Patents by Inventor Stefano Ruffini

Stefano Ruffini has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11864139
    Abstract: A method performed by a transmitting device, for handling communication in a wireless communications network. The transmitting device transmits a Precision Time Protocol, PTP, message carrying synchronization information to a receiving device over a radio interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Stefano Ruffini, Magnus Sandgren, Robert Baldemair, Anders Höglund, Mårten Wahlström
  • Publication number: 20230379075
    Abstract: A method performed by second fronthaul network unit for enabling synchronization with a first fronthaul network unit over a first single optical fiber in a fronthaul network is provided. The method includes receiving a first optical signal on the single optical fiber; and separating the received first optical signal into a second optical signal carrying downlink, DL, radio data traffic having a first optical wavelength and a third optical signal carrying packet-based synchronization messages having a second optical wavelength. The method further includes outputting the separated second optical signal towards a first optical port in the second fronthaul network unit; and splitting the separated third optical signal towards a second optical port in the second fronthaul network unit. A second fronthaul network unit and a first fronthaul network unit and method therein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Tomas THYNI, Mats FORSMAN, Stefano RUFFINI, Mara COSENTINO, Riccardo CECCATELLI
  • Patent number: 11811634
    Abstract: A method of supporting latency monitoring in a network transporting traffic to and from a wireless base station. The method comprises, at a first node of the transport network determining a first timestamp representing a time at which a data element is received at the first node and adding information representative of the first timestamp to a communication signal which carries data for the wireless base station, the data including the data element. The method also comprises sending an indication of an association between the information representative of the first timestamp and the data element that the information representative of the first timestamp relates to. A method performed at a second node as well as apparatus for use at the first node and apparatus for use at the second node are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Stefano Ruffini, Stefano Stracca
  • Patent number: 11812398
    Abstract: A group of radio network nodes (14) performs automatic synchronization source selection using Radio-interface Based Synchronization, based on the exchange of clock-attribute information between respective nodes (14) via inter-node connections. Access to the clock-attribute information for other nodes (14) in the same domain or subdomain allows a given node (14) to select the best or most preferred synchronization source for use in synchronizing its own clock (44), based on a combined or joint evaluation of parameters or metrics that include the reception quality of OTA signals from respective ones of the candidate nodes (14) and the corresponding clock-attribute information. Further parameters or metrics may be evaluated in the selection, such as neighbor-relation considerations. The combined use of OTA synchronization signaling and clock-attribute information exchanges, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Stefano Ruffini, Garry Irvine, Ohan Khodaverdian, Magnus Sandgren, Mårten Wahlström
  • Publication number: 20230299865
    Abstract: Systems and methods to enable 5G system support for conveying time synchronization are provided. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for conveying external time domain information is provided. The method includes receiving a message in a first time domain used by the wireless device, the message comprising external time domain information; determining information about a second time domain based on the external time domain information; and conveying information about the second time domain to another node. In some embodiments, timing information is included into a GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) payload, and the wireless device can get timing information directly from the data payload. This minimizes the RAN and/or gNB impact and adds the potential for multiple time domain support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kun Wang, John Walter Diachina, Anders Höglund, Dinand Roeland, Stefano Ruffini, Magnus Sandgren, Mårten Wahlström
  • Publication number: 20230283392
    Abstract: There is provided mechanisms for relative time error (TE) information distribution in a telecommunication network using a precision time protocol (PTP). A method is performed in a gateway device in a telecommunication network having hierarchical segments. The method comprises receiving TE information from a telecom grandmaster (T-GM) of the hierarchical segments. The method comprises preserving a total TE information of the received TE information. The method comprises resetting an accumulated path TE of the received TE information. The method comprises outputting an indication of the reset accumulated path TE and the preserved total TE information to a sub-segment of the hierarchical segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Gábor KOVÁCS, Stefano RUFFINI, Riccardo RIMARCHI, Mikael JOHANSSON
  • Patent number: 11695491
    Abstract: Systems and methods to enable 5G system support for conveying time synchronization are provided. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for conveying external time domain information is provided. The method includes receiving a message in a first time domain used by the wireless device, the message comprising external time domain information; determining information about a second time domain based on the external time domain information; and conveying information about the second time domain to another node. In some embodiments, timing information is included into a GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) payload, and the wireless device can get timing information directly from the data payload. This minimizes the RAN and/or gNB impact and adds the potential for multiple time domain support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Kun Wang, John Walter Diachina, Anders Höglund, Dinand Roeland, Stefano Ruffini, Magnus Sandgren, Mårten Wahlström
