Whitening uplink data stream

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to whitening uplink data streams. Different solutions are disclosed in which uplink data streams are whitened and combined after being whitened. Whitening is performed by applying whitening parameters received in downlink control information. The whitening parameters are based on a prediction of channel conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to wireless communications. Background Art

[0002] Communication systems are constantly evolving. One example is the open radio access network (open RAN), which is based on decomposed, virtualized and software-based components. For example, the base station functionality can be decomposed into a central unit, a distributed unit and a radio unit, and the decomposition includes physical layer functions divided between the distributed unit and the radio unit. For example, key performance measurements at the physical layer / medium access layer level, such as channel estimation, are performed by the distributed unit and orthogonal signal (I / Q) sampling is performed by the radio unit. Summary of the invention

[0003] The independent claims define the scope.

[0004] Disclosed herein is an example implementation of an apparatus comprising components for performing the following operations: receiving whitening parameters in downlink control information via a first apparatus; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second apparatus; applying the whitening parameters to at least the one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; and performing one of the following: forwarding to the first apparatus at least one or more whitened first uplink data streams to be combined with the one or more whitened second uplink data streams, or combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least the one or more whitened second uplink data streams and forwarding the one or more combined uplink data streams to the first apparatus.

[0005] In another example implementation of the device, the component is further configured to perform: receiving one or more second uplink data streams from at least a third device; and applying a whitening parameter to the one or more second uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened second uplink data streams.

[0006] In another example implementation of the apparatus, the component is further configured to perform: receiving at least one whitened second uplink data stream of the one or more whitened second uplink data streams.

[0007] Disclosed herein is an example implementation of an apparatus comprising components for performing the following operations: receiving whitening parameters in downlink control information via a first apparatus; forwarding the whitening parameters to at least a second apparatus and a third apparatus; after forwarding, receiving one or more whitened first uplink data streams from at least the second apparatus and one or more whitened second uplink data streams from the third apparatus; combining at least one or more whitened first uplink data streams with one or more whitened second uplink data streams into one or more combined uplink data streams; and forwarding the one or more combined uplink data streams to the first apparatus.

[0008] In another example implementation of the apparatus, the component is further configured to perform combining by: selecting a subset of the one or more whitened first uplink data streams and the one or more whitened second uplink data streams; and combining the whitened uplink data streams in the subset.

[0009] In another example implementation of the apparatus, the component is further configured to: receive information indicating uplink data streams to be combined and / or bandwidth available for the uplink data streams using the whitening parameter; and use the information in selecting the subset.

[0010] In another example implementation of the apparatus, the component is further configured to determine a number M of uplink data streams to be selected into the subset so that the number of data streams to be forwarded after combining the subsets is less than or equal to a maximum number N, wherein the bandwidth available for the uplink data streams is defined as the maximum number N of spatial data streams supported by the open fronthaul interface.

[0011] Disclosed herein is an example implementation of an apparatus including components for performing the following operations: receiving a request for whitening parameters for one or more uplink data streams from a fourth apparatus, the one or more uplink data streams being predicted to be: received via one or more second apparatuses over a wireless interface and whitened before being combined into one or more combined uplink data streams; deriving a prediction for the whitening parameters based at least on predicted channel conditions in the wireless interface for the one or more data streams; and sending the prediction in downlink control information as the whitening parameters for the one or more uplink data streams to be whitened via at least the fourth apparatus.

[0012] In another example implementation of the device, the component is further configured to perform: receiving capability information of a network portion connected to a fourth device via a fronthaul interface, the capability information indicating one or more nodes, the one or more nodes including components for applying whitening parameters and configuration information related to physical constraints of the fronthaul interface; and using the capability information when deriving predictions.

[0013] In another example implementation of the device, the component is further configured to perform: receiving further information in the request, the further information comprising: future scheduling information for resource allocation when the whitening parameters are to be applied, and / or measured channel conditions in the wireless interface, and / or information related to joint reception by at least two second devices when the whitening parameters are to be applied, and / or mobility information of one or more fifth devices scheduled to transmit uplink data when the whitening parameters are to be applied, and / or spatial stream allocations for one or more fifth devices scheduled to be scheduled to transmit uplink data when the whitening parameters are to be applied; and using the further information when deriving the prediction.

[0014] In another example implementation of the apparatus, the means for deriving the prediction is implemented as a trained model, the model being configured to receive the further information as input and to output a prediction of the whitening parameter for each second apparatus.

[0015] In another example implementation of the apparatus, the one or more whitening parameters include at least a set of whitening coefficients for each frequency range.

[0016] In another example implementation of the device, the downlink control information also includes one or more identification information of the target device of the one or more combined uplink data streams; and / or identification information of one or more target devices of one or more whitening parameters; and / or information indicating one or more uplink data streams to which at least one of the one or more whitening parameters will be applied; and / or information indicating when to apply one or more whitening parameters; and / or a set of whitening coefficients for each frequency range.

[0017] In another example implementation of the apparatus, an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one processor with the at least one memory and the computer program code provides the means.

[0018] As an example implementation, a method is disclosed herein, including performing at least one of a first function, a second function, or a third function by a device. The first function includes at least: receiving whitening parameters in downlink control information via a first device; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second device; applying whitening parameters to at least one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; forwarding to the first device one or more whitened first uplink data streams to be combined with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams. The second function includes at least: receiving whitening parameters in downlink control information via a first device; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second device; applying whitening parameters to at least one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams; and forwarding the one or more combined uplink data streams to the first device. The third function includes at least: receiving whitening parameters in downlink control information via the first device; forwarding the whitening parameters to at least the second device and the third device; after forwarding, receiving one or more whitened first uplink data streams from at least the second device and receiving one or more whitened second uplink data streams from the third device; combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams into one or more combined uplink data streams; and forwarding the one or more combined uplink data streams to the first device.

[0019] Disclosed herein is an example implementation of a computer-readable medium, the computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of a first function, a second function, or a third function of a corresponding function, the first function comprising at least receiving a whitening parameter in downlink control information via a first device; receiving at least one or more first uplink data streams from a second device; applying the whitening parameter at least to the one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; forwarding to the first device one or more whitened first uplink data streams to be combined with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams. The second function comprises at least receiving a whitening parameter in downlink control information via a first device; receiving at least one or more first uplink data streams from a second device; applying the whitening parameter at least to the one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams; and forwarding to the first device one or more combined uplink data streams. The third function includes at least: receiving whitening parameters in downlink control information via the first device; forwarding the whitening parameters to at least the second device and the third device; after forwarding, receiving one or more whitened first uplink data streams from at least the second device and receiving one or more whitened second uplink data streams from the third device; combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams into one or more combined uplink data streams; and forwarding the one or more combined uplink data streams to the first device.

