A method for controlling one or more coverage enhancing devices having autonomous capabilities, a related network node, and a related coverage enhancing device

Abstract

A method is disclosed, performed by a network node, for controlling one or more coverage enhancing devices, CEDs, within a coverage of the network node, the one or more CEDs having autonomous capabilities. The method comprises transmitting a first signal indicative of control information instructing the one or more CEDs to apply a first configuration, wherein the control information is indicated in a power domain of the first signal.

Description

[0001] A METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ONE OR MORE COVERAGE ENHANCING DEVICES HAVING AUTONOMOUS CAPABILITIES, A RELATED NETWORK NODE, AND A RELATED COVERAGE ENHANCING DEVICE

[0002] The present disclosure pertains to the field of wireless communications. The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling one or more coverage enhancing devices having autonomous capabilities, a related network node, and a related coverage enhancing device.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Coverage enhancing devices, CEDs, such as reflective intelligent surfaces, RIS, having autonomous capabilities are getting more and more common in the field of wireless communications. However, a CED that a wireless communication system is unaware of may lead to challenges.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] A CED that a wireless communication system is unaware of, may for example lead to pilot contamination issues, which may degrade the performance of wireless communications.

[0007] A further challenge is that the behavior of wireless devices, WD, (such as UEs) is a complicated process and interplays heavily with the operations of the CED. For example, a WD may decrease its transmission power in case a CED is accurately configured to provide the WD with good coverage. The reason for this being that the same WD data may now be transmitted via the CED using less power. On the other hand, the WD may take advantage of the CED, and opportunistically transmit more data using higher power. Altogether, some implementations comprising CEDs having autonomous capabilities may not be sufficiently well engineered to cope with such unpredictable behavior, which may result in non / sub-optimal CED operation, such as non-optimal beam configurations at the CED.

[0008] Another challenge is the case of coherent combining at the WD. Not only may the CED seek to configure its beam direction, but it may also seek to introduce a phase change so that its reflected signal positively superimposes with other signals arriving at the WD. This may lead to challenges and degraded performance at the WD. Furthermore, a network node, NN, (such as gNB) may itself try to adapt phases so that all signals are coherently received. This may cause conflicts between the CED and the network node, since it may be better that only one entity adapts phases. Consequently, there are many situations and scenarios in which a CED having autonomous capabilities would degrade wireless communication performance or operate in a sub-optimal way.

[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for devices and methods for controlling one or more coverage enhancing devices having autonomous capabilities, which may mitigate, alleviate or address the shortcomings existing and may allow to improve the performance of wireless communication systems.

[0010] A method is disclosed, performed by a network node, for controlling one or more coverage enhancing devices, CEDs, within a coverage of the network node, the one or more CEDs having autonomous capabilities. The method comprises transmitting a first signal indicative of control information instructing the one or more CEDs to apply a first configuration, wherein the control information is indicated in a power domain of the first signal.

[0011] Further, network node is provided, the network node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the network node is configured to perform any of the methods disclosed herein relating to the network node.

[0012] A method is disclosed, performed by a coverage enhancing device, CED, for enabling controlling of the CED having autonomous capabilities by a network node. The method comprises receiving, from the network node, a first signal indicative of control information instructing the CED to apply a first configuration. Optionally, the control information is indicated in a power domain of the first signal.

[0013] Further, a CED is disclosed, the CED comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the CED is configured to perform any of the methods disclosed herein relating to the CED.

[0014] It is an advantage of the present disclosure that pilot contamination issues may be prevented. Further, the present disclosure improves the operation of wireless communication systems, such as the performance of operation of wireless communication systems comprising CEDs having autonomous capabilities (such as semi-autonomous CEDs). The present disclosure may prevent conflicts between entities of wireless communication systems, such as between the CED and the network node. Additionally, the present disclosure allows a network node to exert a minimum control over CEDs having autonomous capabilities (such as semi-autonomous RISs). With the increasing deployment of CEDs by for example landlords rather than operators, many CEDs become more or less autonomous, i.e. not controlled by a NN (such as gNB). However, the introduction of some control by a NN improves the performance of wireless communication systems comprising CEDs having autonomous capabilities. The present disclosure provides improved performance of wireless communication systems by having improved utilization of CEDs, and by avoiding that CEDs having autonomous capabilities degrade in performance. The present disclosure enables a NN to obtain a limited ability to control a CED, and thereby improve an overall performance of wireless communication systems. It is an advantage of the present disclosure that the end-to-end propagation channel between the NN (such as gNB) and the WD becomes more stable (such as less variations over time) as CED adaptations can be slowed down or turned off.

