Radio Manager Unit for Multi-Tenant Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio access networks face challenges in efficiently managing and allocating resources to multiple tenants or operators, particularly in optical fronthaul networks, which limits flexibility and scalability.

Innovation Solution

A radio manager unit is introduced to connect with a transport control unit and a radio control unit, allowing for the configuration and allocation of transport network and baseband processing resources to tenants, providing a virtualized view of resources and enabling dynamic resource management and sharing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the optical fronthaul network is opened to multiple tenants/operators, then network scalability and resource utilization are improved, but device complexity and management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork scalabilityVSAvoidmanagement overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fronthaul network into multiple isolated virtual networks (V-Nets), each dedicated to a specific tenant or operator. This segmentation allows multiple tenants to share the physical infrastructure while maintaining logical isolation, thereby improving network scalability without proportionally increasing management complexity since each V-Net can be managed independently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between the physical fronthaul network and multiple tenants. This virtualization layer abstracts the complex physical network resources and presents simplified virtual network interfaces to tenants, reducing management overhead while enabling multi-tenant support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If resources are dynamically shared among multiple cells, then energy efficiency and resource utilization are improved, but coordination complexity and control overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions for multiple cells into a centralized baseband processing unit. This consolidation allows dynamic resource sharing and coordination across multiple cells while reducing overall system complexity compared to distributed control architectures, as the centralized unit can optimize resource allocation across all served cells simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The baseband processing unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle resource coordination and sharing across multiple cells simultaneously. This universal control mechanism enables energy-efficient dynamic resource allocation without requiring separate control logic for each cell, thereby reducing coordination complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3308572B1A system and method for a radio access network
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3308572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3308572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3308572B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A radio manager unit (30) for a radio access network(1), wherein the radio manager unit is configured to connect to a transport control unit (22) configured to control a transport network(10)between a baseband processing unit (5;12) and a plurality of remote radio units (3). The radio manager unit(30) is further configured to connect to a radio control unit(22) configured to control the baseband processing unit. The radio manager unit (30) is further configured to be connected to one or more tenant system (35) of a tenant. The radio manager unit is configured to arrange for resources of the transport network (10) and resources of the baseband processing unit (5;12) to be configured for use by a said tenant.