  • Patent number: 11683150
    Abstract: The disclosure provides methods, apparatus and computer-readable media for synchronization over an optical network. A method comprises: receiving, from a client, a request to initiate a synchronization service for a client node coupled to the optical communication network; and, in response to the request, establishing a synchronization service to the client node via a virtual synchronization network utilizing the optical communication network. The synchronization service utilizes a bidirectional optical channel established via the optical communication network for the transmission of synchronization data for the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Stefano Ruffini, Mats Forsman, Paola Iovanna, Stefano Stracca, Tomas Thyni
  • Patent number: 11627538
    Abstract: A method performed by a system of a wireless communication network is disclosed. The method relates to provisioning of a time-sensitive service related to a wireless device. The wireless communication network comprises a plurality of antenna reference points, ARPs, of one or more radio access network nodes of the wireless communication network. The method comprises obtaining information that a first ARP and a second ARP of the plurality of ARPs are to provide the time-sensitive service to the wireless device, determining, by inter-ARP radio signalling between ARPs of one or more pairs of the plurality of ARPs, one of the one or more pairs including the first ARP and one of the one or more pairs including the second ARP, a relative timing error between the first ARP and the second ARP, and taking the determined relative timing error into consideration when providing the service to the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Garry Irvine, Alexandra Mikaelsson, Magnus Sandgren, Mårten Wahlström, Mikael Johansson, Ohan Khodaverdian, Stefano Ruffini
  • Publication number: 20230063300
    Abstract: A method performed by a UE (10) for evaluating validity of a radio link, wherein the UE (10) is operating in a wireless communication network, and wherein the UE (10) receives a signal on the radio link. The UE (10) determines (401) that the received signal comprises a time synchronization message and a security extension associated with the time synchronization message. The UE (10) further determines (402) that the radio link is valid if a security mechanism related to the security extension indicates that the time synchronization message is valid. The UE (10) further determines (403) that the radio link is non-valid if the security mechanism related to the security extension indicates that the time synchronization message is non-valid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Stefano Ruffini, Giulio Bottari
  • Publication number: 20220369260
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method in a network node for delivering a time synchronization service comprises obtaining a timing accuracy threshold for a time synchronization service provided to a wireless device; determining, based on a first timing accuracy error at the network node and a second timing accuracy error between the network node and the wireless device, that a timing accuracy of the time synchronization service is equal or superior to the timing accuracy threshold, and transmitting the time synchronization service to the wireless device with a timing accuracy equal or superior to the timing accuracy threshold. The method further comprises, in response to determining that the timing accuracy of the time synchronization service is inferior to the timing accuracy threshold, reconfiguring the network node to improve the timing accuracy of the time synchronization service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Angelo CENTONZA, Stefano RUFFINI, Joachim SACHS, Magnus SANDGREN, Mårten WAHLSTRÖM
  • Publication number: 20220311533
    Abstract: Systems and methods to enable 5G system support for conveying time synchronization are provided. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for conveying external time domain information is provided. The method includes receiving a message in a first time domain used by the wireless device, the message comprising external time domain information; determining information about a second time domain based on the external time domain information; and conveying information about the second time domain to another node. In some embodiments, timing information is included into a GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) payload, and the wireless device can get timing information directly from the data payload. This minimizes the RAN and/or gNB impact and adds the potential for multiple time domain support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Kun Wang, John Walter Diachina, Anders Höglund, Dinand Roeland, Stefano Ruffini, Magnus Sandgren, Mårten Wahlström
  • Patent number: 11444713
    Abstract: A method of operation of a Multiprotocol Label Switching network involves, in an active node of the network, receiving a first data packet from a source node and forwarding the first data packet to a destination node. At the same time, the active node measures a residence time of the first data packet in the active node. The active node then sends a further data packet containing residence time information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Stefano Ruffini, Eric Ward Gray, Sriganesh Kini, Gregory Mirsky
  • Patent number: 11412470
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method in a network node for delivering a time synchronization service comprises obtaining a timing accuracy threshold for a time synchronization service provided to a wireless device; determining, based on a first timing accuracy error at the network node and a second timing accuracy error between the network node and the wireless device, that a timing accuracy of the time synchronization service is equal or superior to the timing accuracy threshold, and transmitting the time synchronization service to the wireless device with a timing accuracy equal or superior to the timing accuracy threshold. The method further comprises, in response to determining that the timing accuracy of the time synchronization service is inferior to the timing accuracy threshold, reconfiguring the network node to improve the timing accuracy of the time synchronization service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Angelo Centonza, Stefano Ruffini, Joachim Sachs, Magnus Sandgren, Mårten Wahlström
