Patent Application
20230337008
Current wireless communications systems operate either in dedicated spectrum blocks, which guarantees the exclusive use of spectrum or they operate in the unlicensed spectrum bands such as 5 GHz band, where different systems (e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G LAA, NR-U etc.) coexist by adhering to certain spectrum usage etiquette. In broad terms, the common challenge in both cases is the lack of widely-adopted coordination mechanisms that will enable a more dynamic deployments and greater spectrum efficiency.
There is, thus, a need for providing a high level of inter-system communication with the purpose of coordination of shared resources in order to improve efficiencies and quality of service of at least one of the networks.
An embodiment relates to a control unit configured for controlling communication of members of a first communication system; wherein the control unit is to transmit a first signal relating to a configuration of the first communication system or a different second communication system; and/or to receive a second signal relating to the configuration of the first communication system or the second communication system.
Another embodiment relates to a base station for a communication system including an inventive control unit.
Another embodiment relates to a peer for a peer-to-peer communication system including an inventive control unit.
Another embodiment relates to an apparatus to communicate with a first control unit configured for controlling communication of members of a first communication system; and with a second control unit configured for controlling communication of members of a second communication system; wherein the apparatus is configured for receiving a first signal from the first control unit, the information being mapped to a first message space and for mapping the first signal to a second, different message space and for providing the second signal to the second control unit using the second message space.
According to another embodiment, an apparatus configured to operate in a first communication system based on a control from a control unit may have: an interface; wherein the apparatus is configured for transmitting a signal to the control unit using the interface, the signal including a request to the control unit to adapt an operating parameter of the first communication system or to adapt an operating parameter of a second communication system.
According to another embodiment, an apparatus configured to operate in a first communication system based on a control from a control unit may have: an interface; wherein the apparatus is configured for transmitting a signal to the control unit using the interface, the signal including a request to the control unit to adapt an operating parameter of the first communication system according to requests received from members or a control unit of a second communication system.
According to another embodiment, an apparatus configured to operate in a first communication system based on a control from a control unit, may have: an interface; wherein the apparatus is configured for transmitting a signal to an entity of a further communication system using the interface, the signal including a request to a further control unit of the further communication system to adapt an operating parameter of the further communication system.
According to another embodiment, a communication scenario may have: a first communication system being controlled at least partly by a first inventive control unit; and a second communication system being controlled at least partly by a second inventive control unit; wherein a node of the first communication system is to transmit a signal to a node of the second communication system and/or wherein a node of the second communication system is to transmit a signal to a node of the first communication system.
A recognition of the present invention is by providing signals between control units controlling a respective communication system, it is possible to adapt control of at least one of the communication systems and to, therefore, provide for a high effectiveness of networks' operations.
According to an embodiment, a control unit configured for controlling communication of members of a first communication system is to transmit a first signal relating to a configuration of the first communication system or a second communication system and/or to receive a second signal relating to the configuration of the first communication system or the second communication system.
This allows to obtain knowledge that may form a basis for adaptation of at least one communication system.
According to an embodiment, an apparatus to communicate with a first control unit is configured for controlling communication of members of a first communication system, and with a second control unit, configured for controlling communication of members of a second communication system, and is configured for receiving a first signal from the first control unit, the information being mapped to a first message space. The apparatus is further configured for mapping the first signal to a second, different message space and for providing the second signal to the second control unit using the second message space. This allows transmission and/or reception of signals between different control units that are possibly unable to directly communication with each other.
According to an embodiment, an apparatus, configured to operate in a first communication system based on a control from a control unit, comprises an interface and is configured for transmitting a signal to the control unit using the interface; the signal comprising a request to the control unit to adapt an operating parameter of the first communication system or to adapt an operating parameter of a second communication system. This allows a controlled member that possibly recognizes a need for adaptation or suffers from a present configuration to request an adaptation of the configuration.
According to an embodiment, an apparatus, configured to operate in a first communication system based on a control from a control unit, comprises an interface and is configured for transmitting a signal to the control unit using the interface; the signal comprising a request to the control unit to adapt an operating parameter of the first communication system according to side constraints derived from an observed behavior of a second communication system. This may allow the control unit to be provided with additional information for controlling the communication system.
According to an embodiment, an apparatus, configured to operate in a first communication system based on a control from a control unit, comprises an interface and is configured for transmitting a signal to the control unit using the interface. The signal comprises a request to the control unit to adapt an operating parameter of the first communication system according to requests received from members or a control unit of a second communication system. This may allow to forward requests to the control unit, which is received by the member, e.g., when a direct communication between the control units is blocked.
According to an embodiment, an apparatus, configured to operate in a first communication system based on a control from a control unit, comprises an interface and is configured for transmitting a signal to an entity of a further communication system using the interface; the signal comprising a request to a further control unit of the further communication system to adapt an operating parameter of the further communication system. This enables the further communication system to be provide with instructions or information so as to provide for the high effectiveness of networks' operations.
According to an embodiment, a communication scenario comprises a first communication system and a second communication system. A node of the first communication system is to transmit a signal to a node of the second communication system and/or a node of the second communication system is to transmit a signal to a node of the first communication system. Further embodiments provide for methods for operating said devices or scenarios and for a computer readable digital storage medium having stored thereon a computer program having a program code for performing, when running on a computer, such a method.
Embodiments of the present invention will be detailed subsequently referring to the appended drawings, in which:
Equal or equivalent elements or elements with equal or equivalent functionality are denoted in the following description by equal or equivalent reference numerals even if occurring in different figures.
In the following description, a plurality of details is set forth to provide a more thorough explanation of embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail in order to avoid obscuring embodiments of the present invention. In addition, features of the different embodiments described hereinafter may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.
