Continuously online 5g radio unit systems and methods

A cellular network, comprising:

• a cellular core implemented on a cloud-computing platform;
• a plurality of virtual centralized units (CU) implemented on the cloud-computing platform;
• a plurality of distributed units (DUs) that are in communication with the plurality of virtual CUs;
• a plurality of radio units (RUs) that are in communication with the plurality of DUs, wherein each RU of the plurality of RUs comprises:
• a first programmable processor that performs digital signal processing on cellular signals used for communication with user equipment (UE);
• a second programmable processor that performs digital signal processing on cellular signals used for communication with UE;
• a management processor, that is in communication with the first programmable processor and the second programmable processor, configured to manage communication between a distributed unit (DU) of the cellular network, the first programmable processor, and the second programmable processor, wherein the management processor is configured to:
• cause cellular signals to be rerouted to the second programmable processor instead of the first programmable processor;
• cause the first programmable processor to initiate an update process, wherein:
• while the first programmable processor is performing the update process, the first programmable processor does not process cellular signals;
• and
• the second programmable processor processes the cellular signals rerouted to the second programmable processor instead of the first programmable processor;
• and
• cause the cellular signals routed to the second programmable processor instead of the first programmable processor to be routed to the first programmable processor following the update process completing such that during the update process UE experienced uninterrupted cellular network access via the RU.

A method for updating a radio unit (RU) of a cellular network, the method comprising:

• receiving, by the RU, from a distributed unit (DU) of the cellular network, an update request;
• in response to the update request, analyzing a volume of cellular signals being handled by a first programmable processor of the RU and a second programmable processor of the RU;
• determining, by the RU based on the analyzed volume of cellular signals being handled by the first programmable processor and second programmable processor, that the second programmable processor has sufficient available resources to handle the analyzed volume of cellular signals and maintain excess cellular signal processing capacity;
• causing, by the RU, cellular signals to be rerouted to the second programmable processor instead of the first programmable processor;
• causing, by the RU, the first programmable processor to initiate an update process, wherein:
• while the first programmable processor is performing the update process, the first programmable processor does not process cellular signals;
• and
• the second programmable processor processes the cellular signals rerouted to the second programmable processor instead of the first programmable processor;
• and
• causing, by the RU, the cellular signals routed to the second programmable processor instead of the first programmable processor to be routed to the first programmable processor following the update process completing such that during the update process UE experienced uninterrupted cellular network access via the RU.