Embodiments presented herein relate to methods, a network node, a baseband unit, computer programs, and a computer program product for enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit.
In communications networks, there may be a challenge to obtain good performance and capacity for a given communications protocol, its parameters and the physical environment in which the communications network is deployed.
For example, all communication networks consume energy. Increasing the size of the communication networks as well as increasing the number of devices served by the communications networks might thus cause an increase in energy consumption. Mechanisms and techniques aiming towards reducing the energy consumption in communication networks have therefore been devised.
Two non-limiting examples of mechanisms or techniques that can be deployed to reduce energy consumption in (radio) access network nodes in the communication network are micro-sleep transmission (MSTx) and Low Energy Scheduling Solution (LESS). In this respect, according to MSTx, the radio power amplifiers are automatically switched off on a symbol-time basis when no signaling or user data needs to be transmitted on the downlink. MSTx enables discontinuous transmission on the downlink to save energy during low traffic. With LESS downlink transmissions for non-critical data are rescheduled. Packets of time-sensitive services, such as voice services, are excluded, ensuring that the quality of service is never compromised. LESS can be used in combination with MSTx to improve the energy efficiency as in LESS even more timeslots are emptied and can trigger micro sleep.
However, there are scenarios where the resulting energy savings of using LESS and MSTx are compromised. Some examples of such scenarios are open radio access network RAN (ORAN) configuration where different baseband units, possibly belonging to different operators, are connected to the same radio unit. One reason for this is that many radio units support variants of multi-band, multi-carrier, and multi-RAT (where RAT is short for radio access technology) operation and therefore need to be configured in a very flexible manner.
Hence, there is still a need for mechanisms and techniques that enable efficient energy savings in communication networks in general, and especially in such communication networks where different baseband units, possibly belonging to different operators, are connected to the same radio unit, without compromising the performance of the baseband units and the radio unit in terms of multi-band, multi-carrier, and multi-RAT operation.
An object of embodiments herein is to provide efficient energy savings in communication networks in general, and especially in such communication networks where different baseband units, possibly belonging to different operators, are connected to the same radio unit.
According to a first aspect there is presented a method for enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit. The method is performed by a network node. The method comprises configuring at least two baseband units. The at least two baseband units are operatively connected to the radio unit for downlink transmission of data. The at least two baseband units are configured with time synchronization information for compensating for a difference in time delay between each of the at least two baseband units and the radio unit for the downlink transmission of data. The at least two baseband units are configured with time scheduling information identifying which transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used by the at least two baseband units for the downlink transmission of data.
According to a second aspect there is presented a network node for enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit. The network node comprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the network node to configure at least two baseband units. The at least two baseband units are operatively connected to the radio unit for downlink transmission of data. The at least two baseband units are configured with time synchronization information for compensating for a difference in time delay between each of the at least two baseband units and the radio unit for the downlink transmission of data. The at least two baseband units are configured with time scheduling information identifying which transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used by the at least two baseband units for the downlink transmission of data.
According to a third aspect there is presented a network node for enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit. The network node comprises a configure module configured to configure at least two baseband units. The at least two baseband units are operatively connected to the radio unit for downlink transmission of data. The at least two baseband units are configured with time synchronization information for compensating for a difference in time delay between each of the at least two baseband units and the radio unit for the downlink transmission of data. The at least two baseband units are configured with time scheduling information identifying which transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used by the at least two baseband units for the downlink transmission of data.
According to a fourth aspect there is presented a computer program for enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit. The computer program comprises computer program code which, when run on processing circuitry of a network node, causes the network node to perform a method according to the first aspect.
According to a fifth aspect there is presented a method for enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit. The method is performed by a baseband unit. The baseband unit is operatively connected to the radio unit for downlink transmission of data. The method comprises obtaining configuration from a network node in terms of time synchronization information for compensating for a difference in time delay between the baseband unit and the radio unit for the downlink transmission of data, and time scheduling information identifying which transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used by the baseband unit for the downlink transmission of data. The method comprises transmitting downlink data to the radio unit in accordance with the configuration.
According to a sixth aspect there is presented a baseband unit for enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit. The baseband unit is operatively connected to the radio unit for downlink transmission of data. The baseband unit comprises processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the baseband unit to obtain configuration from a network node in terms of time synchronization information for compensating for a difference in time delay between the baseband unit and the radio unit for the downlink transmission of data, and time scheduling information identifying which transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used by the baseband unit for the downlink transmission of data. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the baseband unit to transmit downlink data to the radio unit in accordance with the configuration.