[0020] In another example implementation of a computer readable medium, the medium is a non-transitory computer readable medium.

[0021] An example implementation of a computer program is disclosed herein, the computer program including instructions for causing a device to perform at least one of a first function, a second function, or a third function. The first function includes at least: receiving whitening parameters in downlink control information via a first device; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second device; applying whitening parameters to at least one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; forwarding to the first device one or more whitened first uplink data streams to be combined with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams. The second function includes at least: receiving whitening parameters in downlink control information via a first device; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second device; applying whitening parameters to at least one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; combining one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams; and forwarding one or more combined uplink data streams to the first device. The third function includes at least: receiving whitening parameters in downlink control information via the first device; forwarding the whitening parameters to at least the second device and the third device; after forwarding, receiving one or more whitened first uplink data streams from at least the second device, and receiving one or more whitened second uplink data streams from the first device; combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams into one or more combined uplink data streams; and forwarding the one or more combined uplink data streams to the first device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The following describes the embodiments by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0023] Figure 1 A wireless communication system is illustrated;

[0024] Figure 2 An example of an open wireless access network architecture is given;

[0025] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a neural network;

[0026] Figures 4 to 7 is a flow chart illustrating the functionality of the example;

[0027] Figures 8 to 11 describes the exchange of information; and

[0028] Figure 12 to Figure 14 This is the principle block diagram. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following embodiments are provided as examples only. Although the specification may mention "one", "one" or "some" (multiple) embodiments and / or (multiple) examples in several positions, this does not necessarily mean that each such mention refers to the same (multiple) embodiments or (multiple) examples, nor does it necessarily mean that a particular feature is only applicable to a single embodiment and / or a single example. The individual features of different embodiments and / or examples may also be combined to provide other embodiments and / or examples. In addition, the words "include" and "comprise" should be understood as not limiting the described embodiments to consist only of those features mentioned, and these embodiments may also include features / structures that are not specifically mentioned. In addition, although the terms include ordinal numbers, such as "first", "second", etc., which can be used to describe various elements, structural elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish elements from other elements. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first signal may be referred to as a second signal, and similarly, a second signal may also be referred to as a first signal.

[0030] In the following, different exemplary embodiments will be described using a radio access architecture based on Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-advanced, LTE-a) or New Radio (NR, 5G) as an example of an access architecture to which the embodiments can be applied, without limiting the embodiments to such an architecture, however, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these embodiments can also be applied to other types of communication networks with appropriate means by appropriately adjusting parameters and processes. Some examples of other options for applicable systems are Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN or E-UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE, same as E-UTRA), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) or any combination thereof.

[0031] Figure 1 An example of a simplified system architecture is depicted, showing only some elements and functional entities, all of which are logical units and whose implementation may differ from what is shown. Figure 1 The connections shown in are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the system typically also includes Figure 1 Other functions and structures than those shown.

[0032] However, the embodiments are not limited to the system 100 given as an example, but a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems having the necessary characteristics.

[0033] Figure 1 The example of FIG. 1 shows a portion of an example wireless access network.

[0034] Figure 1 Shown is a user equipment 101, 101' configured to be wirelessly connected to an access node (e.g., (e / g) NodeB) providing the cell on one or more communication channels in the cell. The physical link from the user equipment to the (e / g) NodeB is called an uplink or reverse link, while the physical link from the (e / g) NodeA to the user equipment is called a downlink or forward link. It should be understood that the (e / g) NodeB or its functions can be implemented by using any node, host, server, or access point entity suitable for such use.

[0035] A communication system typically includes more than one (e / g)NodeB, in which case the (e / g)NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with each other via wired or wireless links designed for this purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes. A (e / g)NodeB is a computing device configured to control the wireless resources of the communication system to which it is coupled. A NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point, or any other type of interface device, including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. The (e / g)NodeB includes a transceiver or is coupled to a transceiver. From the transceiver of the (e / g)NodeB, a connection is provided to an antenna unit, which establishes a bidirectional wireless link with the device. The antenna unit may include multiple antennas or antenna elements. The (e / g)NodeB is further connected to a core network 105 (CN or next generation core NGC). Depending on the system, the counterparty on the CN side can be a serving gateway (S-GW, routing and forwarding user data packets), a packet data network gateway (P-GW), which is used to provide a connection between the user equipment (UE) and the external packet data network, or a mobility management entity (MME), or a user plane function (UPF), or an access and mobility management function (AMF), etc.

[0036] User equipment (also referred to as UE, user device, user terminal, terminal device, etc.) shows a type of device to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, so any features described herein with respect to user equipment can be implemented with corresponding devices such as relay nodes. An example of such a relay node is a layer 3 relay (self-backhaul relay) toward a base station.

[0037] User equipment generally refers to a computing device (e.g., a portable computing device), which includes wireless mobile communication devices that operate with or without a subscriber identity module (SIM), including but not limited to the following types of devices: mobile stations (mobile phones), smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, devices using wireless modems (alarms or measuring devices, etc.), laptop computers and / or touch screen computers, tablet computers, game consoles, notebook computers, and multimedia devices. It should be understood that user equipment can also be almost the only uplink-only device, an example of which is a camera or video camera that loads images or video clips to the network. User equipment can also be a device with the ability to operate in an Internet of Things (IoT) network, which is a scenario that provides objects with the ability to transmit data over a network without human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. For example, for smart networks and networked vehicles. User equipment can also use the cloud. In some applications, user equipment can include a user-portable device with a wireless component (e.g., a watch, headphones, glasses, other wearable accessories or wearable devices), and the calculation is performed in the cloud. The user device (or in some embodiments, a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more user equipment functions. User equipment may also be referred to as a subscriber unit, a mobile station, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, or a user equipment (UE), to name a few names or devices. In addition, it should be understood that the number of receive and / or transmit antennas in a user equipment may vary depending on the implementation and / or type of the user equipment.

[0038] Various techniques described in this article can also be applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems of cooperating computing elements that control physical entities). CPS can implement and utilize a large number of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects in different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and sub-devices transported by humans or animals.

[0039] Furthermore, although these devices are described as a single entity, different units, processors and / or memory units may be implemented (not all as Figure 1 shown).

