Patent ID: 12238541

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1illustrates wireless communication network100that automatically configures wireless network Centralized Unit (CU)101and multiple wireless network Distributed Units (DUs)111-114. In wireless communication network100, CU101serves user data appliances (not shown) with data services like internet-access, media-streaming, machine-control, or some other wireless networking product. The view ofFIG.1is looking down from an elevation and the geographic directions are indicated at the upper left. The number of DUs is exemplary and may vary from two DUs to several DUs.

Wireless communication network100comprises wireless network CU101, wireless network DUs111-114, and wireless access points121-125. Wireless network CU101is located in a structure like a home, office, fenced area, school, farm, or building. Wireless network DUs111-114are typically mounted externally on different sides of the structure although DUs111-114can be mounted anywhere. Wireless network APs121-125are located at various locations around the structure. The structure and the DU mounting locations are exemplary, and several different structures and mounting locations could be used.

Wireless network CU101and wireless network DU111are coupled over data communication link131. CU101and DU112are coupled over data communication link132. CU101and DU113are coupled over data communication link133. CU101and DU114are coupled over data communication link134. Data communication links131-134use Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 (Ethernet), Time Division Multiplex (TDM), Data Over Cable System Interface Specification (DOCSIS), Internet Protocol (IP), Fifth Generation New Radio (5GNR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), IEEE 802.11 (WIFI), Low-Power Wide Area Network (LP-WAN) or some other data communication protocol. Data communication links131-134may transport Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) or some other radio data interface between CU101and DUs111-114.

Wireless network DU111and wireless network Access Point (AP)121are coupled over wireless communication link141. DU111and AP122are coupled over wireless communication link142. DU111and AP125are coupled over wireless communication link143. DU112and AP121are coupled over wireless communication link144. DU112and AP122are coupled over wireless communication link145. DU112and AP123are coupled over wireless communication link146. DU113and AP123are coupled over wireless communication link147. DU113and AP124are coupled over wireless communication link148. DU114and AP124are coupled over wireless communication link149. DU114and AP125are coupled over wireless communication link140. Wireless communication links140-149use 5GNR, LTE, WIFI, LP-WAN, or some other wireless communication protocol. Wireless communication links140-149use electromagnetic frequencies in the low-band, mid-band, high-band, or some other part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Wireless network DUs111-114comprise antennas, filters, amplifiers, analog-to-digital interfaces, microprocessors, memory, software, transceivers, bus circuitry, and the like. Wireless network CU101comprises microprocessors, memory, software, transceivers, and bus circuitry, and the like. The microprocessors comprise Digital Signal Processors (DSP), Central Processing Units (CPUs), Graphical Processing Units (GPUs), Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and/or the like. The memories comprise Random Access Memory (RAM), flash circuitry, disk drives, and/or the like. The memories store software like operating systems and network applications.

Wireless network DUs111-114receive test signals from wireless network APs121-125. The test signals typically comprise wireless pilot signals from wireless network APs121-125, although other wireless signals from network APs121-125could be used. Wireless network DUs111-114process the test signals to determine radio data like radio symbols and protocol data units. Wireless network DUs111-114transfer the radio data for the test signals to wireless network CU101. Wireless network CU101processes the radio data to determine radio metrics like Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Received Signal Raw Power (RSRP), and Received Signal-to-Noise and Interference Ratio (SINR).

Wireless network CU101processes one or more of the radio metrics (RSSI, RSRP, SINR) to estimate data throughputs for combinations of DUs111-114and APs121-125. For example, CU101may host a data structure that correlates technology (5GNR, LTE, WIFI, LP-WAN), RSS, RSRP, and SINR to an estimated average bytes per second on the downlink.

In this example, the 1:1 combinations which include one DU and one AP comprise: DU111and AP121, DU111and AP122, DU111and AP125, DU112and AP121, DU112and AP122, DU112and AP123, DU113and AP123, DU113and AP124, DU114and AP124, DU114and AP125. The N:1 combinations which include multiple DUs served by the same AP comprise: DUs111-112and AP121, DUs111-112and AP122, DUs112-113and AP123, DUs113-114and AP124, DUs111/114and AP125. The 1:M combinations which include the same DU served by multiple APs comprise: DU111and APs121/122/125, DU112and APs121-123, DU113and APs123-124, DU114and APs124-125. N:M combinations include multiple DUs that are served by multiple APs.

