MULTIPLE-INPUT AND MULTIPLE-OUTPUT (MIMO) ANTENNA MUTING WITH UE ASSISTCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION (S)
This application claims priority to the PCT International Application No. PCT/CN2022/081721 filed on March 18, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure generally relates to communication networks, and more specifically, to methods and apparatuses related to multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna muting with UE assist.
BACKGROUNDThis section introduces aspects that may facilitate a better understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.
Energy consumption is a big challenge of 5th generation (5G) system today and main power consumption comes from radio unit of radio access network (RAN) system, as shown in Fig. iA.A basic RAN system consists of base station and user equipment (UE) . Within base station, the functions could be split into digital processing unit (DPU) which consists of centralized unit (CU) and distributed unit (DU) , and radio unit which consists of digital front end (DFE) , analog front end (AFE) , filtering unit (FU) and antenna (AN) . From UE side, it has radio frequency (RF) chain, which is similar as radio unit of base station but more simplified, and digital unit which mainly handles radio protocol (e.g., physical (PHY) , medium access control (MAC) , radio resource control (RRC) ) and applications.
Different energy saving schemes could be used in different traffic conditions, for example MIMO branch muting scheme is generally used in low traffic load and radio unit of different branches is switched on/off in second level. However, although MIMO branch muting would reduce the power consumption of base station, the performance of different channels will be impacted as well due to reduction of beamforming gain. For advanced antenna system (AAS) like radio product, which has large antenna branches, one of hot discussions is which branch is muted to avoid reducing beamforming gain. Fig. 1B shows an example of different muting patterns in case 64 antenna branches are switched to 32 antenna branches. Muting pattern 1 would keep larger vertical beamforming gain while muting pattern 2 would keep larger horizontal beamforming gain.
SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Fixed muting pattern is generally implemented by base station and difficult to adapt to different scenarios and radio channel variations. In order to overcome this problem, (next) generation node B (gNB) may configure different channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) resources and rely on UE’s CSI feedback (e.g., CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI) or layer 1 Reference Signal Receiving Power (L1-RSRP) ) to judge which muting pattern is better.
However, there might be some problems for the existing solutions.
● Independent feedback of CSI based on each configured CSI-RS resource will generate large signaling overhead in the uplink.
● There is no clear criterion about selecting muting pattern from base station side.
● CRI related mechanism has some limitations on muting pattern recommendation based on current specification, for example in 3GPP TS 38.214 V16.8.0, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- “If the UE is configured with a CSI-ReportConfig with the higher layer parameter reportQuantity set to 'cri-RSRP' , 'cri-RI-PMI-CQI' , 'cri-RI-i1' , 'cri-RI-i1-CQI' , 'cri-RI-CQI' , 'cri-RI-LI-PMI-CQI' , or 'cri-SINR' , and Ks ＞ 1 resources are configured in the corresponding resource set for channel measurement, then the UE shall derive the CSI parameters other than CRI conditioned on the reported CRI, where CRI k (k ≥ 0) corresponds to the configured (k+1) -th entry of associated nzp-CSI-RS-Resources in the corresponding NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet for channel measurement, and (k+ 1) -th entry of associated csi-IM-Resource in the corresponding csi-IM-ResourceSet (if configured) or (k+1) -th entry of associated nzp-CSI-RS-Resources in the corresponding NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet (if configured. for CSI-ReportConfig with reportQuantity set to 'cri-SINR') for interference measurement. If Ks = 2 CSI-RS resources are configured, each resource shall contain at most 16 CSI-RS ports. If 2 ＜ Ks ≤ 8 CSI-RS resources are configured, each resource shall contain at most 8 CSI-RS ports. ”
Although how to map different muting patterns of antenna array to CSI-RS ports is up to gNB implementation, it seems unnecessary to limit number of CSI-RS ports for muting pattern selection. In case gNB wants to switch 64 Transmit (Tx) to 32 Tx, it may still need to transmit 32 CSI-RS ports. Ifthree sets of CSI-RS ports are transmitted for muting pattern selection (for switching 32 Tx to 16 Tx) , it is unnecessary to limit the number of CSI-RS ports up to 8.
- “If the UE is configured with a CSI-ReportConfig with higher layer parameter reportQuantity set to 'cri-RSRP' , 'cri-SINR' or 'none' and the CSI-ReportConfig is linked to a resource setting configured with the higher layer parameter resourceType set to 'aperiodic' , then the UE is not expected to be configured with more than 16 CSI-RS resources in a CSI-RS resource set contained within the resource setting” .
Due to muting pattern selection, the number of configured CSI-RS resources would be increased. With that said, 16 may not be sufficient considering normal need of CSI feedback.
