There is provided a method of operating an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) 5G Functional Application Platform Interface (FAPI) between an O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU) PHY (Layer-1 entity, L1), i.e., O-DU L1, and an O-DU MAC (Layer-2 entity, L2), i.e., O-DU L2. The method includes (a) sending, from the O-DU L2 to the O-DU L1, a message informing the O-DU L1 to perform a User Equipment (UE) correlation calculation, and on which Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) resources the correlation calculation needs to be conducted, (b) sending, from the O-DU L1 to the O-DU L2, a message containing correlation information of UEs served in a cell, and (c) sending, from the O-DU L1 to the O-DU L2, a message containing information of the SRS power, noise and interference of each UE served in the cell.
A User Plane Function (UPF) of 5G Core network performs a search for the next hop in the data path, using utilities (e.g., Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) trace route), and determines the capability of the next router and/or other hops in the path. The UPF updates (e.g., using the PATCH command) the Network Repository Function (NRF) with the gathered information. The UPF also updates the NRF the UPF's position in the current route, and the role(s) the UPF is playing at a given time, e.g., Branching Point (BP), Intermediate User Plane Function (I-UPF), and the like. The SMF is enabled to identify the UPF's capability for a given PDU Session. The selection of a given UPF for non-suitable roles can be prevented, and the UPF can be selected for those roles in which the UPF is more suitable at a given time.
A method of performing authentication of a client for wireless communication includes: sending, by the client, a request to an authorization server via a proxy node, to obtain an access token, wherein the request to obtain the access token contains a client signature of the client; authenticating, by the authorization server, the client as a valid recipient of the access token; and authorizing, by the authorization server, the access token to the client after authenticating the client, wherein the authorization is based on at least the client signature contained in the request to obtain the access token.
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communicationsNetwork security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
A method and an architecture for the Roaming Hub that can be configured to establish interconnectivity between any visiting Public Line Mobile Network (PLMN) and home PLMN as long as the visiting PLMN and the Home PLMN has a roaming agreement with the Roaming Hub.
H04W 76/16 - Setup of multiple wireless link connections involving different core network technologies, e.g. a packet-switched [PS] bearer in combination with a circuit-switched [CS] bearer
7.
METHOD AND INTERFACE FOR INFORMATION INTERACTION IN O-RAN
There is provided a method of operating an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) 5G Functional Application Platform Interface (FAPI) between an O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU) PHY (Layer-1 entity, L1), i.e., O-DU L1, and an O-DU MAC (Layer-2 entity, L2), i.e., O-DU L2. The method includes (a) sending, from the O-DU L2 to the O-DU L1, a message informing the O-DU L1 to perform a User Equipment (UE) correlation calculation, and on which Sounding Reference Signal (SRS) resources the correlation calculation needs to be conducted, (b) sending, from the O-DU L1 to the O-DU L2, a message containing correlation information of UEs served in a cell, and (c) sending, from the O-DU L1 to the O-DU L2, a message containing information of the SRS power, noise and interference of each UE served in the cell.
A method of generic encoding of a radio access network (RAN) parameter exchanged over E2 application protocol (E2AP) between an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) node and a near-real time radio access network intelligent controller (near-RT RIC) includes: providing a generic encoding mechanism for a message structure containing at least one RAN parameter, wherein the generic encoding mechanism includes a first categorization of each RAN parameter exchanged between the O-RAN node and the near-RT RIC into one of ELEMENT type, STRUCTURE type or LIST type; wherein the ELEMENT type parameter is a singleton variable which does not have any other associated RAN parameter; the STRUCTURE type parameter is a sequence of RAN parameters in which each RAN parameter in the sequence can be one of the ELEMENT type parameter, another STRUCTURE type parameter, or the LIST type parameter; and the LIST type parameter is a list of STRUCTURE type parameters.
A Shared Cell (SC) Controller uses deployment information, radio resource utilization measurements, cell load measurements, signal quality measurement, operator's policies and radio capabilities to make decisions on system configuration, re-configuration, and channel allocation related to the Shared Cell groups. The SC Controller may also use artificial intelligence/machine learning to predict future system state when making decisions on system configuration and channel allocation. The SC Controller can be implemented in the context of using a CBRS system, the ORAN architecture, and the Shared Cell group of Radio Units (RUs). SC Controller can be implemented as part of the Non-Real Time Radio Intelligent Controller (Non-RT RIC). The SC Controller interfaces with the Citizens Broadband Radio Service Device (CBSD) Controller, and the SC Controller sends the Shared Cell group information to the O-RU Controller so that the O-RU Controller can configure the radio components.
