Coupling multiple higher-layer radio access network (RAN) entities to a shared remote unit(s) (RU(s)) in a RAN system

Abstract

Coupling multiple higher-layer radio access network (RAN) entities to a shared remote unit(s) (RU(s)) in an Open RAN (O-RAN) system and related methods and computer-readable media. To provide for a distribution unit (DU) of a RAN and its shared RUs to communicate signals to each other transparently as if the shared RU was dedicated to such DU, the RAN system includes a neutral host agent device. The neutral host agent device is communicatively coupled between one or more DUs of one or more RANs and their shared RU(s). The neutral host agent device is configured to support coordination and management of communications between RAN(s) and a shared RU(s). In this manner, the shared RU(s) do not have to be implemented in a customized fashion to handle and coordinate communications between the RAN(s) and user devices according to the RAN standard that does not support shared RU(s).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.