Antenna line device discovery procedure in a network

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an apparatus (114) configured to transmit a scan request message comprising a unique identifier (ID) and a bit mask. Further, the apparatus (114) is configured to receive one or more responses associated with a comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number based on the bit mask. Further, based on the received one or more responses the apparatus (114) is configured to identify one of the following. The apparatus (114) is configured to identify presence of an ALD (302) with an ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID in case of a single received response. Furthermore, the apparatus (114) is configured to identify presence of at least two ALDs (302), each of the at least two ALDs (302) having the ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID for a collision of multiple responses.

Description

ANTENNA LINE DEVICE DISCOVERY PROCEDURE IN A NETWORKCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority based on India Patent Application No. 202411065657. filed August 30, 2024 in the Indian Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an Antenna Line Device (ALD) discovery procedure in a network.BACKGROUND

[0003] The information disclosed in this background section is only for the 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 fonns the prior art already- known to a person skilled in the art.

[0004] In a communication system, there is transmission and reception of signals between one or more User Equipment (UE) and the associated base station. In the communication system, a base station usually includes a transceiver, and an antenna connected by a feeder. The signals transmitted by a UE are in the form of electromagnetic waves. The power associated with the signals transmitted by the UE is low. Therefore, the transmitted signals are amplified to ensure reception at the base station. Antenna Line Devices (ALDs) collectively refer to one or more devices connected in a path between the UE and the base station to amplify the signals forreception at the base station. The ALDs may include Remote Electrical Tilt (RET) antennas. signal boosters, and Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) measuring units.

[0005] In the existing techniques, there is an absence of an accepted discovery (or scan) procedure for the ALDs in the network. The absence of the discovery procedure for ALDs makes it difficult for an ALD controller to identify the available ALDs. Further, the ALD controller encounters difficulty in monitoring the ALDs and ensuring connection with the ALDs.

[0006] Thus, there is a need to provide a methodology to overcome the above-mentioned issues in the conventional techniques.SUMMARY

[0007] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the disclosure. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the disclosure nor is it intended to determine the scope of the disclosure.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to transmit a scan request message comprising a unique identifier (ID) and a bit mask. The scan request message is associated with a discovery' of one or more ALDs in a network. Further, the apparatus is configured to receive one or more responses associated with a comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number based on the bit mask. A plurality of bytes is masked in the ALD serial number w ith the bit mask. Further, based on the received one or more responses, the apparatus is configured to identify one of the following. The apparatus is configured to identify presence of an ALD with an ALD serial numbercorresponding to the transmitted unique ID in case of a single received response. Furthermore, the apparatus is configured to identify presence of at least two ALDs, each of the at least two ALDs having the ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID for a collision of multiple responses.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a scan request message comprising a unique identifier (ID) and a bit mask. The scan request message is associated with a discovery of one or more ALDs in a network. Further, the method includes receiving one or more responses associated with a comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number based on the bit mask. A plurality of bytes is masked in the ALD serial number with the bit mask. Further, based on the received one or more responses, the method includes identifying one of the following. The method includes identifying presence of an ALD with an ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID in case of a single received response. Furthermore, the method includes identifying presence of at least two ALDs, each of the at least two ALDs having the ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID for a collision of multiple responses.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer- readable medium is disclosed. The non-transitoiy computer-readable medium stores instructions. The instructions comprise one or more instructions that are executed by a Distributed Unit (DU). The DU comprises one or more processors. The one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to transmit a scan request message comprising a unique identifier (ID) and a bit mask. The scan request message is associated with a discovery of one or more ALDs in a network. Further, the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to receive one or more responses associated with a comparison of the unique ID withan ALD serial number based on the bit mask. A plurality of bytes is masked in the ALD serial number with the bit mask. Further, based on the received one or more responses the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to identify one of the following. The one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to identify presence of an ALD with an ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID in case of a single received response. Furthermore, the one or more instructions cause the one or more processors to identify presence of at least two ALDs, each of the at least two ALDs having the ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID for a collision of multiple responses.

