Decoupling Radio and Backhaul Protocol Stacks in vBBU
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtualized baseband units (vBBUs) in LTE networks have tightly-coupled radio and backhaul protocol stacks, limiting flexibility and controllability, and preventing independent scaling of backhaul resources from radio protocol stacks, which hinders the addition of customized Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) between radio and backhaul components.
Innovation Solution
Decoupling radio and backhaul protocol stacks through a software-defined internal switch (RAN SD i-Switching Controller) allows separate processing and management, enabling independent scaling of EPC resources and flexible resource allocation by implementing software-defined commands for each protocol stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If radio and backhaul protocol stacks are tightly coupled in vBBU, then system simplicity is maintained, but flexibility and scalability of backhaul resources are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol stack into separate radio protocol stack and backhaul protocol stack components within the vBBU architecture. This segmentation allows independent scaling and management of backhaul resources without affecting radio protocol operations, directly resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and backhaul resource flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (separate protocol stack interfaces and resource management layer) that couples the radio and backhaul protocol stacks in a controlled manner. This intermediary enables flexible backhaul resource allocation while maintaining systematic coordination, thus improving adaptability without excessive complexity.
2Productivity
If backhaul protocol stacks are embedded inside vBBUs, then integration is simplified, but independent scaling of backhaul resources from radio protocol stacks is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integrated protocol stack into distinct radio protocol stack and backhaul protocol stack modules. This segmentation enables the backhaul protocol stack to be independently scaled and managed separate from the radio protocol stack, achieving independent scaling capability while maintaining manageable architectural complexity through modular design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If customized VNFs are added between radio and backhaul protocol stacks, then network functionality is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary resource management layer and standardized interfaces between the radio and backhaul protocol stacks. This intermediary structure provides designated insertion points for customized VNFs while maintaining systematic control and coordination, enabling enhanced network functionality without excessive complexity increase.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In one example embodiment, a distributed platform includes at least one node for performing baseband processing of signals, the at least one node including a memory and a processor. The memory has computer-readable instructions stored therein. The processor is configured to the execute computer-readable instructions to enable independent operations of a plurality of radio protocol stacks and a plurality of backhaul protocol stacks for performing the base band processing functions of a plurality of base stations, each of the plurality of base stations being configured to serve one or more user devices. The processor is further configured to manage data packet flows between the plurality of radio protocol stacks and the plurality of backhaul protocol stacks.