RU2485719C2 - Network object for coordination of spectrum jointly used by several operators - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: radio engineering, communications.

SUBSTANCE: network communication device (object) includes facilities to provide for communication between the first and second network of radio access, at the same time the specified object via a radio channel is connected to at least one of radio access networks; facilities for determination of information about radio environment for at least one of the specified first and second radio access networks and facilities for communication of the specified information along a radio channel into at least one of the specified radio access networks.

EFFECT: provision of interaction between operators of various networks in order to optimise joint usage of spectrum.

28 cl, 6 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention relates to a network entity, in particular (but not exclusively) to an entity designed to provide flexible spectrum use and spectrum sharing. The invention also relates to an appropriate system and method. In addition, the present invention also relates to providing interworking between different radio access networks.

BACKGROUND

A communications system provides communications between two or more entities, such as communications devices, network entities, and other nodes. A communication system may be provided through one or more interconnected networks. Despite the fact that the communication system usually contains at least one communication network, for example, a fixed-line network or a wireless or mobile network, in its simplest implementation, the communication system is provided by two objects interacting with each other. In the communication process, for example, data exchange for voice, electronic mail (email), text, multimedia messages, etc. can be performed. The user can communicate through an appropriate communication device, for example using user equipment.

An appropriate access system allows the communication device to access the communication system. Access to the communication system can be provided using a fixed-line communications interface or a wireless communication interface, or a combination of these interfaces. Examples of wireless access systems are cellular access networks, various wireless local area networks (WLANs, wireless local area networks), wireless personal area networks (WPANs), satellite communications systems, and various combinations of these systems.

The communication system usually operates in accordance with standard and / or specific specifications and protocols, which precisely determine the actions allowed to be performed by various elements of the system, and how to perform these actions. For example, it is usually determined if the user, or more precisely, the user equipment, is provided with circuit-switched or packet-switched data channels, or both. In addition, usually with the help of a predetermined communication protocol, a method and, accordingly, various aspects are determined by which the communication process between the user equipment and various elements of the communication system should be implemented, as well as the functions and responsibilities of these communication objects.

IST-2003-507581 WINNER D6.1: WINNER Spectrum Aspects: Methods for Efficient Sharing, Flexible Spectrum Use and Coexistence describes the prior art relating to the basic concept of flexible spectrum use (FSU) and spectrum sharing (SS, spectrum sharing) in advanced international mobile telecommunications systems (IMT-A, International Mobile Telecommunications - Advanced).

FSU refers to flexible spectrum utilization. It refers to the concept of spatial and / or temporal change in the use of the radio spectrum. In other words, there are several operators in the system that are not assigned a monopoly agreed spectrum.

The term "spectrum sharing" refers to a situation in which different systems or subsystems use the same region of the spectrum in a consistent or inconsistent manner. A special case of sharing is based on flexible use of the spectrum. Typically, these systems are implemented on the basis of similar technology and provide similar services, for example, different devices share the same spectrum by applying dynamic channel assignment from a common channel pool.

The IMT-Advanced system refers to a radio access system that extends the capabilities of the IMT-2000 system. As part of this system, a global unified wireless communication architecture is proposed, which allows you to visualize the hierarchy of interconnected access systems. This system provides new radio interfaces for a mobile class of devices designed to transmit data at a speed of 100 Mbit / s, and a moving or local class that are designed to transmit data at a speed of 1 Gbit / s. This may involve working in a new spectrum or in new frequency bands, which can be either licensed or unlicensed.

Current cellular network systems operate in pre-assigned fixed non-overlapping frequency bands. In this proposal for 3GPP LTE version 08, for the purpose of standardization, we consider a developed terrestrial radio access network based on the universal mobile telecommunication system (E-UTRAN, Evolved UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access Network), shared by various operators or communication networks with multiple core networks. However, considerations regarding both the use of the spectrum and the method of interaction between operators of various networks are not provided.

