阅读说明：本技术 蜂窝电信网络 (Cellular telecommunications network ) 是由 R·麦肯齐 于 2019-09-02 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种蜂窝电信网络中的方法,该蜂窝电信网络具有连接至第一分布式基站单元的第一中央基站单元,所述方法包括以下步骤：第一中央基站单元使用第一功能划分与第一分布式基站单元进行通信,在该第一功能划分中,第一协议功能集由第一中央基站单元实现,并且第二协议功能集由第一分布式基站单元实现；确定使用第一功能划分的第一中央基站单元和第一分布式基站单元中的至少一者的处理资源利用率满足处理阈值；并且作为响应,使第一中央基站单元和第一分布式基站单元使用第二功能划分进行通信,在该第二功能划分中,第三协议功能集由第一中央基站单元实现,并且第四协议功能集由第一分布式基站单元实现。(The present invention provides a method in a cellular telecommunications network having a first central base station unit connected to a first distributed base station unit, the method comprising the steps of: the first central base unit communicating with the first distributed base unit using a first functional division in which a first set of protocol functions is implemented by the first central base unit and a second set of protocol functions is implemented by the first distributed base unit; determining that a processing resource utilization of at least one of a first central base station unit and a first distributed base station unit using a first functional partitioning satisfies a processing threshold; and in response, causing the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit to communicate using a second functional division in which a third set of protocol functions is implemented by the first central base station unit and a fourth set of protocol functions is implemented by the first distributed base station unit.)

1. A method in a cellular telecommunications network having a first central base station unit connected to a first distributed base station unit, the method comprising the steps of: the first central base station unit communicating with the first distributed base station unit using a first functional partition in which a first set of protocol functions is implemented by the first central base station unit and a second set of protocol functions is implemented by the first distributed base station unit;

determining that a processing resource utilization of at least one of the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit using the first functional partitioning satisfies a processing threshold; and in response thereto,

causing the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit to communicate using a second functional partitioning in which a third set of protocol functions is implemented by the first central base station unit and a fourth set of protocol functions is implemented by the first distributed base station unit.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

identifying the second functional division based on a comparison of the processing resource utilization of at least one of the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit using the second functional division with respective processing resource capabilities of the first central base station unit and/or the first distributed base station unit.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the comparison is a comparison of the processing resource utilization of at least one of the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit using the second functional partitioning and operating according to an operating condition set and respective processing resource capabilities of the first central base station unit and/or the first distributed base station unit.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the set of operating conditions relates to access radio conditions.

5. A method according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the set of operating conditions includes the quality of the connection between the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit are connected via a relay node, and the set of operating conditions includes a quality of the connection between the first distributed base station unit and the relay node.

7. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. A computer-readable data carrier having stored a computer program according to claim 7.

9. A network node for a cellular telecommunications network having a first central base station unit connected to a first distributed base station unit, wherein the first central base station unit communicates with the first distributed base station unit using a first functional division in which a first set of protocol functions is implemented by the first central base station unit and a second set of protocol functions is implemented by the first distributed base station unit, the network node comprising:

a communication interface adapted to receive data indicative of processing resource utilization of at least one of the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit using the first functional partitioning; and

a processor adapted to:

determining that the process utilization satisfies a process threshold, and in response,

causing the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit to communicate using a second functional partitioning in which a third set of protocol functions is implemented by the first central base station unit and a fourth set of protocol functions is implemented by the first distributed base station unit.

10. The network node of claim 9, wherein the processor is further adapted to identify the second functional division based on a comparison of the processing resource utilization of at least one of the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit using the second functional division with respective processing resource capabilities of the first central base station unit and/or the first distributed base station unit.

11. The network node of claim 10, wherein the comparison is a comparison of the processing resource utilization of at least one of the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit using the second functional partitioning and operating according to an operating condition set and respective processing resource capabilities of the first central base station unit and/or the first distributed base station unit.

