CN104486820B

CN104486820B - Control the cell activation in radio circuit

Info

Publication number: CN104486820B
Application number: CN201410638755.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J.奥斯特林
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 2009-02-16
Filing date: 2009-02-16
Publication date: 2018-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-16
Also published as: CN104486820A

Abstract

In the radio circuit with one or more active cells, basic idea is request (S1) currently without the signal strength measurement in the region of at least one other sluggish cell of the radio base station for the information for transmitting any cell definitions for inactive cell.Based on the reception information for indicating requested signal strength measurement, at least one inactive cell is selected (S2) for activating, then by making the correspondence radio base station for managing selected cell start the information of transmission cell definitions to help user equipment to search cell, request activates selected cell (S3).By this method, the present invention allows cell to keep inactive to reduce power consumption as long as possible, and allows inactive cell to be activated when needing ensures satisfactory communication service for user.

Description

Control the cell activation in radio circuit

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to the operation in radio communication technology and radio circuit, more particularly to controlling this The problem of cell activates in class radio circuit.

Background technique

Now, radio circuit is typically comprised with the radio base station for continuing active associated cell.This meaning Taste radio base station transmit some form of signal persistently more or less in the cell to help to be present in radio communication net User equipment in network attempts user equipment connected to it.The example of such signal is reference signal, commonly referred to as pilot tone Signal, synchronization signal and broadcast channel.These signals are used for many purposes, including downlink (DL) channel estimation and use Family equipment powers on related cell synchronous and mobility cell searching.

In wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), at night by closing the power supply to NodeB, the NodeB energy of cell Suspend mode is placed in reduce power consumption.In the morning, NodeB is again turned on and providing power supply to NodeB again.

Summary of the invention

One overall purpose is provided in radio circuit while still assuring that effective communication service in power consumption Reduction.

One specific purposes is to provide a kind of method for controlling the activation of at least one cell in radio circuit.

Another specific purposes is to provide a kind of for controlling the activation of at least one cell in radio circuit Device.

It is still a further object to provide a kind of network unit, the network unit includes for controlling radio communication net The such device of the activation of at least one cell in network.

These and other purpose is met by the embodiment as defined in appended Patent right requirement.

A possibility that temporarily keeping cell inactive and becoming inactive cell (passive cell), is sometimes beneficial, Their associated radio base stations do not transmit any of above signal in the inactive cell.Such inactive subsequent energy of cell For during for example not needed to radio communication services in cell or at least need very low period.Keep cell inactive with And closing the conveyer of inactive cell is not only that radio base station saves power, and helps to reduce radio circuit In total interference rank.

Present inventors have recognized that radio communication services without or in the period of low needs during cell it is inactive It is not only that radio circuit operator realizes some interests, and brings new challenge.For example, not living without working as now Occur how activating effective solution party of inactive cell when the potential demand to radio communication services in the region for the cell that jumps Case.In addition, without the existing effective solution of inactive cell in notifying user equipment radio circuit.

Having multiple radio base stations, wherein at least one in radio circuit is management active cell (active Cell in the environment of serving radio base station), basic idea is that request is any small currently without transmitting for inactive cell Signal strength measurement in the region of other sluggish cells of at least one of the radio base station of the information of area definition.It is based on Indicate that the reception information of the signal strength measurement of request, at least one inactive cell are selected for activating, then by making The correspondence radio base station for managing selected cell starts to transmit the information of cell definitions, and request activates selected cell.

By this method, the present invention allows cell to keep inactive to reduce power consumption as long as possible, and works as and need for use Family ensures that inactive cell is allowed to be activated when satisfactory communication service.

Reading other advantages that will be appreciated that the present invention contributes when the description of the following embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

By referring to being described below and (carrying out together with attached drawing), the present invention will be most together with further purpose and its advantage It is understood well, wherein：

Fig. 1 is to show the method that controlled cell activates according to the flow chart of an example embodiment.

Fig. 2 is the flow chart according to another example embodiment, the method for showing controlled cell activation.

Fig. 3 is to show the method that controlled cell activates according to the flow chart of another example embodiment also.

Fig. 4 is the synoptic chart according to the radio communications system of an example embodiment.

Fig. 5 is the synoptic chart according to the radio communications system of another example embodiment.

Fig. 6 is the synoptic chart according to the radio communications system of another example embodiment also.

Fig. 7 is the synoptic chart according to the radio communications system of another exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 8 is to show different radio access network (RAN) and/or difference according to the schematic diagram of an example embodiment Radio access technologies (RAT) radio base station co-sited point (co-siting).

Fig. 9 is schematic diagram, shows different radio access network (RAN) and/or different radio access technologies (RAT) example of the shared plot planning between.

Figure 10 A is schematic diagram, shows wherein different radio access network (RAN) and/or different is wirelessly electrically accessed The radio base station of technology (RAT) is not the example of co-sited point (co-sited) plot planning.

Figure 10 B is to show the example of partial common plot planning according to the schematic diagram of an example embodiment.

Figure 11 A is schematic diagram, shows the simple examples of the plot planning for giving radio access network/technology.

Figure 11 B is schematic diagram, and showing has the given of multiple Microcells (micro cell) to be wirelessly electrically accessed extension The example of the plot planning of networks/technologies.

Figure 12 is to show the example of measurement report according to the schematic diagram of an example embodiment.

Figure 13 is the signal according to the cell active controller or the device for controlling cell activation of an example embodiment Block diagram.

Specific embodiment

Through attached drawing, identical reference character will be used for corresponding or similar element.

Embodiment as disclosed herein is related to controlling in the radio circuit at least one inactive cell Cell activation processed.

