Network node and method in wireless communication network

Abstract

A method performed in a network node is provided. The method is for processing a synchronization beam for synchronization with a first UE for upcoming communications in a wireless communication network associated with a carrier between the first UE and a network node. The network node determines (202) a second set of synchronization beams associated with the first UE to be used for the carrier. Determining a second set of synchronization beams related to the first UE to be used for the carrier is based on the obtained location of the first UE. The network node adds (203) beams in the second set of synchronization beams to an active set of synchronization beams for the active UE. The network node broadcasts (204) a respective synchronization signal in each synchronization beam in a set of active synchronization beams for the carrier. The network node receives (205), from the first UE, an indication that the first UE has connected to the network node using a particular synchronization beam of the set of active synchronization beams based on the respective synchronization signals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments herein relate to network nodes and methods therein. In some aspects, they relate to processing a synchronization beam for synchronization with a first user equipment (UE) for an upcoming communication associated with a carrier between the first UE and the network node in a wireless communication network. Background Art

[0002] In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices (also referred to as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STAs) and / or user equipment (UEs)) communicate via a wide area network or a local area network (such as a Wi-Fi network) or a cellular network (including a radio access network (RAN) portion and a core network (CN) portion). The RAN covers a geographical area divided into service areas or cell areas, each of which is served by a radio network node, such as a radio access node, for example a Wi-Fi access point, a base station (BS), or a radio base station (RBS). In some networks, the radio network node may also be denoted as, for example, a base station (BS), a node B, an eNodeB (eNB), or a gNodeB (gNB) as denoted in fifth generation (5G) telecommunications. The service area or cell area is the geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node communicates with wireless devices within range of the radio network node over an air interface operating on radio frequencies.

[0003] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a standardization body that specifies standards for the evolution of cellular systems, including, for example, 3G, 4G, 5G, and future evolutions. The specifications for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completed within 3GPP. In 4G, also known as fourth generation (4G) networks, EPS is the core network and E-UTRA is the radio access network. In 5G, 5GC is the core network and NR is the radio access network. As a continuous network evolution, new releases of 3GPP specify 5G networks, also known as 5G New Radio (NR) and 5G Core (5GC).

[0004] The frequency bands used for 5G NR are divided into two distinct frequency ranges: Frequency Range 1 (FR1) and Frequency Range 2 (FR2). FR1 includes frequency bands below 6 GHz. Some of these bands are traditionally used by legacy standards but have been expanded to cover potential new spectrum offerings from 410 MHz to 7125 MHz. FR2 includes frequency bands from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz. Frequency bands within this millimeter wave range have shorter ranges but higher available bandwidth than those within FR1.

[0005] Multi-antenna technology can significantly increase the data rate and reliability of wireless communication systems. For a wireless connection between a single user (such as a UE) and a base station (BS), performance is particularly improved if both the transmitter and receiver non-line-of-sight paths are equipped with multiple antennas (which results in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication channel). This may be referred to as single-user (SU)-MIMO. In scenarios where MIMO technology is used for wireless connections between multiple users and a base station, MIMO enables users to communicate with the base station simultaneously using the same time-frequency resources by spatially separating the users, which further increases the cell capacity. This may be referred to as multi-user (MU)-MIMO. Note that MU-MIMO can benefit when each UE has only one antenna. The cell capacity can increase linearly with respect to the number of antennas on the BS side. Therefore, more and more antennas are adopted in the BS. Such systems and / or related technologies are generally referred to as massive MIMO.

[0006] A synchronization signal block (SSB) may include a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a PBCH demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and PBCH data.

[0007] SSB on millimeter wave (mmW) carriers (also called mmW cells) is required to at least:

[0008] - find the carrier wave,

[0009] - Get time synchronization,

[0010] - obtain frequency synchronization, and

[0011] - Get (part of) system information.

[0012] SSB can be sent to the UE in multiple beams. The beams are selected to jointly define the coverage area of ​​the mmW cell. Assuming that no channel state information (CSI) is sent to the UE, it is necessary to transmit by continuously using all beams when SSB is sent. For NR, up to 64 beams can be used.

[0013] The SSB includes a PSS spanning one Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, an SSS including a single OFDM symbol, and a PBCH having a DMRS for the PBCH spanning 3 OFDM symbols.

[0014] Each signal in the SSB is mapped to a grid of OFDM resource elements.

[0015] As the antenna array grows, the beamforming gain for UE-specific signaling increases, which means the coverage of the UE-specific data channel grows. The gain of the SSB beam can also be increased, but more SSB beams will be needed to match the coverage area of ​​the UE-specific signaling. Another way to look at it is that because each SSB beam becomes narrower, more SSB beams are needed.

[0016] WO2022139635 teaches a method for controlling resource allocation to wireless communication devices by a radio base station. In this method, a first location having radio coverage using at least a first frequency band and a second frequency band and a second location having radio coverage using the first frequency band are provided. The second frequency band is at a higher frequency than the first frequency band. Resources in the second frequency band are then temporarily reallocated from the first location to the second location. This is performed upon receiving an indication that the wireless communication device at the second location requires improved coverage.

[0017] In this example of the method, at least one SSB beam is reserved for temporarily reallocating resources of the second frequency band from a first location to a second location. The low frequency band can be used to establish an initial connection with a second UE, with the second UE acting as an access point for other UEs within reach of the second UE. By having the base station locate the second UE, for example, by estimating azimuth and elevation angles, a very narrow beam with high bandwidth can be created between the base station and the second UE using the high frequency band via the reserved SSB beam.