According to a seventh aspect there is presented a baseband unit for enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit. The baseband unit is operatively connected to the radio unit for downlink transmission of data. The baseband unit comprises an obtain module configured to obtain configuration from a network node in terms of time synchronization information for compensating for a difference in time delay between the baseband unit and the radio unit for the downlink transmission of data, and time scheduling information identifying which transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used by the baseband unit for the downlink transmission of data. The baseband unit comprises a transmit module configured to transmit downlink data to the radio unit in accordance with the configuration.
According to an eighth aspect there is presented a computer program for enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit 120, the computer program comprising computer program code which, when run on processing circuitry of a baseband unit, causes the baseband unit to perform a method according to the fifth aspect.
According to a ninth aspect there is presented a computer program product comprising a computer program according to at least one of the fourth aspect and the eighth aspect and a computer readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored. The computer readable storage medium could be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.
Advantageously these methods, these network nodes, these baseband units, these computer programs, and this computer program product, provide efficient energy savings in a communication networks at least two baseband units are connected to the same radio unit
Advantageously these methods, these network nodes, these baseband units, these computer programs, and this computer program product can be used to reduce heat generation in the radio unit.
In turn, reduced heat generation in the radio unit leads to relaxed requirements for the thermal design of the radio unit, yielding lower product weight and volume.
Advantageously these methods, these network nodes, these baseband units, these computer programs, and this computer program product yield reduced energy related operational expenses for mobile network operators.
Advantageously these methods, these network nodes, these baseband units, these computer programs, and this computer program product yield a reduced environmental impact of cellular communication networks.
Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings.
Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, module, step, etc.” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, module, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.
The inventive concept is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description. Any step or feature illustrated by dashed lines should be regarded as optional.
In turn, the (radio) access node 110 comprises a radio unit 120 and two baseband units 300a, 300b. In this respect, it is understood that the (radio) access node 110 in general comprises at least two baseband units 300a, 300b and might thus comprise a plurality of baseband units 300a, 300b. The baseband units 300a, 300b are utilized by one or more mobile network operator. Hence, it could be that each of the baseband units 300a, 300b is associated with its own mobile network operator. But in other examples, two or more of the baseband units 300a, 300b are associated with one and the same mobile network operator, possibly operating different radio access technologies with respect to each other. The at least two baseband units 300a, 300b are operatively connected to the radio unit 120 for downlink transmission of data (towards the wireless devices 130a, 130b) and/or for uplink reception of data (from the wireless devices 130a, 130b).
In the example of
As disclosed above, there is still a need for efficient energy savings in communication networks where different baseband units 300a, 300b are connected to the same radio unit 120.
In further detail, when a radio unit 120 is connected to several baseband units 300a, 300b there is no guarantee that the input signals from each baseband unit 300a, 300b to the radio unit 120 will contain simultaneous idle periods. This situation is schematically depicted in
The carriers of the different baseband units 300a, 300b are inactive at different times. This cause the effectiveness of MSTx and LESS if executed individually per each of the baseband units 300a, 300b to be degraded. If there is no symbol synchronization and/or slot synchronization between the carriers, then the time for energy savings with MSTx is decreased even further. This is illustrated at reference numeral 360 which shows, at the same time scale as the grids of time/frequency resources 350a, 350b, the resulting output power at the radio unit 120 as a function of time (where the time scale is divided into units where each unit corresponds to half a slot). Although both baseband units 300a, 300b are silent in 5 out of 8 slots (i.e., are active only 37.5% of the time), the radio unit 120 still needs to be active 62.5% of the time.
Further, in case there is no synchronization of radio frames then it is likely that mandatory transmissions, such as system information and synchronization signal broadcast, will occur at different occasions on the different carriers, even further reducing the effectiveness of energy savings using MSTx, as implemented at the radio unit 120 using a power amplifier controller 160 and a power amplifier 170. Further, it could be difficult, or even impossible, to convey information between the baseband units 300a, 300b themselves. This is especially challenging if the baseband units 300a, 300b belong to different mobile network operators. In conclusion, energy saving mechanisms and techniques such as symbol-based power-save (SBPS) and LESS do not work well in multi-band/multi-RAT/multi-carrier/multi-operator/multi-baseband configurations.
