Dynamic scheduling management in a wireless communication network

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method and system for dynamic scheduling management and optimization at the DU (108) for an associated RU (112). The method comprises determining, by a first network entity (108) associated to a wireless communication network, PRBs allocation, pertaining to candidate UEs, for downlink transmission to a second network entity (112), wherein the PRBs allocation is associated to a plurality of time-symbols. Further, a set of time-symbols, from the plurality of time-symbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent, dynamically determined based on PRBs allocation. Furthermore, a downlink control signal comprising indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols, computed based on the determination. Thereafter, the downlink control signal is transmitted to the second network entity (112). The second network entity (112) deactivates transmission of downlink symbols in the set of time-symbols, based on the indication.

Description

DYNAMIC SCHEDULING MANAGEMENT TN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from Provisional Indian Patent Application No. 202441026490, filed on March 30, 2024, and Non-Provisional Indian Patent Application No. 202441026490, filed on August 30, 2024, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of scheduling management in a wireless communication network, and more particularly relates to managing power saving by dynamic scheduling management in a network entity of the wireless communication network.BACKGROUND

[0003] The information disclosed in this background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the disclosure and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

[0004] With the evolution of wireless communication systems, multiple networks have emerged, offering superior data rates, capacity, latency, and connectivity compared to previously available networks. Such wireless communication networks may operate using a multitude of components. A Radio Access Network (RAN) infrastructure is used in a mobile telecommunications network, such as a mobile broadband network, to connect User Equipment (UE) to a core network. In one implementation of a network architecture, the RAN includes network nodes. The network nodes may be embodied as base-station Central Unit (CU) in communication with a plurality of network entities. For example, the network entities may be base station Distributed Units (DUs) and associated Radio Units (RUs). The UE may be connected to a network entity associated with theO-RAN. The RAN is configured to handle functionalities, including, but not limited to, interconnecting UEs and network entities in a network with each other through radio link(s) for subscribers to use the services of the core network.

[0005] Network entities, such as the base station DU, have been evolved to support enhanced user capabilities by supporting increased data rates and increased network reliability for the connect UEs via the associated RU. Further, the communication between the components may require various network resources in terms of time and frequency and hardware resources for supporting various functionalities of each of the components. Improvements in the functionality or hardware of the components are desired to provide network energy savings.SUMMARY

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a method comprising the steps of determining, by a first network entity associated to a wireless communication network, Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, pertaining to one or more candidate User Equipments (UEs), for downlink transmission to a second network entity, wherein the PRBs allocation is associated to a plurality of time-symbols. Further, the method comprises dynamically determining, by the first network entity and based on PRBs allocation, a set of time-symbols, from the plurality of time-symbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent. The method also involves computing, by the first network entity and based on the determination, a downlink control signal comprising an indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols. Thereafter, the method involves transmitting, by the first network entity, the downlink control signal to the second network entity, wherein the second network entity deactivates transmission of one or more downlink symbols in the set of time-symbols, based on the indication in the received downlink control signal.

[0007] The present disclosure also relates to an apparatus configured to determine, by a first network entity associated to a wireless communication network, Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, pertaining to one or more candidate User Equipments (UEs), for downlink transmission to a second network entity, wherein the PRBs allocation is associated to a plurality of time-symbols. Further, the apparatus is configured to dynamically determine, by the first network entity and based on PRBs allocation, a set of time-symbols, from the plurality of timesymbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent. Furthermore, theapparatus is configured to compute, by the first network entity and based on the determination, a downlink control signal comprising an indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols. Thereafter, the apparatus is configured to transmit, by the first network entity, the downlink control signal to the second network entity, wherein the second network entity deactivates transmission of one or more downlink symbols in the set of time-symbols, based on the indication in the received downlink control signal.

[0008] In an embodiment, there is a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions stored thereon that when processed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operation of determining, by a first network entity associated to a wireless communication network, Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, pertaining to one or more candidate User Equipments (UEs), for downlink transmission to a second network entity, wherein the PRBs allocation is associated to a plurality of time-symbols. Further, the at least one processor also performs operation of dynamically determining, by the first network entity and based on PRBs allocation, a set of time-symbols, from the plurality of time-symbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent. The at least one processor also performs the operation of computing, by the first network entity and based on the determination, a downlink control signal comprising an indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols. Thereafter, the at least one processor also performs operation of transmitting, by the first network entity, the downlink control signal to the second network entity, wherein the second network entity deactivates transmission of one or more downlink symbols in the set of time-symbols, based on the indication in the received downlink control signal.

[0009] In a wireless communication network architecture including the network entities, effectively managing the overall power efficiency of the network entity is challenging without considering contextual information related to traffic. The methods and systems of the present disclosure allows to effectively manage power consumption of the network entity, including RU, based on contextual information relating to the traffic load and number of connected UE.

[0010] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment for performing scheduling management system in a network entity of a wireless communication network, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a network entity for performing dynamic scheduling management and optimization in a distributed unit node of a wireless communication network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow chart illustrating method steps for performing dynamic scheduling management and optimization in a distributed unit node of a wireless communication network, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a device wherein the method for performing dynamic scheduling management and optimization may be implemented, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein.

[0016] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagram herein represents conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0017] The following detailed description of example embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. Further, one or more features or components of one embodiment may beincorporated into or combined with another embodiment (or one or more features of another embodiment). Additionally, the flowchart and description of operations provided below relate to one of the various embodiments. It should be noted that it is possible to make other embodiments that do not exactly match the flowchart and its description. It is understood that in other embodiments one or more operations may be omitted, one or more operations may be added, one or more operations may be performed simultaneously (at least in part).

[0018] It will be apparent that systems and / or methods, described herein, may be implemented in different forms of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limiting of the implementations. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are described herein without reference to specific software code. It is understood that software and hardware may be designed to implement the systems and / or methods based on the description herein.

