Patent ID: 12206482

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description. Any step or feature illustrated by dashed lines should be regarded as optional.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram illustrating a network100where embodiments presented herein can be applied. The network100could be a third generation (3G) telecommunications network, a fourth generation (4G) telecommunications network, a fifth generation (5G) telecommunications network, or any evolvement thereof, and support any 3GPP telecommunications standard, where applicable.

The network100comprises a network node200configured to provide network access to user equipment, as represented by user equipment160, in a (radio) access network110. The (radio) access network110is operatively connected to a core network120. The core network120is in turn operatively connected to a service network130, such as the Internet. The user equipment160is thereby enabled to, via the network node200, access services of, and exchange data with, the service network130.

The network node200comprises, is collocated with, is integrated with, or is in operational communications with, a (radio) access network node140. The network node200(via its (radio) access network node140) and the user equipment160is configured to communicate with each other in beams, one of which is illustrated at reference numeral150. In this respect, beams that could be used both as TX beams and RX beams will hereinafter simply be referred to as beams.

Examples of network nodes200are radio base stations, base transceiver stations, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs, g NBs, access points, access nodes, and backhaul nodes. Examples of user equipment160are wireless devices, mobile stations, mobile phones, handsets, wireless local loop phones, smartphones, laptop computers, tablet computers, network equipped sensors, network equipped vehicles, and so-called Internet of Things devices.

Terminology that will be useful in the following description of the embodiments will now be presented. A beam set is a set B of available beams in the system, where each element is an index to a beam. Formally, B={Bi: i∈N∧i≤N}, where N is the maximum number beams that the (radio) access network node140is configured to generate. A serving beam is a beam in the beam set on which data transfer is scheduled to a user equipment160in the network100. A candidate beam is a beam which is a potential target of a beam switch for a given serving beam. Candidate beams are configured for power measurements from the user equipment160. A candidate beam set is a set CB of beam indices of candidate beams for a given serving beam S. Formally, CBs={Bi: Bi∈B∧i≤M∧i≠Bs}, where M is the maximum size of the candidate beam set. A candidate beam set table is a table CBST of serving beam indices S, and a corresponding candidate beam set. Table 1 gives an example of a candidate beam set table.

TABLE 1Example of a candidate beam set tableServing Beam IndexCandidate Beam Set0{Bi: Biϵ B Λ i ≤ M Λ i ≠ 0}1{Bi: Biϵ B Λ i ≤ M Λ i ≠ 1}. . .. . .N-1{Bi: Biϵ B Λ i ≤ M Λ i ≠ N-1}

A target beam is a beam which is selected from the candidate beam set for a beam switch from a given serving beam.

As noted above there is still a need for improved beam management procedures. In further detail, a static configuration of candidate beam sets may not be suitable for (radio) access network nodes140serving user equipment160with uneven mobility. In such cases, there may be quality of service degradation and/or call drops when the (radio) access network node140is commanded to switch to an undesired target beam. Also, with a static configuration of candidate beam sets, a user equipment160might perform redundant measurements, causing high energy consumption and reduced spectrum efficiency. Further, performing a beam switch whenever there is a beam with higher reported power than the currently used serving beam might lead to unnecessary beam switches.

The embodiments disclosed herein therefore relate to mechanisms for beam management performed for user equipment160in a network100. In order to obtain such mechanisms there is provided a network node200, a method performed by the network node200, a computer program product comprising code, for example in the form of a computer program, that when run on a network node200, causes the network node200to perform the method.

FIG.2is a flowchart illustrating embodiments of methods for beam management performed for user equipment160in a network100. The methods are performed by the network node200. The methods are advantageously provided as computer programs920.

In general terms, the method is based on collecting and using performance feedback when performing a beam management procedure that involves determining a candidate beam set and/or determining a beam switching command.

S104: The network node200collects performance feedback per beam150upon having started to perform a current run S102of a beam management procedure. The performance feedback is derived from network statistics.

The beam management procedure comprises at least one of steps S102a, S102b:

S102a: The network node200determines a candidate beam set from a set of available beams. The candidate beam set is based on information in terms of a user equipment performance indicator per beam150, channel measurements per beam150and on performance feedback per beam150. In this respect, the information might have different weights and some but not all of the weights might be set to zero. The information is collected upon having performed at least one previous run of the beam management procedure. The performance feedback is used to, as part of determining the candidate beam set, determine a beam performance score per beam150in the set of available beams.

