Field of the invention The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, a system, and a computer program product related to antenna port identification. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, a system, and a computer program product for antenna port identification by near-field communication.

Background of the invention

Abbreviations

3GPP 3 ^rd Generation Partnership Project

BSC Base Station Controller

BTS Base Transceiver Station

CDMA Code Division Multiple Access

CPRI Common Public Radio Interface

E-UTRAN Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

EPC Electronic Product Code

GSM Global System for Mobile Communication

ID Identifier

LTE Long Term Evolution

O&M Operation & Maintenance

OBSAI Open Base Station Architecture Initiative

RAN Radio Access Network

RAT Radio Access Technology

RFID Radio Frequency Identification (tag)

RNC Radio Network Controller

RRH Remote Radio Head

TRX Transceiver

UE User Equipment

UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

WiFi Wireless Fidelity

Base stations may have multiple antennae, even multiple antennae elements per sector. E.g., a beamforming antenna may have up to 8 antenna elements which need 8 dedicated cables between antenna and the base station. Such connections need to be exact; for proper operation, all antenna elements have to be connected to the correct receivers/transmitters in the right order. If cables are incorrectly connected, antenna ports may be falsely connected, while still transmitting/receiving "somehow". Such a configuration has negative impact to cell performance based on the algorithms used by the base station and/or its controller. As the whole system may still stay operable (with reduced performance), such cabling errors typically can persist unnoticed for quite some time.

As of today, some mechanical or visible marking such as colored tapes may be used to prevent cabling errors. Nevertheless, cabling errors occur still in the field .

In the present context, a base station may be one of an arbitrary radio system such as GSM, UMTS (UTRAN), LTE, CDMA, WiFi, a microwave system, etc.. Depending on the respective standard, the base station may be named BTS, NodeB, eNodeB, access point or similarly. Some of these base stations may have there controller integrated such as an eNodeB, others may have a separate controller such as a GSM BTS with a BSC.

Summary of the invention It is an object of the present invention to improve the prior art. In detail, it is an object to detect cabling errors and to mitigate the resulting performance reduction.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising a first antenna connector for electrically connecting a first antenna element to one side thereof and for electrically connecting a first feeder cable to the other side thereof such that the first antenna element is electrically connected to the first feeder cable, and a first near field communication device adapted to generate a first near field signal, wherein the first near field communication device is arranged such that the first near field signal generates a first electrical signal in the first antenna connector. In the apparatus, the first near field communication device may comprise a radio frequency identification tag wherein the near field signal is in a radio frequency range. In the apparatus, the first near field communication device may be adapted to generate the first electrical signal through at least one of an inductive coupling, a capacitive coupling, and a direct coupling between the first near field communication device and the first antenna connector. The apparatus may further comprise the first antenna element.

The apparatus may further comprise plural antenna connectors including the first antenna connector, wherein each of the plural antenna connectors is for electrically connecting a respective one of plural antenna elements including the first antenna element to one side thereof and for electrically connecting a respective one of plural feeder cables including the first feeder cable to the other side thereof such that the plural antenna elements are electrically connected to the plural feeder cables in a bijective relation, and plural near field communication devices including the first near field communication device, wherein each of the plural near field communication devices is adapted to generate a respective near field signal and the respective near field signals are different from each other, wherein each of the plural near field communication devices is arranged such that the respective near field signal generates a respective electrical signal in one of the plural antenna connectors.

In the apparatus, each of the plural near field communication devices may be arranged such that it generates the respective electric signal in only one of the plural antenna connectors with a level higher than a predetermined threshold. In the apparatus, the first near field communication device may be adapted to generate the first near field signal in response to an interrogating signal transmitted on the first antenna connector; the first near field communication device and the first antenna connector may be arranged such that the first electric signal is generated at a first level higher by a predefined level distance than a second level, and the first near field communication device and the antenna connectors different from the first antenna connector may be arranged such that the respective electric signal generated in each of the plural antenna connectors different from the first antenna connector has a respective level not higher than the second level.