12. The network node of claim 11, wherein the set of operating conditions relates to access radio conditions.

13. The network node of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the set of operating conditions comprises a quality of a connection between the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit.

14. The network node of claim 13, wherein the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit are connected via a relay node, and the set of operating conditions includes a quality of the connection between the first distributed base station unit and the relay node.

15. The network node according to any of claims 9 to 14, the network node being a network function virtualization coordinator.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to cellular telecommunications networks. In particular, the invention relates to cellular telecommunication networks implementing a centralized radio access network.

Background

Modern cellular networks support a centralized radio access network (C-RAN) architecture in which base stations may be divided into central and distributed units. The central unit interconnects the core cellular network with a plurality of distributed units, and the plurality of distributed units each communicate with a plurality of UEs. The various protocol layers of the cellular protocol used are divided between the central unit and the distributed units, so that the distributed units implement the lowest layer (e.g. the radio frequency layer) and optionally one or more higher layers, while all other higher layers are implemented in the central unit. As more protocol layers are implemented in the central unit, the central unit may improve coordination across multiple distributed units, thereby improving quality of service. However, different protocol partitions have different resource requirements, such as a relatively high capacity link between the central unit and the distributed units when using relatively lower layer protocol partitions, and therefore the choice of protocol partitions must be adapted to the network characteristics.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method in a cellular telecommunications network having a first central base station unit connected to a first distributed base station unit, the method comprising the steps of: the first central base station unit communicating with the first distributed base station unit using a first functional partition in which a first set of protocol functions is implemented by the first central base station unit and a second set of protocol functions is implemented by the first distributed base station unit; determining that a processing resource utilization of at least one of the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit using the first functional partitioning satisfies a processing threshold; and in response, causing the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit to communicate using a second functional division in which a third set of protocol functions is implemented by the first central base station unit and a fourth set of protocol functions is implemented by the first distributed base station unit.

The method may further comprise the steps of: identifying the second functional division based on a comparison of the processing resource utilization of at least one of the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit using the second functional division with respective processing resource capabilities of the first central base station unit and/or the first distributed base station unit.

The comparison may be a comparison of the processing resource utilization of at least one of the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit operating according to the set of operating conditions using the second functional partitioning with the respective processing resource capabilities of the first central base station unit and/or the first distributed base station unit. The set of operating conditions may relate to access radio conditions. The set of operating conditions may include a quality of a connection between the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit.

The first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit may be connected via a relay node, and the set of operating conditions may comprise a quality of a connection between the first distributed base station unit and the relay node.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to the first aspect of the invention. The computer program may be stored on a computer readable data carrier.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network node for a cellular telecommunications network having a first central base station unit connected to a first distributed base station unit, wherein the first central base station unit communicates with the first distributed base station unit using a first functional division in which a first set of protocol functions is implemented by the first central base station unit and a second set of protocol functions is implemented by the first distributed base station unit, the network node comprising: a communication interface adapted to receive data indicative of processing resource utilization of at least one of the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit using the first functional partitioning; and a processor adapted to: determining that the process utilization satisfies a process threshold; and in response, causing the first central base station unit and the first distributed base station unit to communicate using a second functional division in which a third set of protocol functions is implemented by the first central base station unit and a fourth set of protocol functions is implemented by the first distributed base station unit.

The network node may be a network function virtualization coordinator.

Drawings

In order that the invention may be better understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a cellular telecommunications network of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a central base station unit and distributed base station units of the network of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a to 3d illustrate at time t₁、t₂、t₃And t₄The network of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a first embodiment of the method of the present invention;

FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate respectively at time t_nAnd t-i₂The network of FIG. 1; and

fig. 6 is a flow chart of a second embodiment of the method of the present invention.

Detailed Description

A first embodiment of a cellular telecommunications network 1 will now be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2. The cellular telecommunication network 1 is based on a centralized radio access network (C-RAN) architecture with a first central unit 10 and a first, second and third distribution unit 20, 30, 40 (in the figure, first/second/third DU). The first central unit 10 is connected to the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 via first, second and third backhaul connections 22, 32, 42 respectively, and interconnects each of the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 with a cellular core network 50, including a Network Management System (NMS) 100. The coverage area of each of the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 is shown by its respective envelope circle.