H04L 41/16 - Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks using machine learning or artificial intelligence
10.
Method and apparatus for user plane resource optimization
A combined User Plane (UP) node optimizes the UP data stream handling for 4G/5G network operation as follows. The combined UP node, which includes an access data plane node, an intermediate data plane node, an anchor data plane node, and a session handling process module. If the IP addresses or the namespaces of the access data plane node, the intermediate data plane node, and the anchor data plane node are different, then the downlink and uplink packet stream handling utilizes an intermediate interface path within the combined UP node. If the IP addresses or the namespaces of the access data plane node, the intermediate data plane node, and the anchor data plane node are same, then the downlink and uplink packet stream handling does not utilize an intermediate interface path within the combined UP node, but TEID of the unutilized intermediate interface path is used in PFCP response message.
H04W 40/02 - Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
H04W 40/24 - Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update
H04W 40/26 - Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update for hybrid routing by combining proactive and reactive routing
H04W 80/06 - Transport layer protocols, e.g. TCP [Transport Control Protocol] over wireless
11.
RANK FILTERING AND GRACEFUL RANK SWITCHING IN BASE STATION
A method which i) segregates UEs to different categories of "conforming" and "nonconforming", and ii) performs rank indicator (RI) filtering and/or switching based on the specific category is provided. Rank indicator (RI) filtering is performed in a SINR-specific manner, e.g., when SINR is low, the rank filtering is performed in such a way to always give an output of 1 or 2, not more. In addition, the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) assigned for a PDSCH is adjusted when the rank switching is performed, thereby achieving graceful rank switching. Furthermore, Outer Loop Rate Control (OLRC) optimization is provided in response to rank switching.
H04W 72/08 - Wireless resource allocation based on quality criteria
H04B 7/04 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
12.
Method and apparatus for fronthaul compression in cloud RAN
A cloud radio access network (CRAN) system includes a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio unit (RU) remote from the BBU. The fronthaul interface between the RU and the BBU includes a radio frequency interface (RF) functionality implemented in the RU, and implementation of physical layer (PHY) functionality split between the BBU and the RU, including downlink (DL) resource element mapping and DL precoding implemented in the RU. Transmission of reference signals from the BBU to the RU is implemented separately from transmission of data from the BBU to the RU. The RU caches the transmitted reference signal based on at least one of subframe, symbol, xRAN resource block (XRB) and resource element (RE) associated with the reference signal. The fronthaul interface supports at least one of: (i) narrow band Internet of things (NB-IoT) physical random access channel (PRACH), and (ii) NB-IoT multi-tone format on physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).
A method of generating and applying combining weights to Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) symbols for Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) fronthaul interface between O-RAN radio unit (O-RU) and O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU) includes: calculating, by the O-DU, a codebook; sending, by the O-DU, the codebook to O-RU; generating, by the O-RU, an RU combiner matrix, using the codebook; applying, by the O-RU, the RU combiner matrix to In-phase and Quadrature (IQ) data to generate compressed IQ data; sending, by the O-RU, the compressed IQ data to O-DU; calculating, by the O-DU, a DU combiner matrix from compressed demodulation reference signal (DMRS); and applying, by the O-DU, the DU combiner matrix to data.
There are provided systems, methods, and interfaces for optimization of the fronthaul interface bandwidth for Radio Access Networks and Cloud Radio Access Networks.
H04W 28/06 - Optimising, e.g. header compression, information sizing
H04B 7/0456 - Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices for antenna weighting
H04B 7/06 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
A User Plane Function (UPF) of 5G Core network performs a search for the next hop in the data path, using utilities (e.g., Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) traceroute), and determines the capability of the next router and/or other hops in the path. The UPF updates (e.g., using the PATCH command) the Network Repository Function (NRF) with the gathered information. The UPF also updates the NRF the UPF's position in the current route, and the role(s) the UPF is playing at a given time, e.g., Branching Point (BP), Intermediate User Plane Function (I-UPF), and the like. The SMF is enabled to identify the UPF's capability for a given PDU Session. The selection of a given UPF for non-suitable roles can be prevented, and the UPF can be selected for those roles in which the UPF is more suitable at a given time.