[0015] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of examples thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0017] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system comprising an example network node, an example wireless device, and an example CED according to this disclosure,

[0018] Fig. 2 shows a flow-chart illustrating an example method, performed in a network node, for controlling one or more coverage enhancing devices, CEDs, according to this disclosure, Fig. 3 shows a flow-chart illustrating an example method, performed in a CED, for enabling controlling of the CED having autonomous capabilities by a network node, according to this disclosure

[0019] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example network node according to this disclosure, Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example CED according to this disclosure, and Fig. 6 shows a first example scenario of challenges arising with CEDs having autonomous capabilities, and

[0020] Fig. 7 shows a second example scenario of challenges arising with CEDs having autonomous capabilities.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Various examples and details are described hereinafter, with reference to the figures when relevant. It should be noted that the figures may or may not be drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the examples. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the disclosure or as a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. In addition, an illustrated example needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular example is not necessarily limited to that example and can be practiced in any other examples even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

[0023] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example wireless communication system 1 according to this disclosure. The wireless communication system 1 comprises a wireless device 300, a network node 400, a core network (CN) node 600, and a coverage enhancing device, CED, 800.

[0024] As discussed in detail herein, the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system 1 comprising a cellular system, for example, a 3GPP wireless communication system.

[0025] A network node disclosed herein refers to a radio access network (RAN) node operating in the radio access network, such as a base station, an evolved Node B, eNBs, a global Node B, gNBs in NR, and / or a transmission and reception point (TRP). In one or more examples, the RAN node is a functional unit which may be distributed in several physical units.

[0026] A CN node disclosed herein refers to a network node operating in the core network, such as in the Evolved Packet Core Network, EPC, and / or a 5G Core Network, 5GC. Examples of CN nodes in EPC include a Mobility Management Entity, MME.

[0027] In one or more examples, the CN node is a functional unit which may be distributed in several physical units.

[0028] The wireless communication system 1 described herein may comprise one or more wireless devices 300, and / or one or more network nodes 400, such as one or more of: a base station, an eNB, a global Node B, gNB, and / or an access point.

[0029] A wireless device may refer to a mobile device and / or a user equipment, UE.

[0030] The wireless device 300 may be configured to communication with the network node 400 via a wireless link (or radio access link) 10, 10A. In one or more examples or embodiments, the WD may be a Wi-Fi station, STA.

[0031] The wireless communication system 1 may comprise a coverage enhancing device (CED) 800.

[0032] The CED 800 may be one or more of a smart repeater, a reflective intelligent surface (RIS), a network controlled repeater (NCR), and / or another wireless device (WD). The CED 800 may provide coverage enhancement for devices using 5G and beyond (such as 6G). The CED 800 may be configurable by the network node 400 and / or the CN node 600, and may be used to improve signal coverage in the wireless communication system 1. The CED 800 may be used to retransmit and / or convey, such as forward, signals, such as data and / or control signals, between the network node 400 and the WD 300. The retransmission can be advantageous when the WD 300 is located at hard-to-reach locations, such as at a border of a coverage area of the network node 400 and / or when a direct link between the network node 400 and the WD 300 is obstructed. It may be appreciated that the CED 800 can also be used to increase the multiple components and / or channel rank to support MIMO communication between the network node 400 and the WD 300, even in a well-covered area, e.g., for capacity enhancement. The CED 800 may comprise a plurality of antenna elements that can be configured with a respective phase shift. By controlling the phase shifts, such as jointly controlling the phase shifts, an incoming and / or outgoing angle of a signal received and / or transmitted by the CED 800 can be controlled and / or adapted. In one or more example methods, the angle of incoming and outgoing signals can be controlled by controlling the relative phase between antenna elements of the CED 800. The phase shift may be a capacitorbased phase shift and / or a true time delay line, such as a time domain shift, between antenna elements of the CED 800. The WD 300 may be configured to communicate with the network node 400 directly via the wireless link (or radio access link) 10 and / or via the CED 800 via wireless link 10A. The wireless link 10A may herein be referred to as a reflected, such as retransmitted, wireless link. The CED 800 may be controlled by one or more network nodes, such as the network node 400, or one or more wireless devices, such as the WD 300. In one or more example embodiments or examples, the network node 400 may be seen as a CED controlling node. The one or more network nodes or wireless devices controlling the CED 800 may herein be referred to as coverage enhancing device controlling nodes. In one or more example methods, the coverage enhancing device controlling node can be a CN node, such as the CN node 600 in Fig 1 . In one or more example methods, the coverage enhancing device controlling node can be a node in an external network that can access the CED 800, for example through the internet via a gateway function. In one or more examples or embodiments, the CED 800 may have autonomous capabilities. In other words, the CED 800 may be seen as a semi-autonomous CED, such as not controlled by a network node (such as gNB) and / or only partially controlled by a network node. Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram of an example method 100, performed by a network node, NN, according to the disclosure. The method may be a method for controlling one or more coverage enhancing devices, CEDs, within a coverage of the network node, the one or more CEDs having autonomous capabilities. The one or more CEDs may comprise a first CED. In other words, the first CED may have autonomous capabilities. The network node is the network node disclosed herein, such as network node 400 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4. The one or more CEDs having autonomous capabilities may be seen as the one or more CEDs comprising a power detector, such as a radio frequency, RF, power detector. In other words, the one or more CEDs may be capable of detecting an information signal embedded in a signal, e.g., from a network node, as a power-pattern and / or power profile. For example, the one or more CEDs may have the capability of measuring incoming power and / or energy of a signal, such as signal from the NN. In one or more examples or embodiments, the one or more CEDs may have the capability of measuring incoming power and / or energy of a signal, such as signal from the WD. The CED mya thereby be capable of measuring a feedback from the WD.

