Patent Application
20240389048
The following relates to wireless communications, including radio access network sharing (RAN) sharing using a transport proxy function.
Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communications system may include one or more base stations, each supporting wireless communication for communication devices, which may be known as user equipment (UE).
The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support radio access network sharing (RAN) sharing using a transport proxy function. For example, the described techniques provide for an access and mobility management function (AMF) proxy establishing a first communication link between a RAN of a first network operator and a first AMF of the first network operator via the AMF proxy and a second communication link between the RAN of the first network operator and a second AMF of a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The AMF proxy may receive a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address of the first AMF or of the second AMF. As such, the AMF proxy may transmit the message from the RAN to the first AMF via the first communication link or to the second AMF via the second communication link based on a mapping between a set of target proxy endpoint addresses including the target proxy endpoint address for the first AMF and the second AMF, and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address.
A method for wireless communications at an AMF proxy is described. The method may include establishing a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy, establishing a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy, receiving a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, and transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the first AMF associated with the first network operator via the first communication link or transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the second communication link, where the message is transmitted to the first AMF or the second AMF based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target proxy endpoint addresses.
An apparatus for wireless communications at an AMF proxy is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to establish a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy, establish a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy, receive a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, and transmit the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the first AMF associated with the first network operator via the first communication link or transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the second communication link, where the message is transmitted to the first AMF or the second AMF based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses include the target proxy endpoint addresses.
Another apparatus for wireless communications at an AMF proxy is described. The apparatus may include means for establishing a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy, means for establishing a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy, means for receiving a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, and means for transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the first AMF associated with the first network operator via the first communication link or transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the second communication link, where the message is transmitted to the first AMF or the second AMF based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses include the target proxy endpoint addresses.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at an AMF proxy is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to establish a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy, establish a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy, receive a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, and transmit the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the first AMF associated with the first network operator via the first communication link or transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the second communication link, where the message is transmitted to the first AMF or the second AMF based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses include the target proxy endpoint addresses.
Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for establishing a set of multiple communication links between a set of multiple RANs and a set of multiple AMFs via the AMF proxy, where each communication link of the set of multiple communication links may be between a respective RAN of a set of multiple RANs and a respective AMF of a set of multiple AMFs, where the set of multiple communication links includes the first communication link and the second communication link.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions where a first communication link is established directly between the RAN and the first AMF and the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for establishing the second communication link between the RAN and the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the first AMF, where the first AMF acts as the AMF proxy.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, receiving the message from the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link may include operations, features, means, or instructions for refraining from decoding the message from the RAN and transmitting the message to the first AMF via the first communication link or to the second AMF via the second communication link using the one or more source proxy endpoint addresses, where the one or more source proxy endpoint addresses correspond to the RAN.
Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from the first AMF via the first communication link or from the second AMF via the second communication link, a second message for the RAN from the second AMF associated with the first network operator, the second message being directed towards a second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN and transmitting the second message to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link based on the second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the first communication link terminates at the RAN associated with the first network operator and at the first AMF associated with the first network operator, and where the second communication link terminates at the RAN associated with the first network operator and at the second AMF associated with the second network operator.
A method for wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator is described. The method may include establishing a first communication link between a first AMF associated with the first network operator via an AMF proxy, establishing a second communication link between a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy, and transmitting, to the AMF proxy, a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN, for the first AMF via the first communication link or for a second AMF via the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, where the message is transmitted to the AMF proxy based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target proxy endpoint address.
An apparatus for wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to establish a first communication link between a first AMF associated with the first network operator via an AMF proxy, establish a second communication link between a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy, and transmit, to the AMF proxy, a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN, for the first AMF via the first communication link or for a second AMF via the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, where the message is transmitted to the AMF proxy based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target proxy endpoint address.
Another apparatus for wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator is described. The apparatus may include means for establishing a first communication link between a first AMF associated with the first network operator via an AMF proxy, means for establishing a second communication link between a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy, and means for transmitting, to the AMF proxy, a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN, for the first AMF via the first communication link or for a second AMF via the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, where the message is transmitted to the AMF proxy based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target proxy endpoint address.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to establish a first communication link between a first AMF associated with the first network operator via an AMF proxy, establish a second communication link between a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy, and transmit, to the AMF proxy, a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN, for the first AMF via the first communication link or for a second AMF via the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, where the message is transmitted to the AMF proxy based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target proxy endpoint address.
Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for establishing a set of multiple communication links between a set of multiple AMFs and a set of multiple RANs via the AMF proxy, where each communication link of the set of multiple communication links may be between a respective RAN of a set of multiple RANs and a respective AMF of a set of multiple AMFs, where the set of multiple communication links includes the first communication link and the second communication link.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions where a first communication link is established directly between the RAN and the first AMF and the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for establishing the second communication link between the second AMF and the RAN via the first AMF, where the first AMF acts as the AMF proxy.
Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from the first AMF via the first communication link or from the second AMF via the second communication link, a second message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address that corresponds to the RAN.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, both the first communication link and the second communication link terminate at the RAN.
A method for wireless communications at a first AMF is described. The method may include establishing a communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and the first AMF via an AMF proxy, receiving, from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the communication link, a message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF, and decoding the message from the RAN based on the source proxy endpoint address and the target proxy endpoint address of the message.
An apparatus for wireless communications at a first AMF is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory coupled with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to establish a communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and the first AMF via an AMF proxy, receive, from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the communication link, a message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF, and decode the message from the RAN based on the source proxy endpoint address and the target proxy endpoint address of the message.
Another apparatus for wireless communications at a first AMF is described. The apparatus may include means for establishing a communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and the first AMF via an AMF proxy, means for receiving, from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the communication link, a message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF, and means for decoding the message from the RAN based on the source proxy endpoint address and the target proxy endpoint address of the message.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a first AMF is described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to establish a communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and the first AMF via an AMF proxy, receive, from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the communication link, a message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF, and decode the message from the RAN based on the source proxy endpoint address and the target proxy endpoint address of the message.
Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for establishing a set of multiple communication links between a set of multiple RANs and a set of multiple AMFs via the AMF proxy, where each communication link of the set of multiple communication links may be between a respective RAN of a set of multiple RANs and the AMF, where the set of multiple communication links includes the communication link.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, establishing the communication link may include operations, features, means, or instructions for establishing the communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and the first AMF via the AMF proxy, where the first AMF may be associated with the first network operator or a second network operator.
Some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, to the AMF proxy via the communication link, a second message for the RAN, the second message being directed towards a second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN.
In some examples of the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the communication link terminates at the AMF.
In some wireless communication systems, devices (e.g., user equipments (UEs), network entities, core networks nodes) may belong to a network operator. Some network operators may deploy network entities (e.g., base stations) and core network nodes (e.g., access and mobility management functions (AMFs)) to serve UEs. For example, a first network operator may deploy network entities to setup a radio access network sharing (RAN) that supports wireless communications for the first network operator UEs (e.g., UEs subscribed to or operated by the first network operator). A RAN may include one or more components, such as base station or network entities, that support communications for one or more wireless devices, such as UEs. In some cases, the first network operator may share the first network operator deployment (e.g., its RAN) with a second network operator so that the second network operator may refrain from setting up or placing network entities to support a RAN that supports wireless communication for the second network operator UEs. In doing so, the second network operator may instead use the RAN deployed by the first network operator to support communications for the second network operator UEs within the RAN.
Traditionally, to support network sharing in this manner, the RAN may independently connect with an AMF of the first network operator and an AMF of the second network operator and may forward messages to a respective AMF depending on the network operator of the UE that sent the message to the RAN. The second network operator, however, may refrain from placing any local AMFs to connect to the RAN deployed by the first network operator (e.g., due to cost constraints, hardware constraints, or both). As such, without any local second network operator AMFs, the RAN (deployed by first network operator) may be unable to be shared with the second network operator and may therefore be unable to forward messages from the second network operator UEs to the second network operator core network.
According to aspects herein, the first network operator and the second network operator may use an AMF proxy function to provide connectivity between the RAN of the first network operator and a remote AMF of the second network operator. In some cases, the AMF proxy function may be referred to as a transport proxy. When being utilized as a transport proxy, an AMF proxy may allow the first network operator to share its RAN deployment with the second network operator while the second network operator may refrain from placing any local AMFs. For example, the RAN of first network operator may connect directly with the AMF proxy with a quantity of connections (e.g., communication links and interfaces) equal to a quantity of AMFs connected to the AMF proxy. The AMF proxy may the connect with the AMF of the first network operator and the AMF of second network operator via individual connections. That is, the RAN may connect with each respective AMF using different connections or interfaces, via the AMF proxy. When transmitting messages, the RAN may transmit the messages for each AMF on the respective connection or interface between the RAN and the AMF via the AMF proxy. The AMF proxy may receive the message and based on the connection or interface the AMF proxy received the message on and the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address, the AMF proxy may forward the message to the correct AMF. As such, using the AMF proxy function may result in a decrease in latency and an increase in the efficiency of communications.
Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communications systems. Additional aspects of the disclosure are described herein with reference to a wireless communications system, a network architecture diagram, and a process flow. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to RAN sharing using a transport proxy function.
The network entities 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communications system 100 and may include devices in different forms or having different capabilities. In various examples, a network entity 105 may be referred to as a network element, a mobility element, a RAN node, or network equipment, among other nomenclature. In some examples, network entities 105 and UEs 115 may wirelessly communicate via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) access link). For example, a network entity 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area) over which the UEs 115 and the network entity 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which a network entity 105 and a UE 115 may support the communication of signals according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs).
The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout a coverage area 110 of the wireless communications system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary, or mobile, or both at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some example UEs 115 are illustrated in
As described herein, a node of the wireless communications system 100, which may be referred to as a network node, or a wireless node, may be a network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein), a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), a network controller, an apparatus, a device, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, a node may be a UE 115. As another example, a node may be a network entity 105. As another example, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a network entity 105. In yet other aspects of this example, the first, second, and third nodes may be different relative to these examples. Similarly, reference to a UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, or the like may include disclosure of the UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, or the like being a node. For example, disclosure that a UE 115 is configured to receive information from a network entity 105 also discloses that a first node is configured to receive information from a second node.
In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130, or with one another, or both. For example, network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130 via one or more backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., in accordance with an S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocol). In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via a backhaul communication link 120 (e.g., in accordance with an X2, Xn, or other interface protocol) either directly (e.g., directly between network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via a core network 130). In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., in accordance with a midhaul interface protocol) or a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., in accordance with a fronthaul interface protocol), or any combination thereof. The backhaul communication links 120, midhaul communication links 162, or fronthaul communication links 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., an electrical link, an optical fiber link), one or more wireless links (e.g., a radio link, a wireless optical link), among other examples or various combinations thereof. A UE 115 may communicate with the core network 130 via a communication link 155.
