Shared Cell Packet Combining with Per-Node Uplink Counter Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in effectively checking communication performance in a fronthaul configuration of shared cells and managing resources efficiently within the O-RAN framework.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the reception of counter reporting intervals, identification of packets based on transport flow and extended antenna-carrier identifiers, and determination of uplink combining counter values to manage packet transmission and identify issues in a shared cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packet combining is performed in a shared cell configuration, then communication performance can be improved, but it becomes difficult to identify which specific south node is causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the combined packet flow back into individual south node contributions by maintaining separate counter values for each south node. The middle node divides the combined uplink packets into groups corresponding to each south node and counts packets separately for each node, enabling identification of which specific south node is underperforming while still benefiting from the combining operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by reporting counter values for each south node to the north node. The north node receives individual counter reports from the middle node for each south node, enabling it to identify performance issues in specific south nodes and provide targeted feedback for optimization.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If separate counter monitoring is implemented for each south node, then performance problem identification is improved, but system complexity and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the monitoring function into a unified counter management system at the middle node that handles multiple south nodes. Instead of implementing separate monitoring systems for each south node, the middle node maintains and reports counter values for all south nodes through a single integrated mechanism, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The middle node performs multiple functions: it combines packets from multiple south nodes, monitors counter values for each south node individually, and reports all counter information through a single interface to the north node. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate monitoring infrastructure for each south node.
3Productivity
If packet combining is performed in shared cell configuration, then resource efficiency is improved, but missing packets become harder to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the combined packet flow into individual south node contributions by maintaining separate counter values for each south node. This segmentation enables precise tracking of packet reception status for each south node independently, allowing accurate detection of missing packets from specific nodes while maintaining the resource efficiency benefits of combining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical packet inspection with a counter-based monitoring system. Instead of examining individual packets to detect missing data, the system uses counter values that automatically track packet reception status, providing precise missing packet detection through numerical comparison rather than mechanical packet analysis.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by a middle node in a communication system includes: receiving a configuration message including information related to a message to be combined in a shared cell from a north node; receiving user plane messages from a plurality of south nodes included in the shared cell, respectively; identifying packets to be combined from among respective packets included in the received user plane messages based on the information related to the message to be combined in the shared cell; and determining respective uplink counter values for the plurality of south nodes by counting the identified packets to be combined.