Multi-band interference suppression

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for active switching of multi-band interference suppression. In an exemplary embodiment, a first network device receives a request from a second network device to reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication, the first communication being between the first network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dual-connected to the first network device and the second network device. In response to receiving the request, the first network device continuously reduces the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication until an event occurs. The event includes at least one of the following: a request for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device is received from the terminal device, and the number of interference resource units is lower than a threshold number.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of communications, and more particularly to devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for multi-band interference suppression. Background Art

[0002] In the fifth generation (5G), non-standard standalone (NSA) technology requires that the user equipment (UE) will support at least two modes, including long-term evolution (LTE) mode and new radio (NR) mode. In 5G-LTE dual connectivity, when LTE and NR modes are simultaneously operated at the UE, interference will occur within the UE. For example, mutual interference between the LTE transceiver and the 5G NR transceiver operating simultaneously in the UE may occur in multiple frequency bands. As a result, the sensitivity of the transceiver may be degraded, and even these frequency bands cannot be applied in the communication network.

[0003] The 3.3GHz-4.2GHz frequency band (hereinafter referred to as the 3.5GHz band) is the deployment frequency band for 5G. Generally, the second harmonic or third harmonic generated by low-frequency signals, such as in LTE Band 3 (B3), may cause serious interference, which may also be caused by the second-order intermodulation or third-order intermodulation of the signal.

[0004] A conventional method for suppressing interference is to use separate antenna structures for LTE and 5G NR transceivers. Separate antennas can only reduce the conducted interference of the main receive link, but cannot reduce the interference of the auxiliary receive link. Some harmonic suppression filters can also be used for interference elimination. However, neither separate antennas nor harmonic suppression filters can completely eliminate the second harmonic interference from LTE Band 3 (B3) to 5G 3.5GHz. As a result, interference caused by printed circuit board (PCB) leakage may cause serious degradation of terminal sensitivity.

[0005] In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications, such as 3GPP TS 37.340, it is required that for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC) operation, the Master Node (MN) and the Secondary Node (SN) can coordinate their UL and DL radio resources in a semi-static manner. In this case, for example, even in overlapping bands with poorly isolated PCBs, the UE is allowed to use only one transmitter (1Tx). Summary of the invention

[0006] In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide devices, methods, apparatus, and computer-readable storage media for multi-band interference mitigation, for example, in dual connectivity.

[0007] In a first aspect, a first network device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first network device to receive a request from the second network device to reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication, the first communication being between the first network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dually connected to the first network device and the second network device. The first network device is also caused to continuously reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication in response to receiving the request until an event occurs. The event includes at least one of the following: receiving a request from the terminal device for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device, and the number of interference resource units being lower than a threshold number.

[0008] In a second aspect, a second network device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the second network device to determine that at least one interference resource unit is allocated for a second communication, the second communication being between the second network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dually connected to a first network device and a second network device. The second network device is also caused to continuously reduce the modulation order of the second communication in the case where the second communication is degraded until the modulation order is below a threshold order. Then, the second network device is caused to send a request to the first network device to reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication, the first communication being between the first network device and the terminal device.

[0009] In a third aspect, a terminal device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable a terminal device that is dually connected to a first network device and a second network device to determine that a second communication with the second network device is degraded and that a modulation order for the second communication is lower than a threshold order. The terminal device is also caused to detect a continuous decrease in the number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication with the first network device. Then, the terminal device is caused to determine an action to be performed. The action includes sending a request for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device to the first network device, or performing a first communication with the first network device using a non-interfering resource unit in a first resource set allocated by the first network device for the first communication.

[0010] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. In the method, a first network device receives a request from a second network device to reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication, the first communication being between the first network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dually connected to the first network device and the second network device. In response to receiving the request, the first network device continuously reduces the number of interference resource units allocated to the first communication until an event occurs. The event includes at least one of the following: receiving a request from the terminal device for the first network device and the second network device to coordinate scheduling, and the number of interference resource units being lower than a threshold number.

[0011] In a fifth aspect, a method is provided. In the method, a second network device determines that at least one interference resource unit is allocated for a second communication, the second communication being between the second network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dually connected to a first network device and a second network device. If the second communication is degraded, the second network device continuously reduces a modulation order of the second communication until the modulation order is below a threshold order. Then, the second network device sends a request to the first network device to reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication, the first communication being between the first network device and the terminal device.

[0012] In a sixth aspect, a method is provided. In the method, a terminal device is dually connected to a first network device and a second network device. The terminal device determines that a second communication with the second network device is degraded and a modulation order for the second communication is below a threshold order. The terminal device detects a continuous decrease in the number of interfering resource units allocated for a first communication with the first network device. The terminal device then determines an action to be performed. The action includes sending a request for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device to the first network device, or performing a first communication with the first network device using a non-interfering resource unit in a first resource set allocated by the first network device for the first communication.

[0013] In a seventh aspect, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising components for executing the method according to the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0014] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor of a device, the device executes the method according to the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0015] It should be understood that the aspects are not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor are they intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates an example environment in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0018] Figure 2 illustrates a signaling flow between two network devices and a terminal device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 illustrates a signaling flow between two network devices and a terminal device according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart of an example method according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart of an example method according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating an example method according to yet other example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0023] Figure 7 A simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0024] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only to illustrate and help those skilled in the art understand and implement the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways except for the following description.

[0026] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0027] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a device via which services can be provided to terminal devices in a communication network. Examples of network devices include repeaters, access points (APs), transmission points (TRPs), node Bs (NodeBs or NBs), evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs or eNBs), new radio (NR) NodeBs (gNBs), remote radio units (RRUs), radio heads (RHs), remote radio heads (RRHs), low power nodes such as femto, pico, etc. As another example, a network device may be a unit or function within a network entity. For example, a network device may include a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) within a gNB.

[0028] As used herein, the term "terminal device" or "user equipment" (UE) refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication with each other or with a base station. Communication may involve transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic signals, radio waves, infrared signals, and / or other types of signals suitable for transmitting information over the air. In some example embodiments, the UE may be configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human-computer interaction. For example, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to a request from the network side, the UE may transmit information to a network device according to a predetermined schedule.

[0029] Examples of UE include, but are not limited to, user equipment (UE), such as a smart phone, a wireless-enabled tablet computer, a laptop embedded equipment (LEE), a laptop mounted equipment (LME), and / or a wireless client equipment (CPE). For the purposes of discussion, some example embodiments will be described with reference to a UE as an example of a terminal device, and the terms "terminal device" and "user equipment" (UE) may be used interchangeably in the context of the present disclosure.

