WO2012157925A2

WO2012157925A2 - Method and system for communicating common control channel information to machine type communication (mtc) devices in a geran environment

Info

Publication number: WO2012157925A2
Application number: PCT/KR2012/003770
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pradeep Krishnamurthy Hirisave; Sarvesha Anegundi Ganapathi; Satish Nanjunda Swamy Jamadagni
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-05-14
Filing date: 2012-05-14
Publication date: 2012-11-22
Also published as: WO2012157925A3

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for communicating control channel information to machine type communication (MTC) devices in a GPRS EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) environment. In one embodiment, a method includes mapping MTC Common Control Channels (MCCCHs) associated with one or more MTC devices onto one or more physical channels, and including a set of parameters associated with the one or more MCCCHs in a system information message. The set of parameters includes array of start time, index representing a group identifier, user identifier, traffic flow identifier, group based traffic flow identifier, periodicity of MTC broadcast control channel (MBCCH) and associated validity period, and carrier information.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING COMMON CONTROL CHANNEL INFORMATION TO MACHINE TYPE COMMUNICATION (MTC) DEVICES IN A GERAN ENVIRONMENT

The present invention generally relates to the field of GPRS EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), and more particularly relates to communicating common control channel information to machine Type Communication (MTC) devices in GERAN environment.

GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) is a type of a wireless network that supports legacy devices as well as Machine-type communication (MTC) devices to communicate packet switched (PS) data with a core network or a MTC server via a base station.

Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication (also referred to as "machine-type communication" or "MTC") is a form of data communication between devices (commonly known as MTC devices) that do not necessarily need human interaction unlike legacy devices. For example, in an M2M communication, a MTC device (such as a sensor or smart-meter) may capture event data which is then relayed through a base station to an application residing in a MTC server for analysis and necessary action. M2M communication may be used in a variety of areas such as smart metering systems (e.g., in applications related to power, gas, water, heating, grid control, and industrial metering), surveillance systems, order management, gaming machines, fleet management, and health care communication. Additionally, M2M communication based on MTC technology may be used in areas such as customer service.

In GERAN, common control channels (CCCH) are responsible for transferring information between MTC/legacy devices and a base station. Generally, common control channels include Random Access Channel (RACH), and Paging Channel (PCH), Access Grant Control Channel (AGCH), etc. The RACH is used by MTC/legacy devices for gaining access (e.g., call initiation) to the network. The PCH is used by the base station to page MTC/legacy devices. The AGCH is used by the base station to assign dedicated control channel to MTC/legacy devices in response to access message received on the RACH. Introduction of large number of MTC devices in the GERAN may result in significant increase load on common control channels as well as traffic channels, leading to potential network overload situations.

The present invention provides a method and system of communicating control channel information to machine type communication (MTC) devices in a GPRS EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) environment. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication system for providing control channel information to Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices in a GPRS EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) environment, according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a process flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of providing control channel information to MTC devices in a GERAN environment, according to one embodiment.

Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a base station showing various components for implementing embodiments of the present subject matter.

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

In the document, the term ‘channel control information’ refers to a set of parameters associated with common control channels associated with MTC device(s) in GERAN environment.

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication system 100 for providing control channel information to MTC devices in a GERAN environment, according to one embodiment. In Figure 1, the system 100 includes a base station 102 and MTC devices 104A-N connected to the base station 102 via a wireless network 106 (e.g., GPRS EDGE Radio Access Network). The base station 102 includes a MCCCH module 108 for providing control channel information associated with MTC common control channels (MCCCHs) to MTC devices 104A-N. Exemplary MCCCHs includes MTC paging channel (MPCH), MTC broadcast control channel (MBCCH), MTC notification channel (MNCH), and MTC access grant channel (MAGCH).

In one embodiment, the MCCCH module 108 is configured for splitting a resource on one or more physical channels (e.g., packet data channel (PDCH) into a resource for MCCCHs and a resource for packet data traffic, and mapping the MCCCHs associated with the MTC device 104A-N onto the resource for MCCCHs. In one exemplary implementation, the MCCCHs associated with the MTC devices 104A-N are mapped onto a single physical channel. In another exemplary implementation, the MCCCHs associated with the MTC devices are mapped onto different physical channels.

The MCCCH module 108 is further configured for generating a system information message including a set of parameters associated with the MCCCHs. The set of parameters include array of start time, index representing a group identifier (ID) or a table mapping a group ID to the start timer, user identifier, traffic flow identifier (optional), group based traffic flow identifier (optional), periodicity of MTC broadcast control channel (MBCCH) and associated validity period, and carrier information (e.g., ARFCN). It can be noted that, the set of parameters can be packed in any system information message (e.g., SI2, SI3, etc.) well known in the art. Exemplary system information message content including a set of parameters associated with the MCCCHs mapped onto a single physical channel is depicted in Table 1. Also, exemplary system information message content including a set of parameters associated with the MCCCHs mapped onto different physical channels is depicted in Table 2.