The embodiments disclosed herein therefore relate to mechanisms for enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit 120. In order to obtain such mechanisms there is provided a network node 200, a method performed by the network node 200, a computer program product comprising code, for example in the form of a computer program, that when run on processing circuitry of the network node 200, causes the network node 200 to perform the method. In order to obtain such mechanisms there is further provided a baseband unit 300a, 300b, a method performed by the baseband unit 300a, 300b, and a computer program product comprising code, for example in the form of a computer program, that when run on processing circuitry of the baseband unit 300a, 300b, causes the baseband unit 300a, 300b to perform the method.
Reference is now made to
S102: The network node 200 configures at least two baseband units 300a, 300b. The at least two baseband units 300a, 300b are operatively connected to the radio unit 120 for downlink transmission of data.
The network node 200 configures the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b with time synchronization information for compensating for a difference in time delay between each of the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b and the radio unit 120 for the downlink transmission of data.
The network node 200 configures the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b with time scheduling information identifying which transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used by the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b for the downlink transmission of data.
In some aspects, the time synchronization information and the time scheduling information are provided to the scheduler in each baseband unit 300a, 300b.
This method coordinates the transmissions from multiple baseband units 300a, 300b connected to the same radio unit 120 in order to ensure efficient energy savings e.g. with LESS and MSTx.
Embodiments relating to further details of enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit 120 as performed by the network node 200 will now be disclosed.
In some aspects, the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b are not in time synchronization with each other. Therefore, in some embodiments, the time synchronization information pertains to a difference in time synchronization between the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b.
There could be one or more levels of time synchronization between the baseband units 300a, 300b. In some embodiments, the time synchronization information pertains to symbol level time synchronization, slot level time synchronization, or frame level time synchronization for compensating for the difference in time delay. That is, when the radio unit 120 receives multiple signals from the baseband units 300a, 300b, one or more levels of time synchronization between these baseband units 300a, 300b is ensured. For example, symbol level synchronization can be created in the radio unit 120 e.g. by delaying one (or more) of the input signals a fraction of a symbol (in steps of smallest common numerology in case of different sub-carrier spacing). For example, slot level synchronization can be created in the radio unit 120 e.g. by delaying one (or more) of the input signals a fraction of a slot (depends on the sub-carrier spacing). For example, system frame number (SFN) level synchronization can be created in the radio unit 120 e.g. by means of ensuring a common start of the radio frame counters in the attached baseband units 300a, 300b.
Further in this respect, the baseband units 300a, 300b are only coarsely time synchronized in the sense that the transmission slot boundaries do not match up perfectly. In case of the new radio (NR) air interface in fifth generation (5G) telecommunication systems it is possible to schedule transmissions that does not start and stop at slot borders. To address this, one of the schedulers (e.g. the scheduler with the smallest sub-carrier spacing) can have a prioritized scheduling window that starts slightly after a slot border (e.g. 1 orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol after the slot border) and/or that ends slightly before a slot border (e.g. 1 OFDM symbol before the slot border).
Time synchronization on SFN level or radio frame level may require that the radio unit (or some other network unit, such as the network node 200) is configured to control the timing of the SFN counter start. This will assure that synchronization signal block (SSB) and system information (SI) transmissions occur approximately simultaneously in the different signal components that the radio unit 120 receives (at least when possible).
Different levels of time synchronization can be created by allowing the radio unit 120, or the network node 200, to provide a time correction term to the baseband units 300a, 300b. The time correction term could be provided in terms of an absolute time reference (e.g. utilizing GPS receiver in the radio unit 120) or a relative time reference (e.g. a message indicating clock start could be sent from the radio unit 120, or the network node 200, to all connected baseband units 300a, 300b). That is, in some embodiments, the network node 200 configures the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b with the time synchronization information either as an absolute time reference or as a relative time reference.
In further aspects, a periodic compensation for timing drift between the attached baseband units 300a, 300b may be required. That is, in some embodiments, the network node 200 periodically configures the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b with the time synchronization information.
In further aspects, one of the baseband unit 300a, 300b acts as master time-keeper and the radio unit 120, or the network node 200, informs the other connected baseband units 300a, 300b to synchronize their timing relative to the master unit. That is, in some embodiments, the network node 200 uses time information from one of the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b as time reference for the time synchronization information.
