DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sensing technology, and more specifically relates to a method and apparatus for remote sensing of antenna configuration parameters. The present application is based on, and claims priority from an Indian Application Number 202111000546 filed on 6th January 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Of late, an accurate site physical location and installation information such as, but not limited to, latitude, longitude, height, mechanical tilt, azimuth of an antenna system has been a challenge for operators. While accuracy of such information is very useful for the operators to make key planning decisions of a network on operating expenses (Opex) and capital expenditures (Capex), the process of finding such information is manual and physical site surveys are required to gather such information.
[0003] The operators are spending millions of dollars in the information gathering projects to get the accurate data and still there is no surety whether the data collected is relevant, as it needs human intervention to get parameters captured that are prone to error. In current scenario, every operator follows set up activities for conducting the physical surveys such as manual site survey using external global positioning system (GPS), tilt meters, height laser meters and compass; external sensor module on passive antenna system with proprietary interfaces to capture data or the like.
[0004] Although there have been several advancements made to create an integrated module to capture all the information of the antenna system, since an antenna is a passive element, putting an active sensor on the antenna makes it a non-feasible and non-viable solution.
[0005] A prior art reference “CN201629398U” discloses an integrated antenna with a remote radio frequency unit (RRU), which comprises the remote radio frequency unit (RRU) and an antenna part arranged on and tightly combined with the remote radio frequency unit, wherein the antenna part comprises an antenna base plate arranged on the remote radio frequency unit (RRU), an upper cover matched with the base plate, a reflecting plate arranged between the base plate and the upper cover, a vibrator arranged on the reflecting plate and a radio frequency connector electrically connected with the vibrator. The integrated antenna adopts an integrated design, and the overall appearance of the integrated antenna is that the antenna part is integrated with the remote radio frequency unit (RRU), thus guaranteeing the concealed property and attractive appearance of the integrated antenna; the antenna part and the remote radio frequency unit (RRU) are integrated together, the core wire used for connecting the remote radio frequency unit (RRU) with the antenna can be designed to be short, thus being capable of improving the transmission efficiency; in addition, by the integrated design, the requirement of later network supplement can be met in one network construction, and the antenna can be installed extremely and conveniently without a supporting part for foundation construction.
[0006] Another prior art reference “WO2016088126A1” discloses a method for tuning an antenna assembly. The antenna assembly comprises a main reflector, a sub-reflector and a feed, the sub-reflector is provided with a plurality of actuators adapted to locally deform the curvature of the sub-reflector in response to an activation signal, the method comprising deploying a plurality of transmission sensors at a target area of the transmission illumination the antenna assembly, activating transmission from the antenna assembly, measuring and recording level of transmission power at each of the plurality of sensors along with the location of the respective sensor, extracting actual antenna assembly illumination footprint map from the recorded values, comparing the extracted illumination footprint map to a desired footprint, and providing activation signals to at least some of the actuators to deform the curvature of the sub- reflector so that the footprint of the illumination by the antenna assembly at the target area matches the desired footprint.
[0007] Further, another prior art reference “CN102820893A” discloses an integrated modularized system including an RRU (remote radio unit) and an antenna, and a mobile communication base station, belonging to the communication technology. The integrated modularized system comprises a main control module for active control; at least one active radiation module connected with the main control module, and a radiator arranged between the main control module and the active radiation module, wherein the active radiation module includes an antenna oscillator, an antenna filter, and a transceiving unit. The antenna filter, the transceiving unit and the antenna oscillator in the RRU can be integrally arranged in the active radiation module by arranging the main control module for active control in the RRU independently, so that the RRU can be completely integrated with the smart antenna, thereby obviating feeder connection between the antenna and the active equipment and further obviating feeder loss. The integrated modularized system provided by the invention is convenient in installation, and is improved in reliability by arranging the antenna, the oscillator, the filter and a power amplifier in the active radiation module.
[0008] In light of above discussion and in consideration with prior arts, there remains a need for a method and an apparatus for remote sensing of antenna configuration parameters more accurately.
[0009] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

OBJECT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0010] A principal object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and an apparatus for real-time remote sensing of antenna configuration parameters more accurately.
[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to integrate an antenna system (or antenna) with a radio unit (RU) and measure accurate antenna configuration parameters remotely, where the RU comprises a plurality of sensors.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an open-radio access network (O-RAN) compliant interface design, i.e., a programmable (open) interface and transmit sensor data from the radio unit to multiple vendor independent hardware devices using the interface.