[0033] For example, the CED could take it as positive feedback if more energy is received at the CED after a small phase adaptation. Thus, the measured energy at CED could function as feedback for adaptation.

[0034] In one or more examples or embodiments, the one or more CEDs having autonomous capabilities may be seen as the one or more CEDs being capable of performing beam management. Within a coverage of the NN may be seen as within a coverage of a beam of the NN.

[0035] The method 100 comprises transmitting S104 a first signal indicative of control information instructing the one or more CEDs to apply a first configuration. Transmitting S104 the first signal may comprise one or more of: broadcasting, unicasting, groupcasting, and multicasting the first signal. In one or more examples or embodiments, the first signal may instruct the one or more CEDs to apply the first configuration. It may be appreciated that the NN may not know a current configuration and / or state of a CED. The NN (such as gNB) may not be aware of a presence of the one or more CEDs. For example, the one or more CEDs may not be registered at the NN and the NN may therefore not be able to send dedicated control signals to the one or more CEDs. In one or more examples or embodiments, the method 100 comprises determining control information instructing the one or more CEDs to apply a first configuration, and generating, based on the control information, the first signal.

[0036] In one or more example methods, transmitting S104 the first signal comprises broadcasting S104A the first signal. In one or more examples or embodiments, the control information is indicated in a power domain of the first signal. In other words, the control information may be embedded in the first signal as a power-pattern and / or power profile. Formulated differently, the NN may be configured to modulate the control information in the power domain of the first signal.

[0037] In one or more example methods, the control information is indicated in the power domain of the first signal by performing on / off keying.

[0038] In one or more examples or embodiments, to indicate the control information in a power domain of the first signal may comprise modulating the control information in the power of the first signal using ON / OFF keying. It may be appreciated that such a signal may be seen as the same type of signal used for a lower-power wake-up signal, WUS. For example, a CED may once such a pattern is detected, change its state, operation, and / or configuration according to the instruction embedded in the pattern, such as according to the instructions embedded in the first signal.

[0039] In one or more example methods, the method 100 comprises obtaining S102 behavior information of a propagation channel of the network node. Behavior information of a propagation channel of the NN may be seen as channel state information, CSI, obtained over time. It may be appreciated that the behavior information of a propagation channel may be obtained by indirect measures of the propagation channel. An example of an indirect measurement of behavior information may be that the NN has detected that the channel quality to the WD changes too fast to be naturally induced. The NN may therefore suspect or derive that this may be due to a CED changing its operations (for example frequently changes the beam). This may be seen as indirect measurement of behavior information. Indirect may be understood as the NN not being able to directly measure the state of the CED.

[0040] In one or more example methods, the control information is based on the behavior information. In other words, the NN may be configured to determine the control information based on the behavior information, such as based on indirect measures of behavior of the propagation channel.

[0041] In one or more example methods, the control information instructs to apply the first configuration when a current configuration of the one or more CEDs is different from the first configuration. In other words, the control information may instruct the one or more CEDs to apply the first configuration (such as first state), when the current configuration (such as a current state) of the one or more CEDs is different from the first configuration, e.g., when a current state of the one or more CEDs is different from the first state. In one or more examples or embodiments, the control information may instruct the first CED to apply the first configuration, when the current configuration of the first CED is different from the first configuration. In one or more examples or embodiments, when the current configuration of the one or more CEDs is the same as the first configuration, the control information may instruct to keep the first configuration. For example, when the current configuration of the first CED is the same as the first configuration, the control information may instruct to keep the first configuration. Formulated differently, the change to the first configuration may be conditioned to only apply when a CED is currently operating in a different configuration.

[0042] In one or more example methods, the control information instructs to apply the first configuration when a current configuration of the one or more CEDs has been applied for a certain time period. In other words, when the NN may have detected that a current configuration of a CED is satisfying, the first signal may be transmitted to CEDs having applied their current configuration for a certain time period. For example, when the NN, such as gNB, suspects that there is a CED (such as RIS) which is in a specific mode of operation (e.g., has just found a good beam configuration) it may transmit (such as broadcast) a first signal (such as message) that only applies to CEDs that have identified a configuration within a certain time period to change its configuration.

