Intelligent radio access network (RAN) optimization framework and method
An intelligent Radio Access Network (RAN) optimization framework. For an E2 Node, optimization services are initiated for handling by a Near-Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) (Near-RT RIC). The E2 Node compares the performance to a first predetermined threshold. In response to the performance being below the first predetermined threshold, the E2 Node takes over optimization of the E2 Node. Otherwise, the Near-RT RIC continues optimization. The E2 Node compares the performance of the E2 Node to a second predetermined threshold. In response to the performance being below the second predetermined threshold, the Near RT RIC resumes handling the optimization. Otherwise, the E2 Node continues to handle the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node. For an Open-RAN Radio Unit (O-RU) Node, the O-RU Node performs local optimization of time-critical functions and a Non-RT RIC is able to perform optimization of non-time critical functions.
1 . A method for providing intelligent Radio Access Network (RAN) optimization, comprising:
provisioning one or more Radio Access Network (RAN) Nodes;
initiating optimization subscription services for handling optimization of performance of an E2 Node of the one or more RAN Nodes by a Near-Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) (Near-RT RIC);
determining, by the one or more RAN Nodes, whether the performance of the E2 Node as a result of the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC is below a first predetermined; and
in response to determining, by the one or more RAN Nodes, the performance of the E2 Node is below the first predetermined threshold, switching, by the one or more RAN Nodes, to optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the one or more RAN Nodes through the E2 Node, wherein the E2 node uses a local optimization algorithm at the E2 Node to process data local to the E2 Node to achieve the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node, else continuing to handle the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining whether the performance of the E2 Node by the E2 Node is below a second predetermined threshold, and in response to the performance of the E2 Node being below the second predetermined threshold, resuming the optimization subscription services for the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC, else continue to handle the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the one or more RAN Nodes through the E2 Node.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the resuming the optimization subscription services for the handling optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC includes sending by the one or more RAN Nodes a subscription resume message to the Near-RT RIC, receiving by the one or more RAN Nodes a subscription request from the Near-RT RIC for having the Near-RT RIC resume the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node, and sending a subscription response by the one or more RAN Nodes to the Near-RT RIC confirming the Near-RT RIC is to resume the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the initiating the optimization subscription services for the handling optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC includes sending a setup request by the one or more RAN Nodes to the Near-RT RIC identifying at least one function of the E2 Node to be optimized receiving a setup response by the one or more RAN Nodes from the Near-RT RIC confirming the at least one function of the E2 Node to be optimized based on the setup request sent to the Near-RT RIC, receiving a subscription request for having the Near-RT RIC handle the optimization of the performance of the at least one function of the E2 Node, and sending a subscription response by the one or more RAN Nodes to the Near-RT RIC confirming the Near-RT RIC is to handle the optimization of the performance of the at least one function of the E2 Node.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the switching to the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the E2 Node includes sending by the one or more RAN Nodes to the Near-RT RIC a subscription suspension message instructing the Near-RT RIC to suspend the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC and receiving a subscription suspend acknowledgement message by the one or more RAN Nodes from the Near-RT RIC.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising, in response to the one or more RAN Nodes being an O-RU Node, determining whether the optimization of the performance of the O-RU Node of the one or more RAN Nodes involves optimization of time critical O-RU functions or non-time critical O-RU functions.
7 . The method of claim 6 further comprising:
in response to determining the optimization of the performance of the O-RU Node involves the optimization of the time critical O-RU functions, handling the optimization of the time critical O-RU functions by the O-RU Node; and
in response to determining the optimization of the performance of the O-RU Node involves the optimization of the non-time critical O-RU functions, handling the optimization of the non-time critical O-RU functions by a Non-Real Time RIC.
8 . A Radio Access Network (RAN) Node, configured for:
providing RAN functions for one or more RAN Nodes in a mobile network;
initiating optimization subscription services for handling optimization of performance of an E2 Node of the one or more RAN Nodes by a Near-Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) (Near-RT RIC);
determining whether the performance of the E2 Node as a result of the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC is below a first predetermined threshold; and
in response to determining the performance of the E2 Node is below the first predetermined threshold, switching to optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the E2 Node, wherein the E2 node uses a local optimization algorithm at the E2 Node to process data local to the E2 Node to achieve the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node, else continuing to handle the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC.