[0030] As used herein, the term "resource unit" refers to a basic unit for resource scheduling. A resource unit may have any suitable size or include any suitable number of resources, such as time and / or frequency resources. As an example, a resource unit may include a physical resource block (PRB).

[0031] As used herein, the term "interference resource unit" refers to a resource unit that may cause interference such as harmonic interference or intermodulation interference in dual-connection communication of a terminal device. For example, the interference resource unit may include resource units available to two network devices that are dual-connected to the terminal device in DC operation.

[0032] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to one, more, or all of the following:

[0033] (a) pure hardware circuit implementation (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry only); and

[0034] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (as required): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(s) working in conjunction to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions; and

[0035] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s) that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation but may be absent when the software is not required for operation, such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s).

[0036] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the 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 only a hardware circuit or a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0037] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well. The term "including" and variations thereof should be understood as open terms meaning "including but not limited to." The term "based on" should be understood as "based at least in part on." The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment." The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment." Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below.

[0038] As used herein, the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, which should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments, the first element may be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element may be referred to as the first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0039] Considering the maturity of 5G products, deployment costs, and existing LTE / future 5G coverage, NAS networking is widely used in the deployment of 5G networks. In DC operation, interference and throughput are a big problem. Taking the mutual interference between LTE B3 and 5G 3.5GHz at the UE as an example, the second harmonic of LTE B3 in the uplink will cause second harmonic interference to 5G 3.5GHz in the downlink. In addition, there are also high-order intermodulation interferences such as fourth-order intermodulation and fifth-order intermodulation interference.

[0040] A conventional method to reduce interference is to limit the transmit power of the UE in LTE and 5G. The inventors note that the reduction in UE transmit power will affect the signal strength received on the network side. Another conventional method is to increase PCB isolation as much as possible in UE design. For example, wiring and equipment that may generate mutual interference should be kept away to increase isolation, and shielding can be added to key components to reduce radiated interference. In addition, harmonic filters can be used to suppress harmonic interference. Improving PCB isolation or using harmonic filters can reduce interference, but it will significantly increase the cost and design complexity of the UE.

[0041] In 3GPP specifications such as 3GPP TS 37.340, it is specified that UE-specific and UE-associated X2-AP signaling is used in a semi-static time and frequency mode to indicate the expected reception / transmission on the LTE UL carrier and the NR DL carrier at non-overlapping frequencies. As another example, in order to dynamically avoid the generation of harmonic interference, the evolved LTE (eNB) and the NR NodeB (gNR) can coordinate the UE DC radio bearer (RB) scheduling without UE-related signaling. The coordination can be implemented on the media access control (MAC) packet scheduler in the eNB and gNB. During frequency domain scheduling, the use of interfering frequency combinations should be avoided by allocating dynamic physical resource blocks (PRBs) to the UE.

[0042] However, the inventors note that since the PRBs on the overlapping frequencies cannot be used by the 5G-EN DC UE to serve the transmission time interval (TTI), the LTE UL and 5G DL throughputs at the UE will be affected respectively.

[0043] The example embodiments of the present disclosure propose a scheme for suppressing interference between two network devices and the communication between a terminal device in a DC and the two network devices. The scheme involves three stages, wherein the first stage reduces the modulation order, such as the modulation order (MCS) for a communication with one network device, to improve the probability of success of decoding using low-order modulation. In the second stage, a reduced number of interfering resource units such as physical resource blocks (PRBs) are allocated or authorized to another communication by another network device. In the third stage, there are two options for the terminal device to choose from. The terminal device can request coordinated scheduling of the two network devices, or communicate with other network devices on non-interfering resource units in the allocated or authorized resource units.

[0044] In this way, the first two stages provide network-assisted interference suppression, and the terminal device can decide the preferred interference elimination method in the final stage. In this way, harmonic interference to the interfering resource unit can be effectively and efficiently suppressed and eliminated.

[0045] Figure 1 An example environment 100 is shown in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The environment 100, which is part of a communication network, includes two network devices 105 and 110 and a terminal device 115. For discussion purposes, the two network devices 105 and 110 will be referred to as first network device 105 and second network device 110, respectively.

[0046] It should be understood that two network devices and one terminal device are shown in environment 100 for illustration purposes only and do not imply any limitation. Environment 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices.

[0047] The terminal device 115 is dually connected to the first network device and the second network device 105 and 110. As shown, the terminal device 115 performs a communication 120 (referred to as the first communication 120) with the first network device 105 and performs a communication 125 (referred to as the second communication 125) with the second network device 110. Either communication 120 and 125 can be an uplink or downlink communication. In the environment 100, the terminal device 115 can also communicate with another terminal device (not shown) directly or via the first network device 105 and / or the second network device 110.

[0048] Communications in environment 100 may follow any appropriate communication standards or protocols, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), Fifth Generation (5G) NR, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standards, and employ any appropriate communication technology, including, for example, Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), Code Division Multiplexing (CDM), Bluetooth, ZigBee, Machine Type Communication (MTC), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), Carrier Aggregation (CA), Dual Connectivity (DC), New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U), and V2X technology.

[0049] The first network device and the second network device 105 and 110 may follow any appropriate standard or protocol. In some example embodiments, the first network device 105 may be implemented by an eNB in ​​an LTE network, and the second network device 110 may be implemented by a gNB in ​​a 5G NR network. In some other example embodiments, the first network device and the second network device 105 and 110 may be implemented by a primary node or a primary node and a secondary node that are dual-connected to the terminal device 115, respectively. In some other example embodiments, the first network device and the second network device 105 and 110 may be implemented by different units or functions within a network entity, such as a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) with a gNB.

[0050] In various example embodiments of the present disclosure, resources such as time and / or frequency resources available for the first network device and the second network device 105 and 110 are partially overlapping. In the context of the present disclosure, resource units included in the overlapping resources are referred to as interference resource units. If the first network device and the second network device 105 and 110 both use interference resource units for communications 120 and 125 with the terminal device 115, interference such as harmonic interference and intermodulation interference between the two communications 120 and 125 may be caused at the terminal device 115.

[0051] Figure 2 A signaling flow 200 for suppressing interference between two communications 120 and 125 between two network devices 105 and 110 and a terminal device 115 is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] As shown, first network device 105 and terminal device 115 perform (205) first communication 120. At the same time, second network device 110 and terminal device 115 perform (210) second communication 125. For example, first communication 120 may be an uplink communication from terminal device 115 to first network device 105. Second communication 125 may be a downlink communication from second network device 110 to terminal device 115.

