RU2396712C2 - Changing tune-up of radio communication between terminal and network - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technologies.

SUBSTANCE: method is suggested for changing configuration of radio communication channel used between terminal and network. Network executes the following steps: initiation of new configuration, which is related to previous configuration of this terminal, informing this terminal in order to use new configuration, and identification of when the terminal uses the second configuration on the basis of radio signal received from the terminal. Terminal executes the following steps: receiving information in order to use new configuration, sending radio signal indicating change in configuration to network, and changing from old configuration to new configuration at a certain time after radio signal transfer.

EFFECT: possibility to synchronise making changes into configurations in telecommunication system.

17 cl, 29 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[1] The present invention relates to wireless (radio) communications and, more specifically, to changing the configuration (configuration) of subscriber radio communications between a terminal and a network that supports communication.

State of the art

[2] The universal mobile telecommunication system “UMTS” is a third generation mobile communication system, which was the result of the evolution of the European standard, and is known as the global mobile communication system “GSM”. The goal of the UMTS universal mobile telecommunication system is to provide high-quality mobile services based on the GSM core network and code division multiple access (W-CDMA) technology as a wireless communication technology. In December 1998, the European Telecommunications Standardization Institute (ETSI) in Europe, the Radio Industry Association and the Communications Technology Committee (ARIB / TTC) in Japan, the U.S. Institute of Standards Institute T1 Committee and the South Korean Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) launched a Collaboration Project on third-generation systems (3GPP) for the development of detailed specifications for the technology of the universal mobile communications system “UMTS” In order to ensure the fast and efficient technical development of the UMTS mobile communication system within the framework of the 3GPP project, five TSG groups were created to standardize the universal UMTS mobile communication system, taking into account the independent nature of the network elements and their operation. Each TSG group develops, approves and monitors standard specifications within the respective field. Among these groups, the Network Radio Communications Group - (TSG-RAN) is developing standards for the functions, required elements, and the UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network interface, which is a new radio access network to support code division multiple access (W- CDMA) in the universal mobile communications system “UMTS”.

[3] In the following description, the following abbreviations may be used:

[4] “AM” - Confirmation Mode

[5] “AS” - Access Layer

[6] “ASN.1” - Abstract Syntactic Notation Version 1 (ASN.1 Language)

[7] “CQI” - Channel Quality Indicator

[8] “MAC” - Media Access Control

[9] "MBMS" - Multimedia Broadcast / Multicast Service (Multimedia Broadcast / Multicast Service).

[10] “NAS” - Layer without access

[11] “RRC” - Radio Resource Management

[12] "S-CCPCH" - Auxiliary common physical control channel

[13] “SRB” - Signal Broadband Unidirectional Radio Channel (Signal Radio Channel)

[14] “TCTF” - Target Channel Type Field

[15] “TFC” - Combination of transport formats

[16] “TM” - Transparent Mode

[17] "TRS" - Transmission Power Commands

[18] “UE” - User Equipment

[19] "UM" - mode without confirmation

[20] Figure 1 shows a General view of the universal mobile communications system "UMTS" 100, which includes user equipment "UE" 110, universal terrestrial radio access network 120 "UTRAN" and core network 130 "CN". As shown in FIG. 1, the UMTS universal mobile communications system 100 generally consists of a UE, a Node-B 122 (base station) terminal 110 (user equipment), RNC radio network controllers 124, 126, node 131 "SGSN" (serving node support packet switching in a mobile communications network (GPRS), hereinafter (serving node "SGSN"), switching center 132 mobile communications "MSC" and other nodes with different interfaces between them, which are further described in more detail in detail.

[21] The UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network 120 includes several RNC and Node-B radio controllers 124, 126, which are connected via an Iub interface. Each RNC radio network controller controls several Node-Bs. Each “Node-B” controls one or several cells, where each cell is characterized by the fact that it covers a certain geographical area at a certain frequency. Each radio network controller "RNC" through the "Iu" interface is connected to the core network 130 "CN", that is, to the module of the switching center 132 mobile communications "MSC" (hereinafter the switching center "MSC") of the core network "CN" and the module of the serving node 131 “SGSN” of the core network “CN”. The RNC radio network controllers can be connected to other RNC radio network controllers through the Iur interface. The radio network controller "RNC" allocates and manages radio resources, and also acts as an access point in relation to the cellular network.

[22] The Nodes-Bs receive information sent by the physical layer of the UE terminal 110 on the uplink, and transmit data to the UE terminal on the downlink. "Nodes-B" act as access points of the universal terrestrial radio access network "UTRAN" for the terminal. The service node 131 “SGSN” (GPRS support node) is connected via the “G _F ” interface to the EIR equipment identification register 133, through the “G _S ” interface it is connected to the switching center 132 “MSC”, through the “G _N ” interface it is connected to the gateway node 135 support packet switching GPRS (hereinafter the gateway node "GGSN") and through the interface "G _R " is connected to the home subscriber data server 134 "HSS". Equipment Identification Register 133 “EIR” stores lists of mobile terminals that are allowed or not allowed to use the network. The MSC switching center, which controls the connection for the CS switching services, is connected via the N _B interface to the MGW 136 media gateway (network gateway) and through the F interface is connected to the equipment identification register 133 EIR and through the "D" interface is connected to the home subscriber data server 134 "HSS". Media Gateway 136 “MGW” connects to the home subscriber data server “HSS” via the “C” interface and to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and allows you to configure codecs between the public switched telephone network and the connected RAN radio access network.

[23] The gateway node “GGSN” is connected via the “GC” interface to the home subscriber data server “HSS” and is connected to the Internet via the “GI” interface. The GGSN gateway node is responsible for routing, populating, and splitting data streams between the various RAB broadband radio channels. The HSS home subscriber data server processes user subscriber data.

[24] There are other compounds that are not relevant to the present invention.

[25] The UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network forms and supports the RAB broadband radio channels to provide communication between the UE 110 and the CN core network 130. The core network makes “QoS” QoS requirements for the end-to-end communication channel to the RAB radio channel, and the RAB radio channel supports QoS quality of service requirements established by the core network. Accordingly, the UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network can satisfy the QoS requirements of the end-to-end communication channel by forming and supporting the RAB radio channel.

[26] The services provided to a specific terminal 110 "UE" are roughly divided into services with circuit switching channels "CS" and services with packet switching "PS". For example, a conventional voice service is a circuit-switched service, while a Web browsing service via an Internet connection is classified as a “packet-switched” PS service.

[27] To support circuit-switched services, the RNC radio controllers 124, 126 are connected to the MSC switching center 132 of the CN main network 130, and the MSC switching center 132 is connected to the GMSC mobile gateway switching center, which controls the connection to other networks. To support packet-switched services, the RNC radio controllers are connected to the GPRS packet switching support network node 131 “SGSN” and the GPRS packet-switched mobile network gateway 135 “GPRS” of the core network. The SGSN Serving Node supports packet communication with the RNC radio network controllers, and the GGSN Gateway controls the connection to other packet-switched networks, such as the Internet.

[28] Figure 2 shows the structure of the radio interface protocol based on the 3GPP specifications for the radio access network between the UE and the UTRAN. The radio interface protocol of FIG. 2 has horizontal layers containing a physical layer, a data channel layer and a network layer, and has vertical planes including a user plane (U-plane) for transmitting information data and a control plane (C-plane ) - for transmitting control signals. A user plane is an area that processes user traffic information, such as voice messages or Internet Protocol (IP) packets. The control plane is an area that processes control information for a network interface, call service and management, and the like.

[29] The protocol layers of FIG. 2 can be divided into a first layer (L1), a second layer (L2), and a third layer (L3) based on the three lower layers of the standard Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. The first layer (L1), or the physical layer, provides a service for transmitting information to an upper layer using various radio transmission methods. The physical layer is connected through a transport channel to an upstream layer called the MAC access control layer. The MAC access control layer and the physical layer communicate through the transport channel. The second level (L2) includes the MAC access control layer, the RLC radio control layer, the Navy broadcast / multicast control level, and the PDCP packet data convergence protocol level. The MAC access control layer controls the mapping between logical channels and transport channels and provides the assignment of MAC access control layer settings for the allocation and redistribution of radio resources. The MAC access control layer through the logical channel is associated with an upstream layer called the RLC radio control layer. Depending on the type of information transmitted, various logical channels are provided. Basically, the control channel is used when transmitting information to the control plane, and the traffic channel is used when transmitting information to the user plane. The logical channel may be a shared channel or a dedicated channel, depending on whether the logical channel is a shared channel. Logical channels include: a dedicated traffic channel - "DTCH", a dedicated control channel - "DCCH", a common traffic channel - "STCH", a common control channel - "CCCH", a broadcast control channel "BCCH" and a search call control channel - "RCCN" (paging control channel) or a shared control channel - "SCCH" and other channels. The BCCN broadcast control channel provides information that includes information used by the terminal to access the system. The search call control channel “РССН” is used by the universal terrestrial radio access network “UTRAN” to access the terminal.

