Configuration of radio unit antenna elements

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications. In some aspects, a radio unit (RU, 240) may send (1305) a message to a controller of the RU (230, DU), the message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU. The RU may receive (1315), from the controller, an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements. Numerous other aspects are described.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 366,200, filed on June 10, 2022, entitled “CONFIGURATION OF RADIO UNIT ANTENNA ELEMENTS,” and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 189,867, filed on March 24, 2023, entitled “CONFIGURATION OF RADIO UNIT ANTENNA ELEMENTS,” which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communications, and to techniques and apparatus for configuring radio unit antenna elements. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems may employ multiple access technologies that can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, etc.). Examples of such multiple access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems, and long term evolution (LTE). LTE / LTE-Advanced is a set of enhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0005] A wireless network may include one or more network nodes that support communications for wireless communication devices, such as user equipment (UE) or multiple UEs. A UE may communicate with a network node via downlink communications and uplink communications. A "downlink" (or "DL") refers to a communication link from a network node to a UE, and an "uplink" (or "UL") refers to a communication link from a UE to a network node. Some wireless networks may support device-to-device communications, such as via a local link (e.g., a side link (SL), a wireless local area network (WLAN) link, and / or a wireless personal area network (WPAN) link, among other examples).

[0006] The above-mentioned multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different UEs to communicate at a city, country, region and / or global level. New Radio (NR) (which may be referred to as 5G) is an enhancement set to the LTE mobile standard promulgated by 3GPP. NR is designed to better support mobile broadband Internet access by using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) (CP-OFDM) with a cyclic prefix (CP) on the downlink, using CP-OFDM and / or single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) (also known as discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM)) on the uplink, and supporting beamforming, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna technology and carrier aggregation to improve spectrum efficiency, reduce costs, improve services, utilize new spectrum, and better integrate with other open standards. As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, further improvements in LTE, NR and other radio access technologies remain useful. Summary of the invention

[0007] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless configuration performed by a radio unit (RU). The method may include: sending a message to a controller of the RU, the message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU. The method may include: receiving from the controller an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements.

[0008] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless configuration performed by a controller of a RU. The method may include: receiving a message from the RU, the message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU. The method may include: sending to the RU an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements.

[0009] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless configuration at a RU. The apparatus may include a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors may be configured to send a message to a controller of the RU, the message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU. The one or more processors may be configured to receive from the controller an indication of one or more low-level endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements.

[0010] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless configuration at a controller of a RU. The apparatus may include a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors may be configured to receive a message from the RU, the message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU. The one or more processors may be configured to send to the RU an indication of one or more low-level endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements.

[0011] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication by a RU. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the RU, may cause the RU to send a message to a controller of the RU, the message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the RU, may cause the RU to receive from the controller an indication of one or more low-level endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements.

[0012] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication by a controller of an RU. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the controller, may cause the controller to receive a message from the RU, the message comprising an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU. The instruction set, when executed by one or more processors of the controller, may cause the controller to send an indication of one or more low-level endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements to the RU.

[0013] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for sending a message to a controller of the apparatus, the message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the apparatus. The apparatus may include means for receiving from the controller an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements.

[0014] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include: means for receiving a message from a RU, the message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU. The apparatus may include: means for sending to the RU an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements.

[0015] The various aspects generally include methods, apparatus, systems, computer program products, non-transitory computer-readable media, user equipment, base stations, network entities, network nodes, wireless communication devices and / or processing systems as fully described herein with reference to the drawings, specifications and appendices and as illustrated in the drawings, specifications and appendices.

[0016] The features and technical advantages of examples according to the present disclosure have been outlined quite extensively above so that the following specific embodiments may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described below. The disclosed concepts and specific examples may be easily used as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for achieving the same purpose of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. The characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein, both in terms of their organization and method of operation, and the associated advantages will be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Each of the figures in the accompanying drawings is provided for the purpose of illustration and description and not as a definition of limitations to the claims.

[0017] Although various aspects are described in the present disclosure by illustrating some examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that such aspects can be implemented in many different arrangements and scenarios. The technology described herein can be implemented using different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes and / or packaging arrangements. For example, some aspects can be implemented via integrated chip implementations or other devices based on non-module components (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication equipment, computing equipment, industrial equipment, retail / shopping equipment, medical equipment and / or artificial intelligence devices). Various aspects can be implemented in chip-level components, modular components, non-modular components, non-chip-level components, device-level components and / or system-level components. The equipment incorporating the various aspects and features described may include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the various aspects claimed and described. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals may include one or more components (e.g., hardware components, including antennas, radio frequency (RF) chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders and / or summers) for analog and digital purposes. The various aspects described herein are intended to be practiced in various devices, components, systems, distributed arrangements and / or end-user devices of various sizes, shapes and configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to fully understand the above-mentioned features of the present disclosure, a more specific description of the invention briefly summarized above can be obtained by referring to various aspects (some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings). However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings only illustrate certain typical aspects of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered as limiting the scope thereof, as the specification may admit of other equally effective aspects. The same reference numerals in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0019] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network according to the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example decomposed base station architecture according to the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a distributed unit communicating with a radio unit (RU) in a wireless network according to the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a rectangular array of antenna elements according to the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a sunflower antenna array according to the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a rectangular antenna array according to the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a hexagonal antenna array according to the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a circular antenna array according to the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a spherical helical antenna array according to the present disclosure.

[0028] Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a rectangular antenna array according to the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig.11 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a rectangular antenna array according to the present disclosure.

[0030] Fig.12 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a circular antenna array according to the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig.13 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with configuring RU antenna elements using an ordered list according to the present disclosure.

[0032] Fig.14 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a RU according to the present disclosure.

[0033] Fig.15 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a controller of an RU according to the present disclosure.

[0034] Fig.16 and Fig.17 is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless configuration according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The various aspects of the present disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms, and should not be interpreted as being limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout the present disclosure. On the contrary, these aspects are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and the scope of the present disclosure will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein, whether it is implemented independently or in combination with any other aspect of the present disclosure. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein may be used to implement a device or practice method. In addition, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover such a device or method that is practiced using other structures, functions, or structures and functions in addition to or different from the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of the claims.

[0036] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various devices and techniques. These devices and techniques will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements can be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Whether these elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0037] Although various aspects may be described herein using terms generally associated with 5G or new radio (NR) radio access technologies (RATs), various aspects of the present disclosure may be applicable to other RATs, such as 3G RATs, 4G RATs, and / or post-5G RATs (e.g., 6G).

[0038] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network 100 according to the present disclosure. The wireless network 100 may be a 5G (e.g., NR) network and / or a 4G (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)) network, or may include elements of a 5G (e.g., NR) network and / or elements of a 4G (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)) network, as well as other examples. The wireless network 100 may include one or more network nodes 110 (shown as network node 110a, network node 110b, network node 110c, and network node 110d), user equipment (UE) 120 or multiple UEs 120 (shown as UE 120a, UE 120b, UE 120c, UE 120d, and UE 120e), and / or other entities. The network node 110 is a network node that communicates with the UE 120. As shown in the figure, the network node 110 may include one or more network nodes. For example, the network node 110 may be a converged network node, which means that the converged network node is configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single radio access network (RAN) node (e.g., within a single device or unit). As another example, the network node 110 may be a decomposed network node (sometimes referred to as a decomposed base station), which means that the network node 110 is configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more nodes (such as one or more central units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs)).

[0039] In some examples, the network node 110 is or includes a network node that communicates with the UE 120 via a radio access link, such as an RU. In some examples, the network node 110 is or includes a network node that communicates with other network nodes 110 via a fronthaul link or a midhaul link, such as a DU. In some examples, the network node 110 is or includes a network node that communicates with other network nodes 110 via a midhaul link or communicates with the core network via a backhaul link, such as a CU. In some examples, the network node 110 (such as an aggregated network node 110 or a decomposed network node 110) may include multiple network nodes, such as one or more RUs, one or more CUs, and / or one or more DUs. The network node 110 may include, for example, an NR base station, an LTE base station, a Node B, an eNB (e.g., in 4G), a gNB (e.g., in 5G), an access point, a transmit receive point (TRP), a DU, a RU, a CU, a mobility element of a network, a core network node, a network element, a network equipment, a RAN node, or a combination thereof. In some examples, network nodes 110 may be interconnected to each other or to one or more other network nodes 110 in wireless network 100 via various types of fronthaul, midhaul, and / or backhaul interfaces, such as direct physical connections, air interfaces, or virtual networks, using any suitable transport network.

[0040] In some examples, the network node 110 may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the term "cell" may refer to the coverage area of ​​the network node 110 and / or the network node subsystem serving the coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. The network node 110 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and / or another type of cell. A macro cell may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by a UE 120 with a service subscription. A pico cell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by a UE 120 with a service subscription. A femto cell may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may allow restricted access by a UE 120 associated with the femto cell (e.g., a UE 120 in a closed subscriber group (CSG)). A network node 110 for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro network node. A network node 110 for a pico cell may be referred to as a pico network node. The network node 110 for a femto cell may be referred to as a femto network node or a home network node. Figure 1 In the example shown in , network node 110a may be a macro network node for macro cell 102a, network node 110b may be a pico network node for pico cell 102b, and network node 110c may be a femto network node for femto cell 102c. A network node may support one or more (e.g., three) cells. In some examples, a cell may not necessarily be stationary, and the geographic area of ​​a cell may move depending on the location of a mobile network node 110 (e.g., a mobile network node).

