Virtual Baseband Unit Traffic Buffering for 5G Network Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for managing traffic in cloud radio access networks, particularly in 5G systems, are inefficient in terms of network utilization, especially with high peak-to-average traffic ratios, and prioritize mobile traffic over wireline traffic, leading to suboptimal performance and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a virtual baseband unit with a radio resource manager and an access node with a traffic manager, which transforms backhaul traffic into X-haul traffic, aggregates it with wireline traffic, and buffers non-real-time backhaul traffic based on resource data to maintain network capacity within thresholds, ensuring fairness and reducing peak demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If backhaul traffic is transmitted without buffering to meet real-time requirements, then reliability of real-time service is improved, but network capacity is exceeded during peak traffic periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts buffering behavior based on traffic type and network conditions. Real-time backhaul traffic is transmitted without buffering to maintain low latency, while non-real-time backhaul traffic is buffered during peak periods to smooth traffic bursts. This dynamic differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying different strategies to different traffic categories.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments backhaul traffic into real-time and non-real-time categories, allowing differentiated handling. Real-time traffic maintains strict timing requirements without buffering, while non-real-time traffic can be buffered and smoothed. This segmentation enables the system to meet real-time reliability requirements while improving overall network capacity utilization through selective buffering.
2Reliability
If network capacity is dimensioned for peak traffic periods, then reliability during peaks is improved, but network cost increases due to over-dimensioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary buffering of non-real-time backhaul traffic before transmission to the access node. By buffering traffic in advance during low-utilization periods and releasing it during peak periods, the system smooths traffic bursts without requiring permanent over-dimensioning of network capacity. This preliminary action allows the network to be dimensioned for average load while maintaining peak reliability.
3Reliability
If mobile traffic is prioritized over wireline traffic, then Quality of Experience for mobile users is improved, but network utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of traffic prioritization from static (always prioritizing mobile) to dynamic based on traffic type and network conditions. By buffering non-real-time mobile backhaul traffic and releasing it when capacity is available, the system maintains mobile QoE for real-time traffic while improving overall network utilization by efficiently using available capacity for wireline and non-urgent mobile traffic.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a system (100) is disclosed comprising a virtual baseband unit (103) and an access node (101) wherein the virtual baseband unit (103) is configured to receive backhaul traffic (107), to connect to the access node (103), to transform the backhaul traffic (107) to X-haul traffic (105) and to forward the X-haul traffic (105) to the access node (101); wherein the access node (101) is configured to receive wireline traffic (104) and the X-haul traffic (105), to forward the X-haul traffic (105) and the wireline traffic (104) to two or more network terminations (120-123) and further configured to instruct the virtual baseband unit (103) to buffer the backhaul traffic (107) based on resource data exchanged (106) between the virtual baseband unit (103) and the access node (101) such that the forwarded traffic (108) is less than or equal to a capacity threshold.