Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for managing packet dropping in the fronthaul network. A method in a packet processing system includes receiving a plurality of data packets for transmission over the fronthaul network, wherein the plurality of data packets include radio data; obtaining first information for the plurality of data packets, wherein the first information is related to transmission of the radio data over a radio access interface in the radio network; and responsive to a requirement to decrease a load in the fronthaul network, selecting at least one of the plurality of packets to drop by applying at least one prioritization rule to the plurality of data packets based on the obtained first information.

Abstract: A method performed by a first node in a communications network for use in training a model using a machine learning process using Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request, HARQ, transmissions. The method includes reserving HARQ resources between a second node and a third node in the communications network for training of the model. The method further includes initiating a first test transmission from the second node to the third node using the reserved HARQ resources in order to obtain data with which to train the model.

Abstract: A method performed by a first fronthaul network unit (RU1, RU2,..., RUm) for synchronizing with a second fronthaul network unit (GM; DU1, DU2,..., DUn) across a fronthaul network (100) carrying TDD radio transmissions through obtaining control information indicating UL and DL time periods of TDD radio transmissions and local timing information in a first fronthaul network unit and determining: a first set of synchronization messages transferred between the units within determined fronthaul DL and UL intervals during which there are no TDD transmissions, and a second set of synchronization messages transferred outside of the determined intervals, and synchronizing, based on the synchronization messages, depending on which set the synchronization message belongs to.

Abstract: A method performed by a system having a plurality of base station systems, each base station system comprising a baseband unit, BBU and a radio unit, RU interconnected via a fronthaul connection that is shared between the base station systems. Fronthaul capacity information on transmission capacity of the shared fronthaul connection and information on required capacity for transmission and/or reception of wireless signals by the RU of the respective base station system are obtained. Time unit transmission restrictions for the respective base station system is determined based on the fronthaul capacity information and on the information on required capacity, which time unit transmission restrictions results in fronthaul usage below the transmission capacity of the part of the fronthaul connection. Information on the determined time unit transmission restrictions is sent to the BBU of the respective base station system.

Abstract: It is presented a method for determining packet loss in a fronthaul link of a radio access network. The method being performed in a packet loss determiner and comprising the steps of: obtaining a set of user equipments, UEs, that are all scheduled to communicate over a radio interface in a scheduling interval; creating a subset of UEs, comprising a number of UEs, from the set of UEs, that are the UEs in the set being most vulnerable to fronthaul packet loss; determining, for each UE in the subset of UEs, whether the communication in the scheduling interval was unsuccessful; and determining a packet loss in the fronthaul link depending on to what extent each one of the UEs in the subset of UEs is determined to have had unsuccessful use of the radio interface.

Abstract: A method performed by a network entity is provided. The method comprises obtaining information indicating uplink, UL, and downlink, DL, time periods in the packet-based fronthaul network occupied by Time-Division Duplex, TDD, radio transmissions transmitted and/or received by the one or more second fronthaul network units over its radio interface. The method further comprises scheduling packet-based synchronization messages between at least the one or more first fronthaul network units and the one or more second fronthaul network units over the packet-based fronthaul network based on the obtained information. A network entity is also provided, as well as, computer programs and carriers.

Abstract: A method performed by a first RAN node of an integrated access and backhaul, IAB, wireless communication network. The first RAN node is connected to a core network and is arranged for wireless communication with a second RAN node and with a number of UEs. Wireless communication resources are allocated for communication between the first RAN node and the second RAN node. The method includes assigning a first part of the resources for transmission of first data and a second part for transmission of second data between the first RAN node and the second RAN node, obtaining information of a vacant part of the resources, and triggering transmission of the first data and the second data using at least a fraction of the vacant part of the wireless communication resources for at least one of the first data and the second data.

Abstract: A computer implemented method performed by an application programming interface (APIR) for a network node in a radio access network is provided. The APIR for the network node can receive a request from a data processing entity to transition to a defined network operating condition in the radio access network. The APIR for the network node can further transition to the defined network operating condition during a defined time period. The APIR for the network node can further collect data during the defined time period including at least one observation of the defined network operating condition, an action in the radio access network during the defined network operating condition, and a subsequent observation of the radio access network based on the action. A method performed by a data processing entity is also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sending data using a packet-based interface to cause a radio unit to send transmissions to at least one UE. In an example aspect, a method includes determining that a packet for causing the radio unit to send transmissions to a first user equipment, UE, in at least a portion of a time interval allocated to the first UE for transmissions to the first UE will not reach the radio unit, and sending at least one further packet to the radio unit to cause the radio unit to send transmissions to a second UE in at least part of the time interval.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for managing packet dropping in the fronthaul network. A method in a packet processing system includes receiving a plurality of data packets for transmission over the fronthaul network, wherein the plurality of data packets include radio data; obtaining first information for the plurality of data packets, wherein the first information is related to transmission of the radio data over a radio access interface in the radio network; and responsive to a requirement to decrease a load in the fronthaul network, selecting at least one of the plurality of packets to drop by applying at least one prioritization rule to the plurality of data packets based on the obtained first information.

