Method and apparatus for statistical multiplexing for fronthaul bandwidth in open random access networks

1. A method performed in an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) Distributed Unit (O-DU) connected via a fronthaul link to a O-RAN Radio Unit (O-RU), comprising:

dividing a transmission time unit (TTI) into a plurality of symbol units, the TTI corresponding to a permitted time for transmission of data from the O-DU to the O-RU via the fronthaul link:

allocating a first packet of a first type to a first symbol unit from the plurality of symbol units:

in response to determining (i) a size of the first packet of the first type is less than a size of the first symbol unit and (ii) a first packet of a second type associated with the first packet of the first type is available for transmission, allocating the first packet of the second type to the first symbol unit; and

transmitting, via the fronthaul link, the first symbol unit with the first packet of the first type and the first packet of the second type to the O-RU.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein in response to determining a size of the first packet of the second type is larger than a size of the first symbol unit minus a size of the first packet of the first type, the first packet of the second type is divided into at least a first variable size chunk and a second variable size chunk, and wherein the first variable size chunk is allocated to the first symbol unit.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the second variable size chunk is allocated to a second symbol unit from the plurality of symbol units, and wherein the second symbol unit is allocated a second packet of the first type.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein in response to determining a size of the second packet of the first type plus the size of the second variable size chuck is less than a size of the second symbol unit, the second symbol unit is allocated a second packet of the second type.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein in response to determining a size of the first packet of the second type is less than a size of the first symbol unit minus a size of the first packet of the first type, the first symbol unit is further allocated a second packet of the second type.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a packet of the first type is a user plane packet, and a packet of the second type is a control plane packet.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the packet of the first type is a control plane packet, and the packet of the second type is a user plane packet.

8. A network node connected via a fronthaul link to an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) Radio Unit (O-RU), comprising:

at least one memory configured to store computer program code; and

at least one processor configured to access said at least one memory and operate as instructed by said computer program code, said computer program code including:

dividing code configured to cause at least one of said at least one processor to divide a transmission time unit (TTI) into a plurality of symbol units, the TTI corresponding to a permitted time for transmission of data from the O-DU to the O-RU via the fronthaul link,

first allocating code configured to cause at least one of said at least one processor to allocate a first packet of a first type to a first symbol unit from the plurality of symbol units,

in response to determining (i) a size of the first packet of the first type is less than a size of the first symbol unit and (ii) a first packet of a second type associated with the first packet of the first type is available for transmission, second allocating code configured to cause at least one of said at least one processor to allocate the first packet of the second type to the first symbol unit, and

transmitting code configured to cause at least one of said at least one processor to transmit, via the fronthaul link, the first symbol unit with the first packet of the first type and the first packet of the second type to the O-RU.

9. The network node according to claim 8 , wherein in response to determining a size of the first packet of the second type is larger than a size of the first symbol unit minus a size of the first packet of the first type, the first packet of the second type is divided into at least a first variable size chunk and a second variable size chunk, and wherein the first variable size chunk is allocated to the first symbol unit.

10. The network node according to claim 9 , wherein the second variable size chunk is allocated to a second symbol unit from the plurality of symbol units, and wherein the second symbol unit is allocated a second packet of the first type.

11. The network node according to claim 10 , wherein in response to determining a size of the second packet of the first type plus the size of the second variable size chuck is less than a size of the second symbol unit, the second symbol unit is allocated a second packet of the second type.

12. The network according to claim 8 , wherein in response to determining a size of the first packet of the second type is less than a size of the first symbol unit minus a size of the first packet of the first type, the first symbol unit is further allocated a second packet of the second type.

13. The network node according to claim 8 , wherein a packet of the first type is a user plane packet, and a packet of the second type is a control plane packet.

14. The network node according to claim 8 , wherein the packet of the first type is a control plane packet, and the packet of the second type is a user plane packet.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored therein, which when executed by a processor in a network node connected via a fronthaul link to an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) Radio Unit (O-RU) cause the process to execute a method comprising:

dividing a transmission time unit (TTI) into a plurality of symbol units, the TTI corresponding to a permitted time for transmission of data from the O-DU to the O-RU via the fronthaul link;

allocating a first packet of a first type to a first symbol unit from the plurality of symbol units;

in response to determining (i) a size of the first packet of the first type is less than a size of the first symbol unit and (ii) a first packet of a second type associated with the first packet of the first type is available for transmission, allocating the first packet of the second type to the first symbol unit; and

transmitting, via the fronthaul link, the first symbol unit with the first packet of the first type and the first packet of the second type to the O-RU.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein in response to determining a size of the first packet of the second type is larger than a size of the first symbol unit minus a size of the first packet of the first type, the first packet of the second type is divided into at least a first variable size chunk and a second variable size chunk, and wherein the first variable size chunk is allocated to the first symbol unit.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 16 , wherein the second variable size chunk is allocated to a second symbol unit from the plurality of symbol units, and wherein the second symbol unit is allocated a second packet of the first type.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 17 , wherein in response to determining a size of the second packet of the first type plus the size of the second variable size chuck is less than a size of the second symbol unit, the second symbol unit is allocated a second packet of the second type.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein in response to determining a size of the first packet of the second type is less than a size of the first symbol unit minus a size of the first packet of the first type, the first symbol unit is further allocated a second packet of the second type.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein a packet of the first type is a user plane packet, and a packet of the second type is a control plane packet.