Embodiments described herein relate to communication systems. A communication system may be understood as a system that allows for transmission and/or reception of signals to transport information. Such a communication system may be a wireless communication system, e.g., to transport radio signals, an optical communication system to exchange optical signals, a wired communication system to exchanged wired signals but may also be a combination of two or more of the above-mentioned. Although some of the embodiments described herein relate to wireless communication systems (WCS), the embodiments are not limited hereto, but relate, without limitation, to an optical communication system, a wired communication system, and/or a combination of a wireless communication system, and optical communication system and/or a wired communication system.
Embodiments describe herein make reference to members of a communication system. Such a member may relate to any network element such as at least one of:
Amongst those members, some embodiments make reference to a control unit that controls communication of members, i.e., of itself and other members, within the communication system. Such a communication may be a centralized communication, at least in parts, and/or a distributed communication amongst members, at least in part, e.g., a point-to-point (p2p) communication
A control unit being described herein may be implemented as a single entity but may also comprise a set of distributed control units operating cooperatively or collaboratively. As cooperatively one may understand an interaction for the sake of achieving individual goals, whilst as collaboration one may understand an interaction for the sake of achieving a joint goal. Such a set of distributed control units may also operate autonomously, e.g., without cooperation or semi-autonomously. The set of distributed control units may operate cooperatively or autonomously/semi-autonomously in different time instances, e.g., based on different operating modes of the communication system and/or for different network areas, network resources or the like. That is, both implementations of cooperating or non-cooperating or semi-cooperating control units do not exclude each other. A control unit in accordance with present embodiments may control communication of a member of its communication network with an infrastructure thereof and/or with other members of the communication system.
Embodiments provide for solutions to exchange signals between different communication systems (CS) to allow an adjustment of operation and, thereby, to a high effectiveness. In this context, spectrum sharing technologies have advanced significantly in the last few decades and dynamic spectrum access (DSA) techniques have become already included in multiple standards in different frequency bands and regulatory frameworks. The most widely accepted DSA systems such as the licensed shared access (LSA) and the citizens' broadband radio service (CBRS) use database approach. The databases, typically accompanied by some form of spectrum control/management entities, use historical spectrum data over different time-scales and make decisions on spectrum use over short and long time periods. While these database-driven models enable a reliable and cost-effective approach to enabling and managing spectrum sharing among multiple classes of spectrum users with different access rights and radio network technologies [3], they also pose challenges. They include, e.g. the inability for fast dynamic adaptation that follows variations in traffic demand, delays due to registration and deregistration of systems, complex hierarchical priority structure of spectrum users and others, outlined later in this section. The present disclosure addresses some of these challenges by proposing a new radio control channel for coordination of wireless communication systems, wherein this relates, without limitation, to non-radio embodiments and, thus, to new control channels.
Embodiments, hence, address the following use cases, but are not limited to these scenarios:
In summary, the data base approach, which involves systems and devices to register their existence and activity, can support co-existence by keeping/creating safe-zones and ensuring they are not overbooked by the co-located systems operating within the same spectrum. However, there are a few major challenges in a pure data base approach. These include:
Delays due to registration and deregistration of systems and frequency use
The following paragraphs provide a couple of illustrative examples of technical solutions proposed as a part of 3GPP NR-U standardisation as well as a few relevant surveys and illustrative examples of the proposed solutions from academic/research literature. Selected works provide a broad overview of the relevant aspects of spectrum sharing and provide useful relevant pointers within the wealth of literature on the topic that has been extensively researched for the last few decades.
In [5], the authors propose handshaking among NR-U gNB and UEs to enhance channel access efficiency (energy detection-based monitoring of channel occupancy, looking at NR-U signalling between competing NR-U gNBs and UEs (inter-operator) and intra-operator coordination).
For example, the contribution proposes the use of a handshaking mechanism for the competing gNB and UEs, but also proposes information exchange among both competing and cooperating NR devices operating in unlicensed bands. The handshaking is proposed to be done in two parts, where a gNB sends a request to the UE or set of UEs. After a possible scheduled suspension of the transmission by the gNB, the intended UE(s) that happen to complete an LBT process successfully respond to the gNB. One part may be detected and decoded by competing/cooperating NR-U devices which helps them e.g. to enhance the efficiency of their channel access among others. Likewise, the responding UE(s) may send the response in two parts where one part may be detected and decoded by competing/cooperating NR-U devices.
In [6], the authors observe that the current energy detection mechanism does not distinguish the same operator signal or the same system signal and can be overly conservative in a dense deployment. The authors propose to use a mechanism to distinguish its own network signal for better NR-unlicensed spatial reuse.
To achieve effective results, prior coordination of the frequency resources among the participating APs may be helpful. APs participating in Coordinated OFDMA transmissions may exchange the information of the advantageous (or not advantageous) frequency resources prior to coordinated transmissions. During Coordinated OFDMA transmissions, the Coordinating AP can use the information of the advantageous frequency resources to allocate sub-channels to participating APs.
In [7], the authors address the aspects that effect design of efficient spectrum sharing mechanisms especially for inter-technology coexistence by using a multi-layer technology circle. The spectrum sharing design space is analysed through parameters at different layers of the protocol stack, as depicted by
In a survey in [8], the authors focus on the research progress on spectrum sharing, focusing on full-duplex spectrum sensing, spectrum-database based spectrum sensing, auction-based spectrum allocation and carrier aggregation-based spectrum access. The authors discuss that one of the research issues that remains in Cognitive Radio Networks (CRN) for 5G networks and beyond is establishing reliable common control channel. Common control channel (CCC) is a control channel, devised for cognitive radio (CR) users, over which CR users can discover each other and establish communication to coordinate their access to the spectrum. The authors outline the challenges of having a dedicated Common Control Channel such as its availability, proneness to overloading etc. They refer to different sequence hopping schemes that do not require a centralised controller or dedicated common control channel, but can use stochastic hopping or specified hopping sequence.
Back in 2012, the authors in [9] provided an overview of techniques dealing with access to spectrum, spectrum sharing, spectrum handoff and other aspects of MAC in cognitive radio networks. Particularly, the work provides a comprehensive overview of the then proposed Common Control Channels in CRNs, used for exchanging signalling information, including sensing outcome, to perform channel selection. The authors point out that CCC enables interaction and coordination among the CRN users, but may saturate when the load increases. They also point out the need for additional dynamic strategies for a reliable exchange of signalling information, and synchronization within a neighbour cognitive radio.
