WO2023191683A1

WO2023191683A1 - Availability handling in a wireless communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2023191683A1
Application number: PCT/SE2023/050244
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lackis ELEFTHERIADIS; Amardeep MEHTA
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2022-04-01
Filing date: 2023-03-21
Publication date: 2023-10-05

Abstract

A wireless network node (12) of a wireless communication network (10), comprises a number of electrical loads comprising a group of radio communication units (34), a computational processing system (36) and a number of power sources for supplying power to the electrical loads, the power sources comprising a main power supply system (22) comprising a group of power supply units (24, 26, 28), and at least one auxiliary power supply system comprising an energy storage system (44) with at least one energy storage unit (46). An availability handling system for this node comprises an availability handling unit (32) operative to determine a set of modifiable node characteristics comprising power supply availability, compare the set of node characteristics with a set of service requirements associated with a request for service, the service requirements comprising a required power supply availability and the request for service involving communication via one or more of the radio communication units and computational processing, at least some of which is to be performed in the computational processing system (36), and dynamically change the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics to match the power supply availability in the set of service requirements.

Description

AVAILABILITY HANDLING IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to availably in wireless communication systems. More particularly, the invention relates to an availability handling system for at least one first wireless network node of a wireless communication network as well as toa method, computer programs and computer program products for handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node of a wireless communication network.

BACKGROUND

New deployments of service in wireless communication networks, such as the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication networks, will require computation to be located close to the user to improve and fulfil the requirements and performance related to low latency and high availability, providing a service to user with high precision and performance. Computations may thereby need to be made in the wireless network nodes of the wireless communication networks.

Performance is of high importance providing with high-speed data rates and low latency with high quality service for Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) to users/ customers. Among other things, the importance of the availability in Mobile Edge Compute, MEC nodes will play a huge role, since they are well distributed in different locations and the need to interoperate among multiple nodes and enclosures.

Availability is not only determined by the communication service availability and positioning service availability on network, stated in 3GPP TS 22.261 and 3GPP TS 22.104, but also related to the power availability and the total system availability among the network function of the operating node/nodes.

Many nodes and networks incorporate redundant functions on higher layers, but that is not enough. There is a need to consider the total systems availability, such as dual fed system or dual power system with a large battery backup power provided to the nodes, when e.g., a power outage occurs, and were in many cases are not so cost efficient.

Communication service availability and communication service reliability for a number of different use cases, such as mobile robots - video streaming, augmented reality and distributed energy storage distributed energy resources and micro-grids can for instance be found in table 5.3-1 of sGPP TS 22.104

According to Ericsson White Paper, GFMC-2O:OOOO97, February 2020, Edge computing and deployment strategies for communication service providers, the edge cloud computing will enable opportunity in the larger context of the enterprise, where edge cloud and infrastructure will be an enabler for many broader use cases, where the Distributed cloud infrastructure will be a vital component.

Furthermore, according to Global Telecom DC Power System Market Insight, 5G to Drive Connectivity Infrastructure Improvements, Open Revenue Streams, White paper Frost& Sullivan market telecom 2018, it is highlighted the problem with existing infrastructures, where such edge nodes may be deployed. The report highlights the problems, with insufficient mains input, related to new deployments or equipment on sites, site fuses and increased power consumption.

Furthermore, in Ericsson White Paper GFTL ER 20:003151 July 2020: Building trustworthiness into future mobile network, for Network Reliability Availability and Resilience networks, NRAR, relating to design and deployments of products and functionalities affecting availability, is mentioned as an important factor:

“Security threats to networks that affect availability can result in a diverse attack surface due to (for example) design, deployment, or external vulnerabilities caused by information exposure and leakage among network and service functions. A network can be compromised by lone targeted attacks or through denial of service; the availability of mobile networks is specifically vulnerable to distributed denial-of service attacks that can occur through a core network or air interface. Ensuring availability in the face of such varied threats will require mitigation and recovery methods aided by automated intelligence in the network.”

It is thus important to consider the reliability and availability in wireless network nodes.

One problem in wireless network nodes is the availability of the energy in the battery, where the service of the workloads incorporates have various requirements, stated in 3GPP TS 22.104, table 5.3-1. The services related to fulfil the different availability requirements, sometimes referred to as “a number of nines”, related to service applied in the server, on the specific location where the node including the server is located.

The power system and specifically the battery backup power is not dynamic with regard to the workload of the servers and the availability required for the applied service, on the servers.

Enabling energy storage (and use it as primary source) for various services and scenarios, will impact the availability at the point of use for the active service, which is not in favour from a system perspective.

Currently there is a lack of such kind of solution solving the problem on a wireless network node, where the features and functionality are not directly related and optimized in relation to its server workloads, that are applied.

Therefore, there is room for improvement.

SUMMARY

One object of the invention is to improve the way that availability is handled in wireless network nodes in a wireless communication network, when the wireless network nodes are to perform processing in respect of services.

This object is according to a first aspect achieved by an availability handling system for at least one first wireless network node of a wireless communication network. The first wireless network node comprises

- a number of electrical loads comprising a group of radio communication units comprising at least one radio communication unit, and a computational processing system comprising at least one computational processing entity, and

- a number of power sources for supplying power to the electrical loads, the power sources comprising a main power supply system comprising a group of power supply unit, and at least one auxiliary power supply system comprising an energy storage system with at least one energy storage until.

Furthermore, the availability handling system comprises an availability handling unit comprising a processor acting on computer instructions whereby the availability handling unit: determines a set of modifiable node characteristics comprising power supply availability, compares the set of node characteristics with a set of service requirements associated with a request for service, where the service requirements comprise a required power supply availability and the request for service involves communication via one or more of the radio communication units and computational processing, where at least some of the processing is to be performed in the computational processing system, and dynamically changes the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics to match the power supply availability in the set of service requirements.

The object is according to a second aspect achieved by a method of handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node of a wireless communication network, where the first wireless network node comprises:

- a number of power sources for supplying power to the electrical loads, where the power sources comprise: a main power supply system comprising a group of power supply units, and at least one auxiliary power supply system comprising an energy storage system with at least one energy storage unit, the method is at least partly performed in a power availability determining unit and comprises: determining a set of modifiable node characteristics comprising power supply availability, comparing the set of node characteristics with a set of service requirements associated with a request for service, which service requirements comprise a required power supply availability and the request for service involves communication via one or more of the radio communication units and computational processing, where at least some of the computational processing is to be performed in the computational processing system, and dynamically changing the power supply availability in the set of node characteristic to the power supply availability in the set of service requirements.

Each power supply unit of the main power supply system may have at least two states and an action space in one of the two states, where the action space defines a range within which the power supply unit maybe operated. The energy storage system may also have at least two states and an action space in one of the two states, which action space defines a range within which the energy storage system may be operated.

According to a first variation of the first and second aspects, the determining and dynamic change of the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics is in this case performed considering the states and action spaces of the main and auxiliary power supply systems.

The main power supply system may additionally have a main power supply system configuration and the at least one auxiliary power supply system may have an auxiliary power supply system configuration.

According to a second variation of the first and second aspects, the dynamical change of the power supply availability may in this case be based on a change of the main power supply system configuration and/ or the auxiliary power supply system configuration.

The main power supply system may be connected to a power grid via a power connection.

According to a third variation of the first aspect, the availability handling unit is in this case further operative to determine the power supply availability based on a number of power connection scenarios. According to a corresponding third variation of the second aspect, the determining of the power supply availability is based on a number of power connection scenarios.

Furthermore, the power connection may be used according to a power connection usage setting.

According to a fourth variation of the first aspect, the availability handling unit is in this case further operative to change the power connection usage setting in case the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the power supply availability in the set of service requirements.

According to a corresponding fourth variation of the second aspect, the method further comprises changing the power connection usage setting in case the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the required power supply availability in the set of service requirements.

The set of node characteristics and the set of service requirements may each comprise a computational system availability and the computational processing system may have a computational usage profile.

According to a fifth variation of the first aspect, the availability handling unit may in this case be further operative to dynamically change the computational usage profile of the computational processing system in case the computational system availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the computational system availability in the set of service requirements.

According to a corresponding fifth variation of the second aspect, the method may in this case further comprise dynamically changing the computational usage profile of the computational processing system in case the computational system availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the computational system availability in the set of service requirements.

Also, the set of node characteristics and the set of service requirements may each comprise a total node availability that comprises or is based on the power supply availability.

According to sixth variation of the first aspect, the availability handling unit in this case is operative to dynamically change the total node availability in the set of node characteristics to match the total node availability in the set of service requirements.

According to a corresponding sixth variation of the second aspect, the method in this case further comprises dynamically changing the total node availability in the set of node characteristics to match the total node availability in the set of service requirements.

According to a seventh variation of the first and second aspects, the set of node characteristics and the set of service requirements comprise a power capacity.

According to an eighth variation of the first aspect, the availability handling system further comprises a node availability determining block operative to determine the total node availability in the set of node characteristics that matches the total node availability in the set of service requirements.

According to a corresponding eight variation of the second aspect, the method further comprises determining the total node availability in the set of node characteristics that matches the total node availability in the set of service requirements According to a ninth variation of the first aspect, the availability handling system further comprises an operational profile handling block operative to determine one or more operational profiles of the first wireless network node in a time period in which the service of the request is being handled, each profile being set to retain the matching total node availability in the set of node characteristics and at least comprising a power supply part comprising a main power supply system configuration and an auxiliary power supply system configuration.