[0053] Second network device 110 determines 215 that at least one interference resource unit (e.g., at least one interference PRB) is allocated to second communication 125. In some example embodiments, second network device 110 may be aware of a number of interference resource units available to both first network device and second network devices 105 and 110. Therefore, second network device 110 may determine whether any interference resource units have been allocated for second communication 125.

[0054] The second network device 110 may obtain the plurality of interference resource units in any suitable manner. As an example, the second network device 110 may receive an indication of the plurality of interference resource units from the first network device 105. The indication may be received from the first network device 105 at any suitable opportunity. In an example embodiment in which the first network device and the second network device 105 and 110 are implemented by an eNB and a gNB, respectively, the interference resource unit bitmap as an indication may be received by the second network device 110 from the first network device 105 during the 5GENB DC radio block (RB) setup. For example, the second network device 110 may receive an SGNB modification request (MODIFICATIONREQUEST) message containing an indication of the plurality of interference resource units from the first network device 105. The indication may also be transmitted via other X2 application protocol (AP) signaling.

[0055] If the second communication 120 is downgraded, the second network device 110 continuously reduces (220) the modulation order of the second communication until the modulation order is below a threshold order. For example, the MCS level for the second communication can be continuously reduced until the MSC level is below a threshold level. The second network device 110 can determine the downgrade of the second communication 125 in any suitable way. For example, in the case where the second communication 125 is a downlink communication, if the second network device 110 detects one or more non-acknowledgements (NACKs) of the second communication 125 from the terminal device 115, the second network device 110 can determine that the second communication 125 is downgraded.

[0056] In some example embodiments, second network device 110 may determine whether the degradation level of second communication 125 is below a threshold level. As an example, the threshold level may be represented by a certain number of NACKs. If a certain number of NACKs are detected, second network device 110 may determine that second communication 125 has fallen below a certain degradation level.

[0057] In some example embodiments, determining the degradation of second communication 125 may be implemented prior to determining whether interference resource units have been allocated for second communication 125. For example, if second network device 110 determines that second communication 125 is degraded, second network device 110 determines whether one or more interference resource units have been allocated for second communication 125.

[0058] When the second communication 125 is downgraded, the second network device 110 continuously reduces the modulation order of the second communication 125 to avoid interference and improve the probability of decoding success. For example, in the case where 256-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is used for the second communication 125, the second network device 110 can first reduce 256-QAM to 64-QAM. If the second communication 125 is still downgraded, the second network device 110 continuously reduces 64-QAM to 16-QAM, etc., until a certain low-order modulation such as quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation is used. The threshold modulation that ends the reduction of the modulation order can be set or configured according to the specific implementation. It is also possible that the modulation order is reduced to a 2nd or 3rd order low order. For example, 256-QAM can be directly reduced to 16-QAM.

[0059] If second network device 110 determines that second communication 125 is still degraded after applying the low order threshold modulation, second network device 110 sends (225) a request to first network device 105 to reduce the interference resource units allocated for first communication 120 between first network device 105 and terminal device 110.

[0060] After receiving the request, first network device 105 continuously reduces (230) the number of interference resource units allocated for first communication 120. For example, first network device 105 can reallocate resource units for first communication 120. The reallocated resource units include a reduced number of interference resource units. The reduction in the number of interference resource units can be continuously performed until the number of interference resource units is below a threshold number, such as zero or any other number, depending on the specific implementation.

[0061] At the same time, the terminal device 115 monitors (235) the resource grant for the first communication 120 from the first network device 105 to determine whether the number of interference resource units allocated to the first communication 120 continues to decrease. In some example embodiments, the terminal device 115 may be aware of the interference resource units available to both the first network device and the second network devices 105 and 110. For example, the terminal device 115 may receive an indication of a plurality of interference resource units from the first network device 105 in a handover (HO) command message, e.g., during a DC RB setup. Thus, the terminal device 115 may determine which interference resource units are allocated for the first communication 120 and whether the number of allocated interference resource units is decreasing.

[0062] If the number of interference resource units continues to decrease and the second communication 125 is still degraded after the modulation order used is below the threshold order, the terminal device 115 determines (240) an action to be performed. One option of the action is that the terminal device 115 can send (245) to the first network device 105 a request for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network devices 105 and 110. In some example embodiments, the receipt of the request can be an event for the first network device 105 to end the reduction of the number of interference resources allocated to the first communication 120.

[0063] When the second communication 125 is still degraded after a certain number of transmission time intervals (TTIs), a request for coordinated scheduling may be sent by the terminal device 115. In some example embodiments, the request may be sent in a buffer status report (BSR) message. For example, the request may be sent via a new flag of the BSR.

[0064] After receiving the request for coordinated scheduling, first network device 105 may send 250 to second network device 110 an indication of allocating a set of resource units (referred to as the first set) for first communication 120. In addition to the indication of allocating resource units, first network device 105 may also send a grant time indication and other scheduling information.

[0065] The indication or other scheduling information may be sent in any suitable signaling, such as control plane (CP) and user plane (UP) signaling. In some example embodiments, to speed up communication between first network device 105 and second network devices 110, a UP tunnel is established between the MAC layer of first network device 105 and the MAC layer of second network device 110. The request is sent by second network device 110 to first network device 105 via the UP tunnel.

[0066] For the UP tunnel, the existing UP frame protocol defined in the 3GPP specification (such as 3GPP TS 38.425) can be reused. As an example, the UP tunnel can include a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol User Plane (GTP-U) tunnel. Existing messages or even new messages containing auxiliary or additional information can be used to send scheduling information through the UP tunnel. For example, messages up to 1018 octets can be transmitted in a dedicated NR Radio Access Network (RAN) container in the GTP packet header. In some example embodiments, new PDUs may be required in the NR UP frame protocol. New frame protocols can also be used for UP tunnels.

[0067] The UP protocol may be used to implement flow control of single bearer user data transmitted in a GTP-U tunnel on interfaces associated with the first network device and the second network device 105 and 110. For example, in EN-DC operation, the interfaces may include an X2 interface between two eNBs, an Xn interface between a gNB and an eNB, and an F1 interface between a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) of a gNB. With the help of the tunnel, the auxiliary network device may be connected to a network device hosting a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity in the DC.

