Patent Description:
Multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), as enhanced largely by Massive MIMO beamforming, are widely supported in <NUM>th Generation (<NUM>) and <NUM>th Generation (<NUM>) (also referred to as New Radio or NR) mobile networks to increase cell throughput and capacity, thereby improving overall network performance and spectrum efficiency. <FIG> is an illustration of a network node (e.g., base station) and the network node's coverage areas through multiple beams. The cone shape depicted in <FIG> is a representation of a radio wave signal coverage area from this network node. All the user equipments (UEs) within the coverage area are able to receive the radio signal from the network node and are able to receive service from that network node. The circle cross-section, shown in the lower part of <FIG>, is a section plane of the cone in <FIG>. Inside the circle cross-section, there is shown a number of small ovals which represent cross-sections of beams. Each small oval represents an individual beam of a network node in, for example, a <NUM>/<NUM> system. If the UEs are located in different, separate small oval beams, such UEs are considered spatially separated and may therefore be scheduled to share the same time-frequency resource(s). These spatially separated UEs may receive their own data from the network node on the same shared time-frequency resource(s) simultaneously. This is also referred to as multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) pairing in <NUM>/<NUM>.

MU-MIMO pairing provides an additional arrangement for increasing the spectrum efficiency of the network so that overall performance can be increased. The beams from the network node may also be referred to as layers. In the illustration depicted in <FIG>, ovals of different shading are used to represent different beams. However, there is inter-beam interference at the edges of neighboring beams. When possible, the network node should schedule the UEs sharing the same physical resources when the UEs are not at the beam edge areas where there may be interference from neighboring beams.

Although MU-MIMO and pairing/scheduling algorithms have been discussed intensively in recently years, actual system deployment and testing is still quite a challenge due to the complexity of the radio wave propagation environment. For single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), human manually controlled driving tests, as an example, may be used for measuring the link performance in a trial system or in the field of deployment. On the other hand, for MU-MIMO, paring of UEs (sometimes as many as <NUM> or more UEs) is almost impossible to be carried out manually in the whole coverage area to measure and verify the collective behavior of multiple UEs. Another challenge is that massive-MIMO Active Antenna System (AAS) is also targeting coverage in a vertical direction, in addition to coverage in the horizontal direction for the tradition cellular mobile system. Therefore, testing, such as MU-MIMO testing, can be particularly challenging.

<CIT> relates to system and method for testing a wireless communication device installed over an Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV). The method comprises transmitting navigation data to the UAV and transmitting one or more test packets, to a wireless communication device installed over the UAV when the UAV is in the vicinity of the second location. The set of test packets may be transmitted via a short-range communication channel and receiving one or more response data packets from the wireless communication device via a cloud communication channel and generates a test report based on comparison of the one or more response data packets with the one or more test packets.

<CIT> relates to a method of operation of a radio system implemented in a radio access node to perform supervision of a MIMO transceiver of the radio system comprises performing continuous over-the-air based supervision the MIMO transceiver of the radio system, determining a status of the MIMO transceiver based on results of performing continuous over-the-air based supervision of the MIMO transceiver of the radio system, and taking an action based on the status of the MIMO transceiver.

Furthermore, embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims. Moreover, examples and descriptions, which are not covered by the claims are presented not as embodiments of the invention, but as background art or examples useful for understanding the invention. Some embodiments of the present disclosure advantageously provide methods, apparatuses and systems for unmanned vehicle-assisted testing.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method performed by an unmanned vehicle for wireless network testing is provided. The unmanned vehicle is configured to transport a user equipment, UE, the UE being configured to communicate over a wireless network. The method includes controlling a movement of the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE according to a testing location algorithm to identify a testing location for testing communication of the UE, the testing location algorithm comprising moving the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE to at least one candidate testing location, determining at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location and determining a reference location based at least in part on the determined at least one measurement value.

The method includes, based on a predetermined condition, accepting the reference location as the testing location of the UE. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the controlling the movement of the unmanned vehicle according to the testing location algorithm further includes, iteratively:.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method includes moving the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE to the reference location for testing the communication of the UE over the wireless network. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the determining the at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location further includes determining a measurement value of a test parameter associated with the communication of the UE over the wireless network. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the determining the at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location further includes determining a throughput value for test traffic sent to the UE. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the controlling the movement of the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE further comprises controlling a latitude, a longitude and an altitude of the unmanned vehicle according to the testing location algorithm. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the unmanned vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the identified testing location is for testing multi-user, MU, multiple-input multiple-output, MIMO, for a network node in communication with the UE and at least one other UE over the wireless network. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the determining the reference location based at least in part on the determined measurement value further includes comparing at least a first measurement value at a first candidate testing location to at least a second measurement value at a second candidate testing location; and updating the reference location to one of the first candidate testing location and the second candidate testing location based on the comparison. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the moving the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE to the at least one candidate testing location further includes, for each of a predetermined number of iterations, moving the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE a random distance away from a previous location.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an unmanned vehicle for wireless network testing is provided. The unmanned vehicle is configured to transport a user equipment, UE, the UE being configured to communicate over a wireless network. The unmanned vehicle includes processing circuitry configured to cause the unmanned vehicle to control a movement of the unmanned vehicle, carrying a user equipment, UE, according to a testing location algorithm to identify a testing location for testing communication of the UE over a wireless network, the testing location algorithm comprising moving the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE to at least one candidate testing location, determining at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location and determining a reference location based at least in part on the determined at least one measurement value.

The processing circuitry is further configured to based on a predetermined condition, accept the reference location as the testing location of the UE. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to control the movement of the unmanned vehicle according to the testing location algorithm by being further configured to, iteratively:.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to move the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE to the reference location for testing the communication of the UE over the wireless network. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location by being configured to determine a measurement value of a test parameter associated with the communication of the UE over the wireless network. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location by being configured to determine a throughput value for test traffic sent to the UE. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to control the movement of the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE by being configured to control a latitude, a longitude and an altitude of the unmanned vehicle according to the testing location algorithm. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the unmanned vehicle is an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the identified testing location is for testing multi-user, MU, multiple-input multiple-output, MIMO, for a network node in communication with the UE and at least one other UE over the wireless network. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the reference location based at least in part on the determined measurement value by being configured to compare at least a first measurement value at a first candidate testing location to at least a second measurement value at a second candidate testing location; and update the reference location to one of the first candidate testing location and the second candidate testing location based on the comparison. In some embodiments of the second aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to move the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE to the at least one candidate testing location by being configured to for each of a predetermined number of iterations, move the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE a random distance away from a previous location. reference location corresponding to a testing location for testing wireless communication between the network node and the respective UE. The method includes as a result of determining that each of the plurality of UEs have been moved to each reference location by each of the plurality of unmanned vehicles, communicating test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs at the respective reference location. The method includes measuring at least one test parameter associated with the communication of the test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs.