The aspects on spectrum sharing in mmWave cellular networks can be found in [10], [11]. In [10], the authors propose coordination between mmWave networks that partially overlap. They consider scheduled frame-based system that partitions radio resource for multiple access in the time and/or frequency domain, where the nodes within one network are synchronized in time and frequency and where there is at least time synchronization across networks. The main idea is the use of a coordinated blanking pattern, which is divided into available resource blocks and non-available resource blocks. Inter-network coordination is done via the so-called resource communication entities. Other base stations within the same network report on interference levels from their side, including the aggressor network ID. The coordinating entity processes them and includes them in blanking pattern request. In [11], the authors propose spectrum sharing coordination between different networks using a so-called Spectrum Sharing Manager. The coordination is performed locally and dynamically between basestations (BS). Adjacent BSs exchange coordination signals over the air to identify interference relationships and determine the intention of other BSs to access the spectrum. A common synchronization source for BSs is assumed. After these coordination signals are exchanged, each BS locally reserves a portion of the resource in the time domain and executes the actual data transmission.
Communication system 121 comprises 1, 2 or even a higher number of, e.g., at least 5, at least 10, or even higher members 141 and 142 which may, individually or as a group, be implemented, for example, as an apparatus comprising a communication interface to communicate within the communication system 121, i.e., a wired interface, a wireless interface and/or an optical interface. A member 141 or 142 may be a communicating apparatus, e.g., a terminal, a user equipment, an internet-of-things (IoT) device or the like but may also form a sub-system of communication system 12, e.g., in the field of utility grids such as water supply, energy supply or the like, in which active components of the utility grid are controlled via communication. Any other kind of communication interface or communication network may be operated or implemented accordingly.
Communication scenario 3001 may also comprise at least the communication system 122. Communication systems 121 and 122 may overlap partly or completely in space and at least one of a time, a spectrum and a polarisation, thereby not excluding combinations thereof. That is, operation of one of communication systems 121 and 122 may be perceived at the other communication system in a way that at least a part of communication in the respective other communication system may be influenced, disturbed or overlapped by operating the communication system 121 or 122.
A control unit 16 of communication system 121 may control communication of at least some of the members of communication system 121, e.g., in a specific region, in a specific frequency range, for specific services or the like, but may also control the communication for all of the members.
The control unit 16 may transmit a signal 181 relating to a configuration of the communication system 121.
The configuration of the first communication system may be an information relating to an operation parameter of the communication system 121, information referring to an operation parameter of communication system 121 and/or a request to change an operation parameter of the communication system 122. In a broader sense, the signal 181 contains information that is somehow linked to the configuration of at least one of the communication systems 121 and 122. For example, the signal 181 may contain information relating the configuration of communication system 122 to inform communication system 122 or a not shown third communication system about the configuration of communication system 122. Alternatively, or in addition, control unit 16 is configured to receive a signal 182 relating to the configuration of communication system 181 or communication system 182. The signal 182 may provide the control unit 16 with information that allows to determine whether to change at least one operating parameter for operating communication system 12, i.e., to control communication of members 141 and/or 142 and/or to provide other nodes in scenario 3001 with requests or information.
A target of signal 181 and/or 182 is to provide for a high effectiveness of operations of communication networks 121 and 122, e.g., an increase in the overall throughput of scenario 300, in an overall high communication quality or other aspects to be optimized over more than a single communication system.
WCS 122 may be formed in a same region and may be implemented, for example, as a wireless local area network comprising UEs UE2a, . . . UE2h and access points AP21, AP22 and AP23.
To distinguish between the apparatus, a UE is named with a number followed by a letter, wherein the number indicates a membership to communication system 121, 122 respectively, and the latter allows to distinguish between UEs of a same network. Similarly, gNBs or other control units, e.g., access points are named by use of two digits, the first digit indicating the membership to a network 121, 122 respectively, the second digit forming an index within the communication system 121, 122, respectively.
In other words,
To resolve the possible contention that could exist in the scenario depicted in
The following list of high-level features is provided as an introduction to the subsequent detail.
An authority or several authorities, e.g. a coordination entity, can initiate potential behavioural changes of one or more WCSs. For example, a nominated cluster head can coordinate spectrum usage. Cluster heads can be taken in turn between different WCSs.
A WCS control unit (e.g. base station) may operate as a kind of coordinator and may decide on a pre-defined level of information sharing (e.g. transmission scheduling/transmit parameters, receive parameters, QoS requirements), which will define the interference-protection regime for itself, its users and other WCSs
A simple frame structure could be used by a WCS for the exchange of its spectrum management decisions to other WCS (BS/AP/UE), with a dynamic slot allocation, depending on the number of active users in the area.
As may be seen in
For example, in the communication scenario of
For example, control unit 161 may transmit signal 181 to control unit 162 (directly or indirectly) to request a change of a control implemented by control unit 162. The control unit may transmit signal 181 so as to comprise information relating to at least one of a transmission parameter, a reception parameter, a transmission requirement and/or a reception requirement of a member of the communication system 121 and/or of communication system 122. Alternatively, or in addition, control unit 161 may evaluate such for this information. Accordingly, control unit 162 may evaluate such information in signal 181.
The transmission parameter may comprise at least one of:
Alternatively, or in addition, the reception parameter may comprise at least one of:
The transmission requirement and/or the reception requirement may comprise at least one of:
Control units 162 and 161 may establish said control channel between each other but may also establish such a control channel with a member of the other communication system. For example, control unit 161 may establish the control channel with control unit 162 or one of the UEs or a different AP so as to transmit requests to communication system 122 on how to adapt its configuration and/or for providing information about a configuration of communication system 121 and/or 122 to enhance a decision and the control unit 162 for adapting its configuration and/or to generate a request, possibly transmitted by signal 182 to adapt an operating parameter being set by control unit 161.