[0043] In one or more example methods, the control information is configured to: activate or deactivate a CED, trigger identification, control a retro-reflection mode, control a beam management process, control an algorithm behavior, and / or control an operational freeze.

[0044] To activate or deactivate may be seen as turning off one or more CEDs, such as turning off the one or more CEDs in the coverage area of the NN. For example, the control information may be configured to turn any CED having autonomous capabilities, when the NN detects unpredictable and / or abrupt variations in the propagation channel of the NN (which may be seen as behavior information).

[0045] To trigger identification may comprise triggering the one or more CEDs to identify themselves. For example, the control information may trigger a CED to identify itself when the CED is within the coverage of the NN for the first time. This may for example apply when the NN is a nonterrestrial gNB, such as a drone, which may be in an environment for the first time. Another example may be when a CED is a mobile RIS, such as deployed on a car.

[0046] A retro-reflection mode may be seen as a mode of the CED where the CED can reflect back energy of a signal from the NN towards the NN. In other words, it may enable the NN to sense the CED by receiving a reflected signal from the CED in response to a signal from the NN, such as in response to a probing signal. To control a retro-reflection mode may be seen as configuring a CED to trigger a retro reflection mode configuration of the CED. A retro-reflection mode may also be denoted a back-scatter mode. The triggering of identification may be performed in several ways. For example, the control information may request a CED to configure itself in retro-reflection mode in order to trigger identification of the CED. Another example for triggering identification may comprise requesting a CED to activate a pre-determined pattern of beam configurations, for example alternating between on and off. The reflections can then be measured either at the NN itself, and / or by assistance of a WD. Retro-reflection mode may for example be used in the identification stage, e.g., by having a retro-reflection plus an off pattern that encodes data.

[0047] To control a beam management process may comprise controlling a rate of change in a CED beam management process. This may for example be advantageous when the NN has a considerably slower beam management process than the CED.

[0048] To control a beam management process may comprise controlling a phase refinement adaption of a CED, such as activating / deactivating any phase refinement adaptation and / or beam configuration search a CED is currently doing. This may for example be applied when the NN has determined that a current channel performance is satisfying, and that no further beam refinement may be needed.

[0049] To control an algorithm behavior (such as an algorithm behavior of a CED) may comprise configuring a CED to perform its beam management process in accordance with one or more of: aiming at maximizing the received power from the NN, aiming at minimizing the received power from the NN, aiming at maximizing the received power from the WD, and aiming at minimizing the received power from the WD. To control an algorithm behavior (such as an algorithm behavior of a CED) may comprise to control an adaptation rate of the CED.

[0050] To control an operational freeze of a CED may comprise freezing a current configuration, such as keeping a current configuration, or un-freezing a current configuration, such as allowing a CED to change configuration.

[0051] In one or more example methods, the method 100 comprises receiving S106, from the one or more CEDs, a reflected signal, wherein the reflected signal is indicative of an identification of a CED. In other words, the NN may be capable of sensing a reflected signal from a CED by receiving a reflected signal from the CED in response to a signal from the NN, such as in response to a probing signal from the NN. Receiving S106 a reflected signal may comprise receiving a reflected signal in response to a triggering for identification, such as a triggering of a retro-reflection mode. In one or more examples or embodiments, receiving S106 a reflected signal may comprise receiving one or more reflected signals from the one or more CEDs, such as receiving from at least one of the one or more CEDs, such as from the first CED, a reflected signal, such as a first reflected signal. For example, receiving S106 a reflected signal may comprise receiving a reflected signal from each of the one or more CEDs. It may be appreciated that each CED may have a unique identification, ID.

[0052] In one or more example methods, the first signal is configured to request information about the state of the one or more CEDs. In other words, the first signal is configured to request information about a current state of the one or more CEDs. The control information may be indicative of a request for information about the state of the one or more CEDs, such as a current state of the one or more CEDs. To request information about the state of the one or more CEDs may comprise querying whether there are any CEDs in a certain state within a coverage area of the NN. The requested information may be encoded by the CED onto the retro-reflection and thereby conveyed to the NN from the CED in response to the first signal requesting information.

[0053] In one or more example methods, the first configuration is based on a current configuration of the one or more CEDs. For example, the first signal may be based on a current configuration of the one or more CEDs. In one or more examples or embodiments, the method 100 comprises determining the first configuration based on a current configuration of the one or more CEDs. In other words, the method 100 may comprise determining the first signal based on a current configuration of the one or more CEDs. The method 100 may comprise determining control information instructing the one or more CEDs to apply the first configuration, and generating, based on the control information, the first signal.

[0054] In one or more example methods, the method 100 comprises informing S108 one or more connected wireless devices that the network node intends to transmit the first signal. The one or more connected WDs may be seen as connected to the NN. For example, informing S108 one or more connected WDs that the NN intends to transmit the first signal may comprise to schedule the WDs according to the transmission of the first signal.

