DISTRIBUTED UNIT SCHEDULING FOR RADIO UNIT-BASED CUSTOM TRAFFIC INSERTION

The described technology is generally directed towards scheduling, by a distributed unit, the injection of custom traffic (signals/data) by a radio unit into a radio unit communications path. The scheduling can be such that the custom traffic can be interleaved with to live-air and/or non-live-air traffic, for example. The radio unit can request unscheduled physical resource blocks for custom traffic to be inserted by the radio unit, and the distributed unit can communicate the timing and scheduling (identify the unscheduled physical resource blocks) to the radio unit in response to the request. The custom traffic is configured to perform some action by the radio unit, such as to perform antenna calibration, to perform test and measurement operations to obtain performance data, and the like. Performance data can be used, for example, to modify operating parameters of the radio unit to improve performance of the radio unit.

BACKGROUND

In modern wireless communications, deployment aspects and impacts of radio development engineering and system design tradeoffs have far-reaching implications into customer capital expenditures, operating expenditures, and overall completeness of enterprise radio offerings. These engineering and systems design tradeoffs result in what may be generally characterized as overall radio size, weight, thermal dissipation, reliability, complexity, and cost.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the technology described herein are generally directed towards scheduling, by a distributed unit, the injection by a radio unit of custom traffic (signals/data) into a communications path of the radio unit. Somewhat analogous to custom waveforms obtained from a signal generator, custom signal injection as described herein can be added to (e.g., interleaved with) live-air (sometimes referred to as mission mode) traffic, some non-live-air (sometimes referred to as non-mission mode) traffic, or a hybrid of live-air signals and custom signals, some of which can be independent of live-air signals. In general and as described herein, the radio unit is responsible to furnish the injected signal data.

The technology leverages the ability for the radio unit to generate (or obtain previously generated) customized data and inject the customized data into the signal chain. For example, the distributed unit can message the radio unit so as to communicate the enablement of the radio unit to use unscheduled physical resource blocks for injecting the custom data. The injection of customized data facilitates performing of some action by the radio unit, such as (but not limited to) the deriving of performance data from radio subsystems, performing a needed action (e.g., antenna calibration) by the radio unit, running a self-test by the radio unit, and/or the like. As one non-limiting usage example, information obtained based on the injected custom data can be analyzed, and used to modify the radio unit's operating parameters, e.g., to improve radio performance, conserve or more efficiently use power and/or the like.

Modern cellular systems have continued to advance, to a point where dynamic changes can be made to improve one or more aspects and/or to provide one or more new services and/or other aspects. These dynamic changes can benefit from knowledge, information and/or data regarding how a system is functioning, system issues, troubleshooting performance and/or adjustments made to address functions and/or issues. That is, such knowledge, information and/or data relative to hardware, firmware and/or software can be useful in proactively addressing such issues, performing troubleshooting, and overall, improving one or more systems, and/or subsystems of such cellular systems, such as of related radio systems. Collecting of such knowledge, information and/or data is thus highly useful, and the more detailed the knowledge, information and/or data, the more useful it is to the collector.

Any data obtained based on the custom injected signals can allow for real-time, immediate, short term and/or long term improvements of radio subsystems. In addition to real-time or near real-time modification of a radio unit's operating parameters to improve performance of the radio unit, actions such as troubleshooting and/or predictive modeling can be performed with respect to radio system performance, failures, issues, continuity and/or other aspects. For example, the resulting “clean” and/or statistically accumulated data, such as telemetry, radio frequency (e.g., analog data) and/or digital performance and/or comparative data, and/or underlying infrastructure utilization statistics can be used to improve network performance, plan network capacity, and/or identify new service opportunities, relative to the radio system. Various types of data can be collected, such as, but not limited to, data represented in a frequency domain (FD) and data represented in a time domain (TD).

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one implementation,” “an implementation,” etc. means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment/implementation can be included in at least one embodiment/implementation. Thus, the appearances of such a phrase “in one embodiment,” “in an implementation,” etc. in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment/implementation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments/implementations.

It also should be noted that terms used herein, such as “optimize,” “optimization,” “optimal” and the like only represent objectives to move towards a more optimal state, rather than necessarily obtaining ideal results. For example, “optimizing” a network/system/cell means moving towards a more optimal state, rather than necessarily achieving an optimal result. Similarly, “maximize”, such as to “maximize throughput” means moving towards a maximal state, not necessarily achieving such a state.

The technology described herein facilitates distributed unit-based timing and synchronization for injection by a radio unit of custom (signal) data into data to be transmitted by the radio unit. That is, the technology described herein facilitates radio unit-based injection of custom signal data into the signal chain, according to timing and synchronization data determined by the distributed unit, e.g., corresponding to otherwise unscheduled physical resource blocks.

Such custom data can be used by the radio unit to perform some desired action/application, including, but not limited to, antenna calibration (AntCal) as needed by ORAN radios. Another desirable action/application can be to perform an autonomous self-test at the radio unit based on the injection of custom signal data arranged for such a test. Yet another exemplary action/application facilitates a radio unit energy efficiency increase, through customized scheduling derived from performance measurements that are based on custom signal data, which, for example, can result in withholding of data and/or load-leveling of data.

In general, the custom signal data is known to or otherwise obtainable by the radio unit. For example, the radio unit can inject the custom signal data, or otherwise obtain (e.g., download) the custom signal data to the radio unit to inject in available (otherwise unscheduled) resource locations. The radio unit can act autonomously with respect to injecting its own custom signal data, with the distributed unit coordinating the scheduling and timing corresponding to the locations in which the radio unit can inject the custom signal data; (the distributed unit thus need not necessarily have any knowledge of the custom signal data).