[0018] However, this method requires two frequency bands. This is because the first frequency band will serve as the anchor point, while the second frequency band will serve as the capacity-boosting band. Furthermore, when the method relies on the base station to locate the second UE, the step of obtaining the position will rely on uplink transmissions from the second UE. This, in turn, means that communication has already been established with the UE, for example, via the first frequency band, and the step of obtaining the position is initiated via this communication. Summary of the Invention

[0019] As part of developing the embodiments herein, the inventors recognized a problem and will first discuss that problem.

[0020] As the number of SSB beams increases, for example due to the factors mentioned above, the overhead in terms of radio resources will also grow. For large Advanced Antenna Systems (AAS), this overhead may become significant and will result in reduced capacity in the cell.

[0021] For traditional SSB always-on transmission, there is also an energy cost associated with increasing the number of SSB beams.

[0022] These problems become more pronounced when moving to higher frequencies.

[0023] It is an object of embodiments herein to improve the performance of wireless communication networks using synchronized beams.

[0024] According to one aspect of the embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed in a network node. The method is for processing a synchronization beam for synchronization with a first UE for an upcoming communication associated with a carrier between the first UE and the network node in a wireless communication network. The network node determines a second synchronization beam set associated with the first UE to be used for the carrier. Determining the second synchronization beam set associated with the first UE to be used for the carrier is based on the obtained position of the first UE. The network node adds beams from the second synchronization beam set to an active synchronization beam set for active UEs. The network node broadcasts a corresponding synchronization signal in each synchronization beam in the active synchronization beam set for the carrier. The network node receives an indication from the first UE that the first UE has connected to the network node using a specific synchronization beam in the active synchronization beam set based on the corresponding synchronization signal.

[0025] According to another aspect of the embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a network node configured to process a synchronization beam for synchronization with a first UE for an upcoming communication associated with a carrier between the first UE and the network node in a wireless communication network. The network node is further configured to:

[0026] - based on the obtained position of the first UE, determining a second synchronization beam set associated with the first UE to be used for the carrier,

[0027] - adding beams in the second synchronization beam set to the active synchronization beam set for the active UE,

[0028] - broadcasting a corresponding synchronization signal in each synchronization beam in the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier,

[0029] - receiving an indication from the first UE that the first UE has connected to the network node using a specific synchronization beam from the set of active synchronization beams based on the corresponding synchronization signal.

[0030] Embodiments herein provide advantages in terms of latency, for example, if fewer beams need to be evaluated, the time to acquire a carrier for a UE will be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a wireless communication network.

[0033] Figure 2 is a flow chart depicting an embodiment of a method in a network node.

[0034] Figure 3a to Figure 3b is a diagram illustrating an example scenario of embodiments herein.

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a network node.

[0036] Figure 5 A telecommunications network is schematically shown connected to a host computer via an intermediary network.

[0037] Figure 6 It is a generalized block diagram of a host computer communicating with user equipment via a base station over a partially wireless connection.

[0038] Figures 7 to 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a user equipment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Examples of embodiments herein may involve processing of synchronization beams, such as for SSB transmissions, based on UE positioning. Examples of embodiments herein may involve processing of beams for transmission of reference signals and information required for initial access (e.g., SSBs in NR) based on UE positioning. These are referred to below as synchronization beams.

[0040] As mentioned above, the advantage is that the number of transmitted synchronization beams (e.g., SSB beams) will be kept low. This means lower SSB overhead, which can be very beneficial if the AAS size is very large. There is also a benefit in terms of latency; if fewer beams need to be evaluated, the time to acquire a carrier for the UE will be reduced.

[0041] In NR with FR2, there is also a limitation of 64 logical SSBs. Some embodiments of this document allow more SSB beams in the wireless communication network, but the number of active SSB beams is still limited to 64.

[0042] In general, some embodiments herein also allow carriers to be partially or completely switched off, which results in improved energy efficiency.

[0043] Figure 1 1 is a schematic overview illustrating a wireless communication network 100 in which embodiments herein may be implemented. The wireless communication network 100 includes one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communication network 100 may utilize 5G NR, but may further utilize a variety of other different technologies, such as 6G, Wi-Fi, (LTE), LTE-Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications / Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (GSM / EDGE), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), to name just a few possible implementations.

[0044] A network node, such as network node 110, operates in a wireless communication network 100. The network node 110, for example, provides multiple cells and can use these cells to communicate with other radio nodes, such as UEs 121 and 122. The network node 110 can be a transmission and reception point (e.g., a network node), a radio access network node (such as a base station, a radio base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNodeB, eNode B), an NR / g Node B (gNB)), a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an access point base station, a base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a standalone access point, a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, an access point station (AP STA), an access controller, a UE used as an access point or peer in device-to-device (D2D) communication, or any other network element capable of communicating with a UE served by the network node 110, depending on, for example, the radio access technology and terminology used.

[0045] UEs, such as a first UE 121 and one or more other UEs referred to as second UEs 122, 123, 124, operate in a wireless communication network 100. The respective first UE 121 and second UEs 122, 123, 124 may each be, for example, a NR device, a mobile station, a wireless terminal, an NB-IoT device, an enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) device, an NR RedCap device, a CAT-M device, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) device, a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) device, a vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) device, a vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) device, a vehicle-to-network (V2N) device, a Wi-Fi device, an LTE device, and a non-access point (non-AP) STA, a STA communicating with one or more core networks (CNs) via a base station (such as the network node 110), one or more access networks (ANs) (e.g., RANs). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the term UE is a non-restrictive term that refers to any UE, terminal, wireless communication terminal, user equipment, (D2D) terminal or node, such as a smartphone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablet or even a small base station that communicates within a cell.

