WO2019158802A1 - Enhancing communication - Google Patents
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- WO2019158802A1 WO2019158802A1 PCT/FI2018/050111 FI2018050111W WO2019158802A1 WO 2019158802 A1 WO2019158802 A1 WO 2019158802A1 FI 2018050111 W FI2018050111 W FI 2018050111W WO 2019158802 A1 WO2019158802 A1 WO 2019158802A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/30—Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes
- H04W4/40—Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
- H04W4/44—Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H]
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C21/00—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00
- G01C21/26—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
- G01C21/34—Route searching; Route guidance
- G01C21/3453—Special cost functions, i.e. other than distance or default speed limit of road segments
- G01C21/3461—Preferred or disfavoured areas, e.g. dangerous zones, toll or emission zones, intersections, manoeuvre types, segments such as motorways, toll roads, ferries
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W24/00—Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
- H04W24/02—Arrangements for optimising operational condition
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W24/00—Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
- H04W24/10—Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W28/00—Network traffic management; Network resource management
- H04W28/02—Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
- H04W28/0226—Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control based on location or mobility
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
- H04W4/021—Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
- H04B7/02—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
- H04B7/04—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
- H04B7/06—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
- H04B7/0613—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station using simultaneous transmission
- H04B7/0615—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station using simultaneous transmission of weighted versions of same signal
- H04B7/0617—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station using simultaneous transmission of weighted versions of same signal for beam forming
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
- H04B7/02—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
- H04B7/04—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
- H04B7/08—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station
- H04B7/0837—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station using pre-detection combining
- H04B7/0842—Weighted combining
- H04B7/086—Weighted combining using weights depending on external parameters, e.g. direction of arrival [DOA], predetermined weights or beamforming
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W28/00—Network traffic management; Network resource management
- H04W28/02—Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
- H04W28/0231—Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control based on communication conditions
Definitions
- the invention relates to communications.
- radio beams may be used to provide more precisely defined transmissions compared with conventional radio transmissions. It may be beneficial to provide solutions that enhance the use of radio beams in a communication network.
- One particular example may be vehicular UEs which locations may constantly change. Hence, there may be room for further developing of beamforming solutions.
- Figure 1A illustrates an example of a wireless network to which embodiments of the invention may be applied
- Figure IB illustrates an example of a vehicular network to which embodiments of the invention may be applied
- Figures 2 A and 2B illustrate flow diagrams according to some embodiments
- Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate some embodiments
- FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate some embodiments
- FIGS 5 and 6 illustrate some embodiments
- FIGS 7 and 8 illustrate apparatuses according to some embodiments.
- UMTS universal mobile telecommunications system
- UTRAN radio access network
- LTE long term evolution
- WLAN wireless local area network
- WiFi worldwide interoperability for microwave access
- Bluetooth e.g. Bluetooth Low Energy
- PCS personal communications services
- WCDMA wideband code division multiple access
- UWB ultra- wideband
- IMS Internet Protocol multimedia subsystems
- Figure 1A depicts examples of simplified system architectures only showing some elements and functional entities, all being logical units, whose implementation may differ from what is shown.
- the connections shown in Figure 1A are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the system typically comprises also other functions and structures than those shown in Figure 1A.
- the embodiments are not, however, restricted to the system given as an example but a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems provided with necessary properties.
- FIG. 1A shows a part of an exemplifying radio access network.
- user devices 100 and 102 may be configured to be in a wireless connection on one or more communication channels in a cell with an access node, such as [e/g)NodeB, 104 providing the cell.
- the physical link from a user device to the access node 104 is called uplink or reverse link and the physical link from the access node 104 to the user device is called downlink or forward link.
- access node 104 or nodes or their functionalities may be implemented by using any node, host, server or access point etc. entity suitable for such a usage.
- the term [e/g)NodeB used above may refer to eNodeB [i.e. eNB) and/or gNodeB [i.e. gNB), for example.
- a communications system typically comprises more than one access node [e.g. similar as access node 104) in which case the access nodes may also be configured to communicate with one another over links, wired or wireless, designed for the purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes.
- the access node may be a computing device configured to control the radio resources of communication system it is coupled to.
- Access node such as the access node 104, may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, network node, network element or any other type of interfacing device including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment.
- Access node includes or is coupled to transceivers. From the transceivers of the access node, a connection is provided to an antenna unit that establishes bi-directional radio links to user devices.
- the antenna unit may comprise a plurality of antennas or antenna elements.
- the access node 104 is further connected to core network 110 (CN or next generation core NGC).
- core network 110 CN or next generation core NGC.
- the counterpart on the CN side can be a serving gateway (S-GW, routing and forwarding user data packets), packet data network gateway (P-GW), for providing connectivity of user devices (UEs) to external packet data networks, or mobile management entity (MME), etc.
- S-GW serving gateway
- P-GW packet data network gateway
- MME mobile management entity
- the user device such as user devices 100 and 102 (also called UE, user equipment, user terminal, terminal device, etc.) illustrates one type of an apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and thus any feature described herein with a user device may be implemented with a corresponding apparatus, such as a relay node.
- a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self- backhauling relay) towards the base station.
- the user device typically refers to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (mobile phone), smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), laptop and/or touch screen computer, tablet, game console, notebook, multimedia device, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, and/or vehicular user device.
- SIM subscriber identification module
- a mobile station mobile phone
- smartphone personal digital assistant
- PDA personal digital assistant
- handset device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.)
- laptop and/or touch screen computer tablet, game console, notebook, multimedia device, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, and/or vehicular user device.
- MTC Machine Type Communication
- a user device may also be a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network.
- a user device may also be a device having capability to operate in Internet of Things (IoT) network which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to- computer interaction.
- IoT Internet of Things
- the user device (or in some embodiments a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more of user equipment functionalities.
- the user device may also be called a subscriber unit, mobile station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal or user equipment (UE) just to mention but a few names or apparatuses.
- CPS cyber-physical system
- ICT devices sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers, etc.
- Mobile cyber physical systems in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility, are a subcategory of cyber physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robotics and electronics transported by humans or animals.
- the number of reception and/or transmission antennas of the UE 100 and/or UE 102 may vary according to a current implementation. For example, each UE 100, 102 may comprise one or more antenna arrays for enabling beamforming as will be later disclosed in more detail. On the other hand, single antenna element may suffice.
- 5G enables using multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and employing a variety of radio technologies depending on service needs, use cases and/or spectrum available.
- MIMO multiple input - multiple output
- 5G mobile communications supports a wide range of use cases and related applications including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of data sharing and various forms of machine type applications, including vehicular safety, different sensors and real-time control.
- 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces, namely below 6GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and also being integrable with existing legacy radio access technologies, such as the LTE.
- Integration with the LTE may be implemented, at least in the early phase, as a system, where macro coverage is provided by the LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to the LTE.
- 5G is planned to support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz - cmWave, below 6GHz - cmWave - mmWave).
- inter-RAT operability such as LTE-5G
- inter-RI operability inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz - cmWave, below 6GHz - cmWave - mmWave.
- One of the concepts considered to be used in 5G networks is network slicing in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub-networks (network instances) may be created within the same infrastructure to run services that have different requirements on latency, reliability, throughput and mobility.
- the current architecture in LTE networks is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network.
- the low latency applications and services in 5G require to bring the content close to the radio which leads to local break out and multi access edge computing (MEC).
- MEC multi access edge computing
- 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to occur at the source of the data. This approach requires leveraging resources that may not be continuously connected to a network such as laptops, smartphones, tablets and sensors.
- MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content in close proximity to cellular subscribers for faster response time.
- Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, cooperative distributed peer-to-peer ad hoc networking and processing also classifiable as local cloud/fog computing and grid/mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlet, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomic self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, lnternet of Things (massive connectivity and/or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, healthcare applications).
- technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, cooperative distributed peer-to-peer ad hoc networking and processing also classifiable as local cloud/fog computing and grid/mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlet, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomic self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, lnternet of Things (massive connectivity and/or
- the communication system is also able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the lnternet 112, or utilize services provided by them.
- the communication network may also be able to support the usage of cloud services, for example at least part of core network operations may be carried out as a cloud service (this is depicted in Figure 1A by "cloud" 114).
- the communication system may also comprise a central control entity, or a like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate for example in spectrum sharing.
- Edge cloud may be brought into radio access network (RAN) by utilizing network function virtualization (NVF) and software defined networking (SDN).
- RAN radio access network
- NVF network function virtualization
- SDN software defined networking
- Using edge cloud may mean access node operations to be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head or base station comprising radio parts. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts.
- Application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real time functions being carried out at the RAN side (in a distributed unit, DU 104) and non-real time functions being carried out in a centralized manner (in a centralized unit, CU 108).
- 5G may also utilize satellite communication to enhance or complement the coverage of 5G service, for example by providing backhauling.
- Possible use cases are providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or for passengers on board of vehicles, or ensuring service availability for critical communications, and future railway/maritime/aeronautical communications.
- Satellite communication may utilise geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano) satellites are deployed).
- GEO geostationary earth orbit
- LEO low earth orbit
- Each satellite 106 in the mega-constellation may cover several satellite-enabled network entities that create on ground cells.
- the on-ground cells may be created through an on-ground relay node 104 or by a gNB located on-ground or in a satellite.
- the depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system and in practice, the system may comprise a plurality of access nodes, such as (e/gNodeBs], the user device may have an access to a plurality of radio cells and the system may comprise also other apparatuses, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements, etc. At least one of the access nodes may be a Home(e/g)nodeB. Additionally, in a geographical area of a radio communication system a plurality of different kinds of radio cells as well as a plurality of radio cells may be provided.
- access nodes such as (e/gNodeBs]
- the user device may have an access to a plurality of radio cells and the system may comprise also other apparatuses, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements, etc.
- At least one of the access nodes may be a Home(e/g)nodeB.
- a plurality of different kinds of radio cells as well as a plurality of radio cells may be
- Radio cells may be macro cells (or umbrella cells] which are large cells, usually having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as micro-, femto- or picocells.
- the access nodes of Figure 1A may provide any kind of these cells.
- a cellular radio system may be implemented as a multilayer network including several kinds of cells. Typically, in multilayer networks, one access node provides one kind of a cell or cells, and thus a plurality of access nodes are required to provide such a network structure.
- a network which is able to use “plug-and-play" includes, in addition to Home (e/g]NodeBs [H(e/g]nodeBs], a home node B gateway, or HNB-GW (not shown in Figure 1A).
- HNB-GW which is typically installed within an operator’s network may aggregate traffic from a large number of HNBs back to a core network.
- the system of Figure 1A may enable control of one or more vehicular UEs 100, 102.
- Examples of actions performed by such system may be controlling of traffic vehicles, such as cars, and control industrial vehicles.
- the wireless network or radio access network of Figure 1A may be configured to partially or fully control one or more vehicular UEs.
- Controlling may comprise, for example, controlling movement of the one or more vehicular UEs 100, 102.
- Figure IB illustrating an example of a wireless system for controlling the one or more vehicular UEs 100, 102 (i.e. Figure IB may illustrate a vehicular network].
- the system illustrated in Figure IB may be the same or comprised in the system of Figure 1A, for example.
- the vehicular UEs 100, 102 are land vehicles restricted to movement on Earth, i.e. incapable of air-operation.
- two network nodes 104A, 104B (i.e. similar as network node 104 described above, reference number 104 may comprise both or only one of 104A and 104B) are depicted to be communicatively connected to a central control unit (CCU] 190.
- the CCU 190 may be configured to control the one or more vehicular UEs 100, 102. This controlling may be based on at least Vehicle-To- Infrastructure (V2I] communication. However, the system may also support Vehicle-To- Vehicle (V2V] communication. For example, a route or trajectory 101 of UE 100 may be controlled by the CCU 190 via the network node 104A.
- V2V Vehicle-To- Vehicle
- the network node 104A may be communicatively coupled with the UE 100 as shown with an arrow 181. Similarly, the network node 104A may be communicatively coupled with the UE 102 as shown with an arrow 183.
- the CCU 190 may control also the operation of UE 102 via the network node 104 (e.g. route or trajectory 103 of the UE 102). It is noted that these are examples of different implementation possibilities.
- the CCU 190 or CCUs may control a plurality of vehicular UEs within a geographically restricted area 51 via one or more network nodes 104A, 104B.
- the geographically restricted area 51 may refer to, for example, a harbor area, warehouse, road, road lane, and the like.
- autonomously driving vehicles are going to be more and more common in the future.