The apparatus may be comprised in an antenna unit.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising a first radio unit comprising a first radio port and a single one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver adapted to receive and/or to transmit, respectively, on the first radio port in a communication frequency range; a first detecting means adapted to detect a first identification signal received on the first radio port, wherein the first identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.

In the apparatus, at least one of the communication frequency range may be a frequency range specified for use by a mobile communication system, and the identification frequency range may be specified for use by radio frequency identification tags.

The apparatus may further comprise a first inner cable electrically connected to the first radio port, wherein the first inner cable is arranged within the first radio unit, wherein the detecting means may be arranged to detect the first identification signal on the first inner cable.

The apparatus may further comprise a first outer cable electrically connected to the first radio port, wherein the first outer cable is arranged outside the first radio unit, wherein the detecting means may be arranged to detect the first identification signal on the first outer cable.

The apparatus may further comprise interrogating means adapted to generate an interrogating signal and arranged such that the interrogating signal is coupled into the radio port, wherein the interrogating signal is suitable to interrogate a radio frequency identification tag.

The apparatus may further comprise control means adapted to control the detecting of the plural detecting means based on a command received from a control device.

The apparatus may be comprised in a remote radio head, and the apparatus may further comprise interfacing means adapted to interface the remote radio head to a system unit adapted to operatively connect system unit and to receive the command from the control device via the system unit.

In the apparatus, the interfacing means may be adapted to receive the command by in-band signaling .

In the apparatus, the interfacing means may be adapted to receive the command by out-of-band signaling.

The apparatus may comprise plural radio units including the first radio unit, wherein each of the plural radio units comprises a respective radio port and a respective one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver adapted to receive and/or to transmit, respectively, on the respective radio port in the communication frequency range; plural detecting means including the first detecting means, wherein each of the plural detecting means is adapted to detect a respective identification signal received on the respective radio port, wherein the identification signals are received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.

In the apparatus, each of the plural detecting means may comprise a detecting head adapted to receive the respective identification signal, and the apparatus may further comprise an evaluation means adapted to evaluate the received identification signal, and a connecting means adapted to operationally connect, one at a time, each one of the plural detecting heads to the evaluation means. In the apparatus, the first detecting means and the first radio port may be arranged such the first detecting means receives the first identification signal with a first level that is higher by a predefined level distance than a second level, wherein the first detecting means and the plural radio ports different from the first radio port may be arranged such that the first detecting means receives each of the respective identification signals of the radio ports different from the first radio port at a respective level not higher than the second level.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising a first radio unit comprising a first radio port and a single one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver adapted to receive and/or to transmit, respectively, on the first radio port in a communication frequency range; a first detecting processor adapted to detect a first identification signal received on the first radio port, wherein the first identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.

In the apparatus, at least one of the communication frequency range may be a frequency range specified for use by a mobile communication system, and the identification frequency range may be specified for use by radio frequency identification tags.

The apparatus may further comprise a first inner cable electrically connected to the first radio port, wherein the first inner cable is arranged within the first radio unit, wherein the detecting processor may be arranged to detect the first identification signal on the first inner cable.

The apparatus may further comprise a first outer cable electrically connected to the first radio port, wherein the first outer cable is arranged outside the first radio unit, wherein the detecting processor may be arranged to detect the first identification signal on the first outer cable.

The apparatus may further comprise interrogating processor adapted to generate an interrogating signal and arranged such that the interrogating signal is coupled into the radio port, wherein the interrogating signal is suitable to interrogate a radio frequency identification tag.

The apparatus may further comprise control processor adapted to control the detecting of the plural detecting processor based on a command received from a control device.

The apparatus may be comprised in a remote radio head, and the apparatus may further comprise interfacing processor adapted to interface the remote radio head to a system unit adapted to operatively connect system unit and to receive the command from the control device via the system unit.

In the apparatus, the interfacing processor may be adapted to receive the command by in-band signaling .

In the apparatus, the interfacing processor may be adapted to receive the command by out-of-band signaling.