[0019] Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

[0020] No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Furthermore, expressions such as “at least one of [A] and [B],” “[A] and / or [B],” or “at least one of [A] or [B]” are to be understood as including only A, only B, or both A and B.

[0021] In general, power management and scheduling management plays a critical role in achieving effective energy efficiency for network entities in a wireless communication network. The base station DU, associated with a wireless communication network, may be in communication with the RU. The DU and RU may be configured to handle the traffic load,including an Uplink (UL) data and a Downlink (DL) data. The UL and DL data may be associated to one or more UEs connected to the RU. However, as stated earlier, power management of such network entities, such as RU, is a critical aspect to achieve an optimal energy efficiency while maintaining the required network performance standard. In scenarios, where scheduling management associated with the RU and implemented by the DU is performed without consideration of contextual information, including estimation of PRB, a traffic load trend, channel condition, and proper estimation of number of UEs currently and actively communicating with the RU, the overall network performance may be degraded. Therefore, there is a requirement of dynamically optimization scheduling management in the DU node for the associated RU based on contextual information.

[0022] The methods and systems of the present disclosure solve a technical problem for effectively managing power consumption of the RU by implementing efficient scheduling management based on the contextual information. Herein, techniques or mechanism may be required such that resource optimization and energy management associated with the RU may be performed by the DU with sufficient accuracy and reliability while maintaining the overall network performance. The method and system support specific control plane elements in scheduling resources to one or more UEs. By supporting the control plane elements, the present disclosure improves network energy savings in the communication systems. The present disclosure solves this technical problem as described in the embodiments below.

[0023] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method and system for performing dynamic scheduling management and optimization, and energy management by the DU and associated with the RU based on accurate contextual information and estimated parameters pertaining to traffic and channel conditions while maintaining required network performance. Therefore, the present disclosure suggests techniques for performing dynamic scheduling management and optimization, and energy management associated with the RU.

[0024] In the context of the present disclosure, it will be appreciated that the environment pertaining to various exemplary embodiments may include an Open Radio Access Network (O- RAN) architecture. The O-RAN architecture comprise key components such as, ORAN Centralized Unit (O-CU), ORAN Distributed Unit (O-DU), and ORAN Radio Unit (O-RU) which work together to enable flexible and interoperable radio access networks. The O-CU may serve as the central unit responsible for higher-layer functions such as baseband processing, protocol stack implementation, network control, and the like. The O-DU, on the other hand, handles lower-layer functions including radio resource management, radio link control, and the like. The O-RU serves as the radio unit responsible for converting digital signals to analog signals for transmission over the air. This distributed architecture allows for modular deployment, interoperability between different vendors, scalability in network deployments, and the like. It reduces dependency on specific vendors and enables the optimization of network performance and cost-efficiency.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment 100 for performing scheduling management system in a network entity of a wireless communication network, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] As shown in the Fig.1, the environment 100 may comprise a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) 102, a Non-Real-Time RIC (Non-RT RIC) 104, a Near-Real-Time RIC (Near-RT RIC) 106, an ORAN Distributed Unit (O-DU) 108 (also referred hereinafter as “DU” for the sake of brevity), an ORAN Centralized Unit (O-CU) 1 10, and an ORAN Radio Unit (O- RU) 112 (also referred hereinafter as “RU” for the sake of brevity). A person skilled in the art would understand that the environment 100 may include other network components not mentioned explicitly in Fig. l . The SMO 102 manages and coordinates various services and functions within a communication network to ensure efficient deployment, configuration, and operation of services. The SMO 102 may involve tasks such as service provisioning, service scaling, resource allocation service-level monitoring, and the like. It aims to optimize service delivery, enhance network performance, and improve overall network management and operation.

[0027] The non-RT RIC 104 represents a type of RIC that is configured for performing and managing non-real-time operations and functions within the RAN, such as network planning, resource management, and policy enforcement. The non-RT RIC 104 may perform tasks that are not time-critical and can be performed with some level of delay.

[0028] The Near-RT RIC 106 represents a type of RIC that is configured to handle near-realtime operations and functions within the RAN, involving time-sensitive tasks, such as radio resource management, congestion control, and dynamic optimization. The Near-RT RIC 106 may provide faster response and decision-making capabilities.

[0029] The O-DU 108 is a component in an Open RAN architecture that represents a distributed unit responsible for processing and controlling radio resources in a decentralized manner. The O-DU 108 may perform baseband processing, manage radio frequency parameters, and interfacewith other RAN components. The present disclosure provides various embodiments for the functioning of the O-DU 108 to improve network energy savings.

[0030] The O-CU 110 is a component in an Open RAN architecture that represents the centralized unit responsible for centralized control and management of the RAN functions. The O-CU 110 may perform higher-level processing, coordination, and optimization of network resources across multiple O-DUs 108.

[0031] The O-RU 112 is a component in an Open RAN architecture that represents the radio unit responsible for transmitting and receiving radio signals. The O-RU 112 may interface with O- DU 108 and perform radio frequency operations, including modulation, demodulation, amplification, and signal conversion.

[0032] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a new radio (NR) frequency range 1 (FR1) scheduler scheme to maximize energy savings in the O-DU 108.

[0033] The O-DU 108 may comprise L2 and L2 functional blocks which interface through the FAPI interface as specified in O-RAN.WG8.AAD.0-R003-vl 1.0 ORAN specification.