In some embodiments of the third aspect, the measuring the at least one test parameter further includes at least one of:.

In some embodiments of the third aspect, the initiating the launch of the at least one unmanned vehicle further includes initiating the launch of each of the plurality of unmanned vehicles to move a corresponding one of the plurality of UEs to a center location of a beam, each one of the plurality of UEs being moved to the center location of a different beam in a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output environment. In some embodiments of the third aspect, the communicating the test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs at the respective reference location further includes transmitting, via a multiple-input multiple-output, MIMO, antenna system, the test traffic to each UE of the plurality of UEs in a spatially separate beam using a same time-frequency resource.

In some embodiments of the third aspect, the initiating the launch of the at least one unmanned vehicle further comprises initiating the launch of the at least one unmanned vehicle to move the respective UE according to a testing location algorithm to identify the testing location for testing communication of the respective UE, the testing location algorithm comprising moving the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE to at least one candidate testing location, determining at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location and determining a reference location based at least in part on the determined at least one measurement value.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a network node configured to test wireless communication with a plurality of user equipments, UEs, is provided. The network node includes processing circuitry configured to initiate a launch of at least one unmanned vehicle of a plurality of unmanned vehicles, each of the at least one unmanned vehicle moving one of the plurality of UEs to a reference location, each reference location corresponding to a testing location for testing wireless communication between the network node and the respective UE. The processing circuitry is configured to as a result of determining that each of the plurality of UEs have been moved to each reference location by each of the plurality of unmanned vehicles, communicate test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs at the respective reference location. The processing circuitry is configured to measure at least one test parameter associated with the communication of the test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to measure the at least one test parameter by being configured to at least one of:.

In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to initiate the launch of the at least one unmanned vehicle by being configured to initiate the launch of each of the plurality of unmanned vehicles to move a corresponding one of the plurality of UEs to a center location of a beam, each one of the plurality of UEs being moved to the center location of a different beam in a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output environment. In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to communicate the test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs at the respective reference location by being configured to transmit, via a multiple-input multiple-output, MIMO, antenna system, the test traffic to each UE of the plurality of UEs in a spatially separate beam using a same time-frequency resource.

In a lab environment, it is very hard to emulate the environment and field that the multi-user MIMO can be applied. A limited number of layers of MIMO can be tested in a lab environment using a very expensive channel emulator. In <NUM>, the number of antenna ports and supported layers have been increased greatly over legacy networks. Therefore, testing MU MIMO has become even harder to test. Field testing and measurement of MU-MIMO system becomes more necessary but is also challenging if limited to, for example, a human manually controlled driving test.

Thus, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide arrangements for a testing system using automated, or semi-automated, moving devices (e.g., unmanned vehicles carrying UEs). Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an algorithm for the testing system to perform MU-MIMO testing and measurements. The automated, or semi-automated, unmanned vehicles could be, for example, drones (programmed, or controlled using the techniques disclosed herein) carrying UEs, automated cars or other devices configured to communicate with a central test control station (e.g., network node). In addition, the devices may have <NUM>/<NUM> communication capability.

For example, if the UEs can be positioned in different beams (see e.g., beam cross-sections in <FIG>), then MU-MIMO pairing can be tested for the positioned UEs. One challenging task is to find the appropriate locations for each of the UEs so that multiple UEs are able to take advantage of MU-MIMO and achieve the maximum throughput through UE paring.

In some embodiments, an unmanned vehicle is made to carry UE(s) for testing. Some embodiments of the present disclosure propose algorithms to control artificial intelligent (AI) capable unmanned vehicles (e.g., drones) to transport (e.g., fly) the UE(s) to the appropriate UE locations automatically for the MU-MIMO testing of a network node (e.g., eNB, gNB, etc.).

In some embodiments, the algorithms (e.g., testing location algorithm) described in this disclosure are described in terms of flying drones, but the principles disclosed can also be used by other types of unmanned vehicles or moving devices.

In some embodiments, the algorithms (e.g., testing location algorithm) described in this disclosure are described for MU-MIMO testing; however, the principles disclosed can be more widely used in all other types of wireless testing, such as, for example, channel estimation, beam forming algorithms, scheduling algorithms, etc..

Some embodiments of the present disclosure consider static beams and line of sight (LOS) for illustration purposes. However, beams of an AAS massive MIMO system can also dynamically adapt to environments or situations based on a change of the environment, a change in UE distribution, a change in UE load, etc. The general principles of the algorithms described in this disclosure can also be applied to these scenarios.

Advantageously, some embodiments of this disclosure make testing more convenient to implement, as compared to existing techniques. For example, in some embodiments, using the testing location algorithm may allow testers to easily position the UEs at locations where MU-MIMO can be tested (e.g., center of beams).

In addition, some embodiments of this disclosure are more cost efficient than existing testing arrangements. For example, some embodiments do not require use of expensive channel emulator equipment and/or do not require human being to manually hold UEs for testing.

In some embodiments, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), testing can be extended to a vertical dimension, for which a traditional driving test is impossible.

Some embodiments make testing more efficient over existing techniques. Automated testing based on the disclosed testing location algorithm can cover the full coverage area more easily and, in less time, as compared to existing testing arrangements.

In some embodiments, the testing location algorithm may be used not only for MU-MIMO testing, but also for performance optimization of the network node (e.g., eNB, gNB). For example, the principles of the testing location algorithm can assist the network node to tune, for example, a scheduling algorithm. The testing location algorithm can also verify and improve, for example, a beam forming algorithm.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to unmanned vehicle-assisted testing. Accordingly, components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

The term "network node" used herein can be any kind of network node comprised in a radio network which may further comprise any of base station (BS), radio base station, base transceiver station (BTS), base station controller (BSC), radio network controller (RNC), g Node B (gNB), evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), Node B, multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), relay node, integrated access and backhaul (IAB), donor node controlling relay, radio access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH), a core network node (e.g., mobile management entity (MME), self-organizing network (SON) node, a coordinating node, positioning node, MDT node, etc.), an external node (e.g., 3rd party node, a node external to the current network), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), a spectrum access system (SAS) node, an element management system (EMS), etc. The network node may also comprise test equipment. The term "radio node" used herein may be used to also denote a user equipment (UE) such as a wireless device (WD) or a radio network node.