An object of the present invention is to solve one or more of the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, there is provided an object including means for providing communication between the first and second radio access networks, wherein said object is connected via a radio channel to at least one of the radio access networks; means for determining information about the radio environment for at least one of said first and second radio access networks; and means for communicating via radio channel said information to at least one of said (first or second) radio access networks.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an object comprising means for receiving radio environment information from several base stations; means for determining that the distribution of the spectrum between at least two of the indicated base stations should be changed; and means for sending at least one of said base stations instructions for changing said spectrum distribution.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method comprising communicating between the first and second radio access networks by means of a network object, said object being connected via a radio channel to at least one of the radio access networks; determining radio environment information for at least one of said first and second radio access networks and communicating via radio channel said information to at least one of said (first or second) radio access networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the essence of the invention and the method of its implementation, the examples in the following are references to the attached drawings, in which

1 shows an example of spectrum sharing;

FIG. 2 shows an example of a system including a network entity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 3 shows a time frame for the network entity shown in figure 2;

Fig. 4 shows a communication diagram between a network entity and a base station;

5 shows a separate operator network in which embodiments of the invention may be applied; and

6 is a diagram of a network entity according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First, reference is made to FIG. 1, which shows an example of a spectrum sharing situation. In the example shown in FIG. 1, two system operators are considered: operator A and operator B. Each of the operators is responsible for different networks. Operator A and operator B operate networks in which there is a zone with spatial overlap. Figure 1 shows that the cell 10 belongs to the operator A, and the cell 12 belongs to the operator B. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the cell belonging to the operator A is identified in the diagram by 10. The cell allocated to the operator B system is identified by figure 12. In practice, each network contains many cells. In addition, it is possible to overlap more than two hundred.

It should be noted that in the example shown in FIG. 1, the spectra provided for each cell are shown. Within the first cell 10, the first part 14 of the spectrum is allocated to the cellular node of the operator A. On the other hand, part 16 of the spectrum is allocated to the cellular node of the operator B, i.e. cell 12. In other words, the part of the spectrum allocated to the cellular node of the operator A is different from the part of the spectrum, dedicated to the cellular node of the operator B.

Cells 10 and 12 have access to part 18 of the spectrum. This part of the spectrum is shared between the cellular nodes of operators A and B. The shared part allows better use of the spectrum. This is because different cells can adapt to the requirements of changing the resources of a local cell, which may belong to networks of other operators. For example, the resource requirements for an operator B mobile node may exceed the resource requirements for an operator A cellular node. In this situation, most of the shared spectrum could be used by the operator B mobile node.

However, there is a potential problem due to the fact that within the shared spectrum there may be a conflict and a local radio disturbance in the shared spectrum. In other words, if a certain cell is allocated an insufficient part of the shared spectrum, this can lead to loss of connection, lower data transfer speed, lower quality level, etc.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, in order to eliminate such conflicts and local radio communications disruptions, a network entity is proposed to simplify the coordination procedure of a spectrum shared by several telecom operators.

Embodiments of the invention are particularly applicable to a 3GPP LTE system, for example, to version 09 and subsequent versions of this system. In addition, the procedures for flexible spectrum use and spectrum sharing can also be applied with the extension of the frequency band of the IMT-A system.

Embodiments of the invention may contribute to meeting the requirements of the proposed LTE systems, with regard to the following factors:

1. Support is proposed for high bit rate data transfer - up to 100 Mbit / s in conditions of high mobility and up to 1 Gbit / s in conditions of low mobility - using flexible spectrum allocation within the total bandwidth of up to 100 MHz of the IMT-A system. Preferably, content delivery is supported by aggregating resources, including radio band resources (RBR, Radio Band Resources) in the same and different frequency bands in both the upstream and downstream directions, as well as under adjacent and non-adjacent channel arrangements. RBR resources can be considered as the entire spectrum of radio frequencies available to the operator.

2. In addition, there is a requirement to support the high density of hundreds of local eNBs (nodes in the EUTRAN network) operating as home eNBs in self-reorganizing radio access networks.

