Core Network Indication for RAN Redundancy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G and 4G/LTE networks face challenges in handling situations where the Radio Access Network (RAN) cannot provide the requested User Plane (UP) resources, particularly in ensuring redundancy and reliability, especially after the initial session establishment phase.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves the Core Network (CN) sending an indication to the RAN about whether the requested UP resources are required or preferred. Based on this indication, the RAN determines whether to establish, keep, or release the UP resources, even if the initial request cannot be met, thereby reducing system complexity and enhancing flexibility and robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the RAN establishes redundant UP resources to meet reliability requirements, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic redundancy management where the RAN can adaptively establish, maintain, or release redundant UP resources based on real-time availability conditions. The system transitions between redundant and non-redundant states dynamically, allowing the network to optimize reliability versus complexity trade-offs in different operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of redundancy configuration by introducing an indication mechanism that allows the RAN to inform the CN about the availability of redundant UP resources. This parameter change enables flexible control over redundancy levels, allowing the system to adjust reliability provisions based on network conditions without fixed constraints.
2Reliability
If the RAN maintains strict signaling mechanisms to ensure redundancy availability, then the reliability is improved, but the signaling complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the redundancy management function from complex continuous signaling by implementing a simplified indication mechanism. Instead of maintaining constant signaling for redundancy status, the system uses targeted indications from RAN to CN about redundancy availability, reducing signaling overhead while preserving essential reliability information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the RAN to autonomously manage redundancy resources and self-determine their availability, then communicate this status to the CN through streamlined indications. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex centralized control and extensive signaling, allowing the RAN to handle redundancy management independently within defined parameters.
3Productivity
If the RAN releases UP resources when redundancy is not available, then the resource efficiency is improved, but the reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource management where the RAN can release UP resources when redundancy is unavailable while maintaining the capability to restore redundancy when conditions improve. The system dynamically adjusts between resource-efficient single-path operation and reliability-oriented redundant operation based on real-time network conditions and CN indications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the RAN monitors redundancy availability and provides indications to the CN about the status of redundant UP resources. This feedback loop enables the CN to make informed decisions about resource allocation and session management, balancing resource efficiency with reliability requirements based on actual network conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to actions performed by a Radio Access Network (RAN) when redundancy is not available. In this regard, embodiments of a method performed by a RAN node are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method performed by a RAN node for RAN action when redundancy is not available comprises receiving, from a core network node, a request for a set of User Plane (UP) resources in the RAN. The method further comprises determining whether the request for the set of UP resources in the RAN can be met and sending, to the core network node, a response to the request for the set of UP resources that is based on whether the request for the set of UP resources in the RAN can be met.