This example is further detailed in connection with the control unit 161. The control unit 161 may receive information about the configuration of the communication system 122. Such information may be received, for example, by receiving signal 182 but may, as an alternative or in addition, be received by a signal 222 received from an own member, e.g., UE 1e and/or by receiving a signal 242 received from a member UE 2c of communication system 122. Such a collecting of information may also incorporate a use of external sensors and/or a use of own sensors. That is, the configuration of one or both of communication systems 121 and/or 122 may form a basis for adapting a control of the communication system, e.g., control unit 161 may adapt a control of communication system 121 based on measurement information received. Such measurement information may cause the control unit 161 to transmit signal 181. The measurement information may relate to a behavior of communication system 121 and/or communication system 122. For example, the measurement information may be received from at least one of:
Those examples, in particular, refer to the case of an indirect sensing, where reports may be provided through a single-hop communication or a multi-hop communication, e.g., a sensor reporting to the control unit, a sensor reporting to a member of the communication system, the member reporting to the control unit, and/or the sensor reporting to a first member, the first member reporting to a second member, the second member reporting to a further member (including any number of additional hops) and, then finally, a member reports to the control unit.
The control unit may receive the measurement information, in one example, at least from an indirect sensing using the at least one external sensor and may retrieve the measurement information from a data base; it may receive the measurement information from a member of its own communication system 121 and/or from a different control unit, which does not exclude receiving the measurement information from a member of the communication system 122.
The measurement information may comprise an information relating to at least one of:
The control unit may receive the measurement information using a control channel maintained by the control unit for inter-system communication of communication systems, e.g., between communication systems 121 and 122, from a node that is a member of the first communication system 121 or a node that is not a member of the first communication system 121.
The control unit 161 may configure and/or reconfigure a behavior of at least one member of communication system 121 and/or of the second communication system 122 such as the use of radio resources of such a member.
Having obtained information about the configuration of communication system 122, control unit 161 may implement at least one of the following:
It may determine a condition to change an operating parameter of communication system 121 and may change the operating parameter accordingly. Alternatively or in addition, controller 121 may determine a condition to change an operating parameter of the communication system 122 and may transmit signal 181 to one of its own members for forwarding, to a member of communication system 122 for further forwarding or sending directly to control unit 162, the signal containing information relating to a change of an operating parameter of communication system 121, e.g., in terms of informing communication system 122 and/or relating to a change of an operating parameter of the second communication system, e.g., in terms of informing communication system 122 about an occurred change, e.g., as a feedback, or as a request to request a specific change at communication system 122. Those examples exclude changing its own configuration and/or requesting the communication system 122 to change its configuration and/or informing the communication system 122 about its own configuration or a change thereof, or about the configuration of communication system 122 or a change thereof.
Alternatively, or in addition, control unit 161 may determine a condition to change an operating parameter of a not shown third communication system. Control unit 161 may transmit a corresponding signal to request a control unit of the not shown third communication system to change the operating parameter accordingly. For example, communication system 121 may overlap with communication system 122 as well as the not shown third communication system, the second and third communication system being non-overlapping with each other or unaware of each other. Therefore, control unit 161 may operate as a kind of information source informing the third communication system about the second communication system and/or to find a solution that allows a high effectiveness of operations between the first, second, and third communication system. The control unit 161 may, alternatively or in addition, optimize an operation of at least one of the communication systems 121, 122, and/or the not shown third communication system.
Control unit 131 may determine the condition to change the operating parameter of communication system 122 and may transmit signal 181 containing the information relating to the change of the operating parameter of communication system 121 and/or 122 such that a control unit receiving the contained information creates the contained information as at least one of:
The terms suggestion, offer, proposal, recommendation, negotiation, request, command and demand may be interpreted as different levels of authority being incorporated into the information. Whilst a suggestion may be considered as a part of information that simply indicates that the change might lead to better results and whilst an offer may indicate a willingness or readiness to change, a request might be understood as a deniable order, whilst a command might be understood as a request that has to be followed under any manageable circumstances.
In accordance with embodiments, the configuration of a communication system, e.g., a configuration being transmitted and/or received with signals 181 and/or 182 may relate to a past configuration, a present configuration and/or a planned future configuration. While a past configuration may allow to provide information for supporting an analysis of a past scenario, e.g., to obtain helpful information for future operation, a present configuration may also provide for a basis for amending an ad-hoc operation. A planned future configuration may provide information to already avoid or reduce negative effects that would occur in future when operating autonomously.
The new channel can be deployed/activated based on local decisions/requirements or event triggered (cross-wise detection of existence of another WCS or upon request due to a performance degradation).
In
Improved Coexistence in Unlicensed Spectrum (NR-U-NR-U or Wi-Fi-NR-U)
Examples differ from known LBT improvements in multiple ways and provide for further improvements that may be achieved using coordination opportunities via the NRCC.
Current attempts to improve efficiency of LBT in WiFi6/7 and 5G-NRU target a reduction of time waste in case of channel access collisions at the one hand and a fair wireless access to ISM spectrum between systems/links of the same and in particular, of different RATs on the other hand.
Embodiments provide for missing parts as the option of a universal inter-system communication channel allowing systems of the same or different RATs to communicate, co-ordinate and/or collaborate their actions in terms of channel access and channel usage in shared spectrum when operating with overlapping communication footprint and interference range.
Embodiments go beyond known channel observation and probing by random access with short feedback from the receiver side. It has to be mentioned that such individual link addressing approach is possibly not well suited for e.g. group and broadcast scenarios, which play an important role in disaster recovery, emergency scenarios or big events with a high local density of wireless communication channels for emergency services etc.
The proposed solutions may be applied for operation in unlicensed spectrum thus providing improved coexistence and inter-system coordination between two or more WCSs (e.g. NR-U/NR-U, Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi and NR-U/Wi-Fi).
