阅读说明：本技术 用于干扰评估的传输协调 (Transmission coordination for interference assessment ) 是由 L·F·德尔卡皮奥韦加 G·R·希尔茨 A·拉莫 王宇 于 2017-12-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：在通过从第一无线电设备(10)到第二无线电设备(100)的无线电传输来进行数据的传输期间,控制第三无线电设备(20)以在从所述第一无线电设备(10)到所述第二无线电设备(100)的所述无线电传输所使用的无线电资源上发送干扰信号。协调所述数据的传输与所述干扰信号的传输,以及监视所述干扰信号对所述无线电传输的影响。(During transmission of data by radio transmission from a first radio device (10) to a second radio device (100), a third radio device (20) is controlled to send an interfering signal on a radio resource used by the radio transmission from the first radio device (10) to the second radio device (100). Coordinating transmission of the data with transmission of the interfering signal, and monitoring an effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission.)

1. A method of managing radio transmissions, the method comprising:

-during transmission of data by radio transmission from a first radio device (10; 100) to a second radio device (10; 100), controlling a third radio device (20; 100) to transmit an interfering signal on a radio resource used by the radio transmission from the first radio device (10; 100) to the second radio device (10; 100);

-coordinating the transmission of the data with the transmission of the interfering signal; and

-monitoring the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein the monitoring of the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission comprises: monitoring a reception quality of at least one of the radio transmissions on the radio resource on which the third radio device (20; 100) transmits the interfering signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the coordinating the transmission of the data with the transmission of the interference signal comprises:

-when scheduling a radio transmission on the radio resource on which the interfering signal is transmitted by the third radio device (20; 100), further scheduling a retransmission of data transmitted by the radio transmission.

4. The method of claim 3, comprising:

-scheduling the retransmission on other radio resources on which the third radio device (20; 100) is not transmitting the interfering signal.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4,

wherein the monitoring of the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission further comprises: monitoring a reception quality of the retransmission.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the coordinating the transmission of the data with the transmission of the interference signal comprises:

-configuring at least one of the radio transmissions performed on the radio resource on which the interfering signal is transmitted by the third radio device (20; 100) as a fake transmission not used for transmitting the data from the first radio device (10; 100) to the second radio device (10; 100).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein the coordinating the transmission of the data with the transmission of the interference signal comprises:

-providing the second radio device (10; 100) with information about the characteristics of the spurious transmission.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7,

wherein the monitoring of the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission comprises: monitoring a reception quality of the dummy transmission.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the coordination of the transmission of the data with the transmission of the interfering signal is based on management information provided to at least one of the first radio device (10; 100), the second radio device (10; 100) and the third radio device (20; 100).

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the monitoring of the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission is based on at least one report provided by the second radio device (10; 100).

11. The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising:

-optimizing the radio transmission from the first radio device (10; 100) to the second radio device (10; 100) based on the monitoring of the impact of the interfering signal on the radio transmission.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the controlling the third radio device (20; 100) comprises: configuring a transmission power of the interfering signal, a transmission frequency of the interfering signal, a transmission timing of the interfering signal, and/or a transmission bandwidth of the interfering signal.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the controlling the third radio device (20; 100) comprises: controlling a position of the third radio device (20; 100) and/or controlling a transmission direction of the interfering signal.

14. An apparatus (1100; 1200) for managing radio transmissions, the apparatus being configured to:

-during transmission of data by radio transmission from a first radio device (10; 100) to a second radio device (10; 100), controlling a third radio device (20; 100) to transmit an interfering signal on a radio resource used by the radio transmission from the first radio device (10; 100) to the second radio device (10; 100);

-coordinating the transmission of the data with the transmission of the interfering signal; and

-monitoring the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission.

15. The apparatus (1100; 1200) of claim 14,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to: the influence of the interfering signal on the radio transmission is monitored by monitoring the reception quality of at least one of the radio transmissions on the radio resource on which the third radio device (20; 100) transmits the interfering signal.

16. The device (1100; 1200) according to claim 14 or 15,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to: coordinating transmission of the data with transmission of the interference signal by:

-when scheduling a radio transmission on the radio resource on which the interfering signal is transmitted by the third radio device (20; 100), further scheduling a retransmission of data transmitted by the radio transmission.

17. The apparatus (1100; 1200) of claim 16,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to: scheduling the retransmission on other radio resources on which the third radio device (20; 100) does not transmit the interfering signal.

18. The apparatus (1100; 1200) according to claim 16 or 17,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to: monitoring the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission by monitoring the reception quality of the retransmission.

19. The device (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 18,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to: coordinating transmission of the data with transmission of the interference signal by:

-configuring at least one of the radio transmissions performed on the radio resource on which the interfering signal is transmitted by the third radio device (20; 100) as a fake transmission not used for transmitting the data from the first radio device (10; 100) to the second radio device (10; 100).

20. The apparatus (1100; 1200) of claim 19,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is further configured to: coordinating the transmission of the data with the transmission of the interfering signal by providing information to the second radio device (10; 100) about the characteristics of the spurious transmission.

21. The apparatus (1100; 1200) according to claim 19 or 20,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to: monitoring the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission by monitoring the reception quality of the spurious transmission.

22. The device (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 21,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to: coordinating the transmission of the data with the transmission of the interfering signal based on management information provided to at least one of the first radio device (10; 100), the second radio device (10; 100), and the third radio device (20; 100).

23. The device (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 22,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to: monitoring the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission based on at least one report provided by the second radio device (10; 100).

24. The device (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 23,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to: optimizing the radio transmission from the first radio device (10; 100) to the second radio device (10; 100) based on the monitoring of the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission.

