WO2013060141A1

WO2013060141A1 - Method, apparatus and evolved node b(enb) for cell identification

Info

Publication number: WO2013060141A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/076233
Authority: WO
Inventors: 李静岚; 田炜
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2011-10-24
Filing date: 2012-05-29
Publication date: 2013-05-02
Also published as: CN103067867A; CN103067867B

Abstract

Disclosed in the present invention are a method, apparatus and an evolved Node B(eNB) for cell identification, wherein the method for cell identification comprises: when a global Public Land Mobile Network Identity（PLMN ID）is set up for cells in the same eNB, the global PLMN ID is made as the PLMN ID in the respective Evolved Cell Global Identifier(ECGI) by the said cells in the eNB and is broadcast. Using the technical scheme of the present invention, in the Automatic Neighbour Relation (ANR) function, the network side, according to the ECGI of an unknown neighbour cell reported by a User Equipment (UE), can accurately match the cells in the corresponding eNB, ensure the integrity and accuracy of the ANR function and no omissions of neighbour relations, and then ensure the success rate of UE handoff.

Description

Method and device for cell identification, base station

The present invention relates to a cell identification technology, and in particular, to a method and a device for cell identification in a cell sharing scenario, and a base station. Background technique

'J, Cell Global Identifier (CGI) is an identifier that uniquely identifies a cell in the entire network. In the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an Evolved Cell Global Identifier (ECGI) is used to distinguish different cells. The ECGI is composed of a public land mobile network identity (PLMN ID) and a cell identity (cell identity). The PLMN ID is used to distinguish different carrier networks, and the PLMN IDs of different carrier networks are different. The cell identity is a 28-bit long bit stream consisting of two parts. The first 20 bits are the eNB ID (Evolved Node B Identity), and the last 8 bits are the layer 3 cell ID. The eNB ID is unique under the same eNB, so the eNB ID of the first 20 bits of the PLMN ID and the cell identity is the eNB global identifier ((Global eNB ID)), which can uniquely identify one eNB; the layer 3 cell ID is unique under the same eNB. Therefore, the PLMN ID and the entire cell identity can uniquely identify a cell, indicating which carrier network and which cell under which the cell belongs to the cell.

Similar to 2G/3G, in the LTE system, there is also the concept of network sharing. Network sharing means that different operators can share devices and resources in the network. In the LTE system, there are two ways to share the network. One is to share only the wireless side devices and resources, that is, the MOCN (Multi-Operator Core Network) mode; the other is to share the wireless side and the core network side devices and resources, that is, GWCN (Gateway Core Network) mode. However, regardless of the sharing method, the wireless side, ie, the eNB and the E-UTRAN NodeB, can be used by multiple operators. When the eNB is operating multiple times When the quotient is shared, the carrier resources under the eNB (in the LTE system, one carrier resource corresponds to one cell) may be shared by multiple operators, or may be dedicated to one operator.

When the wireless side devices and resources are shared by multiple operators, it is necessary to identify which wireless side devices and resources are available to which operators through the PLMN.

When the cell resources under the eNB can be shared by multiple operators, the cell may configure a plurality of PLMNs that are supported by the cell to indicate which carriers are available to the operator, where the first PLMN ID is the primary PLMN; When the cell resource is only used by one operator, the cell is configured with only one PLMN ID, indicating that the cell resource is only used by a certain operator. The PLMN ID list supported by the cell is broadcasted to the user equipment (UE, User Equipment) in the broadcast information for the UE to select an appropriate cell access.

In the relevant protocol of LTE, it is specified that the eNB global identity and the PLMN ID in the ECGI are the same as the first PLMN ID in the broadcast (ie, the primary PLMN). 1 is a schematic diagram of cell broadcast cell information. As shown in FIG. 1, each cell (Cdll to Cdl3) under the eNB broadcasts ECGI and PLMN list information supported by itself in the broadcast information, where the broadcasted ECGI is in the first place. A PLMN ID, that is, the primary PLMN is the same. The LTE related protocol is completely okay in the non-network sharing scenario. However, in a network sharing scenario, since one eNB can configure multiple cells, when the first PLMN ID in multiple cell broadcasts is different, For example, the cell 1 is shared by multiple operators, the first PLMN is the PLMN ID 1 , and the cell 2 is an operator-specific, and the PLMN ID is the PLMN ID 2, so that the PLMN ID in the Global eNB ID may appear to be filled in. The case of PLMN ID.