Wireless network CU101selects and uses the best 1:1 combination if a 1:1 combination exceeds a service quality threshold. When none of the 1:1 combinations qualify, wireless network CU101selects and uses the best N:1 combination if an N:1 combination exceeds the service quality threshold. When none of the 1:1 combinations or the N:1 combinations qualify, wireless network CU101selects and uses the best 1:M combination if a 1:M combination if exceeds the service quality threshold. When none of the 1:1 combinations, N:1 combinations, 1:M combinations qualify, wireless network CU101selects and uses the best N:M combination if an N:M combination exceeds the service quality threshold. If none of these combinations qualify, then CU101selects the best combination and issues a service quality alarm.

Wireless network CU101exchanges user data with user communication devices. CU101exchanges the user data with the DU(s) in the selected combination. The DU(s) in the selected combination wirelessly exchanges the user data with the AP(s) in the selected combination. CU101may repeat the above DU configuration process on-demand, periodically, or responsive to poor data throughput.

Advantageously, CU101effectively configures itself and DUs111-114based on different DU mounting locations and baseband function distributions. Moreover, CU101efficiently configures itself and DUs111-114for at-home use or some other use based on actual radio metrics.

FIG.2illustrates the operation of wireless communication network100to automatically configure wireless network CU101and multiple wireless network DUs111-114. Wireless network DUs111-114wirelessly receive test signals from wireless network APs121-125and generate corresponding radio data like radio symbols or protocol data units (201). Wireless network CU101receives the radio data from wireless network DUs111-114(202). Based on the radio data, wireless network CU101estimates data throughputs (203) for the 1:1 combinations (DU111and AP121, DU111and AP122, DU111and AP125, DU112and AP121, DU112and AP122, DU112and AP123, DU113and AP123, DU113and AP124, DU114and AP124, DU114and AP125). Wireless network CU101compares the estimated data throughputs for the 1:1 combinations to a service quality threshold (204) to select one of the 1:1 combinations when its estimated data throughput exceeds the service quality threshold (205).

If none of the 1:1 combinations are selected (205), then wireless network CU101estimates data throughputs for the N:1 combinations (DUs111-112and AP121, DUs111-112and AP122, DUs112-113and AP123, DUs113-114and AP124, DUs111/114and AP125). Wireless network CU101compares the data throughputs for the N:1 combinations to the service quality threshold (204) to select one of the N:1 when its estimated data throughput exceeds the service quality threshold (206). If none of the N:1 combinations are selected (206), then wireless network CU101estimates data throughputs for 1:M combinations (DU111and APs121/122/125, DU112and APs121-123, DU113and APs123-124, DU114and APs124-125.) Wireless network CU101compares the data throughputs for the 1:M combinations to the service quality threshold (204) and selects one of the 1:M combinations when its estimated data throughput exceeds the service quality threshold (207). If none of the 1:M combinations are selected (207), then wireless network CU101estimates data throughputs for N:M combinations. Wireless network CU101compares the data throughputs for the N:M combinations to the service quality threshold (204) and selects one of the N:M combinations when its estimated data throughput exceeds the service quality threshold (208). In some examples, the operations for 1:M and N:M (207-208) may be combined or the 1:M operation (207) may be omitted.

If none of the combinations exceed the service quality threshold (205-208), then CU101selects the best combination and issues a service quality alarm (209). Wireless network CU101exchanges user data with the DU(s) in the selected combination (210). The wireless network DU(s) in the selected combination wirelessly exchange the user data with the wireless network AP(s) in the selected combination (211). The operation may repeat (201) on-demand, periodically, or responsive to poor data throughput.

FIG.3illustrates the operation of wireless communication network100to automatically configure wireless network CU101and multiple wireless network DUs111-114. In a first test (TEST1), DU111wirelessly receives test signals from wireless network AP121and determines corresponding radio data like radio symbols and protocol data units. DU111transfers the radio data to CU101. CU101processes the radio data to determine RSS, RSRP, and SINR. CU101processes RSS, RSRP, and SINR to estimate a corresponding data throughput based on the radio data.