SUMMARY
[0013] The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for real-time remote sensing of accurate antenna configuration parameters, without any need for physical audit. The method includes using a single box integrated sensor system (i.e., a sensor module) in a radio unit (RU) that is installed at a back panel of an antenna. The sensor module includes a plurality of sensors such as, but not limited to, a global positioning system (GPS) module, a compass, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an inclinometer and an altimeter. The GPS module measures location parameters, the compass is used for capturing azimuth/orientation parameters, the accelerometer is used for capturing vibration parameters, the gyroscope captures yaw measurement, the inclinometer measures tilt parameters and the altimeter senses parameters related to height of the antenna system. The sensor module has a matching interface with the antenna and captures data using above-mentioned different sensors for accurate antenna configuration. The method includes using an O-RAN compliant interface design in the RU for accurate remote sensing of the antenna, which further transmits sensor data to an EMS/OSS (Element Management System/Operations Support System). Advantageously, the present disclosure provides a way to gather information about the antenna from the RU instead of placing sensors directly on the antenna.
[0014] In an aspect, a method for providing remote sensing of a plurality of antenna configuration parameters is disclosed. The plurality of antenna configuration parameters comprising one or more sensor data values corresponding to an antenna. The method includes receiving the plurality of antenna configuration parameters by a sensor module from the antenna. The sensor module comprises a plurality of sensors and is a part of a radio unit (RU) and the RU is integrated with the antenna. Further, the method includes transmitting the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module to a plurality of hardware devices using a programmable interface on the radio unit.
[0015] The method includes mapping of the plurality of antenna configuration parameters with a plurality of management information bases corresponding to the plurality of hardware devices. The method includes monitoring the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module by the plurality of hardware devices in a predetermined time interval. The method comprises providing the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices continuously in real-time. The method comprises transmitting the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices after every first time interval. The method includes storing the plurality of antenna configuration parameters in a YANG data module within the programmable interface. The method includes providing the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices without requiring a physical audit of the RU integrated antenna.
[0016] In another aspect, a radio unit for providing remote sensing of a plurality of antenna configuration parameters is disclosed. The plurality of antenna configuration parameters comprising one or more sensor data values corresponding to an antenna in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system comprising a radio access network (RAN), the RAN comprising the radio unit, the radio unit is positioned on the antenna. The radio unit comprises a sensor module comprising a plurality of sensors configured to receive the plurality of antenna configuration parameters; a programmable interface configured to map the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module to a plurality of hardware devices and a transmission unit configured to transmit the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module to the plurality of hardware devices. The transmission unit is configured to transmit the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices continuously in real-time. The transmission unit is configured to transmit the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices after every first-time interval. The transmission unit is configured to transmit the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices without requiring a physical audit of the RU integrated antenna.
[0017] In an aspect, the radio unit further comprises a mapping unit in the programmable interface configured to map the plurality of antenna configuration parameters with a plurality of management information bases corresponding to the plurality of hardware devices, a monitoring unit configured to monitor the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module by the plurality of hardware devices in a predetermined time interval and a storage unit configured to store the plurality of antenna configuration parameters in a YANG data module within the programmable interface.
[0018] In an aspect, the sensor module comprises at least one of: a NETCONF based sensor monitoring module, an alarm system mapped to a watchdog manager, a sensor measurement interval mapped to the common YANG database, an O-RAN compliant sensor management information base (MIB). The plurality of hardware devices corresponds to different vendors. The programmable interface is compliant to an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture system, wherein the O-RAN architecture system includes a non-real-time RAN controller, a near-real-time RAN controller, a plurality of components, wherein the plurality of components is at least one of: disaggregated, reprogrammable and vendor independent, wherein the near-real-time RAN controller comprises vendor independent application programming interfaces (APIs). The plurality of hardware devices includes at least one of: remote management system (RMS), network management system (NMS), operations support system (OSS) and distributed unit (DU).
[0019] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0020] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various drawings. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for remote sensing of a plurality of antenna configuration parameters.
[0022] FIG. 1a illustrates various elements of the sensor module.
[0023] FIG. 1b illustrates various elements of an interface.
[0024] FIG. 2a is a block diagram of a radio unit (RU).
[0025] FIG. 2b is a high level block diagram depicting placement of the sensor module in the radio unit (RU).
[0026] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting a method for providing remote sensing of the plurality of antenna configuration parameters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment of invention. However, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced with or without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of the invention.