In current cellular radio, radio base station persistently transmits certain shapes in their respective cells The signal of formula.The example of such signal is pilot signal, is such as referred to and/or synchronization signal and broadcast channel.These signals It is used for many purposes, including：

Mobility cell searching：User equipment is periodically scanned neighboring community.The synchronous letter transmitted in neighboring community Number it is used to look up and is synchronized to potential neighbour.Signal of the active user equipment typically to network report neighboring community is strong Degree, this is made whether that user equipment should be switched to the decision of candidate cell.

Search of initial zone：When powering on, user equipment attempts to search by being scanned synchronization signal and be connected to Potential cell.Once finding cell and obtaining synchronization, user equipment reads the broadcast channel transmitted in cell and pilot signal To obtain necessary system information and usually execute random access to be connected to network.

Data receiver：Active user equipment needs will be typically based on pilot reference signal to execute channel estimation, to receive The data transmitted.Pilot reference signal can be used for the estimation and report of downlink channel quality, to support for example to believe The radio base station function of the relevant scheduling in road.

User equipment is synchronous：Idle subscriber devices need synchronization signal and/or reference signal can keep same with network Step, i.e., once from paging DRX (non-continuous reception：Discontinuous Reception) it recycles and wakes up, these signals are used to Finely tune timing and frequency errors etc..

When there are the cost for when any active ues, transmitting above-mentioned signal being reasonable in cell.However, being not present when in cell When any active ues, there is no the needs to these signals in principle.This especially in the situation with cell dense deployment, that is, exists Microcell is correct in the case where being placed under macrocell (macro cell).In such situation, Microcell is mainly used to High-load situation is dealt with, and spends in the energy transmitted on these signals from Microcell in underload situation and is substantially wasted ?.

When active user equipment is not present in cell, or the quantity of at least active user equipment is considerably less, in principle It does not need to transmit anything.This allows radio base station to close power amplifier, wide-band processing and transmission equipment.By radio The cell of BTS management substantially becomes " free time " in the downlink.Such cell is herein referred to as inactive cell, But it could be used that alternative term, such as dormant cell or inactive cell." inactive cell " is stated therefore also comprising all Such as idle, suspend mode or the statement of inactive cell.

As defined herein, inactive cell is the cell of radio circuit, corresponds to radio base station and works as Preceding be not the information that cell transmits any cell definitions.The information particularly including help user equipment of cell definitions are searched The information of cell.It can also include user equipment require for identification and actual lock in the information of cell.Cell definitions Information typically comprise traditionally by above-mentioned pilot signal (such as reference signal and/or synchronization signal) carry information, with And optionally there are also the information carried by broadcast channel.In a particular exemplary embodiment, the information of cell definitions includes at least Synchronous signal information.

It is noted, however, that even if radio base station is not the information that inactive cell transmits any cell definitions, radio Base station still can optionally be such that its receiver opens and therefore can receive the data for example transmitted by user equipment, even if inactive One or more conveyers of cell are to close.

For the purpose of the disclosure, it is assumed that radio base station services one or more cells in radio circuit.Cause This, " radio base station " also refers to entity more recently, is such as capable of handling NodeB and the eNodeB (evolution of more than one cell NodeB) and other corresponding network nodes, such as base transceiver station (BTS) and base station (BS).In addition, statement " base station " It can also include wireless network node, such as repeater, transponder and the family with corresponding geographic service area (i.e. cell) Front yard base station.

Similarly, " user equipment " will be used to refer to different types of radio terminal, such as have and radio communication Functional mobile station, mobile subscriber equipment, the laptop computer etc. that radio base station in network carries out wireless communication.

Fig. 1 is flow chart, shows the method that the activation of at least one cell is controlled in radio circuit.Radio is logical Communication network includes at least one active cell, that is, has the associated radio base for the information that cell definitions are transmitted for active cell It stands and at least one inactive cell, that is, has currently without the information for transmitting any cell definitions for inactive cell Associated radio base stations.

In the example of fig. 1, by requesting the nothing currently without the information for transmitting any cell definitions for inactive cell Signal strength measurement in the region of at least one other sluggish cell of line electricity base station, this method are opened in step sl Begin.Based on the received information for indicating institute's request signal ionization meter, at least one inactive cell is selected in step s 2 It selects for activating.Then by making the correspondence radio base station for managing selected cell start the information of transmission cell definitions to help It helps user equipment to search cell, selected cell is requested to be activated in step s3.

Fig. 2 is the flow chart according to another example embodiment, the method for showing controlled cell activation.In this instance, Requested at least one for executing and reporting the radio access network (RAN) from another overlapping of user equipment in step s 11 The downlink measurement of the information of a received cell definitions of radio base station.In step s 12 based on the overlapping reported The downlink measurement of radio access network and select at least one other sluggish cell for activating.Then by making The correspondence radio base station for managing selected cell starts to transmit the information of required cell definitions, requests in step s 13 Selected cell is activated.

In an exemplary embodiment, active cell and wherein at least one the cell one or more to be activated are inactive Other cells be associated with the first radio access technologies, and be overlapped radio access network connect with the second different radio Enter technology correlation.As an example, the first radio access technologies can be long term evolution (LTE), and second is wirelessly electrically accessed skill Art can be one of GSM, CDMA2000, TDSCDMA and WCDMA.

However the radio access network underlying Radio access technology having the same of overlapping is also possible.As showing Example, the first radio access network can based on the given radio access technologies operated in first frequency, and second overlapping Radio access network can be based on radio access technologies identical but in the operation of the second different frequency.In different frequency model The example for enclosing the heterogeneous networks of the same basic technology of operation includes LTE 700MHz and LTE 2600Hz.