- autonomous vehicles may be used to replace human drivers in geographically restricted areas, where the access is restricted, and the environment is controlled and well known. It may also be possible to utilize similar techniques on public roads.
- Such vehicles, or more particular vehicular UEs 100, 102 may require a reliable connection with minimum latency.
- Different Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communications (URLLC) techniques may be needed to meet the requirements.
- URLLC Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communications
- Multiantenna techniques like beamforming, MIMO and/or Interference Rejection Combining (IRC) may provide some ways of enhancing the signal strength and/or reducing interference, both in receiver (RX) and in transmitter (TX).
- RX receiver
- TX transmitter
- RX receiver
- TX transmitter
- RX receiver
- TX transmitter
- RX receiver
- TX transmitter
- RX receiver
- TX transmitter
- RX receiver
- TX transmitter
- the radio channel state may be beneficial to be known. There may be two ways to obtain this radio channel state information:
- Open loop techniques utilize the channel information from the RX.
- the channel may not be reciprocal for various reasons. Furthermore, there may be delay in the operation. If the channel changes rapidly, the information may get obsolete before it is utilized.
- Closed loop techniques utilize feedback from the RX, and thus may require no channel reciprocity. However, due to feedback, they may reduce the spectral efficiency. There may be a tradeoff between the accuracy of the radio channel state information available in the TX and the overhead caused by the feedback. Further, there may also be delay, which may reduce the value of the information, particularly in fast changing channels.
- CSI feedback schemes have been proposed.
- an eNodeB may choose between different CSI reference symbol (RS) schemes like common-RS, CSI-RS, beamformed CSI-RS and demodulation- RS (DM-RS), the last one being UE specific.
- RS CSI reference symbol
- CSI-RS beamformed CSI-RS
- DM-RS demodulation- RS
- any mobility may increase the need for more frequent feedback due to channel aging.
- it may be beneficial to provide solutions which may reduce the need to provide radio channel state information by the vehicular UEs 100, 102 of a wireless system to network node(s) 104 of the wireless system.
- FIG. 2A illustrates a flow diagram according to an embodiment.
- a method in a wireless network comprising: obtaining, from a controlling entity [e.g. CCU) of the wireless network, trajectory information on at least one user equipment, UE, the movement of the at least one UE being controlled by the controlling entity within a geographically restricted area, the trajectory information indicating a planned trajectory of the at least one UE (block 210); obtaining radio channel measurement information regarding the planned trajectory (block 220); and predictively controlling, based at least on the trajectory information and the radio channel measurement information, at least one of a trajectory of the at least one UE, one or more transmission parameters of one or more signal transmissions (block 230).
- a controlling entity e.g. CCU
- the predictive controlling is performed in order to optimize at least one radio propagation condition indicating parameter associated with the at least one UE.
- the predictive controlling is performed in order to optimize radio propagation condition associated with the at least one UE. In an embodiment, the predictive controlling is performed in order to utilize full potential of the radio channel or channels used for transmitting the signals, such as control signals (e.g. vehicle control signals).
- control signals e.g. vehicle control signals
- the optimizing the at least one radio propagation condition indicating parameter associated with the at least one UE comprises and/or means preventing degradation of radio condition exceeding a threshold.
- a threshold may be radio link failure (RLF).
- RLF radio link failure
- Another example may be an interference threshold.
- Some other threshold examples may be power level (e.g. signal power strength), data rate or bit rate.
- a network element obtains location information on at least one vehicular UE, the movement of the at least one vehicular UE being controlled by the wireless network within a geographically restricted area, the location information indicating at least one waypoint on a planned route of the at least one vehicular UE; obtaining radio channel condition information regarding the at least one waypoint (block 220); and causing controlling, based on the location information and the radio channel condition information, of one or more radio beams for transferring vehicular control signals (block 230).
- the at least one vehicular UE may refer to and/or comprise the UE(s) 100, 102.
- the vehicular UE in general, may refer to a UE that, for example, integrated with a vehicle and used to control at least some functions of the vehicle.
- the wireless network may refer to the wireless network[s) discussed with reference to Figure 1A and/or Figure IB.
- the geographically restricted area may refer to, for example, the area 51 illustrated in Figure IB.
- the term UE may refer to vehicular UEs, non-vehicular UEs, or both.
- the method described with reference to Figure 2A may be performed by one or more entities of the wireless network (e.g. cellular network].
- the method may be performed by the network node 104.
- the method may be performed by the CCU 190.
- some steps of the method may be performed by the CCU 190 and some by the network node 104.
- the obtaining the information in steps 210 and 220 may be performed by the network node 104, wherein the information of step 210 is received from the CCU 190.
- the step 230 may be performed by the network node 104, for example.
- Figure 2B illustrates a flow diagram according to an embodiment.
- a UE obtains, from a wireless network, information indicating a planned trajectory of the UE, the movement of the UE being controlled by the wireless network within a geographically restricted area [block 240]; causes following the planned trajectory [block 250] [e.g. causes a vehicle to move along the indicated trajectory]; and controls, based at least on the planned trajectory, one or more transmission parameters of one or more signal transmissions [block 260]
- step 260 may be performed in order to optimize at least one radio propagation condition indicating parameter associated with the UE.
- the step 260 may refer to preventing degradation of radio condition parameter exceeding a threshold, for example, by controlling one or more radio beams by the UE [e.g. directing a beam towards the network node 104]
- the method described with reference to Figure 2B may be performed, for example, by the UE 100 or UE 102.
- signal quality may be increased, and at the same time, need for feedback messaging reduced. That is, knowing the radio channel condition and the location [e.g. future locations, trajectory, and/or route] may enable the method[s] to be applicable also to Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications [URLLC] as the increased signal quality may increase reliability also. For example, knowing where an UE 100, 102 will be and knowing radio condition at that future location enables the network node 104 to configure its radio transmission parameters [e.g. radio beam parameters] such that, with high or higher probability, the control signal [or some other signal] is successfully transmitted. The methods may be applicable to both TX and RX.
- radio transmission parameters e.g. radio beam parameters
- both may control their radio parameters [e.g. direct their radio beams, i.e. network node 104 TX radio beam and UE 100 RX radio beam] as described.
- radio parameters e.g. direct their radio beams, i.e. network node 104 RX radio beam and UE 100 TX radio beam
- the trajectory of the UE may alternatively or additionally be controlled in order to optimize the radio conditions associated with the UE.
- Optimization may mean that the radio condition on the planned route (i.e. in some future location] is determined to be at certain level. However, due to trajectory change and/or radio transmission parameter optimization, the radio condition is better (i.e. optimized] in said future location or in some other location.
- Figures 3A and 3B illustrate signal diagrams according to some embodiments.
- the CCU 190 may transmit or send a vehicle control signal(s].
- the vehicle control signal(s) may be targeted to be received by the vehicle or vehicle UE that is being controlled.
- the CCU 190 controls the movement of the vehicular UE 100.
- the vehicle control signal(s] may be transmitted to the UE 100 via a network node 104 (or nodes], the network node 104. I.e. the network node 104 may receive and forward (block 304] the vehicle control signal(s] to the target UE 100.
- the UE 100 may execute one or more commands based on the received control signal(s]. For example, the vehicular UE 100 may, in block 306, follow a commanded trajectory and/or route which is indicated by the vehicle control signal(s].
- the vehicle control signal(s] may be used to indicate a planned route and/or trajectory, and/or update previously indicated planned route and/or trajectory.
- the network node 104 may obtain radio channel condition information as in block 220.
- the CCU 190 may transmit location information to the network node 104.
- the location information may comprise, for example, the vehicle control signal(s] transmitted in block 302, or at least indication about planned route, planned trajectory and/or planned future location (s] of one or more vehicular UEs (e.g. location information on UE 100].
- the CCU 190 may control movement of the one or more vehicular UEs (including the UE 100]
- the CCU 190 may know the locations and future locations (or at least the planned future locations] of the one or more vehicular UEs.
- the CCU 190 may provide this information to the network node 104, and also to other network nodes which are configured and/or cause to transmit/forward the vehicular control signals as in block 304.
- location information comprises trajectory information indicating the planned trajectory of one or more UEs.
- the network node 104 may control one or more radio parameters associated with signal transmission to the UE 100.
- the transmission on the controlled parameter (s) may be performed in block 318.
- the controlling comprises controlling one or more radio beams for transferring signals between the UE 100 and the network node 104 based on the information obtained in blocks 312 and 314. ln one example embodiment, this may mean controlling transmission on said one or more radio beams as indicated in block 318.
- the signals [e.g. vehicle control signals) transmitted in block 304 may be transmitted in block 318.
- the controlling the transmission on the one or more radio beams e.g.
- the block 316) may comprise directing the one or more radio beams and/or controlling power (e.g. increasing) of the one or more radio beams.
- the radio beam used to transmit the vehicle control signals to the UE 100 is directed towards the UE 100. This may be performed, for example, according to the indicated route or trajectory of the UE 100. Further, the radio beam may be controlled further based on the radio conditions along the route or trajectory. For example, some locations of the UE 100 may require higher power radio beam to be used and in some locations lower power radio beam may suffice.
- the radio channel condition information may be obtained, for example, in block 312 regarding the geographically restricted area (e.g. area 51).
- Figure 3C illustrates obtaining the radio channel condition information according to some embodiments.
- the radio channel condition information comprises information obtained via dedicated radio channel measurements in the geographically restricted area (block 330). Such measurement(s) may comprise measurement(s) performed prior to deploying the wireless network.
- the block 330 may be performed during installation of the wireless network (i.e. wireless vehicular network of Figure 1A and/or IB).
- the radio channel condition information may be understood to indicate or comprise a radio map of the geographically restricted area 51. Using the radio map and predicted (or precisely known based on the planned trajectories which are further controlled by the wireless network) locations of the UEs, the radio beams may be controlled in an efficient manner.
- the radio channel condition information comprises information obtained based on radio channel measurements by the at least one UE 100, 102 while being controlled in the geographically restricted area 51 (blocks 340 and 350: i.e. radio condition information may be obtained in block 350 based on measurement results of block 340).
- Blocks 340, 350 may be performed continuously or periodically, or may be triggered if a change in radio conditions is detected by the network node 104 or by the CCU 190, for example.
- the radio channel condition information comprises information acquired according to both the first and second embodiments.
- first initial radio condition information may be obtained (block 330, e.g. a radio map of area 51) which may later be updated according to blocks 340, 350 (e.g. the radio map of area 51 is updated based on blocks 340, 350).
- the location information may indicate a planned trajectory or route of the at least one UE. Examples of this may be seen in Figures 4A and 4B illustrating some embodiments.
- route or trajectory 402 of UE 100 and route or trajectory 404 of UE 102 are indicated in said Figures. Trajectory indicates route as a function of time.
- the location of the UE 100, 102 may be known in advance, and more particularly the time instant when the UE 100, 102 is at certain location lt is further pointed out that the routes or trajectories 402, 404 may be controlled by the CCU 190 as described above. It is further pointed out that the controlling may happen on radio beam(s) 410, 420 that are controlled based on the location information and radio condition information.
- the radio channel condition information indicates measured radio channel condition regarding the planned trajectory or route 402, 404.
- the radio channel condition information indicates radio condition on route or trajectory 402 regarding the UE 100.
- the CCU 190 and/or the network node 104 determines direction and/or orientation of the UE 100, 102 and/or UEs radio antenna(s) based on the location information. That is, the UE 100, 102 may use directive antenna(s) which may be directed to certain direction. For example, the UE 100, 102 turns, the direction of the antenna (i.e. the direction the antenna is facing) may change due to the turn. This antenna direction may be determined based on the location information indicating, for example, the route and/or trajectory of the UE 100, 102. It is noted that the antenna(s) of the UE 100, 102 may cause some effect on the radio conditions in the geographically restricted area 51.
- the network node 104 may also take into account the direction/orientation of the UE 100, 102 (or its antenna) and/or the effect caused by the antenna of the UE 100, 102 to the radio conditions. Hence, the radio beam may even more efficiently be controlled as the channel conditions may be estimated with even greater accuracy.
- each network node 104A, 104B may cause generation one or more radio beams 410, 420 to transmit signals to the UEs 100, 102.
- the CCU 190 may provide the network nodes 104A, 104B UE location information (arrows 314A, 314B corresponding to step 314).
- each network node may generate radio beam(s) for one or more UEs.
- the CCU 190 may determine which of the network nodes 104A, 104B to use to relay signals. In the example, network node 104A is selected to transmit signals to UE 100 and network node 104B is selected to transmit signals to UE 102.