In contrast to LBT, the new approach may provide a dedicated NRCC through at least one of the WCSs. The NRCC can provide information about current and future configurations of one or more WCSs within the same overlapping communication footprint and interference range.
Furthermore, at least one of the other communications systems, e.g., WCSs is possibly able to receive, synchronize, decode and interpret the information provided by the NRCC and additionally initiate an inter-WCS-communication using the NRCC.
Allowing the second WCS to communicate and exchange system settings, scheduling decisions, planned actions with respect to channel occupancy etc. Furthermore, the NRCC can be embedded in the frame structure of the WCS or be positioned out-of-band. Frequency allocation and/or configurations may be provided via a field in the system information block (SIB) in NR or an equivalent system parameter provisioning in Wi-Fi (check correct terminology for Wi-Fi systems) or via a database accessible via various channels available to the WCS.
Furthermore, using the NRCC a second WCS can be informed where to find information about planned channel occupancy by a first WCS examples of which include: the form of a pre-, mid- or post amble; in any suitable form within the frame structure; attached to parts of the frames which might be kept occupied; or planned to be emptied in near future.
A Database-Centric Coordination
Possible relevant constructs of such a solution
Option A: NRCC used to communicate to a local database to assist the decisions on spectrum use
Option B: The coordinator of first WCS is requesting information from a database about a second WCS including configuration of its associated NRCC
Option C: The coordinator of a first WCS is requesting information from a database via the NRCC and/or the coordinator of a second WCS
In the depicted example above the WCS1121 is already active in a certain region and has registered to the common data base 26. The registration may include a set 28 of parameters comprising e.g.:
When another WCS, here labelled WCS2 is entering the coverage footprint of WCS1, WCS2 may register to the common database and request information about and/or configuration of WCS1 from the common data base.
In a next step, the database may provide such information/configuration to WCS2. Additionally, the WCS2 can report its configuration to the database in a similar fashion like done before by WCS1. Such configuration can be forwarded by the database to WCS1 via a push service or on demand AND/OR could be provided to WCS1 directly by WCS2 via the NRCC.
Furthermore, WCS2 could request WCS1 to reconfigure into an alternative configuration, allowing WCS2 a “fair and reasonable” coexistence in the same or overlapping footprint with WCS1. This request, targeting the registered “alternative” configurations supported by WCS1 can be done directly from WCS2 to WCS1 via the NRCC or indirectly via the database. The latter approach may involve further steps and takes longer, but has the advantage of a consistent “picture” of configurations used by WCSs in a particular area.
Furthermore, in case the database is common and considered an authority providing a spectrum management functionality, the database could act with such functionality as a local or regional supervisor/hypervisor for spectrum access coordination. This is to some degree similar to the CBRS approach.
The overall objectives of spectrum access coordination may include but are not limited to:
5
The communication may be unidirectional or bi-directional. For example, member 141,1 may suffer from interference caused by communication using set 322. Alternatively, or in addition, member 142,2 may suffer from interference from set 321. Any other condition for providing an optimization of at least one communication system 121, 122, or 123 may occur. A member, regardless if it suffers from interference or not, may measure or determine a configuration of an own or different communication system and may provide suitable information to its own control unit, to a control unit of a different communication system or to a different member of an own or a different communication system.
That is, a control unit in accordance with embodiments may transmit signal 181 and/or may receive signal 182 being illustrated in
According to the embodiment, the control unit may transmit signal 181 of
According to an embodiment, the control unit may, as an alternative or in addition, transmit signal 181 to a member of its own communication system or a member of a different communication system. The control unit may, as another alternative or in addition, transmit signal 181 to a member of its own communication system as a request or instruction to forward information contained in this signal to a member of the second communication system, which may be referred to as a child-to-child communication between different communication systems so as to finally provide a control unit with the respective information.
According to an embodiment, the control unit may receive signal 182 from its own member or a member of a different communication system.
According to an embodiment, the control unit may transmit signal 181 so as to comprise a coexistence information about a third communication system to at least a member of a second communication system. In
In other terms, wireless communication system 121 may lead to an adaptation of operation of communication system 122 to thereby allow communication system 121 to adapt its own operation to avoid, reduce or prevent disturbances based on the amended interaction between communication systems 121 and 122 on the one hand and 121 and 123 on the other hand.
When referring again to
As discussed, transmitted signals 181 and/or 182 may relate to an operating parameter of a communication system. The operating parameter may relate to at least one of a system related operating parameter of a communication system, e.g., communication system 121, 122, and/or 123, and a member related operating parameter of a member of such a communication system.
As a system related operating parameter, a parameter may be understood that relates to at least one of a past, current/present and/or future intended or expected configuration of the communication system and/or a system parameter.
Alternatively, or in addition, the member related operating parameter may relate to at least one of a past, current, and/or future intended/expected beam characteristic, radio setting, device position and/or device operation.
The operating parameter may, alternatively or in addition, relate to at least one of:
The control unit may receive information relating to a configuration of its own communication system, e.g., by receiving signal 182. It may adapt the control of its communication system 182 accordingly. For example, it may determine a deviation between an intended behavior of the communication system and a behavior that is perceived at a node that provides for information leading to signal 182. For example, the control unit may determine a priority of information and may dismiss adaptation of the control, if the priority is below a priority threshold. The priority may be associated with a node, a message type, a situation type or the like. This may allow, on the one hand, to determine if a request, command or the like is to be followed, but may also allow to decide which instructions to follow, if different, possibly contradicting instructions are received, e.g., when receiving more than one signal 182.
The priority threshold may be based on a priority level associated with the communication of the members of the own communication system operated by the control unit and/or based on a priority level associated with the control unit.
When referring again to
As described, the control unit may transmit signal 181 to a different control unit or a member of the same or a different communication system. Accordingly, a control unit in accordance with embodiments may receive information from at least one member of the same communication system, the information indicating a configuration of a different communication system. The control unit may transmit its own signal 181 based on the received information. For example, the member may have formed own measurements or at least received information indicating such measurements or other ways of observing a communication system and may provide the control unit with this information as a basis for signal 181.