[30] Especially for the MBMS multimedia broadcast / multicast service (multimedia broadcast / multicast service or another type of multicast service), additional traffic channels (information channels) and control channels are introduced in the MBMS standard for multimedia broadcast / multicast services. MBMS Multicast / Multicast Management Multicast Control Channel - MCCH is used to transmit control information for MBMS multimedia broadcast / multicast service. MBMS multicast traffic channel for multimedia broadcast / multicast service - MTSN is used to transmit MBMS multimedia broadcast / multicast service data. The multimedia broadcast / multicast service scheduling channel “MBMS” - “MSCH” is used to transmit scheduling information.

[31] Logical channels can be divided into control channels (CCH) and traffic channels (TSN). Control Channels (CCH) may include “BCH”, a broadcast control channel; "RSSN" - search call control channel; “DCCH” - dedicated control channel; "СССН" - a common control channel; "SHCCH" - control channel shared (multiplexed) channel; "MSSN" multicast control channel multimedia broadcast / multicast service "MBMS" and MSCH - channel planning "MBMS". Traffic channels (TSN) may include "DTCH" - a dedicated traffic channel; “STSN” is the common traffic channel and “MTSN” is the multicast channel of the graph for multimedia broadcast / multicast service “MBMS”.

[32] The MAC access control layer is associated with the physical layer of the transport channels and, in accordance with the type of transport channel that needs to be controlled, can be divided into the MAC-b environment access control sublayer, the medium access control sublayer “ MAC-d ", MAC-c / sh medium access control sublayer, MAC-hs medium access control sublayer, and MAC-m medium access control sublayer. The MAC-b medium access control sublayer controls the BCH broadcast channel, which is a transport channel that provides broadcast transmission of system information. The MAC-c / sh media access control sublayer controls a common transport channel, such as a FACH direct access channel or a DSCH downlink shared (multiplexed) channel shared by several terminals, or an uplink radio channel with subscribers RACH. " The MAC-m media access control sublayer can manage the MBMS multimedia broadcast / multicast service data.

[33] Figure 3 shows a possible mapping between logical channels and transport channels from the point of view of the terminal "UE".

[34] Figure 4 shows a possible mapping between logical channels and transport channels from the point of view of the UTRAN network.

[35] The MAC-d medium access control sublayer controls a dedicated DCH, which is a dedicated transport channel for a particular terminal. The MAC-d medium access control sublayer is located in a serving SRNC radio network controller that controls the corresponding user equipment, and one MAC-d medium access control sublayer exists in each terminal. Depending on the operating mode of the “RLC” radio channel control level, the “RLC” radio channel control level supports reliable data transmission, as well as performs segmentation and concatenation over a plurality of service data blocks “SDU” of the “RLC” radio channel control level (hereinafter referred to as “RLC service data block” SDU ”), delivered from an upstream level. When the “RLC” radio control layer receives the “RLC SDU” service data units from a higher level, the “RLC” radio control layer adjusts the size of each “RLC SDU” service data block accordingly, taking into account the processing performance, and then creates data blocks added to him header information. The created data blocks are called “PDU” protocol data units (hereinafter “RLC PDU” protocol data units), which are then transmitted to the MAC access control protocol layer via a logical channel. The “RLC” radio channel control layer includes a “RLC” radio channel control layer buffer for storing the “RLC SDU” service data units and / or “RLC PDU” protocol data units.

[36] The Navy Broadcast / Multicast Control Level plans to transmit a broadcast cell message (hereinafter CB message) transmitted from a core network and broadcast CB messages to terminals located in a specific cell or cells.

[37] The PDCP packet data convergence protocol layer is located above the RLC radio channel control layer. The packet data convergence protocol layer “PDCP” is used to efficiently transmit network protocol data, such as the Internet Protocol “IPv4” or “IPv6”, via a relatively small bandwidth radio interface. To this end, the PDCP packet data convergence protocol layer reduces unnecessary control information used in a wired network; this function is called header compression.

[38] The RRC radio resource management level located at the lowest part of the third level (L3) is defined only in the control plane. The RRC radio resource control layer controls the transport channels and the physical channels with respect to establishing, reconfiguring, and releasing or terminating broadband unidirectional radio channels (hereinafter, the RB radio channel). Radio channel "RB" refers to the service provided by the second level (L2) for data transmission between the terminal and the terrestrial radio access network "UTRAN". Typically, the establishment of the RB radio channel consists in setting the protocol and channel level characteristics that are necessary to provide a particular data service and setting appropriate detailed parameters and operating methods. In addition, the RRC radio resource management level controls the user's movement in the subscriber radio network (RAN) and additional services, such as location services.

[39] Possible in principle display options between broadband radio channels and transport channels are in fact not always feasible for a given UE terminal. The UE terminal and the UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network determine the possible mappings depending on the state of the UE terminal and the procedure performed by the UE terminal and the UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network. Various states and modes related to the present invention are explained in detail below.

[40] Different transport channels are mapped to different physical channels. The physical channel configuration is defined by the exchange of signals of the radio resource control levels "RRC" between the radio network controller "RNC" and the terminal "UE".

[41] As for the physical channels, the physical dedicated DPCH channel can be installed and used simultaneously between the UE terminal and one or more cells of one or more Node-Bs, as shown in FIG. 5.

[42] This situation, when the terminal "UE" has established a physical dedicated channel "DPCH" simultaneously with several cells, is called a "smooth transition". The case when the terminal “UE” has installed a physical dedicated channel “DPCH” simultaneously with several cells of one “Node-B” is called a “very smooth transition”. For a physical DPCH dedicated channel, the UE always has at its disposal the TPC transmit power control commands from all the radio channels in downlink and always uses the command that requires the least transmit power (that is, in the case when one radio channel says " increase ", and the other -" reduce ", the terminal" UE "selects the lowest transmit power).

[43] The “RLC” radio channel control layer is a protocol L2 layer that is used to control the exchange of data between logical channels that connect the “RNC” radio network controller and the “UE” terminal. The “RLC” radio channel control level can now be configured in 3 transmission modes: transparent mode; mode without confirmation and mode with confirmation.

[44] Depending on the transmission mode, various functionalities are available.

[45] In the acknowledged and unacknowledged mode, the SDU overhead units can be split into smaller data units (PDUs) that are used for transmission via the radio interface. The transmitter side divides the service data unit “SDU” into the protocol data units “PDU”, and based on the control information that is added to the protocol data units “PDU”, the receiver side again combines the protocol data units “PDU” to restore the service data units “ SDU. " Such control information is, for example, the serial number of the protocol data unit “PDU”, in order to determine whether the protocol data unit “PDU” has been lost, or the length indicator “LI”, which indicates the beginning / end of the service data unit “SDU” inside the protocol data unit of the radio channel control layer (hereinafter referred to as the “RLC PDU” protocol data unit).

[46] In the non-acknowledged mode, the receiver does not transmit confirmation to the transmitter for correctly received PDUs; instead, the receiver side makes up service SDUs from PDUs based on the signal information contained in the protocol units data "PDU", and transfers the composed blocks of service data "SDU" to the upper levels.

[47] In acknowledged mode, the receiver transmits acknowledgments for correctly received “PDU” packet data units. The transmitter uses these acknowledgments to initiate retransmissions of missing PDUs. Confirmations are transmitted under certain conditions. Several mechanisms are provided for initiating acknowledgment transmission for PDU received by the receiver. Which of the mechanisms to use is defined by the standard and / or configured in the RRC radio resource signaling information. One example of such a mechanism for transmitting the status of the PDU protocol data unit is, for example, receiving a PDU protocol data unit with a sequence number that does not correspond to the most recently received sequence number plus one, or when the receiver receives controller information from the transmitter “RLC” radio channel an indication that an acknowledgment is to be transmitted (also called “Status”). The transmitter's instruction to transmit the status of the protocol data unit “PDU” is called “Polling” (polling).

[48] When the transmitter transmits the Polling polling bit, the UMTS universal mobile telecommunication system standard defines a mechanism in case if after transmitting the Polling polling bit, no Status report was received after some time. This mechanism causes the transmitter to retransmit the PDU protocol data unit, which includes a polling indicator, and is called a timer polling.

[49] Another mechanism counts the number of retransmissions of the PDU. If the retransmission exceeds a certain number of "MaxDat", the transmitter starts the reset procedure, which is a procedure that allows you to set the objects of the transmitter and receiver of the radio channel in the initial state, using the mode with confirmation "AM" of the radio channel controller "RLC". When the reset procedure is started, the initiating object transmits the PDU protocol data unit Reset to the terminal object. The terminal object acknowledges receipt of the PDU protocol data unit Reset by transmitting the PDU protocol data unit Reset Ack. If, after some time, the initiating entity has not received the “PDU” “Reset Ack” protocol data unit, the initiating entity will retransmit the “PDU” protocol data unit “Reset”. If the initiating entity has not received the “PDU” “Reset Ack” protocol data unit after a certain number of retransmissions, then the initiating entity detects a “fatal error”.

[50] This example describes a situation where a malfunction is detected in the operation of the RLC radio control object during the operation of the RLC radio control object in the mode with acknowledgment AM. Other fault detection mechanisms are possible, are already described in the UMTS universal mobile telecommunication system standard, or can be invented and implemented. You can also come up with mechanisms for RLC radio channel control objects operating in the UM without acknowledgment mode, which would, for example, detect that the RLC PDU protocol data unit contains undefined control information, or where the above levels determine that reception / transfer of the “UM” object behaves incorrectly.