The apparatus may comprise plural radio units including the first radio unit, wherein each of the plural radio units comprises a respective radio port and a respective one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver adapted to receive and/or to transmit, respectively, on the respective radio port in the communication frequency range; plural detecting processor including the first detecting processor, wherein each of the plural detecting processor is adapted to detect a respective identification signal received on the respective radio port, wherein the identification signals are received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.

In the apparatus, each of the plural detecting processor may comprise a detecting head adapted to receive the respective identification signal, and the apparatus may further comprise an evaluation processor adapted to evaluate the received identification signal, and a connecting processor adapted to operationally connect, one at a time, each one of the plural detecting heads to the evaluation processor. In the apparatus, the first detecting processor and the first radio port may be arranged such the first detecting processor receives the first identification signal with a first level that is higher by a predefined level distance than a second level, wherein the first detecting processor and the plural radio ports different from the first radio port may be arranged such that the first detecting processor receives each of the respective identification signals of the radio ports different from the first radio port at a respective level not higher than the second level . The apparatus according to any of the second and third aspects may be comprised in a base station.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising control means adapted to control a detection means to detect a detected identification signal for one of a transceiver, a transmitter, and a receiver; comparing means adapted to compare the detected identification signal with a stored identification signal stored for the one of the transceiver, the transmitter, and the receiver; and alarming means adapted to generate an alarm if the detected identification signal does not match the stored identification signal .

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising control processor adapted to control a detection processor to detect a detected identification signal for one of a transceiver, a transmitter, and a receiver; comparing processor adapted to compare the detected identification signal with a stored identification signal stored for the one of the transceiver, the transmitter, and the receiver; and alarming processor adapted to generate an alarm if the detected identification signal does not match the stored identification signal .

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising control means adapted to control each of plural detection means corresponding bijectively to plural radio units to detect a respective identification signal of a connected antenna port, wherein each radio unit comprises a single transceiver, or a single transmitter, or a single receiver; instruction means adapted to instruct a radio controller to associate each one of the plural radio units to the antenna port of which the detection means has detected the corresponding identification signal based on a stored one-to-one relationship between the identification signals and the radio units.

The apparatus may further comprise comparing means adapted to compare each of the detected identification signals with a respective stored identification signal for the radio unit; and alarming means adapted to generate an alarm if at least one of the detected identification signals does not match the respective stored identification signal.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising control processor adapted to control each of plural detection processor corresponding bijectively to plural radio units to detect a respective identification signal of a connected antenna port, wherein each radio unit comprises a single transceiver, or a single transmitter, or a single receiver; instruction processor adapted to instruct a radio controller to associate each one of the plural radio units to the antenna port of which the detection processor has detected the corresponding identification signal based on a stored one-to-one relationship between the identification signals and the radio units.

The apparatus may further comprise comparing processor adapted to compare each of the detected identification signals with a respective stored identification signal for the radio unit; and alarming processor adapted to generate an alarm if at least one of the detected identification signals does not match the respective stored identification signal.

Each of the apparatuses of the fourth to seventh aspects may be comprised in an operation and management system.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising base band means adapted to provide a base band unit function of a base station to a remote radio head operating in a communication frequency range; interface means adapted to operatively connect the base band means with the remote radio head, wherein the interface means is further adapted to provide a command to the remote radio head, and the command is suitable to control the detecting of an identification signal of an antenna port connected to the remote radio head by a detecting means in the remote radio head .

In the apparatus, the interface means may be further adapted to receive an identification information based on the detected identification signal. In the apparatus, the base band interface may be adapted to provide the command by in-band signaling and/or to receive the identification information by in-band signaling .

In the apparatus, the base band interface may be adapted to provide the command by out-of-band signaling and/or to receive the identification information by out-of-band signaling .

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising base band processor adapted to provide a base band unit function of a base station to a remote radio head operating in a communication frequency range; interface processor adapted to operatively connect the base band processor with the remote radio head, wherein the interface processor is further adapted to provide a command to the remote radio head, and the command is suitable to control the detecting of an identification signal of an antenna port connected to the remote radio head by a detecting processor in the remote radio head .

