Apparatus and methods for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between a first sub-network and a second sub-network
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure EP2026052974_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] R.417949
[0002] - 1 -
[0003] Description
[0004] Title
[0005] Apparatus and methods for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between a first sub-network and a second subnetwork
[0006] Background
[0007] The invention relates to an apparatus and methods for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between a first subnetwork and a second sub-network.
[0008] Interference between sub-networks, i.e., inter-sub-network interference, may occur in wireless communications in sub-networks that are in vicinity of each other.
[0009] Disclosure of the invention
[0010] A first method for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between a first sub-network and a second sub-network comprises establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network and a parent network for the first sub-network and the second sub-network, sending a request for information for establishing a secure interface between the first subnetwork and the second sub-network to the parent network, receiving a response comprising the information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network. The sub-networks exchange and obtain the information necessary to establish secure interfaces between the subnetworks.
[0011] Then the sub-networks continue exchanging information for inter-sub-network interference management directly, i.e., without communication with the parentR.417949
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[0013] network, even in the areas where the communication with the parent network is missing (e.g., tunnels).
[0014] The first method comprises for example establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network depending on the information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network , sending a request for information for managing interference from the first sub-network directly to the second sub-network via the secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network, receiving a response comprising the information for managing the interference directly from the second sub-network via the secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network.
[0015] According to the first method the information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network may comprise at least one endpoint for the secure interface and information for establishing the secure interface, in particular a key or a certificate.
[0016] The first method may comprise that the first sub-network may authenticate with the second sub-network via another interface, and establishes the secure interface upon successful authentication via the other interface.
[0017] A second method for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between a first sub-network and a second sub-network comprises establishing a secure interface between the second sub-network and a parent network for the first sub-network and the second sub-network, receiving information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network from the parent network.
[0018] The second method may comprise establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network depending on the information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network, receiving a request for information for managing interference from the first sub-network directly from the first sub-network via the secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network, sending a response comprising the information for managing the interference directly to the first sub-R.417949
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[0020] network via the secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network.
[0021] According to the second method the information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network may comprise at least one endpoint for the secure interface and information for establishing the secure interface, in particular a key or a certificate.
[0022] The second method may comprise that the first sub-network authenticates with the second sub-network via another interface, and establishes the secure interface upon successful authentication via the other interface.
[0023] A third method for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between a first sub-network and a second sub-network comprises establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network and a parent network for the first sub-network and the second sub-network, receiving a request for information for establishing a secure interface between the first subnetwork and the second sub-network (from the first sub-network, sending a response comprising the information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network.
[0024] The third method may comprise sending information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network to the second sub-network.
[0025] According to the third method the information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network and the second sub-network may comprise at least one endpoint for the secure interface and information for establishing the secure interface, in particular a key or a certificate.
[0026] An apparatus for managing interference between a first sub-network and a second sub-network of a wireless communications network comprises at least one entity, in particular at least one base station that is configured for executing at least one of the methods.R.417949
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[0028] A computer program comprises computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute at least one of the methods.
[0029] A non-transitory storage medium comprises computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute at least one of the methods.
[0030] Further examples are derivable from the following description and the drawing. In the drawing:
[0031] Fig. 1 schematically depicts a wireless communications network,
[0032] Fig. 2 depicts a sequence diagram with steps of methods for managing interference between a first sub-network and the second sub-network of the wireless communications network.
[0033] Figure 1 schematically depicts a wireless communications network 100.
[0034] The wireless communications network 100 comprises a first sub-network 102 and a second sub-network 104.
[0035] The wireless communications network 100 comprises a parent network 106 for the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104.
[0036] The first sub-network 102 may be a cellular network. The second sub-network 104 may be a cellular network. The parent network 106 may be a cellular network.
[0037] The first sub-network 102 comprises at least one entity 102-1.
