WO2010122421A1 - Procédé et appareil destinés à faciliter une utilisation de cellules de groupe d'abonné fermé hybride - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil destinés à faciliter une utilisation de cellules de groupe d'abonné fermé hybride Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010122421A1
WO2010122421A1 PCT/IB2010/000924 IB2010000924W WO2010122421A1 WO 2010122421 A1 WO2010122421 A1 WO 2010122421A1 IB 2010000924 W IB2010000924 W IB 2010000924W WO 2010122421 A1 WO2010122421 A1 WO 2010122421A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hybrid
csg
cell
csgs
pci
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PCT/IB2010/000924
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English (en)
Inventor
Lars Dalsgaard
Jarkko Tuomo Koskela
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Nokia Corporation
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Publication of WO2010122421A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010122421A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
    • H04W48/08—Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery
    • H04W48/12—Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery using downlink control channel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
    • H04W48/16—Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/04—Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks
    • H04W84/042—Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
    • H04W84/045—Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the invention relate generally to communications technology and, more particularly, relate to methods and apparatus for facilitating the dissemination of information regarding a hybrid closed subscriber group cell.
  • Networking technologies including, for example, computer networks, television networks and telephony networks, continue to facilitate ease of information transfer and convenience to users.
  • telecommunication industry service providers are developing improvements to existing networks.
  • improvements are being made to the universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN).
  • UMTS universal mobile telecommunications system
  • UTRAN terrestrial radio access network
  • E-UTRAN evolved-UTRAN
  • LTE Long Term Evolution
  • a femtocell may comprise a NodeB referred to as Home NodeB (HNB) in UTRAN and/or as a Home evolved NodeB (HeNB) in E-UTRAN.
  • HNB Home NodeB
  • HeNB Home evolved NodeB
  • An HNB and/or an HeNB may be configured to operate as a closed subscriber group (CSG) cell, wherein the CSG cell is accessible only by members of a CSG to which the CSG cell is configured to provide access.
  • CSG closed subscriber group
  • only mobile devices or other user equipment that are members of the CSG may be allowed to camp on or otherwise utilize the CSG cell as an access point to the operator network.
  • Membership in the CSG, including temporary membership, may be managed by both the registered owner of the CSG cell and the network operator.
  • Hybrid CSG cells are also being developed. Hybrid CSG cells may be utilized both by members of the CSG to which the hybrid CSG cell is configured to provide access and to non- members of the CSG. For mobile devices that are members of the CSG of a hybrid CSG cell, the hybrid CSG cell will allow the mobile devices to camp on or otherwise use the hybrid CSG cell as an access point to the operator network in the same manner as a conventional CSG cell. However, for mobile devices that are not a member of the CSG to which the hybrid CSG cell is configured to provide access, these non-member mobile devices may still utilize the hybrid CSG cell in the same fashion as a conventional macro cell, e.g., a non-CSG cell, in order to access the operator network.
  • a conventional macro cell e.g., a non-CSG cell
  • a hybrid CSG cell While a hybrid CSG cell will support network access by a non-member of the CSG, a hybrid CSG cell is generally configured to prioritize its communication with members of the CSG such that the hybrid CSG cell will first provide access to the operator network to members of the CSG before serving as a macro cell to provide access to the operator network to non-members of the CSG.
  • Each cell such as each macro cell and each CSG cell, is associated with one or more physical cell identity (PCI) values.
  • PCI physical cell identity
  • a predefined range of PCI values is generally reserved for CSG cells.
  • hybrid CSG cells it may be desirable for hybrid CSG cells to be associated with PCI values that are outside of the reserved range of PCI values for CSG cells.
  • the PCI values for hybrid CSG cells must generally be outside of the reserved range of PCI values for CSG cells in order to permit the hybrid CSG cells to operate as a conventional macro cell in regards to access by a non-member of the CSG.
  • a method and apparatus are therefore provided that facilitate the transmission of the information to user equipment and receipt of such information by user equipment that identifies a hybrid CSG cell and associates a physical cell identity therewith.
  • user equipment that is a member of the CSG of the hybrid CSG cell may utilize the hybrid CSG cell in the same fashion as a conventional CSG cell in order to access an operator network or the like.
  • user equipment that is not a member of the CSG of the hybrid CSG cell may also utilize the hybrid CSG cell, albeit in the same fashion as a conventional macro cell in order to access the operator network, assuming the hybrid CSG cell has capacity in addition to its support of the user equipment that are members of the CSG of the hybrid CSG cell.
