O-RAN Shared Resource Pool for Dynamic Cross-RAN Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio access networks (RANs) lack the ability to efficiently share resources across different portions, leading to underutilization and inefficiencies in resource allocation, especially in scenarios involving multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) and non-RAN systems, which can result in high capital and operational expenditures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for sharing resources across RANs, enabling the creation of shared and leased resource pools that allow resources to be dynamically allocated and utilized across different portions of the network, facilitated by sharing applications and components that monitor and control resource usage based on service level agreements and operational requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If resources are allocated separately to each portion of the RAN, then resource allocation simplicity is maintained, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments resource management into two independent components: a shared resource pool that aggregates resources from multiple RAN portions, and individual resource allocation mechanisms that remain simple at each RAN portion. This segmentation allows centralized resource pooling to improve utilization while keeping local allocation logic simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a shared resource pool as an intermediary layer between multiple RAN portions and their respective resources. This intermediary abstracts the complexity of cross-RAN resource coordination, allowing each RAN portion to access shared resources without direct complex interactions, thereby improving utilization while maintaining allocation simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If resources are statically allocated to RAN portions, then allocation stability is maintained, but adaptability to traffic demands deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation within the shared resource pool, allowing resources to be flexibly assigned to different RAN portions based on real-time traffic demands and operational conditions. This dynamic mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing requirements while maintaining stable service delivery through controlled resource distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the allocation parameters from fixed static assignments to dynamic parameters that adjust based on traffic load, service level agreements, and operational priorities. This parameter flexibility allows the system to adapt to varying traffic demands while maintaining stability through defined allocation rules and constraints.
3Productivity
If resources are shared across multiple MNOs, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal shared resource pool that serves multiple mobile network operators through a common interface and management mechanism. This universal structure allows different MNOs to access and share resources without requiring separate coordination systems for each operator, thereby improving utilization efficiency while limiting the growth of coordination complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If virtual implementation of resources is implemented, then network flexibility is improved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical resources in the shared resource pool, allowing multiple RAN portions to access and utilize the same physical resource simultaneously through virtualization. This copying mechanism provides network flexibility by enabling flexible resource assignment and allocation while abstracting the underlying physical resource constraints, thereby managing implementation complexity through virtual abstraction layers.
Data Source
AI summary
The described technology is generally directed towards implementing one or more shared resources on an Open-Radio Access Network (O-RAN), whereby the shared resources are physically located at a first portion of the RAN and able to be virtually implemented at a second part of the RAN. A shared resource can be identified as available for sharing, whereupon the shared resource can be implemented at the second portion of the RAN. Resource sharing enables a resource, currently under-utilized at the first portion of the RAN to be implemented to enable an operational condition present at the second portion of the RAN to be addressed. A sharing application (a.k.a., a SharApp) can be utilized to monitor operation of the RAN, identify a resource to implement, and/or control implementation of the resource. Resources can be shared across disparate MNOs, O-Clouds, with systems external to the RAN, and such.