[0011] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawing. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting its scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0012] Features, aspects, and advantages of certain exemplary' embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and wherein:Figure 1 illustrates an example block diagram of a communication environment depicting an Open Radio Access Network (0-RAN) architecture, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram depicting an ALD serial number, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.Figure 3 illustrates a signalling flow diagram associated with a discovery procedure for one or more ALDs in a network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.Figure 4 illustrates a process flow depicting a method for the ALD discovery procedure in a network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.Figure 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] 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 the practice of the implementations. Further, one or more features or components of one embodiment may be incorporated into or combined with another embodiment (or one or more features of another embodiment). Additionally, in the flowcharts and descriptions of operations provided below, it is understood that 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), and the order of one or more operations may be switched, as long as these modifications may not affect the resulting scope of the present disclosure.

[0014] 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 actualspecialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods is not limiting to the implementations. Thus, the operation and behaviour of the systems and / or methods were 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.

[0015] 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 possible 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 possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

[0016] 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.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. 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.

[0017] 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 andvariations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from the practice of the implementations.

[0018] Now example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] The disclosed apparatus and method enable performing a discovery procedure for the ALDs in the network. The present disclosure enables performing the discovery (or scan) procedure for each of the ALDs in the network. The discovery procedure enables the apparatus (or ALD controller) to remotely monitor the connection with the discovered ALDs.

[0020] Figure 1 illustrates an example block diagram of a communication environment depicting an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The architecture illustrated is exemplary and nonlimiting. The present disclosure is applicable to communication networks with ALDs. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the apparatus may correspond to an ALD controller. In an example, the ALD controller may correspond to a Distributed Unit (DU) in a network.

[0021] In Figure 1, a Service Management and Orchestration Framework (SMO) 102 provides data services to the network functions. The SMO 102 allows managed network functions to interoperate and communicate within the O-RAN. The SMO 102 connects to and manages the RAN Intelligent Controllers (RICs) 104 and 106, an O-Cloud 118, an O-RAN Central Unit (O- CU), and an O-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU) 114 (also referred to as DU 114).

[0022] The RICs may include a non-real-time RIC 104 and near-real-time RIC 106. The RICs are logical functions for controlling and optimizing the elements and resources of an O-RAN. A near-real-time RIC 106 controls and optimizes elements and resources with granular datacollection. The interfaces connecting the different components of the O-RAN architecture are not illustrated for the sake of clarity.

[0023] The O-Cloud 118 is a cloud computing platform made up of the physical infrastructure nodes using the O-RAN architecture. The O-Cloud 118 creates and hosts various virtual network functions (VNFs) used by the RICs and other infrastructure elements.

[0024]

[0023] The O-CU is a logical node that hosts network protocols such as the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SD AP). and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP). The O-CU may be further disaggregated into an O-CU-CP 110 corresponds to the O-RAN control unit for the control plane, and an O-CU-UP 112 corresponds to the O- RAN control unit for the user plane.

[0025] The O-DU 114 is a logical node that hosts network protocols such as the radio link control (RLC) protocol, medium access control (MAC) protocol, and the physical interface (PHY).

[0026] The O-RAN Radio Unit (O-RU) 116 processes radio frequencies received by the physical layer of the network. The processed radio frequencies are sent to the O-DU 114 through a front-haul interface.

[0027] The present disclosure in some of the non-limiting embodiments illustrates SMO 102 as the network entity controlling the DU 114. The functions of the SMO 102 may be performed by another Core Network (CN) entity in some embodiments as obvious to a person skilled in the art.

[0028] The O-RU 116 may be connected to one or more Antenna Line Devices (ALDs). The ALD is a generic term for an addressable physical device, such as an antenna drive or amplifier. In an example, the ALD may correspond to Remote Electrical Tilt (RET) antennas, signalboosters. Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) measuring units, and the like. In an example. the one or more ALDs in the network may be connected with the RU 116 via an RS485 connection.

[0029] As used in the present disclosure, the term '“discovery or scan” is associated with a procedure performed to detect the ALDs in the network by the ALD controller.

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram depicting an ALD serial number 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] The ALD serial number 200 includes a serial number 204, an ALD port identifier 202. and a vendor code identifier 206. The ALD serial number 200 may have a length of 20 bytes, numbered as 0 to 19. The ALD port identifier 202 may be defined by three bytes that are numbers from 17 to 19. The vendor code 206 may be defined by two bytes that may be numbered as 0 and 1. The serial number 204 may have 15 bytes starting from bytes numbered 2 to 16.

