RAN Intelligent Controller Uplink Carrier Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

5G radio access networks face challenges in uplink coverage and data rate due to higher path loss and limited user equipment transmission power, leading to unsuccessful acknowledgement messages at the cell edge, which can result in failed transmissions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Radio Access Network (RAN) Intelligent Controller that dynamically selects between normal and supplementary uplink carriers based on signal-to-noise and interference ratio measurements, optimizing carrier selection to maximize achievable uplink data rates and extend coverage by utilizing lower frequency bands for supplementary carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If supplementary uplink carriers are deployed at low frequency bands to extend uplink coverage, then uplink coverage is improved, but uplink data rate is reduced due to lower bandwidth availability at lower frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink coverage areaVSAvoiduplink data rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between normal uplink carriers and supplementary uplink carriers based on real-time channel conditions, UE location, and traffic requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the network to optimize between coverage and data rate by choosing the appropriate carrier type for each transmission scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by switching between different carrier frequencies and types (normal vs. supplementary uplink carriers). This parameter change enables adaptation to varying channel conditions, allowing the network to maintain optimal performance across different coverage and data rate requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If UE transmits on normal uplink carrier at cell edge, then uplink data rate is maintained, but transmission reliability deteriorates due to high path loss and limited UE power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink data rateVSAvoidtransmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network introduces supplementary uplink carriers as an intermediary transmission path for cell edge UEs. These alternative carriers provide a more reliable transmission path when the normal uplink carrier becomes unreliable due to high path loss, while maintaining overall system data rate through carrier aggregation or dynamic switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between normal and supplementary uplink carriers based on real-time channel quality indicators. This dynamic adaptation ensures that cell edge UEs automatically transition to more reliable carriers when needed, while maintaining high data rates when channel conditions are good.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If multiple uplink carriers are configured for carrier aggregation, then uplink data rate is enhanced, but device complexity increases due to multiple transmission paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink data rateVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the uplink transmission by separating normal uplink carriers and supplementary uplink carriers into distinct functional groups. This segmentation allows simplified handling where each carrier type serves specific purposes (normal carriers for data rate, supplementary carriers for coverage), reducing the complexity of managing multiple carriers compared to treating all carriers uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11792778B2Supplementary uplink carrier selection by radio access network intelligent controller

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device including a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations of receiving signal to noise and interference ratio (SINR) measurements from a cell for two or more uplink carriers associated with a mobile device; determining an optimal uplink carrier from the two or more uplink carriers based on plural parameters, wherein the plural parameters include the SINR measurements; selecting the optimal uplink carrier from the two or more uplink carriers; and sending the optimal uplink carrier selected to the cell, wherein the mobile device uses the optimal uplink carrier for uplink transmissions. Other embodiments are disclosed.