[0040] 5G is able to use Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in cooperation with smaller sites, and adopt various radio technologies depending on service requirements, usage and / or available spectrum. 5G mobile communications support a wide range of use cases and related applications, including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of sharing data and various forms of machine type applications (such as (massive) machine type communications (mMTC)), including vehicle safety, different sensors and real-time control. 5G is expected to have multiple radio interfaces, namely sub-6GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and can also be integrated with existing legacy radio access technologies (such as LTE). At least in the early stages, the integration with LTE can be implemented as a system where LTE provides macro coverage and the 5G radio interface access comes from the small cell by aggregation to LTE. In other words, 5G plans to support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as sub-6GHz-cmWave, sub-6GHz-cmWave-mmWave). One of the concepts considered for use in 5G networks is network slicing, in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual subnetworks (network instances) can be created in the same infrastructure to run services with different requirements for latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0041] The current architecture in LTE networks is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. Low latency applications and services in 5G require content to be close to the radio, which leads to local bursting and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to be performed at the data source. This approach requires the use of resources that may not be continuously connected to the network, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also enables the storage and processing of content close to cellular users to speed up response time. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data collection, mobile signature analysis, collaborative distributed peer-to-peer self-organizing networks and processing can also be categorized as local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloud servlets, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomous self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, healthcare applications).

[0042] The communication system may also be capable of communicating with other networks, such as the public switched telephone network or the Internet 106, or utilizing services provided by them. The communication network may also be capable of supporting the use of cloud services, for example, at least a portion of the core network operations may be performed as a cloud service (this may be in the case of Figure 1 The communication system may also include a central control entity or the like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate, for example in spectrum sharing.

[0043] The edge cloud can be brought into the radio access network (RAN) by leveraging network function virtualization (NVF) and software defined networking (SDN). Using the edge cloud may mean performing access node operations at least partially in a server, host or node that is operably coupled to a remote radio head or base station that includes the wireless portion. Node operations may also be distributed among multiple servers, nodes or hosts. The application of the cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real-time functions to be performed on the RAN side (in the distributed unit, DU 102) and non-real-time functions to be performed in a centralized manner (in the central unit, CU 104). Another example of distribution, open RAN, also includes the decomposition of certain functions between the distributed unit and one or more wireless units (illustrated as one entity, DU&RU 102).

[0044] It should also be understood that the labor distribution between core network operations and base station operations may be different from that of LTE, or even non-existent. Some other technological advances that may be used are Big Data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are built and managed. 5G (or New Radio, NR) networks are designed to support multiple hierarchical structures, where MEC servers can be placed between the core and base stations or Node B (gNB). It should be understood that MEC can also be applied in 4G networks.

[0045] 5G can also make use of satellite communications to enhance or supplement the coverage of 5G services, for example by providing backhaul. Possible use cases are to provide service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or passengers on board, or to ensure service availability for critical communications and future rail / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communications can make use of geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems with hundreds of (nano) satellites deployed). Each satellite 103 in a mega-constellation can cover several satellite network entities creating a ground cell. A ground cell can be created by a ground relay node 102 or a gNB located on the ground or in a satellite.

[0046] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the described system is only an example of a part of a wireless access system, and in practice, the system may include multiple (e / g)NodeBs, user equipment may access multiple wireless cells, and the system may also include other devices, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements, etc. At least one of the (e / g)nodeBs may be a home (e / g)NodeB. In addition, in a geographical area of ​​the wireless communication system, multiple different types of wireless cells and multiple wireless cells may be provided. A wireless cell may be a macro cell (or umbrella cell), which is a large cell typically having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or a smaller cell, such as a micro cell, a femto cell or a pico cell. Figure 1 The (e / g)NodeB can provide any type of these cells. A cellular radio system can be implemented as a multi-layer network including several cells. Usually, in a multi-layer network, one access node provides one or more cells, so multiple (e / g)NodeBs are needed to provide this network structure.

[0047] In order to meet the needs of improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of "plug and play" (e / g) NodeB is introduced. Generally, a network that can use "plug and play" (e / g) NodeB includes a home (e / g) NodeB (H(e / g)nodeB) and a home nodeB gateway, or HNB-GW ( Figure 1 The HNB gateway (HNB-GW) is usually installed in the operator's network, which can aggregate services from a large number of HNBs back to the core network.

[0048] 6G networks are expected to adopt flexible decentralized and / or distributed computing systems and architectures and ubiquitous computing, based on mobile edge computing, artificial intelligence, short packet communications and blockchain technology to achieve local spectrum licensing, spectrum sharing, infrastructure sharing and intelligent automation management. The key features of 6G will include intelligent interconnection management and control functions, programmability, integrated sensing and communication, reduced energy footprint, trusted infrastructure, scalability and affordability. In addition to this, 6G also targets new use cases, including integrating positioning and sensing functions into system definition to unify user experience in the physical and digital worlds.

[0049] It is envisioned that 5G, 6G and beyond will have radio access networks that deploy distributed antennas, where a distributed unit is connected to multiple radio units, forming a shared cell. An example of such a radio access network is an open radio access network (open RAN, O-RAN), which is based on disaggregated, virtualized and software-based components as described above. In openRAN, a distributed unit is called an O-DU and a radio unit is called an O-RU.

[0050] Figure 2 A highly simplified example of the O-RAN logical architecture is shown, in which only some operational entities and components are disclosed, as well as non-limiting examples of their mapping. The high-level view of the O-RAN architecture includes network functions, a service management and orchestration framework (SMO) for managing network functions, and O-Cloud (O-RAN Cloud) for hosting cloudified network functions.

[0051] refer to Figure 2 , O-RAN 200 includes an open platform for interacting and directing the behavior of the radio access network, such as the radio access network nodes in the radio access network node part 230. The open platform can be called an xRAN controller or a wireless intelligent controller (RIC), and it includes a non-real-time part (non-RT RIC) 210 and a near-real-time part (near-RTRIC) 220. The non-real-time part 210 can be part of a service management and orchestration framework, and the near-real-time part 220 can be on the radio access side. (The radio access side includes the radio access network nodes.) The interface between the non-real-time part 210 and the near-real-time part 220 ( Figure 2 The interface 234 between the near real-time part 230 and the wireless access network node part 230 is an E2 interface. The interface ( Figure 2 (not shown) is the O2 interface. In addition, different algorithms, such as optimization algorithms and services, can be instantiated as applications on the underlying wireless intelligent controller (open platform). These applications can be called "xApps", which can interact with the wireless intelligent controller through one or more application programming interfaces called "API X" and can be freely defined.

[0052] The shared cell may be provided by a star connection 231 or a daisy chain connection 232 between the radio access nodes in the radio access network node part 230. In both connections 231, 232, the distributed unit O-DU is configured to support an E2 interface 234 to the near real-time part 220 and an open fronthaul interface 233 towards the fronthaul (towards the downlink). The term "fronthaul" is used herein to refer to the network part connected to the distributed unit via the fronthaul interface.