[0068] The UP tunnel may be established when an interface associated with at least one of the two network devices 105 and 110 is established. As another example, the UP tunnel may be established during bearer addition. The UP tunnel may be independent of any bearer or UE. Using this tunnel connecting the MAC entities of the two network devices 105 and 110 in DC operation, the UP protocol may therefore be directly used for event communication between the two network devices 105 and 110.

[0069] In practice, in an example embodiment where the first network device and the second network device 105 and 110 are implemented by an eNB and a gNB, respectively, when X2 / Xn is about to be established (from either the eNB or gNB side), the CU of the gNB may request a new tunnel endpoint IP (TEID) from the DU of the gNB using F1AP CP signaling. Once the TEID is allocated at the DU, the CU provides the TEID to the eNB, which in turn provides the CU with its TEID for the DU. The CU forwards the eNB's TEID to the DU. Direct and fast communication between the eNB and the gNB's DU is then possible. In this case, the TEID may need to be exchanged during the X2 / Xn setup and modification process, or may need to be obtained through F1. If either side needs to change the TEID, a suitable modification procedure may be adopted.

[0070] For backward compatibility purposes, in some example embodiments, the UP tunnel may be used only for each user / bearer. In this case, the dedicated link may be used preferentially for the transmission of scheduling information. To further improve system performance, the communication on the existing tunnel is maintained until the first message on the new UP tunnel arrives. In some example embodiments, the scheduling information may be replicated. In this case, if the scheduling information transmitted by the UP tunnel is lost, the impact may be reduced in subsequent TTIs.

[0071] In some example embodiments, a request to reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication 120 may also be sent from the second network device 110 to the first network device 105 via the UP tunnel. Thus, information exchange between the two network devices 105 and 110 may be further accelerated.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, a UP tunnel may not be used. In some example embodiments, indications of the allocated resource units or other scheduling information may be forwarded between network devices 105 and 110 via a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. For example, at the first network device 105, the MAC entity may forward the indication or scheduling information to the PDCP entity. The PDCP entity of the first network device 105 then sends the indication or scheduling information to the PDCP entity of the second network device 110 via the X2-U interface. At the second network device 110, the indication or scheduling information is also forwarded from the PDCP layer to the MAC layer. Such forwarding via the PDCP layer may also reduce latency.

[0073] After second network device 110 receives the indication of the first set of resource units allocated to first communication 120, second network device 110 may allocate 255 a set of resource units (referred to as the second set) for second communication 125. The second set of resource units does not include interfering resource unit(s) in the first set of resource units.

[0074] Sending (245) the request for coordinated scheduling and sending (250) the indication of the first set of resource units is optional. As another option, the terminal device 115 may determine (240) to perform the first communication 105 using non-interfering resource units from the first set of resources allocated by the first network device 105 for the first communication 120. In this case, the terminal device 115 will autonomously not perform the first communication 120 on interfering resource units, but these resource units are allocated or authorized by the first network device 105. Therefore, the first network device 105 also uses non-interfering resource units for the first communication 120.

[0075] In some example embodiments, the first network device 105 may use all allocated resource units in the first resource set and use non-interfering resource units in the first resource set to detect transmissions from the terminal device 115. For example, at the first network device 105, the uplink PHY channelizer may receive two grant modes of resource units (such as PRBs) from the MAC packet scheduler, wherein one mode indicates all granted PRBs and the other mode indicates non-interfering PRBs. All granted resource units may be used first for channel estimation and decoding. If decoding fails, the PHY channelizer may then perform channel estimation using non-interfering resource units to avoid decoding failures or errors due to low signal-to-noise (SNR) ratios.

[0076] Figure 3 A signaling flow 300 between two network devices and a terminal device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0077] In this example, Figure 1 The first network device 105 is implemented by the eNB 305 in LTE, Figure 1 The second network device 110 in the 5G is implemented by the gNB 310 in the 5G. Figure 1 The terminal device 115 in is implemented by UE 315. The first communication 120 is implemented by LTE physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission, and the second communication 125 is implemented by 5G physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission.

[0078] As shown, eNB 305 sends (320) an X2 SETUP REQUEST message to gNB 310 to request a GTP U-Plane signaling tunnel. gNB 310 sends (322) an X2 SETUP RESPONSE message to eNB 305.

[0079] During 5G-ENB DC RB setup of UE 315, eNB 305 may send interfering resource unit (such as PRB) information to gNB 310. As shown, eNB 305 uses X2 AP signaling to send (324) SGNB MODIFICATION REQUEST message to gNB 310. The SGNB MODIFICATION REQUEST message includes an interfering PRB bitmap to indicate the location of the interfering PRB. gNB 310 sends (326) SGNB MODIFICATION REQUESTACKNOWLEDGE message to eNB 305.

[0080] The eNB 305 may also signal the interfering PRB information to the UE 315 via a HO command message. As shown, the eNB 305 sends (328) an RRC Connection Reconfiguration (Handover Command) message to the UE 315, which includes an interfering PRB bitmap to indicate the interfering PRBs. The UE 315 sends (330) an RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message to the eNB 305. The eNB 305 sends (332) an SGNB Reconfiguration Complete message to the gNB 310. As a result, after the DC RBs are set, all parties are aware of the interfering PRBs.

[0081] UE 315 starts (334) data transmission on the DC RB. At the same time, gNB 310 detects (336) that the PDSCH transmission to UE 310 is not acknowledged (NACKed) and that the LTE interfering PRB is used for PDSCH transmission. For example, gNB 310 (such as its MAC entity) should check whether the allocated PRB will be interfered by the interfering PRB. When the next PDSCH scheduling is in the same situation, gNB310 continuously reduces (338) the PDSCH modulation order instead of the MCS index. When QPSK modulation is used, the PDSCH modulation order reduction ends (340).

[0082] After applying a low order modulation such as QPSK, it is still possible for the gNB 310 to detect a NACK to the PDSCH transmission. In this case, the gNB 310 signals (342) the eNB 305, for example using UP fast signaling, to request a reduction in interfering PRBs on the LTE PUSCH. The eNB 305 reduces (344) the allocated PUSCH interfering PRBs. At the same time, the UE 315 determines (346) that QPSK modulation is applied to the 5G PDSCH and that it needs to monitor the authorized LTE PUSCH PRBs. The UE 315 then monitors (348) the number of interfering PRBs in the LTE PUSCH transmission.

[0083] The interfering PUSCH PRBs granted by the eNB 305 continue to decrease, but decoding errors of the 5G PDSCH transmissions still occur. After a certain TTI, if the UE 315 determines (350) that the interfering PUSCH PRB is granted for LTE PUSCH, the UE 315 has two options to eliminate interference between the LTE PUSCH and the 5G PDSCH.