25. The device (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 24,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to: controlling the third radio device (20; 100) by configuring a transmission power of the interfering signal, a transmission frequency of the interfering signal, a transmission timing of the interfering signal, and/or a transmission bandwidth of the interfering signal.

26. The device (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 25,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to: controlling the third radio device (20; 100) by controlling a position of the third radio device (20; 100) and/or controlling a transmission direction of the interfering signal.

27. The device (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 26,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is implemented by the first radio device (10; 100).

28. The device (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 26,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is implemented by the second radio device (10; 100).

29. The device (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 26,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is implemented by the third radio device (20; 100).

30. The device (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 26,

wherein the arrangement (1100; 1200) is implemented by a control device (200) separate from the first radio device (10; 100), the second radio device (10; 100) and the third radio device (20; 100).

31. The device (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 30,

wherein the apparatus (1100; 1200) is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

32. The apparatus (1100; 1200) according to any one of claims 14 to 31, comprising:

at least one processor (1250) and a memory (1260), the memory (1260) containing instructions executable by the at least one processor (1250), whereby the apparatus (1100; 1200) is operable to perform the steps of the method according to any of the claims 1 to 13.

33. A system, comprising:

a first radio device (10; 100), a second radio device (10; 100), and a third radio device (20; 100),

the first radio device (10; 100) and the second radio device (10; 100) are configured to transmit data by radio transmission from the first radio device (10; 100) to the second radio device (10; 100);

the third radio device (20; 100) is configured to transmit an interfering signal on a radio resource used by the radio transmission from the first radio device (10; 100) to the second radio device (10; 100);

at least one of the first radio device (10; 100), the second radio device (10; 100) and the third radio device (20; 100) is configured to coordinate transmission of the data with transmission of the interference signal; and

at least one of the first radio device (10; 100), the second radio device (10; 100) and the third radio device (20; 100) is configured to monitor an effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission.

34. A computer program comprising program code to be executed by at least one processor (1250) of an apparatus (1100; 1200) for managing radio transmissions, whereby execution of the program code causes the apparatus to perform the method according to any of claims 1 to 13.

35. A computer program product comprising program code to be executed by at least one processor (1250) of an apparatus (1100; 1200) for managing radio transmissions, whereby execution of the program code causes the apparatus to perform the method according to any of claims 1 to 13.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for managing radio transmissions and to corresponding apparatuses, computer programs and systems.

Background

In a radio communication network, reliability and latency are important aspects, e.g. there may be critical data that is to satisfy both low latency requirements and high reliability of transmissions from sender to receiver, here reliability may be assessed by the probability that a data packet is not successfully transmitted to a receiver within specified delay limits (because the data packet is erroneous, lost or arrives too late). by specifying a reliability guarantee, it may be ensured that data is successfully transmitted within specified delay limits, for example, 5G (fifth generation) wireless communication networks currently developed by 3GPP (third generation partnership project) should support UR LL C (ultra reliable low latency communication). for example, the use cases of UR LL C mentioned in ITU recommendation ITU-R m.2083-0 (9 months 2015) include wireless control of industrial manufacturing or production processes, telemedicine surgery, power distribution automation in smart grids, transport safety, other examples are real-time operation of smart grids, or other remote control of real-time operation according to the title "Minimum technology" radio interface requirements "2020](22/2/2017), in UR LL C usage scenario, a 32-bit layer 2 PDU (protocol data Unit) is required to be sent with a success probability of 1-10 within a delay bound of 1ms^-5For example, support of UR LL C by 3 GPP-specified L TE (long term evolution) radio technology is discussed in 3GPP document RP-171489 of 3GPP TSG RAN meeting 76 held in the west palm beach in the united states (6 months in 2017).

Both reliability and delay may be affected by interference. For example, the occurrence of interference may result in the failure of radio transmissions carrying critical data and require retransmission to successfully send the data. The required retransmissions introduce additional delay and may result in non-compliance with the delay requirements. Furthermore, the occurrence of interference may even lead to failure of radio transmissions carrying critical data and to failure of all attempted data retransmissions, resulting in non-compliance with reliability requirements.

To achieve a desired level of reliability, wireless communication systems are typically oversized, for example, by configuring the wireless communication system to meet reliability requirements also in worst case scenarios. However, it is difficult to accurately account for the effects of interference, which may vary during operation of the wireless communication system. A typical approach to dealing with variable interference is to cope with the performance degradation of wireless communication that occurs due to interference by triggering diagnostic and optimization mechanisms with the aim of improving the robustness of radio transmissions, for example by increasing the transmit power, by using lower order modulation schemes and/or by using codes with higher redundancy levels. However, with such a reactive method, it is generally impossible to ensure desired reliability while performance degradation occurs.

Therefore, the following techniques are required: these techniques allow to effectively ensure reliable data transmission of potentially interfered radio transmissions, in particular while also complying with delay requirements.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one embodiment, a method of managing radio transmissions is provided. According to the method, during a transmission of data by a radio transmission from a first radio device to a second radio device, a third radio device is controlled to send an interfering signal on a radio resource used by the radio transmission from the first radio device to the second radio device. Coordinating transmission of the data with transmission of the interfering signal, and monitoring an effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus for managing radio transmission is provided. The apparatus is configured to control a third radio device to transmit an interfering signal on a radio resource used by a radio transmission from a first radio device to a second radio device during the transmission of data by the radio transmission from the first radio device to the second radio device. Further, the apparatus is configured to coordinate transmission of the data with transmission of the interference signal. Further, the apparatus is configured to monitor an effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus for managing radio transmission is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one processor and a memory containing instructions executable by the at least one processor whereby the apparatus is operable to perform the above method. In particular, by executing the instructions, the apparatus is operable to: controlling a third radio device to send an interfering signal on a radio resource used for radio transmission from a first radio device to a second radio device during transmission of data by the radio transmission from the first radio device to the second radio device; coordinating transmission of the data with transmission of the interference signal; and monitoring the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission.