[0053] In the star connection 231, multiple radio units O-RU#1, ..., O-RU#N (at least two), which may belong to one cell identifier, or one or more of them may belong to another cell identifier / other cell identifiers, are connected to one distributed unit O-DU via a unit / component called a fronthaul multiplexer FHM. The FHM is configured to combine or aggregate uplink signals (eCPRI messages) from multiple radio units, for example, by a combining function, and acts as a radio unit toward the O-DU, and is configured to support an open fronthaul interface 233. The star connection 231 may be referred to as an FHM mode, in which the fronthaul includes the FHM and multiple radio units.

[0054] In the daisy chain connection 232, one of the multiple radio units ORU#1, ..., O-RU#N (at least two) all belonging to one cell identifier is connected to one distributed unit ODU via an open fronthaul interface 233, and the other radio units are connected in a chain-like manner, so that the radio unit is connected to one radio unit in the northbound direction (uplink), and the cascaded radio unit, i.e., the radio unit also having a connection in the southbound direction, is configured to combine the uplink signal (eCPRI message) with the data received over the air, for example, by a combining function, and forward the combined uplink signal. The daisy chain 232 connection may be referred to as a cascade mode, in which the fronthaul includes multiple radio units.

[0055] In an implementation where a lower layer functional division is applied, the distributed unit O-DU performs channel estimation, equalization and decoding functions, while the radio unit and FHM perform fast Fourier transform, cyclic prefix addition / deletion and beamforming functions. In order to reduce the noise and interference caused by the combined signal, whitening will be performed in the fronthaul including the O-RU and possibly the FHM, as will be described in more detail below. Since the channel estimation function is located in the distributed unit, rather than the fronthaul, the near real-time RIC220 includes a component (unit, node), referred to herein as an intelligent whitening controller, which is configured to derive a prediction of whitening parameters, for example, by predicting the channel conditions to be applied in the fronthaul. Therefore, whitening can be referred to as predictive whitening. The intelligent whitening controller can be, or include, a machine learning-based model or a corresponding algorithm.

[0056] For example, in the initial configuration phase, the intelligent whitening controller has received a strategy (signal 201) from the non-real-time RIC 210. The strategy is converted into a utility metric for training the model. In addition, for example, in the initial configuration phase, the intelligent whitening controller has received capability information (signals 202203) from different radio access network nodes. It should be understood that, according to the implementation, the capability information can be provided to the intelligent whitening controller once in the initial configuration phase, or it can also be provided during the operation of updating the model. The capability information can indicate one or more nodes, including a device for applying whitening parameters, that is, a node configured to support whitening, and configuration information related to the physical constraints of the fronthaul interface. In other words, the intelligent whitening controller will have knowledge of the shared cell topology of each shared cell, including the number of wireless units served by the distributed unit, the number of spatial uplink streams of each wireless unit, and the mapping of the wireless unit to the cell identifier. The intelligent whitening controller may also have information about the maximum number of spatial streams that can be carried by the open fronthaul interface 233. Capability information is received from the distributed unit via the E2 interface 234, and the distributed unit can combine the capability signaling received from the fronthaul.

[0057] A spatial stream refers herein to an output signal from a wireless unit, and it may be interchanged with the term "uplink data stream". Thus, the term encompasses output signals regardless of the number of antenna elements in the wireless unit. A wireless unit with multiple antenna elements may be configured to process input signals received by the antenna elements by means of a fast Fourier transform and beamforming functionality to form a new set of output signals, i.e., beams. A wireless unit with a limited number of antenna elements may be configured to process input signals received by the antenna elements only by means of a fast Fourier transform, without beamforming functionality, to form a new set of output signals.

[0058] In operation, the smart whitening controller receives a request (signal 204) for whitening parameters for one or more uplink data streams from a distributed unit via the E2 interface 234, the uplink data streams being predicted to be received via one or more wireless units over the air, more precisely via the wireless interface, the smart whitening controller derives (block 205) a prediction of the whitening parameters based at least on the predicted channel conditions in the wireless interface for the one or more data streams, and sends at least via the distributed unit via the E2 interface 234 and the open fronthaul interface 233, including the prediction in a downlink control information (206) as the whitening parameters for the one or more uplink data streams. The data streams ( Figure 2The whitening parameters are not shown in Figure 2 and are whitened (block 207) by applying whitening parameters, the whitened data streams are combined (block 208) and forwarded (block 209) as a combined uplink data stream (210) to the distributed unit and through the open fronthaul interface 233. The process of whitening first and then combining will reduce signal degradation in the combined signal. Whitening means that the data stream (signal) is divided by the amplitude of the estimated noise and interference, which can be conveyed in the whitening parameters, so that the noise and interference components of the post-whitened data stream will have zero mean and finite variance. Since the intelligent whitening controller is in the near real-time RIC, whitening decisions can be made on a near real-time scale, and the controller provides an output with a time scale of less than 10ms.

[0059] Figure 3 An example of a deep learning neural network is shown that can be used for an intelligent whitening controller, such as providing a method for deriving whitening parameter predictions. It should be understood that other kinds of artificial intelligence-based models or corresponding algorithms that are configurable or trainable can also be used to determine the optimal set of whitening parameters for the time-frequency resources of each radio unit. Such algorithms or artificial intelligence-based models are intended to predict the noise and interference covariance of spatial uplink streams incoming through the air based on predicted channel conditions of one or more devices such as user equipment.

[0060] refer to Figure 3 , a deep neural network (DNN) 330 is an artificial neural network that includes a plurality of hidden layers 302 ( Figure 3 Only one hidden layer 302 is shown in FIG. 1 . As is known in the art, each hidden layer 302 includes nodes that perform calculations. The training of the DNN enables it to find the correct mathematical operations to transform the input into the correct output.

[0061] In the example shown, in operation, the input to the input layer includes:

[0062] - Future scheduling information (x1) of resource allocation when whitening parameters are to be applied. This information may include frequency resource allocation of devices (e.g., UEs) in future target time slots, and more than one device may be paired by the scheduler to share the same time-frequency resources.

[0063] - Measured channel conditions in the radio interface (x2). This may include channel state information for the device in the current time slot.

[0064] - Information (x3) related to joint reception by at least two second devices when whitening parameters are to be applied. This may include measurement results related to multiple transmission-reception points for whitening parameters on two or more radio units for joint reception operation, such as uplink coordinated multi-point.

[0065] - Mobility information of one or more devices scheduled to transmit uplink data when the whitening parameters are to be applied (x4). This information may include the current location of the device, the mobility trajectory, and the projected location in the future target time slot.

[0066] - Spatial stream allocation (x5) of one or more devices scheduled to transmit uplink data when whitening parameters are to be applied. This information can be used to determine the whitening parameters for the subset of spatial streams to be combined.

[0067] It should be understood that the inputs may include one, two, three, or four of the above listed. The information for the inputs may be received entirely in a request from a distributed unit, or some information, such as the projection position, may be received from one or more other intelligent controller modules in a near real-time RIC or in a corresponding intelligent management layer in which the intelligent whitening controller is also located.

