RAN Hypervisor Virtualization Framework for Network Slicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio access network virtualization technologies primarily focus on single levels of virtualization, such as wireless network-level, device-level, flow-level, protocol-level, and wireless resources-level, but do not integrate all these levels effectively to provide comprehensive virtualization in wireless broadband communication systems.
Innovation Solution
A novel radio access network virtualization framework that combines joint wireless network-layer, flow-level, protocol-level, and wireless resources-level virtualization using programmable profiles, with a RAN hypervisor and wireless resources hypervisor to manage and allocate virtual resources dynamically across base stations, ensuring seamless handoffs and efficient resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If single-level virtualization is implemented, then implementation simplicity is improved, but virtualization comprehensiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments virtualization into five distinct levels: wireless network-level, device-level, flow-level, protocol-level, and wireless resources-level. Each level can be independently implemented and managed, allowing operators to choose the appropriate granularity for their specific needs while maintaining overall system comprehensiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-dimensional virtualization framework that operates across different abstraction layers simultaneously. By adding the dimension of hierarchical levels (from physical resources up to network services), the system achieves comprehensive virtualization without requiring all levels to be implemented at once, thus maintaining implementation simplicity while expanding versatility.
2Productivity
If multi-level virtualization is integrated, then resource allocation optimization is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The management system is segmented into level-specific controllers, each responsible for virtualization at a particular level. This modular approach allows optimized resource allocation across multiple levels while keeping the complexity of each individual management component manageable and focused on its specific layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtualization management entities that act as intermediaries between different virtualization levels. These mediators coordinate resource allocation across levels, ensuring optimized overall resource utilization while shielding individual levels from the complexity of multi-level coordination, thus managing system complexity effectively.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic resource allocation is implemented, then service differentiation is improved, but control complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation through programmable profiles that can be configured and modified in real-time. Each virtualization level can dynamically adjust resource allocation based on service requirements, enabling fine-grain service differentiation while the modular architecture keeps control complexity manageable through localized decision-making at each level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses programmable profiles that define parameters for resource allocation, scheduling, and management at each virtualization level. By changing these parameters dynamically through profile configuration rather than restructuring the entire control system, the patent achieves service differentiation while minimizing control complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a novel base station that has a layer 1-3 protocol stack to control and process incoming/outgoing flows with user equipment (UE) and a Random Access Network (RAN) hypervisor virtualizing one or more instances, each instance corresponding to an active profile associated with the base station. Each such instance is associated with a given profile comprising: (1) an admission control module, (2) a handoff control module, and (3) a scheduling module. Also provided is a controller having: (1) an interface to communicate over a network with such base stations over a communication protocol to send the details of new profiles or modifications of existing profiles to such base stations, (2) a profile management application managing a database of a plurality of active profiles associated with the one or more base stations, and (3) a controller operating system that ensures that no two active profiles in said profile management application create conflicts in any of the one or more base stations.