[0046] In some embodiments, the term UE refers to a device used directly by an end user to communicate, such as a handheld phone or a laptop equipped with a mobile broadband adapter.

[0047] In some embodiments, the term UE refers to an object that is equipped with or carries equipment used directly by an end user for communication. This may be, for example, any of the following:

[0048] - A robot equipped with / carrying a device for communication.

[0049] -A person carrying a device used for communication.

[0050] - Vehicles equipped with / carrying equipment for communication.

[0051] In one aspect, the method herein may be performed by the network node 110. Alternatively, for example, Figure 1 The distributed nodes (DNs) and functions in the illustrated cloud 135 may be used to perform or partially perform the methods of the embodiments herein.

[0052] Some embodiments herein provide, for example, a way to make the SSB beam set for a carrier specific to a group of active UEs on that carrier (e.g., including UEs 121, 122). This can be performed based on, for example, location information of UEs (such as UEs 121, 122) obtained from a positioning system.

[0053] A number of embodiments will now be described, some of which may be considered alternatives and some of which may be used in combination.

[0054] In the embodiments herein, different sets of synchronization beams are used.

[0055] A first set of possible synchronization beams. These synchronization beams relate to the possible synchronization beams that the network node 110 is capable of providing. Some of these synchronization beams may already be part of the active set of active synchronization beams, and some of these synchronization beams may not be part of the active set of active synchronization beams.

[0056] A second set of synchronization beams. These synchronization beams are selected to cover the direction(s) towards the first UE 121 for the carrier.

[0057] Active synchronization beam set. These synchronization beams are beams used to transmit SSBs or parts of system information and synchronization signals generally used by active UEs 121, 122 for communications in a carrier. Some of these beams may be used by more than one UE in a carrier, and some beams in the active set may not be used by any UE. According to embodiments herein, the network node 110 aims to provide a way to make the active synchronization beam set for a carrier specific to the UEs (e.g. including UEs 121, 122) active on that carrier. This is advantageous because the cost in terms of overhead for transmitting the active synchronization beam set is lower than the cost of transmitting the first possible synchronization beam set. The first UE 121 may select a synchronization beam to use for its upcoming communications in the carrier based on measurements of the beams transmitted from the active set.

[0058] Figure 2An exemplary embodiment of a method performed in the network node 110 is shown. The method is for processing a synchronization beam for synchronization with a first UE 121 for an upcoming communication associated with a carrier between the first UE 121 and the network node 110 in the wireless communication network 100.

[0059] In some embodiments, the network node 110 provides a first set of possible synchronization beams. As described above, these are the possible synchronization beams that the network node 110 is capable of providing.

[0060] A synchronization beam may be denoted by SSB. As used herein, a carrier may include multiple beams to be used by one or more UEs (such as, for example, the first UE 121 and possibly the second UE). The method comprises the following actions, which may be performed in any suitable order. Figure 2 , optional actions are shown as dashed boxes.

[0061] Action 201

[0062] The network node 110 obtains the location of the UE 120. The location of the UE 120 may be obtained by any one or more of the following:

[0063] - one or more cameras detect the first UE 120 and estimate its location,

[0064] - one or more microphones detect the first UE 120 and estimate its location,

[0065] - receiving a location from the first UE 121, and

[0066] - Using the positioning functionality in the wireless communication network 100 .

[0067] By using camera or microphone based positioning of the first UE 121 and any other UEs, no signalling requiring UL signalling with the UEs is needed. This is advantageous as it implies that the UE 121 does not need to establish communication with the network node 110, e.g. over some other frequency band.

[0068] In some embodiments, the location of the UE 120 is represented by a direction from the network node 110 to the UE 120. Therefore, the term location may also include directions to UEs, such as the first UE 121 and any other UEs.

[0069] The direction may, for example, relate to either an estimated line-of-sight path or an estimated non-line-of-sight path (eg, a strong non-line-of-sight path).

[0070] Positioning may be obtained from a system in communication with the network node 110. The system estimates the position of a UE, such as the first UE 121. Examples of such systems include, for example, optical-based systems, acoustic positioning-based systems, radar-like systems, and inertial sensing-based systems.

[0071] Action 202

[0072] Network node 110 determines a second set of synchronization beams. These synchronization beams are associated with first UE 121 for use in the carrier. This determination is based on the obtained location of first UE 121. Network node 110 may need to determine some synchronization beams directed toward first UE 121. These synchronization beams are based on the location of first UE 121. These synchronization beams will later be included in the set of active synchronization beams and will be used for communications in the carrier.

[0073] As described above, in some embodiments, the network node 110 provides a first set of possible synchronization beams. In some of these embodiments, the second set of synchronization beams may be selected (eg, determined) from the first set of synchronization beams.

[0074] Action 203

[0075] The network node 110 adds the beams in the second set of synchronization beams to the active set of synchronization beams for the active UEs 121, 122. The active UEs 121, 122 may include a first UE 121 and a second UE 122.

[0076] In some embodiments, adding beams in the second synchronization beam set to the active synchronization beam set for the active UE 121, 122 is performed only for beams that are not already included in the active synchronization beam set when checked by the network node 110. This may avoid duplication, which would increase the amount of radio resources required for transmission.

[0077] Action 204

[0078] The network node 110 broadcasts a respective synchronization signal in each synchronization beam in the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier.

[0079] Since the beams in the second synchronization beam set have been added to the active synchronization beam set for the active UEs 121 , 122 , it is ensured that some broadcast synchronization signals will be heard by the first UE 121 , i.e. the synchronization signals sent in the second synchronization beam set.

