KR101429091B1 - Apparatus and method for determining radio access technology for high speed data service in communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radio access technology (RAT) determination method and apparatus for supporting a high-speed data service in a mobile communication system, in which a radio network controller includes a RAT list and a RAT connection threshold The method includes the steps of periodically broadcasting system information, checking a neighboring RAT supporting a high-speed data service using the RAT list by the UE, comparing the energy-to-noise ratio Ec / No of the RAT signal with the RAT Comparing a connection threshold value to determine a RAT for performing an MO call connection, thereby reducing a load on a network where the terminal is currently located, and providing a high-speed data service to the user in a shorter time .

RAT (Radio Access Technology), Cell Selection, Cell Reselection, Handover, High-speed Data Service

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining a radio access technology supporting a high-speed data service in a mobile communication system,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radio access technology (RAT) determination method and apparatus for supporting a high-speed data service in a mobile communication system, And more particularly, to a method and apparatus for determining a RAT supporting a high-speed data service using a threshold value.

In recent years, various types of communication systems using different communication methods have been provided, so that a method for mutual compatibility between the respective communication systems is under research and development. For example, when systems using different communication methods exist adjacent to each other, cell reselection to a system using different communication methods and different frequencies from systems where a UE (User Equipment) Methods of performing hand-over are being studied. The cell reselection and the handover can be classified into a method of performing an inter frequency and a method of performing inter radio access technologies (hereinafter referred to as 'Inter-RAT').

In the conventional UMTS system, the method for performing the cell reselection of the Inter-RAT will be described. The UE refers to the system information block (SIB) received from the network in an idle state from the network, (Measurement Threshold) for reselection, and compares the measurement threshold with the energy-to-noise ratio (Ec / No) of the common pilot channel (CPICH) of the current cell. According to the comparison result, the UE measures a signal of another RAT and performs cell reselection to the other RAT. 1, the UE performs signal measurement of the different RAT when the Ec / No of the current cell is less than or equal to the measurement threshold value, and Ec / No of the current cell is measured And the signal measurement of the other RAT is not performed if it is greater than the threshold value. Here, the determination of whether to measure the signal of another RAT using the Inter-RAT measurement threshold value may be expressed as Equation (1).

Qqualmeas - Qqualmin> SsearchRATm

Here, the Qqualmeas represents a cell quality of a received signal and is represented by Ec / No [dB] of the CPICH. The SsearchRATm represents a threshold value for determining whether to perform measurement on a cell of RAT 'm' , That is, the Inter-RAT measurement threshold value is in the range of -32 to +20 [dB]. The Qqualmin has a range of -24 to 0 [dB] as a minimum quality level required in the cell.

In the conventional UMTS system, the handover of the Inter-RAT is performed through the procedure shown in FIG.

2 illustrates a signal flow for an inter-RAT handover of a UE in a conventional UMTS system.

2, when a high speed data service call is requested from a user, the UE 200 transmits a RRC Connection Request (RRC Connection Request) to the RNC 204 via a Node B 202, RRC Connection Setup message 212 and an RRC Connection Setup Complete message 214 with the RRC Request message 210 and RRC connection. Thereafter, the terminal 200 transmits a message of the NAS terminal to the RNC 204 using an initial direct transfer message 216, sets an authentication and a security mode, And a radio access bearer (Radio Access Bearer) and a radio bearer (Radio Bearer) between the RNC 204 and the Core Network. Thereafter, the UE 200 determines whether to perform another RAT measurement through the message information received from the RNC 204, and transmits the different RAT measurement result to the RNC 204, 204 determines whether to hand over to another RAT supporting the high-speed data service based on the measurement result, and transmits a cell change command message 222 from the UTRAN to the terminal 200. Thereafter, the MS 200 moves to another RAT determined by the RNC 204 and maintains the call.

As described above, when the UE determines whether to reselect a cell to another RAT through a measurement threshold value obtained from a system information block in an idle state, if the threshold is set high, cell reselection between RATs occurs frequently . In order to perform cell reselection between the RATs, the network connection of the UE must be performed. Therefore, frequent occurrence of cell reselection increases the load on the network and increases the power consumption of the UE.

