GB2498813A

GB2498813A - Initiating closed subscriber group (CSG) cell proximity determination/fingerprinting and/or reporting using cell ID/code

Info

Publication number: GB2498813A
Application number: GB1201568.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Peter Callender
Original assignee: Renesas Mobile Corp
Current assignee: Renesas Electronics Corp
Priority date: 2012-01-30
Filing date: 2012-01-30
Publication date: 2013-07-31
Also published as: GB201213939D0; WO2013114265A2; GB201201568D0; WO2013114265A3; GB2498825A

Abstract

Basestations in UMTS and LTE systems transmit identification (eg. PLMN ID) which may include elements such as mobile country/network codes (MCC/MNC). Some codes/IDs may be reserved for control signalling purposes. The invention proposes using a code/ID, preferably reserved, to identify test cells. When a user equipment (UE) logs on to a test cell with a test ID (A) it may begin logging CSG cells that it is proximate to and wherein log-in is successful (B). This log may be appended to a CSG whitelist or may be a separate list. Upon return to the test cell (ie detection of the test ID) (C), the UE may report its record of proximate CSG cells to the network (D).

Description

APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING

CLOSED SUBSCRTBER GROUP FINGERPRINT FOR TEST PURPOSES

Technical Field

S The present invention relates to apparatus, a method and a computer program for providing a closed subscriber group fingerprint for test purposes. The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of this invention relate generally to wireless communication systems, methods, devices and computer programs and, more specifically, rclatc to providing a CSG fingcrprint for testing purposes.

Background

This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention which is recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but arc not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and/or the drawing figures are defined as follows: 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project CSG closed subscriber group eNB E-IJTRAN Node B (evolved Node B) E-UTRAN evolved 1Sf RAN (LTE) HNB home Node B HeNB enhanced HNB (also referred to as a eHNB) ID identifier IMT-A International Mobile Telephony-Advanced LTE Long Term Evolution of UTRAN (E-UTRAN) Node B base station or the like PLMIN public land mobile network RSCP received signal code power RSRP reference signal received power SRNC serving radio network controller S UE user equipment, such as a mobile station or mobile terminal UTRAN Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access Network A closed subscriber group (CSG) proximity detection function was introduced in order to allow a user equipment (TIE) to notify a network when it is near a CSG cell or a hybrid cell having a CSG ID listed in a CSG whitelist for the UE. The ability to test proximity is an important feature for an HNB/HeNB, for example, for handover purposes. While the FE can implement the detection of proximity of a CSG cell using several different methods, there is a lack of specific requirements as to when to perform such detection. This was left for UE-speeific implementation.

It is already known that proximity may be detected by matching a "macro fingerprint" when the HNB/HeNB is within the coverage of a certain macro cell.

Other factors (e.g. detectable neighbours, RSRP/RSCP, etc.) can also be used to improve the accuracy of the fingerprint.

For handover purposes it is important that the proximity indication is accurate.

One example of the need for this is that the macro Node B/eNB may need to start compressed mode/measurement gaps once proximity is reported so that the liE is able to search for an inter-frequency HINB/HeNB.

The details of proximity detection were left to liE implementation. This allowed different liEs to perform proximity detection differently. For instance, a GPS receiver may be used for proximity detection in one UE and not in another. During proximity estimation, the UE determines, based on the UE implementation, whether it is near a CSG or hybrid cell. The TIE may then provide the SRNC an indication of the proximity This makes conformance testing difficult, since there is no way to know what S kinds of environments/conditions trigger a proximity report. For example, a UE might use GPS, the presence of WLAN or any other technique. Thus, there are a multitude of potential proximity report triggers which cannot be fully anticipated and emulated in a test environment. If a test case is added which makes assumptions on the test environment to be emulated, then there is a risk that an implementation to pass the test ease may prevent alternative implementations which may perform better in certain scenarios.

A somewhat similar problem arose for testing reseleetion to CSG cells. In reseleetion, proximity is not indicated to the network. A fingerprint may be used for power saving purposes to avoid searching for CSG cells.