[0041] In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to a clustered base station, a decomposed base station, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, or one or more components thereof. For example, in some aspects, a "base station" or "network node" may refer to a CU, a DU, a RU, a near real-time (near RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC) or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to a device configured to perform one or more functions (such as those described herein in conjunction with network node 110). In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to multiple devices configured to perform one or more functions. For example, in some distributed systems, each of a number of different devices (which may be located in the same geographic location or in different geographic locations) may be configured to perform at least a portion of a function, or to repeat the execution of at least a portion of the function, and the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to any one or more of these different devices. In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to one or more virtual base stations or one or more virtual base station functions. For example, in some aspects, two or more base station functions may be instantiated on a single device. In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to one of the base station functions but not the other. In this way, a single device may include more than one base station.

[0042] The wireless network 100 may include one or more relay stations. A relay station is a network node that can receive transmissions of data from an upstream node (e.g., a network node 110 or a UE 120) and transmit transmissions of data to a downstream node (e.g., a UE 120 or a network node 110). A relay station may be a UE 120 that is capable of relaying transmissions for other UEs 120. Figure 1 In the example shown in , a network node 110d (e.g., a relay network node) may communicate with a network node 110a (e.g., a macro network node) and a UE 120d to facilitate communications between the network node 110a and the UE 120d. A network node 110 that relays communications may be referred to as a relay station, a relay base station, a relay network node, a relay node, a relay, etc.

[0043] The wireless network 100 may be a heterogeneous network that includes different types of network nodes 110, such as macro network nodes, pico network nodes, femto network nodes, relay network nodes, etc. These different types of network nodes 110 may have different transmit power levels, different coverage areas, and / or different impacts on interference in the wireless network 100. For example, a macro network node may have a high transmit power level (e.g., 5 watts to 40 watts), while a pico network node, a femto network node, and a relay network node may have a lower transmit power level (e.g., 0.1 watt to 2 watts).

[0044] The network controller 130 may be coupled to or communicate with a set of network nodes 110 and may provide coordination and control for these network nodes 110. The network controller 130 may communicate with the network nodes 110 via a backhaul communication link or a midhaul communication link. The network nodes 110 may also communicate directly with each other or indirectly via a wireless backhaul communication link or a wired backhaul communication link. In some aspects, the network controller 130 may be a CU or a core network device, or may include a CU or a core network device.

[0045] UE 120 can be dispersed throughout wireless network 100, and each UE 120 can be stationary or mobile. UE 120 can include, for example, access terminals, terminals, mobile stations and / or subscriber units. UE 120 can be a cellular phone (e.g., a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet computer, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device, a biometric device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, a smart wristband, smart jewelry (e.g., a smart ring or a smart bracelet)), an entertainment device (e.g., a music device, a video device and / or a satellite radio), a vehicle component or sensor, a smart meter / sensor, an industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, a UE function of a network node and / or any other suitable device configured to communicate via a wireless or wired medium.

[0046] Some UEs 120 may be considered as machine type communication (MTC) or evolved or enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) UEs. MTC UEs and / or eMTC UEs may include, for example, robots, drones, remote devices, sensors, meters, monitors, and / or location tags that may communicate with a network node, another device (e.g., a remote device), or some other entity. Some UEs 120 may be considered as Internet of Things (IoT) devices and / or may be implemented as NB-IoT (narrowband IoT) devices. Some UEs 120 may be considered as customer premises equipment. UE 120 may be included inside a housing that houses components of UE 120, such as a processor component and / or a memory component. In some examples, the processor component and the memory component may be coupled together. For example, a processor component (e.g., one or more processors) and a memory component (e.g., a memory) may be operably coupled, communicatively coupled, electronically coupled, and / or electrically coupled.

[0047] In general, any number of wireless networks 100 may be deployed in a given geographic area. Each wireless network 100 may support a specific RAT and may operate on one or more frequencies. RAT may be referred to as a radio technology, air interface, etc. Frequency may be referred to as a carrier, frequency channel, etc. In a given geographic area, each frequency may support a single RAT to avoid interference between wireless networks of different RATs. In some cases, NR or 5G RAT networks may be deployed.

[0048] In some examples, two or more UEs 120 (e.g., shown as UE 120a and UE 120e) may communicate directly (e.g., without using network node 110 as an intermediary to communicate with each other) using one or more side link channels. For example, UE 120 may communicate using peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocols (e.g., which may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) protocols, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) protocols, or vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) protocols), and / or mesh networks. In such examples, UE 120 may perform scheduling operations, resource selection operations, and / or other operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by network node 110.

[0049] The devices of the wireless network 100 may communicate using an electromagnetic spectrum that may be subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, etc., based on frequency or wavelength. For example, the devices of the wireless network 100 may communicate using one or more operating bands. In 5G NR, two initial operating bands have been identified as frequency ranges designated FR1 (410 MHz–7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz–52.6 GHz). It should be understood that, although a portion of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is often (interchangeably) referred to as the “below 6 GHz” band in various documents and articles. A similar naming issue sometimes occurs with respect to FR2, which is often (interchangeably) referred to as the “millimeter wave” band in documents and articles, although different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz-300 GHz) identified as the “millimeter wave” band by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

[0050] Frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as frequency range designation FR3 (7.125GHz-24.25GHz). The bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and therefore the features of FR1 and / or FR2 can be effectively extended to mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operations to more than 52.6GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6GHz–71GHz), FR4 (52.6GHz–114.25GHz) and FR5 (114.25GHz–300GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0051] In view of the above examples, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "below 6 GHz" or the like is used herein, the term may broadly refer to frequencies that may be lower than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. In addition, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if the term "millimeter wave" or the like is used herein, the term may broadly refer to frequencies that may include mid-band frequencies, may be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, and / or FR5, or may be within the EHF band. It is contemplated that the frequencies included in these operating bands (e.g., FR1, FR2, FR3, FR4, FR4-a, FR4-1, and / or FR5) may be modified, and the techniques described herein are applicable to those modified frequency ranges.

[0052] As indicated above, Figure 1 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 1 Different than described.

[0053] The deployment of a communication system (such as a 5G NR system) can be arranged in a variety of ways with various components or components. In a 5G NR system or network, a network node, a network entity, a mobility element of a network, a RAN node, a core network node, a network element, a base station or network equipment can be implemented in an aggregated or decomposed architecture. For example, a base station (such as a node B (NB), an evolved NB (eNB), an NR BS, a 5G NB, an access point (AP), a TRP or a cell, etc.) or one or more units (or one or more components) performing base station functionality can be implemented as an aggregated base station (also referred to as an independent base station or a monolithic base station) or a decomposed base station. "Network entity" or "network node" may refer to a decomposed base station or one or more units of a decomposed base station (such as one or more CUs, one or more DUs, one or more RUs, or a combination thereof).

[0054] An aggregated base station (e.g., an aggregated network node) may be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node (e.g., within a single device or unit). A decomposed base station (e.g., a decomposed network node) may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more units (such as one or more CUs, one or more DUs, or one or more RUs). In some examples, a CU may be implemented within a network node, and one or more DUs may be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, may be geographically or virtually distributed across one or more other network nodes. A DU may be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of a CU, a DU, and a RU may also be implemented as a virtual unit, such as a virtual central unit (VCU), a virtual distributed unit (VDU), or a virtual radio unit (VRU), and the like.

[0055] Base station type operations or network designs may take into account the aggregated nature of base station functionality. For example, a decomposed base station may be utilized in an IAB network, an open radio access network (O-RAN (such as a network configuration initiated by the O-RAN Alliance)), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN)) to facilitate the scaling of a communication system by separating base station functionality into one or more units that can be deployed separately. A decomposed base station may include functionality implemented across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as functionality implemented virtually for at least one unit, which may enable flexibility in network design. Individual units of a decomposed base station may be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit of the decomposed base station.

[0056] Figure 2 2 is a diagram illustrating an example disaggregated base station architecture 200 according to the present disclosure. The disaggregated base station architecture 200 may include a CU 210 that may communicate directly with a core network 220 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 220 through one or more disaggregated control units, such as a near-RT RIC 225 via an E2 link, or a non-RT RIC 215 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 205, or both. The CU 210 may communicate with one or more DUs 230 via respective midhaul links, such as via an F1 interface. Each of the DUs 230 may communicate with one or more RUs 240 via respective fronthaul links. Each of the RUs 240 may communicate with one or more UEs 120 via respective radio frequency (RF) access links. In some implementations, a UE 120 may be served simultaneously by multiple RUs 240.