[0068] The training dataset for the model consists of the same inputs, using either measured or simulated values.

[0069] exist Figure 3 In the example, it is assumed that there are two wireless units under one distributed unit, so the model outputs a set of predictions (y1) of whitening parameters of the first wireless unit and a second set of predictions (y2) of whitening parameters of the second wireless unit in the output layer 316. It should be understood that the number of sets corresponds to the number of wireless units under one distributed unit. In addition, the final output of each set is one or more whitening parameters. The one or more whitening parameters may include at least one set of whitening coefficients for each frequency range. For example, the whitening coefficients may be different in different physical resource blocks or frequency subbands. In other words, the whitening parameters can cover a specific time-frequency resource range with a limited granularity, such as a physical resource block for each user equipment (device) or each user equipment group (device).

[0070] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating the functionality of the intelligent whitening controller.

[0071] See also Figure 4The intelligent whitening controller receives (block 401) a request for whitening parameters for one or more uplink data streams, the one or more uplink data streams being predicted to be received via one or more devices over a wireless interface and whitened before being combined into one or more combined uplink data streams. The request (whitening request message) may include the whitening parameters used above. Figure 3 One or more of the inputs described as information. In other words, the request may include one or more of the following: a target time instant, such as a time slot or symbol offset, when whitening is to be performed, a scheduling decision of the distributed unit regarding the time-frequency resources occupied by one or more devices (such as user equipment) at the target time instant, current channel state information of the corresponding one or more devices and their movement trajectories, user grouping information (multi-user pairing or uplink coordinated multipoint), beam allocation, etc.

[0072] A prediction for whitening parameters is then derived based at least on predicted channel conditions in the wireless interface for one or more data streams (block 402), e.g., as described above. Figure 3 As described, using an algorithm or model.

[0073] In downlink control information (DCI), whitening parameters predicted as one or more uplink data streams to be whitened are transmitted (block 403) to one or more devices via at least another device. The one or more whitening parameters may include whitening coefficients. The downlink control information, such as a whitening control message, may also include identification information of a target device for the one or more combined uplink data streams; and / or identification information of one or more target devices for the one or more whitening parameters; and / or information indicating one or more uplink data streams to which at least one of the one or more whitening parameters is to be applied; and / or information indicating when the one or more whitening parameters are to be applied.

[0074] In one implementation, the intelligent whitening controller may aggregate whitening parameters for time-frequency resources to cover the entire bandwidth of the radio unit in one downlink control information message.

[0075] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating the functionality of a device for applying at least whitening parameters. According to an embodiment, the apparatus may be a FHM or a wireless unit. Figures 8 to 11 Various example implementations are disclosed.

[0076] refer to Figure 5, receiving whitening parameters (block 501), receiving downlink control information, such as a whitening parameter message, via a first device. The first device may be a distributed unit. Receive at least one or more first uplink data streams from a second device (block 502). The second device may be a wireless unit or device, such as a user equipment, transmitted over the air. Apply whitening parameters to at least one or more first uplink data streams (block 503) to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data. Then perform one of the following operations (block 504): forward to the first device, at least one or more whitened first uplink data streams to be combined with one or more whitened second uplink data streams, or combine one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams and forward one or more combined uplink data streams to the first device.

[0077] The open fronthaul interface, and therefore the link established on the open fronthaul interface, has a limited bandwidth, which may be because the bandwidth is not large enough to allow the transmission of all individual uplink data streams. In some implementations, subsets of the uplink data streams are combined until the final bandwidth in the combined uplink data streams and the remaining individual uplink data streams matches the bandwidth of the fronthaul interface. In other words, the combination is performed when necessary. In addition, in some implementations, the downlink control information indicates the data stream to which the whitening parameter is to be applied, and therefore the remaining individual uplink data streams may not be whitened.

[0078] refer to Figure 6 , when combining a whitened first uplink data stream and a second uplink data stream, i.e., uplink data streams whitened by different wireless units (block 600), selecting a subset of one or more whitened first uplink data streams and one or more whitened second uplink data streams (block 601); and combining the whitened uplink data streams in the subset (block 602).

[0079] When selecting a subset (block 601), information received with the whitening parameters indicating the uplink data streams to be combined and / or the bandwidth available for the uplink data streams may be used.

[0080] Figure 7 Another example related to combining subsets of uplink data streams is illustrated. In this example, the bandwidth available for uplink data streams is defined as the maximum number N of spatial data streams supported by the open fronthaul interface.

[0081] refer to Figure 7, when the whitened first uplink data stream and the second uplink data stream, i.e. the uplink data streams whitened by different radio units, are combined (block 700), the number M of uplink data streams to be selected into the subset is determined (block 701) so that the number of data streams to be forwarded after combining the subset is less than or equal to the maximum number N. The target is the maximum number N, but it may not be met due to some topology or some other capacity constraints. Then, the M uplink data streams are selected (block 702) into the subset, and the M selected uplink data streams are combined (block 703), and the combined uplink data streams and the data streams that were not selected and therefore not combined are forwarded in block 704.

[0082] For example, suppose there are two wireless units under a distributed unit, both of which have 4 antennas, and therefore have 4 uplink data streams, resulting in 8 uplink data streams to be transmitted on the open fronthaul interface, and its bandwidth is 4 data streams. This means that all uplink data streams must be combined, for example, the data streams of the two antennas in the corresponding wireless units are combined, and each wireless unit produces two combined data streams, a total of four combined data streams, and matches the bandwidth of the open fronthaul interface. Another method is to combine the data stream from the first wireless unit with the data stream from the second wireless unit, and combine it to all data streams to obtain four combined data streams.

[0083] In another example, assume that there are two radio units under a distributed unit, and both radio units have 4 antennas, so both have 4 uplink data streams, resulting in 8 uplink data streams to be transmitted through the open fronthaul interface, with a bandwidth of 6 data streams. This means that 4 data streams will be combined, for example, the data streams of the two antennas in one of the radio units can be combined to obtain two combined data streams; while the data streams of the other radio unit are not combined, resulting in six data streams that match the bandwidth of the open fronthaul interface. Another method is to combine the data stream from the first radio unit with the data stream from the second radio unit, and to perform such a combination on the two data streams of each radio unit, resulting in two combined data streams and four uncombined data streams.

