vRAN Broker Network for Multivendor RRU Reservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current mobile network architecture is outdated, constrained by legacy vendor architectures that are not suited for today's dynamic, application-driven environment, leading to increased costs and limited service offerings for operators.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a software-defined architecture with cloud virtualization and automation to facilitate the use of remote radio units (RRUs) through a broker network, allowing for the reservation and configuration of RRUs from multiple vendors in a virtualized radio access network (vRAN) environment, enabling greater flexibility and versatility in service delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operators use legacy vendor architectures, then network stability is maintained, but adaptability to new services and vendors is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radio access network into virtualized network functions (VNFs) that can be independently deployed and managed. This segmentation allows operators to mix and match functions from different vendors while maintaining overall network stability, directly addressing the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal virtualization layer that enables multiple vendor-specific radio access technologies to operate through a common interface. This universality allows the network to support diverse services and vendors without requiring separate legacy architectures for each, resolving the adaptability-complexity tradeoff.
2Productivity
If operators adopt software-defined architecture with cloud virtualization, then service delivery speed and versatility improve, but infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple physical infrastructure resources into shared virtualized pools, allowing multiple service functions to run on common hardware. This consolidation reduces the total quantity of physical infrastructure needed while enabling faster service delivery through software-based deployment and management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtualization to create software copies of network functions that can be rapidly deployed and replicated across infrastructure. Instead of requiring separate physical hardware for each service, the system creates virtual instances that can be copied and distributed, reducing infrastructure requirements while accelerating service delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If operators implement multivendor networks with cloud virtualization, then service versatility increases, but network complexity and automation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary orchestration layer that manages the complexity of multivendor networks. This intermediary automatically handles vendor-specific protocols, resource allocation, and service coordination, reducing the automation burden on operators while enabling high service versatility through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic parameter adjustment mechanisms that automatically adapt network configurations based on service requirements and vendor capabilities. This automated parameter management reduces the complexity of managing multivendor networks while maintaining high service versatility through flexible, software-driven configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A broker network may be configured to serve as an intermediary between one or more radio providers and one or more mobile service providers for reservation of remote radio units (RRUs) for use in a virtualized radio access network (vRAN) environment. The broker network may receive, from a mobile network, a message indicating a request for identification of RRUs of at least one radio provider. The broker network may send, to the mobile network, one or more messages including a plurality of identifiers which identify a plurality of RRUs, and a geographic location and capabilities associated with each RRU. After receiving a selection of an RRU, the broker network may send to the RRU a message which triggers communication with a virtualized Distributed Unit (vDU) for a remote configuration of parameters in the selected RRU, so that it may be used to facilitate communication with UEs in the mobile network.