Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an over power subscription adjustment for a Radio Equipment (RE) are provided. In some embodiments, a method of operation of an RE includes determining an over power subscription adjustment for one or more carriers based on one or more system parameters and providing the over power subscription adjustment to a Radio Equipment Controller (REC) for the one or more carriers. According to some embodiments, this permits the network operator to better utilize radio network resources by over subscribing carrier power levels. The operator can do this without exposing radio hardware to damage by adaptive learning of Mean Power Limiting (MPL) parameters. Further, the degree of over subscription can be dynamically adjusted to suit network operating conditions. This can lead to improved quality of service metrics and increased radio sector cell size.

Abstract: Systems and methods of aligning a radio interface frame timing reference in a pool of Radio Equipment Controllers (RECs) are provided. In some embodiments, a method of operation of an REC includes computing a radio interface frame timing offset for a target REC relative to a reference time and 5 sending the radio interface frame timing offset to the target REC via an asynchronous communication network. According to some embodiments, this provides a substantially aligned radio interface frame timing reference in a pool of RECs. In some embodiments, the method also includes, prior to computing the radio interface frame timing offset, determining that the REC is a master REC. In some embodiments, determining that the REC is the master REC includes exchanging information indicative of at least one capability of each of the RECs and determining that the REC is the master REC based on the at least one capability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an over power subscription adjustment for a Radio Equipment (RE) are provided. In some embodiments, a method of operation of an RE includes determining an over power subscription adjustment for one or more carriers based on one or more system parameters and providing the over power subscription adjustment to a Radio Equipment Controller (REC) for the one or more carriers. According to some embodiments, this permits the network operator to better utilize radio network resources by over subscribing carrier power levels. The operator can do this without exposing radio hardware to damage by adaptive learning of Mean Power Limiting (MPL) parameters. Further, the degree of over subscription can be dynamically adjusted to suit network operating conditions. This can lead to improved quality of service metrics and increased radio sector cell size.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring end-to-end data path delays between a Radio Equipment Controller (REC) and a Radio Equipment (RE) of a base station are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a RE configured to transmit an uplink chirped sine wave signal from the RE to a REC on an uplink data path from the RE to the REC via an asynchronous communication network. The REC is configured to correlate a reference chirped sine wave signal and a received signal from the RE. The REC is further configured to determine an uplink data path delay from the RE to the REC based on results of the correlation of the reference chirped sine wave signal and the received signal from the RE on the uplink data path. In another embodiment, a downlink data path delay is measured in a similar manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods of aligning a radio interface frame timing reference in a pool of Radio Equipment Controllers (RECs) are provided. In some embodiments, a method of operation of an REC includes computing a radio interface frame timing offset for a target REC relative to a reference time and 5 sending the radio interface frame timing offset to the target REC via an asynchronous communication network. According to some embodiments, this provides a substantially aligned radio interface frame timing reference in a pool of RECs. In some embodiments, the method also includes, prior to computing the radio interface frame timing offset, determining that the REC is a master REC. In some embodiments, determining that the REC is the master REC includes exchanging information indicative of at least one capability of each of the RECs and determining that the REC is the master REC based on the at least one capability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring end-to-end data path delays between a Radio Equipment Controller (REC) and a Radio Equipment (RE) of a base station are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a RE configured to transmit a chirped sine wave signal from the RE to a REC on an uplink data path from the RE to the REC. The REC is configured to correlate a reference chirped sine wave signal and a received signal from the RE, where the received signal includes the chirped sine wave signal. The REC is further configured to determine an uplink data path delay from the RE to the REC based on results of the correlation of the reference chirped sine wave signal and the received signal from the RE on the uplink data path. In another embodiment, a downlink data path delay is measured in a similar manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring end-to-end data path delays between a Radio Equipment Controller (REC) and a Radio Equipment (RE) of a base station are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a RE configured to transmit an uplink chirped sine wave signal from the RE to a REC on an uplink data path from the RE to the REC via an asynchronous communication network. The REC is configured to correlate a reference chirped sine wave signal and a received signal from the RE. The REC is further configured to determine an uplink data path delay from the RE to the REC based on results of the correlation of the reference chirped sine wave signal and the received signal from the RE on the uplink data path. In another embodiment, a downlink data path delay is measured in a similar manner.