For the above problem, the current solution is to set a global PLMN ID for the eNB. The PLMN ID can be set according to the carrier identifier of the purchased eNB, which can be the same as the PLMN ID in the cell broadcast, or can be different. In the signaling message, the PLMN ID in the Global eNB ID of the eNB is filled in as the global PLMN identifier of the setting. In this way, in the network sharing scenario, if the first PLMN ID in each cell broadcast under the eNB is not At the same time, the PLMN ID in the Global eNB ID does not know which question to fill in. However, this method also brings up another new problem: Since the current cell broadcast information only informs the UE of the PLMN list supported by the cell and the cell identity of the cell, the PLMN ID and the cell in the Global eNB ID When the supported PLMN IDs are different, in the ANR (Automatic Neighbour Relation) function, when the UE reports the ECGI of the unknown neighboring cell (the primary PLMN ID and the cell identity in the cell broadcast) to the network, the network will It is impossible to correctly identify which eNB the unknown neighbor belongs to, so that the correct information of the cell cannot be obtained, which not only affects the integrity and correctness of the ANR function, but also may affect the handover performance. Summary of the invention

In view of the above, the main object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for cell identification, and a base station, which can correctly identify a base station to which an unknown neighboring cell belongs, and does not affect user handover or the like.

In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is achieved as follows:

A method for cell identification, comprising:

When the global public land mobile network identifier PLMN ID is set for the cell in the same base station, the cell in the base station uses the global PLMN ID as the PLMN ID in the respective cell global identifier ECGI, and broadcasts.

Preferably, the method further includes:

The cells in the base station also broadcast PLMN ID information of the public land mobile network PLMNs supported by each.

Preferably, the method further includes:

When the user terminal UE reports the detected ECGI of the unknown neighboring cell to the base station, the global PLMN ID of the unknown neighboring cell obtained from the broadcast information of the unknown neighboring zone is used as the PLMN in the ECGI of the unknown neighboring cell. ID.

Preferably, the method further includes:

Determining, by the base station, the base to which the unknown neighboring cell belongs according to the ECGI information of the unknown neighboring cell And acquiring, by the base station to which the unknown neighboring cell belongs, the information of the unknown neighboring cell, and adding the unknown neighboring cell to the neighboring cell list of the serving cell.

Preferably, the global PLMN ID is an identifier set by the operator to which the base station belongs for the base station.

A device for cell identification, comprising:

The broadcast unit is configured to: when the global PLMN ID is set for the cell in the same base station, use the global PLMN ID as the PLMN ID in the ECGI of the cell in the base station, and broadcast the PLMN ID.

Preferably, the broadcast unit is further configured to broadcast PLMN ID information of the PLMN supported by the cell in the base station.

Preferably, the device further includes:

a receiving unit, configured to receive, by the UE, an ECGI of the unknown neighboring cell detected by the UE, where the PLMN ID in the ECGI of the unknown neighboring cell is obtained by the UE from the broadcast information of the unknown neighboring cell The global PLMN ID of the unknown neighbor.

Preferably, the device further includes a determining unit, an obtaining unit, and an adding unit, where: a determining unit, configured to determine, according to ECGI information of the unknown neighboring cell, a base station to which the unknown neighboring cell belongs;

An acquiring unit, configured to acquire information about the unknown neighboring cell from a base station to which the unknown neighboring cell belongs, and an adding unit, configured to add the unknown neighboring cell to a neighboring cell list of the serving cell.

A base station includes the foregoing device for cell identification.