- Assuming gNB transmits 4 sets of CSI-RS ports mapped to 32Tx (muting pattern 1) , 32Tx (muting pattern 2) , 16 Tx (muting pattern 1) , 16 Tx (muting pattern 2) , respectively, ideal way is UE feedbacks CRI1 for 32Tx and CRI2 for 16Tx in one report. Based on current specification, UE can only feedback single CRI. Or gNB need two configurations of CRI and UE reports CRI twice but cannot report wanted CRIs in one report.
The present disclosure proposes a solution of a UE assisted MIMO branch muting mechanism, which includes some detailed aspects related to at least one of the followings:
● Criteria for muting pattern selection from base station side.
● Enhanced feedback mechanism on recommending best muting pattern from UE side.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method implemented at a terminal device. The method comprises receiving at least one channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) from a network node based on a CSI-RS configuration. The method further comprises selecting at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node based on measuring result of the at least one CSI-RS. The method further comprises transmitting a report of the selected at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node to the network node. The at least one CSI-RS is mapped to the at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure may further comprise receiving the CSI-RS configuration from the network node. The CSI-RS configuration comprises mapping information between the at least one CSI-RS and the at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the mapping information comprises at least one of: mapping information from one CSI-RS to one muting pattern of antennas of the network node; mapping information from one CSI-RS to multiple muting patterns of antennas of the network node; mapping information from multiple CSI-RSs to one muting pattern of antennas of the network node; mapping information from multiple CSI-RSs to multiple muting patterns of antennas of the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure may further comprise measuring the at least one CSI-RS.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the measuring result of the CSI-RS comprises at least one of: Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) and/or Reference Signal Receiving Quality (RSRQ) .
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CSI-RS comprises single-port CSI-RS and/or multi-port CSI-RS.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a number of ports for the CSI-RS is related to a number of antennas for the muting pattern selection.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure may further comprise receiving a CSI-RS report configuration from the network node. The CSI-RS report configuration indicates the terminal device to transmit the report of the selected muting pattern of antennas of the network node to the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CSI-RS is received periodically or aperiodically based on CSI-RS configuration.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CSI-RS configuration and/or the CSI-RS report configuration is received via at least one of: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) , and Downlink Control Information (DCI) .
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report comprises at least one index for the selected at least one muting pattern for a number of antennas of the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the number comprises at least one of 64, 32, 16, 8, and 4.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report further comprises Carrier Indicator Flag (CIF) .
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report is transmitted via Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and/or Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) , and/or the report is transmitted via Layer 1, Layer 2 and/or Layer 3 signaling.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus implemented in a terminal device. The apparatus comprises one or more processors and one or more memories comprising computer program codes. The one or more memories and the computer program codes are configured to, with the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform any step of the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable medium having computer program codes embodied thereon which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any step of the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus implemented in a terminal device. The apparatus comprises a receiving module, a selecting module and a transmitting module. In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the receiving module is operable to carry out at least the receiving step of the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The selecting module is operable to carry out at least the selecting step of the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The transmitting module is operable to carry out at least the transmitting step of the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method implemented at a network node. The method comprises transmitting at least one channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) to a terminal device. The method further comprises receiving a report of selected at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node from the terminal device. The at least one CSI-RS is mapped to the at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure may further comprise determining a muting pattern at least partly based on the report.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure may further comprise transmitting a CSI-RS configuration to the terminal device. The CSI-RS configuration comprises mapping information between the at least one CSI-RS and the at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the mapping information comprises at least one of: mapping information from one CSI-RS to one muting pattern of antennas of the network node; mapping information from one CSI-RS to multiple muting patterns of antennas of the network node; mapping information from multiple CSI-RSs to one muting pattern of antennas of the network node; mapping information from multiple CSI-RSs to multiple muting patterns of antennas of the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CSI-RS comprises single-port CSI-RS and/or multi-port CSI-RS.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a number of ports for the CSI-RS is related to a number of antennas for the muting pattern selection.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure may further comprise transmitting a CSI-RS report configuration to the terminal device. The CSI-RS report configuration indicates the terminal device to transmit the report of the selected muting pattern of antennas of the network node to the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CSI-RS is transmitted periodically or aperiodically based on CSI-RS configuration.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CSI-RS configuration and/or the CSI-RS report configuration is transmitted via at least one of: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) , and Downlink Control Information (DCI) .
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report comprises at least one index for the selected at least one muting pattern for a number of antennas of the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the number comprises at least one of 64, 32, 16, 8, and 4.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report further comprises Carrier Indicator Flag (CIF) .