The control unit may implement an adaption of a control of the communication system based on the configuration of the different communication systems, i.e., it may adapt its own control based on the behavior of a different communication system. Optionally, the control unit may inform a control unit of the second communication system about the adaption.
According to an embodiment, a control unit, e.g., control unit 161 may provide, to a different communication system, information indicating a capability of the control unit to establish a control channel and/or a capability to read information from a control channel and/or a capability to write information to a control channel and/or information indicating an operating parameter of the communication system. The control channel may be adapted for inter-system communication of the communication systems. That is, the control unit may provide information how it may communicate with other systems and/or how it may adapt its control.
The controller may provide, to a data base, e.g., database 26 in
A control unit in accordance with an embodiment may receive, from such a database inside or outside a communication system 121, information indicating a capability of a control unit of a different communication system to establish a control channel for inter-system communication of communication systems and/or indicating an operating parameter of the second communication system; such a control unit may establish the control channel based on the received information.
According to an embodiment, the control unit may receive, from a database inside or outside the communication system, information indicating a capability of a control unit of a different communication system to establish a control channel for inter-system communication of communication systems and/or indicating an operating parameter of the second communication system. The control unit may read the control channel based on the information. I.e., based on the information, it may select or become aware of a control channel and may obtain information therefrom.
According to an embodiment, the control unit may establish a control channel for inter-system communication of communication systems dependent on a validity condition of the communication system 121 and/or of the control unit. The validity condition may relate to at least one of:
Alternatively, or in addition, the validity condition may be associated with at least one of:
A mentioned negotiation between at least two communication systems may comprise, for successful and/or unsuccessful negotiation, that the control unit stores a record of the negotiation. The control unit may provide the record to other entities, e.g., automatically, periodically, upon request or the like, which may allow to monitor such events on large scale.
According to an embodiment, the control unit may refuse to establish/operate on the control channel, if the validity condition is not met. This may allow to avoid unnecessary adaption of operating parameters.
According to an embodiment, the control unit may receive information indicating the validity condition and/or information indicating that the validity condition is met and may operate accordingly.
According to an embodiment, the control unit may receive an activation signal indicating to allow or to decline establishing the control channel and may operate accordingly. This may allow to implement a high-level control and/or a deactivation of inter-communication system adaptation, e.g., in case an optimization for only a subset or even only one communication system is needed by the operator.
Control unit 162 may, however, be not adapted to successfully read such a message or information. Apparatus 180 may map the first signal to a second signal 18′1 having a different message space. Apparatus 180 may provide signal 18′1 to control unit 162 using the second message space. Therefore, a same or at least comparable information may be provided to communication unit 162. A functionality of apparatus 180 may also be referred to as translating one message or message space to another. Functionality of apparatus 180 may be included into a member 14 and/or a control unit 16, without any limitation. For example, when implementing a member 14 with such a functionality, it may receive information or a request being mapped to a first message space and may translate the message to a message space which is readable by an intended receiver, e.g., a control unit. That is, the control unit may transmit a signal by using at least a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol. Signal 181 may be transmitted by selecting one of the first communication protocol and the second communication protocol. Alternatively, or in addition, the control unit may receive signal 182 by selecting one of the first and the second communication protocol. The control unit may select one of the first communication and the second communication protocol based on a capability of a node intended to receive signal 181 or based on a capability of a transmitter of signal 182. Such a capability may be determined by the control unit based on at least one of a capability information received from the node or a database, the capability information indicating a capability of the node to establish the control channel; and/or information measured from the members of communication system 121, of the control unit, e.g., based on signals monitored from the communication system 122.
Alternatively, or in addition, the control unit may transmit signal 181 or may receive signal 182 from an intermediate communication node relaying the respective signal, the intermediate communication node being, for example, a different control unit, a different member and/or apparatus 180.
A control unit according to the described embodiments may form at least a part of a base station for a communication system but may, alternatively or in addition, form at least a part of a peer for a peer-to-peer communication system.
Whilst some of the description provided referred to the behavior of a control unit, in the following, some functionality of apparatus or members of communication systems will be described by making reference to
Apparatus 190 may transmit the signal 381 based on a signal 44 being received or perceived from an entity, i.e., a member, of the different communication system.
Apparatus 190 may transmit signal 381 responsive to at least one of—an event, a measurement or a predefined condition being met. That is, any kind of trigger may cause apparatus 190 to transmit signal 381 to request adaptation of its own communication system and/or of a different communication system. For example, the apparatus 190 may perceive interference from the different communication system and may transmit signal 381 responsive to the interference.
Alternatively, or in addition, device 190 may perceive a signalling from the other communication system containing control channel information relating to a parameter of a control channel supported by the second communication system. Apparatus 190 may report the control channel information or information derived therefrom to the control unit or to a database, e.g., using signal 381.
The parameter may relate to at least one of:
According to an embodiment, apparatus 190 may be implemented differently. Using the interface 42, it may transmit signal 381 to its control unit, the signal comprising a request to the control unit to adapt an operating parameter of its own communication system according to side constraints derived from an observed behavior of the second communication system Such constraints may refer to, for example, Tx power, the direction and tilt of transmission, radiation pattern along the main and side-lobes etc.
According to another embodiment, apparatus 190 may be implemented differently. Using the interface 42, the apparatus 190 may transmit signal 381 to the control unit so as to comprise a request to the control unit to adapt an operating parameter of its own communication system according to requests received from members or a control unit of a second communication system, e.g., receiving signal 44.
According to another embodiment, apparatus 190 may be implemented differently. Using the interface 42, apparatus 190 may transmit signal 381 to an entity of a further communication system, i.e., a member, a control unit or the like. Signal 381 may comprise a request to a further control unit of the further communication system to adapt an operating parameter of the further communication system. Apparatus 190 may transmit such a signal based on a received request to be forwarded and/or based on measurements.