S102b: The network node200determines a beam switching command per user equipment160for at least some of the user equipment160. The beam switching command is based on information per user equipment160in terms of user equipment performance indicator per beam150and per user equipment160, channel measurements per beam150and per user equipment160and on performance feedback per beam150and per user equipment160. The information is collected upon having performed at least one previous run of the beam management procedure. The performance feedback is used to determine when in time the beam switching command is to be executed per user equipment160and to what beam in the candidate beam set a beam switch per user equipment160is to be made when the beam switching command is executed.

Embodiments relating to further details of beam management performed for user equipment160in a network100as performed by the network node200will now be disclosed.

The thus collected performance feedback might then be used during a next run of the beam management procedure. That is, in some embodiments, the network node is configured to perform (optional) step S106:

S106: The network node200performs a next run of the beam management procedure based on the performance feedback collected upon having performed the current run S102of the beam management procedure.

Further aspects of the performance feedback (as collected in step S104and used in steps S102a, S102b, S106) will now be disclosed.

As disclosed above, the performance feedback is derived from network statistics. There could be different ways for the network node200to obtain the network statistics. In some embodiments, the network statistics is received from control layer signalling in the network100. There could be different examples of network statistics. In some non-limiting examples, the network statistics pertains to at least one of: user equipment ID (where ID is short for identity), time of a beam switch having been performed, success/failure indication of a beam switch having been performed, the serving beam index after execution of the beam switching command, the RSRP for the serving beam after execution of the beam switching command, the serving beam index before execution of the beam switching command, the RSRP for the serving beam before execution of the beam switching command.

There could be different types of performance feedback derived from the network statistics. In some non-limiting examples, the performance feedback per beam150pertains to at least one of: the (average) number of ping pong switches per beam150, the (average) number of beam switch failures per beam150, the (average) number of call drops per beam150.

In some embodiments, the performance feedback per beam150is a weighted sum of the (average) number of ping pong switches per beam150, the (average) number of beam switch failures per beam150, and the (average) number of call drops per beam150. In some non-limiting examples, weights used in the weighted sum are determined through localized supervised learning.

In some embodiments, the user equipment performance indicator per beam150represents a weighted sum of at least two user equipment performance indicators per beam150. Non-limiting examples of user equipment performance indicators are (average) values of: Block Error Rate (BLER), Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), Rank Indicator (RI), user throughput, spectral efficiency, Modulation and Coding Scheme (MSC), Radio Link Control (RLC) buffer status.

Reference is next made toFIG.3.FIG.3illustrates a block diagram of the network node200comprising a candidate beam set determination block240, a beam switching command determination block250, and a performance feedback collection block260. In general terms, the candidate beam set determination block240is configured to implement step S102a, the beam switching command determination block250is configured to implement step S102b, and the performance feedback collection block260is configured to implement step S104. Further aspects of these blocks will now be described in turn.

The candidate beam set determination block240is configured to, periodically, optimize the candidate beam of each serving beam, so that only the best candidate beams are part of the candidate beam. Optimization might be performed by considering cumulative user equipment performance indicator, cumulative channel measurements, and cumulated performance feedback. That is, in some embodiments, the candidate beam set is determined based on a cumulative user equipment performance indicator. The candidate beam set might be determined based on cumulated performance feedback as collected from having performed at least two previous runs of the beam management procedure.

The beam switching command determination block250is configured to determine a beam switching command after a comprehensive assessment of instantaneous user equipment performance indicator, instantaneous channel measurements, and instantaneous performance feedback. That is, in some embodiments, the beam switching command is determined based on an instantaneous user equipment performance indicator and instantaneous channel measurements. The beam switching command might be determined based on instantaneous performance feedback collected upon having performed only the recent-most previous run (i.e., the last run) of the beam management procedure. If a beam switch is made, the beam switch is made to one of the beams in the candidate beam set.

The performance feedback collection block260is configured to collect performance feedback. The performance feedback might be represented by a set of performance counters. These performance counters represent the resulting impact on the network performance resulting from execution of the beam switching command. The performance counters are provided as a performance feedback to the candidate beam set determination block240and the beam switching command determination block250for optimization of future candidate beam set determination and beam switching command determination.