[0034] The L2 functional blocks may include• E2 handler• F1AP handler• Fl-U• O-DU-DM-Agent• NR-RLC• NR-Scheduler• NR-MAC

[0035] The NR scheduler may also be referred to as L2 MAC scheduler, that may further comprise various components in O-DU architecture as specified in O-RAN.WG8.AAD.0-R003- vl 1.0 ORAN specification. The one or more components may include DL / UL Resource scheduler, DL / UL Link Adaptation (LA), UL Tx Power Control, DL / UL MIMO Mode Control and TA Manager. Each of these components may perform various functionalities as described below as specified in O-RAN.WG8.AAD.0-R003-vl 1.0 ORAN specification.• DL / UL Resource SchedulerDL / UL Link Adaptation (LA)UL Tx Power Control• DL / UL M IMO Mode Control• TA Manager

[0036] On the other hand, one or more security requirements for Control, User and Synchronization planes have been specified in 0-RAN.WG4.CUS.0-R003-vl4.00 ORAN specification. According to these requirements, C-Plane messages may be exchanged between the O-DU 108 and the O-RU 112. The main purpose of these messages is to transmit data- associated control information required for processing of user data (e.g., scheduling and beamforming commands) if such information is not provided via M-Plane. Further, the C-Plane messages shall be encapsulated using a two-layered header approach. The first layer consists of an eCPRI common header or IEEE 1914.3 common header, including corresponding fields used to indicate the message type, while the second layer is an application layer including necessary fields for control and synchronization. Within the application layer, a "section" defines the characteristics of U-Plane data to be transferred or received from a beam with one pattern ID. Within a data section description, the section header may include an "extension flag", which may further include another extension flag, adjacent to the "extType" field. This provides an extensibility for section parameters without the need to continually redefine the section header or create new Section Types to accommodate future fronthaul specification needs. Specific valid values of "extType", their meanings and their associated parameters are detailed in clause 7.7 of the 0-RAN.WG4.CUS.0-R003-vl4.00 ORAN specification. Section Type 0 is used for indicating idle or guard periods from the O-DU 108 to the O-RU 112 and may comprise various elements as specified in 0-RAN.WG4.CUS.0-R003-vl4.00 ORAN specification.

[0037] The present disclosure provides various techniques to use Section Type 0 for energy savings in the O-RU 112. The present disclosure provides techniques in which the NR scheduler of the O-DU 108 may perform to provide maximum energy savings in the O-RU 112.

[0038] In one embodiment, the O-DU 108 may be configured to support Section Type-0 on symbols (also referred hereinafter as time-symbols), which do not have transmission on any Physical Resource Blocks (PRB) that may result in maximum energy savings. The O-DU 108 may also support Section Type 0 on time-symbols with partial PRB allocation where the O-RU 112 may reduce the transmission on the unallocated PRBs. The O-DU 108 may always support Section Type 0 even if the feature is disabled.

[0039] In another embodiment, the O-DU 108 may perform one or more optimization techniques. The O-DU 108 may always try to minimize the number of symbols on which Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) is transmitted. In the beginning of the time-symbols, the O-DU 108 may estimate PRB load assuming Lorig=l 2. This PRB estimate is same as that is used to determine SU-MIMO vs MU-MIMO switch. The O-DU 108 may determine if the symbol is MU-MTMO symbol and assumes L to be Lorigupon determining that the symbol is MU-MIMO symbol. The O-DU 108 may be configured to estimate a new value Lnewfor the symbol based on the percentage PRB. The O-DU 108 may perform all the allocation with Lnew. When PDSCH is smaller than 8 symbols, the O-DU 108 may only then transmit one DMRS symbol which will impact PDSCH performance.

[0040] As per an example embodiment, one or more parameters for the optimization techniques associated with the O-DU 108 are illustrated in Table 1 below:

[0041] The embodiments of the present disclosure may maximize energy savings in NR and the O-RU 112 in particular. Further, the embodiments of the present disclosure may also reduce OPEX reduction.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a network entity 108 for performing dynamic scheduling management and optimization in a distributed unit node of a wireless communication network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is explained in conjunction with the exemplary environment 100 of FIG. 1. Further, the network entity 108 is the O-DU 108 of FIG. 1.

[0043] In an embodiment, the O-DU 108 comprises a processing unit 200 (also referred as a “Central Processing Unit”, “CPUs”, or “processing unit 200”), a memory 202, and Input / Output (VO) interface 204. In an embodiment, the processor 106 may be integrated in the DU 108. In another embodiment, functionalities of the processor 106 for performing dynamic scheduling management and optimization may be implemented in a CPU associated to a variety of computing systems, such as, a server, a cloud computing system, a network server, a cloud-based server, and the like. In an embodiment, the CPU may pertain to a dedicated server or may pertain to a cloud-based server. In an example, the CPU may be external to the DU 108 and communicatively coupled to the DU 108 via the communication network. In some embodiments, a dedicated memory may be communicatively coupled to the CPU. The dedicated memory stores instructions, executable by the CPU, which, on execution, may cause the CPU to perform dynamic scheduling management and optimization, as disclosed in the present disclosure.

[0044] In an embodiment the communication network through which the DU 108 and the UEs are connected may include, without limitation, a direct interconnection, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Controller Area Network (CAN), wireless network (e.g., using a Wireless Application Protocol), the Internet, and the like. The communication network may include 4G or 5G communication network.

[0045] The 5G communication network, for example, is configured with a disaggregated BS (or gNodeBs (gNB)) architecture defined for cellular network. For example, a disaggregated NextGeneration Node B (gNB) architecture is defined in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) decomposing a gNB into multiple logical entities. For example, the gNB may include a gNB- Control Unit-Control Plane (CU-CP) (not shown in figures), gNB-Control Unit-User Plane (CU- UP) (not shown in figures) and the gNB DU (similar to the DU 108). Likewise, a single DU may be responsible to host multiple cells (not shown in figures). As an example, a single DU may be responsible to host a maximum of 512 cells in current 3GPP specifications. The gNB-CU-CP may host a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP-c) and a Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer (not shown in figures), gNB-CU-UP may host a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP- u) and a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) while the gNB-DU hosts a Radio Link Control (RLC), a Medium Access Control (MAC), and a Physical (PHY) layer. Herein, scheduling operation takes place at the gNB-DU. Further, the DU 108 may support a first network layer (LI) and a second network layer (L2) in the disaggregated gNB architecture.

[0046] In an embodiment, the memory 202 may include data 206. In one implementation, the data 206 may include, for example, input data 208, current traffic parameters 210, and estimated traffic parameters 212.