Abstract: A method performed in a scheduler entity is provided for adapting load on a fronthaul network in a radio access network comprising a central baseband unit and a remote radio unit. The central baseband unit and the remote radio unit are interconnected by the fronthaul network over which baseband signal information is exchanged. The method comprises obtaining information related to capacity of the fronthaul network, and adapting, based on the obtained information, air interface performance for at least one type of conveyed baseband signal information such as to enable adapting of load on the fronthaul network. A scheduler entity, method in a fronthaul module, computer programs and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: It is provided a method for compressing beamspace coefficients to be applied when transferring data between a radio network node and a specific user device, the method being performed in a coefficient encoder and comprising the steps of: obtaining beamspace coefficients, wherein each beamspace coefficient comprises a complex value and a direction; determining at least one cluster based on proximity, in a complex plane, of the complex values of the beamspace coefficients; determining, for each beamspace coefficient, a cluster to which it belongs; determining a representative complex value for each one of the at least one cluster; outputting the representative complex values for each cluster; and outputting, for each beamspace coefficient, an identity of the cluster to which the beamspace coefficient belongs.

Abstract: It is presented a method for determining packet loss in a fronthaul link of a radio access network. The method being performed in a packet loss determiner and comprising the steps of: obtaining a set of user equipments, UEs, that are all scheduled to communicate over a radio interface in a scheduling interval; creating a subset of UEs, comprising a number of UEs, from the set of UEs, that are the UEs in the set being most vulnerable to fronthaul packet loss; determining, for each UE in the subset of UEs, whether the communication in the scheduling interval was unsuccessful; and determining a packet loss in the fronthaul link depending on to what extent each one of the UEs in the subset of UEs is determined to have had unsuccessful use of the radio interface.

Abstract: It is provided a method for compressing beamspace coefficients to be applied when transferring data between a radio network node and a specific user device, the method being performed in a coefficient encoder and comprising the steps of: obtaining beamspace coefficients, wherein each beamspace coefficient comprises a complex value and a direction; determining at least one cluster based on proximity, in a complex plane, of the complex values of the beamspace coefficients; determining, for each beamspace coefficient, a cluster to which it belongs; determining a representative complex value for each one of the at least one cluster; outputting the representative complex values for each cluster; and outputting, for each beamspace coefficient, an identity of the cluster to which the beamspace coefficient belongs.

Abstract: A method performed in a scheduler entity is provided for adapting load on a fronthaul network in a radio access network comprising a central baseband unit and a remote radio unit. The central baseband unit and the remote radio unit are interconnected by the fronthaul network over which baseband signal information is exchanged. The method comprises obtaining information related to capacity of the fronthaul network, and adapting, based on the obtained information, air interface performance for at least one type of conveyed baseband signal information such as to enable adapting of load on the fronthaul network. A scheduler entity, method in a fronthaul module, computer programs and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Vector Control Entity and method therein for Disorderly Leaving Events, DLEs, causing Sudden Termination Change in a DSL system. The method comprises, when a DLE occurs on a line m in a vectored group of DSL lines, and the transmission on line m is, at least partly, continued: obtaining at least one error sample from CPEs connected to other lines in the vectored group of DSL lines, and calculating an estimate of the channel coefficients, H?, changed due to the DLE. The estimate is calculated based on the at least one error sample, and thus a channel estimate is provided. The method further comprises modifying a downstream precoder, based on the channel estimate, such that retraining of the other lines in the vectored group due to the DLE is avoided. The estimate of the channel coefficients is calculated based on the model H?=H+C?H.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for mitigating crosstalk performed by a network node of a wireless communication network operable in a base station system of the wireless communication network, the base station system comprising an intermediate radio unit, IRU, a baseband unit, BBU, connected to the IRU and a plurality of radio heads, RHs, connected to the IRU via a plurality of metallic conductors.

Abstract: Vector Control Entity and method therein for Disorderly Leaving Events, DLEs, causing Sudden Termination Change in a DSL system. The method comprises, when a DLE occurs on a line m in a vectored group of DSL lines, and the transmission on line m is, at least partly, continued: obtaining at least one error sample from CPEs connected to other lines in the vectored group of DSL lines, and calculating an estimate of the channel coefficients, H?, changed due to the DLE. The estimate is calculated based on the at least one error sample, and thus a channel estimate is provided. The method further comprises modifying a downstream precoder, based on the channel estimate, such that retraining of the other lines in the vectored group due to the DLE is avoided. The estimate of the channel coefficients is calculated based on the model H?=H+C?H.

Abstract: There is proposed a mechanism for monitoring optical fibers (1) in an optical backhaul network that connects nodes (10, 20) of a distributed radio base station system. The nodes carry data streams using the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) protocol. The method includes: receiving from at least one node a CPRI alarm indicative of a transmission failure in a CPRI data stream, and triggering fault analysis of an optical fiber identified as carrying the CPRI data stream. Using CPRI alarms that are generated by transmission failures between nodes as a trigger for monitoring the physical fiber carrying the CPRI streams provides a targeted mechanism for determining fiber failures, which had a low response time and thus enables rapid repair of any fault and minimal disruption to the network.

Abstract: There is proposed a mechanism for monitoring optical fibers (1) in an optical backhaul network that connects nodes (10, 20) of a distributed radio base station system. The nodes carry data streams using the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) protocol. The method includes: receiving from at least one node a CPRI alarm indicative of a transmission failure in a CPRI data stream, and triggering fault analysis of an optical fiber identified as carrying the CPRI data stream. Using CPRI alarms that are generated by transmission failures between nodes as a trigger for monitoring the physical fiber carrying the CPRI streams provides a targeted mechanism for determining fiber failures, which had a low response time and thus enables rapid repair of any fault and minimal disruption to the network.