Technical field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to communication networks, and particularly to methods, apparatus and machine-readable mediums for monitoring network node hardware in wireless communication networks.

Background

Network nodes underpin the architecture of wireless communication networks. In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices are connected to a core network via Radio Access Network (RAN) nodes. The network nodes forming the core network are referred to as Core Network (CN) nodes. Each network node in a wireless communication network is made up of a number of different hardware units, such as power supply units, fans, and radio transmitters and receivers, amongst other components. However, each of the hardware units in a network node has a finite lifetime, and failure in any of these hardware units can have a significant impact on the operation of the network node. This, in turn, can have implications for other nodes and devices in the network. For example, a hardware failure in a RAN node may lead to a reduction in or loss of service for wireless devices served by the RAN node. In another example, a hardware failure in a CN node may prevent data from being exchanged between wireless devices in different communication networks. Thus, the functioning of hardware within network nodes is of crucial importance to the operation of wireless communication networks.

The impact of hardware failures in a wireless communication network can be mitigated by performing timely maintenance, repair or replacement of hardware in network nodes. Alternatively, network resources may be rescheduled to divert signalling away from network nodes that are likely to experience a failure, thereby mitigating the impact of any potential hardware failures. However, in order to effectively implement these and other management strategies, accurate predictions are required as to when a hardware unit (and thus a network node) is likely to fail.

Summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure seek to address these and other problems. In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method performed by a network node in a wireless communication network. The method comprises: receiving, from a management node in the wireless communication network, a request for operating time information for a hardware unit in the network node, wherein the operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime; obtaining, from the hardware unit, one or more of the accumulated operating time and the predicted remaining lifetime; and transmitting, from the network node to the management node, the operating time information for the hardware unit in the network node, wherein the operating time information is based on the obtained one or more of the accumulated operating time and the predicted remaining lifetime.

A second aspect provides a method performed by a management node for a wireless communication network. The method comprises: transmitting, to a network node in the wireless communication network, a request for operating time information for a hardware unit in the network node, wherein the operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime; and receiving, from the network node, the operating time information for the hardware unit.

A third aspect provides a method performed by a hardware unit for a network node of a wireless communication network. The method comprises: determining operating time information for the hardware unit, the operating time information comprising one or more of: an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime; and transmitting the operating time information to a controller in the network node.

Apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable mediums are also provided for performing the methods set out above. For example, in one aspect there is provided a network node in a wireless communication network. The network node comprises processing circuitry and a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the network node to: receive, from a management node in the wireless communication network, a request for operating time information for a hardware unit in the network node, wherein the operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime; obtain, from the hardware unit, one or more of the accumulated operating time and the predicted remaining lifetime; and transmit, from the network node to the management node, the operating time information for the hardware unit in the network node, wherein the operating time information is based on the obtained one or more of the accumulated operating time and the predicted remaining lifetime.

In another aspect, a management node for a wireless communication network is provided. The management node comprises processing circuitry and a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the management node to: transmit, to a network node in the wireless communication network, a request for operating time information for a hardware unit in the network node, wherein the operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime; and receive, from the network node, the operating time information for the hardware unit.

A further aspect provides a hardware unit for a network node of a wireless communication network. The hardware unit comprises processing circuitry and a non- transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the hardware unit to: determine operating time information for the hardware unit, the operating time information comprising one or more of: an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime; and transmit the operating time information to a controller in the network node.

Brief description of the drawings

For a better understanding of examples of the present disclosure, and to show more clearly how the examples may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless communication network according to embodiments of the disclosure;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a network node according to embodiments of the disclosure;

Figure 3 is a signalling diagram according to embodiments of the disclosure;

Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a network node according to embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method in a management node according to embodiments of the disclosure;

Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method in a hardware unit according to embodiments of the disclosure;

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a network node according to embodiments of the disclosure;

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a management node according to embodiments of the disclosure; and

Figures 1 1 and 12 illustrate a hardware unit according to embodiments of the disclosure.

