Patent Application
20240107386
Particular embodiments relate to wireless communication, and more specifically to handover during quality of experience (QoE) reporting.
Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features, and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.
Wireless communication networks, such as long term evolution (LTE) and universal mobile telecommunications service (UMTS), may include quality of experience (QoE) measurements. The purpose of the application layer QoE measurements is to measure the end user experience when using certain applications. Currently QoE measurements for streaming services and for multimedia telephony service for Internet Protocol multimedia system (MTSI) services are supported in LTE.
The solutions in LTE and UMTS are similar with the overall principles as follows. Quality of experience measurement collection enables configuration of application layer measurements in the UE and transmission of QoE measurement result files by means of radio resource control (RRC) signalling. Application layer measurement configuration received from operations, administration, and management (OAM) or core network (CN) is encapsulated in a transparent container, which is forwarded to a user equipment (UE) in a downlink RRC message. Application layer measurements received from UE's higher layer are encapsulated in a transparent container and sent to the network in an uplink RRC message. The result container is forwarded to a trace collector entity (TCE).
Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 17 includes a study item for “Study on NR QoE management and optimizations for diverse services.” The purpose of the study item is to study solutions for QoE measurements in new radio (NR). QoE management in NR will not just collect the experience parameters of streaming services but also consider the typical performance requirements of diverse services (e.g., augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC)). Based on requirements of services, the NR study will also include adaptive QoE management schemes that enable network intelligent optimization to satisfy user experience for diverse services.
The measurements may be initiated towards the radio access network (RAN) on management based, i.e. from an O&M node in generic way for a group of UEs, or they may also be initiated signaling based, i.e. initiated from an O&M node via CN to RAN. The configuration of the measurement includes the measurement details, which is encapsulated in a container that is transparent to the RAN.
When initiated via the core network, the measurement is directed towards a specific UE. The “TRACE REQUEST” referred to above is realized as an S1AP message in LTE, which carries the configuration information for the measurement details and the trace collection entity to which the collected measurements should be sent.
The RAN is not aware of when the streaming session is ongoing in the UE and is also not aware of when the measurements are ongoing. It is important for the client analyzing the measurements that the whole session is measured. Typically, the RAN stops the measurements when the UE has moved outside the measured area.
It is beneficial that, if there is a packet switched (PS) streaming session, the UE would continue a started QoE measurement recording for the whole session, even during handover situation. It has been concluded during a 3GPP study that fragmented QoE reports are of little use.
Handover is the procedure where the UE is moved from one cell to the next. The procedure is executed by means of RRC signaling. The new cell can belong to the same gNB or a different gNB. The handover procedure is described in 38.300:
9.2.3 Mobility in RRC_CONNECTED
9.2.3.1 Overview
Network controlled mobility applies to UEs in RRC_CONNECTED and is categorized into two types of mobility: cell level mobility and beam level mobility.
Cell Level Mobility requires explicit RRC signalling to be triggered, i.e. handover. For inter-gNB handover, the signalling procedures consist of at least the following elemental components illustrated in
1. The source gNB initiates handover and issues a HANDOVER REQUEST over the Xn interface.
2. The target gNB performs admission control and provides the new RRC configuration as part of the HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE.
3. The source gNB provides the RRC configuration to the UE by forwarding the RRCReconfiguration message received in the HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE. The RRCReconfiguration message includes at least cell ID and all information required to access the target cell so that the UE can access the target cell without reading system information. For some cases, the information required for contention-based and contention-free random access can be included in the RRCReconfiguration message. The access information to the target cell may include beam specific information, if any.
4. The UE moves the RRC connection to the target gNB and replies with the RRCReconfigurationComplete.
NOTE 1: User Data can also be sent in step 4 if the grant allows.
In case of DAPS handover, the UE continues the downlink user data reception from the source gNB until releasing the source cell and continues the uplink user data transmission to the source gNB until successful random access procedure to the target gNB.
The handover mechanism triggered by RRC requires the UE at least to reset the MAC entity and re-establish RLC, except for DAPS handover, where upon reception of the handover command, the UE:
NOTE 2: The handling on RLC and PDCP for DRB s without DAPS is same as in normal handover.
NOTE 3: Only PCell is kept during DAPS handover. All other serving cells are released by the network.
RRC managed handovers with and without PDCP entity re-establishment are both supported. For DRB s using RLC AM mode, PDCP can either be re-established together with a security key change or initiate a data recovery procedure without a key change. For DRB s using RLC UM mode and for SRBs, PDCP can either be re-established together with a security key change or remain as it is without a key change.
Data forwarding, in-sequence delivery and duplication avoidance at handover can be guaranteed when the target gNB uses the same DRB configuration as the source gNB.
Timer based handover failure procedure is supported in NR. RRC connection re-establishment procedure is used for recovering from handover failure except in certain CHO or DAPS scenarios:
DAPS handover for FR2 to FR2 case is not supported in this release of the specification.
The handover of the IAB-MT in SA mode follows the same procedure as described for the UE. After the backhaul has been established, the handover of the IAB-MT is part of the intra-CU topology adaptation procedure defined in TS 38.401. Modifications to the configuration of BAP sublayer and higher protocol layers above the BAP sublayer are described in TS 38.401.
