GB2577300A

GB2577300A - Cellular telecommunications network

Info

Publication number: GB2577300A
Application number: GB1815378.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Mackenzie Richard
Original assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
Current assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
Priority date: 2018-09-21
Filing date: 2018-09-21
Publication date: 2020-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-21
Also published as: GB201815378D0; GB2577300B

Abstract

A cellular telecommunications network, particularly a Centralized Radio Access Network (C-RAN), has at least one central unit (CU) 10 connected to at least one distributed unit (DU) 20-40 and operates a first split of protocol functions between the CU and DU(s). In one embodiment, it is determined whether initiation by a unit of a further processing function (B, fig. 3b) would cause utilization of its processor to exceed a threshold and, if so, a second split of protocol functions is used to allow initiation of the further processing function. In a second embodiment, processor utilization in each unit is monitored, taking into account factors such as traffic conditions, and if processor utilization in a unit exceeds a threshold, a different split of protocol functions is used.

Description

CELLULAR TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cellular telecommunications network. In particular, it relates to a cellular telecommunications network implementing a centralised radio access network.

Background

Modern cellular networks support Centralised Radio Access Network (C-RAN) architectures in which a base station may be split into a central unit and a distributed unit. The central unit interconnects a core cellular network with a plurality of distributed units, and the plurality of distributed units each communicate with a plurality of UEs. The various protocol layers of the cellular protocol in use are split between the central and distributed units such that the distributed units implement the lowermost layer (e.g. the radio frequency layer) and optionally one or more higher layers, and all other higher layers are implemented in the central unit. As more protocol layers are implemented in the central unit, then the central unit may improve coordination across multiple distributed units and thereby improve Quality of Service. However, different protocol splits have different resource demands, such as relatively higher capacity links between the central and distributed units when using relatively lower layer protocol splits, so the choice of protocol split must be suited to the network characteristics.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method in a cellular telecommunications network, the cellular telecommunications network having a first central base station unit connecting to a first distributed base station unit, the method comprising the steps of: the first central base station unit communicating with the first distributed base station unit using a first functional split in which a first set of protocol functions are implemented by the first central base station unit and a second set of protocol functions are implemented by the first distributed base station unit; determining that a processing resource utilisation of at least one of the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit using the first functional split satisfies a processing threshold; and, in response, causing the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit to communicate using a second functional split in which a third set of protocol functions are implemented by the first central base station unit and a fourth set of protocol functions are implemented by the first distributed base station unit.

The method may further comprise the step of: identifying the second functional split based on a comparison of the processing resource utilisation of at least one of the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit using the second functional split to a respective processing resource capability of the first central base station unit and/or first distributed base station unit.

The comparison may be of the processing resource utilisation of at least one of the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit using the second functional split and operating according to a set of operating conditions to the respective processing resource capability of the first central base station unit and/or first distributed base station unit. The set of operating conditions may relate to access radio conditions. The set of operating conditions may include a quality of a connection between the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit.

The first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit may be connected via a relay node, and the set of operating conditions may include a quality of a connection between the first distributed base station unit and the relay node.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of a first aspect of the invention. The computer program may be stored on a computer-readable data carrier.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a network node for a cellular telecommunications network, the cellular telecommunications network having a first central base station unit connecting to a first distributed base station unit, wherein the first central base station unit communicating with the first distributed base station unit using a first functional split in which a first set of protocol functions are implemented by the first central base station unit and a second set of protocol functions are implemented by the first distributed base station unit, the network node comprising: a communications interface adapted to receive data indicating a processing resource utilisation of at least one of the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit using the first functional split; and a processor adapted to: determine that the processing utilisation satisfies a processing threshold, and, in response, cause the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit to communicate using a second functional split in which a third set of protocol functions are implemented by the first central base station unit and a fourth set of protocol functions are implemented by the first distributed base station unit.

The network node may be a network function virtualisation orchestrator.

Brief Description of the Figures

In order that the present invention may be better understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a cellular telecommunications network of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a central base station unit and distributed base station unit of the network of Figure 1; Figures 3a to 3d illustrate the network of Figure 1 at times t,, t2, t3 and t4 respectively; Figure 4 is a flow diagram of a first embodiment of a method of the present invention; Figures 5a and 5b illustrate the network of Figure 1 at times tii and t12 respectively; and Figure 6 is a flow diagram of a second embodiment of a method of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

A first embodiment of a cellular telecommunications network 1 will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The cellular telecommunications network 1 is based on a Centralised Radio Access Network (C-RAN) architecture having a first central unit 10, and first, second and third distributed unitsst/2 nd rd io DU" in the Figures) 20, 30, 40.