Detailed description

Figure 1 shows a wireless communication network 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The network 100 may implement any suitable wireless communications protocol or technology, such as Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), Wide Code-Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), New Radio (NR), WiFi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies. In one particular example, the network 100 forms part of a cellular telecommunications network, such as the type developed by the 3 ^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various components of the network 100 are omitted from Figure 1 for the purposes of clarity.

The network 100 comprises at least one radio access network (RAN) node 102. In the illustrated embodiment, three RAN nodes 102 are shown, although the skilled person will appreciate that the network 100 may comprise any number of RAN nodes, and may comprise many more RAN nodes than shown.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the RAN nodes 102 is connected to a core network 106 via a backhaul network 104. The core network 106 comprises one or more core network nodes. As used herein, the term“network node” means any radio access network node or core network node. The network 100 further comprises a management node 108, which in the illustrated embodiment is communicatively coupled to the core network 106. According to embodiments of the disclosure, the management node is operative to monitor and/or predict the lifetime of hardware units within the network (such as the hardware unit 1 10), so as to enable better maintenance of those hardware units. The operations of the management node 108 are described in greater detail below. The management node may be implemented in any suitable server (and may be implemented in the cloud, for example).

Each network node, such as the RAN node 102, comprises one or more hardware units 1 10 of which only one is shown for clarity. The hardware unit 1 10 may comprise one or more of: a power supply unit (PSU), a power distribution unit (PDU), a baseband unit, a climate unit, a radio unit, a backhaul interface unit, and any other hardware suitable for the network node 102.

As discussed above, hardware units 1 10 in network nodes have a finite lifetime, and failures in those units can disrupt network node operations. If a network node is serving a number of wireless devices, then hardware failures in the network node can lead to a loss of service, or limited service provision for the wireless devices served by the network node. For network nodes forming part of the core network 106 or the backhaul network 104, hardware failures can have far-reaching effects throughout the network.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, methods provided for monitoring a lifetime of a hardware unit 1 10 in a network node in a wireless communication network 100. On request from the management node 108 in the wireless communication network 100, the network node 102 obtains, from the hardware unit 1 10, an accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10. The network node 102 determines a predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10 based on the accumulated operating time. The network node 102 then transmits the predicted remaining lifetime to the management node 108. The claimed method thus allows for monitoring the remaining lifetime of hardware units 1 10 in network nodes 102 from a management node 108. Moreover, by determining the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 1 10 based on its accumulated operating time, the method allows for accurately predicting hardware failures in wireless communication networks. In an alternative embodiment, the network node 102 obtains, from the hardware unit 1 10, a predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10 on request from the management node 108. In this embodiment, the predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10 is determined at the hardware unit 1 10 based on the accumulated operating time of the hardware unit 1 10. The predicted lifetime is then transmitted from the network node 102 to the management node 108.

Alternatively, on request from the management node 108, the network node 102 obtains an accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10 from the hardware unit 1 10, and transmits the accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10 to the management node 108. The management node 108 then determines a predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10 based on the received accumulated operating time. The management node is thus able to more accurately predict failures in the hardware unit 1 10 in the network node 102. Moreover, by calculating the predicted remaining lifetime at the management node 108, the method allows for reducing processing at the hardware unit 1 10 and the network node 102, thereby reducing the power requirements for the hardware unit 1 10 and the network node 102.

The embodiments described herein thus allow for accurately predicting hardware failures in network nodes in wireless communication networks.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a network node 200. The network node 200 may be, for example, a core network node or a radio access network node (such as the RAN nodes 102 described above with respect to Figure 1 ).

The network node 200 comprises a controller 202 (which may comprise a function inside a baseband unit 214, as illustrated) communicatively coupled to receive signals and/or data from one or more hardware units 204-212. It will be apparent to the skilled person that the network node 200 may comprise additional hardware that is not illustrated in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 2, the network node 200 comprises: a power supply unit (PSU) 204, a power distribution unit (PDU) 206, a climate unit 208, a radio unit 210 and a backhaul interface 212. Solid lines illustrate a power connection between hardware units; dashed lines illustrate a signal connection between hardware units. The PSU 204 provides power to the hardware units in the network node 200. The PSU may be connected to the PDU 206, which distributes the supplied power amongst the hardware units in the network node 200.