In a second test (TEST2), DU111wirelessly receives test signals from wireless network AP122and determines corresponding radio data. DU111transfers the radio data to CU101, and CU101estimates a corresponding data throughput based on the radio data. In a third test (TEST3), DU111wirelessly receives test signals from wireless network AP125and determines corresponding radio data. DU111transfers the radio data to CU101, and CU101estimates a corresponding data throughput based on the radio data. In a fourth test (TEST4), DU112wirelessly receives test signals from wireless network AP121and determines corresponding radio data. DU112transfers the radio data to CU101, and CU101estimates a corresponding data throughput based on the radio data. In a fifth test (TEST5), DU112wirelessly receives test signals from wireless network AP122and determines corresponding radio data. DU112transfers the radio data to CU101, and CU101estimates a corresponding data throughput based on the radio data. In a sixth (TEST6), DU112wirelessly receives test signals from wireless network AP123and determines corresponding radio data. DU112transfers the radio data to CU101, and CU101estimates a corresponding data throughput based on the radio data. In a seventh test (TEST7), DU113wirelessly receives test signals from wireless network AP123and determines corresponding radio data. DU113transfers the radio data to CU101, and CU101estimates a corresponding data throughput based on the radio data. In an eighth test (TEST8), DU113wirelessly receives test signals from wireless network AP124and determines corresponding radio data. DU113transfers the radio data to CU101, and CU101estimates a corresponding data throughput based on the radio data. In a ninth test (TEST9), DU114wirelessly receives test signals from wireless network AP124and determines corresponding radio data. DU114transfers the radio data to CU101, and CU101estimates a corresponding data throughput based on the radio data. In a tenth test (TEST10), DU114wirelessly receives test signals from wireless network AP125and determines corresponding radio data. DU114transfers the radio data to CU101, and CU101estimates a corresponding data throughput based on the radio data.

Wireless network CU101initially estimates data throughputs for the 1:1 combinations (DU111and AP121, DU111and AP122, DU111and AP125, DU112and AP121, DU112and AP122, DU112and AP123, DU113and AP123, DU113and AP124, DU114and AP124, DU114and AP125). Wireless network CU101selects a 1:1 combination if one has adequate service quality, but in this example, no 1:1 combination is selected. Wireless network CU101then estimates data throughputs for the N:1 combinations (DUs111-112and AP121, DUs111-112and AP122, DUs112-113and AP123, DUs113-114and AP124, DUs111/114and AP125). Wireless network CU101selects an N:1 combination if one has adequate service quality, but no N:1 combination is selected in this example. Wireless network CU101then estimates throughputs for 1:M combinations (DU111and APs121/122/125, DU112and APs121-123, DU113and APs123-124, DU114and APs124-125). Wireless network CU101selects a 1:M combination if one has adequate service quality. In this example, CU101selects the 1:M combination of DU112and APs121-122because that combination had an estimated data throughput that exceeded the service quality threshold. If the 1:M combinations did not have adequate service quality, then wireless network CU101would have estimated throughputs for N:M combinations and possibly select an N:M combination if one has adequate service quality. The 1:M and N:M operations could be integrated.

Wireless network CU101responsively exchanges user data with user communication devices (not shown). Wireless network CU101exchanges the user data with selected DU112. Selected DU112wirelessly exchanges the user data with selected wireless network APs121-122. Selected wireless network APs121-122exchange the user data with other network elements (not shown) to deliver the data communication services to the user communication devices.

FIG.4illustrates wireless network CU401that automatically selects and configures wireless network DUs including DU411. CU401and DU411are examples of CU101and DUs111-114, although CU101and DUs111-114may differ. CU401comprises memory, Central Processing Units (CPU), and Transceivers (XCVR) that are coupled over bus circuitry. DU411includes 5GNR radio412which comprises antennas, amplifiers (AMPS), filters, modulation, analog-to-digital interfaces, Digital Signal Processors (DSP), and memory that are coupled over bus circuitry. DU411may have additional radios that use other technologies and/or frequency bands. The antennas in 5GNR radio412are wirelessly coupled to wireless access points over 5GNR links. The XCVR in 5GNR DU411is coupled to the XCVR in CU401over CPRI links. The XCVR in CU401is coupled to other DUs over CPRI links. The XCVR in CU401is coupled to user communication devices over user data links.

In CU401, the memory stores network applications for 5GNR CPRI, 5GNR Physical Layer (PHY), 5GNR Media Access Control (MAC), 5GNR Radio Link Control (RLC), 5GNR Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), 5GNR Radio Resource Control (RRC), 5GNR Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), Internet Protocol Router (RTR), and network architecture control (CNT). In DU411, the memory stores operating system (OS), and network applications for 5GNR DSP and 5GNR CPRI. The CPU in CU401executes the 5GNR network applications to drive the exchange of data and signaling between the user communication devices and the DUs—including DU411. In DU411, the DSP executes the DSP applications to drive the exchange of data and signaling between CU401and the wireless access points over 5GNR radio412. 5GNR Radio412wirelessly exchanges the data and signaling with the wireless access points over 5GNR links.