[0028] Furthermore, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without parting from the scope of the invention.
[0029] The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings. Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element from another.
[0030] The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for real-time remote sensing of accurate antenna configuration parameters, without any need for physical audit. The method includes using a single box integrated sensor system in a radio unit (RU) that is installed at a back panel of an antenna (i.e., an antenna integrated radio unit). The sensor module has a matching interface with the antenna and captures data using different sensors for accurate antenna configuration. Further, the method includes using an O-RAN compliant interface design in the RU for accurate remote sensing of the antenna, which further transmits sensor data to a plurality of hardware devices, for e.g., an EMS/OSS (Element Management System/Operations Support System).
[0031] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3.
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus (100) for remote sensing of a plurality of antenna configuration parameters. The apparatus (100) comprises a sensor module (102) communicating with a plurality of hardware devices (106) via an interface (104). The sensor module (102), which is placed in a radio unit (RU) (as shown in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b) integrated with an antenna system (or antenna), senses or captures the plurality of antenna configuration parameters/data such as, but not limited to, latitude, longitude, height, mechanical tilt, azimuth, location, angle of the antenna or antenna system. The sensor module (102) transmits captured sensor data, as per antenna alignment (direction and angle of the antenna to its axis), to the plurality of hardware devices (106) by means of the RU. In general, the RU handles digital front end (DFE) and parts of physical layer (PHY) and digital beamforming functionality. Further, the radio unit enables remote sensing of the plurality of antenna configuration parameters. The plurality of hardware devices (106) is at least one of vendor independent and operator independent. The plurality of hardware devices (106) may include at least one of a Remote Management System (RMS), a Network Management System (NMS), an Element Management System (EMS)/operations support system (OSS) and a distributed unit (DU).
[0033] The EMS may manage specific types of one or more network elements within a telecommunication management network (TMN). The EMS within a network element may manage functions and capabilities, and not necessarily traffic. The EMS may communicate upward to higher-level systems of network management (NMS), in order to manage the traffic between itself and other network elements. Further, the RMS is a remote monitoring and management system which may remotely monitor the radio units or networking devices. The RMS may monitor, manage and control the remote radio units and networking devices. Further, the network management system may be an application aimed to analyze, control and manage network and service infrastructure in order to ensure its configuration correctness, robustness, performance quality and security. Further, the operations support system (OSS) may be software component that enables a service provider to monitor, control, analyze, and manage the services on its network. Furthermore, the distributed unit may sit close to the RU and may be a logical node that includes a subset of eNB/gNB functions. In a 5G radio access network (RAN) architecture, a baseband unit functionality may split into two functional units, i.e., the DU, responsible for real time L1 and L2 scheduling functions, and a centralized unit (CU) responsible for non-real time, higher L2 and L3. In a 5G cloud RAN, the DU’s server and relevant software may be hosted on a site itself or may be hosted in an edge cloud (data center or central office) depending on transport availability and fronthaul interface.
[0034] The detailed working of the sensor module (102), the interface (104) and the RU is explained in conjunction with FIG. 1a, FIG. 1b, FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b.
[0035] FIG. 1a illustrates various elements of the sensor module (102). The sensor module (102) includes a plurality of sensors to capture the plurality of antenna configuration parameters. The plurality of sensors may be, but not limited to, a global positioning system (GPS) module (108), a compass (110), an accelerometer (112), a gyroscope (114), an inclinometer (116) and an altimeter (118). The GPS module (108) measures location parameters, the compass (110) is used for capturing azimuth/orientation parameters, the accelerometer (112) is used for capturing vibration parameters, the gyroscope (114) captures yaw measurement, the inclinometer (116) measures tilt parameters and the altimeter (118) senses parameters related to height of the antenna system.
[0036] The GPS module (108) obtains location parameters of the antenna system. In an example, for a site, if there are three antennas placed within 5m from each other, an approximate location can be taken common for all the three antennas. If any one of the antennas is placed farther than 5m from the other antennas (for example: one antenna placed on a rooftop) then location for that antenna will be recorded exactly as per the GPS module (108).
[0037] Similarly, the azimuth will remain same when the compass (110) is placed in the same orientation as the antenna (or antenna system) and the vibration and yaw parameters will remain same as the RU is attached at the back panel of the antenna.
