Patent ID: 12206604

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The example embodiments provide solutions for identification of BS-to-BS CLI via related measurements and coordination procedures. Secondly, the example embodiments also comprise means for coordinated adjacent carrier network sensing to enable efficient TDD coexistence on possible scenarios where dynamic TDD may be allowed without causing inter-operator coexistence problems. The example embodiments also comprise IAB (Integrated access and backhaul) nodes where interference between IAB nodes and gNB, and IAB interference can be addressed.

In the following example embodiments, the following concept and set of procedures for coordinated inter-BS measurement procedures are introduced. For the case with the CU-DU (i.e. centralized unit—distributed unit) network architecture, the following principles are introduced in an example embodiment of the invention:1. The centralized unit (CU) is the master and has the global overview of traffic intensity in the network, and acts as kind of master for the distributed units (DUs).2. The CU could orchestrate co-channel DU-to-DU measurements, and also DU adjacent channel sensing for the purpose of TDD RF coexistence.3. The CU may configure DUs with new transmit sounding signal transmission objects and new cross-link measurement objects. These are realized via new F1(interface) procedures, comprising new attributes (also known as information elements).4. The CU is thereby able to orchestrate co-channel transmit/receive coordination for its DUs, such that e.g. only one DU transmits at a time, while others are measuring on the transmitted sounding signal. This creates framework for coordination of interference-free measurements.5. The co-channel DU-to-DU measurements are used to estimate path loss between DUs, and also for estimating the complex channel matrix between the DUs. The co-channel DU-to-DU measurements may comprise also beam-domain measurements. Measurement results are reported back from the DUs to the CU.6. For cases where DUs are using beamforming (say e.g. GoB (i.e. Grid-of-Beams) for FR2frequency band (i.e. 24.25 GHz . . . 52.6 GHz)), the CU may instruct the DUs with certain transmit patterns for different beams, as well as instruct DUs to measure on multiple beams.7. In the simplest form, DUs that are transmitting a sounding signal, for other DUs to measure on, it could be the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). In another example embodiment, the CU may instruct the transmitting DUs to transmit a known data packet (i.e. Transport block with known data, on certain Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) with known Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) of e.g. QPSK1/6). This would improve the estimation accuracy as it would correspond to transmitting “known pilots” on all resources.8. For the purpose of TDD RF coexistence, the CU may also instruct DUs to perform adjacent channel measurements, or measurements of induced interference from adjacent carriers, to sense if there is critical adjacent channel operation that should be taken into account. This is enabled through new definition of DU Adjacent Carrier Measurement Objects (i.e. new F1 signaling procedure with new Information Elements).9. For the case of IAB, the CU will via the DU schedule both the transmission object as well as the measurement object. This will be configured via the extended F1 interface.

For the above principles to come true, a new set of distinct F1 procedures must be defined. More details related to such F1 procedures are described in the following section disclosing these example embodiments.

In an example embodiment, efficient centralized orchestration of base station cross-link radio measurements for efficient TDD co-channel and adjacent channel operation are obtained by means of the following six features:1) F1 signaling procedures for configuring DUs with co-channel new sounding signal cross-link transmission objects (and related parameters/behaviors).2) F1 signaling procedures for configuring DUs with new cross-link measurement objects (and related parameters/behaviors).3) Related parameters/behaviors comprise time-frequency-beam-specific transmission and measurement patterns, and reporting conditions.4) It is noted that features 1-3 above enable the CU to coordinate the behavior of the involved DUs to perform interference-free co-channel cross-link measurements.5) Orchestration of NW-based adjacent channel sensing for ensuring good inter-operator co-existence so the CU can control the DUs to avoid TDD RF coexistence problems.6) Centralized orchestration of NW-based adjacent channel sensing of IAB nodes (via the DUs) using the extended F1 interface (a.k.a. the F1* interface).

In an example embodiment, the method may be implemented as follows: The CU sends a message over the F1 interface to instruct the DU to perform a sounding signal transmission(s) for other DUs to measure, as well as when other DU(s) shall measure on such sounding signals. The CU-to-DU signalling may be introduced as a new procedure, or a set of procedures, for the F1 interface, comprising multiple information elements (IEs).