[0032] In an embodiment, the ALD serial number 200 is an identifier that may be associated with an ALD 302 in the network. Each ALD 302 in the network has an associated ALD serial number 200. The serial number 204, the vendor code identifier 206, and / or the ALD port identifier 202 consists of characters [A-Z], [a-z], [0-9],

[0033] In one embodiment, the serial number 204, the vendor code identifier 206, and / or the ALD port identifier 202 may be collectively referred to as ALD serial number 200.

[0034] The discover}' (or scan) procedure involves an ALD controller (for example, the DU 114). The ALD controller 114 may transmit a scan request message to the network. The scan request message includes a unique identifier (ID) and a corresponding bit mask. In one embodiment, the unique ID and the bit mask may include the same number of bytes as the ALDserial number 200 (e.g., 20 bytes). In response to the received scan request, an ALD 302 disposed within the network, may mask the ALD serial number 200 with the bit mask and compare it with the unique ID. On successful matching of the masked ALD serial number and the unique ID, the ALD 302 responds to the scan request message. Table 1 provided below is associated with an example scan request payload.Table 1

[0035] Further, Table 2 provided below is associated with an example scan response payload.Table 2

[0036] The ALD controller (DU) 114 waits for a predefined response time to receive a response from the one or more ALDs 302 in the network. In case of a single response, the DU 114 identifies the presence of a single ALD 302 with ALD serial number 200 matching the unique ID. In case the DU 114 receives multiple responses as collision response, the DU 114 identifies the presence of two or more ALDs 302 in the network with ALD serial number 200 matching the unique ID. In case of collision of multiple responses, the ALD controller repeats the discovery procedure for different combinations of the unique ID and bit mask to discover the ALDs 302 in the network.

[0037] Figures 3A-3C illustrate a signalling flow diagram 300 associated with a discovery procedure for one or more ALDs in a network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 3A illustrates signalling diagram associated with an initial discovery' procedure to identify the presence of a single or multiple ALDs in the network. At step 310, the SMO 102 transmits a radio configuration message to the DU 114. At step 312, in response to the received radio configuration message, the DU 114 transmits the radio configuration message to the RU

[0039] Steps 314 to 320 are associated with the initial discovery procedure where a single ALD302 is present in the network. At step 314, the DU 114 transmits an ALD scan request message to the ALD 302. In the ALD scan request message, each byte of the unique ID and the bit mask are set as zero (0x00).

[0040] At step 316, the ALD 302 compares the unique ID with the ALD serial number 200. Each byte is set to zero in the unique ID and bit mask and the comparison is performed using Boolean logic AND operator. The initial discovery procedure results in a successful response for each of the available ALD 302 in the network, as all bytes of the unique ID and bit mask are set as zero (0x00). In the illustrated scenario, the DU 114 receives a single response, and the response corresponds to the single ALD 302 in the network. The discovery procedure is complete, and the DU 114 identifies the presence of the single ALD 302 in the network.

[0041] At step 318. the DU 114 transmits an ALD address assignment and a connect request to the identified ALD 302. At step 320, the ALD 302 may respond with an ALD address assignment and a connect success response. The identified single ALD 302 is assigned an address, and the ALD 302 is connected to the DU 114 for monitoring. The DU 114 may act as the ALD controller and perfonn the monitoring and remote management of the ALD 302.

[0042] Further, in an event there is an absence of ALDs in the network, the DU 114 may receive no response in the predefined response time. The DU 114 may also receive an invalid response for the absence of ALDs in the network. In such an event, the discovery procedure is complete as there is an absence of ALDs in the network.

[0043] Steps 322 and 324 are associated with the initial discovery' procedure where multiple ALDs 302 are present in the network. At step 322, the DU 114 transmits an ALD scan request message to the ALD 302. In the ALD scan request message, each byte of the unique ID and thebit mask are set as zero (0x00). The step is identical to the step 314. Figure 3 A illustrates step 322 and step 314 as separate steps, but the steps may correspond to the same step of an initial discovery procedure. In an event there are two or more ALDs 302 in the network, for the initial discovery procedure the unique ID matches the ALD serial number 200 for each ALD 302 present in the network. The DU 114 may receive the scan response with a collision frame as illustrated in step 324. The reception of the collision frame or collision of responses from ALDs 302 is associated with an identification of the presence of multiple ALDs 302 in the network. The discovery procedure is required to be performed to detect each of the multiple ALDs 302 in the network.

