GB2434715A

GB2434715A - Allocation of fast uplink and downlink channels within a UTRAN

Info

Publication number: GB2434715A
Application number: GB0601592A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Roberts
Original assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Current assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Priority date: 2006-01-26
Filing date: 2006-01-26
Publication date: 2007-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2026-01-26
Also published as: GB0601592D0; GB2434715B

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling paging-channel to dedicated-channel transitions for the allocation of fast uplink and downlink channels for UTRAN mobile terminated services, including the step of sending message data on a dedicated paging channel from the network to a mobile radio communications device, the message data comprising paging data and cell access message data.

Description

MOBILE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE, RELATED

NETWORK DEVICE AND RELATED METHOD

The present invention relates to a mobile radio communications device and related mobile radio network device and, in particular, to a related method of controlling paging-channel to dedicated-channel transitions for the allocation of fast uplink and downlink channels within a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN).

With an increasing number and variety services being made available by way of mobile radio communications networks and in particular current so-called 3G networks, a requirement for relatively fast call setup times has arisen in order to support such services wherein the aforementioned fast call setup times can be considered as those which are in the order of one second or less.

The desire for such fast call setup times is particularly pertinent to mobile terminated services such as pushed services, for example push-to-talk over cellular (POC) services.

While some General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) and indeed other network-access methods might be considered to provide call setup times of less than one second when transitioning from an idle state, current UTRAN Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocols, and in particular IJTRAN Re16 RRC protocols cannot support call setup times, in the order of one second or less.

Thus, the provision of mobile terminated services such as POC services disadvantageously cannot be supported on, for example, present UTRAN Re16 RRC protocols.

It is also identified that, currently, the time required for the allocation of channels in CELL DCH mode is disadvantageously slow particularly when considering the R99 CELL.

DCH mode.

The present invention seeks to provide for a mobile radio communications device, related network device and related method for providing call setup times within a UTRAN and which have advantages over known such devices and methods.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling paging-channel two dedicated-chapel transitions for the allocation of fast uplink and dowul ink channels for UTRAN mobile terminated services, including the step of sending message data on a dedicated paging channel from the network to a mobile radio communications device, the message data comprising paging data and cell-access message data.

As will be appreciated from the above and the following, the present invention advantageously provides for a signalling procedure allowing for a transition within a mobile radio communications device in a CELL PCH state directly to a CELL DCII state so as to allocate directly the aforementioned fast uplink and downlin]c channels advantageously by way of the single message sent on the dedicated paging channel.

As will be appreciated, the aforementioned mobile terminated service can comprise pushed Packet Switched (PS) services.

Indeed, such services can comprise POC services.

Advantageously, the method is arranged for controlling transitions from a CELL PCH to a CELL DCII state.

Yet further, the aforementioned fast downlirijç channel can comprise a High Speed Data Packet Access (HSDPA) channel, whereas the fast uplink channel can comprise an EDCH channel.

Advantageously, the aforementioned dedicated paging channel can comprise a downi ink common control channel.

In particular, a method is arranged such that the message data allows for the allocation of all downlink and upl ink channels. Further, the message data can also include parameters for resource connection within the network.

The method is further arranged such that the mobile radio communications device performs a Layer 1 procedure for calculating the required power to be applied to the uplink channel.

Yet further, the mobile radio communications device can be arranged to seek immediate attachment to an allocated resource.

Still further, the method can include the step of connecting the mobile radio communications device to a channel and sending by way of the mobile radio communications device a signalling message to indicate completion of the procedure.

It should also be appreciated that the message data can serve to allocate resources in a target cell and neighbour cells for the case of soft handover support. The method can also include the step of sending on a Broadcast Control Channel (B CCII) the BCCH information associated with the target cell and any measurements needed to release unnecessary sources, for example, when resources to perform soft handover are not necessary.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile radio communications device arranged for operation in relation to a UTRAN and in accordance with a mobile terminated service, the mobile radio communications device being arranged for receiving on a dedicated paging channel message data comprising paging data and cell access message data, and for a transition from a paging channel to a dedicated channel.

Again, and for consistency with the aforementioned method, the above-mentioned mobile radio communications device is advantageously arranged to receive the above-mentioned signalling procedure so as to allow for the direct allocation of fast downlinlc and uplink channels by means of a single message received on the paging channel.

As above, the mobile terminated service can comprise a pushed PS service such as, for example, a POC service.

Preferably, the mobile radio communications device is arranged for transitioning from a CELL PCH state to a CELL DCII state.

The mobile radio communications device can further be arranged for the allocation of a fast uplink and a fast downlinjc channel, the fast downlinJ( channel comprising a HSDPA channel and the fast uplink channel comprising a EDCH channel.

Yet further, the aforementioned dedicated paging channel by which the said message data is received can comprise a downlink common control channel.

As noted, the message data can allow allocation of the fast downlink and uplink channels and, include parameters for resource connection.