In 5GNR radio412, the antennas receive wireless 5GNR signals from the wireless access points that transport the Downlink (DL) 5GNR signaling and DL 5GNR data. The antennas transfer corresponding electrical DL signals through duplexers to the amplifiers. The amplifiers boost the received DL electrical signals for filters which attenuate unwanted energy. In modulation, demodulators down-convert the DL electrical signals from their carrier frequency. The analog/digital interfaces convert the analog DL signals into digital DL signals for the DSP. The DSP recovers DL 5GNR symbols from the DL digital signals. The DSP transfers the DL 5GNR symbols to the 5GNR PHY in CU401over the CPRI link.

In CU401, the CPU executes the network applications to process the DL 5GNR symbols and recover the DL 5GNR signaling and DL 5GNR data. The PHY performs channel estimation to determine radio metrics like RSSI, RSRP, and SINR. The CPU executes the 5GNR RRC to process the DL 5GNR signaling and Uplink (UL) user signaling to generate UL 5GNR signaling and DL user signaling. The 5GNR SDAP interworks between the 5GNR data and the user data on the UL and the DL. The 5GNR RRC transfers the DL user signaling over the IP router to the user communication devices. The 5GNR SDAP transfers the DL user data over the IP router to the user communication devices. The 5GNR RRC receives the UL user signaling over the IP router from the user communication devices. The 5GNR SDAP receives the UL user data over the IP router from the user communication devices.

In CU401, the CPU executes the 5GNR PDCP, RLC, MAC, and PHY to process the UL 5GNR signaling and the UL 5GNR data to generate UL 5GNR symbols. The 5GNR PHY in CU401transfers the UL 5GNR symbols to 5GNR radio412in DU411over the CPRI link. In DU411, the DSP converts the UL 5GNR symbols into corresponding UL digital signals for the analog/digital interfaces. The analog/digital interfaces convert the UL digital signals into UL analog signals for modulation. In modulation, modulators up-convert the UL analog signals to their carrier frequency. The amplifiers boost the UL analog signals for filters which attenuate unwanted energy. The antennas emit 5GNR signals that correspond to the modulated UL analog signals. The wireless 5GNR signals transport the UL 5GNR signaling and UL 5GNR data to the wireless access points.

RRC functions comprise authentication, security, handover control, status reporting, QoS, network broadcasts and pages, and network selection. SDAP functions comprise QoS marking and flow control. PDCP functions comprise LTE/5GNR allocations, security ciphering, header compression and decompression, sequence numbering and re-sequencing, de-duplication. RLC functions comprise Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), sequence numbering and resequencing, segmentation and resegmentation. MAC functions comprise buffer status, power control, channel quality, Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ), MIMO, user identification, random access, user scheduling, and QoS. PHY functions comprise MIMO, packet formation/deformation, windowing/de-windowing, guard-insertion/guard-deletion, parsing/de-parsing, control insertion/removal, interleaving/de-interleaving, Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoding/decoding, rate matching/de-matching, scrambling/descrambling, modulation mapping/de-mapping, channel estimation/equalization, Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs)/Inverse FFTs (IFFTs), channel coding/decoding, layer mapping/de-mapping, precoding, Discrete Fourier Transforms (DFTs)/Inverse DFTs (IDFTs), and Resource Element (RE) mapping/de-mapping.

The 5GNR PHY in CU401transfers RSSI, RSRP, and SINRs for the 1:1 combinations to the network architecture control application (CNT) over the 5GNR RRC. The network architecture control application in CU401estimates data throughputs for the 1:1 combinations based on the RSSI, RSRP, and SINR data. The network architecture control application may use a data structure or scoring algorithm to process the RSSI, RSRP, and SINR to estimate the data throughputs. The network architecture control application selects the best 1:1 combination if any of the 1:1 combinations exceed a service quality threshold.