One or more of the network entities 105 described herein may include or may be referred to as a base station 140 (e.g., a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an NR base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next-generation NodeB or a giga-NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB), a 5G NB, a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), a Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or other suitable terminology). In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, standalone) base station architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node, such as a base station 140).
In some examples, a network entity 105 may be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., a disaggregated base station architecture, a disaggregated RAN architecture), which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among two or more network entities 105, such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN)). For example, a network entity 105 may include one or more of a central unit (CU) 160, a distributed unit (DU) 165, a radio unit (RU) 170, a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., a Near-Real Time RIC (Near-RT RIC), a Non-Real Time RIC (Non-RT RIC)), a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) 180 system, or any combination thereof. An RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH), a remote radio unit (RRU), or a transmission reception point (TRP). One or more components of the network entities 105 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entities 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network entities 105 of a disaggregated RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., a virtual CU (VCU), a virtual DU (VDU), a virtual RU (VRU)).
The split of functionality between a CU 160, a DU 165, and an RU 170 is flexible and may support different functionalities depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combinations thereof) are performed at a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between a CU 160 and a DU 165 such that the CU 160 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU 165 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some examples, the CU 160 may host upper protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3), layer 2 (L2)) functionality and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC), service data adaption protocol (SDAP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)). The CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170, and the one or more DUs 165 or RUs 170 may host lower protocol layers, such as layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160. Additionally, or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between a DU 165 and an RU 170 such that the DU 165 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the RU 170 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU 165 may support one or multiple different cells (e.g., via one or more RUs 170). In some cases, a functional split between a CU 160 and a DU 165, or between a DU 165 and an RU 170 may be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions for a protocol layer may be performed by one of a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU 160, the DU 165, or the RU 170). A CU 160 may be functionally split further into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. A CU 160 may be connected to one or more DUs 165 via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u), and a DU 165 may be connected to one or more RUs 170 via a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface). In some examples, a midhaul communication link 162 or a fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented in accordance with an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities 105 that are in communication via such communication links.
In wireless communications systems (e.g., wireless communications system 100), infrastructure and spectral resources for radio access may support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to a core network 130). In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) may be partially controlled by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as a donor entity or an IAB donor. One or more DUs 165 or one or more RUs 170 may be partially controlled by one or more CUs 160 associated with a donor network entity 105 (e.g., a donor base station 140). The one or more donor network entities 105 (e.g., IAB donors) may be in communication with one or more additional network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication links 120). IAB nodes 104 may include an IAB mobile termination (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by DUs 165 of a coupled IAB donor. An IAB-MT may include an independent set of antennas for relay of communications with UEs 115, or may share the same antennas (e.g., of an RU 170) of an IAB node 104 used for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node 104 (e.g., referred to as virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT)). In some examples, the IAB nodes 104 may include DUs 165 that support communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB nodes 104, UEs 115) within the relay chain or configuration of the access network (e.g., downstream). In such cases, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104 or components of IAB nodes 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.
For instance, an access network (AN) or RAN may include communications between access nodes (e.g., an IAB donor), IAB nodes 104, and one or more UEs 115. The IAB donor may facilitate connection between the core network 130 and the AN (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130). That is, an IAB donor may refer to a RAN node with a wired or wireless connection to core network 130. The IAB donor may include a CU 160 and at least one DU 165 (e.g., and RU 170), in which case the CU 160 may communicate with the core network 130 via an interface (e.g., a backhaul link). IAB donor and IAB nodes 104 may communicate via an F1 interface according to a protocol that defines signaling messages (e.g., an F1 AP protocol). Additionally, or alternatively, the CU 160 may communicate with the core network via an interface, which may be an example of a portion of backhaul link, and may communicate with other CUs 160 (e.g., a CU 160 associated with an alternative IAB donor) via an Xn-C interface, which may be an example of a portion of a backhaul link.
An IAB node 104 may refer to a RAN node that provides IAB functionality (e.g., access for UEs 115, wireless self-backhauling capabilities). A DU 165 may act as a distributed scheduling node towards child nodes associated with the IAB node 104, and the IAB-MT may act as a scheduled node towards parent nodes associated with the IAB node 104. That is, an IAB donor may be referred to as a parent node in communication with one or more child nodes (e.g., an IAB donor may relay transmissions for UEs through one or more other IAB nodes 104). Additionally, or alternatively, an IAB node 104 may also be referred to as a parent node or a child node to other IAB nodes 104, depending on the relay chain or configuration of the AN. Therefore, the IAB-MT entity of IAB nodes 104 may provide a Uu interface for a child IAB node 104 to receive signaling from a parent IAB node 104, and the DU interface (e.g., DUs 165) may provide a Uu interface for a parent IAB node 104 to signal to a child IAB node 104 or UE 115.
For example, IAB node 104 may be referred to as a parent node that supports communications for a child IAB node, or referred to as a child IAB node associated with an IAB donor, or both. The IAB donor may include a CU 160 with a wired or wireless connection (e.g., a backhaul communication link 120) to the core network 130 and may act as parent node to IAB nodes 104. For example, the DU 165 of IAB donor may relay transmissions to UEs 115 through IAB nodes 104, or may directly signal transmissions to a UE 115, or both. The CU 160 of IAB donor may signal communication link establishment via an F1 interface to IAB nodes 104, and the IAB nodes 104 may schedule transmissions (e.g., transmissions to the UEs 115 relayed from the IAB donor) through the DUs 165. That is, data may be relayed to and from IAB nodes 104 via signaling via an NR Uu interface to MT of the IAB node 104. Communications with IAB node 104 may be scheduled by a DU 165 of IAB donor and communications with IAB node 104 may be scheduled by DU 165 of IAB node 104.
In the case of the techniques described herein applied in the context of a disaggregated RAN architecture, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured to support RAN sharing using a transport proxy function as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by a UE 115 or a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may additionally, or alternatively, be performed by one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., IAB nodes 104, DUs 165, CUs 160, RUs 170, RIC 175, SMO 180).
A UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where the “device” may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. A UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, a UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communications (MTC) device, among other examples, which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances, or vehicles, meters, among other examples.
The UEs 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as other UEs 115 that may sometimes act as relays as well as the network entities 105 and the network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, among other examples, as shown in
The UEs 115 and the network entities 105 may wirelessly communicate with one another via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., an access link) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term “carrier” may refer to a set of RF spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting the communication links 125. For example, a carrier used for a communication link 125 may include a portion of a RF spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth part (BWP)) that is operated according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling that coordinates operation for the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communications system 100 may support communication with a UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. A UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD) component carriers. Communication between a network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between the devices and any portion (e.g., entity, sub-entity) of a network entity 105. For example, the terms “transmitting,” “receiving,” or “communicating,” when referring to a network entity 105, may refer to any portion of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, a CU 160, a DU 165, a RU 170) of a RAN communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities 105).
In some examples, such as in a carrier aggregation configuration, a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates operations for other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., an evolved universal mobile telecommunication system terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) absolute RF channel number (EARFCN)) and may be identified according to a channel raster for discovery by the UEs 115. A carrier may be operated in a standalone mode, in which case initial acquisition and connection may be conducted by the UEs 115 via the carrier, or the carrier may be operated in a non-standalone mode, in which case a connection is anchored using a different carrier (e.g., of the same or a different radio access technology).
The communication links 125 shown in the wireless communications system 100 may include downlink transmissions (e.g., forward link transmissions) from a network entity 105 to a UE 115, uplink transmissions (e.g., return link transmissions) from a UE 115 to a network entity 105, or both, among other configurations of transmissions. Carriers may carry downlink or uplink communications (e.g., in an FDD mode) or may be configured to carry downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in a TDD mode).
A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the RF spectrum and, in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as a “system bandwidth” of the carrier or the wireless communications system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of a set of bandwidths for carriers of a particular radio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 megahertz (MHz)). Devices of the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., the network entities 105, the UEs 115, or both) may have hardware configurations that support communications using a particular carrier bandwidth or may be configurable to support communications using one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may include network entities 105 or UEs 115 that support concurrent communications using carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured for operating using portions (e.g., a sub-band, a BWP) or all of a carrier bandwidth.
Signal waveforms transmitted via a carrier may be made up of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to resources of one symbol period (e.g., a duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, in which case the symbol period and subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The quantity of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both), such that a relatively higher quantity of resource elements (e.g., in a transmission duration) and a relatively higher order of a modulation scheme may correspond to a relatively higher rate of communication. A wireless communications resource may refer to a combination of an RF spectrum resource, a time resource, and a spatial resource (e.g., a spatial layer, a beam), and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity for communications with a UE 115.
One or more numerologies for a carrier may be supported, and a numerology may include a subcarrier spacing (Δf) and a cyclic prefix. A carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs having the same or different numerologies. In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured with multiple BWPs. In some examples, a single BWP for a carrier may be active at a given time and communications for the UE 115 may be restricted to one or more active BWPs.
The time intervals for the network entities 105 or the UEs 115 may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit which may, for example, refer to a sampling period of Ts=1/(Δfmax·Nf) seconds, for which Δfmax may represent a supported subcarrier spacing, and Nf may represent a supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. Time intervals of a communications resource may be organized according to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023).
Each frame may include multiple consecutively-numbered subframes or slots, and each subframe or slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a quantity of slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable quantity of slots, and the quantity of slots may depend on subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include a quantity of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period). In some wireless communications systems 100, a slot may further be divided into multiple mini-slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., Nf) sampling periods. The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or frequency band of operation.
A subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communications system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., a quantity of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally, or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).
Physical channels may be multiplexed for communication using a carrier according to various techniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel may be multiplexed for signaling via a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more of time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) for a physical control channel may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may extend across the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of the carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of the UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search control regions for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or multiple control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for a control channel candidate may refer to an amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with encoded information for a control information format having a given payload size. Search space sets may include common search space sets configured for sending control information to multiple UEs 115 and UE-specific search space sets for sending control information to a specific UE 115.
A network entity 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells, for example a macro cell, a small cell, a hot spot, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof. The term “cell” may refer to a logical communication entity used for communication with a network entity 105 (e.g., using a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier for distinguishing neighboring cells (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID), or others). In some examples, a cell also may refer to a coverage area 110 or a portion of a coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) over which the logical communication entity operates. Such cells may range from smaller areas (e.g., a structure, a subset of structure) to larger areas depending on various factors such as the capabilities of the network entity 105. For example, a cell may be or include a building, a subset of a building, or exterior spaces between or overlapping with coverage areas 110, among other examples.