The described embodiments referring to apparatus 190 may also be combined with each other. Additionally, and optionally, the apparatus 190 may, in which ever configuration it is implemented, be configured to receive the request being mapped to a first message space and for mapping the request to a second, different message space and for transmitting the request using the second message space.
One or more of the apparatus described herein may be part of a communication system. Embodiments further provide for a communication scenario comprising at least a first communication system and a second communication system, each communication system being controlled by a respective control unit. A node of a first communication system, e.g., communication system 121, may transmit a signal to a node of the second communication system, e.g., communication system 122 and/or a node of the second communication system may transmit a signal to a node of the first communication system. That is, an inter-system communication is enabled.
Such a communication scenario may be operated by use of a first access technology for the first communication system and a different access technology for the second communication system. Alternatively, the first and the second communication system may be operated by a same access technology. Also being not limited hereto, the access technology may be a radio access technology, RAT. Examples for different RAT are, for example, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G or higher, wireless local area networks, wireless metropolitan area networks or the like.
Instead of referring to a same or a different access technology, differences to be addressed may also occur, e.g., when providing a same access technology, when implementing a same or a different configuration of this access technology. This may refer, for example, to different frame structures, time schedules, frequency bands or the like.
According to an embodiment, a first and a second communication system of a communication scenario overlap at least partly in space and at least one of a time, a spectrum and polarisation. As described, for example, in connection with
As a communication scenario embodiment defines a non-stationary combination of communication systems in which at least one of the first communication system and the second communication system is non-stationary. However, this does not exclude to have, at least for a specific time interval, both communication systems unchanged. Other embodiments also provide for stationary combinations of communication systems. An example for non-stationary combinations are dimensional satellite networks, the maritime networks and/or the transportation networks.
According to an embodiment, at least one of the communication systems is a movable system and/or comprises a dynamic control configuration that changes the mutual influence between the communication systems.
A communication scenario according to an embodiment comprises a coordinating entity, e.g., authority node 36, adapted to provide a first control channel to the first communication system and to provide a second control channel to the second communication system to adapt control. When referring again to
Alternatively, or in addition, a signal transmitted from the authority node 36 may be transmitted through such a control channel.
Such a coordinating entity may be adapted to coordinate the control of the first control unit 161 and control of at least the second control unit 162 based on a combinatory parameter of the first communication network and of the second communication network 121 and 122, e.g., so as to provide for a high effectiveness of operations, a high global throughput, high global quality or the like. A coordinating unit may, thus, coordinate the control of the first control unit and the control of the second control unit based on the combinatory parameter: For example, the combinatory parameter may refer to a combinatory or common synchronization or the like, e.g., a combinatory throughput, a combinatory quality of service and/or a combinatory latency.
Whilst a coordinating entity may coordinate different communication systems, according to an embodiment, a communication scenario may comprise a higher level authority adapted to provide the first control unit 161 and/or the second control unit 162 with information indicating control rules relating to at least one of instructions, requirements, conditions or restrictions of controlling a communication network, e.g., based on local regulations or the like. The control unit 161 and/or 162 may be adapted to implement the control of communication networks accordingly.
According to an embodiment, a communication scenario may comprise a watchdog entity adapted to monitor control provided by the first control unit and/or the second control unit. Such a watchdog entity may report violation of the control against control rules. Such an entity may be part of one of the communication systems 121 and/or 122 but may also be independent or external of such systems. Possibly, a control unit is unaware of violating a regulation, e.g., when being unaware of results of its control. A watchdog may allow to obtain such information.
According to an embodiment, the communication scenario may comprise an orchestrating entity to orchestrate resources across different network domains of at least one of the first communication system and the second communication system according to an objective and to provide orchestration demands to the first control unit 161 and/or the second control unit 162 being adapted to operate accordingly.
According to an embodiment relating to a communication scenario, at least one of the control units 161 and 162 may establish a control channel for inter-system communication of communication systems dependent on a validity condition of one of the communication systems and/or one of the control units. The validity condition may be associated with a negotiation between the first communication system and the second communication system, e.g., between the control units 161 and 162, directly or via a coordinating entity or an orchestration unit; or between the control unit and a coordinating entity or an orchestration unit, wherein for an unsuccessful and/or successful negotiation, the communication scenario is to store a record of the negotiation. Any node of the communication scenario may be used for storing the record of the negotiation. The communication scenario may be adapted to provide the record, e.g., automatically, periodically, upon request or the like.
Further embodiments relate to methods being implemented by at least one node of a communication system or a communication scenario.
According to an embodiment, a method for operating a control unit controlling communication of members of a first communication system comprises transmitting a first signal relating to a configuration of the first communication system or a different second communication system and/or receiving a second signal relating to the configuration of the first communication system or the second communication system. Optionally, the method comprises receiving, from a higher level authority, information indicating control rules relating to at least one of instructions, requirements, conditions or restrictions of controlling the communication network and controlling the communication network accordingly.
According to an embodiment, a method for operating an apparatus to communicate with a first control unit configured for controlling communication of members of a first communication system and with a second control unit configured for controlling communication of members of a second communication system comprises receiving information from the first control unit, the information being mapped to a first message space. The method further comprises mapping the information to a second, different message space and providing the information to the second control unit using the second message space.
According to an embodiment, a method for operating an apparatus in a first communication system based on a control from a control unit comprises transmitting a signal using an interface, the signal comprising a request to adapt an operating parameter of the first communication system or to adapt an operating parameter of a second communication system as described, for example, in connection with apparatus 190.
According to an embodiment, a method for operating an apparatus to operate in a first communication system based on a control from a control unit comprises transmitting a signal using an interface, the signal comprising a request to adapt an operating parameter of the first communication system according to side constraints derived from an observed behavior of a second communication system.
According to an embodiment, a method for operating an apparatus to operate in a first communication system based on a control from a control unit comprises transmitting a signal using an interface, the signal comprising a request to adapt an operating parameter of the first communication system according to requests received from members or a control unit of a second communication system.