[51] In accordance with the above explanation, the standard defines mechanisms that detect a “fatal error” that may correspond to a blocked situation or a situation where communication is subject to interference.

[52] If the “UE” terminal detects a fatal error situation described in the standard, the “UE” terminal switches to the “CELL_FACH” state and ultimately transmits to the Node-B / radio network controller “RNC” the message “Update cell” ( “Cell update”), indicating that an unrecoverable error has occurred, by indicating in the IE information element the reason for updating the cell using the “RLC” radio control level as the cause of the unrecoverable error. The terminal “UE” means by including in the information element an error symbol (“RB2”, “RB3” or “RB4”) when the radio channel “RLC” is operating in the mode with acknowledgment “AM” that this fatal error has occurred for one of the radio channels “ SRB ", having the identifier" Id "2, 3 or 4, or by including an error symbol (" RB> 4 ") in the information element" IE "when the radio channel" RLC "is operating in the mode with confirmation" AM "terminal" UE " indicates that this error occurred for one of the RB channels using radio control “RLC” in “AM” mode with ID “Id” greater than 4. Then, the “RNC” radio network controller can transmit the message “Cell Update Confirm” and indicate that the radio control objects must be re-created “RLC” for “SRB” radio channels with “Id” identifiers 2, 3 and 4 or for broadband “RB” radio channels having “Id” identifiers greater than 4, using “RLC” radio channel control in “AM” confirmation mode, by setting in the information element "IE" values "yes" (true) indicator re-set “RLC” radio channel control (“RB2”, “RB3” or “RB4”) and / or radio channel re-establishment indicator for “RLC” (“RB5” or more).

[53] In addition, the RLC radio channel control object in the UM / AM mode is responsible for performing encryption and decryption. For this, the RLC radio channel control object in the transmitter and receiver supports the COUNT-C number consisting of the HFN hyperframe number and the RLC radio channel control serial number SN. The value “COUNT-C” along with other information is used as an input value for a mathematical function that generates a bit string. This bit string and the “RLC PDU” except the serial number “SN” are combined using the logical operation “EXCLUSIVE OR” (“XOR”), which encrypts the part of the “RLC PDU” where the data is contained. The “HFN” hyperframe number value is incremented each time the “RLC” radio channel control number (RLC PDU) is looped (that is, when the “RLC PDU” SN number reaches its maximum value and again starts at 0). If the receiver detects the absence of a certain number of "SN" sequence numbers, or if the received "SN" sequence number has changed during reception, the "COUNT-C" values in the receiver and transmitter may not be synchronized. In this case, the receiver is not able to correctly decrypt the received information.

[54] Regarding the RRC radio resource control states, the operation mode of the RRC radio resource control layer is related to whether there is a logical connection between the terminal RRC radio resource control level and the RRC radio resource control level of the universal terrestrial network radio access "UTRAN". If the connection exists, it is considered that the terminal is in the "RRC connection" mode. If there is no connection, the terminal is considered to be in standby ("sleep") mode. Since there is an “RRC connection” for terminals in a mode with connected RRC radio resource control levels, the UTRAN can determine the location of a specific terminal to the accuracy of a cell, for example, determine the cell or group of cells where the terminal with connected radio resource control levels “RRC”, and which physical channel listens to said terminal “UE”. Thus, the terminal can be effectively controlled.

[55] In contrast, the UTRAN cannot detect the presence of a standby terminal. The availability of standby terminals can only be determined by the core network in an area larger than a cell, for example in a locality or routing area. Thus, the availability of standby terminals is determined in large areas, and in order to receive information from mobile communication services, such as voice or data, the terminal must go from the standby mode to the “RRC connection” mode. Possible transitions between modes and states are shown in Fig.6.

[56] The UE terminal in the RRC connection mode may be in various states, for example in the CELL_FACH state, in the CELL_PCH state, in the CELL_DCH state, or in the URA_PCH state, and are possible other conditions. Depending on the state, the UE terminal performs different operations and listens on different channels. For example, a UE terminal in the CELL_DCH state will try to listen (among others) for DCH dedicated channels, which include DTCH dedicated traffic channel and DCCH dedicated control channel, and which can be mapped to specific physical channels: a dedicated physical channel “DPCH”, a dedicated physical downlink shared / multiplex channel “DPDSCH”, or other physical channels. The UE terminal in the CELL_FACH state will listen to several transport channels such as the FACH direct access channel, which are mapped to a separate auxiliary common physical control channel S-CCPCH, the UE terminal in the CELL_PCH state will listen to the indicator channel search call "PICH" and channel "PCN", which are displayed on a separate auxiliary common physical control channel "S-CCPCH".

[57] Regarding the reading of system information, the basic system information is transmitted via the BCCN logical broadcast channel, which is mapped onto the P-SSRCH channel (the main common physical control channel). Separate blocks of system information can be transmitted on the direct access channel "FACH". When system information is transmitted through the FACH direct access channel, the UE receives the configuration of the FACH direct access channel either through the BCCH broadcast channel, which is received on the P-SSRCN main physical control channel or through a dedicated channel. When system information is transmitted via the BCCCH broadcast channel (through the R-SSRSN main physical control channel), then in each frame (frame) or a set of two frames, the system frame number SFN is used, which is used for synchronization between the terminal UE "and the base station" Node B ".

[58] Transmission on the R-SSRSN primary common physical control channel is always performed using the same scrambling code as used in the P-CPICH (primary common pilot channel) channel; this code is the basic cell scrambling code. Each channel uses extensible code, as is usually done in WCDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) systems. Each code is characterized by its expansion coefficient "SF", which corresponds to the capacity of the code (code length). For a given expansion coefficient, the number of orthogonal codes is equal to the code length. For each expansion coefficient, a given set of orthogonal codes, as defined in the UMTS system, is numbered from 0 to "SF-1".

[59] Each code is thus identified by assigning it a bit (that is, an expansion coefficient) and a code number. The extensible code used by the R-SSRSN main physical control channel always has a fixed expansion coefficient of 256, and the code number is 1. The UE terminal learns about the primary scrambling code or from the information transmitted by the network along with the system information of adjacent cells which the terminal read from the messages received by the terminal on the dedicated control channel “DCCH”, or by searching on the channel “P-CPICH”, which is always transmitted using a fixed spreading factor “SF = 256” and an extensible code number of 0, which transmits a fixed character set.

[60] The system information contains information about adjacent cells, about the configuration of the transport channels of the subscriber communication "RACH" and direct access "FACH", as well as the configuration of the channel indicator notification multimedia broadcast / multicast service - "MICH" and the multicast control channel multimedia broadcast / the multicast service "MSSN", which are the channels allocated for the multimedia broadcast / multicast service "MBMS".

[61] Each time the UE terminal changes a cell, it is in a call waiting mode (in standby mode) or after a terminal selects a cell (in the CELL_FACH, CELL_PCH or URA_PCH states), the UE terminal »Checks the accuracy of the system information available to him. System information is organized in the form of SIB system information blocks, MIB reference information blocks, and planning blocks. The MIB reference information block is transmitted very often and contains information on the synchronization of planning blocks and various SIB system information blocks. For the SIB system information blocks associated with the value label, the MIB reference information block also contains information on the latest version of the part of the SIB system information blocks. SIB system information blocks that are not associated with a value label are associated with an expiration timer. The SIB system information blocks associated with the expiration timer become invalid and must be re-read if the last read time of the SIB system information blocks is greater than the expiration timer value. The “SIB” system information blocks associated with the value label are only valid if their value label matches the broadcast value label in the “MIB” reference information block. Each block is correct within a certain area (cell, public land mobile network - “PLMN” or equivalent public land mobile network - equivalent “PLMN”), which indicates the cells where the system information block “SIB” is correct. The SIB system information block with a scope within the cell boundaries is correct only in the cell where it was read. The system information block “SIB” with a scope in the form of a public land mobile communications network “PLMN” is correct in the entire “PLMN” area. The system information block “SIB” with a scope in the form of an equivalent public land mobile network is valid in the entire “PLMN” area and in the equivalent “PLMN”.

[62] In general, the UEs, when they are in standby mode, in the CELL_FACH, CELL_PCH, or URA_PCH state, read the system information of the cell they have selected, or the cells where they are waiting for a call. As part of the system information, the UE terminals receive information about neighboring cells with the same frequency, with a different frequency and with various RAT subscriber radio technologies. This allows the UEs to find out which cells are candidates for selecting a new cell.

[63] With regard to communication delay, the call setup procedure of the conventional technology takes a relatively long time due to the exchange of various messages, as shown in FIG. Namely, FIG. 7 shows the distribution of delays in the call setup procedure. The delay that needs to be attributed to the network is the delay between the reception of the uplink message and the transmission of the downlink message. In the drawing, the graphs show the time intervals between the reception / transmission of messages at the radio resource control level "RRC" of the terminal "UE", that is, it does not include the time taken to transmit the uplink messages through the control channel of the radio channel "RLC".

