PSU Power Line Communication for Low-Latency RAN Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3GPP cellular networks face challenges in handling temporary cell overloads, particularly in outdoor spaces, where installing small cells is costly and unreliable, and handovers to smaller cells can suffer from quality of service issues due to shared spectrum usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing power line communication (PLC) technology in power supply units (PSUs) to enable low-latency communication between baseband processing units of different network operators at a radio site, allowing efficient handovers and exchange of control plane signaling without relying on conventional X2 interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If handover to small cells is used to handle overloaded macrocells, then capacity is improved, but quality of service deteriorates due to shared spectrum and latency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidquality of service

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple communication interfaces (X2 interface and PLC interface) into a unified handover mechanism. The BB processing unit can simultaneously use both the conventional X2 interface through the core network and the direct PLC interface through the power supply unit, merging two communication paths to achieve both high capacity and low latency for improved QoS

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply unit acts as an intermediary between BB processing units. Instead of direct BB-to-BB communication or communication through the core network, the PSU serves as a mediator that carries PLC signals between BB processing units, enabling direct low-latency communication while maintaining network control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional X2 interface is used for handover signaling, then reliability is maintained, but latency increases due to core network overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover reliabilityVSAvoidhandover latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the handover signaling process into two independent channels: a control plane channel through the core network (X2 interface) for reliable authentication and authorization, and a user plane channel through the PLC interface for fast data transfer. This segmentation allows simultaneous pursuit of reliability and low latency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new communication dimension by introducing PLC technology over the power supply wiring. Instead of relying solely on the traditional wireless-air interface and core network path, it creates a direct wired communication dimension between BB processing units, reducing the dimensional path length and thus latency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates efficient handovers and enhances quality of service by enabling direct communication between BB processing units, reducing latency and overhead in network handovers and improving spectral efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a power line communication, PLC, unit connected to the power supply input interface and configured to connect to a first baseband, BB, processing unit in the first RAN node. The PLC unit is configured to operate according to a PLC protocol to enable communications between the first BB processing unit and a second BB processing unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower line communication:

Data Source

PatentUS12519506B2Power supply units and baseband processing units for radio access network nodes

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

According to an aspect, there is provided a power supply unit, PSU, configured for use in a first radio access network, RAN, node in a communication network. The PSU includes a power supply input interface configured to enable the PSU to be connected to, and receive electrical power from, an electrical power supply; and a power line communication, PLC, unit connected to the power supply input interface and configured to connect to a first baseband, BB, processing unit in the first RAN node. The first BB processing unit is configured for processing baseband signals in the first RAN node. The PLC unit is configured to operate according to a PLC protocol to enable communications between the first BB processing unit and a second BB processing unit in a second RAN node that is also connected to the electrical power supply.