[0047] In some embodiments, the 0-DU 108 may include a scheduling management and optimization engine 214. In an embodiment, the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 may be a hardware unit which may be configured external to the memory 202 and coupled with the processing unit 200. In another embodiment, the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 may be stored in the memory 202. It will be appreciated that the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 may be represented as a single engine or a combination of different engines.

[0048] The wireless communication network also includes a plurality of User Equipment (UEs) (not shown). The plurality of UEs may refer to the UEs in communication with the DU 108 in the communication network (not shown). Each of the plurality of UEs may include, but not limited to, a cellular phone or smart phone, a pager, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a wireless handset, a portable communication device, a portable computing device (e.g., a personal data assistant), or any other suitable computing device or other equipment / sensors including a wired or wireless communications interface.

[0049] In an embodiment, the processing unit 200 may be configured to receive input data 208 including a target time of day or target day of a week for determining the associated traffic conditions.

[0050] In an embodiment, the processing unit 200 may be configured to monitor the current traffic conditions and channel conditions and determine the current traffic data (also referred to hereinafter as current traffic parameters) based on the monitored conditions. In an example, the current traffic data pertains to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) associated with the RRC- connected UEs and the PRBs. For example, the DU 108 may be in communication with the plurality of UEs, which are in the RRC connected mode and actively communicating with the DU 108. In an example, the DU 108 may be in communication with the UE via a communication channel (not shown).

[0051] In an embodiment, the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 may be configured to estimate traffic conditions related to the input data 208. For example, the traffic conditions may include, but are not limited to, UL channel congestion, DL channel congestion, number of UEs connected to the DU 108, number of the UEs in active communication with the DU 108, number of legacy UEs, number of advanced UEs, and so on.

[0052] Further, the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 may be configured to determine a first limit and a second limit based on the estimated traffic conditions. For example, the first limit is associated with the PDSCH PRBs considering the channel conditions of the respective UEs requesting or configured for scheduled communication. Further, the second limit is associated with the PDCCH Control Channel Elements (CCEs) for scheduling the candidate- UEs and for transmitting other control channel related information related to the scheduled communication. In an embodiment, the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 may consider the current traffic parameters 210 and the estimated traffic parameters 212 for determining the first limit and the second limit. In an embodiment, the increase and decrease in the first limit and the second limit, respectively, is indicative of busy and non-busy periods in a network.

[0053] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the processing unit 200 may be configured to perform the steps of the present disclosure using the data 206 to perform the dynamic scheduling management and optimization in the DU 108 for the associated RU 112.

[0054] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that any techniques other than the above- mentioned technique may be used to perform the steps performed by the processing unit 200 and the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 , which are configured to perform the dynamic scheduling management and optimization in the DU 108.

[0055] In operation, the DU 108 may determine Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, pertaining to one or more candidate User Equipments (UEs), for downlink transmission to a second network entity. The DU 108 may be referred hereinafter to as the first network entity, and the RU 112 may be referred hereinafter as the second network entity. Further, the PRBs allocation may be associated to a plurality of time-symbols associated with the scheduled Downlink (DL) communication. Further, the DU 108 may dynamically determine, based on PRBs allocation, a set of time-symbols, from the plurality of time-symbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent. Thereafter, the DU 108 may compute, based on the dynamic determination, a downlink control signal comprising an indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols. Further, the Du 108 transmits the downlink control signal to the RU 112. Accordingly, the RU 112 may deactivate transmission of one or more downlink symbols in the set of time-symbols, based on the indication in the received downlink control signal. The symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols may be performed to optimize the radio-resources to achieve power saving at the DU 112. For example, the symbol blanking may allow to strategically keep a sub-set of symbols in a particular time-symbol as “blanked”. The blanked symbol may not be used for transmitting data during certain periods, allowing for the RU 112 to automatically transition into intermittent sleep or low power states with reduced power utilization.

[0056] In an embodiment, the DU 108, to dynamically determining the set of time-symbols, may estimate a traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission. Further, based on the PRB allocation, the DU 108 may determine a number of symbols, associated with the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs. Thereafter, the DU 108, based on the estimated traffic load and the determined number of symbols, may identify the set of time-symbols for which the transmission of one or more downlink symbols is to be deactivated.

[0057] In an embodiment, the DU 108 may implement the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 for determining current traffic load or the current traffic parameters. Further, the DU 108 may implement the scheduling management and optimization engine 214for estimating traffic parameters (also referred hereinafter as estimated traffic data or estimated traffic parameters) in response to determining the current traffic parameters. In an example, the estimated traffic data may pertain to data traffic trend classified, by the scheduling management and optimization engine 214, based on at least one of a time of a day and day of a week. For example, the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 may be implemented, based on one or more input parameters. The scheduling management and optimization engine 214 may be implemented to estimate the traffic data.

[0058] In an embodiment, the scheduling management and optimization engine 214, to estimate the traffic data, may be configured to obtain the one or more input parameters. Examples of the one or more input parameters may include, but not limited to, traffic data associated with a time in a single day, traffic data associated with a day of the week, a number of UEs connected to the DU 108. Based on the one or more input parameters, the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 may be configured to estimate, for a given time in a single day and / or at a given day of the week, at least one of a number of UEs in RRC connected mode and a number of UEs is sleep mode, traffic congestion, channel occupancy, channel conditions, overall UL traffic data load, overall DL traffic data load, etc. Further, the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 may also take reference from pre-collected and normalized traffic conditions and parameters associated with a given time of a single day and a given day of a week to identify a trend of traffic condition.