The first central unit 10 is connected to the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 via first, second and third backhaul connections 22, 32, 42 respectively, and interconnects each of the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 to a cellular core network 50 (including a Network Management System (NMS) 100). The coverage areas of each of the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 are shown by their respective enveloping circles.

Figure 2 illustrates the central unit 10 and the first distributed unit 20 in more detail. As shown, the central unit 10 has a first transceiver 11, a processor 13, memory 15, and a second transceiver 17, all connected via bus 19. The first transceiver 11 is a wired communications interface such that the central unit 10 may communicate with one or more cellular core networking nodes (such as the NMS 100). In this embodiment, the second transceiver 17 is a wired communications interface such that the central unit 10 may communicate with each of the first, second, and third distributed units 20, 30, 40. The transceivers, processor and memory are configured to cooperate to define a Software Defined Networking (SDN) operating environment, allowing the central unit 10 to reconfigure on demand.

Furthermore, the first distributed unit 20 also includes a first transceiver 21 for wired communication with the central unit 10, a processor 23, memory 25, a second transceiver 27 for wireless communication with one or more User Equipment (UE), all connected via bus 29. Similarly, the transceivers, processor and memory are configured to cooperate to define a Software Defined Networking (SDN) operating environment, allowing the first distributed unit 20 to reconfigure on demand.

In this embodiment, the central unit processor 13 is configured to implement individual processing environments for processing communications with each distributed unit, such that it has a first communication processing environment 13.1 for processing communications with the first distributed unit 20, a second communication processing environment 13.2 for processing communications with the second distributed unit 30, and a third communication processing environment 13.3 for processing communications with the third distributed unit 40. The central unit processor 13 is also configured to implement further processing environments for implementing other processing functions, and first and second further processing environments are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 also illustrates the first communication processing environment 13.1 of the central unit 10 and the processor 23 of the first distributed unit 20 implementing different functions of their operating protocol (which, in this embodiment, is the Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol). The various functions of the LTE protocol are split between the respective processors 13.1, 23 of the central unit 10 and first distributed unit 20 such that the first distributed unit 20 implements the physical (PHY) function and Medium Access Control (MAC) function, and the central unit 10 implements the Radio Link Control (RLC) function, and Packet Data Convergence Control (PDCP) function. In doing so, the central unit 10 may coordinate transmissions of several distributed units to improve Quality of Service (QoS) in the cellular network 1.

The processors of the central unit 10 and first distributed unit 20 are able to reconfigure (as they operate SDN environments) to implement different functional splits, such as: * A) First Distributed Unit 20: Lower PHY, Central Unit 10, Higher PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP; * B) First Distributed Unit 20: PHY, Central Unit 10: MAC, RLC, PDCP; * C) First Distributed Unit 20: PHY, MAC, Central Unit 10: RLC, PDCP (as shown); * D) First Distributed Unit 20: PHY, MAC, RLC Central Unit 10: PDCP; * E) First Distributed Unit 20: PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP Central Unit 10: N/A; Furthermore, the central unit 10 and first distributed unit 20 may implement further functions (in which case further functional splits would be possible).

At any one time, the first central unit 10 is therefore configured to implement any one of the functional splits in its communication processing environments and implement one or more further processing functions in its further processing environments.

In this embodiment, the second and third distributed units 30, 40 are similar to the first distributed unit 20, and the second and third communication processing environments 13.2, 13.3 are similar to the first communication processing environment 13.1.

A first embodiment of a method of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 3a to 3d and the flow chart of Figure 4. Figure 3a illustrates the cellular telecommunications network 1 at time ti, in which the first central unit 10 is communicating with each of the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 using a first functional split in which the first central unit 10 implements the MAC, RLC and PDCP functions and each of the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 implement the PHY function (functional split B, as noted above). Furthermore, the first central unit 10 implements a first further processing function A in its respective first further processing environment. The second further processing function B is not being implemented at this time.