The climate unit 208 includes apparatus for monitoring and/or controlling the climate of other hardware units in the network node 200. For example, the climate unit 208 may include a fan or other climate control equipment for controlling the temperature of other hardware units in the network node 200, or the network node 200 itself.

The radio unit 210 is configured to perform radio signal processing. The baseband unit 214 is configured to perform baseband signal processing. The backhaul interface 212 is configured to process backhaul signalling. For example, a backhaul interface in a RAN node may process signalling (e.g., electronic, microwave, optical signalling) between the RAN node and the backhaul network (such as the backhaul network 104), which in turn is connected to the core network (such as the core network 106).

The embodiment of Figure 2 thus shows several examples of hardware units to which embodiments of the present disclosure may apply. In the illustrated embodiment, hardware units are shown that may be primarily found in a RAN node, particularly including one or more hardware units for the processing and transmission/reception of radio signals. Other network nodes, particularly core network nodes, may comprise different hardware units to those shown, and may comprise alternative signalling mechanisms (such as optical or electrical transceivers, etc).

Figure 3 is a signalling diagram according to embodiments of the disclosure, illustrating signalling between a management node 302, a network node 304 and a hardware unit 306 within the network node 304. The network node 304 may comprise a controller which communicates with the hardware unit 306, as illustrated in Figure 2, for example.

The steps illustrated in Figure 3 may form part of a paging mechanism between the management node 302, the network node 304 and the hardware unit 306, in which the management node 302 receives information from the network node 304 by requesting that information and receiving a response from the network node. The management node 302 may be the management node 108 described above with respect to Figure 1. The network node may be any core network or RAN node. The hardware unit 306 may be the hardware unit 1 10 illustrated in Figure 1 , or any of the hardware units 204-214 illustrated in Figure 2.

The procedure begins with the management node 302 transmitting a first request message 308 to the network node 304 for operating time information for the hardware unit 306. Thus, for example, the first request message 308 from the management node 302 may be a request for operating time information of a PSU 204 in the network node.

The operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time

and a predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 306. Embodiments of the disclosure allow for the accurate prediction of a remaining lifetime of hardware units in a network unit. The step of predicting the remaining lifetime may be performed in numerous different nodes. For example, the prediction may be performed in the hardware unit 306 itself, or the network node 304. In either case, the first request message 308 may comprise a request for a predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 306. Alternatively, the prediction may be performed in the management node 302, in which case the first request message 308 may comprise a request for an accumulated lifetime of the hardware unit and, optionally, supplementary operating information on which the prediction of the remaining lifetime may be based.

The accumulated operating time may, for example, be the total operating time of the hardware unit 306 since it was installed. In an alternative example, the operating time information may be the total operating time of the hardware unit 306 since the management node 302 last received such information from the network node 304.

On receipt of the first request message 308 from the management node 302, the network node 304 obtains the requested operating time information. Thus, if the first request message 308 was for the accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 306, then the network node 304 obtains the accumulated operating time by first transmitting a second request message 310 to the hardware unit 306 for the accumulated operating time of the hardware unit 306.

If the first request message 308 was for the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 306 (i.e. the first request message 308 was for the predicted remaining lifetime, or the first request message 308 was for the predicted remaining lifetime and the accumulated operating time), then the predicted remaining lifetime may be determined at either the network node 304 or the hardware unit 306. In this case, the second request message 310 transmitted by the network node 304 to the hardware unit 306 may be for the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 306 and/or the accumulated operating time of the hardware unit 306.

On receipt of the second request message 310 from the network node 304, the hardware unit 306 determines the requested information and transmits a first response message 314 including the requested information to the network node 304. Thus, if the second request message 310 was for the accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 306, then the hardware unit 306 determines the accumulated operating time and transmits a first response message 314 including the accumulated operating time to the network node 304.

If the second request message 310 was for the predicted remaining lifetime (either in addition to or instead of the accumulated operating time) of the hardware unit 306, then the hardware unit 306 first determines the accumulated operating time and then determines the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 306 based on the determined accumulated operating time. The hardware unit 306 then transmits the predicted remaining lifetime and/or accumulated operating time to the network node 304 in the first response message 314.