Fig. 3 is to show the method that controlled cell activates according to the flow chart of another example embodiment also.Herein In example, the one or more radio base stations for managing other corresponding inactive cells are requested in the step s 21 to be executed and reports The uplink measurement of user equipment transmission.In step S22, the uplink drive test based on the user equipment transmission reported Amount, at least one other sluggish cell are selected for activating.Then by keeping the correspondence for managing selected cell wireless Electric base station starts to transmit the information of required cell definitions, and selected cell is requested to be activated in step S23.

As will be explained in greater detail later, if it is desired to, which inactive cell of (which) other to be activated selected When, it is also possible to use the downlink measurement transmitted in one or more other the active cells reported by user equipment.It is logical Often, demonstration program above is new by will be currently switched to by the user equipment that the active cell of serving radio base station is serviced The needs of Target cell trigger.Once selected cell has been activated, then it can serve as Target cell.

For a better understanding, will schematically describe now wherein can the various network environments of Application Example show Example.

Fig. 4 is the synoptic chart according to a part of the radio circuit of an example embodiment.In this instance, radio Base station 10 manages active cell 15 and therefore transmits the information of cell definitions for active cell 15.The geographic area of cell 15 is at least Partly covering one or more (they being three in the example of fig. 4) with smaller geographic area other cells 25,35, 45.In the art active cell 15 be typically referred to as macrocell, and lesser cell 25,35,45 can be it is for example small Area or picocell (pico cell).

In one embodiment, Microcell 25,35,45 is currently sluggish, it is meant that their correspondence radio base station 20,30,40 currently without the information for transmitting any cell definitions for cell 25,35,45.Inactive cell 25,35,45 is therefore right It is in the region for being present in inactive cell 25,35,45 or close to for the user equipment 100 of inactive cell 25,35,45 It is sightless.

For example, if the radio base station 20,30,40 of inactive cell 25,35,45 is planned for cannot be with or without The specific service that the radio base station 10 of active cell 15 is handled well enough, then this situation is advantageous.One typically shows Example can be when inactive cell 25,35,45 and their radio base station 20,30,40 are advised as broadband access technology When drawing, broadband access technology only just needs to be active when the service for requiring wide bandwidth is required.If you do not need to such width Bandwidth service, then business is changed to the access technology of the overlapping provided by radio base station 10 and its active cell 15 to service.? In this case, active cell 15 and radio base station 10 can have given radio access technologies, and such as the whole world is mobile Communication system (GSM), wideband code division multiple access (wCDMA), CDMA 2000 (CDMA2000) or time division synchronous CDMA (TDSCDMA), it can be without active cell 25,35,45 and they radio base station 20,30,40 and be capable of handling wide bandwidth Another radio access technologies of service, such as long term evolution (LTE).

Another possible situation can be that inactive cell 25,35,45 is only in macrocell 15 to radio communication services Needs increase so many so that the traffic load in macrocell 15 becomes excessive for radio base station 10 and cannot have It is just activated when the processing of effect ground.In such cases, some business can be changed to by the radio for inactive cell 25,35,45 At least one of base station 20,30,40 is handled, these inactive cells thus need to be activated.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of radio circuit, wherein being able to achieve controlled cell activation.In this example In, radio circuit 1 includes at least one active cell 15 with radio base station 10, and the radio base station 10 is managed It manages cell 15 and transmits the information for being suitable for the cell definitions of active cell 15.Active cell 15 has one or more (in Fig. 5 Example in be two) inactive neighboring community 25,35, radio base station 20,30 has silent (silent) conveyer And therefore without the information for any cell definitions of the corresponding inactive transmission of cell 25,35.

For user equipment 100, transmission radio base station 10 is typically the radio base station 10 of current service.User Equipment 100 may advance far from radio base station 10 and towards the geographic area of one of current inactive cell 25,35.By In cell 25,35 be sluggish and their radio base station 25,35 does not transmit the information of any cell definitions, so with Family equipment 100 cannot find cell and therefore not execute any signal strength measurement for inactive cell 25,35.Pass through Using any of above-mentioned demonstration program, it is possible for controlling the activation of such cell in radio circuit.Once one A or more inactive cell 25,35 has been activated, and traditional uplink and downlink signal strength measurement can also do as usual Execute, and candidate cell 25,35 can then (if desired) in order to potential switching purpose and further assessed.

Therefore other sluggish cells may, for example, be the neighboring community of active cell, usually have between neighboring community It overlaps.In the case where macrocell-microcell environment, other sluggish cells can be included in active macro small Microcell in the region in area.In principle, it is also possible to be Microcell be macrocell that is active and covering more greatly be not living Jump.

It should also be appreciated that radio base station (such as NodeB above-mentioned and eNodeB) can be can service it is multiple (i.e. extremely Few two) cell, the subset of one of them or more cell can be sluggish and another subset can be it is active.

Fig. 6 is the synoptic chart according to the radio communications system of another example embodiment also.In this instance, wirelessly Electrical communication system is LTE radio circuit 1.LTE radio access network (RAN) generally has a fundamental node class Type, eNodeB 10,20.Each eN0deB 10,20 is responsible for the set of one or more cells 15,25.ENodeB's 10,20 Cell 15,25 does not need can have separated dedicated antenna website using identical antenna sites (antenna site).

In the example of fig. 6, eNodeB 10,20 is generally responsible for many functionality, including single cell radio resource pipe (RRM) is managed to determine, switch decision, scheduling of the user equipment in its cell in uplink and both downlink.