Beam Level Mobility does not require explicit RRC signalling to be triggered. The gNB provides via RRC signalling the UE with measurement configuration containing configurations of SSB/CSI resources and resource sets, reports and trigger states for triggering channel and interference measurements and reports. Beam Level Mobility is then dealt with at lower layers by means of physical layer and MAC layer control signalling, and RRC is not required to know which beam is being used at a given point in time.
SSB-based Beam Level Mobility is based on the SSB associated to the initial downlink bandwidth part (BWP) and can only be configured for the initial downlink BWPs and for downlink BWPs containing the SSB associated to the initial downlink BWP. For other downlink BWPs, Beam Level Mobility can only be performed based on CSI-RS.
In LTE, the QoE reports are transmitted to the network in the RRC message
MeasReportAppLayer. This is described in TS 36.331:
5.6.19 Application Layer Measurement Reporting
5.6.19.1 General
The purpose of this procedure is to inform E-UTRAN about application layer measurement report.
5.6.19.2 Initiation
A UE capable of application layer measurement reporting in RRC_CONNECTED may initiate the procedure when configured with application layer measurement, i.e. when measConfigAppLayer has been configured by E-UTRAN.
Upon initiating the procedure, the UE shall:
LTE also includes a dual connectivity (DC) feature that enables a UE to be connected in two cell groups, each controlled by an LTE access node, eNBs, labelled as the Master eNB, MeNB and the Secondary eNB, SeNB. The UE still only has one RRC connection with the network. In 3GPP, the dual connectivity solution has evolved and is now also specified for NR as well as between LTE and NR. Multi-connectivity (MC) is the case when there are more than two nodes involved. With introduction of 5G, the term multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) (see 3GPP TS 37.340) is a generic term for all dual connectivity options that include at least one NR access node. Using the MR-DC generalized terminology, the UE is connected in a master cell group (MCG), controlled by the master node (MN), and in a secondary cell group (SCG) controlled by a secondary node (SN).
Further, in MR-DC, when dual connectivity is configured for the UE, within each of the two cell groups, MCG and SCG, carrier aggregation may be used as well. In this case, within the MCG controlled by the MN, the UE may use one PCell and one or more SCell(s). And within the SCG controlled by the SN, the UE may use one Primary SCell (PSCell, also referred to as the primary SCG cell in NR) and one or more SCell(s). This combined case is illustrated in
There currently exist certain challenges. For example, for signaling radio bearers (SRBs), there is no special handling of handover during an ongoing transmission. Any remaining service data units (SDUs) and/or protocol data units (PDUs) in the source cell are discarded at handover. The SRB transmissions relate to transmission of control plane messages, which are normally short and the probability of handover during a transmission is low. See packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) specification 38.323:
5.1.2 PDCP Entity Re-Establishment
When upper layers request a PDCP entity re-establishment, the UE shall additionally perform once the procedures described in this clause for Uu or PC5 interface. After performing the procedures in this clause, the UE shall follow the procedures in clause 5.2.
When upper layers request a PDCP entity re-establishment, the transmitting PDCP entity shall:
If QoE reports are to be transmitted in the control plane, e.g. on SRB4 as in LTE, the condition changes. The QoE reports may be relatively large and the transmission of such report takes longer than sending control data. An assumption is that the transmission of these reports is configured to have lower priority, which also increases the time of the transmission because other messages will be prioritized. The probability of a handover during the transmission of a QoE report increases.
QoE reports have to be complete to be useful for OAM, i.e. receiving parts of a report is of little value. In summary, the likelihood of handover during the transmission of a QoE report is larger than at transmission of legacy control plane messages and the consequence of interrupted transmission is that the reports are of no use.
As described above, certain challenges currently exist with handover during quality of experience (QoE) reporting. Certain aspects of the present disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges.
For example, particular embodiments include a method in a wireless terminal (e.g., user equipment (UE)) for handling of handover during transmission of a QoE report. The method comprises: starting transmission of a QoE report in a first cell; receiving a Handover Command (RRCReconfiguration containing reconfigurationWithSync) to a second cell; executing the handover to the second cell and transmitting an RRCReconfigurationComplete in the second cell; indicating from lower layer to radio resource control (RRC) layer that all packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) service data units (SDUs) were not delivered; and restarting the transmission of the QoE report in the second cell.
Particular embodiments include starting transmission of a QoE report in a first cell; receiving a Handover Command (RRCReconfiguration containing reconfigurationWithSync) to a second cell; executing the handover to the second cell and transmitting an RRCReconfigurationComplete in the second cell; determining that the QoE report was not delivered, the determining being based on one or more of indicating from lower layer to RRC layer that all PDCP SDUs were not delivered, not receiving indication of delivery from lower layer for one or more PDCP SDUs (associated with the QoE report), the transmission of the QoE report started less than a specified or configured time before the handover occurred/was initiated; and restarting the transmission of the QoE report in the second cell.