The following are references to FIG. 5, which shows a system in which a network entity implemented according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used. In addition, with reference to FIG. 5, a brief explanation is given of the basic principles of wireless communication in a system including a base station and a communication device, such as a mobile station. This explanation can also be applied to the circuit shown in FIG. 2.

In the example embodiment of FIG. 5, a radio communication system implemented in accordance with LTE technology is shown. Essentially, the term eNB is used to mean the function of a base station. A communication device, such as a user device, can be used to access various services and / or applications provided by a communication system. In wireless or mobile systems, access is provided through an interface between the user device 101 and the corresponding wireless access system. A user device can typically wirelessly access a communication system through at least one of the base stations (eNBs), 110 or 113. In this example, two eNBs are shown. The first eNB 110 belongs to the network operator of the system shown in FIG. 5. The second eNB 113 belongs to another system, the components of which are not shown. In practice, much more eNBs can be used.

The first eNB 110 may connect to another system, such as a data network 112. The function of the gateway between the eNB and another network can be performed by any suitable gateway node 114, for example, by using a packet data gateway and / or access gateway. The management of the eNB is usually performed by at least one suitable controller module 116. The controller module may be designed to control all eNB operations and communication through the eNB. The controller module 116 is typically equipped with a memory and at least one data processor. Functional objects in the controller can be implemented using data processing capabilities.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, one controller is used. However, in practice, several controllers can be used in the system, and accordingly, in this case, different eNBs are connected to different controllers.

The network entity 115 according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to communicate with the first eNB 110 and the second eNB 113. This process will now be described in more detail.

As noted above, embodiments of the invention can be used in a radio system based on long term evolution (LTE) technology. This system is an advanced radio access system that connects to a packet data processing system. Such an access system may be provided, for example, based on an architecture known for advanced UMTS terrestrial radio access technology (E-UTRA, evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access), and based on the use of nodes in the EUTRAN network (eNB). The E-UTRAN network contains E-UTRAN nodes B that are configured to implement base station functions and control functions.

It should be noted that FIG. 5 shows only an example of a possible communication system in which the described embodiments of the invention can be used. It should be noted that other layouts and architecture options are also possible.

The user device 101 can be used to perform various tasks, such as making and receiving phone calls, receiving and transmitting data over a data network, and also for processing, for example, multimedia or other content. For example, a user device may access data processing applications provided by a data network. In a data network, various applications based on an Internet Protocol (IP) or any other suitable protocol can be provided.

The corresponding user device can be represented by any device capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. Numerous examples of such devices include a mobile phone, a mobile station, a laptop computer equipped with a wireless interface board or other wireless interface device, a personal communicator equipped with wireless communications, or a combination of these devices, or other similar devices.

The user device can communicate through the corresponding radio interface diagram of the mobile device. The interface circuit may be implemented, for example, using a radio unit 107 and an associated antenna device. The antenna device may be located inside or outside the mobile device. A mobile device is usually equipped with at least one data processing unit 103 and at least one memory unit 104 for solving tasks for which it was designed. The data and memory processing units can be located on the corresponding board, can be implemented as an integrated circuit or a chipset. These blocks are indicated in the diagram by reference 106.

The user can control the operation of the mobile device using a suitable user interface, such as a keyboard 102, voice commands, a touch screen or an auxiliary keyboard, a combination of these devices, or the like. Typically, a display 105, speaker, and microphone are also used. In addition, the mobile device may include appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) for connecting to other devices and / or for connecting to external accessories, such as a headset.

For effective flexible use of the spectrum and sharing of the spectrum by several radio access networks (RANs) of various operators that operate in the overlapping spectrum or frequency bands and in a spatially overlapping service area, the interconnection and interaction between these networks is applied. The interconnection and interaction between support systems for the functioning of various networks provide certain advantages.