[0038] Typically, the inclinometer (116) is based on the principle of acceleration due to gravity measurements and provides an angle through basic mathematical operations. The tilt obtained from the inclinometer (116) is w.r.t. the standard x-axis. To determine the correct antenna tilt from the inclinometer (116), a correction term is introduced which considers an angle between a reference axis and a vertical axis and an angle between the RU and the antenna, if the RU is not attached exactly parallel to the antenna. The correction term will thus ensure that correct antenna angle is obtained at the end.
[0039] To determine the correct antenna angle, let actual tilt of the antenna be: ??°, the angle between the inclinometer (116) and the antenna as: ??° and the inclinometer (116) reading obtained be: ??°. Then, the actual tilt (??°) will be (??° - ??°).
[0040] Further, the altimeter (118) provides reading based on the sea level or ground level. The actual height of the antenna or RU can be obtained by subtracting the altimeter reading from a ground level, i.e.,
Height w.r.t. ground = Altitude of Unit - Altitude of ground
[0041] In case of a rooftop antenna, the height of building will also be taken into consideration. This option would be provided to the operator to enter the height of the building over which antenna is mounted. The actual antenna height will be derived according to the antenna height, height of the building, and placement of the RU. After considering the adjustments in a correction term:
Height w.r.t. ground = Altitude of RU - Altitude of ground + correction term … (1)
[0042] Considering height of antenna: ??, considering the RU be placed approximately at the centre of the antenna, or considering the altimeter (118) be present at the centre of the antenna, considering height of altimeter be recorded as: ??. Thus, to get a total height, ??/2 will be added to height of the altimeter. Thus, the actual height = ?? + ??/2. The ??/2 can be replaced by other correction term if the RU is not present at the exact centre of the antenna.
[0043] The sensor module (102) is integrated with the RU as shown in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b. The RU processes the data or antenna configuration parameters captured by the sensor module (102) which is explained in conjunction with FIG. 1, FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b.
[0044] FIG. 1b illustrates various elements of the interface (104). The interface (104). The interface (104) is an end point or gateway of the radio unit (202) that connects with external entities such as RMS/EMS/DU or any other hardware devices. The interface (104) may be reprogrammable by using wired connectivity or over the air (wireless connectivity), thus may also be referred to as a programmable interface. The interface (104) is configured to map the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters, from the sensor module (102) to the plurality of hardware devices (106). The interface (104) is compliant to an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture system such as O-RAN FH/1588.
[0045] The Open-Radio Access Network (O-RAN), which is an evolved version of prior radio access networks, makes the prior radio access networks more open and smarter than previous generations. The O-RAN provides real-time analytics that drive embedded machine learning systems and artificial intelligence back end modules to empower network intelligence. Further, the O-RAN includes virtualized network elements with open and standardized interfaces. The open interfaces are essential to enable smaller vendors and operators to quickly introduce their own services, or enable operators to customize the network to suit their own unique needs. The open interfaces also enable multivendor deployments, more competitive and vibrant supplier ecosystem. Similarly, open source software’s and hardware reference designs enable faster, more democratic and permission-less innovation. Further, the O-RAN introduces a self-driving network by utilizing new learning based technologies to automate operational network functions. These learning based technologies make the O-RAN intelligent. Embedded intelligence, applied at both component and network levels, enables dynamic local radio resource allocation, and optimizes network wide efficiency. In combination with O-RAN’s open interfaces, AI-optimized closed-loop automation is a new era for network operations.
[0046] The O-RAN architecture system includes a non-real-time RAN controller, a near-real-time RAN controller, a plurality of components, wherein the plurality of components is at least one of a disaggregated, a reprogrammable and vendor independent. Further, the near real-time RAN controller comprises vendor independent application programming interfaces (APIs).
[0047] The interface (104) may use a Yet Another Next Generation (YANG) module (104a). The YANG module (104a) utilizes Yet Another Next Generation data modelling language to model and manage the captured data from the sensor module (102). In general, the YANG language is used for definition of data sent over network management protocols such as NETCONF and RESTCONF. NETCONF/YANG may provide a standardized way to programmatically update and modify the configuration of the plurality of hardware devices (or network devices). Further, the YANG module describes configuration changes and the NETCONF may be a protocol that applies changes to a relevant datastore (such as running, saved etc) upon the plurality of hardware devices. The YANG module (104a) for hardware management may include a mapping unit (120) to map to different management information base (MIBs) such as RFC (Request for comments) 3433 that can be used to manage the plurality of hardware devices. A Management Information Base (MIB) may be a hierarchical virtual database of network (or other entity) objects describing a device being monitored by the Network Management System (NMS). The MIB is used by Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and Remote Monitoring 1 (RMON1). Here, the MIB for each hardware device may have mapping with the plurality of antenna configuration parameters (sensor data) using the O-RAN compliant programmable interface.