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report is received via Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and/or Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) , and/or the report is transmitted via Layer 1, Layer 2 and/or Layer 3 signaling.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the step of determining the muting pattern is further based on at least one of: Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) , energy saving, throughput, latency, and reliability.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the terminal device comprises single terminal device or multiple terminal devices.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the step of determining the muting pattern is further based on the muting pattern of antennas of the network node selected by majority of the multiple terminal devices. In some embodiments, the muting pattern selected by the majority of the multiple terminal devices is the muting pattern selected by the most of the multiple terminal devices.
According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus implemented in a network node. The apparatus comprises one or more processors and one or more memories comprising computer program codes. The one or more memories and the computer program codes are configured to, with the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform any step of the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable medium having computer program codes embodied thereon which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any step of the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.
According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus implemented in a network node. The apparatus comprises a transmitting module and a receiving module. In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the transmitting module is operable to carry out at least the transmitting step of the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure. The receiving module is operable to carry out at least the receiving step of the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method implemented in a communication system which may include a host computer, a base station and a UE. The method may comprise providing user data at the host computer. Optionally, the method may comprise, at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base station which may perform any step of the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication system including a host computer. The host computer may comprise processing circuitry configured to provide user data, and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a UE. The cellular network may comprise a base station having a radio interface and processing circuitry. The base station’s processing circuitry may be configured to perform any step of the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method implemented in a communication system which may include a host computer, a base station and a UE. The method may comprise providing user data at the host computer. Optionally, the method may comprise, at the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base station. The UE may perform any step of the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication system including a host computer. The host computer may comprise processing circuitry configured to provide user data, and a communication interface configured to forward user data to a cellular network for transmission to a UE. The UE may comprise a radio interface and processing circuitry. The UE’s processing circuitry may be configured to perform any step of the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method implemented in a communication system which may include a host computer, a base station and a UE. The method may comprise, at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted to the base station from the UE which may perform any step of the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication system including a host computer. The host computer may comprise a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a UE to a base station. The UE may comprise a radio interface and processing circuitry. The UE’s processing circuitry may be configured to perform any step of the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method implemented in a communication system which may include a host computer, a base station and a UE. The method may comprise, at the host computer, receiving, from the base station, user data originating from a transmission which the base station has received from the UE. The base station may perform any step of the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication system which may include a host computer. The host computer may comprise a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a UE to a base station. The base station may comprise a radio interface and processing circuitry. The base station’s processing circuitry may be configured to perform any step of the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.
With above aspects of the present disclosure, signaling overhead of UE report may be reduced, as only the report for the selected muting pattern of antennas of the network node is transmitted from the UE to the gNB, other than separated reports for each CSI-RS measuring result. In addition, better network performance as well as better UE experience can be achieved as the muting pattern of MIMO branch could better map the real network and adapt to network load’s variation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe disclosure itself, the preferable mode of use and further objectives are best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1A is a diagram illustrating an RAN system;
Fig. 1B is a diagram illustrating different muting patterns;
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the basic procedure on determining muting mechanism;
Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure for UE assisted MIMO branch muting according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;
Fig. 4A is a diagram illustrating CSI-RS resource set mapping with different muting patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;
Fig. 4B is a diagram illustrating a subset of 32 CSI-RS resource set mapped to different muting patterns;
Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;
Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;
Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;
Figs. 8A and 8B are block diagrams illustrating apparatuses according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;
Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a host computer communicating via a base station with a UE over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;
Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these embodiments are discussed only for the purpose of enabling those skilled persons in the art to better understand and thus implement the present disclosure, rather than suggesting any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure. Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the disclosure. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure.
As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as new radio (NR) , long term evolution (LTE) , LTE-Advanced, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) , high-speed packet access (HSPA) , and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network node in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , 4G, 4.5G, 5G, 6G communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future.
The term “network node” refers to a network device in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses to the network and receives services therefrom. The network node may refer to a base station (BS) , an access point (AP) , a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE) , a controller or any other suitable device in a wireless communication network. The BS may be, for example, a node B (NodeB or NB) , an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , a next generation NodeB (gNodeB or gNB) , a remote radio unit (RRU) , a radio header (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , a relay, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth.
Yet further examples of the network node comprise multi-standard radio (MSR) radio equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs) , base transceiver stations (BTSs) , transmission points, transmission nodes, positioning nodes and/or the like. More generally, however, the network node may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable, configured, arranged, and/or operable to enable and/or provide a terminal device access to a wireless communication network or to provide some service to a terminal device that has accessed to the wireless communication network.
The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that can access a communication network and receive services therefrom. By way of example and not limitation, the terminal device may refer to a mobile terminal, a user equipment (UE) , or other suitable devices. The UE may be, for example, a subscriber station, a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) or an access terminal (AT) . The terminal device may include, but not limited to, portable computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a wearable device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , a vehicle, and the like.