In a method and an apparatus for optimizing network function (NF) data path discovery for 5G Core network operation, each NF registers itself with the NRF and periodically updates the NRF about the NF's present load, thereby giving the NRF complete information regarding the network topology, the NFs' present load, and the relative capacities of the NFs, which information items can be used in determining the complete optimal path from the RAN to the PSA. When an SMF wants to insert an Intermediate UPF (I-UPF) into a data path, instead of querying the NRF for a UPF serving the present geographical area (e.g., of the User Equipment (UE)) and deciding on the UPF insertion locally based on the present geographical area, the SMF queries the NRF for the complete optimal path. The I-UPF load can be taken into consideration in calculating the optimal path between the RAN and the PSA.
A method of performing validation of an access token under OAuth 2.0 protocol includes: providing, by an authorization server, the access token for service to a client in response to a request for the access token; adding, by the client, a client signature to at least the access token; forwarding, by the client, the access token as part of a service request to a resource server; and validating, by the resource server, whether the client is a valid owner of the access token, wherein the validation is based on at least the client signature of the access token. The validation is based on a hash of a combination of the service request, the access token and a shared secret key common to the client and the resource server, the output of which hash is added to the service request, and the resource server validates the hash.
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communicationsNetwork security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
A method of enabling an Open RAN-compatible radio unit (O-RU) to apply different beamforming weights to different physical resource blocks (PRBs) using a single sectionId and a single section extension type includes: specifying a first mode of operation in which flexible sending of beamforming weights from Open RAN-compatible distributed unit (O-DU) to Open RAN-compatible radio unit (O-RU) is provided; and providing, by the O-DU to the O-RU, i) a first parameter specifying the number of bundled physical resource blocks (PRBs) per a set of in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) beamforming weight pairs, each beamforming weight pair comprising an in-phase value and a quadrature value, and ii) a plurality of beamforming weight pairs for a plurality of transceivers associated with each bundle of PRBs. The method provides a new section extension type sent by the O-DU to the O-RU and including a compression parameter for processing or decompressing the beamforming weights.
H04B 7/06 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
A combined User Plane (UP) node optimizes the UP data stream handling for 4G/5G network operation as follows. The combined UP node, which includes an access data plane node, an intermediate data plane node, an anchor data plane node, and a session handling process module. If the IP addresses or the namespaces of the access data plane node, the intermediate data plane node, and the anchor data plane node are different, then the downlink and uplink packet stream handling utilizes an intermediate interface path within the combined UP node. If the IP addresses or the namespaces of the access data plane node, the intermediate data plane node, and the anchor data plane node are same, then the downlink and uplink packet stream handling does not utilize an intermediate interface path within the combined UP node, but TEID of the unutilized intermediate interface path is used in PFCP response message.
A method of enabling an Open RAN-compatible radio unit (O-RU) to apply different beamforming weights to different physical resource blocks (PRBs) using a single sectionId and a single section extension type includes: specifying a first mode of operation in which the number of beamforming weights in the section extension type 1 is equal to L*numPrbs, L is the number of TRX and numPrbs is the number of physical resource blocks; signaling, by an Open RAN-compatible distributed unit (O-DU) to the O-RU, the first mode of operation by specifying a value of parameter extLen to be zero, wherein extLen is the length of the section extension in units of 32-bit words; and the O-RU applying the kth beamforming weights (bfwI and bfwQ), k=1, 2, . . . , L*numPrbc in section extension type 1 for TRX j, j=0, 1, . . . , L−1 to the ith PRB, i=1, 2, . . . , numPrbc defined under the sectionId of the C-plane message.
H04B 7/06 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
In a system and a method for providing communication within IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) using a connectionless communication protocol, an IMS access layer, an IMS service layer, a common service utilities layer, a unified data repository layer, and an IMS network repository function (NRF) are provided. The IMS access layer terminates incoming communication that uses connection-oriented communication protocol. The IMS service layer is operatively connected to the IMS access layer and includes at least one micro-service implementing IMS service. The common service utilities layer is operatively connected to the IMS service layer and includes at least one utility accessible to the at least one micro-service. The unified data repository layer is operatively connected to, and accessible by, the common service utilities layer, the IMS service layer and the IMS access layer. The IMS NRF enables a network function (NF) or the micro-service to discover another NF or micro-service.