Particular embodiments include starting transmission a QoE report in a first cell; receiving a Handover Command (RRCReconfiguration including reconfigurationWithSync) to another cell; executing the handover to the second cell and transmitting an RRCReconfigurationComplete in the second cell; determining that the QoE report was not delivered, the determining being based on one or more of indicating from lower layer to RRC layer that all PDCP protocol data units (PDUs) were not delivered, not receiving indication of delivery from lower layer for one or more PDCP PDUs (associated with the QoE report), the transmission of the PDUs started less than a specified or configured time before the handover occurred/was initiated; and continuing transmitting the QoE report in the second cell from the last unacknowledged PDU.
Some embodiments include a method in a network node for handling of handover during transmission of a QoE report. The method comprises: starting reception a QoE report in a first cell; transmitting a Handover Command (RRCReconfiguration including reconfigurationWithSync) to a second cell; receiving an RRCReconfigurationComplete in the second cell; and receiving the QoE report over again in the second cell.
Particular embodiments include starting reception of a QoE report; transmitting a Handover Command (RRCReconfiguration including reconfigurationWithSync) to a second cell; receiving an RRCReconfigurationComplete in the second cell; and continuing receiving the QoE report in the second cell from the last unacknowledged PDU.
According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device comprises: starting transmission of a QoE report in a first cell, the transmission comprising a plurality of data units; performing a handover (e.g., mobility procedure) to a second cell; determining that not all of the plurality of data units were transmitted to the first cell; and transmitting the QoE report to the second cell.
In particular embodiments, transmitting the QoE report to the second cell comprises retransmitting the entire QoE report to the second cell or transmitting the data units that were not transmitted to the first cell.
In particular embodiments, determining that not all of the plurality of data units were transmitted to the first cell comprises at least one of: receiving an indication that one or more packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) service data units (SDUs) were not delivered; not receiving an indication that one or more PDCP SDUs were delivered; receiving an indication that one or more PDCP protocol data units (PDUs) were not delivered; not receiving an indication that one or more PDCP PDUs were delivered; determining a starting time for transmission of the QoE report occurred less than a predetermined amount of time from the handover; determining an absence of a report received confirmation from the first cell; determining that not all data units were transmitted; and determining that not all data units associated with a particular signaling radio bearer (SRB) were transmitted.
According to some embodiments, a wireless device comprises processing circuitry operable to perform any of the wireless device methods described above.
Also disclosed is a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable program code, the computer readable program code operable, when executed by processing circuitry to perform any of the methods performed by the wireless device described above.
According to some embodiments, a method performed by a network node comprises: receiving, from a source network node, a first portion of a QoE report; receiving, from a wireless device, a second portion of the QoE report; and combining the first portion of the QoE report and the second portion of the QoE report to form a complete QoE report.
In particular embodiments, the first portion of the QoE report is received from the source network node as part of a mobility procedure and the second portion of the QoE report is received from the wireless device after a mobility procedure from the source network node to the target network node.
In particular embodiments, the second portion of the QoE report comprises the complete QoE report or the second portion of the QoE report comprises a portion of the QoE report not included in the first portion of the QoE report.
According to some embodiments, a network node comprises processing circuitry operable to perform any of the network node methods described above.
Another computer program product comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable program code, the computer readable program code operable, when executed by processing circuitry to perform any of the methods performed by the network node described above.
Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantages. For example, particular embodiments ensure that complete QoE reports reach the network, even if a handover occurs in the middle of the transmission of the report. This means that more complete QoE reports are received in OAM and may be used for evaluating and improving the end user experience.
For a more complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments and their features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
As described above, certain challenges currently exist with handover during quality of experience (QoE) reporting. Certain aspects of the present disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges.
Particular embodiments are described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.
Particular embodiments include how a user equipment (UE) and gNB manage handover in the middle of transmission of a QoE report. Particular embodiments are applicable in both long term evolution (LTE) networks and new radio (NR) networks, irrespective of which core network (EPC, 5GC) is used.
The terms “QoE measurement report” and “QoE report” are used interchangeably. The terms “QoE result”, “QoE measurement result”, “QoE result data” and “QoE data” relate to data included in a QoE measurement report. The term “QoE result file” refers to a QoE measurement report or content in a QoE measurement report. The term “QoE result files” refers to one or more QoE measurement report or the content in one or more QoE measurement report. The terms “QoE measurement configuration” and “QoE configuration” are used interchangeably. The terms “wireless terminal”, “User Equipment” and “UE” are used interchangeably.
Some embodiments include transmission restart after handover during transmission of QoE report. In some embodiments, the UE is configured with QoE measurements. A session was started in the application layer (and possibly finished) and the UE is about to transmit the QoE report. The transmission on a signaling radio bearer (SRB) starts, possibly SRB4, but during the ongoing transmission a handover occurs, i.e., the UE receives a Handover Command (RRCReconfiguration containing reconfigurationWithSync) to a second cell. The UE executes the handover and transmits an RRCReconfigurationComplete in the second cell.
The scenario described relates to handover or, if the UE is operating in dual-connectivity, change of master node (MN), but particular embodiments may also be applicable for a UE operating in dual-connectivity and where the secondary node (SN) is changed during the transmission of the QoE report. Particular embodiments apply to any mobility event or mobility command.