As yet another specific example, in an Internet of things (IoT) scenario, a terminal device may also be called an IoT device and represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring, sensing and/or measurements etc., and transmits the results of such monitoring, sensing and/or measurements etc. to another terminal device and/or a network equipment. The terminal device may in this case be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) context be referred to as a machine-type communication (MTC) device.
As one particular example, the terminal device may be a UE implementing the 3GPP narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) standard. Particular examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or home or personal appliances, e.g. refrigerators, televisions, personal wearables such as watches etc. In other scenarios, a terminal device may represent a vehicle or other equipment, for example, a medical instrument that is capable of monitoring, sensing and/or reporting etc. on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.
As used herein, the terms “first” , “second” and so torth refer to different elements. The singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises” , “comprising” , “has” , “having” , “includes” and/or “including” as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components and the like, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof. The term “based on” is to be read as “based at least in part on” . The term “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are to be read as “at least one embodiment” . The term “another embodiment” is to be read as “at least one other embodiment” . Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.
Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the basic procedure on determining muting mechanism. As shown in Fig. 2, the basic solution is to determine best muting pattern periodically or aperiodically before real MIMO branch switching is triggered.
Regarding how to determine best muting pattern, there are mainly 8 steps as shown in Fig. 3:
Step 310) gNB 105 transmits RRC signaling of reporting recommended muting pattern of MIMO branch. It is up to gNB 105 about which UE is transmitted RRC signaling. Some tradeoff between signaling overhead and performance could be considered.
Exemplary detailed RRC signaling refers to the texts below,
The muting patterns as shown in Fig. 4A need to be specified and the field “Mapping between CSI-RS and muting pattern” in the RRC signaling as stated above indicates how CSI-RSs (or CSI-RS resource sets) are mapped to muting patterns, like table below, where the information element (IE) CSI-ResourceConfigId is used to identify a CSI-ResourceConfig, which defines a group of one or more NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet, CSI-IM-ResourceSet and/or CSI-SSB-ResourceSet, and the IE NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSetId is used to identify one NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet, which is a set of Non-Zero-Power (NZP) CSI-RS resources (their IDs) and set-specific parameters, as illustrated in 3GPP TS 38.331 V16.7.0, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As an example, referring to below table, a CSI-RS resource set ID indicates a certain CSI-RS resource set while a CSI-RS resource configuration ID indicates which CSI-RS resource configuration the CSI-RS resource set belongs to. In this table, all CSI-RS (or CSI-RS resource sets) , e.g., y1, y2, y3, y4 and y5, belong to CSI-RS resource configuration of x1. Index 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 might be integers between 0 and 15, therefore there could be 16 muting patterns in total.
For detailed CSI-RS pattern (which resource elements (REs) are used as position of CSI-RS ports in a physical resource block (PRB) ) , existing specification is reused. For NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSetId (e.g., y1) mapped with 32 Tx based muting pattern 1, 32 CSI-RS ports are used (detailed positions of these 32 CSI-RS ports are up to gNB configuration) . For NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSetId (e.g., y5) mapped with 8 Tx, 8 CSI-RS ports are used (detailed positions of these 8 CSI-RS ports are up to gNB configuration) . Other cases are similar and ignored here.
Which antennas are used to transmit each set of CSI-RS ports is up to gNB implementation and gNB 105 should guarantee transmission of these CSI-RS ports well matched with different muting patterns. For example, in case muting pattern 1 is intended to be measured by UE 100, gNB 105 should use 32 Tx instead of 64 Tx for transmitting 32 CSI-RS ports. In case muting pattern 5 is intended to be measured by UE 100, gNB 105 should use 8 Tx instead of 64 Tx for transmitting 8 CSI-RS ports.
Step 320) The gNB 105 transmits different sets of CSI-RS ports. CSI-RS ports could be periodically transmitted and the periodicity is based on frequency of enabling/disabling muting pattern, for example 5 ms, 10 ms, 100 ms, 1s or even longer. This can be configured by higher layer signaling, e.g., RRC signaling. In another way, CSI-RS ports could also be aperiodically transmitted. I.e., the configuration can be conveyed through e.g., RRC signaling, but the activation or indication is provided aperiodically, e.g., through layer 1/2 (L1/L2) based signaling such as DCI.
There is no limitation on keeping same number of CSI-RS ports for all CSI-RS resource sets. The gNB 105 could transmit different CSI-RS ports to UEs 100, for example 32 CSI-RS ports for 32 MIMO branch selection, 16 CSI-RS ports for 16 MIMO branch selection, 8 CSI-RS ports for 8 MIMO branch selection. There is also no limitation on the number of CSI-RS resource sets. More than 16 CSI-RS resource sets could be configured for muting pattern selection.