[0059] In an embodiment, to compute the downlink control signal comprising the indication for downlink symbol blanking, the DU 108 may identify, based on the set of time-symbols in which the PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent, candidate symbols for performing the downlink symbol blanking. Further, based on the identified candidate symbols, the DU 108 may generate an optimized scheduling scheme. Furthermore, based on the optimized scheduling scheme, the DU 108 may transition the RU 112 into a low power state for a predefined time period. For example, the DU 108 may consider the first limit associated with the PDSCH PRBs and the second limit associated with the PDCCH CCEs to generate the optimized scheduling scheme. For example, based on a variation in the first limit and / or the second limit, the DU 108 is configured to dynamically increased or decrease the number of symbols, associated with the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs. For example, in a scenario in which one of the first limit and second limit is increased, the scheduling scheme may be optimized to reduce the time duration spent by the RU112 in sleep or low power state by optimizing the symbol blanking accordingly. Alternatively, in a scenario in which one of the first limit and second limit is decreased, the scheduling scheme may be optimized to increase the time duration spent by the RU 112 in sleep or low power state by optimizing the symbol blanking accordingly. Therefore, allowing the DU 108 to perform dynamic scheduling management for the RU 112, may allow to achieve power saving for the RU 112, while maintaining a required network performance.

[0060] In an embodiment, in order to determine the PRB allocation, the DU 108 may identify the one or more candidate UEs for scheduling downlink transmission and determine the PRB allocation pertaining to the plurality of candidate UEs. For example, the DU 108 may perform the determining of the PRB allocation based on a channel condition associated with each of the plurality of candidate UEs. Further, the DU 108 may determine a current traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission. Thereafter, the DU 108 may determine a number of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation. Moreover, the DU 108 may optimize, based on at least one of the PRB allocation, the determined number of symbols, and the current traffic load, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

[0061] Further, the DU 108 may monitor one or more traffic parameters, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission, in real-time. Further, based on the monitored one or more traffic parameters, the DU 108 may dynamically optimize a set of symbols associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, on which PRB allocation is performed. By considering the monitored one or more traffic parameters in real-time, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission, the DU 108 may be able to compare the estimated traffic conditions with the real-time traffic conditions. Such comparison enables the DU 108 to take informed decision and perform dynamic scheduling management and optimization.

[0062] In some embodiments, the DU 108 may monitor the current traffic load, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission to determine that the current traffic load is above a first threshold. The first threshold may be a pre-determined threshold indicative of an increased traffic load. Further, based on the determination that the current traffic load is above the first threshold, the DU 108 may dynamically increase a number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed. Alternatively, based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, the DU 108 may determine that the current load is below a second threshold. For example, thesecond threshold is indicative of a decreased load. Accordingly, based on the determination that the current traffic load is below the second threshold, the DU 108 may dynamically decrease the number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed. In an example, the DU 108 may utilize above-described techniques to generate the optimized scheduling scheme.

[0063] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the steps being performed by the DU 108 may be performed by the scheduling management and optimization engine 214 or the processing unit 200 or a combination thereof.

[0064] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow chart 300 illustrating method steps for performing dynamic scheduling management and optimization in a distributed unit node of a wireless communication network, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the method 300 may comprise one or more steps. The method 300 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, and functions, which perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types.

[0066] The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

[0067] At step 302, the DU 108 may determine Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, pertaining to one or more candidate User Equipments (UEs), for downlink transmission to a second network entity, wherein the PRBs allocation is associated to a plurality of time-symbols.

[0068] At step 304, the DU 108 may dynamically determine, based on Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, a set of time-symbols, from the plurality of time-symbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent. The DU 108, to dynamically determining the set of time-symbols, may estimate a traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission. Further, based on the PRB allocation, the DU 108 may determine a number of symbols, associated with the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs. Thereafter, the DU 108, based on the estimatedtraffic load and the determined number of symbols, may identify the set of time-symbols for which the transmission of one or more downlink symbols is to be deactivated.

[0069] At step 306, the DU 108 may compute, based on the determination, a downlink control signal comprising an indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols. In an embodiment, to compute the downlink control signal comprising the indication for downlink symbol blanking, the DU 108 may identify, based on the set of time-symbols in which the PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent, candidate symbols for performing the downlink symbol blanking. Further, based on the identified candidate symbols, the DU 108 may generate an optimized scheduling scheme. Furthermore, based on the optimized scheduling scheme, the DU 108 may transition the RU 112 into a low power state for a predefined time period. For example, the DU 108 may consider the first limit associated with the PDSCH PRBs and the second limit associated with the PDCCH CCEs to generate the optimized scheduling scheme. For example, based on a variation in the first limit and / or the second limit, the DU 108 is configured to dynamically increased or decrease the number of symbols, associated with the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs. For example, in a scenario in which one of the first limit and second limit is increased, the scheduling scheme may be optimized to reduce the time duration spent by the RU 112 in sleep or low power state by optimizing the symbol blanking accordingly. Alternatively, in a scenario in which one of the first limit and second limit is decreased, the scheduling scheme may be optimized to increase the time duration spent by the RU 112 in sleep or low power state by optimizing the symbol blanking accordingly. Therefore, allowing the DU 108 to perform dynamic scheduling management for the RU 112, may allow to achieve power saving for the RU 112, while maintaining a required network performance.

[0070] At step 308, the DU 108 may transmit the downlink control signal to the second network entity, wherein the second network entity deactivates transmission of one or more downlink symbols in the set of time-symbols, based on the indication in the received downlink control signal.

[0071] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a device wherein the method for performing dynamic scheduling management and optimization in a distributed unit node of a wireless communication network may be implemented, according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. It will be appreciated that the device 400 is associated with the DU 108. As shown in FIG. 4, the device400 comprises a processor 410, a memory 420, a storage component 430, an input component 440, an output component 450, a communication interface 460, and a bus 470.

[0072] The processor 410, as used herein, means any type of computational circuit that may comprise hardware elements and software elements. The processor 410 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and / or one or more single core processors, a distributed processing system, or the like. The processor 410 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component.