For reseleetion testing, macro cell radio conditions were defined in which the TIE is to perform CSG searches. However, the needs of proximity detection are different between idle mode and connected mode handover. For an idle TIE, a proximity report which is triggered when the tiE is even several kilometres or miles away from its home cell may be sufficient. In contrast, in a connected handover, the proximity report should be accurate in order, for example, to avoid excessive use of compressed mode/measurement gaps. Thus, using the same approach in an idle mode as for connected handover may result in proximity reports being sent at many locations throughout the macro cell in which the home cell is located. This may not be sufficiently accurate.

What is needed for testing purposes is a technique to standardise behaviour for CSG proximity reporting, while not constraining techniques that can be used by implementations to ensure accurate proximity reporting in other environments.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing a closed subscriber group fingerprint for testing purposes, the method comprising: determining, by a user equipment, whether a first cell is using an S identifier indicated as a test identifier; and in response to determining that the first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier, informing a network whether the user equipment is in proximity to cells in a whitelist.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for providing a closed subscriber group fingerprint for testing purposes, the apparatus comprising a processing system constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus at least: to determine whether a first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier; and in response to determining that the first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier, to inform a network whether a user equipment is in proximity to cells in a whitelist.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program comprising a set of instructions for providing a closed subscriber group fingerprint for testing purposes, which, when executed on a data processor causes the data processor to perform the steps of: determining, by a user equipment, whether a fir st cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier; and in response to determining that the first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier, informing a network whether the user equipment is in proximity to cells in a whitelist.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for providing a closed subscriber group fingerprint for testing purposes, the apparatus comprising: means for determining, by a user equipment, whether a first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier; and means for informing a network whether the user equipment is in proximity to cells in a whitelist in response to determining that the first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier.

The processing system may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at east one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to operate as described above.

S

The computer program may be provided in a computer-readable memory.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following dcscription of preferred embodiments of the invention, givcn by way of example only, which is madc with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawinus

Figure 1 shows a simplified block diagram of exemplary electronic devices that arc suitable for use in practicing various exemplary embodiments of this invention; Figure 2 shows schematically an example of a liE operating in accordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of this invention; and Figure 3 shows a schematic logic flow diagram that illustrates the operation of an exemplary method, and a result of execution of computer program instructions embodied on a computer readable memory, in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of this invention.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments in accordance with this invention allow testing of proximity reporting. By providing a minimum requirement for CSG proximity reporting, UF reporting behaviour may be standardised without affecting the possibility to perform further optimisation of the proximity detection algorithm for normal use.

Before describing in thrther detail various exemplary embodiments of this invention, reference is made to Figure 1 for illustrating a simplified block diagram of examples of various electronic devices and apparatus that are suitable for use in practising exemplary embodiments of this invention.

S

In the wireless system 130 of Figure 1, a wireless network is adapted for communication over a wireless link 132 with an apparatus, such as a mobile communication device which may be referred to as a IJE 110, via a network access node, such as a Node B (basc station), and morc spccifically an cNB 120.

The UE 110 includes a controller, such as a computer or a data processor (DP) 114, a computer-readable memory medium embodied as a memory (MEM) 116 that stores a program of computer instructions (PROG) 118, and a suitable wireless interface, such as radio frequency (RF) transceiver 112, for bidirectional wireless communications with the eNB 120 via one or more antennas.

The eNB 120 also includes a controller, such as a computer or a data processor (DP) 124, a computer-readable memory medium embodied as a memory (MEM) 126 that stores a program of computer instructions (PROG) 128, and a suitable wireless interface, such as RE transceiver 122, for communication with the IJE 110 via one or more antennas. An cNB emulator may also be uscd for tcsting purposes in place of the eNB 120. Such an eNB emulator typically implements a subset of the functionality of an eNB. For UTRAN, a node B controlled by an RNC may replace the eNB 120.

At least one of the FROGs 118 and 128 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated DP, enable the device to operate in accordance with exemplary embodiments of this invention, as will be discussed below in greater detail.

That is, various exemplary embodiments of this invention may be implemented at least in part by computer software executable by the DP 114 of the FE 110 and/or by the DP 124 of the eNB 120, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware (and firmware).

S

In general, the various embodiments of the UE 110 can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones, tablets having wireless communication capabilities, personal digital assistants (PDA5) having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers having wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions.

The computer readable MEMs 116 and 126 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The DPs 114 and 124 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs and processors based on a multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The wireless interfaces (e.g. RE transceivers 112 and 122) may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable communication technology such as individual transmitters, receivers, transceivers or a combination of such components.

