Abstract: Information on a tier comprising given resources operationally connected to a set of remote radio heads and configured to process traffic to and from the remote radio heads is gathered and maintained (300). The usage of the tier resources on different connections and services is controlled (302). Communication (304) is maintained with respective apparatuses controlling other tiers regarding the use of resources of the tiers.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for designing a cloud based radio access network, C-RAN, are provided. The solution comprises dividing (302) the access network into two or more tiers having different processing capabilities; receiving as an input information about the physical location of one or more remote radio heads, RRH, of the network and required quality of service of the remote radio heads; and determining (306) the physical location of the tier, BBU, having most efficient processing capability for serving the remote radio heads on the basis of the information about the location and required quality of service of at least part of the one or more remote radio heads.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing interaction between a network operator and entities managing resources and instances in a virtual radio access network. A radio access network resource manager comprises a database mapping cells to resources and instances associated with the cells, and one or more interfaces between the network operator and the entities managing resources and instances. The radio access network manager mediates commands and information received from the network manager and from the entities managing resources and instances, translating cell-level commands and information from the network manager to commands and information relating to associated resources and entities, and translating resource and instance-level information and requests from the entities managing resources and instances to cell-level information and requests to the network operator.

Abstract: Information on a tier comprising given resources operationally connected to a set of remote radio heads and configured to process traffic to and from the remote radio heads is gathered and maintained (300). The usage of the tier resources on different connections and services is controlled (302). Communication (304) is maintained with respective apparatuses controlling other tiers regarding the use of resources of the tiers.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for designing a cloud based radio access network, C-RAN, are provided. The solution comprises dividing (302) the access network into two or more tiers having different processing capabilities; receiving as an input information about the physical location of one or more remote radio heads, RRH, of the network and required quality of service of the remote radio heads; and determining (306) the physical location of the tier, BBU, having most efficient processing capability for serving the remote radio heads on the basis of the information about the location and required quality of service of at least part of the one or more remote radio heads.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing interaction between a network operator and entities managing resources and instances in a virtual radio access network. A radio access network resource manager comprises a database mapping cells to resources and instances associated with the cells, and one or more interfaces between the network operator and the entities managing resources and instances. The radio access network manager mediates commands and information received from the network manager and from the entities managing resources and instances, translating cell-level commands and information from the network manager to commands and information relating to associated resources and entities, and translating resource and instance-level information and requests from the entities managing resources and instances to cell-level information and requests to the network operator.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, computer program products, and software for reducing interference occurring when a capacity booster cell has a coverage area within the overlapping coverage areas of more than one coverage cell are disclosed. Essentially, weights are assigned, either by individual capacity booster cells or by zone controllers with which a plurality of capacity booster cells communicate, to coverage cells. The interfering coverage cells are ranked in accordance with the assigned weights, and the metrics to be reported to each of the interfering coverage cells are adjusted in view of the assigned weights. The adjusted metrics are then reported to each of the interfering coverage cells to influence the ABS muting pattern subsequently used by each of said interfering coverage cells.

Abstract: A method for block scheduling of users is described. The method includes, in response to determining that a number of users in a wireless network exceed a threshold number, allotting the users into k block. The value of k is at least two. For each block, the method performs determining residual information for the block. The method also includes, for each block of the k blocks, loading into a fast-access memory user data for users in the block and scheduling the block in a scheduling period based at least in part on the user data and the residual information for k?1 other blocks. Apparatus and computer readable media are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, computer program products, and software for reducing interference occurring when a capacity booster cell has a coverage area within the overlapping coverage areas of more than one coverage cell are disclosed. Essentially, weights are assigned, either by individual capacity booster cells or by zone controllers with which a plurality of capacity booster cells communicate, to coverage cells. The interfering coverage cells are ranked in accordance with the assigned weights, and the metrics to be reported to each of the interfering coverage cells are adjusted in view of the assigned weights. The adjusted metrics are then reported to each of the interfering coverage cells to influence the ABS muting pattern subsequently used by each of said interfering coverage cells.