In the apparatus, the interface processor may be further adapted to receive an identification information based on the detected identification signal.

In the apparatus, the base band interface may be adapted to provide the command by in-band signaling and/or to receive the identification information by in-band signaling . In the apparatus, the base band interface may be adapted to provide the command by out-of-band signaling and/or to receive the identification information by out-of-band signaling . Each of the apparatuses of the eighth and ninth aspects may be comprised in a system unit related to a remote radio head.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising associating means adapted to associate a first signal generated for transmission by a first transmitter to a second transmitter different from the first transmitter based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device; providing means adapted to provide the first signal, instead of to the first transmitter, to the second transmitter for transmission. The apparatus may further comprise a radio unit comprising a radio port and the second transmitter adapted to transmit the first signal on the radio port in a communication frequency range; a detecting means adapted to detect an identification signal received on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.

According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising associating processor adapted to associate a first signal generated for transmission by a first transmitter to a second transmitter different from the first transmitter based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device; providing processor adapted to provide the first signal, instead of to the first transmitter, to the second transmitter for transmission .

The apparatus may further comprise a radio unit comprising a radio port and the second transmitter adapted to transmit the first signal on the radio port in a communication frequency range; a detecting processor adapted to detect an identification signal received on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range. According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising associating means adapted to associate a first signal received for evaluation by a first evaluating means to a second evaluating means different from the first evaluating means based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device; providing means adapted to provide the first signal, instead of to the first evaluating means, to the second evaluating means for evaluation. The apparatus may further comprise a radio unit comprising a radio port and a receiver adapted to receive the first signal on the radio port in a communication frequency range; a detecting means adapted to detect an identification signal received on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising associating processor adapted to associate a first signal received for evaluation by a first evaluating processor to a second evaluating processor different from the first evaluating processor based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device; providing processor adapted to provide the first signal, instead of to the first evaluating processor, to the second evaluating processor for evaluation.

The apparatus may further comprise a radio unit comprising a radio port and a receiver adapted to receive the first signal on the radio port in a communication frequency range; a detecting processor adapted to detect an identification signal received on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is received on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range. Each of the apparatuses of the tenth to thirteenth aspects may be comprised in a base station.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a system, comprising an antenna port apparatus according to the first aspect; a transponder apparatus according to the second aspect; and a feeder cable; wherein the first radio port of the transponder apparatus is connected to the other side of the first antenna connector of the antenna port apparatus through the feeder cable; the first detecting means of the transponder apparatus is adapted to detect the first electrical signal generated in the first antenna port of the antenna port apparatus and transmitted through the feeder cable.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a system, comprising an antenna port apparatus according to the first aspect; a transponder apparatus according to the third aspect; and a feeder cable; wherein the first radio port of the transponder apparatus is connected to the other side of the first antenna connector of the antenna port apparatus through the feeder cable; the first detecting processor of the transponder apparatus is adapted to detect the first electrical signal generated in the first antenna port of the antenna port apparatus and transmitted through the feeder cable.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising controlling a detection of a detected identification signal for one of a transceiver, a transmitter, and a receiver; comparing the detected identification signal with a stored identification signal stored for the one of the transceiver, the transmitter, and the receiver; and generating an alarm if the detected identification signal does not match the stored identification signal.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising controlling each of plural detection means corresponding bijectively to plural radio units to detect a respective identification signal of a connected antenna port, wherein each radio unit comprises a single transceiver, or a single transmitter, or a single receiver; instructing a radio controller to associate each one of the plural radio units to the antenna port of which the detection means has detected the corresponding identification signal based on a stored one-to- one relationship between the identification signals and the radio units.