According to another embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes at least a first radio, a second radio, and a third radio. The first radio and the second radio are configured to transmit data by radio transmission from the first radio to the second radio. The third radio device is configured to transmit an interfering signal on a radio resource used by the radio transmission from the first radio device to the second radio device. At least one of the first radio, the second radio, and the third radio is configured to coordinate transmission of the data with transmission of the interfering signal. At least one of the first radio, the second radio, and the third radio is configured to monitor an effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a computer program or a computer program product, for example in the form of a non-transitory storage medium, is provided, which comprises program code to be executed by at least one processor of an apparatus for managing radio transmissions. Execution of the program code causes the apparatus to, during transmission of data by radio transmission from a first radio to a second radio, control a third radio to send an interfering signal on a radio resource used by the radio transmission from the first radio to the second radio. Further, execution of the program code causes the apparatus to coordinate transmission of the data with transmission of the interference signal. Further, execution of the program code causes the apparatus to monitor an effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission.

The details of these and other embodiments will be apparent from the detailed description of the embodiments below.

Drawings

Fig. 1 schematically shows elements of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 shows an example of coordinating transmission of data with transmission of an interfering signal according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 9 shows another example of coordinating transmission of data with transmission of an interfering signal according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 10 is a flow chart schematically illustrating a method of managing radio transmissions according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the functionality of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 schematically shows the structure of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

In the example shown, it is assumed that the communication network is a wireless communication network, e.g. based on the L TE (long term evolution) radio access technology specified by the 3GPP (third generation partnership project) or based on the 5G (fifth generation) radio access technology currently developed by the 3 GPP.

In the illustrated example, a wireless communication network is employed that includes a plurality of radio devices (particularly one or more access nodes) and a plurality of wireless devices that communicate with the access nodes via radio transmissions. Note, however, that deployments without access nodes may also be utilized, where wireless stations communicate directly with each other, for example, using an infrastructure-less, ad hoc, or mesh-type communication mode. In the illustrated concept, the impact of interference can be evaluated during normal operation of the wireless communication network by generating the interference in a controlled manner. When data is being transmitted by radio transmission from a first radio device to a second radio device, i.e., during data transmission from the first radio device to the second radio device, a third radio device is controlled to transmit an interfering signal on a radio resource for radio transmission from the first radio device to the second radio device, and to monitor an effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission from the first radio device to the second radio device. An interference signal may be generated to simulate potential actual interference. The transmission of data is coordinated with the transmission of the interference signal. In this way, the adverse effect of the transmission of the interference signal on the data transmission can be avoided. In particular, it can be avoided that the transmission of the interference signal causes excessive delay or loss of data transmission. Therefore, reliability assurance can be satisfied regardless of the interference signal.

The coordination may for example involve early scheduling of retransmissions. That is, when scheduling a radio transmission that transmits at least a portion of data from a first radio to a second radio, a retransmission of the portion of data may also be scheduled. Thus, even if the transmission of the interfering signal results in the initial transmission of the portion of data being unsuccessful, the scheduled retransmission can ensure that the portion of data is successfully transmitted without excessive delay. Additionally or alternatively, the coordination may also involve performing dummy transmissions (i.e. radio transmissions not used for transmitting data or other useful information) on the radio resources on which the third radio device sends the interfering signal. In this case, if the initial transmission of the portion of data is unsuccessful due to the presence of the interfering signal, there is still no adverse effect of the data transmission, since the dummy transmission is not used to transmit data.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a wireless communication system in which the concepts as described above may be implemented. In the example of fig. 1, a factory environment is assumed in which machines are controlled over a wireless communication network, for example, using a centralized controller. In the example of fig. 1, the wireless communication network includes a radio in the form of an access point 100 and a wireless device 10 attached to or otherwise associated with a machine. The wireless device 10 may correspond, for example, to a sensor and/or a remote actuator of a machine. As further shown, an interfering device 20 is provided for transmitting interfering signals. The interfering device 20 may be one of the wireless devices 10 that is configured and controlled to transmit an interfering signal. However, the interfering device 20 may also be implemented by an access point or by a test device dedicated to the transmission of interfering signals.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated as described above. The scenario of fig. 2 relates to one of the wireless devices 10, the access point 100, the interfering device 20, and the controller 200. In the example of fig. 2, it is assumed that the controller 200 is responsible for coordinating the transmission of data with the transmission of interfering signals and monitoring the impact of interference. As described above, the interfering device 20 may be another one of the wireless devices 10, another access point, or a dedicated test device.

In the scenario of fig. 2, it is assumed that wireless device 10 uses radio transmissions (shown by solid arrows) to transmit data to access point 100. The interfering device 20 is controlled to send interfering signals (shown by the dashed arrows) on the radio resources used by these radio transmissions from the wireless device 10 to the access point 100. The controller 200 may, for example, control the interfering device 20 to send the interfering signal in the same time slot and on the same frequency resource as used for radio transmission from the wireless device 10 to the access point 100. Note, however, that in some cases, the transmission of interfering signals may also be controlled to occur in time resources that only partially overlap with time slots for radio transmission from wireless device 10 to access point 100, on partially overlapping frequency resources, and/or on adjacent frequency resources. The controller 200 may also control the transmission power, transmission bandwidth and/or antenna configuration applied to the transmission of the interfering signal. In some scenarios, the controller 200 may also control the position of the interfering device 20 when transmitting the interfering signal and/or the angle at which the interfering signal is transmitted. For example, the jamming device may be attached to or otherwise associated with a robot, and the position of the jamming device 20 when transmitting the jamming signal and/or the angle at which the jamming signal is transmitted may be controlled by moving the robot.