Fig. 2 illustrates the central unit 10 and the first distributed unit 20 in more detail. As shown, the central unit 10 has a first transceiver 11, a processor 13, a memory 15 and a second transceiver 17 all connected via a bus 19. The first transceiver 11 is a wired communication interface so that the central unit 10 can communicate with one or more cellular core network nodes, such as the NMS 100. In this embodiment, the second transceiver 17 is a wired communication interface so that the central unit 10 can communicate with each of the first, second and third distribution units 20, 30 and 40. The transceivers, processors and memory are configured to cooperate to define a Software Defined Network (SDN) operating environment, thereby allowing the central unit 10 to be reconfigured as needed.

Furthermore, the first distributed unit 20 further comprises a first transceiver 21 for wired communication with the central unit 10, a processor 23, a memory 25, a second transceiver 27 for wireless communication with one or more User Equipments (UE), all connected via a bus 29. Similarly, the transceiver, processor and memory are configured to cooperate to define a Software Defined Network (SDN) operating environment, thereby allowing the first distributed unit 20 to be reconfigured as needed.

In this embodiment, the central unit processor 13 is configured to implement individual processing environments for handling communications with the respective distributed units, such that the central unit processor 13 has a first communication processing environment 13.1 for handling communications with the first distributed unit 20, a second communication processing environment 13.2 for handling communications with the second distributed unit 30 and a third communication processing environment 13.3 for handling communications with the third distributed unit 40. The central unit processor 13 is further configured to implement further processing environments for implementing further processing functions, and fig. 2 shows a first further processing environment and a second further processing environment.

Fig. 2 also illustrates the first communication processing environment 13.1 of the central unit 10 and the processor 23 of the first distributed unit 20, which implement different functions of their operating protocol, in this embodiment the Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol. Various functions of the LTE protocol are divided between the respective processor 13.1 of the central unit 10 and the respective processor 23 of the first distributed unit 20, such that the first distributed unit 20 implements Physical (PHY) functions and Medium Access Control (MAC) functions, and the central unit 10 implements Radio Link Control (RLC) functions and packet data convergence control (PDCP) functions. In doing so, the central unit 10 may coordinate the transmission of multiple distributed units to improve the quality of service (QoS) in the cellular network 1.

The processors of the central unit 10 and the first distributed unit 20 are reconfigurable (because they work in an SDN environment) to achieve different functional divisions, such as:

a) first distributed unit 20: lower PHY, central unit 10: higher PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP;

b) first distributed unit 20: PHY, central unit 10: MAC, RLC, PDCP;

c) first distributed unit 20: PHY, MAC, central unit 10: RLC, PDCP (as shown);

d) first distributed unit 20: PHY, MAC, RLC, central unit 10: PDCP;

e) first distributed unit 20: PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, central unit 10: not applicable;

furthermore, the central unit 10 and the first distributed unit 20 may implement additional functions (in which case additional functional divisions may be made).

Thus, at any time, the first central unit 10 is configured to implement any one of the functional partitions in its communications processing environment and one or more additional processing functions in its additional processing environment.

In this embodiment, the second distribution unit 30 and the third distribution unit 40 are similar to the first distribution unit 20, and the second communication processing environment 13.2 and the third communication processing environment 13.3 are similar to the first communication processing environment 13.1.

A first embodiment of the method of the present invention will now be described with reference to the flow charts of fig. 3a to 3d and fig. 4. FIG. 3a illustrates at time t₁In which the first central unit 10 communicates with each of the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 using a first functional division in which the first central unit 10 implements MAC, RLC and PDCP functions and each of the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 implements PHY functions (functional division B, as described above). Furthermore, the first central unit 10 implements a first further processing function a in its respective first further processing environment. The second further processing function B is not implemented at this time.