The NMS 100 includes Virtual Infrastructure Manager (VIM) and orchestrator modules. The orchestrator module is a processor for determining where virtual functions should be implemented in the cellular network, and the VIM communicates these decisions to the relevant entities. In this example, the NMS 100 also stores a database in memory identifying the processing utilisation values (e.g. in Millions of Instructions Per Second, MIPS; FLOating Point operations per Second, FLOPS; number of Central Processing Units, CPUs; and/or number of processing cores) for the first central unit 10 and each of the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 when implementing each functional split (A to E, identified above). These may (at least initially) be operator defined values, but may also be updated by reported values from units 10, 20, 30, 40 (and also as a function of reported values from other C-RANs). An example of this database is shown in Table 1, below: Functional Split 1st CU 10 151 DU 20 2nd DU 30 3rd DU 40 A PI P2 P3 P4 B P5 P6 P7 Pa C P3 PIO P11 P12 Table 1: Table illustrating processing utilisation values, Pn, at each functional split In step S1, the first central unit 10 and first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 periodically send data to the NMS 100 regarding their processing resources. In this embodiment, the data relates to a) each unit's current processing resource utilisation value, and b) each unit's current processing capability. These are stored in memory in the NMS 100.

In step S3 at time t2, the first central unit 10 receives a request to initiate further processing function B (this is illustrated in Figure 3b by the further processing environment having label B, but still having an enveloping dotted line to indicate that the request has not yet been implemented). In step S5, the first central unit 10 forwards this request to the NMS 100 for approval, together with data identifying the additional processing resource requirement to implement further processing function B (e.g. in MIPS, FLOPS, CPUs or cores).

In step S7, the NMS 100 determines whether the requesting entity (the first central unit 10) can implement further processing function B. In this example, this is by addition of the first central unit's current processing resource utilisation value (stored in memory in NMS 100 in step S1) to the additional processing resource requirement to implement further processing function B (identified in the data from step S5), and a comparison of this sum to the first central unit's current processing capability (also stored in memory in N MS 100 in step S1). If the determined processing resource utilisation for the first central unit 10 when implementing further processing function B is less than its processing capability (or a derivative, such as 95%, thereof), then the request is approved and the process proceeds to step S8 in which the NMS 100 sends a response message to the first central unit 10 indicating that further processing function B may be instantiated. However, if the determined processing resource utilisation for the first central unit 10 is greater than the processing resource capability value, then the process moves to step S9.

In step S9, the NMS 100 calculates a processing resource utilisation value for the first central unit 10 and each of the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 when the communications processing environments implement a different functional split, and when the first central unit 10 implement the first and second further processing functions.

In this example, this is achieved by retrieving the processing utilisation values for the first central unit 10 and first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 when using each functional split from the NMS's database, and adding the additional processing resource requirement for further processing function B to the retrieved processing utilisation value for the first central unit 10 at each functional split. If the processing utilisation values for all the first, second and third distributed unit 20, 30, 40 when implementing a particular functional split and the processing utilisation value for the first central unit 10 when implementing the particular functional split and adding the additional processing resource requirement of function B are below their corresponding processing resource capability values (or a derivative thereof), then that particular functional split becomes a candidate reconfiguration.

If there are no candidate reconfigurations following step S9, then the request is rejected and the process skips to step S10 in which the NMS 100 sends a response message to the first central unit 10 indicating that the further processing function B cannot be instantiated. However, if there are multiple candidate reconfigurations following step S9, then, in this example, the NMS 100 selects the functional split of one of these candidates which has the greatest degree of coordination (i.e. greatest number of functions being implemented in the first central unit 10). If a single candidate reconfiguration is identified in step S9, then the functional split of that candidate is selected. In this example, functional split D (as noted above) is selected and the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the NMS 100 sends a first instruction message to each of the first central unit 10 and first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 to implement the functional split D. This is illustrated in Figure 3c. Upon successful reconfiguration, the first central unit 10 and first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 send a confirmation message to the NMS 100. In response, in step 513, the NMS 100 sends a second instruction message to the first central unit 10 to implement the second further processing function B in its second further processing environment. Figure 3d illustrates the cellular network 1 following this reconfiguration.

This embodiment of the invention therefore provides the advantage of recognising that different functional splits have different processing requirements on the central and distributed units so that, upon a trigger for an additional processing function at any one of these units which would otherwise surpass the processing capability of that unit, the functional split may be adapted so that the additional processing function may be implemented whilst maintaining the greatest amount of coordination possible.

A second embodiment of a method of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 5a, 5b and the flow diagram of Figure 6. Figure 5a illustrates the cellular network in which a fourth distributed unit 80 is connected to the first central unit via a relay node 70 via a wireless backhaul. The first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 are not shown (although they may also be connected to the first central unit 10), and the first central unit 10 does not implement further processing functions A or B. Figure 5a also illustrates the first central unit 10 and fourth distributed unit 80 implementing functional split B (noted above) in which the communications processor 13.1 of the first central unit 10 implements the MAC, RLC and PDCP functions and a first communications processing environment 83.1 of the fourth distributed unit 80 implements the PHY function. Furthermore, the fourth distributed unit 80 implements a second communications processing environment 83.2 for processing communications for the relay node 70. Similarly, the relay node implements a communications processing environment for processing communications with both the first central unit 10 and fourth distributed unit 80.