[0084] In option 1, UE 315 sends (352) an LTE BSR message to eNB 305. The BSR message includes an ELIMINATING HARMONIC INTERFERENCE request bit for requesting 5G-ENB coordinated scheduling. After the coordinated scheduling request in the BSR message is received, eNB 305 sends (354) an LTE UL grant to UE 315. eNB 305 sends (356) an LTE PUSCH grant PRB bitmap to gNB310 to notify the LTE UL grant time and the PUSCH PRB frequency of the authorized 5G gNB 310. The granted PRB bitmap can be transmitted via the UP tunnel.

[0085] Considering that the LTE PUSCH transmission will occur 4 milliseconds later than the LTE UL grant transmission, the gNB 310 performs (358) PDSCH PRB allocation to avoid harmonic interference. For example, the gNB 310 may allocate non-multiplied frequency PRBs to the PDSCH at the high-band DL packet scheduler during LTE PUSCH transmission.

[0086] In option 2, when UE 315 determines that the interfering PUSCH PRBs authorized by eNB 305 are continuously reduced for certain TTIs but the decoding of 5G PDSCH still fails, UE 310 will not use the interfering PRBs to perform PUSCH transmission, but the interfering PRBs are authorized by eNB 305. As shown, after UE 315 receives (360) an LTE UL grant from eNB 305, UE 315 performs (362) PUSCH transmission on non-interfering PRBs of the PRBs indicated in the LTE UL grant. Therefore, eNB 305 can use both all authorized PRBs and non-interfering PRBs for channel estimation and further decoding. For example, two authorization modes of authorized PRBs can be indicated from the MAC packet scheduler to the uplink PHY channelizer in eNB 305, including one for all authorized PRBs and the other for non-interfering PRBs. In case of decoding failure on all granted PRBs, the PHY channelizer may perform channel estimation on non-interfering PRBs to avoid decoding errors due to low SNR.

[0087] Figure 4 400 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to the first network device 105 shown. Figure 1 Method 400 is described.

[0088] At block 405, first network device 105 receives a request from second network device 110 to reduce the number of interference resource units to be allocated for first communication 120. At block 410, in response to receiving the request, first network device 105 continuously reduces the number of interference resource units allocated to first communication 120 until an event occurs. The event includes the number of interference resource units being below a threshold number. The event also includes receiving a request from terminal device 115 for coordinated scheduling by first network device and second network devices 105 and 110 or the number of interference resource units being below a threshold number. In some example embodiments, the request for coordinated scheduling may be received by first network device 105 from terminal device 115 in a BSR message.

[0089] In some example embodiments, after receiving the request for coordinated scheduling from the terminal device 115, the first network device 105 may send an indication of a first set of resource units allocated for the first communication 120 to the second network device 110. In some example embodiments, the indication of the first set of resource units may be sent via a user plane tunnel between a MAC layer of the first network device 105 and a MAC layer of the second network device 110. In some example embodiments, a request to reduce the number of interfering resource units may also be received by the first network device 105 from the second network device 110 via a UP tunnel.

[0090] In some example embodiments, a UP tunnel may be established by first network device 105 and second network device 110 when establishing an interface associated with at least one of first network device 105 and second network device 110. In some example embodiments, the UP tunnel comprises a GTP-U tunnel.

[0091] In some example embodiments, the first network device 105 may send an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units in an SGNB modification request message to the second network device 110. In some example embodiments, the first network device 105 may send an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units in a handover command message to the terminal device 115. In this way, all devices involved in the DC may be aware of the interfering resource units.

[0092] Figure 5 1 shows a flow chart of an example method 500 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 500 may be performed by Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to the second network device 110. Figure 1 Method 500 is described.

[0093] At block 505, second network device 110 determines that at least one interference resource unit is allocated for second communication 125. At block 510, if second communication 125 is degraded, second network device 110 continuously reduces the modulation order for second communication 125 until the modulation order is below a threshold order. At block 515, second network device 110 sends a request to first network device 105 to reduce the number of interference resource units to be allocated for first communication 120.

[0094] In some example embodiments, the request is sent via a UP tunnel. The UP tunnel may be established by the second network device 110 with the first network device 105 when an interface associated with at least one of the first network device and the second network device 105 and 110 is established. The UP tunnel may include, but is not limited to, a GTP-U tunnel.

[0095] In some example embodiments, second network device 110 may receive an indication of a plurality of interfering resource units in an SGNB modification request message from first network device 105. Based on the received indication, second network device 110 may determine that at least one of the plurality of interfering resource units is allocated for second communication 125.

[0096] In some example embodiments, second network device 110 may receive an indication of a first set of resource units allocated to first communication 120 from first network device 105. The indication may also be received via a UP tunnel. Second network device 110 may determine that at least one interfering resource unit is included in the first set of resource units. Second network device 110 may then allocate a second set of resource units for second communication 125. The second set of resource units does not include at least one interfering resource unit in the first set of resource units.

[0097] Figure 6 600 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 600 may be performed as follows: Figure 1 For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to the terminal device 115 shown. Figure 1 Method 600 is described below.

[0098] At block 605, the terminal device 115 determines that the second communication 125 is degraded and the modulation order for the second communication 125 is below a threshold order. At block 610, the terminal device 115 detects that the number of interference resource units allocated to the first communication 120 is continuously decreasing. At block 615, the terminal device 115 determines an action to be performed. The action includes sending a request to the first network device 105 for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network devices 105 and 110. In some example embodiments, the request may be sent in a BSR message.

[0099] In some example embodiments, the terminal device 115 receives an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units from the first network device 105 in a handover command message.

[0100] As mentioned above Figures 1 to 3 All operations and features described are equally applicable to methods 400 to 600 and have similar effects. For simplicity, details will be omitted.

[0101] Figure 7 700 is a simplified block diagram of a device 700 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 700 may be configured as follows: Figure 1 It is implemented at the first network device 105 , the second network device 110 or the terminal device 115 as shown.

[0102] As shown, the device 700 includes a processor 710, a memory 720 coupled to the processor 710, a communication module 730 coupled to the processor 710, and a communication interface (not shown) coupled to the communication module 730. The memory 720 stores at least a program 740. The communication module 730 is used for two-way communication, for example, via multiple antennas. The communication interface can represent any interface required for communication.