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring end-to-end processing delay of the RE between an input interface and a transmit port in the downlink direction and a receive port and an output interface on the uplink direction is disclosed. The method and system if for use in a radio equipment node (RE) connected to a radio equipment control node (REC). Once the downlink and uplink radio channels are activated at a predetermined carrier frequency, a chirp sine wave is added at the input interface and the receive port such that the chirp sine wave becomes mixed with the carrier frequency. Sampling of a received downlink mixed signal is done at the transmit port and of the received uplink mixed signal at the output interface. The sampled mixed signals are then cross-correlated with a reference chirped sine wave to obtain a signal phase shift which is then converted to obtain a time delay associated with the end-to-end processing delay of the RE.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling loss and theft of a radio equipment of a base station in a cellular communications network. In one embodiment, a radio equipment of a base station of a cellular communications network includes a radio subsystem configured to wirelessly transmit and receive radio signals for the cellular communications network, a local wireless interface, memory, and a controller. During commissioning of the radio equipment, the controller is configured to receive a physical location of the radio equipment and an access password for the radio equipment from a wireless device via a local wireless connection between the radio equipment and the wireless device established via the local wireless interface. The controller is configured to store the physical location of the radio equipment and the access password for the radio equipment in the memory of the radio equipment.

Abstract: Embodiments of a Radio Equipment (RE), and methods of operation thereof, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the RE is designed for Inter-Process Communication (IPC) and is connected to a Radio Equipment Controller (REC) that does not support IPC. In operation, the RE receives a non-IPC message from the REC. An IPC translator of the RE then translates the non-IPC message into an equivalent IPC message and provides the equivalent IPC message to a corresponding process operating on the RE. In one embodiment, multiple processes are operating on the RE, and the IPC translator provides the equivalent IPC message to one of the processes that is responsible for handling the equivalent IPC message. As a result of the IPC translator, IPC signaling occurring at the RE is transparent to the REC.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring end-to-end data path delays between a Radio Equipment Controller (REC) and a Radio Equipment (RE) of a base station are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a RE configured to transmit a chirped sine wave signal from the RE to a REC on an uplink data path from the RE to the REC. The REC is configured to correlate a reference chirped sine wave signal and a received signal from the RE, where the received signal includes the chirped sine wave signal. The REC is further configured to determine an uplink data path delay from the RE to the REC based on results of the correlation of the reference chirped sine wave signal and the received signal from the RE on the uplink data path. In another embodiment, a downlink data path delay is measured in a similar manner.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring end-to-end processing delay of the RE between an input interface and a transmit port in the downlink direction and a receive port and an output interface on the uplink direction is disclosed. The method and system if for use in a radio equipment node (RE) connected to a radio equipment control node (REC). Once the downlink and uplink radio channels are activated at a predetermined carrier frequency, a chirp sine wave is added at the input interface and the receive port such that the chirp sine wave becomes mixed with the carrier frequency. Sampling of a received downlink mixed signal is done at the transmit port and of the received uplink mixed signal at the output interface. The sampled mixed signals are then cross-correlated with a reference chirped sine wave to obtain a signal phase shift which is then converted to obtain a time delay associated with the end-to-end processing delay of the RE.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to local wireless connectivity for a radio equipment of a base station in a cellular communications network. In one embodiment, the radio equipment includes a radio subsystem that transmits and receives radio signals for the cellular communications network, a local wireless interface, and a controller associated with the local wireless interface that is configured to provide access to a maintenance subsystem of the radio equipment via the local wireless interface. Remote access to the maintenance subsystem of the radio equipment via the local wireless interface allows maintenance operations to be performed without the need to physically connect to the radio equipment via a wired connection, which is difficult in many installations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for first-level debugging for a radio equipment of a base station using a local wireless hotspot created by another radio equipment of the base station in local wireless proximity to the radio equipment. In one embodiment, a network management system is remotely connected to a Radio Equipment Controller (REC) of a base station in a cellular communications network. The network management system determines that there is a loss of communication between the REC and a first Remote Radio Equipment (RRE) of the base station. The network management system causes a second RRE of the base station to create a local wireless hotspot and then obtains debug information for the first RRE that is obtained by the second RRE via the local wireless hotspot. The network management system then utilizes the debug information for the first RRE.