WO2013113387A1

WO2013113387A1 - Allocating resources to a subscriber station of a communications system

Info

Publication number: WO2013113387A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/051713
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jani Matti Johannes Moilanen; Antti Anton Toskala
Original assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks Oy
Priority date: 2012-02-01
Filing date: 2012-02-01
Publication date: 2013-08-08

Abstract

There is provided a method comprising allocating resources from at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands to a subscriber station of a communications system and indicating the allocated resources to a core network of the communications system.

Description

ALLOCATING RESOURCES TO A SUBSCRIBER STATION OF A

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

FIELD

The present invention relates to allocating a subscriber station of a communications system, resources from more than one frequency band.

BACKGROUND

The following description of background art may include insights, discoveries, understandings or disclosures, or associations together with dis-closures not known to the relevant art prior to the present invention but pro-vided by the invention. Some such contributions of the invention may be spe-cifically pointed out below, whereas other such contributions of the invention will be apparent from their context .

Recent growth in data traffic driven by mobile applications on smart phone devices, tablets, etc. has continued to strain the capacity of today's networks. It is expected that in the future, the traffic demand continues to grow. However, capacity of the networks is limited by the frequency band licensed by the network operators.

The main component of the System Architecture Evolution (SAE) in 3GPP is the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) , also known as SAE Core. The EPC defined in the 3GPP Release 8 Specifications allows interworking of Radio Access Technologies (RATs) defined by 3GPP and also non-3GPP RATs by connecting the different RATs to a common core network, the EPC.

Accordingly, currently a non-3GPP RAT e.g. a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is integrated as a separate access network to the 3GPP Evolved Packet Core (EPC) . This requires extra cost of deploying the complete WLAN access network and also impacts the 3GPP core network entities .

Today's smart phones are often equipped with capabilities to communicate on a 3GPP RAT and a non-3GPP RAT, e.g. WLAN.

Consequently, wireless connectivity to smart phone users may be available by the operator's network on 3GPP and non-3GPP RATs as authorized by a subscription of each user.

Additionally, WLAN connectivity may also be provided to the smart phone users via private or publicly available networks offered e.g. at libraries and cafes.

Accordingly, since the WLAN connectivity is available via the public or private networks with a different charging policy, a subscriber that accesses the operator's network via WLAN would not like to be charged in a similar way as he is charged when accessing the network via 3GPP radio access. Subscriptions to cellular communications networks may be charged using various forms of charging policies including e.g. pre-paid and post-paid charging. The amount the

subscriber is charged may be based on e.g. a data rate and/or an amount of data transferred by the subscriber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising allocating resources from at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands to a subscriber station of a communications system, indicating the allocated resources to a core network of the communications system .

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising receiving an indication of resources allocated to a subscriber station of a communications system, said allocated resources comprising at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands .

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to allocate resources from at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands to a subscriber station of a communications system, and to indicate the allocated

resources to a core network of the communications system. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least ^ U l l U l b 3 to receive an indication of resources allocated to a

subscriber station of a communications system, said allocated resources comprising at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands .

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus comprising means configured to perform a method according to an aspect .

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program product comprising executable code that when executed, cause execution of functions of a method according to an aspect .

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a system comprising one or more apparatuses

according to an aspect.

Although the various aspects, embodiments and features of the invention are recited independently, it should be appreciated that all combinations of the various aspects, embodiments and features of the invention are possible and within the scope of the present invention as claimed.

Some embodiments provide information to an operator of a communications network about whether a subscriber station is served on a licensed or unlicensed frequency band.

Further advantages will become apparent from the accompanying description .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached [accompanying] drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows, a system architecture, where an embodiment may be employed;

Figure 2 illustrates an apparatus according to an embodiment; Figure 3 illustrates a signalling chart according to an exemplary method embodiment;

Figure 4a illustrates an arrangement providing allocation of resources from a plurality of frequency bands, according to an embodiment; and Figure 4b illustrates an arrangement providing allocation of resources from a plurality of frequency bands, according to an embodiment;

Figure 5a illustrates protocol stack of a core network node and access network nodes communicating on a plurality of frequency bands, according to an embodiment;

Figure 5b illustrates protocol stack of a core network node and an access network node communicating on a plurality of frequency bands, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the

accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements . Although the specification may refer to "an", "one", or "some" embodiment ( s ) in several locations, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same embodiment ( s ) , or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment . Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout .

The present invention is applicable to any user terminal, server, application server, corresponding component, and/or to any communications system or any combination of different communications systems . The communications system may be a fixed communications system or a wireless communications system or a communications system utilizing both fixed networks and wireless networks. The protocols used the specifications of communications systems, transmitters, user terminals, base stations and access points, especially in wireless communication, develop rapidly. Such development may require extra changes to an embodiment. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiment. !UllOlb 5

User equipment (UE) may refer to any user communication device. A term "user equipment" as used herein may refer to any device having a communication capability, such as a wireless mobile terminal, a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) , a smart phone, a personal computer (PC) , a laptop computer, a desktop computer, etc. For example, the wireless

communication terminal may be a WLAN, a TErrestrial Trunked RAdio (TETRA) , an Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), an Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced or Global System for Mobile Communications / Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (GSM/EDGE) smart mobile terminal.