By defining overlapping prioritized transmission slots for the baseband units 300a, 300b the time periods of no transmission for the different baseband units 300a, 300b can be highly correlated. This applies also where numerology differ between the baseband units 300a, 300b. That is, in some embodiments, at least two of the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b use different numerologies with respect to each other for the downlink transmission of data, and the time scheduling information is adapted to each of the numerologies. In this respect, the time scheduling information might be adapted such that prioritized or allowed transmission slots in the different numerologies at least partly overlap. An example illustrating this is presented in below described
In some aspects, the radio unit 120, or the network node 200, informs the baseband units 300a, 300b of prioritized transmission slots or prioritized low bandwidth slots. In other aspects, prioritized transmission slots are defined as a static or semi-static configuration of each baseband unit 300a, 300b. In some examples there are multiple levels of prioritized slots. That is, in some embodiments, the time synchronization information specifies a prioritization order of the transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used by the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b for the downlink transmission of data. For example, according to the prioritization order, a baseband unit 300a, 300b shall try to utilize only transmission slots of highest priority level when scheduling downlink transmission of data. When all transmission slots of highest priority level have been filled, the baseband unit 300a, 300b shall try to utilize only transmission slots of second highest priority level when scheduling downlink transmission of data, etc.
The indication of which transmission slots that are to be considered as prioritized might be dynamically adjusted. This dynamic adjustment can be made by the network node 200 possibly as assisted by, or by means of input from, a central network management node (e.g. an Operational Support System (OSS) node, or a Self-Optimizing Network (SON) node, etc.). The adjustment may be based on e.g. the amount of time-sensitive traffic in the network, or in a particular cell. That is, in some embodiments, the data to be transmitted is associated with a level of time-sensitivity, and the network node 20o accesses information of the time-sensitivity for dynamically updating the time scheduling information. In other embodiments, each of the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b is configured with identical transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used for the downlink transmission of data.
In further aspects, the radio unit 120, or the network node 200, informs the baseband units 300a, 300b of how many prioritized transmission slots the radio unit 120 is capable of handling during a certain time unit, such as a radio frame. The number of prioritized transmission slots may be adjusted dynamically and be based on e.g. current load, temperature of certain components or subsystems, in the radio unit 120. Correspondingly, in some aspects, instead of specifying which transmission slots that are prioritized for transmission, the transmission slots that are prioritized to be empty are specified.
In some aspects the radio unit 120 is configured to dynamically adjust its operational mode by examining input signals from the baseband units 300a, 300b. In particular, in some embodiments, the radio unit 120 comprises a power amplifier (PA) 170 and a PA controller 160, and the network node 200 provides input to the PA controller 160 for dynamically adjusting the PA 170 according to maximum power or data rate required for the downlink transmission of data. In some examples, PA biasing can be dynamically determined by examining the peak power as well as the peak data rate (or modulation order) of each data stream from the baseband units 300a, 300b. In terms of PA biasing, the peak power of all attached signals can be determined, for example by summing together side information provided in each data stream. In terms of peak data rate or modulation biasing, the maximum data rate or modulation order in all attached signals can be determined and the PA back-off can be adjusted accordingly; lower data rate, or modulation order, yields less PA back-off. In addition, digital processing can be adapted to requirement of the total sum-signal after all input component signals are combined. The ratio unit 120 might activate digital processing resources based on a pre-determined function of scheduled bandwidth, number of branches, number of wireless devices 130a, 130b, number of layers, etc. in all attached input signal components.
In some aspects, temporary excess radio capacity (e.g. caused by cool outdoor temperature, or one or more of the baseband unit(s) 300a, 300b not operating in full throughput mode, etc.) can be used by other baseband unit(s) 300a, 300b. In particular, in some embodiments, the network node 200 obtains information of temporary excess radio capacity at the radio unit 120, and the network node 200 dynamically updates the time scheduling information by allocating, in accordance with the information of temporary excess radio capacity, further transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used by the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b for the downlink transmission of data. This can be realized by feedback from the radio unit 120, or the network node 200, to one or more of the baseband units 300a, 300b regarding availability of excess radio unit capacity. In particular, in some embodiments, the network node 200 obtains information of downlink traffic load at each of the baseband units 300a, 300b, and the network node 200 dynamically updates the time scheduling information by allocating further transmission slots per frame that, according to the information of downlink traffic load, are unused by one of the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b to another of the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b.
In some aspects, prioritization of the scheduled bandwidth of the baseband units 300a, 300b is deployed. The network node 200 might therefore configure the baseband units 300a, 300b with frequency scheduling information. In particular, in some embodiments, the network node 200 is configured to perform (optional) step S104:
S104: The network node 200 configures the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b with frequency scheduling information identifying which frequency bands per frame that are allowed to be used by the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b for the downlink transmission of data.