[0048] The RFC 3433 protocol, which is mentioned in the O-RAN WG4 M-Plane document, is used for management information base. The captured data is updated in a database or a storage unit (122) associated with the YANG module (104a) using the RFC 3433 MIB ["entPhysicalClass", "entPhysicalEntry" and "entPhysicalTable"]. In other words, the mapping unit (120) in the (programmable) interface is configured to map the plurality of antenna configuration parameters with a plurality of management information bases corresponding to the plurality of hardware devices (106), and the storage unit (122) is configured to store the plurality of antenna configuration parameters in the YANG module (104a) within the interface. The YANG module (104a) is a common data model for the sensor module (102) and the plurality of hardware devices (106) and may also be referred to as a YANG data module (104a).
[0049] The plurality of hardware devices (106), for example, the EMS/OSS, which is a part of the NMS retrieves all required data form the YANG module (104a) using allocated interfaces. Typically, the NMS manages a complete network i.e., it covers all the functions of EMS and manages different types of network elements/technologies of a same operator/vendor. Similarly, the OSS can manage multiple operators/vendors and is needed in addition to vendor specific NMS. Further, the plurality of hardware devices (106) may also be include the NMS/DU (distributed unit) as disclosed in FIG. 1.
[0050] Unlike conventional systems, the present disclosure provides a way to gather information i.e., the plurality of antenna configuration parameters about the antenna from the RU instead of placing sensors on the antenna itself. On the NMS side, the present solution receives the captured data i.e., the plurality of antenna configuration parameters at certain intervals and allows the operators (or vendors) flexibility in deciding so. The data received from the sensors can be: (a) saved in repository and updated at a certain time interval, e.g. , but not limited to, once every 24 hours, where the timing interval may be configurable by the operators and can range from 15s to 24hrs. Once logged into the RU, the captured data can be accessed; (b) the data can also be requested by the operators via polling as per the requirement. Further, the parameters like information periodicity and thresholds can be defined/modified by using some pre-defined group objects under the RFC 3433. For example, "entPhySensorUnitDisplay", "entPhySensorValueUpdateRate" etc. The RFC 3433 provides more options to operators. The operators will have the flexibility to manipulate the thresholds as per their deployment scenarios. Interfacing of the sensor module (102) in this framework using the RFC 3433 allows the operators to effectively and easily procure and analyse the sensor data.
[0051] FIG. 2a is a block diagram of the radio unit (RU) (202). FIG. 2b is a high level block diagram depicting placement of the sensor module (102) in the radio unit (RU) (202). The radio unit (202) provides remote sensing of the plurality of antenna configuration parameters. The plurality of antenna configuration parameters includes one or more sensor data values corresponding to the antenna in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may consist of various network components connected via wireless networks. The wireless networks may comprise of any wireless connectivity technology such as radio links, millimeter wave, etc. The wireless communication system may include one or more controller connected with radio access networks, which are further connected with a plurality of user equipments.
[0052] The wireless communication system may include a radio access network (RAN). The radio access network (RAN) may be a part of a telecommunications system which may connect individual devices to other parts of a network through radio connections. The RAN may provide a connection of user equipment such as mobile phone or computer with a core network of the telecommunication systems. The RAN may be an essential part of access layer in the telecommunication systems that utilizes base stations (such as e node B, g node B) for establishing radio connections. The RAN includes the radio unit (202) that is positioned on the antenna. The RU may be a remote radio unit (RRU). The RRU may be a radio frequency (RF) circuitry of a base station enclosed in a small outdoor module. The RRU may perform all RF functionality like transmit and receive functions, filtering, and amplification. It may contain analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog converters and up/down converters as explained in conjunction with FIG. 2b. The RRU may also provide advanced monitoring and control features that allow operators to optimize performance from a remote, centralized location. The RRU is usually mounted near the antenna to reduce transmission line losses and is connected to main, digital portion of the base station (BBU) with an optical fiber.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 2a, the radio unit includes the sensor module (102), the interface (104), a transmission unit (124) and a monitoring unit (126). The sensor module (102) comprises the plurality of sensors configured to receive the plurality of antenna configuration parameters and the interface (104) is configured to map the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module (102) to the plurality of hardware devices (106) as explained earlier. The plurality of hardware devices (106) may correspond to different vendors. The sensor module may include at least one of a NETCONF based sensor monitoring module, an alarm system mapped to a watchdog manager (i.e., watchdog manager mapped alarm system), a sensor measurement interval mapped to a common YANG database, an O-RAN compliant sensor management information base (MIB). Alternatively, the NETCONF based sensor monitoring module, the alarm system mapped to the watchdog manager, the sensor measurement interval mapped to the common YANG database, the O-RAN compliant sensor management information base (MIB) may be included in the interface (104) instead of the sensor module (102).