A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by the UEs 115 with service subscriptions with the network provider supporting the macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a lower-powered network entity 105 (e.g., a lower-powered base station 140), as compared with a macro cell, and a small cell may operate using the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed) frequency bands as macro cells. Small cells may provide unrestricted access to the UEs 115 with service subscriptions with the network provider or may provide restricted access to the UEs 115 having an association with the small cell (e.g., the UEs 115 in a closed subscriber group (CSG), the UEs 115 associated with users in a home or office). A network entity 105 may support one or multiple cells and may also support communications via the one or more cells using one or multiple component carriers.
In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)) that may provide access for different types of devices.
In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) may be movable and therefore provide communication coverage for a moving coverage area 110. In some examples, different coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but the different coverage areas 110 may be supported by the same network entity 105. In some other examples, the overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communications system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of the network entities 105 provide coverage for various coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.
The wireless communications system 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140) may have similar frame timings, and transmissions from different network entities 105 may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, network entities 105 may have different frame timings, and transmissions from different network entities 105 may, in some examples, not be aligned in time. The techniques described herein may be used for either synchronous or asynchronous operations.
Some UEs 115, such as MTC or IoT devices, may be low cost or low complexity devices and may provide for automated communication between machines (e.g., via Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technologies that allow devices to communicate with one another or a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communications from devices that integrate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay such information to a central server or application program that uses the information or presents the information to humans interacting with the application program. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or enable automated behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based business charging.
Some UEs 115 may be configured to employ operating modes that reduce power consumption, such as half-duplex communications (e.g., a mode that supports one-way communication via transmission or reception, but not transmission and reception concurrently). In some examples, half-duplex communications may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power conservation techniques for the UEs 115 include entering a power saving deep sleep mode when not engaging in active communications, operating using a limited bandwidth (e.g., according to narrowband communications), or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UEs 115 may be configured for operation using a narrowband protocol type that is associated with a defined portion or range (e.g., set of subcarriers or resource blocks (RBs)) within a carrier, within a guard-band of a carrier, or outside of a carrier.
The wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communications or low-latency communications, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). The UEs 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communications may include private communication or group communication and may be supported by one or more services such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.
In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured to support communicating directly with other UEs 115 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., in accordance with a peer-to-peer (P2P), D2D, or sidelink protocol). In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of a group that are performing D2D communications may be within the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170), which may support aspects of such D2D communications being configured by (e.g., scheduled by) the network entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 or may be otherwise unable to or not configured to receive transmissions from a network entity 105. In some examples, groups of the UEs 115 communicating via D2D communications may support a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to each of the other UEs 115 in the group. In some examples, a network entity 105 may facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In some other examples, D2D communications may be carried out between the UEs 115 without an involvement of a network entity 105.
In some systems, a D2D communication link 135 may be an example of a communication channel, such as a sidelink communication channel, between vehicles (e.g., UEs 115). In some examples, vehicles may communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, or some combination of these. A vehicle may signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergencies, or any other information relevant to a V2X system. In some examples, vehicles in a V2X system may communicate with roadside infrastructure, such as roadside units, or with the network via one or more network nodes (e.g., network entities 105, base stations 140, RUs 170) using vehicle-to-network (V2N) communications, or with both.
The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC), which may include at least one control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), AMF) and at least one user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)). The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for the UEs 115 served by the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be transferred through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to IP services 150 for one or more network operators. The IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, Intranet(s), an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or a Packet-Switched Streaming Service.
The wireless communications system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, which may be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, which may be referred to as clusters, but the waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macro cell to provide service to the UEs 115 located indoors. Communications using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to communications using the smaller frequencies and longer waves of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300 MHz.
The wireless communications system 100 may also operate using a super high frequency (SHF) region, which may be in the range of 3 GHz to 30 GHz, also known as the centimeter band, or using an extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz), also known as the millimeter band. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between the UEs 115 and the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140, RUs 170), and EHF antennas of the respective devices may be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some examples, such techniques may facilitate using antenna arrays within a device. The propagation of EHF transmissions, however, may be subject to even greater attenuation and shorter range than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed across transmissions that use one or more different frequency regions, and designated use of bands across these frequency regions may differ by country or regulating body.
The wireless communications system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may employ License Assisted Access (LAA), LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology using an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. While operating using unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as the network entities 105 and the UEs 115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations using unlicensed bands may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriers operating using a licensed band (e.g., LAA). Operations using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among other examples.
A network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) or a UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of a network entity 105 or a UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with a network entity 105 may be located at diverse geographic locations. A network entity 105 may include an antenna array with a set of rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 105 may use to support beamforming of communications with a UE 115. Likewise, a UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally, or alternatively, an antenna panel may support RF beamforming for a signal transmitted via an antenna port.
The network entities 105 or the UEs 115 may use MIMO communications to exploit multipath signal propagation and increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such techniques may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may, for example, be transmitted by the transmitting device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Likewise, the multiple signals may be received by the receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry information associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). Different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multiple-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), for which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.
Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a network entity 105, a UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining the signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating along particular orientations with respect to an antenna array experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. The adjustment of signals communicated via the antenna elements may include a transmitting device or a receiving device applying amplitude offsets, phase offsets, or both to signals carried via the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device or receiving device, or with respect to some other orientation).
A network entity 105 or a UE 115 may use beam sweeping techniques as part of beamforming operations. For example, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to conduct beamforming operations for directional communications with a UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted by a network entity 105 multiple times along different directions. For example, the network entity 105 may transmit a signal according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different directions of transmission. Transmissions along different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by a transmitting device, such as a network entity 105, or by a receiving device, such as a UE 115) a beam direction for later transmission or reception by the network entity 105.
Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be transmitted by transmitting device (e.g., a transmitting network entity 105, a transmitting UE 115) along a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with the receiving device, such as a receiving network entity 105 or a receiving UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based on a signal that was transmitted along one or more beam directions. For example, a UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the network entity 105 along different directions and may report to the network entity 105 an indication of the signal that the UE 115 received with a highest signal quality or an otherwise acceptable signal quality.
In some examples, transmissions by a device (e.g., by a network entity 105 or a UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from a network entity 105 to a UE 115). The UE 115 may report feedback that indicates precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured set of beams across a system bandwidth or one or more sub-bands. The network entity 105 may transmit a reference signal (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)), which may be precoded or unprecoded. The UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel type codebook, a linear combination type codebook, a port selection type codebook). Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted along one or more directions by a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170), a UE 115 may employ similar techniques for transmitting signals multiple times along different directions (e.g., for identifying a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE 115) or for transmitting a signal along a single direction (e.g., for transmitting data to a receiving device).
A receiving device (e.g., a UE 115) may perform reception operations in accordance with multiple receive configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals from a receiving device (e.g., a network entity 105), such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals. For example, a receiving device may perform reception in accordance with multiple receive directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets (e.g., different directional listening weight sets) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processing received signals according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as “listening” according to different receive configurations or receive directions. In some examples, a receiving device may use a single receive configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receive configuration may be aligned along a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have a highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or otherwise acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).
The wireless communications system 100 may be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communications at the bearer or PDCP layer may be IP-based. An RLC layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate via logical channels. A MAC layer may perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer also may implement error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmissions to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, an RRC layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection between a UE 115 and a network entity 105 or a core network 130 supporting radio bearers for user plane data. A PHY layer may map transport channels to physical channels.
The UEs 115 and the network entities 105 may support retransmissions of data to increase the likelihood that data is received successfully. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback is one technique for increasing the likelihood that data is received correctly via a communication link (e.g., a communication link 125, a D2D communication link 135). HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ may improve throughput at the MAC layer in poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise conditions). In some examples, a device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, in which case the device may provide HARQ feedback in a specific slot for data received via a previous symbol in the slot. In some other examples, the device may provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent slot, or according to some other time interval.
In some examples of the wireless communications system 100, devices (e.g., UEs 115, network entities 105, core networks 130 nodes) may belong to a network operator. Some network operators may deploy network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140) and core network 130 nodes (e.g., AMFs) to serve UEs 115. For example, a first network operator may deploy network entities 105 to setup a RAN that supports wireless communications for the first network operator UEs 115 (e.g., UEs 115 subscribed to or operated by the first network operator). In some cases, the first network operator may share the first network operator deployment (e.g., its RAN) with a second network operator so that the second network operator may refrain from setting up or placing network entities to support a RAN that supports wireless communication for the second network operator UEs 115. In doing so, the second network operator may instead use the RAN deployed by the first network operator to support communications for the second network operator UEs 115 within the RAN.
Traditionally, to support network sharing in this manner, the RAN may independently connect with an AMF of the first network operator and an AMF of the second network operator and may forward messages to a respective AMF depending on the network operator of the UE 115 that sent the message to the RAN. The second network operator, however, may refrain from placing any local AMFs to connect to the RAN deployed by the first network operator (e.g., due to cost constraints, hardware constraints, or both). As such, without any local second network operator AMFs, the RAN (deployed by first network operator) may be unable to be shared with the second network operator and may therefore be unable to forward messages from the second network operator UEs 115 to the second network operator core network.
Therefore, the first network operator and the second network operator may use an AMF proxy function to provide connectivity between the RAN of the first network operator and a remote AMF of the second network operator. In some cases, the AMF proxy function may be referred to as a transport proxy. When being utilized as a transport proxy, an AMF proxy may allow the first network operator to share its RAN deployment with the second network operator while the second network operator refrains from placing any local AMFs. For example, the RAN of first network operator may connect directly with the AMF proxy with a quantity of connections (e.g., communication links and interfaces) equal to a quantity of AMFs connected to the AMF proxy. The AMF proxy may the connect with the AMF of the first network operator and the AMF of second network operator via individual connections. That is, the RAN may connect with each respective AMF using different connections or interfaces, via the AMF proxy. When transmitting messages, the RAN may transmit the messages for each AMF on the respective connection or interface between the RAN and the AMF via the AMF proxy. The AMF proxy may receive the message and based on the connection or interface the AMF proxy received the message on and the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint, the AMF proxy may forward the message to the correct AMF. As such, using the AMF proxy function may result in a decrease in latency and an increase in the efficiency of communications.