In a first group of embodiments, the transmission of the QoE report is restarted in the target gNB by the radio resource control (RRC) layer. An example is illustrated in
For a specific set of SDUs, which RRC PDUs/lower layer SDUs belong to the specific set of SDUs may, e.g., be indicated by the RRC layer to the lower layer. For a specific SRB, the specific SRB may be hardcoded in a specification, be configured or be indicated to the lower layer by the RRC layer.
Alternatively, the RRC layer receives an indication from lower layer when all or each PDCP SDU has been successfully delivered and the lack of (one or more) indication(s) triggers the RRC layer to resubmit the report in the target node. The indication between layers may be specified or based on implementation.
In some embodiments, the RRC layer in the receiving side sends a confirmation message upon receiving the complete report, e.g., a new RRC message measReportAppLayerComplete. The absence of such a confirmation message triggers the retransmission of the QoE report to the target node.
In some embodiments, the RRC layer retransmits the report to the target node if the transmission of the report in the source node started less than a specified or configured time before the reconfigurationWithSync occurred/was initiated.
If it was detected that the complete QoE report was not successfully transmitted, or if any other criteria for the transmission of the QoE report was not fulfilled, the RRC layer re-submits the QoE report to lower layers for re-transmission of the complete report in the target gNB. The target gNB forwards the report to OAM.
An example implementation in 38.331 of restarting the transmission of a QoE report in target gNB may look like the following:
5.3.5.5.2 Reconfiguration with Sync
The UE shall perform the following actions to execute a reconfiguration with sync.
Some embodiments include retransmission of unacknowledged PDUs after handover during transmission of a QoE report. The UE is configured with QoE measurements. A session was started in the application layer (and possibly finished) and the UE is about to transmit the QoE report. The transmission on an SRB starts, possibly SRB4, but during the ongoing transmission a handover occurs, i.e. the UE receives a Handover Command (RRCReconfiguration containing reconfigurationWithSync) to a second cell. The UE executes the handover and transmits an RRCReconfigurationComplete in the second cell.
The scenario described relates to handover or, if the UE is operating in dual-connectivity, change of Master Node (MN), but the invention may also be applicable for a UE operating in dual-connectivity and where the Secondary Node (SN) is changed during the transmission of the QoE report.
In some embodiments, the transmission of the QoE report continues in the new cell and only unacknowledged PDUs are retransmitted after the handover has been executed. An example is illustrated in
In some embodiments, the PDCP layer retransmits the PDUs to the target node, if the transmission in the source node started less than a specified or configured time before the reconfigurationWithSync occurred/was initiated.
If it was detected that the complete QoE report was not successfully transmitted, the transmission continues to the target node from the last unacknowledged PDU. After reception of the report, the target gNB forwards the report to OAM.
Data forwarding may be executed from the source node to the target node for the SRB where the QoE report was transmitted, e.g. SRB4.
An example implementation in 38.323 of retransmitting unacknowledged PDUs on SRB4 in target gNB may look like the following:
5.1.2 PDCP Entity Re-Establishment
When upper layers request a PDCP entity re-establishment, the UE shall additionally perform once the procedures described in this clause for Uu or PC5 interface. After performing the procedures in this clause, the UE shall follow the procedures in clause 5.2.
When upper layers request a PDCP entity re-establishment, the transmitting PDCP entity shall:
When upper layers request a PDCP entity re-establishment, the receiving PDCP entity shall:
NOTE: After PDCP re-establishment on a sidelink SRB/DRB, UE determines when to transmit and receive with the new key and discard the old key as specified in TS 33.536.
Network 106 may comprise one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), packet data networks, optical networks, wide-area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks to enable communication between devices.
Network node 160 and WD 110 comprise various components described in more detail below. These components work together to provide network node and/or wireless device functionality, such as providing wireless connections in a wireless network. In different embodiments, the wireless network may comprise any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and/or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and/or signals whether via wired or wireless connections.
As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and/or with other network nodes or equipment in the wireless network to enable and/or provide wireless access to the wireless device and/or to perform other functions (e.g., administration) in the wireless network.
Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BS s) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)). Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and may then also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations.
A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units and/or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna system (DAS). Yet further examples of network nodes include multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multi-cell/multicast coordination entities (MCEs), core network nodes (e.g., MSCs, MMEs), O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SON nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., E-SMLCs), and/or MDTs.
As another example, a network node may be a virtual network node as described in more detail below. More generally, however, network nodes may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable, configured, arranged, and/or operable to enable and/or provide a wireless device with access to the wireless network or to provide some service to a wireless device that has accessed the wireless network.
In
It is to be understood that a network node comprises any suitable combination of hardware and/or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Moreover, while the components of network node 160 are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, a network node may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component (e.g., device readable medium 180 may comprise multiple separate hard drives as well as multiple RAM modules).
Similarly, network node 160 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which network node 160 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeB's. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node.
In some embodiments, network node 160 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate device readable medium 180 for the different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna 162 may be shared by the RATs). Network node 160 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 160, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 160.
Processing circuitry 170 is configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being provided by a network node. These operations performed by processing circuitry 170 may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry 170 by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.
Processing circuitry 170 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 160 components, such as device readable medium 180, network node 160 functionality.
For example, processing circuitry 170 may execute instructions stored in device readable medium 180 or in memory within processing circuitry 170. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 170 may include a system on a chip (SOC).