The part of the procedure that instructs the DU to transmit a sounding signal for other DUs to measure may comprise the following IEs (i.e. new DU co-channel transmission objects to enable cross-link measurements):Timing of when the DU shall transmit the sounding signal:I. This may be expressed in terms of system frame number, over which slots and/or symbols it should be transmitted.II. The timing information might be expressed as a vector with multiple time occasions where the sounding signal shall be transmitted.Type of sounding signal and transmission resources:I. As a non-limiting example embodiment, the sounding signal may simply be the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS). It may be transmitted over a part of the carrier bandwidth, or on the full carrier bandwidth.II. In another example embodiment, the CU may configure the DU to transmit a known transport block over a certain set of PRBs (i.e. including both Demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) and Data symbols). This may be denoted as a “super sounding signal” where a richer deterministic signal is transmitted over many more resource elements as compared to the sparser CSI-RS. The advantage of this option is improved opportunities for the receiving DUs to perform more accurate measurements and/or channel estimation.Optional transmit beamforming sounding signal configuration:I. If the DU is equipped with beamforming capabilities, configuration of the DU's sounding signal transmission may also comprise beamforming specifics.II. This may e.g. comprise configuration of the DU to transmit different sounding signals on multiple beams in parallel, or in a time-swept manner. With this option, the DUs which receive the sounding signals will be able to estimate the channel from different transmit beams of the other DUs.

The following information elements for instructing the DUs, when they shall measure on the transmitted sounding signals from other DUs, may comprise the following (i.e. new DU co-channel transmission objects to enable cross-link measurements) in an example embodiment:Timing of when a DU shall measure on sounding signal(s) by other DU(s):I. This may be expressed in terms of system frame number, over which slots and/or symbols it should measure.II. The timing information might be expressed as a vector with multiple time occasions where the DU shall measure on sounding signals from different DUs.Type of sounding signal and resources it shall measure on:I. The DU shall be informed which sounding signal it shall measure on. This comprises informing the DU on which resource elements the sounding signal is transmitted in the slots where it occurs.II. In cases where the DU(s), transmitting the sounding signal(s), adopt beamforming, the DU that shall measure should also be informed of the transmit beamforming configuration of the sounding signal (see above).Type of measurement and reporting:I. The CU instructs which type of measurement and reporting the DU shall perform. This may be enumerated e.g. as “Path-loss measurement” or “Complex channel measurement”. Other options are also possible.II. Finally, the DU, performing the measurement(s) on the sounding signal(s), shall be instructed about how to report the measurement result back to the CU. This may be enumerated e.g. as “report immediately after each measurement” or “report at certain parameterized time instances”.III. In another example embodiment, the CU may also instruct the DU performing the measurement(s) to perform certain local filtering of the measurements before reporting it back to the CU. The filtering of the sounding signal measurements may e.g. be expressed as a filtering factor in an IIR filter, or a time averaging of a FIR filter (moving average).IV. In yet another example embodiment, the CU may also configure the DU with an event-based reporting criterion for sending the result of the sounding signal measurement back to the CU. As a non-limiting example embodiment, such an event may e.g. be defined as reporting the result of the measurement only if it is above a certain threshold, where the DU-to-DU CLI starts to become relevant.

The above-mentioned configuration of the DUs sounding signal measurement may be denoted as a DU-to-DU measurement object configuration in this example embodiment. It essentially corresponds to the orchestration of channel sensing between the DUs.FIG.2summarizes the attributes (i.e. Information Elements) of the new DU transmission and measurement objects to enable coordinated cross-link radio measurements.