The method may further comprise comparing each of the detected identification signals with a respective stored identification signal for the radio unit; and generating an alarm if at least one of the detected identification signals does not match the respective stored identification signal.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising associating a first signal generated for transmission by a first transmitter to a second transmitter different from the first transmitter based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device; providing the first signal, instead of to the first transmitter, to the second transmitter for transmission.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method, comprising associating a first signal received for evaluation by a first evaluating means to a second evaluating means different from the first evaluating means based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device; providing the first signal, instead of to the first evaluating means, to the second evaluating means for evaluation.

Each of the methods of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects may be a method of antenna port identification.

According to a twentieth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on an apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to carry out the method according to any one of the sixteenth to nineteenth aspects. The computer program product may be embodied as a computer-readable medium or directly loadable into the computer.

According to embodiments of the invention, at least one of the following advantages is achieved :

- cabling errors may be detected early;

- correct cabling may be easier to achieve;

- site visits may not be required to check if cabling is correct nor to correct the cabling error; and - depending on BTS capability, cabling errors might be corrected even automatically by internally re-arranging the processing to match the actual cable connection. It is to be understood that any of the above modifications can be applied singly or in combination to the respective aspects to which they refer, unless they are explicitly stated as excluding alternatives.

Brief description of the drawings

Further details, features, objects, and advantages are apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention which is to be taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein

Fig . 1 shows a multi-port antenna according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a system comprising base station and antenna for remote identification of cables according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a system comprising base station with system module and remote radio head and antenna for remote identification of cables according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 9 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 10 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 11 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 12 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 13 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 14 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 15 shows a system according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of certain embodiments

Herein below, certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the features of the embodiments can be freely combined with each other unless otherwise described. However, it is to be expressly understood that the description of certain embodiments is given for by way of example only, and that it is by no way intended to be understood as limiting the invention to the disclosed details.

Moreover, it is to be understood that the apparatus is configured to perform the corresponding method, although in some cases only the apparatus or only the method are described. According to embodiments of the invention, the antenna port to which an antenna cable (feeder cable) is connected may be identified from remote by a built-in RFID tag . The RFID tag may return a sufficiently unique identification number. "Sufficiently unique" means that the identification number is at least unique for the antenna ports of the respective antenna system such as a beam forming antenna. In addition, it may be unique for all antenna elements connected to a base station, e.g. plural beam forming antennas, or plural single antennas, or a combination thereof.

RFID tags are in common use in daily life and are rather cheap. Many types of commonly used RFID tags are suitable to provide a "sufficiently unique" identification number. RFID tags typically operate in a radio frequency range of e.g . 120-150 kHz (named "LF"), 13.56 MHz (named "HF"), 433 MHz (named "UHF"), 865-868 MHz, 902-928 MHz, 2450-5800 MHz, and 3.1-10 GHz. However, the invention is not limited to these frequency ranges. For the present purpose, RFID tags with short ranges corresponding to the higher radio frequencies are preferable. The RFID tag may permanently emit the identification signal or only if triggered by an interrogation signal . Such an interrogation signal may be transmitted on the feeder cable. If the RFID tag emits the identification signal permanently, it must be ensured that it does not interfere with the reception process of the antenna/BTS. For example, the frequency range of the RFID may be very different from that of the antenna/BTS, and/or the power of the identification signal may be low compared to that of the received signal .

According to embodiments of the invention, each antenna port (or at least some particularly important antenna ports) is coupled to a specific RFID-tag (see Fig. l). An antenna port provides a connector to connect an antenna cable thereto. On the other side, the connector is connected to an antenna element, e.g . via a cable. Plural antenna elements may be placed in an antenna enclosure, and the ports comprising the connectors penetrate the antenna enclosure. Each tag responds only to the signal applied through the antenna port where it is connected, thus the RF-ID tag identifies each antenna connector individually. The coupling may be inductive, capacitive or direct. The operational frequencies of the RFID-tag are preferably selected in a way that they do not interfere with the normal base station operation. Preferably, the tag is insensitive to the transmit RF power levels during normal base station operation, at least such that it withstands the transmit power without being destroyed.