  • a method in one embodiment, includes transmitting, via dedicated signaling, an identity of one or more closed subscriber groups (CSGs) , that is, one or more CSG IDs, and information sufficient to determine if one or more of the CSG IDs is the identity of a hybrid CSG.
  • the method of this embodiment also transmits information regarding a physical cell identity for the hybrid CSG cell(s) of a hybrid CSG.
  • an apparatus of one embodiment may include a processor and memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to transmit, via dedicated signaling, the CSG ID of one or more CSGs and information sufficient to determine if one or more of the CSG IDs is the identity of a hybrid CSG, and to transmit information regarding a physical cell identity for the hybrid CSG cell(s) of a hybrid CSG.
  • the computer program product includes at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein.
  • the computer-executable program code instructions include program code instructions configured to provide for transmission, via dedicated signaling, of the CSG ID of one or more CSGs and information sufficient to determine if one or more of the CSG IDs is the identity of a hybrid CSG.
  • the computer-executable program code instructions also include program code instructions configured to provide for transmission of information regarding a physical cell identity for the hybrid CSG cell(s) of a hybrid CSG.
  • a method is provided that receives, via dedicated signaling, the CSG ID of one more CSGs and information sufficient to determine if one or more of the CSG IDs is the identity of a hybrid CSG.
  • the method of this embodiment also receives information regarding the physical cell identity for the hybrid CSG cell(s) of a hybrid CSG, and then determines the manner in which to communicate with a candidate cell based upon the received information.
  • the apparatus may include a processor and memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to receive, via dedicated signaling, the CSG ID of one or more CSGs and information sufficient to determine if one or more of the CSG IDs is the identity of a hybrid CSG.
  • the apparatus of this embodiment is also configured to receive information regarding a physical cell identity for the hybrid CSG cell(s) of a hybrid CSG, and to then determine the manner in which to communicate with a candidate cellbased upon the received information.
  • the computer program product also includes at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein.
  • the computer-executable program code instructions include program code instructions configured to receive, via dedicated signaling, the CSG ID of one or more CSGs and information sufficient to determine if one or more of the CSG IDs is the identity of a hybrid CSG.
  • the computer-executable program code instructions also include program code instructions configured to receive information regarding a physical cell identity for the hybrid CSG cell(s) of a hybrid CSG, and to then determine the manner in which to communicate with a candidate cell based upon the received information.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a system for disseminating information regarding a hybrid CSG cell in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of one or more entities of the system of FIG. 1 including, for example, the network entity and/or the user equipment, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart for providing information regarding a hybrid CSG cell to the user equipment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart for receiving and utilizing information regarding a hybrid CSG cell in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a system for facilitating dissemination of information regarding a hybrid closed subscriber group (CSG) cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • CSG closed subscriber group
  • exemplary merely means an example and as such represents one example embodiment for the invention and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the invention in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the invention encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those illustrated and described herein. As such, while Figure 1 illustrates one example of a configuration of a system for disseminating information regarding a hybrid CSG cell, numerous other configurations may also be used to implement embodiments of the present invention.
  • the system includes one or more user equipment devices (UE) 10, a network entity 11, one or more macro cells 12, one or more CSG cells 14 and one or more hybrid CSG cells 16, which are configured to communicate over a network 18.
  • UE user equipment devices
  • a network entity may include one or more CSG cells 14.
  • a hybrid CSG may include one or more hybrid CSG cells 16.
  • a hybrid CSG may include not only one or more hybrid CSG cells 16, but also one or more conventional CSG cells 14.
  • the network 18 may comprise a wireline network, wireless network, or some combination thereof.
  • the network 18 may comprise a PLMN operated by a network operator.
  • the network 18 may, for example, comprise an operator network providing cellular network access in accordance with E-UTRAN and/or UTRAN standards.
  • the network 18 may additionally or alternatively comprise the internet.
  • the UE 10 may comprise any computing device configured to access network services (e.g., cellular network services), such as may be provided by a network operator, such as an operator of at least a portion of the network 18.
  • the UE 10 may be configured to access the network 18 through radio access that may be provided by a network access point or base station.
  • the UE 10 may be associated with an owner of one or more CSG cells 14.
  • the UE 10 may comprise a computing device recognized by a network operator providing network access through the CSG cells 14, such as through an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of the UE 10, as being a computing device belonging to, registered to, and/or used by an owner of one or more CSG cells 14.
  • IMSI international mobile subscriber identity
  • a CSG cell owner may not have legal ownership of the CSG cell 14, but rather may alternatively lease, borrow, and/or manage a CSG cell 14.