Embodiments of the invention provide a network entity 115. This network entity is referred to herein as the new Disruptive Advanced Radio Agent (DARA) 115. DARA 115 is installed in a RAN system involved in the process of flexible spectrum use and / or spectrum sharing. This process is discussed in more detail with reference to FIG.

DARA 115 is a radio agent that, in some embodiments of the present invention, is able to simplify the procedure for quick, easy and efficient communication between operators. As will be described in more detail below, these communication procedures include the transmission of notification messages, confirmation of communication and the necessary interaction procedures for flexible use of the spectrum and / or sharing of the spectrum.

Communication with DARA 115 can be done through a wireless interface. Such an interface can replace intersystem connections through core networks or can be used additionally.

The DARA 115 facility has developed cognitive capabilities of radio communications, which allows it to detect, control and analyze the surrounding radio access systems. This, in particular, can be used for flexible spectrum use or spectrum sharing. However, the detected information can also be used in processes other than flexible spectrum use or spectrum sharing. For example, this information may be used in mobile computing / communications applications for positioning and / or radio context in general.

The following are links to figure 2. This figure shows that DARA 115 is connected to four eNB stations.

One of these eNBs is the first eNB 110 shown in FIG. 5. The second eNB is the eNB 113 shown in FIG. 5. In addition, there are a third eNB 120 and a fourth eNB 121. All of the eNBs shown in FIG. 2 belong to networks of various operators. The networks of various operators are organized in such a way that they operate in spatially overlapping coverage areas and share the radio frequency spectrum. It should be noted that the number of eNBs connected to DARA 115 is shown as an example only. More or less than four eNBs shown in FIG. 2 can be set. In addition, in some embodiments of the present invention, several eNBs that are part of the network of a particular operator may be connected to DARA 115. It should be noted that two or more different networks can operate in one coverage area. Although embodiments of the invention can be applied in situations where networks are controlled by different operators, in some embodiments of the present invention, DARA can be used when two networks are operated by a common operator.

A DARA can be used in a single operator environment. For example, DARA can be used in an environment with multiple radio communications in which the operator works with various overlapping radio access technologies (RATs) that share spectrum.

As shown in the diagram using lines 124-127, communication between DARA 115 and the corresponding eNBs is via radio connections. It should be noted that using radio connections via DARA 115, relatively fast interaction between operators related to the shared spectrum can be achieved. Typically, the delay time is tens of milliseconds.

As shown in FIG. 2, the eNBs are connected to the IP core network 130. Depending on the system to which the respective eNBs belong, several IP core networks may be involved. Accordingly, the connection between eNBs belonging to different networks can be through the same basic IP network or through two or more basic IP networks. If interworking requires one or more basic IP networks, the delay time can be hundreds of milliseconds.

The following are references to FIG. 6, which schematically shows a DARA 115 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The DARA object 115 comprises an antenna 132. The antenna is configured to receive and transmit data in a wireless communication process. An antenna 132 is connected to a transmitter circuit 134. Antenna 132 is also connected to receiver circuit 136. A transmitter circuit 134 and a receiver circuit 136 are connected to a processor 138. A processor 138 is connected to a memory unit 140.

The following describes in more detail the functions performed by DARA 115. DARA 115 has a unique network identifier that is recognized by all relevant RAN systems. This identifier 142 can be stored in memory 140. This unique network identifier can be used in the signals transmitted by DARA 115. In the same way, identifier 142 can be included in information transmitted from eNB stations to DARA 115 so that DARA 115 can determine which sessions communications are for this DARA object.

As mentioned above, DARA 115 is designed to relatively speed up, simplify and increase the efficiency of interaction between adjacent RAN systems, for example between systems of different operators. These RAN systems can be operated within the overlapping spectrum, frequency bands and / or spatially overlapping service areas.

DARA 115 operates in accordance with the application protocol shown in FIG. The DARA protocol can be considered as a component of the access level, but at least part of the protocol can be extended to a level that is not related to the access level of the respective RAN systems. The Access Stratum function is to support a non-access level (NAS, Non Access Stratum). This consists in supporting functions and protocols for transporting information over the UTRAN and over the air interface.