Advantageously, the mobile radio communications device is arranged to perform a Layer 1 procedure for calculating the required power to be applied on the uplink channels.

Yet further, the mobile radio communications device can be arranged for subsequent immediate attachment to an allocated resource.

Yet further, the mobile radio communications device can be arranged to connect to the uplink and downlink channels and to send an indication that the procedure is complete.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile radio communications network device for use in relation to a UTRAN and in relation to a mobile terminated service, the device being arranged for providing by way of a dedicated paging channel message data comprising paging data and cell access message data for controlling paging-channel to dedicated-channel transitions.

As noted above, the network device of the present invention advantageously employs a signalling procedure allowing for paging-chaimel to dedicated-channel transitions and the allocation of fast uplink and downlink channels, by means of a single message sent on the paging channel.

As before, the mobile terminated service can advantageously comprise a pushed PS service, such as a POC service.

Also, the transitions from the paging channel to the dedicated channel can comprise CELL PCH to CELL DCH transition.

Again, the mobile radio communications device can be arranged to deliver the message data by way of a dedicated paging channel comprising a downlirik common control channel.

The network device can be arranged for providing the said message data so as to allocate the high speed downlink and uplink channels and, if appropriate, to include the parameters required for resource connection.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile radio communications system including a mobile radio communications device such as defined above, and a mobile radio communjcatio network device such as that defined above.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a network connected cellular phone handset embodying the present invention and provided in its CELL PCH state; Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration similar to that of Fig. 1 at the time of arrival of an incoming packet at the cellular phone handset; Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration similar to that of Fig. 1 and illustrating the direct allocation of a CELL DCH state; Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of the cellular phone handset of Fig. I at the time of aquiring basic power for application on an uplink channel; and Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration similar to that of Fig. I at the time of connection of the cellular phone handset to the downlink and uplink channels.

While the manner in which the present invention provides advantages over the current art depends upon the particular RRC state of the mobile radio communications device, the present invention is particularly pertinent when the mobile radio communications device is in a CELL PCH state.

As should be appreciated, when in such a CELL PCH state, the mobile radio communications device is required to obtain system information messages within the serving cell for its high speed downlink and uplink control channels.

Since the network can readily identify the mobility of the mobile radio communications device at cell level, by means of the CELL PCH state, it can therefore be arranged to send a message on its downlink common control channel to the mobile radio communications device in a direct manner so as to page the device and, importantly, while at the same time allocating the necessary information relating to cell-access message data.

Such cell access message data allows the mobile radio communications device to perform access in the cell, to allocate both downlink and uplink resources within the cell and also to identify all the parameters required to allow the mobile radio communications device to connect to the relevant resources. Such as, for example, the H-RNTI, and the power offsets of the HSDPA and the EDCH control channels etc. With regard to the above-mentioned figures, Fig. 1 illustrates a mobile radio communications device in the form of a cellular phone handset 10 arranged for connectivity to cells 12, 14 of a network. Within Fig. 1, the telephone handset lOis in a CELL PCH state and is arranged to read the BCCH so as to obtain the HSDPAIEDCH parameters.

Fig. 1 also illustrates an incoming data packet 16 and the nature of the connectivity 18 between the core network 20 and the radio network controller 22.

Turning now to Fig. 2, the handset 10 is again illustrated in relation to the cells 12, 14 and now at the time of arrival of an incoming packet.

With regard to Fig. 3, the combined paging and allocation message data 24 is illustrated delivered from the radio network controller to the cellular phone handset 10 and, as discussed above, by way of the dedicated downlink common control channel.

With regard to Fig. 4, and in order to connect on the uplink channels, the cellular phone handset 10 is arranged to perform a Layer I procedure in order to calculate the required power to apply on the uplink channels and is arranged to then immediately attach to such allocated resources by way of the cell 12.

With reference now to Fig. 5, there is illustrated the cellular phone handset 10 which, subsequent to the procedure illustrated in relation to Fig. 4, is immediately allocated into a soft-hand over state within the cell 12 as there are no INTRA-CELL measurements available.

Such resources can be de-allocated immediately afterwards dependent upon measurement reports from the cellular phone handset 10. Such processing can prove important since the particular location of the cellular phone handset within the cell may be unknown at the time that the paging data is received or particularly if the cellular phone handset 10 is located approximate to the cell edge. As illustrated in Fig. 5, at the end of procedure, the cellular phone handset 10 connects to the channel and sends an RRC signalling message 26 to the network to indicate that the procedure is complete.

Though not illustrated in the drawings it should be appreciated that the present invention also encompasses a particular situation in which the HSDPA or EDCH resources within the serving cell are not available. In this case, the network can be arranged to send on the BCCH of the serving cell the BCCH information associated with a target cell. In this case, information sent on the downlink common control channel serves to allocate resources in the target cell and the message sent on the downlink common control channel contains dynamic information pertaining to the target cell.