The network node 304 then transmits a second response message 312 to the management node 302, which comprises the operating time information requested by the management node 302 in the first request message 308. Therefore, if the management node 302 requested only the accumulated operating time information for the hardware unit 306 in the first request message 308, then the network node 304 transmits only the accumulated operating time information to the management node 302 in the second response message 312. If the management node 302 requested the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 306 in the first request message 308, then the network node 304 transmits the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 306 to the management node in the second response message 312.

It will be noted that the network node 304 may receive the accumulated operating time information in the first response message 314, but be required to provide the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit to the management node 302. In such embodiments, the network node 304 determines the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 306 based on the accumulated operating time and, optionally, the supplementary operating information received from the hardware unit 306 in the first response message 314.

Of course, it is also possible that the management node 302 requests the predicted remaining lifetime and the accumulated operating time of the hardware unit 306 in the first request message 308, in which case the network node transmits both the predicted remaining lifetime and the accumulated operating time of the hardware unit 306 to the management node 302 in the second response message 312.

The management node 302 thus receives the operating time information that it requested in the first request message 308. As noted above, the prediction of the remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 306 may be carried out by the hardware unit 306 itself, the network node 304 or the management node 302. The determination of the predicted remaining lifetime may be based on the accumulated operating lifetime. The determination may also be based on a notional lifetime for the hardware unit. For example, a manufacturer of the hardware unit may provide an expected lifetime, or an average lifetime may be determined from the lifetimes of similar products or models. The determination of the predicted remaining lifetime may be further based on supplementary operating information for the hardware unit 306.

The supplementary operating information comprises information, in addition to the accumulated operating lifetime, which describes the conditions which the hardware unit has been subject to during its use. For example, The supplementary operating information may comprise operating temperature data for the hardware unit 306. The operating temperature data may comprise time-series data showing the variation of the temperature of the hardware unit over time. The operating temperature data may, additionally or alternatively, indicate a total time that the hardware unit 306 has operated above or below a threshold temperature. For example, the operating temperature data for a PSU (such as the PSU 204 in Figure 2) may comprise a number of hours the PSU 204 has been operating above 60 degrees Celsius. Since prolonged operation at high temperatures can reduce the lifetime of PSUs, determining the predicted remaining lifetime of the PSU 204 based on both the accumulated operating time of the PSU 204 and the number of hours the PSU 204 has been operating above or below a threshold temperature allows for a more accurate prediction of the remaining lifetime for the PSU 204.

The supplementary operating information may additionally or alternatively comprise one or more of a voltage, current and power supplied to the hardware unit 306. For example, the supplementary operating information may indicate a total time that the hardware unit 306 has been supplied with a current, voltage or power above or below a particular threshold value. For example, the supplementary operating information may indicate the total time that a capacitor in the PSU 204 has been supplied with a voltage below a maximum voltage rating for the capacitor. Supplying a hardware unit (or a component in a hardware unit) with a power, current or voltage that is less than its maximum capacity (often referred to as derating) can prolong the lifetime of the hardware unit. Thus, again, the prediction of remaining lifetime may be made more accurate by including this information in the determination.

The supplementary operating information may additionally or alternatively comprise a number of times the hardware unit 1 10 has been turned on or off. The lifetime of a hardware unit 1 10 (and particularly transistors or switches within such a hardware unit) may decrease as the number of times the hardware unit 1 10 has been powered on or off increases.

The supplementary operating information is thus provided to the node which carries out the prediction of the remaining lifetime of the hardware unit. That may be the hardware unit 306 itself. Alternatively, that may be the network node 304 (in which case the supplementary operating information may be provided in the first response message 314) or the management node 302 (in which case the supplementary operating information may be provided in the first and second response messages 314, 312).