Thus, on the network side, the DARA protocol can terminate in the eNB or Radio Network Controller (RNC) in the UTRAN (in the mobility management entity (EMI) in the E-UTRAN) and therefore at the access level (AS , Access Stratum). However, in some embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of the DARA protocol (for example, a number of specific application components of the protocol) terminates at some other management servers in the core network, such as a general radio resource manager (RRM, Radio Resource Manager) server, or in the operational servers of a third parties (to support the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the intelligent network). In this case, this part of the DARA protocol can be considered as a layer without access (Non-AS).

The protocol is implemented with the ability to perform DARA-specific functions and procedures that enable the activation of DARA 115.

As shown in FIG. 3, DARA uses a control frame. This frame is divided into time intervals. In this embodiment of the present invention, a first time slot 150 is associated with a first eNB. The first eNB is defined as the controlling eNB. In the event that the DARA belongs to a specific network, the controlling eNB is the first eNB to which the DARA is connected and from which configuration information and control information are sent to this object. Such information may include a DARA time frame with offsets and access time slots, etc. In the event that DARA is shared in the same way by different networks (or operated by a third party), it is assumed that one system is assigned or selected as the reference system responsible for all the configuration and management of the DARA object.

A small gap 160 is used when DARA 115 switches to the time slot for the second eNB. This small gap 160 is provided between each time slot allocated to each eNB. This short time span is a time span allowing DARA to switch from the current eNB to the next.

Thus, in the framework of the protocol shown in FIG. 3, four time slots (150, 152, 154 and 156) are used, each of which is allocated to one of the four eNBs shown in FIG. 2. However, the number of time slots is provided as an example only, and more or less than four time slots may be used.

The remainder of the frame contains time slots 158 reserved for DARA.

Time slots 150-156 are used to collect information coming from different eNBs. In other words, DARA 115 is configured to receive information from eNB stations. Alternatively or as a complement, these time slots may be used by the DARA to transmit information to the corresponding eNB.

Part of the reserved time intervals may be unoccupied and used for communication with other systems, when they are detected, or for other purposes. In some embodiments of the present invention, there may be no reserved time slots.

Alternatively, time frames of the upstream and downstream directions may be applied. Accordingly, during a communication session, one time slot can be used to receive information from eNB stations, and the other to transmit information to the eNB station. Temporary frames may be divided by time and / or frequency.

In another embodiment, a predetermined time interval may be used to transmit eNB information or receive information from an eNB depending on system requirements.

A DARA-specific time frame (or phase) may be limited in some embodiments of the present invention and comprise a predetermined number of time slots. Thus, in one embodiment, the frame is pre-configured and can be reconfigured. The frame length in milliseconds (ms) defines the boundary values of the delay in the interaction between the systems. The frame size can thus be fixed or variable. In some embodiments of the invention, the DARA frame can be defined so that it does not affect the frame structure of RAN systems.

In embodiments of the invention, compounds operating according to a time multiplexing scheme may be used. In other alternative embodiments of the present invention, other multiplexing capabilities may be used, such as frequency, spatial multiplexing, or a combination of these schemes. DARA can perform transmit / receive sessions with multiple stations simultaneously. However, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the implementation can be simplified by using a time-divided circuit with a time offset and time intervals.

DARA can be configured to manage its own network, providing a backbone system that works in conjunction with DARA.

DARA is implemented with the ability to perform a number of functions and procedures. The following describes these functions and procedures.

DARA is configured to support up-to-date aggregate information on the radio environment (CREI, collective radio environment information), intended, for example, to carry out procedures for establishing communication between systems of various operators, flexible use of the spectrum and sharing of the spectrum.

