Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W16/00—Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
  • H04W16/14—Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04J—MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION
  • H04J11/00—Orthogonal multiplex systems, e.g. using WALSH codes
  • H04J11/0069—Cell search, i.e. determining cell identity [cell-ID]

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an entity and in particular but not exclusively to an entity for facilitating flexible spectrum use and spectrum sharing.
• the present invention also relates to a corresponding system and a method.
• the present invention also relates to the facilitation of cooperation between different radio access networks.
• a communication system is a facility which facilitates communication between two or more entities such as communication devices, network entities and other nodes.
• a communication system may be provided by one or more interconnect networks. It should be appreciated that although a communication system typically comprises at least one communication network, for example a fixed line network or a wireless or a mobile network, in its simplest form a communication system is provided by two entities communicating which each other.
• the communication may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text messages, multimedia and so on.
• the user may communicate by means of an appropriate communication device such as user equipment.
• An appropriate access system allows the communication device to access the communication system.
• An access to the communication system may be provided by means of a fixed line or wireless communication interface, or a combination of these.
• Examples of wireless access systems include cellular access network, various wireless local area networks (WLANs), wireless personal area networks (WPANs), satellite based communication system and various combinations of these.
• a communications system typically operates in accordance with the standard and/or certain specifications and protocols which set out what the various elements of the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. For example, it is typically defined if the user, or more precisely a user equipment is provided with a circuit switched bearer or a packet switched bearer or both. Also, the manner in which communication and various aspects thereof should be implemented between the user equipment and the various elements of the communication system and their function and responsibilities are typically defined by a predefined communication protocol.
• FSU relates to flexible spectrum use. This refers to the concept of spatially and/or temporarily varying use of the radio spectrum, In other words, in a system comprising more than one operator, each operator does not have an exclusive harmonised spectrum assignment.
• Spectrum sharing refers to the situation where different systems or subsystems utilise the same part of the spectrum in a coordinated or uncoordinated manner.
• a special case is sharing based on flexible spectrum use. Typically, these systems are based on similar technology and offer similar services, for example different apparatus sharing the same spectrum by utilising dynamic channel assignment from a common pool of channels.
• IMT-Advanced system refer to radio access system beyond the IMT-2000 system.
• a global unified wireless architecture is proposed which visualises a hierarchy of interconnected access systems. This system envisages new radio interfaces with mobile class targeting for lOOMbps and nomadic or local area class targeting for IGBPs. This may include operation on new spectrum or frequency bands which may or may not be licensed.
• E-UTRAN evolved UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) terrestrial radio access network
• an entity comprising means for receiving radio environment information from a plurality of base station stations; means for determining that a spectrum distribution between at least two of said base stations is to be changed; and means for sending an instruction to at least one of said base stations to change said spectrum distribution.
• a method comprising providing communication between a first and a second radio access network via an entity, said entity being connected via a radio link 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 reporting said information via a radio link to at least one of said first and second radio access networks.
• Figure 1 illustrates an example of spectrum sharing
• Figure 2 shows an example of a system comprising a network entity embodying the invention
• Figure 3 shows a time frame for the network entity shown in Figure 2;
• Figure 4 shows communication between the network entity and a base station;
• Figure 5 shows a single operator network with which embodiments of the present invention may be used;
• Figure 6 shows a schematic view of the network entity embodying the invention.
• FIG 1 shows an example of a spectrum sharing situation.
• Each operator is responsible for a different network to the other operator.
• Operator A and operator B operate networks which have a spatially overlapping area.
• one cell 10 belongs to operator A and one cell 12 belongs to operator B,
• the cell of operator A is indicated diagrammatically by reference numeral 10.
• the cell allocated to the operator B system is indicated diagrammatically by reference numeral 12.
• each network will have a plurality of cells. It is also possible that more than two cells may be overlapping.
• FIG. 1 is in terms of the spectrum provided in each cell.
• a first part of the spectrum 14 is dedicated to the operator A cell site.
• a part of the spectrum 16 is dedicated to the operator B cell site, that is cell 12.
• a part of the spectrum dedicated to the operator A cell site is different to a part of the spectrum dedicated to the operator B cell site.
• Each of the cells 10 and 12 has access to a part of the spectrum 18.
• This part of the spectrum is shared between the operator A cell site and the operator B cell site.