[0084] Figures 8 to 11 Different implementation examples of the above functions and related information exchange are shown, Figures 8 to 10 In FHM mode, and Fig.11In cascade mode. For clarity of description, it is assumed that there are two radio units RU1 and RU2 under one distributed unit DU. Furthermore, one data stream per radio unit is used as a non-limiting example. It is a simple process for a person skilled in the art to apply these examples to implementations using three or more radio units and / or more than one data stream per radio unit under one distributed unit. The intelligent whitening controller is described by IWC. Different interfaces, such as E2 between DU and IWC, or an open fronthaul interface between FHM or RU1, through which signaling (messages, information) is transmitted, are not shown. Furthermore, in the example shown, except for Fig.10 The data flows received from the device (eg UE) over the air (through the wireless interface) are not shown except for the dashed lines. The control signaling (control flows or control messages) are represented by dashed lines and the solid lines represent the uplink data flows (data flows).

[0085] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, the FHM is configured to perform both whitening and combining.

[0086] refer to Figure 8 , based on the scheduling decision made by the DU, the DU transmits a request for whitening parameters (control message 8-1) to the IWC. Different examples of the content of the request have been given above. The IWC then predicts (block 8-2) the whitening parameters as described above and transmits them to the FHM via the DU in downlink control information (8-3), for example in a whitening control message. In other words, the DU is the middleman that passes the whitening control message from the IWC to the FHM.

[0087] The FHM receives an uplink data stream from RU1 (message 8-4) and whitens (block 8-5) the uplink data stream by applying a whitening parameter to the data stream to obtain a whitened data stream. Correspondingly, the FHM receives an uplink data stream from RU2 (message 8-6) and whitens (block 8-7) the uplink data stream by applying a whitening parameter to the data stream. The whitened data streams are then combined (block 8-8) and the combined whitened data stream is forwarded (message 8-9) to the DU for further processing and forwarding.

[0088] exist Fig. 9 In the example shown, the radio is configured to perform whitening and the FHM is configured to perform combining.

[0089] refer to Fig. 9, based on the scheduling decision made by the DU, the DU transmits a request for whitening parameters to the IWC (control message 9-1). Different examples of the content of the request have been given above. The IWC then predicts (block 9-2) the whitening parameters, as described above, and transmits them to the respective radio units RU1, RU2 via the DU and via the FHM in downlink control information (9-3), for example in a whitening control message for each radio unit, or within one whitening control message. In other words, the DU and the FHM are middlemen that pass the whitening control messages from the IWC to RU1 and RU2.

[0090] RU1 receives an uplink data stream (not shown) over the air and whitens (block 9-4) the uplink data stream by applying a whitening parameter to the data stream to obtain a whitened data stream, which RU1 then transmits (message 9-5) to the FHM. Correspondingly, RU2 receives an uplink data stream (not shown) over the air and whitens (block 9-6) the uplink data stream by applying a whitening parameter to the data stream to obtain a whitened data stream, which RU2 then transmits (message 9-6) to the FHM. The whitened data streams are then combined (block 9-7) by the FHM, and the combined whitened data stream is forwarded (message 9-8) to the DU for further processing and forwarding.

[0091] Fig.10 The example shown in describes an example of a joint reception scheme for a device (e.g., UE) located in the coverage area of ​​both RU1 and RU2. The joint reception scheme may be uplink coordinated multi-point. Fig.10 In the example shown, the radio is configured to perform whitening and the FHM is configured to perform combining.

[0092] refer to Fig.10 , based on the scheduling decision made by the DU, the DU transmits a request for whitening parameters to the IWC (control message 10-1). Different examples of the content of the request have been given above, including scheduling information for the UEs in RU1 and RU2. The IWC then predicts (block 10-2) the whitening parameters, as described above, for example based on the predicted channel conditions of the UE for both RU1 and RU2. The IWC transmits the whitening parameters to the respective radio units RU1, RU2 in downlink control information (10-3), for example in a whitening control message for each radio unit, or in one whitening control message via the DU, and via the FHM. In other words, the DU and the FHM are middlemen that pass the whitening control messages from the IWC to RU1 and RU2.

[0093] RU1 receives an uplink data stream from the UE over the air (message 10-4), and whitens the uplink data stream by applying a whitening parameter to the data stream (block 10-5) to obtain a whitened data stream, which RU1 then transmits (message 10-6) to the FHM. Correspondingly, RU2 receives an uplink data stream over the air (message 10-4), and whitens the uplink data stream by applying a whitening parameter to the data stream (block 10-7) to obtain a whitened data stream, which RU2 then transmits (message 10-8) to the FHM. The whitened data streams are then combined by the FHM (block 10-9), and the combined whitened data stream is forwarded (message 10-10) to the DU for further processing and forwarding.

[0094] exist Fig.11 In the example shown, the radios in cascade mode are configured to perform whitening and combining, but the last radio in cascade mode may be configured to perform only whitening. In addition, the first radio in the cascade is configured to support an open fronthaul interface and is connected to the DU.

[0095] refer to Fig.11 , based on the scheduling decision made by the DU, the DU transmits a request for whitening parameters to the IWC (control message 11-1). Different examples of the content of the request have been given above. The IWC then predicts (block 112) the whitening parameters, as described above, and in the downlink control information (11-3), for example in the whitening control message, each radio unit transmits one whitening control message to RU1 via the DU and one whitening control message to RU2 via the DU and via RU1 (first hop). In other words, the DU is the middleman and the radio unit can be the middleman that passes the whitening control message from the IWC to the target radio unit.

[0096] RU2 receives an uplink data stream (not shown) over the air and whitens (block 11-4) the uplink data stream by applying whitening parameters to the data stream to obtain a whitened data stream, which RU2 then transmits (message 11-5) to RU1. Correspondingly, RU1 receives an uplink data stream (not shown) over the air and whitens (block 11-6) the uplink data stream by applying whitening parameters to the data stream to obtain a whitened data stream, which RU1 then combines with the whitened data stream obtained from RU2 (block 11-7). The combined whitened data stream is forwarded (message 11-8) to the DU for further processing and forwarding. If there is another radio unit between RU1 and the DU, the other radio unit will process the combined whitened data stream in a similar manner to how RU1 processes the data stream from RU2.

[0097] As can be seen from the above examples, whitening can be performed on the spatial streams to be combined before combining, and only a subset of the spatial streams can be whitened and combined. In addition, these solutions are applicable to massive MIMO radios and legacy radios. Using prediction methods, data streams can be whitened without channel estimation functions, which improves the signal-to-noise and interference ratio in lower layer functional partitioning solutions, thereby improving link level and system performance, higher throughput and better user experience.

[0098] Above through Figures 1 to 11 There is no absolute chronological order for the described boxes, the associated functions and the information exchange (messages / signals), some of which may be executed simultaneously or in a different order than the given one. Other functions may also be executed between or within them, and other information may be transmitted and / or other rules may apply. Some boxes or parts of boxes or one or more pieces of information may also be omitted or replaced by corresponding boxes or parts of boxes or one or more pieces of information.