[0038] The at least one entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102 is configured for connecting the first sub-network 102 to the parent network 106. The first subnetwork 102 and the parent network 106 may be configured for establishing or communicating via a secure interface. An example for the secure interface is the Xn interface according to 3GPP TS 38.420: "NG-RAN; Xn general aspects and principles.R.417949
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[0040] The at least one entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102 is configured for enabling wireless communication between devices or between the at least one entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102 and a device in the first sub-network 102. An example for the entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102 is a base station.
[0041] The second sub-network 104 comprises at least one entity 104-1.
[0042] The at least one entity 104-1 of the second sub-network 104 is configured for connecting the second sub-network 104 to the parent network 106. The second sub-network 104 and the parent network 106 may be configured for establishing or communicating via a secure interface. An example for the secure interface is the Xn interface.
[0043] The at least one entity 104-1 of the second sub-network 104 is configured for enabling wireless communication between devices or between the at least one entity 104-1 of the second sub-network 104 and a device in the second subnetwork 104. An example for the entity 104-1 of the second sub-network 104 is a base station.
[0044] An example for the device is a user equipment.
[0045] The parent network 106 comprises at least one entity 106-1.
[0046] The at least one entity 106-1 of the parent network 106 is configured for connecting the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 to the parent network 106. The parent network 106 may be configured for establishing or communicating via the secure interface with the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104.
[0047] The at least one entity 106-1 of the parent network 106 is configured for enabling wireless communication between the first sub-network 102 and the second subnetwork 104. An example for the entity 106-1 of the parent network 106 is a base station.R.417949
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[0049] An example for a sub-network (SN) is a partially or fully autonomous and highly specialized wireless network with limited transmit power and coverage. For example, each SN is a mobile network composed of a single base station and cell. However, in some scenarios the SN may be composed of more base stations and cells.
[0050] An example for the parent network (PN) is a wide area network that provides coverage to the SN, which would need this connection to communicate with the parent network. The PN is for example a mobile network operator's (MNO's) network, or comprises a network beyond the MNO's network, e.g., the Internet.
[0051] An exemplary base station is configured to connect user devices to the wireless communications network and enables wireless communication, e.g., via a radio access network (RAN). The RAN is configured for handling the transmission and reception of radio signals between mobile devices and network infrastructure devices. The base station is for example an eNB according to 4G (3GPP TS 23.003 V19.1.0) or a gNB according to 5G (3GPP TS 23.501 V19.2.1) a base station is known, respectively, as eNB and gNB
[0052] An exemplary user equipment (UE) is a device that allows a user to access to the mobile network services via a base station, for example, in a SN or the parent network 106.
[0053] The Xn interface may be the interface between two base stations, e.g., two gNBs in 5G. The Xn interface may be the interface between two SNs each composed of a single base station. The Xn interface is used for example within a backhaul part of the respective cellular network using mmWave or optics on a physical layer.
[0054] According to an example, the Xn Application Protocol (XnAP) is used to exchange messages between the base stations.
[0055] According to an example, the XnAP is extended to be able to send more messages over it, if needed, for inter-SN interference detection and mitigation.
[0056] The Xn interface is used for example between UEs.R.417949
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[0058] The Xn interface is used for example between UEs via the llu interface. The llu interface is the radio interface that enables direct communication between the User Equipment (UE), such as a smartphone or other mobile device.
[0059] The SN may be mobile, e.g., be provided by a mobile base station. The SN may move while it is active.
