Virtualized Access Node Functions for Power-Limited Remote Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing computational burdens and physical constraints faced by remotely deployed network components such as DPUs and DSLAMs, coupled with limited power and cooling resources, necessitate more efficient and cost-effective solutions for managing and virtualizing their functions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing virtualization of access node functions and Persistent Management Agent (PMA) functions by abstracting them from physical devices to centralized data centers, utilizing virtualized computing infrastructure for management and control, enabling cost-efficient and scalable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If computational functions are centralized in data centers using commodity hardware, then cost per computation decreases significantly, but device complexity and network infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts computational functions from remote network components (DPUs, DSLAMs) and relocates them to centralized data centers. This extraction allows the use of commodity hardware in data centers rather than specialized hardware in remote locations, significantly reducing cost per computation while consolidating complexity into centralized management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements virtual machines in data centers that can dynamically allocate computational resources to serve multiple network functions and multiple remote components. This universal platform replaces numerous specialized devices with a single multi-functional system, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Length of moving object
If remote network components are made smaller and deployed further into the network, then network coverage improves, but power and cooling constraints become more severe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts power-intensive computational functions from remote network components and relocates them to data centers with adequate power and cooling infrastructure. This extraction allows remote components to be smaller and more widely deployed without being constrained by local power availability, as the heavy computational workload is performed remotely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the computational function from the network termination function, allowing the remote component to focus on low-power signal termination while computation occurs in a different dimension (centralized data center). This dimensional separation resolves the power constraint by moving energy consumption to a location with adequate power supply.
3Productivity
If specialized hardware is used in remote network components, then computational capability increases, but cost and difficulty of management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of network functions running as virtual machines in data centers. These virtual instances provide the necessary computational capability without requiring physical specialized hardware at remote locations. The virtualized functions can be managed, updated, and scaled centrally, dramatically improving ease of operation while maintaining high computational capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtualized cellular access node includes a control plane interface coupled to a physical cellular access node, a first virtualized network function that receives a first portion of data, a second virtualized network function that receives a second portion of data, and a third virtualized network function that receives a third portion of data. The control plane interface receives data related to a cellular network having cellular terminals. The first virtualized network function analyzes the first portion of data and generates a first instruction related to traffic allocation within the cellular network. The second virtualized network function analyzes the second portion of the data and generates a second instruction related to bandwidth allocation within the cellular network. The third virtualized network function analyzes a third portion of the data and generates a third instruction related to quality of service assignment to a first cellular terminal within the cellular network.