Virtualized DAS Master Unit on Base Station Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional distributed antenna systems (DAS) are expensive to deploy and have limited scalability and upgradeability, requiring separate hardware and communication links, which increases installation costs and time.
Innovation Solution
A virtualized distributed antenna system (vDAS) implemented using virtual network functions (VNFs) on physical server computers, utilizing a fronthaul network to communicate with radio units, allowing shared communication links and reducing the need for separate resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional physical hardware and dedicated point-to-point communication links are used to implement DAS nodes, then reliable signal transmission is achieved, but deployment cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the DAS master unit functions with the base station by implementing a virtualized master unit (vMU) that can be instantiated on existing base station hardware. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate physical DAS master units and dedicated communication links, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining signal transmission reliability through the existing base station infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtualization to create a virtual copy of the master unit functions (vMU) that can be instantiated on existing base station hardware rather than requiring separate physical hardware. This virtual copying approach allows the system to replicate master unit functionality without adding corresponding physical complexity, thereby reducing deployment costs and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate hardware resources are allocated for DAS implementation, then functional independence is maintained, but scalability and upgradeability are limited and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation through virtualization, where the vMU can be instantiated, configured, and scaled on demand based on actual DAS requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying functional needs without requiring pre-provisioned separate hardware resources, thereby significantly improving deployment speed and scalability while maintaining functional independence through software-based configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the base station infrastructure universal by enabling it to serve both as a traditional base station and as a host for virtualized DAS master unit functions. This multi-functionality allows a single base station hardware platform to support multiple DAS configurations and service providers through software virtualization, thereby enhancing scalability and reducing the time required for deployment and upgrades.
3Reliability
If dedicated point-to-point communication links are used for DAS nodes, then communication reliability is ensured, but installation costs and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication infrastructure by utilizing the existing base station backhaul network and fronthaul connections to transport virtualized DAS traffic. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated point-to-point communication links between DAS nodes, thereby reducing installation costs and time while maintaining communication reliability through the established base station network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtualization to copy and replicate communication functions over existing network infrastructure rather than deploying dedicated physical links. The vMU and associated communication functions are instantiated as software on existing hardware, allowing communication to occur over shared network resources. This approach maintains communication reliability through virtualized network functions while significantly reducing installation costs and time requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment is directed to a radio access network (RAN) that comprises a set of one or more physical server computers configured to execute virtualization software that creates a virtualized environment. The set of physical server computers is configured to instantiate and execute a set of one or more virtual network functions (VNFs) used to implement at least one native base station and a virtual master unit (vMU) of a virtual distributed antenna system (vDAS). The vDAS is configured to serve a foreign base station. The RAN further comprises a plurality of radio units (RUs), each of the RUs associated with a respective set of coverage antennas. At least some of the RUs of the RAN are also used to implement the vDAS for serving the foreign base station.