Further aspects of the candidate beam set determination (as in step S102a) will now be disclosed with reference toFIG.4.FIG.4is a block diagram of the candidate beam set determination block240. A beam performance estimation block244takes as input information provided by a cumulative performance indicator block242, information provided by a cumulative measurements block241, and information provided by a cumulative performance feedback block243. The beam performance estimation block244uses this information to estimate the beam performance per beam and provide this information to a candidate beam set optimization block245. Details of theses blocks will be disclosed next. The candidate beam set determination block240is operatively connected to a CBST storage270for storage of optimized candidate beam sets, as provided from the candidate beam set optimization block245.

Details of the cumulative performance indicator block242will be disclosed next. Examples of user equipment performance indicators have been disclosed above. The user equipment performance indicators indicate performance of the beam in terms of how well the QoS of user equipment which were served by this beam was preserved. The cumulative performance indicator block242is configured to determine a cumulative value α of the user equipment performance indicators per beam and provide this value to the candidate beam set determination block240. The cumulative value α of the user equipment performance indicators per beam might be determined through a dimensionality reduction function on the user equipment performance indicators:
α=DIMENSION_REDUCTION_FUNC1(UE Performance indicators)

One non-limiting example implementation of this DIMENSION_REDUCTION_FUNC1 is a weighted sum of all the user equipment performance indicators. The weights can be fined tuned through localized supervised learning.

Details of the cumulative measurements block241will be disclosed next. Examples of channel measurements have been provided above. The cumulative measurements block241is configured to collect channel measurements and provide cumulative channel measurements to the candidate beam set determination block240. In this respect, each user equipment160performs periodic channel measurements on the candidate beam set and reports the measurements in a measurement report. The user equipment160reports the measured signal quality for the best N beams from the currently used candidate beam set in the measurement report. The value of N and the periodicity of the measurement reports might be configured by control layer signalling. The measurement reports might be stored in a first-in first-out (FIFO) queue at the cumulative measurements block241and be processed in the order of their arrival. These measurement reports are collected by the cumulative measurements block241. Non-limiting examples of channel measurements are RSRP and RSRQ.

Details of the cumulative performance feedback block243will be disclosed next. Examples of performance feedback have been provided above. The cumulative performance feedback block243obtains performance feedback from the performance feedback collection block260every δ interval. The cumulative performance feedback block243is configured to determine a cumulative beam switch feedback value γ per beam and provide this value to the candidate beam set determination block240. The cumulative beam switch feedback value γ might be determined through a dimension reduction function on the performance feedback:
γ=DIMENSION_REDUCTION_FUNC2(Performance feedback)

One non-limiting example implementation of this DIMENSION_REDUCTION_FUNC2 is a weighted sum of all the performance feedback. The weights can be fined tuned through localized supervised learning.

Details of the beam performance estimation block244will now be disclosed. As disclosed above, the beam performance estimation block244uses information from the cumulative performance indicator block242, the cumulative measurements block241, and the cumulative performance feedback block243as input to estimate the beam performance per beam. The beam performance per beam is represented by the beam performance score per beam. The beam performance score might be regarded as an indicator of how well a beam is performing from performance and measurement perspective. A high beam performance score implies a high-quality beam and vice versa. The beam performance score might be determined based on the cumulative value α of the user equipment performance indicators per beam, the cumulative beam switch feedback value γ per beam and a beam quality score β per beam. Hence, in some aspects the beam performance score BPS can be determined as:
BPS=W1·α+W2·β−W3·γ,
where W1, W2, W3 are weights that can be dynamically adjusted depending on the performance feedback. That is, in some embodiments, the beam performance score per beam150is determined as a weighted sum of the user equipment performance indicator, the channel measurements, and the performance feedback, and the performance feedback is used to determine weights of the weighted sum. As disclosed above, some, but not all, of the weights might be set to zero.

The beam quality score β indicates the aggregated quality of the beam as perceived by the user equipment160over time. The beam quality score β might be determined either by the beam performance estimation block244or the cumulative measurements block241. Thus, in some embodiments, the cumulative channel measurements per beam150represent a beam quality score per beam150indicating aggregated quality per beam150as perceived by the user equipment160over time. Aspects of how the beam quality score per beam150might be determined will be disclosed next. In some embodiments, the beam quality score per beam150is dependent on: whether a measurement report for the beam has been received or not, an absolute quality of the beam, a relative quality of the beam compared to other beams in the set of available beams, whether the quality of the beams has increased or decreased in comparison to a previous recent-most measurement report for the beam.