Preferably, the RFID-tag devices are selected such that only near field operation is used. Preferably, the coupling is designed such that only the tag connected to the specific line may generate an electrical signal at a specific antenna port with a sufficient strength. E.g ., the RFID tag may respond to an interrogating signal transmitted on the antenna cable connected to the respective port and may remain silent if an interrogating signal is transmitted on another one of the antenna cables. Also, the response may be designed such that a sufficient signal level for detection is reached on the antenna cable connected to the respective antenna port, whereas the signal strength on the other antenna cables has a certain level distance (e.g. measured in dB) from that signal strength.

The RFID-tag represents a unique identification ("sufficiently unique" as described hereinabove). For example, the 96-bit EPC (electronic product code) or a similar identification may be used . The RFID tag identification numbers shall be noted also on the antenna (and the delivery documents) so that they are readable from the outside of the antenna enclosure. In some embodiments, a set of codes with some numerical relationship (e.g . consecutive numbers) is be used to identify the antenna elements of a multielement antenna.

This identification method may be agreed between antenna vendor and the base station manufacturer or may become standardized, e.g. as part of 3GPP or similar.

When the antenna port is connected to a TRX of a base station via a feeder cable, the electrical signal generated in the antenna port is transmitted through the feeder cable to the base station. Note that such a feeder cable are typically longer than 5 m, sometimes even longer than 10 m, and sometimes even longer than 20 m, whereas different antenna ports of an antenna system typically have a distance of several centimetres from each other. According to embodiments of the invention, the base station comprises a detector to detect the identification signal for each TRX. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the detector may comprise a central unit, a selector, and detecting heads arranged to detect a signal on the TRX or the antenna cable connected to the TRX. Preferably, the detecting heads are arranged such that they detect only a signal on their respective TRX/antenna cable and not a signal on another TRX/antenna cable.

In some embodiments, the central unit may comprise an RFID transponder, as shown in Fig. 2, wherein the multi-port antenna is the same as that of Fig. 1. Antenna cables (feeder cables) connect the TRXs of the base station with the antenna ports of the multi-port antenna. The RFID transponder transmits an interrogating signal to the antenna cable selected by the selector, typically the interrogation signal will also provide the electrical power for the tag to respond hen it detects the signal provided by the RFID tag in response to the interrogating signal. The response signal comprises the sufficiently unique identification number. In some embodiments, instead of a central unit, a selector, and selecting heads, a detecting unit may be provided to each TRX.

The identification process may be controlled by a control device, which may be integrated e.g. in the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) centre of the base station. Control commands may comprise e.g . "detect signal on antenna cable x", and "provide the identification of the RFID tag coupled to the antenna port to which antenna cable x is connected"

In some embodiments, remote radio modules (remote radio heads) are used . In these embodiments, the base station splits up into a system module and a remote radio head . A base station (e.g . BTS) has four main blocks or logical entities: radio frequency (RF) block, baseband block, control and clocking block, and transport block. The radio frequency block (RFM) may receive signals from terminals (e.g . UEs or portable devices) via the radio interface and convert them to digital data. The baseband block processes the encoded signal and brings it back to baseband before relaying it to e.g . a terrestrial network via the transport block. Coordination between these three functions is maintained by a control block. Typically, the RRH comprises the radio frequency block, and the system module comprises the baseband block and may comprise the transport block and/or the control and clocking block, too. The RRH and the system module may be connected by optical fibers, e.g . following CPRI or OBSAI standard.

In case remote radio heads are in use, the detecting unit may be located in the system unit (see Fig . 3), operating in a same way as described for a base station which is not split into RRH and system unit, such as the one of Fig . 2. That is, the two blocks on the left side of Fig. 3 correspond functionally to the left block of Fig. 2. The multiple-port antenna on the right side is the same as that of Fig. 1. In this case, the identification process may be controlled by a control device integrated in the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the system module. For this case, the current interfaces in use (e.g . OBSAI or CPRI) may be enhanced by commands which can remote-control the RFID transponder in a consistent way. Such commands may comprise e.g . "detect signal on antenna cable x", and "provide the identification of the RFID tag coupled to the antenna port to which antenna cable x is connected". By doing so, also cabling issues between System module and remote radio head may be detected .