[0080] Action 205

[0081] The network node 110 receives an indication from the first UE 121. The indication indicates that the first UE 121 has connected to the network node 110 using a specific synchronization beam from the set of active synchronization beams based on a corresponding synchronization signal.

[0082] This corresponds to which synchronization beam(s) in the active synchronization beam set for the carrier is used by the first UE 121. The network node 110 may then identify which synchronization beam(s) in the second synchronization beam set included in the active synchronization beam set is / are not used by the first UE 121.

[0083] Action 206

[0084] The network node 110 may then determine whether to remove any synchronization beams not used by the first UE 121 from the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier based on the indication.

[0085] In this way, the active synchronization beam set may be updated to include only beams used by active UEs (eg, including the first UE 121) on the carrier.

[0086] The method may then be repeated for other active UEs, which may be, for example, the second UE 122.

[0087] The embodiments herein, such as the embodiments mentioned above, will now be further described and illustrated. The following is applicable to any suitable embodiment above and can be combined with any suitable embodiment above.

[0088] Note that while the following description is biased towards NR in FR2, the embodiments herein are also applicable to other frequency bands and other RATs. It should be noted that the problem addressed by the embodiments herein, the coverage and / or overhead of common synchronization signals (such as SSB) where the system relies on high-gain dynamic UE-specific beamforming, is quite fundamental in nature. This means that any system requiring the same coverage of common signals transmitted without using an assumption of the radio channel to the UE as the coverage of UE-specific signals transmitted and / or received using an assumption of the channel to the UE will require more resources to be allocated to the common signals as the array size grows.

[0089] It should also be noted that although the embodiments herein are described when the positioning system estimates a position (x, y, z), other Cartesian coordinate systems are also applicable. The positioning system can, for example, estimate the azimuth and zenith angles at the network node toward the first UE 121. In other embodiments, the positioning system determines a fingerprint or proxy for the position, where the proxy is mapped to a synchronization beam.

[0090] In the following examples, the synchronization beam may be represented by an SSB beam, and the synchronization signal may be represented by an SSB signal.

[0091] However, the terms synchronization beam and SSB beam may be used interchangeably herein, and the terms synchronization signal and SSB signal may also be used interchangeably herein.

[0092] The logical SSB index can be signaled using PBCH for data and DMRS. It is associated with a specific set of transmission opportunities. In NR, up to 64 logical indices can exist. The set of indices can be signaled, but not all indices must be used.

[0093] In this context, an SSB beam is a set of transmission weights, one per antenna and / or radio and / or antenna port.

[0094] The first UE 121 assumes that the SSB beam is the same for a given logical SSB index during its session.

[0095] The embodiments herein are applicable to a network node 110 side, such as a gNB side, in a wireless communication network 100 having at least one carrier, wherein the at least one carrier may be a higher frequency carrier, such as mmW or higher.

[0096] Some example embodiments of the method are described in more detail below. Some steps in the examples are optional.

[0097] A positioning system in communication with the network node 110 estimates the position (x, y, z) of the first UE 121 .

[0098] This is related to action 201 described above and can be combined with action 201 .

[0099] In some embodiments, a camera is used to obtain video and / or photographs of the environment, and image processing techniques are used to detect a group of UEs (such as, for example, the first UE 121) and estimate their locations. This can be applicable, for example, to factory scenarios where a group of UEs represented by mobile robots are monitored using cameras. In some other embodiments, an outdoor deployment is used instead, and UEs (such as UE 121) are represented by human devices and / or vehicles in the outdoor environment.

[0100] In some other example embodiments, acoustic localization employing a microphone array is used instead.

[0101] Then, information about the location of the UE, such as the first UE 121, is transmitted to the network node.

[0102] Furthermore, the first UE 121 may estimate its location, for example, by using GPS, and report the location to the network node 110, such as a gNB, using a lower carrier. As used herein, a lower carrier, for example, means a carrier operating in a frequency band with a lower carrier frequency, which may be assumed to have better coverage. In some other embodiments, instead, a positioning function in LTE or NR associated with the wireless communication network 100 is used by the network node 110 to obtain the location of the first UE 121.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first UE 121 is equipped with a marker, such as any one of a label, a symbol, a code, a logo, a color, or a light emitting diode (LED), which will simplify the positioning of the positioning system. Consider again the factory scenario with a group of UEs including the first UE 121 represented by a robot. The robot can be equipped with some kind of light and / or visual symbol that makes it easier for the positioning system to detect and locate the first UE 121.

[0104] The network node 110 determines whether the first UE 121 benefits from being connected to the carrier's frequency band.

[0105] In some embodiments, the network node 110 will attempt to connect to all UEs, including the first UE 121, that are located, for example, by a positioning system. This may be, for example, to determine whether to trigger the determination of a second synchronization beam set associated with the first UE 121 to be used for the carrier. If the first UE 121 would benefit from being connected to the carrier's frequency band, then the determination of the second synchronization beam set is triggered.

[0106] This may be performed by using the buffer status of the first UE 121 in case the first UE 121 is also connected to another carrier (eg, a lower carrier). If there is a lot of data in the buffer, it may be beneficial to connect to the carrier.

[0107] This may also be based on the type of service, for example, if the first UE 121 is running XR services, a higher carrier may be appropriate. As used herein, XR services means, for example, the use of virtual reality, augmented reality, etc.

[0108] In another embodiment, the determination is based on the total resource utilization of the cell.

[0109] The network node 110 obtains a mapping function from the estimated position to determine a second set of beams for use on the carrier based on the first UE position.

[0110] This is related to action 202 described above and can be combined with action 202 .

[0111] This is to identify the synchronization beam directed towards the first UE 121.