Step 330) UE 100 measures different sets of CSI-RS ports.
Step 340) UE 100 calculates channel quality based on these sets of CSI-RS ports. Considering channel variation, L1-RSRP or Layer 3 (L3) -RSRP or other measurements are used for calculation. This measurement reflects beamforming gain of different muting patterns. It can be either pre-configured e.g., as in standardization documentations, or configured by the network (NW) if one or more types of measurements should be reported. The configuration can be through higher layer signaling e.g., RRC signaling, or through L1/L2 triggers such as DCI or MAC CE based mechanisms.
Step 350) UE 100 feedbacks one or more recommended muting patterns to gNB 105. The carried channel could be PUCCH/PUSCH via L1/L2/L3 signaling. The report is like following message,
The feedback resource allocation mechanism can be either based on configured grants, e.g., when periodic or semi-persistent feedback is needed, or based on a configuration provided as part of the request for report, e.g., as part of a DCI.
2 bits means maximum 4 muting patterns are compared (e.g., pattern 1, 2, 3, 4) and one is recommended. More bits could be supported based on the necessity, e.g., ifthe UE 100 can recommend more than one muting pattern. CIF indicates the carrier index in case of multiple carriers.
If configured or requested by the NW, the UE 100 can additionally report other CSI-RS measurements of the muting pattern (s) , e.g., L1-RSRP/Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) , Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) , etc.
Step 360) gNB 105 chooses which muting pattern is used for energy saving. For instance, if a cell has three UEs and two of them have better performance for muting pattern 1 while the third UE has better performance for muting pattern 2, finally muting pattern 1 could be selected based on performance of majority or most of users. In another approach, the NW determines a minimum link requirement for each UE, e.g., a minimum SINR, and chooses the muting pattern which satisfies this condition while provides the best energy savings gain. In another approach, the NW determines a constraint on the energy consumption, and furthermore, determines a muting pattern based on a specific objective function, e.g., the muting pattern which provides the highest throughput. Alternative criteria are also possible, for example based on trade-off of one or more key performance indicators (KPIs) and energy consumption together. E. g., of such KPIs can be UE throughput, call drop rate, cell coverage, etc.
As an example, for each muting pattern, a score may be calculated for muting pattern selection. As an example, the score calculated for each muting pattern index consists of two parts,
Score 1: score based on if recommended muting pattern index is reported from majority or most of users of a cell. If yes, the score is a number larger than another number for “no” , for example, if yes, the score is 70, and 50 otherwise. In some embodiments, the majority refers to the UEs which recommend a same muting pattern and the number of which is greater than or equal to the number of UEs that recommend any other muting pattern.
Score 2: score based on saved power ratio according to this muting pattern index. The detailed score depends on following table.
The gNB 105 will calculate the sum of score 1 and score 2 for each muting pattern and choose final muting pattern based on the score.
Assuming majority or most of UEs report muting pattern 1, score 1 of muting pattern 1 is 70 and score 1 of muting pattern 2 is 50. Assuming muting pattern 1 could obtain saved power consumption ratio of 45%, the score 2 is 20. Thus, total score of muting pattern 1 is 90 (70+20) .
Similarly, score of muting pattern 2 is 70 as score 1 is 50 (not recommended by majority or most of UEs) and score 2 is 20 (saved power ratio is 48%) .
Thus, muting pattern 1 is selected as final decision.
As another example, the ratio of UEs may also be considered for score calculation, like
Score = Coeff1 x Muting pattern recommendation factor + power consumption factor where Coeff1 is coefficient and defined as certain fixed value (e.g., 70) . Muting pattern recommendation factor is ratio of UEs in a cell which recommend certain muting pattern. The power consumption factor is the reward value of power saving based on muting pattern. For example, 70%UEs recommend muting pattern 1 so the score is 0.7 x 70 + 20 =69. If 30%UEs recommend muting pattern 2, the score is 0.3 x 70 + 20 = 41. In this case, muting pattern 1 is selected.
Step 370) gNB 105 indicates UEs 100 which muting pattern is used.
Step 380) gNB 105 enables MIMO branch muting and works at a status of MIMO branch muting in case traffic load is low (e.g., PRB utilization ratio is lower than 30%) .
The CSI-RS resource set mapping is shown in Fig. 4A where 5 sets of CSI-RS ports are configured and mapped to different muting patterns of 32Tx, 16Tx and 8Tx from 64 Tx. In this case, UE will report recommended muting pattern, for example pattern 2 for 32Tx and pattern 1 for 16Tx, pattern 1 for 8Tx.
In Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, the channel measurement from SRS may also be used to assist how to choose muting pattern.