[0060] For example, the SN is deployed in a vehicle. For example, the MNO has a Service Level Agreement with a manufacturer of the vehicle for allocating a certain frequency sub-bands or Bandwidth Part(s) (BWPs) to the manufacturer for the use in the SNs deployed in their vehicles. Since the licensed frequency bands of the MNOs are quite limited, the frequency sub-bands or BWPs allocation cannot be exclusively allocated to a specific vehicle manufacturer and, therefore, have to be re-assigned also to other manufacturers. This implies that each SN-equipped vehicles from the same or even different vehicle manufacturers may be using the same frequency sub-bands or BWPs allocated by the same MNO. This also means that if those vehicles are nearby and actively use the assigned frequency sub-bands or BWPs, they may create inter-sub-network interference. The level of interference would depend on the amount of overlapping frequency resources used by those SNs, their proximity and the utilization of the spectrum by the SNs. Since interference causes performance decrease, an appropriate improvement is provided by enabling the SNs to
[0061] I. discover the nearby SNs and
[0062] II. manage the interference, e.g., by taking action to detect or predict inter-sub-network interference and consequently mitigate it.
[0063] The information about an SN for managing the interference may comprise:
[0064] - Physical Resource Block (PRB) utilization,
[0065] - cell load,
[0066] - transmit power level,
[0067] - Absolute Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN) of the cell,
[0068] - active BWPs
[0069] - Signal To Noise RatioR.417949
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[0071] - heading
[0072] - speed
[0073] - antenna configuration (e.g. direction, antenna gain, beam direction, tilt, azimuth) - Signal-to-lnterference Ratio (SIR),
[0074] - Signal-to-lnterference plus Noise Ratio (SI NR)
[0075] - distance indicator based on position information
[0076] - Neighboring Cell List (NCL)
[0077] - GPS coordinates of the SN(s)
[0078] The ARFCN is a unique identifier for a specific frequency channel within a band. It allows the network to specify the exact frequency or sub-band being used by a base station. In 5G, this is often referred to as New Radio ARFCN (NR-ARFCN).
[0079] The BWP is a subset of the carrier bandwidth of the base station that can be assigned to a UE based on different traffic demands and scenarios. The concept of Bandwidth Parts allows for more flexible and efficient use of the spectrum. BWP parameters include the start and size of the BWP within the carrier bandwidth. The active BWP tells us exactly which part of the configured carrier bandwidth is currently being used.
[0080] The managing of the interference may comprise that BWPs can be assigned to SNs. The SN may comprise a scheduler for allocating BWPs to UEs in the SN.
[0081] For example, an operator of the wireless communications network 100 assigns BWPs to the SNs and provides the BWPs at the disposal of the SNs’ schedulers for allocation to the SNs’ UEs.
[0082] Figure 2 depicts a sequence diagram with steps of methods for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 of the wireless communications network 100. The information exchange according to the example is for providing information for managing interference between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 of the wireless communications network 100.R.417949
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[0084] The methods are described by way of example of each SN representing a single cell. The term inter-sub-network interference refers to the inter-cell interference between the single cell of the first sub-network 102 and the single cell of the second sub-network 104. However, each SN can be composed of more than one cell and the method is applied to mitigate the inter-cell interference between multiple cells of the SNs as described for the single cells.
[0085] A SN participating in the method may be deployed in a robot, a vehicle, or be carried by a human body or animal. A SN participating in the method be may remain at a fix geographic location during the method or move. A SN participating in the method may be deployed in an industrial environment.
[0086] The information exchange between SNs and the parent network may use interfaces that are defined in 5G, but typically used over the wired backhaul for inter-cell coordination. An example for interfaces is described in B. Soret, A. D. Domenico, S. Bazzi, N. H. Mahmood and K. I. Pedersen, "Interference Coordination for 5G New Radio," in IEEE Wireless Communications, vol. 25, no.
[0087] 3, pp. 131-137, JUNE 2018, doi: 10.1109 / MWC.2017.1600441.
[0088] The information exchange between SNs and the parent network may use other radio access technologies, in particular on the physical layer, e.g., ad-hoc WLAN network, or 5G Sidelink.
[0089] The information for managing the interference is for example used dynamically adjusting or reconfiguring parameters that affect the interference.