In addition, when the UE receives a call request for a high-speed data service from the UE as described above, the UE first performs a call connection in the existing UMTS network and then measures another RAT to provide a RAT supporting high- Handover of resources is wasted, and unnecessary RRC connection procedure and wireless connection bearer setup are performed, thereby imposing a burden on the network.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for determining a radio access technology supporting a high-speed data service in a mobile communication system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for determining a RAT supporting a high-speed data service using a threshold for a network connection when a call connection for a high-speed data service is requested in a terminal of the mobile communication system .

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a UMTS system in which when a call connection for a high-speed data service is requested from a user of a terminal in a Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service (UMTS) system, And to provide a method and an apparatus for determining the above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining a Radio Access Technology (RAT) for supporting a high-speed data service in a mobile communication system, And periodically broadcasting system information including the RAT connection threshold and the RAT connection threshold to the terminal when the terminal generates an outbound call event for the high-speed data service, and the terminal supports the high-speed data service using the RAT list Checking a neighboring RAT, and comparing the energy-to-noise ratio of the examined RAT signal with the RAT connection threshold to determine a RAT for performing the outgoing call connection.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of determining a Radio Access Technology (RAT) supporting a high-speed data service in a mobile communication system, Periodically receiving system information including a RAT list and a RAT connection threshold from a network controller; and transmitting, when an outgoing call event for a high-speed data service is generated in the terminal, a high-speed data service using the RAT list Measuring an energy-to-noise ratio of the inspected RAT signal; comparing the RAT connection threshold value and the measured energy-to-noise ratio to determine a RAT for performing outgoing call connection; The method comprising:

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for determining a Radio Access Technology (RAT) supporting a high-speed data service in a mobile communication system, A communication unit for periodically receiving system information including a RAT list and a RAT connection threshold from the network controller, a measurement unit for measuring an energy-to-noise ratio of a peripheral RAT signal supporting high-speed data service, When the outbound call event for the RAT is generated, the neighboring RAT supporting the high-speed data service is checked using the RAT list, and the energy-to-noise ratio of the measured RAT signal is compared with the RAT connection threshold, And a RAT control unit for determining a RAT to perform call connection.

When a call connection for a high-speed data service is requested from a user of a terminal in a mobile communication system, a connection to a RAT supporting the high-speed data service is determined using a RAT connection threshold value received from the network, The load on the network on which the terminal is currently located can be reduced, and the high data service can be provided to the user in a shorter time.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radio access technology (RAT) supporting a high-speed data service using a threshold value for accessing a mobile communication network when a mobile origination call Will be described. In the following description, a signal transmitted between a user equipment (UE) and a radio network controller (RNC) is transmitted via a base station (Node B).

FIG. 3 shows system information periodically broadcasted in the mobile communication system according to the present invention.

3, the RNC 304 determines that the system information includes system information including a RAT information list and a RAT access threshold according to the present invention. (UE) 300 through a base station (Node B) 302 or only a RAT Access Threshold (RAT Access Threshold) to each user terminal (UE) 300.

When the MS 300 requests an MO call for a high-speed data service from the user, the MS 300 transmits a RAT supporting the high-speed data service using the RAT list information and the RAT connection threshold included in the system information And connects the call through the determined RAT. That is, the MS 300 checks the RAT supporting high-speed data service existing around the RAT list information, measures the energy-to-noise ratio (Ec / No) of the signal of the RAT, And then connects the call through the RAT with the highest energy-to-noise ratio value among the RATs having an energy-to-noise ratio value greater than the RAT connection threshold value.

Here, the conventional Inter-RAT measurement threshold value and the RAT connection threshold value proposed in the present invention have a correlation as shown in FIG.

For example, if the UE desires to move to a RAT that supports higher-speed data service than the current service, it can receive service from the RAT by setting a higher inter-RAT measurement threshold. Also, by setting the RAT connection threshold value proposed in the present invention to be higher than the conventional Inter-RAT measurement threshold value, the UE transmits a better data service than the current RAT in which the UE is located at the time of call connection for high- You can decide to move to a supporting RAT. In addition, by setting the conventional Inter-RAT measurement threshold value lower than the RAT connection threshold value proposed in the present invention, frequent occurrence of cell reselection between RATs can be reduced.

FIG. 5 shows a block configuration of an RNC and a terminal in a mobile communication system according to the present invention.

5, the terminal includes a communication unit 500, a message processing unit 502, an SIB processing unit 504, a call control unit 506, a RAT control unit 508, and a measurement unit 510 The RNC includes a communication unit 520, a message processing unit 522, a call control unit 524, and an SIB generation unit 526.