When no 1:1 combinations are selected, the network architecture control application in CU401processes the RSSI, RSRP, and SINR for the N:1 combinations to estimate data throughputs for the N:1 combinations. The network architecture control application selects the best N:1 combination if any N:1 combination exceeds the service quality threshold. When no 1:1 combinations and no N:1 combinations are selected, the network architecture control application processes the RSSI, RSRP, and SINR for the 1:M combinations to estimate data throughputs for the 1:M combinations. The network control application in CU401selects one of the 1:M combinations if the 1:M combination exceeds the service quality threshold. When no 1:1, N:1, or 1:M combinations are selected, the network architecture control application processes the RSSI, RSRP, and SINR for the 1:M combinations to estimate data throughputs for the N:M combinations. The network control application in CU401selects one of the N:M combinations if the N:M combination exceeds the service quality threshold. If none of the combinations exceed the service quality threshold, then the network architecture control application selects the best combination and issues a service quality alarm.

The network architecture control application transfers the selected combination of DU(s) and AP(s) to the 5GNR RRC and the 5GNR SDAP. The 5GNR RRC and the 5GNR SDAP in CU401exchange user data and signaling with the user communication devices over the IP router. The 5GNR network applications in CU401exchange 5GNR signaling and 5GNR data with the DU(s) in the selected combination. The DU(s) in the selected combination wirelessly exchange the 5GNR signaling and 5GNR data with the wireless access point(s) in the selected combination. CU401may repeat the above network architecture configuration process on demand, periodically, or responsive to poor data throughput.

FIG.5illustrates wireless network CU501that automatically selects and configures a combination of wireless network DUs including DU511. CU501and DU511are examples of CU101and DUs111-114, although CU101and DUs111-114may differ. CU501comprises memory, CPU, and XCVR that are coupled over bus circuitry. DU511includes 5GNR radio512which comprises antennas, amplifiers, filters, modulation, analog-to-digital interfaces, DSP, and memory that are coupled over bus circuitry. DU511may have additional radios that use additional frequency bands and technologies. The antennas in 5GNR radio512are wirelessly coupled to wireless access points over 5GNR links. The XCVR in 5GNR DU511is coupled to the XCVR in CU501over 5GNR PDU links. The XCVR in CU501is coupled to other DUs over 5GNR PDU links. The XCVR in CU501is coupled to user communication devices over user data links.

In CU501, the memory stores network applications for 5GNR CPRI, 5GNR PDCP, 5GNR RRC, 5GNR SDAP, IP router, and network architecture control (CNT). In DU511, the memory stores operating system, and network applications for 5GNR DSP, 5GNR CPRI, 5GNR PHY, 5GNR MAC, and 5GNR RLC. The CPU in CU501executes the network applications to drive the exchange of user data and signaling with the user communication devices and to drive the exchange of 5GNR PDUs with the DUs—including DU511. In DU511, the CPU executes the network applications to drive the exchange of 5GNR PDUs with CU501and to drive the exchange of 5GNR symbols with the DSP. In 5GNR radio512, the DSP executes the DSP applications to drive the exchange of 5GNR symbols with 5GNR radio512. 5GNR radio512wirelessly exchanges the 5GNR data and 5GNR signaling with the wireless access points over 5GNR links.

In 5GNR radio512, the antennas receive wireless 5GNR signals from the wireless access points that transport the Downlink (DL) 5GNR signaling and DL 5GNR data. The antennas transfer corresponding electrical DL signals through duplexers to the amplifiers. The amplifiers boost the received DL electrical signals for filters which attenuate unwanted energy. In modulation, demodulators down-convert the DL electrical signals from their carrier frequency. The analog/digital interfaces convert the analog DL signals into digital DL signals for the DSP. The DSP recovers DL 5GNR symbols from the DL digital signals. The DSP transfers the DL 5GNR symbols to the 5GNR PHY in DU511over the bus circuitry.

In DU511, the CPU executes the network applications (5GNR PHY, MAC, RLC) to process the DL 5GNR symbols and recover the DL 5GNR signaling and DL 5GNR data. The PHY performs channel estimation to determine radio metrics like RSSI, RSRP, and SINR. The 5GNR RLC transfers PDUs that carry the DL 5GNR data and the DL 5GNR signaling to the 5GNR PDCP in CU501.

In CU501, the CPU executes the 5GNR RRC to process the DL 5GNR signaling and Uplink (UL) user signaling to generate UL 5GNR signaling and DL user signaling. The 5GNR SDAP interworks between the 5GNR data and the user data on the UL and the DL. The 5GNR RRC transfers the DL user signaling over the IP router to the user communication devices. The 5GNR SDAP transfers the DL user data over the IP router to the user communication devices. The 5GNR RRC receives the UL user signaling over the IP router from the user communication devices. The 5GNR SDAP receives the UL user data over the IP router from the user communication devices. The 5GNR PDCP in CU501transfers PDUs that transport the UL 5GNR data and UL 5GNR signaling to the 5GNR RLC in DU512.

