Telecom Network Element Upgrade Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current telecommunications network upgrades, particularly for Radio Network Subsystem (RNS) components like RNC and RBS, often require separate maintenance windows and result in traffic disruptions due to synchronization challenges between RNC and RBS upgrades, leading to increased downtime and maintenance windows.

Innovation Solution

A method where network elements of a first type (RBS) enter a waiting state and initiate upgrades only when a network element of a second type (RNC) is detected to have started its upgrade, using dependency signaling to minimize traffic disturbance and allow simultaneous upgrades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RNC and RBS are upgraded separately during different maintenance windows, then upgrade reliability is improved, but network downtime increases and traffic disturbance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupgrade reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines RNC and RBS upgrades into a single coordinated maintenance window. The RNC upgrade triggers RBS upgrades simultaneously, merging what were previously separate sequential operations into one unified process, thereby reducing total downtime while maintaining reliability through coordinated execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If RBS are upgraded in batches to minimize traffic impact, then traffic disturbance is reduced, but upgrade time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic disturbanceVSAvoidupgrade time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by having RBSs enter a waiting state after receiving upgrade packages before the actual upgrade execution. This preparation phase allows RBSs to be ready for immediate upgrade execution once triggered, enabling batch upgrades to complete faster while minimizing traffic disruption during the actual upgrade window

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If RNC upgrade is performed first, then RBS can wait for RNC upgrade completion, but RBS upgrade is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupgrade coordinationVSAvoidRBS upgrade delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

RBSs perform preliminary actions by receiving and storing upgrade packages and entering a waiting state before the actual upgrade execution. This allows RBSs to be prepared in advance but executed only when needed, enabling coordinated upgrades where RBSs wait for RNC upgrade completion while minimizing overall delay through efficient trigger-based execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9118558B2Software upgrades of network elements in telecommunications network

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method of upgrading software in network elements of a telecommunications network where operation of a plurality of network elements of a first type depends on operation of a network element of a second type. The method comprises receiving upgrade packages by the network element of the second type and at least part of the network elements of the first type. At least part of the network elements of the first type entering a waiting state and starting their upgrade when start of the upgrade of the network element of the second type is detected.