First, a block configuration of the UE will be described.

The communication unit 500 of the terminal performs a function of processing a signal transmitted and received through an antenna. In particular, the communication unit 500 periodically receives system information including a RAT list and a RAT connection threshold value from the RNC, and provides the system information to the message processing unit 502.

The message processing unit 502 processes a message provided from the communication unit 500 to provide a call related message to the call control unit 506 and provides the system information message to the SIB processing unit 504, Related message provided from the communication unit 506 and provides the message to the communication unit 500.

The SIB processor 504 receives the system information message from the message processor 502, analyzes the received system information message, and obtains a RAT list and a RAT connection threshold value, and provides the RAT list and the RAT connection threshold to the RAT controller 508.

The call control unit 506 controls and processes an originating call (MO call) requested by the user and an incoming call (MT call) requested from another terminal. In particular, when an outgoing call for a high-speed data service is requested from a user according to the present invention, the RAT control unit 508 requests the RAT control unit 508 to determine a RAT to perform call connection, receives the determined RAT, And performs control and processing for connecting calls.

The RAT controller 508 uses the RAT list and the RAT connection threshold provided from the SIB processor 504 according to the present invention when a call connection determination RAT is requested from the call controller 506 And determines a RAT supporting the high-speed data service. That is, the RAT control unit 508 examines the neighboring RAT supporting the high-speed data service in the RAT list according to the present invention and transmits the signal energy-to-noise ratio Ec / No) is measured, and the measured energy-to-noise ratio is compared with the RAT connection threshold value to select a RAT having the largest energy-to-noise ratio value among RATs having an energy-to-noise ratio greater than the RAT connection threshold value, It is determined as RAT for call connection.

The measurement unit 510 measures the signal energy-to-noise ratio of a specific RAT under the control of the RAT control unit 508 and provides the signal energy-to-noise ratio to the RAT control unit 508.

Next, a block configuration of the RNC will be described first.

The communication unit 520 of the RNC performs a function of processing a signal transmitted / received through an antenna. In particular, the communication unit 520 broadcasts a system information message provided from the message processing unit 522. The message processing unit 522 processes the message provided from the communication unit 520 and provides the message to the call control unit 524. The communication unit 500 processes the system information message provided from the SIB generation unit 526, .

The call control unit 524 analyzes a message provided from the message processing unit 522 and controls and processes a call connection function of the corresponding terminal.

The SIB generation unit 526 periodically generates a system information message to be broadcasted to each terminal and provides the system information message to the message processing unit 522. In particular, according to the present invention, the SIB generator 526 generates a system information message including a RAT list and a RAT connection threshold.

FIG. 6 illustrates a call connection procedure for a high-speed data service in a terminal of the mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step 601, when an MS call connection request for a high-speed data service is requested from a user, the MS proceeds to step 603, where the system information transmitted from a radio network controller (RNC) And the RAT connection threshold.

In step 605, the terminal checks whether there is a neighboring RAT supporting the high-speed data service among the identified RAT list. If there is no RAT supporting the high-speed data service, the MS proceeds to step 623, and if there is a RAT supporting the high-speed data service, the MS proceeds to step 607 to determine whether the MS itself is currently in a fast- Lt; / RTI >

If it is determined in step 623 that the UE is in high-speed movement, the MS proceeds to step 623, and if it is not in the fast movement, it proceeds to step 609 so that an energy- . In step 611, the UE compares the measured energy-to-noise ratio (RAT) of the RAT with the RAT connection threshold, and determines whether there is a RAT having an energy-to-noise ratio of more than the RAT connection threshold.

If there is no RAT having an energy-to-noise ratio value equal to or greater than the RAT connection threshold value, the UE proceeds to step 623 and if there is a RAT having an energy-to-noise ratio value greater than or equal to the RAT connection threshold value, RAT having the largest energy-to-noise ratio value among the RATs having the above-mentioned energy-to-noise ratio value is selected, and in step 615, the system moves to the selected RAT and attempts to acquire the system.

