RIC Microservices for Service-Aware Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio access network solutions for 5G networks do not consider the types and characteristics of services or user mobility states when making dual connectivity decisions, leading to inefficient resource allocation and increased signaling and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a service-aware and mobility-state-aware dual connectivity (DC) solution using a radio access network intelligent controller (RIC) that dynamically selects the most suitable radio access points based on service requirements and user mobility, reducing unnecessary signaling and power consumption by intelligently managing connections between macro and small cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If dual connectivity decisions are made without considering service types and user mobility states, then device complexity is reduced, but network resource allocation efficiency deteriorates and signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by having the network automatically detect user mobility states and service types, then autonomously make dual connectivity decisions without requiring complex device-side analysis. The network side (base station) performs the intelligence work of determining whether to activate dual connectivity based on uplink signal quality measurements and service characteristics, thereby improving resource allocation efficiency without burdening the device with complex decision-making capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network continuously monitors uplink signal quality metrics (such as SRS - Sounding Reference Signal) and service type information, then uses this feedback to dynamically adjust dual connectivity decisions. This closed-loop feedback enables the network to adaptively optimize resource allocation based on real-time conditions, resolving the contradiction between simple device operation and efficient network resource management.
2Productivity
If dual connectivity is always activated, then user traffic throughput is improved, but signaling overhead and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making dual connectivity activation conditional rather than static. The network dynamically determines whether to activate dual connectivity based on real-time assessment of user mobility state (detected through uplink signal quality variations) and service type requirements. This dynamic approach ensures dual connectivity is activated only when beneficial for throughput, avoiding unnecessary signaling overhead and power consumption during scenarios where single connectivity suffices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of dual connectivity activation from a fixed state to a variable state controlled by network-assessed parameters including uplink signal quality metrics and service type characteristics. By adjusting this parameter based on measured conditions, the system optimizes the balance between throughput improvement and energy/signaling overhead reduction.
3Productivity
If service-aware and mobility-state-aware dual connectivity is implemented, then network efficiency is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network acts as an intermediary that performs the complex service-aware and mobility-state-aware analysis. Instead of requiring the device to independently assess service types and mobility states, the network receives basic measurements from the device and performs the sophisticated decision-making centrally. This intermediary approach enables high network efficiency through intelligent dual connectivity management while keeping device complexity minimal, as the device only needs to provide basic uplink signal quality measurements rather than perform complex service characterization.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio access network (RAN) intelligent control (RIC) platform can support various RAN control functions ranging from basic RAN control functions to enhanced RAN control functions. The RIC can support microservices that can be centralized at an edge cloud or distributed such that service aware and mobility state aware dual connectivity (DC) can be utilized. This service aware and mobility state aware DC can allow a mobile device to take advantage of DC features for the services requiring high bandwidth, while reducing the signaling and reducing power consumption of the mobile device. The service aware and mobility state aware DC microservices can also be hosted at central location to generate processing efficiencies.