The muting pattern would impact both broadcast channel and shared channel.
The benefit of this solution is smaller signaling overhead of UE report.
The second solution is that: gNB transmits CSI-RS ports mapped to full MIMO branches (64Tx) , while it requests UE to measure subset of them. As shown in Fig. 4B, there are 32 CSI-RS ports that are mapped to full 64 antenna branches. Within these CSI-RS ports, ports 0-15 are mapped to muting pattern 1 (32Tx) and ports (16-31) are mapped to muting pattern 2. UE measures ports 0-15 for muting pattern 1 and ports 16-31 for muting pattern 2. The UE report mechanism is same as Fig. 3.
The benefit of this solution is smaller signaling overhead of UE report while C SI-RS resource is additionally saved.
Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method 500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 illustrated in Fig. 5 may be performed by an apparatus implemented in a terminal device or communicatively coupled to a terminal device. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the terminal device such as a UE can receive at least one channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) from a network node based on a CSI-RS configuration, as shown in block 502; select at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node based on measuring result of the at least one CSI-RS, as shown in block 504; and transmit a report of the selected at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node to the network node, as shown in block 506. The at least one CSI-RS is mapped to the at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node.
According to the exemplary method 500 illustrated in Fig. 5, before the step of receiving the at least one CSI-RS, the terminal device may receive the CSI-RS configuration from the network node. The CSI-RS configuration comprises mapping information between the at least one CSI-RS and the at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the mapping information comprises at least one of: mapping information from one CSI-RS to one muting pattern of antennas of the network node; mapping information from one CSI-RS to multiple muting patterns of antennas of the network node; mapping information from multiple CSI-RSs to one muting pattern of antennas of the network node; mapping information from multiple CSI-RSs to multiple muting patterns of antennas of the network node.
According to the exemplary method 500 illustrated in Fig. 5, after the step of receiving the at least one CSI-RS, the terminal device may further measure the at least one CSI-RS, to obtain the measuring result of the at least one CSI-RS.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the measuring result of the C SI-RS comprises at least one of: Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) and/or Reference Signal Receiving Quality (RSRQ) .
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CSI-RS comprises single-port CSI-RS and/or multi-port CSI-RS. The number of ports for the CSI-RS could be related to the number of antennas for the muting pattern selection
According to the exemplary method 500 illustrated in Fig. 5, before the step of transmitting a report of the selected at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node to the network node, the terminal device may further receive a CSI-RS report configuration from the network node. The CSI-RS report configuration indicates the terminal device to transmit the report of the selected muting pattern of antennas of the network node to the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the C SI-RS is received periodically or aperiodically based on CSI-RS configuration.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CSI-RS configuration and/or the CSI-RS report configuration is received via at least one of: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) , and Downlink Control Information (DCI) .
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report comprises at least one index for the selected at least one muting pattern for a number of antennas of the network node. The number could be at least one of 64, 32, 16, 8, and 4.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report further comprises Carrier Indicator Flag (CIF) .
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report is transmitted via Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and/or Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) , and/or the report is transmitted via Layer 1, Layer 2 and/or Layer 3 signaling.
Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method 700 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 700 illustrated in Fig. 7 may be performed by an apparatus implemented in a network node or communicatively coupled to a network node. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the network node such as a gNB can transmit at least one channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) to a terminal device, as shown in block 702; and receive a report of selected at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node from the terminal device, as shown in block 704. The at least one CSI-RS is mapped to the at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node.
According to the exemplary method 700 illustrated in Fig. 7, after the step of receiving the report of selected at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node from the terminal device, the network node may further determine a muting pattern at least partly based on the report.
According to the exemplary method 700 illustrated in Fig. 7, before the step of transmitting at least one CSI-RS to a terminal device, the network node may further transmit a CSI-RS configuration to the terminal device. The CSI-RS configuration comprises mapping information between the at least one CSI-RS and the at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the mapping information comprises at least one of: mapping information from one CSI-RS to one muting pattern of antennas of the network node; mapping information from one CSI-RS to multiple muting patterns of antennas of the network node; mapping information from multiple CSI-RSs to one muting pattern of antennas of the network node; mapping information from multiple CSI-RSs to multiple muting patterns of antennas of the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CSI-RS comprises single-port CSI-RS and/or multi-port CSI-RS. The number of ports for the CSI-RS could be related to the number of antennas for the muting pattern selection.
According to the exemplary method 700 illustrated in Fig. 7, before the step of receiving a report of selected at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node from the terminal device, the network node may further transmit a CSI-RS report configuration to the terminal device. The CSI-RS report configuration indicates the terminal device to transmit the report of the selected muting pattern of antennas of the network node to the network node.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CSI-RS is transmitted periodically or aperiodically.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the CSI-RS configuration and/or the CSI-RS report configuration is transmitted via at least one of: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) , and Downlink Control Information (DCI) .