According to a corresponding ninth variation of the second aspect, the method furth comprises determining one or more operational profiles of the first wireless network node in a time period in which the service of the request is being handled, each profile being set to retain the matching total node availability in the set of node characteristics and at least comprising a power supply part comprising a main power supply system configuration and an auxiliary power supply system configuration.

According to a tenth variation of the first and second aspects, each operational profile may also comprise a computational system usage part comprising a computational system configuration.

According to an eleventh variation of the first aspect, the operational profile handling block is further operative to determine a degradation of the auxiliary power supply system when a corresponding operational profile is used.

According to a corresponding eleventh variation of the second aspect, the method further comprises determining a degradation of the auxiliary power supply system when a corresponding operational profile is used.

There may additionally be a group of wireless network nodes of the wireless communication network and for which availability is being handled, where the group includes the first wireless network node and each wireless network node of the group is provided with an operational profile and has an associated degradation of the corresponding auxiliary power supply system when performing the service of the service request.

According to a twelfth variation of the first aspect, the availability handling system in this case further comprising an orchestrator unit operative to obtain the total node availability and the operational profiles of each node and select a node and optionally also an operational profile according to a selection criterion for handling at least a part of the service.

According to a corresponding twelfth variation of the second aspect, the method in this case further comprises obtaining the total node availability and the operational profiles of each node and selecting a node and optionally also an operational profile according to a selection criterion for handling at least a part of the service.

According to a thirteenth variation of the first and second aspects, the selection according to the selection criterion is the selection of a node with an operational profile where the total node availability in the set of node characteristics matches the total node availability in the set of service requirements with the lowest degradation of the auxiliary power supply system.

In further variations of the first aspect, the orchestrator unit may comprise an operational profile handling block for each node. It may additionally comprise a node availability determining block for each node.

In yet more variation of the first aspect, the node availability determining block is included in the first wireless network node. Also the operational profile handling block may be included in the first wireless network node. The initially mentioned object is according to a third aspect achieved by a computer program for handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node of a wireless communication network, the computer program comprising computer program code which when run by a processor of an availability handling unit in an availability handling system implements the method steps according to the second aspect and optionally also according to any of the first to eleventh variations thereof.

The initially mentioned object is according to a fourth aspect achieved by a computer program product for handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node of a wireless communication network, the computer program product comprising a data carrier with said computer program code according to the third aspect.

There is in an addendum to the third aspect also provided a computer program for handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node of a wireless communication network, which computer program comprises computer program code which when run by a processor of an orchestrator unit in an availability handling system implements the method steps according to any of the ninth to thirteenth variations of the third aspect.

There is furthermore provided a computer program product for handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node of a wireless communication network, the computer program product comprising a data carrier with said computer program code according to the addendum to the third aspect.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a wireless communication network comprising a number of wireless network nodes,

Fig. 2 schematically shows one realization of a first wireless network node, Fig. 3 schematically shows a first realization of an availability handling unit ,

Fig. 4 schematically shows a second realization of the availability handling unit,

Fig. 5 schematically shows a first realization of an orchestrator unit, Fig.6 schematically shows a second realization of the orchestrator unit, Fig. 7 shows a number of method steps in a first embodiment of a method of handling availability of at least one wireless network node of the wireless communication network,

Fig. 8 schematically shows a number of method steps in a second embodiment of the method of handling availability of at least one wireless network node of the wireless communication network,

Fig. 9 schematically shows a number of method steps in a third embodiment of the method of handling availability of at least one wireless network node of the wireless communication network,

Fig. io schematically shows a hybrid of flow chart and a block schematic of the availability handing unit and its functioning according to a fourth embodiment,

Fig. n schematically shows a parity sequency state diagram used to change total node availability of the first wireless network node,

Fig. 12 shows the impact of configurations and battery cycles on total node availability and cost for different configurations,

Fig. 13 shows radio availability for dynamic battery cycle mode for different configurations, Fig. 14 shows application (or service) availability for dynamic battery cycle mode and different configurations,

Fig. 15 schematically shows method steps being performed by the orchestrator unit,

Fig. 16 schematically shows a computer program product comprising a data carrier with computer program code for realizing the availability handling unit, and

Fig. 17 schematically shows a computer program product comprising a data carrier with computer program code for realizing the orchestrator unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as particular architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the invention with unnecessary detail.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards handling availability of a wireless network node of a wireless communication network in relation to services provided via the wireless network node.

Fig. 1 shows a wireless communication network WCN 10, which in this case is a mobile communication network. The network 10 comprises a number of wireless network nodes, which in the case of a mobile communication network are access nodes implementing base stations, sometimes referred to as gNB or gNodeB. As an example, there is a first wireless network node WNN112, a second wireless network node WNN2 14 and a third wireless network node WNN3 16. It should here be realized that there can be more wireless network nodes. However, there may also be fewer. It is even possible with only one wireless network node. In its simplest form the wireless communication network 10 thus only comprises the first wireless network node 12.

Although the subject matter described herein maybe implemented in any appropriate type of system using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are described in relation to a wireless communication network, such as the example wireless network illustrated in Fig. 1. For simplicity, the wireless communication network 10 of Fig. 1 only depicts nodes 12, 14 and 16. In practice, a wireless communication network may further include any additional elements suitable to support communication between wireless devices or between a wireless device and another communication device, such as a landline telephone, a service provider, or any other network node or end device. The wireless communication network may provide communication and other types of services to one or more wireless devices to facilitate the wireless devices’ access to and/or use of the services provided by, or via, the wireless communication network.

The wireless communication network may comprise and/or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, and/or radio network or other similar type of system. In some embodiments, the wireless communication network may be configured to operate according to specific standards or other types of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, particular embodiments of the wireless network may implement communication standards, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and/or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G standards; wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the IEEE 802.11 standards; and/or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave and/or ZigBee standards. The wireless communication network 10 may comprise one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), packet data networks, optical networks, wide-area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks to enable communication between devices.

Wireless network nodes may comprise various components described in more detail below. These components work together in order to provide wireless network node functionality, such as providing wireless connections in the wireless communication network. In different embodiments, the wireless communication network may comprise any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and/ or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and/ or signals whether via wired or wireless connections.

As used herein, a wireless network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and/ or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and/ or with other wireless network nodes or equipment in the wireless network to enable and/or provide wireless access to the wireless device and/or to perform other functions (e.g., administration) in the wireless communication network. Examples of wireless network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)), O-RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g. O-RU, O-DU, O-CU). Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and may then also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node) and/ or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Yet further examples of network nodes include multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell/multicast coordination entities (MCEs), core network nodes (e.g., MSCs, MMEs), O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SON nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., E-SMLCs), and/or MDTs. More generally, however, network nodes may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable, configured, arranged, and/ or operable to enable and/ or provide a wireless device with access to the wireless communication network or to provide some service to a wireless device that has accessed the wireless communication network.

Fig. 2 schematically shows one exemplifying realization of the first wireless network node.

The first wireless network node 12 comprises a main power supply system MPS 22 that is connected to an alternating current, AC, power grid PG 18. The AC power grid 18 may be a three-phase power grid. Thereby, the main power supply system 20 is connected to a first phase/line A/Li, a second phase/line B/L2 and a third phase/line C/L3 of the power grid 18. The main power supply system 22 has a first conductor leading to the first phase A/Li, a second conductor leading to the second phase B/L2 and a third conductor leading to the third phase C/L3, where these conductors are part of an AC power connection PC 20 to the AC power grid 18. The main power supply system 22 comprises a group of power supply units. In this case the main power supply system 22 comprises three separate power supply units. There is a first power supply unit PSU1 24 having a grid side connected to the power grid 18, a second power supply unit PSU2 26 having a grid side connected to the power grid 18 and a third power supply unity PSU3 28 having a grid side connected to the power grid 18, where each may be connected to the power grid via a separate conductor in the power connection 20. The main power supply system 22 may furthermore comprise one or more Circuit Breakers (CB) for protection, such as protection against overcurrents and short-circuits, thereby protecting the cables of the power connection and the power supply units 24, 26, 28.

There is also at least one axillary power supply system in the first wireless network node 12. In this case there is a first auxiliary power supply system that is an energy storage system ESS 44, which energy storage system 44 comprises at least one energy storage unit 46 connected to the power distribution unit 30 via a battery fuse unit (BFU) 45 comprising one or more fuses. The energy storage unit 46 may for instance be in the form of a battery, which as an example may be a Li-ion battery or in the present example a valve regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery. It is also possible to use both Li-ion and VRLA batteries.

The first wireless network node 12 also comprises a group of radio communication units 34, where in the example in fig. 2 the group comprises three radio communication units. There is a first radio communication unit, a second radio communication unit and a third radio communication unit. There is also a computational processing system 36 comprising at least one computational processing entity. As an example, there may be N computational entities, which may be in the form of server blades and where N is an integer that may be higher than or equal to 2. There may thus be N server blades, such as two or more server blades, where the server of such a server blade may be a cloud server. There is also a first group of internal fans 40 and a second group of external fans 42, where each group may comprise three fans that maybe selected to be connected in parallel with each other and operated using a cooling control unit CCU 38. The first group of fans maybe placed inside a compartment or housing for the elements of the node, while the second group of fans 42 may be placed outside of the compartment or housing. The radio communication units 34, computational processing entities 36 and fans 40, 42 are examples of electrical loads that are supplied with power by the main power supply system 22 from the AC power grid 18 and/ or by the first auxiliary power supply system exemplified by the energy storage system 44. Because of this the group of radio communication units 34, the computational processing system 36 as well as the fans 40, 42 and CCU 38 are connected to the main power supply system 22 and the energy storage system 44 via a power distribution unit PDU 30, which may also be considered to be a local power distribution system. The power distribution system maybe a DC system operating at an internal node voltage, which node voltage thus is a DC voltage. In its simplest form the power distribution system may be realized as a DC bus.

