vDU Air Resource Scheduling for Seamless RU Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtual radio access networks (vRAN), static server resource allocation leads to wasted computing resources and increased power consumption due to inefficient scaling of distributed units (DUs) based on real-time traffic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for scheduling air resources of virtual distributed units (vDUs) that adjust resource allocation based on connected user equipment (UE) numbers, enabling seamless migration of radio units (RUs) between source and target vDUs while maintaining communication, thereby optimizing resource usage and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If static server resource allocation is used in vRAN, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but server resource utilization efficiency deteriorates and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the DU can be scaled in or out based on real-time traffic conditions. The orchestrator receives traffic information from the RAN, determines scaling decisions, and dynamically adjusts the number of DUs to match actual demand, transforming the static resource allocation into a dynamic system that adapts to changing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the orchestrator continuously monitors traffic information from the RAN, processes this information to determine scaling decisions, and adjusts DU allocation accordingly. This closed-loop control mechanism ensures that resource allocation responds to actual system conditions, improving both efficiency and adaptability.
2Productivity
If DU scaling is performed without dedicated air resources for synchronization information, then air resource usage is optimized, but communication reliability deteriorates during RU migration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments air resources into dedicated synchronization resources and regular data transmission resources. During RU migration, specific synchronization information (such as PCI, SS/PBCH block, and random access preamble) is transmitted on dedicated resources exclusively allocated for this purpose, separating the synchronization function from general data traffic to ensure reliable migration.
Solution Approach 2:
The source DU transmits synchronization information to the UE in advance before the RU migration is completed. This preliminary transmission ensures that the UE is prepared for the upcoming migration and can maintain communication without interruption, as the necessary synchronization data is already available to the UE before the actual migration occurs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If resource map transmission is implemented between source and target vDUs during scheduling, then resource allocation coordination is improved, but signaling overhead increases and concurrency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scheduling coordination function from the traditional resource map transmission mechanism and relocates it to the orchestrator. The orchestrator directly controls both the source and target DUs, making scheduling decisions centrally without requiring the DUs to exchange resource maps. This removes the signaling overhead between DUs while maintaining coordination through the orchestrator's centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The orchestrator acts as an intermediary between the source and target DUs during RU migration. Instead of the DUs directly communicating resource maps to each other, the orchestrator receives scheduling requests, determines resource allocation, and independently configures both DUs. This intermediary role eliminates direct DU-to-DU signaling while ensuring coordinated resource allocation.
Data Source
AI summary
A schedule coordinator schedules an air resource of a virtual distributed unit (vDU) in a wireless communication system. The schedule coordinator identifies a radio unit (RU) to be migrated to a target vDU, from among one or more RUs connected to a source vDU, requests the source vDU to exclusively transmit or receive first information including synchronization information of one or more user equipments (UEs) connected to the RU. The schedule coordinator allocates a source vDU-dedicated air resource to the source vDU, and allocates a target vDU-dedicated air resource to the target vDU. When a migration of the RU is completed, the schedule coordinator requests the target vDU to exclusively transmit or receive the first information, and requests the source vDU to stop transmitting or receiving the first information.