In this embodiment, the NMS 100 database identifying the processing utilisation values (e.g. in Millions of Instructions Per Second, MIPS, or FLOating Point operations per Second, FLOPS, CPUs, cores) for the first central unit 10 and fourth distributed unit 80 when implementing each functional split (A to E, identified above) is enriched to include processing utilisation values at each functional split in different operating conditions, including the amount of user traffic (measured in, for example, combined Mbps) and the backhaul radio conditions (measured in, for example, RSRP between the fourth distributed unit 80 and relay node 70). An example of this database is illustrated in Table 2, below.

Functional Split User Traffic Conditions Backhaul Radio Condition First CU 10 Relay Node 70 Fourth DU A < B < R P13 P14 P15 A >= B < R P16 P17 P18 A <B >=R P10 P20 P21 A >= B >= R P22 P23 P24 B < B < R P25 P26 P27 Table 2: Table illustrating processing utilisation values, P1, for each functional split, subdivided based on user traffic and backhaul radio conditions In a first step of this embodiment (step S21), at time tii as shown in Figure 5a, the first central unit 10 and fourth distributed unit 80 both send data relating to their current processing and operating environments to the NMS 100. This includes a) each unit's current processing resource utilisation values, b) each unit's current processing capability, c) the fourth distributed unit's user traffic conditions, and d) the backhaul radio conditions between the fourth distributed unit 80 and relay node 70. These are stored in memory in the NMS 100.

In step S23, the processing utilisation value of one or more of the first central unit 10, fourth distributed unit 80 and/or relay node 70 exceed a threshold (for example, 95% of their processing resource capability values). In this embodiment, the fourth distributed unit 80 detects that it has exceeded this threshold. In response, in step S25, the fourth distributed unit 80 sends a request to the NMS 100 for a functional split review.

In step S27, the NMS 100 receives this request and identifies a remedy based on the processing and operating environments in the cellular network 1. This is achieved by the NMS 100 using the latest data on the fourth distributed unit's user traffic conditions and the backhaul radio conditions (stored in memory in step S21) to retrieve the first central unit's, relay node's, and fourth distributed unit's processing utilisation values at each functional split when operating under those conditions. If at least one of these processing utilisation values for the first central unit 10, relay node 70 or fourth distributed unit 80 for all functional splits are above the associated thresholds, then the request is rejected. In this scenario, the NMS 100 sends a response to the fourth distributed unit instructing it to take remedial action to operate within the limits of its operating environment (e.g. restrict user traffic). However, if all processing utilisation values for the first central unit 10, relay node 70 and fourth distributed unit 80 for a particular functional split are less than the associated thresholds, then that functional split becomes a candidate reconfiguration.

If there are multiple candidate reconfigurations following step S27, then, in this example, the NMS 100 selects the functional split of one of these candidates which has the greatest degree of coordination (i.e. greatest number of functions being implemented in the first central unit 10). If a single candidate reconfiguration is identified in step S27, then the functional split of that candidate is selected. In this example, the functional split D (as noted above) is selected.

In step S29, the NMS 100 sends a first instruction message to the first central unit 10 and fourth distributed unit 80 to implement functional split D. This is illustrated in Figure 5b.

This second embodiment has the benefit that a change in functional split takes into account the operating conditions of the distributed unit. The processing requirements due to these operating conditions may change over time depending on various factors (such as number of users, radio interference, etc.) so this second embodiment will select a functional split that is more appropriate for the distributed unit.

In the above embodiments, the central unit and their respective distributed units implement different proportions of the overall set of functions of the protocol in use (LTE in the above example). The skilled person will understand that whole layers of a protocol may be moved between the central unit and distributed unit, or just a part (i.e. function) thereof. Thus, the central unit may implement a first set of protocol functions, and a distribution unit may implement a second set of protocol functions. The first set of functions may be the lowermost function up and including a particular function, and the second set of functions may be all functions above that particular function. In other words, the first and second sets of functions may be distinct.

Furthermore, the distributed units may implement the RF functions of the protocol only, and all other functions may be implemented in the central unit. Still furthermore, the invention may be realised across a cascaded RAN in which the overall set of functions are distributed across (for example) a remote radio head, a distributed unit and a central unit.