DARA is configured to receive this information by receiving broadcast information of a detected RAN system operating in the environment within the range of DARA 115. Thus, the antenna is configured to receive broadcast information transmitted, for example, by eNB stations. The received information is transmitted from the antenna to the receiver circuit 136, which converts the received signal into a baseband signal. The information contained in the signal is transmitted to a processor 138, which extracts the corresponding data transmitted in the broadcast mode. The DARA may expect information from prospective eNBs at the designated time slots shown in FIG. 3.

The measured CREI information elements for each detected RAN system are stored in the memory 140, as shown in the drawing by reference 146. Any suitable elements may be included in the CREI information. Examples of such information elements are detailed information about individual detected local cells; public land mobile network identifier (PLMN-ID); cell-ID identifier (identifier associated with a cell); radio access technology identifier (RAT-ID, radio access technology-ID); information about the operating spectrum or bandwidth. It should be noted that any other information that is transmitted in broadcast mode can be stored. It is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that CREI information can be included in the message specially transmitted to the DARA object. This information may be transmitted in addition to broadcast information or as an alternative to broadcast information.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the CREI information can be obtained as a result of a simple procedure for controlling broadcast information transmitted through the corresponding eNB.

However, in an alternative embodiment, the required CREI information may be received in response to a specific request sent by the DARA to the corresponding eNB. In another embodiment, the eNB may send the required CREI information in a time slot defined in the eNB, or during regular time slots. You must pay attention to the fact that in some embodiments of the present invention, a combination of these various options can be used for the same or different CREI information.

It should also be noted that in some embodiments of the present invention, the information stored in the memory includes a list of radio access networks with which DARA 115 can communicate. This is shown in the diagram by reference 162 in the memory unit.

The DARA object is configured to establish intermediate radio connections with detected RAN systems involved, for example, in flexible spectrum use and spectrum sharing procedures, under the control of the RAN reference system and, for example (most often), its own system. Using DARA and working with this object is performed in a temporary DARA frame. In this time frame, the DARA can be switched in time for communication with one particular system at certain (intermediate) time intervals. A radio connection must first be established (installed with each system involved).

The DARA is assigned a specific identifier for working in a radio network. DARA may have a unique persistent identifier, similar, for example, to the identifier of the UE. However, during operation, the DARA must communicate with multiple systems and, therefore, establish and maintain multiple radio channels or connections to these systems. Thus, each system to which DARA is connected can provide DARA with a system-specific radio network identifier. The identifier or identifiers may be permanent or temporary.

Within the framework of the protocol shown in FIG. 3, the time frame can be synchronized and controlled by the RAN reference system. This system may be a RAN system, which includes an eNB, designated as the control eNB.

The DARA object is configured to generate messages by the processor to be transmitted to various eNBs. This is necessary to provide updated CREI information to individual connected RAN systems. This procedure can be performed using the protocol shown in FIG. 3, or via a separately established connection. It should be noted that a message can be generated for each eNB and contain the CREI information required for each of these eNBs. Alternatively, or as an addition to the described embodiment, a message may be generated that is transmitted to the eNB in broadcast or multicast mode.

DARA is configured to support information about the current cumulative status of the radio environment (CRES, collective radio environment status). This information is shown in the diagram by reference 164 in the memory block. This information is intended for flexible spectrum use and spectrum sharing procedures based on the latest updated information received from individual connected RAN systems according to the protocol shown in FIG. 3. CRES information may include, for example, up-to-date spectrum data shared by individual connected RAN systems. Information may be collected in any suitable form. For example, if the spectrum is allocated to two or more networks, then information on the use of this shared spectrum can be provided to the DARA object by the respective eNB stations.

The processor 138 may comprise a proxy unit 166. This block in alternative embodiments of the present invention may be presented as a separate entity. DARA is configured to receive various information and requests from eNB stations. In particular, the intermediary unit is configured to perform intermediary operations for requests, responses, indications and / or confirmations related to the procedures for flexible spectrum use and spectrum sharing by individual connected RAN systems using data received via the protocol shown in FIG. 3 . These actions can be defined for possible fast adaptive flexible spectrum use and spectrum sharing operations by individual connected RAN systems.