- the network nodes 104A, 104B may both control the radio beams 410, 420 such that the UE 100, 102 may receive the signals.
- the radio beam 410, controlled by the network node 104A may cause interference to UE 102.
- radio beam 420, controlled by the network node 104B may cause interference to UE 100.
- Figure 5 illustrates a flow diagram according to some embodiments targeted to reducing said risk of interference.
- the network node 104A (or some other network node or element controlling the network node) is configured to detect a risk of interference to a second UE 102 based at least on location information on a first UE 100 and location information on the second UE 102 (e.g. received from CCU 190 and indicated with arrow 314A) (block 510); and perform one or more actions to reduce said risk of interference (block 520).
- block 520 comprises controlling transmission parameter(s) associated with signal transmission (block 524).
- such may comprise utilizing a first radio beam 410, to the first UE 100 to reduce said risk of interference.
- Such solution may additionally or alternatively be used by network node 104B regarding radio beam 420.
- both the radio beam 410 and radio beam 420 are controlled by the same entity (e.g. network node 104A).
- the network node 104A may control one or both radio beams to reduce said risk of interference.
- each of the radio beams may be controlled if need be.
- the network node 104A may request the network node 104B to control its radio beams to reduce said risk of interference.
- the network node 104B may act according to the request.
- block 520 comprises route or trajectory of one or more UEs to reduce said risk of interference (block 522).
- route or trajectory 402 of the UE 100 and/or route or trajectory 404 of the UE 102 may be controlled to reduce said risk of interference.
- Such may comprise transmission of a route or trajectory change request, by the network node 104A, to the CCU 190, for example.
- the CCU 190 may determine based on the request a new/updated route, if possible, to reduce said risk of interference, and communicate the new/updated route or trajectory via control signaling to the UE 100 and/or UE 102, for example (i.e. to the UE which route or trajectory is changed).
- the network node 104A may utilize only methods of block 524. If alternative route or trajectory is possible, the network node 104A may additionally utilize the methods of block 524. The network node 104A may not need to perform both blocks 522, 524, but may select to utilize one or both methods, for example.
- the controlling the transmission to the first UE 100 comprises directing the first radio beam 410 to reduce said risk of interference.
- Example of this may be seen in Figure 4B in which the UEs 100 and 102 have advanced according to their routes or trajectories 402, 404 (i.e. in comparison with Figure 4A).
- the controlling the transmission to the first UE 100 comprises utilizing an alternative propagation path regarding the first radio beam 410 to reduce said risk of interference (block 534).
- This may mean, for example, an indirect propagation path.
- the radio beam 410 may comprise elements 412, 414, wherein the radio beam 410 is targeted (see element 412) towards an entity 490 which further directs and/or reflects the radio beam 410 (see element 414) towards the UE 100.
- the element 490 may be, for example, part of terrain or environment, or specifically configured element for such task.
- the beam 410 may not cause interference (or at least substantial interference) towards the UE 102.
- the embodiments described with reference to blocks 532 and 534 may utilize selection of a certain fixed radio beam (e.g. the beam is selected amongst a plurality of selectable beams wherein each has a certain configuration possibly different from each other) or beam steering (e.g. digital beamforming).
- direction of the beam 410 may be configured such that it may not cause (or causes less) interference towards the UE 102 than it would without taking any preventive action.
- this may be understood as nulling the radio beam 410, targeted to UE 100, towards UE 102. This may be performed, for example, by directing the beam such that it is not towards the UE 102 and/or by utilizing a propagation path that does not cause interference to UE 102.
- the wireless network by obtaining the location information regarding the UEs 100, 102, and knowing the radio channel condition in advance, enables the wireless network to reduce or prevent interference to other vehicular UEs caused by a radio beam used for transmitting control signals to a certain vehicular UE. Reduced interference may increase efficiency of the system.
- the network node 104B may take certain action regarding the transmission on radio beam 420 to reduce risk of interference to UE 100. However, as at the moment the beam 420 does not cause substantial interference to UE 100, such action has not yet been performed.
- the actions may include at least one of the actions shown in Figure 5.
- controlling the transmission to the first UE 100 comprises utilizing a polarization reducing said risk of interference (block 536).
- radio beam 410 may be configured to utilize polarization that is invisible or at least less visible for UE 102. Less visible may mean, for example, less visible compared with first polarization that would be used if said polarization (i.e. a second polarization) would not be used.
- controlling the transmission to the first UE 100 comprises controlling radio resources used for the transmission to reduce said risk of interference (block 538).
- the wireless network may schedule radio resources such that interference, caused by communication between UE 100 and network node 104A, to UE 102 may be avoided or reduced. Scheduling may happen in frequency and/or time domain, for example, to reduce the risk of interference. It is noted that the present solution the scheduling decision (by network node(s) 104A, 104B or some other network entity) can be made in advance, i.e. before UEs 100, 102 start to cause interference to each other, because the interference situation may be known in advance
- controlling the transmission to the first UE comprises reducing power of the first radio beam (block 540).
- the radio beam 410 may be enough to transmit control signals to UE 100, but such that it does not cause interference to UE 102 (or interference is negligible).
- the wireless network may control power of the radio beams 410, 420. For example, power may be increased to ensure that transmission is received by the target UE, and reduced to increase risk of interference.
- the reducing the risk of interference comprises controlling radio beam(s) and/or direction or rotation of one or more antennas of one or more UEs. That is, for example, UEs 100, 102 TX and/or RX antenna and/or radio beam direction may be controlled by the network node 104A and/or network node 104B to reduce said risk of interference. This may be done similarly as controlling the route and/or trajectory 402, 404 of the UEs 100, 102. Hence, as an alternative or in addition to one or both of blocks 522, 524, the antenna(s) of the UE 100, 102 may be controlled by the network. In an embodiment, the UE 100, 102 controls its antenna and/or radio beam direction itself.
- UE 100 may target its radio beam (e.g. TX and/or RX beam) towards network node 104A such that it does not cause interference to UE 102.
- the controlling may be performed on basis of acquiring location information on UE 102 and/or on basis of control information from the network (e.g. network node 104A may instruct the UE 100 to control its radio beam(s) according to he instructions).
- the UE may follow its designated route or trajectory according to control signals from the CCU 190.
- the network node 104 is configured to control the radio beam(s) such that the radio beam(s) follow the UE on its route or trajectory. This may be performed based on the location information on the UE and radio channel condition information. In an embodiment, the controlling is based on location information on the UE, and thus radio channel condition information may not necessarily be needed. So, as the UE moves along its route, the radio beam used to transfer messages from the network node to the UE may be controlled to follow the UE. As described, the beam may be a TX beam for transferring control signals form the CCU to the UE via the network node.
- RX beam may be controlled in a similar manner to receive messages from the UE.
- the TX and/or RX radio beams of the UE may be controlled by the UE to further enhance the data and/or control information transfer.
- the UE may be constantly controlled by the network. This may enhance safety of the vehicular UE operation.
- the radio beam may be seamlessly controlled to follow the UE.
- interference parameter may be one such parameter, wherein it may indicate interference caused to or measured by an UE.
- the radio condition indicating parameters may be controlled, using different means listed in blocks 522, 524, and 532-540, such that they may not exceed a threshold. This way the radio condition associated with different UEs may be optimized and/or controlled.
- the optimization may comprise changing the transmission mode, changing the modulation and coding scheme and/or changing transmission point (e.g. node 104B instead of node 104A].
- the different triggers may include change of channel state due to movement by the UE and/or change of power due to movement or blockage (e.g. building].
- the CCU 190 commands or recommends the network node 104 to enter normal mode of feedback signaling.
- the network node 104 may transmit RS or pilot signal (or similar signal] to UE 100 (block 604].
- the UE 100 may respond by transmitting CSI to the network node 104 (block 606] Similarly, CSI may be collected and/or requested from a plurality of UEs by the network node 104.
- the network node 104 may transmit one or more network key performance indicators (KPls] to the CCU 190.
- KPls network key performance indicators
- the network node 104 utilizes the reduced feedback mode based at least on the obtained location information and the radio channel condition information (explained in detail above), wherein in the reduced feedback mode the at least one vehicular UE (e.g. UE 100) is caused to reduce transmission of channel state information. That is, the CCU 190 may cause the network node(s) to utilize said reduced feedback mode by transmitting command or recommendation in block 612. For example, if the CCU 190 determines that the UE 100 is controlled in the geographically restricted area 51 via the network node 104, the reduced feedback mode may be initiated by transmitting the message 612.
- the CCU 190 may determine that the reduced feedback mode should be used based on said message of block 608. For example, the CCU 190 may trigger the reduced feedback mode in response to determining that the network node 104 has acquired the radio channel state information.
- the triggering message of block 612 may comprise the location information on the UE(s) or it may be transmitted to the network node 104 before the triggering or after the triggering (e.g. in block 622), for example.
- the network node 104 triggers the reduced feedback mode and/or normal mode independently. That is, message 612 (or 602 and 644) may not necessarily be needed. The decision about entering a different mode may be based on same or similar information as the decision by the CCU 190.
- the network node 104 may at least reduce the number of Reference Signal (RS) or pilot signals transmitted to UEs (e.g. UE 100). However, the network node 104 may choose to transmit the RS or pilot signal (block 614) and received a response accordingly (block 616). In an embodiment, the network node prevents transmission of RS or pilot signals in reduced feedback mode. However, in some embodiments the transmission may be optional, and further beneficial as the radio channel information may need to be updated. However, the CSI transmissions may be reduced compared with the normal mode, thus reducing overhead and enabling better spectral efficiency.
- RS Reference Signal
- pilot signals e.g. UE 100
- the network node 104 may choose to transmit the RS or pilot signal (block 614) and received a response accordingly (block 616).
- the network node prevents transmission of RS or pilot signals in reduced feedback mode.
- the transmission may be optional, and further beneficial as the radio channel information may need to be updated.
- the CSI transmissions may be reduced compared with
- the CCU 190 may transmit UE route and/or trajectory information or data to the network node 104 which may further relay the data or information to the UEs (e.g. route command to UE 100 based on said data or information).
- the UE 100 indicates to the wireless network (e.g. node 104) that the planned route cannot be followed.
- This indication may be, for example, implicit if the UE 100 indicates its position as in block 632. That is, normally there may be no need to indicate position as the route or trajectory is controlled by the CCU 190.
- the UE 100 may indicate that the current or planned route or trajectory cannot be followed.
- the UE 100 may not be able to follow the current trajectory due to slippery surface or due to error in the operation of the moving UE 100, like engine failure.
- the wireless network e.g. network node 104 detects the deviation via some other feedback from the system (e.g. KPI(s) transmitted in block 642).
- KPI(s) transmitted in block 642
- the UE 100 in response to the indicating (e.g. block 632), receives a request for transmitting channel state information (block 614).
- the UE 100 may transmit the CS1 to the network node 104 (block 616).
- updated radio channel information regarding the UE’s 100 position may be acquired by the network node 104.
- the current and/or indicated position of the UE 100 may be different than the originally commanded route.
- update may be beneficial to enable the network node 104 to better configure its radio beam transmission.
- the network node 104 utilizes another feedback mode (e.g. normal mode) based at least on detecting that the at least one UE 100 is unable to follow the planned trajectory (e.g. based on indication of block 632), wherein in said another feedback mode the at least one UE 100 is caused to increase transmission of channel state information compared with the reduced feedback mode.
- another feedback mode e.g. normal mode
- the CSI information may be requested more regularly from the at least one UE 100.
- the normal mode command may be transmitted in block 644 in response to network KPI(s) received in block 642, for example. That is, the if the reduced feedback mode does not seem to operate in good enough quality compared with the normal mode, the CCU 190 may command the network node 104 to increase the feedback signaling.
- both the normal mode and reduced feedback mode may have more resolution, i.e. several submodes, similar to different Transmission Modes in 3GPP specification.
- the detection that the reduced feedback mode does not seem to operate in good enough quality may be based on the network KPI(s) such as Block Error Rate (BLER), throughput, and/or reliability, to name a few examples.
- BLER Block Error Rate
- the decision about entering different modes, including the normal feedback mode may be performed either by the CCU 190 and triggered by transmitting a message to the network node 104, or independently by the network node 104.
- the position of the UE 100 may be transmitted to the CCU 190 (block 634).
- the CCU 190 may transmit a route or trajectory update in block 636. This may be initiated by, for example, the UE position indication in block 634. That is, a new route or trajectory may be needed if the original route may not be followed by the UE 100.