The public land mobile network (PLMN) may include a mobile country code and a mobile network code. Some of the possible codes are reserved for specific uses, for example, 00101 and 00000.

S

In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment in accordance with this invention, a liE considers a test PLMN (e.g. 00101 or 00000) as a part of the CSG finger print. A manual CSG search may be initiated when the tiE is connected to a test macro cell S (e.g. one using the PLMN of 00101) and the PLIVIN of the test cell is stored in a CSG whitelist. During execution of the test, the whitelist may be populated in the traditional way. When the UE connects to a cell with the same PLMIN (e.g. 00101), the tiE will immediately provide a proximity report to the cell. Additional factors may also be taken into account when thc UE determines proximity in other scenarios.

In various exemplary embodiments in accordance with this invention, the UE stores a CSG whitelist identifying groups of allowed closed access cells. The whitelist may include an indication of whether a CSG cell was discovered when the liE was camped on a test cell (e.g. as indicated by the PLTVIN of the cell). This indication may be a single bit "flag" or a separate group within the whitelist. Later, when performing proximity chccking, the tiE would check the PLMN of the nctwork to which it is registered (rPLMN). If the rPLMN matches a known test PLMN, then a proximity report is generated for all cells in the CSG whitelist that are indicated as discovered when the UE was previously camped on a test cell.

In an altcmativc embodiment in accordancc with this invention, thc UE stores an indication of whether a CSG cell was discovered when the UE was camped on a test cell separately from a CSG whitelist identifying allowed cells.

Figure 2 illustratcs a liE operating in accordance with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of this invention. At point A, the tiE is registered on test cell.

The cell is indicated by the test PLMN (e.g. 00101). The tiE performs a CSG search At a later point B, tiE attempts to access a detected CSG cell and if the access is successifil, it adds the allowed CSG cell to the liE whitelist along with an indication that the TIE was registered on a test cell at point A. In response to the CSG being powered off (or for another reason), the UE moves back to the first test cell. When a call is started on the test cell (at point C), the liE detects the test PLMN (e.g. 00101). In response to detecting the test PLMN, the tiE immediately provides a proximity report to the test cell at point D, reporting S proximity to the CSG cell stored in the TIE whitelist.

If testing is no longer required, the liE can be instructed to erase the whitelist.

Alternatively, the tiE may be instructed to erase the indication of the test PLMN.

Based on the foregoing it should be apparent that the exemplary embodiments of this invention provide a method, apparatus and computer program(s) for providing a CSG fingerprint for testing purposes.

Figure 3 is a ogic flow diagram that illustrates the operation of a method, and a result of execution of computer program instructions, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention. In accordance with these exemplary embodiments, a method performs, at block 310, a step of determining, by a user equipment, whether a first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier. In response to determining that the first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier, the method also performs, at block 320, a step of informing a network whether the user equipment is in proximity to cells in a whitelist.

The various blocks shown in Figure 3 may be viewed as method steps, and/or as operations that result from operation of computer program code, and/or as a plurality of coupled logic circuit elements constructed to carry out the associated function(s).

In general, the various exemplary embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the exemp'ary embodiments of this invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, S techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

It should thus bc appreciatcd that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of the inventions may be practised in various components such as integrated circuit chips and modules, and that the exemplary embodiments of this invention may be realised in an apparatus that is embodied as an integrated circuit.

The integrated circuit, or circuits, may comprise circuitry (as weH as possibly firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data processor or data processors, a digital signal processor or processors, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry that are configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention.

Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this invention may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, any and all modifications will still fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

It should be noted that the terms "connected", "coupled" or any variant thereof mean any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements, and may encompass the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" together. The coupling or cotmection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof As employed herein two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" together by the use of one or more wires, cables and/or printed electrical connections, as wcfl as by the use of electromagnetic energy, such as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region, the microwave region and the optical (both visible and invisible) region, as several non-S limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

Furthermore, some of the features of the various non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of this invention may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description should be considered as merely illustrative of the principles, teachings and exemplary embodiments of this invention, and not in limitation thereof