The UE herein can be any type of wireless device capable of communicating with a network node or another UE over radio signals. The UE may also be a radio communication device, target device, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine communication (M2M), low-cost and/or low-complexity UE, a sensor equipped with UE, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, or a Narrowband IoT (NB-IOT) device etc..

In some embodiments, the term "unmanned vehicle" used herein can be any type of unmanned vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial system (UAS) and/or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), such as, for example, a drone. The unmanned vehicle can be a ground vehicle, such as, for example, a motor vehicle, a smart car, etc. In some embodiments, the unmanned vehicle includes artificial intelligence (AI) configured to control the unmanned vehicle to perform the methods and techniques disclosed herein e.g., for testing a network, such as, MU MIMO testing.

It can be any kind of a radio network node which may comprise any of base station, radio base station, base transceiver station, base station controller, network controller, RNC, evolved Node B (eNB), Node B, gNB, Multi-cell/multicast Coordination Entity (MCE), IAB, relay node, access point, radio access point, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH).

As used herein, the term "carry" may be intended in a broad sense to indicate a UE being transported, delivered or otherwise physically moved from one location to one or more other locations, such as candidate testing locations, according to the techniques disclosed herein.

As used herein, the term "candidate testing location" may be used to indicate a location that a UE is transported to according to the techniques disclosed herein and which may be considered and/or evaluated as being a potential UE location for performing testing, such as, for example, a potential center of a beam for MU-MIMO testing.

As used herein, in some embodiments, the term "reference location" may be used to indicate a UE location (e.g., or a variable or object for storing the UE location) that has been evaluated and stored for later use based on the evaluation/measurement/condition. For example, in some embodiments, a candidate testing location may be evaluated based on a measured throughput and then stored as a reference location if the measured throughput value at the candidate testing location exceeds a previous throughput value measured at a previous candidate testing location. In some further embodiments, after a predetermined number of iterations (or other end condition), the resulting reference location is accepted as the testing location for the UE.

Note further, that functions described herein as being performed by a user equipment, unmanned vehicle or a network node may be distributed over a plurality of user equipments, unmanned vehicles and/or network nodes. In other words, it is contemplated that the functions of the network node, unmanned vehicle and user equipment described herein are not limited to performance by a single physical device and, in fact, can be distributed among several physical devices.

Referring now to the drawing figures, in which like elements are referred to by like reference numerals, there is shown in <FIG> a schematic diagram of a communication system <NUM>, according to an embodiment, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network that may support standards such as LTE and/or NR (<NUM>), which comprises an access network <NUM>, such as a radio access network, and a core network <NUM>. The access network <NUM> comprises a plurality of network nodes 16a, 16b, 16c (referred to collectively as network nodes <NUM>), such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 18a, 18b, 18c (referred to collectively as coverage areas <NUM>). Each network node 16a, 16b, 16c is connectable to the core network <NUM> over a wired and/or wireless connection <NUM>. A first user equipment (UE) 22a located in coverage area 18a is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding network node 16a. In some embodiments, the UE 22a may be carried/transported by an unmanned vehicle 24a e.g., for testing purposes. A second UE 22n in coverage area 18a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding network node 16a. The UE 22n may be carried/transported by an unmanned vehicle 24n, e.g., for testing purposes. There can be any number of UEs 22a-n and unmanned vehicles 24a-n in the communication system <NUM>. While a plurality of UEs 22a, 22n (collectively referred to as user equipments <NUM>) and a plurality of unmanned vehicles 24a, 24n are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE <NUM> and/or a sole unmanned vehicle <NUM> is in the coverage area or where a sole UE <NUM> is connecting to the corresponding network node <NUM>. Note that although only two UEs <NUM>, two unmanned vehicles <NUM> and three network nodes <NUM> are shown for convenience, the communication system <NUM> may include many more UEs <NUM>, unmanned vehicles <NUM> and network nodes <NUM>.

Also, it is contemplated that a UE <NUM> can be in simultaneous communication and/or configured to separately communicate with more than one network node <NUM> and more than one type of network node <NUM>. For example, a UE <NUM> can have dual connectivity with a network node <NUM> that supports LTE and the same or a different network node <NUM> that supports NR. As an example, UE <NUM> can be in communication with an eNB for LTE/E-UTRAN and a gNB for NR/NG-RAN.

A network node <NUM> is configured to include a Testing unit <NUM> which is configured to initiate a launch of at least one unmanned vehicle of a plurality of unmanned vehicles, each of the at least one unmanned vehicle moving one of the plurality of UEs to a reference location, each reference location corresponding to a testing location for testing wireless communication between the network node and the respective UE; as a result of determining that each of the plurality of UEs have been moved to each reference location by each of the plurality of unmanned vehicles, communicate test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs at the respective reference location; and measure at least one test parameter associated with the communication of the test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs.

An unmanned vehicle <NUM> is configured to include a movement control unit <NUM> which is configured to control a movement of the unmanned vehicle, carrying a user equipment, UE, according to a testing location algorithm to identify a testing location for testing communication of the UE over a wireless network, the testing location algorithm comprising moving the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE to at least one candidate testing location, determining at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location and determining a reference location based at least in part on the determined at least one measurement value.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE <NUM>, network node <NUM> and unmanned vehicle <NUM> discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to <FIG>. In a communication system <NUM>, an unmanned vehicle <NUM> comprises hardware (HW) <NUM> including a communication interface <NUM> configured to set up and maintain a wired and/or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system <NUM>. In some embodiments, communication interface <NUM> may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and/or one or more RF transceivers. The unmanned vehicle <NUM> further comprises processing circuitry <NUM>, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities.

Processing circuitry <NUM> may be configured to control any of the methods and/or processes described herein and/or to cause such methods, and/or processes to be performed, e.g., by unmanned vehicle <NUM>. Processor <NUM> corresponds to one or more processors <NUM> for performing unmanned vehicle <NUM> functions described herein. The unmanned vehicle <NUM> includes memory <NUM> that is configured to store data, programmatic software code and/or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software <NUM> and/or the host application <NUM> may include instructions that, when executed by the processor <NUM> and/or processing circuitry <NUM>, causes the processor <NUM> and/or processing circuitry <NUM> to perform the processes described herein with respect to unmanned vehicle <NUM>. The instructions may be software associated with controlling movement of the unmanned vehicle <NUM> according to the techniques described in the present disclosure.