FIG.2illustrates a high-level overview of attributes (i.e. Information Elements) for the proposed DU sounding transmission object and DU measurement object to enable coordinated cross-link radio measurements in an example embodiment. In other words, the DU sounding transmission object attributes201may comprise the following:Timing of when the DU shall transmit the sounding signalType of sounding signal and frequency-domain transmission resourcesTransmit beamforming sounding signal configuration

Furthermore, the DU measurement object attributes202may comprise the following:Timing of when a DU shall measure on sounding signal(s) by other DU(s)Type of sounding signal and resources it shall measure on, comprising beamsType of measurement and reporting configuration

FIG.3shows a signalling flow diagram of the proposed F1 signalling messages between the CU301and its underlying DUs302,303in an example embodiment. First, the DUs302,303are configured304,305with their sounding signal transmission parameters, as well as when to measure on sounding signals from other DUs. DU #1302transmits306a sounding signal via an air interface308, and DU #2303measures307the sounding signal. Similarly, DU #2303transmits311a sounding signal via an air interface312, and DU #1302measures310the sounding signal. Afterwards, the results307,310of the DU-to-DU CLI measurement are reported309,313back to the CU301. Although the example embodiment inFIG.3is for two DUs302,303only, the proposed solution scales to scenarios, where each CU hosts many more DUs. Also notice that the sounding signalling transmissions306,311and measurements307,310may be configured to happen periodically, and hence not only once per configuration as illustrated inFIG.3.

FIG.4illustrates an example embodiment of how the CU may configure DU #1and DU #2to transmit (and measure) the sounding signals, shown as locating in a time-frequency resource grid. In this particular example embodiment, the sounding signals can be called cross-link sounding signals. In this particular example embodiment, DU #1is first transmitting401-404its sounding signals, using frequency domain multiplexing transmission on different beams, and some time later DU #2is transmitting406-409its sounding signals for DU #1to measure. In other words, distributed unit #1transmits the sounding signals concerning the different beams within a certain time slot but in different frequencies. In more detail, at first DU #1transmits the sounding signal401concerning beam #1in a predetermined frequency range which is illustrated by the exemplary four frequency slots each marked with a single dot inFIG.4. At the same time slot, DU #1transmits the sounding signal402concerning beam #2in a predetermined frequency range which is illustrated by the exemplary four frequency slots each marked with double dots inFIG.4. Correspondingly at the same time slot, DU #1transmits the sounding signal403concerning beam #3in a predetermined frequency range which is illustrated by the exemplary four frequency slots each marked with treble dots inFIG.4. Furthermore, at the same time slot, DU #1transmits the sounding signal404concerning beam #4in a predetermined frequency range which is illustrated by the exemplary four frequency slots each marked with four dots inFIG.4. At the start of the transmitting time slot (i.e. time range), other DUs can measure on sounding signals from DU #1, marked as note405inFIG.4. In this particular example embodiment, other DU means DU #2.

Correspondingly, at a later time instant, in this example embodiment sixteen slot lengths later, the other distributed unit #2in turn transmits the sounding signal406concerning beam #1within the frequency range which can be the same as for the sounding signal transmitted from the1st distributed unit for beam #1. This frequency range i.e. used four slots are marked with a single dot in the right-hand part ofFIG.4. Similarly, as described for the1st DU as a transmitter, the sounding signals transmitted from the DU #2for2nd,3rd and4th beams are marked as Tx signals407,408and409, respectively. Also in a similar principle as in the above, the other DUs (here: DU #1) can start measuring the sounding signals from DU #2starting in the beginning of the time slot, marked as note410inFIG.4.

The illustrated grid structure, numbers of slots, and also the number of DUs are just exemplary values, and the example embodiments may comprise many other possibilities and numbers in the sounding signal allocation in the time-frequency grid.

Another example embodiment is illustrated inFIG.5, showing how the CU may configure DU #1and DU #2to transmit (and measure) the (cross-link) sounding signals in a time-frequency resource grid. In this particular example embodiment, DU #1is first transmitting its sounding signals, using time-domain swept transmissions on different beams, and some time later DU #2is transmitting its sounding signals for DU #1to measure in a similar manner. In other words, the sounding signals from DU #1concerning different beams are transmitted consecutively in time, along all reserved frequencies. This is marked as “a first column” representing the transmitted sounding signal501for beam #1, from DU #1. Respectively, the next sounding signals502,503,504are transmitted consecutively for beams #2,3, and4. The dot style marking is similar toFIG.4. The measurement by DU #2may start at the beginning of the first transmission time slot, marked as505. Similarly, the transmitted sounding signals from DU #2are marked as506,507,508and509, as adjacent columns in the time-frequency grid. Similarly, as for the DU #1above, the next sounding signal transmission will start substantially instantly after the previous sounding signal transmission (i.e. the respective time slot) ends. DU #1can start measuring the sounding signals transmitted from DU #2at the start of the time slot marked in510. In this example embodiment, the time difference between the first sounding signal by DU #1and the first sounding signal by DU #2is the length of sixteen time slots, but this is merely an example.