In some embodiments, processing circuitry 170 may include one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 172 and baseband processing circuitry 174. In some embodiments, radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 172 and baseband processing circuitry 174 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 172 and baseband processing circuitry 174 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units
In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being provided by a network node, base station, eNB, gNB or other such network device may be performed by processing circuitry 170 executing instructions stored on device readable medium 180 or memory within processing circuitry 170. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry 170 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device readable medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readable storage medium or not, processing circuitry 170 can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry 170 alone or to other components of network node 160 but are enjoyed by network node 160 as a whole, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.
Device readable medium 180 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid-state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device readable and/or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry 170. Device readable medium 180 may store any suitable instructions, data or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry 170 and, utilized by network node 160. Device readable medium 180 may be used to store any calculations made by processing circuitry 170 and/or any data received via interface 190. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 170 and device readable medium 180 may be considered to be integrated.
Interface 190 is used in the wired or wireless communication of signaling and/or data between network node 160, network 106, and/or WDs 110. As illustrated, interface 190 comprises port(s)/terminal(s) 194 to send and receive data, for example to and from network 106 over a wired connection. Interface 190 also includes radio front end circuitry 192 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, antenna 162.
Radio front end circuitry 192 comprises filters 198 and amplifiers 196. Radio front end circuitry 192 may be connected to antenna 162 and processing circuitry 170. Radio front end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 162 and processing circuitry 170. Radio front end circuitry 192 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry 192 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 198 and/or amplifiers 196. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 162. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 162 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry 192. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry 170. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.
In certain alternative embodiments, network node 160 may not include separate radio front end circuitry 192, instead, processing circuitry 170 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna 162 without separate radio front end circuitry 192. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of RF transceiver circuitry 172 may be considered a part of interface 190. In still other embodiments, interface 190 may include one or more ports or terminals 194, radio front end circuitry 192, and RF transceiver circuitry 172, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and interface 190 may communicate with baseband processing circuitry 174, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).
Antenna 162 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals. Antenna 162 may be coupled to radio front end circuitry 192 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and/or signals wirelessly. In some embodiments, antenna 162 may comprise one or more omni-directional, sector or panel antennas operable to transmit/receive radio signals between, for example, 2 GHz and 66 GHz. An omni-directional antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signals in any direction, a sector antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signals from devices within a particular area, and a panel antenna may be a line of sight antenna used to transmit/receive radio signals in a relatively straight line. In some instances, the use of more than one antenna may be referred to as MIMO. In certain embodiments, antenna 162 may be separate from network node 160 and may be connectable to network node 160 through an interface or port.
Antenna 162, interface 190, and/or processing circuitry 170 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and/or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signals may be received from a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment. Similarly, antenna 162, interface 190, and/or processing circuitry 170 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signals may be transmitted to a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment.
Power circuitry 187 may comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry and is configured to supply the components of network node 160 with power for performing the functionality described herein. Power circuitry 187 may receive power from power source 186. Power source 186 and/or power circuitry 187 may be configured to provide power to the various components of network node 160 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). Power source 186 may either be included in, or external to, power circuitry 187 and/or network node 160.
For example, network node 160 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry 187. As a further example, power source 186 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry 187. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail. Other types of power sources, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.
Alternative embodiments of network node 160 may include additional components beyond those shown in
As used herein, wireless device (WD) refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and/or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and/or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise noted, the term WD may be used interchangeably herein with user equipment (UE). Communicating wirelessly may involve transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and/or other types of signals suitable for conveying information through air.
In some embodiments, a WD may be configured to transmit and/or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a WD may be designed to transmit information to a network on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the network.
Examples of a WD include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a cell phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless cameras, a gaming console or device, a music storage device, a playback appliance, a wearable terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a tablet, a laptop, a laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), a laptop-mounted equipment (LME), a smart device, a wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, etc. A WD may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and may in this case be referred to as a D2D communication device.
As yet another specific example, in an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, a WD may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and/or measurements and transmits the results of such monitoring and/or measurements to another WD and/or a network node. The WD may in this case be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one example, the WD may be a UE implementing the 3GPP narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) standard. Examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or home or personal appliances (e.g. refrigerators, televisions, etc.) personal wearables (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.).
In other scenarios, a WD may represent a vehicle or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and/or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation. A WD as described above may represent the endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device may be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, a WD as described above may be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobile device or a mobile terminal.
As illustrated, wireless device 110 includes antenna 111, interface 114, processing circuitry 120, device readable medium 130, user interface equipment 132, auxiliary equipment 134, power source 136 and power circuitry 137. WD 110 may include multiple sets of one or more of the illustrated components for different wireless technologies supported by WD 110, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, just to mention a few. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or set of chips as other components within WD 110.
Antenna 111 may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals, and is connected to interface 114. In certain alternative embodiments, antenna 111 may be separate from WD 110 and be connectable to WD 110 through an interface or port. Antenna 111, interface 114, and/or processing circuitry 120 may be configured to perform any receiving or transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a WD. Any information, data and/or signals may be received from a network node and/or another WD. In some embodiments, radio front end circuitry and/or antenna 111 may be considered an interface.