The NMS 100 comprises a Virtual Infrastructure Manager (VIM) and a coordinator module. The coordinator module is a processor that determines where virtual functions should be implemented in the cellular network, and the VIM communicates these decisions to the relevant entities. In this example, NMS 100 also stores in memory a database that identifies the processing utilization values (e.g., in million instructions per second MIPS; floating point operations per second, FLOPS; number of central processing unit CPUs; and/or number of processing cores) for first central unit 10 and each of first, second, and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 when implementing the various functional partitions (a through E, as described above). These may be (at least initially) operator defined values but may also be updated by reported values from the units 10, 20, 30, 40 (and may also be a function of reported values from other C-RANs). Table 1 below shows an example of this database:

functional partitioning	First CU 10	First DU 20	Second DU 30	Third DU 40
					A	P1	P2	P3	P4
B	P5	P6	P7	P8
					C	P9	P10	P11	P12
…	…	…	…	…

Table 1: illustrating the processing utilization value P under each functional partition_nWatch (A)

In step S1, the first central unit 10 and the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30 and 40 periodically send data regarding their processing resources to the NMS 100. In this embodiment, the data is related to a) a current processing resource utilization value for each unit and b) a current processing capacity for each unit. These data are stored in a memory in the NMS 100.

In step S3, at time t2, the first central unit 10 receives a request to initiate a further processing function B (this is illustrated in fig. 3B by the further processing environment having tag B but still having the envelope dashed line to indicate that the request has not yet been fulfilled). In step S5, the first central unit 10 forwards the request to the NMS 100 for approval along with data identifying additional processing resource requirements to implement the further processing function B (e.g. in MIPS, FLOPS, CPU or core).

In step S7, the NMS 100 determines whether the requesting entity (first central unit 10) can implement the further processing function B. In this example, this is achieved by: the current processing resource utilization value of the first central unit (stored in memory in the NMS in step S1) is added to the additional processing resource requirement (identified in the data from step S5) implementing the further processing function B and the sum is compared with the current processing capacity of the first central unit (also stored in memory in the NMS 100 in step S1). If the determined processing resource utilization of the first central unit 10 is less than its processing capacity (or a derivative thereof, such as 95%) when the further processing function B is implemented, the request is approved and the process proceeds to step S8, in step S8 the NMS 100 sends a response message to the first central unit 10 indicating that the further processing function B can be instantiated. However, if the determined processing resource utilization rate of the first central unit 10 is greater than the processing resource capability value, the process moves to step S9.

In step S9, the NMS 100 calculates processing resource utilization values of the first central unit 10 and each of the first distributed unit 20, the second distributed unit 30 and the third distributed unit 40 when the communication processing environment implements different functional divisions and when the first central unit 10 implements the first further processing function and the second further processing function. In this example, this is achieved by: the processing utilization values of the first central unit 10 and the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 when using the respective functional partitions from the NMS database are retrieved and additional processing resource requirements of the further processing function B are added to the retrieved processing utilization values of the first central unit 10 under the respective functional partitions. If the processing utilization values of all of the first, second, and third distributed units 20, 30, and 40 when implementing a particular functional partition, and the processing utilization value of the first central unit 10 when implementing the particular functional partition and adding additional processing resource requirements of function B, are lower than their corresponding processing resource capability values (or derivatives thereof), then the particular function partition is a candidate reconfiguration.

If there is no candidate reconfiguration after step S9, the request is rejected and the process jumps to step S10, in step S10 the NMS 100 sends a response message to the first central unit 10 indicating that the further processing function B cannot be instantiated. However, if there are multiple candidate reconfigurations after step S9, the NMS 100 in this example selects the functional partition of one of these candidates with the largest co-scheduling (i.e. the largest number of functions implemented in the first central unit 10). If a single candidate reconfiguration is identified in step S9, the functional partitioning of that candidate is selected. In this example, the functional division D is selected (as described above), and the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the NMS 100 sends a first instruction message to the first central unit 10 and each of the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30 and 40 to implement the functional division D. This is illustrated in fig. 3 c. Upon successful reconfiguration, the first central unit 10 and the first, second and third distributed units 20, 30, 40 send acknowledgement messages to the NMS 100. In response, the NMS 100 sends a second instruction message to the first central unit 10 in step S13 to implement a second further processing function B in the second further processing environment of the first central unit 10. Fig. 3d illustrates the cellular network 1 after this reconfiguration.