The signalling to the RFID transponder in the remote radio head can be performed out-of-band (via control channel) or in-band (via specially marked data blocks). If the signalling method should work between different vendors of system module and remote radio head, the control method should be standardized, e.g. as part of the CPRI or OBSAI standard.

According to some embodiments of the invention, it is evaluated if the detected identification signals correspond to the expected identification signals. For this, the control device may comprise a table, wherein the TRXs are associated bijectively to the antenna ports. If the control device receives the detected identification signals for each TRX, it compares them with the stored identification signal for this TRX. If there is a mismatch, an alarm may be generated. Thus, the operator is informed early that correction of the cabling is required .

According to some embodiments, the control device may instruct the controller of the base station (e.g . BSC, or that integrated in an eNodeB) or the base station itself to differently assign the physical TRX to the logical TRX. E.g ., if cable 1 is connected to TRX2 and cable 2 is connected to TRX1, the control device may instruct the BSC to provide a signal intended for TRX1 ("logical TRX") to TRX2 ("physical TRX") and vice versa. Thus, no onsite activity to correct the cabling is required .

In some embodiments, the TRXs may be arbitrarily connected to the antenna ports. After physical installations of the cables, the control device identifies which physical TRX is connected to which antenna port. Then, the control device instructs the controller (e.g . BSC) or the base station itself to assign the logical TRX to the correct physical TRX. Thus, cabling errors (apart from not connecting a cable) cannot occur.

The association of logical TRX and physical association may be based on identification information as obtained by a method described hereinabove. However, the association is not restricted to this method. E.g ., such associating may be based on a report of an installer which describes which antenna port was associated to which TRX. The installer may have determined the connections of TRXs to antennas e.g. based on conventional means such as colored tapes.

Fig. 4 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be an antenna, a multiport antenna, or an antenna port thereof.

The apparatus comprises an antenna connector 10 and a near field communication device 20.

The antenna connector 10 is suitable for electrically connecting an antenna element to one side thereof and for electrically connecting a feeder cable to the other side thereof such that the antenna element is electrically connected to the feeder cable. The near field communication device 20 such as an RFID tag is adapted to generate a near field signal. The near field communication device is arranged such that the near field signal generates an electrical signal in the antenna connector. Preferably, the near field communication device 20 is arranged that it generates an electrical signal with a sufficient level for detection only in the antenna connector 10 and not in other corresponding antenna connectors which may be comprised by the apparatus. Fig. 5 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a base station or may comprise a remote radio head of a base station.

The apparatus comprises a radio unit 110 and a detecting means 120.

The radio unit 110 comprises a radio port and a single one of a receiver, a transmitter, and a transceiver adapted to receive and/or to transmit, respectively, on the radio port in a communication frequency range, e.g. a GSM band, a UMTS band, an LTE band, or a WiFi band .

The detecting means 120 is adapted to detect an identification signal transmitted on the radio port, wherein the identification signal is transmitted on an identification frequency range different from the communication frequency range.

Fig. 6 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a an O&M center or a component thereof such a a controller for antenna port identification. Fig. 7 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention . The apparatus according to Fig . 6 may perform the method of Fig. 6 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 7 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 6 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus. The apparatus comprises control means 210, comparing means 220, and alarming means 230.

The control means 210 controls a detection means to detect a detected identification signal for one of a transceiver, a transmitter, and a receiver (S210). The comparing means 220 compares the detected identification signal with a stored identification signal which is stored for the one of the transceiver, the transmitter, and the receiver (S220). If the detected identification signal does not match the stored identification signal, the alarming means 230 generates an alarm (S230).

Fig. 8 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be an O&M center or a component thereof such a a controller for antenna port identification. Fig . 9 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 8 may perform the method of Fig. 9 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 9 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig. 8 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises control means 310 and instruction means 320.