The main power supply system 22 is a first power source for supplying power to the electrical loads and the first auxiliary power supply system is a second power source for supplying power to the electrical loads

As was mentioned above, the power supply units 24, 26 and 28 have a grid side connected to the AC power grid 18. They also have a system side connected to the power distribution unit 30. The power supply units 24, 26 and 28 maybe realized as AC/DC converters. The power supply units 24, 26 and 28 may for instance be realized as voltage source converters, such as two-level voltage source converters or modular multilevel converters (MMCs). They may also act as or even be rectifiers.

There is also a baseband controller BB 32 connected to the power distribution unit 30. The baseband controller 32 is also shown as being connected to a node selecting device 50 via a communication interface 48. The node selecting device 50 may be provided as a part of a network manager unit provided in an Operation Support System (OSS) for the wireless communication network. In this case the communication interface 48 maybe an interface to a backhaul network used for communication with the OSS. The node selecting device 50 may as an alternative be implemented in the cloud and in this case the communication interface 48 may instead be a cloud communication interface.

It should additionally be realized that in some variations the fans maybe omitted. It should also be realized that in some variations there may be more auxiliary power supply systems. There may for instance be a second auxiliary power supply system such as a photo voltaic (PV) power supply system.

In some embodiments, the radio communication units may include one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry and baseband processing circuitry. In some embodiments, radio frequency transceiver circuitry and baseband processing circuitry maybe on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry and baseband processing circuitry maybe on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units

A radio circuit may comprise radio front end circuitry that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, antenna. Radio front end circuitry may comprise filters and amplifiers. Radio front end circuitry may be connected to antenna and processing circuitry. Radio front end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna and processing circuitry. Radio front end circuitry may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or wireless devices via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters and/or amplifiers. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

In certain alternative embodiments, wireless network node may not include separate radio front end circuitry, instead, processing circuitry may comprise radio front end circuitry and maybe connected to antenna without separate radio front end circuitry. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of RF transceiver circuitry may be considered a part of interface. In still other embodiments, interface may include one or more ports or terminals, radio front end circuitry, and RF transceiver circuitry, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and interface may communicate with baseband processing circuitry, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

Antenna may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals. Antenna maybe coupled to radio front end circuitry and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and/ or signals wirelessly. In some embodiments, antenna may comprise one or more omni-directional, sector or panel antennas operable to transmit/receive radio signals between, for example, 2 GHz and 66 GHz. An omni-directional antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signals in any direction, a sector antenna maybe used to transmit/receive radio signals from devices within a particular area, and a panel antenna may be a line-of-sight antenna used to transmit/receive radio signals in a relatively straight line. In some instances, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as MIMO. In certain embodiments, antenna may be separate from wireless network node and may be connectable to wireless network node through an interface or port. Antenna, interface, and/or processing circuitry maybe configured to perform any receiving operations and/or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by a wireless network node. Any information, data and/or signals maybe received from a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment. Similarly, antenna, interface, and/or processing circuitry maybe configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signals maybe transmitted to a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment.

Alternative embodiments of wireless network node may include additional components beyond those shown in fig. 2 that may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the wireless network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and/or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, wireless network node may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into wireless network node and to allow output of information from wireless network node. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for network node.

As was mentioned earlier, the first wireless network node 12 may be an access node of a mobile communication network, such as a fourth generation (4G) or a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication network and may because of this be a base station in such a mobile communication network.

The baseband controller 32 may implement an availability handling unit and the node selecting device 50 may implement an orchestrator unit, where the combination of availability handling unit and orchestrator unit may form an availability handling system. Alternatively, the availability handling unit may form such an availability handling system by itself. Fig. 3 schematically shows a first realization of the availability handling unit AHU 51. It maybe provided in the form of a processor PR 52 connected to a program memory M 54. The program memory 54 may comprise a software code or a number of computer instructions CI 56 implementing the functionality of the availability handling unit 51. The availability handling unit 51 may thereby be implemented as software.

The software code 56 may thereby be code for implementing the availability handling unit. Processing on behalf of the availability handling unit may be performed in the baseband controller 32 or in the cloud using node selecting device 50.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a second realization of the availability handling unit 51. It maybe realized as a power capacity and power supply availability estimating block PCPSAE 58, a power system availability and power capacity investigating block PSAPCI 60, a power function controller block PFC 62, a first node availability determining block NADi 64, a server configuration controller block SCC 65, a first operational profile handling block OPHi 66 and an operational profile determining block OPD 67. It should here be realized that in some variations one or more of the node availability determining block 64, the server configuration controller block 65, the operational profile handling block 66 and the operational profile determining block 67 may be omitted.

The blocks in fig. 4 may be provided as software blocks, for instance as software blocks in a program memory, or as hardware blocks, such as through one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

Fig. 5 schematically shows a first realization of the orchestrator unit OU 68. It maybe provided in the form of a processor PR 70 connected to a program memory M 72. The program memory 72 may comprise software code or a number of computer instructions CI 74 implementing the functionality of the orchestrator unit 68. The orchestrator unit 68 may thereby also be implemented as software for instance in the cloud.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a second realization of the orchestrator unit 68. It may comprise a second operational profile handling block OPH2 76 in the group. It may additionally comprise a second node availability determining block NAD2 78 as well as a node selector block NS 79.

The blocks in fig. 6 may be provided as software blocks, for instance as software blocks in a program memory, or as hardware blocks, such as through one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

Current wireless network nodes with main and auxiliary power supply systems, such as the wireless network node in fig. 2 have a system availability requirement as well as related power availability requirements.

When the first wireless network node 12 receives a request for a service, the computational processing system 36 is also supposed to perform processing for the service. As can be seen above the services also have different availability and reliability requirements. One such availability requirement may be power supply availability.

However, the power supply availability is today static which may be undesirable for a number of reasons. If a medium or low availability is provided, then it is possible that the processing of a service cannot be guaranteed. If on the other hand a premium power supply availability is provided, which fulfils all the availability requirements of all possible services, then the operation of the node may be inefficient, since it is very well possible that an excess availability is provided.

There is therefore a need for an improvement of the situation. One problem in wireless network nodes is the availability of the energy in the battery, where the service of the workloads incorporates have various requirements, stated in 3GPP TS 22.104, table 5.3-1. The services are related to fulfilling the different availabilities, sometimes referred to as number of nines, related to service applied in a server, on the specific location where the node including the server is located.

The power system and specifically the battery backup power is not dynamical with regard to the workload of the servers and the availability required for the applied service on the servers.

Currently there is no consideration of such issues in a wireless network node, where the features and functionality are not directly related and optimized in relation to its server workloads, that are applied.

When a new service is activated to a server in the wireless network node, it will generate variable availability, not only to the workload but the power system itself.

Enabling such function in scheduling, will enhance the network operation and will provide benefits, e.g. in 50/60 Hz Frequency variation.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges.

In the present disclosure there is provided a method to improve a wireless network node, for instance a node provided in an enclosure or cabinet, enabling those with new functionality when adding servers to the enclosure or cabinet.

Aspects of the new functionality adapts the power system parameters to the server workload for the area applied and dynamically changes the availability based on different scenarios. A new functional entity in the form of the availability handing system is provided to manage and schedule the operation, where it considers the functional availability and impacting the various nodes and propose action for it.

In the present disclosure, there is also proposed and consider generating actionable availability profiles or operational profiles, to the power infrastructure determining operation.

There is disclosed a method and availability handling system that enables new functions in a wireless network node, where the method dynamically adapts the functional availability in the power system based on the server and service applied, scenario in the node.

A determination and reconfiguration of the power system is made, where the availability criterion needs to be fulfilled, that is based on the functional service that are active to the time of use, while at the same time enabling a new functional of rotational cost function related to operation.

Additionally, actionable availability profiles or operational profiles for the power system maybe generated to adapt to new operations (apparatus). As can be seen above, power system configuration can today not be changed based on the services that are active on the server inside the node.

Aspects of the present disclosure, proposes a method and availability handling system where the service applied in the node installed with several servers, are dynamically adapting the power system availability, based on the applied service running. How this may be done according to a first embodiment will now be described with reference also being made to fig. 7, which shows a number of method steps in a method of handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node of a wireless communication system.

A new service, requested to be handled by one or more wireless network nodes of the wireless communication network may be associated with a set of service requirements, which set of service requirements may comprise a power supply availability requirement and perhaps also a computational system availability reliability requirement, where a power supply requirement is a requirement that the power supply in the nodes involved in processing the service have a certain availability and the computational system availability is a requirement that the computational systems in the nodes involved in the processing of the service have a certain availability. The power supply availability may additionally be the availability of the power supply from the main power supply system and possibly also from any auxiliary power supply system. Power supply availability may thus be the availability of a main power supply system and the availability of any auxiliary power supply system in the first wireless network node 12. In the example of fig. 2, there is one main power supply system 22 and one auxiliary power supply system in the form of the energy storage system 44.