If the system acquisition is unsuccessful in step 617, the MS proceeds to step 623, and if the system acquisition is successful, the MS proceeds to step 619 where the cell corresponding to the RAT It is checked whether or not the cell is usable. The UE proceeds to step 621 where the cell is available and performs a call connection using the selected RAT in the cell, and then terminates the algorithm according to the present invention. When the cell is not available, , The call is connected through the available RAT in the area where the current terminal is located, and then the algorithm according to the present invention is terminated.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments, but should be determined by the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional Inter-RAT measurement threshold;

2 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow for an inter-RAT handover of a terminal in a conventional UMTS system;

3 is a diagram illustrating system information periodically broadcast in a mobile communication system according to the present invention.

4 is a graph showing a correlation between a conventional Inter-RAT measurement threshold value and a RAT connection threshold value in the mobile communication system according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a block configuration of an RNC and a terminal in a mobile communication system according to the present invention, and FIG.

6 is a diagram illustrating a call connection procedure for a high-speed data service in a terminal of a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (11)

A method for determining a radio access technology (RAT) for supporting high-speed data service in a mobile communication system, Periodically broadcasting system information including a RAT list and a RAT connection threshold; The method comprising the steps of: when a terminal generates an outgoing call event for a high-speed data service, the terminal examines a neighboring RAT supporting a high-speed data service using the RAT list; Comparing the energy-to-noise ratio of the checked RAT signal with the RAT connection threshold value to determine a RAT for performing the outgoing call connection. The method according to claim 1, The process of determining the RAT comprises: Measuring an energy-to-noise ratio of the inspected RAT signal; Comparing the measured energy-to-noise ratio value with the RAT connection threshold value to identify a RAT having an energy-to-noise ratio value greater than the RAT connection threshold value among the checked RATs; And determining a RAT having the largest energy-to-noise ratio value among the identified RATs as a RAT to perform the outgoing call connection. 3. The method of claim 2, And performing the outgoing call connection using the RAT being accessed by the terminal when there is no RAT having an energy-to-noise ratio value greater than the RAT connection threshold value among the checked RATs. How to. The method according to claim 1, Acquiring a system of the determined RAT; Checking whether a corresponding cell of the RAT is available, And connecting the outgoing call using the RAT in the corresponding cell. A method for determining a Radio Access Technology (RAT) supporting a high-speed data service in a mobile communication system, Periodically receiving system information including a RAT list and a RAT connection threshold from a radio network controller; Checking a neighboring RAT supporting a high-speed data service using the RAT list when an outgoing call event for a high-speed data service is generated in the terminal; Measuring an energy-to-noise ratio of the inspected RAT signal; Comparing the RAT connection threshold value with the measured energy-to-noise ratio to determine a RAT for performing outgoing call connection. 6. The method of claim 5, The process of determining the RAT comprises: Comparing the RAT connection threshold value with a measured energy-to-noise ratio value to identify a RAT having an energy-to-noise ratio value greater than the RAT connection threshold value among the examined RATs; And determining a RAT having the largest energy-to-noise ratio value among the identified RATs as a RAT to perform the outgoing call connection. The method according to claim 6, And performing the outgoing call connection using the RAT being accessed by the terminal when there is no RAT having an energy-to-noise ratio value greater than the RAT connection threshold value among the checked RATs. How to. 6. The method of claim 5, Acquiring a system of the determined RAT; Checking whether a corresponding cell of the RAT is available, And connecting the outgoing call using the RAT in the corresponding cell. An apparatus for determining a Radio Access Technology (RAT) supporting a high-speed data service in a mobile communication system, the apparatus comprising: A communication unit for periodically receiving system information including a RAT list and a RAT connection threshold from a radio network controller; A measurement unit for measuring an energy-to-noise ratio of a peripheral RAT signal supporting high-speed data service, Wherein when an outgoing call event for a high speed data service is generated in the MS, a neighboring RAT supporting the high speed data service is checked using the RAT list, and an energy-to-noise ratio of the measured RAT signal is compared with a RAT connection threshold And determining a RAT for performing the outgoing call connection. 10. The method of claim 9, The RAT control unit compares the RAT connection threshold value and the measured energy-to-noise ratio value to identify a RAT having an energy-to-noise ratio value larger than the RAT connection threshold value among the checked RATs, And determines a RAT having a large energy-to-noise ratio value as a RAT to perform the outgoing call connection. 10. The method of claim 9, Wherein the RAT control unit performs the call connection using the RAT that the terminal is currently connected to when the RAT having the energy-to-noise ratio value larger than the RAT connection threshold value is not present in the checked RAT Device.

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