Notwithstanding, the distributed unit can request that the radio unit perform some action (e.g., run test ‘X’), with the custom signal data to perform test ‘X’ obtainable by the radio unit, e.g., already preconfigured in the radio unit's memory or accessible from a remote source (not necessarily the distributed unit). Thus, although in one or more implementations described herein the radio unit (and not the distributed unit) prepares/injects the custom data to be transmitted via the radio unit communications (e.g., U-Plane data) path, the distributed unit may understand applications where those applications use custom signals injected at the distributed unit, that is, the distributed unit may have a priori knowledge of the custom data. Notwithstanding, the distributed unit may have no knowledge of the custom traffic; it is also feasible for both the distributed unit and the radio unit to originate and prepare custom data, e.g., at different times for different purposes.

In some example scenarios, such as test and performance measurement applications, the custom signal data can be considered clean “source” data. When injected into communications path (downlink or uplink) and transmitted, the resulting transmitted data can be received and evaluated against the clean data to determine, based on difference from the clean data, how the radio unit is currently performing.

Indeed, among other benefits, the use of custom signals facilitates measurement and analysis of radio performance of a radio unit, which can be used by the radio unit and/or the distributed unit or other entity (if sent thereto by the radio unit) as desired. For example, the distributed unit or another entity may receive performance data from the radio unit that is based on the injected custom data, and may process, analyze and/or store performance data, such as to change the operating parameters of the radio unit based on the performance data. The radio unit itself may process, analyze and/or store performance data, and change its own operating parameters accordingly.

In some examples, with regard to originating custom data and to analyzing a radio (e.g., via hardware acceleration), knowing the source signal (e.g., data) in advance can be used to determine performance based on the injected signal. That is, there can be a case where input data is not captured in the system, but is known to the system. In such a case, a derivation of performance based on the pre-selected captured data can be compared in memory to the original data (rather than captured data), where the original data is determined based on a memory comparison rather than a capture. This approach can save computing resources relative to capturing the input data.

The radio unit may originate a request for unscheduled physical resource blocks (PRBs), and message the distributed unit to initiate and act on the request. The distributed unit may respond to such a radio unit request, including to autonomously originate an un-scheduling of physical resource blocks.

Thus, in one or more implementations, the distributed unit and the radio unit interact to have the custom signal information injected for transmission by the radio unit. Timing and synchronization as determined by the distributed unit and communicated to the radio unit provide the available opportunities for the injection of the custom signal information.

The distributed unit scheduler typically has knowledge of traffic levels in advance of transmission. The distributed unit can communicate through messaging with the radio unit to indicate the presence of upcoming custom traffic, such as for opportunistic enablement on behalf of the radio unit for system performance measurement options.

Further, one enterprise's distributed unit may interwork with other enterprises' (third-party) radio units. For example, the distributed unit can opportunistically communicate radio performance improvement through messaging to any such device.

For radio unit-based injection, the distributed unit autonomously schedules locations for injecting the custom signal data (symbol data, resource block (RB) data, resource element (RE) data, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) data, load data and/or no data/blanked data symbols) to allow RB/RE insertion by the radio unit. The distributed unit can schedule such symbols/RBs/REs, MCSs, loads, blanks on the user plane (U-plane) and message the radio unit via the control plane (C-plane) for expressing the timing and synchronization data.

In one exemplary case, the distributed unit may periodically schedule custom signals coherent with live traffic signal data. Time periods scheduled by the distributed unit may be during live-air mode DL transmission, guard slots, or non-live-air mode periods.

In one or more alternative implementations, the radio unit may originate and prepare (inject) custom data to be transferred to the distributed unit via the uplink path. The radio unit may inject custom RB/REs into the locations (un-scheduled) or otherwise released by the distributed unit. Some or all RB/REs may be scheduled by distributed unit to be available for radio unit derived functions. In advance of transmission, the distributed unit may schedule the release of RBs/REs to enable the radio unit, in a given scheduled time period or frequency allocation communicated as scheduled to the radio unit, for execution of further functions.

The distributed unit's scheduling of custom data may be interleaved with live-air traffic, that is, without disruption of normal radio unit traffic. This custom data can be scheduled in a ‘private’ slot or interleaved with signal data in the live-air traffic. Non-live-air traffic can be similarly scheduled in conjunction with custom data traffic.

In general and as described herein, coordination exists between the distributed unit and (a sufficiently configured) radio unit for time alignment and/or time stamping of data, which can include sequence-based coordination, e.g., according to a pattern understood/agreed upon by the distributed unit and radio unit, which can, for example be a periodic schedule/pattern. A distributed unit scheduler can have knowledge of signal data transmitted to the radio unit, and in one example, such a signal can be a reference signal, which can be customized for a relatively deeper evaluation of radio performance compared to simple reference signal reporting. A distributed unit also may communicate and message the radio unit, such as to control/modify operating parameters of the radio unit to improve radio unit performance based on any captured and returned performance data.

Thus, in one non-limiting example scenario, the distributed unit can specify and communicate the radio unit to perform a test case that activates a particular state of a radio unit's internal tap and loopback mechanisms. In an alternate non-limiting example scenario, the radio unit has knowledge of a reference signal and timing data, and autonomously configures the radio unit for a radio performance test during the presence of the reference signal. In an alternate non-limiting example instance, a radio unit captures data based on performance of the radio in the presence of a reference signal.

Thus, in one or more implementations, the distributed unit can communicate with the radio unit to route data back to the distributed unit. The distributed unit may advantageously make use of lesser utilized uplink path resources to import such data (e.g., performance data) from the radio unit. The distributed unit may determine a new state of radio performance and compel (or suggest that) the radio unit to activate this new state. The radio unit may reconfigure key performance parameters to optimize based on (but not limited to) messaging from the distributed unit. The distributed unit may analyze data and generate control information to be applied by the radio unit and sent to the radio unit via control plane messaging. In an exemplary case the message received by the radio unit may be used to modify the system performance of the radio unit.