[0090] Exemplary parameters that may be dynamically reconfigured in order to reduce interference are:
[0091] - antenna configuration (tilt, azimuth, direction)
[0092] - BWP to be used
[0093] - transmit power level
[0094] - modulation and coding scheme
[0095] - selection of scheduling algorithms
[0096] - handover parameters
[0097] - power or density of Cell-Specific Reference Signals (CRS)R.417949
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[0099] A first apparatus for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between the first sub-network 102 and the second subnetwork 104 of the wireless communications network 100, comprises at least one entity is configured for executing the method for inter-sub-network communication in particular for direct information exchange between the first subnetwork 102 and the second sub-network 104 in the first sub-network 102.
[0100] A second apparatus for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between the first sub-network 102 and the second subnetwork 104 of the wireless communications network 100, comprises at least one entity is configured for executing the method for inter-sub-network communication in particular for direct information exchange between the first subnetwork 102 and the second sub-network 104 in the second sub-network 104.
[0101] A third apparatus for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between the first sub-network 102 and the second subnetwork 104 of the wireless communications network 100, comprises at least one entity is configured for executing the method for inter-sub-network communication in particular for direct information exchange between the first subnetwork 102 and the second sub-network 104 in the parent network 106.
[0102] The sub-networks in the example are attached to the parent network 106 via the llu interface and are allocated by the same parent network 106, e.g., by a Mobile Network Operator (MNO), the same or partially overlapping frequency bandwidth, or sub-band, or BWPs identified by for example the same ARFCN, consequently resulting in inter-sub-network interference.
[0103] The sub-networks also provided their details (e.g., IP addresses, keys, certificates) to the parent network 106, which can be used to establish an Xn interface exclusively with the parent network 106.
[0104] The same frequency bandwidth, or sub-band, or BWPs could also be allocated to sub-networks by different MNOs if they have a shared bandwidth.R.417949
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[0106] In a step 200, the first sub-network 102 and the parent network 106 establish a secure interface between the parent network 106 and the first sub-network 102.
[0107] The step 200 is for example executed by the at least one entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102 and the at least one entity 106-1 of the parent network 106.
[0108] According to an example, a secure Xn interface is established between the first sub-network 102 and the parent network 106 via the pre-established llu interface between them.
[0109] For example, the required parent network information (e.g., IP addresses, keys, certificates, etc.) is already known to the first sub-network 102. The first subnetwork 102 establishes a secure Xn interface with the parent network 106.
[0110] In a step 202, the first sub-network 102 sends a request for information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 to the parent network 106.
[0111] The information for establishing the secure interface between the first subnetwork 102 and the second sub-network 104 comprises for example the endpoints for the secure interface. The information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 may comprise at least one endpoint in the first sub-network 102 or the second sub-network 104. The endpoint is for example identified by an internet protocol (IP) address. The information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 comprises for example a key or a certificate.
[0112] The first sub-network 102 may send the request for information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and other sub-networks in the vicinity of the first sub-network 102 to the parent network 106 as well. The vicinity may be specified with a radius from the first sub-network 102, in particular the requesting entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102. The radius may be specified with respect to the mounting location of the requesting entity 102-1, in particular on the mobile vehicle. The request may be for sub-networks inside the radius. The radius may be within a communication range of the first sub-networkR.417949
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[0114] 102, because the first sub-network 102 intends to establish a connection with the sub-networks in the vicinity.
[0115] The endpoint is for example identified by an internet protocol (IP) address of the other sub-network. The other information is for example a key or a certificate of the other sub-network.
[0116] The request for information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 is for example sent by the at least entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102 and received by the at least one entity 106-1 of the parent network 106.
[0117] The first sub-network 102 may periodically or aperiodically send the request for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 to the parent network 106.
[0118] The first sub-network 102 may request the information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 from the parent network 106 via the Xn interface or both Xn and llu interfaces. Both are used for example when the first sub-network 102 observes that the throughput of its UEs drops, SNR decreases, or UEs start moving.