[0055] In one or more example methods, the method 100 comprises allocating S110 a specific resource for transmitting the first signal. For example, allocating S110 a specific resource for transmitting the first signal may comprise allocating a pre-defined wide band channel. The NN may allocate certain sub-carriers to broadcast the first signal. For example, the NN may allocate a part of an input of an inverse fast Fourier transformation, IFFT, signal processing, during one or more orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, OFDM, symbols. Alternatively or additionally, the NN may allocate a pre-defined narrow band channel. For example, the NN may allocate one or more sub-carriers to broadcast the first signal during one or more OFDM symbols. Alternatively or additionally, the NN may modulate a total transmission power over a predefined band, e.g., at a pre-defined rate. It may be appreciated that different nodes may use different pre-defined channels.

[0056] In the present disclosure, a CED having autonomous capabilities which is listening and conforming to signals from a NN, such as conform to the first signal, may be tolerated. For example, a CED may be deployed in licensed bands and / or unlicensed bands. A compliant CED, such as RIS, may use a WUS receiver, e.g., when FFT-based broadcasting is used by the NN. It may for example be a regulatory requirement stipulating that CEDs deployed in said unlicensed band may have to conform to the NN signals according to the present disclosure.

[0057] Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of an example method 200, performed by a coverage enhancing device, CED, according to the disclosure. The method may be a method for enabling controlling of the CED having autonomous capabilities by a network node. The coverage enhancing device is the coverage enhancing device disclosed herein, such as CED of Fig. 1 , and Fig. 5. The method 200 comprises receiving S204, from the network node, a first signal indicative of control information instructing the CED to apply a first configuration, wherein the control information is indicated in a power domain of the first signal.

[0058] In one or more example methods, the method 200 comprises applying S206 the first configuration when a current configuration of the CED is different from the first configuration. In other words, in response to receiving S204 the first signal the CED may apply the first configuration.

[0059] In one or more example methods, the method 200 comprises applying S208 the first configuration when a current configuration of the CED has been applied for a certain time period.

[0060] In one or more example methods, the method 200 comprises performing S210 one or more of: activating or deactivating the CED, triggering identification, controlling a retro reflection mode, controlling a beam management process, controlling an algorithm behavior, and / or controlling an operational freeze.

[0061] In one or more example methods, the method 200 comprises transmitting S212, to the network node, a reflected signal, wherein the reflected signal is indicative of an identification of the CED. It may be appreciated that any of the definitions and terms used in the description of Fig. 2 may also apply to the description of Fig. 3. For example, any definitions and terms associated with the method performed by the NN disclosed herein may apply to the definitions and terms relating to the method performed by the CED as disclosed herein.

[0062] Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of an example network node, NN, 400 according to the disclosure The NN 400 comprises memory circuitry 401 , processor circuitry 402, and a wireless interface 403. The NN 400 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in Fig. 2. In other words, the NN 400 may be configured for controlling one or more coverage enhancing devices, CEDs, within a coverage of the network node, the one or more CEDs having autonomous capabilities. The NN 400 is configured to communicate with a CED, such as the CED disclosed herein, using a wireless communication system.

[0063] The wireless interface 403 is configured for wireless communications via a wireless communication system, such as a 3GPP system, such as a 3GPP system supporting one or more of: New Radio, NR, Narrow-band loT, NB-loT, and Long Term Evolution - enhanced Machine Type Communication, LTE-M, millimeter-wave communications, such as millimeterwave communications in licensed bands, such as device-to-device millimeter-wave communications in licensed bands, such as NTN and / or sidelink communication.

[0064] The NN 400 is configured to transmit, such as via the wireless interface 403 and / or using the processor circuitry 402, a first signal indicative of control information instructing the one or more CEDs, such as CED 800 as disclosed herein, to apply a first configuration, wherein the control information is indicated in a power domain of the first signal.

[0065] Processor circuitry 402 is configured to perform any of the operations disclosed in Fig. 2. The operations of the NN 400 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (for example, lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (for example, memory circuitry 401) and are executed by processor circuitry 402.

[0066] Furthermore, the operations of the NN 400 may be considered a method that the NN 400 is configured to carry out and vice versa. Also, while the described functions and operations may be implemented in software, such functionality may also be carried out via dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware and / or software.

[0067] Memory circuitry 401 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, memory circuitry 401 may include a nonvolatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for processor circuitry 402. Memory circuitry 401 may exchange data with processor circuitry 402 over a data bus. Control lines and an address bus between memory circuitry 401 and processor circuitry 402 also may be present (not shown in Fig. 4). Memory circuitry 401 is considered a non-transitory computer readable medium.