[64] The delay is in part due to the establishment of broadband radio channels. The delay between the transmission of the radio channel setup and the completion of the establishment of the radio channel is mainly related to the activation time. The UE terminal will transmit a message about the completion of the establishment of the radio channel only after the activation time has expired, and the UE terminal has synchronized with the new radio channel.

[65] Figure 8 shows in more detail the synchronized tuning (reconfiguration) of the radio channel. At step 1, this procedure is initiated by receiving a request for the assignment of the RAB radio channel. Instead, the procedure can be started by any other action. Stages 2 through 9 are necessary for the establishment of a new radio channel, the allocation of transport resources and resources of "Node-B" (base station). At step 10, the radio network controller "RNC" decides on the activation time, which is transmitted at stages 11 and 12 to the "Node-B" and the terminal "UE". Then, the “Node-B” and the terminal “UE” wait for the activation time to be reached to switch to the new configuration in steps 13a and 13b. At step 14, the UE transmits a successful reconfiguration confirmation to the RNC radio network controller. The RNC radio network controller indicates the successful completion of the reconfiguration.

[66] The shaded gray area where the “UE” and “Node-B” terminals mostly only wait for the activation time to expire corresponds to the introduced time delay, which is wasted if the procedure is successful. This time delay is necessary if the message on the UE must be retransmitted by the RLC radio control layer. In addition, if the “UE” terminal is going to transmit an error message over the old radio channel, some minimum time delay is necessary for passing this message and, obviously, to cancel the reconfiguration in “Node-B” as a separate message from the “RNC” radio network controller ". Therefore, funds are needed to reduce this delay when everything is working well (there is no retransmission of the RLC control layer, no error message).

[67] Figure 9 shows in more detail the unsynchronized tuning (reconfiguration) of the B radio channel. In case of unsynchronized reconfiguration, the “RNC” radio network controller in step 2 synchronously initiates reconfiguration in relation to the “UE” terminal, indicating that reconfiguration should be performed immediately, and in step 4 in relation to “Node-B”, also indicating that the reconfiguration should be done immediately. Since there is no means to control the delay before the UE / Node-B terminal performs the configuration, there is a high risk that the UE will not be able to achieve synchronization on the new radio channel and thus leave the CELL_DCH state due to a physical channel failure.

[68] Figure 10 shows in more detail the process of performing a hard transition procedure. Using a “hard” transition is always one of the ways to do without activation time. At stages 1-10, the RNC radio network controller installs a new independent configuration in Node-B with new transport resources for all transport channels. “Node-B” is trying to obtain synchronization with the “UE” terminal by transmitting on a downlink with a fixed power, which was received from the RNC radio network controller. In step 11, the UE receives a message to change the configurations used for the uplink and downlink. At step 12, the UE attempts to receive the downlink channel that it has just installed and (optionally) starts transmitting on the uplink (depending on whether or not the synchronization procedure “A” is used). “Node-B” detects that the synchronization of the old radio channel is lost and the synchronization of the new radio channel is received, and informs the radio network controller “RNC” via the messages “Radio link failure” (“RL Link Failure”) for the old radio channel and “Radio channel recovery” (“ RL Restore ”) for new radio channels (steps 13, 14). Then, the RNC radio network controller can delete the old radio channels (steps 15, 16). The “UE” terminal will display a message about the successful “Complete the Radio Bearer Setup Complete” (RAB) channel (step 17), and the “RNC” radio network controller can transmit confirmation of the successful “RAB” radio channel setup to the core network (step 18).

[69] The problem with this scenario is this: it is understood that during reconfiguration the resources are used for the old and new configurations. This reduces the bandwidth of the radio interface (two sets of expandable downlink codes are reserved) in “Node-B”, where “Node-B” needs to decode two different configurations of the “UE” terminal, as well as in the transport channel and the radio network controller “RNC” .

[70] Next, aspects of the uplink scrambling code, pilot sequence, and timing will be discussed.

[71] Existing code division multiple access (CDMA) systems use scrambling codes, extensible codes, and pilot sequences to enable synchronization and exchange of blocks of data from different transport channels that are encoded and multiplexed. In the UMTS universal mobile telecommunications system, the UE terminal transmits a pilot signal sequence, which is encoded by an extensible code in accordance with the standard and scrambled by a fixed complex scrambling code.

[72] In the UMTS universal mobile telecommunications system, the pilot sequence is transmitted by the DPCCH dedicated physical control channel code and time-multiplexed with other information of this DPCCH dedicated control channel, for example, TPC transmit power control commands, as shown 11 for the structure of the channel frame: "DPDCH" dedicated physical data channel / "DPCCH" dedicated physical control channel.

[73] The pilot sequence is transmitted at a predetermined time during each interval (slot) depending on the selected interval format and is repeated in each frame. In the uplink, the “PDCCH” control channel is always transmitted using the same spreading coefficient and expandable code. Thus, the time period during which the pilot signal sequence is transmitted is always the same. In the case of a compression mode (that is, when transmissions are interrupted, for example, to allow the UE to listen to another frequency to take measurements), the signal sequence (i.e., the format of the interval) also changes.

[74] FIG. 12 shows an example of an uplink signal generation exercise.

[75] A dedicated “DPDCH” channel onto which various transport channels are mapped is expanded using different extension codes (one of several extension codes). The spreading factor used for the dedicated DPDCH can dynamically change from one TTI transmission time interval to the next interval.

[76] Since the pilot sequences have a specific sequence, this allows the Node-B (base station) to calculate the synchronization of the transmission of the UE by correlating the received sequence with the expected sequence with offset at different times T, as shown in FIG. 13. This allows Node-B to determine the synchronization of the uplink signal and check whether the signal of the UE terminal is contained in the received signal by comparing the absolute value of the complex value of the sum with a threshold. This is only one option, there are various options, and here we just want to emphasize that “Node-B” is able to check the synchronization of transmission on the uplink, and to check whether the data of the pilot signal sequence encoded by the specified expandable code and scrambled using a special the scrambling code of the terminal "UE".

[77] FIG. 13 shows an example of performing synchronization determination.

[78] Now using FIG. 14, the concept of a code tree and code management will be considered. The universal mobile telecommunications system UMTS uses extensible codes with a length of "2". These extensible codes can be generated through a tree containing branches of orthogonal extensible codes. For each possible length of expandable codes, there is a number equal to the coefficient of expansion of orthogonal codes. These codes are often grouped in the form of the tree shown in FIG. All codes with the same spreading factor are orthogonal. Codes with different spreading coefficients are orthogonal if the code with a higher spreading factor is not part of the code branch with a lower spreading coefficient. In the drawing, when a code of length 4 with the number 0 is used, codes 0 and 1 of length 8 can no longer be used because they are not orthogonal, but codes of 2 and 3 of length 8 can be used. If code 1 of length 2 is used, the codes can no longer be used in parallel located below in this thread.

[79] Next, downlink scrambling code concepts, pilot sequence, and synchronization will be discussed.

[80] In the downlink, the dedicated physical control channel “DPCCH” is time-multiplexed with the dedicated physical data channel “DPDCH” and expanded using the same extension codes. Therefore, the moments when the pilot signal sequences are transmitted may vary depending on the expansion coefficient and on the fact whether the compression mode is used or not.

[81] On Fig shows an example of the execution of the signal generation on the downlink.

[82] Since the same extensible code is used for encoding the dedicated DPDCH as for the pilot signal sequences and for other physical layer information (that is, the dedicated physical control channel “DPCCH”), each time the extension coefficient is changed, the sequence in which the pilot bits and “TPC” transmit power control bits are transmitted, and the sequence where other information of the physical channel is transmitted is different. This means that if the new configuration contains an expansion coefficient different from the previously existing expansion coefficient, the reception of the dedicated physical control channel "DPCCH" is not possible if the terminal "UE" is trying to obtain a different expansion coefficient. In addition, the format of the dedicated physical control channel "DPCCH" may change during reconfiguration without changing the expansion coefficient.

[83] Now, using the FIG. 16 and 17, the frame structure of the physical dedicated DPCH channel and the associated synchronization characteristics of this DPCH channel will be described.

[84] FIG. 16 shows an example of a frame structure of a physical dedicated DPCH channel, a structure that is transmitted on the DPCCH and DPDCH.

[85] FIG. 17 shows an example of synchronization of a dedicated physical channel “DPCH”. The “DPCH” channel, that is, the synchronization of the “DPDCH” channel and the “DPCCH” channel, is biased compared to the primary shared channel “SCH”. This means that the “UE” terminal “knows” when the “DPCCH” channel is transmitted based on the “τ _DPCH ” parameter received previously from the network.

[86] In relation to indicators of combinations of the transport format “TFCI”, in the universal terrestrial radio access network “UTRAN”, various transport channels are mapped together to the coded composite transport channel “ССТ-СН”, which is mapped to a dedicated physical data channel “DPDCH”. Each transport channel can use different TF transport formats, each of which contains an individual set of parameters. When different transport channels are multiplexed together in the CCTrCH composite channel, a combination of different TF transport formats of each transport channel means a combination of TFC transport formats, which allows the receiver and transmitter to determine how the coding of the various transport channels is performed. Therefore, in order to decode the dedicated DPDCH, the UE needs to know the combination of the TFC transport formats. There are various possibilities in the UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network standard.