The method is at least partly performed in the power availability determining unit 51 and comprises determining, by the power capacity and power supply availability estimating block 58, a set of modifiable node characteristics comprising power supply availability, 80. Power supply availability is thus one modifiable node characteristics of a node. Other examples are total node or system availability and the previously mentioned computational system availability, where additionally the total node availability may comprise or be based on the power supply availability and the computational system availability of the node as well as on other systems and units in the node. Examples on how availability can be determined will be given later.

When the modifiable node characteristics have been determined, the power system availability and power capacity investigating block 60 of the availability determining unit 51 compares the set of node characteristics with the set of service requirements associated with the request for service, 82, where the service requirements comprise a required power supply availability and the request for service involves communication via one or more of the radio communication units 34 of the first node 12 and computational processing, at least some of which is to be performed in the computational processing system 36.

The power availability determining unit 51 then dynamically changes the power supply availability in the set of node characteristic to the power supply availability in the set of service requirements, 84, which change may be effectuated by the power functionality controller block 76.

As can be seen in fig. 2. the main power supply system 22 may be connected to the power grid 18 via the power connection 20. In this case the availability handling unit 51 may also determine the power supply availability based on a number of power connection scenarios, which may indicate the number of power lines used, voltage levels, frequency variations and fuse sizes.

The changing can be made in a number of ways.

The main power supply system 22 may have a main power supply system configuration and the at least one auxiliary power supply system 44 may have an auxiliary power supply system configuration.

In this case the dynamical change of the power supply availability may be based on a change of the main power supply system configuration and/ or the auxiliary power supply system configuration. The change of the main power supply system configuration may for instance involve a change in the operation of power supply units and/ or the power lines used, while a change in the configuration of the auxiliary power supply system may involve a change in the way that batteries are operated.

Each power supply unit 24, 26, 28 of the main power supply system 22 may have at least two states, such as on and off, and an action space in one of the two states, such is in the on state, which action space defines a range within which the power supply unit may be operated such as a percentage of a maximum output power. The energy storage system 44 may also have at least two states, such as static and dynamic, and an action space in one of the two states, such as the dynamic, which action space defines a range within which the energy storage system 44 may be operated. The range may here indicate cycles during which the energy storage system is to supply power.

In this case the determining and dynamic change of the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics maybe performed considering the states and action spaces of the main and auxiliary power supply systems.

The power connection may additionally be used according to a power connection usage setting, such as a setting indicating which power lines out of all power lines of the power connection 20 that are being used. In this case the availability handling unit 51 may change the power connection usage setting in case the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the power supply availability in the set of service requirements.

A second embodiment will now be described with reference being made to fig. 8. In addition to the various settings and profiles used in the first embodiment, it is in this case possible that the first wireless network node 12 has a number of computational usage profiles, where a usage profile may specify how many and which of the servers of the computational processing system 36 are to be used and/or if any processing is to be performed somewhere else instead, such as in the cloud or another wireless network node.

Now the power capacity and power supply availability estimating block 58 of the power availability determining unit 51 determines a set of modifiable node characteristics, 86, which in this case comprises the power supply availability as well as the computational system availability of the computational processing system 36. Examples on how the computational system availability can be calculated will be given later.

When the modifiable node characteristics have been determined, the power supply availability and power capacity investigating block 60 together with the first node availability determining block 64 then compares the set of node characteristics with the set of service requirements associated with the request for service, 88, where the service requirements comprise a required power supply availability as well as a required computational system availability. The power supply availabilities may here be compared by the power supply availability and power capacity investigating block 60, while the computational system availabilities may be compared by the first node availability determining block 64. Again, the request for service involves communication via one or more of the radio communication units 34 of the first node and computational processing, at least some of which is to be performed in the computational processing system 36 of the first node 12.

The power functionality controller block 62 of the power availability determining unit 51 then dynamically changes the power supply availability in the set of node characteristic to the power supply availability in the set of service requirements and the server configuration controller block 65 dynamically changes the computational usage profile of the computational processing system, 90, which changes are made in case the computational system availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the computational system availability in the set of service requirements, 90.

The changing of computational usage profile may for instance involve ending or offloading processing of one or more processing blades in order to free up computational processing resources.

A third embodiment will now be described with reference being made to fig. 9.

In this case, the power capacity and power supply availability estimating block 58 of the power availability determining unit 51 determines a set of modifiable node characteristics comprising a total node availability, 92, where the total node availability comprises or is based on the power supply availability.

The total node availability may as an example be determined as the power supply system availability times the computational system availability times a communication system availability and optionally also times a cooling system availability, where the communication system availability is based on the availability of the group of radio communication units and the cooling system availability is based on the availability of the previously described fans and any other used cooling equipment.

When the modifiable node characteristics have been determined, the power supply availability and power capacity investigating block 60 of the power availability determining unit 51 then compares the total node availability in the set of node characteristics with a total node availability in the set of service requirements associated with the request for service, 94.

The first node availability determining block 64 of the power availability determining unit 51 then dynamically changes the total node availability in the set of node characteristic to the total node availability in the set of service requirements, 96. This can be done through the power functionality controller block 62 changing the power supply availability possibly together with the server configuration controller block 65 changing the computational system availability.

In the third embodiment, it is additionally possible that the first operational profile handling block 66 of the availability handling unit 51 determines one or more operational profiles of the first wireless network node 12 in a time period in which the service of the request is being handled, where each profile is set to retain the matching total node availability in the set of node characteristics and at least comprising a power supply part comprising a main power supply system configuration and an auxiliary power supply system configuration.

Each operational profile may also comprise a computational system usage part comprising a computational system configuration. In this case the first operational profile handling block 66 of the availability handling unit 51 may further determine a degradation of the auxiliary power supply system when a corresponding operational profile is used.

The operation of the availability handling unit 51 may also be exemplified in the following way.

Current wireless network nodes with main and auxiliary power supply systems, such as the wireless network node in fig. 2 have a system availability requirement as well as related power availability requirements. The computational processing system 36 of the first wireless network node 12 performs processing for a service. Thereby the first wireless network node 12 may also be an edge node.

Current Cloud system lacks interoperability between active service applied to the Server in the first wireless network node, and the power system availability, which means that the server in the node has no intercommunication with the power system to adapt its performance, based on different functions on the server that needs new and dynamic requirements. Power system configuration can today not be changed based on the service that are active on the servers inside the node.

In the present disclosure, there is proposed a method and availability handling system where the service applied in the node installed with several servers, are dynamically adapting the power system availability, based on the applied service running.

Thereby a new network Function, NF, provided by the availability handling system is proposed to enable this functionality in the node. In this way a direct relation between the active function and the power system availability, functional availability, is introduced. In this case the server function, shares the availability requirement with a power system controller.

In another embodiment, the method (operated in the power system, apparatus) activates the PSU and battery operation to consider the rotational cost of the operation in the node to reduce the degradation of hardware (HW) units. A new signal in the existing PSU interface is introduced, were the availability handling unit, having the availability requirements of the service, send command signal to PSU, and battery to dynamically adapt to the required availability, to increase it or decrease it. Furthermore, the method may generate a service map based on the activated service running on the servers, by 1) determination 2) calculating, 3) rescheduling and proposing an operation actionable profile for the Power system availability according to scenarios.

Furthermore, in another embodiment, the method considers the rate of change of the service and duration, rate of change in availability requirements among multiple services in the nodes and to distinguish the dynamicity of the Power system to the running function.

Based on the number of PSU’s and battery capacity of the energy storage system that are connected in different configurations in the node, the initial availability is analyzed.

In another embodiment, the method operates inside apparatus, of the Power system, where the functions determinates dynamically the availability of the Power Supply Unit, PSU, and battery operation. Actionable availability profiles or operational profiles are generated to operate the power system (apparatus). The profiles maybe transmitted to the nodes, from higher layer and operate locally in the node. Based on the profile, that includes the actions, needed in time, for specified availability running for 24 hours (or longer).

A fourth embodiment will now be discussed with reference being made to fig. 10, which is a combined flow chart and block schematic.

In the present disclosure, the technical effects, of the operation, related to figure 10, is when different scenario are enabled (single or mix scenarios), where the functional availability is highly impacted and varies dynamically by the different services inside the computational processing system 36.

Based on requirement, reconfiguration is made to maintain the same required availability both for the server but also the power system. Doing the reconfiguration in time is very critical factor, for the availability related to the service running. Furthermore, calculations and considerations of the cost and reconfigurations of PSU and battery are made based on the rotational degradation and rotational cost function, for multiple nodes (n+i).

The technical effect achieved is that when there are multiple services running on servers in the computational processing systsem36, but there is no power capacity to use from the power grid, an obtaining, and a determining to activate (always in consideration to availability) battery operation to increase the power on the wireless network node and to enable services. In such case the services, will not need to be put in a queue to be executed and wait until power is available from the power grid. At the same time, the degradation and the cost of gain are considered, enabling the services (cost/results presented later).

Operation of the availability handling unit 51 is made in relation to a request for service made to the first wireless network node 12, where a request for service involves communication via one or more of the radio communication units 34 and computational processing, at least some of which is to be performed in the computational processing system 36.

In this case the availability handling unit 51 also comprises the power functionality controller block 78.

Step 1,98, A number of power supply related scenarios are considered as inputs to availability handling unit 51, where the scenarios comprise voltage level and frequency scenarios.