In one embodiment, ‘start time’ corresponding to an individual MTC device or a group ID associated with multiple MTC devices 104A-N indicates whether the MCCCHs are mapped onto the single physical channel. Thus, at the physical layer, any data addressed to the MTC device(s) using traffic flow identifier is decoded and passed to upper layers. The upper layers decode and segregate the data as the MCCCHs.

For example, CSN.1 encoding for 2G or ASN.1 encoding for 3G when the MCCCHs are mapped onto the same physical channel is given below:

00 {<MBCCH_info>;}

| 01 {

00<MPCH>

| 01< MNCH >

| 10< MAGCH >

| 11< MPACH >

}

|11<Reserved>

|10<Reserved>

Alternatively, CSN.1 encoding for 2G or ASN.1 encoding for 3G when the MCCCHs are mapped onto the different physical channels is given below:

00 {<MBCCH_info>;}

| 01 {

00 <MPCH>

| 01< MNCH >

| 10< MAGCH >

| 11< MPACH >

}

|11<Reserved>

|10<Reserved>

It is understood that, MAGCH is used to a particular MTC device and should contain an unique device identifier in its content. However, MPACH is used for a particular device or for an entire group defined using group ID. If it is designated to a particular device, then the MPACH contains unique device ID specific to a particular MTC device in its content as given below:

<MPACH>::{ 0 | 1 <UID>;

<Contents>;

}

Then, the base station 102 transmits the system information message including the set of parameters associated with the MCCCHs to the MTC devices 104A-N so the MTC devices 104A-N can locate the MCCCHs mapped onto the physical channel(s). Based on the location of the MCCCHs, the MTC devices 104A-N can listen to particular timeslots of a frame corresponding to the MCCCHs for receiving downlink control data from the base station 102.

In another embodiment, after initial power scan, a MTC device (say MTC device 104A) searches for a suitable cell and selects a cell and camps on it. Then, the MTC device 104A reads mandatory BCCH information. Upon reception of the information containing the MBCCH information, the MTC device 104A starts decoding and reading for the first MBCCCH to get RACH control parameters. The MTC device 104A continues to read paging and other control channels based on the information received in the BCCH. When there is a change in the MCCCH information, the base station 102 indicates the same to the MTC device 104A through an indicator (e.g., class mark change). The change indicator can be indicated in any channel that the MTC device 104A periodically monitors like BCCH or MCCCH.

Figure 2 is a process flowchart 200 illustrating an exemplary method of providing control channel information to MTC devices 104A-N in a GERAN environment, according to one embodiment. At step 202, MCCCHs associated with the MTC devices 104A-N mapped on one or more physical channels. At step 204, a system information message including a set of parameters associated with the MCCCHs mapped onto the one or more physical channels is generated. The set of parameters indicate the location of the MCCCHs with respect to the one or more physical channels. At step 206, the system information message including the set of parameters is transmitted to the MTC devices 104A-N. For example, if the set of parameters are associated with a MAGCH, then the system information message is transmitted over a dedicated control channel. However, if the set of parameters are associated with a MPCH, then the system information message is broadcasted over a BCCH. Thus, respective MTC devices 104A-N can locate the MCCCHs mapped onto the one or more physical channels based on the set of parameters in the system information message.

Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of the base station 102 showing various components for implementing embodiments of the present subject matter. In Figure 3, the base station 102 includes a processor 302, memory 304, a read only memory (ROM) 306, a transceiver 308, a bus 310, and a communication interface 312.

The processor 302, as used herein, means any type of computational circuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing microprocessor, a very long instruction word microprocessor, an explicitly parallel instruction computing microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processing circuit. The processor 302 may also include embedded controllers, such as generic or programmable logic devices or arrays, application specific integrated circuits, single-chip computers, smart cards, and the like.

The memory 304 may be volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 304 includes the MCCCH module 108 for providing control channel information to the MTC devices 104A-N, according to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-2. A variety of computer-readable storage media may be stored in and accessed from the memory elements. Memory elements may include any suitable memory device(s) for storing data and machine-readable instructions, such as read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable read only memory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, hard drive, removable media drive for handling memory cards, Memory Sticks^TM, and the like.

Embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented in conjunction with modules, including functions, procedures, data structures, and application programs, for performing tasks, or defining abstract data types or low-level hardware contexts. The MCCCH module 108 may be stored in the form of machine-readable instructions on any of the above-mentioned storage media and may be executable by the processor 302. For example, a computer program may include the machine-readable instructions capable of providing channel control information to the MTC devices 104A-N, according to the teachings and herein described embodiments of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the computer program may be included on a storage medium and loaded from the storage medium to a hard drive in the non-volatile memory.

The present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. Furthermore, the various devices, modules, selectors, estimators, and the like described herein may be enabled and operated using hardware circuitry, for example, complementary metal oxide semiconductor based logic circuitry, firmware, software and/or any combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software embodied in a machine readable medium. For example, the various electrical structure and methods may be embodied using transistors, logic gates, and electrical circuits, such as application specific integrated circuit.