Any or all antenna branches can be made optionally available by the distributed unit for use by the radio unit.

FIGS.1-6illustrate an example system architecture for a radio system including a distributed unit (DU)100(FIGS.1-3) coupled to a radio unit (RU)300(FIGS.4-6). As will be understood, the radio system can facilitate injecting custom data into a radio system's signal chain, which as described herein can be used to obtain radio performance data of the radio unit300(FIG.3). As described herein, the custom data can be captured at any of various “tap” points in the signal chain (FIGS.7and8); however regardless of where the custom data is captured, the performance data derived based on the custom data can be terminated at the distributed unit100(FIGS.1-3) in accordance with one or more implementations described herein. Although not explicitly shown inFIGS.1-6, the technology described herein can be applied to coverage for all antenna branches.

Custom data can be injected at any tap point along a system's signal chain in a downlink, feedback, or uplink path. Data can pass through one or multiple digital front end blocks. Data can pass to an analog portion of a radio's signal chain. Multiple injection and capture paths can exist where a multiplicity of signal data can be introduced at different tap points, which can include different antenna branches, simultaneously.

FIG.1shows a generalized overview of the components of the distributed unit100, withFIGS.2and3providing additional details of the components. InFIG.1, block102represents custom signal data generation memory, generation, masking and buffer components that perform O-DU and O-RU signal generation as further detailed inFIGS.2and3, (where “0-” represents ORAN, or open radio access network). The custom signal data104can provide local synchronized (time-aligned, block106) custom and live-air (mission mode) traffic, which can cause a stimulus with known characteristics via symbols in the frequency domain.

Block108ofFIG.1represents hardware accelerated signal data pre-conditioning and memory components, which perform frequency domain signal data detection and binning, as described in more detail with reference toFIG.2. In general, the information from a radio unit signal data stream is received at block108, which is coupled to an analysis component110, which in turn is coupled to a database112. Signal capture data analysis by the analysis component110can include algorithms, and/or a machine learning and/or artificial intelligence (ML/AI) agent with training (both live and stored real time, and statistical data) to provide an output/response (access to actuators).

The analysis component110output is able to be used for control and/or activation (block116), which inputs augmented information available to the ML/AI agent, for example to affect output of actuators. A DU portion118comprising a scheduler120facilitates the sending of such control and/or activation-related data to the radio unit400(FIG.4), e.g., via control plane (C-Plane) and/or management plane (M-Plane) communications. Note that as known in new radio, the DU portion118is also communicatively coupled to a centralized unit (CU), not explicitly shown.

FIGS.2and3depict the example components of the distributed unit100in more detail. As shown inFIG.2, the custom signal data generation memory, generation, masking and buffer components102comprise data/signal sources including a lookup table (LUT)222, a pseudo-random lookup table generator224, a resource element (RE) generator226and a memory, shown as a waveform resource block (RB)/RE database108. The example components102further include an OR gate230, which allows any of the data/signal sources222,224,226and/or228to provide the data/signals. Also shown as part of the example components102are an RE masking component232, and a component234, which can comprise a buffer, for created RB/RE data from the data/signal sources.

For example, the lookup table222can be configured to store predetermined inphase and quadrature (I/Q or I+Q) data values, which are each able to represent a component of a constellation of a given modulation coding scheme (MCS) level. Data of the lookup table222data can be played in order, or randomized to be playable in any order. In some examples, a lookup table can fulfill a given constellation/MCS symbol map and a predetermined complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF). A signal from a lookup table can be a one-tone signal or a multi-tone signal.

The pseudo-random lookup table generator224can operate in conjunction with the lookup table222. The pseudo-random lookup table generator224can comprise a block that operates on the lookup table's I/Q data and produces a pseudo-random symbol of data values of suitable random distribution. Values can be selected from the lookup table in a random fashion to fulfill a symbol (e.g., a complete RB matrix) of signal data.

Regarding dimensioning, one I+Q data value can be equivalent to one resource element/sub-carrier in a frequency domain. In an example, there can be up to 4,096 resource elements of I+Q, up to N bits (signed data pairs), where, for example N can equal sixteen. In an example, data generated for a radio unit can support masking so that all, or a subset, of the 0 to 4,095 resource elements available can either be passed to, or removed from, a data stream via an AND/OR block. In some examples, a mask can be enabled or disabled, where a disabled mask is a pass-through state.

MCSes can be available as supported by radio requirements. Data can be triggered and time-aligned with system timing on a symbol-by-symbol basis. In some examples, data can be triggered and time-aligned based on other relevant system time boundaries.

In some examples, data AND/OR blocks can be implemented for selecting a source of data. The distributed unit100can provision one resource, or a plurality of resources, of signal data available to radio unit sourced signal data for injection of custom data. Data can be sourced purely from a distributed unit live-air traffic U-plane path source (that is, the data can be live-air traffic data).

As described with reference toFIG.4, data can be sourced purely from sources (block402) internal to a radio unit, and injected into the user plane (U-plane) data path; (that is, the data can be non-live-air traffic data). As inFIG.2, such radio unit sources402can include a memory, a dynamic RB/RE generator, a lookup table, and/or a pseudo-random lookup table, with or without a mask enabled. Data can be sourced from a combination of both sources for a distributed unit and radio unit U-plane; (that is, the data can be a hybrid of live-air traffic data and non-live-air traffic data).