- the network node 104 may transmit updated route or trajectory command(s) to the UE 100 [block 638]. The UE 100 may thus follow the new route or trajectory as in block 250 of Figure 2B. Further, the UE 100 may use the updated route and/or trajectory information to control its one or more radio beams [i.e. block 260). It is noted that the UE 100 may determine the location or direction of the target (e.g. network node 104A) based on performing one or more radio beam test(s). ln some examples, the UE 100 may receive location information, indicating location and/or direction of the target[s), from the network.
- the target e.g. network node 104A
- the UE 100 may receive location information, indicating location and/or direction
- the mode may be switched by higher layer signaling (block 612; and switching to normal mode in blocks 602, 644) and may be especially preferable for transmission modes which need normally high amount of feedback (e.g. multi-antenna MIMO modes).
- the mode may be switched alternatively by the network node 104. Hence, messages (612, 602, 644) from the CCU 190 are not necessarily required.
- the radio channel measurement information obtained based on radio channel measurements by the at least one UE, comprises channel state information obtained in said reduced feedback mode or in said another feedback mode.
- Figures 7 and 8 provide apparatuses 700, 800 comprising a control circuitry (CTRL) 710, 810, such as at least one processor, and at least one memory 730, 830 including a computer program code (software) 732, 832, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code (software) 732, 832, are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the respective apparatus 700, 800 to carry out any one of the embodiments described above, such as with reference to Figures 1A to 6, or operations thereof.
- CTRL control circuitry
- the memory 730, 830 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory.
- the memory 730, 830 may comprise a database 734, 834 for storing data.
- Data may comprise, for example, location information on the UE(s), radio channel condition information and/or any of the data or information indicated in any one of embodiments described above.
- the apparatus 700, 800 may further comprise radio interface (TRX) 720, 820 comprising hardware and/or software for realizing communication connectivity according to one or more communication protocols.
- TRX radio interface
- the TRX may provide the apparatus with communication capabilities to access the radio access network and enable communication between network nodes, for example.
- the TRX may comprise standard well-known components such as an amplifier, filter, frequency-converter, (de) modulator, and encoder/decoder circuitries and one or more antennas.
- the TRX may be configured to control operation of one or more antenna arrays for providing TX and/or RX radio beams. Further, other transmission related parameters, such as power, polarization and/or scheduling may be controlled at least partly by the TRX, for example.
- the apparatus 700, 800 may also comprise user interface 740, 840 comprising, for example, at least one keypad, a microphone, a touch display, a display, a speaker, etc.
- the user interface 740, 840 may be used to control the respective apparatus by a user of the apparatus 700, 800.
- the apparatus 700 may be or be comprised in a base station (also called a base transceiver station, a Node B, a radio network controller, an evolved Node B, or a g Node B, for example).
- the apparatus 800 may be the network node 104, 104A, 104B or comprised in the network node 104, 104A, 104B, for example.
- the apparatus 700 is comprised in the CCU 190. In an embodiment, some operations of the apparatus 700 are shared between the network node 104, 104A, 104B and the CCU 190.
- the CTRL 710 comprises a location information circuitry 712 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 210; a channel condition circuitry 714 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 220; and a parameter control circuitry 716 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 230.
- the circuitry 716 may be operatively coupled with the TRX 720 and/or one or more antenna units for controlling the transmission on the one or more radio beams (e.g. TX and/or RX radio beams).
- the circuitry 716 may control the trajectory and/or route of the UEs.
- the apparatus 800 may be or be comprised in a terminal device, such as a vehicular UE (e.g. vehicular UE 100, 102).
- a vehicular UE e.g. vehicular UE 100, 102
- the CTRL 810 comprises an information obtaining 812 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 240; a trajectory circuitry 814 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 250; and a radio parameter control circuitry 816 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 260.
- the apparatus 800 may comprise or be coupled with a position circuitry 850 configured to enable determination of UE position.
- a position circuitry 850 configured to enable determination of UE position.
- satellite positioning may be used.
- the UE’s position may be determined and indicated in blocks 632, 634.
- Position may refer to physical location, such as geographical coordinates, for example.
- the apparatus 700 may be shared between two physically separate devices, forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus 700 may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes.
- the apparatus 700 utilizing such shared architecture, may comprise a remote control unit (RCU), such as a host computer or a server computer, operatively coupled (e.g. via a wireless or wired network) to a remote radio head (RRH), such as a Transmission Point (TRP), located in a base station or network node 104, for example.
- RCU remote control unit
- RRH remote radio head
- TRP Transmission Point
- at least some of the described processes may be performed by the RCU.
- the execution of at least some of the described processes may be shared among the RRH and the RCU.
- the execution of at least some of the described processes may be shared among the RRH, RCU, and the CCU 190.
- the RCU may generate a virtual network through which the RCU communicates with the RRH.
- virtual networking may involve a process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network.
- Network virtualization may involve platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization.
- Network virtualization may be categorized as external virtual networking which combines many networks, or parts of networks, into the server computer or the host computer (i.e. to the RCU). External network virtualization is targeted to optimized network sharing. Another category is internal virtual networking which provides network-like functionality to the software containers on a single system.
- the virtual network may provide flexible distribution of operations between the RRH and the RCU.
- any digital signal processing task may be performed in either the RRH or the RCU and the boundary where the responsibility is shifted between the RRH and the RCU may be selected according to implementation.
- circuitry refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of circuits and soft- ware (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of processor (s) or (ii) portions of processor (s)/software including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus to perform various functions, and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.
- circuitry' applies to all uses of this term in this application.
- the term 'circuitry' would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware.
- the term 'circuitry' would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or another network device.
- At least some of the processes described in connection with Figures 1A to 6 may be carried out by an apparatus comprising corresponding means for carrying out at least some of the described processes.
- Some example means for carrying out the processes may include at least one of the following: detector, processor [including dual-core and multiple-core processors), digital signal processor, controller, receiver, transmitter, encoder, decoder, memory, RAM, ROM, software, firmware, display, user interface, display circuitry, user interface circuitry, user interface software, display software, circuit, antenna, antenna circuitry, and circuitry.
- the at least one processor, the memory, and the computer program code form processing means or comprises one or more computer program code portions for carrying out one or more operations according to any one of the embodiments of Figures 1A to 6 or operations thereof.
- the apparatus carrying out the embodiments comprises a circuitry including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. When activated, the circuitry causes the apparatus to perform at least some of the functionalities according to any one of the embodiments of Figures 1A to 6, or operations thereof.
- the techniques and methods described herein may be implemented by various means. For example, these techniques may be implemented in hardware (one or more devices), firmware (one or more devices), software (one or more modules), or combinations thereof.
- the apparatus(es) of embodiments may be implemented within one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof.
- ASICs application-specific integrated circuits
- DSPs digital signal processors
- DSPDs digital signal processing devices
- PLDs programmable logic devices
- FPGAs field programmable gate arrays
- processors controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof.
- the implementation can be carried out through modules of at least one
- the software codes may be stored in a memory unit and executed by processors.
- the memory unit may be implemented within the processor or externally to the processor. In the latter case, it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means, as is known in the art.
- the components of the systems described herein may be rearranged and/or complemented by additional components in order to facilitate the achievements of the various aspects, etc., described with regard thereto, and they are not limited to the precise configurations set forth in the given figures, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.
- Embodiments as described may also be carried out in the form of a computer process defined by a computer program or portions thereof. Embodiments of the methods described in connection with Figures 1A to 6 may be carried out by executing at least one portion of a computer program comprising corresponding instructions.
- the computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program.
- the computer program may be stored on a computer program distribution medium readable by a computer or a processor.
- the computer program medium may be, for example but not limited to, a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example.
- the computer program medium may be a non-transitory medium, for example. Coding of software for carrying out the embodiments as shown and described is well within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art.
- a computer-readable medium comprises said computer program.
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Abstract
There is provided a method in a network element of a wireless network, the method comprising: obtaining, from a controlling entity of the wireless network, trajectory information on at least one user equipment, UE, the movement of the at least one UE being controlled by the controlling entity within a geographically restricted area, the trajectory information indicating a planned trajectory of the at least one UE (210); obtaining radio channel measurement information regarding the planned trajectory (220); and predictively controlling, based at least on the trajectory information and the radio channel measurement information, at least one of a trajectory of the at least one UE, one or more transmission parameters of one or more signal transmissions (230).
Description
ENHANCING COMMUNICATION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to communications.
BACKGROUND
In a communication network, radio beams may be used to provide more precisely defined transmissions compared with conventional radio transmissions. It may be beneficial to provide solutions that enhance the use of radio beams in a communication network. One particular example may be vehicular UEs which locations may constantly change. Hence, there may be room for further developing of beamforming solutions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
According to an aspect, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
One or more examples of implementations are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
In the following some embodiments will be described with reference to the attached drawings, in which
Figure 1A illustrates an example of a wireless network to which embodiments of the invention may be applied;
Figure IB illustrates an example of a vehicular network to which embodiments of the invention may be applied;
Figures 2 A and 2B illustrate flow diagrams according to some embodiments; Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate some embodiments;
Figures 4A and 4B illustrate some embodiments;
Figures 5 and 6 illustrate some embodiments; and
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate apparatuses according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
The following embodiments are exemplifying. Although the specification may refer to "an", "one", or "some" embodiments) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodiment(s), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.
In the following, different exemplifying embodiments will be described using, as an example of an access architecture to which the embodiments may be applied, a radio access architecture based on long term evolution advanced (LTE Advanced, LTE- A] or new radio [NR, 5G), without restricting the embodiments to such an architecture, however. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that the embodiments may also be applied to other kinds of communications networks having suitable means by adjusting parameters and procedures appropriately. Some examples of other options for suitable systems are the universal mobile telecommunications system [UMTS) radio access network [UTRAN or E-UTRAN), long term evolution [LTE, the same as E-UTRA), wireless local area network [WLAN or WiFi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access [WiMAX), Bluetooth [e.g. Bluetooth Low Energy), personal communications services [PCS), ZigBee, wideband code division multiple access [WCDMA), systems using ultra- wideband [UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad-hoc networks [MANETs) and Internet Protocol multimedia subsystems [IMS) or any combination thereof.
Figure 1A depicts examples of simplified system architectures only showing some elements and functional entities, all being logical units, whose implementation may differ from what is shown. The connections shown in Figure 1A are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the system typically comprises also other functions and structures than those shown in Figure 1A. The embodiments are not, however, restricted to the system given as an example but a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems provided with necessary properties.
The example of Figure 1A shows a part of an exemplifying radio access network. Referring to Figure 1A, user devices 100 and 102 may be configured to be in a wireless connection on one or more communication channels in a cell with an access node, such as [e/g)NodeB, 104 providing the cell. The physical link from a user device to the access node 104 is called uplink or reverse link and the physical link from the access node 104 to the user device is called downlink or forward link. It should be appreciated that access node 104 or nodes or their functionalities may be implemented by using any node, host, server or access point etc. entity suitable for such a usage. The term [e/g)NodeB used above may refer to eNodeB [i.e. eNB) and/or gNodeB [i.e. gNB), for example.
A communications system typically comprises more than one access node [e.g. similar as access node 104) in which case the access nodes may also be configured to communicate with one another over links, wired or wireless, designed for the purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes. The access node may be a computing device configured to control the radio resources of communication system it is coupled to. Access node, such as the access node 104, may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, network node, network element or any other type of interfacing
device including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. Access node includes or is coupled to transceivers. From the transceivers of the access node, a connection is provided to an antenna unit that establishes bi-directional radio links to user devices. The antenna unit may comprise a plurality of antennas or antenna elements. The access node 104 is further connected to core network 110 (CN or next generation core NGC). Depending on the system, the counterpart on the CN side can be a serving gateway (S-GW, routing and forwarding user data packets), packet data network gateway (P-GW), for providing connectivity of user devices (UEs) to external packet data networks, or mobile management entity (MME), etc.
The user device, such as user devices 100 and 102 (also called UE, user equipment, user terminal, terminal device, etc.) illustrates one type of an apparatus to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and thus any feature described herein with a user device may be implemented with a corresponding apparatus, such as a relay node. An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self- backhauling relay) towards the base station.
The user device typically refers to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (mobile phone), smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), laptop and/or touch screen computer, tablet, game console, notebook, multimedia device, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, and/or vehicular user device. It should be appreciated that a user device may also be a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network. A user device may also be a device having capability to operate in Internet of Things (IoT) network which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human-to-human or human-to- computer interaction. The user device (or in some embodiments a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more of user equipment functionalities. The user device may also be called a subscriber unit, mobile station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal or user equipment (UE) just to mention but a few names or apparatuses.