  • Patent number: 11405122
    Abstract: Systems and methods to enable 5G system support for conveying time synchronization are provided. In some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for conveying external time domain information is provided. The method includes receiving a message in a first time domain used by the wireless device, the message comprising external time domain information; determining information about a second time domain based on the external time domain information; and conveying information about the second time domain to another node. In some embodiments, timing information is included into a GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) payload, and the wireless device can get timing information directly from the data payload. This minimizes the RAN and/or gNB impact and adds the potential for multiple time domain support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Kun Wang, John Walter Diachina, Anders Höglund, Dinand Roeland, Stefano Ruffini, Magnus Sandgren, Mårten Wahlström
  • Publication number: 20220224998
    Abstract: A method of controlling transmission of an upstream packet traffic from a plurality of Optical Network Units to an Optical Line Terminal in a Passive Optical Network based fronthaul network. The Optical Network Units transmit packets in a time division multiplexed access scheme to the Optical Line Terminal and the method comprises obtaining mobile upstream scheduling information, scheduling the packet traffic from the plurality of Optical Network Units based on delay constraints of the PON-based front haul network and the obtained mobile upstream scheduling information. The method also comprises transmitting the scheduling of the packet traffic to the plurality of ONUs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Fabio CAVALIERE, Stefano RUFFINI, Peter OLANDERS
  • Publication number: 20220216932
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to conveying Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) synchronization information within a cellular communication system (e.g., a Fifth Generation System (5GS)) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method performed by a User Equipment (UE) in a cellular communications system or a TSN Translator (TT) associated with the UE comprises receiving, from a TSN end station, a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) or generalized PTP (gPTP) announce message comprising information that identifies one or more clock domains for which the TSN end station desires to receive PTP or gPTP messages. The method further comprises sending, to a core network node in the cellular communications system, either: (a) the information that identifies the one or more clock domains extracted from the PTP or gPTP announce message or (b) the PTP or gPTP announce message. Using this information, UE specific PTP or gPTP message filtering may be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Kun Wang, John Walter Diachina, Paul Schliwa-Bertling, Magnus Sandgren, Stefano Ruffini, Joachim Sachs
  • Patent number: 11368215
    Abstract: An optical link for a communication network, the optical link having an optical fibre link, a downstream transmitter, a downstream receiver, an upstream transmitter and an upstream receiver. The upstream and downstream transmitters are configured to transmit a respective pilot tone on a respective optical carrier and are configured to tune a frequency of the pilot tone within a preselected frequency range. The upstream and downstream receivers are configured respectively to determine an upstream notch frequency, fnotch-US, and a downstream notch frequency, fnotch-DS, of respective detected photocurrents from at least one respective pilot tone frequency at which the respective detected photocurrent is equal to or lower than a photocurrent threshold. The optical link also includes processing circuitry configured to receive the upstream and downstream notch frequencies and configured to estimate a propagation delay difference of the optical link depending on the upstream and downstream notch frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Fabio Cavaliere, Giulio Bottari, Stefano Ruffini
  • Publication number: 20220141786
    Abstract: Embodiments herein may relate to a method performed by a transmitting device, for handling communication in a wireless communications network. The transmitting device transmits a Precision Time Protocol, PTP, message carrying synchronization information to a receiving device over a radio interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Stefano Ruffini, Magnus Sandgren, Robert Baldemair, Anders Höglund, Mårten Wahlström
  • Patent number: 11323384
    Abstract: A system comprising one or more network elements and configured to process at least first and second packet flows. The system comprises a first packet gate selectively switchable between an open state for packet transmission and a closed state and an associated first packet queue. The first packet gate and the first packet queue are configured to handle first packet flow packets. The system further comprises a second packet queue configured to handle second packet flow packets. Moreover, the system comprises at least one processor configured to control switching of the first packet gate between the open state and the closed state based on the occurrence of a first event associated with the second packet queue to trigger transmission of the first packet flow packets in a relative transmission order among the first packet flow packets and the second packet flow packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: János Farkas, Stefano Ruffini, Balázs Varga, Csaba Simon, István Moldován