The access point 100 receives radio transmissions and measures the reception quality of the received radio transmissions. This may for example involve determining whether a radio transmission can be successfully decoded and/or measuring SNR (signal to noise ratio), SINR (signal to interference noise ratio) or similar signal quality indications. The access point 100 sends one or more reports of the measured reception quality to the controller 200. Based on the report, the controller 200 monitors the influence of the interference, for example, by checking whether the interfering signal causes excessive degradation of the reception quality. Based on the monitored impact of interference, controller 200 may then optimize radio transmissions from wireless device 10 to access point 100, for example, by selecting a higher transmit power or a more robust modulation and coding scheme in response to detecting excessive degradation in reception quality.

Fig. 3 schematically shows another scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated as described above. The scenario of fig. 3 relates to one of the wireless devices 10, the access point 100, the interfering device 20, and the controller 200. Also in the example of fig. 3, it is assumed that the controller 200 is responsible for coordinating the transmission of data with the transmission of interfering signals and monitoring the impact of interference. As described above, the interfering device 20 may be another one of the wireless devices 10, another access point, or a dedicated test device.

In the scenario of fig. 3, it is assumed that the access point 100 uses radio transmissions (shown by solid arrows) to transmit data to the wireless device 10. The interfering device 20 is controlled to send interfering signals (shown by the dashed arrows) on the radio resources used by these radio transmissions from the access point 100 to the wireless device 10. The controller 200 may, for example, control the interfering device 20 to send interfering signals in the same time slot and on the same frequency resources as used for radio transmissions from the access point 100 to the wireless device 10. Note, however, that in some cases, the transmission of interfering signals may also be controlled to occur in time resources that only partially overlap with time slots for radio transmissions from wireless device 10 to access point 100, on partially overlapping frequency resources, and/or on adjacent frequency resources. The controller 200 may also control the transmission power, transmission bandwidth and/or antenna configuration applied to the transmission of the interfering signal. In some scenarios, the controller 200 may also control the position of the interfering device 20 when transmitting the interfering signal and/or the angle at which the interfering signal is transmitted. For example, the jamming device may be attached to or otherwise associated with a robot, and the position of the jamming device 20 when transmitting the jamming signal and/or the angle at which the jamming signal is transmitted may be controlled by moving the robot.

The wireless device 10 receives radio transmissions and measures the reception quality of the received radio transmissions. This may for example involve determining whether a radio transmission can be successfully decoded and/or measuring SNR, SINR or similar signal quality indications. The wireless device 10 sends one or more reports of the measured reception quality to the controller 200. This may be achieved via the access point 100. However, other ways of providing the report to the controller 200 are also contemplated, such as using another wireless connection, a temporary wired connection or transmission via a storage device such as a USB (universal serial bus) storage device. Based on the report, the controller 200 monitors the influence of the interference, for example, by checking whether the interfering signal causes excessive degradation of the reception quality. Based on the monitored interference impact, the controller 200 may then optimize the radio transmission from the access point 100 to the wireless device 10, for example by selecting a higher transmit power or a more robust modulation and coding scheme in response to detecting excessive degradation in reception quality.

Fig. 4 schematically shows another scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated as described above. The scenario of fig. 4 relates to two of the wireless devices 10 (referred to as first wireless device 10 and second wireless device 10' in the following), the access point 100, and the controller 200. Also in the example of fig. 4, it is assumed that the controller 200 is responsible for coordinating the transmission of data with the transmission of interfering signals and monitoring the impact of interference. In the example of fig. 4, the access point 100 transmits an interfering signal, i.e., acts as an interfering device.

In the scenario of fig. 4, it is assumed that the first wireless device 10 uses radio transmissions (illustrated by solid arrows) to transmit data to the second wireless device 10'. The access point 100 is controlled to send interfering signals (shown by the dashed arrows) on the radio resources used by these radio transmissions from the first wireless device 10 to the second wireless device 10'. The controller 200 may for example control the access point 100 to send the interfering signal in the same time slot and on the same frequency resource as for the radio transmission from the first wireless device 10 to the second wireless device 10'. Note, however, that in some cases, the transmission of interfering signals may also be controlled to occur in time resources that only partially overlap with time slots for radio transmissions from wireless device 10 to access point 100, on partially overlapping frequency resources, and/or on adjacent frequency resources.

The second wireless device 10' receives the radio transmission and measures the reception quality of the received radio transmission. This may for example involve determining whether a radio transmission was successfully decoded and/or measuring SNR, SINR or similar signal quality indications. The second wireless device 10' sends one or more reports of the measured reception quality to the controller 200. This may be achieved via the access point 100. However, other ways of providing the report to the controller 200 are also contemplated, such as using another wireless connection, a temporary wired connection or transmission via a storage device such as a USB storage device. Based on the report, the controller 200 monitors the influence of the interference, for example, by checking whether the interfering signal causes excessive degradation of the reception quality. Based on the monitored interference impact, the controller 200 may then optimize the radio transmission from the first wireless device 10 to the second wireless device 10', for example by selecting a higher transmit power or a more robust modulation and coding scheme in response to detecting excessive degradation in reception quality.

Fig. 5 schematically shows another scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated as described above. The scenario of fig. 5 relates to one of the wireless devices 10, the access point 100, and the interfering device 20. In the example of fig. 5, it is assumed that access point 100 has a controller 150, controller 150 being responsible for coordinating the transmission of data with the transmission of interfering signals and monitoring the effects of interference. As described above, the interfering device 20 may be another one of the wireless devices 10, another access point, or a dedicated test device.

