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.

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.

Abstract: A method (100) of controlling traffic flows in a radio communications network, the method comprising steps of: receiving (102) at a remote node a plurality of traffic flows transmitted from a plurality of radio units; buffering (104) the traffic flows in a common buffer of the remote node; and causing (106) a control signal to be sent to a baseband unit when a fill level of the common buffer is predicted to go above a maximum fill level within a pre-set time interval, wherein the control signal is configured to cause an adjustment of a radio resource allocation of one of the plurality of radio units to cause a reduction in a data rate of the traffic flow transmitted from said radio unit.

Abstract: A transport network (20) is connected to a first wireless base station (3, 4) and to a second wireless base station (6). The first wireless base station comprises a remote radio unit (3) and a baseband processing unit (4) which are connected by the transport network (20). A node (16) of the transport network (20) receives a synchronous time division multiplexed communication signal which carries at least a first communication signal between the baseband processing unit (4) and the remote radio unit (3). The node (16) determines a frequency synchronisation signal from the synchronous time division multiplexed communication signal. The node (16) transmits the synchronous time division multiplexed communication signal to the remote radio unit (3) of the first wireless base station. The node (16) transmits the frequency synchronisation signal to the second wireless base station (6). The node (16) also assists with providing phase/time synchronisation to the second wireless base station (6).

Abstract: A method of operation of a communications network comprises receiving a plurality of dynamic radio traffic requests from wireless communications nodes. The traffic requests comprise requests for backhaul traffic received from radio base stations, and requests for fronthaul traffic to digital units received from remote radio units. The radio traffic requests are translated into corresponding transport layer requirements. Transport network resources are requested for the radio traffic based on the transport layer requirements, which meet the radio traffic requests.

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.

Abstract: A network node (15) is configured to switch data packets between a Remote Radio Unit (2) and a Digital Unit (4). The network node comprises one or more input port (33) configured to receive said data packets (52a) and receive further packets having a destination other than one of a Remote Radio Unit and a Digital Unit. One or more output port (35) is configured to transmit said data packets and said further packets. A scheduler (31) is configured to control transmission from the output port according to a scheduling cycle (41a). The scheduler is configured to schedule only said data packets to be transmitted in a first period of the scheduling cycle, and schedule one or more of said further packets to be transmitted in a separate second period of the scheduling cycle.

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 (1401) a first timestamp representing a time at which a data element is received at the first node and adding (1402) 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 (1403) 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to packet processing by a network element system that transfers first and second packet flows of the same traffic handling class (e.g., the Ethernet express traffic class). A method aspect performed by the network element system comprises the step of receiving, from a network controller, information defining opening times for packet gates associated with network element ports. The opening times define a relative transmission order among first packet flow packets and second packet flow packets. Upon receipt of first and second packet flow packets at the respective ports, the packet gates are controlled based on the received information to trigger transmission of the first and second packet flow packets in the predefined transmission order.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining propagation delay of a first path and or of a second path which connect a first transceiver unit associated with a first clock to a second transceiver unit associated with a second clock in a communications network, based on a first time reference representing a time of transmission of a first signal from the first transceiver unit, a second time reference representing the time of receipt of the first signal at the second transceiver unit, a third time reference representing a time of transmission of a reply to the second signal from the second transceiver unit, and a fourth time reference representing the time of receipt of the reply to the second signal at the first transceiver unit.

Abstract: A method performed by a network element that transfers first and second packet flows of the same traffic handling class comprises the step of receiving, from a network controller, information defining a relative forwarding order between first and second packet flow packets. Upon receipt, at least one ingress port of the network element, of a first and a second packet, determining that the first packet belongs to the first packet flow and the second packet to the second packet flow. The first and second packets will then be forwarded towards at least one egress port of the network element in an order defined by the information received from the network controller.

Abstract: The method comprises analyzing (203) probing packets sent on a plurality of end-to-end paths over links of the network. At least one analyzed probing packet is a timing packet comprising timing information for synchronization. The analyzing comprising analyzing probing packets sent on all of a set of probing paths. The set is selected (201) such that the analyzing provides a determination of a performance of each individual link. The method further comprises determining (204) the performance of individual links.