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to delay compensation during synchronization of uplink and downlink frames in a base station in a cellular communication network. In general, the base station includes a radio equipment and a radio equipment controller that together form at least part of the base station. In one embodiment, the radio equipment includes a first interface configured to receive data from the radio equipment controller and a second interface configured to send data to the radio equipment controller. During synchronization, the radio equipment receives, at the first interface of the radio equipment, a synchronization message from the radio equipment controller. The radio equipment then passes the synchronization message from the first interface of the radio equipment to the second interface of the radio equipment with a synthetic delay that is in addition to an in-equipment delay from the first interface to the second interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for first-level debugging for a radio equipment of a base station using a local wireless hotspot created by another radio equipment of the base station in local wireless proximity to the radio equipment. In one embodiment, a network management system is remotely connected to a Radio Equipment Controller (REC) of a base station in a cellular communications network. The network management system determines that there is a loss of communication between the REC and a first Remote Radio Equipment (RRE) of the base station. The network management system causes a second RRE of the base station to create a local wireless hotspot and then obtains debug information for the first RRE that is obtained by the second RRE via the local wireless hotspot. The network management system then utilizes the debug information for the first RRE.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for controlling loss and theft of a radio equipment of a base station in a cellular communications network. In one embodiment, a radio equipment of a base station of a cellular communications network includes a radio subsystem configured to wirelessly transmit and receive radio signals for the cellular communications network, a local wireless interface, memory, and a controller. During commissioning of the radio equipment, the controller is configured to receive a physical location of the radio equipment and an access password for the radio equipment from a wireless device via a local wireless connection between the radio equipment and the wireless device established via the local wireless interface. The controller is configured to store the physical location of the radio equipment and the access password for the radio equipment in the memory of the radio equipment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to local wireless connectivity for a radio equipment of a base station in a cellular communications network. In one embodiment, the radio equipment includes a radio subsystem that transmits and receives radio signals for the cellular communications network, a local wireless interface, and a controller associated with the local wireless interface that is configured to provide access to a maintenance subsystem of the radio equipment via the local wireless interface. Remote access to the maintenance subsystem of the radio equipment via the local wireless interface allows maintenance operations to be performed without the need to physically connect to the radio equipment via a wired connection, which is difficult in many installations.

Abstract: A system and method of implementing an on-demand change of the RF power class of multi-carrier power amplifiers at a base station radio with minimal disruption of user service is disclosed. The power amplifiers providing signal diversity at said cell site and being able to operate at various RF power class levels. A first multi-carrier power amplifier with multiple RF Power Classes provides a main RF beam transmission at one sector of said cell site. A second multi-carrier power amplifier with multiple RF Power Classes provides RF beam transmission diversity to the main RF beam transmission. A switch operates to disable either the first or second multi-carrier power amplifier when an RF Power class change is required.

Abstract: A system and method of implementing an on-demand change of the RF power class of multi-carrier power amplifiers at a base station radio with minimal disruption of user service is disclosed. The power amplifiers providing signal diversity at said cell site and being able to operate at various RF power class levels. A first multi-carrier power amplifier with multiple RF Power Classes provides a main RF beam transmission at one sector of said cell site. A second multi-carrier power amplifier with multiple RF Power Classes provides RF beam transmission diversity to the main RF beam transmission. A switch operates to disable either the first or second multi-carrier power amplifier when an RF Power class change is required.