Each of the network entities 105 of the network architecture 200 (e.g., CUs 160-a, DUs 165-a, RUs 170-a, Non-RT RICs 175-a, Near-RT RICs 175-b, SMOs 180-a, Open Clouds (O-Clouds) 205, Open eNBs (O-eNBs) 210) may include one or more interfaces or may be coupled with one or more interfaces configured to receive or transmit signals (e.g., data, information) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each network entity 105, or an associated processor (e.g., controller) providing instructions to an interface of the network entity 105, may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other network entities 105 via the transmission medium. For example, the network entities 105 may include a wired interface configured to receive or transmit signals over a wired transmission medium to one or more of the other network entities 105. Additionally, or alternatively, the network entities 105 may include a wireless interface, which may include a receiver, a transmitter, or transceiver (e.g., an RF transceiver) configured to receive or transmit signals, or both, over a wireless transmission medium to one or more of the other network entities 105.
In some examples, a CU 160-a may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include RRC, PDCP, SDAP, or the like. Each control function may be implemented with an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by the CU 160-a. A CU 160-a may be configured to handle user plane functionality (e.g., CU-UP), control plane functionality (e.g., CU-CP), or a combination thereof. In some examples, a CU 160-a may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. A CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface, such as an E1 interface when implemented in an O-RAN configuration. A CU 160-a may be implemented to communicate with a DU 165-a, as necessary, for network control and signaling.
A DU 165-a may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more functions (e.g., base station functions, RAN functions) to control the operation of one or more RUs 170-a. In some examples, a DU 165-a may host, at least partially, one or more of an RLC layer, a MAC layer, and one or more aspects of a PHY layer (e.g., a high PHY layer, such as modules for FEC encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, or the like) depending, at least in part, on a functional split, such as those defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In some examples, a DU 165-a may further host one or more low PHY layers. Each layer may be implemented with an interface configured to communicate signals with other layers hosted by the DU 165-a, or with control functions hosted by a CU 160-a.
In some examples, lower-layer functionality may be implemented by one or more RUs 170-a. For example, an RU 170-a, controlled by a DU 165-a, may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions, or low-PHY layer functions (e.g., performing fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, or the like), or both, based at least in part on the functional split, such as a lower-layer functional split. In such an architecture, an RU 170-a may be implemented to handle over the air (OTA) communication with one or more UEs 115-a. In some implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communication with the RU(s) 170-a may be controlled by the corresponding DU 165-a. In some examples, such a configuration may enable a DU 165-a and a CU 160-a to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture, such as a vRAN architecture.
The SMO 180-a may be configured to support RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized and virtualized network entities 105. For non-virtualized network entities 105, the SMO 180-a may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements which may be managed via an operations and maintenance interface (e.g., an O1 interface). For virtualized network entities 105, the SMO 180-a may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (e.g., an O-Cloud 205) to perform network entity life cycle management (e.g., to instantiate virtualized network entities 105) via a cloud computing platform interface (e.g., an O2 interface). Such virtualized network entities 105 can include, but are not limited to, CUs 160-a, DUs 165-a, RUs 170-a, and Near-RT RICs 175-b. In some implementations, the SMO 180-a may communicate with components configured in accordance with a 4G RAN (e.g., via an O1 interface). Additionally, or alternatively, in some implementations, the SMO 180-a may communicate directly with one or more RUs 170-a via an O1 interface. The SMO 180-a also may include a Non-RT RIC 175-a configured to support functionality of the SMO 180-a.
The Non-RT RIC 175-a may be configured to include a logical function that enables non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) workflows including model training and updates, or policy-based guidance of applications/features in the Near-RT RIC 175-b. The Non-RT RIC 175-a may be coupled to or communicate with (e.g., via an A1 interface) the Near-RT RIC 175-b. The Near-RT RIC 175-b may be configured to include a logical function that enables near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions over an interface (e.g., via an E2 interface) connecting one or more CUs 160-a, one or more DUs 165-a, or both, as well as an O-eNB 210, with the Near-RT RIC 175-b.
In some examples, to generate AI/ML models to be deployed in the Near-RT RIC 175-b, the Non-RT RIC 175-a may receive parameters or external enrichment information from external servers. Such information may be utilized by the Near-RT RIC 175-b and may be received at the SMO 180-a or the Non-RT RIC 175-a from non-network data sources or from network functions. In some examples, the Non-RT RIC 175-a or the Near-RT RIC 175-b may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the Non-RT RIC 175-a may monitor long-term trends and patterns for performance and employ AI or ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO 180-a (e.g., reconfiguration via O1) or via generation of RAN management policies (e.g., A1 policies).
In some examples of the network architecture 200, network entities 105 may use an AMF proxy function to provide connectivity between a RAN of a first network operator and a remote AMF of a second network operator. In some cases, the AMF proxy function may be referred to as a transport proxy. When being utilized as a transport proxy, an AMF proxy may allow the first network operator to share its RAN deployment with the second network operator while the second network operator refrains from placing any local AMFs. For example, the RAN of first network operator may connect directly with the AMF proxy with a quantity of connections (e.g., communication links and interfaces) equal to a quantity of AMFs connected to the AMF proxy. The AMF proxy may the connect with the AMF of the first network operator and the AMF of second network operator via individual connections. That is, the RAN may connect with each respective AMF using different connections or interfaces, via the AMF proxy.
When transmitting messages, the RAN may transmit the messages for each AMF on the respective connection or interface between the RAN and the AMF via the AMF proxy. The AMF proxy may receive the message and based on the connection or interface the AMF proxy received the message on and the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint, the AMF proxy may forward the message to the correct AMF. As such, using the AMF proxy function may result in a decrease in latency and an increase in the efficiency of communications. Further, when performing RAN sharing via the AMF proxy, the network architecture 200 may support one or more CUs 160-a to communicate with core networks 130 of different network operators (e.g., the first network operator and the second network operator). Additional descriptions of such techniques using the AMF proxy may be described with reference to
In the wireless communications system 300, wireless devices may be subscribed to or serviced by a network operator. A network operator may be an operator or service provider that may provide cellular or wireless services (e.g., communication of data) to wireless devices (e.g., UEs 115, network entities 105). For example, the UE 115-a, the network entity 105-a, and the core network 130-b may be operated by (e.g., configured for operations with) a first network operator 305, while the UE 115-b and core network 130-c may be operated by (e.g., configured for operations with) a second network operator 310. Further, a network operator may establish one or more RANs to provide support for UEs 115 subscribed to or operated by a given network operator. For example, the first network operator 305 may establish a RAN 315 that includes the network entity 105-a.
In some cases, a RAN 315 may be shared between different operators (e.g., in a multi-operator core network (MOCN) architecture). That is the first network operator 305 may share the RAN 315 (e.g., and the network entity 105-a included in RAN 315) with the second network operator 310. For example, the UE 115-b of the second network operator 310 may be within the coverage area of the RAN 315 and outside a coverage area of a RAN for the second network operator 310. In some cases, RAN 315 may be shared with the second network operator 310 such that the UE 115-b of the second network operator 310 may connect with the RAN 315 of the first network operator 305. In some examples, this may be referred to as roaming in which a device connects to a network operator different from their own. While performing network sharing, the network entity 105-a of the RAN 315 may establish with and connect with the UE 115-a of the first network operator 305 via the communication link 125-a and with the UE 115-b of the second network operator 310 via the communication link 125-b. As such, both the first network operator 305 and the second network operator 310 may connect and communicate with the network entity 105-a. Further, the network entity 105-a may independently connect with the core network 130-b of the first network operator 305 and the core network 130-c of the second network operator 310.
In some examples, the network entity 105-a in the RAN 315 of the first network operator 305 may transmit a message that indicates each of the network operators supported by the RAN 315. The message may be a broadcast message, and may include the public land mobile network (PLMN) IDs of each network operator that the RAN 315 may be connected with. In some examples, a UE 115 may receive the broadcast message even if the UE 115 may be using a different network operator than the operator than the network operator of the network entity 105-a. For example, the UE 115-b of the second network operator 310 may receive the broadcast message from the network entity 105-a of the first network operator 305, which may indicate that the network entity 105-a may be connected with the core network 130-c of the second network operator 310. The UE 115-b may then establish the communication link 125-b and transmit one or more messages to the RAN 315 of the first network operator intended for the core network 130-c of the second network operator. In the one or more messages to the network entity 105-a, the UE 115-b may include the PLMN of the core network 130-c to indicate that the network entity 105-a should route the one or more messages to the core network 130-c of the second network operator.
In some cases, RANs 315 and core networks 130 of different network operators (e.g., the first network operator 305 and the second network operator 310) may connect using a gateway core network (GWCN) to share RANs 315. The GWCN may include a gateway MME that connects the core networks 130 to network entities 105-a of the RAN 315. As such, the gateway MME may declare and transmit the PLMN IDs of the connected core networks 130 to the RAN 315 so that the RAN 315 may determine which network operator core networks 130 (e.g., core network 130-b and core network 130-c) the network entities 105 may communicate with. Further, the gateway MME may also be aware of any shared PLMN IDs and the gateway MME may therefore be capable of forwarding messages to the corresponding core networks 130.
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In some cases, the UE 115-b of the second network operator 310 may transmit messages to the RAN 315 of the first network operator 305 that may be intended for the core network 130-c of the second network operator 310. However, the second network operator 310 may refrain from placing any local AMFs within the coverage area of the RAN 315 of the first network operator 305 (e.g., due to cost constraints, hardware constraints, or both). Without the placement of any local AMFs for the second network operator 310, the RAN 315 of the first network operator 305 may be unable to forward the messages from the UE 115-b of the second network operator 310 to the core network 130-c of the second network operator 310.
In wireless communications system 300, the RAN 315 may utilize an AMF proxy 325 to communicate with the first network operator 305 and the second network operator 310 without any local AMFs for the second network operator 310. The AMF proxy 325 may be a local AMF of the first network operator 305 that may be different from the local AMF 320 or may be the same as the local AMF 320. For example, a local AMF of the first network operator 305 may be dedicated for use as the AMF proxy 325 or the AMF proxy 325 may be integrated with an existing local AMF of the first network operator 305 (e.g., the local AMF 320 may act as the AMF proxy 325). In some examples, when the AMF proxy 325 may be different from the local AMF 320, the RAN 315 may refrain from establishing the communication link 125-c with the local AMF 320 of the first network operator 305 and may instead establish the communication link 125-c with the AMF proxy 325. The AMF proxy 325 may then establish the communication link 125-f with the remote AMF 330 of the second network operator 310 and the communication link 125-g with the local AMF 320 of the first network operator 305. The AMF proxy 325 may then be able to forward messages from the RAN 315 of the first network operator 305 to the core network 130-c of the second network operator 310.