• This shared spectrum allows for a better utilisation of spectrum. This is because the various cells can adapt to changing resource needs of the local cell that may belong to the different operator networks. For example, there may be a greater demand on the operator B cell site than on the operator A cell site. In that situation, more of the shared spectrum would be used by the operator B cell site.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide a network entity for facilitating inter-operator coordination for the shared spectrum in order to avoid this contention and local outage.
• Embodiments of the present invention are particularly applicable to the 3GPP
• LTE system for example release .09 onwards.
• flexible spectrum use and shared spectrum may also be used with an IMT-A band expansion.
• RBR Radio Band Resources
• Figure 5 shows a system with which the network entity embodying the invention can be used. Additionally, with reference to Figure 5, a brief explanation of the general principals of wireless communications in a system comprising a base station and a communication device such a mobile station will be provided. This explanation may also be applicable to the arrangement of Figure 2.
• the system shown is a LTE radio system.
• the term eNB is used for the base station function.
• a communication device for example a user device can be used for accessing various services and/or applications provided by a communication system. In wireless or mobile systems, the access is provided via an access interface between a user device 1 and an appropriate wireless access system.
• the user device can typically access wirelessly the communication system via at least one base station (eNB) 110 and 113.
• eNB base station
• two eNBs are shown.
• the first eNB 110 belongs to the network operator of the system shown in Figure 5.
• the second eNB 113 belongs to a different system, the rest of which is not shown. In practice, many more eNBs will be provided.
• the first eNB 110 can be connected to another system, for example a data network 112,
• a gateway function between an eNB and the other network can be provided by means of any appropriate gateway node 114, for example a packet data gateway and/or an access gateway.
• the eNB is typically controlled by at least one appropriate controller entity 116.
• the controller entity can be provided for managing of the overall operation of the eNB and communications via the eNB.
• the controller entity 116 is typically with memory capacity and at least one data processor. Functional entities may be provided in the controller by means of a data processing capability thereof. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a single controller is provided. However, m practice more than one controller may be provided in a system and accordingly different eNBs will be connected to different controllers.
• a network entity 115 embodying the invention is arranged to communicate with the first and second eNBs 110 and 113. This will be described in more detail hereinafter.
• LTE long term evolution
• the system provides an evolved radio access system that is connected to a packet data system.
• Such an access system may be provided, for example, based on architecture that is known from the E-UTRA
• EUTRAN node Bs (evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access) and based on the use of EUTRAN node Bs
• An E-UTRAN comprises of E-UTRAN node Bs which are configured to provide base station and control functionalities.
• Figure 5 shows an example architecture only to give an example of a possible communication system where the embodiments described may be provided. It should be appreciated that other arrangements and architectures are also possible.
• the user device 101 can be used for various tasks such as making and receiving phone calls, for receiving and sending data from and to a data network and for experiencing, for example multimedia or other content.
• a user device may access data applications provided by a data network.
• the various applications may be offered in a data network based on the internet protocol (IP) or any other appropriate protocol.
• IP internet protocol
• An appropriate user device may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals.
• Non-limiting examples include a mobile telephone, a mobile station, a portable computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility, a personal data assistant provided with wireless communication capabilities or any combination of these or the like.
• the user device may communicate via an appropriate radio interface arrangement of the mobile device.
• the interface arrangement may be provided for example by means of a radio part 107 and associated antenna arrangement.
• the antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.
• the mobile device is typically provided with at least data processing entity 103 and at least one memory 104 for use in the tasks that it is designed to perform.
• the data processing and storage entities can be provided on an appropriate circuit board, in an integrated circuit or in chip set. This is denoted diagrammatically by reference 106.
• the user can control operation of the mobile device by means of a suitable user interface such as a keypad 102, voice command, touch-sensitive screen or pad, combination thereof or the like.
• a display 105, a speaker and a microphone are also typically provided.
• the mobile device may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and/or for connecting external accessories such as hand-free equipment.
• Embodiments of the present invention provide a network entity, 115.
• This network entity will refer to in this document as a disruptive advanced radio agent DARA 115.
• This DARA 115 is provided in the RAN system involved in the flexible spectrum use and/or spectrum sharing. This will be discussed in more detail with reference to Figure 2.
• the DARA 115 is a radio agent which in some embodiments of the present invention is able to facilitate fast, simple and effective interoperator communications.
• these communications include network advertising announcements, hand-shaking and the necessary interaction for flexible spectrum use and/or spectrum sharing.
• the communications with the DARA 115 may be carried out via the wireless interface. This may be instead of or in addition to intersystem connections via the core networks.