[0044] Figure 3B illustrates a signalling flow associated with the discovery procedure for each of the multiple ALDs in the network.

[0045] At step 326. the DU 114 transmits an ALD scan request for a nth byte of the ALD serial number 200. In an example, the nth byte may correspond to the last (right-most) byte of the ALD serial number 200. The unique ID is assigned each of the values possible for characters [A-Z], [a-z], [0-9],in each successive ALD scan request. In another example, the comparison may be performed for (n-i)th byte of the ALD serial number 200 and a unique ID. In the example, (n-i)th byte of the unique ID is assigned each of the values possible for characters [A-Z], [a-z], [0-9], in each successive ALD scan request.

[0046] The comparison is for the nth byte of ALD serial number 200 and the nth byte of a unique ID. The bytes of the unique ID, except the nth byte, are set to 0x00. As the comparison is for the nth byte, the bytes of the mask bit are set as Oxff for the nth byte and the remaining bytes are set as 0x00.

[0047] Steps 328 to 332 correspond to a successful discovery of a single ALD in the network.At step 328, an ALD 302 in the network may respond with a single valid ALD scan response. The valid response corresponds to a match of a unique ID and ALD serial number 200 for the nth byte. Therefore, the identified ALD 302 has the nth byte of the ALD serial number matching the unique ID for the nth byte. The discovery procedure is successful for the ALD 302 and DU 114 may transmit an ALD address assignment and connect request at step 330. The identified ALD 302 may respond to the request with an ALD address assignment and connect success response at step 332.

[0048] Steps 334 to 340 illustrate a scenario associated with the collision of multiple responses from ALDs 302 in the network for comparison for the nth byte of ALD serial number 200 and a unique ID. At step 334. the scan request message is transmitted for different values of the (n- 1 )th byte of the unique ID. In an example, the nth byte of the unique ID is the value associated with the collision of multiple responses from ALDs 302. In the example, the scan request is reiterated for different values of the (n-l)th byte of the unique ID. As the comparison is for nth and (n-1) bytes, the bytes of the mask bit are set as Oxff for the nth and (n-1) bytes and the remaining bytes of the bit mask are set as 0x00. The collision response therefore is followed by reducing the number of bytes masked by the bit mask by one.

[0049] At step 336, an ALD 302 in the network may respond with a single valid ALD scan response. The valid response corresponds to a match of a unique ID and the ALD serial number 200 for (n-l)th byte. Therefore, the identified ALD 302 has (n-l)th byte matching the unique ID for (n-l)th byte. The discovery procedure is successful for the ALD 302 and the DU 114 may transmit an ALD address assignment and connect request at step 338. The identified ALD302 may respond to the request with an ALD address assignment and connect success response at step 340.

[0050] The step 342 is associated with the discovery procedure for an invalid response from the ALD 302 in the network. An invalid response may correspond to the absence of ALDs with matching unique ID and ALD serial number 200. In an example, an invalid response may correspond to absence of ALDs with matching unique ID and ALD serial number 200 for the nth byte. At step 342. the DU 114 may re-iterate the scan request message with the next possible value. The unique ID is assigned each of the values possible for characters [A-Z], [a-z], [0-9].In an example, for unique ID nth byte set as 3, the DU 114 receives an invalid response. Further, in the example, the unique ID nth byte is set as 4 for the next iteration of the ALD scan request message.

[0051] Figure 3C illustrates the signalling flow associated with the absence of response from ALDs 302 in the network. Figure 3C further illustrates signalling flow associated with the initial configuration of the ALDs successfully discovered. The DU 114 may perform ALD fault monitoring and device management after the initial configuration of the discovered ALDs 302.

[0052] Loop 344 is associated with the absence of response from the ALDs 302. At step 346, the DU 114 may retry' the scan request. The step may be repeated a predefined number of times. At step 348, the DU 114 the scan requests have been performed a predefined number of times and the maximum attempts are exhausted. At step 350, the DU 114 terminates (stops) the scan procedure. Further, the DU may transmit an ALD notification to the SMO 102 indicating ALD not discovered.