[0073] Memory 420 includes a non-transitory computer readable medium. Memory 420 includes a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and / or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, and / or an optical memory) that stores information and / or instructions for use by processor 410. The memory 420 comprises machine-readable instructions which are executable by the processor 410. These machine- readable instructions when executed by the processor 410 cause the processor 410 to perform one or more method steps of an embodiment described above.

[0074] Storage component 430 stores information and / or software related to the operation and use of the device 400. For example, storage component 430 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, and / or a solid-state disk), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and / or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium, along with a corresponding drive.

[0075] Input component 440 is configured to receive information, such as user input. For example, the input component 440 may include, but not be limited to, a touch screen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, and / or a microphone. Additionally, or alternatively, the input component 440 may include a sensor for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS), an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and / or an actuator).

[0076] Output component 450 is configured to provide output information from the device 400. For example, the output component 450 may be, but not limited to, a display, a speaker, instructions to an external device, and / or one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0077] Communication interface 460 is an interface that provides a communication connection to other devices, such as external devices and internal devices. The connection by thecommunication interface 460 can be a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections, and can be a direct connection or an indirect connection via a communication network that exists between the device 400 and other devices. In other words, the standard of the communication interface 460 is not limited.

[0078] The bus 470 acts as an interconnect between the processor 410, the memory 420, the storage component 430, the input component 440, the output component 450, and the communication interface 460 of the device 400. The bus 470 may include a wired interconnection or a wireless interconnection.

[0079] The number and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 4 are provided as an example. In practice, device 400 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in FIG. 4. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of device 400 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of device 400. Further, one or more method steps described in any of the embodiments may be performed utilizing a plurality of devices 400 in communication with one another.

[0080] In an embodiment [1], a method comprising: determining, by a first network entity associated to a wireless communication network, Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, pertaining to one or more candidate User Equipments (UEs), for downlink transmission to a second network entity, wherein the PRBs allocation is associated to a plurality of time-symbols; dynamically determining, by the first network entity and based on Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, a set of time-symbols, from the plurality of time-symbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent; computing, by the first network entity and based on the determination, a downlink control signal comprising an indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols; and transmitting, by the first network entity, the downlink control signal to the second network entity, wherein the second network entity deactivates transmission of one or more downlink symbols in the set of timesymbols, based on the indication in the received downlink control signal.

[0081] In an embodiment [2], in the method, described in the embodiment [1], to dynamically determining the set of time-symbols, the method further comprises: estimating a traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determining a number of symbols, associated with the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlinktransmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; and identifying, based on the estimated traffic load and the determined number of symbols, the set of timesymbols for which the transmission of one or more downlink symbols is to be deactivated.

[0082] In an embodiment [3], the method, described in the embodiment [1], further comprises: identifying the one or more candidate UEs for scheduling downlink transmission; determining the PRB allocation pertaining to the plurality of candidate UEs, wherein the determining the PRB allocation is performed based on a channel condition associated with each of the plurality of candidate UEs; determining a current traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determining a number of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; and optimizing, based on at least one of the PRB allocation, the determined number of symbols, and the current traffic load, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

[0083] In an embodiment [4], in the method, described in the embodiment [1], to compute the downlink control signal comprising the indication for downlink symbol blanking, the method further comprises: identifying, based the set of time-symbols in which the PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent, candidate symbols for performing the downlink symbol blanking; generating, based on the identified candidate symbols, an optimized scheduling scheme; and transitioning the second network entity into a low power state for a predefined time period, based on the optimized scheduling scheme.

[0084] In an embodiment [5], the method, described in the embodiment [1], further comprises: monitoring, by the first network entity, one or more traffic parameters, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission, in real-time; and dynamically optimizing, by the first network entity, based on the monitored one or more traffic parameters, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

[0085] In an embodiment [6], the method, described in the embodiment [1], further comprises: monitoring, by the first network entity, a current traffic load, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, determining that the current traffic load is above a first threshold; based on the determination that the current traffic load is above the first threshold, dynamically increasing a number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load,determining that the current load is below a second threshold; and based on the determination that the current traffic load is below the second threshold, dynamically decreasing the number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed.

[0086] In an embodiment [7], in the method, described in the embodiment [1], the first network entity is a Distributed unit (DU) and the second network entity is a Radio Unit (RU).

[0087] In an embodiment [8], an apparatus is configured to: determine, by a first network entity associated to a wireless communication network, Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, pertaining to one or more candidate User Equipments (UEs), for downlink transmission to a second network entity, wherein the PRBs allocation is associated to a plurality of time-symbols; dynamically determine, by the first network entity and based on Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, a set of time-symbols, from the plurality of time-symbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent; compute, by the first network entity and based on the determination, a downlink control signal comprising an indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols; and transmit, by the first network entity, the downlink control signal to the second network entity, wherein the second network entity deactivates transmission of one or more downlink symbols in the set of timesymbols, based on the indication in the received downlink control signal.

[0088] In an embodiment [9], in the apparatus, described in the embodiment [8], to dynamically determine the set of time-symbols, the apparatus is configured to: estimate a traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determine a number of symbols, associated with the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; and identify, based on the estimated traffic load and the determined number of symbols, the set of time-symbols for which the transmission of one or more downlink symbols is to be deactivated.

[0089] In an embodiment

[0010] , the apparatus, described in the embodiment [8], if further configured to identify the one or more candidate UEs for scheduling downlink transmission; determine the PRB allocation pertaining to the plurality of candidate UEs, wherein the determining the PRB allocation is performed based on a channel condition associated with each of the plurality of candidate UEs; determine a current traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determine a number of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for theplurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; and optimize, based on at least one of the PRB allocation, the determined number of symbols, and the current traffic load, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

[0090] In an embodiment

[0011] , in the apparatus, described in the embodiment [8], to compute the downlink control signal comprising the indication for downlink symbol blanking, the apparatus is configured to: identify, based the set of time-symbols in which the PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent, candidate symbols for performing the downlink symbol blanking; generate, based on the identified candidate symbols, an optimized scheduling scheme; and transition the second network entity into a low power state for a predefined time period, based on the optimized scheduling scheme.