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report comprises at least one index for the selected at least one muting pattern for a number of antennas of the network node. The number could be at least one of 64, 32, 16, 8, and 4.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report further comprises Carrier Indicator Flag (CIF) .
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the report is received via Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and/or Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) , and/or the report is transmitted via Layer 1, Layer 2 and/or Layer 3 signaling.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the step of determining (704) the muting pattern is further based on at least one of: Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) , energy saving, throughput, latency, and reliability.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the terminal device comprises single terminal device or multiple terminal devices. When there are multiple terminal devices, the step of transmitting (702) at least one CSI-RS to a terminal device comprises transmitting at least one CSI-RS to multiple terminal devices. Correspondingly, the network node receives respective reports of selected at least one muting patterns of antennas of the network node from the multiple terminal devices. And then, the step of determining (704) the muting pattern is further based on the muting pattern of antennas of the network node selected by majority or most of the multiple terminal devices.
It will be realized that parameters, variables and settings related to the receiving, selecting, transmitting, and determining etc. described herein are just examples. Other suitable network settings, the associated configuration parameters and the specific values thereof may also be applicable to implement the proposed methods.
The proposed solution according to one or more exemplary embodiments can reduce the signaling overhead ofUE report as UE doesn’t need to report each measure result, it only needs to report the selected at least one muting pattern of antennas of the network node. In addition, the determination of muting pattern at the network node may be more accurate which benefits from UE’s report. Therefore, better network performance and better UE experience can be achieved as the muting pattern of MIMO branch could better map the real network and adapt to network load’s variation.
The various blocks shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 may be viewed as method steps, and/or as operations that result from operation of computer program code, and/or as a plurality of coupled logic circuit elements constructed to carry out the associated function (s) . The schematic flow chart diagrams described above are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of specific embodiments of the presented methods. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated methods. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.
Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 600 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6, the apparatus 600 may comprise one or more processors such as processor 601 and one or more memories such as memory 602 storing computer program codes 603. The memory 602 may be non-transitory machine/processor/computer readable storage medium. In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 600 may be implemented as an integrated circuit chip or module that can be plugged or installed into a terminal device as described with respect to Fig. 5, or a network node as described with respect to Fig. 7.
In some implementations, the one or more memories 602 and the computer program codes 603 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 601, cause the apparatus 600 at least to perform any operation of the method as described in connection with Fig. 5. In other implementations, the one or more memories 602 and the computer program codes 603 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 601, cause the apparatus 600 at least to perform any operation of the method as described in connection with Fig. 7.
Alternatively or additionally, the one or more memories 602 and the computer program codes 603 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 601, cause the apparatus 600 at least to perform more or less operations to implement the proposed methods according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
Fig. 8A is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 800A according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 8A, the apparatus 800A may comprise a receiving module 801A, a selecting module 802A, and a transmitting module 803A. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 800A may be implemented in a terminal device such as a UE. The receiving module 801A may be operable to carry out the operation in block 502, the selecting module 802A may be operable to carry out the operation in block 504, and the transmitting module 803A may be operable to carry out the operation in block 506. Optionally, the receiving module 801A, the selecting module 802A, and the transmitting module 803A may be operable to carry out more or less operations to implement the proposed methods according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
Fig. 8B is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 800B according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 8B, the apparatus 800B may comprise a transmitting module 801B and a receiving module 802B. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 800B may be implemented in a network node such as a gNB. The transmitting module 801B may be operable to carry out the operation in block 702, and the receiving module 802B may be operable to carry out the operation in block 704. Optionally, the transmitting module 801B and/or the receiving module 802B may be operable to carry out more or less operations to implement the proposed methods according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
With reference to Fig. 9, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network 910, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises an access network 911, such as a radio access network, and a core network 914. The access network 911 comprises a plurality of base stations 912a, 912b, 912c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 913a, 913b, 913c. Each base station 912a, 912b, 912c is connectable to the core network 914 over a wired or wireless connection 915. A first UE 991 located in a coverage area 913c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 912c. A second UE 992 in a coverage area 913a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 912a. While a plurality of UEs 991, 992 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station 912.
The telecommunication network 910 is itself connected to a host computer 930, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 930 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 921 and 922 between the telecommunication network 910 and the host computer 930 may extend directly from the core network 914 to the host computer 930 or may go via an optional intermediate network 920. An intermediate network 920 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; the intermediate network 920, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network 920 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown) .