Various techniques described herein may also be applied to a cyber-physical system (CPS) (a system of collaborating computational elements controlling physical entities). CPS may enable the implementation and exploitation of massive amounts of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber physical systems, in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility, are a subcategory of cyber physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robotics and electronics transported by humans or animals.
The number of reception and/or transmission antennas of the UE 100 and/or UE 102 may vary according to a current implementation. For example, each UE 100, 102 may comprise one or more antenna arrays for enabling beamforming as will be later disclosed in more detail. On the other hand, single antenna element may suffice.
Additionally, although the apparatuses have been depicted as single entities, different units, processors and/or memory units (not all shown in Figure 1A] may be implemented.
5G enables using multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and employing a variety of radio technologies depending on service needs, use cases and/or spectrum available. 5G mobile communications supports a wide range of use cases and related applications including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of data sharing and various forms of machine type applications, including vehicular safety, different sensors and real-time control. 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces, namely below 6GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and also being integrable with existing legacy radio access technologies, such as the LTE. Integration with the LTE may be implemented, at least in the early phase, as a system, where macro coverage is provided by the LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to the LTE. In other words, 5G is planned to support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz - cmWave, below 6GHz - cmWave - mmWave). One of the concepts considered to be used in 5G networks is network slicing in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub-networks (network instances) may be created within the same infrastructure to run services that have different requirements on latency, reliability, throughput and mobility.
The current architecture in LTE networks is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. The low latency applications and services in 5G require to bring the content close to the radio which leads to local break out and multi access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to occur at the source of the data. This approach requires leveraging resources that may not be continuously connected to a network such as laptops, smartphones, tablets and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content in close proximity to cellular subscribers for faster response time. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, cooperative distributed peer-to-peer ad hoc networking and processing also classifiable as local cloud/fog computing and grid/mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlet, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomic self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality,
data caching, lnternet of Things (massive connectivity and/or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, healthcare applications).
The communication system is also able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the lnternet 112, or utilize services provided by them. The communication network may also be able to support the usage of cloud services, for example at least part of core network operations may be carried out as a cloud service (this is depicted in Figure 1A by "cloud" 114). The communication system may also comprise a central control entity, or a like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate for example in spectrum sharing.
Edge cloud may be brought into radio access network (RAN) by utilizing network function virtualization (NVF) and software defined networking (SDN). Using edge cloud may mean access node operations to be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head or base station comprising radio parts. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts. Application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real time functions being carried out at the RAN side (in a distributed unit, DU 104) and non-real time functions being carried out in a centralized manner (in a centralized unit, CU 108).
It should also be understood that the distribution of labor between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of the LTE or even be non-existent. Some other technology advancements probably to be used are Big Data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are being constructed and managed. 5G (or new radio, NR) networks are being designed to support multiple hierarchies, where MEC servers can be placed between the core and the base station or nodeB (gNB). It should be appreciated that MEC can be applied in 4G networks as well.
5G may also utilize satellite communication to enhance or complement the coverage of 5G service, for example by providing backhauling. Possible use cases are providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or for passengers on board of vehicles, or ensuring service availability for critical communications, and future railway/maritime/aeronautical communications. Satellite communication may utilise geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano) satellites are deployed). Each satellite 106 in the mega-constellation may cover several satellite-enabled network entities that create on ground cells. The on-ground cells may be created through an on-ground relay node 104 or by a gNB located on-ground or in a satellite.
It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that the depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system and in practice, the system may comprise a
plurality of access nodes, such as (e/gNodeBs], the user device may have an access to a plurality of radio cells and the system may comprise also other apparatuses, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements, etc. At least one of the access nodes may be a Home(e/g)nodeB. Additionally, in a geographical area of a radio communication system a plurality of different kinds of radio cells as well as a plurality of radio cells may be provided. Radio cells may be macro cells (or umbrella cells] which are large cells, usually having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as micro-, femto- or picocells. The access nodes of Figure 1A may provide any kind of these cells. A cellular radio system may be implemented as a multilayer network including several kinds of cells. Typically, in multilayer networks, one access node provides one kind of a cell or cells, and thus a plurality of access nodes are required to provide such a network structure.
For fulfilling the need for improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of "plug-and-play" (e/g]NodeBs has been introduced. Typically, a network which is able to use "plug-and-play" (e/g]Node Bs, includes, in addition to Home (e/g]NodeBs [H(e/g]nodeBs], a home node B gateway, or HNB-GW (not shown in Figure 1A). A HNB Gateway (HNB-GW], which is typically installed within an operator’s network may aggregate traffic from a large number of HNBs back to a core network.
As was shortly implied above, the system of Figure 1A may enable control of one or more vehicular UEs 100, 102. Examples of actions performed by such system may be controlling of traffic vehicles, such as cars, and control industrial vehicles. That is, the wireless network or radio access network of Figure 1A may be configured to partially or fully control one or more vehicular UEs. Controlling may comprise, for example, controlling movement of the one or more vehicular UEs 100, 102. One example of this may be shown in Figure IB illustrating an example of a wireless system for controlling the one or more vehicular UEs 100, 102 (i.e. Figure IB may illustrate a vehicular network]. The system illustrated in Figure IB may be the same or comprised in the system of Figure 1A, for example. In an embodiment, the vehicular UEs 100, 102 are land vehicles restricted to movement on Earth, i.e. incapable of air-operation.
Referring to Figure IB, two network nodes 104A, 104B (i.e. similar as network node 104 described above, reference number 104 may comprise both or only one of 104A and 104B) are depicted to be communicatively connected to a central control unit (CCU] 190. The CCU 190 may be configured to control the one or more vehicular UEs 100, 102. This controlling may be based on at least Vehicle-To- Infrastructure (V2I] communication. However, the system may also support Vehicle-To- Vehicle (V2V] communication. For example, a route or trajectory 101 of UE 100 may be controlled by the CCU 190 via the network node 104A. The network node 104A may be communicatively coupled with the UE 100 as shown with an arrow 181. Similarly, the
network node 104A may be communicatively coupled with the UE 102 as shown with an arrow 183. Hence, the CCU 190 may control also the operation of UE 102 via the network node 104 (e.g. route or trajectory 103 of the UE 102). It is noted that these are examples of different implementation possibilities. Hence, the CCU 190 or CCUs may control a plurality of vehicular UEs within a geographically restricted area 51 via one or more network nodes 104A, 104B. It is even possible that the operations of the CCU 190 are fully or partially performed by the network node 104A and/or network node 104B. The geographically restricted area 51 may refer to, for example, a harbor area, warehouse, road, road lane, and the like.
It is expected that autonomously driving vehicles are going to be more and more common in the future. Particularly, autonomous vehicles may be used to replace human drivers in geographically restricted areas, where the access is restricted, and the environment is controlled and well known. It may also be possible to utilize similar techniques on public roads. Such vehicles, or more particular vehicular UEs 100, 102, may require a reliable connection with minimum latency. Different Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communications (URLLC) techniques may be needed to meet the requirements. For example, utilization of multiantenna system may be advantageous for the signal quality in such vehicular systems. Multiantenna techniques like beamforming, MIMO and/or Interference Rejection Combining (IRC) may provide some ways of enhancing the signal strength and/or reducing interference, both in receiver (RX) and in transmitter (TX). However, for example, to even better utilize the benefits in TX, the radio channel state may be beneficial to be known. There may be two ways to obtain this radio channel state information:
1. Open loop techniques utilize the channel information from the RX. In such technique, the channel may not be reciprocal for various reasons. Furthermore, there may be delay in the operation. If the channel changes rapidly, the information may get obsolete before it is utilized.
2. Closed loop techniques utilize feedback from the RX, and thus may require no channel reciprocity. However, due to feedback, they may reduce the spectral efficiency. There may be a tradeoff between the accuracy of the radio channel state information available in the TX and the overhead caused by the feedback. Further, there may also be delay, which may reduce the value of the information, particularly in fast changing channels.
Different Channel State Information (CSI) feedback schemes have been proposed. For example, in LTE, an eNodeB may choose between different CSI reference symbol (RS) schemes like common-RS, CSI-RS, beamformed CSI-RS and demodulation- RS (DM-RS), the last one being UE specific. The higher the amount of TX antennas, the more feedback may be needed which may further reduce data transfer capacity of the system. Also, any mobility may increase the need for more frequent feedback due to
channel aging. Hence, it may be beneficial to provide solutions which may reduce the need to provide radio channel state information by the vehicular UEs 100, 102 of a wireless system to network node(s) 104 of the wireless system.
Figure 2A illustrates a flow diagram according to an embodiment. Referring to Figure 2B, a method in a wireless network is illustrated, the method comprising: obtaining, from a controlling entity [e.g. CCU) of the wireless network, trajectory information on at least one user equipment, UE, the movement of the at least one UE being controlled by the controlling entity within a geographically restricted area, the trajectory information indicating a planned trajectory of the at least one UE (block 210); obtaining radio channel measurement information regarding the planned trajectory (block 220); and predictively controlling, based at least on the trajectory information and the radio channel measurement information, at least one of a trajectory of the at least one UE, one or more transmission parameters of one or more signal transmissions (block 230).
In an embodiment, the predictive controlling is performed in order to optimize at least one radio propagation condition indicating parameter associated with the at least one UE.
In an embodiment, the predictive controlling is performed in order to optimize radio propagation condition associated with the at least one UE. In an embodiment, the predictive controlling is performed in order to utilize full potential of the radio channel or channels used for transmitting the signals, such as control signals (e.g. vehicle control signals).
In an embodiment, the optimizing the at least one radio propagation condition indicating parameter associated with the at least one UE comprises and/or means preventing degradation of radio condition exceeding a threshold. One example of such event may be radio link failure (RLF). Another example may be an interference threshold. Some other threshold examples may be power level (e.g. signal power strength), data rate or bit rate.
In an embodiment, in accordance with Figure 2A, in block 210, a network element obtains location information on at least one vehicular UE, the movement of the at least one vehicular UE being controlled by the wireless network within a geographically restricted area, the location information indicating at least one waypoint on a planned route of the at least one vehicular UE; obtaining radio channel condition information regarding the at least one waypoint (block 220); and causing controlling, based on the location information and the radio channel condition information, of one or more radio beams for transferring vehicular control signals (block 230).
The at least one vehicular UE may refer to and/or comprise the UE(s) 100, 102. The vehicular UE, in general, may refer to a UE that, for example, integrated with a vehicle and used to control at least some functions of the vehicle. The wireless network
may refer to the wireless network[s) discussed with reference to Figure 1A and/or Figure IB. The geographically restricted area may refer to, for example, the area 51 illustrated in Figure IB. However, at least some embodiments may be applicable to non- vehicular UEs, such as mobile phones. Hence, the term UE may refer to vehicular UEs, non-vehicular UEs, or both.
The method described with reference to Figure 2A may be performed by one or more entities of the wireless network (e.g. cellular network]. For example, the method may be performed by the network node 104. For example, the method may be performed by the CCU 190. For example, some steps of the method may be performed by the CCU 190 and some by the network node 104. For example, the obtaining the information in steps 210 and 220 may be performed by the network node 104, wherein the information of step 210 is received from the CCU 190. Thus, the step 230 may be performed by the network node 104, for example.
Figure 2B illustrates a flow diagram according to an embodiment. Referring to Figure 2B, a UE obtains, from a wireless network, information indicating a planned trajectory of the UE, the movement of the UE being controlled by the wireless network within a geographically restricted area [block 240]; causes following the planned trajectory [block 250] [e.g. causes a vehicle to move along the indicated trajectory]; and controls, based at least on the planned trajectory, one or more transmission parameters of one or more signal transmissions [block 260]
According to an embodiment, step 260 may be performed in order to optimize at least one radio propagation condition indicating parameter associated with the UE. For example, as in Figure 2A, the step 260 may refer to preventing degradation of radio condition parameter exceeding a threshold, for example, by controlling one or more radio beams by the UE [e.g. directing a beam towards the network node 104]
The method described with reference to Figure 2B may be performed, for example, by the UE 100 or UE 102.
