WO2009041883A1

WO2009041883A1 - Improved uplink scheduling in a cellular system

Info

Publication number: WO2009041883A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/050724
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lei Xiao; Huaisong Zhu; Jingyue Nie
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2007-09-26
Filing date: 2008-06-17
Publication date: 2009-04-02
Also published as: TW200917768A; TWI426755B; CN101766046A; CN101766046B

Abstract

A method (600) for use in a wireless cellular system (100), according to which there is (605) a controlling node (120) for each cell (130) and there is (615) another node (110) for radio network control. The controlling node of a cell schedules a first group (610) of resources for users (140) in the cell and the node for radio network control schedules a second group (620) of resources for users (140) in the cell (130). Users in a cell provide (625) the controlling node (120) of the cell with information for use in said scheduling of a first group of resources, and said information which is provided to the controlling node is also provided to the node for radio network control.

Description

IMPROVED UPLINK SCHEDULING IN A CELLULAR SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention discloses a method for use in a wireless cellular system in which there is a controlling node for each cell and another node for radio network control.

BACKGROUND

In the cellular communications project known as the third generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, technology is introduced for so called Enhanced Uplink, EUL.

In a system which uses or supports EUL technology, there will be a division of labour regarding the scheduling of resources for the services provided to users in a cell of the system: the controlling node of a cell, usually referred to as the NodeB, will schedule a first group of resources, so called "scheduling resources", while another node in the system, known as the radio network controller, the RNC, will schedule a second group of resources, usually referred to as "non-scheduling resources".

In order to facilitate the scheduling in the NodeB in a system with EUL technology, users in a cell will supply the NodeB with information regarding certain parameters.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to offer an improvement on the scheduling of both the scheduling and the non scheduling resources in a 3GPP system which offers EUL services.

Such a solution is provided by the present invention in that it discloses a method for use in a wireless cellular system in which there is a controlling node for each cell and another node for radio network control. According to the method of the invention, the controlling node of a cell schedules a first group of resources for users in the cell and the node for radio network control schedules a second group of resources for users in the cell, and users in a cell provide the controlling node of the cell with information for use in said scheduling of a first group of resources.

In addition, according to the method of the invention, the information which is provided to the controlling node is also provided to the node for radio network control.

Due to the fact that, according to the present invention, the information which is provided to the controlling node is also provided to the node for radio network control, the node for radio network control will be able to schedule the second group of resources in accordance with the situation for the UEs in the cell.

In one embodiment of the invention, users in a cell use a message header in order to provide the information to the node for radio network control, whilst, in another embodiment, users in a cell use a physical channel in order to provide the information.

If a physical channel is used, this channel can be the E-RUCCH, E-DCH Random Access Uplink Control Channel.

Suitably, the information is provided to the node for radio network control by the controlling node of a cell, and if this is the case, the controlling node may in one embodiment provide the information in a frame for E-DCH FP, Enhanced Data CHannel Frame Protocol, whilst, in another embodiment, the controlling node provides the information in a measurement report to the node for radio network control. The invention also discloses controlling node for use in a system in which the invention is applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described in more detail in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which

Fig 1 shows a system in which the invention may be applied, and Figs 2-4 show prior art, and Fig 5 shows features of the invention, and

Figs 6a and 6b show a rough flow chart of a method of the invention, and Fig 7 shows a controlling node of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Fig 1 shows a schematic example of a Third Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, cellular communications system 100 in which the present invention may be applied. The invention can be applied in different kinds of 3GPP systems, but in one embodiment the invention is applied in a WCDMA system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, whilst the invention in another embodiment is applied in a TD SCDMA system, Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access System.

In the system 100, there is at least a first cell 130, in which there can be a number of users, one of which is shown as an example, with the reference number 140. The user is shown as "UE", User Equipment, since this is a terminology which is common in such systems.

There is also a controlling node 120 for the cell 130, a NodeB, which serves to, inter alia, control the traffic to and from the UEs in the cell 130. In addition to the NodeB in the system 100, there is an additional node 110 for radio network control, an RNC. It should be pointed out that the RNC 110 can serve more than one cell, but only one cell is shown in the system 100 of fig 1 , although fig 1 is only an example intended to provide the reader with an understanding of the setting of the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 show two other notions which will be used in this text: "non- scheduled resources" and "scheduled resources".

Resources which are referred to as "non-scheduled resources" are, as is shown in fig 2, resources which are scheduled in the RNC on a "per UE" basis, with the scheduling decisions of the RNC being passed on by the NodeB to the UEs in question. The "transparent" or passive role of the NodeB in the case of non-scheduled resources is indicated in fig 2 by means of the NodeB being shown with dashed lines, and arrows straight from the RNC to the UEs, i.e. UE1-UE3.