[0112] In the case of a camera-based system, the estimated position of the first UE 121, the position of the network node 110, and potentially also the position of the camera may therefore be used to derive a set of angles corresponding to estimated line-of-sight directions and / or strong non-line-of-sight directions between the network node 110 and the first UE 121. Based on this set of angles, a second set of synchronization beams having similar angles for their maximum gain may be determined.

[0113] The mapping may be based on an explicit position of the first UE 121 or an azimuth and zenith angle between the network node 110 and the first UE 121, eg determined from a positioning system.

[0114] The mapping may be in the form of a table that maps positions or azimuths and zenith angles to indices of synchronization beams.

[0115] The mapping can be trained using CSI reference signal (RS) beam scanning on the carrier.

[0116] The mapping can be trained based on historical data.

[0117] The network node 110 adds the determined second synchronization beam set to the active synchronization beam set for the carrier, which is not UE-specific.Each beam may be assigned a logical SSB index.

[0118] This is related to action 203 described above and can be combined with action 203 .

[0119] The network node 110 may check to ensure that the synchronization beam being added to the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier is not already part of the set. In some embodiments, a counter may be incremented for the beam so that the number of active users camped on the SSB beam is tracked.

[0120] The logical SSB index allocated to the synchronization beam can be obtained from a list of free logical SSB indices, or for example, through a fixed mapping.

[0121] The network node 110 sends synchronization signals in the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier, each beam may use its assigned logical beam index and the resources associated with the logical beam index.

[0122] This is related to action 204 described above and can be combined with action 204 .

[0123] The network node 110 broadcasts (e.g., transmits) a synchronization signal (such as an SSB) in a synchronization beam of the active synchronization beam set. This may include applying a precoder and / or beamforming weights and / or port-to-antenna mapping to the synchronization signal. The precoder and / or beamforming weights and / or port-to-antenna mapping include phase and amplitude information for antennas in the network node 110.

[0124] The first UE 121 receives the synchronization signal on the carrier and connects to the carrier using any SSB in the set of active beams for the carrier.

[0125] This is related to action 205 described above and can be combined with action 205 .

[0126] In this step, the network node 110 obtains an indication, such as an SSB logical index, indicating that the first UE 121 has connected to the network node (110) using a specific synchronization beam in the active synchronization beam set based on measurements of synchronization signals in the active set.

[0127] In some embodiments, the indicated specific synchronization beam is used to update, for example, a mapping function from the estimated position (x, y, z) to the synchronization beam set. This means that the estimated position used to determine the second synchronization beam set is compared with the beam actually used by the UE, and this comparison is used to update the algorithm / parameters that use the estimated position to determine the second synchronization beam set.

[0128] The network node 110 determines if any synchronization beam is not in use. In response to an SSB beam being unused, the SSB beam is removed from the set of active beams for the carrier (and the logical SSB index is then free for reuse).

[0129] This is related to action 206 described above and can be combined with action 206 .

[0130] The network node 110 determines based on the indication whether to remove any synchronization beams from the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier that are not used by the first UE 121. These synchronization beams are free to be reused for any other UE when removed.

[0131] In some embodiments, this may be further determined based on any one or more of the following:

[0132] - When a UE (such as the first UE 121) is disconnected from the carrier.

[0133] - Based on the user's activity time.

[0134] -When it is determined that no UE is using the associated SSB index.

[0135] - In response to a new synchronization beam being added. This may be able to manage a limited number of SSB logical indices.

[0136] In an example, a table stored at the network node 110 indicates a mapping of synchronization beams (such as SSB beams) to SSB logical indices. This is shown in Table 1. Note that this may change as a UE (such as the first UE 121) leaves or enters a carrier.

[0137]

[0138] Table 1

[0139] In an example scenario, UE 122 is determined to be inactive and UE 124 is added to the mmW. This is shown in Table 2.

[0140]

[0141] Table 2

[0142] Figure 3a The following example scenario is shown when the network node 110 accesses the camera 300 .

[0143] Reference numerals 311, 312 and 313 relate to determining a second set of synchronization beams associated with a first UE 121 (referred to as UE 1 in the figure).

[0144] 311 shows that the network node 110 provides a first set of possible synchronization beams. In 312, the positioning system based on the camera 300 estimates the position of the UE 1 and sends it to the network node 110. 313 shows the determined second set of synchronization beams to be used for the carrier related to the UE 1. These beams are added to the set of active synchronization beams shown in 314.

[0145] In 315, the positioning system based on camera 300 estimates the position of UE 2 and sends it to the network node 110. 316 shows the determined second set of synchronization beams to be used for the carrier related to UE 2. These beams will be added to the set of active synchronization beams. Synchronization signal transmission can be performed on a subset of the set of all possible SSB beams, which corresponds to the union of the beams determined for the two UEs (UE 1 and UE 2).

[0146] Figure 3b Another example scenario is shown, where a camera 300 is mounted on the network node 110 to derive a set of angles corresponding to estimated line-of-sight directions and / or strong non-line-of-sight directions between the network node 110 and a first UE 121 based on the UE position.

[0147] Reference numerals 321 , 322 and 323 relate to determining a second set of synchronization beams associated with a first UE 121 (referred to as UE 1 in the figure).

[0148] 321 shows that network node 110 provides a first set of possible synchronization beams. In 322, network node 110 uses camera 300 to estimate the position of UE 1 based on a derived set of angles corresponding to estimated line-of-sight directions and / or strong non-line-of-sight directions between network node 110 and UE 1. 323 shows a second set of synchronization beams related to UE 1 to be used for the carrier based on the derived set of angles. These beams are added to the set of active synchronization beams shown in 324.