Using one or both of the methods described with reference to Figures 2A and 2B, signal quality may be increased, and at the same time, need for feedback messaging reduced. That is, knowing the radio channel condition and the location [e.g. future locations, trajectory, and/or route] may enable the method[s] to be applicable also to Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications [URLLC] as the increased signal quality may increase reliability also. For example, knowing where an UE 100, 102 will be and knowing radio condition at that future location enables the network node 104 to configure its radio transmission parameters [e.g. radio beam parameters] such that, with high or higher probability, the control signal [or some other signal] is successfully transmitted. The methods may be applicable to both TX and RX. For example, if network node 104 transmits data to UE 100, both may control their radio parameters [e.g. direct their radio beams, i.e. network node 104 TX radio beam and UE 100 RX radio beam] as
described. For example, if UE 100 transmits data to network node 104, both may control their radio parameters (e.g. direct their radio beams, i.e. network node 104 RX radio beam and UE 100 TX radio beam] as described. However, in some scenarios only one of the entities controls its radio parameter (s] (e.g. radio beams]. As noted, the trajectory of the UE may alternatively or additionally be controlled in order to optimize the radio conditions associated with the UE. Optimization may mean that the radio condition on the planned route (i.e. in some future location] is determined to be at certain level. However, due to trajectory change and/or radio transmission parameter optimization, the radio condition is better (i.e. optimized] in said future location or in some other location.
Let us then look closer on some details and/or embodiments of the proposed solution. Figures 3A and 3B illustrate signal diagrams according to some embodiments. Referring first to Figure 3A, in block 302, the CCU 190 may transmit or send a vehicle control signal(s]. The vehicle control signal(s) may be targeted to be received by the vehicle or vehicle UE that is being controlled. For example, in Figure 3A the CCU 190 controls the movement of the vehicular UE 100. The vehicle control signal(s] may be transmitted to the UE 100 via a network node 104 (or nodes], the network node 104. I.e. the network node 104 may receive and forward (block 304] the vehicle control signal(s] to the target UE 100. ln block 306, the UE 100 may execute one or more commands based on the received control signal(s]. For example, the vehicular UE 100 may, in block 306, follow a commanded trajectory and/or route which is indicated by the vehicle control signal(s]. For example, the vehicle control signal(s] may be used to indicate a planned route and/or trajectory, and/or update previously indicated planned route and/or trajectory. However, it is possible to utilize the described solutions to other signal transmissions than vehicular control signal transmissions.
Referring to Figure 3B, in block 312, the network node 104 may obtain radio channel condition information as in block 220. In block 314, the CCU 190 may transmit location information to the network node 104. Hence, the network node 104 may obtain the location information. The location information may comprise, for example, the vehicle control signal(s] transmitted in block 302, or at least indication about planned route, planned trajectory and/or planned future location (s] of one or more vehicular UEs (e.g. location information on UE 100]. As the CCU 190 may control movement of the one or more vehicular UEs (including the UE 100], the CCU 190 may know the locations and future locations (or at least the planned future locations] of the one or more vehicular UEs. Hence, the CCU 190 may provide this information to the network node 104, and also to other network nodes which are configured and/or cause to transmit/forward the vehicular control signals as in block 304.
In an embodiment, location information comprises trajectory information indicating the planned trajectory of one or more UEs.
According to an embodiment, in block 316, the network node 104 may control one or more radio parameters associated with signal transmission to the UE 100. The transmission on the controlled parameter (s) may be performed in block 318. In an embodiment, the controlling comprises controlling one or more radio beams for transferring signals between the UE 100 and the network node 104 based on the information obtained in blocks 312 and 314. ln one example embodiment, this may mean controlling transmission on said one or more radio beams as indicated in block 318. For example, the signals [e.g. vehicle control signals) transmitted in block 304 may be transmitted in block 318. For example, the controlling the transmission on the one or more radio beams (e.g. block 316) may comprise directing the one or more radio beams and/or controlling power (e.g. increasing) of the one or more radio beams. In one simple example, the radio beam used to transmit the vehicle control signals to the UE 100 is directed towards the UE 100. This may be performed, for example, according to the indicated route or trajectory of the UE 100. Further, the radio beam may be controlled further based on the radio conditions along the route or trajectory. For example, some locations of the UE 100 may require higher power radio beam to be used and in some locations lower power radio beam may suffice.
As discussed above, the radio channel condition information may be obtained, for example, in block 312 regarding the geographically restricted area (e.g. area 51). Figure 3C illustrates obtaining the radio channel condition information according to some embodiments. According to a first embodiment, the radio channel condition information comprises information obtained via dedicated radio channel measurements in the geographically restricted area (block 330). Such measurement(s) may comprise measurement(s) performed prior to deploying the wireless network. For example, the block 330 may be performed during installation of the wireless network (i.e. wireless vehicular network of Figure 1A and/or IB). In a way, the radio channel condition information may be understood to indicate or comprise a radio map of the geographically restricted area 51. Using the radio map and predicted (or precisely known based on the planned trajectories which are further controlled by the wireless network) locations of the UEs, the radio beams may be controlled in an efficient manner.
According to a second embodiment, the radio channel condition information comprises information obtained based on radio channel measurements by the at least one UE 100, 102 while being controlled in the geographically restricted area 51 (blocks 340 and 350: i.e. radio condition information may be obtained in block 350 based on measurement results of block 340). Blocks 340, 350 may be performed continuously or periodically, or may be triggered if a change in radio conditions is detected by the network node 104 or by the CCU 190, for example.
According to a third embodiment, the radio channel condition information comprises information acquired according to both the first and second embodiments.
For example, first initial radio condition information may be obtained (block 330, e.g. a radio map of area 51) which may later be updated according to blocks 340, 350 (e.g. the radio map of area 51 is updated based on blocks 340, 350).
So, as described, the location information may indicate a planned trajectory or route of the at least one UE. Examples of this may be seen in Figures 4A and 4B illustrating some embodiments. For example, route or trajectory 402 of UE 100 and route or trajectory 404 of UE 102 are indicated in said Figures. Trajectory indicates route as a function of time. Hence, the location of the UE 100, 102 may be known in advance, and more particularly the time instant when the UE 100, 102 is at certain location lt is further pointed out that the routes or trajectories 402, 404 may be controlled by the CCU 190 as described above. It is further pointed out that the controlling may happen on radio beam(s) 410, 420 that are controlled based on the location information and radio condition information.
According to an embodiment, the radio channel condition information indicates measured radio channel condition regarding the planned trajectory or route 402, 404. For example, the radio channel condition information indicates radio condition on route or trajectory 402 regarding the UE 100.
According to an embodiment, the CCU 190 and/or the network node 104 determines direction and/or orientation of the UE 100, 102 and/or UEs radio antenna(s) based on the location information. That is, the UE 100, 102 may use directive antenna(s) which may be directed to certain direction. For example, the UE 100, 102 turns, the direction of the antenna (i.e. the direction the antenna is facing) may change due to the turn. This antenna direction may be determined based on the location information indicating, for example, the route and/or trajectory of the UE 100, 102. It is noted that the antenna(s) of the UE 100, 102 may cause some effect on the radio conditions in the geographically restricted area 51. Hence, when controlling the radio beam(s) (e.g. block 316), the network node 104 may also take into account the direction/orientation of the UE 100, 102 (or its antenna) and/or the effect caused by the antenna of the UE 100, 102 to the radio conditions. Hence, the radio beam may even more efficiently be controlled as the channel conditions may be estimated with even greater accuracy.
Let us then look closer on Figure 4A, in which each network node 104A, 104B may cause generation one or more radio beams 410, 420 to transmit signals to the UEs 100, 102. As shown in Figure 4A, the CCU 190 may provide the network nodes 104A, 104B UE location information (arrows 314A, 314B corresponding to step 314). Hence, each network node may generate radio beam(s) for one or more UEs. The CCU 190 may determine which of the network nodes 104A, 104B to use to relay signals. In the example, network node 104A is selected to transmit signals to UE 100 and network node 104B is selected to transmit signals to UE 102. As shown, based on the location
information and the radio channel condition information, the network nodes 104A, 104B may both control the radio beams 410, 420 such that the UE 100, 102 may receive the signals. However, at some point along the route or trajectory 402 of UE 100, the radio beam 410, controlled by the network node 104A, may cause interference to UE 102. This may be equally true to radio beam 420, controlled by the network node 104B, causing interference to UE 100. Hence, it may be beneficial to provide solutions which reduce such risk of interference.
Figure 5 illustrates a flow diagram according to some embodiments targeted to reducing said risk of interference. Referring to Figure 5, the network node 104A (or some other network node or element controlling the network node) is configured to detect a risk of interference to a second UE 102 based at least on location information on a first UE 100 and location information on the second UE 102 (e.g. received from CCU 190 and indicated with arrow 314A) (block 510); and perform one or more actions to reduce said risk of interference (block 520).
According to an embodiment, block 520 comprises controlling transmission parameter(s) associated with signal transmission (block 524). For example, such may comprise utilizing a first radio beam 410, to the first UE 100 to reduce said risk of interference. Such solution may additionally or alternatively be used by network node 104B regarding radio beam 420. However, it is possible that both the radio beam 410 and radio beam 420 are controlled by the same entity (e.g. network node 104A). Hence, if such risk is detected the network node 104A may control one or both radio beams to reduce said risk of interference. Also, if more than two UEs and more than two radio beams are used, each of the radio beams may be controlled if need be. According to an embodiment, in case one or more of said radio beams is controlled by another entity (e.g. network node 104B), the network node 104A may request the network node 104B to control its radio beams to reduce said risk of interference. For example, the network node 104B may act according to the request.
According to an embodiment, block 520 comprises route or trajectory of one or more UEs to reduce said risk of interference (block 522). For example, route or trajectory 402 of the UE 100 and/or route or trajectory 404 of the UE 102 may be controlled to reduce said risk of interference. Such may comprise transmission of a route or trajectory change request, by the network node 104A, to the CCU 190, for example. The CCU 190 may determine based on the request a new/updated route, if possible, to reduce said risk of interference, and communicate the new/updated route or trajectory via control signaling to the UE 100 and/or UE 102, for example (i.e. to the UE which route or trajectory is changed). If no alternative route or trajectory is possible to reduce said risk of interference, the network node 104A may utilize only methods of block 524. If alternative route or trajectory is possible, the network node 104A may additionally utilize the methods of block 524. The network node 104A may not need to
perform both blocks 522, 524, but may select to utilize one or both methods, for example.
Regarding block 524, at least some different options are listed in blocks from 532 to 540 in Figure 5. According to an embodiment, the controlling the transmission to the first UE 100 comprises directing the first radio beam 410 to reduce said risk of interference. Example of this may be seen in Figure 4B in which the UEs 100 and 102 have advanced according to their routes or trajectories 402, 404 (i.e. in comparison with Figure 4A).
In an embodiment, the controlling the transmission to the first UE 100 comprises utilizing an alternative propagation path regarding the first radio beam 410 to reduce said risk of interference (block 534). This may mean, for example, an indirect propagation path. For example, with reference to Figure 4B, the radio beam 410 may comprise elements 412, 414, wherein the radio beam 410 is targeted (see element 412) towards an entity 490 which further directs and/or reflects the radio beam 410 (see element 414) towards the UE 100. The element 490 may be, for example, part of terrain or environment, or specifically configured element for such task. Hence, the beam 410 may not cause interference (or at least substantial interference) towards the UE 102.
For example, the embodiments described with reference to blocks 532 and 534 may utilize selection of a certain fixed radio beam (e.g. the beam is selected amongst a plurality of selectable beams wherein each has a certain configuration possibly different from each other) or beam steering (e.g. digital beamforming). Hence, direction of the beam 410 may be configured such that it may not cause (or causes less) interference towards the UE 102 than it would without taking any preventive action. For example, in a way this may be understood as nulling the radio beam 410, targeted to UE 100, towards UE 102. This may be performed, for example, by directing the beam such that it is not towards the UE 102 and/or by utilizing a propagation path that does not cause interference to UE 102. So, by obtaining the location information regarding the UEs 100, 102, and knowing the radio channel condition in advance, enables the wireless network to reduce or prevent interference to other vehicular UEs caused by a radio beam used for transmitting control signals to a certain vehicular UE. Reduced interference may increase efficiency of the system.
Still referring to Figure 4B, the network node 104B may take certain action regarding the transmission on radio beam 420 to reduce risk of interference to UE 100. However, as at the moment the beam 420 does not cause substantial interference to UE 100, such action has not yet been performed. The actions may include at least one of the actions shown in Figure 5.
Referring to Figure 5, in an embodiment, controlling the transmission to the first UE 100 comprises utilizing a polarization reducing said risk of interference (block 536). For example, radio beam 410 may be configured to utilize polarization that is
invisible or at least less visible for UE 102. Less visible may mean, for example, less visible compared with first polarization that would be used if said polarization (i.e. a second polarization) would not be used.