Power grid voltage considers, and varies a lot depending on the load, not only from the radio communication units, but also from their surroundings or environment. Voltage variation may be in the range of 250VAC -200VAC, which is also the common input voltage of the PSU. Voltage levels can be selectable e.g. 228, 225, or 220 VAC (Voltage Alternating Current) based on Operator setting and earning enabling wider range of voltage.

Frequency: Grid frequency 50Hz considered, varies also with the load/ demand and it is typically not allowed to be outside a certain limit. If the frequency exceeds the limit, different activities may be carried out to stabilize the frequency. The frequency variation may include short steps, such o.oi-o,ooiHz.

Power Line failures of Li, L2 and L3: Line failures may occur on the power connection, when some faults occur, such as short circuit. The specific line experiencing the failure will not have any voltage or power deliver. The remaining voltages on the other lines deliver the power via the PSUs to the radio units 34.

If one phase line fails, the other 2 may still operate. The power is then estimated based on the remaining 2 lines; operation on 2-out-of-3 lines.

Site fuse: 16A and 10A consideration: the site fuse on a wires network node may vary, depending on the capability of the power line on the specific location, where the node is placed/located. The site fuse sets the power limit into the node. The levels are highly dependent on the existing infrastructure on the site. How much power a site may also deliver is also highly dependent on the power grid infrastructure capabilities to deliver power on rural sites, rural grid. There exists also sites where the fuse can only be 6A, small sites.

Step 2, 100. This block is an input to the availability handling unit 51 where requirements on the wireless network node by the service are listed. There is thereby a set of service requirements associated with the request for service, which service requirements may include power and overall system related availability as requirement to meet the 3GPP standards. Examples include power capacity at grid outage, power supply availability, overall system availability or total node availability and any auxiliary power supply system constraints, such as battery related constraints like a maximum allowed discharge. The total node availability may comprise or be based on the power supply availability and a computational processing system availability.

Step 3, 102, This block provides an input to the availability handling unit with default power system and server configurations. The default power system configurations may comprise a main power supply system configuration and at least one auxiliary power supply system configuration and the default server configuration maybe a default computational profile of the computational processing system. There may also be a default power connection usage setting for the power connection. The default configurations may for instance involve using all the lines and all power supply units as a main power source with the first auxiliary power supply system only as a backup (stand by). It may also involve intermittent use of the second auxiliary power supply system as a replacement for the main power supply source and at other times as a backup. It may additionally involve a use of both server blades for processing. If a second power supply system is present it may be used as backup and/ or intermittently.

Step 4, This block 58, which is the previously mentioned power capacity and power supply availability estimating block 58, determines a number of modifiable power supply related node characteristics in a set of modifiable node characteristics. The block may as an example estimate a power capacity and power supply availability associated with the default power supply configurations, where the power capacity may be power capacity at grid outage, such as a time of guaranteed continued power supply at power outage and a maximum power level, and the power supply availability may comprise the availability of the main power supply system and the availability of any auxiliary power supply system at the default power supply configuration. The power supply availability may here also be determined based on one or more of the power connection scenarios.

Step 5, 60. This block, which is the previously mentioned power supply availability and power capacity investigating block 60, investigates if the power supply availability and the power capacity in the set of modifiable node characteristics that are based on the default power supply configurations match the power supply availability and the power capacity in the set of node requirements. If they do there will follow estimations of the system availability or the total node availability of the node.

In case there is no match, the power functionality controller 62 is operated to change the power system configurations, where the power functionality controller 62 comprises a rectifier configuration controller 62a, a battery configuration controller 62b, a solar panel configuration controller 62c and a power line selection controller 62d.

Step 6, the rectifier configuration controller 62a: A rectifier, such as a PSU, can be either in binary mode (ON/OFF) or can have multiple transition levels such as 10%, 20%, ... of the peak capacity. Each PSU 24, 26, 28 may thereby have at least two states (ON/OFF) and an action space in one of the two states, here in the ON state, which action space defines a range within which the power supply unit may be operated. The action space may in this case be made up of the transition levels depending on the inputs. The controller moves to different states to meet the power supply availability as well as capacity requirements. The number of rectifiers may additionally vary between a minimum and maximum number, such as between 3 and 12 rectifiers, where the number may depend on the site power consumption, and battery changing.

Step 7, 62b, battery configuration controller (static - dynamic states).

Battery usage as primary source: existing battery capacity in base station are mainly used, as a battery back-up for the access nodes, to support the node with power during a power outage. The battery in such cases is to be used in “static mode”. But new functionality, the battery may support utility service, the battery (and specifically Li-ion) may be used and cycled, dynamic mode, supporting the utility features, and at the same time be able to support with power in the Access nodes and different services on the servers. In this case the battery is used as primary source, and the battery is no longer redundant, which affects the availability of the node, at the specific moment when the service is active. Cycling the battery also affects the battery lifetime. It is degraded. Hence it may be of interest to have a Return of Investment, ROI, related to the service. The energy storage system may thus have at least two states (static/ dynamic) and an action space in one of the two states, here in the dynamic state, which action space defines a range within which the energy storage system may be operated, which in the case may be related the number of cycles.

Battery capacity may vary from site to site, but usually the sites the battery capacity is in the range of looAh -200Ah, for a typical site power of 3- 5KW, where the battery backup time is between ih-4h.

The battery configuration controller 62b sets the battery either in the static or dynamic mode to meet the power supply requirements.

Step 8, 62c, Solar Panel configuration controller (ON/OFF states).

PV availability: Photo Voltaic, PV, may be installed on sites, and is specific to a certain location. The PV access may increase the power and the availability to support power, as an extra primary source. But it needs to be predicted, to be stable enough, which is heavily based on weather conditions. PV is an intermittent power source. The PV system may also have at least two states (ON/OFF) and an action space in one of the two states, here in the ON state, which action space defines a range within which the PV system may be operated. PV capacity may vary from site to site, but usually the sites solar power is in the range of 5KWp - i2KWp, depending on the site power consumption.

Depending on the availability of solar energy, the PV can impact in increasing the power availability as well as capacity, and between the states.

Step 9, 62d, power line selection controller. The nature of the input voltage lines, is to deliver a table power to the users. Different input power lines, Li, L2 and L3 may deliver different power. The method considers the ability of each line to deliver the power from the power grid. It is here possible that the number of lines used as well as the power transmitted on them is changed in order to increase the power supply availability.

The change of the power supply systems may involve a change in the main power supply system configuration and/or in the auxiliary power supply system configuration. The change may additionally be a change in the states and/or action spaces of the main and auxiliary power supply systems. The change may additionally comprise a change in the power connection usage setting.

After the change of the power supply systems to meet the power requirements, which involves a change from the default power system configuration, steps 4 and 5 are performed again. Thereby the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics is dynamically changed to match the power supply availability in the set of service requirements, where this change considers the states and action spaces of the main and auxiliary power supply systems. If now the power requirements are matched, the node availability determining block 64 estimates or determines the total node availably or system availability of the node, step 10, 104. The first node availability determining block 64 estimates the power and system related availability of the node as well as applications including radio and services. The total node or system availability may comprise or be based on the power supply availability and a computational processing system availability of the node, where the determination of the total node availability may additionally be made based on the default server configuration. The total node availability may be a further modifiable node characteristic in the set of modifiable node characteristics. The first node availability determining block 64 may as is shown in fig. 10, be a part of the availability handling unit 51.

In step 11, 106, the first node availability determining block 64 compares the determined total node availability of the set of modifiable node characteristics with the total node availability of the set of service requirements.

In case the total node availability is sufficient, a cost estimation (step 13, no) may be directly made by the operational profile handling block 66, otherwise a workload reconfiguration is made, step 12, by the service configuration controller block 65, which is a dynamic service configuration controller.

A workload reconfiguration may involve a reconfiguration of the computational processing system. It may in this case additionally involve a change from the default operational usage profile to a new operational usage profile. Depending on Quality of Service (QoS) of the service request and priority of applications, certain servers may be terminated or offloaded to a central cloud location by the service configuration controller block 65 in the workload reconfiguration to meet the power related capacity and availability requirements. Server configuration is set, in relation to the power usage of the server.

Workload service criticality/ availability: Different service that are specified, have a certain dedicated requirement to be fulfilled related to its performance capability, to be able for the service to have a good quality. 3GPP have defined the specific requirements for dedicated service, related to network performance. Availability is another important factor related to service, where the high availability depends, not only of package availability on the air interface but also on the power infrastructure on the node, on the specific location. The availability may vary location by location, which is not good, and therefore there is need to improve the availability by reconfiguring the parameters that is related to a certain service.

The workload is usually defined as jobs where the jobs are related to a specific allocation of CPU, memory, and storage on a server, on which it is specified to operate on. The allocation may vary hourly and daily, and changes dynamically. The orchestration of the job allocation can be done locally or in cloud. How many jobs a server can perform depends on its server CPU and memory capacity. Usually, the server may exist in the node.

It can thereby be seen that the total node availability in the set of node characteristics is dynamically changed to match the total node availability of the set of service requirements.

As an alternative or additionally it is possible that the computational usage profile of the computational processing system is changed in case the computational system availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the computational system availability in the set of service requirements.

After the matching of total node availabilities, the first operational profile handling block 66 then estimates resource cost for the configuration, step 13, no.

Depending on the chosen configurations, the operational profile handling block 66 estimates normalized cost of resources (e.g. $/CPUCore-hour) based on capital expenditure (capex) as well as operational expenditure (opex) of the infrastructure in the node for the configuration, comprising the power supply configuration and computational system configuration.