  • a CSG cell owner may be individual or entity recognized by a network operator as having authority recognized by the network operator providing network access through the CSG cell owner's CSG cell 14 to manage CSG membership for a CSG permitted to access the CSG cell owner's CSG cell 14, such as by adding, removing, viewing, and/or otherwise modifying a CSG membership list, that is, a CSG-allowed list.
  • the UE 10 may also be associated with an owner of one or more hybrid CSG cells 16.
  • a hybrid CSG cell can operate as a conventional CSG cell in conjunction with the UE 10 that is a member of the hybrid CSG.
  • the hybrid CSG cell 16 may also operate as a macro cell in conjunction with other UEs that are not members of the hybrid CSG.
  • the UE 10 may be embodied as a server, desktop computer, laptop computer, mobile terminal, mobile computer, mobile phone, mobile communication device, game device, digital camera/camcorder, audio/video player, television device, radio receiver, digital video recorder, positioning device, any combination thereof, and/or the like.
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram of an entity that may serve as the UE 10.
  • the UE includes various means, such as a processor 20, memory 22, communication interface 24 and user interface 26, for performing the various functions herein described.
  • These means of the UE as described herein may be embodied as, for example, hardware elements (e.g., a suitably programmed processor, combinational logic circuit, and/or the like), a computer program product comprising computer-readable program instructions (e.g., software or firmware) stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g. memory 22) that is executable by a suitably configured processing device (e.g., the processor 20), or some combination thereof.
  • the processor 20 may, for example, be embodied as various means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field programmable gate array), or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in Figure 2 as a single processor, in some embodiments the processor 20 comprises a plurality of processors. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 20 is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 22 or otherwise accessible to the processor 20.
  • These instructions when executed by the processor 20, may cause the UE to perform one or more of the functionalities of the UE as described herein.
  • the processor 20 may represent an entity configured to perform operations according to embodiments of the present invention when configured accordingly.
  • the processor 20 when the processor 20 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor 20 may comprise specifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operations described herein.
  • the processor 20 when the processor 20 is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor 20 to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.
  • the memory 22 may include, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory. Although illustrated in Figure 2 as a single memory, the memory 22 may comprise a plurality of memories. The memory 22 may comprise volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or some combination thereof. In this regard, the memory 22 may comprise, for example, a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, flash memory, a compact disc read only memory (CD- ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. The memory 22 may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the UE to carry out various functions in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
  • the memory 22 is configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 20. Additionally or alternatively, in at least some embodiments, the memory 22 is configured to store program instructions for execution by the processor 20.
  • the memory 22 may store information in the form of static and/or dynamic information.
  • the communication interface 24 may be embodied as any device or means embodied in hardware, a computer program product comprising computer readable program instructions stored on a computer readable medium (e.g., the memory 22) and executed by a processing device (e.g., the processor 20), or a combination thereof that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a remote device over the network 18.
  • the communication interface 24 may be configured to transceive data over a PLMN network (e.g., a cellular network implementing UTRAN and/or E-UTRAN standards) operated by a network operator.
  • the communication interface 24 is at least partially embodied as or otherwise controlled by the processor 20.
  • the communication interface 24 may be in communication with the processor 20, such as via a bus.
  • the communication interface 24 may include, for example, an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and/or supporting hardware or software for enabling communications with other entities of the system.
  • the communication interface 24 may be configured to receive and/or transmit data using any protocol that may be used for communications between computing devices of the system.
  • the communication interface 24 may additionally be in communication with the memory 22 and/or user interface 26, such as via a bus.
  • the user interface 26 may be in communication with the processor 20 to receive an indication of a user input and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical, or other output to a user.
  • the user interface 26 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen display, a microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms.
  • the user interface 26 may be in communication with the memory 22 and/or communication interface 24, such as via a bus.
  • the UE 10 is embodied as a mobile terminal, such as that illustrated in more detail in Figure 3.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile terminal representative of one embodiment of a UE 10 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the mobile terminal illustrated and hereinafter described is merely illustrative of one type of UE 10 that may implement and/or benefit from embodiments of the present invention and, therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of the present invention.
  • While several embodiments of the electronic device are illustrated and will be hereinafter described for purposes of example, other types of electronic devices, such as mobile telephones, mobile computers, portable digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, laptop computers, desktop computers, gaming devices, televisions, and other types of electronic systems, may employ embodiments of the present invention.