In radio circuit 1, any eNodeB 10 is connect by X2 interface with other any eNodeB 20.This X2 Interface is mainly used to support active mode mobility (active-mode mobility), but can be used for multiple cell RRM function Energy.ENodeB 10,20 is connected to core net 60 by another interface, that is, S1 interface.

The core network 60 of LTE is frequently referred to as the block core (EPC) of evolution to indicate that it is from GSM/ general packet The basic evolution of radio traffic (GPRS) core network.EPC is developed as single node framework, has in a node all Its function, in addition to home subscriber servers (HSS) (not shown), that is each use comprising being authorized to use LTE core network network The database or node of the details of family equipment subscriber.EPC is connected to LTE RAN via above-mentioned S1 interface, connects via SGi interface HSS (not shown) is connected to internet (not shown), and using S6 interface.

Fig. 7 is the synoptic chart according to the radio communications system of another exemplary embodiment.In this instance, radio communication system System is WCDMA/ high-speed packet access (HSPA) radio circuit 1.WCDMA/HSPA radio circuit (RAN) is general There are two basic logic node types for tool：Radio network controller (RNC) 55A, 55B and the antenna for being connected to cell 15,25 Node NodeB 10,20 or radio base station (RBS).

RBS/NodeB 10,20 is for the process of aggregation transmission of one or more cells 15,25 and received logical node. In logic, the antenna of cell 15,25 belongs to NodeB 10,20, but they do not need to be located at identical antenna sites.NodeB 10,20 possess its hardware but are not the radio resources of its cell 15,25, this RNC55A being connected to by NodeB 10,20, 55B possesses.This RNC-NodeB connection is realized using Iub interface.

Each RNC 55A can connect to other each RNC 55B via Iur interface in radio circuit 1.Therefore, Iur interface is network range (network wide) interface, makes it possible to keep a RNC 55A to make for user equipment 100 For anchor point (anchor point) and mobility is hidden to core network 60.

RNC 55A, 55B are the nodes that radio access network is connected to core network 60 via Iu interface.It is right For WCDMA/HSPA, core network 60 is typically based on GSM core network and therefore includes Liang Gexiang foreign lands；With mobile switch Domain circuit switching (CS) of center (MSC) (not shown), and there is Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) (not shown) and net Close domain packet switch (PS) of GPRS Support Node (GGSN) (not shown).Common to two domains is home location register (HLR)。

In the ps domain, SGSN is connected to GGSN via Gn or gp interface, and GGSN has and goes out to such as internet Its Gi interface of extenal grouped network.

Together with Fig. 1-3 statement the upper surface of demonstration program can be and holding in the associated network unit of radio circuit It goes and realizes.This can be serving radio base station (RBS) or radio network controller in such as radio circuit (RNC)。

In the case where downlink (DL) measurement, related user equipment measures DL signal strength and reports back to related Service RBS or association RNC, related service RBS or be associated with RNC and then select suitable inactive Target cell for swashing It is living.

In the case where uplink (UL) measurement, each related RBS measurement UL letter for managing corresponding inactive cell Number intensity simultaneously reports back to related service RBS or association RNC.Preferably, related network unit is other multiple cells Each is inactive or active information from expression cell is received for the responsible correspondence radio base station of other described cells.

There are several different methods for making the specific cell of radio base station start to transmit the information of cell definitions.Explanation Property example include that cell activation is issued by the RBS-RBS interface of such as X2 interface or the RNC-RBS interface of such as Iub interface The signal of order.Another illustrated examples also include issue from serving radio base station into selected cell user The random access (RA) of equipment enables the signal of information, and requests user equipment that random access (RA) is transmitted to selected by management Cell correspondence radio base station to trigger the activation of selected cell.

As noted earlier, embodiment also can apply to have multiple and different radio access networks (RAN) and can Selection of land has the radio circuit of different radio access technologies (RAT).

Below, various example embodiments are more fully described in Primary Reference LTE and gsm communication system.But the present invention It is not limited thereto.

In LTE communication system, such as it can require to make to open to handle the quantity of the ambulant LTE cell of UE minimum Change.Service RBS, which is determined, one or more seems that reasonable (plausible) Target cell to selectively activate, and is only opened They.This will minimize or at least reduce power consumption.

In a particular exemplary embodiment, the service RBS (can be the RNC in not homologous ray) in LTE system can pass through Measure UE to the radio access network (RAN) of overlapping and/or the pilot tone of radio access technologies (RAT) to determine seemingly Reasonable Target cell.Which for example, UE can be required to execute the measurement to GSM BCCH, and listened based on the base station GSM One or more LTE cells are opened in the selection that arrives.

Although GSM is pointed out by the RAT as overlapping in this example and other examples, but it is understood that the RAN/RAT of overlapping It can be any cellular system, including GSM, WCDMA, CDMA2000, TDSCDMA or even another LTE system.It is most of The region for being spread out LTE is wirelessly electrically accessed skill at least one other of such as GSM, CDMA2000, TDSCDMA or WCDMA The covering of art (RAT).

To LTE, for every other 3GPP RAT, usually by make UE measurement transmit in received peripheral cell The signal strength of pilot tone manages mobility.Measurement result is sent to service RBS, and service RBS explains them and determines whether Another cell is more preferable and whether should be triggered to the switching of the cell.

LTE RBS can require UE to measure GSM.When this is included in standard to support to leave the overlay area LTE It is switched to GSM.Typically, the initial deployment of LTE will not have good covering same as GSM.

The situation of co-sited point

It is to recycle the website of GSM, such as adjacent GSM RBS places LTE on GSM website that the one of LTE, which may dispose, RBS.Further, since the reason of appearance and due to wind load, feeder line and antenna element can be reused.Fig. 8 shows such Example.