The processing circuitry <NUM> of the unmanned vehicle <NUM> may include a movement control unit <NUM> configured to cause performance of the unmanned vehicle <NUM> functions and/or processes described herein (such as, for example, the process described with reference to the flowchart depicted in <FIG>).

The example unmanned vehicles <NUM> depicted in <FIG> and <FIG> may be utilized by the methods and apparatuses described herein e.g., for testing MU MIMO. Although not illustrated in detail, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> may include various components for housing and transporting cargo, such as, for example, transporting a UE <NUM> to a testing location. For example, in one embodiment, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> is an unmanned aerial vehicle, such as, for example, a drone. In some embodiments, the drone may include a fuselage, rotors, and a payload compartment. The fuselage may be located at a central portion of the drone and may include (e.g., in an interior compartment) processing circuitry <NUM> (e.g., to control the flight of the drone, etc.), communication interface <NUM> (e.g., to send and/or receive information from network node <NUM>), and a power supply (e.g., a battery). In some embodiments, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> includes four rotors (e.g., the drone is in a quad-copter configuration), which are, for example, connected to the fuselage and spaced in pairs on opposing sides of the fuselage in a substantially rectangular configuration.

Further, in some embodiments, each of the rotors may be configured to rotate or tilt about one or more axis to enhance the flight and/or flight control of the unmanned vehicle <NUM> to e.g., assist with controlling latitude, longitude and altitude of the unmanned vehicle <NUM> according to, for example, the testing location algorithm provided by the present disclosure.

The payload compartment (or payload mechanism) may be positioned below, and may be connected to, the fuselage. The payload compartment may be (or include) any container suitable for storing one or more items (e.g., UE <NUM>) during the transportation process. Alternatively, the functionality provided by a payload compartment may be performed by a clamp or strap-like mechanism arranged to secure items (e.g., UE <NUM>) for transport to e.g., a testing location.

It should be understood that the unmanned vehicle <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> are non-limiting examples. Other types and arrangements of unmanned vehicles <NUM> may be used to implement embodiments of the present disclosure.

The communication system <NUM> further includes a network node <NUM> provided in a communication system <NUM> and including hardware <NUM> enabling it to communicate with the UE <NUM> and/or unmanned vehicle <NUM>. The hardware <NUM> may include a communication interface <NUM> for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system <NUM>, as well as a radio interface <NUM> for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection <NUM> with a UE <NUM> located in a coverage area <NUM> served by the network node <NUM>. The communication interface <NUM> may be configured to facilitate a connection <NUM>, such as a wireless connection, to the unmanned vehicle <NUM>.

Thus, the network node <NUM> further has software <NUM> stored internally in, for example, memory <NUM>, or stored in external memory (e.g., database, storage array, network storage device, etc.) accessible by the network node <NUM> via an external connection. The processing circuitry <NUM> may be configured to control any of the methods and/or processes described herein and/or to cause such methods, and/or processes to be performed, e.g., by network node <NUM>. Processor <NUM> corresponds to one or more processors <NUM> for performing network node <NUM> functions described herein. The memory <NUM> is configured to store data, programmatic software code and/or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software <NUM> may include instructions that, when executed by the processor <NUM> and/or processing circuitry <NUM>, causes the processor <NUM> and/or processing circuitry <NUM> to perform the processes described herein with respect to network node <NUM>. For example, processing circuitry <NUM> of the network node <NUM> may include Testing unit <NUM> configured to cause performance of the network node <NUM> functions and/or processes described herein (such as, for example, the process described with reference to the flowchart depicted in <FIG>).

The UE <NUM> may have hardware <NUM> that may include a radio interface <NUM> configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection <NUM> with a network node <NUM> serving a coverage area <NUM> in which the UE <NUM> is currently located.

The hardware <NUM> of the UE <NUM> further includes processing circuitry <NUM>.

Thus, the UE <NUM> may further comprise software <NUM>, which is stored in, for example, memory <NUM> at the UE <NUM>, or stored in external memory (e.g., database, storage array, network storage device, etc.) accessible by the UE <NUM>. The client application <NUM> may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the UE <NUM>. In providing the service to the user, the client application <NUM> may receive request data and provide user data in response to the request data.

The processing circuitry <NUM> may be configured to control any of the methods and/or processes described herein and/or to cause such methods, and/or processes to be performed, e.g., by UE <NUM>. The processor <NUM> corresponds to one or more processors <NUM> for performing UE <NUM> functions described herein. The UE <NUM> includes memory <NUM> that is configured to store data, programmatic software code and/or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software <NUM> and/or the client application <NUM> may include instructions that, when executed by the processor <NUM> and/or processing circuitry <NUM>, causes the processor <NUM> and/or processing circuitry <NUM> to perform the processes described herein with respect to UE <NUM>, such as, for example, receiving test traffic from the network node <NUM> and responding to the test traffic, such as, for example, performing measurements on downlink signals, sending acknowledgements, reporting channel conditions, etc. and any other types of processing and/or communications associated with MU MIMO traffic.

In some embodiments, the inner workings of the network node <NUM>, unmanned vehicle <NUM> and UE <NUM> may be as shown in <FIG> and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of <FIG>.

Although <FIG> and <FIG> show various "units" such as Testing unit <NUM>, and movement control unit <NUM> as being within a respective processor, it is contemplated that these units may be implemented such that a portion of the unit is stored in a corresponding memory within the processing circuitry. In other words, the units may be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software within the processing circuitry.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an exemplary process in an unmanned vehicle <NUM> according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more Blocks and/or functions and/or methods performed by unmanned vehicle <NUM> may be performed by one or more elements of unmanned vehicle <NUM> such as by movement control unit <NUM> in processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, etc. The example method includes controlling (Block <NUM>), such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, a movement of the unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying the UE <NUM> according to a testing location algorithm to identify a testing location for testing communication of the UE <NUM>. The testing location algorithm includes moving, such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying the UE <NUM> to at least one candidate testing location. The testing location algorithm includes determining, such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location. The testing location algorithm includes determining, such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, a reference location based at least in part on the determined at least one measurement value.