  • PDAs portable digital assistants
  • pagers pagers
  • laptop computers desktop computers
  • gaming devices televisions, and other types of electronic systems
  • the mobile terminal may include an antenna 42 (or multiple antennas 42) in communication with a transmitter 44 and a receiver 46.
  • the mobile terminal may also include a controller 50 or other processor(s), such as the processor of Figure 2, that provides signals to and receives signals from the transmitter and receiver, respectively.
  • These signals may include signaling information in accordance with an air interface standard of an applicable cellular system, and/or any number of different wireline or wireless networking techniques, comprising but not limited to Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), wireless local access network (WLAN) techniques such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and/or the like.
  • these signals may include speech data, user generated data, user requested data, and/or the like.
  • the mobile terminal may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, access types, and/or the like. More particularly, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with various first generation (IG), second generation (2G), 2.5G, third-generation (3G) communication protocols, fourth-generation (4G) communication protocols, and/or the like. For example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 2G wireless communication protocols IS-136 (Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), IS-95 (Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)), and/or the like.
  • IG first generation
  • 2G second generation
  • 2.5G third-generation (3G) communication protocols
  • fourth-generation (4G) communication protocols fourth-generation
  • 2G wireless communication protocols IS-136 (Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
  • GSM Global System for Mobile communications
  • CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
  • the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 2.5G wireless communication protocols General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), and/or the like. Further, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 3G wireless communication protocols such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), and/or the like. The mobile terminal may be additionally capable of operating in accordance with 3.9G wireless communication protocols such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E- UTRAN) and/or the like. Additionally, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with fourth-generation (4G) wireless communication protocols and/or the like as well as similar wireless communication protocols that may be developed in the future.
  • GPRS General Packet Radio Service
  • EDGE Enhanced Data GSM Environment
  • 3G wireless communication protocols such as
  • NAMPS Narrow-band Advanced Mobile Phone System
  • TACS Total Access Communication System
  • mobile terminals may also benefit from embodiments of this invention, as should dual or higher mode phones (e.g., digital/analog or TDMA/CDMA/analog phones). Additionally, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating according to Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) protocols.
  • Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity
  • WiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
  • the controller 50 may comprise circuitry for implementing audio/video and logic functions of the mobile terminal.
  • the controller 50 may comprise a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, and/or the like. Control and signal processing functions of the mobile terminal may be allocated between these devices according to their respective capabilities.
  • the controller may additionally comprise an internal voice coder (VC) 50a, an internal data modem (DM) 50b, and/or the like.
  • the controller may comprise functionality to operate one or more software programs, which may be stored in memory.
  • the controller 50 may be capable of operating a connectivity program, such as a web browser.
  • the connectivity program may allow the mobile terminal to transmit and receive web content, such as location-based content, according to a protocol, such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and/or the like.
  • WAP Wireless Application Protocol
  • HTTP hypertext transfer protocol
  • the mobile terminal 10 may be capable of using a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to transmit and receive web content across the internet or other networks.
  • TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
  • the mobile terminal may also comprise a user interface including, for example, an earphone or speaker 54, a ringer 52, a microphone 56, a display 58, a user input interface, and/or the like, which may be operationally coupled to the controller 50.
  • the mobile terminal may comprise a battery for powering various circuits related to the mobile terminal, for example, a circuit to provide mechanical vibration as a detectable output.
  • the user input interface may comprise devices allowing the mobile terminal to receive data, such as a keypad 60, a touch display (not shown), a joystick (not shown), and/or other input device.
  • the keypad may comprise numeric (0-9) and related keys (#, *), and/or other keys for operating the mobile terminal.
  • the mobile terminal may also include one or more means for sharing and/or obtaining data.
  • the mobile terminal may comprise a short-range radio frequency (RF) transceiver and/or interrogator 84 so data may be shared with and/or obtained from electronic devices in accordance with RF techniques.
  • the mobile terminal may comprise other short-range transceivers, such as, for example, an infrared (IR) transceiver 86, a BluetoothTM (BT) transceiver 88 operating using BluetoothTM brand wireless technology developed by the BluetoothTM Special Interest Group, a wireless universal serial bus (USB) transceiver 90 and/or the like.
  • IR infrared
  • BT BluetoothTM
  • USB wireless universal serial bus
  • the BluetoothTM transceiver 88 may be capable of operating according to ultra-low power BluetoothTM technology (e.g., WibreeTM) radio standards.
  • the mobile terminal and, in particular, the short-range transceiver may be capable of transmitting data to and/or receiving data from electronic devices within a proximity of the mobile terminal, such as within 10 meters, for example.