• the DARA 115 is arranged to have advanced cognitive radio capabilities so as to be able to detect, monitor and analyse surrounding radio access systems. This is in particular for flexible spectrum use or spectrum sharing.
• the information which is detected can have applications other than in the flexible spectrum use or spectrum sharing situation.
• the information can be used in location and/or radio context aware mobile computing/communicating applications in general.
• Each of the eNBs shown in Figure 2 belongs to different operator networks.
• the different operator networks are such that they are operating in a spatially overlapping coverage area and spectrum share. It should be appreciated that the number of eNBs connected to the DARA 115 is by way of example only. More or less than the four eNBs shown in Figure 1 may be provided. Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, more than one eNB from a given operator network may be connected to the DARA 115.
• the number of different networks operating in the same coverage area may be two or more. Whilst embodiments of the present invention may be applicable to the situation where the networks are controlled by different operators, in some embodiments of the present invention, the DARA may be used where there are two networks which are operated by a common operator,
• the DARA may be used in a single operator environment.
• the DARA may be used in a single operator environment.
• the DARA may be used in a single operator environment.
• DARA can be used in a multi-radio environment in which an operator operates different overlaid radio access technologies (RAT) with spectrum sharing between the different RATs.
• RAT radio access technologies
• communication between the DARA 115 and the respective eNBs is via a radio connection. It should be appreciated that with the radio connection, it is possible to have relatively fast interoperator interactions relating to shared spectrum by the DARA 115. Typically, a delay of tens of millisecond may be experienced.
• the IP core 130 is connected to the eNBs. Depending on the system to which the relevant eNBs belong more than one IP core may be involved.
• connection between eNBs of different networks may be via the same IP core or via two or more IP cores. Where interactions pass through one or more IP cores, a delay of 100 of milliseconds may be experienced.
• the DARA 115 comprises an antenna 132.
• the antenna is arranged to receive and transmit wireless communication.
• the antenna 132 is connected to transmitter circuitry 134.
• the antenna 132 is also connected to receiver circuitry 136.
• the transmitter circuitry 134 and the receiver circuitry 136 are connected to a processor 138.
• the processor 138 is connected to a memory 140.
• DARA 115 is provided with a unique network identity, which is recognisable to all relevant RAN systems.
• This identity 142 may be stored in the memory 140. This unique network identity may be used in the signals transmitted by the DARA 115. Likewise, the identity 142 may be included in communication sent from the eNBs to the DARA 115 so that the DARA 115 can ascertain which communications are intended for that DARA.
• the DARA 115 is arranged to facilitate relatively fast, simple and effective cooperation between co-sited RAN systems of, for example, different operators. These RAN systems can be operating in overlapping spectrum, frequency bands, and/or spatial service areas.
• the DARA 115 operates an application protocol which is illustrated in Figure 3.
• the DAR protocol may be considered to be part of the access stratum but at least part of the protocol that can be extended into the non-access stratum of the relevant RAN systems.
• the function of the Access Stratum is to support the NAS (Non Access Stratum). This includes the functions and protocols for the transport of information across the UTRAN (UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications) Terrestrial Access Network) and air interface.
• UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications
• the DARA protocol may be terminated in eNB or RNC (radio network controller) in UTRAN (MME mobility management entity in E- UTRAN) and, thus in the Access Stratum.
• RNC radio network controller
• UTRAN MME mobility management entity in E- UTRAN
• at least a part of the DARA protocol is terminated in some other control server in the core network such as common RRM (Radio resource manager) server or a third party operating server (for smart network O&M support.)
• this part of DARA protocol may be considered as Non-AS.
• the protocol is arranged to implement the DAR specific functions and procedures to enable operation of the DARA 115.
• the DARA has a control frame. This frame is divided into slots.
• the first slot 150 is associated with the first eNB.
• the first eNB is defined as the controlling eNB.
• the controlling eNB is the eNB that the DARA is first attached to and gets configuration and control information from. This information may be the DARA time frame with offsets and access slots, etc.
• one system is assumed to be nominated or chosen as the reference system in charge of overall configuration and control of the DARA
• a small gap 160 is provided whilst the DARA 115 switches to the slot for the second eNB. This continues, with a small gap 160 between each slot dedicated to each eNB. This small slot represents the gap required in order to allow the DARA to switch from one eNB to the next.
• the protocol shown in Figure 3 comprises four slots, 150, 152, 154 and 156, each of which is dedicated to one of the four eNBs shown in Figure 2.