The predicted remaining lifetime may be determined using a predictive model. The predictive model may be developed using a machine-learning algorithm. Several different machine-learning techniques may be used for the machine-learning algorithm, including neural networks (for example, artificial neural networks and recurrent neural networks such as long short-term memory, etc). The present disclosure is not limited in that respect. The predictive model may be an autoregressive model. In an embodiment, the predictive model is an autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model. Thus, the predicted remaining lifetime of a hardware unit, y„, at time t _n is given by

wherein yi and 9 _j are coefficients at time t„, y _n-t is an earlier estimate of the predicted remaining lifetime determined at an earlier time t _n® , e„ and e„_ _;· are indicative of noise in the predicted remaining lifetime at times t _n and t„_ _; respectively, and c is a constant. Therefore, the predicted remaining lifetime at time t _n is dependent on earlier estimates of the predicted remaining lifetime y _n-t for i = 1 ... p and earlier values of the noise in the lifetime e„_ _;· for i = 1 ... q. The values of p and q thus determine the dependence of current estimate of the predicted remaining lifetime, y„, on earlier estimates of the predicted remaining lifetime and the noise in that predicted lifetime.

In particular embodiments, the predicted remaining lifetime may be determined using a non-stationary autoregressive model. For example, the predictive model may be an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, which is a generalisation of the ARMA model. The ARIMA model includes an additional differencing step that accounts for variations in the expectation of the predicted remaining lifetime with time (e.g. trends, seasonality). Thus, according to the ARIMA model, the predicted remaining lifetime of a hardware unit, y„, at time t _n may be determined using

wherein L is the differencing operator, such that L ^d y _n = y _n-d , and d is an integer value that represents the degree of differencing. For example, d = 1 may be sufficient to capture the non-stationary component of the predicted mean lifetime.

For either ARMA or ARIMA models, the coefficients fi and (and, for the ARIMA model, the parameter d) may be dependent on the supplementary operation information defined above. For example, the coefficients may vary as a function of the temperature at each time instance. Alternatively or additionally, the coefficients may vary as a function of a rate at which the hardware unit is being or has been turned on and off at each time instance. Alternatively or additionally, the coefficients may vary as a function of a current, voltage or power supplied to the hardware unit. The variation of the coefficients with one or more of these parameters may be determined via an automated process or manually. For example, an iterative process may be required, involving trial and error to determine appropriate variation of the coefficients with one or more of: the temperature; the rate at which the hardware unit has been switched on and off; and a current, voltage or power supplied to the hardware unit.

Thus, according to embodiments of the disclosure, the remaining lifetime of a hardware unit may be predicted using a predictive model. The prediction model may be configured such that predicted values for the remaining lifetime vary as a function of one or more previously predicted values for the remaining lifetime (i.e. predicted values at an earlier time). The prediction model may further depend on the supplementary operating information discussed above.

Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method in a network node in a wireless communication network according to embodiments of the disclosure. The network node may be a core network node or a RAN node such as the RAN node 102 illustrated in Figure 1 , for example. The wireless communication network may comprise the wireless communication network 100 illustrated in Figure 1.

The method begins in step 402, in which the network node 102 receives, from a management node in the wireless communication network 100, a request message for operating time information for a hardware unit in the network node 102. The management node may, for example, be the management node 108 in Figure 1. The hardware unit may be the hardware unit 1 10 illustrated in Figure 1. The hardware unit may comprise one or more of the hardware units 204-214 illustrated in Figure 2. Thus, for example, the request from the management node 108 may be a request for operating time information of a PSU 204 in the network node.

The operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10 and a predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10. The accumulated operating time may, for example, be the total operating time of the hardware unit 1 10 since it was installed. In an alternative example, the operating time information may be the total operating time of the hardware unit 1 10 since the management node 108 last received such information from the network node 102. In step 404, the network node 102 obtains, from the hardware unit 1 10, one or more of the accumulated operating time and the predicted remaining lifetime. Thus, if the request in step 402 was for an accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10, then the network node 102 obtains the accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10 from the hardware unit 1 10 in step 404.

If the request in step 402 is for the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 1 10, then the network node 102 may obtain the predicted remaining lifetime from the hardware unit 1 10. In that case, the predicted remaining lifetime is determined at the hardware unit 1 10 and transmitted from the hardware unit 1 10 to the network node 102. The accumulated operating time of the hardware unit 1 10 may additionally be transmitted from the hardware unit 1 10 to the network node 102 with the predicted remaining lifetime.