  • the mobile terminal may be capable of transmitting and/or receiving data from electronic devices according to various wireless networking techniques, including Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), WLAN techniques such as DEEE 802.11 techniques, and/or the like.
  • Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity
  • WLAN techniques such as DEEE 802.11 techniques
  • the mobile terminal may comprise memory, such as a subscriber identity module (SEVI) 68, a removable user identity module (R-UIM), and/or the like, which may store information elements related to a mobile subscriber.
  • SEVI subscriber identity module
  • R-UIM removable user identity module
  • the mobile terminal may comprise other removable and/or fixed memory.
  • the mobile terminal may include volatile memory 70 and/or non-volatile memory 72.
  • volatile memory 70 may include Random Access Memory (RAM) including dynamic and/or static RAM, on-chip or off-chip cache memory, and/or the like.
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • Non-volatile memory 72 which may be embedded and/or removable, may include, for example, read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disk drives, magnetic tape, etc.), optical disc drives and/or media, non- volatile random access memory (NVRAM), and/or the like. Like volatile memory 70 nonvolatile memory 72 may include a cache area for temporary storage of data.
  • the memories may store one or more software programs, instructions, pieces of information, data, and/or the like which may be used by the mobile terminal for performing functions of the mobile terminal.
  • the memories may comprise an identifier, such as an international mobile equipment identification (EVIEI) code, capable of uniquely identifying the mobile terminal.
  • EVIEI international mobile equipment identification
  • the system may include not only the UE 10 and various cells, but also a network entity 11.
  • the network entity 11 may comprise one or more computing devices managed by and/or otherwise residing on the network of the operator of a CSG cell 14 (e.g., the operator network).
  • the network entity 11 may comprise, for example, a mobility management entity (MME), a mobile switching center (MSC), a configuration server, and/or the like.
  • MME mobility management entity
  • MSC mobile switching center
  • the network entity 11 includes various means, such as a processor 20, memory 22, communication interface 24 and/or user interface 26, for performing the various functions herein described.
  • these means of the network entity 11 as described herein may be embodied as, for example, hardware elements (e.g., a suitably programmed processor, combinational logic circuit, and/or the like), a computer program product comprising computer-readable program instructions (e.g., software or firmware) stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g. memory 22) that is executable by a suitably configured processing device (e.g., the processor 20), or some combination thereof.
  • a suitably programmed processor e.g., a suitably programmed processor, combinational logic circuit, and/or the like
  • a computer program product comprising computer-readable program instructions (e.g., software or firmware) stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g. memory 22) that is executable by a suitably configured processing device (e.g., the processor 20), or some combination thereof.
  • the network entity 11 of one embodiment communicates with the UE 10, such as via dedicated signaling (in contrast to broadcast signals) in order to provide the UE 10 with its respective CSG-allowed list, that is, a listing or other identification of one or more CSGs that the respective user equipment is authorized to utilize in order to access the operator network.
  • the processor 20 of the network entity 11 obtains the CSG-allowed list from memory 22 and then directs the communication interface 24 to transmit the CSG-allowed list across the network to the UE 10.
  • the network entity 11 of one embodiment transmits a CSG-allowed list that identifies one or more CSGs by their respective CSG identities (CSG IDs).
  • each CSG cell 14 of a CSG has the same CSG ID.
  • the CSG-allowed list that is transmitted to the UE 10 will also include the identity, e.g., CSG ID, of the hybrid CSG(s).
  • each hybrid CSG cell 16 (and, in one embodiment, each conventional CSG cell 14) of a hybrid CSG has the same CSG ID.
  • the network entity 11 is configured to provide information sufficient to determine if one or more of the CSG IDs of the CSG-allowed list is the identity of a hybrid CSG. The network entity 11 may provide this information in various forms.
  • the network entity may be configured to also include an indication along with each CSG ID in the CSG-allowed list indicating whether or not the respective CSG ID is the identity of a hybrid CSG.
  • an indication along with each CSG ID in the CSG-allowed list indicating whether or not the respective CSG ID is the identity of a hybrid CSG.
  • one exemplary embodiment of a CSG-allowed list may be as follows:
  • an indication of whether or not each respective CSG ID is the identity of a hybrid CSG is provided with an indicator value of zero representing the identity of a non-hybrid CSG (the identity of a conventional CSG in other words) and an indicator value of 1 representing the identity of a hybrid CSG.
  • CSG IDs 3 and 4 are the identities of hybrid CSGs
  • CSG IDs 1, 2 and 5 are the identities of non-hybrid or conventional CSGs.