[0053] One or more ALDs 302 associated with transmission of ALD address assignment and connect success response (at step 332 or 334) are successfully connected to the DU 114. At step 354, the Figure 3C illustrates ALD 302 connected to the DU 114.

[0054] Steps 356 to steps 362 are associated with the initial configuration of the ALD 302 connected with the DU 114. The DU 114 may obtain ALD information and configure the device parameters.

[0055] At step 364, the DU 114 may perform ALD fault monitoring and device management. The discovery procedure is therefore necessary to detect the ALDs 302 and monitor the connection and performance of the ALDs by the DU 114.

[0056] Figure 4 illustrates a process flow depicting a method 400 for the ALD discovery procedure in a network, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] At step 402, the method 400 may include transmitting a scan request message comprising a unique identifier (ID) and a bit mask. The scan request message is associated with a discovery of one or more ALDs 302 in a network.

[0058] In an embodiment, the scan request message corresponds to a High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) protocol message.

[0059] At step 404, the method 400 may include receiving one or more responses associated with a comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number 200 based on the bit mask. The plurality of bytes of the ALD serial number 200 are masked with the bit mask. The bit mask ensures that the comparison is performed for a particular byte or bytes of the unique ID and ALD serial number 200.

[0060] At step 406, the method 400 includes identifying based on the received one or more responses one of the following mentioned at step 408 and step 410.

[0061] At step 408, the method 400 may include identifying the presence of an ALD with anALD serial number 200 corresponding to the transmitted unique ID in case of a single received response.

[0062] At step 410. the method 400 may include presence of at least two ALDs in the network. Further, each of the at least two ALDs having the ALD serial number 200 corresponding to the transmitted unique ID for a collision of multiple responses.

[0063] In an embodiment, an absence of the one or more received responses is associated with an absence of ALD in the network. Further, the absence of the one or more received responses may be associated with an absence of ALD with the unique ID matching the ALD serial number 200 for a particular combination of the bit mask.

[0064] In some embodiments, the method 400 comprises reducing the plurality of bytes masked by the bit mask in the ALD serial number 200 by one for detected collision of multiple responses by the DU 114.

[0065] In some embodiments associated with initial discovery' procedure, the method 400 may include setting bytes in the unique ID and bytes in the bit mask as zero. The method 400 may further include identify ing based on the received response the presence of one ALD in the network for a single received response. Further, the method 400 comprises identifying the absence of ALD in the network for an absence of the received one or more responses or an invalid response.

[0066] In some embodiments, the method 400 comprises receiving the one or more responses from the ALD for detection of the collision of multiple responses, wherein the one or more responses are received based on a predefined delay. The predefined delay may correspond to arandom delay introduced at the one or more ALDs for ensuring detection of ALD scan response at the DU 1 14.

[0067] In some embodiments, for optimizing the discovery of the one or more ALDs, the bit mask is based on a predetermined combination of vendor code 206 bits and a predetermined combination of ALD port 202 bits in the ALD serial number 200. In an example, the DU 114 stores the possible combination of vendor code 206 bits at a storage unit. The bytes corresponding to the vendor code bytes are set as Oxff in the bit mask and remaining bytes are set as 0x00. The unique ID bytes corresponding to the vendor code bytes are sent in different ALD scan request messages. The unique ID bytes corresponding to the vendor code bytes are retrieved from the storage unit for possible combinations. The embodiment of the present disclosure implemented along with the other embodiment of the present disclosure optimizes the scan procedure. The embodiment reduces the computation and resources utilized in performing the ALD discovery procedures.

[0068] In some embodiments, the method 400 comprises setting byte values as zero (0x00) and one (Oxff) in the bit mask, wherein a corresponding byte of the ALD serial number 200 is masked by a byte set as zero in the bit mask.

[0069] Further, in some embodiments, the method 400 includes performing the comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number 200 using a Boolean logic AND operator.

[0070] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been explained in the Figure 3A-3C in detail and are not reproduced in the description of Figure 4 for the sake of brevity.