As illustrated, interface 114 comprises radio front end circuitry 112 and antenna 111. Radio front end circuitry 112 comprise one or more filters 118 and amplifiers 116. Radio front end circuitry 112 is connected to antenna 111 and processing circuitry 120 and is configured to condition signals communicated between antenna 111 and processing circuitry 120. Radio front end circuitry 112 may be coupled to or a part of antenna 111. In some embodiments, WD 110 may not include separate radio front end circuitry 112; rather, processing circuitry 120 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna 111. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or all of RF transceiver circuitry 122 may be considered a part of interface 114.
Radio front end circuitry 112 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry 112 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 118 and/or amplifiers 116. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 111. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 111 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry 112. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry 120. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.
Processing circuitry 120 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other WD 110 components, such as device readable medium 130, WD 110 functionality. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discus sed herein. For example, processing circuitry 120 may execute instructions stored in device readable medium 130 or in memory within processing circuitry 120 to provide the functionality disclosed herein.
As illustrated, processing circuitry 120 includes one or more of RF transceiver circuitry 122, baseband processing circuitry 124, and application processing circuitry 126. In other embodiments, the processing circuitry may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components. In certain embodiments processing circuitry 120 of WD 110 may comprise a SOC. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry 122, baseband processing circuitry 124, and application processing circuitry 126 may be on separate chips or sets of chips.
In alternative embodiments, part or all of baseband processing circuitry 124 and application processing circuitry 126 may be combined into one chip or set of chips, and RF transceiver circuitry 122 may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In still alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 122 and baseband processing circuitry 124 may be on the same chip or set of chips, and application processing circuitry 126 may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In yet other alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry 122, baseband processing circuitry 124, and application processing circuitry 126 may be combined in the same chip or set of chips. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry 122 may be a part of interface 114. RF transceiver circuitry 122 may condition RF signals for processing circuitry 120.
In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein as being performed by a WD may be provided by processing circuitry 120 executing instructions stored on device readable medium 130, which in certain embodiments may be a computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry 120 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner.
In any of those embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readable storage medium or not, processing circuitry 120 can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry 120 alone or to other components of WD 110, but are enjoyed by WD 110, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.
Processing circuitry 120 may be configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being performed by a WD. These operations, as performed by processing circuitry 120, may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry 120 by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored by WD 110, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.
Device readable medium 130 may be operable to store a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry 120. Device readable medium 130 may include computer memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., a hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device readable and/or computer executable memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry 120. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 120 and device readable medium 130 may be integrated.
User interface equipment 132 may provide components that allow for a human user to interact with WD 110. Such interaction may be of many forms, such as visual, audial, tactile, etc. User interface equipment 132 may be operable to produce output to the user and to allow the user to provide input to WD 110. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface equipment 132 installed in WD 110. For example, if WD 110 is a smart phone, the interaction may be via a touch screen; if WD 110 is a smart meter, the interaction may be through a screen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alert (e.g., if smoke is detected).
User interface equipment 132 may include input interfaces, devices and circuits, and output interfaces, devices and circuits. User interface equipment 132 is configured to allow input of information into WD 110 and is connected to processing circuitry 120 to allow processing circuitry 120 to process the input information. User interface equipment 132 may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity or other sensor, keys/buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input circuitry. User interface equipment 132 is also configured to allow output of information from WD 110, and to allow processing circuitry 120 to output information from WD 110. User interface equipment 132 may include, for example, a speaker, a display, vibrating circuitry, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output circuitry. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits, of user interface equipment 132, WD 110 may communicate with end users and/or the wireless network and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.
Auxiliary equipment 134 is operable to provide more specific functionality which may not be generally performed by WDs. This may comprise specialized sensors for doing measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communication such as wired communications etc. The inclusion and type of components of auxiliary equipment 134 may vary depending on the embodiment and/or scenario.
Power source 136 may, in some embodiments, be in the form of a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic devices or power cells, may also be used. WD 110 may further comprise power circuitry 137 for delivering power from power source 136 to the various parts of WD 110 which need power from power source 136 to carry out any functionality described or indicated herein. Power circuitry 137 may in certain embodiments comprise power management circuitry.
Power circuitry 137 may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power from an external power source; in which case WD 110 may be connectable to the external power source (such as an electricity outlet) via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power circuitry 137 may also in certain embodiments be operable to deliver power from an external power source to power source 136. This may be, for example, for the charging of power source 136. Power circuitry 137 may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from power source 136 to make the power suitable for the respective components of WD 110 to which power is supplied.
Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in any appropriate type of system using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are described in relation to a wireless network, such as the example wireless network illustrated in FIG. 7. For simplicity, the wireless network of
In
In
In the depicted embodiment, input/output interface 205 may be configured to provide a communication interface to an input device, output device, or input and output device. UE 200 may be configured to use an output device via input/output interface 205.
An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to and output from UE 200. The output device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof.
UE 200 may be configured to use an input device via input/output interface 205 to allow a user to capture information into UE 200. The input device may include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitive display may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, another like sensor, or any combination thereof. For example, the input device may be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digital camera, a microphone, and an optical sensor.