[0099] Fig.12 An apparatus 1200 configured to perform whitening and / or combining according to some embodiments is shown. In other words, the apparatus may implement a FHM function or a radio unit function. Fig.13 An apparatus 1300 is shown configured to request whitening parameters according to some embodiments. In other words, the apparatus may implement a distributed unit functionality. Fig.14 An apparatus 1400 is shown configured to derive whitening parameters according to some embodiments. In other words, the apparatus implements a whitening controller function. It should be understood that any apparatus may be implemented by physically distributed devices forming one logical apparatus.

[0100] The apparatus 1200, the apparatus 1300, the apparatus 1400 may include one or more communication control circuits 1220, the communication control circuits 1320, the communication control circuits 1420, such as at least one processor, and at least one memory 1230, the memory 1330, the memory 1430, which includes one or more algorithms 1231, the algorithm 1331, the algorithm 1431, such as computer program code (software), wherein at least one memory and the computer program code (software) are configured to, together with at least one processor, enable the apparatus to perform any of the example functions of the above-mentioned corresponding apparatus. The at least one memory 1230, the memory 1330, the memory 1430 may also include at least one database 1232, the database 1332, the database 1432.

[0101] refer to Fig.12, the one or more communication control circuits 1220 of the device 1200 include at least a whitener / combiner circuit 1221, which is configured to perform at least whitening or combining or whitening and combining according to an embodiment, and may provide topology information and / or capability information. To this end, the whitener / combiner circuit 1221 of the device 1200 is configured to use one or more separate circuits, for example, by Figures 2 to 11 , through the wireless unit or FHM, performs at least some of the functions of the above-mentioned devices.

[0102] refer to Fig.13 According to an embodiment, the one or more communication control circuits 1320 of the device 1300 include at least a parameter requester circuit 1321, which is configured to perform a request for whitening parameters and possibly provide topology information and / or capability information. To this end, the parameter requester circuit 1321 of the device 1300 is configured to use one or more separate circuits, for example, by Figures 2 to 11 , through distributed units, performing at least some of the functions of the above-mentioned devices.

[0103] refer to Fig.14 , the one or more communication control circuits 1420 of the device 1400 include at least a predictor circuit 1421, which is configured to perform a derived prediction of the whitening parameter according to an embodiment. To this end, the predictor circuit 1421 of the device 1400 is configured to use one or more separate circuits, for example, by Figures 2 to 11 , through an intelligent whitening controller, performs at least some of the functions of the above-mentioned device.

[0104] refer to Fig.12 , Fig.13 , Fig.14 , memory 1230, memory 1330, memory 1430 can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based storage devices, flash memory, magnetic storage devices and systems, optical storage devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory.

[0105] refer to Fig.12 , Fig.13 , Fig.14, the device 1200, the device 1300, the device 1400 may also include different interfaces 1210, interfaces 1310, interfaces 1410, such as one or more communication interfaces (TX / RX), which include hardware and / or software for implementing communication connections according to one or more communication protocols. One or more communication interfaces 1210, communication interfaces 1310, communication interfaces 1410 can be connected to the Internet and / or the core network of the wireless communication network. One or more communication interfaces 1210, communication interfaces 1310, communication interfaces 1410 can provide the device with communication capabilities to communicate in a cellular communication system and allow communication with different network nodes or elements. One or more communication interfaces 1210, communication interfaces 1310, communication interfaces 1410 may include standard well-known components controlled by corresponding control units, such as amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, modulators / demodulators, and encoder / decoder circuits, and one or more antennas.

[0106] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) a hardware-only circuit implementation, such as an implementation in analog and / or digital circuits only, and (b) a combination of hardware circuits and software (and / or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) (multiple) hardware processors and any portion of software, including (multiple) digital signal processors, software and (multiple) memories that work together to enable an apparatus (such as a terminal device or access node) to perform various functions, and (c) (multiple) hardware circuits and (multiple) processors, such as microprocessors or portions of microprocessors, which require software (such as firmware) to operate, but the software may not be present when the software is not required for operation. The definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of the term in this application, including any claims. As a further example used in this application, the term "circuitry" also covers only an implementation of a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or a portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuitry" also covers, for example, and if applicable to a particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit for an access node or terminal device or other computing or network equipment.

[0107] In one embodiment, at least some functions of the apparatus of Figure Y can be shared between two physically separate devices, thereby forming an operational entity. Therefore, it can be seen that the apparatus depicts an operational entity including one or more physically separate devices for performing at least some of the processes described.

[0108] In one embodiment, in combination Figures 2 to 11At least some of the described processes may be performed by an apparatus including corresponding components for performing at least some of the described processes. Some example components for performing a process may include at least one of the following: a detector, a processor (including dual-core and multi-core processors), a digital signal processor, a controller, a receiver, a transmitter, an encoder, a decoder, a memory, a RAM, a ROM, software, firmware, a display, a user interface, a display circuit, a user interface circuit, a user interface software, a display software, a circuit, an antenna, an antenna circuit, and a circuit. In an embodiment, at least one processor, a memory, and a computer program code form one or more computer program codes of a processing component or component for performing the process according to Figures 2 to 11 One or more operations of any embodiment or operation thereof.

[0109] The embodiments described may also be implemented in the form of a computer program or a computer process defined in part thereof. Figures 2 to 11 Embodiments of the method may be performed by executing at least a portion of a computer program including corresponding instructions. The computer program may be provided as a computer-readable medium, including program instructions stored thereon, or as a non-temporary computer-readable medium containing program instructions stored thereon. The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and may be stored in some carrier, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the computer program may be stored on a computer program distribution medium readable by a computer or processor. The computer program medium may be, for example, but not limited to, a recording medium, a computer memory, a read-only memory, an electrical carrier signal, a telecommunication signal, and a software distribution package, for example. The computer program medium may be a non-temporary medium. The coding of the software for executing the embodiments shown and described is entirely within the scope of ordinary technicians in the art.

[0110] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the examples according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the embodiments are not limited thereto, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly, and they are intended to illustrate rather than limit the embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that, with the advancement of technology, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. In addition, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments can, but are not required to, be combined with other embodiments in various ways.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising components for performing the following operations: receiving, via the first device, a whitening parameter in a downlink control message; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second device; Applying the whitening parameter at least to the one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; performing one of: forwarding to the first device at least the one or more whitened first uplink data streams to be combined with the one or more whitened second uplink data streams, or combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least the one or more whitened second uplink data streams and forwarding the one or more combined uplink data streams to the first device; The components are further configured to perform the combination in the following manner: selecting a subset of the one or more whitened first uplink data streams and the one or more whitened second uplink data streams; as well as The whitened uplink data streams in the subsets are combined.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the component is further configured to perform: receiving one or more second uplink data streams from at least a third device; and The whitening parameter is applied to the one or more second uplink data streams to obtain the whitened one or more second uplink data streams.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the component is further configured to perform: At least one whitened second uplink data stream of the one or more whitened second uplink data streams is received.

