O-RU IPv6 Setting and Detection via O-RAN NETCONF
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional O-RAN systems require all O-RUs to support IPv4, which is not utilized by some telecommunication carriers, leading to unnecessary IPv4 functionality.
Innovation Solution
The system allows setting and detecting the Internet Protocol version of O-RUs to IPv6, enabling flexibility in protocol support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all O-RUs are required to support IPv4, then compatibility with conventional systems is ensured, but flexibility and adaptability to different carrier requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the IPv4 support requirement dynamic by allowing the control apparatus to selectively enable or disable IPv4 functionality in O-RUs based on carrier requirements. The system transitions from a static mandatory requirement to a dynamic configurable parameter, resolving the contradiction between ensuring compatibility when needed and allowing flexibility when IPv4 is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of IP version support from a fixed constraint to a variable that can be adjusted based on operational needs. By allowing the control apparatus to modify the IPv4 support parameter in O-RUs, the system achieves both compatibility (when IPv4 is enabled) and adaptability (when IPv4 is disabled or IPv6 is used), directly resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If IPv4 functionality is implemented in all O-RUs, then universal compatibility is achieved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the IPv4 functionality from being a mandatory universal requirement and makes it optional based on carrier needs. By allowing the control apparatus to remove or disable IPv4 functionality in O-RUs that do not require it, the system eliminates unnecessary resource consumption while maintaining compatibility where needed, thus resolving the contradiction between universal compatibility and resource efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If IPv4 is mandatory for all O-RUs, then system uniformity is maintained, but operational flexibility and customization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control mechanism that can adapt to multiple operational modes. The control apparatus is designed to universally manage O-RUs whether they support IPv4, IPv6, or both, allowing the system to maintain uniformity in control while achieving flexibility in protocol configuration. This resolves the contradiction by making the control system itself universal rather than fixing the protocol requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio access network control apparatus for controlling an O-RAN including the O-RU as a radio unit has at least one processor that performs: by an IP version setting unit, setting the Internet Protocol version required for the O-RU to IPv6; by an IP version detecting unit capable of communicating with the O-RU, detecting that IPv6 is included in the Internet Protocol version supported by the O-RU. The IP version detecting unit functions as a NETCONF client in the NETCONF implemented via the O1 interface, and acquires from the O-RU that functions as a NETCONF server the information suggesting the Internet Protocol version supported by the O-RU.