In DU512, the CPU executes the 5GNR network applications (RLC, MAC, and PHY) to process the UL 5GNR signaling and the UL 5GNR data to generate UL 5GNR symbols. The 5GNR PHY in DU511transfers the UL 5GNR symbols to 5GNR radio512. In DU511, the DSP converts the UL 5GNR symbols into corresponding UL digital signals for the analog/digital interfaces. The analog/digital interfaces convert the UL digital signals into UL analog signals for modulation. In modulation, modulators up-convert the UL analog signals to their carrier frequency. The amplifiers boost the UL analog signals for filters which attenuate unwanted energy. The antennas emit 5GNR signals that correspond to the modulated UL analog signals. The wireless 5GNR signals transport the UL 5GNR signaling and UL 5GNR data to the wireless access points.

The 5GNR PHY in DU511transfers the RSSI, RSRP, and SINRs for the 1:1 combinations to the network architecture control application (CNT) over the PDUs and 5GNR RRC. The network architecture control application in CU501estimates data throughputs for the 1:1 combinations based on the RSSI, RSRP, and SINR data. The network architecture control application may use a data structure or scoring algorithm to process the RSS, RSRP, and SINR to estimate the data throughputs. The network architecture control application selects the best 1:1 combination if any of the 1:1 combinations exceed the service quality threshold.

When no 1:1 combinations are selected, the network architecture control application in CU401processes the RSSI, RSRP, and SINR for the N:1 combinations to estimate data throughputs for the N:1 combinations. The network architecture control application selects the best N:1 combination if any N:1 combination exceeds the service quality threshold. When no 1:1 combinations and no N:1 combinations are selected, the network architecture control application processes the RSSI, RSRP, and SINR for the 1:M combinations to estimate data throughputs for the 1:M combinations. The network control application in CU401selects one of the 1:M combinations if the 1:M combination exceeds the service quality threshold. When no 1:1, N:1, or 1:M combinations are selected, the network architecture control application processes the RSSI, RSRP, and SINR for the 1:M combinations to estimate data throughputs for the N:M combinations. The network control application in CU401selects one of the N:M combinations if the N:M combination exceeds the service quality threshold. If none of the combinations exceed the service quality threshold, then the network architecture control application selects the best combination and issues a service quality alarm.

The network architecture control application transfers the selected combination of DU(s) and AP(s) to the 5GNR RRC and the 5GNR SDAP. The 5GNR RRC and the 5GNR SDAP in CU401exchange user data and signaling with the user communication devices over the IP router. The 5GNR network applications in CU501exchange 5GNR signaling and 5GNR data with the DU(s) in the selected combination—including DU511. The DU(s) in the selected combination wirelessly exchange the 5GNR signaling and 5GNR data with the wireless access point(s) in the selected combination. CU501may repeat the above network architecture configuration process on demand, periodically, or responsive to poor data throughput.

FIG.6illustrates wireless network CU601that automatically selects and configures a combination of wireless network DUs including DU611. CU601and DU611are examples of CU101and DUs111-114, although CU101and DUs111-114may differ. CU601comprises memory, CPU, and XCVR that are coupled over bus circuitry. DU611includes 5GNR radio612which comprises antennas, amplifiers, filters, modulation, analog-to-digital interfaces, DSP, and memory that are coupled over bus circuitry. DU611may have additional radios that use additional frequency bands and technologies. The antennas in 5GNR radio612are wirelessly coupled to wireless access points over 5GNR links. The XCVR in 5GNR radio612is coupled to the XCVR in CU601over 5GNR PDU links. The XCVR in CU601is coupled to other DUs over 5GNR PDU links. The XCVR in CU601is coupled to user communication devices over user data links.

In CU501, the memory stores network applications for 5GNR CPRI, IP router, and network architecture control (CNT). In DU511, the memory stores operating system, and network applications for 5GNR DSP, 5GNR CPRI, 5GNR PHY, 5GNR MAC, 5GNR RLC, 5GNR PDCP, 5GNR RRC, and 5GNR SDAP. The CPU in CU501executes the network applications (IP router and CPRI) to drive the exchange of user data and signaling between the user communication devices and the DUs—including DU511. In DU511, the CPU executes the 5GNR network applications (RRC, SDAP, PDCP, RLC, MAC, PHY) to drive the exchange of user data and signaling with the IP router in CU601and to drive the exchange of 5GNR symbols that represent 5GNR data and 5GNR signaling with 5GNR radio612. In DU611, the 5GNR DSP executes the DSP applications to drive the exchange of 5GNR symbols between the 5GNR PHY and 5GNR radio612. 5GNR radio612wirelessly exchanges the 5GNR data and 5GNR signaling with the wireless access points over 5GNR links.