Fig. 8 is to show different radio access network (RAN) and/or difference according to the schematic diagram of an example embodiment Radio access technologies (RAT) radio base station co-sited point.The cell that Fig. 8 shows co-sited point indicates, with what is shared Radio base station (RBS) 210,220 and duplex filtering in the typical physical website 200 and website 200 of feeder cable and antenna The more detailed view of device 230 and fan antenna (sector antenna) 240.Radio base station 210,220 can have Different radio access technologies (RAT) typically operate on different frequency bands and have the duplex filtering for sharing feeder line Device.Associated antenna element 240 typically accommodates two diversity antennas, one diversity antenna of each band.Alternatively, radio Base station RAT having the same, but belong to different radio access networks in a word.Certainly, there is also with and without shared Other co-sited point solutions of equipment.Cell is usually actually overlapping.

Fig. 9 is schematic diagram, shows different radio access network (RAN) and/or different radio access technologies (RAT) example of the shared plot planning between.For example, the plot planning of the first RAT of such as LTE can be indicated with solid arrow And the plot planning of the 2nd RAT of such as GSM can be indicated with dotted arrow.This can be, for example, co-sited point as shown in Figure 8 As a result.

With reference to Fig. 9, it is assumed that LTE RBS A is the service RBS of UE 100, and assumes that the cell of the LTE RBS in B and C is It is sluggish.

When UE 100 removes the overlay area of service RBS A, UE is apprised of in the cell of the GSM RBS at measurement B and C Signal strength.Signal strength measurement is executed by UE 100 and reports back to service RBS A.

As an example, then service RBS A is calculated from the path loss of RBS B and RBS C, and based on these calculate come Determine which is preferred handover candidate.It is relevant small to open its that service RBS A sends a message to selected RBS (B or C) Area, and start to transmit the information of the cell definitions of such as pilot tone and/or synchronization signal.For LTE, such control signaling energy It is sent using X2 interface.

Preferably, LTE RBS A by have about other RAT on B and C RBS pilot carrier frequency knowledge.This energy It is static configuration or by other RAT (such as the GSM RBS for inquiring co-sited point via website local control interface by LTERBS) The information supplied.Then the information can use X2 interface to exchange between LTE RBS.

It will be noted that can be detected by UE by common mobile process in the cell of transmission pilot signal： DL pilot tone and synchronizing channel are measured and correspondingly taken action.It is to be further noted that determination seems reasonable Target cell Initiate typically triggered by the necessity for switching UE, such as due to the radio path of overload or difference in serving cell.

Ordinary circumstance

When LTE, which is disposed, to be extended, not every LTE RBS will be with GSM RBS co-sited point.

The example of more general case is summarized now with reference to Figure 10 A, B.

Figure 10 A is schematic diagram, shows wherein different radio access network (RAN) and/or different is wirelessly electrically accessed The radio base station of technology (RAT) is not the example of the plot planning of co-sited point.As an example, this can indicate wherein LTE RBS Not with the situation of GSM RBS co-sited point (be perhaps because another RAT belong to another operator).

Figure 10 B is to show the example of partial common plot planning according to the schematic diagram of an example embodiment.As an example, This can indicate that wherein the RBS (LTE-only RBS) of only LTE is placed on the situation among the website of the RBS with co-sited point. This can be due in the region to LTE rather than caused by the needs of the higher capacity to GSM.

For more generally situation, LTE RBS needs to know which LTE cell is just being region identical with GSM cell Service.The case where as to before describing together with Fig. 9, UE is preferably required to execute signal strength measurement to GSM, but Report, which can lead to service RBS, may select more than one LTE RBS.For example, RBS A can request RBS in the case where Figure 10 B Both C and RBS G open their respective cell.

This provides the very effective method that targeted radio base station is determined in the situation of the RAT with overlapping.Due to Related cell is opened in time, and user will not see any degradation in service.

In another particular exemplary embodiment, carried out by ordering to transmit the UE from possible Target cell selected works Uplink (UL) measurement, the service RBS (can be the RNC in not homologous ray) in LTE system can determine it is one or more seemingly Reasonable Target cell.The RBS of each selection measures the UL signal strength of one or more UE by service RBS processing, and And report measurement results (and depending on network type and design configurations, optionally also continue reporting and arrive RNC) to service RBS, Its then can estimate such as path loss and it is thus determined that the RBS considered have as target RBS it is mostly suitable.

As previously described, to LTE, as to every other 3GPP RAT, usually by making a UE measurement institute received week The signal strength of the pilot tone transmitted in cell is enclosed to manage mobility.Standardized method has the drawback that all RBS needs Transmission signal is to allow UE to collect measurement.In next embodiment, a supplement or alternative solution is provided to comment Estimate neighboring community, this allows RBS to be transmitted into the information of the cell definitions without such as pilot tone and/or synchronization signal Low-power mode.Service the potential mesh in the inactive mode of RBS (or RNC in different communication systems) identification or low-power mode Mark RBS is so as to UE measurement uplink (UL) received signal strength to need to be switched to another RBS.

Figure 11 A is schematic diagram, shows the simple examples of the plot planning for giving radio access network/technology.This It can be, for example, usual LTE plot planning；There are three the hexagonal cells of RBS to plan for tool shown in Figure 11 A.

Figure 11 B is schematic diagram, shows the cell for the given radio access network/technology for having multiple Microcells for extension The example of planning.In this example, such as capacity enhancing, plot planning, which has extended, multiple Microcells.

In the example of Figure 11 A-B, UE 100 is serviced by RBS A first.Each and the respective cell energy of other RBS It is opened or closed (inactive/low-power mode).