FIG.6illustrates an example embodiment of a signalling flow diagram for Integrated Access and Backhaul (i.e. IAB). This represents an extended version of the one already discussed inFIG.3and the example embodiment according toFIG.6also comprises an extended F1 interface, which was briefly introduced earlier.

In the case when IAB nodes are scheduled to transmit or measure, the signalling will comprise the transmit and measurement object over the air (i.e. OTA). The procedure is shown in the example ofFIG.6. The CU601will configure the DUs602,604for the transmission objects and those will be relayed over the air using the extended F1 interface to the IAB node. The other DUs will be configured via the F1interface to measure the sounding signals and the other IAB nodes will configure via the extended F1 interface with measurement objects. In principle, the configuration of the IAB nodes works in a similar way to the DUs, except the configuration is done using the extended F1 interface over the air via the feeding DU.

In more detail, the CU601will first configure the sounding signal transmission and measurement of such signals from other DUs, via the F1 interface to DU #1602. The DU #1602will provide a relay message over the air via the extended F1 interface to IAB #1603. The CU601will then configure the sounding signal transmission and measurement of such signals from other DUs, via the F1 interface to DU #2604. The DU #2604will provide a relay message over the air via the extended F1 interface to IAB #2605. Next, IAB #1603is the transmitting entity, and it transmits the sounding signal607through an air interface. The other three entities are measuring entities which means that DU #1602, DU #2604and IAB #2605all measure the transmitted sounding signal (steps606,608and609, respectively). After these measurements are completed, DU #1602reports the IAB & DU cross-link interference measurements to the CU601via the F1 interface. Correspondingly, DU #2604reports the IAB & DU cross-link interference measurements to the CU601via the F1 interface. Thereafter, IAB #2605reports the IAB & DU cross-link interference measurements to the CU601via the extended F1 interface.

After that, another measurement round commences so that the CU601will first configure the sounding signal transmission and measurement of such signals from other DUs, via the F1 interface to DU #2604. The DU #2604will provide a relay message over the air via the extended F1 interface to IAB #2605. Thereafter, the CU601will configure the sounding signal transmission and measurement of such signals from other DUs, via the F1 interface to DU #1602. The DU #1602will provide a relay message over the air via the extended F1 interface to IAB #1603. Now the IAB #2605is the transmitting entity meaning that IAB #2605transmits the sounding signal613through an air interface. The other three entities are measuring entities which means that DU #1602, IAB #1603and DU #2604all measure the transmitted sounding signal (steps610,611and612, respectively). After these measurements are completed, DU #1602reports the IAB & DU cross-link interference measurements to the CU601via the F1 interface. Correspondingly, DU #2604reports the IAB & DU cross-link interference measurements to the CU601via the F1 interface. Thereafter, IAB #1603reports the IAB & DU cross-link interference measurements to the CU601via the extended F1 interface. This completes the exemplary process diagram according toFIG.6.

A complementary representation of an example embodiment is illustrated in the following two figures, i.e. in FIG:s7and8.FIG.7shows, how the procedure works from a distributed unit (DU) point of view, in an example embodiment.FIG.8shows, how the procedure works from a centralized unit (CU) point of view, in an example embodiment. Herein, the CU first configures the DUs with sounding signal transmission objects and the corresponding measurement objects for the DU-to-DU cross-link measurements, and concerning also the reporting back to the CU. These phases are steps701and801, respectively for a DU and a CU. The DU(s) perform(s) the DU-2-DU CLI measurements in line with the measurement object configuration, corresponding to steps702and802, respectively for the DU side and the CU side. In the DU side, if the measurement object comprises reporting of the DU-2-DU CLI measurement (i.e. results) after each performed measurement, the DU reports the results to the CU accordingly703. On the other hand, if configured with event-based reporting, the DU shall evaluate the DU measurement as compared to the configured event, and report when fulfilled704. Once the CU receives the results of the measurements802, it accordingly acts on those measurements803. If the DU-to-DU CLI measurements e.g. indicate that no CLI problems between a certain set of DUs have occurred, the CU identifies that it can safely let those DUs use different radio frame configurations. On the other hand, if some of the DU-to-DU CLI measurements indicate CLI problems, the CU may take corrective actions804to adjust the radio frame configuration (i.e. to send a new radio frame configuration) of those DUs such that their radio frame configurations are aligned to avoid such cross-link interference. The flow charts according to FIG:s7and8represent certain example embodiments of the procedure, but also other procedural steps are possible within the example embodiments. In other words, FIG:s7-8are not meant as restrictive, exclusive embodiments on the discussed procedures.