In some examples, pure live-air traffic signal data, hybrid custom and live-air traffic signal data, and full custom data can be generated on the distributed unit100alone. In some examples, a radio unit such as the radio unit400can pass live-air traffic data unmodified (e.g., pure live-air traffic data), can manufacture a custom hybrid data of custom and live-air traffic data, and can provide full custom data. That is, in examples, data (be it pure, hybrid, or full-custom) can be solely originated by the radio unit, or solely originated by the distributed unit, or both at different times/for different purposes. In some examples, a combination of live-traffic data from a distributed unit and hybrid-custom data from a radio unit can be originated.

Thus, custom data (which can sometimes be referred to as a value, or a signal or a waveform when viewed over a time period) according to the technology described herein can be originated in several ways, including via the data/signal sources222,224,226and/or228of the distributed unit (or similar sources in the radio unit). For example, the memory/waveform database228can be configured to temporally play a suitable waveform or noise-like signal; a dynamic resource block (RB)/resource element (RE) allocation can be configured to, in some examples generate between 1 and 4,096 (or other) inphase and quadrature (I+Q, or I/Q) up to N-bit (signed) data pairs of arbitrary sub-carrier values for a given desired modulation coding scheme (MCS). Such a dynamic RB/RE allocation can be operated as a Moore machine or a Mealy machine.

As shown inFIG.3via the continued components of the distributed unit100, a time alignment component240, coupled to system timing source242, aligns the custom data based on system timing boundaries for output via a buffer244; (“Mfr.” represents that manufacturer/entity that owns/builds and/or operates the distributed unit, and possibly also can be the manufacturer of the radio unit). The DU portion118of the distributed unit comprising a scheduler120is shown as inFIG.1; the DU portion118returns information from the radio unit signal data stream, wherein the information is based on the custom data.

The buffer244can ensure time alignment of the custom signal. The buffer244can buffer (or trigger or gate) the custom signal until determining an appropriate system time (based on time alignment240) to release custom signal forward in the signal chain. Time alignment240can use system timing of a logic device to advance or slow gating of a data stream. In some examples, this can be an ON/OFF. On other examples, this can operate as a more complex timing/gating pulse where data presence or absence can follow other system timing triggers, such as time-division duplexing (TDD) downlink/uplink and guard period timing, power amplifier on or off (PA_ON/OFF), symbol start/stop markers, blanking, and so forth. By selectively masking a portion of the signal via block232, the buffer244can create a resource block or resource element from the masked signal, and time alignment240can time align the resulting signal to a system time boundary of the radio unit. Note that such buffering and time alignment also can apply to operations at the radio unit400, as described with reference toFIG.4.

Returning toFIG.2, the information from the radio unit signal data stream is received by the hardware accelerated signal data pre-conditioning and memory components108at a temporal frequency domain (FD) data stream component250, which is coupled to AND gate252, and in turn coupled to an analysis component254. Also providing input to the AND gate252is data from a waveform/RB/RE database256. In this way, for example, both the original custom data and the source data can be analyzed together with respect to one another. Output from the analysis component254can be maintained in data storage258, and, as shown inFIG.3, can be used for control and/or activation (block160) purposes to the DU portion118, e.g., via the control plane and/or management” plane (C/M-Plane) for communicating to the radio unit400(FIG.4; inFIG.4, an RU communication portion440is shown for S-Plane (synchronization plane), C-Plane, U-Plane (user plane) and M-Plane (management plane) communications with the distributed unit100).

Returning toFIG.2, the temporal FD data stream250can also be input to FD power detectors262, (as also described with reference toFIG.8). The power detectors262can output data for maintaining in a data structure264, e.g., for later processing, and data with respect to RMS threshold detection (from peak upper to lower thresholds, blocks266(0)-266(n)) and268(0)-268(n)) and/or other processing.

The distributed unit100need not generate (or access if already generated) and/or inject the custom data into the communications downlink path. Rather, the radio unit400can generate/access and inject the custom data in communications path, in time slots scheduled by the distributed unit100/scheduler120. It is also feasible to have a system in which both the distributed unit100and the radio unit400generate and inject the custom data at coordinated times. For example, a radio unit can be configured with certain test and performance measurement operations, and/or other (e.g., antenna calibration) operations, each of which correspond to the radio unit generating (or accessing if already generated) and injecting certain custom data to perform; at coordinated times, the distributed unit100can generate and inject different custom data to have the radio unit perform different operations. In any event, as described herein in one implementation the radio performance data or other resulting data is terminated at distributed unit, e.g., for analysis, storage, and so forth.

Thus, because the radio unit400can, instead of or in addition to injection of custom data by the distributed unit100,FIGS.4and5depict example components of the radio unit400comprising similar data/signal sources (block402). More particularly, block402represents custom signal data, memory, generation, masking, and buffer components. As in the distributed unit custom signal generation (FIGS.2and3), radio unit custom signal generation includes time alignment441and a timing source442, which time-aligns the custom data based on system timing boundaries for the buffer444; (“Mfr.” represents that manufacturer/entity that built and/or operates the radio unit, and possibly also can be the manufacturer of the distributed unit). Such radio unit-injected frequency domain and/or time domain custom data can provide a stimulus with known characteristics, which can be coordinated for live-air signal data synchronization based time alignment, and for example, can result in data forwarding for analysis.

FIG.4also shows the time alignment component441coupled to an inverse Fast Fourier Transform (iFFT)446. The iFFT446is coupled to the buffer444of custom data, and also can perform delta gain, time alignment, and optional cyclic prefix (CP) insertion on the custom data.