In the present invention, when the mobile communication system sets a global PLMN ID for a cell in the same base station, the cell in the base station uses the global PLMN ID as the PLMN ID in the respective cell global identifier ECGI, and broadcasts; When the detected ECGI of the unknown neighboring cell is reported to the serving base station, the global neighboring zone of the unknown neighboring zone obtained from the broadcast information of the unknown neighboring cell The PLMN ID is used as the PLMN ID in the ECGI of the unknown neighbor. In this way, the serving base station can determine, according to the ECGI information of the unknown neighboring cell, the base station to which the unknown neighboring cell belongs, obtain the information of the unknown neighboring cell from the base station to which the unknown neighboring cell belongs, and add the unknown neighboring cell. Go to the list of neighbors in the serving cell. Applying the technical solution of the present invention, in the ANR function, the network side can correctly match the unknown neighboring cell information reported by the UE to the corresponding eNB, ensuring the integrity and correctness of the ANR function, and ensuring that the neighbor relationship is not missed. , thereby ensuring the UE handover success rate. DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic diagram of cell broadcast cell information;

2 is a schematic diagram of cell broadcast cell information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart of a method for cell identification according to the present invention;

4 is a flowchart of a method for cell identification according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for cell identification according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for identifying a cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. detailed description

The basic idea of the present invention is: when the mobile communication system sets a global PLMN ID for a cell in the same base station, the cell in the base station uses the global PLMN ID as the PLMN ID in the respective cell global identifier ECGI, and Broadcasting; when the UE reports the detected ECGI of the unknown neighboring cell to the serving base station, the global PLMN ID of the unknown neighboring cell obtained from the broadcast information of the unknown neighboring cell is used as the ECGI in the unknown neighboring cell PLMN ID. In this way, the serving base station can determine the base station to which the unknown neighboring cell belongs according to the ECGI information of the unknown neighboring cell, acquire the information of the unknown neighboring cell from the base station to which the unknown neighboring cell belongs, and add the unknown neighboring cell. Go to the list of neighbors in the serving cell.

The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 2 is a schematic diagram of cell broadcast cell information according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, in the cell broadcast, in addition to a PLMN list supported by a broadcast cell, a global PLMN ID is added, and the global PLMN ID is added. It is completely consistent with the PLMN ID in the Global eNB ID to inform the UE which cell under which the PLMN belongs to which eNB. In this way, after the UE obtains the ECGI information of the neighboring cell through the cell broadcast information of the neighboring cell, the PLMN ID in the ECGI information of the reported neighboring cell is the global PLMN ID, and the network side can determine the neighboring cell according to the global PLMN ID. The base station obtains the information of the neighboring cell from the base station to which the neighboring cell belongs, and adds the neighboring cell to the neighboring cell list of the serving cell to implement the ANR function smoothly.

3 is a flowchart of a method for cell identification according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the method for identifying a cell of the present invention includes the following steps:

Step 301: In the LTE network management configuration system, set a global PLMN ID for all cells in the base station; for example, the eNB global identifier, that is, the global PLMN ID and the eNB ID, may be set according to the carrier identifier of the purchased eNB; and after the LTE eNB system is started, , synchronizing the eNB global identifier to the foreground database;

In the present invention, the set global PLMN ID may also be: an identifier set by the operator to which the base station belongs for the base station.

Step 302: The eNB system control plane module reads the eNB global identifier from the foreground database and saves the eNB;

Step 303: After the eNB is set up, the PLMN ID and the eNB ID in the eNB global identifier, and the layer 3 cell ID (the eNB ID and the layer 3 cell ID, which are the cell identity) configured in the database are used as the ECGI of the cell; In the subsequent signaling interaction process, when the ECGI of the cell needs to be filled in the signaling message, the global PLMN ID is filled in;

Step 304: In the cell broadcast information, broadcast the global PLMN ID (filled in the PLMN ID in the eNB global identifier) and the cell identity of the cell to the UE (that is, broadcast the ECGI of the cell to the UE); Step 305: In the ANR process, when the UE reports the detected unknown neighboring cell ECGI to the serving eNB, the PLMN ID in the ECGI is filled in as the global PLMN ID of the neighboring cell obtained from the broadcast;

Step 306: The serving eNB sends the ECGI information of the unknown neighboring cell reported by the UE and the serving cell information of the UE to the network management system.

Step 307: The network management system determines, according to the ECGI information of the unknown neighboring cell, which eNB the cell belongs to, and obtains specific information of the cell from the information of the corresponding eNB, and adds it to the neighboring cell of the serving cell, and selects the switch for subsequent handover. Target cell usage.