[0068] Memory circuitry 401 may be configured to store measurements, configurations, measurement data, control information, behavior information, and capabilities of the CED in a part of the memory.

[0069] Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of an example CED 800 according to the disclosure. The CED 800 comprises memory circuitry 801 , processor circuitry 802, and a wireless interface 803. The CED 800 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in Fig. 3.

[0070] The CED 800 is configured to communicate with a network node as disclosed herein, such as a CED controlling node, using a wireless communication system.

[0071] The wireless interface 803 is configured for wireless communications via a wireless communication system, such as a 3GPP system, such as a 3GPP system supporting one or more of: New Radio, NR, Narrow-band loT, NB-loT, and Long Term Evolution - enhanced Machine Type Communication, LTE-M, millimeter-wave communications, such as millimeterwave communications in licensed bands, such as device-to-device millimeter-wave communications in licensed bands, such as NTN and / or sidelink communication.

[0072] The CED 800 has autonomous capabilities. In other words, the CED 800 may comprise a power detector, such as a radio frequency, RF, power detector. In other words, the CED 800 may be capable of detecting an information signal embedded in a signal, e.g., from a network node, as a power-pattern and / or power profile. For example, the CED 800 may have the capability of measuring incoming power and / or energy of a signal, such as signal from the NN.

[0073] In one or more examples or embodiments, the CED 800 having autonomous capabilities may be seen as the one or more CEDs being capable of performing beam management.

[0074] The CED 800 is configured to receive, for example, via the wireless interface 803, from the network node (such as NN 400 disclosed herein), a first signal indicative of control information instructing the CED 800 to apply a first configuration, wherein the control information is indicated in a power domain of the first signal. Processor circuitry 802 is optionally configured to perform any of the operations disclosed in Fig. 3. The operations of the CED 800 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (for example, lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (for example, memory circuitry 801 ) and are executed by processor circuitry 802.

[0075] Furthermore, the operations of the CED 800 may be considered a method that the CED 800 is configured to carry out and vice versa. Also, while the described functions and operations may be implemented in software, such functionality may also be carried out via dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware and / or software.

[0076] Memory circuitry 801 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, memory circuitry 801 may include a nonvolatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for processor circuitry 802. Memory circuitry 801 may exchange data with processor circuitry 802 over a data bus. Control lines and an address bus between memory circuitry 801 and processor circuitry 802 also may be present (not shown in Fig. 5). Memory circuitry 801 is considered a non-transitory computer readable medium.

[0077] Memory circuitry 801 may be configured to store measurements, configurations, and control information in a part of the memory in a part of the memory.

[0078] Fig. 6 shows a first example scenario of challenges arising with CEDs having autonomous capabilities. In fig. 6, the RIS may be seen as a CED, the UE may be seen as the WD, and the gNB may be seen as the network node. Fig. 6 illustrates a scenario where a RIS that aims at maximizing its incoming power from the gNB misaligns its beam towards the UE.

[0079] In this scenario, it is considered that the RIS knows the correct beam direction towards the gNB, but not towards the UE. It may be assumed that the RIS controls the RIS’s behavior based on an incoming power from the gNB. As the RIS changes the RIS’s beam direction away from the UE, as may be seen in Fig. 6, the necessary power from the gNB to maintain connection with the UE will increase. This may be regarded by the RIS as if the beam configuration is good, as the compound channel may be regarded as heavily used.

[0080] It may now be considered that a RIS that measures power in the UE beam direction. A beam sweeping procedure at the RIS may be a slow process, and the reason for this is, at least, twofold. Firstly, typical traffic behavior is that downlink traffic dominates uplink, wherefore the RIS accumulates power over an extended period of time before making any decisions. Secondly, a RIS should not frequently change beams as that would interrupt communication rendering the overall system unstable. However, as illustrated in Fig. 6, as the RIS aligns its beam away from the UE, the UE may compensate for this by increasing its transmit power. This implies that the measured incoming power within the RIS’s UE beam would be nearly constant, and very little can be concluded. It may be appreciated that the UE and gNB behaviors may be implementation specific, and unknown to the RIS. As a direct consequence, a RIS having autonomous capabilities may not bring any noticeable improvements, and in some cases, even degrade performance of the wireless communication system.

[0081] The scenario in Fig. 6 shows some of the challenges encountered when having CEDs with autonomous capabilities (e.g., the CED is not controlled at all). By applying the technique of the present disclosure the shortcomings illustrated in Fig. 6 are mitigated, alleviated and / or addressed.

[0082] Fig. 7 shows a second example scenario of challenges arising with CEDs having autonomous capabilities. In fig. 7, the RIS may be seen as a CED, the UE may be seen as the WD, and the gNB may be seen as the NN. Fig. 7 illustrates a scenario where a RIS that aims at adjusting the RIS’s phase change instead of the beam direction as in Fig. 6. maximizing its incoming power from the gNB misaligns its beam towards the UE.