DARA is configured to process extended measurement data of radio parameters and transmit messages about this data using the protocol shown in FIG. 3 to separate connected RAN systems in order to perform flexible spectrum use and spectrum sharing procedures. These measured radio parameters include the carrier frequency signal, channel status information, interference level, and any other radio parameters to be measured.

The processor 138, together with the intermediary unit 166, is configured to analyze information received from various eNBs and, on the basis of this information, issue commands to various eNBs for prophylactic warning or elimination of possible alleged local radio communications failures. In addition, the processor is configured to issue instructions to respective RAN systems to increase the efficiency of local resources. DARA can function as an agent of the common radio resource management server (RRM) to control the process of using local radio resources or to activate / initiate some network procedures performed by various RAN systems. DARA, for example, may briefly issue some FSU-SS throttling command to the affected eNBs or RAN systems. This can help increase the efficiency of local resources.

Formal commands may, additionally or alternatively, be issued in response to the occurrence of a radio communication failure.

DARA is a logical network entity. At the physical level, DARA can be a separate radio device with its own hardware and software, like UE. Alternatively, this entity may be embedded in a UE or in an eNB. From the point of view of the logical protocol, DARA is a peer-to-peer protocol with a peer-to-peer object located in the DARA agent and other peer-to-peer nodes in the involved network systems (and in the control system). Functioning is carried out in multipoint connection mode. A DARA or DARA is located in the DARA for the user side and in the eNB or mobility management entity / serving gateway (MME / S-GW), or in the RMM server, etc. for the network side.

The following are references to FIG. 4, which shows an example of a DARA application protocol based on eNB functions in an LTE environment. As shown in the figure, the object 115 DARA contains a number of levels. Similarly, the eNB station 110 also contains a number of layers. The DARA object 115 and the eNB 110 contain respective layers interacting with each other. The first of these layers is the physical layer protocol layer 200 (PHY). The second layer 202 is the medium access control (MAC). The next level 204 is the radio link control (RLC) level. Then, radio resource control (RRC) level 206. And the last level is DARA level 208.

The implementation of the DARA object can be based on an advanced platform for the radio equipment of the UE (user equipment), however, with regard to the processing of user plane data, this object is made much simpler than the UE itself. For example, a DARA fixed object operating in an advanced 3GPP LTE E-UTRAN environment (version 09) can be implemented on the basis of high-quality LTE UE equipment with maximum capabilities in the use of radio frequency, but with minimal support for control plane functions (mobility support is not required) , and virtually without support for user plane functions. However, the control plane, as discussed earlier, is expanded using the DARA application protocol common to all RAN systems involved, for example, in the FSU and SS procedures. Alternatively, this protocol may be integrated into the radio resource management protocol of RAN systems.

DARA can be equipped with a sensor and spectrum analyzer to simplify FSU and SS procedures.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, DARA may be integrated into a conventional UE device. Thus, a DARA can be a standalone entity based on simplified UE technology or on the special functionality of a UE device. Alternatively, DARA may be part of an eNB or other similar equipment.

Embodiments of the invention have been described in the context of two overlapping networks. In alternative embodiments, more than two overlapping networks may exist. Each of two or more overlapping networks can be operated by different operators. Alternatively, at least two different networks may be operated by the same operator.

It should be noted that aspects of embodiments of the invention can be at least partially implemented using software. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention may be partially implemented using a computer program executed by an appropriate processor or other similar device.

It should be noted that although embodiments of the invention have been described as being related to an LTE system, these options can be used in any other suitable wireless network. Thus, although embodiments of the invention have been described with respect to a base station or eNB and user devices such as mobile stations, these options are applicable to any type of equipment suitable for wireless communications, in particular equipment that applies some aspects of spectrum sharing. .

It should also be noted that, although embodiments of the invention have been described above based on specific examples, various changes and modifications may be made to the devices disclosed in this invention without violating the essence of the present invention.

