O-RU Per-Symbol PRB Scheduling for Open RAN Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Open RAN standards do not provide radio units (O-RU) with per-symbol basis PRB scheduling information, necessitating vendor-specific computations or signals, which is not feasible in an open RAN environment where components from different vendors may be used.
Innovation Solution
O-RU determines DL PRB scheduling using control plane messages, initializing counters for each symbol to derive PRB utilization ratios, allowing adaptive power management and energy efficiency enhancements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If O-RU uses vendor-specific computations or signals to obtain per-symbol PRB scheduling information, then power management and energy efficiency can be improved, but compatibility and interoperability in open RAN environment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The O-RU performs self-service by autonomously determining DL PRB scheduling information on a per-symbol basis by parsing control plane messages from the O-DU. This eliminates the need for vendor-specific computations or signals from the O-DU, allowing the O-RU to independently derive PRB utilization ratios and implement power management strategies while maintaining compatibility with any O-DU vendor that adheres to the open RAN specification.
2Use of energy by moving object
If O-RU determines DL PRB scheduling on a per-symbol basis from control plane messages, then energy efficiency is improved, but computational complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The O-RU performs preliminary action by proactively parsing control plane messages and determining DL PRB scheduling information on a per-symbol basis before actual data transmission occurs. This advance determination enables the O-RU to pre-calculate PRB utilization ratios and proactively adjust power amplifier settings, thereby reducing real-time processing complexity and enabling energy efficiency improvements through ahead-of-time resource awareness.
Data Source
AI summary
Parsing of C-plane messages is described, e.g., C-plane messages that are communicated from an open RAN distributed unit (O-DU) to an open RAN radio unit (O-RU) in order to determine downlink physical resource block (PRB) scheduling ahead of subsequent U-plane communication. A counter can be constructed by the O-RU for each symbol to be communicated, where the counter reflects the number of PRBs scheduled for the associated symbol. From this information that is determined based on target C-plane messages, a PRB utilization ratio can be constructed on a per-symbol basis, which can be averaged over any desired time period and then leveraged to generate power saving opportunities or other beneficial opportunities at the O-RU in full compliance with Open RAN.