[87] In the case of using blind transport format detection, the UE attempts to decode the DPDCH using various combinations of TFC transport formats until the cyclic redundancy code CRC indicates that the information of all transport channels is received correctly. Alternatively, the UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network can transmit the TFC transport format indicator, which reports a combination of transport formats for various transport channels transmitted over the DPCCH dedicated physical control channel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical solution

[88] One aspect of the present invention includes the understanding by the authors of the present invention of the disadvantages of existing technology. Namely, within the framework of the existing technology, the difficulty lies in the fact that the procedures for setting up, terminating or changing the configuration of broadband radio channels are either supposed to be performed in a synchronized manner, which involves transmitting the activation time from the RNC radio network controller to Node-B and the UE terminal and therefore it requires a long time, or the use of unsynchronized configurations is implied, which means that the terminal “UE” / “Node-B” may lose synchronization, and therefore the call will oteryan.

[89] Based on this understanding, changes were made to the procedures for tuning, terminating or reconfiguring broadband radio channels in accordance with the present invention. More specifically, the invention provides a method and system that allows synchronization of configuration changes in a telecommunication system and can be applied to various types of telecommunication technologies. Accordingly, the quick reconfiguration scheme in accordance with the present invention can reduce the delays associated with establishing a call.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[90] The accompanying drawings, which are included to better understand the invention and form part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings:

[91] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the structure of a conventional universal mobile telecommunications system "UMTS".

[92] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a protocol structure of a radio communication interface between a terminal and a network based on 3GPP radio subscriber network standards.

[93] Figure 3 - mapping of logical channels to transport channels from the point of view of the terminal "UE".

[94] Figure 4 - mapping of logical channels to transport channels from the point of view of the universal terrestrial radio access network "UTRAN".

[95] Figure 5 is a physical dedicated channel "DPCH", installed and simultaneously used between the terminal "UE" and one or more cells of one or more "Nodes-B" (base stations).

[96] In Fig.6 - modes of "RRC connection" and the status of the terminal "UE".

[97] In Fig.7 - distribution of delays in establishing a call.

[98] On Fig - situation synchronized reconfiguration in accordance with existing technology.

[99] Figure 9 illustrates a situation of unsynchronized reconfiguration in accordance with existing technology.

[100] Figure 10 is a situation of a "hard" transition in accordance with existing technology.

[101] Figure 11 is a frame structure for channels of a dedicated physical data channel "DPDCH" / dedicated physical control channel "DPCCH" in the uplink.

[102] FIG. 12 illustrates uplink signal generation.

[103] In Fig.13 - the definition of synchronization.

[104] Figure 14 is a code management tree with branches of orthogonal extensible codes.

[105] In Fig.15 - signal generation in the downlink.

[106] FIG. 16 is a frame structure for a DPCCH channel.

[107] On Fig - synchronization of the dedicated physical channel "DPCH", where the synchronization of the channels "DPDCH" and "DPCCH" is shifted compared to the main shared channel "SCH".

[108] FIG. 18 is a diagram of an improved quasi-synchronized reconfiguration in accordance with the present invention.

[109] In Fig.19 - simultaneous transmission with the old and new configurations in accordance with the present invention.

[110] FIG. 20 is a diagram of a simultaneous transmission in accordance with the present invention.

[111] FIG. 21 is an indication of reconfiguration at a physical level in accordance with the present invention.

[112] FIG. 22 is an indication of a reconfiguration using dual placement of a TFCI transport format combination indicator in accordance with the present invention.

[113] FIG. 23 is a diagram of simultaneous transmission using uplink activation time “UL” in accordance with the present invention.

[114] FIG. 24 is an example of a method for reconfiguring a subscriber radio communication between a terminal and a network in accordance with the present invention.

[115] FIG. 25 is a synchronized reconfiguration procedure using an activation time setting.

[116] FIG. 26 is a synchronized reconfiguration procedure after detecting an uplink scrambling code in accordance with the present invention.

[117] In Fig.27 - processing at the physical level.

[118] FIG. 28 is an example diagram for using synchronization using an “NOW” activation time and a new scrambling code in accordance with the present invention.

[119] In Fig.29 - details of the behavior for the case when the "Node-B" is located on the interface "Iur".

Examples of carrying out the invention

[120] An implementation of the present invention in a UMTS mobile communication system is described. However, the present invention can also be adapted and implemented in communication systems operating with other types of communication specifications, since the concepts and principles of the present invention can be applied to various communication circuits operating in a similar manner based on general techniques. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which are merely examples, are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[121] In one embodiment of the present invention, the RNC radio network controller may show a new configuration, including a modified uplink scrambling code for the Node-B and the UE, specifically indicating to the UE that the new the configuration should be applied as quickly as possible, and to “Node-B” that the new configuration should be applied after the discovery of a new scrambling code in the uplink.

[122] In one optional part of the present invention, the “RNC” radio network controller shows the “UE” terminal, together with the new configuration, the interruption time during which the “UE” must continue to transmit on the uplink even when the transmission on the downlink is stopped . The Node-B attempts to synchronize to obtain a new uplink scrambling code, and after detecting a new uplink scrambling code, it starts downlink transmission using the new configuration.

[123] In yet another embodiment, the Node-B can synchronously transmit the corresponding downstream transmission control part of the old and new configuration to maintain synchronization and internal loop power control by the UE terminal before and after the configuration change. “Node-B” can transmit the control part only during frames where no data fragments are transmitted on the downlink.

[124] After detecting a new uplink scrambling code, the Node-B applies the new configuration for downlink transmission.

[125] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the UE may show that it will apply the new configuration at a predetermined time interval before the configuration is changed in one of the following ways: (1) Changing the uplink scrambling code; (2) Transmitting to the Node-B a specific signal, for example, a sequence of bits on the uplink encoded by a specific extensible code and scrambled by a specific scrambling code; (3) Using a specific set of indicators for the combination of the transport format “TFCI”; (4) Transmission of a specific sequence of bits in the feedback information field "FBI"; or (5) Any other signaling procedure.

[126] The radio network controller "RNC" signals in a message to the "Node-B" and the terminal "UE" which of the following schemes should be used to change the configuration, and indicates relevant information, such as certain values of the indicator combination of the transport format "TFCI", which should be used, the length of the period of lack of communication when changing the extension code of the uplink, during which the terminal "UE" must continue to transmit on the uplink, the time between indicating and using the new config upstream or downlink gurations.

[127] In addition, the “Node-B” can inform the “RNC” radio network controller the minimum duration of the period of interruption in work on changing the extensible uplink code, during which the “UE” terminal must continue transmitting on the uplink, the time between the indication and using the new configuration in the uplink and / or downlink based on the characteristics of the “Node-B” (core network).

[128] The following is a more detailed description of the present invention.

[129] FIG. 18 shows an example of an embodiment of the present invention, namely, an extended quasi-synchronized reconfiguration circuit.

[130] In step 1, it is indicated that a new radio access channel (hereinafter referred to as the “RAB” radio channel) should be established by the CN core network. Alternatively, the step can only be used to change the configuration in which the start is based on the implementation of the RNC radio network controller, or to terminate the RAB radio channel.

[131] In steps 2-9, the RNC radio network controller transmits the new configuration to the Node-B (core network) in the message "Preparing the synchronized radio channel reconfiguration", and the Node-B reserves the resources. “Node-B” announces the acceptance of the configuration using the message “Synchronized radio channel reconfiguration is ready” and indicates the transport resources. (Traditional procedure.)

[132] At step 10, the RNC radio network controller instructs Node-B that the new configuration should only be applied after the UE changes the uplink scrambling code, or after any other indication to the Node- B ”(New indication). This may already be indicated in the message “Preparing a synchronized radio channel reconfiguration” (new indication that the change should be made upon detection of a new scrambling code in the uplink), “Radio channel setup” (new indication that this is being linked with the context of the “UE” terminal , which already exists, in such a way that the same transport resources are used in part), or “Unsynchronized radio channel reconfiguration” (new indication that reconfiguration should be performed only after detection sync).

[133] In step 11, the “Node-B” will start searching for uplink synchronization for a new uplink scrambling code while receiving data from the UE using the old scrambling code (New method). As one of the alternatives, Node-B may already transmit the DPCCH dedicated physical control channel of the new configuration during periods of DTX discontinuous transmission of the old configuration dedicated DPDCH physical data channel, as explained in section (1) (Simultaneous transmission old and new configuration with different “τ _DPCH ”), which is described below. The RNC radio network controller may transmit a new configuration to the UE, indicating that it must apply the new configuration immediately. (Traditional procedure.) Optionally, a new designation may be added so that the UE does not consider a radio link failure when a downlink is not received directly within a predetermined period of time. In order to be able to synchronize the transfer of a new configuration from Node-B, it should be possible to have an indication on the physical channel, as explained in section (2), - (Indication of a shift for a new configuration through the physical layer), which is described below.

[134] At step 12, the UE transitions to the new configuration and, among other things, applies new indicators for the combination of the TFCI transport format. If the format of the interval in the downlink does not change (that is, the expansion coefficient is the same and the format of the interval does not change), the UE terminal will not detect any delay, as the Node-B will continue to use the same sequence for transmission the sequence of the pilot signal, the indicator of the combination of the transport format "TFCI" and the transmission power control command "TPC".