[0149] In 325, network node 110 uses camera 300 to estimate the position of UE 2 based on a derived set of angles corresponding to the estimated line-of-sight direction and / or strong non-line-of-sight direction between network node 110 and UE 2. 326 shows a second set of synchronization beams associated with UE 2 to be used for the carrier based on the derived set of angles. These beams are added to the set of active synchronization beams. Synchronization signal transmission can be performed on a subset of the set of all possible SSB beams, which corresponds to the union of the beams determined for the two UEs (UE 1 and UE 2).

[0150] Figure 4 An example of an arrangement in a network node 110 is shown.

[0151] The network node 110 is configured to process a synchronization beam for synchronization with the first UE 121 for an upcoming communication in the wireless communication network 100 associated with a carrier between the first UE 121 and the network node 110 .

[0152] The network node 110 may include an input and output interface 400 configured to communicate, for example, with any networking entity operating in the communication network 100 of embodiments herein, such as, for example, the second radio node 120. The input and output interface 400 may include a receiver (e.g., wired and / or wireless) (not shown) and a transmitter (e.g., wired and / or wireless) (not shown).

[0153] The network node 110 is further configured to determine a second set of synchronization beams related to the first UE 121 to be used for the carrier based on the obtained position of the first UE 121 .

[0154] The network node 110 is further configured to add beams of the second set of synchronization beams to the set of active synchronization beams for the active UEs 121 , 122 .

[0155] The network node 110 is further configured to broadcast a respective synchronization signal in each synchronization beam in the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier.

[0156] The network node 110 is further configured to receive an indication from the first UE 121 that the first UE 121 has connected to the network node 110 using a particular synchronization beam from the set of active synchronization beams based on the corresponding synchronization signal.

[0157] The network node 110 may also be configured to determine whether to remove any synchronization beam not used by the first UE 121 from the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier based on the indication.

[0158] In some embodiments, the network node 110 is further configured to obtain the location of the UE 120 .

[0159] In some embodiments, the network node 110 is configured to obtain the location of the UE 120 by any one or more of the following:

[0160] - one or more cameras detect the first UE 120 and estimate its location,

[0161] - one or more microphones detect the first UE 120 and estimate its location,

[0162] - receiving a location from the first UE 121, and

[0163] - Using the positioning functionality in the wireless communication network 100 .

[0164] In some embodiments, the location of the UE 120 is adapted to be represented by a direction from the network node 110 to the UE 120, the direction being adapted to relate to any of: an estimated line-of-sight path or an estimated non-line-of-sight path.

[0165] In some embodiments, the network node 110 is configured to provide a first set of possible synchronization beams, and wherein the network node 110 is further configured to determine a second set of synchronization beams from the first set of synchronization beams.

[0166] In some embodiments, the network node is configured to add beams of the second synchronization beam set to the active synchronization beam set for active UEs 121 , 122 only for beams that are not already included in the active synchronization beam set when checked by the network node 110 .

[0167] The embodiments herein may be implemented by a corresponding processor or one or more processors (e.g., Figure 4The computer program code may be implemented as a computer program product, for example, in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for executing the embodiments described herein when loaded into the network node 110. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM. However, other data carriers, such as memory sticks, are also feasible. Furthermore, the computer program code may be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the network node 110.

[0168] The network node 110 may further include a memory 420 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 420 includes instructions executable by a processor in the network node 110. The memory 420 is arranged to store instructions, data, configurations, measurements, parameters, and applications to perform the methods herein when executed in the network node 110.

[0169] In some embodiments, the computer program 430 comprises instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 410 , cause the at least one processor 410 of the network node 110 to perform the above actions.

[0170] In some embodiments, a corresponding carrier 440 includes a corresponding computer program 430 , wherein the carrier 440 is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

[0171] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the functional modules in the network node 110 described below may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits and / or one or more processors configured with, for example, software and / or firmware stored in the network node 110, wherein the software and / or firmware, when executed by the corresponding one or more processors (such as the at least one processor 410 described above), causes the corresponding at least one processor 410 to perform actions according to any of the actions described above. One or more of these processors and other digital hardware may be included in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a system-on-chip (SoC).

[0172] refer to Figure 5According to an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network 3210, such as a 3GPP type cellular network, for example, the wireless communication network 100, which includes an access network 3211 (such as a radio access network) and a core network 3214. The access network 3211 includes a plurality of base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c, for example, the network node 110 or the second radio node 120, such as an APSTA NB, an eNB, a gNB or other types of wireless access points, each base station defining a corresponding coverage area 3213a, 3213b, 3213c. Each base station 3212a, 3212b, 3212c (e.g., the radio network nodes 141, 142) can be connected to the core network 3214 via a wired or wireless connection 3215. A first user equipment (UE), such as the network node 110 or the second radio node 120, such as a non-AP STA 3291 located in the coverage area 3213c, is configured to be wirelessly connected to a corresponding base station 3212c (e.g., the network node 110) or to be paged by the corresponding base station 3212c. A second UE 3292 (e.g., any one of the one or more second UEs 122, such as a non-AP STA in the coverage area 3213a) can be wirelessly connected to a corresponding base station 3212a, such as the network node 110. Although multiple UEs 3291, 3292 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to scenarios where a single UE is in the coverage area or where a single UE is connected to the corresponding base station 3212.

[0173] The telecommunications network 3210 itself is connected to a host computer 3230, which can be embodied as hardware and / or software for a standalone server, a cloud-enabled server, a distributed server, or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 3230 can be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or can be operated by or on behalf of the service provider. The connections 3221, 3222 between the telecommunications network 3210 and the host computer 3230 can extend directly from the core network 3214 to the host computer 3230, or can be via an optional intermediate network 3220. The intermediate network 3220 can be one or a combination of more than one of a public, private, or managed network; the intermediate network 3220, if present, can be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network 3220 can include two or more subnetworks (not shown).