[0071] While the above-discussed steps in Figure 4 are shown and described in a particular sequence, the steps may occur in variations to the sequence in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

[0072] Further, the present disclosure also describes non-transitory computer program products(i.e., physically embodies computer program products) or non-transitory computer-readable mediums encoded with executable instructions that store instructions. The executable instructions, when executed by one or more processors, such as the processor 510, cause the one or more processors to perform a method 400 for performing ALD discovery procedure as described in the present disclosure, as elaborated in the preceding paragraphs. Examples of computer-readable mediums include non-volatile, hard-coded type mediums such as read-only memories (ROMs) or erasable, electrically programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), and user-recordable type mediums such as floppy disks, hard disk drives and compact disk readonly memories (CD-ROMs) or digital versatile disks (DVDs).

[0073] Figure 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a device 500 associated with the DU 114 and the ALD 302. As shown in Figure 5, the device 500 includes a processor 510, a memory 520, a storage component 530, an input component 540, an output component 550, a communication interface 560, and a bus 570.

[0074] The processor 510, as used herein, means any type of computational circuit that may comprise hardware elements and software elements. The processor 510 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 510 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.

[0075] The memory7520 includes a non-transitory7computer-readable medium. The memory7520 includes a random-access memory7(RAM), a read-only memory7(ROM), and / or anothertype 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 the processor 510. The memory 520 comprises machine-readable instructions which are executable by the processor 510. These machine-readable instructions when executed by the processor 510 cause the processor 510 to perform one or more method steps of an exemplary embodiment described in the present disclosure.

[0076] The storage component 530 stores information and / or software related to the operation and use of the device 500. For example, the storage component 530 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.

[0077] The input component 540 is configured to receive information, such as user input. For example, the input component 540 may include, but not be limited to, a touchscreen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, and / or a microphone. Additionally, or alternatively, the input component 540 may include a sensor for sensing information (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS), an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and / or an actuator).

[0078] The output component 550 is configured to provide output information from the device 500. For example, the output component 550 may be, but is not limited to, a display , a speaker, instructions to an external device, and / or one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

[0079] The communication interface 560 is an interface that provides a communication connection to other devices, such as external devices and internal devices. The connection by the communication interface 560 can be a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections, and can be a direct connection or an indirectconnection via a communication network that exists between the device 500 and other devices.In other words, the standard of the communication interface 560 is not limited.

[0080] The bus 570 acts as an interconnect between the processor 510, the memory 520, the storage component 530, the input component 540, the output component 550. and the communication interface 560 of the device 500. The bus 570 may include a wired interconnection or a wireless interconnection.

[0081] The number and arrangement of components shown in Figure 5 are provided as an example. In practice, the device 500 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in Figure 5. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of the device 500 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of the device 500. Further, one or more method steps described in any of the exemplary embodiments may be performed utilizing a plurality of devices 500 in communication with one another.

[0082] An apparatus configured to transmit a scan request message comprising a unique identifier (ID) and a bit mask, wherein the scan request message is associated with a discovery of one or more ALDs in a netw ork. The apparatus is further configured to receive one or more responses associated with a comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number based on the bit mask, wherein a plurality7of bytes is masked in the ALD serial number with the bit mask. The apparatus is further configured to identify based on the received one or more responses one of the following. The apparatus is configured to identify the presence of an ALD with an ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID in case of a single received response. The apparatus is configured to identify the presence of at least tw o ALDs, each of the at leasttwo ALDs having the ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID for a collision of multiple responses.

[0083] The apparatus as described in

[0081] , wherein an absence of the one or more received responses is associated with an absence of ALD in the network. Further, the absence of the one or more received responses is associated with an absence of ALD with the unique ID matching the ALD serial number for a particular combination of the bit mask.

[0084] The apparatus as described in

[0081] and

[0082] , wherein in responding to identifying the presence of the at least two ALDs, the apparatus is configured to reduce the plurality of bytes masked by the bit mask in the ALD serial number by one.

[0085] The apparatus as described in any of

[0081] to

[0083] , wherein the apparatus is configured to set bytes in the unique ID and bytes in the bit mask as zero. Further, the apparatus is configured to identify based on the received response a presence of one ALD in the network for a single received response. The apparatus is configured to identify the absence of ALD in the network for an absence of the received one or more responses or an invalid response.

