Tiered Cloud RAN Architecture for Latency Scalability Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cloud-based communication systems face challenges in managing low-latency requirements and optimizing resource allocation for radio access networks, leading to potential latency issues and compromised call quality and data throughput.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a tiered architecture for cloud-based radio access networks, where lower layers utilize High Performance Computing (HPC) with multiprocessors and accelerators to handle low-latency functions, and higher layers use generic cloud architecture, with tier managers to coordinate resource allocation and ensure minimal latency across tiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional cloud architecture is used for radio access networks, then scalability and elasticity are improved, but latency and call quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cloud-based RAN into multiple tiers: a first tier for low-latency processing connected to RRHs, and a second tier for high-latency operations like EPC. This segmentation allows each tier to be optimized for its specific requirements, resolving the contradiction between scalability and latency.
2Device complexity
If cloud-based realisation is implemented to reduce base station footprint, then device complexity is reduced, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tier manager apparatuses as intermediary components between the RRHs and the cloud resources. These tier managers coordinate resource allocation across the distributed cloud infrastructure, maintaining efficiency despite the reduced complexity of individual base stations.
3Productivity
If low power base stations are added to densify the network, then network capacity is improved, but investment requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple low-power base stations (RRHs) into a shared cloud-based infrastructure where processing resources are pooled and shared. This combining approach enables network capacity improvement through densification while reducing individual device complexity and shared investment requirements.
Data Source
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Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
Information on a tier comprising given resources operationally connected to a set of remote radio heads and configured to process traffic to and from the remote radio heads is gathered and maintained (300). The usage of the tier resources on different connections and services is controlled (302). Communication (304) is maintained with respective apparatuses controlling other tiers regarding the use of resources of the tiers.