In 5GNR radio612, the antennas receive wireless 5GNR signals from the wireless access points that transport the DL 5GNR signaling and DL 5GNR data. The antennas transfer corresponding electrical DL signals through duplexers to the amplifiers. The amplifiers boost the received DL electrical signals for filters which attenuate unwanted energy. In modulation, demodulators down-convert the DL electrical signals from their carrier frequency. The analog/digital interfaces convert the analog DL signals into digital DL signals for the DSP. The DSP recovers DL 5GNR symbols from the DL digital signals. The DSP transfers the DL 5GNR symbols to the 5GNR PHY in DU611over the bus circuitry. In DU611, the CPU executes the network applications (5GNR PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC, SDAP) to process the DL 5GNR symbols and recover the DL user signaling and DL user data. The PHY performs channel estimation to determine radio metrics like RSSI, RSRP, and SINR.

In DU611, the CPU executes the 5GNR RRC to process the DL 5GNR signaling and UL user signaling to generate UL 5GNR signaling and DL user signaling. The 5GNR SDAP interworks between the 5GNR data and the user data on the UL and the DL. The 5GNR RRC in DU611transfers the DL user signaling to the user communication devices over the IP router in CU601. The 5GNR SDAP in DU611transfers the DL user data to the user communication devices over the IP router in CU601. The 5GNR RRC in DU611receives the UL user signaling from the user communication devices over the IP router in CU601. The 5GNR SDAP in DU611receives the UL user data from the user communication devices over the IP router in CU601.

In DU611, the CPU executes the 5GNR network applications (RRC, SDAP, PDCP, RLC, MAC, and PHY) to process the UL user signaling and the UL user data to generate UL 5GNR symbols. The 5GNR PHY in DU611transfers the UL 5GNR symbols to 5GNR radio612. In DU611, the DSP converts the UL 5GNR symbols into corresponding UL digital signals for the analog/digital interfaces. The analog/digital interfaces convert the UL digital signals into UL analog signals for modulation. In modulation, modulators up-convert the UL analog signals to their carrier frequency. The amplifiers boost the UL analog signals for filters which attenuate unwanted energy. The antennas emit 5GNR signals that correspond to the modulated UL analog signals. The wireless 5GNR signals transport the UL 5GNR signaling and UL 5GNR data to the wireless access points.

The 5GNR PHY in DU611transfers the RSSI, RSRP, and SINRs for the 1:1 combinations to the network architecture control application (CNT) over the 5GNR RRC. The network architecture control application in CU601estimates data throughputs for the 1:1 combinations based on the RSSI, RSRP, and SINR data. The network architecture control application may use a data structure or scoring algorithm to process the RSSI, RSRP, and SINR to estimate the data throughputs. The network architecture control application selects the best 1:1 combination if any of the 1:1 combinations exceed the service quality threshold.

When no 1:1 combinations are selected, the network architecture control application processes the RSS, RSRP, and SINR for the 1:M combinations to estimate data throughputs for the 1:M combinations. The network control application in CU601selects one of the 1:M combinations if the 1:M combination exceeds the service quality threshold. If none of the 1:1 or 1:M combinations exceed the service quality threshold, then the network architecture control application selects the best combination and issues a service quality alarm.

The network architecture control application in CU601transfers the selected combination of DU(s) and AP(s) to the 5GNR RRC and the 5GNR SDAP in the selected DUs including DU611. The 5GNR RRC and the 5GNR SDAP in DU611exchange user data and signaling with the user communication devices over the IP router in CU601. The DU(s) in the selected combination wirelessly exchange the 5GNR signaling and 5GNR data with the wireless access point(s) in the selected combination. CU601may repeat the network architecture configuration process on demand, periodically, or responsive to poor data throughput.