As shown in fig 3, "scheduled resources" are resources for which the RNC decides, or schedules, the total available scheduled resources for a certain NodeB, and the NodeB can then schedule these resources on a "per UE" basis, as is indicated by the three UEs in fig 3, i.e. UE1-UE3.

In order for the NodeB to be able to properly carry out its function of scheduling the scheduled resources, the UEs in the cell of the NodeB will supply the NodeB with information, so called "scheduling information".

The exact information included in the generic group of information referred to here as "scheduling information" will differ between different cellular standards, but some examples of scheduling information in, for example, a TD SCDMA system, include the following:

• Information related to the UE's buffer occupation, which helps the NodeB to ascertain the UE's "transmission urgency", • Path loss information, for example for the "Serving" (i.e. current) cell, and neighbouring cells,

• The UE's remaining power information, which helps the Node B to see how many physical resources the UE can utilize at present.

The principle of "scheduling information" which is supplied by the UE to the NodeB is shown in fig 4: the UE supplies the NodeB with information items 1- 4, and of those items, some are forwarded to the RNC by the NodeB. By means of the information supplied to the NodeB, the NodeB is able to carry out control of the scheduling resources, and by means of the information which is forwarded to the RNC, the RNC is able to carry out control of the non-scheduling resources. The control from the NodeB and the RNC is indicated by means of lines from those nodes to the UE.

The information which is supplied to the NodeB from the UE, and the information which is forwarded to the RNC may of course vary between different systems, but examples of the items numbered as 1-4 in fig 4 are as follows:

1 : HARQ info, (HARQ: Hybrid Automated Repeat Request),

2: Non-scheduling User uplink data, such as, for example, signalling data,

3: Scheduling User uplink data, such as, for example, web browsing,

4: UE buffer occupation per logical channel, cell path loss for the serving and/or neighbouring cells and UE power "headroom".

The information referred to as "4" above and in fig 4 is also referred to as the "scheduling information". According to the present invention, the "scheduling information" is forwarded to the RNC, suitably from the NodeB, so that the RNC may access this information, in order for the RNC to be able to use this information in scheduling "non-scheduling" resources.

The "scheduling information" is suitably forwarded to the RNC by the NodeB in one of the following two fashions:

• The information is carried on an E-DCH FP (Enhanced Data CHannel Frame Protocol) frame to the RNC;

• The information is carried on a so called "measurement report", as defined in the 3GPP and CCSA standards, (CCSA, Chinese Communications Standards Association) from the NodeB to the RNC.

Since the RNC, by means of the present invention, is supplied with the scheduling information, the RNC can, for example, use the information in order to:

• Reconfigure the non-scheduling and the scheduling resources of a UE to another carrier frequency in the same cell, based on, for example, the buffer occupation related information or/and the UE power headroom.

• Increase a UE's scheduling priority,

• Use the cell path losses in algorithms which are related to, for example, the RNCs so called Radio Resource Management, the RRM.

In addition, since the RNC and the NodeB will now have access to the same information from the UE, the RNC and the NodeB will always be able to schedule their respective resources (scheduled/non-scheduled) in similar manners.

Figs 6a and 6b show a schematic flow chart of a method 600 of the invention. Steps which are options or alternatives are shown with dashed lines. As has also emerged from the description above, the inventive method 600 is intended for use in a wireless cellular system, and according to the method, there is, step 605, a controlling node for each cell, and there is also, step 615, another node for radio network control. According to the method 600, the controlling node of a cell schedules, step 610, a first group of resources for users in the cell, and the node for radio network control schedules, step 620, a second group of resources for users in the cell.

According to the method 600, users in a cell provide, step 625, the controlling node of the cell with information for use in said scheduling of a first group of resources, and, step 630, the information which is provided to the controlling node is also provided to the node for radio network control.

In one embodiment, step 640, users in a cell use a message header in order to provide the information to the node for radio network control, whilst, in another embodiment, step 645, users in a cell use a physical channel in order to provide the information to the node for radio network control. As shown in step 650, this physical channel is suitably the E-RUCCH, E-DCH Random Access Uplink Control Channel.

As indicated in 660, the information is in one embodiment provided to the node for radio network control via the controlling node of a cell. In such an embodiment, as shown in step 670, the controlling node suitably provides the information in an frame for E-DCH FP, Enhanced Data CHannel Frame Protocol, or, step 675, in a measurement report to the node for radio network control (110).

As shown in step 680, the information which is provided by users in a cell can include at least one of the following:

• Information regarding the users' buffer status;

• Cell path loss information; • Information about the users' remaining power.

