RAN Cell On-Off Switching With DU Load-Aware Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication systems, particularly in distributed/disaggregated/split configurations, the central unit (CU) lacks precise information about cell load and energy properties, hindering efficient cell switch-on/off decisions in the radio access network, leading to suboptimal energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a lower-layer entity in the radio access network to obtain cell designation from a higher-layer entity, detect load conditions, and trigger cell switch-on/off based on load conditions, with the ability to notify the higher-layer entity of the switch status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the CU makes cell switch-on/off decisions without precise cell load and energy property information, then the decision-making process is simpler, but energy consumption optimization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The DU provides feedback information about cell load conditions and energy properties to the CU through standardized interfaces. This feedback mechanism enables the CU to make informed switch-on/off decisions based on actual cell state data, resolving the contradiction between simple decision-making and energy optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The DU acts as an intermediary between the CU and the cells, collecting and processing cell load and energy property information before presenting it to the CU. This intermediary role allows the CU to access precise cell information without directly managing complex cell-level monitoring, thus optimizing energy consumption while maintaining manageable decision complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the CU requests detailed cell load and energy property information from the DU, then cell switch-on/off decisions become more accurate, but the information exchange overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements selective information collection where the CU requests only the necessary cell load and energy property information needed for switch-on/off decisions, rather than all possible cell data. This partial action approach maintains measurement precision for critical parameters while reducing overall information exchange overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized interface defines specific parameters for cell load and energy property information exchange, allowing the system to optimize which parameters are transmitted based on decision-making needs. This parameter selection enables accurate cell state awareness with minimized information overhead.
3Device complexity
If the DU activates cells based solely on CU instructions without local load condition awareness, then the control architecture is simpler, but cell activation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control architecture becomes dynamic where the DU can autonomously adjust cell activation based on real-time local load conditions while still following CU guidelines. This dynamic interaction between CU instructions and DU local awareness enhances cell activation efficiency without creating overly complex control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The DU performs self-assessment of cell load conditions and energy properties to determine appropriate cell activation timing, reducing reliance on continuous CU micromanagement. This self-service capability improves cell activation efficiency while maintaining manageable architectural complexity through standardized interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided measures for (enabling/realizing) efficient/favorable cell switch-on/off decisions in/for a radio access network of a mobile communication system, which can be applicable in a (distributed/disaggregated/split) configuration/architecture such as a CU-DU configuration/architecture. Such measures exemplarily comprise that a lower-layer entity in/for a radio access network of a mobile communication system obtains a cell designation, including an indication of one or more cells allowed to be switched on/off by the lower-layer entity, from a higher-layer entity in the radio access network, detects a cell switch-on/off condition for at least one cell based on at least a load condition, and triggers a cell switch-on/off of the at least one cell when the at least one cell is indicated in the cell designation.