[0057] Each of the units (including CU 210, DU 230, RU 240) and the near-RT RIC 225, non-RT RIC 215, and SMO framework 205 may include or be coupled to one or more interfaces, the one or more interfaces being configured to receive or send signals, data, or information (collectively referred to as signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each of the units or an associated processor or controller that provides instructions to one or more communication interfaces of the corresponding unit may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other units via a transmission medium. In some examples, each of the units may include a wired interface and a wireless interface, the wired interface being configured to receive signals or send signals to one or more of the other units via a wired transmission medium, the wireless interface being configured to receive signals or send signals to one or more of the other units via a wired transmission medium, or both.

[0058] In some aspects, CU 210 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include radio resource control (RRC) functions, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) functions, or service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) functions, etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by CU 210. CU 210 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (e.g., central unit-user plane (CU-UP) functionality), control plane functionality (e.g., central unit-control plane (CU-CP) functionality), or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, CU210 may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. When implemented in an O-RAN configuration, the CU-UP unit may communicate bidirectionally with the CU-CP unit via an interface (such as an E1 interface). As needed, CU 210 may be implemented to communicate with DU 230 for network control and signaling.

[0059] Each DU 230 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RUs 240. In some aspects, the DU 230 may host one or more of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a MAC layer, and one or more high physical (PHY) layers, at least in part, according to a functional split (such as a functional split defined by 3GPP). In some aspects, the one or more high PHY layers may be implemented by one or more modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc. In some aspects, the DU 230 may also host one or more low PHY layers, such as one or more modules for fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming or physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering. Each layer (which may also be referred to as a module) may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU 230 or with control functions hosted by the CU 210.

[0060] Each RU 240 may implement lower layer functionality. In some deployments, the RU 240 controlled by the DU 230 may correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions or low PHY layer functions such as performing FFT, performing iFFT, digital beamforming, or PRACH extraction and filtering based on functional split (e.g., functional split defined by 3GPP) (such as lower layer functional split). In this architecture, each RU 240 may be operated to handle over-the-air (OTA) communications with one or more UEs 120. In some specific implementations, real-time and non-real-time aspects of control plane and user plane communications with the RU 240 may be controlled by the corresponding DU 230. In some scenarios, this configuration may enable each DU 230 and CU 210 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture (such as a vRAN architecture).

[0061] The SMO framework 205 may be configured to support RAN deployment and configuration of non-virtualized network elements and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 205 may be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, which may be managed via an operation and maintenance interface (such as an O1 interface). For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 205 may be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as an open cloud (O-Cloud) platform 290) to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface (such as an O2 interface). Such virtualized network elements may include, but are not limited to, CU 210, DU 230, RU 240, non-RT RIC 215, and near-RTRIC 225. In some specific implementations, the SMO framework 205 may communicate with hardware aspects of the 4G RAN (such as an open eNB (O-eNB) 211) via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some implementations, the SMO framework 205 can communicate directly with each of the one or more RUs 240 via a corresponding O1 interface. The SMO framework 205 can also include a non-RT RIC 215 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 205.

[0062] The non-RT RIC 215 may be configured to include logic functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 225. The non-RT RIC 215 may be coupled to or in communication with the near-RT RIC 225 (such as via an A1 interface). The near-RT RIC 225 may be configured to include logic functions that enable near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions through an interface (such as via an E2 interface) that connects one or more CUs 210, one or more DUs 230, or both, and the O-eNB with the near-RT RIC 225.

[0063] In some implementations, in order to generate an AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 225, the non-RT RIC 215 may receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information may be utilized by the near-RT RIC 225 and may be received from a non-network data source or from a network function at the SMO framework 205 or the non-RT RIC 215. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 215 or the near-RT RIC 225 may be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 215 may monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ AI / ML models to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 205 (such as via reconfiguration of the O1 interface) or via the creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 interface policies).

[0064] In some aspects, RU (e.g., RU 240 and / or Fig.16 The apparatus 1600 of the RU may include a communication manager 250. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 250 may send a message (e.g., to a controller of the RU, such as the DU 230 and / or the SMO framework 205) that includes an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU, and receive (e.g., from the controller) an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements. Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 250 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0065] In some aspects, a controller of the RU 240 (eg, the DU 230, the SMO framework 205, and / or Fig.17 The apparatus 1700 may include a communication manager 260. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 260 may receive (e.g., from RU 240) a message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of RU 240, and send (e.g., to RU 240) an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements. Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 260 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0066] As indicated above, Figure 2 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 2 Different than described.

[0067] Figure 3300 is a diagram illustrating an example of a DU 230 communicating with a RU 240 in a wireless network 100 according to the present disclosure. The DU 230 may be equipped with a set of antennas 334a to 334t, such as T antennas (T≥1). The RU 240 may be equipped with a set of antennas 352a to 352r, such as R antennas (R≥1). The DU 230 of example 300 includes one or more radio frequency components, such as an antenna 334 and a modem 354. In some examples, the DU 230 may include an interface, a communication component, or another component that facilitates communication with the RU 240 or another network node. Some DUs 230 may not include a radio frequency component that facilitates direct communication with the RU 240. For example, the DU 230 may communicate with the RU 240 over a wired connection (e.g., a wired Ethernet connection).

[0068] At the DU 230, the transmit processor 320 may receive data intended for the RU 240 (or a group of RUs 240) from the data source 312. The transmit processor 320 may select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCS) for the RU 240. The DU 230 may process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for the RU 240 based at least in part on the selected MCS, and may provide data symbols for the RU 240. The transmit processor 320 may process system information (e.g., for semi-static resource allocation information (SRPI)) and control information (e.g., channel quality indicator (CQI) requests, grants, and / or upper layer signaling), and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. The transmit processor 320 may generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signals (CRS) or demodulation reference signals (DMRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., primary synchronization signals (PSS) or secondary synchronization signals (SSS)). The transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 330 may perform spatial processing (e.g., pre-coding) on ​​data symbols, control symbols, overhead symbols, and / or reference symbols, where applicable, and may provide a set of output symbol streams (e.g., T output symbol streams) to a corresponding set of modems 332 (e.g., T modems) (shown as modems 332a to 332t). For example, each output symbol stream may be provided to a modulator component (shown as MOD) of the modem 332. Each modem 332 may process a corresponding output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM) using a corresponding modulator component to obtain an output sample stream. Each modem 332 may also process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and / or up-convert) the output sample stream using a corresponding modulator component to obtain a downlink signal. The modems 332a to 332t may transmit a set of downlink signals (e.g., T downlink signals) via a set of corresponding antennas 334 (e.g., T antennas) (shown as antennas 334a to 334t).

[0069] At the RU 240, a set of antennas 352 (shown as antennas 352a to 352r) may receive downlink signals from the DU 230 and / or other APs 230 and may provide a set of received signals (e.g., R received signals) to a set of modems 354 (e.g., R modems) (shown as modems 354a to 354r). For example, each received signal may be provided to a demodulator component (shown as DEMOD) of a modem 354. Each modem 354 may use a corresponding demodulator component to condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and / or digitize) the received signal to obtain input samples. Each modem 354 may apply weights to distribute the input samples (e.g., for OFDM) across antenna elements (e.g., for wireless transmission to a UE). A MIMO detector 356 may distribute the input samples logically grouped into multiple data streams across the antenna elements. The receive processor 358 may process control information from the DU 230, may provide control information and / or input samples for caching to the data sink 360, and may provide control information and system information to the controller / processor 380. The term "controller / processor" may refer to one or more controllers, one or more processors, or a combination thereof. In some examples, one or more components of the RU 240 may be included in a housing 384.

[0070] The CU 210 may include a communication unit 394, a controller / processor 390, and a memory 392. The CU 210 may include, for example, one or more devices in a core network. The CU 210 may communicate with the DU 230 via the communication unit 394.

[0071] One or more antennas (e.g., antennas 334a to 334t and / or antennas 352a to 352r) may include, or may be included within, one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more groups of antenna elements, and / or one or more antenna arrays, etc. An antenna panel, antenna group, group of antenna elements, and / or antenna array may include one or more antenna elements (in a single housing or multiple housings), a group of coplanar antenna elements, a group of non-coplanar antenna elements, and / or may be coupled to one or more transmit and / or receive components (such as, Figure 3 One or more antenna elements of one or more components).

[0072] At the RU 240, a transmit processor 364 may receive and process signals from antenna elements (e.g., cached in a data source 362) and control information from a controller / processor 380. Symbols from the transmit processor 364 may be decoded by a TX MIMO processor 366, where applicable, further processed by a modem 354 (e.g., for DFT-s-OFDM or CP-OFDM), and sent to the DU 230. In some examples, the modem 354 of the RU 240 may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the RU 240 includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of an antenna 352, a modem 354, a MIMO detector 356, a receive processor 358, a transmit processor 364, and / or a TX MIMO processor 366. The transceiver may be used by a processor (e.g., a controller / processor 380) and a memory 382 to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein (e.g., reference 1 to FIG. 1 ). Figure 4-Figure 14 ).