Whether a measurement report for the beam has been received or not represents a first condition. Aspects of this first condition will now be disclosed. In this respect, if the candidate beam j is not reported in the measurement report i of user equipment l then the beam quality score is updated as follows:
Beam_Quality_Score1,j,i=Beam_Quality_Scorel,j,i−δE1,
where δE1is a deduction factor for the first condition. If the condition is not fulfilled, then the beam quality score is not updated.

The absolute quality of the beam represents a second condition and might indicate if the signal quality of a given candidate beam is greater or lesser than a threshold value. In this respect, it might be checked whether the signal quality λ of candidate beam j in the measurement report i of user equipment l is greater than, or equal to, a threshold value ThE2. If so, then:
Beam_Quality_Scorel,j,i=Beam_Quality_Scorel,j,i+δE2,1,
and else:
Beam_Quality_Scorel,j,i=Beam_Quality_Scorel,j,i+δE2,2,
where δE2,1>δE2,2, and where δE2,1and δE2,1are increment factors for the second condition.

The relative quality of the beam compared to other beams in the set of available beams represents a third condition and might indicate how much better the beam quality of a given candidate beam is when compared to the rest of the candidate beams. In this respect, it might be checked whether the signal quality λ of candidate beam j in the measurement report i of user equipment l is greater than η candidate beams in the measurement report i of user l. If so, then:
Beam_Quality_Scorel,j,i=Beam_Quality_Scorel,j,i+ηj,
where, ηjthe number of candidate beams in N from measure report i whose signal quality is less than that of candidate beam j. If the condition is not fulfilled, then the beam quality score is not updated.

Whether the quality of the beams has increased or decreased in comparison to a previous recent-most measurement report for the beam represents a fourth condition and might indicate the consistency of the signal quality of a given candidate beam. In this respect, it might be checked how the signal quality λcurrof candidate beam j in the measurement report i of user equipment l is related to the signal quality λprevof candidate beam j in the previous measurement report i of user equipment l. If λcurr,j≥λprev,jthen:
Beam_Quality_Scorel,j,i=Beam_Quality_Scorel,j,i+δE4,1,
and else:
Beam_Quality_Scorel,j,i=Beam_Quality_Scorel,j,i−δE4,2,
where δE4,1is an increment factor and δE4,2is a deduction factor for the fourth condition.

Details of the candidate beam set optimization block245will be disclosed next. The candidate beam set optimization block245might be configured to perform periodic optimization of the candidate beam set.

The periodicity of the optimization might be controlled by control layer signalling, for example depending on the number of connected user equipment160in the network100. The higher the number of connected user equipment160, then higher the number of measurement reports will be and the lower the periodicity might be and vice versa. As disclosed above, the estimated beam performance per beam is provided to the candidate beam set optimization block245from the beam performance estimation block244. The candidate beam set optimization block245might use online learning of the best candidate beams set for each serving beam through the beam performance score. The candidate beam set optimization block245might use exploration and exploitation strategies based on the beam performance score to determine the optimized candidate beam sets. In this respect, in exploitation, accumulated knowledge in the form of the beam performance score is used to select the best candidate beams for the serving beam. In exploration, candidate beams which are not part of the most recently determined candidate beam set are used. Various exploration strategies exist, from random selection or greedy selection to stochastic techniques. That is, in some embodiments, the candidate beam set for the current run S102of the beam management procedure comprises first beams selected from the beams of the candidate beam set for the most-recent previous run of the beam management procedure, and second beams not selected from the candidate beam set for the most-recent previous run of the beam management procedure. In some aspects, the number of beams selected via exploitation and/or the number of beams selected via exploration is determined from the performance feedback. That is, in some embodiments, the performance feedback is used to determine at least one of: how many first beams, how many second beams, fraction between first beams and second beams to include in the candidate beam set for the current run S102of the beam management procedure.

Further aspects of the beam switch command (as in step S102b) will now be disclosed with reference toFIG.5.FIG.5is a block diagram of the beam switching command determination block250. A beam switch decision block255takes as input information provided by an instantaneous performance indicator block252, information provided by an instantaneous measurements block251, information provided by an instantaneous load block253and information provided by an instantaneous performance feedback block254. Details of theses blocks will be disclosed next. The beam switching command determination block250is operatively connected to the CBST storage270for retrieval of stored optimized candidate beam sets, as provided by the candidate beam set optimization block245in the candidate beam set determination block240. The beam switching command determination block250uses the obtained information to determine a beam switching command for the candidate beam sets.