The control means 310 controls each of plural detection means to detect a respective identification signal of a connected antenna port (S310). The plural detection means correspond bijectively (in a one-to-one relationship) to plural radio units. Each radio unit comprises a single transceiver, or a single transmitter, or a single receiver. The instruction means 320 instructs a radio controller to associate each one of the plural radio units to the antenna port of which the detection means has detected the corresponding identification signal (S320). The association is based on a stored one-to-one relationship between the identification signals and the radio units. In addition, the apparatus may generate an alarm if the relationship of detected identification signals to radio units does not match a stored relationship between identification signals and radio units.

Fig. 10 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a system unit or a component thereof such as a base band unit, to which a remote radio head may be connected .

The apparatus comprises base band means 410 and interface means 420. In operation, the base band means 410 provides a base band unit function of a base station to a remote radio head operating in a communication frequency range (S410). The base band unit function is provided through the interface means 420 which is adapted to operatively connect the base band means 410 with the remote radio head .

The interface means 420 is further adapted to provide a command to the remote radio head (S420). The command is suitable to control the detecting of an identification signal of an antenna port connected to the remote radio head by a detecting means in the remote radio head.

Fig. 11 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a base station or a controller thereof, or an element of one of these entities. Fig . 12 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 11 may perform the method of Fig . 12 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 12 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig . 11 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises associating means 510 and providing means 520.

Based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device, the associating means 510 associates a first signal generated for transmission by a first transmitter to a second transmitter (S510). The second transmitter is different from the first transmitter. The antenna identification device may be an apparatus such as that shown in Fig . 8 or similar.

Based on the association by the associating means 510, the providing means 520 provides the first signal, instead of to the first transmitter, to the second transmitter for transmission (S520).

Fig. 13 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus may be a base station or a controller thereof, or an element of one of these entities. Fig . 14 shows a method according to an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to Fig. 13 may perform the method of Fig. 14 but is not limited to this method. The method of Fig. 14 may be performed by the apparatus of Fig . 13 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

The apparatus comprises associating means 610 and providing means 620.

The associating means 610 associates a first signal received for evaluation by a first evaluating means to a second evaluating means different from the first evaluating means (S610). The association is based on an instruction received from an antenna identification device. The antenna identification device may be an apparatus such as that shown in Fig . 8 or similar. The first and second evaluation means are for evaluating the signals received by first and second receivers, respectively. That is, they are back-end circuitry from the receivers' perspective. Based on the association by the associating means 610, the providing means 620 provides the first signal, instead of to the first evaluating means, to the second evaluating means for evaluation (S620).

Fig. 15 shows a system according to an embodiment of the invention.

The system comprises an antenna port apparatus 710 such as the one shown in Fig. 4, a transponder apparatus 720 such as the one shown in Fig. 5, and a feeder cable 730. The first radio port of the transponder apparatus 720 is connected to the other side of the first antenna connector of the antenna port apparatus 710 through the feeder cable 730. The first detecting means of the transponder apparatus 720 detects the first electrical signal generated in the first antenna port of the antenna port apparatus 710 which is transmitted through the feeder cable 730.

Note that in some embodiments, instead of one or more transceivers (TRX), only receiver(s) or only transmitter(s), or a mixture of two or three of these three types of entities may be employed. For simplicity, in this application, it is referred to TRX only, but TRX may be replaced by one of receiver and transmitter, if not otherwise made clear from the context. A transceiver is capable of transmitting and receiving.

Instead of RFIDs, other near field communication devices may be used. E.g., each antenna port may be to an electrical signal generating circuit generating a predefined signal. The predefined signal may be fed into the connector and reach the detecting system in the base station (RRH) via the feeder cable.

Names of network elements, protocols, and methods are based on current standards. In other versions or other technologies, the names of these network elements and/or protocols and/or methods may be different, as long as they provide a corresponding functionality.

Implementations of any of the above described blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques or methods include, as non limiting examples, implementations as hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

It is to be understood that what is described above is what is presently considered the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the description of the preferred embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.