Such techniques may make use of existing RAN 315 sharing procedure. For example, the techniques of the present disclosure the network entity 105-a of the RAN 315 broadcasting PLMN IDs of the operators connected to the AMF proxy 325 and allowing UEs 115 to select one of the broadcasted PLMNs. However, remote sharing PLMNs may be unable to connect between their AMFs and network entities 105. Further, the RAN 315 of the first network operator 305 may have an interface connection with each AMF of the first network operator 305 (e.g., the local AMF 320) and may be unable to connect with remote AMFs (e.g., remote AMF 330). As such, the AMF proxy 325 may transmit messages to remote AMFs of different operators (e.g., the remote AMF 330 of the second network operator 310) since the RAN 315 may be unable to do so. The AMF proxy 325 may receive messages from the network entity 105-a that may be from devices of the first network operator 305 (e.g., the UE 115-a) and messages from devices of the second network operator 310 (e.g., the UE 115-b). The AMF proxy 325 may distinguish the messages from each other and if a message is for the core network 130-c of the second network operator 310, the AMF proxy 325 may forward such messages to the remote AMF 330 via the communication link 125-f while refraining from processing or decoding the messages.
Additionally, or alternatively, the local AMF 320 may act as the AMF proxy 325 and the local AMF 320 may be directly connected with the remote AMF 330 (not illustrated). That is, the local AMF 320 may receive messages intended for both the core network 130-b of the first network operator 305 and the core network 130-c of the second network operator 310. In some examples, the local AMF 320 and the RAN 315 may communicate such configuration prior to establishing the communication link 125-c. In some other examples, the RAN 315 may learn that the local AMF 320 may act as the AMF proxy 325 while establishing the communication link 125-c.
For example, the network entity 105-a may be configured with the IP address of the local AMF 320 and the local AMF 320 may be configured to support remote PLMNs and their respective AMFs (e.g., the remote AMF 330) and may have already initialized connections with the respective AMFs. Further, while the RAN 315 establishes the communication link 125-c with the network entity 105-a, the RAN 315 may transmit a setup request message (e.g., NGAP SETUP REQUEST message) to the local AMF 320 and the RAN 315 may enquire about remote AMF connectivity. In some cases, the inquiry about remote AMF connectivity may be specific to a connection between the local AMF 320 of the first network operator 305 and the remote AMF 330 of the second network operator 310. In response to the setup request message, the local AMF 320 may process the setup request and transmit a reply message (e.g., NGAP SETUP RESPONSE message) where if the local AMF 320 may be able to support connections with remote AMFs of different operators, the message may include a list of such supported AMFs. In cases where the message included an enquiry about a specific remote AMF connection (e.g., the remote AMF 330) or a specific network operator (e.g., the second network operator 310), the list of supported connections may be limited to the initial enquiry from the network entity 105-a. Following receiving such indications, the RAN 315 may trigger additional setup request messages to be transmitted to such indicated remote AMFs where the additional setup request messages may be routed via the local AMF 320 to the indicated remote AMFs (E.g., remote AMF 330) via the communication link 125 between the local AMF 320 and the remote AMF 330.
In some examples, an interface used for the connection between the local AMF 320 and the remote AMF 330 may be a secure transport communication link 125 including IP connectivity or stream transmission control protocol (STCP)/IP. In cases where the STCP may be used, the remote AMF 330 may transmit messages as if the remote AMF 330 has a direct communication link with the network entity 105-a of the RAN 315. Further, to support such connections between AMFs of different network operators, network operators may have to cooperate with each other to establish connectivity across secure domains. For example, inter-operator connections (e.g., the communication link 125 between the local AMF 320 and the remote AMF 330) may use existing interfaces (e.g., N32 interface) between security edge protection proxies (SEPPs) of different PLMNs or different network operators. The architecture of the communication link may also assume a secure direct connection between the shared RAN 315 and a user plane function (UPF) of the second network operator 310 for traffic handling.
Therefore, using the AMF proxy 325, the RAN 315 may be able to be shared between different operators. In some examples, the architecture may extend to the RAN 315 being shared between more than 2 network operators. For example, the first network operator 305 and a third network operator may have local AMFs placed within the coverage area of the RAN 315 and may be able to share the RAN 315 using traditional techniques. However, in some cases, the local AMF 320 of the first network operator 305 may connect with the remote AMF 330 of the second network operator 310 and the local AMF of the third network operator may connect with a remote AMF of a fourth network architecture, where the local AMFs of the first network operator 305 and the third network operator may act as AMF proxies 325 for the RAN 315. As such, using the AMF proxy, the efficiency of communications in the wireless communications system 300 may increase as more operators may be able to share RANs 315 regardless of hardware constraints within the coverage area of the RAN 315. Further description of using the AMF proxy 325 and using the AMF proxy 325 as a transport proxy may be described with reference to
In some examples, the AMF proxy 420 may be referred to as a transport proxy. When utilizing the AMF proxy 420 as a transport proxy, the RAN 405, which may be subscribed to or services by a first network operator and may establish a first communication link (e.g., made up of the communication link 410 and the communication link 430) between the RAN 405 and the first AMF 435 of the first network operator using a first interface, via the AMF proxy 420. In some cases, the communication link 410 may be a first instance of the first interface and the communication link 430 may be a second instance of the first interface, and together may make up the full first interface. The RAN 405 may also establish a second communication link (e.g., made up of the communication link 415 and the communication link 440) between the RAN 405 and the second AMF 445 of a second network operator using a second interface, via the AMF proxy 420, That is, the RAN 405 may have two connections (e.g., the communication link 410 and the communication link 415) with the AMF proxy 420, one for each AMF (e.g., the first AMF 435 and the second AMF 445). The first communication link and the first interface may terminate at interface termination point 425-a at the RAN 405 and at interface termination point 425-c at the first AMF 435 and the second communication link and the second interface may terminate at interface termination point 425-b at the RAN 405 and at interface termination point 425-d at the second AMF 445. In some cases, the interface termination points 425 may also relate to endpoint address for the corresponding interfaces. That is, based on the interface a message is received on, the AMF proxy 420 may use the endpoint address corresponding to the interface termination points 425 to forward the message
As such, the communication links and corresponding interfaces may be independent from each other and the AMF proxy 420 may establish individual communication links and interfaces for each RAN 405 and AMF (e.g., the first AMF 435 or the second AMF 445) pair. Further, using the first interface and the second interface, the AMF proxy 420 may route messages from the RAN 405 to the first AMF 435 or to the second AMF 445 based on the message from the RAN 405 being directed towards an target proxy endpoint address. As such, the AMF proxy 420 may transmit the message to the target endpoint address of the interface used to receive the message from the RAN 405. The target proxy endpoint address may be the IP address or the IP address and IP port combination of the AMF proxy 420. In some cases, the RAN 405, and the AMF proxy 420 may be initialized with a mapping between a set of target proxy endpoint addresses and the first AMF 435 and the second AMF 445. Further, the core network 130 for each network operator may also be configured with the mapping of the set of proxy endpoint addresses and the one or more source RANs.
In some examples, there may be a set of RANs in the network architecture 400 including the RAN 405 where each RAN of the set of RANs may be configured with a respective communication link and interface for each respective AMF of a set of AMFs, including the first AMF 435 and the second AMF 445. As such, the quantity of communication links and interfaces may be based on the quantity of RAN-AMF pairs (e.g., the RAN 405 to the first AMF 435 or the RAN 405 to the second AMF 445). Further, as described, each pair may have a different communication link and interface, thus the AMF proxy 420 may forward messages based on the communication link and interface used to receive the messages. As such, the AMF proxy 420 may be memory-less as the AMF proxy 420 may refrain from creating any sort of mapping between the RANs (e.g., the RAN 405) and the AMFs (e.g., the first AMF 435 and the second AMF 445) within the network architecture 400. In some cases, as the AMF proxy 420 may refrain from decoding or processing messages and the AMF proxy 420 may use the target proxy endpoint addresses and the interfaces used to receive a message to forward messages. In some examples, the RAN 405 may transmit messages to the AMF proxy 420 as if the RAN 405 transmitted the message directly to an AMF. Additionally, or alternatively, the RAN 405 may be configured with the identifiers (IDs) for each AMF, public land mobile networks (PLMNs), and the corresponding transport address (e.g., target proxy endpoint addresses). In some cases, the core network 130 of a network operator may configure the mapping of such information or the RAN 405 may generate the mapping while initializing the connections with the first AMF 435 and the second AMF 445.
In some examples, the AMF proxy 420 used may be an dedicated AMF with no traffic (e.g., no UEs 115 may send messages to the AMF) or the AMF proxy 420 may be a local AMF of the first network operator or integrated with a local AMF (e.g., the first AMF 435 may act as the AMF proxy 420). When the first AMF 435 may act as the AMF proxy 420 the AMF proxy 420 may be referred to as an integrated AMF proxy 420. Further, any reference to the AMF proxy 420 elsewhere herein may refer to a dedicated AMF for the AMF proxy 420 or the first AMF 435 integrated with the AMF. In cases where the first AMF 435 acts as the AMF proxy 420, the first AMF 435 may be connected with the RAN 405 via the first communication link using the first interface and via the second communication link using the second interface. The first interface may then terminate at both the RAN 405 and the first AMF 435. Further, instead of routing the second communication link and the second interface through a separate AMF being used as the AMF proxy 420, the second communication link and the second interface may be routed through the first AMF which may act as the AMF proxy 420.
In some other examples, whether the AMF proxy 420 may be within a dedicated AMF of the first AMF 435, the RAN 405 may select which AMF the RAN 405 may send a message to based on the UE 115 that sent the initial message. For example, if the RAN 405 receives a message from a UE 115 of the first network operator, the RAN 405 may determine and select to send the message over the first interface to the first AMF 435. As such, if the RAN 405 receives a message from a UE 115 of the second network operator, the RAN 405 may determine and select to send the message over the second interface to the second AMF 445. That is, the network operator of the UE 115 may determine which interface the RAN 405 should use and which AMF (e.g., the first AMF 435 or the second AMF 445) the RAN 40 should send a message to via the AMF proxy 420.
In some other cases, the AMF proxy 420 may also receive messages from the first AMF 435, the second AMF 445, or both, for the RAN 405. Similar to transmitting messages from the RAN 405, the AMF proxy 420 may route the messages to the RAN 405 to an endpoint address of the RAN 405 using the same interface used to receive the message for the first AMF 435 or the second AMF 445. For example, the AMF proxy 420 may receive a message from the first AMF 435 via the first interface (e.g., using the communication link 430), and the AMF proxy 420 may forward or transmit the message to the RAN 405 using the same interface (e.g., via the communication link 410) based on the message being directed towards the target proxy endpoint address used by the first AMF 435 when sending the message to the AMF proxy 420. The AMF proxy 420 may also refrain from processing, decoding, or manipulating the message, or even checking any part of the contents of the message or message header when forwarding a message from the first AMF 435 or second AMF 445 to the RAN 405 or vice versa. As such, using the AMF proxy 420 as a transport proxy may increase the efficiency of communications between devices of different network operators. Further descriptions of such techniques described herein using the AMF proxy 420 as a transport proxy may be described with reference to
In the following description of the process flow 500, the operations between the RAN 505, the AMF proxy 510, the first AMF 515, and the second AMF 520 may be performed in different orders or at different times. Some operations may also be left out of the process flow 500, or other operations may be added. Although the RAN 505, the AMF proxy 510, the first AMF 515, and the second AMF 520 are shown performing the operations of the process flow 500, some aspects of some operations may also be performed by one or more other wireless devices.