• the number of slots is by way of example only and more or less than four slots may be provided.
• the remainder of the frame comprises reserved DARA slots 158,
• slots 150 to 156 are used to collect information from the various eNBs.
• the DARA 115 is arranged to receive information from the eNEs.
• these slots can be used for the DARA to transmit information to the respective eNB.
• the reserved slots may include free slots which can be used to communicate with other systems if further detected or for other purposes. In some embodiments, the reserved slots may be omitted.
• uplink and downlink time frames may be provided.
• one time frame may be used for receiving communications from the eNBs and another time frame may be used to send information to the eNBs.
• the time frames may be separated by time and/or frequency.
• a given slot may be used to send or receive information from an eNB, depending on the requirement of the system.
• the DARA specific time frame may in some embodiments be constrained and contain a predetermined number of slots.
• the frame is pre-configured and may be reconfigurable.
• the length of the frame in [ms] determines the delay limits of the intersystem interaction.
• the size of the frame may therefore be fixed or variable.
• the DARA frame may be defined so that it does not affect the frame structure of RAN systems.
• Embodiments of the invention may have the connections operating in a time division multiplexing manner. In other alternative embodiments, different multiplexing possibilities such as frequency, space or combinations thereof may be used.
• a DARA may be capable of sending/ receiving with multiple systems simultaneously.
• the implementation may be simplified by using a time-division approach with timing offset and slots.
• the DARA may be arranged to be in control of its own network, providing a reference system with DARA operation.
• the DARA is arranged to carry out a number of functions and procedures. These include the following:
• the DARA is arranged to keep up to date collective radio environment information (CREI) designated for, for example inter-operator intersystem handshaking, flexible spectrum use, and spectrum sharing.
• CREI collective radio environment information
• the DARA is arranged to obtain this information by receiving broadcast system information of the detected RAN system operating in the surrounding environment, in range of the DARA 115.
• the antenna is arranged to receive broadcast information, broadcast by for example eNBs.
• the information which is received is passed from the antenna to the receiver circuit 136 which takes the signal down to base band.
• the information contained in the signal is passed to the processor 138 which extracts the relevant information which has been broadcast.
• the DARA may listen to the prospective eNBs at the designated time slots, shown in Figure 3.
• the measured CREI information for each detected RAN system is stored in the memory 140, as indicated by reference 146.
• the CREI information can comprise any suitable information. Examples of this information include: details of detected individual local cells; PLMN-ID (public land mobile network-identity); cell-ID (identity associated with a cell); RAT-ID (radio access technology-ID); operating spectrum or bandwidth information. It should be appreciated that any other information which is broadcast can be stored. It should be appreciated that the CREI can be included in a message sent specifically to the DARA. This may be in addition to or as an alternative to the broadcast information.
• the CREI information can be obtained simply by monitoring broadcast information via the respective eNB.
• the required CREI information can be obtained in response to a specific request sent by the DARA to the relevant eNB.
• the eNB can send the required CREI information to the eNB at time determined by the eNB or at regular time intervals. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments of the present invention, a combination of these different options may be used for the same or different CRJEI information.
• the information stored in the memory includes a list of radio access networks with which the DARA 115 can communicate. This is shown diagrammatically in the memory with reference 162.
• the DARA is arranged to get disruptive radio connectivities established with detected RAN systems relevant to for example flexible spectrum use and spectrum sharing, in control of the reference RAN system and for example primarily the owner system. This is the use and operation of DARA within a DARA frame. In that time frame, the DARA can switch in time with a specified (disruptive) time interval to communicate with a particular system, one at a time. A radio connection has to be set up first (established to each involved system.)
• the DARA has a specific identity for radio networking purposes.
• the DARA may have a unique, permanent identity, e.g., similar to that of an UE. However, when the DARA is in operation, it has to communicate with multiple systems and therefore has to establish and maintain multiple radio links or connections to those systems. Thus, each system to which the DARA connects to may give the DARA a system- specific radio network identifier.
• the identifier or identifiers may be permanent or temporary.
• the protocol shown in Figure 3, that is the time frame may be synchronised to and controlled by a reference RAN system.
• This may be the RAN system with the eNB identified as the controlling eNB.