Alternatively, the network node 102 may receive a request for the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit in step 402, and obtain only the accumulated operating time of the hardware unit 1 10 from the hardware unit 1 10 in step 404. In that case, network node 102 determines the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 1 10 based on the received accumulated operating time of the hardware unit 1 10. Further detail regarding the predictive method is provided above with respect to Figure 3.

In step 406, the network node 102 transmits the requested operating time information for the hardware unit 1 10 to the management node 108. The operating time information is based on the accumulated operating time and/or predicted remaining lifetime obtained in step 404. Thus, if the management node 108 requested only the accumulated operating time of the hardware unit 1 10, then, in step 406, the network node 102 transmits only the accumulated operating time of the hardware unit 1 10 to the management node 108.

Alternatively, if the management node 108 requested the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 1 10 in step 402, then the network node 102 transmits the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 1 10 to the management node 108 in step 406.

Thus, the method illustrated in Figure 4 allows a network node to provide a predicted remaining lifetime and/or an accumulated operating time for a hardware unit 1 10 in the network node 102 on request from the management node 108. This method may form part of a paging procedure between the management node 108 and the network node 102.

Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method in a management node in a wireless communication network according to embodiments of the disclosure. The management node may be the management node 108 illustrated in Figure 1 , or the management node 302 shown in Figure 3, for example. The wireless communication network may comprise the wireless communication network 100 illustrated in Figure 1.

The method begins in step 502, in which the management node 108 transmits a request message, to a network node in the wireless communication network 100, for operating time information for a hardware unit in the network node. The network node may be the network node 102 illustrated in Figure 1 , for example. The hardware unit may be the hardware unit 1 10 illustrated in Figure 1.

The operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10 and a predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10. The accumulated operating time may, for example, be the total operating time of the hardware unit 1 10 since it was installed. In an alternative example, the operating time information may be the total operating time of the hardware unit 1 10 since the management node 108 last received such information from the network node 102.

In some embodiments, step 502 may be performed responsive to signalling from another network node in the wireless communications network 100. Alternatively, step 502 may be performed at a predetermined time according to a schedule. Thus, the method illustrated in Figure 5 may be performed on demand or according to a predetermined schedule.

In step 504, the management node 108 receives, from the network node 102, the operating time information for the hardware unit 1 10. Thus, if the management node 108 requested the predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10 in step 502, then in step 504 the management node 108 receives the predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10 from the network node 102. Additionally or alternatively, if the management node 108 requested the accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10 in step 502, then in step 504 the management node 108 receives the accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10 from the network node 102.

If, in step 504, the management node 108 receives only the accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10 (i.e. the management node 108 receives the accumulated operating time, but not the predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10) from the network node 102, the management node 108 may then determine a predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10 based on the received accumulated operating time. The management node 108 may use any of the methods for determining the predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10 discussed above in relation to Figure 3.

Once the management node 108 has obtained the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 1 10 (either by receiving it from the network node 102 or by determining it at the management node 108), the management node 108 may then, optionally, transmit the predicted remaining lifetime and/or the accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10 to a second network node in the wireless communications network 100. In a particular embodiment, if the method illustrated in Figure 5 was initiated in response to receipt of a request from another network node in the wireless communication network, then the method may further comprise sending the predicted remaining lifetime and/or the accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10 to that network node.

Alternatively or additionally, the predicted remaining lifetime may be utilized to schedule maintenance and/or replacement of the hardware unit 1 10. For example, the hardware unit may be scheduled for replacement a predefined amount of time prior to the predicted end of its operating lifetime. In this way, maintenance can be made more efficient than would otherwise be the case, while decreasing the likelihood of unexpected network outages due to hardware failure.

Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method in a hardware unit in a network node in a wireless communication network according to embodiments of the disclosure. The network node may be a core network node or a RAN node such as the RAN node 102 illustrated in Figure 1 , for example. The hardware unit may be the hardware unit 1 10 illustrated in Figure 1 , and/or any of the hardware units shown in Figure 2. The wireless communication network may comprise the wireless communication network 100 illustrated in Figure 1.