At 525-a, the AMF proxy 510 may establish a first communication link between the RAN 505 of a first network operator and the first AMF 515 of the first network operator via the AMF proxy 510 (e.g., illustrated with the black circle over the first communication link at 525-a). At 525-b, the AMF proxy 510 may establish a second communication link between the RAN 505 of the first network operator and the second AMF 520 of a second network operator via the AMF proxy 510. In some cases, the AMF proxy 510 may establish a set of communication links, including the first communication link and the second communication link, between a set of RANs, including the RAN 505, and a set of AMFs, including the first AMF 515 and the second AMF 520. In some other cases, at 525-a, the AMF proxy 510 may establish the first communication link directly between the RAN 505 and the first AMF 515 and at 525-b, the AMF proxy 510 may establish the second communication link between the RAN 505 and the second AMF 520 via the first AMF 515 based on the first AMF 515 acting as the AMF proxy 510. Further, the first communication link may terminate at the RAN 505 and first AMF 515 and the second communication link may terminate at the RAN 505 and the second AMF 520. Each communication link between the RAN 505 and the first AMF 515, or the second AMF 520 may include two separate sub-communication links, where a first sub-communication link may be between the RAN 505 and the AMF proxy 510, and a second sub-communication link may be between the AMF proxy 510 and the first AMF 515 or the second AMF 520.
At 530, the AMF proxy 510 may receive a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN 505 via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message directed toward a target proxy endpoint address mapped to the first AMF 515 or to the second AMF 520. In some cases, the AMF proxy 510 may refrain from decoding the message from the RAN 505. As such, at 535, the AMF proxy 510 may transmit the message from the RAN 505 to the first AMF 515 via the first communication link or transmit the message from the RAN 505 to the second AMF 520 via the second communication link. The AMF proxy 510 may transmit the message to the first AMF 515 or to the second AMF 520 based on a mapping between a set of target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses of the RAN 505 including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of target proxy endpoint address includes the target proxy endpoint addresses.
At 540-a or at 540-b, the first AMF 515 or the second AMF 520 may decode the message from the RAN 505 based on the target proxy endpoint address of the message from the AMF proxy 510, and the source endpoint address of the message from the AMF proxy. In some cases, the first AMF 515 or the second AMF 520 may detect the identity of the originating RAN 505 based on a mapping between the RAN 505 and the source proxy endpoint address of the message, or the target proxy endpoint address of the message.
At 545, in some cases, the AMF proxy 510 may receive a second message from the first AMF 515 via the first communication link or from the second AMF 520 via the second communication link. The second message may indicate a second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN 505. Following, at 550, the AMF proxy 510 may transmit the second message to the RAN 505 via the first communication link or via the second communication link based on the second target endpoint address for the RAN 505. In some cases, the RAN 505 may decode the second message or the RAN 505 may refrain from decoding the second message and transmit the second message to a wireless device (e.g., a network entity 105 or a UE 115).
The receiver 610 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to RAN sharing using a transport proxy function). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 605. The receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
The transmitter 615 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 605. For example, the transmitter 615 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to RAN sharing using a transport proxy function). In some examples, the transmitter 615 may be co-located with a receiver 610 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
The communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of RAN sharing using a transport proxy function as described herein. For example, the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.
In some examples, the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled with the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing, by the processor, instructions stored in the memory).
Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by a processor. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure).
In some examples, the communications manager 620 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both. For example, the communications manager 620 may receive information from the receiver 610, send information to the transmitter 615, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
The communications manager 620 may support wireless communications at an AMF proxy in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 620 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy. The communications manager 620 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The communications manager 620 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator. The communications manager 620 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the first AMF associated with the first network operator via the first communication link or transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the second communication link, where the message is transmitted to the first AMF or the second AMF based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target proxy endpoint address.
By including or configuring the communications manager 620 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 605 (e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, the communications manager 620, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for using an AMF proxy to communicate with multiple network operators for reduced processing and more efficient utilization of communication resources.
The receiver 710 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to RAN sharing using a transport proxy function). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 705. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
The transmitter 715 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 705. For example, the transmitter 715 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to RAN sharing using a transport proxy function). In some examples, the transmitter 715 may be co-located with a receiver 710 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
The device 705, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of RAN sharing using a transport proxy function as described herein. For example, the communications manager 720 may include an AMF proxy communication link component 725, a message receiver 730, a message transmitter 735, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 720 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 620 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 720, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both. For example, the communications manager 720 may receive information from the receiver 710, send information to the transmitter 715, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 710, the transmitter 715, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
The communications manager 720 may support wireless communications at an AMF proxy in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The AMF proxy communication link component 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy. The AMF proxy communication link component 725 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The message receiver 730 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator. The message transmitter 735 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the first AMF associated with the first network operator via the first communication link or transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the second communication link, where the message is transmitted to the first AMF or the second AMF based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target proxy endpoint address.
The communications manager 820 may support wireless communications at an AMF proxy in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The AMF proxy communication link component 825 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy. In some examples, the AMF proxy communication link component 825 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The message receiver 830 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator. The message transmitter 835 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the first AMF associated with the first network operator via the first communication link or transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the second communication link, where the message is transmitted to the first AMF or the second AMF based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target proxy endpoint address.
In some examples, the AMF proxy communication link component 825 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a set of multiple communication links between a set of multiple RANs and a set of multiple AMFs via the AMF proxy, where each communication link of the set of multiple communication links is between a respective RAN of a set of multiple RANs and a respective AMF of a set of multiple AMFs, the set of multiple communication links including the first communication link and the second communication link.
In some examples, the integrated AMF proxy communication link component 840 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing the first communication link directly between the RAN and the first AMF associated with the first network operator. In some examples, the AMF communication link component 845 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing the second communication link between the RAN and the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the first AMF, where the first AMF acts as the AMF proxy.
In some examples, to support receiving the message from the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the decoding component 850 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for refraining from decoding the message from the RAN. In some examples, to support receiving the message from the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message transmitter 835 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting the message to the first AMF via the first communication link or to the second AMF via the second communication link using the one or more source proxy endpoint addresses, where the one or more source proxy endpoint address correspond to the RAN.
In some examples, the message receiver 830 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the first AMF via the first communication link or from the second AMF via the second communication link, a second message for the RAN from the second AMF associated with the first network operator, the second message being directed towards a second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN. In some examples, the message transmitter 835 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting the second message to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link based on the second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN.
In some examples, the first communication link terminates at the RAN associated with the first network operator and at the first AMF associated with the first network operator, and where the second communication link terminates at the RAN associated with the first network operator and at the second AMF associated with the second network operator.
In some cases, the device 905 may include a single antenna 915. However, in some other cases, the device 905 may have more than one antenna 915, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 910 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 915, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 910 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 910 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 915 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 915. The transceiver 910, or the transceiver 910 and one or more antennas 915, may be an example of a transmitter 615, a transmitter 715, a receiver 610, a receiver 710, or any combination thereof or component thereof, as described herein.
The memory 925 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 925 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 930 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 935, cause the device 905 to perform various functions described herein. The code 930 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 930 may not be directly executable by the processor 935 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 925 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.
The processor 935 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 935 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 935. The processor 935 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 925) to cause the device 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting RAN sharing using a transport proxy function). For example, the device 905 or a component of the device 905 may include a processor 935 and memory 925 coupled with or to the processor 935, the processor 935 and memory 925 configured to perform various functions described herein.
The communications manager 920 may support wireless communications at an AMF proxy in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 920 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy. The communications manager 920 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The communications manager 920 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator. The communications manager 920 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the first AMF associated with the first network operator via the first communication link or transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the second communication link, where the message is transmitted to the first AMF or the second AMF based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target endpoint address.
By including or configuring the communications manager 920 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 905 may support techniques for using an AMF proxy to communicate with multiple network operators for improved communication reliability, improved user experience related to reduced processing, more efficient utilization of communication resources, and improved coordination between devices.
In some examples, the communications manager 920 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 910, the one or more antennas 915, or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 920 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 920 may be supported by or performed by the processor 935, the memory 925, the code 930, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 930 may include instructions executable by the processor 935 to cause the device 905 to perform various aspects of RAN sharing using a transport proxy function as described herein, or the processor 935 and the memory 925 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.
The receiver 1010 may provide a means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I/Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 1005. In some examples, the receiver 1010 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the receiver 1010 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.
The transmitter 1015 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of the device 1005. For example, the transmitter 1015 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I/Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). In some examples, the transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1015 and the receiver 1010 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled with a modem.
The communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of RAN sharing using a transport proxy function as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.
In some examples, the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled with the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing, by the processor, instructions stored in the memory).
Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by a processor. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure).
In some examples, the communications manager 1020 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both. For example, the communications manager 1020 may receive information from the receiver 1010, send information to the transmitter 1015, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
The communications manager 1020 may support wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1020 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a first communication link between a first AMF associated with the first network operator via an AMF proxy. The communications manager 1020 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a second communication link between a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The communications manager 1020 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the AMF proxy, a message for the first AMF via the first communication link or for a second AMF via the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, where the message is transmitted to the AMF proxy based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy addresses corresponding to the RAN, the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses corresponding to the first AMF and the second AMF.
By including or configuring the communications manager 1020 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1005 (e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, the communications manager 1020, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for using an AMF proxy to communicate with multiple network operators for reduced processing and more efficient utilization of communication resources.
The receiver 1110 may provide a means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I/Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 1105. In some examples, the receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.
The transmitter 1115 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of the device 1105. For example, the transmitter 1115 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I/Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). In some examples, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1115 and the receiver 1110 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled with a modem.
The device 1105, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of RAN sharing using a transport proxy function as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1120 may include an AMF proxy communication link manager 1125 a message transmitter 1130, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 1120 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 1020 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 1120, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both. For example, the communications manager 1120 may receive information from the receiver 1110, send information to the transmitter 1115, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1110, the transmitter 1115, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
The communications manager 1120 may support wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The AMF proxy communication link manager 1125 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a first communication link between a first AMF associated with the first network operator via an AMF proxy. The AMF proxy communication link manager 1125 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a second communication link between a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The message transmitter 1130 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the AMF proxy, a message for the first AMF via the first communication link or for a second AMF via the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, where the message is transmitted to the AMF proxy based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy addresses corresponding to the RAN, the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses corresponding to the first AMF and the second AMF.