[0103] Assume that the program 740 includes program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 710, enable the device 700 to operate according to the Figures 2 to 5 The embodiments of the present disclosure discussed herein operate. The embodiments herein may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 710 of the device 700 or by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 710 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0104] The memory 720 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network and may be implemented using any appropriate data storage technology, such as, as non-limiting examples, non-transitory computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic storage devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Although only one memory 720 is shown in the device 700, there may be several physically different memory modules in the device 700. The processor 710 may be of any type suitable for the local technology network, and, as non-limiting examples, may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 700 may have multiple processors, such as a dedicated integrated circuit chip that is time-slave to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0105] When the device 700 acts as the first network device 105 or a part of the first network device 105, the processor 710 and the communication module 730 can cooperate to implement the above reference Figure 4 When the device 700 acts as the second network device 110 or a part of the second network device 110, the processor 710 and the communication module 730 may cooperate to implement the method 400 described above with reference to Figure 5 When the device 700 acts as the terminal device 115 or a part of the terminal device 115, the processor 710 and the communication module 730 can cooperate to implement the method 500 described above. Figure 6 Method 600 is described.

[0106] References Figures 1 to 6 All operations and features described are equally applicable to the device 700 and have similar effects. For simplicity, the details will be omitted.

[0107] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that the boxes, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented as non-limiting examples in the following manner: hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0108] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as computer executable instructions included in a program module, which are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the above referenced Figures 4 to 6 Methods 400 to 600 described herein. Typically, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed. The machine executable instructions of program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0109] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device so that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, enables the function / operation specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be realized. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0110] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any appropriate carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0111] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or apparatuses or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer readable storage media would include an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer floppy disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device or any suitable combination of the above.

[0112] In addition, although the operations are described in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequence, or that all of the operations shown be performed to obtain the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing can be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of a separate embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0113] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Instead, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

[0114] Various embodiments of these techniques have been described. In addition or alternatively to the above, the following examples are described. Features described in any of the following examples may be used with any other examples described herein.

[0115] In some aspects, a first network device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first network device to: receive a request from a second network device to reduce the number of interference resource units to be allocated to a first communication, the first communication being between the first network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dual-connected to the first network device and the second network device; and in response to receiving the request, continuously reduce the number of interference resource units allocated to the first communication until an event occurs, the event including at least one of the following: receiving a request from the terminal device for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device, and the number of interference resource units being lower than a threshold number.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the first network device is further caused to: in response to receiving a request for coordinated scheduling from the terminal device, send an indication of the first set of resource units allocated for the first communication to the second network device.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the indication of the first set of resource units is sent to the second network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the first network device is caused to receive the request to reduce the number of interfering resource units by receiving the request from the second network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the first network device is further caused to establish a user plane tunnel with the second network device when establishing an interface associated with at least one of the first network device and the second network device.

[0120] In some example embodiments, the user plane tunnel comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol user plane tunnel.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the number of interfering resource units are included in a plurality of interfering resource units, and the first network device is further caused to send an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units to the second network device in the SGNB modification request message.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the first network device is further caused to send, in a handover command message, an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units to the terminal device.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the request for coordinated scheduling is received from the terminal device in a buffer status report message.

[0124] In some aspects, the second network device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the second network device to: determine that at least one interference resource unit is allocated for a second communication between the second network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dual-connected to the first network device and the second network device; if the second communication is degraded, continuously reduce the modulation order of the second communication until the modulation order is below a threshold order; and send a request to the first network device to reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication between the first network device and the terminal device.

[0125] In some example embodiments, at least one interference resource unit is included in a plurality of interference resource units, and the second network device is caused to determine that the at least one interference resource unit is allocated for the second communication by: receiving an indication of the plurality of interference resource units from the first network device in an SGNB modification request message; and determining, based on the received indication, that at least one interference resource unit among the plurality of interference resource units is allocated for the second communication.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the second network device is caused to send the request to the first network device by sending the request to the first network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the second network device and a media access control layer of the first network device.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the second network device is further caused to: receive an indication of a first set of resource units allocated for a first communication from the first network device; determine that at least one interfering resource unit is included in the first set of resource units; and allocate a second set of resource units for the second communication, the second set of resource units excluding at least one interfering resource unit in the first set of resource units.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the indication of the first set of resource units is received from the first network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the second network device is further caused to establish a user plane tunnel with the first network device upon establishing an interface associated with at least one of the first network device and the second network device.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the user plane tunnel comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol user plane tunnel.

[0131] In some aspects, a terminal device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the terminal device that is dual-connected to a first network device and a second network device to: determine that a second communication with the second network device is degraded and a modulation order for the second communication is lower than a threshold order; detect that the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication with the first network device continuously decreases; and determine an action to be performed, the action including: sending a request for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device to the first network device, or performing the first communication with the first network device using non-interfering resource units in a first resource set allocated by the first network device for the first communication.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the request is sent to the first network device in a buffer status report message.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the number of interfering resource units is comprised in a plurality of interfering resource units, and the terminal device is further caused to receive, in a handover command message, an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units from the first network device.

[0134] In some aspects, a method implemented by a first network device includes: receiving a request from a second network device to reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication between the first network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dual-connected to the first network device and the second network device; and in response to receiving the request, continuously reducing the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication until an event occurs, the event including at least one of the following: receiving a request from the terminal device for coordinated scheduling between the first network device and the second network device and the number of interference resource units being lower than a threshold number.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the method further comprises: in response to receiving a request for coordinated scheduling from the terminal device, sending an indication of the first set of resource units allocated for the first communication to the second network device.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the indication of the first set of resource units is sent to the second network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

[0137] In some example embodiments, receiving the request to reduce the number of interfering resource units includes receiving the request from the second network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the method further includes establishing a user plane tunnel with the second network device when establishing the interface associated with at least one of the first network device and the second network device.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the user plane tunnel comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol user plane tunnel.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the number of interfering resource units are included in a plurality of interfering resource units, and the method further comprises sending an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units to the second network device in an SGNB modification request message.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the method further comprises sending, in a handover command message, an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units to the terminal device.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the request for coordinated scheduling is received from the terminal device in a buffer status report message.

[0143] In some aspects, the method implemented by the second network device includes: determining that at least one interference resource unit is allocated for a second communication between the second network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dual-connected to the first network device and the second network device; if the second communication is degraded, continuously reducing the modulation order of the second communication until the modulation order is below a threshold order; and sending a request to the first network device to reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication between the first network device and the terminal device.

