RAN Intelligent Controller Buffer Management for 5G Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional congestion control algorithms in 5G wireless networks are ineffective in managing varying radio link qualities and congestion, leading to suboptimal throughput and latency due to their black-box approach and reliance on outdated transmission control protocols.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Radio Access Network (RAN) intelligent controller with a buffer management algorithm that dynamically adjusts queueing and scheduling policies, leveraging machine learning to optimize buffer sizes and packet dropping, and using the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) to influence congestion control algorithms with real-time data on radio resource availability and UE channel quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional congestion control algorithms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but throughput and latency performance deteriorate under varying radio link qualities and congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) as an intermediary component between the radio access network and the core network. The RIC implements sophisticated buffer management algorithms including dynamic buffer size adjustment, packet prioritization, and intelligent packet dropping policies based on radio link quality and congestion conditions, thereby achieving high throughput and low latency without requiring complex algorithms in each network device
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the RIC monitors radio link quality, buffer status, and congestion conditions in real-time. Based on this feedback, the RIC dynamically adjusts buffer management parameters such as buffer sizes, scheduling policies, and packet dropping thresholds to optimize throughput and latency performance under varying network conditions
2Loss of time
If traditional TCP congestion control is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but latency increases during handovers and under congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The RIC performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring buffer parameters and scheduling policies based on predicted radio conditions and historical traffic patterns. During handover events, the RIC proactively adjusts buffer sizes and prioritizes packets before the actual handover occurs, thereby reducing handover latency without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the critical handover moment
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic buffer management where the RIC continuously adapts buffer sizes, scheduling policies, and packet dropping thresholds based on real-time radio link quality and congestion conditions. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables low latency performance under varying conditions while maintaining operational simplicity through centralized control
3Productivity
If fixed buffer sizes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but throughput deteriorates under varying traffic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The RIC implements dynamic parameter changes by continuously adjusting buffer sizes, scheduling weights, and packet dropping thresholds based on monitored radio link quality, traffic patterns, and congestion conditions. This parameter adaptation enables the system to achieve high throughput under varying traffic conditions while keeping the actual buffer management logic centralized and manageable in the RIC
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for flexible buffer management that optimize congestion control using radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller. According to some embodiments, a system can comprise monitoring a performance of a communication traffic flow using a group of buffer parameters of a network node device of a wireless network, wherein the performance is measured according to a defined performance criterion, receiving performance values for requested performance characteristics of the performance of the communication traffic flow via a first interface, and based on an adjustment value of the performance values, adjusting, via a second interface, a buffer parameter of the group of buffer parameters.