[0174] Figure 5The communication system as a whole implements a connection between one of the connected UEs 3291, 3292 and a host computer 3230. This connection can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 3250. The host computer 3230 and the connected UEs 3291, 3292 are configured to communicate data and / or signaling via the OTT connection 3250, using the access network 3211, the core network 3214, any intermediate networks 3220, and possibly additional infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 3250 can be transparent because the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 3250 passes are unaware of the routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, the base station 3212 may not be informed or need not be informed of the past routing of incoming downlink communications, where data originating from the host computer 3230 will be forwarded (e.g., handed off) to the connected UE 3291. Similarly, the base station 3212 does not need to be aware of the future routing of outgoing uplink communications initiated from the UE 3291 to the host computer 3230.

[0175] According to the embodiment, reference will now be made to Figure 6 Describe the example implementation of the UE, base station, and host discussed in the previous paragraphs. In the communication system 3300, the host computer 3310 includes hardware 3315, which includes a communication interface 3316 configured to establish and maintain a wired or wireless connection to the interface of different communication devices of the communication system 3300. The host computer 3310 further includes processing circuitry 3318, which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. Specifically, the processing circuitry 3318 may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or a combination thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 3310 further includes software 3311, which is stored in the host computer 3310 or accessible by the host computer 3310 and executable by the processing circuitry 3318. The software 3311 includes a host application 3312. The host application 3312 may be operable to provide services to a remote user, such as a UE 3330 connected via an OTT connection 3350 terminated at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. When providing services to remote users, the host application 3312 may provide user data sent using the OTT connection 3350 .

[0176] The communication system 3300 also includes a base station 3320, which is provided in the telecommunications system and includes hardware 3325 that enables it to communicate with the host computer 3310 and the UE 3330. The hardware 3325 may include a communication interface 3326 for establishing and maintaining wired or wireless connections with different communication devices of the communication system 3300, and a communication interface 3326 for establishing and maintaining connections with at least the communication devices located in the coverage area ( Figure 6The communication interface 3326 may be configured to facilitate a connection 3360 to the host 3310. The connection 3360 may be direct, or it may pass through a core network (e.g., a core network of the telecommunications system) of the telecommunications system. Figure 6 3320) and / or traverse one or more intermediate networks external to the telecommunications system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 3325 of the base station 3320 also includes processing circuitry 3328, which may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or a combination thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 3320 also has software 3321 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0177] The communication system 3300 also includes the UE 3330 mentioned above. Its hardware 3335 may include a radio interface 3337, which is configured to establish and maintain a wireless connection 3370 with a base station serving the coverage area in which the UE 3330 is currently located. The hardware 3335 of the UE 3330 also includes processing circuitry 3338, which may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or a combination thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE 3330 also includes software 3331, which is stored in the UE 3330 or accessible by the UE 3330 and executable by the processing circuitry 3338. The software 3331 includes a client application 3332. The client application 3332 may be operable to provide services to human or non-human users via the UE 3330 with the support of the host computer 3310. In the host computer 3310, the executing host application 3312 can communicate with the executing client application 3332 via the OTT connection 3350 that terminates at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. When providing services to the user, the client application 3332 can receive request data from the host application 3312 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 3350 can transmit both the request data and the user data. The client application 3332 can interact with the user to generate the user data it provides. Note that Figure 6 The host computer 3310, base station 3320 and UE 3330 shown in FIG can be respectively Figure 5 The host computer 3230, one of the base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c and one of the UEs 3291, 3292 are the same. That is, the internal workings of these entities can be as follows Figure 6 shown, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be Figure 5 network topology.

[0178] exist Figure 6In FIG, OTT connection 3350 has been abstractly drawn to illustrate communication between host computer 3310 and user device 3330 via base station 3320, without explicitly referencing any intermediate devices and the precise routing of messages via those devices. The network infrastructure can determine the routing, which can be configured to hide the routing from UE 3330 or from the service provider operating host computer 3310, or both. While OTT connection 3350 is active, the network infrastructure can further make decisions by which the routing can be dynamically changed (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or reconfiguration of the network).

[0179] The wireless connection 3370 between UE 3330 and base station 3320 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments utilize the OTT connection 3350 to improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 3330, with the wireless connection 3370 forming the final leg of the OTT connection 3350. More specifically, the teachings of these embodiments can improve RAN performance: data rate, latency, power consumption, thereby providing benefits such as corresponding performance benefits applicable to OTT services: reduced user latency, relaxed file size restrictions, better responsiveness, and extended battery life.

[0180] Measurement processes may be provided for monitoring data rates, latency, and other factors improved by one or more embodiments. Optional network functionality may also be provided for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 between the host computer 3310 and the UE 3330 in response to changes in measurement results. The measurement process and / or network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 may be implemented in software 3311 of the host computer 3310, software 3331 of the UE 3330, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with the communication devices through which the OTT connection 3350 passes. The sensors may participate in the measurement process by providing values ​​of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or other physical quantities from which the software 3311 or 3331 can calculate or estimate the monitored quantities. Reconfiguration of the OTT connection 3350 may include message formats, retransmission settings, preferred routing, and the like. The reconfiguration need not affect the base station 3320 and may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 3320. Such processes and functionality may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, the measurements may involve dedicated UE signaling that facilitates the host computer 3310 to measure throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. The measurements may be achieved because the software 3311, 3331 causes messages to be sent using the OTT connection 3350, particularly empty or "dummy" messages, while it monitors propagation time, errors, etc.