[0054] The transmission unit (124) is configured to transmit the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module (102) to the plurality of hardware devices (106). The transmission unit (124) may transmit the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices (106) continuously in real-time. Further, the transmission unit (124) is configured to transmit the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices (106) after every first time interval, for e.g., but not limited to, once every 24 hours, where the timing interval may be configurable by the operators and can range from 15s to 24hrs. The transmission unit enables transmission of the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices (106) without requiring a physical audit of the RRU integrated antenna. The monitoring unit (126) monitors the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module by the plurality of hardware devices (106) at a predetermined time interval (i.e., regular interval), for example, every hour, every two hours etc.
[0055] Conclusively, transmission of the plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module (102) to the plurality of hardware devices (106) may require the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to be mapped onto the plurality of hardware devices (106) via the interface (104). The interface (104), which is O-RAN compliant, may map the sensor information onto the plurality of hardware devices, corresponding to same or multiple vendors, by mapping the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of management information bases of the plurality of hardware devices.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 2b, the RU is a distributed and integrated frequency unit that facilitates wireless communication a user equipment and a network. The user equipment may be a mobile phone, WLL phone or the like and the network may be 4G, 5G, LTE, GSM, CDMA, Wireless local loop, WAN or the like. The RU is integrated with the antenna system. In other words, the RU is connected to a back panel of the antenna system. The RU (202) includes the sensor module (102), a digital processing unit (204), a radio frequency (RF) processing unit (206), a microcontroller (208), a timing unit (210) and an ethernet interface (212).
[0057] The RU (202) sends/receives signal to/from a fronthaul gateway via the ethernet interface (212). The digital processing unit (204), that comprises various elements such as the interface (104) as O-RAN FH/1588, (de)compression/Low L1, DDC/DUC (digital down converter/digital up converter), and CFR/DPD (crest factor reduction/digital pre-distortion) module, processes the signal received from the fronthaul gateway. Herein, the interface (104) is an O-RAN compliant interface design such as O-RAN FH/1588 in the RU (202) includes NETCONF based sensor monitoring and watchdog manager mapped alarm system, sensor measurement interval aligned with/mapped to the YANG module (104a), sensor management information base (MIB) as per the O-RAN interface. Further, the digital processing unit (204) may perform compression-decompression, conversion or the like of the signal.
[0058] The digitally processed signal from the digital processing unit (204) is fed to the RF processing unit (206). The RF processing unit (206) comprises various elements such as transceiver, ADC/DAC (analog to digital converter/digital to analog converter), mixer, PA/LNA (power amplifier/low noise amplifier) and ANT (wireless radio networking protocol). The RF processing unit (206) processes the signal from the digital processing unit (204) and transmits back to the digital processing unit (204). Specifically, the RF processing unit (206) may convert and amplify the signal. Further, the RF processing unit (206) implements a wireless communications protocol stack ANT that enables hardware operating in 2.4 GHz ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) band to communicate by establishing standard rules for co-existence, data representation, signalling, authentication, and error detection.
[0059] The sensor module (102) integrated with the RU (202) has matching surface to the antenna. That is, the data captured from the sensor module (102) in the RU (202) matches antenna alignment information, thereby provides accurate antenna configuration parameters. The antenna alignment information is required for configuring the antenna. The sensor module (102) captures data via the plurality of sensors as explained in FIG. 1a that is further received by the microcontroller (208). The sensor data may be received at regular intervals as per the operators requirement. Referring to FIG. 2b, the sensor module (102) is connected to [or interfaced with] the microcontroller (208) via an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) and an I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit). The SPI is a synchronous serial communication interface specification used for short-distance communication and the I2C is a serial communication protocol, where data is transferred bit by bit along a single wire (such as SDA (serial data) line). The GPS module (108) gives output in standard NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) string format. It provides output serially on a Tx pin with default 9600 Baud rate. Apart from data pin, it requires VCC (Voltage Common Collector) and GND (Ground). Further, the compass (110) (such as magnetometer) and the accelerometer (112) are interfaced with the microcontroller (208), where the main pin interfaces are for power supply, serial data (SDA) line and serial clock (SCL) pin which are part of the I2C interface. Furthermore, the gyroscope (114) may be interfaced with the microcontroller (208) via the I2C and the inclinometer (116) may be interfaced with the microcontroller (208) via the SPI and may contain power supply pins as well. Similarly, the altimeter (118) is also interfaced with the microcontroller (208) via the I2C. The altimeter (118) includes a pin through which a supply voltage is to be provided, the SDA pin/line to obtain output, the SCL pin for clock, and INT1 and INT2 for interrupts, if any.