[0083] The RIS may try to optimize the RIS’s phase to make the RIS’s reflected signal in-phase with other signals received by the UE. When the signals are out of phase, the gNB may have to transmit more power to reach the UE as may be observed in Fig. 7. However, this could be interpreted by the RIS as if the configured beam is more heavily used. It may be appreciated that in this scenario the received power from the UE may be essentially unaffected by the phase change. In the rightmost illustration, the RIS applies a phase change of 180° which maximizes the received power at the RIS but leads to the worst conditions for the gNB.

[0084] The scenario in Fig. 7 shows some of the challenges encountered when having CEDs with autonomous capabilities (e.g., the CED is not controlled at all). By applying the technique of the present disclosure the shortcomings illustrated in Fig. 7 are mitigated, alleviated and / or addressed.

[0085] Examples of methods and products (network node and wireless device) according to the disclosure are set out in the following items: Item 1 . A method (100), performed by a network node, for controlling one or more coverage enhancing devices, CEDs, within a coverage of the network node, the one or more CEDs having autonomous capabilities, the method comprising:

[0086] - transmitting (S104) a first signal indicative of control information instructing the one or more CEDs to apply a first configuration, wherein the control information is indicated in a power domain of the first signal.

[0087] Item 2. The method according to item 1 , the method comprising:

[0088] - obtaining (S102) behavior information of a propagation channel of the network node; and

[0089] - wherein the control information is based on the behavior information.

[0090] Item 3. The method according to any of the previous items, wherein the control information instructs to apply the first configuration when a current configuration of the one or more CEDs is different from the first configuration.

[0091] Item 4. The method according to any of the previous items, wherein the control information instructs to apply the first configuration when a current configuration of the one or more CEDs has been applied for a certain time period.

[0092] Item 5. The method according to any of the previous items, wherein the control information is configured to: activate or deactivate a CED, trigger identification, control a retro reflection mode, control a beam management process, control an algorithm behavior, and / or control an operational freeze.

[0093] Item 6. The method according to any of the previous items, the method (100) comprising:

[0094] - receiving (S106), from the one or more CEDs, a reflected signal, wherein the reflected signal is indicative of an identification of a CED.

[0095] Item 7. The method according to any of the previous items, wherein the first signal is configured to request information about the state of the one or more CEDs.

[0096] Item 8. The method according to any of the previous items, wherein the first configuration is based on a current configuration of the one or more CEDs.

[0097] Item 9. The method according to any of the previous items, the method comprising:

[0098] - informing (S108) one or more connected wireless devices that the network node intends to transmit the first signal.

[0099] Item 10. The method according to any of the previous items, wherein transmitting (S104) the first signal comprises broadcasting (S104A) the first signal. Item 11.The method according to any of the previous items, wherein the control information is indicated in the power domain of the first signal by performing on / off keying.

[0100] Item 12. The method according to any of the previous items, the method (100) comprising:

[0101] - allocating (S110) a specific resource for transmitting the first signal.

[0102] Item 13. A method (200), performed by a coverage enhancing device, CED, for enabling controlling of the CED having autonomous capabilities by a network node, the method comprising:

[0103] - receiving (S204), from the network node, a first signal indicative of control information instructing the CED to apply a first configuration, wherein the control information is indicated in a power domain of the first signal.

[0104] Item 14. The method according to item 13, the method (200) comprising:

[0105] - applying (S206) the first configuration when a current configuration of the CED is different from the first configuration.

[0106] Item 15. The method according to any of items 13-14, the method (200) comprising:

[0107] - applying (S208) the first configuration when a current configuration of the CED has been applied for a certain time period.

[0108] Item 16. The method according to any of items 13-15, the method (200) comprising:

[0109] - performing (S210) one or more of: activating or deactivating the CED, triggering identification, controlling a retro reflection mode, controlling a beam management process, controlling an algorithm behavior, and / or controlling an operational freeze.

[0110] Item 17. The method according to any of items 13-16, the method (200) comprising:

[0111] - transmitting (S212), to the network node, a reflected signal, wherein the reflected signal is indicative of an identification of the CED.

[0112] Item 18. A network node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the network node is configured to perform any of the methods according to any of items 1-12.

[0113] Item 19. A coverage enhancing device, CED, comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the CED is configured to perform any of the methods according to any of items 13-17. The use of the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. does not imply any particular order, but are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. does not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Note that the words “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. are used here and elsewhere for labelling purposes only and are not intended to denote any specific spatial or temporal ordering. Furthermore, the labelling of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element and vice versa.