Cell status information

According to standard solution, each LTE RBS knows which RBS is present in nearby (so-called adjacent R BS), and Had on backhaul (back-haul) with them using so-called X2 interface and is directly contacted.LTE RBS also knows which cell is it The neighboring community of each cell of oneself, i.e. which cell are that expected UE is heard and can potentially be switched to.

Whether the extension suggested herein (is being transmitted based on each LTE RBS about active/inactive mode of cell The information of cell definitions) issue the signal of its cell status to adjacent R BS, so as to each LTE RBS know UE it is audible what arrive And what can not hear.

Relative path loss estimation

In an exemplary embodiment, UE can to transmit those of pilot tone cell measurement received signal power, and And measurement report is sent to service RBS.This is to provide different RBS according to standard, and to service RBS (including their own) Between relative path loss estimation.

For not transmitting the cell of pilot tone, service RBS (A) the preferably corresponding RBS B-G of transmission request (or its Subset appropriate) carry out UL signal strength measurement signal.RBS B-G, which is thus executed, measures and sends corresponding measurement report to clothes Be engaged in RBS A.

Typically, service RBS A also measure the receiver in their own from UE received signal intensity, and by this with The measurement report for carrying out measurement RBS B-G is compared.It is poor that this provides relative path loss.

Based on by measurement RBS B-G and optionally also by the measurement in a closed series of UE progress, which cell service RBS can determine that It is most suitable for serving UE.If the cell closes (inactive/low-power mode), services RBS and send request unlatching cell Signal is to corresponding RBS.

The RBS of time synchronization

In most applications, RBS is time synchronization, i.e. their shared common time bases.When this can be, for example, that GPS is originated Between.

UL measurement

It services RBS request and UL measurement is carried out by another RBS.For example, the request includes between the time for measurement Every with frequency interval and measurement to the effectively related information of which cell.

Since two RBS are locked in common time base, measurement moment can be indicated with base when this.

It measures RBS and carries out signal power measurement.The measurement generates matrix, wherein each value indicates received signal to the time With the mean power of frequency interval, as in Figure 12 it can be seen that.

Frequency interval (FI) is typically 1PRB frequency size, i.e. 180kHz in LTE.

Time interval (TI) is typically a UL time slot, such as 500us.

When system is time synchronization, it is able to achieve minimum measurement report size.Then measurement request only includes a frequency Rate and time interval, such as in the measurement sometime to 500us on a certain interval 180kHz.

Total time of measuring is shorter, report will it is smaller and measure power consumption in RBS also can be smaller.

Request UL measurement

When servicing RBS and wanting to measure, it is determined that it is suitable for UL transmission and dispatches the time where UE and frequency Interval.If be with the measurement executed on more than one UL it is interested, UL measurement is preferably scheduled close to each other.

It services RBS and then sends measurement request to measurement RBS.

Then service RBS executes UL scheduling to UE by sending scheduling grant.Then UE will transmit data.

Received signal intensity is stored.

Measurement report will be received from measurement RBS by servicing RBS.Due to measurement RBS be time synchronization, so can directly and from Own received signal intensity is compared.

The RBS of time irreversibility

In some applications, the not shared common time base of RBS, or synchronous accuracy are too low.Measurement report and processing are then To be slightly more complicated.

UL measurement

Service RBS can request to carry out UL measurement by another RBS.For example, it is described request include with for measurement when Between interval and frequency interval and measurement to the effectively related information of which cell.

Since two RBS are not locked in common time reference, the measurement moment preferably relative to request transmission when Between indicate.Additional uncertainty will be added, this needs is handled when explaining measurement report.

It measures RBS and carries out signal power measurement.The measurement generates matrix, wherein each value indicates received signal to given The mean power of time and frequency interval, as can be seen in Figure 12.

As the case where with for time synchronization, frequency interval (FI) is typically 1PRB frequency size in LTE, i.e., 180kHz。

Time interval (TI) typically significantly less than one UL time slot, such as 10us.

Temporal overall measurement length is extended due to not having synchronous RBS, because additional uncertainty will be added, and And the UL transmission of measurement capture correlation UE is important.

Request UL measurement

When servicing RBS and wanting to carry out UL measurement, it is determined that it is suitable for UL transmission and dispatches the time where UE and frequency Rate interval.If be with the measurement executed on more than one UL it is interested, UL measurement is preferably adjusted close to each other Degree.

Then service RBS sends measurement request to measurement RBS.Since measurement RBS is not time synchronization, surplus (margin) be added before and after UL scheduling instance, and report interval (TI) set it is short.

Received signal intensity is stored, not only related with just measured UE, but also the time slot with before and after has It closes.

Measurement report will be received from measurement RBS by servicing RBS.

Since measurement RBS is not time synchronization, so the UL signal strength of storage is by compared with the signal strength of report To search where related UE has its sample in a matrix in the time domain.If this cannot be easily determined, survey Amount needs to re-start, for example, by using preceding empty timeslots or using the signal strength mode being easily found.

This is mainly used in the business situation that RBS is just being operated in inactive/low-power mode.Business therefore typically simultaneously It is less high, and it is reasonable for optimizing UL scheduling by following method for example to simplify measurement：

UL transmission is not carried out immediately before or after the UE of concern.

Transmit the UE of concern persistently on long-term (such as 10ms).

This provide supplement or alternative solution to the measurement based on UE, wherein travelling performance does not transport being not turned on It is processed in the case where the conveyer of the cell of business.User will not see the degradation in any service, because of LTE cell quilt Just open in time.

As previously described, benefit includes reduced power consumption and operational cost, such as by minimizing or at least reducing it Middle radio base station, which must transmit the time of the information of cell definitions and/or reduce wherein radio base station, to be needed to make its receiver The operable time.