[0119] The information for establishing the secure interface between the first subnetwork 102 and the second sub-network 104 may comprise details of a UE or UEs that are attached to the first sub-network 102. The first sub-network 102 may share the details in the request or in another message to the parent network 106. The details of the UE may comprise the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of the UE.
[0120] In a step 204, the parent network 106 sends a response comprising the information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 to the first sub-network 102. The information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 in the response comprises for example at least one endpoint in the second sub-network 104 or other information of the second sub-R.417949
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[0122] network. The response may comprise the same information for other subnetworks in the vicinity of the first sub-network 102 as well.
[0123] The response is for example sent by the at least one entity 106-1 of the parent network 106 and received by the at least one entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102.
[0124] In a step 206, the parent network 106 shares the information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network with the second sub-network 104. The parent network 106 for example shares the details of a UE or UEs that belong to the first sub-network 102.
[0125] In a step 208, the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 establish a secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104 depending on the information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104.
[0126] The secure interface is for example established between the at least one entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102 and the at least one entity 104-1 of the second sub-network 104.
[0127] The secure interface is for example established based on the key or certificate.
[0128] The secure interface between an UE as endpoint in the first sub-network 102 and a UE as endpoint in the second sub-network 104 is established for example based on the details of the UE or the UEs, in particular the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (I MSI) of the respective UE. The details may be stored in a subscriber's data base of the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104.
[0129] According to an example, the UE or UEs of the first sub-network 102 for example establish a Uu interface with the UE or UEs of the second sub-network 104. The UE or UEs of the first sub-network 102 may establish a Uu interface with a UE or UEs of other sub-networks in the vicinity as well.R.417949
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[0131] The first sub-network 102 authenticates with the second sub-network 104 and establishes an Xn interface with the second sub-network 104 via the llu interface. The first sub-network 102 may authenticate with other sub-networks in the vicinity and establishes Xn interfaces with them via the llu interface as well.
[0132] The authentication may be a IKEv2 certificate-based authentication.
[0133] The endpoints and the other information may be used to establish a secure Xn interface. The endpoints and the other information may be directly obtained from the sub-networks in the vicinity after establishing llu interfaces with them.
[0134] In a step 210, a request of the first sub-network 102 for information for managing the interference is sent from the first sub-network 102 directly to the second subnetwork 104. The request is sent for example via the secure interface between the first sub-network 102 and the second sub-network 104.
[0135] The request is for example sent by the at least one entity 102-1 of the first subnetwork 102 and received by the at least one entity 104-1 of the second subnetwork 104.
[0136] The sub-network in a vicinity of the first sub-network 102 may be the second subnetwork 104.
[0137] The first sub-network 102 may periodically or aperiodically request from the parent network 106 the information from the sub-networks in the vicinity of the first sub-network 102.
[0138] The vicinity may be specified with a radius from the first sub-network 102, in particular the requesting entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102. The radius may be specified with respect the mounting location of the requesting entity 102-1 , in particular on the mobile vehicle.
[0139] The first sub-network 102 may request the information from the second subnetwork 104 directly via the Xn interface or both Xn and llu interfaces. Both are used for example when the first sub-network 102 observes that the throughput of its UEs drops, SNR decreases, or UEs start moving.R.417949
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[0141] The requested information is for example the information necessary to find out if there is inter-sub-network interference, to estimate the level of inter-sub-network interference in case inter-sub-network interference is present.
[0142] The requested information is for example the information necessary to take appropriate actions to mitigate or avoid inter-sub-network interference.
[0143] The requested information includes, for example, PRB utilization, cell load, transmit power level, ARFCN of the cell, active BWPs, which specify which part of the configured bandwidth is currently being used.
[0144] According to an example, the first sub-network 102 requests the information from the sub-networks within the specified radius directly.
[0145] The information may comprise Signal-to-lnterference Ratio (SIR), or Signal-to-Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), or a distance indicator based on position information.