[0144] In some example embodiments, at least one interference resource unit is included in a plurality of interference resource units, and determining to allocate at least one interference resource unit for a second communication includes: receiving an indication of a plurality of interference resource units from a first network device in an SGNB modification request message; and determining, based on the received indication, that at least one interference resource unit among the plurality of interference resource units is allocated for the second communication.

[0145] In some example embodiments, sending the request to the first network device includes sending the request to the first network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the second network device and a media access control layer of the first network device.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: receiving an indication from a first network device of a first set of resource units allocated for a first communication; determining that at least one interfering resource unit is included in the first set of resource units; and allocating a second set of resource units for a second communication, the second set of resource units not including at least one interfering resource unit in the first set of resource units.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the indication of the first set of resource units is received from the first network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the method further includes establishing a user plane tunnel with the first network device when establishing the interface associated with at least one of the first network device and the second network device.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the user plane tunnel comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol user plane tunnel.

[0150] In some aspects, a method implemented by a terminal device that is dual-connected to a first network device and a second network device includes: determining that a second communication with the second network device is degraded and a modulation order for the second communication is lower than a threshold order; detecting that the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication with the first network device is continuously reduced; and determining an action to be performed, the action including: sending a request to the first network device for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device, or performing the first communication with the first network device using non-interference resource units in a first resource set allocated by the first network device for the first communication.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the request is sent to the first network device in a buffer status report message.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the number of interfering resource units are included in a plurality of interfering resource units, and the method further comprises receiving, in a handover command message, an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units from the first network device.

[0153] In some aspects, the apparatus includes: a component for receiving, by a first network device, a request from a second network device to reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication between the first network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dually connected to the first network device and the second network device; and a component for continuously reducing, in response to receiving the request, the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication until an event occurs, the event comprising at least one of: receiving, from the terminal device, a request for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device, and the number of interference resource units being below a threshold number.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending, to the second network device, an indication of allocating the first set of resource units for the first communication in response to receiving a request for coordinated scheduling from the terminal device.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the indication of the first set of resource units is sent to the second network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

[0156] In some example embodiments, means for receiving a request to reduce the number of interfering resource units includes receiving the request from the second network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

[0157] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for establishing a user plane tunnel with the second network device when establishing an interface associated with at least one of the first network device and the second network device.

[0158] In some example embodiments, the user plane tunnel comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol user plane tunnel.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the number of interfering resource units are included in a plurality of interfering resource units, and the apparatus further comprises means for sending an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units to the second network device in an SGNB modification request message.

[0160] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for sending an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units to the terminal device in a handover command message.

[0161] In some example embodiments, the request for coordinated scheduling is received from the terminal device in a buffer status report message.

[0162] In some aspects, the apparatus includes: a component for determining, by a second network device, that at least one interference resource unit is allocated for a second communication between the second network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dually connected to the first network device and the second network device; a component for continuously reducing a modulation order of the second communication until the modulation order is below a threshold order if the second communication is degraded; and a component for sending a request to the first network device to reduce the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication between the first network device and the terminal device.

[0163] In some example embodiments, at least one interference resource unit is included in a plurality of interference resource units, and the component for determining that at least one interference resource unit is allocated for the second communication includes: a component for receiving an indication of the plurality of interference resource units from the first network device in an SGNB modification request message; and a component for determining, based on the received indication, that at least one interference resource unit among the plurality of interference resource units is allocated for the second communication.

[0164] In some example embodiments, means for sending the request to the first network device includes means for sending the request to the first network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the second network device and a media access control layer of the first network device.

[0165] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for receiving an indication from a first network device of a first set of resource units allocated for a first communication; means for determining that at least one interfering resource unit is included in the first set of resource units; and means for allocating a second set of resource units for a second communication, the second set of resource units not including at least one interfering resource unit in the first set of resource units.

[0166] In some example embodiments, the indication of the first set of resource units is received from the first network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

[0167] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for establishing a user plane tunnel with the first network device when establishing an interface associated with at least one of the first network device and the second network device.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the user plane tunnel comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol user plane tunnel.

[0169] In some aspects, the apparatus includes: a component for determining, by a terminal device dually connected to a first network device and a second network device, that a second communication with a second network device is degraded and that a modulation order for the second communication is lower than a threshold order; a component for detecting that the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication with the first network device is continuously reduced; and a component for determining an action to be performed, the action including: sending a request for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device to the first network device, or performing a first communication with the first network device using non-interfering resource units in a first resource set allocated by the first network device for the first communication.

[0170] In some example embodiments, the request is sent to the first network device in a buffer status report message.

[0171] In some example embodiments, the number of interfering resource units are included in a plurality of interfering resource units, and the apparatus further comprises means for receiving an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units from the first network device in a handover command message.

[0172] In some aspects, a computer-readable storage medium includes program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform methods according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A first network device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first network device to: receiving, from a second network device, a request to reduce a number of interference resource units to be allocated for a first communication between the first network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dually connected to the first network device and the second network device; as well as In response to receiving the request, continuously reducing the number of the interfering resource units allocated for the first communication until an event occurs, the event comprising at least one of the following: receiving a request from the terminal device for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device, and The number of interference resource units is lower than a threshold number; The number of interference resource units is included in a plurality of interference resource units, and the first network device is further configured to: In the SGNB modification request message, an indication of the multiple interfering resource units is sent to the second network device.

2. The first network device according to claim 1, wherein the first network device is further configured to: In response to receiving the request for the coordinated scheduling from the terminal device, sending an indication to the second network device to allocate a first set of resource units for the first communication.

3. The first network device of claim 2, wherein the indication of the first set of resource units is sent to the second network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

4. The first network device of claim 1 , wherein the first network device is caused to receive the request to reduce the number of interfering resource units by: The request from the second network device is received via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

5. The first network device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first network device is further configured to: The user plane tunnel is established with the second network device while establishing an interface associated with at least one of the first network device and the second network device.

6. The first network device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the user plane tunnel comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol user plane tunnel.

7. The first network device of claim 1, wherein the first network device is further caused to: send an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units to the terminal device in a handover command message.

8. The first network device of claim 1, wherein the request for the coordinated scheduling is received from the terminal device in a buffer status report message.

9. A second network device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the second network device to: determining that at least one interference resource unit is allocated for a second communication between the second network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dual-connected with the first network device and the second network device; If the second communication is degraded, continuously reducing a modulation order for the second communication until the modulation order is below a threshold order; as well as A request is sent to the first network device to reduce a number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication between the first network device and the terminal device.