FIG.5shows other radio unit resources450including a filter452, radio frequency (RF) front end (RFFE)453(which can include low noise amplifiers (LNAs), switches, attenuators, filters, PAs, couplers, and power supplies), transceiver454(which can include Tx, FBRx, and Rx), and digital front end (DFE)455(which can include filters, CFR (crest factor reduction), DPD (digital pre-distortion), a digital-to-analog converter (DACs), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a digital down converter(s) (DDC), a digital up converter(s) (DUC), an iFFT/FFT, CP, and multiplexing (muxing)). Other elements in the DFE455can include tap points (FIGS.7and8), power detectors, signal generators, hardware accelerated preconditioning, and pre-processing of the signal data. An example power detector can include/perform hardware accelerated preconditioning, time domain triggering, gating, masking and markers, frequency domain subcarrier selection and masking, pre-processing, statistical counters/accumulators, threshold detection, binning, can start/pause/stop data collection, can perform data pruning. Such a power detector can have the ability to use hardware accelerated pre-conditioned in real time with analysis and actuator blocks with minimal or substantially reduced post processing.

Further depicted inFIG.5are time domain path460(also for optional CP_injections and iFFT), and frequency domain path462coupled as inputs to the DFE. At the output, time domain path464(which can bypass CP removal and FFT), CP removal or bypass466, and FFT468are shown.

Similar to the distributed unit components ofFIG.1, including frequency domain components (even numbers starting at 470) but further depicting some time domain (TD) components (odd numbers starting at 471, which could be similarly incorporated into the distributed unit100),FIG.6shows additional radio unit components, including hardware accelerated signal data pre-conditioning and memory components/functions408and409. The components/functions408and409facilitate O-RU local frequency domain (FD) signal data capture and storage and O-RU local time domain (TD) signal data capture and storage, respectively.

As shown inFIG.6, the temporal FD data stream470and hardware accelerated signal data pre-conditioning and memory components/functions408are coupled via gate472to an analysis component474, which is coupled to an analysis database478. FD signal data detection can include or be coupled to binning and storage. The temporal TD data stream471and hardware accelerated signal data pre-conditioning and memory components/functions409are coupled via gate473to an analysis component475which is coupled to an analysis database479. Time domain signal data detection can include or be coupled to binning and storage. The hardware accelerated signal data pre-conditioning and memory components/functions408and409are respectively coupled to the analysis databases478and479.

The signal capture data analysis can include algorithms, an ML and/or AI agent with training (both live and stored real time, and statistical data) that provide an output/response via access to actuators. To this end, based on data/results of the respective analyses, the analysis components474and475can communicate with the distributed unit100via the C-plane and/or M-plane (blocks490and491, respectively) and with control signal aggregation (blocks492and493, respectively, which are also coupled to the DU C-Plane control data blocks490and491). The control signal aggregation blocks492and493can input augmented information, e.g., available to ML/AI agent, to affect the output of actuators. That is, data based on the results of the analyses, which can be streamed or taken from storage, and control signal aggregation can be used for control and activation purposes, via respective blocks480and481. With respect to actuator aggregation, the control and activation output (blocks480and481) can be collected and returned (block494) to the radio resources450(FIG.5) for use, e.g., in modifying radio operation/affect the radio and radio performance.

As set forth herein, the example system architecture radio unit400can facilitate signal injection at radio tap points at various locations, including, but not limited to, before any digital front end block(s), before digital pre-distortion, after digital pre-distortion/before digital-to-analog conversion for signal amplification and transmission, and the like.FIG.7shows an example of a time domain tap point700coupled to time alignment gate and trigger control772and a time domain sampler, mask and marker function774. Note that this is only one example, and it can be readily appreciated that alternative configurations may not be strictly as shown.

The time domain sampler, mask and marker function774is coupled to, but can bypass, an optional FFT/CP_Removal frequency domain mask776that can be used to select one, some, or all sub-carriers. Frequency mask and buffering block778provides input to the FFT/CP_Removal frequency domain mask776. A power meter780, in conjunction block782, can facilitate a fault and flag analyze for interrupt instantaneous peak operation.

The power meter780is coupled to hardware accelerated signal data pre-conditioning and memory component784, which provides input to analysis and fault detection component786. This input, which along with any data from other sources (real-time data/memory sources), results in output that can be used for radio optimization control and actuation (block788). Note that radio optimization control and actuation can also use data obtained from any other sources (real-time data/memory sources). Further note that storage789is coupled to time alignment772and for streaming data of the tap point770, and is read/write accessible to the hardware accelerated signal data pre-conditioning and memory component784, the analysis and fault detection component786and the radio optimization control and actuation function (block788).

FIG.8shows similar components to that ofFIG.7for a frequency domain source or tap point880. The components of/associated with the frequency domain source or tap point880are not described again for purposes of brevity, except to note that there is not a similar time domain sampler, mask and marker component (774,FIG.7) for the frequency domain tap point ofFIG.8, and thus no bypass of FFT/CP_Removal frequency domain mask886. Notwithstanding, use of the FFT/CP_Removal frequency domain mask886is optional.

FIGS.9-12illustrate an example system architecture200for a distributed unit900(FIG.9) and a radio unit1000(FIGS.10-12) that can facilitate signal injection at radio tap points, in accordance with an embodiment of this disclosure. The components ofFIG.9have been mostly described with reference toFIG.1and are not described again for purposes of brevity, except to note that the distributed unit900ofFIG.9depicts Analysis and Fault Detection986, Radio Optimization Control and Actuation988and storage989, which are generally described with reference toFIGS.2and3.

FIGS.10-12depict the radio unit1000part of the system architecture, which can include a downlink chain and an uplink signal chain as depicted inFIG.11. Timing alignment as described above is implied inFIGS.10-12.

As shown inFIG.10, the radio1000comprises distributed unit (DU) control user synchronization management (CUSM) plane interface (I/F)1002, live-air (user-plane) traffic signals1004from the DU900, live-air (user-plane) traffic signals to DU1006, optional iFFT and CP1008, iFFT and CP1010, and RU-originated custom non-live-air traffic signals1012.