While the disclosure so far has focused on describing the possible implementation for the coordinated cross-link co-channel measurements, we next describe an implementation related to the proposed TDD RF coexistence sensing according to an example embodiment, where the CU instructs DUs to perform adjacent channel measurements, or measurements of induced interference from adjacent carriers, to sense if there is a critical adjacent channel operator that should be taken into account. As already mentioned, this is enabled by introducing a new DU Adjacent Carrier Measurement Object (i.e. new F1 signaling procedure with new Information Elements) according to an example embodiment. The CU would basically instruct the DUs to temporary stop serving traffic in their cells for a short time period, and during that time period perform measurements to sense potential interference and/or the presence of one or more adjacent carrier operator(s). The attributes of the new DU Adjacent Carrier Measurement Object may comprise the following two characteristics:Time period when the measurement shall be conducted. It may be as short as one slot, or spanning over multiple slots, radio frame configurations, etc.Type of measurement: This may be enumerated as (examples only):I. Measuring total received interference on the DU's currently used carrier (i.e. interference leaking from adjacent carriers).II. Detecting the potential presence of 3GPP systems operation on adjacent carriers, as well as their received power level by the DU. This is essentially an inter-frequency measurement conducted by the DU, where it e.g. searches for Synchronization Signals from LTE or NR systems on adjacent carriers.III. Measuring the received power level on an adjacent carrier of sounding signaling transmitted by another DU (as per earlier definitions of DU sounding signal transmission object).IV. Beamformed measurements: The DU may be instructed by the CU to perform the measurements in I-Ill separately per beam (e.g. relevant for FR2frequency band (i.e. 24.25 GHz . . . 52.6 GHz) with Grid-of-Beams), such that the CU essentially gets information about the space-domain adjacent carrier interference situation.

In an example embodiment, the reporting type can be simple reporting of measurements back to the CU after each conducted measurement, or event-based to e.g. only report measurements as per the “Adjacent Carrier Measurement Object”, whenever relevant adjacent carrier interference/system operation is detected that needs to be taken into account. Thus, for such event-based reporting options, also thresholds or other conditions for the event reporting to happen shall be embedded in the “Adjacent Carrier Measurement Object” in such an example embodiment.

FIG.9illustrates the above adjacent carrier sensing for TDD RF coexistence purposes. Slots901represent the used carrier frequencies in the time-frequency resource grid (i.e. the lower slot area with diagonal lines), while slots902represent adjacent carrier frequencies in that same grid (i.e. the upper slot area with diagonal lines in other direction). There is a small mutual frequency gap (with one slot length in this example) between the two carrier frequency ranges901,902but the length of the frequency gap is not that relevant in view of the example embodiments. The seven exemplary slots marked with note903in the used carrier frequency mean that the DU in the used carrier901measures received power and/or signals from adjacent carriers902when that measuring DU is not having any downlink and uplink transmissions. In other words, the DU in the used carrier901is “free” to measure the inter-carrier (i.e. inter-frequency) signals or power (i.e. the interference emerging from an adjacent carrier902). The note904for the seven exemplary slots a bit later in time means that one or more DUs are transmitting a known sounding signal, while one or more other DUs are measuring the sounding signal power on the adjacent carrier902. This same thing can be seen in note905, which in other words means that some DUs perform inter-frequency measurements on sounding signals transmitted from other DUs on their used carrier901. In other words, the adjacent carrier interference is measured through dual-direction measurements between the used carrier901and the adjacent carrier902, revealing inter-carrier interference or more practically, other operating systems (i.e. operators) in the other carrier frequency. This information is obtained in this practical embodiment among the example embodiments, visualized inFIG.9.