[135] At step 13, the Node-B will lose uplink synchronization on the old scrambling code and find that it is receiving data from the UE using the new scrambling code. In the interval between the detection of the old and new scrambling codes by the Node-B, the Node-B will transmit power increase signals using the transmit power control commands “TPC”.

[136] In step 14, the Node-B immediately applies the new configuration on the uplink and downlink, for example, a new indicator of the combination of the transport format “TFCI” for uplink and downlink. In the case of a change in the format of the interval in the downlink, the UE expects the Node-B to transmit using the new configuration. In this case, there are two possibilities:

[137] a) Node-B simultaneously transmits a new configuration. However, this is only possible if non-overlapping extensible codes are used before and after reconfiguration.

[138] b) “Node-B” proceeds to the new configuration after detecting a change in the uplink scrambling code or any additional indication to the “Node-B” address. This implies that the UE does not accept Node-B during reconfiguration.

[139] Alternatively, the UE may be instructed that, during the application of the new configuration, the UE must allow a certain interruption in operation. The duration of this interruption in operation (the number of intervals / frames / seconds) is transmitted to the “UE” terminal from the “RNC” radio network controller in step 11.

[140] At step 15, “Node-B” informs the “RNC” radio network controller that the reconfiguration was successful by sending a message, for example, “Restore the radio channel” message, to inform that a new format is now being used and new ones can be used downlink transport channels, and that uplink transport channels can receive data. In step 16, the UE transmits a Reconfiguration Complete message to the RNC radio network controller. At step 17, it is considered that the “RAB” radio channel is installed, and thus the “RNC” radio network controller can indicate that this “RAB” radio channel is completed by means of a response message about the assignment of the “RAB” radio channel.

[141] (1) Simultaneous transmission of the old and new configuration with different “τ _DPCH ”

[142] In FIG. 18, in steps 12-14, the Node-B stops receiving using the old configuration after detecting a new scrambling code transmitted by the UE, and then starts transmitting, directing the new configuration. In practice, the Node-B needs to interrupt the transmission mainly only if the downlink scrambling code, and / or the slot format, and / or the offset of the physical dedicated channel “DPCH” are different compared to the shared channel “SCH” . In order to allow the UE to immediately receive synchronization during reconfiguration even if the downlink scrambling code, and / or the slot format, and / or the offset of the dedicated DPCH are different than the shared SCH, and to prevent the reception from ceasing while the “Node-B” detects that the “UE” terminal has changed the scrambling code of the uplink, and as long as the “Node-B” starts transmitting the new configuration in the downlink passing It is the old configuration and the new configuration as shown in Figure 19.

[143] FIG. 19 shows how, using the shift of the dedicated physical channel “DPCH” of the new configuration with respect to the channel of the old configuration, it is possible to transmit the dedicated physical control channel “DPCCH” of the old configuration and the new configuration at the same time. However, it is assumed that the dedicated physical data channel "DPDCH" is at least partially not transmitted. Alternatively, the dedicated “DPCCH” channel of the new / old configuration is not completely transmitted, but only the most important information, that is, TPC transmit power control bits, pilot or feedback bits.

[144] In FIG. 20, an alternative to steps 10-16 of FIG. 18 is highlighted. In Fig. 20, upon receipt of an instruction to check the reception of a new uplink scrambling code in the message “Performing a radio channel reconfiguration”, indicating that the start of a new configuration depends on a change in the uplink scrambling code, “Node-B” starts transmitting a new configuration to during periods when the dedicated physical data channel "DPDCH" on the downlink is not transmitted. This is only possible if the shift “τ _DPCH ” for the new configuration compared to the old configuration is such that the dedicated channel “DPCCH” of the new configuration falls into periods where there is no transmission. This eliminates the need for orthogonality of the extensible codes used before and after reconfiguration, that is, they can be selected in the same branch (code tree).

[145] (2) Indication of a shift to a new configuration through the physical layer

[146] In order to enable Node-B to be notified before a new configuration is transmitted, it should be possible for the UE to transmit to Node-B an indication that is transmitted during or before reconfiguration. Several implementations of such a scheme are possible. One way could be the following: the “UE” terminal denotes this by transmitting a specific sequence of bits using a special extensible code in parallel with transmitting on the “DPCCH” / “DPDCH” channel, as shown in FIG.

[147] A specific sequence (code pattern) is transmitted, which is mapped to an additional specific expandable code. The UE and Node-B terminals should be informed that a specific sequence and extensible code are used to indicate when reconfiguration occurs.

[148] Another alternative is that the UE only changes the uplink scrambling code, not trying to immediately receive using the new downlink configuration so that the Node-B is aware of an imminent change in the downlink configuration.

[149] Another alternative is to indicate that reconfiguration will occur quickly by using alternative indicators of the TFCI transport format combinations during or before reconfiguration, that is, as shown in FIG. 22, the UE uses the transport format combination indicator “ TFCI 6 "before or during reconfiguration instead of the indicator of the combination of transport formats" TFCI 0 "," TFCI 7 "instead of" TFCI 1 ", etc. This implies that the indicator of the combination of transport formats “TFCI” will mean not only a combination of transport formats, as it is today, but also a switch to a new configuration. How to include switching information in the indicator of the combination of transport formats “TFCI”, it will then be configured by the radio network controller “RNC” for “Node-B” and the terminal “UE”. In addition, at what time (for example, frames / intervals / seconds before applying the new configuration) an alternative indicator of the combination of transport formats “TFCI” or another indication is applied, will be indicated by the radio network controller “RNC” for “Node-B” and the terminal “UE” that will use this information to synchronize reconfiguration.

[150] Another alternative is to designate the “FBI” feedback information bits in accordance with FIG. 11 to indicate a reconfiguration change by the “UE” terminal.

[151] In the various methods shown above, the indication of uplink synchronization should be such that the “Node-B” has enough time to prepare to switch to the new configuration. This diagram is shown in FIG.

[152] Since different “Nodes-Bs” may have different processing times, it may be possible for the “Nodes-Bs” to tell the RNC radio network controller in step 10 the time difference between the transmission of instructions from the UE terminal and switching to the new configuration , the radio network controller “RNC” confirms to “Node B” the time to be used by “Node-B”, based on the time intervals received from all “Nodes-B” in the active group of the terminal UE, in step 11, and indicates the activation time, which the terminal "UE" should use, at step 12. Zat m terminal «UE» begins by instructing the reconfiguration of "Node-B" at step 13. Upon receiving the "Node-B" starts the timer for synchronizing the start of a new configuration «UE» terminal. In steps 15a and 15b, the terminal “UE” and “Node-B” simultaneously begin reconfiguration. Then, the “Node-B” and the terminal “UE” will confirm the successful reconfiguration at stages 16 and 17.

[153] As described above, the present invention provides a method for initiating the use of a new configuration. Such initiations may include: (1) the transfer of a new configuration from the radio network controller "RNC" to the terminal "UE" and "Node-B"; (2) the formation of a specific indication in the terminal "UE" or "Node-B" to initiate the use of a new configuration; and (3) an indication of the “UE” terminal to the “Node-B” about using the new configuration, where the indication may be one of the following: “FBI” feedback information bits; uplink scrambling code (providing backward compatibility), a special sequence of bits, a set of indicators for combinations of transport formats "TFCI", etc. Here, the indication may be transmitted “X” seconds before the new configuration is applied, where “X” is indicated by the “RNC” radio network controller for “Node-B” and the terminal “UE”, while “X” can be indicated in advance by “Node-B »To the RNC radio network controller, depending on the capabilities of the Node-B. The “UE” terminal may continue to transmit on the uplink after applying the new configuration for “Y” seconds, even if the new configuration is not accepted in the downlink, where “Y” is indicated by the “RNC” radio network controller for the “UE” terminal, when this “Y” may be notified in advance by the “Node-B” to the controller of the radio network “RNC” depending on the capabilities of the “Node-B”. Node-B can transmit two control parts, which can be encoded using non-orthogonal extensible codes scrambled using the same scrambling codes, while the transmission is time-multiplexed. The RNC radio network controller can select the synchronization offsets of the two configurations so that the control part of the two configurations can be transmitted with time multiplexing without overlapping and encoded with non-orthogonal extensible codes of these two configurations.

[154] Accordingly, the present invention speeds up the establishment / termination of the RB radio channel or reconfiguration and, therefore, reduces the delay in establishing a call, and also optimizes the use of channel resources. The influence of the present invention is relatively small, and it is easily feasible in the software of the radio network controller "RNC" / "Node-B" / terminal "UE".

[155] In order to realize the various properties described above, the present invention may use various types of hardware and / or software components (modules). For example, various hardware modules may contain various circuits and components necessary to complete the steps of the present method. In addition, various software modules (executed by processors and / or other software) may contain various programs and protocols necessary to complete the steps of the present invention.

[156] Fig. 24 shows an exemplary method for changing the configuration of a subscriber radio channel between a UE and a network (Node-B) in accordance with the present invention.