SYSTEM INFORMATION TYPE 1 message content

<MTC rest Octets>::= { <no. of GID: bit (4) exclude 0000 > -- 4 bits is for FFS

{0 | 1{ <ARFCN>

<TS > -- Timeslot no.

{<0 | 1 Fn mod 51/52>} -- 51/52 depending on carrier - BCCH / PDTCH.

{0 | 1 <TFI> | <Group Based TFI>}

{0 | 1<Periodicity: No_of_Frames>} -- FFS

{0 | 1<Validity: No_of_Frames>} } -- FFS

} * (val(no. of GID) + 1) }

SYSTEM INFORMATION TYPE 1 message content

<MTC rest Octets>::= {<no. of GID: bit (4) exclude 0000 > -- 4 bits is for FFS

{0 | 1{ <ARFCN>

<TN: bit(8) > -- TS mask rep various PDCH for one Group.

{<0 | 1 Fn mod 51/52>} -- 51/52 depending on carrier ? BCCH / PDTCH.

{0 | 1 <TFI> | <Group Based TFI>}

{0 | 1<Periodicity: No_of_Frames>} -- FFS

{0 | 1<Validity: No_of_Frames>} } -- FFS

} * (val(no. of GID) + 1)

}

Claims

A method of a base station for communicating common control channel information in a GPRS EDGE Radio Access Network environment, comprising:

mapping Machine Type Communication (MTC) Common Control Channels (MCCCH) associated with one or more MTC devices onto one or more physical channels;

generating a system information message including a set of parameters associated with the one or more MCCCHs; and

transmitting the system information message including the set of parameters in the GERAN environment such that one or more MTC devices in the GERAN environment locates the MCCCHs mapped on the one or more physical channels.
The method of claim 1, wherein the set of parameters include array of start time, index representing a group identifier, user identifier, traffic flow identifier, group based traffic flow identifier, periodicity of MTC broadcast control channel (MBCCH) and associated validity period, and carrier information.
The method of claim 1, wherein mapping the MCCCHs associated with the one or more MTC devices to the one or more physical channels comprises:

splitting a resource on each of the one or more physical channels into a resource for MCCCHs and a resource for packet data traffic; and

mapping the MCCCHs associated with the one or more MTC devices to the resource for the MCCCHs.
The method of claim 3, wherein mapping the MCCCHs associated with the one or more MTC devices to the one or more physical channels comprises:

mapping the MCCCHs associated with the one or more MTC devices to a single physical channel.
The method of claim 3, wherein mapping the MCCCHs associated with the one or more MTC devices to the one or more physical channels comprises:

mapping the MCCCHs associated with the one or more MTC devices to different physical channels.
The method of claim 1, wherein the physical channel comprises a packet data channel.
The method of claim 1, wherein the MCCCHs comprises MTC paging channel (MPCH), MTC broadcast control channel (MBCCH), MTC notification channel (MNCH), and MTC access grant channel (MAGCH).
An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory includes a MCCCH module configured for:

mapping Machine Type Communication (MTC) Common Control Channels (MCCCH) associated with one or more MTC devices onto one or more physical channels; and

generating a system information message including a set of parameters associated with the one or more MCCCHs; and

a transceiver configured for transmitting the system information message including the set of parameters in the GERAN environment such that one or more MTC devices in the GERAN environment locates the MCCCHs mapped on the one or more physical channels.
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the set of parameters include array of start time, index representing a group identifier, user identifier, traffic flow identifier, group based traffic flow identifier, periodicity of MTC broadcast control channel (MBCCH) and associated validity period, and carrier information.
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein in mapping the MCCCHs associated with the one or more MTC devices to the one or more physical channels, the MCCCH module is configured for:

splitting a resource on each of the one or more physical channels into a resource for MCCCHs and a resource for packet data traffic; and

mapping the MCCCHs associated with the one or more MTC devices to the resource for the MCCCHs.
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the MCCCH module is configured for mapping the MCCCHs associated with the one or more MTC devices to a single physical channel.
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the MCCCH module is configured for mapping the MCCCHs associated with the one or more MTC devices to different physical channels.
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the physical channel comprises a packet data channel.
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the MCCCHs comprises MTC paging channel (MPCH), MTC broadcast control channel (MBCCH), MTC notification channel (MNCH), and MTC access grant channel (MAGCH).
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein that when executed by a base station, cause the base station to perform a method comprising:

mapping Machine Type Communication (MTC) Common Control Channels (MCCCH) associated with one or more MTC devices onto one or more physical channels;

generating a system information message including a set of parameters associated with the one or more MCCCHs; and

transmitting the system information message including the set of parameters in the GERAN environment such that one or more MTC devices in the GERAN environment locates the MCCCHs mapped on the one or more physical channels.