[0114] It may be appreciated that the figures comprise some circuitries or operations which are illustrated with a solid line and some circuitries, components, features, or operations which are illustrated with a dashed line. Circuitries or operations which are comprised in a solid line are circuitries, components, features or operations which are comprised in the broadest example. Circuitries, components, features, or operations which are comprised in a dashed line are examples which may be comprised in, or a part of, or are further circuitries, components, features, or operations which may be taken in addition to circuitries, components, features, or operations of the solid line examples. It should be appreciated that these operations need not be performed in order presented. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that not all of the operations need to be performed. The example operations may be performed in any order and in any combination. It should be appreciated that these operations need not be performed in order presented. Circuitries, components, features, or operations which are comprised in a dashed line may be considered optional.

[0115] Other operations that are not described herein can be incorporated in the example operations. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations.

[0116] Certain features discussed above as separate implementations can also be implemented in combination as a single implementation. Conversely, features described as a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as any sub-combination or variation of any sub-combination

[0117] It is to be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.

[0118] It is to be noted that the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It is to be noted that the term "indicative of may be seen as “associated with”, “related to”, “descriptive of’, “characterizing”, and / or “defining”. The terms “indicative of”, “associated with”, “related to”, “descriptive of’, “characterizing”, and “defining” can be used interchangeably. The term “indicative of” can be seen as indicating a relation. For example, weight data indicative of weight may comprise one or more weight parameters.

[0119] It is to be noted that the word "based on" may be seen as “as a function of” and / or “derived from”. The terms “based on” and “as a function of’ can be used interchangeably. For example, a parameter determined “based on” a data set can be seen as a parameter determined “as a function of” the data set. In other words, the parameter may be an output of one or more functions with the data set as an input.

[0120] A function may be characterizing a relation between an input and an output, such as mathematical relation, a database relation, a hardware relation, logical relation, and / or other suitable relations.

[0121] It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the examples may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

[0122] The various example methods, devices, nodes and systems described herein are described in the general context of method steps or processes, which may be implemented in one aspect by a computer program product, embodied in a computer-readable medium, including computerexecutable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in networked environments. A computer-readable medium may include removable and non-removable storage devices including, but not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVD), etc. Generally, program circuitries may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specified tasks or implement specific abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program circuitries represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

[0123] Although features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed disclosure, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed disclosure. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed disclosure is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method (100), performed by a network node, for controlling one or more coverage enhancing devices, CEDs, within a coverage of the network node, the one or more CEDs having autonomous capabilities, the method comprising: transmitting (S104) a first signal indicative of control information instructing the one or more CEDs to apply a first configuration, wherein the control information is indicated in a power domain of the first signal.

2. The method according to claim 1 , the method comprising: obtaining (S102) behavior information of a propagation channel of the network node; and wherein the control information is based on the behavior information.

3. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control information instructs to apply the first configuration when a current configuration of the one or more CEDs is different from the first configuration.

4. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control information instructs to apply the first configuration when a current configuration of the one or more CEDs has been applied for a certain time period.

5. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control information is configured to: activate or deactivate a CED, trigger identification, control a retro reflection mode, control a beam management process, control an algorithm behavior, and / or control an operational freeze.

6. The method according to any of the previous claims, the method (100) comprising: receiving (S106), from the one or more CEDs, a reflected signal, wherein the reflected signal is indicative of an identification of a CED.

7. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first signal is configured to request information about the state of the one or more CEDs.

8. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first configuration is based on a current configuration of the one or more CEDs.

9. The method according to any of the previous claims, the method comprising: informing (S108) one or more connected wireless devices that the network node intends to transmit the first signal.

10. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein transmitting (S104) the first signal comprises broadcasting (S104A) the first signal.

11. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control information is indicated in the power domain of the first signal by performing on / off keying.

12. The method according to any of the previous claims, the method (100) comprising:- allocating (S110) a specific resource for transmitting the first signal.

13. A method (200), performed by a coverage enhancing device, CED, for enabling controlling of the CED having autonomous capabilities by a network node, the method comprising: receiving (S204), from the network node, a first signal indicative of control information instructing the CED to apply a first configuration, wherein the control information is indicated in a power domain of the first signal.

14. The method according to claim 13, the method (200) comprising: applying (S206) the first configuration when a current configuration of the CED is different from the first configuration.

15. The method according to any of claims 13-14, the method (200) comprising: applying (S208) the first configuration when a current configuration of the CED has been applied for a certain time period.

16. The method according to any of claims 13-15, the method (200) comprising: performing (S210) one or more of: activating or deactivating the CED, triggering identification, controlling a retro reflection mode, controlling a beam management process, controlling an algorithm behavior, and / or controlling an operational freeze.

17. The method according to any of claims 13-16, the method (200) comprising: transmitting (S212), to the network node, a reflected signal, wherein the reflected signal is indicative of an identification of the CED.

18. A network node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the network node is configured to perform any of the methods according to any of claims 1-12.

19. A coverage enhancing device, CED, comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the CED is configured to perform any of the methods according to any of claims 13-17.

Images