US 12,608,218 B2 · Methods and apparatus for modifying an allocation of virtualized processing resources for a digital unit based on timing feedback from a radio unit

Abstract

Example methods and apparatus disclosed herein use the “processing margin” at a radio unit (RU) (24) as a control variable for modifying the allocation of virtualized processing resources used by a digital unit (DU) (16) that supports the RU (24). The DU (16) and RU (24) form a radio processing chain with a functional split, in which the DU (16) performs certain processing operations and provides corresponding processed data to the RU (24), which performs further processing for the generation and transmission of the corresponding radio signals. The “slack” between the end of processing in the RU (24) and the corresponding required transmission time represents the processing margin. The processing-margin feedback loop allows for the virtualization of all or part the DU (16), while avoiding the need for the network operator to implement or pay for over-dimensioning of the DU (16), as would be needed to ensure that a static resource allocation meets worst-case processing needs.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method implemented by a computer apparatus operative as a resource management entity, wherein a radio unit (RU) of a split radio processing chain of a wireless communication network performs respective radio transmissions based on receiving corresponding baseband waveform data from a digital unit (DU) that is included in the split radio processing chain and implemented via an allocation of virtualized processing resources in a cloud computing center, the method comprising the resource management entity:

receiving successive indications of a processing margin at the RU, the processing margin indicating time differences between required times of the respective radio transmissions according to a defined radio timing structure and completion of processing by the RU of the corresponding baseband waveform data from the DU, and wherein the processing margin varies dynamically in dependence on a processing load at the DU;
and
dynamically adjusting the allocation of virtualized processing resources responsive to the received indications, to maintain the processing margin between an upper threshold and a lower threshold.

A resource management entity associated with a wireless communication network that includes a split radio processing chain comprising a radio unit (RU) that performs respective radio transmissions based on receiving corresponding baseband waveform data from a digital unit (DU) that is implemented via an allocation of virtualized processing resources in a cloud computing center, the resource management entity comprising:

communication circuitry configured to receive successive indications of a processing margin at the RU, the processing margin indicating time differences between required times of the respective radio transmissions according to a defined radio timing structure and completion of processing by the RU of the corresponding baseband waveform data from the DU, and wherein the processing margin varies dynamically in dependence on a processing load at the DU;
and
a processor configured to dynamically adjust the allocation of virtualized processing resources responsive to the received indications, to maintain the processing margin between an upper threshold and a lower threshold.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for modifying an allocation of virtualized processing resources for a digital unit based on timing feedback from a radio unit

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for modifying an allocation of virtualized processing resources for a digital unit based on timing feedback from a radio unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13