In a system and a method for providing authentication for Rich Communication Services (RCS) application on a user equipment (UE), a Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) of the IMS receives a SIP REGISTER request message sent from an IMS Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) client on the UE as part of an authentication of the IMS SIP client. A Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) of the IMS or a registration service performs an Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) challenge with the IMS SIP client as part of the authentication. A Home Subscriber Server (HSS) of the IMS or a Unified Data Management (UDM) function provides, upon successful authentication of the IMS SIP client, an initial authorization grant for the IMS SIP client. The RCS application, after obtaining the initial authorization grant, registers for RCS service with the RCS network, via RCS Application Programming Interface Gateway (API GW).
G06F 7/04 - Identity comparison, i.e. for like or unlike values
G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
A cloud radio access network (CRAN) system includes a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio unit (RU) remote from the BBU. The fronthaul interface between the RU and the BBU includes a radio frequency interface (RF) functionality implemented in the RU, and implementation of asymmetrical physical layer (PHY) functionality split between the BBU and RU. The asymmetrical physical layer (PHY) functionality split includes: downlink (DL) antenna port mapping and DL precoding implemented in the RU; and the split of the PHY functionality for uplink (UL) at the antenna port mapping in the BBU. For the DL, precoding and resource element (RE) mapping to frequency resources is implemented in BBU, and RE mapping for antenna ports is implemented in the RU|[WA1]. The split also provides support for license-assisted access (LAA) in the CRAN system.
H04B 7/02 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
H04B 7/04 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
A User Plane Function (UPF) of 5G Core network performs a search for the next hop in the data path, using utilities (e.g., Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) traceroute), and determines the capability of the next router and/or other hops in the path. The UPF updates (e.g., using the PATCH command) the Network Repository Function (NRF) with the gathered information. The UPF also updates the NRF the UPF's position in the current route, and the role(s) the UPF is playing at a given time, e.g., Branching Point (BP), Intermediate User Plane Function (l-UPF), and the like. The SMF is enabled to identify the UPF's capability for a given PDU Session. The selection of a given UPF for non-suitable roles can be prevented, and the UPF can be selected for those roles in which the UPF is more suitable at a given time.
In a method and an apparatus for optimizing network function (NF) data path discovery for 5G Core network operation, each NF registers itself with the NRF and periodically updates the NRF about the NF's present load, thereby giving the NRF complete information regarding the network topology, the NFs' present load, and the relative capacities of the NFs, which information items can be used in determining the complete optimal path from the RAN to the PSA. When an SMF wants to insert an Intermediate UPF (l-UPF) into a data path, instead of querying the NRF for a UPF serving the present geographical area (e.g., of the User Equipment (UE)) and deciding on the UPF insertion locally based on the present geographical area, the SMF queries the NRF for the complete optimal path. The l-UPF load can be taken into consideration in calculating the optimal path between the RAN and the PSA.
A cloud radio access network (CRAN) system includes a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio unit (RU) remote from the BBU. The fronthaul interface between the RU and the BBU includes a radio frequency interface (RF) functionality implemented in the RU, and implementation of physical layer (PHY) functionality split between the BBU and the RU, including downlink (DL) resource element mapping and DL precoding implemented in the RU. Transmission of reference signals from the BBU to the RU is implemented separately from transmission of data from the BBU to the RU. The RU caches the transmitted reference signal based on at least one of subframe, symbol, xRAN resource block (XRB) and resource element (RE) associated with the reference signal. The fronthaul interface supports at least one of: (i) narrow band Internet of things (NB-IoT) physical random access channel (PRACH), and (ii) NB-IoT multi-tone format on physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).
A system and a method utilize RCS-based mobile communication mechanism to deliver targeted real-time communications based on the context of a particular conversation, which context of conversation is considered to refine the targeted real-time communication. The component messages of a P2P or a group RCS message conversation are threaded by a server based on the unique conversation ID, and an analytics server uses machine learning algorithms to identify the context of the conversation. The system and method can utilize a server implementing Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine-learning capabilities to identify the intent of the conversation and suggest chatbot options and/or suggestions to client(s) at least partly based on the identified intent of the conversation. The chatbot suggestions can be provided in the conversation window on the mobile device based on the conversation context.