[0146] According to an example, the sub-networks can pass their GPS coordinates to the parent network 106 via the Xn or llu interface in order to help the parent network 106 in the estimation of the sub-networks positions, thereby more accurately identifying other sub-networks within the specified radius.
[0147] Since revealing of location information and location tracking as a consequence, typically is a concern of privacy, the following two remarks address potential mitigation approaches to that:
[0148] In an example, the request for information including the location and radius, is not directly answered by the parent network 106, but forwarded to a larger set of subnetworks. This way, the sub-networks can decide themselves if they want to reveal their position for the purpose of interference management by answering the request or not.
[0149] A sub-network or the parent network 106 might request a proof of interference before providing detailed information about configuration and / or location.R.417949
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[0151] The first sub-network 102 may be configured to receive and decode information from the interfering sub-network, e.g., the second sub-network 104, and include that information within the request to provide a respective proof. The information for the proof may be e.g. cell identifier, sector ID, beam ID of the interfering subnetwork.
[0152] In a step 212, a response of the second sub-network 104 comprising the information is sent from the second sub-network 104 to the first sub-network 102 directly. The request is sent for example via the secure interface between the second sub-network 104 and the first sub-network 102.
[0153] The response is for example sent by the at least one entity 104-1 of the second sub-network 104 and received by the at least one entity 102-1 of the first subnetwork 102.
[0154] The sub-networks receiving the request from the first sub-network 102 may provide the requested information. For example, the second sub-network 104 provides the requested information to the first sub-network 102 over the Xn interface or both Xn and llu interfaces.
[0155] In a step 214, the first sub-network 102 determines the interference depending on the information.
[0156] For example, the information comprises at least one of the parameters of the second sub-network 104.
[0157] The first sub-network 102 may compare the received parameters with its own parameters to find out if there is an overlap in the radio resources used or scheduled to be used by the second sub-network 102.
[0158] For example, first sub-network 102 checks if the second sub-network 104 uses the same ARFCN, the same BWP(s), if they are scheduling the same PRBs to their subscribers.R.417949
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[0160] According to an example, the first sub-network 102 finds out that the second subnetwork 104 is using the same ARFCN and the same BWP1.
[0161] In a step 216, the first sub-network 102 communicates at least one target parameter for avoiding or minimizing the interference directly to the second subnetwork 104.
[0162] The at least one target parameter is for example sent by the at least one entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102 and received by the at least one entity 104-1 of the second sub-network 104.
[0163] The at least one target parameter is for example sent over the Xn interface or both Xn and llu interfaces.
[0164] In a step 218, the second sub-network 104 communicates a confirmation of the at least one target parameter for avoiding or minimizing the interference directly to the first sub-network 102.
[0165] The confirmation is for example sent by the at least one entity 104-1 of the second sub-network 104 and received by the at least one entity 102-1 of the first sub-network 102.
[0166] The confirmation is for example sent over the Xn interface or both Xn and llu interfaces.
[0167] In a step 220, the first sub-network 102 takes action.
[0168] For example, the first sub-network 102 changes at least one of the parameters to avoid or minimize the interference.
[0169] For example, the first sub-network 102 changes a frequency resource allocation, in the first sub-network 102 to avoid or minimize the interference.
[0170] Once the inter-sub-network interference has been detected, the first sub-network 102 may take the necessary measures to avoid utilization of the same radio resources in order to avoid the inter- sub-network interference as much asR.417949
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[0172] possible. These measures, among others, may include, changing the active BWP, scheduling different PRBs to the subscribers (to ensure use of nonoverlapping in time- and frequency domain), reducing the transmit power of the first sub-network 102 to the minimum acceptable level, reducing the transmit power of the first sub-network 102 until a pre-defined threshold of interference is reached, or changing the ARFCN in case the first sub-network 102 has been allocated multiple ARFCNs from the MNO.
[0173] According to an example, the first sub-network 102 dynamically changes the active BWP from BWP1 to BWP2, thereby making sure that it is different from the BWP used by the second sub-network 104, which in turn will result in inter-SN avoidance.