4. An apparatus comprising means for performing the following operations: receiving, via the first device, a whitening parameter in a downlink control message; forwarding the whitening parameters to at least a second device and a third device; After said forwarding, receiving at least one or more whitened first uplink data streams from said second device and one or more whitened second uplink data streams from said third device; combining at least the one or more whitened first uplink data streams and the one or more whitened second uplink data streams into one or more combined uplink data streams; as well as forwarding the one or more combined uplink data streams to the first device; The components are further configured to perform the combination as follows: selecting a subset of the one or more whitened first uplink data streams and the one or more whitened second uplink data streams; as well as The whitened uplink data streams in the subsets are combined.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the component is further configured to perform: receiving information indicating uplink data streams to be combined and / or bandwidth available for the uplink data streams using the whitening parameters; and The information is used when selecting the subset.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the bandwidth available for uplink data streams is defined as the maximum number N of spatial data streams supported by the open fronthaul interface, and the component is further configured to determine the number M of uplink data streams to be selected into the subset so that the number of data streams to be forwarded after combining the subsets is less than or equal to the maximum number N.

7. An apparatus comprising means for performing the following operations: receiving, from a fourth device, a request for one or more whitening parameters for one or more uplink data streams, the one or more uplink data streams predicted to be received via the one or more second devices over the wireless interface and whitened prior to being combined into one or more combined uplink data streams; deriving a prediction for the one or more whitening parameters based at least on predicted channel conditions in the wireless interface for the one or more data streams; as well as The prediction is sent in downlink control information via at least the fourth means as one or more whitening parameters for the one or more uplink data streams to be whitened.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the component is further configured to perform: receiving, via a fronthaul interface, capability information of a network portion connected to the fourth device, the capability information indicating one or more nodes, the one or more nodes comprising means for applying the one or more whitening parameters and configuration information related to physical constraints of the fronthaul interface; and The capability information is used in deriving the prediction.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the component is further configured to perform: Further information is received in the request, the further information comprising: future scheduling information of resource allocation when the one or more whitening parameters are to be applied, and / or measured channel conditions in the radio interface, and / or information about joint reception by at least two second devices when the one or more whitening parameters are to be applied, and / or mobility information of one or more fifth devices scheduled to transmit uplink data when the one or more whitening parameters are to be applied, and / or spatial stream allocation of one or more fifth devices scheduled to transmit uplink data when the one or more whitening parameters are to be applied; as well as The further information is used in deriving the prediction.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the means for deriving the prediction is implemented as a training model configured to receive the further information as input and to output the prediction of the whitening parameter for each second device.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the one or more whitening parameters comprises at least a set of whitening coefficients per frequency range.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the downlink control information further comprises one or more of the following items: identification information of a target device of the one or more combined uplink data streams; and / or identification information of one or more target devices of the one or more whitening parameters; and / or information indicating one or more uplink data streams to which at least one of the one or more whitening parameters is to be applied; and / or information indicating when to apply the one or more whitening parameters; and / or a set of whitening coefficients for each frequency range.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory comprising computer program code, wherein the at least one processor provides the component using the at least one memory and the computer program code.

14. A method comprising performing, by a device, at least one of a first function, a second function, or a third function, The first function at least includes: receiving, via the first device, a whitening parameter in a downlink control message; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second device; Applying the whitening parameter at least to the one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; forwarding the one or more whitened first uplink data streams to be combined with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams to the first device, wherein the second function comprises at least: receiving, via the first device, a whitening parameter in a downlink control message; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second device; Applying the whitening parameter at least to the one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least the one or more whitened second uplink data streams by selecting a subset of the one or more whitened first uplink data streams and the one or more whitened second uplink data streams and combining the whitened uplink data streams in the subset; and forwarding one or more combined uplink data streams to the first device, wherein the third function comprises at least: receiving, via the first device, a whitening parameter in a downlink control message; forwarding the whitening parameters to at least a second device and a third device; After said forwarding, receiving at least one or more whitened first uplink data streams from said second device and one or more whitened second uplink data streams from said third device; combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least the one or more whitened second uplink data streams into one or more combined uplink data streams by selecting a subset of the one or more whitened first uplink data streams and the one or more whitened second uplink data streams and combining the whitened uplink data streams in the subset; and The one or more combined uplink data streams are forwarded to the first device.

15. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of a first function, a second function, or a third function of a corresponding function: The first function at least includes: receiving, via the first device, a whitening parameter in a downlink control message; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second device; Applying the whitening parameter at least to the one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; forwarding to the first device the one or more whitened first uplink data streams to be combined with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams, The second function at least includes: receiving, via the first device, a whitening parameter in a downlink control message; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second device; Applying the whitening parameter at least to the one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least the one or more whitened second uplink data streams by selecting a subset of the one or more whitened first uplink data streams and the one or more whitened second uplink data streams; and forwarding one or more combined uplink data streams to the first device, The third function at least includes: receiving, via the first device, a whitening parameter in a downlink control message; forwarding the whitening parameters to at least a second device and a third device; After said forwarding, receiving at least one or more whitened first uplink data streams from said second device and one or more whitened second uplink data streams from said third device; combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least the one or more whitened second uplink data streams into one or more combined uplink data streams by selecting a subset of the one or more whitened first uplink data streams and the one or more whitened second uplink data streams; and The one or more combined uplink data streams are forwarded to the first device.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the medium is a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

17. A computer program product comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least one of a first function, a second function or a third function, The first function at least includes: receiving, via the first device, a whitening parameter in a downlink control message; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second device; Applying the whitening parameter at least to the one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; forwarding to the first device the one or more whitened first uplink data streams to be combined with at least one or more whitened second uplink data streams, The second function at least includes: receiving, via the first device, a whitening parameter in a downlink control message; receiving one or more first uplink data streams from at least a second device; Applying the whitening parameter at least to the one or more first uplink data streams to obtain one or more whitened first uplink data streams; combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least the one or more whitened second uplink data streams by selecting a subset of the one or more whitened first uplink data streams and the one or more whitened second uplink data streams; and forwarding one or more combined uplink data streams to the first device, The third function at least includes: receiving, via the first device, a whitening parameter in a downlink control message; forwarding the whitening parameters to at least a second device and a third device; After said forwarding, receiving at least one or more whitened first uplink data streams from said second device and one or more whitened second uplink data streams from said third device; combining the one or more whitened first uplink data streams with at least the one or more whitened second uplink data streams into one or more combined uplink data streams by selecting a subset of the one or more whitened first uplink data streams and the one or more whitened second uplink data streams; and The one or more combined uplink data streams are forwarded to the first device.

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