Small Cell Network Multi-Operator Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small cell network architectures require separate hardware and cabling for each network operator, making it inefficient to provide services from multiple network operators in a common building or structure.
Innovation Solution
A centralized management sub-system with a controller and multiple baseband processing units that communicate with core networks operated by separate network operators, processing data and control plane data, and a transport module for signal communication between baseband units and remote antenna units, allowing a single small cell network to serve multiple operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a parallel network architecture is provided for each network operator, then services from multiple network operators can be provided, but hardware complexity and cabling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple network operators' services into a single shared small cell network infrastructure. Instead of deploying separate parallel networks for each operator, the invention merges their operations onto common hardware platforms including shared baseband processing units, shared remote antenna units, and shared transport modules, thereby reducing overall hardware complexity while maintaining multi-operator service capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal network infrastructure components that can serve multiple network operators simultaneously. The baseband processing units, remote antenna units, and transport modules are designed as multi-functional elements that can handle traffic from different operators through virtualization and dynamic resource allocation, eliminating the need for operator-specific dedicated hardware
2Productivity
If separate local controllers are added for each network operator, then traffic handling capability is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the traffic handling functions of multiple separate local controllers into a single shared controller infrastructure. The controller is designed to manage traffic from multiple network operators through virtualization, dynamic resource allocation, and multi-tenant architecture, maintaining high traffic handling capability while reducing the number of physical controller devices from multiple separate units to a single shared system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation and virtualization in the controller, allowing a single physical controller to dynamically adapt and handle traffic from multiple network operators. The controller can dynamically allocate resources, manage connections, and adjust parameters for different operators in real-time, providing the functionality of multiple static controllers through a single dynamic system
Data Source
AI summary
Systems are provided for managing a small cell telecommunication system servicing multiple network operators. In one aspect, a small cell telecommunication system can include management sub-system including a controller, multiple baseband processing units in communication with the controller, a transport module, and multiple remote antenna units. The controller can communicate with multiple core networks. Each core network is operated by a separate network operator for providing telecommunication services to terminal devices. Each of the baseband processing units can process data plane data and control plane data from at least one respective core network. The transport module can communicate signals between the baseband processing units and the remote antenna units of the small cell network. The management sub-system can provide a respective amount of capacity via the small cell network for each core network based on a respective subset of the baseband processing units assigned to the core network.