[0060] The timing unit (210) may generate timing signals to control the functions of all the elements of the RU (202). The timing signals are transmitted to the digital processing unit (204), the RF processing unit (206), the sensor module-microcontroller and the ethernet interface (212) to control their functions. All the processed data/signal by the RU (202) is transmitted to the fronthaul gateway via the ethernet interface (212).
[0061] Advantageously, the antenna integrated with the RRU does not require the RRU to be active, which is power intensive. Hence, the antenna integrated with the RRU may work in passive mode and save a lot of energy while transmitting the plurality of antenna configuration parameters from remote site to the plurality of hardware devices. Further, the interface may be reprogrammed based on the user requirements and can transmit the plurality of antenna configuration parameters (i.e., sensor information) from remote sites to RMS/EMS/NMS/hardware devices. If the interface is not programmable and O-RAN compliant, it can transmit information to proprietary hardware device only. Here, the interface is capable to map information to multiple vendor independent hardware devices/RMS. Further, the apparatus operates its functions in real-time by capturing any change in the plurality of antenna configuration parameters in real-time and provides traffic monitoring and optimization at the remote site (antenna site).
[0062] FIG. 3 is a flowchart (300) depicting a method for providing remote sensing of the plurality of antenna configuration parameters. The plurality of antenna configuration parameters includes the one or more sensor data values corresponding to the antenna. The method is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 2b.
[0063] At step (302), the method includes receiving the plurality of antenna configuration parameters by the sensor module (102) from the antenna. The sensor module comprises the plurality of sensors and is the part of the RU or the remote radio unit (RRU) integrated with the antenna.
[0064] At step (304), the method includes transmitting the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module (102) to the plurality of hardware devices (106) using the interface (104) on the radio unit (202). The interface (104) is programmable and the transmission of the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters occurs periodically at every first time interval.
[0065] Herein, the process [or method] allows real-time remote sensing of accurate antenna configuration parameters without any physical audit using the sensor module (102) integrated in the RU (202). The method includes capturing data by the sensor module (102) and dividing the captured data into subclasses. The method includes receiving divided data by the microcontroller (208) and mapping the divided data to the O-RAN compliant interface. The method includes configuring network to send the data to the Network Management System/Distributed Unit and processing the data by the Network Management System/Distributed Unit.
[0066] The method allows placement of the sensor module (102) inside the RU (202) integrated with the antenna, having matching surface to the antenna. That is, the data captured from the sensor module (102) in the RU (202) will match antenna alignment information, thereby providing accurate antenna configuration parameters. Further, the method allows to implement the O-RAN compliant interface design in the RU (202) having NETCONF based sensor monitoring, watchdog manager mapped alarm system, sensor measurement interval mapped to YANG content, sensor MIB.
[0067] The method is performed in real-time by capturing any change in the plurality of antenna configuration parameters in real-time. Further, the method provides traffic monitoring and optimization at the remote site (antenna site).
[0068] The present disclosure has various advantages over the conventional mechanisms. The remote sensing saves time, eases capturing data and helps in monitoring the antenna system. Any change in the antenna and the RU on field is notified immediately which generally takes weeks to identify. Further, predictive analysis becomes feasible to predict failures happening due to external factors. The solution is beneficial for the antenna integrated RU with O-RAN compliant ecosystem which is totally a disaggregated network, where the RU and the DU are positioned at different locations. Furthermore, data is collected automatically with no manual intervention, thus is authentic with negligible error rate as there is no manual entry needed.
[0069] The present solution provides huge reduction in cost as field audit data will be populated as soon as the site is on-air. Further, it gives a huge support to a Network Optimization team for traffic and drop optimization on site.
[0070] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented using at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements.
