RAN State Pooling for Seamless Re-homing in Disaggregated Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Open RAN (O-RAN) architectures face challenges in dynamically reassigning communication paths without dropping current communication sessions, especially due to changes in network characteristics such as node malfunctions or overload.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a RAN state pooling system (RSPS) that maintains an updated repository of state information for RAN units in a pool, enabling dynamic re-homing of RAN functions with minimal disruption to stateful communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional O-RAN architecture is used for disaggregated RAN functions, then network efficiency and flexibility are improved, but the ability to dynamically reassign communication paths without dropping sessions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a state repository that stores state information from multiple RAN units before re-homing occurs. This pre-stored state information enables the target RAN unit to immediately assume the communication session without dropping it, thus resolving the contradiction between network efficiency and dynamic path reassignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The state repository acts as an intermediary component between source and target RAN units during re-homing operations. It mediates the transfer of state information, allowing communication paths to be dynamically reassigned while preserving session continuity, thereby enabling both high productivity and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication paths are dynamically reassigned in conventional O-RAN, then network adaptability is improved, but service continuity deteriorates due to session drops
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates copies of state information from source RAN units and stores them in the state repository. When re-homing occurs, the target RAN unit retrieves these copied state records, enabling it to continue communication sessions without interruption. This copying mechanism ensures service continuity while allowing flexible path reassignment.
Solution Approach 2:
State information is preliminarily captured and stored in the repository before re-homing events occur. This preliminary preparation ensures that when communication paths need to be dynamically reassigned, the target unit already has the necessary state data to maintain session continuity, thus improving both adaptability and reliability.
3Reliability
If state information is maintained for each RAN unit, then session continuity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the state management functionality into a centralized state repository that serves multiple RAN units. Instead of each unit independently managing its own state, the repository consolidates state information from multiple units, reducing individual unit complexity while maintaining session continuity through centralized state preservation and retrieval.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described herein provide pooling of radio access network (RAN) resources in a disaggregated RAN in a manner that enables dynamic re-homing of RAN functions with minimal disruption to stateful communications. The RAN is a hierarchical arrangement of RAN units, each having an associated state at any given time. A RAN state pooling system (RSPS) is in communication with a pool of the RAN units via a high-speed communication channel. The RSPS is configured to maintain an updated repository of the state information for the RAN units in its serviced pool. In the event of re-homing from a first RAN unit to a second RAN unit in the pool (e.g., due to the first RAN unit failing, becoming overloaded, etc.), the RSPS provides the second RAN unit with the updated state information for the first RAN unit to facilitate a stateful re-homing.