RAN Capability-Aware Auto-Configuration for Stable Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio access networks (RANs) lack a standardized method for determining the required set of actions for reconfiguring network function parameters, leading to inefficiencies and errors due to proprietary software designs and hardware limitations across different vendors, which are not addressed by Open RAN (O-RAN).
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that automates RAN configuration management by requesting and applying configuration capability information from network equipment, considering mapping between northbound and southbound interface messages, and determining configuration changes based on traffic load and predicted network impact, enabling autonomous reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual reconfiguration methods are used with proprietary software designs, then vendor-specific capabilities can be implemented, but operator intervention is required and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic reconfiguration by having the network management system autonomously determine the set of actions required for reconfiguring parameters based on vendor-specific capability information, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention while maintaining accuracy through structured capability data
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state of reconfiguration from manual to automatic by introducing structured capability information that defines the relationship between parameters and required actions, allowing the system to automatically determine and execute the correct sequence of actions for each parameter change
2Speed
If immediate parameter reconfiguration is applied, then network responsiveness improves, but signaling storms and network instability may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis by determining the complete set of actions required for reconfiguration before execution, including identifying cell lock/unlock requirements and dependency relationships, allowing the system to prepare and execute reconfiguration in a controlled manner that prevents signaling storms
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from vendor-specific capability information about parameter dependencies and required actions to control the reconfiguration process, adjusting the execution sequence based on the determined set of actions to maintain network stability while achieving fast reconfiguration
3Adaptability or versatility
If vendor-specific proprietary designs are used, then hardware capabilities are optimized, but standardization and interoperability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by creating a standardized framework that can handle multiple vendor-specific implementations through a common interface. The structured capability information format allows different vendors to provide their specific capabilities in a unified manner, enabling the network management system to work with any vendor's equipment without increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms vendor-specific proprietary designs into a standardized form by changing the representation of capabilities into structured information that defines parameters and their relationships. This parameter transformation allows diverse vendor capabilities to be managed through a unified approach, reducing the apparent complexity while maintaining adaptability
4Reliability
If additional steps like cell lock/unlock are required for reconfiguration, then network stability is maintained, but reconfiguration time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of the complete set of actions including cell lock/unlock requirements before reconfiguration execution. By identifying all necessary steps in advance based on vendor capability information, the system can execute them in an optimized sequence that maintains stability while minimizing total reconfiguration time
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by overlapping compatible operations and eliminating unnecessary idle time between steps. The automated determination of action sequences ensures that cell lock/unlock operations and parameter changes are executed in the most efficient continuous manner possible while maintaining network stability
Data Source
AI summary
Radio access network capability aware automatic configuration management (e.g., using a computerized tool), is enabled. For example, a system can comprise at least one processor and at least one memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can comprise requesting, from network equipment of a radio access network, configuration capability information representative of a configuration capability of the radio access network. The operations can further comprise, in response to requesting the configuration capability information, receiving the configuration capability information from the network equipment. The operations can further comprise, based on the configuration capability of the radio access network, determining a configuration change applicable to the radio access network. The operations can further comprise applying the configuration change to the radio access network.