The method includes, based on a predetermined condition, accepting the reference location as the testing location of the UE <NUM>. In some embodiments, the controlling the movement of the unmanned vehicle <NUM> according to the testing location algorithm further includes, iteratively: moving, such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying the UE <NUM> from a first candidate testing location to a second candidate testing location and determining a measurement value when the UE <NUM> is at the second candidate testing location; determining, such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, the reference location based at least in part on a comparison of at least a measurement value determined when the UE <NUM> is at the first candidate testing location and the measurement value determined when the UE <NUM> is at the second candidate testing location; and if a predetermined condition is met, accepting, such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, the reference location as the testing location of the UE <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the method further includes moving, such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying the UE <NUM> to the reference location for testing the communication of the UE <NUM> over the wireless network. In some embodiments, the determining the at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location further includes determining, such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, a measurement value of a test parameter associated with the communication of the UE <NUM> over the wireless network. In some embodiments, the determining the at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location further includes determining, such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, a throughput value for test traffic sent to the UE <NUM>. In some embodiments, the controlling the movement of the unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying the UE <NUM> further includes controlling a latitude, a longitude and an altitude of the unmanned vehicle <NUM> according to the testing location algorithm.

In some embodiments, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> is an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV. In some embodiments, the identified testing location is for testing multi-user, MU, multiple-input multiple-output, MIMO, for a network node <NUM> in communication with the UE <NUM> and at least one other UE <NUM> over the wireless network. In some embodiments, the determining the reference location based at least in part on the determined measurement value further includes comparing, such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, at least a first measurement value at a first candidate testing location to at least a second measurement value at a second candidate testing location; and updating, such as via movement control unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, communication interface <NUM>, the reference location to one of the first candidate testing location and the second candidate testing location based on the comparison. In some embodiments, the moving the unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying the UE <NUM> to the at least one candidate testing location further includes for each of a predetermined number of iterations, moving the unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying the UE <NUM> a random distance away from a previous location.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an exemplary process in a network node <NUM> for testing wireless communication (e.g., MU MIMO) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more Blocks and/or functions and/or methods performed by the network node <NUM> may be performed by one or more elements of network node <NUM> such as by Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, etc. according to the example method. The example method includes initiating (Block S <NUM>), such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, a launch of at least one unmanned vehicle <NUM> of a plurality of unmanned vehicles <NUM>, each of the at least one unmanned vehicle <NUM> moving one of the plurality of UEs <NUM> to a reference location, each reference location corresponding to a testing location for testing wireless communication between the network node <NUM> and the respective UE <NUM>. The method includes as a result of determining that each of the plurality of UEs <NUM> have been moved to each reference location by each of the plurality of unmanned vehicles <NUM>, communicating (Block S <NUM>), such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs <NUM> at the respective reference location. The method includes measuring (Block S <NUM>), such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, at least one test parameter associated with the communication of the test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the measuring the at least one test parameter further includes at least one of: measuring, such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, a throughput of the communication of the test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs <NUM>; calculating, such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, a total traffic from the plurality of UEs <NUM>; and calculating, such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, a total throughput from the plurality of UEs <NUM>. In some embodiments, the initiating the launch of the at least one unmanned vehicle <NUM> further includes initiating, such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, the launch of each of the plurality of unmanned vehicles <NUM> to move a corresponding one of the plurality of UEs <NUM> to a center location of a beam, each one of the plurality of UEs <NUM> being moved to the center location of a different beam in a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output environment.

In some embodiments, the communicating the test traffic to each of the plurality of UEs <NUM> at the respective reference location further includes transmitting, via a multiple-input multiple-output, MIMO, antenna system, such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, the test traffic to each UE <NUM> of the plurality of UEs <NUM> in a spatially separate beam using a same time-frequency resource. In some embodiments, the initiating the launch of the at least one unmanned vehicle <NUM> further includes initiating, such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, the launch of the at least one unmanned vehicle <NUM> to move the respective UE <NUM> according to a testing location algorithm to identify the testing location for testing communication of the respective UE <NUM>. In some embodiments, the testing location algorithm includes moving, such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying the UE <NUM> to at least one candidate testing location. In some embodiments, the testing location algorithm includes determining, such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location. In some embodiments, the testing location algorithm includes determining, such as via Testing unit <NUM>, processing circuitry <NUM>, processor <NUM>, radio interface <NUM>, a reference location based at least in part on the determined at least one measurement value.

Having generally described arrangements for unmanned vehicle-assisted testing, functions and processes are provided as follows, and which may be implemented by the network node <NUM>, and/or user equipment <NUM>.

Some embodiments provide techniques and arrangements for testing features of a wireless network, such as, for example, MU-MIMO. An example embodiment is described with reference to the schematic diagram of <FIG> and the flow diagram of <FIG> illustrates an example process implementing an AI testing location algorithm for MU-MIMO testing using the techniques in this disclosure. In some embodiments, when the test starts, the status of the test may be checked. In step S110, the testing location algorithm may include determining whether there are any existing reference points/locations, R. For example, if the test has been performed before and if a reference UE location (e.g., beam center) is available in e.g., a database and/or memory <NUM>, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> can proceed to the reference location. In step S <NUM>, for example, the network node <NUM> can launch the unmanned vehicles <NUM> carrying the UEs <NUM> to the reference locations R since reference locations have already been determined. An example of unmanned vehicles 24a and 24n carrying UEs 22a and 22n toward reference locations R1 and Rn, respectively, is depicted in <FIG>. In step S118, e.g., when the unmanned vehicles <NUM> carrying the UEs <NUM> have reached the reference locations R, the network node <NUM> can run traffic and start the MU-MIMO testing.

On the other hand, if there are no UE reference locations available, the process may proceed to step S112, where the testing location algorithm can be used to identify a reference location and use such reference location as a testing location for UE <NUM> for testing e.g., MU-MIMO. In step S114, the identified UE reference locations may be saved in a database and/or memory (e.g., memory <NUM> at the unmanned vehicle <NUM> and/or memory <NUM> at the network node <NUM>) for future use (e.g., steps S116). When the test starts, if there are UE reference locations available from previous tests, the unmanned vehicle(s) <NUM> can transport the UE(s) <NUM> to the reference locations stored in the database and/or memory. This can save a lot of time and effort in conducting testing. However, if the previously available reference locations are not used for some reasons (e.g., criteria of determining reference location is changed), or are unavailable (due to e.g. environmental and/or landscape change), the testing location algorithm can be run again to identify reference locations without using any previously determined reference locations.

Examples of the testing location algorithm, which may be implemented by unmanned vehicle <NUM> and/or network node <NUM>, are described below in more detail and may advantageously be used to identify/determine a set of reference locations for all UEs <NUM> for e.g., the MU-MIMO testing.

In some embodiments, one or more of the following parameters and/or inputs may be used for the testing location algorithm for a single UE <NUM>:.