The communication system of Fig. 9 as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs 991, 992 and the host computer 930. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 950. The host computer 930 and the connected UEs 991, 992 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via the OTT connection 950, using the access network 911, the core network 914, any intermediate network 920 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 950 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 950 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, the base station 912 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from the host computer 930 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 991. Similarly, the base station 912 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 991 towards the host computer 930.
Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a host computer communicating via a base station with a UE over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.
Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Fig. 10. In a communication system 1000, a host computer 1010 comprises hardware 1015 including a communication interface 1016 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 1000. The host computer 1010 further comprises a processing circuitry 1018, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry 1018 may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 1010 further comprises software 1011, which is stored in or accessible by the host computer 1010 and executable by the processing circuitry 1018. The software 1011 includes a host application 1012. The host application 1012 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE 1030 connecting via an OTT connection 1050 terminating at the UE 1030 and the host computer 1010. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application 1012 may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 1050.
The communication system 1000 further includes a base station 1020 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 1025 enabling it to communicate with the host computer 1010 and with the UE 1030. The hardware 1025 may include a communication interface 1026 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 1000, as well as a radio interface 1027 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 1070 with the UE 1030 located in a coverage area (not shown in Fig. 10) served by the base station 1020. The communication interface 1026 may be configured to facilitate a connection 1060 to the host computer 1010. The connection 1060 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in Fig. 10) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, the hardware 1025 of the base station 1020 further includes a processing circuitry 1028, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 1020 further has software 1021 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.
The communication system 1000 further includes the UE 1030 already referred to. Its hardware 1035 may include a radio interface 1037 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 1070 with a base station serving a coverage area in which the UE 1030 is currently located. The hardware 1035 of the UE 1030 further includes a processing circuitry 1038, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE 1030 further comprises software 1031, which is stored in or accessible by the UE 1030 and executable by the processing circuitry 1038. The software 1031 includes a client application 1032. The client application 1032 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the UE 1030, with the support of the host computer 1010. In the host computer 1010, an executing host application 1012 may communicate with the executing client application 1032 via the OTT connection 1050 terminating at the UE 1030 and the host computer 1010. In providing the service to the user, the client application 1032 may receive request data from the host application 1012 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 1050 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 1032 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.
It is noted that the host computer 1010, the base station 1020 and the UE 1030 illustrated in Fig. 10 may be similar or identical to the host computer 930, one of base stations 912a, 912b, 912c and one of UEs 991, 992 of Fig. 9, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in Fig. 10 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of Fig. 9.
In Fig. 10, the OTT connection 1050 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer 1010 and the UE 1030 via the base station 1020, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from the UE 1030 or from the service provider operating the host computer 1010, or both. While the OTT connection 1050 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network) .
Wireless connection 1070 between the UE 1030 and the base station 1020 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 1030 using the OTT connection 1050, in which the wireless connection 1070 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the latency and the power consumption, and thereby provide benefits such as lower complexity, reduced time required to access a cell, better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime, etc.
A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1050 between the host computer 1010 and the UE 1030, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 1050 may be implemented in software 1011 and hardware 1015 of the host computer 1010 or in software 1031 and hardware 1035 of the UE 1030, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which the OTT connection 1050 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which the software 1011, 1031 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 1050 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect the base station 1020, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 1020. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating the host computer 1010’s measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that the software 1011 and 1031 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 1050 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.
Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Fig. 11 will be included in this section. In step 1110, the host computer provides user data. In substep 1111 (which may be optional) of step 1110, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 1120, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In step 1130 (which may be optional) , the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1140 (which may also be optional) , the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.
Fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Fig. 12 will be included in this section. In step 1210 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 1220, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1230 (which may be optional) , the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.
Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Fig. 13 will be included in this section. In step 1310 (which may be optional) , the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 1320, the UE provides user data. In substep 1321 (which may be optional) of step 1320, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In substep 1311 (which may be optional) of step 1310, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in substep 1330 (which may be optional) , transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step 1340 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.
Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Fig. 14 will be included in this section. In step 1410 (which may be optional) , in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step 1420 (which may be optional) , the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 1430 (which may be optional) , the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.
In general, the various exemplary embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose chips, circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.
As such, it should be appreciated that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit chips and modules. It should thus be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be realized in an apparatus that is embodied as an integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit may comprise circuitry (as well as possibly firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data processor, a digital signal processor, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry that are configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.
It should be appreciated that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in computer-executable instructions, such as in one or more program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types when executed by a processor in a computer or other device. The computer executable instructions may be stored on a computer readable medium such as a hard disk, optical disk, removable storage media, solid state memory, random access memory (RAM) , etc. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the function of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. In addition, the function may be embodied in whole or partly in firmware or hardware equivalents such as integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) , and the like.
The present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or any generalization thereof. Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, any and all modifications will still fall within the scope of the non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.