As indicated in step 685, the method can in one embodiment be applied in a WCDMA system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, or, step 690, in a TD-SCDMA system, Time Division Synchronous Division Multiple Access.

The method of the invention can be implemented in a number of ways, either as hardware or software, or as a combination of hardware and software. The software may suitably be implemented as computer executable code, stored on a computer readable storage media, such as hard drives, disc drives, tape etc.

Fig 7 shows a schematic block diagram of a controlling node 700 in a system in which the invention is applied. As indicated in fig 7, the controlling node 700 will comprise an antenna, shown as block 710, and will also comprise a receive part 720 and a transmit part 730. In addition, the controlling node 700 also comprises a control means 740 such as a micro processor, as well as a memory 750. Furthermore, the controlling node 700 also comprises an interface 760 towards other components in the system apart from the UEs, such as, for example, an RNC. The interface can be one of a variety of interfaces, but is preferably a landline interface, although a radio interface can also be envisioned.

Since the major components of the controlling node 700 have been identified above both with respect to their function with and their reference numbers, they may in the following be referenced merely by their reference numbers, e.g. "the means 510", instead of "the antenna 510".

The controlling node 700 of the invention is intended for a cell in a wireless cellular system, and is equipped with the means 740, 750 and 760 for interaction with a node for radio network control, i.e. an RNC. In addition, the controlling node 700 uses the means 740 and 750 for scheduling a first group of resources for users in a cell, and uses the means 710 and 720 for receiving information from users in the cell for use in the scheduling of a first group of resources from users in the cell.

Also, the controlling node uses the means 740, 750 and 760 for providing the information from the users to the RNC in a frame for E-DCH FP, Enhanced Data CHannel Frame Protocol, or in a measurement report.

In one embodiment, the information which is provided to the controlling node by users in a cell includes at least one of the following:

• Information regarding the users' buffer status;

• Cell path loss information;

• Information about the users' remaining power.

In one embodiment, the controlling node 700 is a controlling node for a WCDMA system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, whilst, in another embodiment, the controlling node 700 is a controlling node for a TD-SCDMA system, Time Division Synchronous Division Multiple Access.

The invention is not limited to the examples of embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but may be freely varied within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method (600) for use in a wireless cellular system (100) according to which method there is (605) a controlling node (120) for each cell (130) and there is (615) another node (110) for radio network control, according to which method the controlling node of a cell schedules a first group (610) of resources for users (140) in the cell and the node for radio network control schedules a second group (620) of resources for users (140) in the cell (130), according to which method users in a cell provide (625) the controlling node (120) of the cell with information for use in said scheduling of a first group of resources, the method being characterized in that (630) said information which is provided to the controlling node is also provided to the node for radio network control.

2. The method (600) of claim 1 , according to which (640) users (140) in a cell use a message header in order to provide the information to the node for radio network control (110).

3. The method (600) of claim 1 , according to which (645) users in a cell use a physical channel in order to provide the information to the node for radio network control.

4. The method (600) of claim 3, according to which (650) said physical channel is the E-RUCCH, E-DCH Random Access Uplink Control Channel.

5. The method (600) of any of claims 1-4, according to which (660) the information is provided to the node for radio network control (110) via the controlling node (120) of a cell.

6. The method (600) of claim 5, according to which (670) the controlling node (120) provides the information in an frame for E-DCH FP, Enhanced Data CHannel Frame Protocol.

7. The method (600) of claim 5, according to which (675) the controlling node (120) provides the information in a measurement report to the node for radio network control (110).

8. The method (600) of any of claims 1-7, according to which (680) the information provided by users (120) in a cell includes at least one of the following:

• Information regarding the users' buffer status; • Cell path loss information;

• Information about the users' remaining power.

9. The method (600) of any of the previous claims, applied (685) in a WCDMA system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access.

10. The method (600) of any of the previous claims, applied (690) in a TD- SCDMA system, Time Division Synchronous Division Multiple Access.

11. A controlling node for a cell in a wireless cellular system (100), equipped with means for interaction with a node (110) for radio network control, also equipped with means for scheduling a first group (610) of resources for users (140) in a cell and with means for receiving information for use in said scheduling of a first group of resources from users in the cell, the controlling node being equipped with means for providing said information to the node for radio network control in a frame for E-DCH FP, Enhanced Data CHannel Frame Protocol, or in a measurement report.

12. The controlling node of claim 11 , in which the information provided by users (120) in a cell includes at least one of the following: • Information regarding the users' buffer status;

13. The controlling node of claim 11 , being a controlling node for a WCDMA system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access.

14. The controlling node of claim 11 , being a controlling node for a TD- SCDMA system, Time Division Synchronous Division Multiple Access.