Virtual RAN Slice Control for Dynamic Spectrum Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cellular telecommunications networks lack flexibility and backward compatibility, with dedicated hardware components serving all applications rather than being tailored for specific services, and radio spectrum allocation is constrained by regulatory limits.
Innovation Solution
Implementing network slicing with virtual machines on general computing hardware, using a slice controller to dynamically reallocate resources like radio spectrum based on performance metrics and user equipment (UE) measurements to optimize network slices for specific services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dedicated hardware components are used for each application, then network control and deployment flexibility is improved, but adaptability to different applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple virtual network slices, each optimized for specific applications (e.g., enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low latency communications, massive machine type communications). This allows dedicated hardware resources to be logically divided and allocated to different service requirements without physical segregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal hardware platform that can simultaneously support multiple network slices with different service characteristics. The infrastructure is designed to be multi-functional, accommodating various applications (voice, data, video, IoT) on the same physical network through virtualization and dynamic resource allocation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If general computing hardware is used for network slicing, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network slice manager as an intermediary component that handles the complexity of managing multiple virtual network slices on general computing hardware. This mediator orchestrates resource allocation, slice creation, and performance optimization, shielding the underlying hardware complexity from the service layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts operational parameters (such as resource allocation ratios, quality of service thresholds, and performance metrics) to optimize each network slice's performance on shared hardware. By changing parameters rather than hardware configuration, the system achieves service-specific optimization without increasing physical device complexity.
3Productivity
If radio spectrum allocation is increased to meet growing network slice demands, then service capacity is improved, but regulatory compliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic radio spectrum allocation where the same frequency resources are time-shared among multiple network slices based on real-time demand and performance requirements. This dynamic approach allows the network to serve multiple applications with limited spectrum resources without requiring additional spectrum beyond regulatory limits, while maintaining service capacity through efficient resource utilization.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a method of allocating a resource in a virtualised radio access network, wherein the virtualised radio access network includes a first virtual machine delivering a first service type and a second virtual machine delivering a second service type, the method comprising: receiving data indicating a performance measure of a first parameter for the first virtual machine and further indicating a performance measure of the first parameter for the second virtual machine; determining a first spectrum utilisation for the first virtual machine based on the performance measure of the first parameter for the first virtual machine relative to a performance requirement for the first parameter; determining a second spectrum utilisation for the second virtual machine based on the performance measure of the first parameter for the second virtual machine relative to the performance requirement for the first parameter; comparing the first spectrum utilisation to a target spectrum utilisation for the first service type; comparing the second spectrum utilisation to a target spectrum utilisation for the second service type; and configuring a resource allocation for the first and/or second virtual machine based on the comparisons of the first and second spectrum utilisations to their respective target spectrum utilisations.