[0073] At the DU 230, signals from the RU 240 and / or other RUs 240 may be received by an antenna 334, processed by a modem 332 (e.g., a demodulator component of the modem 332 shown as DEMOD), detected by a MIMO detector 336 (if applicable), and further processed by a receive processor 338 to obtain decoded data and control information received by the RU 240. The receive processor 338 may provide the decoded data to a data sink 339 and the decoded control information to a controller / processor 340. The DU 230 may include a communication unit 344 and may communicate with the CU 210 via the communication unit 344. The DU 230 may include a scheduler 346 for scheduling one or more RUs 240 for downlink communication and / or uplink communication (e.g., with one or more UEs). In some examples, the modem 332 of the DU 230 may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the DU 230 includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of antenna 334, modem 332, MIMO detector 336, receive processor 338, transmit processor 320, and / or TX MIMO processor 330. The transceiver may be used by a processor (e.g., controller / processor 340) and memory 342 to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein (e.g., see reference 340). Figure 4-Figure 14 ).

[0074] The controller / processor 340 of the DU 230, the controller / processor 380 of the RU 240, and / or Figure 3Any other components of the DU 230 may perform one or more techniques associated with configuring the RU antenna elements, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the controller / processor 340 of the DU 230, the controller / processor 380 of the RU 240, and / or Figure 3 Any other component of the Fig.14 The process of 1400 Fig.15 1500 and / or operations of other processes as described herein. Memory 342 and memory 382 may store data and program codes for DU 230 and RU 240, respectively. In some examples, memory 342 and / or memory 382 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions (e.g., code and / or program code) for wireless communication. For example, the one or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors of DU 230 and / or RU 240 (e.g., directly, or after compilation, conversion, and / or interpretation), may cause the one or more processors, RU 240, and / or network node 230 to perform or direct, for example, Fig.14 The process of 1400 Fig.15 The process 1500 and / or operations of other processes as described herein. In some examples, executing instructions may include running instructions, converting instructions, compiling instructions, and / or interpreting instructions, etc.

[0075] In some aspects, RU (e.g., RU 240 and / or Fig.16 The device 1600 may include: a controller (eg, DU 230, SMO framework 205 and / or Fig.17 1700) for sending a message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU; and / or a component for receiving from the controller an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements. In some aspects, the components for the RU to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of the following: a communications manager 250, an antenna 352, a modem 354, a MIMO detector 356, a receive processor 358, a transmit processor 364, a TX MIMO processor 366, a controller / processor 380, or a memory 382.

[0076] In some aspects, a controller of a RU (e.g., DU 230, SMO framework 205, and / or Fig.17 The device 1700 may include: a device for receiving a signal from the RU (eg, RU 240 and / or Fig.161600) for receiving a message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU; and / or a component for sending to the RU an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements. In some aspects, the components for the controller to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of the following: the communication manager 260, the transmit processor 320, the TX MIMO processor 330, the modem 332, the antenna 334, the MIMO detector 336, the receive processor 338, the controller / processor 340, the memory 342, or the scheduler 346.

[0077] Although Figure 3 The blocks in the 3600 are illustrated as distinct components, but the functionality described above with respect to these blocks may be implemented in a single hardware, software, or combined component or in various combinations of components. For example, the functionality described with respect to the transmit processor 364, the receive processor 358, and / or the TX MIMO processor 366 may be performed by or under the control of the controller / processor 380.

[0078] As indicated above, Figure 3 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in the Figure 3 Different than described.

[0079] The controller of the RU (such as a DU or SMO framework) receives messages from the RU that convey information about the RU itself. Therefore, the RU can describe itself to the controller. These messages may include a tx array data structure and an rx array data structure, which describe the antenna panels (and antenna elements included thereon) that the RU can use for sending and receiving. However, O-RAN configurations (such as network configurations sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance) typically use rectangular antenna panels. In particular, the tx array data structure and the rx array data structure indicate the number of rows, the number of columns, the horizontal spacing, and the vertical spacing. Therefore, the tx array data structure and the rx array data structure cannot indicate non-rectangular antenna panels or rectangular antenna panels with irregular spacing.

[0080] Additionally, O-RAN configurations (such as network configurations sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance) describe the antenna elements of the antenna panel in a static, predefined order. This order is used when input signals are provided from the controller to the RU (e.g., for sending OTA). Therefore, when the order switches between integrated circuits (ICs) controlling the antenna elements, the input signals must be cached. In one example, when the first and third antenna elements in the order are controlled by a first IC, and the second and fourth antenna elements in the order are controlled by a second IC, the RU caches the input signal associated with the second antenna element while feeding the input signal associated with the third antenna element to the first IC, and then retrieving the cached input signal to feed to the second IC along with the input signal associated with the fourth antenna element. As a result, power, processing resources, and storage are wasted, and the latency between receiving the input signal and energizing the antenna elements is increased.

[0081] Some techniques and devices described herein enable a RU (e.g., RU 240) to report antenna elements in an antenna panel as an ordered list of coordinates to a controller (e.g., DU 230 and / or SMO framework 205). As a result, RU 240 can report non-rectangular or non-planar antenna arrays, which can save power for some beamforming configurations. Non-rectangular arrays and non-planar arrays may also be referred to as "free-form arrays."

[0082] Additionally, the RU 240 may report the antenna elements in an order other than a static, predefined order (e.g., from left to right and from bottom to top according to a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance). Thus, the RU 240 may report the antenna elements in an order, for example, according to the ICs that control the antenna elements. As a result, the RU 240 may reduce or even eliminate caching of incoming signals from the controller to save power, processing resources, and storage. Additionally, the RU 240 reduces the latency between receiving the incoming signal and energizing the antenna elements.

[0083] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example 400 associated with a rectangular array of antenna elements according to the present disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, example 400 includes an antenna panel of a RU 240 having multiple antenna elements. In example 400, each antenna element has two possible polarizations. Therefore, when describing the antenna element (e.g., in a tx array data structure or an rx array data structure) to a controller of the RU 240 (e.g., DU 230 and / or SMO framework 205), the RU 240 may report a single polarization of the antenna element (e.g., +45° or -45°) or a combined polarization of the antenna element.

[0084] As combined Fig.13As described, RU 240 may indicate each antenna element in the antenna panel as an element in an ordered list. For example, RU 240 may use an antenna element ordered list data structure that includes data elements describing the coordinates of each antenna element (e.g., three-dimensional coordinate data elements, such as x-coordinates, y-coordinates, and z-coordinates, and polarization data elements). The coordinates may be expressed in units of 0.01 millimeters (mm). Alternatively, the coordinates may be expressed in larger units (e.g., 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, etc.) or smaller units (e.g., 0.005 mm, 0.001 mm, etc.). The coordinates are relative to the origin. In one example, the origin may correspond to the lower left antenna element 401. In other examples, the origin may correspond to different antenna elements or to points that do not coincide with antenna elements. The coordinates may be positive or negative.

[0085] Additionally, the list indicates the antenna elements in order (eg, according to an antenna element index data element corresponding to each antenna element). Thus, if Figure 4 As shown, RU 240 may report antenna elements in an order different from left to right and bottom to top. In example 400, RU 240 reports antenna elements by quadrant. Therefore, antenna elements 401, 403, 405, and 407 are first reported and associated with the first quadrant, and antenna elements 409, 411, 413, and 415 are then reported and associated with the second quadrant. Similarly, antenna elements 417, 419, 421, and 423 are subsequently reported and associated with the third quadrant, and antenna elements 425, 427, 429, and 431 are then reported and associated with the fourth quadrant. In some aspects, each quadrant may be associated with an IC that controls the antenna elements in that quadrant.

[0086] By using such as combining Figure 4 With the described techniques, the RU 240 may report antenna elements in an order other than a static, predefined order (e.g., from left to right and from bottom to top according to a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance). Thus, the RU 240 may report antenna elements in an order, for example, according to the IC that controls the antenna elements. As a result, the RU 240 may reduce or even eliminate caching of incoming signals from the controller to save power, processing resources, and storage. Additionally, the RU 240 reduces the latency between receiving the incoming signal and energizing the antenna elements.

[0087] In one example, the controller may activate every other antenna element in the ordered list in order to save power at the RU 240 while not reducing the aperture of the beam formed by the activated antenna elements. Fig.13As used herein, a "low-layer endpoint" refers to a portion of a RU associated with an address such that an incoming signal having the address is routed to the portion of the RU associated with the address.

[0088] Additionally or alternatively, the controller may activate a subset of a set of antenna elements in order to save power at the RU 240. In doing so, the controller may save power and processing resources because when sending weights to the RU 240 for beamforming, the controller may refrain from establishing low-layer endpoints associated with the inactivated antenna elements and thus reduce throughput from the controller to the RU 240.

[0089] As indicated above, Figure 4 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in relation to Figure 4 Different than described.

[0090] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example 500 associated with a sunflower antenna array according to the present disclosure. Figure 5 As shown, example 500 includes an antenna panel of RU 240 having a plurality of antenna elements.