Thus, this embodiment of the invention provides the following advantages: it is recognized that different functional partitions have different processing requirements for the central and distributed units, such that when the additional processing functionality of any of these units (which would otherwise exceed the processing capability of that unit) is triggered, the functional partitions can be adjusted so that the additional processing functionality can be implemented while maintaining the maximum possible amount of coordination.

A second embodiment of the method of the present invention will now be described with reference to the flow charts of fig. 5a, 5b and 6. Fig. 5a illustrates a cellular network in which the fourth distribution unit 80 is connected to the first central unit 10 via a wireless backhaul via the relay node 70. The first, second and third distribution units 20, 30, 40 are not shown (although they may also be connected to the first central unit 10), and the first central unit 10 does not implement the further processing functions a or B.

Fig. 5a also illustrates a first central unit 10 and a fourth distributed unit 80 implementing a functional division B (indicated above) in which the communication processor 13.1 of the first central unit 10 implements MAC, RLC and PDCP functions and the first communication processing environment 83.1 of the fourth distributed unit 80 implements PHY functions. Furthermore, the fourth distribution unit 80 implements a second communication processing environment 83.2 for handling the communication of the relay node 70. Similarly, the relay node implements a communication processing environment for processing communications with both the first central unit 10 and the fourth distributed unit 80.

In this embodiment, the NMS 100 database identifying the processing utilization values (e.g., MIPS in million instructions per second or FLOPS, CPU, core operating in floating points per second) of the first central unit 10 and the fourth distributed unit 80 when implementing the respective functional partitions (a to E, as described above) is augmented to include the processing utilization values under the respective functional partitions under different operating conditions, including user traffic (e.g., measured in terms of combined Mbps) and backhaul radio conditions (e.g., measured in terms of RSRP between the fourth distributed unit 80 and the relay node 70). Table 2 below illustrates an example of this database.

Functional partitioning	User traffic status	Backhaul radio conditions	First CU 10	Relay node 70	Fourth DU 80
						A	<B	<R	P13	P14	P15
A	>＝B	<R	P16	P17	P18
						A	<B	>＝R	P19	P20	P21
A	>＝B	>＝R	P22	P23	P24
						B	<B	<R	P25	P26	P27
…	…	…	…	…	…

Table 2: user traffic and backhaul based radio conditions illustrating various functional partitionsSubdivided process utilization value P_nWatch (A)

In the first step (step S21) of this embodiment, as shown in fig. 5a, at time t₁₁Both the first central unit 10 and the fourth distributed unit 80 send data to the NMS 100 regarding their current processing and working environment. This includes a) current processing resource utilization values for the respective units, b) current processing capabilities for the respective units, c) user traffic conditions for the fourth distributed unit, and d) backhaul radio conditions between the fourth distributed unit 80 and the relay node 70. These data are stored in memory in the NMS 100.

In step S23, the processing utilization value of one or more of the first central unit 10, the fourth distributed unit 80 and/or the relay node 70 exceeds a threshold value (e.g., 95% of its processing resource capability value). In this embodiment, the fourth distribution unit 80 detects that it has exceeded the threshold. In response, in step S25, the fourth distributing unit 80 sends a request for functional partitioning check to the NMS 100.