Embodiment 1

In the non-network sharing, in the ANR process, the network side successfully identifies the unknown neighboring area on the UE, and adds the unknown neighboring area successfully. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for cell identification according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the method for cell identification in the present example includes the following steps:

Step 401: After the eNB system control plane module is powered on, read the global unique identifier of the eNB from the foreground database and save it; read the cell configuration of the eNB, including the layer 3 cell ID, the PLMN ID supported by the cell, and the cell radio. Parameters, and save; Under non-network sharing, the cell supports only one PLMN ID, and is the same as the PLMN ID in the eNB global unique identifier.

Step 402: The eNB system control plane module establishes each cell according to the configured cell information. Step 403: After the eNB lower cell is established, the eNB system control plane module sets the PLMN ID and the eNB ID in the eNB global identifier, and the layer configured in the database. The cell ID (the eNB ID and the layer 3 cell ID is the cell identity) is used as the ECGI value of the cell. In the subsequent signaling interaction process, when the ECGI of the cell needs to be filled in the signaling message, the value is filled in;

Step 404: The eNB system control plane module sends a cell broadcast. In the cell broadcast information, the global PLMN ID of the cell (filled in the PLMN ID in the eNB global identifier) and the cell identity are broadcast to the UE (that is, the ECGI of the cell is broadcasted to the UE) UE); the PLMN ID supported by the cell is wide Broadcast to the UE;

Step 405: After the UE selects an appropriate cell to access according to the PLMN supported by the cell, the eNB system control plane module sends a measurement of the specified frequency point to the UE, and starts the ANR function.

Step 406: The eNB system control plane module sends, according to the measurement result reported by the UE, that the cell in the measurement result reported by the UE is not in the serving cell neighbor relationship list, and sends a measurement configuration to the UE to measure the ECGI of the cell.

Step 407: The UE reads the ECGI of the cell from the cell broadcast and reports it to the eNB. Step 408: The eNB system control plane module reports the unknown neighboring area ECGI information and the serving cell information reported by the UE to the network management system.

Step 409: The network management system searches for the eNB to which the cell belongs according to the PLMN ID and the eNB ID in the unknown neighboring cell ECGI information, and then finds the information of the unknown neighboring cell under the eNB according to the layer 3 cell ID in the ECGI information, and the unknown The neighboring area information is added to the neighboring cell list of the serving cell, and is synchronized to the foreground database table;

Step 410: The foreground database triggers new neighbor information to the eNB control plane module.

Embodiment 2

Under the network sharing, in the ANR process, the network side successfully identifies the unknown neighboring area on the UE, and adds the unknown neighboring area successfully. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for cell identification according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the method for cell identification in the present example includes the following steps:

Step 501: After the eNB system control plane module is powered on, read the global unique identifier of the eNB from the foreground database and save it; read the cell configuration of the eNB, including the layer 3 cell ID, the PLMN ID supported by the cell, and the cell radio. The parameters are saved and saved. In this example, in the case of network sharing, there may be multiple PLMN IDs supported by the cell, and may be the same as or different from the PLMN ID in the global unique identifier of the eNB. Therefore, the base station to which the cell belongs is identified by setting a global PLMN ID for the eNB.

Step 502: The eNB system control plane module establishes each cell according to the configured cell information. Step 503: After the eNB is set up, the eNB system control plane module uses the PLMN ID and the eNB ID in the eNB global identifier, and the layer 3 cell ID (the eNB ID and the layer 3 cell ID, which are the cell identity) configured in the database. The ECGI value of the cell, in the subsequent signaling interaction process, when the ECGI of the cell needs to be filled in the signaling message, the value is filled in;

Step 504: The eNB system control plane module sends a cell broadcast. In the cell broadcast information, the global PLMN ID of the cell (filled in the PLMN ID in the eNB global identifier) and the cell identity are broadcast to the UE (that is, the ECGI of the cell is broadcasted to the UE) UE) broadcasting the PLMN ID supported by the cell to the UE;

Step 505: After the UE selects an appropriate cell to access according to the PLMN supported by the cell, the eNB system control plane module sends a measurement of the specified frequency point to the UE, and starts the ANR function.

Step 506: The eNB system control plane module sends, according to the measurement result reported by the UE, that the cell in the measurement result reported by the UE is not in the neighbor cell relationship list of the serving cell, and sends a measurement configuration for measuring the ECGI of the cell to the UE;

Step 507: The UE reads the ECGI of the cell from the cell broadcast and reports it to the eNB. Step 508: The eNB system control plane module reports the unknown neighboring area ECGI information and the serving cell information reported by the UE to the network management system.