[0091] In example 500, the antenna array is non-rectangular. Therefore, RU 240 may describe the antenna elements (e.g., in a tx array data structure or an rx array data structure) to a controller of RU 240 (e.g., DU 230 and / or SMO framework 205) in an ordered list that includes data elements describing the coordinates of each antenna element (e.g., three-dimensional coordinate data elements, such as x-coordinates, y-coordinates, and z-coordinates, and polarization data elements). The coordinates are relative to an origin. In one example, the origin may correspond to the lowest antenna element 501. In other examples, the origin may correspond to a different antenna element or to a point that does not coincide with an antenna element.

[0092] Additionally, the list indicates the antenna elements in order (eg, according to an antenna element index data element corresponding to each antenna element). Thus, if Figure 5 As shown, RU 240 may report the antenna elements in an order such as antenna element 501, then antenna element 503, then antenna element 505, then antenna element 507, then antenna element 509, etc. Because RU 240 indicates the coordinates of each antenna element, RU 240 may choose any order to report the antenna elements.

[0093] Figure 6 600 is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a rectangular antenna array according to the present disclosure. Figure 6As shown, example 600 includes an antenna panel of RU 240 having a plurality of antenna elements.

[0094] In example 600, the antenna array is non-rectangular. Therefore, RU 240 may describe the antenna elements (e.g., in a tx array data structure or an rx array data structure) to a controller of RU 240 (e.g., DU 230 and / or SMO framework 205) in an ordered list that includes data elements describing the coordinates of each antenna element (e.g., three-dimensional coordinate data elements, such as x-coordinates, y-coordinates, and z-coordinates, and polarization data elements). The coordinates are relative to an origin. In one example, the origin may correspond to the lower left antenna element 601. In other examples, the origin may correspond to a different antenna element or to a point that does not coincide with an antenna element. The coordinates may be positive or negative.

[0095] Additionally, the list indicates the antenna elements in order (eg, according to an antenna element index data element corresponding to each antenna element). Thus, if Figure 6 As shown, RU 240 may report antenna elements in an order other than left to right and bottom to top. In example 600, RU 240 reports antenna elements segment by segment. Thus, antenna elements 601, 603, 605, 607, and 609 are reported first and associated with the first segment, and antenna elements 611, 613, 615, 617, 619, and 620 are then reported and associated with the second segment. In some aspects, each segment may be associated with an IC that controls the antenna elements in that segment.

[0096] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example 700 associated with a hexagonal antenna array according to the present disclosure. Figure 7 As shown, example 700 includes an antenna panel of RU 240 having a plurality of antenna elements.

[0097] In example 700, the antenna array is non-rectangular. Therefore, RU 240 may describe the antenna elements (e.g., in a tx array data structure or an rx array data structure) to a controller of RU 240 (e.g., DU 230 and / or SMO framework 205) in an ordered list that includes data elements describing the coordinates of each antenna element (e.g., three-dimensional coordinate data elements, such as x-coordinates, y-coordinates, and z-coordinates, and polarization data elements). The coordinates are relative to an origin. In one example, the origin may correspond to the lower left antenna element 701. In other examples, the origin may correspond to a different antenna element or to a point that does not coincide with an antenna element. The coordinates may be positive or negative.

[0098] Additionally, the list indicates the antenna elements in order (eg, according to an antenna element index data element corresponding to each antenna element). Thus, if Figure 7 As shown, RU 240 may report antenna elements in an order such as antenna element 701, then antenna element 703, then antenna element 705, etc. For example, RU 240 may report every other antenna element because RU 240 is damaged and / or is conserving power.

[0099] Figure 8 8 is a diagram illustrating an example 800 associated with a circular antenna array according to the present disclosure. Figure 8 As shown, example 800 includes an antenna panel of RU 240 having a plurality of antenna elements.

[0100] In example 800, the antenna array is non-rectangular. Therefore, the RU 240 may describe the antenna elements (e.g., in a tx array data structure or an rx array data structure) to a controller of the RU 240 (e.g., the DU 230 and / or the SMO framework 205) in an ordered list that includes data elements describing the coordinates of each antenna element (e.g., three-dimensional coordinate data elements, such as x-coordinates, y-coordinates, and z-coordinates, and polarization data elements). The coordinates are relative to an origin. In one example, the origin may correspond to the lowest antenna element 801. In other examples, the origin may correspond to a different antenna element or to a point that does not coincide with an antenna element. The coordinates may be positive or negative.

[0101] Additionally, the list indicates the antenna elements in order (eg, according to an antenna element index data element corresponding to each antenna element). Thus, if Figure 8 As shown, RU 240 may report antenna elements in an order such as antenna element 801, then antenna element 803, then antenna element 805, then antenna element 807, then antenna element 809, etc. For example, RU 240 may report every other antenna element because RU 240 is damaged and / or is conserving power.

[0102] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example 900 associated with a spherical helical antenna array according to the present disclosure. Fig. 9 As shown, example 900 includes an antenna panel of RU 240 having a plurality of antenna elements.

[0103] In example 900, the antenna array is non-rectangular. Therefore, RU 240 may describe the antenna elements (e.g., in a tx array data structure or an rx array data structure) to a controller of RU 240 (e.g., DU 230 and / or SMO framework 205) in an ordered list that includes data elements describing the coordinates of each antenna element (e.g., three-dimensional coordinate data elements, such as x-coordinates, y-coordinates, and z-coordinates, and polarization data elements). The coordinates are relative to an origin. In one example, the origin may correspond to the lowest antenna element 901. In other examples, the origin may correspond to a different antenna element or to a point that does not coincide with an antenna element. The coordinates may be positive or negative.

[0104] Additionally, the list indicates the antenna elements in order (eg, according to an antenna element index data element corresponding to each antenna element). Thus, if Fig. 9 As shown, RU 240 may report antenna elements in an order such as antenna element 901, then antenna element 903, then antenna element 905, then antenna element 907, then antenna element 909, etc. For example, RU 240 may report alternating antenna elements rather than reporting along a line.

[0105] Therefore, combined with Figures 5 to 9 The described ordered list enables the description of non-rectangular antenna arrays (as well as rectangular antenna arrays with irregular spacing). Figures 5 to 9 With the antenna elements described, the controller can therefore provide weights for beamforming using non-rectangular antenna arrays, such as those in Examples 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900. As a result, the controller and RU 240 can save power for some beamforming configurations by using non-rectangular antenna panels.

[0106] As indicated above, Figures 5 to 9 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in relation to Figures 5 to 9 Different than described.

[0107] Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating an example 1000 associated with a rectangular antenna array according to the present disclosure. Fig.10 As shown, example 1000 includes an antenna panel of RU 240 having a plurality of antenna elements. Although example 1000 includes 64 antenna elements (indexed from 0 to 63), other examples may include fewer antenna elements or additional antenna elements.

[0108] In example 1000, the antenna array is rectangular. Each cluster of eight antenna elements is controlled by a corresponding IC. In example 1000, IC 1001 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 0, 1, 2, 3, 16, 17, 18, and 19; IC 1003 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 4, 5, 6, 7, 20, 21, 22, and 23; IC 1005 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 8, 9, 10, 11, 24, 25, 26, and 27; and IC 1007 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 12, 13, 14, 15, 28, 29, 30, and 31. Similarly, IC 1009 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 32, 33, 34, 35, 48, 49, 50 and 51; IC 1011 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 36, 37, 38, 39, 52, 53, 54 and 55; IC 1013 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 40, 41, 42, 43, 56, 57, 58 and 59; and IC 1015 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 44, 45, 46, 47, 60, 61, 62 and 63. Thus, RU 240 may report the antenna array so that beamforming weights are received in the following order of antenna element indices: 0, 1, 2, 3, 16, 17, 18, 19; 4, 5, 6, 7, 20, 21, 22, 23; 8, 9, 10, 11, 24, 25, 26, 27; 12, 13, 14, 15, 28, 29, 30, 31; 44, 45, 46, 47, 60, 61, 62, 63; 40, 41, 42, 43, 56, 57, 58, 59; 36, 37, 38, 39, 52, 53, 54, 55; 32, 33, 34, 35, 48, 49, 50, 51. As a result, RU 240 may reduce caching of beamforming weights because the beamforming weights may be fed sequentially to each IC (e.g., in the following order: IC 1001, IC 1003, IC 1005, IC 1007, IC 1015, IC 1013, IC 1011, and IC 1009).

[0109] like Fig.10 As further shown, the spacing between antenna elements controlled by the same IC (e.g., between antenna elements 2 and 3 or between antenna elements 0 and 16, and between Fig.10 denoted by s1 in FIG. 1 ) may be smaller than the spacing between antenna elements controlled by different ICs (e.g., between antenna elements 3 and 4 or between antenna elements 16 and 32), and Fig.10denoted by s2 in FIG. 1 ). Thus, RU 240 may report the coordinates of each antenna element so that the controller of RU 240 is aware of the unequal spacing. Other examples may use spacing between antenna elements controlled by the same IC that is greater than spacing between antenna elements controlled by different ICs.