In an embodiment, a UE may be equipped with a communication capability on more than one separate frequency bands . Also the communications technology used on each frequency band may be different. For example, on one frequency band LTE may be used, where on the other frequency band WLAN may be used. In an embodiment, an access network of a communications system is responsible of allocating resources on an air- interface to subscribers accessing the operator's

communications system. The access network may provide an air- interface defined by the frequency bands, where the access network communicates .

In an embodiment the frequency bands may comprise one or more licensed frequency bands . The use of frequency bands is commonly regulated by a national regulatory authority, e.g. in Finland this is the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority. The regulatory authority may grant licenses to the frequency bands and regulate use of the other frequency bands that may be used without a license .

A licensed frequency band refers to a frequency band licensed against a fee, e.g. to an operator of a communications system. The license may include one or more terms that govern the use of the frequency band, e.g. an allowed transmission power and a width of the licensed frequency band. In one example, a licensed frequency band may be in the range of 800 MHz or 2,6 GHz range.

An unlicensed frequency band refers to a frequency band that may be used without a license from a regulatory authority. Typically there are unlicensed frequency bands reserved for Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) use. Such frequency bands include e.g. frequency bands, where common household appliances may operate. For example microwave ovens commonly cause transmission of radio frequency signals on the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

One example of a communications technology employing

frequency bands that are in many countries reserved for unlicensed use comprises WLAN defined by IEEE 802.11 series of Specifications . The WLAN specifications define frequency bands on the unlicensed frequency bands in the 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz and 4.9/5.0 GHz unlicensed frequency bands.

In some embodiments, a communication capability of UE on more than one separate frequency bands may be provided by the UE implementing a communications technology on each of the bands . The communications technology may be the same on each of the frequency bands or different technologies may be used on different frequency bands. In one example, the UE

implements LTE and WLAN communications technologies on different frequency bands . For each of the technologies frequency bands specified in their corresponding

specifications may be used. The frequency band used by the LTE may be licensed by an operator of a communications system. The frequency band used by the WLAN may be an unlicensed frequency band.

Some embodiments employ Carrier Aggregation (CA), where an operator may provide services of a communications system on a plurality of separate frequency bands simultaneously. Some other embodiments employ carrier (or data path) switching, where an operator may provide services of a communications system on one band at a time from a plurality of frequency bands . Accordingly, the UE may be allocated resources for data transfer in a single frequency band or a more than one, e.g. 2, 3, or all the frequency bands. The resources may comprise a time slot on a sub-band of the frequency band or a time slot over the whole frequency band. The resources may also include a code allocated to the time slot and/or frequency band. CA is part of the LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) standard, 3GPP Release 10. Carrier aggregation is a key feature of LTE-A that enables operators to create larger "virtual" carrier

bandwidths for LTE services by combining sepa-rate spectrum allocations . Similar type of CA is supported also in UMTS stan-dards, often referred to as Multi-Carrier High Speed Packet Access (MC-HSPA) . The benefits of CA include higher peak data rates and increased average data rates for users . Figure 1 shows simplified system architecture of a

communications system according to an embodiment only showing some elements and functional entities, all being logical units whose physical implementation may differ from what is shown . The connections shown in Figure 1 are logical

connections; the actual physical connections may be

different. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the systems also comprise other functions and structures. It should be appreciated that the functions, structures, elements and the protocols used in or for group communication as such, are irrelevant to the actual invention. Therefore, they need not be discussed in more detail here.

In an embodiment, the system architecture of Figure 1 illustrates a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) operated by an administration or Recognized Private Operating Agency (RPOA) for the specific purpose of providing land mobile telecommunications service services to the public. The RPOA may be referred to as an operator in the embodiments

described herein. The PLMN infrastructure may logically divided into a Core Network (CN) 102 and an Access Network (AN) 112 infrastructures. One example of CN and AN are defined in 3GPP Release 10 Specifications TS 23.101 " :

"General UMTS Architecture" and TS 23.110 "UMTS Access Stratum; Services and Functions".

The Core Network Domain 102 includes physical entities 104, 106, 108 which provide support for the network features and telecommunication services. The support provided includes functionality such as the management of user location information, control of network features and services, the transfer (switching and transmission) mechanisms for

signaling and for user generated information.

The core network may comprise one or more exchanges 104, databases 106 and application servers 108 that provide services to the UE connected to the network via the AN 112. The database 106 may store subscription-related information, e.g. subscriber profiles, subscriber data such as a

subscriber identifier and/or group identifiers associated with the subscriber. The stored subscriber data may be used to identify the UE connecting to the network and services the subscriber has subscribed to.

The application server 108 may comprise service logic for providing one or more services in the network. The

application server may also provide storage for application specific data. Accordingly, the application server may host applications that provide the services . In one example the application server provides charging of subscribers that are served by the communications system 100. The charging of the subscriber may be performed based on the subscription related information stored in the database 106 and information of usage of resources of the network.