Claims (28)

1. Network communication device for reporting information of at least one radio access network, including:
communication means between the first and second radio access network, wherein said radio communication network device is connected to at least one of the radio access networks;
means for determining radio environment information for at least one of said first and second radio access networks;
means for communicating over a radio channel of said information of at least one of said first and second radio access networks; and
means for determining that the spectrum distribution between said radio access networks should be changed, said communication information including instructions for at least one of the radio access networks to change said spectrum distribution. 2. The network communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that said communication means is arranged to establish a radio channel with at least one base station of the first radio access network and at least one base station of the second radio access network. 3. The network communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said communication includes at least one of an informative announcement or communication establishment. 4. The network communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said means of determination are configured to determine said radio environment and analyze it. 5. The network communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said determination means are configured to control said radio environment. 6. The network communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the indicated means for determining information and means for communicating information is configured to use a frame structure having several time intervals, while different time intervals are associated with different network communication devices of said radio access networks. 7. The network communication device according to claim 6, characterized in that said time intervals are separated by a gap allowing the change of the radio access network object. 8. The network communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least a portion of said radio environment information is transmitted broadcast by at least one object of the first and second radio access networks. 9. The network communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least a portion of said information about the radio environment is at least partially received via the corresponding dedicated connections using at least one object of the first and second radio access networks. 10. The network communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the specified information about the radio environment includes information about the characteristics. 11. The network communication device according to claim 10, characterized in that said characteristics information includes one or more of the following:
detected local cells, public land mobile network identifier (PLMN-ID), cell identifier (Cell ID), radio access technology identifier (RAT-ID); working range; bandwidth information. 12. The network communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said radio environment information includes radio environment status information. 13. The network communication device according to claim 12, characterized in that said status information includes spectrum usage information. 14. The network communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the said means for determining the necessity of changing the distribution of the spectrum perform this determination in response to a request from one of the first and second radio access networks. 15. The network communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the said means for determining the necessity of changing the spectrum distribution are configured to perform intermediary functions between several requests received from various base stations included in at least one of the first and second radio access networks. 16. The network communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for determining the necessity of changing the distribution of the spectrum predict radio disturbances and, in response to the forecast, determine that the spectrum distribution needs to be changed. 17. A network communication device for sending instructions to at least one base station, including:
means for receiving information about the radio environment from several base stations;
means for determining that the distribution of the spectrum between at least two of the indicated base stations should be changed; and
means for sending instructions for changing said spectrum distribution of at least one of said base stations. 18. A method of reporting information for at least one radio access network, including:
communication between the first and second radio access networks using a network communication device that is connected via a radio channel to at least one of the radio access networks;
determining radio environment information for at least one of said first and second radio access networks;
reporting said information over a radio channel of at least one of said first and second radio access networks; and
determining that the spectrum distribution between the indicated radio access networks must be changed, while the reported information contains instructions for at least one of the radio access networks to change the specified spectrum distribution. 19. The method according to p. 18, including the determination of the radio environment and its analysis. 20. The method according to p. 18 or 19, including monitoring the specified radio environment. 21. The method according to p. 18, including determining the need to change the distribution of the spectrum in response to a request from one of the first and second radio access networks. 22. The method according to p. 18, including the implementation of the functions of an intermediary between multiple requests received from various base stations of at least one of the first and second radio access networks, when determining whether to change the distribution of the spectrum. 23. The method according to claim 18, comprising predicting a radio communication violation and, in response to said forecast, determining that the spectrum distribution needs to be changed. 24. The method according to p. 18 or 19, including the use of a frame structure having several time intervals, while different time intervals are associated with various objects of these radio access networks. 25. The method according to paragraph 24, wherein the specified time intervals are separated by a gap that allows the change of the radio access network object. 26. The method according to paragraph 24, including configuring the specified frame structure. 27. Machine-readable medium, including program code, which allows, when executing a program, to carry out any of the steps in paragraphs 18-26. 28. A communication system including a network communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, a first radio access network and a second radio access network.

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