Shared-Cell Fronthaul Packet Segmentation to Reduce Uplink Delay
Solution Overview
Problem
The increased demand for wireless data traffic in 5G communication systems, particularly in higher frequency bands, leads to challenges in reducing propagation loss and increasing transmission distance, necessitating improved fronthaul transmission methods to manage the increased bandwidth and reduce installation costs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves fragmenting uplink data into multiple packets and determining a transmission order to reduce time delays and increase time margins in the fronthaul structure by optimizing the connection between Distributed Units (DUs) and Radio Units (RUs) through a shared cell configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If uplink data is transmitted as a single large packet through fronthaul, then transmission capacity is maintained, but time delay increases due to combining operations at multi-level connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides uplink data into multiple smaller packets before transmission through the fronthaul interface. Each packet is independently processed and transmitted, allowing parallel handling at multi-level connections. This segmentation eliminates the need for waiting for complete data assembly before processing, thereby reducing time delay while maintaining overall transmission capacity through aggregated packet flow.
2Length of stationary object
If multi-level connection fronthaul structure is implemented to extend coverage, then transmission distance increases, but time margin decreases due to accumulated processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting uplink data into multiple packets, the patent enables parallel processing at each level of the multi-level fronthaul connection. Each packet can be independently handled by intermediate units, preventing accumulated processing delays that would otherwise occur with sequential processing of large data blocks. This maintains adequate time margin even across extended transmission distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary packetization of uplink data before transmission through the fronthaul interface. This preliminary action prepares the data in a format that can be efficiently processed at each level of the multi-level connection, preventing processing bottlenecks and ensuring adequate time margin is maintained throughout the extended transmission path.
3Device complexity
If base station functions are consolidated to reduce complexity, then device complexity decreases, but fronthaul transmission requirements increase bandwidth demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments uplink data into multiple packets that can be distributed across available fronthaul bandwidth. This segmentation allows efficient utilization of bandwidth resources by enabling parallel transmission paths and load distribution, thereby managing bandwidth demand effectively while maintaining the simplified base station architecture achieved through function consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). According to various embodiments, a method performed by a Distributed Unit (DU) may include: generating configuration information for packets used in uplink data transmission of a plurality of Radio Units (RUs) providing a shared cell, and transmitting the configuration information for packets to an RU among the plurality of RUs through a fronthaul interface. The configuration information for packets may include information for indicating the number of per-packet Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) for the uplink packets.