As an example, for uplink measurement handover measurement can be executed in the case where being not turned on RBS conveyer. Can also the target handover candidate that will likely be of the RBS based on consideration assessment, by related network unit (such as service RBS) Lai Order measures.By this method, the sum of measurement can be limited.Generally, time of measuring phase and signaling are also limited, because This minimizes load and power consumption in transmission network.

It is still possible that selecting one group of possible target referring to upper measurement based on so-called with known geographical locations Handoff candidate, to provide the rough estimate of location of user equipment.This limitation actual needs executes signal strength measurement or unlatching The quantity of the RBS of their conveyer.

Process above can be hard by the processing of hardware or software and execution software in device or corresponding controller module The appropriately combined of part is realized.

Figure 13 is the signal according to the cell active controller or the device for controlling cell activation of an example embodiment Block diagram.Substantially, the device 300 of also referred to as cell active controller includes：It measures and receives for request signal intensity (SS) Unit 310, Cell selector 320 and the cell activation trigger device unit 330 for the measurement reported.For request signal intensity The unit 310 of measurement is configured for requesting the radio currently without the information for transmitting any cell definitions for inactive cell Such measurement in the region of other sluggish cells of at least one of base station.Unit 310 is also received from related measurement The measurement report of unit.Selector 320 be configured for it is received indicate request signal strength measurement information and Select one or more inactive cells for activating.Cell activation trigger device unit 330 is configured to make to manage institute The correspondence radio base station of selection cell starts to transmit the information of the cell definitions of cell to help user equipment to search for nothing The cell that the cell of line telecommunication services carrys out request selecting is activated.

Cell active controller 300 can be in the logical with radio of such as radio base station 10 or radio network controller 55 It is realized in the associated network unit of communication network.

In a specific example, the unit 310 for request signal ionization meter is configured for request user equipment and holds It goes and reports from the one or more of another radio access network (can be another radio access technologies) being overlapped Radio base station the information of received cell definitions downlink measurement.Selector 320 is thus configured to based on report The downlink measurement of the radio access network of overlapping operates.

In another example, request management is configured for accordingly not for the unit 310 of request signal ionization meter One or more radio base stations of active cell execute and the uplink measurement of reporting user facility transmission.In this situation Under, selector 320 is configured to the uplink measurement transmitted based on the user equipment of report to operate.Optionally, selector 320 are configured to also grasp based on the downlink measurement transmitted in other the one or more active cells reported by user equipment Make.

Other examples and/or optional feature of cell active controller are described below：

Preferably, cell active controller 300 is configured to collect and consider the signal strength in multiple inactive cells Measurement, to allow to select Target cell appropriate for activating in a large amount of candidate cells.

Cell active controller or it is alternative be wherein realize its network unit be preferably configured as it is multiple other Each of cell is received from the correspondence radio base station for being responsible for other cells indicates that cell is sluggish or active Information.

For cell activation trigger device unit 330, having several different makes radio base station specific cell start to pass The method for sending the information of cell definitions.For example, trigger signal can be via the inter-base station interface of such as X2 interface or via all Such as network controller-base-station interface cell activation command of Iub interface.It include be issued to selection small there are also another example The random access (RA) of user equipment in area enables the signal of information, and user equipment is requested to be transmitted to random access (RA) The correspondence radio base station of the cell of selection is managed to trigger the cell for activating selection.

In the radio base station of the management inactive cell to be activated, conveyer controller there may typically be, the control Device can be that cell starts the information of transmission cell definitions to activate inactive cell by control conveyer.Radio base station is also It can have the access right to timer, and when this timer has expired and/or does not have when as usual manner is detected Or only much lower amounts enlivens that business exists or when being present in active cell, which can for example pass through control Conveyer processed stops being that cell transmits the information of cell definitions and keeps cell inactive.

Conveyer controller can be with power amplifier, Base-Band Processing and the actual transmission equipment phase in radio base station Association.

Unit 310 to 330 can all one in the network unit of such as radio base station and identical physics fill Middle realization is set, such as the same site in radio circuit, or be actually distributed in multiple geographic sites, but these stations Point is as single wireless electricity base station or (e) NodeB carrys out Combined Treatment.

In the block diagram of above-mentioned Figure 13, the unit quilt that is only directly related in controlled cell activation as disclosed herein It is explicitly illustrated.It is anticipated that the network unit for including such as radio base station of the corresponding intrument activated for cell includes them Traditional operation used in other units and functionality.

The above embodiments are merely given as examples, and should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto.Retain public herein Open with the basic basic principle of prescription it is further modification, changes and improvements within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. a kind of control radio circuit（1）In at least one cell activation method, the radio circuit （1）Including multiple radio base stations（10,20；10,20,30；10,20,30,40）, referred to as serving radio base station（10）Institute At least one management service of radio base station is stated in user equipment（100）Active cell（15）, the method includes following Step：

Request（S1；S11；S21；）Currently without at least one other sluggish cell（25；25,35；25,35,45） Transmit the radio base station of the information of any cell definitions（20；20,30；20,30,40）Other sluggish cells Signal strength measurement in region；

Based on the reception information for indicating the signal strength measurement, selection（S2；S12；S22）At least one it is sluggish other Cell is for activating；And

By making the correspondence radio base station for managing selected cell start the information of transmission cell definitions, request（S3； S13；S23）The characteristics of other selected sluggish cells are activated, the method is：

Requesting the signal strength measurement includes requesting the user equipment to execute and reporting that the radio being overlapped from another connects The step of entering the downlink measurement of the information of the received cell definitions of at least one radio base station of network（S11）, and The selection（S2；S12；S22）At least one other sluggish cell be used for activate be the overlapping based on report nothing Line is electrically accessed the downlink measurement of network, or

Requesting the signal strength measurement includes at least one radio base station that request manages other corresponding sluggish cells The step of executing the simultaneously uplink measurement of reporting user facility transmission（S21）, and the selection（S2；S12；S22）At least It is uplink measurement that the user equipment based on report transmits that one other sluggish cell, which are used to activate,.