In some embodiments, the goal of the testing location algorithm may be to find a selected reference location R(<NUM>) for UE(<NUM>) <NUM> that will allow the UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to have a maximum throughput (e.g., to reach and/or exceed a predetermined maximum throughput threshold value). It should be noted that UE(i) is used in the present disclosure to represent the ith UE <NUM>. R(i) is used to represent the locations of UE(<NUM>) to UE(i).

In some embodiments, the testing location algorithm (performed by unmanned vehicle <NUM> and/or network node <NUM>) for finding a testing location for a single UE <NUM> may proceed according to the following steps:.

Launch, e.g., by network node <NUM>, an unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to any location (lo(<NUM>,<NUM>), la(<NUM>,<NUM>), al(<NUM>,<NUM>)) (which may be considered a candidate testing location) while the location meets the conditions that the unmanned vehicle <NUM> is within the network node <NUM> coverage area(s) which are limited by (lo_min, la_min, al_min) and (lo_max, a_max, al_max). The first "<NUM>" in lo(<NUM>,<NUM>) is used in this disclosure to represent the number of the UE <NUM>. The second "<NUM>" in lo(<NUM>,<NUM>) is used in this disclosure as a notation to represent the first longitude location. Similar notations are used for latitude and longitude, respectively, la(<NUM>,<NUM>) and al(<NUM>,<NUM>).

The network node <NUM> may run traffic (e.g., send test data to the UE(<NUM>) <NUM>) and measure the throughput T(<NUM>) where T(<NUM>)=T(<NUM>,<NUM>) in this case. The first "<NUM>" in T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is used in this disclosure to represent the number of the UE and the second "<NUM>" in T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is a notation to represent the measured throughput at the first location. The T(<NUM>) is used in this disclosure to represent the throughput of UE(<NUM>) and T(i) is used to represent the paring throughput of UE(<NUM>) to UE(i).

If the throughput T(<NUM>)>T_threshold (which means the UE <NUM> is in the coverage area of the network node <NUM>), then proceed to step <NUM> below; otherwise, return to step <NUM> above (where the unmanned vehicle <NUM> can try to move to another location that is within the network node <NUM> coverage area(s)). If the attempts to find a location within the network node <NUM> coverage area exceeds M times, then the unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport the UE <NUM> back to the original starting location and provide a warning or alarm for this condition.

Save/store the candidate testing location and the measured throughput as a reference location R(<NUM>) = (lo(<NUM>,<NUM>), la(<NUM>,<NUM>), al(<NUM>,<NUM>)) and corresponding throughput T(<NUM>)=T(<NUM>,<NUM>).

The unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport/move UE(<NUM>) <NUM> again to another candidate testing location (lo(<NUM>,<NUM>), la(<NUM>,<NUM>), al(<NUM>,<NUM>)) within altitude al_min to al_max and using a random distance between d_min and d_max away from the previous location. The network node <NUM> may run the traffic and measure the throughput T(<NUM>)' where T(<NUM>)'=T(<NUM>,<NUM>).

It should be noted that the "<NUM>" in lo(<NUM>,<NUM>) is a location notation used to represent the longitude of the second location that UE(<NUM>) <NUM> is moved to. Similar notation is used to represent the latitude and altitude of the second location that UE(<NUM>) <NUM> moved to (la(<NUM>,<NUM>), al(<NUM>,<NUM>)). The "<NUM>" in T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is a notation used in this disclosure to represent the measured throughput of UE(<NUM>) <NUM> at the second location.

Update the reference location/point: R(<NUM>) = (lo(<NUM>,<NUM>), la(<NUM>,<NUM>), al(<NUM>,<NUM>)) and T(<NUM>)=T(<NUM>)' to the new candidate testing location coordinates if the throughput T(<NUM>)' is larger than T(<NUM>); otherwise there is no change to the stored reference location R(<NUM>) and corresponding throughput T(<NUM>).

Repeat step <NUM> and <NUM> for N times to obtain the maximum throughput T(<NUM>) and the location R(<NUM>) which has the maximum throughput T(<NUM>) (e.g., as compared to other measured throughput values at other candidate testing locations).

Save the reference location R(<NUM>) and the throughput T(<NUM>) to e.g., database and/or memory for later use.

In some embodiments, one or more of the following parameters and/or inputs may be used for the testing location algorithm for location selection for two UEs <NUM>:.

In some embodiments, the goal of the testing location algorithm may be to find selected locations R(<NUM>) and R(<NUM>) for UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and UE(<NUM>) <NUM>, respectively, that will result in UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and UE(<NUM>) <NUM> pairing and achieve the maximum throughput.

In some embodiments, the testing location algorithm (performed by unmanned vehicle <NUM> and/or network node <NUM>) for finding testing locations for two UEs <NUM> (and/or more specifically, transporting UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to a reference location and finding a testing location for the second UE, UE(<NUM>) <NUM>) may proceed according to the following steps:.

Launch, e.g., by network node <NUM>, an unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to the reference location R(<NUM>) (assuming that there is already a reference location stored for UE(<NUM>) <NUM> from, for example, execution of scenario one).

Launch another unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to a new candidate testing location R(<NUM>)= (lo(<NUM>,<NUM>), la(<NUM>,<NUM>), al(<NUM>,<NUM>)) where R(<NUM>) meets the condition that the unmanned vehicle <NUM> is within the network node <NUM> coverage area(s) which are limited by (lo_min, la_min, al_min) and (lo_max, a_max, al_max).

The network node <NUM> may run traffic and measure the throughput for UE(<NUM>) <NUM> which is represented by T(<NUM>,<NUM>). If the throughput T(<NUM>,<NUM>)>T_threshold (which means that UE(<NUM>) <NUM> is in the coverage area of the network node <NUM>), then the process may proceed to step <NUM> below; otherwise, the process may return to step <NUM> above (where the unmanned vehicle <NUM> can try to move to another location that is within the network node <NUM> coverage area(s)). If the attempts to find a location within the network node <NUM> coverage area exceeds M times, then the unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport the UE(<NUM>) <NUM> back to the original starting location and provide a warning or alarm for this condition.

The network node <NUM> may check the pairing condition between UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and measure the throughput for both UEs <NUM>. The throughput for both UEs <NUM> may be represented by T(<NUM>) where T(<NUM>) = T(<NUM>,<NUM>) + T(<NUM>,<NUM>) and T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM>.