In some aspects, the frequency scheduling information is provided to the scheduler in each baseband unit 300a, 300b.
This implies that, when possible, the baseband units 300a, 300b shall try to reduce the scheduled bandwidth in certain steps. This can e.g. be utilized in the radio unit 120 to reduce the amount of digital processing resources that need to be activated for the downlink transmission of data.
In general terms, any of the above disclosed embodiments could be applied for uplink reception of data. That is, where data for the baseband units 300a, 300b is received by the radio unit 120 from the wireless devices 130a, 130b in reception slots. This implies that the baseband units 300a, 300b are operatively connected to the radio unit 120 for uplink reception of data. In particular, in some embodiments, the network node 200 is configured to perform (optional) step S106:
S106: The network node 200 configures the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b with time scheduling information identifying possible reception slots per frame for uplink reception of data at the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b.
In some aspects, the time scheduling information is provided to the scheduler in each baseband unit 300a, 300b.
In some examples, each baseband unit 300a, 300b signals information of already scheduled uplink activity to the radio unit 120, or network node 200. The radio unit 120, or network node 200, may then inform other ones of the baseband units 300a, 300b about planned uplink activity so as to co-locate the uplink activities of two or more baseband units 300a, 300b. In turn, this could lead to an increased unused number of reception slots at the radio unit 120.
There could be different ways for the network node 200 to configure the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b with the time synchronization information and the time scheduling information in step S102 (as well as with the frequency scheduling information in step S104 and the time scheduling information in step S106). In some examples the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b are configured by the time synchronization information and the time scheduling information of step S102 (as well as the frequency scheduling information in step S104 and the time scheduling information in step S106) either being provided in a control message sent on an interface between the network node 200 and each of the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b or being piggybacked with uplink data. One example of such an interface is the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).
Reference is now made to
S202: The baseband unit 300a, 300b obtains configuration in terms of time synchronization information for compensating for a difference in time delay between the baseband unit 300a, 300b and the radio unit 120 for the downlink transmission of data, and time scheduling information identifying which transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used by the baseband unit 300a, 300b for the downlink transmission of data.
In some aspects, the configuration is obtained by the scheduler in the baseband unit 300a, 300b.
S206: The baseband unit 300a, 300b transmits downlink data to the radio unit 120 in accordance with the configuration.
In some aspects, the transmission of the downlink data is scheduled by the scheduler in the baseband unit 300a, 300b in accordance with the configuration.
Embodiments relating to further details of enabling time synchronized and coordinated downlink transmission of data from a radio unit 120 as performed by the baseband unit 300a, 300b will now be disclosed.
In general terms, the embodiments disclosed above relating to the operation of the network node 200 are also applicable for the operation of each baseband unit 300a, 300b.
As disclosed above, at least two baseband units 300a, 300b are operatively connected to the radio unit 120 for downlink transmission of data and the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b are not in time synchronization with each other. Therefore, in some embodiments, the time synchronization information pertains to a difference in time synchronization between the baseband unit 300a, 300b and another baseband unit 300a, 300b.
As disclosed above, there could be one or more levels of time synchronization between the baseband units 300a, 300b. Thus, in some embodiments, the time synchronization information pertains to symbol level time synchronization, slot level time synchronization, or frame level time synchronization for compensating for the difference in time delay.
As disclosed above, different levels of time synchronization can be created by allowing the radio unit 120, or the network node 200, to provide a time correction term to the baseband units 300a, 300b either in terms of an absolute time reference or in terms of a relative time reference. Thus, in some embodiments, the baseband unit 300a, 300b is configured with the time synchronization information either as an absolute time reference or as a relative time reference.
As disclosed above, a periodic compensation for timing drift between the attached baseband units 300a, 300b may be required. Thus, in some embodiments, the baseband unit 300a, 300b periodically obtains the configuration.
As disclosed above, the network node 200 might use time information from one of the at least two baseband units 300a, 300b as time reference for the time synchronization information. Thus, in some embodiments, time information from the baseband unit 300a, 300b is used as time reference for the time synchronization information.
As disclosed above, the network node 200 might inform the baseband units 300a, 300b of prioritized transmission slots or prioritized low bandwidth slots. Thus, in some embodiments, the time synchronization information specifies a prioritization order of the transmission slots per frame that are allowed to be used by the baseband unit 300a, 300b for the downlink transmission of data.