10. The second network device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one interference resource unit is included in a plurality of interference resource units, and the second network device is caused to determine that the at least one interference resource unit is allocated for the second communication by: receiving, in an SGNB modification request message, an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units from the first network device; and Based on the received indication, it is determined that the at least one interfering resource unit among the plurality of interfering resource units is allocated for the second communication.

11. The second network device according to claim 9, wherein the second network device is configured to send the request to the first network device by: The request is sent to the first network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the second network device and a media access control layer of the first network device.

12. The second network device according to claim 9, wherein the second network device is further configured to: receiving, from the first network device, an indication of a first set of resource units allocated for the first communication; determining that the at least one interfering resource unit is included in the first set of resource units; and A second set of resource units is allocated for the second communication, the second set of resource units excluding the at least one interfering resource unit in the first set of resource units.

13. The second network device of claim 12, wherein the indication of the first set of resource units is received from the first network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

14. The second network device according to claim 11 or 13, wherein the second network device is further configured to: The user plane tunnel is established with the first network device when establishing an interface associated with at least one of the first network device and the second network device.

15. The second network device of claim 11 or 13, wherein the user plane tunnel comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol user plane tunnel.

16. A terminal device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the terminal device dually connected to the first network device and the second network device: determining that a second communication with the second network device is degraded and a modulation order for the second communication is below a threshold order; detecting a continuous decrease in the number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication with the first network device; Determine the action to be performed, the action comprising: sending a request to the first network device for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device, or The first communication with the first network device is performed using non-interfering resource units in a first set of resources allocated by the first network device for the first communication.

17. The terminal device of claim 16, wherein the request is sent to the first network device in a buffer status report message.

18. The terminal device according to claim 16, wherein the number of interference resource units is included in a plurality of interference resource units, and the terminal device is further caused to: An indication of the plurality of interfering resource units is received from the first network device in a handover command message.

19. A method implemented by a first network device, the method comprising: receiving, from a second network device, a request to reduce a number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication between the first network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dually connected to the first network device and the second network device; as well as In response to receiving the request, continuously reducing the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication until an event occurs, the event comprising at least one of the following: A request for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device is received from the terminal device, and The number of interference resource units is lower than a threshold number; The number of interference resource units is included in a plurality of interference resource units, and the method further comprises: In the SGNB modification request message, an indication of the multiple interfering resource units is sent to the second network device.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: In response to receiving the request for the coordinated scheduling from the terminal device, an indication that a first set of resource units is allocated for the first communication is sent to the second network device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the indication of the first set of resource units is sent to the second network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving the request to reduce the number of interfering resource units comprises: The request from the second network device is received via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, further comprising: The user plane tunnel is established with the second network device while establishing an interface associated with at least one of the first network device and the second network device.

24. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein the user plane tunnel comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol user plane tunnel.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising: In a handover command message, an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units is sent to the terminal device.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the request for the coordinated scheduling is received from the terminal device in a buffer status report message.

27. A method implemented by a second network device, the method comprising: determining that at least one interference resource unit is allocated for a second communication between the second network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dual-connected with the first network device and the second network device; If the second communication is degraded, continuously reducing a modulation order for the second communication until the modulation order is below a threshold order; as well as A request is sent to the first network device to reduce a number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication between the first network device and the terminal device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one interference resource unit is included in a plurality of interference resource units, and determining that the at least one interference resource unit is allocated for the second communication comprises: receiving, in an SGNB modification request message, an indication of the plurality of interfering resource units from the first network device; as well as Based on the received indication, it is determined that at least one interfering resource unit among the plurality of interfering resource units is allocated for the second communication.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein sending the request to the first network device comprises: The request is sent to the first network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the second network device and a media access control layer of the first network device.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising: receiving, from the first network device, an indication of a first set of resource units allocated for the first communication; determining that at least one interfering resource unit is included in the first set of resource units; as well as A second set of resource units is allocated for the second communication, the second set of resource units excluding the at least one interfering resource unit in the first set of resource units.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the indication of the first set of resource units is received from the first network device via a user plane tunnel between a media access control layer of the first network device and a media access control layer of the second network device.

32. The method according to claim 29 or 31, further comprising: The user plane tunnel is established with the first network device while establishing an interface associated with at least one of the first network device and the second network device.

33. The method of claim 29 or 31, wherein the user plane tunnel comprises a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol user plane tunnel.

34. A method implemented by a terminal device dually connected to a first network device and a second network device, the method comprising: determining that a second communication with the second network device is degraded and a modulation order for the second communication is below a threshold order; detecting a continuous decrease in the number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication with the first network device; as well as Determine the action to be performed, the action comprising: sending a request to the first network device for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device, or The first communication with the first network device is performed using non-interfering resource units in a first set of resources allocated by the first network device for the first communication.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the request is sent to the first network device in a buffer status report message.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the number of interference resource units is included in a plurality of interference resource units, and the method further comprises: An indication of the plurality of interfering resource units is received from the first network device in a handover command message.

37. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving, by a first network device, a request from a second network device, the request being for reducing a number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication between the first network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dually connected to the first network device and the second network device; as well as A means for, in response to receiving the request, continuously reducing the number of interference resource units allocated for the first communication until an event occurs, the event comprising at least one of the following: receiving a request from the terminal device for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device, and The number of interference resource units is lower than a threshold number; The number of interference resource units is included in a plurality of interference resource units, and further includes: In the SGNB modification request message, an indication of the multiple interfering resource units is sent to the second network device.

38. An apparatus comprising: means for determining, by a second network device, that at least one interference resource unit is allocated for a second communication between the second network device and a terminal device, the terminal device being dually connected to the first network device and the second network device; means for continuously reducing a modulation order of the second communication until the modulation order is below a threshold order if the second communication is degraded; as well as Means for sending a request to the first network device to reduce a number of interference resource units allocated for a first communication between the first network device and the terminal device.

39. An apparatus comprising: means for determining, by a terminal device dually connected to a first network device and a second network device, that a second communication with the second network device is degraded and that a modulation order for the second communication is below a threshold order; means for detecting a continuous decrease in the number of interfering resource units allocated for a first communication with the first network device; as well as A means for determining an action to be performed, the action comprising: sending a request to the first network device for coordinated scheduling by the first network device and the second network device, or The first communication with the first network device is performed using non-interfering resource units in a first set of resources allocated by the first network device for the first communication.

40. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 19 to 26.

41. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 27 to 33.

42. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 34 to 36.

Images