[157] Namely, the present invention provides a method for changing the configuration of a subscriber radio channel between a terminal and a network, the method (eg, performed by the Node-B) includes: initiating by the network a second configuration that is related to the first configuration for the same terminal ; informing the terminal to apply the second configuration; and determining when the terminal uses the second configuration based on the reception of a radio signal from the terminal.

[158] The indicated determination step may include: detecting that the terminal will apply or applied the second configuration. This detection may include: comparing the power of the first radio resource and the power of the second radio resource. The radio signal from the terminal may correspond to a control channel. The control channel may include pilot bits modulated by a scrambling code that is different from the scrambling code used for the first configuration. It is believed that the radio signal is received when the power of the second uplink scrambling code is higher than the power of the first uplink scrambling code. The second uplink scrambling code may be defined by the network along with the second configuration. The control channel may comprise at least one of the following: FBI feedback information bits; uplink scrambling code, a special sequence of bits and a set of indicators of the combinations of transport formats "TFCI". The specified initiation step may include: obtaining information about the second configuration from the radio network controller and reserving the necessary transport resources for the second configuration. The method may further include: releasing the old configuration after the determination step. The method may further include: transmitting to the terminal an instruction to use the second configuration without interrupting uplink transmission. An alarm using at least part of the first configuration and at least part of the second configuration can be carried out in parallel. The method may further include: prior to the initiation step, determining whether the “Node-B” network is capable of supporting the first and second configuration.

[159] In addition, the present invention provides a method for reconfiguring a subscriber radio communication between a terminal and a network, a method (eg, performed by a UE), including: receiving information for applying a second configuration; transmitting to the network a radio signal indicating a configuration change; and the transition from the first configuration to the second configuration at a predetermined time after the transmission of the radio signal.

[160] A radio signal indicating a configuration change may be included in a second configuration defined by the network. The method may further include: continuously transmitting for a certain time after applying the second configuration, despite the lack of reception using the second configuration. The method may further include: receiving instructions from the network to use the second configuration without interrupting uplink transmission.

[161] FIG. 25 shows a synchronized reconfiguration procedure using the activation time setting, as shown in steps 1-4. In existing networks, a significant part of the delay for setting up or reconfiguring calls is the delay associated with establishing a broadband radio channel. This delay is mainly due to the activation time of the current synchronization procedure, since the UE and Node-B terminal will apply the new configuration after the activation time has expired. The shaded part indicates the delay, where the terminal “UE” and “Node-B” basically just wait for the activation time to expire. A delay is necessary in the case when the UE terminal is in poor radio conditions where a reconfiguration message is required to be retransmitted, or in the case when a minimum delay is required to report a failure of the UE terminal. However, in the case where everything works well (there is no retransmission, no failure message), the same delay applies that is the time lost. Thus, improvements are needed to reduce this delay, and one of the suggested paths is synchronization using a new uplink scrambling code.

[162] FIG. 26 illustrates a synchronized reconfiguration procedure after detecting an uplink scrambling code in accordance with the present invention, according to steps 1-8.

[163] In a first step, resources are allocated for the reconfigured radio channel, including changing the uplink scrambling code. You may notice that previously a check was made on the availability of resources, as well as on the radio conditions of the UE terminal (for example, the current value of SIR is the supported speed of information reception / transmission). Depending on these conditions, the radio network controller "RNC" and "Node-B" may decide to use either the currently set synchronization method with the expectation of the expiration of the activation time, or synchronization by the proposed method.

[164] When a radio channel reconfiguration is performed, including an indication to check for synchronization of the new uplink scrambling code, the Node-B will then begin to check whether the UE uses the new scrambling code. The RNC radio network controller transmits the new configuration to the UE with the activation time of NOW. Upon receipt, the UE will immediately apply the new configuration. After the discovery of a new uplink scrambling code, “Node-B” must stop the transmission of the old configuration, apply the new configuration and assume that the reconfiguration was successful.

[165] On Fig shows the processing at the physical level. Processing at the physical layer begins after the physical layer L1 is configured in Node-B, including the start of checking a new uplink scrambling code for synchronization.

[166] When Node-B receives a reconfiguration message, it continues to transmit and receive the old configuration, and continuously checks whether the UE terminal uses old or new scrambling code. Since “Node-B” is aware that the radio channel of the current transmission channel of the “UE” terminal will be reconfigured, it knows exactly the channel and routes of the uplink transmission channel. In this way, it can detect whether the UE uses the new configuration or the old configuration, for example, by descrambling using the old or new scrambling code, and then check which one has the higher reception power.

[167] The delay in starting a new configuration at the UE terminal can be considered very short, since it is assumed that the UE terminal is in relatively good radio conditions that do not require or require a small number of message retransmissions. The new configuration will include, on top of the new uplink scrambling code, an instruction to the UE not to use the synchronization procedure A (for example, by not including the “Frequency Information” information element). When the UE receives a reconfiguration message, it will apply the new configuration at the beginning of the next frame. As soon as the UE starts using the new configuration, it assumes that the DL downlink also uses the new configuration using the new scrambling code.

[168] However, the Node-B continues to use the old configuration until it finds a new scrambling code. Thus, there may be a risk that the “UE” terminal may detect a loss of synchronization, which can lead to the termination of the radio channel in the case when the “Node-B” takes too long to detect a new scrambling code. Then, the time limit for “Node-B” to detect changes in the scrambling code is set by the period for termination (failure) of the radio channel, which is about 3 seconds, as explained below.

[169] The UE continues to transmit until a radio link failure is detected. The failure of the radio channel is based on processing in the absence of synchronization, where the physical layers report the absence of synchronization only after 160 ms of poor reception. Therefore, the first message about the lack of synchronization will be transmitted to the higher levels after 160 ms. Further messages about the lack of synchronization can be transmitted to the upper levels every 10 ms. To start the T313, message N313 must be received at the higher level. After T313, the UE will consider this a radio channel failure and the UE will complete the transmission, that is, after 160 ms + N313 * 10 ms + T313. The default values for N313 and T313 can be 20 and 3 s, respectively, which will give a delay of 3360 ms until the transmission stops on the uplink.

[170] Thus, since the “Node-B” is aware that the new scrambling code and the previous scrambling code are transmitted from one terminal “UE”, the exact information about synchronization is present on the “Node-B”. After that, the probability of detecting a new scrambling code before 3 seconds of radio channel failure increases.

[171] The delay for determining will depend on many parameters, such as, for example, the specified supported information transmission / reception rate “SIR DPCCH” for the channel “DPCCH”, which is necessary for “Node-B”, is determined by the specific implementation, as well as the implementation are determined the offset between the “DPCCH” and “DPDCH” channels and the beta value and the outer loop probably affect the transmission from the “UE” terminal, which is not standardized.

[172] To determine the change in the scrambling code, it is necessary to fix the threshold value. It is associated with different radio conditions (pedestrian, vehicle, etc.) and a different setpoint for “ULSIRDPCCH” (supported uplink transmit / receive rate “DPCCH”). The predetermined threshold value can be determined as the ratio of the supported SIR new / SIR old information reception / transmission rates. Here, “SIRnew” is the measured supported transmit / receive rate for the “DPCCH” channel (“SIRDPCCH”) with the new scrambling code, and “SIR old” is the measured supported transmit / receive rate for the “DPCCH” channel (“SIRDPCCH” ) with the current (initial) scrambling code. During the verification period, as shown in FIG. 27, the predetermined threshold value is compared with the current measured value of the “SIR new” / “SIR old” relationship; where it exceeds a predetermined threshold value, “Node-B” takes into account the change in the scrambling code of the uplink, then applies the parameters of the new configuration.

[173] In order to determine a predetermined threshold value, a simulation is performed to determine for each target supported transmit / receive rate of the DPCCH channel of the ULSIRDPCCH uplink two integrated CDF distribution functions of the maximum SIR new / SIR old ratio, one of which corresponds to the relation before the UE has applied the new configuration, and the other corresponds to the ratio after the UE has applied the new configuration. Based on these CDF cumulative distribution functions, a threshold can be set for various uplink SIR DPCCH values that the Node-B should use so that the probability of incorrect detection is limited to a specific value. The integrated distribution functions “CDF” for “SIR new” / “SIR old” for each interval (or N average intervals) after the “UE” terminal has applied the new configuration will allow checking with a given probability, after how many intervals “Node-B” will detect new scrambling code.

[174] One of the characteristics of the present invention is the combination of the advantages of the synchronized reconfiguration procedure in terms of efficiency and resource utilization with the speed of the unsynchronized "hard" transition procedure in order to reduce the delay for the reconfiguration procedure, which is usually used, for example, to configure video / voice or radio channel reconfiguration .

[175] FIG. 28 shows a typical diagram for performing synchronization using an “now” activation time (NOW) and a new scrambling code, as shown in steps 1-10.

[176] In step 1, resources are allocated for reconfiguring this radio channel, including changing the uplink scrambling code. You may notice that resource allocation can include resource availability, whether the Node-B procedures or the DRNC drift radio network controller are supported, as well as checking radio conditions (for example, the current value of the SIR transmit / receive rate). Depending on these conditions, the network (for example, the radio network controller “RNC” and “Node-B”) may decide either to apply the current specified synchronization method by waiting for the activation time to expire, or to apply a new synchronization method.