Details of the instantaneous performance indicator block252will be disclosed next. Examples of user equipment performance indicators have been disclosed above. The instantaneous performance indicator block252is configured to determine an instantaneous value of the user equipment performance indicators per beam as currently used in the network100and provide this value to the beam switching command determination block250. The instantaneous performance indicators can be obtained by per user equipment160monitoring the performance on the current serving beam. The instantaneous value of the user equipment performance indicators per beam might be determined through a dimensionality reduction function on the user equipment performance indicators.

Details of the instantaneous measurements block251will be disclosed next. Examples of channel measurements have been provided above. The instantaneous measurements block251is configured to collect channel measurements and provide instantaneous channel measurements to the beam switching command determination block250. As disclosed above, each user equipment160performs periodic channel measurements on the candidate beam set and reports the measurements in a measurement report. The instantaneous measurements can thus be obtained by monitoring the channel measurements of the current serving beam per user equipment and the candidate beams in the optimized candidate beam set determined for the current serving beam. The instantaneous measurements block251might process the measurement reports and then provide the instantaneous measurements per user equipment160and beam to the beam switching command determination block250.

Details of the instantaneous load block253will be disclosed next. The instantaneous load block253is configured to obtain information of the instantaneous load per beam. Non-limiting examples of parameters that are characteristic of the instantaneous load per beam are number of user equipment160served per beam, amount of data transmitted per beam, etc. Information of the instantaneous load per beam is then provided to the beam switching command determination block250. That is, in some embodiments, the beam switching command is determined based on instantaneous load per beam150.

Details of the instantaneous performance feedback block254will be disclosed next. Examples of performance feedback have been provided above. The instantaneous performance feedback block254obtains instantaneous performance feedback. The instantaneous performance feedback block254is configured to determine an instantaneous beam switch feedback value per beam and provide this value to the beam switching command determination block250. The instantaneous beam switch feedback value might be determined through a dimension reduction function on the performance feedback.

Information provided by the instantaneous performance indicator block252, the instantaneous measurements block251, the instantaneous load block253and the instantaneous performance feedback block254is then used by the beam switch decision block255to determine to which beams in the optimized candidate beam sets for each user equipment160is to be made, and when in time such a switch is to be made.

Aspects of when in time the beam switching command is to be executed will now be disclosed. When in time the beam switching command is to be executed is based on the instantaneous information as obtained by the beam switch decision block255as derived by thorough assessment of the instantaneous performance indicators, instantaneous channel measurements and instantaneous performance feedback. As a non-limiting example, decision logic for determining when in time the beam switching command is to be executed could be implemented as follows:

If number of ping pongs>threshold+hysterics, thendelay beam switch for certain time period
endif

If channel measurement of current serving beam>threshold+hysteresis, thenIf collective performance on the current serving beam>threshold+hysteresis, thenNo beam switch;ElseTrigger Beam switchElseIf there is at least one candidate beam with channel measurement>channel measurement of serving beam+hysteresis, thenTrigger Beam switch.

Aspects of for which beams the beam switching command is to be executed will now be disclosed. Once a decision to switch beams have been taken, the next step is to decide where to switch (i.e., for which beams the beam switching command is to be executed). Switching to a candidate beam is based on instantaneous channel measurements of each candidate beam, the instantaneous load of each candidate beam, and the instantaneous performance feedback per candidate beam. As a non-limiting example, decision logic for determining for which beams the beam switching command is to be executed could be implemented as follows.

Find all candidate beams whose channel measurement is >channel measurement of serving beam+hysteresis,Within this list, find all the candidates with collective performance feedback<threshold+hysteresis,Within this list, find the candidate with its load<threshold,Switch to this beam.

Reference is next made toFIG.6.FIG.6illustrates a block diagram of the network node200similar to that ofFIG.3and thus comprises the above disclosed candidate beam set determination block240, beam switching command determination block250, and performance feedback collection block260, as well as the CBST storage270. Description of the further blocks in the block diagram will now follow.