As disclosed above, the network node 200 might configure the baseband unit 300a, 300b with frequency scheduling information, as in (optional) step S1o4. Thus, in some embodiments, the baseband unit 300a, 300b is configured to perform (optional) step S204:
S204: The baseband unit 300a, 300b obtains configuration from the network node 200 in terms of frequency scheduling information identifying which frequency bands per frame that are allowed to be used by the baseband unit 300a, 300b for the downlink transmission of data.
In some aspects, the configuration is obtained by the scheduler in the baseband unit 300a, 300b.
The downlink transmission of data from the baseband unit 300a, 300b is then adapted to be in accordance with the frequency scheduling information.
As disclosed above, in some aspects the baseband unit 300a, 300b is operatively connected to the radio unit 120 for uplink reception of data and the network node 200 configures the baseband unit 300a, 300b with time scheduling information identifying possible reception slots per frame for uplink reception of data, as in (optional) step S106. Thus, in some embodiments, the baseband unit 300a, 300b is configured to perform (optional) step S208 and step S210:
S208: The baseband unit 300a, 300b obtains configuration from the network node 200 in terms of time scheduling information identifying possible reception slots per frame for uplink reception of data at the baseband unit 300a, 300b.
In some aspects, the configuration is obtained by the scheduler in the baseband unit 300a, 300b.
S210: The baseband unit 300a, 300b receives uplink data from the radio unit 120 in accordance with the configuration.
In some aspects, the reception of the uplink data is scheduled by the scheduler in the baseband unit 300a, 300b in accordance with the configuration.
As disclosed above, there could be different ways for the network node 200 to configure the baseband unit 300a, 300b with the time synchronization information and the time scheduling information as received in step S202 (as well as with the frequency scheduling information as received in step S204 and the time scheduling information as received in step S208). That is, in some embodiments, the baseband unit 300a, 300b is configured by the time synchronization information and the time scheduling information (as well as the frequency scheduling information as received in step S204 and the time scheduling information as received in step S208) either being obtained in a control message sent on an interface between the network node 200 and the baseband unit 300a, 300b or being piggybacked with uplink data. One example of such an interface is the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).
Particularly, the processing circuitry 210 is configured to cause the network node 200 to perform a set of operations, or steps, as disclosed above. For example, the storage medium 230 may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry 210 may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium 230 to cause the network node 200 to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions. Thus the processing circuitry 210 is thereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed.
The storage medium 230 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.
The network node 200 may further comprise a communications interface 220 for communications at least with the radio unit 120 and the baseband units 300a, 300b. As such the communications interface 220 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components.
The processing circuitry 210 controls the general operation of the network node 200 e.g. by sending data and control signals to the communications interface 220 and the storage medium 23o, by receiving data and reports from the communications interface 220, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storage medium 230.
Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the network node 200 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.
The network node 200 of
The network node 200 may be provided as a standalone device or as a part of at least one further device. For example, the network node 200 may be provided in a node of the radio access network or in a node of the core network. Alternatively, functionality of the network node 200 may be distributed between at least two devices, or nodes. These at least two nodes, or devices, may either be part of the same network part (such as the radio access network or the core network) or may be spread between at least two such network parts. In general terms, instructions that are required to be performed in real time may be performed in a device, or node, operatively closer to the cell than instructions that are not required to be performed in real time.
Thus, a first portion of the instructions performed by the network node 200 may be executed in a first device, and a second portion of the instructions performed by the network node 200 may be executed in a second device; the herein disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular number of devices on which the instructions performed by the network node 200 may be executed. Hence, the methods according to the herein disclosed embodiments are suitable to be performed by a network node 200 residing in a cloud computational environment. Therefore, although a single processing circuitry 210 is illustrated in
Particularly, the processing circuitry 310 is configured to cause the baseband unit 300a, 300b to perform a set of operations, or steps, as disclosed above. For example, the storage medium 330 may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry 310 may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium 330 to cause the baseband unit 300a, 300b to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions. Thus the processing circuitry 310 is thereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed.
The storage medium 330 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.
The baseband unit 300a, 300b may further comprise a communications interface 320 for communications at least with the network node 200 and the radio unit 120. As such the communications interface 320 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components.
The processing circuitry 310 controls the general operation of the baseband unit 300a, 300b e.g. by sending data and control signals to the communications interface 320 and the storage medium 330, by receiving data and reports from the communications interface 320, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storage medium 330. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the baseband unit 300a, 300b are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.
In the example of
The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended patent claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/SE2020/050957 | 10/7/2020 | WO |