RU/DU setup and chaining in O-RAN
Various embodiments provide RU/DU/CU chaining in an O-RAN by ZTP operations automatically. The chaining creates a logical gNB for achieving flexibility in the O-RAN. In some embodiments, one or more RUs are chained to a DU in a cell site when the DU is initiated in the O-RAN. In those embodiments, a network management system is employed to store and manage O-RAN configurations to facilitate the RU/DU/CU chaining. In some embodiments, the cell site is customized during the chaining process.
1 . A method for chaining a radio unit and distribution unit automatically in an open radio access network (O-RAN), the method being implemented by a computer system, wherein the method comprises:
detecting a distribution unit (DU) is instantiated in the O-RAN;
obtaining chaining information for the DU, the chaining information indicating a chaining between the DU and at least one radio unit (RU);
resetting the at least one RU;
chaining the DU with a central unit (CU), wherein the CU is configured for non-real time scheduling functions and the DU is configured for real time scheduling functions; and
chaining the DU with the at least one RU to form a radio access network (RAN) for a cell site.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
reserving one or more network addresses for the at least one RU; and, wherein the chaining of the DU with the at least one RU uses the one or more network addresses.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises validating the RAN to verify the RAN is accessible.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises performing customization for the cell site after the RAN is accessible.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the RU and the DU are both physically located on the cell site.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the RU is physically located on the cell site and the DU is physically located remoted to the cell site.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein chaining the DU with the CU comprises: detecting the CU is instantiated and obtaining information indicating the CU is to be chained with the DU.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the RU, DU and CU form a gnodeB (gNb).
9 . A computer system configured to execute a method for chaining a radio unit and distribution unit automatically in an open radio access network (O-RAN), wherein when the method is executed, the computer system is caused to perform:
detecting a distribution unit (DU) is instantiated in the O-RAN;
obtaining chaining information for the DU, the chaining information indicating a chaining between the DU and at least one radio unit (RU);
resetting the at least one RU;
chaining the DU with a central unit (CU), wherein the CU is configured for non-real time scheduling functions and the DU is configured for real time scheduling functions; and
chaining the DU with the at least one RU to form a radio access network (RAN) for a cell site.
10 . The computer system of claim 9 , wherein the computer system is further caused to perform:
reserving one or more network addresses for the at least RU; and, wherein the chaining of the DU with the at least one RU uses the one or more network addresses.
11 . The computer system of claim 9 , wherein the computer system is further caused to perform:
validating the RAN to verify the RAN is accessible.
12 . The computer system of claim 9 , wherein the computer system is further caused to perform customization for the cell site after the RAN is accessible.
13 . The computer system of claim 9 , wherein the RU and the DU are both physically located on the cell site.
14 . The computer system of claim 9 , wherein the RU is physically located on the cell site and the DU is physically located remoted to the cell site.
15 . The computer system of claim 9 , wherein chaining the DU with the CU comprises: detecting the CU is instantiated and obtaining information indicating the CU is to be chained with the DU.
16 . The computer system of claim 9 , wherein the RU, DU and CU form a gnodeB (gNb).