Methods and apparatus for flexible configuration of fronthaul split radio units

A method for wireless communication at a distributed unit in a wireless communications system, comprising:

• identifying configuration information that includes a second set of functions to be performed at the distributed unit, wherein a radio unit coupled with the distributed unit performs a first set of functions including radio frequency functions for radio frequency communications with at least one user equipment (UE), and wherein the distributed unit has a capability to perform baseband functions, medium access control functions, or any combinations thereof, and the second set of functions includes at least one medium access control function;
• configuring the second set of functions at the distributed unit based at least in part on the identifying, wherein the second set of functions includes a second set of downlink functions and a second set of uplink functions;
• receiving, from a central unit, downlink data that is to be processed according to the second set of downlink functions;
• processing the downlink data according to the second set of downlink functions to generate downlink signals for processing and transmission by the radio unit;
• and
• communicating the downlink signals to the radio unit for processing according to the first set of functions and transmission to the UE.

An apparatus for wireless communication at a radio unit of a wireless communications system, comprising:

• a processor,
• memory coupled with the processor;
• and
• instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
• identify configuration information that includes a first set of functions to be performed at the radio unit, wherein the radio unit has a capability to perform radio frequency functions, baseband functions, medium access control functions, or any combinations thereof, and the first set of functions includes at least one radio frequency function;
• configure the first set of functions at the radio unit based at least in part on the identifying, wherein the first set of functions includes a first set of downlink functions and a first set of uplink functions;
• receive, from a central unit or a distributed unit that performs a second set of functions including at least one medium access control function, downlink signals that are to be processed according to the first set of downlink functions;
• process the downlink signals according to the first set of downlink functions to generate a downlink communication;
• transmit the downlink communication to at least one user equipment (UE);
• receive radio frequency signals from the UE in a set of wireless resources associated with an uplink allocation granted to the UE for an uplink communication;
• process the received radio frequency signals according to the first set of uplink functions to generate processed uplink signals;
• and
• provide the processed uplink signals to the central unit or the distributed unit to be processed according to the second set of functions.

An apparatus for wireless communication at a distributed unit in a wireless communications system, comprising:

• a processor,
• memory coupled with the processor;
• and
• instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:
• identify configuration information that includes a second set of functions to be performed at the distributed unit, wherein a radio unit coupled with the distributed unit performs a first set of functions including radio frequency functions for radio frequency communications with at least one user equipment (UE), and wherein the distributed unit has a capability to perform baseband functions, medium access control functions, or any combinations thereof, and the second set of functions includes at least one medium access control function;
• configure the second set of functions at the distributed unit based at least in part on the identifying, wherein the second set of functions includes a second set of downlink functions and a second set of uplink functions;
• receive, from a central unit, downlink data that is to be processed according to the second set of downlink functions;
• process the downlink data according to the second set of downlink functions to generate downlink signals for processing and transmission by the radio unit;
• communicate the downlink signals to the radio unit for processing according to the first set of functions and transmission to the UE;
• receive uplink signals from the radio unit;
• process the received uplink signals according to the second set of uplink functions to generate uplink data;
• and
• communicate the uplink data to the central unit.