2. the method for claim 1, wherein by the serving radio base station（10）The cell of management and institute At least one other sluggish cell is stated to be associated with the first radio access technologies, and the radio access network of the overlapping The radio access technologies association different from second.

3. the method for claim 1, wherein select at least one other sluggish cell for activation the step Suddenly（S1；S11；S21）Also it is based on the user equipment（100）The downlink transmitted at least one other active cell of report Link measurement.

4. the method for claim 1, wherein step of request signal ionization meter（S1；S11；S21）Including asking Seek multiple corresponding radio base stations（20,30；20,30,40）Other multiple sluggish cells（25,35；25,35,45）In The step of signal strength measurement, and select at least one other sluggish cell for activation the step（S2；S12； S22）It is selected not in other the multiple sluggish cells including the reception information based on the expression signal strength measurement Other active cells are for the step of activating.

5. the method for claim 1, wherein request signal ionization meter, selecting at least one, sluggish other are small The step that area is used to activate and request other selected sluggish cells to be activated is by will be currently by the clothes Business radio base station（10）The user equipment of service（100）The needs of new target cell are switched to trigger, wherein selected Cell be activated after selected cell can serve as Target cell.

6. the method for claim 1, wherein requesting other selected sluggish cells to be activated is included in nothing The step of signal of cell activation command is issued between line electricity base station, or issue from the serving radio base station（10）To institute User equipment in the cell of selection（100）Random access enable information signal the step of so that the user equipment （100）Random access is transmitted to and manages the correspondence radio base station of selected cell to trigger swashing for selected cell It is living.

7. the method for claim 1, wherein request signal ionization meter, selecting at least one, sluggish other are small The step that area is used to activate and request other selected sluggish cells to be activated with the radio by leading to The associated network unit of communication network（10；55）To execute, wherein the network unit is the serving radio base station（10）Or The radio network controller of the radio circuit（55）.

8. further including the method for claim 7, the network unit（10；55）For other multiple cells each from The correspondence radio base station for being responsible for other cells, which receives, indicates the step of cell is inactive or active information.

9. one kind is for controlling radio circuit（1）In at least one cell activation device（300）, the radio Communication network（1）Including multiple radio base stations（10,20；10,20,30；10,20,30,40）, referred to as serving radio base station （10）The radio base station at least one management service in user equipment（100）Active cell（15）, described device Including：

For requesting currently without at least one other sluggish cell（25；25,35；25,35,45）It transmits any small The radio base station of the information of area definition（20；20,30；20,30,40）Other sluggish cells region in signal The component of ionization meter（310）；

For selecting at least one other sluggish cell to use based on the reception information for indicating the signal strength measurement In the component of activation（320）；And

For by making the correspondence radio base station for managing selected cell start to request and transmitting the information of cell definitions The component that other selected sluggish cells are activated（330）, the characteristics of described device is：

The component for request signal ionization meter（310）Including for requesting the user equipment to execute and reporting from another The downlink of the information of the received cell definitions of at least one radio base station of the radio access network of one overlapping is surveyed The component of amount, and for select at least one other sluggish cell for activation the component（320）It is configured to The downlink measurement of the radio access network of the overlapping based on report and select at least one sluggish other be small Area is used to activate, or

The component for request signal ionization meter（310）Including for requesting to manage other corresponding sluggish cells At least one radio base station executes and the component of the uplink measurement of reporting user facility transmission, and for selecting at least The component of one other sluggish cell for activation（320）It is configured to the upper of the user equipment transmission based on report Line link measures and selects at least one other sluggish cell for activating.

10. device as claimed in claim 9, wherein by the serving radio base station（10）Management the cell and At least one described other sluggish cell are associated with the first radio access technologies, and the radio access network of the overlapping The network radio access technologies association different from second.

11. device as claimed in claim 9, wherein for select at least one other sluggish cell for activation The component（320）It is configured to also based on by the user equipment（100）In at least one other active cell of report The downlink measurement of transmission and select at least one other sluggish cell for activating.

12. device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the component for request signal ionization meter（310）Including being used for Request multiple corresponding radio base stations（20,30；20,30,40）Other multiple sluggish cells（25,35；25,35,45） The component of middle signal strength measurement, and for select at least one other sluggish cell for activation the component （320）Including being selected in other the multiple sluggish cells for the reception information based on the expression signal strength measurement Select other sluggish cells for activation component.

13. device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the component for request signal ionization meter（310）, for selecting Select at least one other sluggish cell for activation the component（320）And it is selected inactive for requesting The component that is activated of other cells（330）Initially by will be currently by the serving radio base station（10）The user of service Equipment（100）The needs of new target cell are switched to trigger, wherein selected after selected cell has been activated Cell can serve as Target cell.

14. device as claimed in claim 9, wherein for requesting other selected sluggish cells to be activated The component（330）Component including the signal for issuing cell activation command between radio base station, or for sending out Out random access enable the signal of information into selected cell user equipment so that the user equipment by random access It is transmitted to and manages the correspondence radio base station of selected cell to trigger the component for activating selected cell.

15. one kind is used for the network unit used in radio circuit（10；55）, the network unit includes such as right It is required that device described in any one of 9-14.