FIG.7illustrates wireless network AP721that serves wireless network DUs. Wireless access point721is an example of wireless access points121-125, although access points121-125may differ. Wireless access point721comprises radio722, Distributed Unit (DU)723, and Centralized Unit (CU)724. Radio722comprises antennas, amplifiers, filters, modulation, analog-to-digital interfaces, DSP, and memory that are coupled over bus circuitry. DU723comprises memory, CPU, and XCVR that are coupled over bus circuitry. CU724comprises memory, CPU, and XCVR that are coupled over bus circuitry. The DUs are wirelessly coupled to the antennas in radio722. The XCVR in radio722is coupled to the XCVR in DU723over CPRI links. The XCVR in DU723is coupled to the XCVR in CU724over fronthaul links. The XCVR in CU724is coupled to packet gateways and network controllers over backhaul links.

In DU723, the memory stores operating system, virtual layer (VL), and several network applications like PHY, MAC, RLC, and CPRI. In CU724, the memory stores an operating system, virtual layer, and several network applications like PDCP, RRC, and SDAP. The virtual layers comprise hypervisors, virtual switches, virtual CPUs, virtual memory and/or the like. The CPU in CU724executes the network applications to drive the exchange of user data and network signaling between the network elements and DU723. The CPU in DU723executes the network applications to drive the exchange of user data and network signaling between CU724and radio722. Radio722exchanges user data and network signaling with the DUs.

In radio722, the antennas receive wireless signals from the DUs that transport the UL signaling and data. The antennas transfer corresponding electrical UL signals through duplexers to the amplifiers. The amplifiers boost the received UL signals for filters which attenuate unwanted energy. In modulation, demodulators down-convert the UL signals from their carrier frequency. The analog/digital interfaces convert the analog UL signals into digital UL signals for the DSPs. The DSPs recover UL symbols from the UL digital signals. In DU723and CU724, the CPUs execute the network applications to process the UL symbols and recover the UL signaling and data. In CU724, the CPU executes the RRC to generate corresponding UL signaling and DL signaling. CU724transfers the UL signaling to a network controller over the backhaul links. CU724transfers the UL data to a data gateway over the backhaul links.

In CU724, the XCVR receives DL signaling from the network controller and DL data from the data gateway. In CU724and DU723, the CPUs execute the network applications to generate corresponding DL signaling and data. In CU724and DU723, the CPUs execute the network applications to process the DL signaling and data to generate DL symbols that carry the DL signaling and data. In radio722, the DSP processes the DL symbols to generate corresponding digital signals for the analog-to-digital interfaces. The analog-to-digital interfaces convert the digital DL signals into analog DL signals for modulation. Modulation up-converts the DL signals to their carrier frequency. The amplifiers boost the modulated DL signals for the filters which attenuate unwanted out-of-band energy. The filters transfer the filtered DL signals through duplexers to the antennas. The electrical DL signals drive the antennas to emit corresponding wireless signals that transport the DL signaling and data to the DUs.

The wireless data network circuitry described above comprises computer hardware and software that form special-purpose network circuitry to automatically configure a wireless network CU and multiple wireless network DUs. The computer hardware comprises processing circuitry like CPUs, DSPs, GPUs, transceivers, bus circuitry, and memory. To form these computer hardware structures, semiconductors like silicon or germanium are positively and negatively doped to form transistors. The doping comprises ions like boron or phosphorus that are embedded within the semiconductor material. The transistors and other electronic structures like capacitors and resistors are arranged and metallically connected within the semiconductor to form devices like logic circuitry and storage registers. The logic circuitry and storage registers are arranged to form larger structures like control units, logic units, and Random-Access Memory (RAM). In turn, the control units, logic units, and RAM are metallically connected to form CPUs, DSPs, GPUs, transceivers, bus circuitry, and memory.

In the computer hardware, the control units drive data between the RAM and the logic units, and the logic units operate on the data. The control units also drive interactions with external memory like flash drives, disk drives, and the like. The computer hardware executes machine-level software to control and move data by driving machine-level inputs like voltages and currents to the control units, logic units, and RAM. The machine-level software is typically compiled from higher-level software programs. The higher-level software programs comprise operating systems, utilities, user applications, and the like. Both the higher-level software programs and their compiled machine-level software are stored in memory and retrieved for compilation and execution. On power-up, the computer hardware automatically executes physically-embedded machine-level software that drives the compilation and execution of the other computer software components which then assert control. Due to this automated execution, the presence of the higher-level software in memory physically changes the structure of the computer hardware machines into special-purpose network circuitry to automatically configure a wireless network CU and multiple wireless network DUs.

The above description and associated figures teach the best mode of the invention. The following claims specify the scope of the invention. Note that some aspects of the best mode may not fall within the scope of the invention as specified by the claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described above can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. Thus, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents.