Virtualized Distributed Unit Updates via Cloud Platform
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern cellular networks face challenges in scalability, maintenance, and cost-effectiveness due to the reliance on special-purpose hardware for distributed units (DUs) at each base station, which is labor-intensive and prone to human error.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cloud-computing platform with virtual machines (VMs) that emulate special-purpose DU hardware, allowing for remote installation and management of DU software on general-purpose server systems, enabling flexible, scalable, and fault-tolerant network operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If special-purpose hardware is used for distributed units at each base station, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of distributed unit functionality through virtual machines that run on general-purpose server hardware. Instead of requiring special-purpose hardware at each base station, the invention virtualizes the DU functions and deploys them as software instances on standardized servers, eliminating the need for proprietary hardware while maintaining functional equivalence and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables general-purpose server hardware to perform multiple functions by hosting virtual machine instances that emulate distributed unit functionality. These universal servers can serve multiple base stations and support multiple virtual DUs simultaneously, replacing the need for dedicated special-purpose hardware at each location and reducing overall system complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If special-purpose hardware is deployed at each base station, then adaptability is improved, but ease of manufacture and deployment worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables network adaptability by dynamically changing software parameters and configurations within virtual machines rather than requiring hardware modifications. Network functions can be updated, scaled, and reconfigured by modifying virtual machine instances and their software parameters, allowing the system to adapt to changing requirements without complex hardware manufacturing or deployment processes
3Manufacturing precision
If manual updates are performed on distributed units, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but productivity and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated self-service mechanisms for distributed unit updates through virtual machine management systems. The virtualization platform enables automatic provisioning, configuration, and deployment of DU software updates across multiple instances without manual intervention, maintaining precision through standardized automated processes while dramatically increasing update speed and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring and validating virtual machine images and software packages before deployment. Update packages are prepared, tested, and staged in advance on the management platform, ensuring precision is maintained while enabling rapid simultaneous deployment across multiple distributed units without manual intervention at each location
4Ease of operation
If remote virtual machine deployment is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual machine management platform as an intermediary layer between operators and the distributed virtualized infrastructure. This intermediary provides simplified remote management interfaces and automation capabilities, enabling ease of operation for deploying and managing virtual distributed units across multiple locations without requiring operators to directly manage the underlying complex virtualized system architecture
Data Source
AI summary
Various cellular network arrangements for remote distributed unit (DU) updates are presented herein. A base station including a radio unit (RU) and an antenna may be present. A cloud-computing platform including a plurality of centralized units (CUs) may be present. A server system can be present, which can include a first virtual machine (VM) and a second VM installed and executing thereon. The server system can be in communication with the RU at the base station and communicatively connected via a network with the cloud computing platform. The first VM can execute a first DU software package that can configure the first VM to transmit data between the RU and a first CU. The second VM can execute a second DU software package that can configure the second VM to transmit data between the RU and a second CU. The first and second DU software packages can be different.