In an embodiment, controlling the transmission to the first UE 100 comprises controlling radio resources used for the transmission to reduce said risk of interference (block 538). For example, the wireless network may schedule radio resources such that interference, caused by communication between UE 100 and network node 104A, to UE 102 may be avoided or reduced. Scheduling may happen in frequency and/or time domain, for example, to reduce the risk of interference. It is noted that the present solution the scheduling decision (by network node(s) 104A, 104B or some other network entity) can be made in advance, i.e. before UEs 100, 102 start to cause interference to each other, because the interference situation may be known in advance
In an embodiment, controlling the transmission to the first UE comprises reducing power of the first radio beam (block 540). Hence, the radio beam 410 may be enough to transmit control signals to UE 100, but such that it does not cause interference to UE 102 (or interference is negligible). In general, the wireless network may control power of the radio beams 410, 420. For example, power may be increased to ensure that transmission is received by the target UE, and reduced to increase risk of interference.
According to an embodiment, the reducing the risk of interference comprises controlling radio beam(s) and/or direction or rotation of one or more antennas of one or more UEs. That is, for example, UEs 100, 102 TX and/or RX antenna and/or radio beam direction may be controlled by the network node 104A and/or network node 104B to reduce said risk of interference. This may be done similarly as controlling the route and/or trajectory 402, 404 of the UEs 100, 102. Hence, as an alternative or in addition to one or both of blocks 522, 524, the antenna(s) of the UE 100, 102 may be controlled by the network. In an embodiment, the UE 100, 102 controls its antenna and/or radio beam direction itself. For example, UE 100 may target its radio beam (e.g. TX and/or RX beam) towards network node 104A such that it does not cause interference to UE 102. The controlling may be performed on basis of acquiring location information on UE 102 and/or on basis of control information from the network (e.g. network node 104A may instruct the UE 100 to control its radio beam(s) according to he instructions).
As discussed earlier, the UE (e.g. 100 and/or 102) may follow its designated route or trajectory according to control signals from the CCU 190. In an embodiment, the network node 104 is configured to control the radio beam(s) such that the radio beam(s) follow the UE on its route or trajectory. This may be performed based on the location information on the UE and radio channel condition information. In an embodiment, the controlling is based on location information on the UE, and thus radio
channel condition information may not necessarily be needed. So, as the UE moves along its route, the radio beam used to transfer messages from the network node to the UE may be controlled to follow the UE. As described, the beam may be a TX beam for transferring control signals form the CCU to the UE via the network node. However, RX beam may be controlled in a similar manner to receive messages from the UE. Further, as explained, the TX and/or RX radio beams of the UE may be controlled by the UE to further enhance the data and/or control information transfer. By following the UE with the radio beam such that the beam is constantly suitable for transferring data between the network and the UE enables constant transfer of control information. Hence, the UE may be constantly controlled by the network. This may enhance safety of the vehicular UE operation. For example, by utilizing digital beamforming, the radio beam may be seamlessly controlled to follow the UE. However, it is possible to utilize a plurality of fixed beams providing different directions and angles, and hence following ability.
It is noted that although blocks 510 and 520 discuss about detecting and reducing risk of interference, the different actions (e.g. listed in Figure 5) may be performed, in general, to optimize the radio condition indicating parameter(s). As discussed, interference parameter may be one such parameter, wherein it may indicate interference caused to or measured by an UE. So, in general, the radio condition indicating parameters] may be controlled, using different means listed in blocks 522, 524, and 532-540, such that they may not exceed a threshold. This way the radio condition associated with different UEs may be optimized and/or controlled.
Further, in addition to means discussed above, the optimization may comprise changing the transmission mode, changing the modulation and coding scheme and/or changing transmission point (e.g. node 104B instead of node 104A].
Even further, the different triggers (i.e. in addition to interference parameter] may include change of channel state due to movement by the UE and/or change of power due to movement or blockage (e.g. building].
Let us then look on some embodiments illustrated in signal diagram of Figure 6. Referring to Figure 6, in block 602 the CCU 190 commands or recommends the network node 104 to enter normal mode of feedback signaling. In the normal mode, the network node 104 may transmit RS or pilot signal (or similar signal] to UE 100 (block 604]. The UE 100 may respond by transmitting CSI to the network node 104 (block 606] Similarly, CSI may be collected and/or requested from a plurality of UEs by the network node 104. ln block 608, the network node 104 may transmit one or more network key performance indicators (KPls] to the CCU 190.
As noted above, knowing the channel condition and UE locations in advance may enable the use of reduced feedback mode compared with the normal mode. Hence, in an embodiment, the network node 104 utilizes the reduced feedback mode based at least on the obtained location information and the radio channel condition information
(explained in detail above), wherein in the reduced feedback mode the at least one vehicular UE (e.g. UE 100) is caused to reduce transmission of channel state information. That is, the CCU 190 may cause the network node(s) to utilize said reduced feedback mode by transmitting command or recommendation in block 612. For example, if the CCU 190 determines that the UE 100 is controlled in the geographically restricted area 51 via the network node 104, the reduced feedback mode may be initiated by transmitting the message 612. For example, the CCU 190 may determine that the reduced feedback mode should be used based on said message of block 608. For example, the CCU 190 may trigger the reduced feedback mode in response to determining that the network node 104 has acquired the radio channel state information. The triggering message of block 612 may comprise the location information on the UE(s) or it may be transmitted to the network node 104 before the triggering or after the triggering (e.g. in block 622), for example.
According to an embodiment, the network node 104 triggers the reduced feedback mode and/or normal mode independently. That is, message 612 (or 602 and 644) may not necessarily be needed. The decision about entering a different mode may be based on same or similar information as the decision by the CCU 190.
In the reduced feedback mode, the network node 104 may at least reduce the number of Reference Signal (RS) or pilot signals transmitted to UEs (e.g. UE 100). However, the network node 104 may choose to transmit the RS or pilot signal (block 614) and received a response accordingly (block 616). In an embodiment, the network node prevents transmission of RS or pilot signals in reduced feedback mode. However, in some embodiments the transmission may be optional, and further beneficial as the radio channel information may need to be updated. However, the CSI transmissions may be reduced compared with the normal mode, thus reducing overhead and enabling better spectral efficiency.
Referring still to Figure 6, in blocks 622, 624 it is illustrated that the CCU 190 may transmit UE route and/or trajectory information or data to the network node 104 which may further relay the data or information to the UEs (e.g. route command to UE 100 based on said data or information).
In an embodiment, the UE 100 indicates to the wireless network (e.g. node 104) that the planned route cannot be followed. This indication may be, for example, implicit if the UE 100 indicates its position as in block 632. That is, normally there may be no need to indicate position as the route or trajectory is controlled by the CCU 190. Hence, by transmitting its position, the UE 100 may indicate that the current or planned route or trajectory cannot be followed. For example, the UE 100 may not be able to follow the current trajectory due to slippery surface or due to error in the operation of the moving UE 100, like engine failure. There may be at least two different ways to detect such situation: one is the UE indicating it to the CCU 190 via the network node
104 (e.g. position and/or deviation from the planned route). Second is that the wireless network (e.g. network node 104) detects the deviation via some other feedback from the system (e.g. KPI(s) transmitted in block 642). One could also implement machine learning based algorithms to notice risk for deviation in the movement of the UE 100 from the desired route. However, each of these options may result in entering the normal mode to obtain further CSI information.
In an embodiment, in response to the indicating (e.g. block 632), the UE 100 receives a request for transmitting channel state information (block 614). The UE 100 may transmit the CS1 to the network node 104 (block 616). Hence, updated radio channel information regarding the UE’s 100 position may be acquired by the network node 104. It is noted that the current and/or indicated position of the UE 100 may be different than the originally commanded route. Hence, there may be not CSI available regarding that location, or the information may be obsolete. Hence, update may be beneficial to enable the network node 104 to better configure its radio beam transmission.
In an embodiment, the network node 104 utilizes another feedback mode (e.g. normal mode) based at least on detecting that the at least one UE 100 is unable to follow the planned trajectory (e.g. based on indication of block 632), wherein in said another feedback mode the at least one UE 100 is caused to increase transmission of channel state information compared with the reduced feedback mode. As said, in the normal mode the CSI information may be requested more regularly from the at least one UE 100. The normal mode command may be transmitted in block 644 in response to network KPI(s) received in block 642, for example. That is, the if the reduced feedback mode does not seem to operate in good enough quality compared with the normal mode, the CCU 190 may command the network node 104 to increase the feedback signaling. Note that both the normal mode and reduced feedback mode may have more resolution, i.e. several submodes, similar to different Transmission Modes in 3GPP specification. The detection that the reduced feedback mode does not seem to operate in good enough quality may be based on the network KPI(s) such as Block Error Rate (BLER), throughput, and/or reliability, to name a few examples. As noted above, the decision about entering different modes, including the normal feedback mode, may be performed either by the CCU 190 and triggered by transmitting a message to the network node 104, or independently by the network node 104.
It is further noted that the position of the UE 100 may be transmitted to the CCU 190 (block 634).
The CCU 190 may transmit a route or trajectory update in block 636. This may be initiated by, for example, the UE position indication in block 634. That is, a new route or trajectory may be needed if the original route may not be followed by the UE 100. The network node 104 may transmit updated route or trajectory command(s) to
the UE 100 [block 638]. The UE 100 may thus follow the new route or trajectory as in block 250 of Figure 2B. Further, the UE 100 may use the updated route and/or trajectory information to control its one or more radio beams [i.e. block 260). It is noted that the UE 100 may determine the location or direction of the target (e.g. network node 104A) based on performing one or more radio beam test(s). ln some examples, the UE 100 may receive location information, indicating location and/or direction of the target[s), from the network.
So, the resource usage may be improved by reducing need for feedback regarding radio beams in the area 51. The mode may be switched by higher layer signaling (block 612; and switching to normal mode in blocks 602, 644) and may be especially preferable for transmission modes which need normally high amount of feedback (e.g. multi-antenna MIMO modes). As noted above, the mode may be switched alternatively by the network node 104. Hence, messages (612, 602, 644) from the CCU 190 are not necessarily required.
In an embodiment, the radio channel measurement information, obtained based on radio channel measurements by the at least one UE, comprises channel state information obtained in said reduced feedback mode or in said another feedback mode.
Figures 7 and 8 provide apparatuses 700, 800 comprising a control circuitry (CTRL) 710, 810, such as at least one processor, and at least one memory 730, 830 including a computer program code (software) 732, 832, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code (software) 732, 832, are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the respective apparatus 700, 800 to carry out any one of the embodiments described above, such as with reference to Figures 1A to 6, or operations thereof.
Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the memory 730, 830 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The memory 730, 830 may comprise a database 734, 834 for storing data. Data may comprise, for example, location information on the UE(s), radio channel condition information and/or any of the data or information indicated in any one of embodiments described above.
The apparatus 700, 800 may further comprise radio interface (TRX) 720, 820 comprising hardware and/or software for realizing communication connectivity according to one or more communication protocols. The TRX may provide the apparatus with communication capabilities to access the radio access network and enable communication between network nodes, for example. The TRX may comprise standard well-known components such as an amplifier, filter, frequency-converter, (de) modulator, and encoder/decoder circuitries and one or more antennas. The TRX may be configured to control operation of one or more antenna arrays for providing TX
and/or RX radio beams. Further, other transmission related parameters, such as power, polarization and/or scheduling may be controlled at least partly by the TRX, for example.
The apparatus 700, 800 may also comprise user interface 740, 840 comprising, for example, at least one keypad, a microphone, a touch display, a display, a speaker, etc. The user interface 740, 840 may be used to control the respective apparatus by a user of the apparatus 700, 800.
In an embodiment, the apparatus 700 may be or be comprised in a base station (also called a base transceiver station, a Node B, a radio network controller, an evolved Node B, or a g Node B, for example). The apparatus 800 may be the network node 104, 104A, 104B or comprised in the network node 104, 104A, 104B, for example. In an embodiment, the apparatus 700 is comprised in the CCU 190. In an embodiment, some operations of the apparatus 700 are shared between the network node 104, 104A, 104B and the CCU 190.
According to an embodiment, the CTRL 710 comprises a location information circuitry 712 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 210; a channel condition circuitry 714 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 220; and a parameter control circuitry 716 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 230. For example, the circuitry 716 may be operatively coupled with the TRX 720 and/or one or more antenna units for controlling the transmission on the one or more radio beams (e.g. TX and/or RX radio beams). For example, the circuitry 716 may control the trajectory and/or route of the UEs.