Step 509: The network management system searches for the eNB to which the cell belongs according to the PLMN ID and the eNB ID in the unknown neighboring cell ECGI information, and then finds the information of the unknown neighboring cell under the eNB according to the layer 3 cell ID in the ECGI information, and the unknown The neighboring area information is added to the neighboring cell list of the serving cell, and is synchronized to the foreground database table;

Step 510: The foreground database triggers new neighbor information to the eNB control plane module.

The technical solution of the present invention solves the problem that the network side cannot correctly match the unknown neighbor information reported by the UE to the corresponding eNB in the ANR function, ensures the integrity and correctness of the ANR function, and ensures that the neighbor relationship is not It is omitted, and the success rate of the handover is guaranteed.

The technical solution of the present invention is applicable not only to the LTE system but also to other mobiles having similar problems. The same applies to communication systems.

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for identifying a cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the device for identifying a cell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

The broadcasting unit 60 is configured to: when the global PLMN ID is set for the cell in the same base station, use the global PLMN ID as the PLMN ID in the ECGI of the cell in the base station, and broadcast the PLMN ID.

The broadcast unit 60 is further configured to broadcast PLMN ID information of a PLMN supported by a cell in the base station.

Based on the device for cell identification shown in FIG. 6, the device for cell identification of the present invention further includes:

The receiving unit 61 is configured to receive, by the UE, the ECGI of the unknown neighboring cell detected by the UE, where the PLMN ID in the ECGI of the unknown neighboring cell is obtained by the UE from the broadcast information of the unknown neighboring cell. The global PLMN ID of the unknown neighbor.

On the basis of the device for cell identification shown in FIG. 6, the device for cell identification of the present invention further includes a determining unit (not shown in FIG. 6), an obtaining unit (not shown in FIG. 6), and an adding unit (in FIG. 6). Not shown), where:

a determining unit, configured to determine, according to ECGI information of the unknown neighboring cell, a base station to which the unknown neighboring cell belongs;

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions of the foregoing processing unit in the device for cell identification shown in FIG. 6 may be implemented by a corresponding hardware circuit, or a processor and a corresponding execution software, for example, the above broadcast unit. And the receiving unit can be implemented by an antenna processing system. The related functions of the foregoing processing units can be understood by referring to the related description of the foregoing embodiment of the uplink transmit diversity configuration method.

The present invention also describes a base station including the above-described apparatus for area identification.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

Applying the technical solution of the present invention, in the ANR function, the network side can correctly match the unknown neighboring cell information reported by the UE to the corresponding eNB, ensuring the integrity and correctness of the ANR function, and ensuring that the neighbor relationship is not missed. , thereby ensuring the UE handover success rate.

Claims

Claim

A method for cell identification, where the method includes:

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises: when the user terminal UE reports the detected ECGI of the unknown neighboring area to the base station, the information obtained from the broadcast information of the unknown neighboring area is obtained. The global PLMN ID of the unknown neighboring area is used as the PLMN ID in the ECGI of the unknown neighboring cell.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method further comprises:

Determining, by the base station, the base station to which the unknown neighboring cell belongs according to the ECGI information of the unknown neighboring cell, acquiring information of the unknown neighboring cell from the base station to which the unknown neighboring cell belongs, and adding the unknown neighboring cell to the serving cell In the neighborhood list.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the global PLMN ID is an identifier set by the operator to which the base station belongs for the base station.

6. A device for cell identification, wherein the device comprises:

The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the broadcast unit is further configured to broadcast PLMN ID information of a PLMN supported by a cell in the base station.

The device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the device further includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive, by the UE, an ECGI that reports an unknown neighboring area detected by the UE, where The PLMN ID in the ECGI of the unknown neighboring cell is a global PLMN ID of the unknown neighboring cell obtained by the UE from the broadcast information of the unknown neighboring cell.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the apparatus further comprises a determining unit, an obtaining unit, and an adding unit, wherein:

The device according to claim 9, wherein the global PLMN ID is an identifier set by the operator to which the base station belongs for the base station.

A base station, comprising the apparatus for cell identification according to any one of claims 6 to 10.