Analysis and control block1014provides for analysis, and includes a radio optimization controller and actuators. Also depicted is optional FFT and optional CP removal1018and FFT and CP removal1020. Storage1022and storage1024are also shown inFIG.10.

The example radio unit1000continues atFIG.11, and includes a downlink (DL) DFE chain1025uplink (UL) DFE chain1026, measurement block1028and transceiver1030. The DL DFE chain1025can include CFR and DPD as described herein. The measurement block1028can comprise signal (data) generation, power (data) detectors, statistical counters, injection tap points, capture tap points, and/or hardware accelerated signal data pre-selection.

In the radio unit1000part of the system architecture, custom signals can be generated and then injected into tap points in either a downlink chain1025or an uplink chain1026. Custom signals can be generated at RU originated custom non-live-air traffic signals1012, and in some examples, combined with live-air traffic signals1006from the DU900. The resulting signal can be injected into various parts of the DL DFE chain1025(via optional iFFT/optional CP1008) or UL DFE chain1026via tap points of measurement block1028.

The example radio unit1000also continues atFIG.12, which depicts transmission (Tx) blocks1032, feedback receiver (FBRx) blocks1034, and receiver (Rx) blocks1036,

The Tx blocks1032can include Tx low, pre-drivers and drivers, power amplifier (PA, final stage), signal feedback, and non-live-air traffic alternate analog path options. The FBRx blocks1034can include a live-air traffic FBRx path, voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) mode switching, and non-live-air traffic alternate analog path options. The Rx blocks1036can include a live-air traffic low noise amplifier (LNA) path, VSWR switching, and non-live-air traffic analog path options. Also shown are Tx or transceiver (TRx) port1038, and antenna calibration (AntCal) and built-in self-test (BIST) calibration port1040. The Rx1042can include a separate port for the case of frequency-division duplexing (FDD) radio architectures.

The example system architecture thus can function as a downlink signal path of the radio unit. As previously described, the example system architecture can include look up table, pseudo-random look up table generator, generator, memory, OR gate, masking, buffer, time alignment, and/or custom symbol RBs/REs.

Continuing atFIG.13, based on the scheduling, time alignment and the data1380from the distributed unit input into AND/OR gate1382, the custom symbol RBs/REs from the radio unit source are injected into available PRBs, as represented by the symbols S0-SJ(labeled1384). The output in turn becomes the input to inverse Fast Fourier Transform (iFFT)1386(which can also perform Δ gain, time alignment, and optional cyclic prefix (CP) insertion).

Continuing atFIG.14, a first tap point1490allows insertion, if desired, into the signal chain prior to digital front end (DFE) block11491, which is followed in the chain by DFE_block_21492. Between the DFE_block_11491and the DFE_block_21492, a DFE_Signal tap point1493is shown. As is understood, there can be more than the two depicted DFE blocks1491and1492, and a tap point can be between each additional pair.

Following the (any practical number of) DFE blocks, are crest factor reduction (CFR) function1494and digital pre-distortion (DPD)1495blocks. In general, the CFR function1494reduces peak amplitude portions of the input signal to produce a clipped input signal. The clipped input signal is processed by DPD1495, which applies error correction factors to result in a digitally pre-distorted signal that is provided to transmit digital to analog converter.

The crest factor reduction1494is also coupled to delta-time-phase (ΔTΘ1)1496, which in turn is coupled to adaptation and correlation function (block1497), which provides additional (gain (delta M, or magnitude matching), add or subtract) input to the digital pre-distortion (DPD)1495block.

Continuing atFIG.15, the output of the digital pre-distortion1495is fed into a transmitter (Tx) digital-to-analog converter (DAC)1560, with the resulting analog signal amplified by power amplifiers1562, which can be independently biased. More particularly, the DAC1560provides an analog version of the pre-distorted clipped input signal to the power amplifier(s)1562, which provide an amplified version of the analog version of the pre-distorted clipped input signal at an output of the power amplifier.

The analog version of the pre-distorted clipped input signal may be referred to as a low-level analog transmit signal; the amplified version of the analog version of the pre-distorted clipped input signal may be referred to as an amplified analog transmit signal. The amplified analog transmit signal is provided from the power amplifiers1562to a signal coupler1564, which forwards most of the power of the amplified analog transmit signal to an antenna for transmission.

Additionally, the signal coupler1564returns a portion of the signal to a feedback receiver FBRx analog-to-digital converter (ADC)1566. Returning toFIG.14, the resulting digital representation of the signal is fed back as additional input to the adaptation and correlation block1497.

More particularly, the signal coupler1564routes a smaller (or attenuated) portion, or feedback portion, of the amplified analog transmit signal to the receiver analog to digital converter1566, which may digitize the feedback portion into a digital version thereof and provide the digitized version of the feedback portion of the amplified analog transmit signal to adaptation and correlation gain/add/subtract function1497, more simply referred to as adaptation function1497. The adaptation function1497may be referred to as an error correction component, which may use factors, and which may include values, coefficients, expressions, functions, from time and phase difference (ΔTΘ) function1496, to determine one or more signal correction factors to be provide to the DPD function1495. The ΔTΘ function1496may apply the signal correction factors to a signal received from CFR function1494. Correction factors may be determined such that signals at certain nodes are time-aligned. In other words, correction factors may be determined such that amplitudes and phases (or delay(s)) of signals that are to be added together are in phase with one another if enhancement of a given signal is desired, or out of phase if cancellation of the given signals is desired.