In an embodiment, the apparatus 800 may be or be comprised in a terminal device, such as a vehicular UE (e.g. vehicular UE 100, 102).
According to an embodiment, the CTRL 810 comprises an information obtaining 812 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 240; a trajectory circuitry 814 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 250; and a radio parameter control circuitry 816 configured at least to cause performing operations described with respect to block 260.
Further, the apparatus 800 may comprise or be coupled with a position circuitry 850 configured to enable determination of UE position. For example, satellite positioning may be used. Hence, the UE’s position may be determined and indicated in blocks 632, 634. Position may refer to physical location, such as geographical coordinates, for example.
In an embodiment, at least some of the functionalities of the apparatus 700 may be shared between two physically separate devices, forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus 700 may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising
one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes. Thus, the apparatus 700 utilizing such shared architecture, may comprise a remote control unit (RCU), such as a host computer or a server computer, operatively coupled (e.g. via a wireless or wired network) to a remote radio head (RRH), such as a Transmission Point (TRP), located in a base station or network node 104, for example. In an embodiment, at least some of the described processes may be performed by the RCU. In an embodiment, the execution of at least some of the described processes may be shared among the RRH and the RCU. In an embodiment, the execution of at least some of the described processes may be shared among the RRH, RCU, and the CCU 190.
In an embodiment, the RCU may generate a virtual network through which the RCU communicates with the RRH. In general, virtual networking may involve a process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization may involve platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization may be categorized as external virtual networking which combines many networks, or parts of networks, into the server computer or the host computer (i.e. to the RCU). External network virtualization is targeted to optimized network sharing. Another category is internal virtual networking which provides network-like functionality to the software containers on a single system.
In an embodiment, the virtual network may provide flexible distribution of operations between the RRH and the RCU. In practice, any digital signal processing task may be performed in either the RRH or the RCU and the boundary where the responsibility is shifted between the RRH and the RCU may be selected according to implementation.
As used in this application, the term 'circuitry’ refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of circuits and soft- ware (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of processor (s) or (ii) portions of processor (s)/software including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus to perform various functions, and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term in this application. As a further example, as used in this application, the term 'circuitry' would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term 'circuitry' would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or another
network device.
In an embodiment, at least some of the processes described in connection with Figures 1A to 6 may be carried out by an apparatus comprising corresponding means for carrying out at least some of the described processes. Some example means for carrying out the processes may include at least one of the following: detector, processor [including dual-core and multiple-core processors), digital signal processor, controller, receiver, transmitter, encoder, decoder, memory, RAM, ROM, software, firmware, display, user interface, display circuitry, user interface circuitry, user interface software, display software, circuit, antenna, antenna circuitry, and circuitry. In an embodiment, the at least one processor, the memory, and the computer program code form processing means or comprises one or more computer program code portions for carrying out one or more operations according to any one of the embodiments of Figures 1A to 6 or operations thereof.
According to yet another embodiment, the apparatus carrying out the embodiments comprises a circuitry including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. When activated, the circuitry causes the apparatus to perform at least some of the functionalities according to any one of the embodiments of Figures 1A to 6, or operations thereof.
The techniques and methods described herein may be implemented by various means. For example, these techniques may be implemented in hardware (one or more devices), firmware (one or more devices), software (one or more modules), or combinations thereof. For a hardware implementation, the apparatus(es) of embodiments may be implemented within one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof. For firmware or software, the implementation can be carried out through modules of at least one chip set (e.g. procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. The software codes may be stored in a memory unit and executed by processors. The memory unit may be implemented within the processor or externally to the processor. In the latter case, it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means, as is known in the art. Additionally, the components of the systems described herein may be rearranged and/or complemented by additional components in order to facilitate the achievements of the various aspects, etc., described with regard thereto, and they are not limited to the precise configurations set forth in the given figures, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.
Embodiments as described may also be carried out in the form of a computer process defined by a computer program or portions thereof. Embodiments of the
methods described in connection with Figures 1A to 6 may be carried out by executing at least one portion of a computer program comprising corresponding instructions. The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the computer program may be stored on a computer program distribution medium readable by a computer or a processor. The computer program medium may be, for example but not limited to, a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example. The computer program medium may be a non-transitory medium, for example. Coding of software for carrying out the embodiments as shown and described is well within the scope of a person of ordinary skill in the art. In an embodiment, a computer-readable medium comprises said computer program.
Even though the invention has been described above with reference to an example according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the invention is not restricted thereto but can be modified in several ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiment lt will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. Further, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the described embodiments may, but are not required to, be combined with other embodiments in various ways.
Claims
1. A method in a network element of a wireless network, the method comprising:
obtaining, from a controlling entity of the wireless network, trajectory information on at least one user equipment, UE, the movement of the at least one UE being controlled by the controlling entity within a geographically restricted area, the trajectory information indicating a planned trajectory of the at least one UE;
obtaining radio channel measurement information regarding the planned trajectory; and
predictively controlling, based at least on the trajectory information and the radio channel measurement information, at least one of a trajectory of the at least one UE, one or more transmission parameters of one or more signal transmissions.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
utilizing a reduced feedback mode based at least on the obtained trajectory information and the obtained radio channel measurement information, wherein in the reduced feedback mode the at least one UE is caused to reduce transmission of channel state information.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
utilizing another feedback mode based at least on detecting that the at least one UE is unable to follow the planned trajectory, wherein in said another feedback mode the at least one UE is caused to increase transmission of channel state information compared with the reduced feedback mode.
4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the predictive controlling is performed in order to optimize at least one radio propagation condition indicating parameter associated with the at least one UE.
5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the controlling the one or more transmission parameters comprises controlling one or more radio beams for transmitting the one or more signals.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the controlling the one or more radio beams comprises directing the one or more radio beams.
7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the controlling the one or more radio beams comprises utilizing an alternative propagation path regarding the one or more radio beams.
8. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the controlling the one or more transmission parameters comprises controlling polarization of the one or more signal transmissions.
9. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the controlling the one or more transmission parameters comprises controlling radio resources used for the one or more signal transmissions.
10. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the controlling the one or more transmission parameters comprises controlling power of the one or more signal transmissions.
11. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the radio channel measurement information comprises information obtained via dedicated radio channel measurements in the geographically restricted area.
12. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the radio channel measurement information comprises information obtained based on radio channel measurements by the at least one UE while being controlled in the geographically restricted area.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the radio channel measurement information, obtained based on radio channel measurements by the at least one UE, comprises channel state information obtained in said reduced feedback mode or in said another feedback mode.
14. A method in a user equipment, UE, the method comprising:
obtaining, from a wireless network, information indicating a planned trajectory of the UE, the movement of the UE being controlled by the wireless network within a geographically restricted area;
causing following the planned trajectory; and
controlling, based at least on the planned trajectory, one or more transmission parameters of one or more signal transmissions.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
indicating to the wireless network that the planned trajectory cannot be followed;
in response to the indicating, receiving a request for transmitting channel state information; and
in response to the receiving the request, transmitting the channel state information.
16. An apparatus comprising:
at least one processor, and
at least one memory comprising a computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to perform operations comprising:
obtaining, from a controlling entity of a wireless network, trajectory information on at least one user equipment, UE, the movement of the at least one UE being controlled by the controlling entity within a geographically restricted area, the trajectory information indicating a planned trajectory of the at least one UE;
obtaining radio channel measurement information regarding the planned trajectory; and
predictively controlling, based at least on the trajectory information and the radio channel measurement information, at least one of a trajectory of the at least one UE, one or more transmission parameters of one or more signal transmissions.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus further to perform operations comprising:
utilizing a reduced feedback mode based at least on the obtained trajectory information and the obtained radio channel measurement information, wherein in the reduced feedback mode the at least one UE is caused to reduce transmission of channel state information.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus further to perform operations comprising:
utilizing another feedback mode based at least on detecting that the at least one UE is unable to follow the planned trajectory, wherein in said another feedback mode the at least one UE is caused to increase transmission of channel state information compared with the reduced feedback mode.
19. The apparatus of any preceding claim 16 to 18, wherein the predictive controlling is performed in order to optimize at least one radio propagation condition indicating parameter associated with the at least one UE.
20. The apparatus of any preceding claim 16 to 19, wherein the controlling the one or more transmission parameters comprises controlling one or more radio beams for transmitting the one or more signals.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the controlling the one or more radio beams comprises directing the one or more radio beams.
22. The apparatus of claim 20 or 21, wherein the controlling the one or more radio beams comprises utilizing an alternative propagation path regarding the one or more radio beams.
23. The apparatus of any preceding claim 16 to 22, wherein the controlling the one or more transmission parameters comprises controlling polarization of the one or more signal transmissions.
24. The apparatus of any preceding claim 16 to 23, wherein the controlling the one or more transmission parameters comprises controlling radio resources used for the one or more signal transmissions.
25. The apparatus of any preceding claim 16 to 24, wherein the controlling the one or more transmission parameters comprises controlling power of the one or more signal transmissions.
26. The apparatus of any preceding claim 16 to 25, wherein the radio channel measurement information comprises information obtained via dedicated radio channel measurements in the geographically restricted area.
27. The apparatus of any preceding claim 16 to 26, wherein the radio channel measurement information comprises information obtained based on radio channel measurements by the at least one UE while being controlled in the geographically restricted area.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the radio channel measurement information, obtained based on radio channel measurements by the at least one UE,
comprises channel state information obtained in said reduced feedback mode or in said another feedback mode.
29. An apparatus comprising:
at least one processor, and
at least one memory comprising a computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to perform operations comprising: obtaining, from a wireless network, information indicating a planned trajectory of an UE, the movement of the UE being controlled by the wireless network within a geographically restricted area;
causing following the planned trajectory; and
controlling, based at least on the planned trajectory, one or more transmission parameters of one or more signal transmissions.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus further to perform operations comprising:,
indicating to the wireless network that the planned trajectory cannot be followed;
in response to the indicating, receiving a request for transmitting channel state information; and
in response to the receiving the request, transmitting the channel state information.
31. A system comprising the apparatus according to any preceding claim 16 to 28 and the apparatus according to any preceding claim 29 to 30.
32. The system further comprising a controlling entity configured to control the movement of the UE.
33. An apparatus comprising means for carrying out all the steps of a method according to any preceding claim 1 to 15.
34. A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable medium and comprising a computer program code readable by a computer, wherein the computer program code configures the computer to carry out the method according to any preceding claim 1 to 15 when read by the computer.
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PCT/FI2018/050111 WO2019158802A1 (en) | 2018-02-15 | 2018-02-15 | Enhancing communication |
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EP (1) | EP3753266A4 (en) |
CN (1) | CN112005564B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019158802A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
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WO2022157535A1 (en) * | 2021-01-19 | 2022-07-28 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Method and apparatus for predicting and adapting to mobile radio link characteristics in a sector |
WO2023216178A1 (en) * | 2022-05-12 | 2023-11-16 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Sensing-aided radio access technology communications |
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CN104380772B (en) * | 2012-06-15 | 2019-06-11 | Lg电子株式会社 | The wireless communication system of high-speed motion object for being moved along route |
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CN105306178B (en) * | 2014-07-31 | 2021-02-09 | 索尼公司 | Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method |
CN106559120B (en) * | 2015-09-25 | 2021-06-15 | 索尼公司 | Electronic device and wireless communication method in wireless communication system |
CN105763649A (en) * | 2016-04-26 | 2016-07-13 | 谢奇 | Method and system for communication between vehicles |
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2018
- 2018-02-15 WO PCT/FI2018/050111 patent/WO2019158802A1/en unknown
- 2018-02-15 CN CN201880092377.0A patent/CN112005564B/en active Active
- 2018-02-15 EP EP18906363.9A patent/EP3753266A4/en not_active Withdrawn
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US20130039345A1 (en) * | 2011-08-12 | 2013-02-14 | Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | Apparatus and method for adaptive beam-forming in wireless communication system |
WO2017100473A1 (en) * | 2015-12-08 | 2017-06-15 | Uber Technologies, Inc. | Optimizing communication for automated vehicles |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2022157535A1 (en) * | 2021-01-19 | 2022-07-28 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Method and apparatus for predicting and adapting to mobile radio link characteristics in a sector |
WO2023216178A1 (en) * | 2022-05-12 | 2023-11-16 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Sensing-aided radio access technology communications |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN112005564B (en) | 2023-02-28 |
EP3753266A1 (en) | 2020-12-23 |
EP3753266A4 (en) | 2021-08-25 |
CN112005564A (en) | 2020-11-27 |
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