In a system and a method for providing communication within IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) using a connectionless communication protocol, an IMS access layer, an IMS service layer, a common service utilities layer, a unified data repository layer, and an IMS network repository function (NRF) are provided. The IMS access layer terminates incoming communication that uses connection-oriented communication protocol. The IMS service layer is operatively connected to the IMS access layer and includes at least one micro-service implementing IMS service. The common service utilities layer is operatively connected to the IMS service layer and includes at least one utility accessible to the at least one micro-service. The unified data repository layer is operatively connected to, and accessible by, the common service utilities layer, the IMS service layer and the IMS access layer. The IMS NRF enables a network function (NF) or the micro-service to discover another NF or micro-service.
In a system and a method for providing authentication for Rich Communication Services (RCS) application on a user equipment (UE), a Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) of the IMS receives a SIP REGISTER request message sent from an IMS Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) client on the UE as part of an authentication of the IMS SIP client. A Serving Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF) of the IMS or a registration service performs an Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) challenge with the IMS SIP client as part of the authentication. A Home Subscriber Server (HSS) of the IMS or a Unified Data Management (UDM) function provides, upon successful authentication of the IMS SIP client, an initial authorization grant for the IMS SIP client. The RCS application, after obtaining the initial authorization grant, registers for RCS service with the RCS network, via RCS Application Programming Interface Gateway (API GW).
H04L 29/02 - Communication control; Communication processing
H04L 29/04 - Communication control; Communication processing for plural communication lines
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04L 29/10 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by an interface, e.g. the interface between the data link level and the physical level
31.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCTION IN FRONTHAUL INTERFACE BANDWIDTH FOR CLOUD RAN
There are provided systems, methods, and interfaces for optimization of the fronthaul interface bandwidth for Radio Access Networks and Cloud Radio Access Networks.
There are provided systems, methods, and interfaces for optimization of the fronthaul interface bandwidth for Radio Access Networks and Cloud Radio Access Networks.
H04W 92/12 - Interfaces between hierarchically different network devices between access points and access point controllers
H04W 28/06 - Optimising, e.g. header compression, information sizing
H04B 7/0456 - Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices for antenna weighting
H04B 7/06 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
There is provided a system, method, and interfaces for control plane device triggering for a Public Land Mobile Network Packet Data Network (PDN). The network is configured to employ triggering via a T6a interface for an originating Machine-type communication server request to a Service Capability Exposure Function Server to initiate a PDN connection for User Equipment.
A cloud radio access network (CRAN) system includes a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio unit (RU) remote from the BBU. The fronthaul interface between the RU and the BBU includes a radio frequency interface (RF) functionality implemented in the RU, and implementation of asymmetrical physical layer (PHY) functionality split between the BBU and RU. The asymmetrical physical layer (PHY) functionality split includes: downlink (DL) antenna port mapping and DL precoding implemented in the RU; and the split of the PHY functionality for uplink (UL) at the antenna port mapping in the BBU. For the DL, precoding and resource element (RE) mapping to frequency resources is implemented in BBU, and RE mapping for antenna ports is implemented in the RU|[WA1]. The split also provides support for license-assisted access (LAA) in the CRAN system.
H04B 7/04 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
There is provided a system that includes a local cloud radio access network (RAN), and a remote cloud RAN. The local cloud RAN processes latency-sensitive applications, and the remote cloud RAN processes latency-tolerant applications. User traffic is appropriately routed to the correct cloud RAN based on the application. User equipment (UE) has no knowledge of which network is being used for processing, i.e., this network processing split is done in a manner that is transparent to the UE, e.g., by dynamically selecting a different access point name for local vs. remote processing. The processing split of the RAN between the local cloud RAN and the remote cloud RAN is done in a dynamic manner depending on the number of devices requiring low latency support. This allows the local cloud RAN to be very compact and low-cost since it does not have to process the latency -tolerant traffic.
There is provided a system that includes a local cloud radio access network (RAN), and a remote cloud RAN. The local cloud RAN processes latency-sensitive applications, and the remote cloud RAN processes latency-tolerant applications. User traffic is appropriately routed to the correct cloud RAN based on the application. User equipment (UE) has no knowledge of which network is being used for processing, i.e., this network processing split is done in a manner that is transparent to the UE, e.g., by dynamically selecting a different access point name for local vs. remote processing. The processing split of the RAN between the local cloud RAN and the remote cloud RAN is done in a dynamic manner depending on the number of devices requiring low latency support. This allows the local cloud RAN to be very compact and low-cost since it does not have to process the latency-tolerant traffic.
patents