[0110] Fig.11 1 is a diagram illustrating an example 1100 associated with a rectangular antenna array according to the present disclosure. Fig.11 As shown, example 1100 includes an antenna panel of RU 240 having multiple antenna elements. Example 1100 is similar to Fig.10 Example 1000, but in a triangular shape to increase the density of antenna elements.

[0111] like Fig.11 As shown, IC 1101 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 0, 1, 2, 3, 16, 17, 18 and 19; IC 1103 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 4, 5, 6, 7, 20, 21, 22 and 23; IC 1105 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 8, 9, 10, 11, 24, 25, 26 and 27; and IC 1107 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 12, 13, 14, 15, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Similarly, IC 1109 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 32, 33, 34, 35, 48, 49, 50 and 51; IC 1111 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 36, 37, 38, 39, 52, 53, 54 and 55; IC 1113 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 40, 41, 42, 43, 56, 57, 58 and 59; and IC 1115 controls antenna elements associated with indexes 44, 45, 46, 47, 60, 61, 62 and 63. Thus, RU 240 may report the antenna array so that beamforming weights are received in the following order of antenna element indices: 0, 1, 2, 3, 16, 17, 18, 19; 4, 5, 6, 7, 20, 21, 22, 23; 8, 9, 10, 11, 24, 25, 26, 27; 12, 13, 14, 15, 28, 29, 30, 31; 44, 45, 46, 47, 60, 61, 62, 63; 40, 41, 42, 43, 56, 57, 58, 59; 36, 37, 38, 39, 52, 53, 54, 55; 32, 33, 34, 35, 48, 49, 50, 51. As a result, RU 240 may reduce caching of beamforming weights because the beamforming weights may be fed sequentially to each IC (e.g., in the following order: IC 1101, IC 1103, IC 1105, IC 1107, IC 1115, IC 1113, IC 1111, and IC 1109).

[0112] Fig.12 1 is a diagram illustrating an example 1200 associated with a circular antenna array according to the present disclosure. Fig.12 As shown, example 1200 includes an antenna panel of RU 240 having a plurality of antenna elements. Similar to examples 1000 and 1100, RU 240 may report the coordinates of the antenna elements in an order corresponding to the ICs controlling the antenna elements.

[0113] As indicated above, Figures 10 to 12 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in relation to Figures 10 to 12 Different than described.

[0114] Fig.13 1 is a diagram illustrating an example 1300 associated with configuring RU antenna elements using an ordered list according to the present disclosure. Fig.13 As shown, RU 240 and the controller of RU 240 (eg, DU 230) may communicate with each other (eg, on a fronthaul link, such as in conjunction with Figure 2 Although DU 230 is described as a controller, other examples may include an SMO provider (e.g., SMO framework 205) as a controller that communicates with RU 240 (e.g., over an O1 interface, such as in conjunction with Figure 2 described).

[0115] As indicated by reference numeral 1305, RU 240 may send, and DU 230 may receive, a message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of RU 240. For example, for a rectangular antenna array, the ordered list may be as shown in conjunction with Figure 4 or Fig.10 As described, or for non-rectangular antenna arrays, it can be combined with Figures 5 to 9 or Figure 11 to Figure 12 As described.

[0116] RU 240 may send the message as part of the self-description during the boot process. Thus, the message may be sent on the management plane (M-plane) between RU 240 and DU 230. Alternatively, RU 240 may send the message on the control plane (C-plane) between RU 240 and DU 230. Alternatively, RU 240 may send the message on the new plane between RU 240 and DU 230.

[0117] In addition to the ordered list of coordinates, RU 240 may also indicate a normal vector (e.g., using a normal vector direction data structure that may indicate an azimuth and / or zenith angle). The normal vector may indicate an outward direction of RF radiation from the antenna array. In one example, the normal vector may correspond to the lower left antenna element. In other examples, the normal vector may correspond to a different antenna element or to a point that does not coincide with an antenna element. Some examples may include a single normal vector; other examples may include a set of normal vectors corresponding to a set of antenna elements in an antenna array. For example, a normal vector list index data structure may indicate the index of the antenna element to which the normal vector corresponds.

[0118] Additionally or alternatively, RU 240 may indicate an antenna shape associated with the antenna array (e.g., from a plurality of possible antenna shapes in an enumerated list). Examples of possible antenna shapes include rectangular ordered (e.g., for rectangular arrays that do not use O-RAN standard ordering, such as in conjunction with Fig.10 described), rectangular offset (e.g., for rectangular arrays with uneven spacing, such as in combination with Fig.10 described), triangular regular (e.g., as combined Figure 6 and Fig.11 described), hexagonal regular (e.g., as combined Figure 7 described), circular regular (e.g., as combined Figure 8 and Fig.12 described) or plane irregular (e.g., for irregular shapes) and so on.

[0119] As indicated by reference numeral 1310, DU 230 may perform endpoint setup based on the ordered list of coordinates. For example, DU 230 may map endpoints described by a low-layer tx endpoint data structure and a low-layer rx endpoint data structure to antenna elements indicated in a message (e.g., in a tx array data structure and an rx array data structure). An endpoint may represent a single antenna element or a subset of antenna elements from a group of antenna elements including a plurality of antenna elements. Thus, DU 230 may use the endpoint to send an input signal to RU 240 for OTA transmission using the antenna element (e.g., using weighted beamforming, as described in conjunction with reference numeral 1325).

[0120] As indicated by reference numeral 1315, DU 230 may send an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements, and RU 240 may receive the indication. For example, DU 230 may send a low-layer tx endpoint data structure and a low-layer rx endpoint data structure, as described above.

[0121] Additionally, the DU 230 may configure a carrier (e.g., a component carrier (CC)) for use by the activated antenna element. For example, the DU 230 may activate a tx array carrier data structure and an rx array carrier data structure and associate the tx array carrier data structure and the rx array carrier data structure with a lower layer link that terminates at a lower layer endpoint associated with the activated antenna element.

[0122] In addition, the DU 230 may determine beamforming weights based on the ordered list of coordinates, as indicated by reference numeral 1320. In some aspects, the DU 230 may use beamforming of predefined beams, weight-based dynamic beamforming (e.g., in the frequency domain, in the time domain, or hybrid beamforming in both the time and frequency domains), attribute-based dynamic beamforming, or beamforming based on channel information.

[0123] As indicated by reference numeral 1325, DU 230 may transmit a beamforming configuration associated with the activated antenna elements, and RU 240 may receive the beamforming configuration. For example, the beamforming configuration may indicate beamforming weights determined based on a model applied by DU 230 (e.g., a beamforming model selected by DU 230). DU 230 may periodically transmit an updated beamforming configuration (e.g., for dynamic beamforming) or may transmit a static beamforming configuration (e.g., for beamforming of a predefined beam).

[0124] In some aspects, the indication of the low-level endpoints may be a static configuration that does not change during active use of the carrier. For example, the low-level endpoints may be established in an M-plane configuration that is fixed during use of the carrier. Alternatively, the indication may be a dynamic configuration that changes in real time during use of the activated antenna elements. For example, the low-level endpoints may be established in a C-plane configuration that may be modified during use of the carrier.

[0125] For example, as indicated by reference numeral 1330, DU 230 may modify the lower layer endpoints (eg, by increasing or decreasing the number of activated antenna elements). Accordingly, as indicated by reference numeral 1335, DU 230 may send an updated indication, and RU 240 may receive the updated indication.

[0126] By using such as combining Fig.13 With the described techniques, the RU 240 reports multiple antenna elements in an order other than a static, predefined order (e.g., from left to right and from bottom to top according to a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance). As a result, the RU 240 can reduce or even eliminate caching of incoming signals from the controller to save power, processing resources, and storage. Additionally, the RU 240 reduces the latency between receiving the incoming signal and energizing the antenna elements.

[0127] Additionally, in some aspects, the DU 230 may configure lower-layer endpoints so as to reduce throughput from the DU 230 to the RU 240. For example, the DU 230 may refrain from sending beamforming weights that the RU 240 would discard anyway (because the antenna elements corresponding to those weights are inactive), and thus save power and processing resources and reduce latency.

[0128] As indicated above, Fig.13 are provided as examples. Other examples can be found in relation to Fig.13 Different than described.

[0129] Fig.14 1400 is a diagram illustrating an example process 1400 performed, for example, by an RU according to the present disclosure. The example process 1400 is a diagram in which an RU (e.g., RU 240 and / or Fig.16 An example of a device 1600) performing operations associated with configuring an RU antenna element.

[0130] like Fig.14 As shown, in some aspects, process 1400 may include: sending a request to a controller of the RU (eg, DU 230, SMO framework 205, and / or Fig.17 1700) sends a message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU (block 1410). For example, the RU may (e.g., Fig.16 , using the communication manager 250 and / or the sending component 1604) to send a message to the controller of the RU, the message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to multiple antenna elements in the antenna array of the RU, as described herein.

[0131] like Fig.14 As further shown in FIG. 14 , in some aspects, process 1400 may include receiving, from the controller, an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements (block 1420). For example, the RU may (e.g., using Fig.16 The communications manager 250 and / or receiving component 1602 depicted in ) receives from the controller an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements, as described herein.