The signal correction factors may be values, or coefficients, stored in registers or the like of the ΔTΘ function1496which, when, or if, processed by DPD function1495. The adaptation function1497may recall the factors stored in ΔTΘ function1496and produce a signal that corresponds to the difference between the feedback signal from coupler1564and the input signal from CRF1494(provided to the ΔTΘ1function1496).

The adaptation function1497may comprise, or perform, a mathematical function, for example a cost function, that uses correction factors retrieved from ΔTΘ function1496to create/generate a correction signal that DPD1495applies to an input signal from the CFR function1494. It will be appreciated that upconverters and downconverters may be present in a radio unit between the DAC1564and the power amplifies1562, and/or between coupler1564and the1566, respectively, but are not shown in the figure for clarity; (depending on the style of DAC or ADC, for example Sigma-Delta, upconverters or downconverters may not be used.)

FIGS.16-18represent an alternative example signal chain architecture into which custom signals can be injected at any of various tap points, including those depicted and labeled1790,1793,1798and1799(FIG.17) and1800,1801and1802(FIG.18). The components ofFIGS.16-18have been previously described, and thus their structure and functionality are not again described for purposes of brevity.

InFIG.17, in addition to the tap points1790and1793before DFE blocks1791and1792, a tap point1798is provided before the DPD1795. A tap point1799in the system chain corresponds to a time aligned CRF_OUT_Signal. The Error_Signal tap point is labeled1801inFIG.18. Also shown inFIG.18is an FBRx Signal_IN tap point1802.

One or more aspects can be embodied in a distributed unit node of a wireless communications network, such as represented inFIG.19, and for example can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components and/or operations, and a processor that executes computer executable components and/or operations stored in the memory. Example operations can comprise operation1902, which represents receiving scheduling information from a distributed unit node, the scheduling information corresponding to unused resources for use by the radio unit in inserting custom traffic into a communication path. Example operation1904represents injecting the custom traffic based on the scheduling information.

The unused resources can include unscheduled physical resource blocks.

The custom traffic can include at least one of: symbol data, resource block data, resource element data, modulation and coding scheme data, load data or no (blanked) data. Receiving scheduling information from the distributed unit node comprises receiving resource blocks allocation open for injecting the custom traffic via user-plane communications, and receiving timing and synchronization message data via control-plane communications.

Further operations can include obtaining radio unit performance data based on the custom traffic, processing the performance data to determine modified operating parameter data of the radio unit, and changing an operating state of the radio unit from a first operating state to a second operating state based on the modified parameter data.

Further operations can include requesting the scheduling information from the distributed unit node; receiving the scheduling information can occur in response to the requesting.

Receiving the scheduling information from the distributed unit node can include coordinating with the distributed unit node to unused resources the scheduling information according to a predetermined pattern.

The scheduling information can schedule the unused resources for injecting the custom traffic interleaved with live-air traffic.

The scheduling information can schedule the unused resources for injecting the custom traffic in at least one of: guard slots, or private slots separate from slots scheduled for live-air traffic.

The scheduling information can schedule the unused resources for injecting the custom traffic interleaved with non-live-air traffic.

One or more aspects can be embodied in a method, such as represented inFIG.20. Example operations can comprise operation2002, which represents receiving, by a distributed unit comprising a processor, a request from a radio unit for unscheduled physical resource blocks associated with a communications path. In response to the request (operation2004), operations can include determining, by the distributed unit, the unscheduled physical resource blocks associated with the communications path (operation2006), and communicating, by the distributed unit to the radio unit, a message comprising information that enables the radio unit to use the unscheduled physical resource blocks for injection of custom signal information into the communications path (operation2008).

Further operations can include originating, by the distributed unit, an un-scheduling of the physical resource blocks to obtain the unscheduled physical resource blocks.

Further operations can include receiving, by the distributed unit from the radio unit, performance data obtained by the radio unit based on the custom signal information, determining, by the distributed unit based on the performance data, a modified operating state of the radio unit, and communicating data, by the distributed unit to the radio unit, to change operation of the radio unit to the modified operating state.

Further operations can include preconfiguring, by the distributed unit, the radio unit to run a defined test to obtain the performance data.

Further operations can include messaging, by the distributed unit, radio performance improvement option data to the radio unit.

FIG.21summarizes various example operations, e.g., corresponding to a machine-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a radio unit, facilitate performance of operations. Operation2102represents obtaining custom signal data. Operation2104represents receiving, from a distributed unit, timing and synchronization data representing available opportunities for injection of the custom signal data into a communications path. Operation2106represents injecting, based on the timing and synchronization data, the custom signal data into the communications path.

The timing and synchronization data can include a resource block matrix can including unscheduled locations corresponding to the available opportunities, and injecting the custom signal data into the communications path can include injecting at least one of custom resource blocks or resource elements into at least some of the unscheduled locations.

Obtaining the custom signal data can include generating the custom signal data.

Injecting the custom signal data into the communications path can perform a defined application, comprising at least one of: an antenna calibration application, a radio unit self-test application, or a performance measurement application for increasing energy efficiency of the radio unit.

Further operations can include obtaining results based on the injecting the custom signal data into the communications path, and returning data corresponding to the results to the distributed unit.

FIG.22is a schematic block diagram of a computing environment2200with which the disclosed subject matter can interact and/or be incorporated to an extent. The system2200comprises one or more remote component(s)2210. The remote component(s)2210can be hardware and/or software (e.g., threads, processes, computing devices). In some embodiments, remote component(s)2210can be a distributed computer system, connected to a local automatic scaling component and/or programs that use the resources of a distributed computer system, via communication framework2240. Communication framework2240can comprise wired network devices, wireless network devices, mobile devices, wearable devices, radio access network devices, gateway devices, femtocell devices, servers, etc.