In step S27, the NMS 100 receives the request and identifies remedial actions based on the processing and operating environment in the cellular network 1. This is achieved by: the NMS 100 uses the latest data of the user traffic conditions and backhaul radio conditions (stored in memory in step S21) of the fourth distributed element to retrieve the processing utilization values under the respective functional partitions of the first central element, the relay nodes and the fourth distributed element when operating under these conditions. If at least one of these processing utilization values of the first central unit 10, the relay node 70 or the fourth distributed unit 80 for all functional partitions is higher than the associated threshold value, the request is rejected. In this scenario, NMS 100 sends a response to fourth distribution unit 80 instructing fourth distribution unit 80 to take remedial action to operate within the limits of its operating environment (e.g., to limit user traffic). However, if all the processing utilization values of the first central unit 10, the relay nodes 70 and the fourth distributed units 80 for a particular functional partition are less than the associated threshold, then that functional partition becomes a candidate reconfiguration.

If there are multiple candidate reconfigurations after step S27, the NMS 100 in this example selects the functional partition of one of these candidates with the largest co-scheduling (i.e. the largest number of functions implemented in the first central unit 10). If a single candidate reconfiguration is identified in step S27, the functional partitioning of that candidate is selected. In this example, functional division D (described above) is selected.

In step S29, the NMS 100 sends a first instruction message to the first central unit 10 and the fourth distributed unit 80 to implement the functional division D. This is illustrated in fig. 5 b.

A benefit of this second embodiment is that the change in functional partitioning takes into account the operating conditions of the distributed elements. The processing requirements due to these operating conditions may vary over time depending on various factors (such as number of users, radio interference, etc.), so this second embodiment will choose a functional partition that is more suitable for the distributed unit.

In the above embodiments, the central unit and its respective distributed units implement different proportions of the overall functional set of the used protocol (LTE in the above example). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the entire layer of the protocol, or only a portion thereof (i.e., the functionality), may be moved between the central unit and the distributed units. Thus, the central unit may implement a first set of protocol functions and the distributed units may implement a second set of protocol functions. The first set of functions may be the lowest function up and include a particular function, while the second set of functions may be all functions above the particular function. In other words, the first set of functions and the second set of functions may be distinct.

Furthermore, the distributed units may implement only the RF functions of the protocol, and all other functions may be implemented in the central unit. Still further, the present invention may be implemented across cascaded RANs in which the entire set of functions is distributed across, for example, remote radio heads, distributed units, and central units.

The central unit may also utilize different distributed units (e.g., via different virtual processing environments) to implement different functional partitions, different protocols, and/or different radio access technologies. Accordingly, the NMS database may be enhanced to identify processing utilization values across multiple combinations of functional partitioning of distributed elements. Thus, alternatively, the NMS may change the functional partitioning between the central unit and the first distributed unit in response to a request for reconfiguration of the functional partitioning triggered by a transmitted process utilization in relation to the second distributed unit.

In the above embodiments, the NMS comprises a VIM and a coordinator to perform embodiments of the method of the invention. However, any other entity in the cellular network may alternatively be used.

In the first embodiment, the first central unit 10 has a plurality of further processing environments for implementing further processing functions. For example, the plurality of additional processing environments may include multiple access edge computing (MEC), content caching, packet routing, and policy control. Further, the request may be to instantiate the function for the first time in the network or to move it from another location to the first central unit.

In the second embodiment, the processing utilization values of the respective functional partitions are subdivided based on the user traffic and Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) values between the fourth distributed unit and the relay node. However, this is not required and other metrics may be used to measure access radio conditions and backhaul conditions.

The skilled person will also appreciate that the backhaul need not be wireless technology and a wired interface may instead be used.

The skilled person will also appreciate that the first and second embodiments may be performed periodically, such that the cellular network is dynamically reconfigured according to its conditions.

In the above embodiment, it is determined whether the process utilization value under the different functional partitions is lower than the process capability value. The skilled artisan will appreciate that, for example, if the processor is virtualized and additional processing power (referred to as "overbooking") can be employed, the processing power value can be greater than the current processing power of the unit.

The skilled person will understand that any combination of features is possible within the scope of the claimed invention.