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A method for providing a closed subscriber group fingerprint for testing purposes, the method comprising: S determining, by a user equipment, whether a first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier; and in response to determining that the first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier, informing a network whether the user equipment is in proximity to cells in a whitelist.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A method according to claim 1, comprising performing a closed subscriber group proximity check to determine whether the user equipment is in proximity to closed subscriber group cells in the whitelist.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A method according to claim 2, wherein performing the closed subscriber group proximity check is performed in response to determining that the first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising receiving an indication of the test identifier and storing an indication of the test identifier in the whitelist.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein determining is performed in response to connecting to any cell in the network using an identifier indicated as a test identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein informing the network whether the user equipment is in proximity to cells in a whitelist comprises providing a proximity report to the first cell.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A mcthod according to any of claims 1 to 6, whcrcin thc tcst idcntificr is a public and mobflc network identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. Apparatus for providing a closed subscriber group fingerprint for testing S purposes, the apparatus comprising a processing system constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus at least: to determine whether a first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier; and in rcsponsc to determining that thc first cell is using an identifier indicatcd as a tcst idcntificr, to inform a nctwork whcthcr a uscr cquipmcnt is in proximity to cclls in a whitelist.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. Apparatus according to claim 8, whcrcin thc proccssing systcm is arrangcd to causc thc apparatus to perform a closed subscribcr group proximity chcck to determine whether the user equipment is in proximity to closed subscriber group cells in thc whitciist.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the processing system is arranged such that the perfoiming the closed subscriber group proximity check is performed in rcsponsc to determining that thc first ccli is using an identifier indicated as a tcst idcntificr.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to store an indication of a test identifier in the whitelist upon receipt of an indication of the test identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein processing system is arranged such that dctcrmining is pcrformcd in response to connecting to any ccli in the network using an identifier indicated as a test identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus, when informing the network whether the user equipment is in proximity to cells in a whitelist, to provide a proximity report to the first cell.S</claim-text> <claim-text>14. Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein the test identifier is a public land mobile network identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 14, wherein the apparatus is embodied in a mobile device.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A computer program comprising a set of instructions for providing a closed subscriber group fingerprint for testing purposes, which, when executed on a data processor causes the data processor to perform the steps of: determining, by a user equipment, whether a first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier; and in response to determining that the first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier, informing a network whether the user equipment is in proximity to cells in a whitelist.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A computer program according to claim 16, wherein the steps comprise: performing a closed subscriber group proximity check to determine whether the user equipment is in proximity to cells in the whitelist.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A computer program according to claim 17, wherein performing the closed subscriber group proximity check is performed in response to determining that the first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A computer program according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the steps comprise receiving an indication of the test identifier and storing an indication of the test identifier in the whitelist.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A computcrprogram according to anyofdaims 16 to 19, wherein determining is performed in response to connecting to any cell in the network using an identifier indicated as a test identifier.S</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A computer program according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein informing the network whether the user equipment is in proximity to cells in a whitelist comprises providing a proximity rcport to thc first ccli.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A computcr program according to any of claims 16 to 21, whcrcin thc identifier is a public land mobile network identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. Apparatus for providing a closed subscribcr group fingerprint for testing purposes, thc apparatus comprising: means for determining, by a user equipment, whether a first cell is using an identifier indicated as a tcst identitier; and means for informing a network whether the user equipment is in proximity to cells in a whitelist in response to determining that the first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. Apparatus according to claim 23, comprising means for pcrforming a closed subscriber group proximity check to determine whether the user equipment is in proximity to closed subscriber group cells in the whitelist.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. Apparatus according to claim 24, arranged such that performing the closed subscriber group proximity check is performed in response to determining that the first cell is using an identifier indicated as a test identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. Apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 25, comprising means for storing an indication of the test identifier in the whitelist upon receipt of an indication of the test identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. Apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 26, arrangcd such that dctcrmining is performed in response to connecting to any cell in the network using an identifier indicated as a test identifier.S</claim-text> <claim-text>28. Apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 27, wherein the informing means comprises means for providing a proximity report to the first cell.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. Apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 28, whcrcin thc idcntificr is a public land mobilc nctwork identifier.</claim-text> <claim-text>30. A method of providing a closed subscriber group fingerprint for testing purposcs, substantially in accordance with any of the examples as described herein with reference to and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>31. Apparatus for providing a closed subscriber group fingerprint for testing purposes, substantially in accordance with any of the examples as described herein with reference to and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>