[0071] The various action-s, acts, blocks, steps, or the like in the flow diagram may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some of the actions, acts, blocks, steps, or the like may be omitted, added, modified, skipped, or the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0072] Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, "can," "may," "might," "may," “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without other input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.
[0073] Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.
[0074] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We Claim:

1. A method for providing remote sensing of a plurality of antenna configuration parameters, the plurality of antenna configuration parameters comprising one or more sensor data values corresponding to an antenna, the method comprising:
receiving the plurality of antenna configuration parameters by a sensor module (102) from the antenna, wherein the sensor module (102) comprises a plurality of sensors and is a part of a radio unit (RU) (202), the RU is integrated with the antenna; and
transmitting the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module (102) to a plurality of hardware devices (106) using a programmable interface (104) on the radio unit.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
mapping of the plurality of antenna configuration parameters with a plurality of management information bases corresponding to the plurality of hardware devices (106).
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
monitoring the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module (102) by the plurality of hardware devices (106) in a predetermined time interval.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of hardware devices (106) corresponds to different vendors.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
providing the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices (106) continuously in real-time.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
transmitting the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices (106) after every first time interval.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
storing the plurality of antenna configuration parameters in a YANG data module (104a) within the programmable interface (104).
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the programmable interface (104) is compliant to an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture system, wherein the O-RAN architecture system includes a non-real-time RAN controller, a near-real-time RAN controller, a plurality of components, wherein the plurality of components is at least one of: disaggregated, reprogrammable and vendor independent, wherein the near-real-time RAN controller comprises vendor independent application programming interfaces (APIs).
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
providing the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices (106) without requiring a physical audit of the RU integrated antenna.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor module (102) comprises at least one of: a NETCONF based sensor monitoring module, an alarm system mapped to a watchdog manager, a sensor measurement interval mapped to the common YANG database, an O-RAN compliant sensor management information base (MIB).
11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of hardware devices (106) includes at least one of: remote management system (RMS), network management system (NMS), operations support system (OSS) and distributed unit (DU).
12. A radio unit (202) for providing remote sensing of a plurality of antenna configuration parameters, the plurality of antenna configuration parameters comprising one or more sensor data values corresponding to an antenna, in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system comprising a radio access network (RAN), the RAN comprising the radio unit (202), the radio unit is positioned on the antenna, the radio unit comprising:
a sensor module (102) comprising a plurality of sensors configured to receive the plurality of antenna configuration parameters;
a programmable interface (104) configured to map the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module (102) to a plurality of hardware devices (106); and
a transmission unit (124) configured to transmit the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module (102) to the plurality of hardware devices (106).
13. The radio unit (202) as claimed in claim 12 further comprising:
a mapping unit (120) in the programmable interface (104) configured to map the plurality of antenna configuration parameters with a plurality of management information bases corresponding to the plurality of hardware devices (106).
14. The radio unit (202) as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:
a monitoring unit (126) configured to monitor the received plurality of antenna configuration parameters from the sensor module (102) by the plurality of hardware devices (106) in a predetermined time interval.
15. The radio unit (202) as claimed in claim 12 is positioned on a back panel of the antenna.
16. The radio unit (202) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plurality of hardware devices (106) corresponds to different vendors.
17. The radio unit (202) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the transmission unit (124) is configured to transmit the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices (106) continuously in real-time.
18. The radio unit (202) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the transmission unit (124) is configured to transmit the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices (106) after every first time interval.
19. The radio unit (202) as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a storage unit (122) configured to store the plurality of antenna configuration parameters in a YANG data module (104a) within the programmable interface (104).
20. The radio unit (202) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the programmable interface (104) is compliant to an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture system, wherein the O-RAN architecture system includes a non-real-time RAN controller, a near-real-time RAN controller, a plurality of components, wherein the plurality of components is at least one of: disaggregated, reprogrammable and vendor independent, wherein the near-real-time RAN controller comprises vendor independent application programming interfaces (APIs).
21. The radio unit (202) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the transmission unit (124) is configured to transmit the plurality of antenna configuration parameters to the plurality of hardware devices (106) without requiring a physical audit of the RU integrated antenna.
22. The radio unit (202) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sensor module (102) comprises at least one of: a NETCONF based sensor monitoring module, an alarm system mapped to a watchdog manager, a sensor measurement interval mapped to the common YANG database, an O-RAN compliant sensor management information base (MIB).
23. The radio unit (202) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plurality of hardware devices (106) includes at least one of: remote management system (RMS), network management system (NMS), operations support system (OSS) and distributed unit (DU).