The communications manager 1220 may support wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The AMF proxy communication link manager 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a first communication link between a first AMF associated with the first network operator via an AMF proxy. In some examples, the AMF proxy communication link manager 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a second communication link between a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The message transmitter 1230 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the AMF proxy, a message for the first AMF via the first communication link or for a second AMF via the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, where the message is transmitted to the AMF proxy based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy addresses corresponding to the RAN, the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses corresponding to the first AMF and the second AMF.
In some examples, the AMF proxy communication link manager 1225 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a set of multiple communication links between a set of multiple AMFs and a set of multiple RANs via the AMF proxy, where each communication link of the set of multiple communication links is between a respective RAN of a set of multiple RANs and a respective AMF of a set of multiple AMFs, the set of multiple communication links including the first communication link and the second communication link.
In some examples, the integrated AMF proxy communication link manager 1235 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing the first communication link directly between the RAN and the first AMF. In some examples, the AMF communication link manager 1240 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing the second communication link between the second AMF and the RAN via the first AMF, where the first AMF acts as the AMF proxy.
In some examples, the message receiver 1245 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the first AMF via the first communication link or from the second AMF via the second communication link, a second message being directed towards a second target proxy endpoint address that corresponds to the RAN.
In some examples, both the first communication link and the second communication link terminate at the RAN.
The transceiver 1310 may support bi-directional communications via wired links, wireless links, or both as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver 1310 may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the transceiver 1310 may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, the device 1305 may include one or more antennas 1315, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving wireless transmissions (e.g., concurrently). The transceiver 1310 may also include a modem to modulate signals, to provide the modulated signals for transmission (e.g., by one or more antennas 1315, by a wired transmitter), to receive modulated signals (e.g., from one or more antennas 1315, from a wired receiver), and to demodulate signals. In some implementations, the transceiver 1310 may include one or more interfaces, such as one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 1315 that are configured to support various receiving or obtaining operations, or one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 1315 that are configured to support various transmitting or outputting operations, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1310 may include or be configured for coupling with one or more processors or memory components that are operable to perform or support operations based on received or obtained information or signals, or to generate information or other signals for transmission or other outputting, or any combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1310, or the transceiver 1310 and the one or more antennas 1315, or the transceiver 1310 and the one or more antennas 1315 and one or more processors or memory components (for example, the processor 1335, or the memory 1325, or both), may be included in a chip or chip assembly that is installed in the device 1305. In some examples, the transceiver may be operable to support communications via one or more communications links (e.g., a communication link 125, a backhaul communication link 120, a midhaul communication link 162, a fronthaul communication link 168).
The memory 1325 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1325 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1330 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1335, cause the device 1305 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1330 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1330 may not be directly executable by the processor 1335 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1325 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.
The processor 1335 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1335 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1335. The processor 1335 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 1325) to cause the device 1305 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting RAN sharing using a transport proxy function). For example, the device 1305 or a component of the device 1305 may include a processor 1335 and memory 1325 coupled with the processor 1335, the processor 1335 and memory 1325 configured to perform various functions described herein. The processor 1335 may be an example of a cloud-computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software such as operating systems, virtual machines, or container instances) that may host the functions (e.g., by executing code 1330) to perform the functions of the device 1305. The processor 1335 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in the device 1305 (such as within the memory 1325). In some implementations, the processor 1335 may be a component of a processing system. A processing system may generally refer to a system or series of machines or components that receives inputs and processes the inputs to produce a set of outputs (which may be passed to other systems or components of, for example, the device 1305). For example, a processing system of the device 1305 may refer to a system including the various other components or subcomponents of the device 1305, such as the processor 1335, or the transceiver 1310, or the communications manager 1320, or other components or combinations of components of the device 1305. The processing system of the device 1305 may interface with other components of the device 1305, and may process information received from other components (such as inputs or signals) or output information to other components. For example, a chip or modem of the device 1305 may include a processing system and one or more interfaces to output information, or to obtain information, or both. The one or more interfaces may be implemented as or otherwise include a first interface configured to output information and a second interface configured to obtain information, or a same interface configured to output information and to obtain information, among other implementations. In some implementations, the one or more interfaces may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and a transmitter, such that the device 1305 may transmit information output from the chip or modem. Additionally, or alternatively, in some implementations, the one or more interfaces may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip or modem and a receiver, such that the device 1305 may obtain information or signal inputs, and the information may be passed to the processing system. A person having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that a first interface also may obtain information or signal inputs, and a second interface also may output information or signal outputs.
In some examples, a bus 1340 may support communications of (e.g., within) a protocol layer of a protocol stack. In some examples, a bus 1340 may support communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack), which may include communications performed within a component of the device 1305, or between different components of the device 1305 that may be co-located or located in different locations (e.g., where the device 1305 may refer to a system in which one or more of the communications manager 1320, the transceiver 1310, the memory 1325, the code 1330, and the processor 1335 may be located in one of the different components or divided between different components).
In some examples, the communications manager 1320 may manage aspects of communications with a core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links). For example, the communications manager 1320 may manage the transfer of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115. In some examples, the communications manager 1320 may manage communications with other network entities 105, and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs 115 in cooperation with other network entities 105. In some examples, the communications manager 1320 may support an X2 interface within an LTE/LTE-A wireless communications network technology to provide communication between network entities 105.
The communications manager 1320 may support wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1320 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a first communication link between a first AMF associated with the first network operator via an AMF proxy. The communications manager 1320 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a second communication link between a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The communications manager 1320 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the AMF proxy, a message for the first AMF via the first communication link or for a second AMF via the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, where the message is transmitted to the AMF proxy based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy addresses corresponding to the RAN, the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses corresponding to the first AMF and the second AMF.
By including or configuring the communications manager 1320 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1305 may support techniques for using an AMF proxy to communicate with multiple network operators for improved communication reliability, improved user experience related to reduced processing, more efficient utilization of communication resources, and improved coordination between devices.
In some examples, the communications manager 1320 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 1310, the one or more antennas 1315 (e.g., where applicable), or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1320 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1320 may be supported by or performed by the transceiver 1310, the processor 1335, the memory 1325, the code 1330, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1330 may include instructions executable by the processor 1335 to cause the device 1305 to perform various aspects of RAN sharing using a transport proxy function as described herein, or the processor 1335 and the memory 1325 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.
The receiver 1410 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to RAN sharing using a transport proxy function). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 1405. The receiver 1410 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
The transmitter 1415 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 1405. For example, the transmitter 1415 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to RAN sharing using a transport proxy function). In some examples, the transmitter 1415 may be co-located with a receiver 1410 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 1415 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
The communications manager 1420, the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, or various combinations thereof or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of RAN sharing using a transport proxy function as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1420, the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.
In some examples, the communications manager 1420, the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled with the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing, by the processor, instructions stored in the memory).
Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the communications manager 1420, the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software or firmware) executed by a processor. If implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communications manager 1420, the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure).
In some examples, the communications manager 1420 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, or both. For example, the communications manager 1420 may receive information from the receiver 1410, send information to the transmitter 1415, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
The communications manager 1420 may support wireless communications at a first AMF in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1420 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and the first AMF via an AMF proxy. The communications manager 1420 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the RAN via the communication link, a message being directed towards a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN and a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF. The communications manager 1420 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for decoding the message from the RAN based on the target proxy endpoint address of the message.
By including or configuring the communications manager 1420 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1405 (e.g., a processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 1410, the transmitter 1415, the communications manager 1420, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for using an AMF proxy to communicate with multiple network operators for reduced processing and more efficient utilization of communication resources.
The receiver 1510 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to RAN sharing using a transport proxy function). Information may be passed on to other components of the device 1505. The receiver 1510 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
The transmitter 1515 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 1505. For example, the transmitter 1515 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to RAN sharing using a transport proxy function). In some examples, the transmitter 1515 may be co-located with a receiver 1510 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 1515 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
The device 1505, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of RAN sharing using a transport proxy function as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1520 may include an AMF proxy communication link component 1525, a message receiver 1530, a decoding component 1535, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 1520 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 1420 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 1520, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 1510, the transmitter 1515, or both. For example, the communications manager 1520 may receive information from the receiver 1510, send information to the transmitter 1515, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1510, the transmitter 1515, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
The communications manager 1520 may support wireless communications at a first AMF in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The AMF proxy communication link component 1525 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and the first AMF via an AMF proxy. The message receiver 1530 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the RAN via the communication link, a message being directed towards a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN and a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF. The decoding component 1535 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for decoding the message from the RAN based on the target proxy endpoint address of the message.
The communications manager 1620 may support wireless communications at a first AMF in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The AMF proxy communication link component 1625 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and the first AMF via an AMF proxy. The message receiver 1630 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the RAN via the communication link, a message being directed towards a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN and a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF. The decoding component 1635 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for decoding the message from the RAN based on the target proxy endpoint address of the message.
In some examples, the AMF proxy communication link component 1625 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a set of multiple communication links between a set of multiple RANs and a set of multiple AMFs via the AMF proxy, where each communication link of the set of multiple communication links is between a respective RAN of a set of multiple RANs and the AMF, where the set of multiple communication links includes the communication link.
In some examples, to support establishing the communication link, the AMF proxy communication link component 1625 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing the communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and the first AMF via the AMF proxy, where the first AMF is associated with the first network operator or a second network operator.
In some examples, the message transmitter 1640 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, to the AMF proxy via the communication link, a second message for the RAN, the second message being directed towards a second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN.
In some examples, the communication link terminates at the AMF.
In some cases, the device 1705 may include a single antenna 1715. However, in some other cases, the device 1705 may have more than one antenna 1715, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1710 may communicate bi-directionally, via the one or more antennas 1715, wired, or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1710 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1710 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1715 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 1715. The transceiver 1710, or the transceiver 1710 and one or more antennas 1715, may be an example of a transmitter 1415, a transmitter 1515, a receiver 1410, a receiver 1510, or any combination thereof or component thereof, as described herein.
The memory 1725 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1725 may store computer-readable, computer-executable code 1730 including instructions that, when executed by the processor 1735, cause the device 1705 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1730 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1730 may not be directly executable by the processor 1735 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1725 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.
The processor 1735 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1735 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1735. The processor 1735 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 1725) to cause the device 1705 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting RAN sharing using a transport proxy function). For example, the device 1705 or a component of the device 1705 may include a processor 1735 and memory 1725 coupled with or to the processor 1735, the processor 1735 and memory 1725 configured to perform various functions described herein.