In the scenario of fig. 5, it is assumed that the wireless device 10 uses radio transmissions (shown by solid arrows) to transmit data to the access point 100. The interfering device 20 is controlled to send interfering signals (shown by the dashed arrows) on the radio resources used by these radio transmissions from the wireless device 10 to the access point 100. The controller 150 may, for example, control the interfering device 20 to send the interfering signal in the same time slot and on the same frequency resource as used for radio transmission from the wireless device 10 to the access point 100. Note, however, that in some cases, the transmission of interfering signals may also be controlled to occur in time resources that only partially overlap with time slots for radio transmissions from wireless device 10 to access point 100, on partially overlapping frequency resources, and/or on adjacent frequency resources. The controller 150 may also control the transmission power, transmission bandwidth, and/or antenna configuration applied to the transmission of the interfering signal. In some scenarios, the controller 150 may also control the position of the interfering device 20 when transmitting the interfering signal and/or the angle at which the interfering signal is transmitted. For example, the jamming device may be attached to or otherwise associated with a robot, and the position of the jamming device 20 when transmitting the jamming signal and/or the angle at which the jamming signal is transmitted may be controlled by moving the robot.

The access point 100 receives radio transmissions and measures the reception quality of the received radio transmissions. This may for example involve determining whether a radio transmission can be successfully decoded and/or measuring SNR, SINR or similar signal quality indications. Based on the measured reception quality, the controller 150 monitors the influence of interference, for example, by checking whether the interference signal causes excessive degradation of the reception quality. Based on the monitored interference impact, the controller 150 may then optimize radio transmissions from the wireless device 10 to the access point 100, for example, by selecting a higher transmit power or a more robust modulation and coding scheme in response to detecting excessive degradation in reception quality.

Fig. 6 schematically shows another scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated as described above. The scenario of fig. 6 relates to one of the wireless devices 10, the access point 100, and the interfering device 20. Also in the example of fig. 6, it is assumed that the access point 100 has a controller 150, the controller 150 being responsible for coordinating the transmission of data with the transmission of interfering signals and monitoring the effects of interference. As described above, the interfering device 20 may be another one of the wireless devices 10, another access point, or a dedicated test device.

In the scenario of fig. 6, it is assumed that the access point 100 uses radio transmissions (shown by solid arrows) to transmit data to the wireless device 10. The interfering device 20 is controlled to send interfering signals (shown by the dashed arrows) on the radio resources used by these radio transmissions from the access point 100 to the wireless device 10. The controller 150 may, for example, control the interfering device 20 to transmit the interfering signal in the same time slot and on the same frequency resource as used for radio transmission from the access point 100 to the wireless device 10. Note, however, that in some cases, the transmission of interfering signals may also be controlled to occur in time resources that only partially overlap with time slots for radio transmissions from wireless device 10 to access point 100, on partially overlapping frequency resources, and/or on adjacent frequency resources. The controller 150 may also control the transmission power, transmission bandwidth, and/or antenna configuration applied to the transmission of the interfering signal. In some scenarios, the controller 150 may also control the position of the interfering device 20 when transmitting the interfering signal and/or the angle at which the interfering signal is transmitted. For example, the jamming device may be attached to or otherwise associated with a robot, and the position of the jamming device 20 when transmitting the jamming signal and/or the angle at which the jamming signal is transmitted may be controlled by moving the robot.

The wireless device 10 receives radio transmissions and measures the reception quality of the received radio transmissions. This may, for example, involve determining whether a radio transmission can be successfully decoded and/or measuring SNR, SINR, or similar signal quality indicators. The wireless device 10 sends one or more reports of the measured reception quality to the controller 150 in the access point 100. Based on the report, the controller 150 monitors the influence of the interference, for example, by checking whether the interfering signal causes excessive degradation of the reception quality. Based on the monitored interference impact, the controller 150 may then optimize radio transmissions from the access point 100 to the wireless device 10, for example, by selecting a higher transmit power or a more robust modulation and coding scheme in response to detecting excessive degradation in reception quality.

Fig. 7 schematically shows another scenario in which the impact of interference is evaluated as described above. The scenario of fig. 7 relates to two of the wireless devices 10 (referred to as first wireless device 10 and second wireless device 10' in the following) and the access point 100. Also in the example of fig. 7, it is assumed that the access point 100 has a controller 150, the controller 150 being responsible for coordinating the transmission of data with the transmission of interfering signals and monitoring the effects of interference. In the example of fig. 7, the access point 100 transmits an interfering signal, i.e., acts as an interfering device.

In the scenario of fig. 7, it is assumed that the first wireless device 10 uses radio transmissions (illustrated by solid arrows) to transmit data to the second wireless device 10'. The access point 100 is controlled to send interfering signals (shown by the dashed arrows) on the radio resources used by these radio transmissions from the first wireless device 10 to the second wireless device 10'. The controller 150 may for example control the access point 100 to send the interfering signal in the same time slot and on the same frequency resource as for the radio transmission from the first wireless device 10 to the second wireless device 10'. Note, however, that in some cases, the transmission of interfering signals may also be controlled to occur in time resources that only partially overlap with time slots for radio transmissions from wireless device 10 to access point 100, on partially overlapping frequency resources, and/or on adjacent frequency resources.