If there is no pairing for UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and UE(<NUM>) <NUM>, an assumption may be made that these two UEs <NUM> are in the same beam. In this case, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> moves UE(<NUM>) <NUM> away from this beam and the process may return to step <NUM> above (where the unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying UE(<NUM>) <NUM> attempts to move the UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to yet another location). On the other hand, if there is a pairing between UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and UE(<NUM>) <NUM> (e.g., spatially separated UEs receive their own data from the network node on the same shared time-frequency resource(s) simultaneously) the process may proceed to step <NUM> below.

It may also be the case that the number of layers is less than the number of UEs <NUM>, i. e, if there are two UEs <NUM> but there is only one layer in the coverage area, then it may be impossible for the network node <NUM> to detect the pairing. Thus, in some embodiments, a dead loop protection counter may be used for this case. For example, after the process returns to step <NUM> for K times without pairing, then the unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport the UE(<NUM>) <NUM> back to the original starting location and provide a warning or alarm for this condition.

The unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport the UE(<NUM>) <NUM> again to a new candidate testing location (lo(<NUM>,<NUM>), la(<NUM>,<NUM>), al(<NUM>,<NUM>)) within al_min to al_max and with a random distance between d_min and d_max away from the previous location. The network node <NUM> may run the traffic and measure the throughput T(<NUM>)' where T(<NUM>)'=T(<NUM>,<NUM>)+T(<NUM>,<NUM>). It should be noted that T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM>.

Update the reference location/point R(<NUM>) and the throughput T(<NUM>) to the new candidate testing location coordinates and corresponding measured throughput (i.e., R(<NUM>) = (lo(<NUM>,<NUM>), la(<NUM>,<NUM>), al(<NUM>,<NUM>)) and T(<NUM>)=T(<NUM>,<NUM>)) if the throughput T(<NUM>)' is larger than T(<NUM>).

Repeat steps <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> for N times to obtain the reference locations that have a maximum throughput (e.g., as compared to other measured throughput values at other candidate testing locations).

After N times (or another predetermined condition), update and save the throughput values and the corresponding reference locations: T=[T(<NUM>), T(<NUM>)]; R=[R(<NUM>), R(<NUM>)].

In some embodiments, one or more of the following parameters and/or inputs may be used for the testing location algorithm for location selection for three UEs <NUM>:
In some embodiments, one or more of the following parameters and/or inputs may be used for the testing location algorithm for location selection for two UEs <NUM>:.

In some embodiments, the goal of the testing location algorithm may be to find selected locations R(<NUM>), R(<NUM>) and R(<NUM>) for UE(<NUM>), UE(<NUM>) and UE(<NUM>), respectively, that will result in UE(<NUM>) <NUM>, UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and UE(<NUM>) <NUM> pairing and achieve the maximum throughput.

In some embodiments, the testing location algorithm (performed by unmanned vehicle <NUM> and/or network node <NUM>) for finding testing locations for three UEs <NUM> (and/or more specifically, transporting UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to their respective reference locations and finding a testing location for the third UE, UE(<NUM>) <NUM>) may proceed according to the following steps:.

Launch, e.g., by network node <NUM>, unmanned vehicles <NUM> carrying UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to the locations [R(<NUM>), R(<NUM>)].

Launch an unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to a new candidate testing location R(<NUM>)= (lo(<NUM>,<NUM>), la(<NUM>,<NUM>), al(<NUM>,<NUM>)) where R(<NUM>) meets the condition that the unmanned vehicle <NUM> is within the network node <NUM> coverage area(s) which are limited by (lo_min, la_min, al_min) and (lo_max, a_max, al_max).

The network node <NUM> may run traffic and measure the throughput for UE(<NUM>) <NUM> which is represented by T(<NUM>,<NUM>). If the throughput T(<NUM>,<NUM>)>T_threshold (which means the UE(<NUM>) <NUM> is in the coverage area of the network node <NUM>), then the process may proceed to step <NUM>; otherwise, the process may return to step <NUM> above (where the unmanned vehicle <NUM> can try to move the UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to another location that is within the network node <NUM> coverage area(s)). If the attempts to find a location within the network node <NUM> coverage area exceeds M times, then the unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport the UE(<NUM>) <NUM> back to the original starting location and provide a warning or alarm for this condition.

The network node <NUM> may run the traffic (e.g., send test data to the UEs <NUM>), check the pairing condition and measure the throughput for all UEs T(<NUM>), where T(<NUM>) = T(<NUM>,<NUM>)+T(<NUM>,<NUM>)+T(<NUM>,<NUM>). Throughput T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM>; T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM>; and T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM>.

If there is no pairing from UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to UE(<NUM>) <NUM>, UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and/or UE(<NUM>) <NUM>, an assumption may be made that UE(<NUM>) <NUM> is in the same beam with at least one of the other UEs (e.g., UE(<NUM>) <NUM> or UE(<NUM>) <NUM>). In this case, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> transports UE(<NUM>) <NUM> away from the current beam and the process may return to step <NUM> above (where the unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying UE(<NUM>) <NUM> attempts to move the UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to yet another location). On the other hand, if there is a pairing between UE(<NUM>) <NUM>, UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and UE(<NUM>) <NUM>, the process may proceed to step <NUM> below.

It may also be the case that the number of layers is less than the number of UEs <NUM>, i. e, if there are three UEs <NUM> but there is only one layer in the coverage area, then it may be impossible for the network node <NUM> to detect the pairing. Thus, in some embodiments, a dead loop protection counter may be used for this case. For example, after the process returns to step <NUM> for K times without pairing, then the unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport the last UE(<NUM>) <NUM> back to the original starting location and provide a warning or alarm for this condition.

The unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport the UE(<NUM>) <NUM> again to a new candidate testing location (lo(<NUM>,<NUM>), la(<NUM>,<NUM>), al(<NUM>,<NUM>)) within al_min to al_max and with a random distance between d_min and d_max away from the previous location. The network node <NUM> may run traffic and check the throughput T(<NUM>)' where T(<NUM>)'=T(<NUM>,<NUM>)+T(<NUM>,<NUM>)+T(<NUM>,<NUM>). It should be noted that T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM>; T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM> and T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM>.

Update the reference location/point R(<NUM>) = (lo(<NUM>,<NUM>), la(<NUM>,<NUM>), al(<NUM>,<NUM>)) and update the throughput T(<NUM>)=T(<NUM>)' if the throughput T(<NUM>)' is larger than T(<NUM>).

Repeat steps <NUM> and <NUM> for N times to obtain the reference locations that have a maximum throughput (e.g., as compared to other measured throughput values at other candidate testing locations).