An initialization block280is configured to initialize CBST storage270as well as runtime constants and thresholds used by the candidate beam set determination block240and the beam switching command determination block250. The initialization block280might receive configuration in the form of management layer signalling Non-limiting examples of parameters that could be used for initialization are: the set B of available beams that could be generated by (radio) access network node140, the maximum number N of beams to be used by (radio) access network node140, and the maximum size of a candidate beam set

A measurement aggregator block285is configured to aggregate the above disclosed measurement reports from the user equipment160. The measurement reports are received from the user equipment via control layer signalling. The measurement aggregator block285is configured to parse, filter, and share the measurement reports with the candidate beam set determination block240and the beam switching command determination block250as cumulative channel measurements and instantaneous channel measurements, respectively.

A performance indicator aggregator block290is configured to aggregate the above disclosed user equipment performance indicators for each beam in the set B. The user equipment performance indicators are received via control layer signalling. The performance indicator aggregator block290is configured to parse, filter, and share the user equipment performance indicators with the candidate beam set determination block240and the beam switching command determination block250as cumulative user equipment performance indicators and instantaneous user equipment performance indicators, respectively.

FIG.7schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional units, the components of a network node200according to an embodiment. Processing circuitry210is provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit (CPU), multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product910(as inFIG.9), e.g. in the form of a storage medium230. The processing circuitry210may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA).

Particularly, the processing circuitry210is configured to cause the network node200to perform a set of operations, or steps, as disclosed above. For example, the storage medium230may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry210may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium230to cause the network node200to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions.

Thus the processing circuitry210is thereby arranged to execute methods as herein disclosed. The storage medium230may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example, can be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory. The network node200may further comprise a communications interface220at least configured for communications with other nodes, functions, entities, and devices, in the network100. As such the communications interface220may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components. The processing circuitry210controls the general operation of the network node200e.g. by sending data and control signals to the communications interface220and the storage medium230, by receiving data and reports from the communications interface220, and by retrieving data and instructions from the storage medium230. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the network node200are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

FIG.8schematically illustrates, in terms of a number of functional modules, the components of a network node200according to an embodiment. The network node200ofFIG.8comprises a number of functional modules; a determine module210aconfigured to perform step S102a, a determine module210bconfigured to perform step S102b, and a collect module210cconfigured to perform step S104. The network node200ofFIG.8may further comprise a number of optional functional modules, such as a run module210dconfigured to perform step S106. In general terms, each functional module210a-210dmay in one embodiment be implemented only in hardware and in another embodiment with the help of software, i.e., the latter embodiment having computer program instructions stored on the storage medium230which when run on the processing circuitry makes the network node200perform the corresponding steps mentioned above in conjunction withFIG.8. It should also be mentioned that even though the modules correspond to parts of a computer program, they do not need to be separate modules therein, but the way in which they are implemented in software is dependent on the programming language used. Preferably, one or more or all functional modules210a-210dmay be implemented by the processing circuitry210, possibly in cooperation with the communications interface220and/or the storage medium230. The processing circuitry210may thus be configured to from the storage medium230fetch instructions as provided by a functional module210a-210dand to execute these instructions, thereby performing any steps as disclosed herein.

The network node200may be provided as a standalone device or as a part of at least one further device. For example, the network node200may be provided in a node of the (radio) access network or in a node of the core network. Alternatively, functionality of the network node200may be distributed between at least two devices, or nodes. These at least two nodes, or devices, may either be part of the same network part (such as the (radio) access network or the core network) or may be spread between at least two such network parts. In general terms, instructions that are required to be performed in real time may be performed in a device, or node, operatively closer to the cell than instructions that are not required to be performed in real time.

Thus, a first portion of the instructions performed by the network node200may be executed in a first device, and a second portion of the of the instructions performed by the network node200may be executed in a second device; the herein disclosed embodiments are not limited to any particular number of devices on which the instructions performed by the network node200may be executed. Hence, the methods according to the herein disclosed embodiments are suitable to be performed by a network node200residing in a cloud computational environment. Therefore, although a single processing circuitry210is illustrated inFIG.7the processing circuitry210may be distributed among a plurality of devices, or nodes. The same applies to the functional modules210a-210dofFIG.8and the computer program920ofFIG.9.

FIG.9shows one example of a computer program product910comprising computer readable storage medium930. On this computer readable storage medium930, a computer program920can be stored, which computer program920can cause the processing circuitry210and thereto operatively coupled entities and devices, such as the communications interface220and the storage medium230, to execute methods according to embodiments described herein. The computer program920and/or computer program product910may thus provide means for performing any steps as herein disclosed.