• the DARA is arranged, in the processor, to formulate messages to be sent to the different eNBs. This is to provide updated CREI information to the individual connected RAN systems. This can be done by the protocol illustrated in Figure 3 or via a separate connection. It should be appreciated that a message can be formulated for each eNB including the CREI information required by each of those eNBs. Alternatively, or additionally, a message can be formulated which is broadcast to the eNBs or multicast to those eNBs.
• the DARA is arranged to keep up to date collective radio environment status (CRES information). This is indicated in the memory diagrammatically by reference 164. This information is designed for flexible spectrum use and shared spectrum use, based on the latest updated information received from the individually connected RAN systems via the protocol shown in Figure 3.
• the CRES can include, for example, up to date sharable spectrum usage information of individual connected RAN systems.
• the information which is collected can take any suitable form. For example, if a spectrum is allocated to two or more networks, usage of that shared spectrum can be provided by the respective eNBs to the DARA.
• the processor 138 may include a mediating part 166.
• This mediating part can, in alternative embodiments of the present invention, be provided in a separate entity.
• the DARA is arranged to receive various information and requests from the eNBs.
• the mediating unit is arranged to mediate between requests, responses, indications and/or confirmation information relevant for flexible spectrum usage or shared spectrum between the individually connected RAN systems, using the information received using the protocol shown in Figure 3. These can be specified for possible fast, adapted, flexible spectrum usage and shared spectrum operation between the individually connected RAN systems.
• the DARA is arranged to handle advanced radio measurement and reporting, required for flexible spectrum usage and shared spectrum, to individual connected
• radio measurement quantities include carrier signal, channel status information, interference temperature and any other suitable radio measurements.
• the processor 138 in conjunction with the mediator 166 is arranged to look at the information received from the various eNBs and based on that information to provide commands, to the various eNBs to proactively prevent or resolve predicted possible local outages. Additionally, the processor is arranged to provide commands to boost the resource usage locally to the relevant RAN systems.
• the DARA may act as an agent of a common radio resource management (RRM) server for controlling the use of local radio resources, or for triggering/initiating some network procedures among different RAN systems.
• RRM radio resource management
• the DARA may give for example some FSU-SS regulating command momentarily to the involved eNBs or RAN systems. This, as a result, may help increase the efficiency of the local resource utilization.
• the formal commands may additionally or alternatively be in response to the occurrence of an outage
• DARA is a logical network entity. As to the physical location of DARA, it may be a separate radio device with its own hardware and software similar to a UE. Alternatively it may be embedded in a UE or m a eNB, From the logical protocol perspective, the DARA is a peer-to-peer protocol with a peer-entity located in the DARA agent and other peers in the involved network systems (and in the controlling system). Operation is in a point-to-multipoint mode.
• the DARA or DARA layer is located in DARA agent for the user side; and in eNB or MME/ S-GW (mobility management entity and/or serving gateway) or RMM server, etc., for the network side
• the DARA entity 115 comprises a number of layers.
• the eNB 110 also comprises a number of layers.
• the DARA entity 115 and the eNB 110 have corresponding layers, with communication between those layers.
• the first of these layers 200 is the PHY (physical layer protocol) layer.
• the second layer 202 is the MAC (medium access control) layer.
• the next layer is the RLC (radio link control) layer 204.
• the next layer is the radio resource control (RRC) layer 206.
• RRC radio resource control
• the implementation of the DARA can be based upon an advanced-radio UE (user equipment) platform but much simpler than the UE itself in terms of user-plane processing.
• a fixed DARA operating in enhanced 3GPP LTE E- UTRAN environment (Rel.09) can be implemented based upon a high-end LTE UE with maximum RF (radio frequency) capabilities but minimum control-plane functions (no mobility support needed) and virtually no user-plane functions.
• the control-plane is extended with a DARA application protocol, as discussed above, common to all the RAN systems involved in e.g. FSU and SS. This protocol can alternatively be embedded into the radio resource control protocol of RAN systems.
• DARA can have a spectrum sensor and analyser to facilitate FSU and SS.
• DARA can be embedded into a regular UE device in alternative embodiments.
• the DARA can be a stand alone entity, based on simplified UE technology or a UE device dedicated functionality.
• the DARA can be part of an eNB or the like.
• Embodiments of the invention have been described in the context of two overlapping networks. In alternative embodiments, there may be more than two networks which overlap.
• the two or more overlapping networks may be operated each by different operators. Alternatively, at least two of the different networks may be operated by the same operator.
• embodiments of the present invention can be implemented at least partially in software. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may be partially implemented by a computer program when executed by a suitable processor or the like.

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