The cost is likewise investigated with regard to meeting cost and availability requirements, step 14, 112.

If these requirements are not met, then step 4 is repeated by the power capacity and power supply availability estimating block 58 and otherwise the operational profile determining block 67 executes the configuration, where the executed configuration additionally involves operation according to an operational profile. In this case, the operational profile determining block 67 may additionally generate actionable profiles and store these actionable profiles or operational profiles locally on the node, to be activated and operate during 24 hours (or longer), based on set conditions.

Configuration and re-configuration are dynamically done, based on new arriving workload allocation in time.

In the changing of total node availability, it is possible to use dynamic parity optimization. One exemplifying way in which this may be done is using the state parity sequence diagram shown in fig. 11 that is based on figure 10.

1. If voltage and frequency < threshold then activate battery( dynamic), PSU (OFF state) else deactivate battery(static), PSU (ON state)

2. If (Li or L2 or L3 or combination fails) < threshold or value “o”: activate battery (dynamic), PSU (OFF for respective Line), PSU (ON for active lines)

3. If power(ioA) < required_power: activate dynamic battery else if (16A), activate dynamic battery else 4. Monitored availability < availability according to Service Level Agreement (SLA), for instance 99.9999, (critical application): reconfigure workload (server) or power system (Battery (static from dynamic), or redundant PSU

5. If Photo Voltaic (PV) system available: activate PV and battery( dynamic) < required power.

Note: If overcapacity then charge the battery also dynamic (cycle it).

6. If battery (dynamic) frequency > threshold for battery degradation: then activate PSU (16A) and set battery( static)

Note: A combination of above rules can exist also, including states in between.

In the Parity state diagram in fig. 11, a control method for implementing the dynamic parity optimization is outlined.

Availability of a system depends on if elements of the system are connected in parallel or series. If for instance there are n series-connected elements in a system, then the availability of the system can be determined as As =Ai*A2*...*An. However, if there are n elements connected in parallel, then As = (1-(1-Ai)*(i-A2)*...*(i-An)). When a system has a mixture of parallel and series connections, the above-mentioned principles can be used for determining availabilities of parallel and series connected subsystems that are then combined to form the total system.

Moreover, the total node availability maybe determined as the power supply system availability times the computational system availability times a communication system availability and optionally also times a cooling system availability, where the communication system availability is based on the availability of the group of radio communication units and the cooling system availability is based on the availability of the previously described fans and any other used cooling equipment.

The availability A of an element may additionally be linked to the failure rate λ and repair rate μ of the element as A = p/(p + X), where the failure rate λi is the inverse of Mean Time To Failure (MTTF), i.e. X = 1/MTTF, and the repair rate p is the inverse of Mean Time To Repair (MTTR), i.e. p = i/MTTR.

We consider below as input the following parameters stated below, such as reliability, availability and failure rate (among other parameters).

Reliability of a series system (Rs): 1)

where Ri(t) is the reliability of component at time t.

If time to failure distribution of component i is Xi ~ EXP(Xi), the reliability of each component at time t is given by Equation (i) for the

series system reliability becomes:

Reliability of a parallel system (R_p):

where Ri(t) is the reliability of component at time t.

If time to failure distribution of component i is Xi ~ EXP(λi), equation (3) becomes:

Reliability of k-out-of-n majority voting system is the probability of finding at least k working components out of the given n statistically independent and identical components. Probability of finding exactly i components working out of n can be expressed as the binomial probability mass function;

Hence reliability of k-out-of n majority voting system becomes:

If all the n components have independent and identical exponentially distributed lifetimes with rate X, equation (6) becomes:

Given the above equations, it is possible to estimate the reliability and availability of the wireless network node shown in fig. 2. Table I to table VI define the variable for system components and how they can be used to estimate their availability and reliability.

Table II reliability and availability estimation of components

TABLE III: reliability and availability of k-out-of-n system which means k components are required out of n for the system, to function

Rdynamic_power_storage ⁼ RLi_battery (8)

Rstatic_power_storage ⁼ RBFU * RvRLA_battery (9)

Rpower_system ⁼ RpDUi/2 * (1-(1-RPSU2/3) * (l- Rpower_ .storage) (10)

Rpower_system ⁼ RPDU *(1-(1-RPSU2/3) * (l- Rpower_storage)) (11)

Rpower_system ⁼ RpDUi/2 * RPSU2/3 * RBFU * Rpower_storage) (12)

Rpower_system ⁼ RpDUi/2 * (1-(1-RPSU2/3* Rdynamic_power_storage) * (l-

Rstatic_power_storage )) (13)

TABLE IV: reliability of power system for different scenarios

The reliability of power system where battery is used as backup and PDU and PSU have redundancy is outlined in eq. (10.). The reliability of power system where battery is used as backup and only PSU has redundancy is outlined in eq. (11). The reliability of power system where the battery is used in dynamic mode or as a main source at peak hour is outlined in eq. (12). The reliability of power system when Li battery is used for dynamic and VRLA battery is used for backup is outlined in eq. (13).

Adynamic_power_storage ⁼ Au_battery (14)

Astatic_power_storage ⁼ ABFU * AvRLA_battery (15)

Apower_system ⁼ ApDUi/2 * (l-(l-ApsU2/3) * (1- Apower_storage)) (16)

Apower_system ⁼ APDU *(l-(l-ApsU2/3) * (l- Apower_storage)) (17) Apower_system ⁼ ApDUi/2 * APSU2/3 * ABFU * Apower_storage (18) Apower_system ⁼ ApDUi/2*(l-(l-ApsU2/3 * Adynamic_power_storage, Astatic_power_storage )) (19)

TABLE V States of the availability of power system for different scenarios Rradio_app ⁼ Rpower_system*RcCU * Rint_fan2/3* Rext_fan2/3 * Rbbi/2* Rradioi/3 (20) Ruser_appi ⁼ Rpower_system*RcCU * Rint_fan2/3* Rext_fan2/3 * Rserven/2 (21)

Ruser_app2 ⁼ Rpower_system*RcCU * Rint_fan2/3* Rext_fan2/3 * Rbbi/2 * Rradioi/3 * Rserven/2 (22)

Aradio_app ⁼ Apower_system * AcCU* Aint_fan2/3* Aext_fan2/3 * Abbi/2 * Aradioi/3 (23) Auser_appi ⁼ Apower_system *AcCU * Aint_fan2/3 * Aext_fan2/3 * Aserven/2 (24)

Auser_app2 ⁼ Apower_system * AcCU * Aint_fan2/3 * Aext_fan2/3 * Abbi/2 * Aradioi/3 * Aserven/2 (25)

TABLE VI States of the application reliability and availability estimation of user and radio application

In another embodiment, the degradation in the amortization of assets (Server, Radios, PSU, battery) is captured. Depending on the service activated of server, using battery cycles, the capturing of the degradation and the difference in the power infrastructure availabilities related to different scenarios and the relation impact based on the active functionality used that is based on dynamic operations of the wireless network node.

The profile of the service (on server) impact related to battery cycles is considered using four configuration scenarios depending on redundancy of power system equipment as shown in the table VII.

The service that is activated on the server, may vary during a 24-hour day. It is proposed to use the battery during the different hours, to support the service, and charge again the battery, during favorable power grid price levels.

TABLE VII Scenarios and corresponding redundancy in power system equipment

Config 1: In this configuration or operational profile, there is no redundancy in PSU, PDU and Battery.

Config 2: In this configuration or service profile there is redundancy in PSU n+i. Two out of three PSUs are required for the overall system to function. There is no redundancy in battery and PDU.

Config 3: In this configuration or service profile there is redundancy in both PDU and PSU, but no redundancy in battery. For PDU n+i, one out of two PDUs are required for the system to function whereas two out of three PSUs are required for the overall system to function. There is no redundancy in battery.

Config 4: In this configuration or service profile there is double redundancy for all the components. Four out of six PSUs, one out of two PDUs and one out of 2 batteries are required for the system to function.

Fig. 12 shows the impact of configurations and battery cycles on total node availability and cost for the different configurations mentioned in table VII

As shown in the Figure 12, the number of battery cycles are presented on x-axis. On the right-hand side y axis label is cost of computer resources in USD/CPUCore-h and on the left y axis the total node availability. As the battery cycle is increased, it is possible to use (or discharge) the battery more in dynamic mode operation during the peak hours when utility prices are high and charge the batteries during night when the utility prices are low. Using 12 battery cycles can be thought as static mode since the battery is not used very often, and more used only once per month. Whereas 52, 365, 700 cycles/year means more dynamic modes for the battery during the year.

The cost (right y axis) includes capex and opex for the entire infrastructure including capex for battery and opex related to electricity prices as well as maintenance cost for equipment including batteries. Availability (left y axis) is the estimated power system availability.

In fig. 12, the cost of configi coincides with the cost of config2.

As the battery cycle frequency increases the availability decreases for all the configurations slightly (as such the battery is used as primary source during a 24 hour of a day). However, the normalized cost of resources decreases for each configuration as we increase the battery cycle frequency. For this mode, monetizing the capex (battery) is improved by using the battery assets by saving in terms of opex (electricity cost) by switching to dynamic mode.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the power supply as well as the total node availability switches to lower values if there is a move from static to dynamic mode. To increase the availability further related to workload (server or radio load), it is possible to turn OFF workload servers to make them redundant to increase the service availability to meet the SLA and QoS requirements for applications.