[0174] The methods are not limited to two sub-networks. The first sub-network 102 may be configured to request and receive information from more than one subnetwork. The first sub-network 102 may be configured to send the request for information from more than one sub-network, and receive the responses from the sub-networks. The first sub-network 102 may be configured to detect the interference depending on the received responses. The first sub-network 102 may be configured to adjust at least one of the parameters depending on the interference detected depending on the received responses.
[0175] The sub-networks don’t have to rely on the parent network 106 for detecting the inter-sub-network interference and recommending changing their configuration. Instead, the sub-networks can do this on their own.
[0176] The sub-networks exchange and obtain the information necessary to establish llu and Xn interfaces between the sub-networks with the parent network 106. Then the sub-networks continue inter-sub-network interference management even in the areas where the communication with the parent network 106 is missing (e.g., tunnels).
Claims
R.417949- 19 -Claims1. A method for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between a first sub-network (102) and a second subnetwork (104), characterized in that the method comprisesestablishing (200) a secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and a parent network (106) for the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104),sending (202) a request for information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104) to the parent network (106),receiving (204) a response comprising the information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104).
2. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that the method comprisesestablishing (208) a secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104) depending on the information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104),sending (210) a request for information for managing interference from the first sub-network (102) directly to the second sub-network (104) via the secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104),receiving (212) a response comprising the information for managing the interference directly from the second sub-network (104) via the secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second subnetwork (104).
3. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-R.417949- 20 -network (102) and the second sub-network (104) comprises at least one endpoint for the secure interface and information for establishing the secure interface, in particular a key or a certificate.
4. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sub-network (102) authenticates with the second sub-network (104) via another interface, and establishes the secure interface upon successful authentication via the other interface.
5. A method for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between a first sub-network (102) and a second subnetwork (104), characterized in that the method comprisesestablishing (200) a secure interface between the second sub-network (104) and a parent network (106) for the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104),receiving (202) information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104) from the parent network (106).
6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the method comprisesestablishing (208) a secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104) depending on the information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104),receiving (210) a request for information for managing interference from the first sub-network (102) directly from the first sub-network (102) via the secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second subnetwork (104),sending (212) a response comprising the information for managing the interference directly to the first sub-network (102) via the secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104).
7. The method according to one of the claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the information for establishing the secure interface between the first subnetwork (102) and the second sub-network (104) comprises at least oneR.417949- 21 -endpoint for the secure interface and information for establishing the secure interface, in particular a key or a certificate.
8. The method according to one of the claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the first sub-network (102) authenticates with the second sub-network (104) via another interface, and establishes the secure interface upon successful authentication via the other interface.
9. A method for inter-sub-network communication, in particular for direct information exchange between a first sub-network (102) and a second subnetwork (104), characterized in that the method comprisesestablishing (200) a secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and a parent network (106) for the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104),receiving (202) a request for information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second subnetwork (104) from the first sub-network (102),sending (204) a response comprising the information for establishing the secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second subnetwork (104).
10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the method comprisessending information for establishing a secure interface between the first sub-network (102) and the second sub-network (104) to the second subnetwork (104).
11. The method according to one of the claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the information for establishing the secure interface between the first subnetwork (102) and the second sub-network (104) comprises at least one endpoint for the secure interface and information for establishing the secure interface, in particular a key or a certificate.
12. An apparatus for managing interference between a first sub-network (102) and a second sub-network (104) of a wireless communications network (100), wherein the apparatus comprises at least one entity, in particular atR.417949- 22 -least one base station (102-1, 104-1, 106-1), that is configured for executing the method according to one of the claims 1 to 11.
13. A computer program, characterized in that the computer program comprises computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to one of the claims 1 to 11.
14. A non-transitory storage medium, characterized in that the storage medium comprises computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to one of the claims 1 to 11.