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: The inventing refers to a method of performing a synchronization communication between a master clock (100) and a slave clock (130), wherein the communication involves wireless network comprising a base station or eNB (110) and a wireless terminal or UE (120), wherein the base station (110, 110?) performs the steps of: receiving (S01) from the master clock (100) a synchronization packet (M11, M21) comprising a time information relative to the master clock (100), obtaining (S03) a first delay time accounting for an actual scheduling delay with respect to the UE (120), generating (S04) a modified synchronization packet (M12, M22) by modifying the time information to take into account the first delay time, and transmitting (S05) the modified synchronization packet (M12, M22) to the UE (120) to be forwarded to the slave clock (130). The invention further refers to a corresponding eNB (110, 110?), a method performed by the UE (120), to a corresponding UE (120) and corresponding software programs.

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, 230, 330, 335, 340) synchonization transmission characteristics of trails (EF, 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 which of these trails to use for providing the synchronization reference for the node (N).

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: Communication between a Radio Equipment Control (REC) and a Radio Equipment (RE) in a wireless network uses a Common Public Radio Interface connection. When the Radio Equipment Control and the Radio Equipment are located remote from each other, and are connected by an asymmetric transport network, such as an Optical Transport Network, path delay data is transmitted in the Common Public Radio Interface data frames. This allows the CPRI end nodes to correct for path delay asymmetry using the path delay data.

Abstract: A backhaul domain of the communication network is determined 400, and a request for a synchronization reference is received 402 from the first access node, the request comprising, ID:s of the first and second access nodes. For each one of the first and second access nodes, a first and a second combination are determined 404 of a first and a second respective synchronization reference and related synchronization paths extending between synchronization reference nodes of the synchronization references and the access nodes. For each one of the first and second access nodes, the first or the second combination of synchronization reference and related synchronization path is selected 406 based on synchronization requirements for the first and second access nodes, and the first path or the second path is requested to be set-up 408 according to the selected 406 combination.

Abstract: A connection-oriented communications network comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes. A traffic path can be set up across the network. Path delay data is obtained for the traffic path by using control plane signalling messages (e.g. a Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering, RSVP-TE signalling message) between nodes of the traffic path. The path delay data can be path delay asymmetry data indicative of an asymmetry in path delay between a forward transmission direction and a reverse transmission direction of the traffic path. Each intermediate node along the traffic path can form a signalling message for forwarding to the downstream node which includes one or more values of path delay incurred by that node, or an accumulated path delay value. The path delay can result from one or more of mapping delay, Forward Error Correction (FEC) coding and propagation delay.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing delay information to synchronization packets passing a transport network node. In a transport network node synchronization packets propagate from a synchronization master node towards boundary clock nodes. The synchronization packets pass the transport network node, in which the synchronization packets are received, and a level of delay is determined. Furthermore, when the level of delay for the synchronization packets is above a threshold, the synchronization packets are marked with a delay indication. The received synchronization packets are sent to the boundary clock node or ordinary clock node, whether or not they are marked. By implementing functionality for determining a level of delay of synchronization packets, and marking passing synchronization packets with delay indications, boundary clock nodes and ordinary clock nodes may differentiate the received synchronization packets based on the delay identifications.

Abstract: A method (100, 200) in a synchronization control unit is disclosed. The method enables synchronization of a plurality of distributed devices with a network and comprises the steps of receiving a wireless synchronization signal from a network node over a wireless channel (104, 204) and processing the received synchronization signal (108, 208). The method further comprises transmitting the processed synchronization signal to the plurality of distributed devices over a local connection which is different to the wireless channel over which the wireless synchronization channel is received (120, 220). Also disclosed are a synchronization control unit (300, 400) and a computer program product.

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 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: 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: 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: 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 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 pluggable transceiver module (200) comprising a line receiver (208) connected to a unit interface transmitter (202), a line transmitter (206) connected to a unit interface receiver (204) and a timestamp counter (210) adapted to generate counter values based on clock signals received from an external source and to send the counter values to the line transmitter (206) and to the line receiver (208). The line transmitter (206) and the line receiver (208) are adapted to associate timing packets in a stream of data packets transmitted and received by the pluggable transceiver module (200) with counter values output by the timestamp counter (210).

Abstract: A method and apparatus 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. The apparatus comprises a control unit configured to cause the first transceiver unit to transmit a first signal to the second transceiver unit over the first path and to receive a reply to the first signal from the second transceiver unit over the second path, and to transmit a second signal to the second transceiver unit over the second path and to receive a reply to the second signal from the second transceiver unit over the first path.

Abstract: A User Equipment comprises a master clock, for example a Precision Time Protocol, PTP, or Precision Time Control Protocol, PTCP, network clock. The User Equipment further comprises circuitry configured to set the master clock based on signals from a wireless communications network node and a time offset, wherein the time offset is based on the propagation delay between the wireless network node and the User Equipment. The circuitry is further configured to send timing information to a network device in a communications network having a slave clock, whereby the network device can synchronize its slave clock with respect to the master clock comprised within the User Equipment.

Abstract: A method distributes clock synchronization information within an optical communications network that includes a plurality of network elements. The method receives an ingress clock synchronization message at a first network element. The ingress clock synchronization message includes a clock synchronization message identifier and a correction field. The clock synchronization message identifier is inserted into an optical channel frame overhead and the ingress clock synchronization message is inserted into an optical channel frame payload. The optical channel frame overhead and the optical channel frame payload are transmitted across the first network element, across the network to a second network element, and across the second network element. A transit time of the clock synchronization message identifier is determined across each of the network elements.

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 analysed 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.