing communication quality deterioration while maintaining management versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by having the O-RU monitor the operation mode and the eAxC ID being used, and automatically select the correct eAxC ID based on this feedback. The system continuously adjusts its behavior based on the current state, ensuring that management commands are transmitted with the correct eAxC ID regardless of the operation mode, thus maintaining communication quality while preserving command transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20260089621A1RU apparatus, du apparatus, communication system, and communication method

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 NEC CORP

AI summary

An object is to provide an RU apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in deterioration of communication quality related to communication of an O-RU. According to the present disclosure, a radio unit (RU) apparatus includes a reception unit that receives a message including an extended antenna-carrier identifier (eAxC ID) in a case where the RU apparatus operates in a first mode, and a transmission unit that transmits an alarm message indicating that an abnormality is detected, in a case where the eAxC ID is an eAxC ID that is not used in the first mode and is used in a second mode.