Abstract: A method for switching data signals transmitted over a transport network is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a plurality of input data signals of a first signal type wherein the plurality of data signals of the first signal type comprises data signals exchanged between a Radio Equipment and a Radio Equipment Controller and aggregating the plurality of input data signals into an aggregated first data signal. The method also comprises receiving a second data signal of a second signal type different to the first signal type, and multiplexing the first data signal with the second data signal to form a combined data signal. The method further comprises forwarding the combined data signal to the transport network. Multiplexing the first data signal with the second data signal comprises, for a frame of the combined data signal, allocating the first data signal to a portion of the frame reserved for the first data signal, and allocating the second data signal to a remaining portion of the frame.

Abstract: A method of scheduling transmission of a data flow in a data center network comprising a plurality of network nodes and links. The method comprising, at a network controller receiving (14) a transmission request for a data flow, obtaining (15) a tolerated time interval for the data flow, and scheduling (16) transmission of the data flow within the tolerated time interval and without contention with other transmissions.

Abstract: A transport network (20) is connected to a first wireless base station (3, 4) and to a second wireless base station (6). The first wireless base station comprises a remote radio unit (3) and a baseband processing unit (4) which are connected by the transport network (20). A node (16) of the transport network (20) receives a synchronous time division multiplexed communication signal which carries at least a first communication signal between the baseband processing unit (4) and the remote radio unit (3). The node (16) determines a frequency synchronisation signal from the synchronous time division multiplexed communication signal. The node (16) transmits the synchronous time division multiplexed communication signal to the remote radio unit (3) of the first wireless base station. The node (16) transmits the frequency synchronisation signal to the second wireless base station (6). The node (16) also assists with providing phase/time synchronisation to the second wireless base station (6).

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.

Abstract: A network node (30) for a radio access network, wherein the network node comprises a switch system (35) configured to switch traffic for a plurality of base stations (3, 5; 8) of the radio access network. The switch system (35) is configured to provide for communication between a remote radio unit (3) and a baseband processing unit (5, 12) of the said plurality of base stations. The switch system (35) is configured to provide for communication between a first base station (8) and a second base station (3, 5) of said plurality of base stations. At least one of the first or second base station is a radio base station (8) comprising baseband processing.

Abstract: Configuring a node (410, A-I, L-O) of a synchronization network, involves determining information about synchronization sources of a plurality of synchronization trails for passing synchronization information from the synchronization source (A, L, O, PRC) to the node to provide a synchronization reference. After determining automatically (210, 250, 330, 335, 340) synchronization transmission characteristics of trails (EP, FG, GH, HM, MN, OF, FI, IH) which use packet-based communication, the trails are compared automatically (240, 370), using their source information and their synchronization transmission characteristics, for selecting winch of these trails to use for providing the synchronization reference for the node (N).

Abstract: In one aspect, a network node configured to arrange a synchronization service for a target network access node receives a service request from the target network access node for a synchronization service to be provided to the target network access node and selects the synchronization source node, responsive to the service request. The network node sends a response towards the target network access node regarding the synchronization service to be provided by the synchronization source node.

Abstract: A transport network (20) is connected to a first wireless base station (3, 4) and to a second wireless base station (6). The first wireless base station comprises a remote radio unit (3) and a baseband processing unit (4) which are connected by the transport network (20). A node (16) of the transport network (20) receives a synchronous time division multiplexed communication signal which carries at least a first communication signal between the baseband processing unit (4) and the remote radio unit (3). The node (16) determines a frequency synchronisation signal from the synchronous time division multiplexed communication signal. The node (16) transmits the synchronous time division multiplexed communication signal to the remote radio unit (3) of the first wireless base station. The node (16) transmits the frequency synchronisation signal to the second wireless base station (6). The node (16) also assists with providing phase/time synchronisation to the second wireless base station (6).