In
RAM 217 may be configured to interface via bus 202 to processing circuitry 201 to provide storage or caching of data or computer instructions during the execution of software programs such as the operating system, application programs, and device drivers. ROM 219 may be configured to provide computer instructions or data to processing circuitry 201. For example, ROM 219 may be configured to store invariant low-level system code or data for basic system functions such as basic input and output (I/O), startup, or reception of keystrokes from a keyboard that are stored in a non-volatile memory.
Storage medium 221 may be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, or flash drives. In one example, storage medium 221 may be configured to include operating system 223, application program 225 such as a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine or another application, and data file 227. Storage medium 221 may store, for use by UE 200, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.
Storage medium 221 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), floppy disk drive, flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, high-density digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, holographic digital data storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as a subscriber identity module or a removable user identity (SIM/RUIM) module, other memory, or any combination thereof. Storage medium 221 may allow UE 200 to access computer-executable instructions, application programs or the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied in storage medium 221, which may comprise a device readable medium.
In
In the illustrated embodiment, the communication functions of communication subsystem 231 may include data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. For example, communication subsystem 231 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, and GPS communication. Network 243b may encompass wired and/or wireless networks such as a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a telecommunications network, another like network or any combination thereof. For example, network 243b may be a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, and/or a near-field network. Power source 213 may be configured to provide alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to components of UE 200.
The features, benefits and/or functions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of UE 200 or partitioned across multiple components of UE 200. Further, the features, benefits, and/or functions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software or firmware. In one example, communication subsystem 231 may be configured to include any of the components described herein. Further, processing circuitry 201 may be configured to communicate with any of such components over bus 202. In another example, any of such components may be represented by program instructions stored in memory that when executed by processing circuitry 201 perform the corresponding functions described herein. In another example, the functionality of any of such components may be partitioned between processing circuitry 201 and communication subsystem 231. In another example, the non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and the computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.
The method may begin at step 912, where the wireless device (e.g., wireless device 110) starts transmission of a QoE report in a first cell. The transmission comprises a plurality of data units.
At step 914, the wireless device performs a mobility procedure (e.g., handover) to a second cell. For example, the wireless device may receive a Handover Command (RRCReconfiguration containing reconfigurationWithSync) to the second cell and execute the handover to the second cell.
At step 916, the wireless device determines that not all of the plurality of data units (e.g. PDUs, SDUs, etc.) were transmitted to the first cell.
In particular embodiments, determining that not all of the plurality of data units were transmitted to the first cell comprises at least one of: receiving an indication that one or more PDCP SDUs were not delivered; not receiving an indication that one or more PDCP SDUs were delivered; receiving an indication that one or more PDCP PDUs were not delivered; not receiving an indication that one or more PDCP PDUs were delivered; determining a starting time for transmission of the QoE report occurred less than a predetermined amount of time from the handover; determining an absence of a report received confirmation from the first cell; determining that not all data units were transmitted; and determining that not all data units associated with a particular SRB (e.g., SRB4) were transmitted. In particular embodiments, the wireless device may determine that not all of the plurality of data units were transmitted according to any of the embodiments and examples described above.
At step 918, the wireless device transmits the QoE report to the second cell. In particular embodiments, transmitting the QoE report to the second cell comprises retransmitting the entire QoE report to the second cell or transmitting the data units that were not transmitted to the first cell. The wireless device may transmit the QoE report according to any of the embodiments and examples described above.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 900 of
The method begins at step 1012, where the target network node (e.g., network node 160) receives, from a source network node, a first portion of a QoE report. For example, a wireless device may have been in the process of transmitting a QoE report to the source network node when the wireless device performed a mobility procedure the target network node, interrupting the transmission of the QoE report. The source network node may send the partially received QoE report to the target network node.
At step 1014, the network node receives, from a wireless device, a second portion of the QoE report. In particular embodiments, the second portion of the QoE report comprises the complete QoE report or the second portion of the QoE report comprises a portion of the QoE report not included in the first portion of the QoE report.
At step 1016, the network node combines the first portion of the QoE report and the second portion of the QoE report to form a complete QoE report.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 1000 of
Virtual apparatuses 1600 and 1700 may comprise processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein, in several embodiments.
In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause receiving module 1602, determining module 1604, transmitting module 1606, and any other suitable units of apparatus 1600 to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Similarly, the processing circuitry described above may be used to cause receiving module 1702, determining module 1704, transmitting module 1706, and any other suitable units of apparatus 1700 to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more virtual machines implemented in one or more virtual environments 300 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes 330. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node is not a radio access node or does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node), then the network node may be entirely virtualized.
The functions may be implemented by one or more applications 320 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) operative to implement some of the features, functions, and/or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein. Applications 320 are run in virtualization environment 300 which provides hardware 330 comprising processing circuitry 360 and memory 390. Memory 390 contains instructions 395 executable by processing circuitry 360 whereby application 320 is operative to provide one or more of the features, benefits, and/or functions disclosed herein.