According to an embodiment, a method for operating an apparatus to operate in a first communication system based on a control from a control unit comprises transmitting a signal to an entity of a further communication system using an interface, the signal comprising a request to the further communication system to adapt an operating parameter of the further communication system.
According to an embodiment, a method for operating a communication scenario comprises controlling a first communication system at least partly by implementing a method described herein and controlling a second communication system at least partly by implementing a method as described herein. The method is implemented such that the first control unit receives or transmits the first signal and/or the second control unit receives or transmits the second signal.
Control units 161 and 162 may communicate via control channel 34 providing at least a unidirectional communication between control unit 161 and 162, advantageously a bidirectional communication.
Further, communication scenario 2000 may comprise an orchestrator and tier 48 being in communication with control unit 161 and control unit 162. By way of example, such a communication may be implemented by maintaining a respective control channel 342, 343, respectively, wherein any other means for communicating may be implemented. Such an orchestrator 48 may be of advantage, when a direct control channel 341 may not be maintained for any reason. It may provide for an alternative route and/or the orchestrator 48 may provide for additional information for controlling communication system 121 and/or communication system 122. For example, if a direct communication between the control units 161 and 162 is not possible at the moment, possibly not even when providing additional hops via members of communication system 121 or 121, then one of the control units that wants to request the other control unit to adapt its control and/or to inform the other control unit about its control may send a message to orchestrator 48 so as to try to reach the other control unit via this alternative route.
In other words, a control unit can be a coordination and/or orchestration unit or may communicate with such a unit. A network or communication system may be understood as being comprised of elements connected by suitable means allowing control via the communication of messages using a known protocol, which is also true in utility grids. A control channel such as an NRCC may provide means to transfer control messages between different networks, control systems respectively. Any network or system can be extended, according to embodiments, by a device allowing transmission and/or reception via the NRCC of another network or system, e.g., a mentioned polyglottal attaché. For example, an application of the NRCC may be to provide an auxiliary reconnection and/or channel, e.g., a radio channel, an optical channel, a power line or the like.
Suggested devices, in accordance with the embodiments, may comply with a regulator's mandate that the equipment is fitted with NRCC and is responsive to control messages sent by the regulator or other authority. Such a mandated equipment may provide information to the regulator, a different authority or a different network, communication system. Further, such a mandated equipment may optionally transmit control messages to another network or communication system. Further, such a mandated equipment may be requested to monitor according to instructions from a regulator. The device may, thus, serve as a watchdog to observe and report and optionally may act as a referee by issuing instructions to a control unit on behalf of the regulator.
According to an embodiment, a control channel may provide message containers, the purpose of which is known only to sender and the intended recipients. For example, such a message may be encrypted in a one-to-one encryption and may comprise, for example, a descriptive part such as a descriptive header or a directed address, such as an IPV6 address. Alternatively, or in addition, a multilingual address header may be implemented allowing that the addressee or a group thereof or recipients or a distribution list may be defined by different levels with regard to security, clearance, permission, authority, encryption or the like. Thereby, without knowing the content of the message, a control message may be forwarded between different communication systems, wherein the transmitter somehow expects that a possibly unknown receiver will somehow receive its message regardless which communication protocols are implemented or the like.
Such a descriptive or forwarding address header may point to a physical address, a termination address or the like and/or may include a route restriction and/or preferences. For example, a route of nodes that has to be used or that has to be avoided for providing the message and/or the response may be indicated. For example, a kind of information indicating, for example, “forward message to manager” which is one level higher than the transmitter may be transmitted until the information message is acted upon.
A device that is equipped with NRCC to two or more communication systems may serve as an orchestrator. An orchestrator can be a member of one or more communication systems but is not required to be such and can, thus, also not be a member of any orchestrated network or communication system.
Embodiments address the challenge of dynamic deployments by proposing a new radio control channel for coordination of communication systems, in particular, wireless communication systems. Embodiments allow provision of:
Benefits of Coordinated Spectrum Access:
In the future it is expected that a mentioned control channel NRCC as well as a “watchdog” allows extended use of shared spectrum
Although some aspects have been described in the context of an apparatus, it is clear that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, where a block or device corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects described in the context of a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus.
Depending on certain implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention can be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation can be performed using a digital storage medium, for example a floppy disk, a DVD, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, having electronically readable control signals stored thereon, which cooperate (or are capable of cooperating) with a programmable computer system such that the respective method is performed.
Some embodiments according to the invention comprise a data carrier having electronically readable control signals, which are capable of cooperating with a programmable computer system, such that one of the methods described herein is performed.
Generally, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program product with a program code, the program code being operative for performing one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer. The program code may for example be stored on a machine-readable carrier.
Other embodiments comprise the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein, stored on a machine-readable carrier.
In other words, an embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a computer program having a program code for performing one of the methods described herein, when the computer program runs on a computer.
A further embodiment of the inventive methods is, therefore, a data carrier (or a digital storage medium, or a computer-readable medium) comprising, recorded thereon, the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein.
A further embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a data stream or a sequence of signals representing the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. The data stream or the sequence of signals may for example be configured to be transferred via a data communication connection, for example via the Internet.
A further embodiment comprises a processing means, for example a computer, or a programmable logic device, configured to or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein.
A further embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein.
In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example a field programmable gate array) may be used to perform some or all of the functionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor in order to perform one of the methods described herein. Generally, the methods are performed by any hardware apparatus.
While this invention has been described in terms of several advantageous embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20216543.7 | Dec 2020 | EP | regional |
This application is a continuation of copending International Application No. PCT/EP2021/087236, filed Dec. 22, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and additionally claims priority from European Application No. EP 20216543.7, filed Dec. 22, 2020, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The present application concerns the field of inter communication system communication, e.g., in the field of wireless communication. The present application further relates to a new radio control channel for coordination for wireless communication systems.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2021/087236 | Dec 2021 | US |
| Child | 18337480 | US |