It is also possible for the central unit to implement different functional splits, different protocols, and/or different radio access technologies with different distributed units (e.g. via different virtual processing environments). The NMS database may therefore be enhanced to identify the processing utilisation values for a plurality of combinations of functional splits across the distributed units. In response to a request resulting in a functional split reconfiguration, the NMS may therefore change the functional split between the central unit and a first distributed unit when it was instead the processing utilisation for transmissions relating to a second distributed unit that triggered the request.

In the above embodiments, the NMS included a VIM and orchestrator to perform the embodiments of the method of the invention. However, any other entity in the cellular network may be used instead.

In the first embodiment, the first central unit 10 has several further processing environments for implementing further processing functions. These may include, for example, Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), content caching, packet routing, and policy control. Furthermore, the request may be to instantiate this function for the first time in the network, or to move it from another location to the first central unit.

In the second embodiment, the processing utilisation values for each functional split were subdivided based on user traffic and Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) values between the fourth distributed unit and relay node. However, this is non-essential and other metrics for measuring access radio conditions and backhaul conditions may be used.

The skilled person will also understand that it is non-essential for the backhaul to be a wireless technology, and a wired interface may be used instead.

The skilled person will also understand that the first and second embodiments may be performed on a periodic basis such that the cellular network dynamically reconfigures to its conditions.

In the above embodiments, it is determined whether the processing utilisation values at different functional splits is below a processing capability value. The skilled person will understand that this processing capability value may be more than the current processing capability of the unit, for example if the processors are virtualised and an additional processing capability may be employed (known as "overbooking").

The skilled person will understand that any combination of features is possible within the scope of the invention, as claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method in a cellular telecommunications network, the cellular telecommunications network having a first central base station unit connecting to a first distributed base station unit, the method comprising the steps of: the first central base station unit communicating with the first distributed base station unit using a first functional split in which a first set of protocol functions are implemented by the first central base station unit and a second set of protocol functions are implemented by the first distributed base station unit; determining that a processing resource utilisation of at least one of the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit using the first functional split satisfies a processing threshold; and, in response, causing the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit to communicate using a second functional split in which a third set of protocol functions are implemented by the first central base station unit and a fourth set of protocol functions are implemented by the first distributed base station unit.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising the step of: identifying the second functional split based on a comparison of the processing resource utilisation of at least one of the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit using the second functional split to a respective processing resource capability of the first central base station unit and/or first distributed base station unit.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the comparison is of the processing resource utilisation of at least one of the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit using the second functional split and operating according to a set of operating conditions to the respective processing resource capability of the first central base station unit and/or first distributed base station unit.
4. A method as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the set of operating conditions relates to access radio conditions.
5. A method as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the set of operating conditions includes a quality of a connection between the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit.
6. A method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit are connected via a relay node, and the set of operating conditions includes a quality of a connection between the first distributed base station unit and the relay node.
7. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of any one of the preceding claims.
8. A computer-readable data carrier having stored thereon the computer program of Claim 7.
9. A network node for a cellular telecommunications network, the cellular telecommunications network having a first central base station unit connecting to a first distributed base station unit, wherein the first central base station unit communicating with the first distributed base station unit using a first functional split in which a first set of protocol functions are implemented by the first central base station unit and a second set of protocol functions are implemented by the first distributed base station unit, the network node comprising: a communications interface adapted to receive data indicating a processing resource utilisation of at least one of the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit using the first functional split; and a processor adapted to: determine that the processing utilisation satisfies a processing threshold, and, in response, cause the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit to communicate using a second functional split in which a third set of protocol functions are implemented by the first central base station unit and a fourth set of protocol functions are implemented by the first distributed base station unit.
10. A network node as claimed in Claim 9, where in the processor is further adapted to identify the second functional split based on a comparison of the processing resource utilisation of at least one of the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit using the second functional split to a respective processing resource capability of the first central base station unit and/or first distributed base station unit.
11. A network node as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the comparison is of the processing resource utilisation of at least one of the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit using the second functional split and operating according to a set of operating conditions to the respective processing resource capability of the first central base station unit and/or first distributed base station unit.
12. A network node as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the set of operating conditions relates to access radio conditions.
13. A network node as claimed in either Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the set of operating conditions includes a quality of a connection between the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit.
14. A network node as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the first central base station unit and first distributed base station unit are connected via a relay node, and the set of operating conditions includes a quality of a connection between the first distributed base station unit and the relay node.
15. A network node as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14, being a network function virtualisation orchestrator.