The method begins in step 602, in which the hardware unit 1 10 determines operating time information for the hardware unit 1 10. The operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10 and a predicted remaining lifetime for the hardware unit 1 10. The accumulated operating time may, for example, be the total operating time of the hardware unit 1 10 since it was installed. In an alternative example, the operating time information may be the total operating time of the hardware unit 1 10 since the management node 108 last received such information from the network node 102.

Thus, in step 602 the hardware unit 1 10 determines the accumulated operating time and/or the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit 1 10. If the hardware unit 1 10 determines its predicted remaining lifetime, then the predicted remaining lifetime is determined based on the accumulated operating time for the hardware unit 1 10. The predicted remaining lifetime may additionally or alternatively be determined using any of the methods described with respect to Figure 3.

The hardware unit 1 10 may be scheduled to perform step 602 at a predetermined time or at predetermined intervals. Additionally or alternatively, the hardware unit 1 10 may perform step 602 responsive to receipt of a request for operating time information from a controller in the network node 102. The controller may be the controller 202 in Figure 2, for example.

In step 604, the hardware unit 1 10 transmits the determined operating time information to the network node 102. More specifically, the hardware unit 1 10 may transmit the determined operating time information to the controller 202 in the network node. If step 602 was performed responsive to receipt of a request for operating time information from the controller 202, then step 604 comprises transmitting the requested operating time information to the network node controller 202.

Thus Figures 4-6 set out methods by which hardware failures in network nodes in a wireless communication network may be predicted. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a network node 700 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The network node 700 may be configured to carry out the method described above with respect to Figure 4, for example.

The network node 700 comprises processing circuitry 702, a machine-readable medium (such as memory) 704 and a hardware unit 706. The machine-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processing circuitry 702, cause the network node 700 to receive, from a management node in a wireless communication network, a request for operating time information for the hardware unit 706, wherein the operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime.

The network node 700 is further caused to: obtain, from the hardware unit 706, one or more of the accumulated operating time and the predicted remaining lifetime; and transmit, from the network node to the management node, the operating time information for the hardware unit in the network node, wherein the operating time information is based on the obtained one or more of the accumulated operating time and the predicted remaining lifetime.

The network node 700 also comprises one or more interfaces (not illustrated), for receiving signals from other nodes of the network and/or transmitting signals to other nodes of the network. The interfaces may use any appropriate communication technology, such as electronic signalling, optical signalling or wireless (radio) signalling. In some embodiments, the hardware unit 706 may comprise one or more of these interfaces.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processing circuitry 702, the machine-readable medium 704 and the hardware unit 706 are operatively coupled to each other in series. In other embodiments, these components may be coupled to each other in a different fashion, either directly or indirectly. For example, the components may be coupled to each other via a system bus or other communication line.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a network node 800 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The network node 800 may be configured to carry out the method described above with respect to Figure 4, for example. The network node 800 comprises a receiving module 802. The receiving module 802 is configured to receive, from a management node in a wireless communication network, a request for operating time information for a hardware unit in the network node, wherein the operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime.

In the illustrated embodiment, the network node 800 further comprises an obtaining module 804. The obtaining module 804 is configured to obtain, from the hardware unit, one or more of the accumulated operating time and the predicted remaining lifetime of the hardware unit.

The network node 800 further comprises a transmitting module 806. The transmitting module 806 is configured to transmit, from the network node to the management node, the operating time information for the hardware unit in the network node, wherein the operating time information is based on the obtained one or more of the accumulated operating time and the predicted remaining lifetime.

The network node 800 may also comprise one or more interface modules (not illustrated), for receiving signals from other nodes of the network and/or transmitting signals to other nodes of the network. The interfaces may use any appropriate communication technology, such as electronic signalling, optical signalling or wireless (radio) signalling.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a management node 900 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The management node 900 may be configured to carry out the method described above with respect to Figure 5, for example.