The system2200also comprises one or more local component(s)2220. The local component(s)2220can be hardware and/or software (e.g., threads, processes, computing devices). In some embodiments, local component(s)2220can comprise an automatic scaling component and/or programs that communicate/use the remote resources2210and2220, etc., connected to a remotely located distributed computing system via communication framework2240.

One possible communication between a remote component(s)2210and a local component(s)2220can be in the form of a data packet adapted to be transmitted between two or more computer processes. Another possible communication between a remote component(s)2210and a local component(s)2220can be in the form of circuit-switched data adapted to be transmitted between two or more computer processes in radio time slots. The system2200comprises a communication framework2240that can be employed to facilitate communications between the remote component(s)2210and the local component(s)2220, and can comprise an air interface, e.g., Uu interface of a UMTS network, via a long-term evolution (LTE) network, etc. Remote component(s)2210can be operably connected to one or more remote data store(s)2250, such as a hard drive, solid state drive, SIM card, device memory, etc., that can be employed to store information on the remote component(s)2210side of communication framework2240. Similarly, local component(s)2220can be operably connected to one or more local data store(s)2230, that can be employed to store information on the local component(s)2220side of communication framework2240.

With reference again toFIG.23, the example environment2300for implementing various embodiments of the aspects described herein includes a computer2302, the computer2302including a processing unit2304, a system memory2306and a system bus2308. The system bus2308couples system components including, but not limited to, the system memory2306to the processing unit2304. The processing unit2304can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processor architectures can also be employed as the processing unit2304.

The computer2302further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)2314(e.g., EIDE, SATA), and can include one or more external storage devices2316(e.g., a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD)2316, a memory stick or flash drive reader, a memory card reader, etc.). While the internal HDD2314is illustrated as located within the computer2302, the internal HDD2314can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown). Additionally, while not shown in environment2300, a solid state drive (SSD) could be used in addition to, or in place of, an HDD2314.

Other internal or external storage can include at least one other storage device2320with storage media2322(e.g., a solid state storage device, a nonvolatile memory device, and/or an optical disk drive that can read or write from removable media such as a CD-ROM disc, a DVD, a BD, etc.). The external storage2316can be facilitated by a network virtual machine. The HDD2314, external storage device(s)2316and storage device (e.g., drive)2320can be connected to the system bus2308by an HDD interface2324, an external storage interface2326and a drive interface2328, respectively.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM2312, including an operating system2330, one or more application programs2332, other program modules2334and program data2336. All or portions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM2312. The systems and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

Computer2302can optionally comprise emulation technologies. For example, a hypervisor (not shown) or other intermediary can emulate a hardware environment for operating system2330, and the emulated hardware can optionally be different from the hardware illustrated inFIG.23. In such an embodiment, operating system2330can comprise one virtual machine (VM) of multiple VMs hosted at computer2302. Furthermore, operating system2330can provide runtime environments, such as the Java runtime environment or the .NET framework, for applications2332. Runtime environments are consistent execution environments that allow applications2332to run on any operating system that includes the runtime environment. Similarly, operating system2330can support containers, and applications2332can be in the form of containers, which are lightweight, standalone, executable packages of software that include, e.g., code, runtime, system tools, system libraries and settings for an application.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer2302through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard2338, a touch screen2340, and a pointing device, such as a mouse2342. Other input devices (not shown) can include a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a radio frequency (RF) remote control, or other remote control, a joystick, a virtual reality controller and/or virtual reality headset, a game pad, a stylus pen, an image input device, e.g., camera(s), a gesture sensor input device, a vision movement sensor input device, an emotion or facial detection device, a biometric input device, e.g., fingerprint or iris scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit2304through an input device interface2344that can be coupled to the system bus2308, but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, a BLUETOOTH® interface, etc.

A monitor2346or other type of display device can be also connected to the system bus2308via an interface, such as a video adapter2348. In addition to the monitor2346, a computer typically includes other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer2302can operate in a networked environment using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s)2350. The remote computer(s)2350can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer2302, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device2352is illustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN)2354and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN)2356. Such LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which can connect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer2302can be connected to the local network2354through a wired and/or wireless communication network interface or adapter2358. The adapter2358can facilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN2354, which can also include a wireless access point (AP) disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter2358in a wireless mode.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer2302can include a modem2360or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN2356via other means for establishing communications over the WAN2356, such as by way of the Internet. The modem2360, which can be internal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the system bus2308via the input device interface2344. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer2302or portions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device2352. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are example and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used.

When used in either a LAN or WAN networking environment, the computer2302can access cloud storage systems or other network-based storage systems in addition to, or in place of, external storage devices2316as described above. Generally, a connection between the computer2302and a cloud storage system can be established over a LAN2354or WAN2356e.g., by the adapter2358or modem2360, respectively. Upon connecting the computer2302to an associated cloud storage system, the external storage interface2326can, with the aid of the adapter2358and/or modem2360, manage storage provided by the cloud storage system as it would other types of external storage. For instance, the external storage interface2326can be configured to provide access to cloud storage sources as if those sources were physically connected to the computer2302.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which can include computer-readable storage media and/or communications media, which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows. Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media that can be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implemented in connection with any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured data, or unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, solid state drive (SSD) or other solid-state storage technology, compact disk read only memory (CD ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to store desired information.

In this regard, the terms “tangible” or “non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory or computer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude only propagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquish rights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory signals per se. Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the information stored by the medium.

The above descriptions of various embodiments of the subject disclosure and corresponding figures and what is described in the Abstract, are described herein for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It is to be understood that one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that other embodiments having modifications, permutations, combinations, and additions can be implemented for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitute functions of the disclosed subject matter, and are therefore considered within the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the claims below.