If the dynamic mode is not used, then the cost increases for all the configurations.

Radio and Application (or service) availability for dynamic battery cycle mode is shown in the fig. 13 and 14 respectively. Cost has similar pattern as shown in fig. 12. In fig. 13, the radio application comprises 1 baseband and 3 radios. One out 3 radios, the baseband and the edge cloud power system is required for the radio application to work.

In fig. 14, Application or service can be deployed on 3 servers. All 3 servers, 1 out of 3 radios, baseband and the edge power system are required for the service to work.

Note: 1) Cycles consider only the normal power outages and economic aspects but not the variation of PSU input frequency (50Hz.) or voltage. Impact of frequency variation and depth of discharge can also impact availability and cost.

2) It is possible with a similar pattern for the application availability and system availability for dynamic as well as static scenarios. Application includes server and radio.

It can thereby be seen that the cost function provides a measure of the degradation of an auxiliary power supply system when a corresponding operational profile is used. It can additionally be seen that one or more operational profiles may be determined in a time period in which the service of a request is being handled by the wireless network node, where each profile is set to retain the matching total node availability in the set of node characteristics. It can also be seen that such a profile may at least comprise a power supply part comprising a main power supply system configuration and an auxiliary power supply system configuration. It may additionally comprise a computational system usage part comprising a computational system configuration.

In one embodiment, there is proposed a new function, a new functional entity provided by the orchestrator unit 68 to manage the operation inside the Cloud, of variable functionality and availability and cost inside the Cloud orchestrator that is related to the Dynamic scenarios, as stated in fig. 10 on which its re-configuration is activated (dynamically) to meet requirements and objective for different scenarios. Based on the adaptability of the functional scenarios, there is a change of the power availability and system availability of the first wireless network node. The functional availability is thereby orchestrated, for single nodes RBS and multi node approach, RBSn+1.

For example, power grid phase could be switched from 16A to 10 A to save cost at the peak hour, by forcing the PSU to accept less input current. Battery capacity can be used to meet the excess power requirement during the peak hour whereas they can be recharged e.g. during night time when the utility prices are cheaper compared to peak hour during daytime.

In case of multiple RBSs, the orchestrator unit 68 can be implemented, where the node selector block 79 of this unit 68 is used for scheduling the activation of the functionality controllers for battery as well as PSU (rectifier) which will help in balancing the battery degradation and availability in relation to the operation for all the RBS sites, based on the variable scenario (functional operation and functional degradation). The balancing of availability and degradation of battery units at multiple sites in an urban area will help in economic benefit as it will reduce the operational cost. Other scenarios are also explained in figure 2, that may be operated from the orchestrator unit 68.

One example of the use of the orchestrator unit 58, is the managing, scheduling and scaling of e.g. 20 RBSs situated and monitored in a small urban area connected to a power substation for that area. Limiting the area gives the privilege and flexibility to schedule the critical application on any of the RBSs in that area. To know the degradation of battery for all the sites, each one of them transmits how often and how long the battery was activated for the dynamic use cases. The orchestrator unit 68 computes the probability distribution (e.g. based on histogram) of battery activation functionality of all the sites. Then the orchestrator unit 68 selects and schedules the activation of dynamic usage feature of battery at a site which has the least degradation of battery for a given time interval.

It can thereby be seen that there maybe a group of wireless network nodes for which availability is being handled, where the group includes the first wireless network node 12 and each wireless network node of the group is provided with an operational profile and having an associated degradation of the corresponding auxiliary power supply system when performing the service of the service request. In this case the orchestrator unit 58 obtains the total node availability and the operational profiles of each node in the group and selects a node and optionally also an operational profile according to a selection criterion for handling at least a part of the service. The selection according to the selection criterion may additionally be the selection of a node with an operational profile where the total node availability in the set of node characteristics matches the total node availability in the set of service requirements with the lowest degradation of the auxiliary power supply system.

As was mentioned earlier, the orchestrator unit 68 may comprise the second operational profile handling block 76. It may additionally comprise the second node availability determining block 78 as well as the node selector block 79.

With reference to fig. 15, the operation of the orchestrator unit 68 as well as the method does in this case further comprise obtaining, by the second node availability determining block 78, the total node availability of each node and obtaining, by the second operational profile handling block 76, the operational profiles of each node, 114, and selecting, by, the node selector block 79, a node and optionally also an operational profile for the node according to a selection criterion for handling at least a part of the service, 116. This gives as a new technical effect that impacting of balancing of degradation will depend on the number of sites the orchestrator unit 68 is responsible for, and the orchestrating unit may re-balance the active node in relation to the functionality/ scenarios (rotational degradation).

Another technical effect that is obtained is related to the cost saving in relation to the active functionality, (from fig. 2) for balancing/rotating (rotational cost) on 100 sites will be higher than that for 20 sites.

In another embodiment, and in the context of the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) - MANO (Management and Orchestration) standard, and the relation to the orchestration unit where new use cases around 5G, the standard provides a management including LCM (LifeCycle Management) and configuration. Enables cross-domain orchestration across Access Nodes (RBSn+i), including transport and Core interfacing with different domain managers including SDN controllers.

The advent of virtual RAN (Radio Access Network) will also benefit from the Orchestrator unit providing and creating a framework for variable cases.

One type of operation can be the following:

Step 1: Obtain active nodes RBSn+i

Request information about the active nodes that shall participate, list: RBS ID and location

Request their configuration list [ fuse, power capacity, PSU, battery, PV, SLA, cost electricity]

Step 2: Determine and identify scenario

Check active scenario on running RBSn+i Step 3: Compute/Process

In this embodiment, the orchestrator unit manage the operation, of variable functionality and availability and cost inside the Cloud orchestrator that is related to the Dynamic scenarios,

Process 1: Scaling activity for respective RBSn+1

Process 2: Compute power availability and probability distribution (histogram) of HW (PV, PSU, Battery) activations on variable sites, RBSn+1

Process 3: Compute system availability and probability distribution (histogram) including Radio and servers variable sites, RBSn+1

Step 4: loop Compute (new technical effect)

The computation gives a new technical effect, were the activated functionality, is related to a certain power availability, system availability, rotational degradation, cost.

Computer: impacting of balancing of degradation will depend on the number of sites that a cloud orchestrator is responsible for, and the orchestrator may re-balance the configurations.

Compute 2: check active nodes in relation to the functional! ty/scenarios and respective rotational degradation. Network Degradation the cost saving in relation to the active functionality, for balancing/rotating (rotational cost) on RBS n+1

Compute 3: process Group same RBSn+i for same function, degradation and scenario

Step 5: loop Action/aggregate

Apply new setting, for respective group pf RBSn+1 to be re-configure

Ack from RBSn+1

Step 6: Monitor

Monitor activity, state and conditions for RBSn+1 and fulfilment of SLA requirements. Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s).

1) Enable a functional availability or total node availability, rotational degradation and control the wireless network node.

2) Provides a rotational cost function, related to the service activated in time.

3) The method determinates the gains and cost to the related function for the operators.

The computer program instructions used for implementing the availability handling unit may be provided as a computer program that implements this unit when being run by a corresponding processor. As an alternative, the computer program may be included in a computer program product for instance as computer program code on a data carrier, such as a CD ROM disc or a memory stick. In this case the data carrier carries a computer program with the computer program code, which will implement the above-mentioned power supply control unit. One such data carrier 118 with the computer program code 56 is schematically shown in Fig. 16.

The computer program instructions used for implementing the orchestrator unit may be provided as a computer program that implements this unit when being run by a corresponding processor. As an alternative, the computer program may be included in a computer program product for instance as computer program code on a data carrier, such as a CD ROM disc or a memory stick. In this case the data carrier carries a computer program with the computer program code, which will implement the above-mentioned power supply control unit. One such data carrier 120 with the computer program code 74 is schematically shown in Fig. 17- The above mentioned data carriers or device readable media may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/ or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device readable and/or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions. Device readable medium may store any suitable instructions, data or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed by the previously descried processors.

In the availability handling unit: the power capacity and power supply availability estimating block may be considered to be means for determining a set of modifiable node characteristics, the power system availability and power capacity investigating block may be considered to be means for comparing the set of node characteristics with a set of service requirements associated with a request for service, and the power function controller block may be considered to be means for dynamically changing the power supply availability in the set of node characteristic to the power supply availability in the set of service requirements

The means for determining and dynamically changing of the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics may be considered to be means that consider the states and action spaces of the main and auxiliary power supply systems.

The means for dynamically changing the power supply availability may be further considered to comprise means for changing the power connection usage setting in case the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the required power supply availability in the set of service requirements.

The first node availability determining block of the availability handling unit may be considered to comprise means for dynamically changing the computational usage profile of the computational processing system. The node availability determining block may also be considered to be means for determining the total node availability in the set of node characteristics that matches the total node availability in the set of service requirements.

The first operational profile handling block of the availability handling unit may be considered to be means for dynamically changing the total node availability. The first operational profile handling block may additionally be considered to be means for determining the total node availability in the set of node characteristics that matches the total node availability in the set of service requirements. The first operational profile handling block may additionally be considered to comprise means for determining one or more operational profiles of the first wireless network node. The first operational profile handling block may furthermore be considered to comprise means for determining a degradation of the auxiliary power supply system when a corresponding operational profile is used.