The second wireless device 10' receives the radio transmission and measures the reception quality of the received radio transmission. This may for example involve determining whether a radio transmission can be successfully decoded and/or measuring SNR, SINR or similar signal quality indications. The second wireless device 10' sends one or more reports of the measured reception quality to the controller 150 in the access point 100. Based on the report, the controller 150 monitors the influence of the interference, for example, by checking whether the interfering signal causes excessive degradation of the reception quality. Based on the monitored interference impact, the controller 150 may then optimize the radio transmission from the first wireless device 10 to the second wireless device 10', for example by selecting a higher transmit power or a more robust modulation and coding scheme in response to detecting excessive degradation in reception quality.

As can be seen from the exemplary scenarios of fig. 2 to 7, in the illustrated concept, the impact of interference can be evaluated by configuring and controlling the transmission of interfering signals by interfering devices to occur during the transmission of data by radio transmission from a first radio device (also referred to below as the transmitter under test) to a second radio device (also referred to below as the receiver under test). The configuration and control of the transmission of the interfering signal by the interfering device may be achieved by one of the radios (e.g., by the access point 100 of the examples of fig. 5-7) or by a controller separate from the radios (e.g., the controller 200 of the examples of fig. 2-4). Further, similar to the access point 100 of the examples of fig. 5-7, one or more of the wireless device 10 or the interfering device 20 may also be provided with a controller that configures and controls the transmission of the interfering signal.

As described above, the transmission of the interference signal is coordinated with the transmission of data from the transmitter under test to the receiver under test. Fig. 8 shows an example: wherein the coordination is achieved by early scheduling of retransmissions from the transmitter under test (TT) to the receiver under Test (TR). In the example of fig. 8, it is assumed that the radio transmissions in the wireless communication system are organized in time slots. Fig. 8 shows a sequence of time slots, indicated by index values from 0 to 15, arranged from left to right in the order of time t.

As shown, one or more time slots may be used for Configuration (CONF) of the transmitter under test, the receiver under test, and the Interfering Device (ID). The configuration may, for example, relate to configuring a transmission power, a transmission bandwidth, a transmission frequency, a transmission timing and/or an antenna configuration applied to the transmission of the interfering signal by the interfering device. In some scenarios, configuring may also involve configuring the location of the interfering device and/or the angle at which the interfering signal is transmitted. In the example of fig. 8, the transmission of the interfering signal is configured to occur in the time slot with index 3. Furthermore, the example of fig. 8 assumes that the configuration involves scheduling radio transmissions that transmit data from the transmitter under test to the receiver under test, and also scheduling retransmissions of such data. In the example of fig. 8, an initial transmission of data is scheduled in a slot with index 3 and a retransmission of data is scheduled in a slot with index 9. Note, however, that this timing is only one example. To meet the delay guarantees, initial transmissions and retransmissions of data may be scheduled within a time window that does not exceed the guaranteed delay. Configuration may be accomplished by sending management information to the transmitter under test, the receiver under test, and/or the interfering device. The management information may, for example, instruct the interfering device to send an interfering signal in a time slot with index 3, instruct the transmitter under test to send an initial radio transmission conveying data in a time slot with index 3, and instruct the transmitter under test to perform a retransmission of the data in a time slot with index 9. The management information may also inform the receiver under test that the radio transmission transmitting the data is to be expected in the slot with index 3 and that the retransmission is to be expected in the slot with index 9. Furthermore, the management information may instruct the receiver under test to measure the reception quality of the radio transmission in the time slot with index 3 and optionally also in the time slot with index 9. The management information may be communicated via one or more radio transmissions (e.g., radio transmissions from access point 100 to wireless device 10 or interfering device 20) and/or via wired transmissions (e.g., via wired transmissions from controller 200 to access point 100).

According to the configuration, in the time slot with index 3, the transmitter under test sends a radio transmission conveying data, as indicated by TX, while the receiver under test receives the radio transmission, as indicated by RX. At the same time, the interfering device transmits an interfering signal, as indicated by the IF. The receiver under test also measures the reception quality of the received radio transmission, e.g. by checking whether the radio transmission can be successfully decoded and/or by measuring SNR, SINR or similar quality indications. The transmitter under test then performs the scheduled retransmission, as indicated by RTX, and the receiver under test receives the retransmission. Here, note that the transmitter under test performs retransmission without considering any feedback from the receiver under test. That is, the retransmission is preconfigured, rather than being triggered by feedback from the test receiver. The receiver under test may also measure the reception quality of the received retransmission, e.g. by checking whether the retransmission can be successfully decoded and/or by measuring SNR, SINR or similar quality indications. Because the interfering device is configured not to transmit interfering signals in the time slots of the scheduled retransmission, measuring the reception quality of the retransmission may allow a more accurate assessment of the impact of interference by comparing the reception quality in the presence of interfering signals (in the time slots with index 3) with the reception quality in the absence of interfering signals (in the time slots with index 9). The measured receiver may then report the measured reception quality, as indicated by the RP.

Fig. 9 shows another example: wherein the coordination of the transmission of data with the transmission of the interfering signal involves configuring a false transmission (DTX) from The Transmitter (TT) under test to The Receiver (TR) under test. Also in the example of fig. 9, it is assumed that the radio transmissions in the wireless communication system are organized in time slots. Fig. 9 shows a sequence of time slots, indicated by index values from 0 to 15, arranged from left to right in the order of time t.