[0132] Process 1400 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in conjunction with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0133] In a first aspect, the indication is a static configuration that does not change during active use of the carrier.

[0134] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the indication is a dynamic configuration that changes in real time during use of the one or more activated antenna elements.

[0135] In a third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, process 1400 includes receiving (e.g., using communication manager 250 and / or receiving component 1602) a beamforming configuration associated with the one or more activated antenna elements from the controller.

[0136] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, the antenna array is non-rectangular.

[0137] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, the antenna array is rectangular and the ordered list indicates the plurality of antenna elements in an order other than left to right and bottom to top.

[0138] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, the message and the indication are associated with an M-plane between the RU and the controller.

[0139] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, the message and the indication are associated with a C-plane between the RU and the controller.

[0140] In an eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, the order of the ordered list is based on an IC controlling the plurality of antenna elements.

[0141] In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects, the plurality of antenna elements are clustered according to the ICs.

[0142] although Fig.14 Example blocks of process 1400 are shown, but in some aspects, process 1400 may include Fig.14 Additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks arranged in a different manner than those depicted in the process 1400. Additionally or alternatively, two or more blocks of the blocks of process 1400 may be performed in parallel.

[0143] Fig.15 1 is a diagram illustrating an example process 1500 performed, for example, by a controller of an RU according to the present disclosure. The example process 1500 is a controller (e.g., DU 230, SMO framework 205, and / or Fig.17 An example of a device 1700) performing operations associated with configuring an RU antenna element.

[0144] like Fig.15As shown, in some aspects, process 1500 may include: from a RU (e.g., RU 240 and / or Fig.16 The controller may receive a message (block 1510) comprising an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU. For example, the controller may (e.g., using Fig.17 The communication manager 260 and / or receiving component 1702 depicted in FIG. 1 receives a message from the RU, the message comprising an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to multiple antenna elements in the antenna array of the RU, as described herein.

[0145] like Fig.15 As further shown, in some aspects, process 1500 may include sending to the RU an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements (block 1520). For example, the controller may (e.g., using Fig.17 The communication manager 260 and / or transmission component 1704 depicted in FIG. 10A sends an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements to the RU, as described herein.

[0146] Process 1500 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in conjunction with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0147] In a first aspect, the indication comprises a static configuration that does not change during active use of the carrier.

[0148] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the indication comprises a dynamic configuration that changes in real time during use of the one or more activated antenna elements.

[0149] In a third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, process 1500 includes sending a beamforming configuration associated with the one or more activated antenna elements to the RU (e.g., using communication manager 260 and / or transmitting component 1704).

[0150] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, the antenna array is non-rectangular.

[0151] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, the antenna array is rectangular and the ordered list indicates the plurality of antenna elements in an order other than left to right and bottom to top.

[0152] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, the message and the indication are associated with an M-plane between the RU and the controller.

[0153] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, the message and the indication are associated with a C-plane between the RU and the controller.

[0154] In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, the controller is a DU or SMO provider.

[0155] In a ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects, the order of the ordered list is based on an IC controlling the plurality of antenna elements.

[0156] In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects, the plurality of antenna elements are clustered according to the ICs.

[0157] although Fig.15 Example blocks of process 1500 are shown, but in some aspects, process 1500 may include Fig.15 Additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks arranged in a different manner than those depicted in the process 1500. Additionally or alternatively, two or more blocks of the blocks of process 1500 may be performed in parallel.

[0158] Fig.16 1 is a diagram of an example apparatus 1600 for wireless communication according to the present disclosure. The apparatus 1600 may be an RU, or the RU may include the apparatus 1600. In some aspects, the apparatus 1600 includes a receiving component 1602 and a transmitting component 1604 that may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, the apparatus 1600 may communicate with another apparatus 1606 (such as a DU, an SMO provider, or another wireless configuration device) using the receiving component 1602 and the transmitting component 1604. As further shown, the apparatus 1600 may include a communication manager 250. The communication manager 250 may include a beamforming component 1608 and / or a cache component 1610, among other things.

[0159] In some aspects, the apparatus 1600 may be configured to perform Figures 4 to 13 Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 1600 may be configured to perform one or more of the processes described herein such as Fig.14 In some aspects, Fig.16 The apparatus 1600 and / or one or more components shown in FIG. 1 may include a combination of Figure 3Additionally or alternatively, Fig.16 One or more of the components shown in the figure may be combined with Figure 3 Additionally or alternatively, one or more components in a set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or codes stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by a controller or processor to perform the function or operation of the component.

[0160] The receiving component 1602 may receive a communication, such as an input signal, control information, or a combination thereof, from the device 1606. The receiving component 1602 may provide the received communication to one or more other components of the device 1600. In some aspects, the receiving component 1602 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, etc.) on the received communication and may provide the processed signal to one or more other components of the device 1600. In some aspects, the receiving component 1602 may include combining Figure 3 One or more antennas, modems, demodulators, MIMO detectors, receive processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the described RUs.

[0161] The transmitting component 1604 may transmit communications (such as control information, data communications, or a combination thereof) to the device 1606. In some aspects, one or more other components of the device 1600 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmitting component 1604 for transmission to the device 1606. In some aspects, the transmitting component 1604 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, etc.) on the generated communications and may transmit the processed signals to the device 1606. In some aspects, the transmitting component 1604 may include combining Figure 3 One or more antennas, modems, modulators, transmit MIMO processors, transmit processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the described RU. In some aspects, the transmit component 1604 can be co-located with the receive component 1602 in a transceiver.

[0162] In some aspects, transmitting component 1604 may transmit (e.g., to device 1606, such as a controller of device 1600) a message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of device 1600. Accordingly, receiving component 1602 may receive (e.g., from device 1606) an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements. Caching component 1610 may therefore refrain from caching an input signal received from device 1606 because the ordered list indicates the plurality of antenna elements in order, such that the input signal may be fed directly to an IC associated with the one or more activated antenna elements without caching to rearrange the order of the input signal.

[0163] In some aspects, receiving component 1602 may receive a beamforming configuration associated with one or more activated antenna elements (e.g., from device 1606). Accordingly, beamforming component 1608 may apply weights to an input signal received from device 1606 to form a beam using the one or more activated antenna elements.

[0164] Fig.16 The number and arrangement of components shown in the diagram are provided as examples. In practice, there may be Fig.16 The components shown in the figure may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged in a different manner. Fig.16 Two or more components shown in may be implemented in a single component, or Fig.16 The single component shown in may be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, Fig.16 A set (one or more) of components shown in the figure may be described as being executed by Fig.16 One or more functions performed by another set of components shown in FIG.

[0165] Fig.17 1 is a diagram of an example apparatus 1700 for wireless communication according to the present disclosure. Apparatus 1700 may be a controller of an RU, or a controller of an RU may include apparatus 1700. In some aspects, apparatus 1700 includes a receiving component 1702 and a transmitting component 1704 that may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, apparatus 1700 may communicate with another apparatus 1706 (such as an RU or another wireless configuration device) using receiving component 1702 and transmitting component 1704. As further shown, apparatus 1700 may include a communication manager 260. Communication manager 260 may include one or more of an endpoint configuration component 1708 and / or a beamforming component 1710, among others.

[0166] In some aspects, the apparatus 1700 may be configured to perform Figures 4 to 13 Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 1700 may be configured to perform one or more of the processes described herein such as Fig.15 In some aspects, Fig.17 The apparatus 1700 and / or one or more components shown in FIG. 1 may include a combination of Figure 3 Additionally or alternatively, Fig.17 One or more of the components shown in the figure may be combined with Figure 3 Additionally or alternatively, one or more components in a set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or codes stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by a controller or processor to perform the function or operation of the component.

[0167] The receiving component 1702 may receive a communication, such as an input signal, control information, or a combination thereof, from the device 1706. The receiving component 1702 may provide the received communication to one or more other components of the device 1700. In some aspects, the receiving component 1702 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, etc.) on the received communication and may provide the processed signal to one or more other components of the device 1700. In some aspects, the receiving component 1702 may include combining Figure 3 One or more antennas, modems, demodulators, MIMO detectors, receive processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the described DUs.

[0168] The transmitting component 1704 may transmit communications, such as input signals, control information, or a combination thereof, to the device 1706. In some aspects, one or more other components of the device 1700 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmitting component 1704 for transmission to the device 1706. In some aspects, the transmitting component 1704 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, etc.) on the generated communications and may transmit the processed signals to the device 1706. In some aspects, the transmitting component 1704 may include a combination of Figure 3 One or more antennas, modems, modulators, transmit MIMO processors, transmit processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the described DU. In some aspects, the transmit component 1704 can be co-located with the receive component 1702 in a transceiver.

[0169] In some aspects, receiving component 1702 may receive (e.g., from device 1706, such as an RU) a message including an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of device 1706. Accordingly, sending component 1704 may send (e.g., to device 1706) an indication of one or more lower-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements. For example, endpoint configuration component 1708 may assign the antenna elements indicated in the ordered list to the corresponding lower-layer endpoints such that an input signal may be sent from device 1700 to device 1706 for allocation according to the lower-layer endpoints.