In the orchestrator unit, the second node availability determining block may be considered to be means for obtaining the total node availability of each node, the second operational profile handling block may be considered to be means for obtaining the operational profiles of each node and the node selector block may be considered to be means for selecting a node and optionally also an operational profile. The second operational profile handling block may also here be considered to be means for determining one or more operational profiles for each wireless network node and means for determining, for each node a degradation of the auxiliary power supply system when a corresponding operational profile is used. The second node availability determining block maybe considered to be means for determining, for each node, the total node availability in the set of node characteristics that matches the total node availability in the set of service requirements.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. Therefore, the disclosure is only to be limited by the following claims.

Claims

6o

1. An availability handling system for at least one first wireless network node (12) of a wireless communication network (10), the first wireless network node (12) comprising a number of electrical loads comprising a group of radio communication units (34) comprising at least one radio communication unit, and a computational processing system (36) comprising at least one computational processing entity, and a number of power sources for supplying power to the electrical loads, the power sources comprising a main power supply system (22) comprising a group of power supply units (24, 26, 28), and at least one auxiliary power supply system comprising an energy storage system (44) with at least one energy storage unit (46), the availability handling system comprising an availability handling unit (51) comprising a processor (52) acting on computer instructions (56) whereby the availability handling unit (51) is operative to determine (80; 86; 92) a set of modifiable node characteristics (98) comprising power supply availability, compare (82; 88; 94 60) the set of node characteristics with a set of service requirements (100) associated with a request for service, the service requirements (68) comprising a required power supply availability and the request for service involving communication via one or more of the radio communication units and computational processing, at least some of which is to be performed in the computational processing system (36), and dynamically change (84590; 96) the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics to match the power supply availability in the set of service requirements (68).

2. The availability handling system according to claim 1, wherein each power supply unit (24, 26, 28) of the main power supply system (22) has at least two states and an action space in one of the two states, which action space defines a range within which the power supply unit maybe operated, the energy storage system (44) has at least two states and an action space in one of the two states, which action space defines a range within which the energy storage system (44) may be operated and wherein the determining and dynamic change of the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics is performed considering the states and action spaces of the main and auxiliary power supply systems.

3. The availability handling system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main power supply system (22) has a main power supply system configuration and the at least one auxiliary power supply system (44) has an auxiliary power supply system configuration, wherein the dynamical change of the power supply availability is based on a change of the main power supply system configuration and/or the auxiliary power supply system configuration .

4. The availability handling system according to claim 3, wherein the main power supply system (22) is connected to a power grid (18) via a power connection (20) and the availability handling unit (51) being further operative to determine the power supply availability based on a number of power connection scenarios (66).

5. The availability handling system according to claim 4, wherein the power connection (20) is used according to a power connection usage setting and the availability handling unit being further operative to change (y6d) the power connection usage setting in case the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the power supply availability in the set of service requirements (68).

6. The availability handling system according to any previous claim, wherein the set of node characteristics and the set of service requirements each comprise a computational system availability, the computational processing system (36) has a computational usage profile and the availability handling unit (51) being further operative to dynamically change (90) the computational usage profile of the computational processing system (36) in case the computational system availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the computational system availability in the set of service requirements (68).

7. The availability handling system according to any previous claim, wherein the set of node characteristics and the set of service requirements each comprise a total node availability that comprises or is based on the power supply availability and the availability handling unit is operative to dynamically change (96) the total node availability in the set of node characteristics to match the total node availability in the set of service requirements.

8. The availability handling system according to claim 7, wherein the set of node characteristics and the set of service requirements comprise a power capacity.

9. The availability handling system according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a node availability determining block (64) operative to determine the total node availability in the set of node characteristics that matches the total node availability in the set of service requirements (100).

10. The availability handling system according to claim 9, further comprising an operational profile handling block (66; 76) operative to determine one or more operational profiles of the first wireless network node (12) in a time period in which the service of the request is being handled, each profile being set to retain the matching total node availability in the set of node characteristics and at least comprising a power supply part comprising a main power supply system configuration and an auxiliary power supply system configuration. n. The availability handling system according to claim 10, each operational profile also comprising a computational system usage part comprising a computational system configuration.

12. The availability handling system according to claim io or n, the operational profile handling block (66; 76) being further operative to determine a degradation of the auxiliary power supply system when a corresponding operational profile is used.

13. The availability handling system according to claim 12, wherein there is a group of wireless network nodes (12, 14, 16) for which availability is being handled, said group including said first wireless network node (12) and each wireless network node of the group being provided with an operational profile and having an associated degradation of the corresponding auxiliary power supply system when performing the service of the service request and further comprising an orchestrator unit (68) operative to obtain the total node availability and the operational profiles of each node and select a node and optionally also an operational profile according to a selection criterion for handling at least a part of the service.

14. The availability handling system according to claim 13, wherein the selection according to the selection criterion is the selection of a node with an operational profile where the total node availability in the set of node characteristics matches the total node availability in the set of service requirements with the lowest degradation of the auxiliary power supply system (44).

15. The availability handling system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the orchestrator unit (68) comprises an operational profile handling block (76) for each node. 16. The availability handling system according to any of claims 13 - 15, wherein the orchestrator unit (68) comprises a node availability determining block (78) for each node.

17. The availability handling system according to any of claims 9 - 15, wherein the node availability determination block (64) is included in said first wireless network node (12).

18. The availability handling system according to any of claims 10 - 14, wherein the operational profile handling block (66) is included in said first wireless network node (12).

19. A method of handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node (12) of a wireless communication network (10), the first wireless network node (12) comprising: a number of electrical loads comprising a group of radio communication units (34) comprising at least one radio communication unit, and a computational processing system (36) comprising at least one computational processing entity, and a number of power sources for supplying power to the electrical loads, the power sources comprising a main power supply system (22) comprising a group of power supply units (24, 26, 28), and at least one auxiliary power supply system comprising an energy storage system (44) with at least one energy storage unit (46), the method being at least partly performed in a power availability determining unit (51) and comprising: determining (80; 86; 92) a set of modifiable node characteristics comprising power supply availability, comparing (82; 88; 92) the set of node characteristics with a set of service requirements associated with a request for service, the service requirements comprising a required power supply availability and the request for service involving communication via one or more of the radio communication units and computational processing, at least some of which is to be performed in the computational processing system (36), and dynamically changing (84; 88; 92) the power supply availability in the set of node characteristic to the power supply availability in the set of service requirements.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein each power supply unit (24, 26, 28) of the main power supply system (22) has at least two states and an action space in one of the two states, which action space defines a range within which the power supply unit may be operated, the energy storage system (44) has at least two states and an action space in one of the two states, which action space defines a range within which the energy storage system maybe operated and wherein the determining and dynamic change of the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics is performed considering the states and action spaces of the main and auxiliary power supply systems.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the main power supply system has a main power supply system configuration and the at least one auxiliary power supply system has an auxiliary power supply system configuration and the dynamical change of the power supply availability is based on a change of the main power supply system configuration and/or the auxiliary power supply system configuration.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the main power supply system (22) is connected to a power grid (18) via a power connection (20) and the determining of the power supply availability is based on a number of power connection scenarios.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the power connection (20) is used according to a power connection usage setting and further comprising changing the power connection usage setting in case the power supply availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the required power supply availability in the set of service requirements.

24. The method according to any of claims 19 - 23, wherein the set of node characteristics and the set of service requirements each comprise a computational system availability, the computational processing system (36) has a computational usage profile and further comprising dynamically changing the computational usage profile of the computational processing system in case the computational system availability in the set of node characteristics fails to match the computational system availability in the set of service requirements.

25. The method according to any of claims 19 - 24, wherein the set of node characteristics and the set of service requirements each comprise a total node availability that comprises or is based on the power supply availability and further comprising dynamically changing the total node availability in the set of node characteristics to match the total node availability in the set of service requirements.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising determining one or more operational profiles of the first wireless network node (12) in a time period in which the service of the request is being handled, each profile being set to retain the matching total node availability in the set of node characteristics and at least comprising a power supply part comprising a main power supply system configuration and an auxiliary power supply system configuration.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein each operational profile also comprises a computational system usage part comprising a computational system configuration.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, further comprising determining a degradation of the auxiliary power supply system when a corresponding operational profile is used.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein there is a group of wireless network nodes (12, 14, 16) and for which availability is being handled, said group including said first wireless network node (12) and each wireless network node of the group being provided with an operational profile and having an associated degradation of the corresponding auxiliary power supply system when performing the service of the service request and further comprising obtaining (114) the total node availability and the operational profiles of each node and selecting (116) a node and optionally also an operational profile according to a selection criterion for handling at least a part of the service.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the selecting according to the selection criterion is the selecting of a node with an operational profile where the total node availability in the set of node characteristics matches the total node availability in the set of service requirements with the lowest degradation of the auxiliary power supply system.

31. A computer program for handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node (12) of a wireless communication network (10), the computer program comprising computer program code (56) which when run by a processor (52) of an availability handling unit (51) in an availability handling system implements the method steps according to any of claims 19 - 28.

32. A computer program for handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node (12) of a wireless communication network (10), the computer program comprising computer program code (74) which when run by a processor (70) of an orchestrator unit (68) in an availability handling system implements the method steps according to any of claims 26 - 30.

33. A computer program product for handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node (12) of a wireless communication network (10), the computer program product comprising a data carrier (118) with said computer program code (56) according to claim 31.

34. A computer program product for handling the availability of at least one first wireless network node (12) of a wireless communication network (10), the computer program product comprising a data carrier. (120) with said computer program code (74) according to claim 32.