As shown, one or more time slots may be used for Configuration (CONF) of the transmitter under test, the receiver under test, and the Interfering Device (ID). The configuration may, for example, relate to configuring a transmission power, a transmission bandwidth, a transmission frequency, a transmission timing and/or an antenna configuration applied to the transmission of the interfering signal by the interfering device. In some scenarios, configuring may also involve configuring the location of the interfering device and/or the angle at which the interfering signal is transmitted. In the example of fig. 9, the transmission of the interference signal (IF) is configured to occur in the time slot with index 3. Furthermore, the example of fig. 9 assumes that the configuration involves configuring radio transmissions in time slots to be used for transmission of interfering signals as dummy transmissions, i.e. radio transmissions that are not used for transmitting data from the transmitter under test to the receiver under test. In addition to the regular radio transmission for transmitting data, dummy transmission is also configured. The dummy transmission may simulate a conventional radio transmission used to transmit data and may, for example, include padding or a predefined pattern in place of data. Configuration may be accomplished by sending management information to the transmitter under test, the receiver under test, and/or the interfering device. The management information may, for example, instruct the interfering device to send an interfering signal in a slot with index 3, instruct the measured transmitter to send a spurious transmission in a slot with index 3, and inform the measured receiver that the spurious transmission is to be expected in a slot with index 3. The management information may also inform the receiver under test that the radio transmission transmitting the data is to be expected in the time slot with index 9. Furthermore, the management information may instruct the receiver under test to measure the reception quality of a spurious transmission in a slot with index 3 and optionally the reception quality of a radio transmission transmitting data in slot 9. Note that the timing assumed in the scenario of fig. 9 is only one example, and other slots may be used for transmission of an interference signal and for dummy transmission as well as for transmission of a conventional radio transmission for transmitting data. The management information may be communicated via one or more radio transmissions (e.g., radio transmissions from access point 100 to wireless device 10 or interfering device 20) and/or via wired transmissions (e.g., via wired transmissions from controller 200 to access point 100).

According to the configuration, in the time slot with index 3, the transmitter under test sends a false transmission, as indicated by DTX, while the receiver under test receives a false transmission, as indicated by RX. At the same time, the interfering device transmits an interfering signal, as indicated by the IF. The receiver under test also measures the reception quality of the received radio transmission, e.g. by checking whether a dummy transmission can be successfully decoded, by checking whether the received dummy transmission corresponds to an expected characteristic, e.g. whether it has the above-mentioned padding or predefined pattern instead of data, and/or by measuring SNR, SINR or similar quality indications. The transmitter under test then performs a conventional radio transmission that transmits data, as indicated by TX, while the receiver under test receives the radio transmission. The receiver under test may also measure the reception quality of a received regular radio transmission, e.g. by checking whether the regular radio transmission can be successfully decoded and/or by measuring SNR, SINR or similar quality indications. Because the interfering device is configured not to send interfering signals in the time slots of the regular radio transmission retransmission, measuring the reception quality of the regular radio transmission may allow a more accurate assessment of the impact of interference by comparing the reception quality in the presence of interfering signals (in the time slots with index 3) with the reception quality in the absence of interfering signals (in the time slots with index 9). The measured receiver may then report the measured reception quality, as indicated by the RP.

Fig. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of controlling radio transmission that may be used to implement the illustrated concepts. At least a portion of the method may be implemented in a radio device (e.g., one of wireless devices 10, interfering device 20, or access point 100) or in an apparatus for controlling a radio device (e.g., in controller 200). In some scenarios, the method may also be implemented in a distributed manner in a system consisting of a plurality of radio devices or in a system consisting of a plurality of radio devices and means for controlling the radio devices. If a processor-based implementation of such an apparatus is used, at least some of the steps of the method may be performed and/or controlled by one or more processors of the apparatus. Such apparatus may also include a memory storing program code for implementing at least some of the functions described below or the steps of the method.

In step 1010, transmission of an interference signal is controlled. Specifically, during transmission of data by radio transmission from a first radio device to a second radio device, a third radio device is controlled to transmit an interference signal on a radio resource used for radio transmission from the first radio device to the second radio device. The transmission of the interfering signal may be controlled to occur on the same time resources (e.g., the same time slots) as used by the radio transmission from the first radio to the second radio. However, in some cases, the transmission of the interfering signal may also be controlled to occur in a time resource that only partially overlaps with a time slot for radio transmission from the first radio device to the second radio device. Similarly, the transmission of the interfering signal may be controlled to occur on the same frequency resources (e.g., the same carrier frequency) as used for the radio transmission from the first radio to the second radio. However, in some cases, the transmission of the interfering signal may also be controlled to occur on frequency resources that only partially overlap with frequency resources used for radio transmission from the first radio device to the second radio device and/or on adjacent frequency resources.

Controlling the third radio at step 1010 may involve configuring a transmission power of the interfering signal, a transmission frequency of the interfering signal, a transmission timing of the interfering signal, and/or a transmission bandwidth of the interfering signal. Additionally or alternatively, the controlling of step 1010 may involve controlling the position of the third radio and/or controlling the direction of transmission of the interfering signal, for example by controlling a robot to which the third radio is attached or otherwise associated.

At step 1020, transmission of data is coordinated with transmission of an interference signal. The coordination may involve the radio controlling its own transmissions, the radio or controlling device actively controlling transmissions of one or more other radios, or controlling the radio based on received management information. Accordingly, the coordination of step 1020 may be based on management information provided to at least one of the first radio, the second radio, and the third radio. In the scenarios illustrated in fig. 2-4, the management information may be provided by a control device or apparatus (e.g., the controller described above) separate from the first radio, the second radio, and the third radio. In the scenarios as illustrated in fig. 5 to 7, the management information may be provided by one of the first radio, the second radio or the third radio.

The coordination of step 1020 may be based on a schedule, as explained, for example, in connection with fig. 8. In particular, when a radio transmission is scheduled on a radio resource on which the third radio device transmits an interfering signal, a retransmission of data transmitted by the radio transmission may also be scheduled. Accordingly, retransmissions may be scheduled in advance, avoiding introducing excessive delays in the event that the interfering signal sent at step 1010 results in an unsuccessful radio transmission of at least a portion of the data from the first radio to the second radio. Retransmissions may be scheduled on other radio resources on which the third radio does not transmit interfering signals (e.g. in another time slot as explained in the example of fig. 8).