  • the CSG IDs in the foregoing example are alphanumeric designations, the CSG IDs may have other forms, such as numeric designations in other embodiments.
  • the network entity 1 1 may be configured to identify one or more of the CSG IDs of a CSG-allowed list as the identity of a hybrid CSG in other manners. For example, the network entity 1 1 may provide a CSG-allowed list that is comprised of two sublists, one sublist that identifies the conventional CSG IDs and another sublist that identifies the hybrid CSG IDs. Additionally, while the network entity 11 of one embodiment provides the CSG-allowed list via dedicated signaling with a UE 10, the network entity of another embodiment may broadcast the CSG-allowed list in the neighboring frequency in the neighbor cell list.
  • the network entity 1 1 of one embodiment may also provide information regarding the physical cell identity (PCI) for the conventional CSG cells 14 and any hybrid CSG cells 16. See operation 105 of Figure 4.
  • PCI physical cell identity
  • the processor 20 of the network entity 11 of one embodiment obtains the information regarding the PCI values from memory 22 and then directs the communication interface 24 to transmit the information regarding the PCI values across the network to the UE 10.
  • the network entity 11 may be configured to provide the information regarding the PCI values in various manners. In one embodiment, the network entity 11 is configured to transmit, via dedicated signaling, the respective ranges of PCI values that are dedicated or assigned to conventional CSG cells 14 and to hybrid CSG cells 16.
  • the range of PCI values dedicated to conventional CSG cells 14 is different than and does not overlap with the range of PCI values dedicated to hybrid CSG cells 16 such that the respective ranges do not share any common PCI values.
  • the ranges of PCI values need not be continuous, but may, instead, be a listing of various PCI values.
  • the PCI values for the various hybrid CSG cells 16 may be included within the range of PCI values assigned or dedicated to hybrid CSG nodes 16.
  • the network entity 11 may identify one or more PCI values for use by a respective hybrid CSG cell 16 without providing information regarding the range of PCI values that is generally assigned to hybrid CSG cells 16.
  • the network entity 11 may provide the information regarding the PCI values for the hybrid CSG cells 16 to the UE 10 via dedicated signaling
  • the network entity 1 1 may, instead, broadcast the information regarding the PCI values, such as on a periodic basis.
  • the information regarding the PCI values may be identified by the broadcast for use in association with hybrid CSG cells 16.
  • the UE 10 upon receipt of the broadcast information regarding the PCI values for the hybrid CSG cells 16, may evaluate its CSG-allowed list and determine if the CSG-allowed list includes the identity of a hybrid CSG. If the CSG-allowed list does include the identity of a hybrid CSG, the UE 10 of this embodiment will process the broadcasted information regarding the PCI values for the hybrid CSG cells 16. Alternatively, if the CSG-allowed list does not include the identity of a hybrid CSG, the UE 10 need not process the information regarding the PCI values for the hybrid CSG cells 16 and can simply ignore the broadcasted information.
  • the network entity 11 may repeatedly provide the CSG-allowed list and, if appropriate, information regarding the PCI values for the hybrid CSG cells 16, such as on a periodic basis, the network entity 11 may, instead, provide such information in response to a request or other inquiry from the UE 10 in instances in which the UE 10 is updating its own CSG- allowed list.
  • the UE 10 in response to the provision of the CSG-allowed list and the PCI values for the hybrid CSGs 16 by the network entity 11, the UE 10 is configured to receive the CSG-allowed list as well as information sufficient to determine if one or more of the CSG IDs is the identity of a hybrid CSG, such as an indicator as described above.
  • the communication interface 24 of the UE 10 receives the CSG-allowed list and the information regarding which, if any, of the CSG IDs are identities of hybrid CSGs and then passes the CSG-allowed list and associated information to the processor 20 for storage in memory 22 and/or further processing and analysis.
  • the UE 10 such as the communication interface 24 and, in turn, the processor 20, is configured to receive information regarding the PCI values for the hybrid CSG cells 16 and, in some embodiments, information regarding the PCI values for the conventional CSG cells 14. See operation 115 of Figure 5.
  • the UE 10 and, in one embodiment, the processor 20 of the UE 10 is configured to determine if the CSG-allowed list includes the identity of one or more hybrid CSGs.
  • the processor 20 may be configured to evaluate the information provided by the network entity 11 that is sufficient to determine if one or more of the CSG IDs is the identity of a hybrid CSG.