The management node 900 comprises processing circuitry 902 and a machine- readable medium (such as memory) 904. The machine-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processing circuitry 902, cause the management node 900 to: transmit, to a network node in a wireless communication network, a request for operating time information for a hardware unit in the network node, wherein the operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime. The management node 900 is further caused to receive, from the network node, the operating time information for the hardware unit. In the illustrated embodiment, the management node 900 also comprises one or more interfaces 906, for receiving signals from other nodes of the network and/or transmitting signals to other nodes of the network. The interfaces 906 may use any appropriate communication technology, such as electronic signalling, optical signalling or wireless (radio) signalling.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processing circuitry 902, the machine-readable medium 904 and the interfaces 906 are operatively coupled to each other in series. In other embodiments, these components may be coupled to each other in a different fashion, either directly or indirectly. For example, the components may be coupled to each other via a system bus or other communication line.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a management node 1000 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The management node 1000 may be configured to carry out the method described above with respect to Figure 5, for example.

The management node 1000 comprises a transmitting module 1004. The transmitting module 1004 is configured to transmit, to a network node in a wireless communication network, a request for operating time information for a hardware unit in the network node, wherein the operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime.

In the illustrated embodiment, the management node 1000 further comprises a receiving module 1002. The receiving module 1002 is configured to receive, from the network node, the operating time information for the hardware unit.

The management node 1000 may also comprise one or more interface modules (not illustrated), for receiving signals from other nodes of the network and/or transmitting signals to other nodes of the network. The interfaces may use any appropriate communication technology, such as electronic signalling, optical signalling or wireless (radio) signalling.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a hardware unit 1 100 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The hardware unit 1 100 may be configured to carry out the method described above with respect to Figure 5, for example. The hardware unit 1 100 comprises processing circuitry 1 102 and a machine-readable medium (such as memory) 1 104. The machine-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processing circuitry 1 102, cause the hardware unit 1 100 to: determine operating time information for the hardware unit, wherein the operating time information comprises one or more of an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime. The hardware unit 1 100 is further caused to transmit the operating time information to a controller in the network node In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware unit 1 100 also comprises one or more interfaces 1 106, for receiving signals from other hardware units in a network node and/or transmitting signals to other hardware units in the network node. The interfaces 1 106 may use any appropriate communication technology, such as electronic signalling, optical signalling or wireless (radio) signalling.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processing circuitry 1 102, the machine-readable medium 1 104 and the interfaces 1 106 are operatively coupled to each other in series. In other embodiments, these components may be coupled to each other in a different fashion, either directly or indirectly. For example, the components may be coupled to each other via a system bus or other communication line.

Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a hardware unit 1200 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The hardware unit 1200 may be configured to carry out the method described above with respect to Figure 5, for example.

The hardware unit 1200 comprises a determining module 1202. The determining module 1202 is configured to determine operating time information for the hardware unit, wherein the operating time information comprises one or more of: an accumulated operating time and a predicted remaining lifetime.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware unit 1200 further comprises a transmitting module 1204. The transmitting module 1204 is configured to transmit the operating time information to a controller in the network node. The hardware unit 1200 may also comprise one or more interface modules (not illustrated), for receiving signals from other hardware units in a network node and/or transmitting signals to other hardware units in the network node. The interfaces may use any appropriate communication technology, such as electronic signalling, optical signalling or wireless (radio) signalling.

The modules described above with respect to Figures 8, 10 and 12 may comprise any combination of hardware and/or software. For example, in an embodiment, the modules are implemented entirely in hardware. As noted above, hardware implementation may include or encompass, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, a reduced instruction set processor, hardware (e.g., digital or analog) circuitry including but not limited to application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC) and/or field programmable gate array(s) (FPGA(s)), and (where appropriate) state machines capable of performing such functions. In another embodiment, the modules may be implemented entirely in software. In yet further embodiments, the modules may be implemented in combinations of hardware and software.

The present disclosure therefore provides methods, apparatus and machine-readable mediums for monitoring hardware in network nodes in a wireless communication network. Specifically, the present disclosure provides methods, apparatus and machine-readable mediums for accurately predicting hardware failures in network nodes in wireless communication networks. The disclosure further provides a signalling procedure to allow a management node in a wireless communication network to monitor the lifetime of hardware units in network nodes in the wireless communication network.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the concepts disclosed herein, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended following claims. The word“comprising” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a statement,“a” or“an” does not exclude a plurality, and a single processor or other unit may fulfil the functions of several units recited in the statements. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed so as to limit their scope.