Additionally or alternatively, the coordination of step 1020 may involve configuring at least one radio transmission performed on a radio resource on which the interfering signal is transmitted by the third radio device as a fake transmission. The dummy transmission is not used for transmitting data from the first radio to the second radio, i.e. is not intended to transmit useful information, but is dedicated for testing purposes. In the case where a dummy transmission is configured, the coordination of step 1020 may also involve providing information to the second radio regarding characteristics of the dummy transmission (e.g., regarding when the dummy transmission will be expected or regarding a predefined pattern or padding included in the dummy transmission in place of the data).

In step 1030, the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission is monitored. Such monitoring of the influence of the interfering signal on the radio transmission may involve monitoring the reception quality of the radio transmission on the radio resource on which the third radio device sends the interfering signal. The monitoring may be based on a measurement of the reception quality by the second radio. The second radio may provide at least one report of such measurements, and the monitoring may be performed by another one of the radios or by a separate control device or apparatus based on the at least one report provided by the second radio. Thus, monitoring the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission may be based on at least one report provided by the second radio device.

In the case of the above-described scheduled retransmissions, monitoring the effect of interfering signals on the radio transmission may also involve monitoring the reception quality of the retransmission. Also in this case, the monitoring may be based on a measurement of the reception quality by the second radio device or a report of the measured reception quality provided by the second radio device.

In the case of configuring the spurious transmission as described above, monitoring the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission may involve monitoring the reception quality of the spurious transmission. Also in this case, the monitoring may be based on a measurement of the reception quality by the second radio device or a report of the measured reception quality provided by the second radio device.

At step 1040, radio transmissions may be optimized based on the monitoring of step 1030. The optimization may, for example, involve controlling one or more link adaptation parameters of the radio transmission, e.g., by selecting a higher transmit power or a more robust modulation and coding scheme in response to detecting excessive degradation in reception quality.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the functionality of an apparatus 1100 operating in accordance with the method of fig. 10. The apparatus 1100 may be implemented, for example, by one of the wireless devices 10, the interfering device 20, the access point 100, or the controller 200 described above, or at least a portion thereof. As shown, the apparatus 1100 may be provided with a module 1110 configured to control transmission of the interference signal, for example, as explained in connection with step 1010. Furthermore, the apparatus 1100 may be provided with a module 1120 configured to coordinate transmission of data with transmission of an interference signal, for example as explained in connection with step 1020. Furthermore, the apparatus 1100 may be provided with a module 1130 configured to monitor the effect of the interfering signal on the radio transmission, for example as explained in connection with step 1030. Furthermore, the apparatus 1100 may be provided with a module 1040 configured to optimize radio transmissions, for example as explained in connection with step 1140.

Note that the apparatus 1100 may include other modules for implementing other functions, such as known functions of a radio or apparatus for controlling a radio. Further, it is noted that the modules of the apparatus 1100 do not necessarily represent the hardware structure of the apparatus 1100, but may also correspond to functional units implemented by, for example, hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

Fig. 12 illustrates a processor-based implementation of an apparatus 1200 that may be used to implement the concepts described above. For example, the architecture shown in fig. 12 may be used to implement these concepts in a radio device (e.g., one of the wireless devices 10 described above, the interfering device 20, the access point 100, or the controller 200) or a portion thereof.

As shown, the apparatus 1200 includes one or more interfaces 1210. In some scenarios, the interface 1210 may include at least one radio interface, e.g., if the apparatus corresponds to one of the wireless devices 10, the interfering device 20, or the access point 100 described above. Alternatively or additionally, the interface 1210 may include at least one wired interface, such as the interfaces shown above between the controller 200 and the access point 100.

Further, the apparatus 1200 may include one or more processors 1250 coupled to the interface 1210 and a memory 1260 coupled to the processors 1250. For example, the interface 1210, processor 1250, and memory 1260 may be coupled by one or more internal bus systems of the device 1200. The memory 1260 may include Read Only Memory (ROM), such as flash ROM, Random Access Memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (dram) or static RAM (sram), mass storage devices, such as hard disks or solid state disks, and the like. As shown, memory 1260 may include software 1270, firmware 1280, and/or control parameters 1290. The memory 1260 may comprise suitably configured program code to be executed by the processor 1250 for implementing the above-described functionality of the radio device or the apparatus for controlling the radio device, for example as explained in connection with fig. 10.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement shown in figure 12 is merely illustrative and that the apparatus 1200 may in fact comprise other components which are not shown for clarity, such as other interfaces or processors. It will also be appreciated that the memory 1260 may include other program code for implementing known functions of a radio or apparatus for controlling a radio, such as conventional functions for scheduling data transmissions and/or for controlling retransmissions. According to some embodiments, the computer program for implementing the functionality of the apparatus 1200 may also be provided, for example, in the form of a physical medium storing program code and/or other data to be stored in the memory 1260, or by making the program code available for download or by streaming.

It can be seen that the concepts as described above can be used to effectively assess the impact of interference during ongoing operation of a wireless communication system. Using controlled transmission of the interfering signal, interference can be introduced in an active and controlled manner, which allows to avoid or at least reduce adverse effects on ongoing data transmissions. Based on the actively introduced interference, the impact of the interference can be evaluated in an accurate manner, which allows for an accurate optimization of the radio transmission. This helps to efficiently achieve the desired goals with respect to reliability and/or latency.

For example, the illustrated concepts may be applied in conjunction with various radio technologies and are not limited to the L TE technologies, 5G technologies, or W L AN technologies described above.