As noted, a transition from CELL PCH to CELL DCH can advantageously have a soft handover triggered all the time, i.e. in a systematic manner, since there may be some uncertainty as to the precise location of the mobile at the time the paging is received, for example whether or not the mobile is near the cell edge. In this case the mobile is arranged to enter soft handover systematically each CELL PCI-I to CELL DCH transition. To assist this the network is arranged to send not only serving cell resources but also neighbour cell resources in the BCCH.

As a further feature, a measurement order can be given to the mobile on the BCCH so that when the mobile attaches to CELL DCH, the resources that are not required (in soft handover) can be released automatically when CEL DCH is established.

As appreciated, the present invention when in CELL PCH state, provides for, the UTRAN to allocate directly HSDPA and EDCH resources immediately using a single message on the downlink common control channel and, as required, the mobile radio communications device can then perform a Layer I power ramp-up procedure in order to ascertain the power required to be applied on the uplink channel. Subsequent to the attachment of the mobile radio communications device to uplink and downlink channels, a "procedure complete" message can then be sent.

The present invention advantageously assists in achieving fast call setup times for mobile terminated services through the manner in which it can control the CELL PCH to cell DCH transitions and the allocation of the high speed downlink and uplink channels within a UTRAN environment.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A method of controlling paging-channel to dedicated-channel transitions for the allocation of fast uplink and downlink channels for UTRAN mobile terminated services, including the step of sending message data on a dedicated paging channel from the network to a mobile radio communications device, the message data comprising paging data and cell access message data.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the mobile terminated service comprises a pushed PS service.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the service comprises a POC service.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 and arranged for controlling transitions from a CELL PCH state to a CELL DCH state.

5. A method as claimed in any one or more of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the fast downlink channel comprise HSDPA channel, and the fast uplink channel comprises an EDCH channel.

6. A method as claimed in any one or more of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the dedicated paging channel comprises a downlink common control channel.

7. A method as claimed in any one or more of Claims I to 6, wherein the message data allows for the allocation of the downlink and uplink channels.

8. A method as claimed in any one or more of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the message data includes parameters for resource connection within the network.

9. A method as claimed in any one or more of Claims I to 8, wherein the mobile radio communications device performs a Layer I procedure for calculating the required power to be applied to the uplink channel.

10. A method as claimed in any one or more of Claims I to 9, and including the step of connecting the mobile radio communications device to a channel and sending by way of the mobile radio communications device a signalling message to indicate completion of the procedure.

11. A method as claimed in any one or more of Claims I to 10, and including the step of employing a soft handover for each paging-channel to dedicated-channel transition.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 11, and including the step of sending from the network neighbouring cell resources in addition to serving cell resources.

13. A mobile radio communications device arranged for operation in relation to a UTRAN and in accordance with a mobile terminated service, the mobile radio communications device being arranged for receiving on a dedicated paging channel message data comprising paging and cell access message data, and for a transition from a paging channel to a dedicated channel.

14. A device as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the mobile terminated service comprises a pushed PS service.

15. A device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the pushed PS service comprises a POC service.

16. A device as claimed in Claim 14 or 15 and arranged for transitioning from a CELL PCH state to a CELL DCH state.

17. A device as claimed in Claim 14, 15 or 16 and arranged for the allocation of a fast uplink and a fast downlink channel, the fast downlink.

18. A device as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the fast downlink channel comprises a HSDPA channel and the fast uplink channel comprises a EDCH channel.

19. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 13 to 18, wherein the dedicated paging channel by which the said message data is received comprises a downlink common control channel.

20. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 13 to 19 and arranged to perform a Layer 1 procedure for calculating the required power to be applied on the uplink channels.

21. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 13 to 20, and arranged for providing a soft handover for each paging-channel to dedicated-channel transition.

22. A device as claimed in Claim 21 and arranged for receiving neighbouring cell resources in addition to serving cell resources.

23. A mobile radio communications network device for use in relation to a UTRAN and in relation to a mobile terminated service, the device being arranged for providing by way of a dedicated paging channel message data comprising paging data and cell access message data for controlling paging-channel to dedicated-channel transitions.

24. A device as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the mobile terminated service comprises a pushed PS service.

25. A device as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the pushed PS service comprises a POC service.

26. A. device as claimed in Claim 23, 24, or 25, and arranged to deliver the message data by way of a dedicated paging channel comprising a downlink common control channel.

27. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 23 to 26 and arranged for providing the said message data so as to allocate the high speed downlink and uplink channels.

28. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 23 to 27, wherein the message data includes parameters for resource connection.

29. A device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 23 to 28, and arranged for sending serving cell resources and neighbouring cell resources to a mobile radio communication device for enabling a soft handover at the time of the paging-channel to dedicated-channel transition.

30. A mobile radio communications system including a mobile radio communications device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 13 to 20, and a mobile radio communications network device as claimed in any one or more of Claims 23 to 29.

31. A method of controlling paging channel to dedicated channel transitions from the allocation of fast uplink and downlink channels and as substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

32. A mobile radio communications device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A mobile radio communications network device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. A mobile radio communications system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.