In the example ofFIG.9, the computer program product910is illustrated as an optical disc, such as a CD (compact disc) or a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a Blu-Ray disc. The computer program product910could also be embodied as a memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and more particularly as a non-volatile storage medium of a device in an external memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a Flash memory, such as a compact Flash memory. Thus, while the computer program920is here schematically shown as a track on the depicted optical disk, the computer program920can be stored in any way which is suitable for the computer program product910.

FIG.10is a schematic diagram illustrating a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network420to a host computer430in accordance with some embodiments. In accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes telecommunication network410, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network411, such as (radio) access network110inFIG.1, and core network414, such as core network120inFIG.1. Access network411comprises a plurality of (radio) access network nodes412a,412b,412c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs (each corresponding to the network node200ofFIG.1) or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area, or cell,413a,413b,413c. Each (radio) access network nodes412a,412b,412cis connectable to core network414over a wired or wireless connection415. A first UE491located in coverage area413cis configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding network node412c. A second UE492in coverage area413ais wirelessly connectable to the corresponding network node412a. While a plurality of UE491,492are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole terminal device is connecting to the corresponding network node412. The UEs491,492correspond to the user equipment160ofFIG.1.

Telecommunication network410is itself connected to host computer430, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. Host computer430may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Connections421and422between telecommunication network410and host computer430may extend directly from core network414to host computer430or may go via an optional intermediate network420. Intermediate network420may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; intermediate network420, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, intermediate network420may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

The communication system ofFIG.10as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs491,492and host computer430. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection450. Host computer430and the connected UEs491,492are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via OTT connection450, using access network411, core network414, any intermediate network420and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. OTT connection450may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which OTT connection450passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, network node412may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from host computer430to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE491. Similarly, network node412need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE491towards the host computer430.

FIG.11is a schematic diagram illustrating host computer communicating via a (radio) access network node with a UE over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments. Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, (radio) access network node and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference toFIG.11. In communication system500, host computer510comprises hardware515including communication interface516configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system500. Host computer510further comprises processing circuitry518, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, processing circuitry518may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer510further comprises software511, which is stored in or accessible by host computer510and executable by processing circuitry518. Software511includes host application512. Host application512may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE530connecting via OTT connection550terminating at UE530and host computer510. The UE530corresponds to the user equipment160ofFIG.1. In providing the service to the remote user, host application512may provide user data which is transmitted using OTT connection550.

Communication system500further includes (radio) access network node520provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware525enabling it to communicate with host computer510and with UE530. The (radio) access network node520corresponds to the network node200ofFIG.1. Hardware525may include communication interface526for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system500, as well as radio interface527for setting up and maintaining at least wireless connection570with UE530located in a coverage area (not shown inFIG.11) served by (radio) access network node520. Communication interface526may be configured to facilitate connection560to host computer510. Connection560may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown inFIG.11) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, hardware525of (radio) access network node520further includes processing circuitry528, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. (radio) access network node520further has software521stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

Communication system500further includes UE530already referred to. Its hardware535may include radio interface537configured to set up and maintain wireless connection570with a (radio) access network node serving a coverage area in which UE530is currently located. Hardware535of UE530further includes processing circuitry538, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. UE530further comprises software531, which is stored in or accessible by UE530and executable by processing circuitry538. Software531includes client application532. Client application532may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE530, with the support of host computer510. In host computer510, an executing host application512may communicate with the executing client application532via OTT connection550terminating at UE530and host computer510. In providing the service to the user, client application532may receive request data from host application512and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection550may transfer both the request data and the user data. Client application532may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

It is noted that host computer510, (radio) access network node520and UE530illustrated inFIG.11may be similar or identical to host computer430, one of network nodes412a,412b,412cand one of UEs491,492ofFIG.10, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown inFIG.11and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that ofFIG.10.

InFIG.11, OTT connection550has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between host computer510and UE530via network node520, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from UE530or from the service provider operating host computer510, or both. While OTT connection550is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network).

Wireless connection570between UE530and (radio) access network node520is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE530using OTT connection550, in which wireless connection570forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may reduce interference, due to improved classification ability of airborne UEs which can generate significant interference.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection550between host computer510and UE530, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection550may be implemented in software511and hardware515of host computer510or in software531and hardware535of UE530, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which OTT connection550passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software511,531may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of OTT connection550may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect network node520, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to (radio) access network node520. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating host computer's510measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that software511and531causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using OTT connection550while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.

The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended patent claims.