  • the processor 20 may be configured to identify each CSG ID in the CSG-allowed list that has a hybrid indicator that is set in a manner to indicate that the respective CSG ID is the identity of a hybrid CSG, e.g., that is set to 1 in the foregoing example.
  • the UE 10, such as a processor 20, may store the CSG-allowed list in memory 22 along with an identification of one or more of the CSG IDs from the CSG-allowed list that are the identities of hybrid CSGs.
  • the UE 10, such as the processor 20 may also store the information regarding the PCI values for the hybrid CSG cells 16.
  • the information regarding the PCI values for the hybrid CSG cells 16 may be information defining the range of PCI values that will be used in conjunction with hybrid CSG cells 16 or may be one or more PCI values that are assigned or reserved for a respective hybrid CSG cell 16 that is included within the CSG-allowed list.
  • the UE 10 may utilize the information in order to establish communications with a respective cell, such as a hybrid CSG cell 16, in order to access the operator network.
  • the UE 10 may identify the cells that are accessible, such as by receiving information from the cells that are within communication range of the UE 10.
  • conventional CSG cells 14 may broadcast a CSG indicator which is set to true to indicate that the cell is a CSG cell, along with its CSG ID.
  • a hybrid CSG cell 16 may be configured to broadcast a CSG indicator which is set to false to indicate that the hybrid CSG cell is not a conventional CSG cell.
  • a hybrid CSG cell 16 may be configured to broadcast a CSG ID.
  • the UE 10 may identify a CSG cell as a hybrid CSG cell 16 by the combination of a CSG indicator which is set to false and a CSG ID.
  • each cell may also be configured to provide one or more PCI value(s) that identifies the respective cell, at least currently.
  • PCI value should be interpreted to include one or more PCI value(s) depending upon the manner in which a particular cell is identified.
  • the UE 10 and, more particularly, the processor 20 may identify a particular candidate cell with which to establish communications and, if successful, via which to access the operator network. With respect to the candidate cell, the processor 20 may then determine the type of cell represented by the particular candidate cell as shown in operation 120 of Figure 5. For example, the processor 20 may determine if the cell is a CSG cell 14, such as by determining if the PCI value of the cell is within the range of PCI values dedicated to CSG cells 14 and if the cell broadcast a CSG indicator set to true along with a CSG ID. If the cell is a CSG cell 14, the processor 20 may determine if the CSG ID of the respective CSG cell is included in the CSG-allowed list of the UE 10.
  • the UE 10 may camp on or otherwise utilize the CSG cell 14 as an access point to the operator network, as shown in operation 130 of Figure 5.
  • the UE will not camp on or otherwise utilize the CSG cell 14 and may, instead, evaluate the other cells that are accessible.
  • the UE 10 and, more particularly, the processor 20 may determine if the cell is a hybrid CSG cell 16. In this regard, the processor 20 may analyze the indicator associated with the respective CSG ID of the cell in the CSG-allowed list. If the indicator denotes that the cell is a hybrid CSG cell 16, and if the PCI value associated with the cell either is within the range of PCI values dedicated for hybrid CSG cells or is a PCI value more particularly associated with a respective hybrid cell, the UE 10 may communicate with the cell and may camp on or otherwise utilize the hybrid CSG cell 16 in the same fashion as a conventional CSG cell in order to access the operator network. See operation 140 of Figure 5.
  • the UE 10 may communicate with the cell as a conventional macro cell 12 in an effort to access the operator network, as shown in operation 150 of Figure 5.
  • the UE 10 such as the processor 20, will not recognize the candidate cell as hybrid CSG cell 16 if the CSG ID of the candidate cell is not included in the CSG-allowed list.
  • the hybrid CSG cell 16 may still support UEs, e.g., non-member UEs, that are not allowed to access the candidate cell as a CSG cell (as a result of not having the CSG ID of the hybrid CSG cell 16 on the CSG-allowed list) with the hybrid CSG cell operating as a conventional macro cell for the non-member UEs.
  • a hybrid CSG cell 16 may prioritize the communications with the UEs 10 that are configured to access the cell as a CSG cell relative to the non-member UEs that must access the cell as a macro cell 12.
  • the hybrid CSG cell 16 will not allocate the resources to communicate with and support other non-member UEs 10 that are not allowed to access the hybrid CSG cell 16 as a CSG cell and, instead, must access the hybrid CSG cell 16 as a macro cell.
  • the hybrid CSG cell 16 has the resources to support communications with non-member UEs that access the hybrid CSG cell 16 as a macro cell, such as by currently consuming less than the predetermined percentage of the processing resources of the hybrid CSG cell 16, the hybrid CSG cell 16 will operate as a conventional macro cell and serve as an access point for the non-member UEs to the operator network.