[0091] In an embodiment

[0012] , the apparatus, described in the embodiment [8], is further configured to monitor, by the first network entity, one or more traffic parameters, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission, in real-time; and dynamically optimize, by the first network entity, based on the monitored one or more traffic parameters, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

[0092] In an embodiment

[0013] , the apparatus, described in the embodiment [8], is further configured to monitor a current traffic load, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, determine that the current traffic load is above a first threshold; based on the determination that the current traffic load is above the first threshold, dynamically increase a number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, determine that the current load is below a second threshold; and based on the determination that the current traffic load is below the second threshold, dynamically decrease the number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed.

[0093] In an embodiment

[0014] , in the apparatus, described in the embodiment [8], the first network entity is a Distributed unit (DU) and the second network entity is a Radio Unit (RU).

[0094] In an embodiment

[0015] , a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program instructions stored thereon, executed by an apparatus for wireless communication, is disclosed. The program instructions may comprise: determining, by a Distributed unit (DU) associated to a wireless communication network, Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, pertaining to oneor more candidate User Equipments (UEs), for downlink transmission to a Radio Unit (RU), wherein the PRBs allocation is associated to a plurality of time-symbols; dynamically determining, by the DU and based on Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, a set of timesymbols, from the plurality of time-symbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent; computing, by the DU and based on the determination, a downlink control signal comprising an indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols; and transmitting, by the DU, the downlink control signal to the RU, wherein the RU deactivates transmission of one or more downlink symbols in the set of time-symbols, based on the indication in the received downlink control signal.

[0095] In an embodiment

[0016] , in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, described in the embodiment

[0015] , to dynamically determining the set of time-symbols, the program instructions are further executed for: estimating a traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determining a number of symbols, associated with the plurality of timesymbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; and identifying, based on the estimated traffic load and the determined number of symbols, the set of time-symbols for which the transmission of one or more downlink symbols is to be deactivated.

[0096] In an embodiment

[0017] , in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, described in the embodiment

[0015] , the program instructions are further executed for: identifying the one or more candidate UEs for scheduling downlink transmission; determining the PRB allocation pertaining to the plurality of candidate UEs, wherein the determining the PRB allocation is performed based on a channel condition associated with each of the plurality of candidate UEs; determining a current traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determining a number of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; and optimizing, based on at least one of the PRB allocation, the determined number of symbols, and the current traffic load, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

[0097] In an embodiment

[0018] , the non-transitory computer-readable medium, described in the embodiment

[0015] , the program instructions are further executed for: identifying, based the set of time-symbols in which the PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent, candidate symbols for performing the downlink symbol blanking; generating, based on the identifiedcandidate symbols, an optimized scheduling scheme; and transitioning the second network entity into a low power state for a predefined time period, based on the optimized scheduling scheme.

[0098] In an embodiment

[0019] , the non-transitory computer-readable medium, described in the embodiment

[0015] , the program instructions are further executed for: monitoring, by the first network entity, one or more traffic parameters, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission, in real-time; and dynamically optimizing, by the first network entity, based on the monitored one or more traffic parameters, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

[0099] In an embodiment

[0020] , in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, described in the embodiment

[0015] , monitoring, by the first network entity, a current traffic load, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, determining that the current traffic load is above a first threshold; based on the determination that the current traffic load is above the first threshold, dynamically increasing a number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, determining that the current load is below a second threshold; and based on the determination that the current traffic load is below the second threshold, dynamically decreasing the number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed.

[0100] In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more non-transitory computer-readable media may be utilized for implementing the embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. A computer-readable medium refers to any type of physical memory (such as the memory 720) on which information or data readable by a processor may be stored. Thus, a computer-readable media may store one or more instructions for execution by the at least one processor 710, including instructions for causing the at least one processor 710 to perform steps or stages consistent with the embodiments described herein. The term “computer-readable media” should be understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves and transient signals. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, hard drives, Compact Disc (CD) ROMs, Digital Video Disc (DVDs), flash drives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.

[0101] Thus, certain aspects may comprise a computer program product for performing the operations presented herein. For example, such a computer program product may comprise acomputer readable media having instructions stored (and / or encoded) thereon, the instructions being executable by one or more processors to perform the operations described herein. For certain aspects, the computer program product may include packaging material.

[0102] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and operations described in connection with the present disclosure may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may include a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may include any commercially available processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a plurality of microprocessors, or any other such configuration.

[0103] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWe Claim:

1. A method comprising: determining, by a first network entity (108) associated to a wireless communication network, Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, pertaining to one or more candidate User Equipments (UEs), for downlink transmission to a second network entity (112), wherein the PRBs allocation is associated to a plurality of time-symbols; dynamically determining, by the first network entity (108) and based on Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, a set of time-symbols, from the plurality of time-symbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent; computing, by the first network entity (108) and based on the determination, a downlink control signal comprising an indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols; and transmitting, by the first network entity (108), the downlink control signal to the second network entity (112), wherein the second network entity (112) deactivates transmission of one or more downlink symbols in the set of time-symbols, based on the indication in the received downlink control signal.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, to dynamically determining the set of timesymbols, the method further comprises: estimating a traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determining a number of symbols, associated with the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; and identifying, based on the estimated traffic load and the determined number of symbols, the set of time-symbols for which the transmission of one or more downlink symbols is to be deactivated.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, the method further comprises: identifying the one or more candidate UEs for scheduling downlink transmission;determining the PRB allocation pertaining to the plurality of candidate UEs, wherein the determining the PRB allocation is performed based on a channel condition associated with each of the plurality of candidate UEs; determining a current traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determining a number of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; and optimizing, based on at least one of the PRB allocation, the determined number of symbols, and the current traffic load, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of timesymbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, to compute the downlink control signal comprising the indication for downlink symbol blanking, the method further comprises: identifying, based the set of time-symbols in which the PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent, candidate symbols for performing the downlink symbol blanking; generating, based on the identified candidate symbols, an optimized scheduling scheme; and transitioning the second network entity (112) into a low power state for a predefined time period, based on the optimized scheduling scheme.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, the method comprises: monitoring, by the first network entity (108), one or more traffic parameters, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission, in real-time; and dynamically optimizing, by the first network entity (108), based on the monitored one or more traffic parameters, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises: monitoring, by the first network entity (108), a current traffic load, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, determining that the current traffic load is above a first threshold;based on the determination that the current traffic load is above the first threshold, dynamically increasing a number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, determining that the current load is below a second threshold; and based on the determination that the current traffic load is below the second threshold, dynamically decreasing the number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first network entity (108) is a Distributed unit (DU) and the second network entity (112) is a Radio Unit (RU).