FIG.10further illustrates the procedures related to adjacent channel measurements/sensing for the purpose of TDD RF coexistence, in an example embodiment. As shown there, the CU first organizes and commands the DU to perform the needed measurements via configuration of the “Adjacent Carrier Measurement Object”. In other words, the CU configures its DUs to perform Coordinated Adjacent channel related measurements/detection of neighbor operators1001. The DU thereafter performs the adjacent carrier measurements/sensing accordingly, and the results of those measurements are fed back (i.e. reported) to the CU1002. The CU evaluates those measurement results, and if critical adjacent channel interference (e.g. from an operator using the adjacent carrier) occurs, then the CU instructs the DUs to use a default static TDD switching pattern (i.e. radio frame configuration) that is aligned with that operator, and typically dictated by the local spectrum authorities. In other words, the CU acts on the DU adjacent carrier measurement/sensing of coexisting operator1003. On the contrary, if no critical adjacent channel interference or systems operation is detected, the CU knows that it can use dynamic TDD operation1004and thus, it can more freely inform the different DUs to use the TDD switching pattern that is the most attractive, given e.g. the offered traffic conditions for the different cells, etc. In other words in final step1004, if no coexisting operator with risk of too high coexistence interference detected, the CU will allow operation with dynamic TDD. Otherwise, a fallback to a default static TDD radio frame configuration is possible.

The advantages of the example embodiments comprise the following. In summary, the presented procedures enable improved information for efficient network-based time division duplexing (TDD) coordination (e.g. selection of radio frame configuration) to boost the system performance without suffering from an unexpected crosslink interference (CLI). Also the presented procedures enable simple inter-operator sensing to only use dynamic TDD when it is feasible from a coexistence point-of-view.

This is achieved by efficient coordination of BS-to-BS (i.e. DU-2-DU) measurements that are of paramount importance for determining BS-to-BS CLI problems, if such neighboring BSs operate with opposite link directions (say one BS transmitting in the UL and the other BS trying to receive in the UL). Having such BS-to-BS measurements available are therefore very important for the network, and the related network performance optimizations. Given this, the CU can better determine and instruct the DUs, which radio frame configuration (i.e. UL/DL configuration) they shall use with a reduced risk of creating undesirable BS-to-BS cross-link interference. If the CLI measurements indicate none or marginal BS-to-BS CLI effects, the CU may then instruct the involved DUs to freely use any DL/UL configuration, which they see best. This is highly advantageous for the practical operability of the whole system.

A further advantage of the example embodiments is that they are well implementable in the framework of F1 interface specifications (i.e. standards) of TS 38.470 and TS 38.473.

The presented example embodiments provide a method which is transparent to the terminal side, and therefore, the method works for various generations and types of UEs, comprising e.g. Release-15New Radio UEs.

It is to be noted that orders of the presented method (i.e. procedural) steps are not necessarily critical in the example embodiments.

The example embodiments (i.e. presented embodiments of the algorithm) can be implemented in a system comprising a network side supplied with at least one processor applying processing circuitry, and at least one User Equipment (UE) supplied with at least one processor applying processing circuitry as well, in an example embodiment. Additionally, at least one memory unit can be used as part of the system for storing the processed data and computer program(s) applying the presented algorithm among other needed operations. The processed data may comprise all or part of the required parameters used in the example embodiments.

As used in this disclosure, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and p1(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware, and(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions), and

(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g. firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present, when it is not needed for operation.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

The presented example embodiments may be applied in a wide range of technologies, for example, involving services, software, audio, virtual and augmented reality, digital health, materials, automotive and navigation technology, user interface, cellular and non-cellular network technology, optical network technology and enabling technology for Internet to name just a few technical areas.

The present invention is not restricted merely to example embodiments disclosed above, but the present invention is defined by the scope of the claims.