9 . The RAN Node of claim 8 , further configured to determine whether the performance of the E2 Node by the E2 Node is below a second predetermined threshold, and in response to the performance of the E2 Node being below the second predetermined threshold, to resume the optimization subscription services for the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC, else continue to handle the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the E2 Node.
10 . The RAN Node of claim 9 , further configured to resume optimization subscription services for the handling optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC by sending a subscription resume message to the Near-RT RIC, receiving a subscription request from the Near-RT RIC for having the Near-RT RIC resume the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node, and sending a subscription response to the Near-RT RIC confirming the Near-RT RIC is to resume the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node.
11 . The RAN Node of claim 8 , further configured to initiate the optimization subscription services for the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC by sending a setup request to the Near-RT RIC identifying at least one function of the E2 Node to be optimized, receiving a setup response from the Near-RT RIC confirming the at least one function of the E2 Node to be optimized, receiving a subscription request for having the Near-RT RIC handle the optimization of the performance of the at least one function of the E2 Node, and sending a subscription response to the Near-RT RIC confirming the Near-RT RIC is to handle the optimization of the performance of the at least one function of the E2 Node.
12 . The RAN Node of claim 8 , further configured to switch to the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by sending to the Near-RT RIC a subscription suspension message instructing the Near-RT RIC to suspend the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC and receiving a subscription suspend acknowledgement message from the Near-RT RIC.
13 . The RAN Node of claim 8 , further configured to, in response to the one or more RAN Nodes being an O-RU Node, determine whether the optimization of the performance of the O-RU Node involves optimization of time critical O-RU or non-time critical O-RU.
14 . The RAN Node of claim 13 , further configured to:
in response to determining the optimization of the performance of the O-RU Node involves the optimization of the time critical O-RU functions, handling the optimization of the time critical O-RU functions; and
in response to determining the optimization of the performance of the O-RU Node involves the optimization of the non-time critical O-RU functions, handling the optimization of the non-time critical O-RU functions by a Non-Real Time RIC.
15 . A non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, which when executed causes performance of operations comprising:
provisioning one or more Radio Access Network (RAN) Nodes;
initiating optimization subscription services for handling optimization of performance of an E2 Node the one or more RAN Nodes by a Near-Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) (Near-RT RIC);
determining whether the performance of the E2 Node as a result of the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC is below a first predetermined threshold; and
in response to determining the performance of the E2 Node is below the first predetermined threshold, switching to optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the E2 Node, wherein the E2 node uses a local optimization algorithm at the E2 Node to process data local to the E2 Node to achieve the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node, else continuing to handle the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC.
16 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 further comprising determining whether the performance of the E2 Node by the E2 Node is below a second predetermined threshold, and in response to the performance of the E2 Node being below the second predetermined threshold, resuming the optimization subscription services for the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC, else continue to handle the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the E2 Node.
17 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 16 , wherein the resuming the optimization subscription services for the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC includes sending a subscription resume message to the Near-RT RIC, receiving a subscription request from the Near-RT RIC for having the Near-RT RIC resume the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node, and sending a subscription response to the Near-RT RIC confirming the Near-RT RIC is to resume the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node.
18 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the initiating the optimization subscription services for the handling optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC includes sending a setup request to the Near-RT RIC identifying at least one function of the E2 Node to be optimized, receiving a setup response from the Near-RT RIC confirming the at least one function of the E2 Node to be optimized, receiving a subscription request for having the Near-RT RIC handle the optimization of the performance of the at least one function of the E2 Node, and sending a subscription response to the Near-RT RIC confirming the Near-RT RIC is to handle the optimization of the performance of the at least one function of the E2 Node.
19 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 , wherein the switching to the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the E2 Node includes sending to the Near-RT RIC a subscription suspension message instructing the Near-RT RIC to suspend the handling the optimization of the performance of the E2 Node by the Near-RT RIC and receiving a subscription suspend acknowledgement message from the Near-RT RIC.
20 . The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 15 further comprising:
in response to the one or more RAN Nodes being an O-RU Node, determining whether the optimization of the performance of the O-RU Node involves optimization of time critical O-RU functions or non-time critical O-RU functions;
in response to determining the optimization of the performance of the O-RU node involves the optimization of time critical O-RU functions, handling the optimization of the time critical O-RU functions by the O-RU Node; and
in response to determining the optimization of the performance of the O-RU Node involves the optimization of non-time critical O-RU functions, handling the optimization of the non-time critical O-RU functions by a Non-Real Time RIC.