[0086] The apparatus as described in any of

[0081] to

[0084] , wherein the apparatus is configured to receive the one or more responses from the ALD for detection of the collision of multiple responses, wherein the one or more responses are received based on a predefined delay.

[0087] The apparatus as described in any of

[0081] to

[0085] , wherein for optimizing the discovery of the one or more ALDs, the bit mask is based on a predetermined combination of vendor code bits and a predetermined combination of ALD port bits in the ALD serial number.

[0088] The apparatus as described in any of

[0081] to

[0086] , wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number using a Boolean logic AND operator.

[0089] The apparatus as described in any of

[0081] to

[0087] , wherein the apparatus is configured to set byte values as zero (0x00) and one (Oxff) in the bit mask, wherein a corresponding byte of the ALD serial number is masked by a byte set as zero is the bit mask.

[0090] The apparatus as described in any of

[0081] to

[0088] . wherein the apparatus corresponds to a Distributed Unit (DU) in the network.

[0091] The apparatus as described in any of

[0081] to

[0089] , wherein the scan request message corresponds to a High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) protocol message.

[0092] A method comprising transmitting a scan request message comprising a unique identifier (ID) and a bit mask, wherein the scan request message is associated with a discovery of one or more ALDs in a network. The method further comprises receiving one or more responses associated with a comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number based on the bit mask, wherein a plurality of bytes is masked in the ALD serial number with the bit mask. The method further comprises identifying based on the received one or more responses one of the following. The method comprises identifying presence of an ALD with an ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID in case of a single received response. The method comprises identifying the presence of at least two ALDs, each of the at least two ALDs having the ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID for a collision of multiple responses.

[0093] The method as described in

[0091] , wherein an absence of the one or more received responses is associated with an absence of ALD in the network. Further, the absence of the one or more received responses is associated with an absence of ALD with the unique ID matching the ALD serial number for a particular combination of the bit mask.

[0094] The method as described in any of

[0091] to

[0092] , wherein in responding to identifying the presence of the at least two ALDs, the method comprises reducing the plurality of bytes masked by the bit mask in the ALD serial number by one.

[0095] The method as described in any of

[0091] to

[0093] , wherein the method comprises setting bytes in the unique ID and bytes in the bit mask as zero. Further, the method comprises identifying based on the received response a presence of one ALD in the network for a single received response. The method comprises identifying the absence of ALD in the network for an absence of the received one or more responses or an invalid response.

[0096] The method as described in any of

[0091] to

[0094] , wherein the method comprises receiving the one or more responses from the ALD for detection of collision of multiple responses, wherein the one or more responses are received based on a predefined delay.

[0097] The method as described in any of

[0091] to

[0095] , wherein for optimizing the discovery of the one or more ALDs, the bit mask is based on a predetermined combination of vendor code bits and a predetermined combination of ALD port bits in the ALD serial number.

[0098] The method as described in any of

[0091] to

[0096] , wherein the method comprises performing the comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number using a Boolean logic AND operator.

[0099] The method as described in any of

[0091] to

[0097] , wherein the method comprises setting byte values as zero (0x00) and one (Oxff) in the bit mask, wherein a corresponding byte of the ALD serial number is masked by a byte set as zero is the bit mask.

[0100] The method as described in any of

[0091] to

[0098] , wherein a scan request message corresponds to a High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) protocol message.

[0101] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising: one or more instructions that, when executed by a Distributed Unit (DU) comprising one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to transmit a scan request message comprising a unique identifier (ID) and a bit mask, wherein the scan request message is associated with a discovery of one or more ALDs in a network. Further, the instructions when executed cause the processor to receive one or more responses associated with a comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number based on the bit mask, wherein a plurality of bytes is masked in the ALD serial number with the bit mask. Further, the instructions when executed cause the processor to identify based on the received one or more responses one of the following. Further, the instructions when executed cause the processor to identify the presence of an ALD with an ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID in case of a single received response. Furthermore, the instructions when executed cause the processor to the presence of at least two ALDs, each of the at least two ALDs having the ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID for a collision of multiple responses.

[0102] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements. The elements can be at least one of a hardware device or a combination of hardware devices and software modules.

[0103] It is understood that terms including “unit” or “module” at the end may refer to the unit for processing at least one function or operation and may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0104] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art,various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[0105] The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein.