[0181] Figure 71 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station (such as an AP STA), and a UE (such as a non-AP STA), which may be a reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 For the sake of brevity of this disclosure, only Figure 7 . In a first step 3410 of the method, a host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step 3411 of first step 3410, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second step 3420, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In an optional third step 3430, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station transmits the user data carried in the host computer-initiated transmission to the UE. In an optional fourth step 3440, the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0182] Figure 8 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station (such as an AP STA), and a UE (such as a non-AP STA), which may be a reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 For the sake of brevity of this disclosure, only Figure 8 . In a first step 3510 of the method, a host computer provides user data. In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second step 3520, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. According to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the transmission may be delivered via a base station. In an optional third step 3530, the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[0183] Figure 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station (such as an AP STA) and a UE (such as a non-AP STA), which may be a reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 For the sake of brevity of this disclosure, only Figure 9. In an optional first step 3610 of the method, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second step 3620, the UE provides user data. In an optional sub-step 3621 of the second step 3620, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In another optional sub-step 3611 of the first step 3610, the UE executes a client application that provides the user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer. When providing the user data, the executed client application may also take into account user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data is provided, in an optional third sub-step 3630, the UE initiates a transmission of the user data to the host computer. In a fourth step 3640 of the method, the host computer receives the user data sent from the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

[0184] Figure 10 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station (such as an AP STA), and a UE (such as a non-AP STA), which may be a reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 For the sake of brevity of this disclosure, only Figure 10 . In an optional first step 3710 of the method, the base station receives user data from the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional second step 3720, the base station initiates a transmission of the received user data to a host computer. In a third step 3730, the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0185] When the word "comprise" or "comprising" is used, it should be interpreted as non-limiting, meaning "consisting at least of.

[0186] The embodiments herein are not limited to the preferred embodiments described above, and various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be used.

Claims

1. A method, performed in a network node (110), for processing a synchronization beam for synchronization with a first user equipment (UE) (121) for an upcoming communication associated with a carrier between the first UE (121) and the network node (110) in a wireless communication network (100), the method comprising: determining (202) a second synchronization beam set associated with the first UE (121) to be used for the carrier, the determination being based on the obtained position of the first UE (121), adding (203) beams in the second set of synchronization beams to an active set of synchronization beams for an active UE (121, 122), broadcasting (204) a respective synchronization signal in each synchronization beam in the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier, An indication is received (205) from the first UE (121) that the first UE (121) has connected to the network node (110) using a particular synchronization beam from the set of active synchronization beams based on the corresponding synchronization signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Any one or more of the following: obtaining (201) the location of the UE (120), and Based on the indication, it is determined (206) whether to remove any synchronization beam not used by the first UE (121) from the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The location of the UE (120) is obtained (201) by any one or more of the following: - one or more cameras detecting said first UE (120) and estimating its position, - one or more microphones detecting said first UE (120) and estimating its position, - receiving said location from said first UE (121), and - Using positioning functionality in said wireless communication network (100).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The position of the UE (120) is represented by a direction from the network node (110) to the UE (120), the direction being related to either: an estimated line-of-sight path or an estimated non-line-of-sight path.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The network node (110) provides a first set of possible synchronization beams, and wherein the second set of synchronization beams is determined (202) from the first set of synchronization beams.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein Adding (203) beams of the second set of synchronization beams to the active set of synchronization beams for active UEs 121, 122 is performed only for beams that are not already included in the active set of synchronization beams when checked by the network node (110).

7. A computer program (430) comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor (410), cause the processor to perform the actions of any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A carrier (440) comprising a computer program (430) according to claim 7, wherein The carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, electromagnetic signal, magnetic signal, electric signal, radio signal, microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

9. A network node (110) configured to process a synchronization beam for synchronization with a first user equipment (UE) (121) for an upcoming communication associated with a carrier between the first UE (121) and the network node (110) in a wireless communication network (100), the network node (110) being further configured to: determining a second synchronization beam set associated with the first UE (121) to be used for the carrier based on the obtained position of the first UE (121), adding beams in the second set of synchronization beams to an active set of synchronization beams for an active UE (121, 122), broadcasting a respective synchronization signal in each synchronization beam in the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier, An indication is received from the first UE (121) that the first UE (121) has connected to the network node (110) using a particular synchronization beam from the set of active synchronization beams based on the corresponding synchronization signal.

10. The network node (110) according to claim 9, further configured to perform any one or more of the following: obtaining the location of the UE (120), and Based on the indication, it is determined whether to remove any synchronization beam not used by the first UE (121) from the set of active synchronization beams for the carrier, the synchronization beam being free to be reused by any other UE when removed.

11. The network node (110) according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein: The network node (110) is configured to obtain the location of the UE (120) by any one or more of the following: - one or more cameras detecting said first UE (120) and estimating its position, - one or more microphones detecting said first UE (120) and estimating its position, - receiving said location from said first UE (121), and - Using positioning functionality in said wireless communication network (100).

12. The network node (110) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: The position of the UE (120) is adapted to be represented by a direction from the network node (110) to the UE (120), the direction being adapted to relate to either: an estimated line-of-sight path or an estimated non-line-of-sight path.

13. The network node (110) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein: The network node (110) is configured to provide a first set of possible synchronization beams, and wherein the network node (110) is further configured to determine the second set of synchronization beams from the first set of synchronization beams.

14. The network node (110) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein: The network node is configured to add beams of the second synchronization beam set to the active synchronization beam set for active UEs 121, 122 only for beams that are not already included in the active synchronization beam set when checked by the network node (110).

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