8. An apparatus configured to: determine, by a first network entity (108) associated to a wireless communication network, Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, pertaining to one or more candidate User Equipments (UEs), for downlink transmission to a second network entity (112), wherein the PRBs allocation is associated to a plurality of time-symbols; dynamically determine, by the first network entity (108) and based on Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, a set of time-symbols, from the plurality of time-symbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent; compute, by the first network entity (108) and based on the determination, a downlink control signal comprising an indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of timesymbols from the plurality of time-symbols; and transmit, by the first network entity (108), the downlink control signal to the second network entity (112), wherein the second network entity (112) deactivates transmission of one or more downlink symbols in the set of time-symbols, based on the indication in the received downlink control signal.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein, to dynamically determine the set of timesymbols, the apparatus is configured to: estimate a traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determine a number of symbols, associated with the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; andidentify, based on the estimated traffic load and the determined number of symbols, the set of time-symbols for which the transmission of one or more downlink symbols is to be deactivated.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, the apparatus is configured to: identify the one or more candidate UEs for scheduling downlink transmission; determine the PRB allocation pertaining to the plurality of candidate UEs, wherein the determining the PRB allocation is performed based on a channel condition associated with each of the plurality of candidate UEs; determine a current traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determine a number of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; and optimize, based on at least one of the PRB allocation, the determined number of symbols, and the current traffic load, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of timesymbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein, to compute the downlink control signal comprising the indication for downlink symbol blanking, the apparatus is configured to: identify, based the set of time-symbols in which the PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent, candidate symbols for performing the downlink symbol blanking; generate, based on the identified candidate symbols, an optimized scheduling scheme; and transition the second network entity (112) into a low power state for a predefined time period, based on the optimized scheduling scheme.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, the apparatus is configured to: monitor, by the first network entity (108), one or more traffic parameters, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission, in real-time; and dynamically optimize, by the first network entity (108), based on the monitored one or more traffic parameters, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, the apparatus is configured to: monitor a current traffic load, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, determine that the current traffic load is above a first threshold; based on the determination that the current traffic load is above the first threshold, dynamically increase a number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, determine that the current load is below a second threshold; and based on the determination that the current traffic load is below the second threshold, dynamically decrease the number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first network entity (108) is a Distributed unit (DU) and the second network entity (1 12) is a Radio Unit (RU).

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having program instructions stored thereon, executable by an apparatus for wireless communication, for: determining, by a Distributed unit (DU) associated to a wireless communication network, Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, pertaining to one or more candidate User Equipments (UEs), for downlink transmission to a Radio Unit (RU), wherein the PRBs allocation is associated to a plurality of time-symbols; dynamically determining, by the DU and based on Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocation, a set of time-symbols, from the plurality of time-symbols, in which a PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent; computing, by the DU and based on the determination, a downlink control signal comprising an indication for downlink symbol blanking in the set of time-symbols from the plurality of time-symbols; and transmitting, by the DU, the downlink control signal to the RU, wherein the RU deactivates transmission of one or more downlink symbols in the set of time-symbols, based on the indication in the received downlink control signal.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein, to dynamically determining the set of time-symbols, the program instructions are further executable for: estimating a traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determining a number of symbols, associated with the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; and identifying, based on the estimated traffic load and the determined number of symbols, the set of time-symbols for which the transmission of one or more downlink symbols is to be deactivated.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 15, the program instructions are further executable for: identifying the one or more candidate UEs for scheduling downlink transmission; determining the PRB allocation pertaining to the plurality of candidate UEs, wherein the determining the PRB allocation is performed based on a channel condition associated with each of the plurality of candidate UEs; determining a current traffic load associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; determining a number of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, required for scheduling the downlink transmission for the plurality of candidate UEs, based on the PRB allocation; and optimizing, based on at least one of the PRB allocation, the determined number of symbols, and the current traffic load, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of timesymbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 15, wherein, to compute the downlink control signal comprising the indication for downlink symbol blanking, the program instructions are further executable for: identifying, based the set of time-symbols in which the PRB allocation for downlink transmission is absent, candidate symbols for performing the downlink symbol blanking; generating, based on the identified candidate symbols, an optimized scheduling scheme; andtransitioning the second network entity (112) into a low power state for a predefined time period, based on the optimized scheduling scheme.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 15, the program instructions are further executable for: monitoring, by the first network entity (108), one or more traffic parameters, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission, in real-time; and dynamically optimizing, by the first network entity (108), based on the monitored one or more traffic parameters, a set of symbols, associated with each of the plurality of time-symbols, on which PRB allocation is performed.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 15, the program instructions are further executable for: monitoring, by the first network entity (108), a current traffic load, associated with the PRB allocation for the downlink transmission; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, determining that the current traffic load is above a first threshold; based on the determination that the current traffic load is above the first threshold, dynamically increasing a number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed; based on the monitoring of the current traffic load, determining that the current load is below a second threshold; and based on the determination that the current traffic load is below the second threshold, dynamically decreasing the number of a set of symbols on which PRB allocation is performed.

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