Centralized Resource Controller for 5G RAN Computational Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G radio access network (RAN) faces challenges in efficiently managing computational resources across centralized and distributed units due to the decoupling of network functions from hardware in a telco cloud environment, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A radio access system with interconnected gNBs and ng-eNBs, utilizing centralized and distributed units, employs a centralized resource controller that assigns computational resources based on measurement reports from these units via Xn-C and F1 interfaces, enabling efficient resource management and graceful degradation of user performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network functions are decoupled from hardware and virtualized in a telco cloud environment, then flexibility and energy efficiency are improved, but computational resource management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized resource controller is introduced as an intermediary entity that manages computational resources between the virtualized network functions and the physical hardware infrastructure. This controller receives measurement reports from CUs and DUs about their computational resource utilization and dynamically assigns computational resources, thereby simplifying the management complexity while maintaining the flexibility benefits of virtualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where CUs and DUs continuously report their computational resource utilization status to the centralized resource controller. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts computational resource allocation to match actual demand, enabling efficient resource management in the virtualized environment without requiring complex manual configuration.
2Use of energy by moving object
If computational resources are dynamically shared between network functions, then energy efficiency is improved, but resource allocation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized resource controller implements continuous feedback monitoring by receiving measurement reports from CUs and DUs that contain information about computational resource utilization. This feedback enables the controller to accurately assess the actual resource needs of different network functions and dynamically allocate computational resources with high precision, thereby maintaining both energy efficiency and allocation accuracy in the virtualized environment.
3Measurement precision
If measurement reports are collected from multiple units via multiple interfaces, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized resource controller is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle measurement report collection, processing, and resource allocation through unified interfaces. It can receive measurement reports from both CUs and DUs via multiple interfaces (F1 and Xn-C) and process them through a single resource management function, thereby improving resource allocation accuracy while minimizing the increase in system complexity through interface standardization and unified processing logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio access system includes: a set of radio access entities, in particular a set of gNBs and/or ng-eNBs, which are interconnected via respective first interfaces; and a centralized resource controller. Each radio access entity of the set of radio access entities comprises a centralized unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU) coupled to the CU via a second interface. The centralized resource controller configured to assign computational resources to the CUs and the DUs of the radio access entities based on measurement reports received via the first interfaces and/or the second interfaces from the respective units, wherein the measurement reports comprise information about a computational resource utilization of the respective units.