[0170] In some aspects, transmitting component 1704 may transmit a beamforming configuration associated with one or more activated antenna elements (e.g., to device 1706). For example, beamforming component 1710 may calculate weights to apply to an input signal from device 1700 such that device 1706 forms a beam using one or more activated antenna elements.

[0171] Fig.17 The number and arrangement of components shown in the diagram are provided as examples. In practice, there may be Fig.17 The components shown in the figure may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged in a different manner. Fig.17 Two or more components shown in may be implemented in a single component, or Fig.17 The single component shown in may be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, Fig.17 A set (one or more) of components shown in the figure may be described as being executed by Fig.17 One or more functions performed by another set of components shown in FIG.

[0172] The following provides an overview of some aspects of the disclosure:

[0173] Aspect 1: A method of wireless configuration performed by a radio unit (RU), the method comprising: sending a message to a controller of the RU, the message comprising an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to multiple antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU; and receiving from the controller an indication of one or more low-level endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements among the multiple antenna elements.

[0174] Aspect 2: The method according to aspect 1, wherein the indication comprises a static configuration that does not change during active use of the carrier.

[0175] Aspect 3: The method according to aspect 1, wherein the indication comprises a dynamic configuration that changes in real time during use of the one or more activated antenna elements.

[0176] Aspect 4: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, further comprising: receiving a beamforming configuration associated with the one or more activated antenna elements from the controller.

[0177] Aspect 5: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the antenna array is non-rectangular.

[0178] Aspect 6: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the antenna array is rectangular and the ordered list indicates the plurality of antenna elements in an order other than from left to right and from bottom to top.

[0179] Aspect 7: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a management plane between the RU and the controller.

[0180] Aspect 8: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a control plane between the RU and the controller.

[0181] Aspect 9: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the order of the ordered list is based on an integrated circuit (IC) controlling the plurality of antenna elements.

[0182] Aspect 10: The method of aspect 9, wherein the plurality of antenna elements are clustered according to the IC.

[0183] Aspect 11: A method of wireless configuration performed by a controller of a radio unit (RU), the method comprising: receiving a message from the RU, the message comprising an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to multiple antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU; and sending to the RU an indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements among the multiple antenna elements.

[0184] Aspect 12: The method according to aspect 11, wherein the indication comprises a static configuration that does not change during active use of the carrier.

[0185] Aspect 13: The method according to aspect 11, wherein the indication comprises a dynamic configuration that changes in real time during use of the one or more activated antenna elements.

[0186] Aspect 14: The method according to any one of Aspects 11 to 13 further includes: sending a beamforming configuration associated with the one or more activated antenna elements to the RU.

[0187] Aspect 15: A method according to any one of aspects 11 to 14, wherein the antenna array is non-rectangular.

[0188] Aspect 16: The method according to any one of aspects 11 to 14, wherein the antenna array is rectangular and the ordered list indicates the plurality of antenna elements in an order other than from left to right and from bottom to top.

[0189] Aspect 17: The method according to any one of Aspects 11 to 16, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a management plane between the RU and the controller.

[0190] Aspect 18: The method according to any one of Aspects 11 to 16, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a control plane between the RU and the controller.

[0191] Aspect 19: The method according to any one of Aspects 11 to 18, wherein the controller comprises a distributed unit or a service management and orchestration provider.

[0192] Aspect 20: The method according to any one of aspects 11 to 19, wherein the order of the ordered list is based on an integrated circuit (IC) controlling the plurality of antenna elements.

[0193] Aspect 21: The method of aspect 20, wherein the plurality of antenna elements are clustered according to the IC.

[0194] Aspect 22: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a device, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform one or more of the methods described in Aspects 1 to 10.

[0195] Aspect 23: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to execute the method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 10.

[0196] Aspect 24: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: at least one means for performing the method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 10.

[0197] Aspect 25: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to one or more of aspects 1 to 10.

[0198] Aspect 26: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication, the instruction set comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform one or more of the methods described in aspects 1 to 10.

[0199] Aspect 27: An apparatus for performing wireless communications at a device, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform one or more of the methods described in Aspects 11 to 21.

[0200] Aspect 28: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to execute the method according to one or more of aspects 11 to 21.

[0201] Aspect 29: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: at least one means for performing the method according to one or more of aspects 11 to 21.

[0202] Aspect 30: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to one or more of aspects 11 to 21.

[0203] Aspect 31: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication, the instruction set comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform one or more of the methods described in aspects 11 to 21.

[0204] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of these aspects.

[0205] As used herein, the term "component" is intended to be broadly interpreted as a combination of hardware and / or hardware and software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language or other names, "software" should be broadly interpreted as meaning instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures and / or functions, etc. As used herein, a "processor" is implemented in a combination of hardware and / or hardware and software. It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein can be implemented by a combination of hardware and / or hardware and software in different forms. The actual dedicated control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods does not limit various aspects. Therefore, there is no reference to a specific software code herein to describe the operation and behavior of the system and / or method, because those skilled in the art will understand that software and hardware can be designed to implement the system and / or method based at least in part on the description herein.

[0206] As used herein, "satisfying a threshold" may refer to a value being greater than a threshold, greater than or equal to a threshold, less than a threshold, less than or equal to a threshold, equal to a threshold, not equal to a threshold, etc., depending on the context.

[0207] Although the specific combination of features is described in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. Many of these features can be combined in a manner that is not specifically described in the claims and / or is not disclosed in the specification. The disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim combined with each other claim in the claim set. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" the list of items refers to any combination of these items (it includes a single member). As an example, "at least one of a, b or c" is intended to cover a, b, c, a+b, a+c, b+c and a+b+c, and any combination with multiple identical elements (for example, a+a, a+a+a, a+a+b, a+a+c, a+b+b, a+c+c, b+b, b+b+b, b+b+c, c+c and c+c+c, or any other ordering of a, b and c).

[0208] Any element, action or instruction used herein should not be interpreted as critical or necessary unless clearly stated. In addition, as used herein, the article "one" is intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the article "said" is intended to include one or more items connected to the article "said", and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the terms "group" and "group" are intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". If only one item is intended to be referred to, the phrase "only one" or similar terms will be used. Moreover, as used herein, the terms "have", "have" etc. are intended to be open terms, which do not limit the elements they modify (for example, "elements with" A can also have B). In addition, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least in part on", unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "or" when used in a series is intended to be open-ended and used interchangeably with "and / or" unless expressly stated otherwise (eg, if used in conjunction with "either" or "only one of").

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless configuration at a radio unit (RU), the apparatus comprising: Memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to: sending a message to a controller of the RU, the message comprising an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU; and An indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements is received from the controller.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication comprises a static configuration that does not change during active use of the carrier. 3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the indication comprises a dynamic configuration that changes in real time during use of the one or more activated antenna elements.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: A beamforming configuration associated with the one or more activated antenna elements is received from the controller. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the antenna array is non-rectangular.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna array is rectangular and the ordered list indicates the plurality of antenna elements in an order other than left to right and bottom to top.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a management plane between the RU and the controller.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a control plane between the RU and the controller.

9. An apparatus for wireless configuration at a controller of a radio unit (RU), the apparatus comprising: Memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to: receiving a message from the RU, the message comprising an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU; as well as An indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements is sent to the RU.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the indication comprises a static configuration that does not change during active use of the carrier.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the indication comprises a dynamic configuration that changes in real time during use of the one or more activated antenna elements.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: A beamforming configuration associated with the one or more activated antenna elements is sent to the RU.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the antenna array is non-rectangular.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the antenna array is rectangular and the ordered list indicates the plurality of antenna elements in an order other than left to right and bottom to top.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a management plane between the RU and the controller.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a control plane between the RU and the controller.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller comprises a distributed unit or a service management and orchestration provider.

18. A method of wireless configuration performed by a radio unit (RU), the method comprising: sending a message to a controller of the RU, the message comprising an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU; as well as An indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements is received from the controller.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: A beamforming configuration associated with the one or more activated antenna elements is received from the controller.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the antenna array is non-rectangular.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the antenna array is rectangular and the ordered list indicates the plurality of antenna elements in an order other than left to right and bottom to top.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a management plane between the RU and the controller.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a control plane between the RU and the controller.

24. A method of wireless configuration performed by a controller of a radio unit (RU), the method comprising: receiving a message from the RU, the message comprising an ordered list of coordinates corresponding to a plurality of antenna elements in an antenna array of the RU; as well as An indication of one or more low-layer endpoints associated with one or more activated antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements is sent to the RU.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising: A beamforming configuration associated with the one or more activated antenna elements is sent to the RU.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the antenna array is non-rectangular.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the antenna array is rectangular and the ordered list indicates the plurality of antenna elements in an order other than left to right and bottom to top.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a management plane between the RU and the controller.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the message and the indication are associated with a control plane between the RU and the controller.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein the controller comprises a distributed unit or a service management and orchestration provider.

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