Virtualization environment 300, comprises general-purpose or special-purpose network hardware devices 330 comprising a set of one or more processors or processing circuitry 360, which may be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors, dedicated Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any other type of processing circuitry including digital or analog hardware components or special purpose processors. Each hardware device may comprise memory 390-1 which may be non-persistent memory for temporarily storing instructions 395 or software executed by processing circuitry 360. Each hardware device may comprise one or more network interface controllers (NICs) 370, also known as network interface cards, which include physical network interface 380. Each hardware device may also include non-transitory, persistent, machine-readable storage media 390-2 having stored therein software 395 and/or instructions executable by processing circuitry 360. Software 395 may include any type of software including software for instantiating one or more virtualization layers 350 (also referred to as hypervisors), software to execute virtual machines 340 as well as software allowing it to execute functions, features and/or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein.
Virtual machines 340, comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 350 or hypervisor. Different embodiments of the instance of virtual appliance 320 may be implemented on one or more of virtual machines 340, and the implementations may be made in different ways.
During operation, processing circuitry 360 executes software 395 to instantiate the hypervisor or virtualization layer 350, which may sometimes be referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM). Virtualization layer 350 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to virtual machine 340.
As shown in
Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high-volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment.
In the context of NFV, virtual machine 340 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of virtual machines 340, and that part of hardware 330 that executes that virtual machine, be it hardware dedicated to that virtual machine and/or hardware shared by that virtual machine with others of the virtual machines 340, forms a separate virtual network elements (VNE).
Still in the context of NFV, Virtual Network Function (VNF) is responsible for handling specific network functions that run in one or more virtual machines 340 on top of hardware networking infrastructure 330 and corresponds to application 320 in
In some embodiments, one or more radio units 3200 that each include one or more transmitters 3220 and one or more receivers 3210 may be coupled to one or more antennas 3225. Radio units 3200 may communicate directly with hardware nodes 330 via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station.
In some embodiments, some signaling can be effected with the use of control system 3230 which may alternatively be used for communication between the hardware nodes 330 and radio units 3200.
With reference to
Telecommunication network 410 is itself connected to host computer 430, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. Host computer 430 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 421 and 422 between telecommunication network 410 and host computer 430 may extend directly from core network 414 to host computer 430 or may go via an optional intermediate network 420. Intermediate network 420 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; intermediate network 420, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network 420 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).
The communication system of
Communication system 500 further includes base station 520 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 525 enabling it to communicate with host computer 510 and with UE 530. Hardware 525 may include communication interface 526 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system 500, as well as radio interface 527 for setting up and maintaining at least wireless connection 570 with UE 530 located in a coverage area (not shown in
Communication system 500 further includes UE 530 already referred to. Its hardware 535 may include radio interface 537 configured to set up and maintain wireless connection 570 with a base station serving a coverage area in which UE 530 is currently located. Hardware 535 of UE 530 further includes processing circuitry 538, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. UE 530 further comprises software 531, which is stored in or accessible by UE 530 and executable by processing circuitry 538. Software 531 includes client application 532. Client application 532 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE 530, with the support of host computer 510. In host computer 510, an executing host application 512 may communicate with the executing client application 532 via OTT connection 550 terminating at UE 530 and host computer 510. In providing the service to the user, client application 532 may receive request data from host application 512 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 550 may transfer both the request data and the user data. Client application 532 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.
It is noted that host computer 510, base station 520 and UE 530 illustrated in
In
Wireless connection 570 between UE 530 and base station 520 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 530 using OTT connection 550, in which wireless connection 570 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the signaling overhead and reduce latency, and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, better responsiveness and extended battery life.
A measurement procedure may be provided for monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 550 between host computer 510 and UE 530, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 550 may be implemented in software 511 and hardware 515 of host computer 510 or in software 531 and hardware 535 of UE 530, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which OTT connection 550 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 511, 531 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of OTT connection 550 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect base station 520, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to base station 520. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating host computer 510's measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that software 511 and 531 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using OTT connection 550 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.
In step 610, the host computer provides user data. In substep 611 (which may be optional) of step 610, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 620, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In step 630 (which may be optional), the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 640 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.
In step 710 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 720, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 730 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.
In step 810 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally, or alternatively, in step 820, the UE provides user data. In substep 821 (which may be optional) of step 820, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In substep 811 (which may be optional) of step 810, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in substep 830 (which may be optional), transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step 840 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.
In step 910 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step 920 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 930 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.
The term unit may have conventional meaning in the field of electronics, electrical devices and/or electronic devices and may include, for example, electrical and/or electronic circuitry, devices, modules, processors, memories, logic solid state and/or discrete devices, computer programs or instructions for carrying out respective tasks, procedures, computations, outputs, and/or displaying functions, and so on, as such as those that are described herein.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. The components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. Additionally, operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performed using any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or other logic. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methods disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. The methods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order.
The foregoing description sets forth numerous specific details. It is understood, however, that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. Those of ordinary skill in the art, with the included descriptions, will be able to implement appropriate functionality without undue experimentation.
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.
Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments, alterations and permutations of the embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of the embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure, as defined by the claims below.
At least some of the following abbreviations may be used in this disclosure. If there is an inconsistency between abbreviations, preference should be given to how it is used above. If listed multiple times below, the first listing should be preferred over any subsequent listing(s).
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE2022/050041 | 1/14/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63137495 | Jan 2021 | US |