The communications manager 1720 may support wireless communications at a first AMF in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1720 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for establishing a communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and the first AMF via an AMF proxy. The communications manager 1720 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from the RAN via the communication link, a message being directed towards a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN and a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF. The communications manager 1720 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for decoding the message from the RAN based on the target proxy endpoint address of the message.
By including or configuring the communications manager 1720 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1705 may support techniques for using an AMF proxy to communicate with multiple network operators for improved communication reliability, improved user experience related to reduced processing, more efficient utilization of communication resources, and improved coordination between devices.
In some examples, the communications manager 1720 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 1710, the one or more antennas 1715, or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1720 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1720 may be supported by or performed by the processor 1735, the memory 1725, the code 1730, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1730 may include instructions executable by the processor 1735 to cause the device 1705 to perform various aspects of RAN sharing using a transport proxy function as described herein, or the processor 1735 and the memory 1725 may be otherwise configured to perform or support such operations.
At 1805, the method may include establishing a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy. The operations of block 1805 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1805 may be performed by an AMF proxy communication link component 825 as described with reference to
At 1810, the method may include establishing a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The operations of block 1810 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1810 may be performed by an AMF proxy communication link component 825 as described with reference to
At 1815, the method may include receiving a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator. The operations of block 1815 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1815 may be performed by a message receiver 830 as described with reference to
At 1820, the method may include transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the first AMF associated with the first network operator via the first communication link or transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the second communication link, where the message is transmitted to the first AMF or the second AMF based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses included the target proxy endpoint address. The operations of block 1820 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1820 may be performed by a message transmitter 835 as described with reference to
At 1905, the method may include establishing a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy. The operations of block 1905 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1905 may be performed by an AMF proxy communication link component 825 as described with reference to
At 1910, the method may include establishing a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The operations of block 1910 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1910 may be performed by an AMF proxy communication link component 825 as described with reference to
At 1915, the method may include receiving a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator. The operations of block 1915 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1915 may be performed by a message receiver 830 as described with reference to
At 1920, the method may include refraining from decoding the message from the RAN. The operations of block 1920 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1920 may be performed by a decoding component 850 as described with reference to
At 1925, the method may include transmitting the message to the first AMF via the first communication link or to the second AMF via the second communication link using the one or more source proxy endpoint addresses, where the one or more source proxy endpoint addresses correspond to the RAN. The operations of block 1925 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1925 may be performed by a message transmitter 835 as described with reference to
At 2005, the method may include establishing a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy. The operations of block 2005 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2005 may be performed by an AMF proxy communication link component 825 as described with reference to
At 2010, the method may include establishing a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The operations of block 2010 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2010 may be performed by an AMF proxy communication link component 825 as described with reference to
At 2015, the method may include receiving a message from a source proxy endpoint corresponding to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator. The operations of block 2015 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2015 may be performed by a message receiver 830 as described with reference to
At 2020, the method may include transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the first AMF associated with the first network operator via the first communication link or transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the second communication link, where the message is transmitted to the first AMF or the second AMF based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target proxy endpoint address. The operations of block 2020 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2020 may be performed by a message transmitter 835 as described with reference to
At 2025, the method may include receiving, from the first AMF via the first communication link or from the second AMF via the second communication link, a second message for the RAN from the second AMF associated with the first network operator, the message being directed towards a second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN. The operations of block 2025 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2025 may be performed by a message receiver 830 as described with reference to
At 2030, the method may include transmitting the message to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link based on the second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN. The operations of block 2030 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2030 may be performed by a message transmitter 835 as described with reference to
At 2105, the method may include establishing a first communication link between a first AMF associated with the first network operator via an AMF proxy. The operations of block 2105 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2105 may be performed by an AMF proxy communication link manager 1225 as described with reference to
At 2110, the method may include establishing a second communication link between a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy. The operations of block 2110 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2110 may be performed by an AMF proxy communication link manager 1225 as described with reference to
At 2115, the method may include transmitting, to the AMF proxy, a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN for the first AMF via the first communication link or for a second AMF via the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, where the message is transmitted to the AMF proxy based on a mapping between a set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the set of multiple target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target proxy endpoint address. The operations of block 2115 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2115 may be performed by a message transmitter 1230 as described with reference to
At 2205, the method may include establishing a communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and the first AMF via an AMF proxy. The operations of block 2205 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2205 may be performed by an AMF proxy communication link component 1625 as described with reference to
At 2210, the method may include receiving, from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the communication link, a message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF. The operations of block 2210 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2210 may be performed by a message receiver 1630 as described with reference to
At 2215, the method may include decoding the message from the RAN based on the source proxy endpoint address and the target proxy endpoint address of the message. The operations of block 2215 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 2215 may be performed by a decoding component 1635 as described with reference to
The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure:
Aspect 1: A method for wireless communications at an AMF proxy, comprising: establishing a first communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and a first AMF associated with the first network operator via the AMF proxy; establishing a second communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy; receiving a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator; and transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the first AMF associated with the first network operator via the first communication link or transmitting the message from the RAN associated with the first network operator to the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the second communication link, wherein the message is transmitted to the first AMF or the second AMF based at least in part on a mapping between a plurality of target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, the plurality of target proxy endpoint addresses including the target proxy endpoint address.
Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, further comprising: establishing a plurality of communication links between a plurality of RANs and a plurality of AMFs via the AMF proxy, wherein each communication link of the plurality of communication links is between a respective RAN of a plurality of RANs and a respective AMF of a plurality of AMFs, wherein the plurality of communication links comprises the first communication link and the second communication link.
Aspect 3: The method of any of aspects 1 through 2, wherein the first communication link is established directly between the radio access network and the first AMF and the method further comprises: establishing the second communication link between the RAN and the second AMF associated with the second network operator via the first AMF, wherein the first AMF acts as the AMF.
Aspect 4: The method of any of aspects 1 through 3, wherein receiving the message from the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link comprises: refraining from decoding the message from the RAN; and transmitting the message to the first AMF via the first communication link or to the second AMF via the second communication link using the one or more source proxy endpoint addresses, wherein the one or more source proxy endpoint addresses correspond to the RAN.
Aspect 5: The method of any of aspects 1 through 4, further comprising: receiving, from the first AMF via the first communication link or from the second AMF via the second communication link, a second message for the RAN from the second AMF associated with the first network operator, the second message being directed towards a second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN; and transmitting the second message to the RAN via the first communication link or the second communication link based at least in part on the second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN.
Aspect 6: The method of any of aspects 1 through 5, wherein the first communication link terminates at the RAN associated with the first network operator and at the first AMF associated with the first network operator, and wherein the second communication link terminates at the RAN associated with the first network operator and at the second AMF associated with the second network operator.
Aspect 7: A method for wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator, comprising: establishing a first communication link between a first AMF associated with the first network operator via an AMF proxy; establishing a second communication link between a second AMF associated with a second network operator via the AMF proxy; and transmitting, to the AMF proxy, a message from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the for the first AMF via the first communication link or for a second AMF via the second communication link, the message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF associated with the first network operator or the second AMF associated with the second network operator, wherein the message is transmitted to the AMF proxy based at least in part on a mapping between a plurality of target proxy endpoint addresses and one or more source proxy endpoint addresses including the source proxy endpoint address, where the plurality of target proxy endpoint addresses includes the target proxy endpoint address.
Aspect 8: The method of aspect 7, further comprising: establishing a plurality of communication links between a plurality of AMFs and a plurality of RANs via the AMF proxy, wherein each communication link of the plurality of communication links is between a respective RAN of a plurality of RANs and a respective AMF of a plurality of AMFs, wherein the plurality of communication links comprises the first communication link and the second communication link.
Aspect 9: The method of any of aspects 7 through 8, wherein the first communication link is established directly between the radio access network and the first AMF and the method further comprises: establishing the second communication link between the second AMF and the RAN via the first AMF, wherein the first AMF acts as the AMF proxy.
Aspect 10: The method of any of aspects 7 through 9, further comprising: receiving, from the first AMF via the first communication link or from the second AMF via the second communication link, a second message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address that corresponds to the RAN.
Aspect 11: The method of any of aspects 7 through 10, wherein both the first communication link and the second communication link terminate at the RAN.
Aspect 12: A method for wireless communications at a first AMF, comprising: establishing a communication link between a RAN associated with a first network operator and the first AMF via an AMF proxy; receiving, from a source proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN via the communication link, a message being directed towards a target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the first AMF; and decoding the message from the RAN based at least in part on the source proxy endpoint address and the target proxy endpoint address of the message.
Aspect 13: The method of aspect 12, further comprising: establishing a plurality of communication links between a plurality of RANs and a plurality of AMFs via the AMF proxy, wherein each communication link of the plurality of communication links is between a respective RAN of a plurality of RANs and the AMF, wherein the plurality of communication links includes the communication link.
Aspect 14: The method of any of aspects 12 through 13, wherein establishing the communication link comprises: establishing the communication link between the RAN associated with the first network operator and the first AMF via the AMF proxy, wherein the first AMF is associated with the first network operator or a second network operator.
Aspect 15: The method of any of aspects 12 through 14, further comprising: transmitting, to the AMF proxy via the communication link, a second message for the RAN, the second message being directed towards a second target proxy endpoint address corresponding to the RAN.
Aspect 16: The method of any of aspects 12 through 15, wherein the communication link terminates at the AMF.
Aspect 17: An apparatus for wireless communications at an AMF proxy, comprising a processor; memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 6.
Aspect 18: An apparatus for wireless communications at an AMF proxy, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 1 through 6.
Aspect 19: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at an AMF proxy, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 6.
Aspect 20: An apparatus for wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator, comprising a processor; memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 7 through 11.
Aspect 21: An apparatus for wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 7 through 11.
Aspect 22: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a RAN associated with a first network operator, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 7 through 11.
Aspect 23: An apparatus for wireless communications at a first AMF, comprising a processor; memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 12 through 16.
Aspect 24: An apparatus for wireless communications at a first AMF, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 12 through 16.
Aspect 25: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications at a first AMF, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 12 through 16.
It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and that other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.
Although aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR system may be described for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communications systems such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, as well as other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.
Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.
The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor but, in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).
The functions described herein may be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored as or transmitted using one or more instructions or code of a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.
Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one location to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc. Disks may reproduce data magnetically, and discs may reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.
As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of”) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on.”
The term “determine” or “determining” encompasses a variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in memory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other such similar actions.
In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label, or other subsequent reference label.
The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “example” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.
The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
