RAN Event Tracing System for Distributed Component Troubleshooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In radio access networks (RANs), isolating errors or failures is challenging due to the complexity of interactions between multiple components and the large number of interactions with mobile computing devices.
Innovation Solution
A RAN event tracing system is implemented to collect and analyze events from distributed components, allowing for the identification of issues by tracing events associated with specific identifiers and displaying representations of radio frames and their associated events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If distributed components are used to build the radio access network, then the network coverage and capacity are improved, but the complexity of isolating errors and failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that collects events from multiple distributed RAN components (radio units, distributed units, centralized units) and presents them in a unified, traceable format. This intermediary event collection mechanism allows operators to trace events across component boundaries without dealing with the underlying complexity of distributed system interactions, effectively mediating between the distributed architecture and the error isolation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by collecting and storing events from distributed components with unique identifiers, enabling operators to trace the complete lifecycle of events across the distributed network. This feedback mechanism provides visibility into the behavior of distributed components, allowing for systematic error isolation despite the network's complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distributed components interact with mobile computing devices, then the network functionality and service capability are improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the error detection and tracing functionality into distinct event collection points at each distributed component (radio units, distributed units, centralized units). Each component generates and stores events with unique identifiers locally, allowing errors to be detected and measured at specific segmentation points rather than requiring analysis of the entire distributed system simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified event collection system acts as an intermediary that aggregates events from multiple distributed components interacting with mobile devices. This intermediary layer provides a standardized interface for error detection and measurement, simplifying the process of identifying issues despite the diverse interactions between multiple components and mobile computing devices.
3Loss of time
If comprehensive event tracing is implemented across distributed components, then the issue identification speed is improved, but the system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by collecting and storing events from distributed components as they occur, with each event containing unique identifiers and contextual information. This preliminary event collection and standardization reduces the need for complex real-time analysis when issues arise, enabling faster issue identification without proportionally increasing system complexity during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for implementing an event tracing system for an open radio access network (“RAN”). A RAN implementation may be distributed across multiple components, including both special-purpose components such as radio units and general purpose components such as local or cloud-based servers. A RAN event tracing system may thus be used to troubleshoot issues with the RAN implementation by collecting information from distributed components regarding events that occur on these components during the translation of data into radio signals and vice versa. The RAN event tracing system may be used to search for events associated with a particular identifier, such as a radio network temporary identifier, and to display representations of radio frames that were generated by the components and display information regarding the events that led to the placement of particular resource elements onto the radio frames.