[0106] Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not. such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.

[0107] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.

[0108] 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 and adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing fromthe 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 at least one embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Claims

We claim:

1. An apparatus configured to: transmit a scan request message comprising a unique identifier (ID) and a bit mask, wherein the scan request message is associated with a discovery of one or more ALDs in a network; receive one or more responses associated with a comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number based on the bit mask, wherein a plurality of bytes is masked in the ALD serial number with the bit mask; identify based on the received one or more responses one of: presence of an ALD with an ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID in case of a single received response; or presence of at least two ALDs, each of the at least two ALDs having the ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID for a collision of multiple responses.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an absence of the one or more received responses is associated with at least one of: an absence of ALD in the network; or an absence of ALD with the unique ID matching the ALD serial number for a particular combination of the bit mask.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in responding to identifying the presence of the at least two ALDs, the apparatus is configured to reduce the plurality of bytes masked by the bit mask in the ALD serial number by one.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1. wherein the apparatus is configured to: set bytes in the unique ID and bytes in the bit mask as zero; and identify based on the received response one of: presence of one ALD in the network for a single received response; or absence of ALD in the network for an absence of the received one or more responses or an invalid response.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to receive the one or more responses from the ALD for detection of collision of multiple responses, wherein the one or more responses are received based on a predefined delay.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein for optimizing the discovery of the one or more ALDs, the bit mask is based on a predetermined combination of vendor code bits and a predetermined combination of ALD port bits in the ALD serial number.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number using a Boolean logic AND operator.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to set byte values as zero(0x00) and one (Oxff) in the bit mask, wherein a corresponding byte of the ALD serial number is masked by a byte set as zero is the bit mask.

9. The apparatus of claim 1. wherein the apparatus corresponds to a Distributed Unit (DU) in the network.

10. The apparatus of claim 1. wherein the scan request message corresponds to a High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) protocol message.

11. A method comprising: transmitting a scan request message comprising a unique identifier (ID) and a bit mask, wherein the scan request message is associated with a discovery of one or more ALDs in a network; receiving one or more responses associated with a comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number based on the bit mask, wherein a plurality of bytes is masked in the ALD serial number with the bit mask; identifying based on the received one or more responses one of: presence of an ALD with an ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID in case of a single received response; or presence of at least two ALDs, each of the at least two ALDs having the ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID for a collision of multiple responses.

12. The method of claim 1 1. wherein an absence of the one or more received responses is associated with at least one of: an absence of ALD in the network; or an absence of ALD with the unique ID matching the ALD serial number for a particular combination of the bit mask.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein in responding to identifying the presence of the at least two ALDs, the method comprises reducing the plurality of bytes masked by the bit mask in the ALD serial number by one.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the method comprises: setting bytes in the unique ID and bytes in the bit mask as zero; and identifying based on the received response one of: presence of one ALD in the network for a single received response; or absence of ALD in the network for an absence of the received one or more responses or an invalid response.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the method comprises receiving the one or more responses from the ALD for detection of collision of multiple responses, wherein the one or more responses are received based on a predefined delay.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein for optimizing the discovery of the one or more ALDs, the bit mask is based on a predetermined combination of vendor code bits and a predetermined combination of ALD port bits in the ALD serial number.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the method comprises performing the comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number using a Boolean logic AND operator.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the method comprises setting byte values as zero (0x00) and one (Oxff) in the bit mask, wherein a corresponding byte of the ALD serial number is masked by a byte set as zero is the bit mask.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the scan request message corresponds to a High-level Data Link Control (HDLC) protocol message.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising: one or more instructions that, when executed by a Distributed Unit (DU) comprising one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: transmit a scan request message comprising a unique identifier (ID) and a bit mask, wherein the scan request message is associated with a discovery' of one or more ALDs in a network; receive one or more responses associated with a comparison of the unique ID with an ALD serial number based on the bit mask, wherein a plurality' of bytes is masked in the ALD serial number with the bit mask; andidentify based on the received one or more responses one of: presence of an ALD with an ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID in case of a single received response; or presence of at least two ALDs, each of the at least two ALDs having the ALD serial number corresponding to the transmitted unique ID for a collision of multiple responses.

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