vRAN DU Scaling Through Cell Migration and Fronthaul Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized radio access networks (vRAN), existing systems face inefficiencies in resource utilization due to a fixed 1:1 connection between distributed units (DUs) and cell sites, leading to underutilization of resources outside peak traffic hours and increased operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling DU scaling in vRAN by identifying scaling situations based on key performance indicators (KPIs), migrating cells between DUs, and changing media access control (MAC) addresses of fronthaul interfaces to optimize resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a 1:1 connection relationship is established between DU and cell site, then network management is simplified, but resource utilization decreases and operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cell sites to share a common DU, transitioning from a 1:1 connection to a many-to-one relationship. This allows resource pooling where multiple cells (e.g., cells 1-4) connect to a single DU, improving resource utilization while maintaining manageable network operations through virtualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The DU is designed to serve multiple cell sites simultaneously, making it a universal resource that can handle traffic from different cells. This multi-functionality allows the same DU infrastructure to support various cell sites, reducing the total number of DUs needed and improving overall resource efficiency.
2Reliability
If DU capacity is fixed for peak traffic hours, then network performance is maintained during high demand, but resources are underutilized outside peak hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where DU capacity can be adjusted based on traffic demand. During peak hours, multiple cells share DU resources to handle high traffic; during off-peak hours, the same DU resources are reallocated or consolidated, allowing the system to adapt its capacity dynamically rather than maintaining fixed provisioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by modifying which cells are active and how they map to DUs based on traffic conditions. Cell activation/deactivation and DU assignment are adjusted as parameters to match demand, allowing the network to scale resources up during peak times and down during low-traffic periods.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple cell sites are associated with one DU through virtualization, then the number of servers is reduced, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer as an intermediary between physical DU infrastructure and cell sites. This virtualization intermediary manages the many-to-one relationships, handling cell-DU mapping, resource allocation, and traffic routing, thereby reducing the need for physical servers while managing complexity through software abstraction rather than hardware proliferation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a technology for performing a function of a radio network access network. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, included are identifying a scaling situation from among a scale-in or a scale-out, based on information about a key performance indicator (KPI) of at least one DU, identifying, based on the identified scaling situation, a first cell to be scaled, a first DU which migrates the first cell, and a second DU to which the first cell is migrated, delivering fronthaul path switching information to the first DU and the second DU, and changing, based on the fronthaul path switching information, a media access control (MAC) address of a fronthaul interface of the first DU corresponding to the first cell and a MAC address of a fronthaul interface of the second DU.