After N times (or another predetermined condition), update and save the throughput values and the corresponding reference locations: T=[T(<NUM>), T(<NUM>), T(<NUM>)]; R=[R(<NUM>), R(<NUM>), R(<NUM>)].

In some embodiments, one or more of the following parameters and/or inputs may be used for the testing location algorithm for location selection for multiple UEs <NUM>:.

In some embodiments, the goal of the testing location algorithm may be to find selected locations R for any number of UEs <NUM>, such as from UE(<NUM>) to UE(L), that will make use of MU-MIMO to achieve a maximum throughput.

In some embodiments, the testing location algorithm (performed by unmanned vehicle <NUM> and/or network node <NUM>) for finding testing locations for multiple UEs <NUM> may proceed according to the following steps:.

Launch, e.g., by network node <NUM>, unmanned vehicles <NUM> carrying UE(<NUM>), UE(<NUM>),. , UE(L-<NUM>) to reference locations [R(<NUM>), R(<NUM>),. , R(L-<NUM>)].

Launch an unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying UE(L) <NUM> to a new candidate testing location R(L)= (lo(L,<NUM>), la(L,<NUM>), al(L,<NUM>)) where R(L) meets the condition that the unmanned vehicle <NUM> is within the network node <NUM> coverage area(s) which are limited by (lo_min, la_min, al_min) and (lo_max, a_max, al_max).

The network node <NUM> may run traffic and measure the throughput for UE(L) <NUM> which is represented by T(L,<NUM>). If the throughput for UE(L) T(L,<NUM>)>T_threshold (which means the UE(L) <NUM> is in the coverage area of the network node <NUM>), then the process may proceed to step <NUM>. Otherwise the process may return to step <NUM> above (where the unmanned vehicle <NUM> can try to move the UE(<NUM>) <NUM> to another location that is within the network node <NUM> coverage area(s)). If the attempts to find a location within the network node <NUM> coverage area exceeds M times, then the unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport the UE(L) <NUM> back to the original starting location and provide a warning or alarm for this condition.

The network node <NUM> may run the traffic (e.g., send test data to the UEs <NUM>), check the pairing condition and measure the throughput for all UEs T(L), where T(L) = T(<NUM>,<NUM>) + T(<NUM>,<NUM>), +. , T(L,<NUM>). Throughput T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM>; T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM>; etc..

If there is no pairing for the other the UEs <NUM> with UE(L) <NUM>, an assumption may be made that UE(L) <NUM> is in the same beam with at least one of the other UEs <NUM> (e.g., UE(<NUM>) <NUM>, UE(<NUM>) <NUM>,. , or UE(L-<NUM>) <NUM>). In this case, the unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport UE(L) <NUM> away from the current beam and the process may return to step <NUM> above (where the unmanned vehicle <NUM> carrying UE(L) <NUM> attempts to move the UE(L) <NUM> to yet another location). On the other hand, if there is a pairing between UE(<NUM>) <NUM>, UE(<NUM>) <NUM>,. , and UE(L-<NUM>) <NUM>, the process may proceed to step <NUM> below.

It may also be the case that the number of layers is less than the number of UEs <NUM>, i. e, if there are LUEs <NUM> but there is only one layer in the coverage area, then it may be impossible for the network node <NUM> to detect the pairing. Thus, in some embodiments, a dead loop protection counter may be used for this case. For example, after the process returns to step <NUM> for K times without pairing, then the unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport the last UE(L) <NUM> back to the original starting location and provide a warning or alarm for this condition.

The unmanned vehicle <NUM> may transport the UE(L) <NUM> again to a new candidate testing location (lo(L,<NUM>), la(L,<NUM>), al(L,<NUM>)) within al_min to al_max and with a random distance between d_min and d_max away from the previous location. The network node <NUM> may run traffic and measure/check the throughput T(L)' where T(L)'=T(<NUM>,<NUM>)+T(<NUM>,<NUM>)+,. , +T(L,<NUM>). It should be noted that T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>) <NUM>; T(<NUM>,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(<NUM>); T(L,<NUM>) is the throughput from UE(L) <NUM>; etc..

Update the reference location/point: R(L) = (lo(L,<NUM>), la(L,<NUM>), al(L,<NUM>)) and update the throughput T(L)=T(L)' with the candidate testing location coordinates and corresponding measured throughput values, if the throughput T(L)' is larger than T(L).

Repeat step <NUM> and <NUM> for N times to obtain the reference locations that have a maximum throughput (e.g., as compared to other measured throughput values at other candidate testing locations).

After N times (or another predetermined condition), update and save the throughput values and the corresponding reference locations: T=[T(<NUM>) T(<NUM>),. , T(L)]; R=[R(<NUM>) R(<NUM>),.

These reference locations may be used by the network node <NUM> and/or unmanned vehicles <NUM> to conveniently transport UEs <NUM> to the proper testing locations when testing, such as, MU-MIMO testing is to be performed. Advantageously, the algorithm may not need to be executed for every test. Once the algorithm is run to identify the UE <NUM> testing locations for the network, the unmanned vehicles <NUM> can simply transport the UEs <NUM> to those stored testing locations when testing is desired.

After the testing location algorithm has been performed to identify and/or transport UEs <NUM> (UE(<NUM>)-UE(L)) to the corresponding reference locations R(<NUM>)-R(L), the MU-MIMO testing may proceed. For example, MU-MIMO testing may be used to verify if the number of beams (layers) meets or exceeds expectations, e.g., if there are improvements that may be made. MU-MIMO testing may also verify if the maximum throughput meets the expected throughput. Testing may also be performed to verify whether improvements can be made to a scheduler algorithm. Yet other types of tests can be performed using AI unmanned vehicles <NUM> to implement the testing location algorithm described in the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A method performed by an unmanned vehicle (<NUM>) for wireless network testing, the unmanned vehicle (<NUM>) configured to transport a user equipment, UE (<NUM>), the UE (<NUM>) being configured to communicate over a wireless network, the method comprising:
controlling (S100) a movement of the unmanned vehicle (<NUM>) carrying the UE (<NUM>) according to a testing location algorithm to identify a testing location for testing communication of the UE (<NUM>), the testing location algorithm comprising moving the unmanned vehicle (<NUM>) carrying the UE (<NUM>) to at least one candidate testing location,
determining at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location and determining a reference location based at least in part on the determined at least one measurement value, and
based on a predetermined condition, accepting the reference location as the testing location of the UE (<NUM>).