  • a hybrid CSG cell 16 may take into account various factors including, for example, the current load upon the hybrid CSG cell 16, the category of UEs (e.g., member of the CSG or non-member of the CSG) and other parameters relevant to resource allocation.
  • FIGS 4 and 5 are flowcharts of a system, method, and computer program product according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware and/or a computer program product comprising one or more computer- readable mediums having computer readable program instructions stored thereon. For example, one or more of the operations described herein may be embodied by computer program instructions of a computer program product. In this regard, the computer program product(s) which embody the operations described herein may be stored by one or more memory devices of a mobile terminal, server, or other computing device and executed by a processor in the computing device.
  • the computer program instructions comprising the computer program product(s) which embody the operations described above may be stored by memory devices of a plurality of computing devices.
  • any such computer program product may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a machine, such that the computer program product including the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus creates means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s).
  • the computer program product may comprise one or more computer-readable memories on which the computer program instructions may be stored such that the one or more computer-readable memories can direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the computer program product comprises an article of manufacture which implements the function specified in the flowchart block(s).
  • the computer program instructions of one or more computer program products may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus implement the functions specified in the flowchart block(s).
  • blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by special purpose hardware- based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer program product(s).
  • a suitably configured processor may provide all or a portion of the elements of the invention.
  • all or a portion of the elements of the invention may be configured by and operate under control of a computer program product.
  • the computer program product for performing the methods of embodiments of the invention includes a computer-readable storage medium, such as the non-volatile storage medium, and computer-readable program code portions, such as a series of computer instructions, embodied in the computer-readable storage medium.
  • Embodiments of the present invention may provide numerous advantages and technical effects. For example, embodiments of the present invention permit hybrid CSG cells 16 to be deployed without any operational effect upon UEs that do not include a CSG-allowed list, thereby avoiding issues relating to reconfiguration or modification of such UEs. However, UEs having a CSG-allowed list may obtain the same benefits from hybrid CSG cells 16 as now provided by conventional CSG cells 14.
  • the CSG mobility is generally maintained so as to have only two cases, that is, as a CSG cell or a non-CSG, e.g., macro, cell with a hybrid CSG cell 16 serving as a CSG cell for some UEs and as a macro cell for other UEs, thereby avoiding the complexities otherwise created by the introduction of another distinct case of CSG mobility.
  • a CSG cell or a non-CSG e.g., macro
  • a hybrid CSG cell 16 serving as a CSG cell for some UEs and as a macro cell for other UEs

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un procédé, un appareil, un produit de programme d'ordinateur et un système qui facilitent la transmission d'informations à un équipement d'utilisateur et une réception de telles informations par l'équipement d'utilisateur qui identifie une cellule hybride de groupe d'abonné fermé (CSG) et associe une identité des cellules physiques à celle-ci. En conséquence, un équipement d'utilisateur qui est membre du CSG de la cellule CSG hybride peut utiliser la cellule CSG hybride de la même manière qu'une cellule CSG classique afin d'accéder à un réseau d'opérateur ou similaire. Cependant, un équipement d'utilisateur qui n'est pas membre du CSG de la cellule CSG hybride peut également utiliser la cellule CSG hybride, bien que ce soit de la même manière qu'une macrocellule classique, afin d'accéder au réseau d'opérateur, en supposant que la cellule CSG hybride possède une capacité en plus de celle de support des équipements utilisateurs qui sont membres du CSG de la cellule CSG hybride.
PCT/IB2010/000924 2009-04-24 2010-04-23 Procédé et appareil destinés à faciliter une utilisation de cellules de groupe d'abonné fermé hybride WO2010122421A1 (fr)

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US17241109P 2009-04-24 2009-04-24
US61/172,411 2009-04-24

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GB2492584A (en) * 2011-07-07 2013-01-09 Renesas Mobile Corp Determining authorization to access neighbouring CSG cells or private cells, using PCI or PCI and CSG ID.
US8612593B2 (en) 2011-07-07 2013-12-17 Renesas Mobile Corporation Extended proximity indication for private cells

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2492584A (en) * 2011-07-07 2013-01-09 Renesas Mobile Corp Determining authorization to access neighbouring CSG cells or private cells, using PCI or PCI and CSG ID.
US8612593B2 (en) 2011-07-07 2013-12-17 Renesas Mobile Corporation Extended proximity indication for private cells

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