[177] When switching to reconfiguring the radio channel occurs, as shown in step 2, using the message “Performing radio channel reconfiguration” containing an instruction to check the new uplink scrambling code for synchronization purposes (that is, containing the “IE” “Quick reconfiguration” information element ”), If at stage 1 there was preliminary confirmation of the possibility of using this procedure,“ Node-B ”will then begin to check whether the“ UE ”terminal uses the new scrambling code. The reliability of the reconfiguration may depend on the implementation of the “Node-B”. This can be done by the Node-B by transmitting at least a downlink dedicated physical control channel “DPCCH” of a new configuration so that uplink power control is supported. The transmit power of the downlink dedicated physical control channel “DPCCH” using the new configuration can be associated with the transmit power of the old dedicated physical control channel “DPCCH”. Before the “Node-B” found that the “UE” terminal is using the new configuration for the uplink, the “Node-B” must transmit “UP” commands (increase power). The “CFN” frame number value, which is still contained in the “Performing Radio Channel Reconfiguration” message, is used to indicate the earliest possible “CFN” frame number at which the UE can apply reconfiguration. Thus, the reliability of the procedure should be at least not lower than the reliability of the “hard” transition procedure, since the synchronization of radio channels does not change during the procedure.

[178] If necessary, the RNC radio network controller can increase the supported transmit / receive rate of the SIR channel of the target to control the external loop power during the reconfiguration phase through the OUTER LOOP PC control frame (EXTERNAL CYCLE POWER MANAGEMENT).

[179] The “RNC” radio network controller transmits the new configuration to the “UE” terminal with an “now” (NOW) activation time, as shown in step 4 in the “RB” control message. After receiving it, the UE immediately applies the new configuration, as shown in step 5. After detecting a new uplink scrambling code, the Node-B then stops transmitting the old configuration, applies the new configuration, and considers that the reconfiguration was successful.

[180] In order to inform the RNC radio network controller that the new configuration has been applied to the uplink and downlink, the RNC radio network controller is sent a radio channel restoration signal so that the RNC radio network controller can start using the new configuration, such as shown in step 9. In step 10, the UE informs the radio network controller “RNC” of the completion of the reconfiguration.

[181] FIG. 29 shows details of an operation mode for a case where the “Node-B” is on the “Iur” interface.

[182] In step 1, the serving radio network controller “SRNS” informs the drift controller of the radio network “DRNC” about the need for reconfiguration and by including in the message of the information element “IE” “Quick reconfiguration”, which indicates the drift controller of the radio network “DRNC” that should be performed synchronization in a new way, as shown in step 1.

[183] In step 2, the drift controller of the “DRNC” radio network can determine the availability of the necessary resources and, if necessary, extract orthogonal codes with a variable downlink OVSF from another branch of the code tree, that is, uncorrelated codes to enable simultaneous downlink transmission over old and new dedicated physical DPCCH control channels. If the new IE information element is not recognized, the DRNC drift radio network controller will ignore this information and will not transmit the IE “Fast reconfiguration” message in the “READY RADIO CHANNEL RECONFIGURATION” message, which allows the serving SRNC radio network controller to understand what should be the traditional procedure is used, and the DRNC radio network drift controller performs the traditional procedure as shown in steps 3b, 4b, 5b and 6b.

[184] In the event that the check and reservation of resources sat down in step 2 successfully, the DRNC radio network drift controller informs Node-B that the reconfiguration synchronization should be based on the uplink scrambling code, as shown in step 3a , which allows “Node-B” to reserve the necessary resources in step 4a and determine whether the new method is supported or not. In case “Node-B” does not understand “IE” “Quick reconfiguration”, “Node-B” performs the traditional method, as shown in steps 4b, 5b and 6b.

[185] As explained above, in the case of changing the slot format during reconfiguration, it is preferable that the extensible downlink codes used before and after reconfiguration are taken from different branches of the code tree. This is due to the fact that, firstly, it allows parallel transfer of the dedicated physical control channel “DPCCH” to the downlink with the old and new configurations and, secondly, during frames during which the Node-B applies the old configuration and the “UE” terminal assumes that a new configuration is being transmitted, the “UE” terminal interprets, for example, the pilot bits transmitted by the Node-B using the old configuration, the old extensible code and the old slot format as bits of the “TPC” power control command in new th configuration. This may be due to the fact that orthogonal codes with a variable spreading factor “OVSF” from the same branch with different spreading factors are not necessarily orthogonal, and the sequences for the dedicated physical control channel “DPCCH” in different slot formats do not match.

[186] Regarding the impact on the complexity of the “Node-B” and the system, the influence of the scheme of the present invention on the implementation of the “Node-B”, of course, depends mainly on the details of the actual embodiment of the “Node-B”. However, the complexity associated with the need to receive and possibly simultaneously transmit using the old and new configurations is always lower than the complexity of the “hard” transition, where it is necessary to evaluate and receive two completely independent channels. In addition, it should be emphasized that the duration of the reception of the old and new configurations is shorter than the double reception, in the case of using the procedure of “hard” transition, because the message “Performing the procedure for reconfiguring the radio channel” includes the earliest time.

[187] Alternative proposals affecting the UE were considered. So you can use reconfiguration with the activation time "now" (NOW) instead of using synchronized reconfiguration of the radio channel. This implies that the UE terminal, for example, changes the used patterns of the TFCI transport format combination indicators, the FBI feedback information bits, or uses a different pilot signal sequence before it applies the new configuration. This will allow Node-B to detect that a configuration change is about to occur. However, this implies that there is an additional delay due to the fact that the UE does not apply the new configuration immediately. In addition, the reliability of such a scheme is not necessarily higher, since it depends primarily on uplink transmit power, and the number of FBI feedback information bits or TFCI transport format combination indicators in all interval formats is less than the number of pilot bits. Thus, we believe that the additional complexity in the UE terminal and the availability of such a procedure only in the most modern terminals and networks (for example, Version 7) may not be as attractive as the present invention, which offers a method that can reduce the delay for reconfigurations a few hundred milliseconds without affecting the implementation of the UE terminal.

[188] This description discloses various illustrative embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the claims covers various modifications and equivalent devices of the illustrative embodiments disclosed in the description. Thus, the following claims are to be accorded the widest possible interpretation so as to encompass modifications, equivalent structures and properties consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention described herein.

Claims (17)

1. A method of changing the radio access configuration of a broadband unidirectional radio channel "RB" between the terminal and the base station "Node B", including:
initiation by the base station “Node B” of the second configuration of the broadband unidirectional radio channel “RB”, which is related to the first configuration of the broadband unidirectional radio channel to initiate the transmission of signals for the same terminal;
informing this terminal about the application of the second configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel; and
determining the moment when the specified terminal uses the second configuration of the unidirectional radio channel "RB", based on the reception of a radio signal from this terminal. 2. The method according to claim 1, where the step of determining includes
detecting that the terminal will or has applied the second configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel. 3. The method according to claim 1, where the step of determining includes
comparing the power of the first radio resource and the power of the second radio resource. 4. The method according to claim 1, where the radio signal from the terminal corresponds to the control channel. 5. The method according to claim 4, where the control channel includes pilot bits modulated by a scrambling code, which is different from the scrambling code used for the first configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel. 6. The method according to claim 1, where it is believed that the radio signal should be received when the power of the second uplink scrambling code is higher than the power of the first uplink scrambling code. 7. The method according to claim 6, where the second uplink scrambling code is set by the NodeB base station together with the second configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel. 8. The method according to claim 4, where the control channel contains at least one of the following: feedback information bits "FBI", an uplink scrambling code, a specific bit sequence and a set of indicators of combinations of transport formats "TFCI". 9. The method according to claim 1, in which additionally carry out:
receiving information about the second configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel from the radio network controller and
reservation of necessary transport resources for the second configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel. 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising
release of the old configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel after the determination step. 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising
transmitting instructions to the terminal to use the second configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel without terminating uplink transmission. 12. The method according to claim 1, where the alarm system using at least part of the first configuration of the broadband unidirectional radio channel "RB" and at least part of the new configuration of the broadband unidirectional radio channel "RB", is carried out in parallel. 13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising
determining before the initiation step whether the Node-B base station is capable of supporting the old and new configuration of a broadband unidirectional radio channel. 14. A method of changing the radio access configuration of a broadband unidirectional radio channel "RB" between the terminal and the network, including:
receiving information to apply the new configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel;
transmitting to the network a radio signal indicating a configuration change of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel; and
Switching from the old RB broadband unidirectional radio channel configuration to the new RB broadband unidirectional radio channel configuration at a predetermined time after the radio signal is transmitted. 15. The method according to 14, where the radio signal indicating the configuration change of the radio channel "RB" is included in the new configuration of the broadband unidirectional radio channel "RB" specified by the network. 16. The method according to 14, further including
continuous transmission after applying the new configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel for a certain time, despite the lack of reception, using the new configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel. 17. The method according to 14, further comprising
receiving instructions from the network to use the new configuration of the RB broadband unidirectional radio channel without interrupting uplink transmission.

Images