The switch 104 may comprise signalling means and other functional units that enable management of connectivity of a subscriber station to the communications network 100. The connectivity may be provided by establishing one or more bearers for the subscriber station. The establishing may comprise configuring subscriber lines, telecommunication circuits and/or other functional units to be interconnected as required by individual users.

The Access Network Domain 112 includes physical entities 114, 116, 118 which manage the resources of the access network and provides the UE with a mechanism to access the core network domain. The physical entities may comprise one or more access nodes that provide service areas, where access to the communications system 100 is provided to the UE 122, when they reside within the service areas of the one or more of the access nodes. In case of an LTE access network, the access nodes may comprise evolved Node Bs (eNBs) . !OllOlbJb 9

In one example, the service area provided by the entities of the access network may comprise a coverage area, where radio signal from the access network may be received by the UE, when a strength of the received signal is sufficient.

The UE 122 may encompass a variety of equipment types with different levels of functionality. These equipment types are referred to as user equipment (terminals), and they may also be compatible with one or more access (fixed or radio) interfaces e.g. dual mode UMTS-GSM user equipment, and/or LTE and WLA . The UE may include a removable smart card that may be used in different UE types . The user equipment is further sub-divided in to the Mobile Equipment Domain (ME) and the User Services Identity Module Domain (USIM) .

In an embodiment, the UE 122 allows a user access to services of a communications system. The UE interfaces with the communications system 100 over a radio interface. A User Equipment may include a number of domains, including e.g. USIM and ME domains . The USIM contains data and procedures for identifying the USIM to the communications system. The USIM may be implemented for example as a smart card may be read by the UE, e.g. by inserting the smart card into the UE . The USIM is associated to a given user, thereby allowing identification of the user regardless of the ME he uses . The Mobile Equipment performs radio transmission and contains applications .

In an embodiment, a user of UE that hosts an USIM that is identi-fied by the communications system via radio

transmission of messages provided by the ME is considered as a subscriber of the communications system. Such a UE may also be referred to as a device or a station that is used by the subscriber, thus subscriber station/device.

In an embodiment, the system architecture of Figure 1 illustrates a system architecture in the context of 3GPP Release 10 Specifications . Accordingly, the CN 102 may comprise an EPC, where an operator of the communications system may provide services to subscribers of the operator that access the communications system 100 via the AN 112. The AN may comprise an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) with a plurality of access nodes 114, 116, 118 that provide service areas, where UE may access the communications system .

The EPC comprises a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 104, a Home Subscription Server (HSS) 106 and a GateWay (GW) 108 that are interconnected. The GW may comprise for example a Serving Gateway (S-GW) and/or a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) , which may be combined into a single element or they may be separate. The MME and HSS may connect over S6a interface, and the MME and S-GW may connect over an Sll interface. The EPC 112 and the E-UTRAN may connect over an SI interface. The SI interface may be separated into control plane interface Sl-MME connecting to the MME at the EPC, and user plane interface Sl-U connecting at the S-GW at the EPC. At the E-UTRAN both the Sl-MME and Sl-U interfaces may be implemented by an eNB . The details of the interfaces between the elements are described in the 3GPP specifications and are therefore clear to a person skilled in the art, and

therefore, need not to be described here further.

The MME may track a location of UE 122 and control the S-GW to establish user plane data tunnels, e.g. using a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) tunnelling protocol, towards the UE so as to enable user plane data delivery to and/or from the UE.

The P-GW may provide mapping between (Internet Protocol) service flows of the UE in external networks and tunnels to the S-GW serving the UE .

The HSS 112 may store subscription data of the UE subscribing to an operator providing services using the communications system 100. The location of the UE may be stored in the HSS, e.g. in the level of MME serving the UE .

In an embodiment the core network 112 comprises an

application server 108 comprising a Charging System (CS) . Examples of the CS comprise an online charging system (OCS), where an account of a subscriber may be directly charged by the use of the service provided by the communications system, and an offline charging system (OFCS), where charging !UllOlbJb 11 information is generated to be later used by the operator of the communications system to charge the subscriber for the use of the services of the communications system.

Accordingly, the CS provides charging of the subscriber from the services used by the subscriber, e.g. data transfer between the communications system and the subscriber. In one example the CS may connect to a P-GW in the EPC 102 over Gy or Gz interfaces. The details of the interfaces between the elements of the EPC are described in the 3GPP specifications and are therefore clear to a person skilled in the art, and therefore, need not to be described here further.

In an embodiment the access nodes 114, 116, 118 in Figure 1 may be interconnected by wired or wireless connections. For example in the context of 3GPP Release 10 Specifications the access nodes may comprise eNBs interconnected by an X2 connection. In another example, when the access nodes include WLAN Access Points (APs) they may be connected by an Ethernet connection. WLAN APs and eNBs may be interconnected by

Ethernet. When the access node include one or more WLAN AP and eNB, data may be delivered between a subscriber an the EPC on different frequency bands either over a wireless interface provided by the eNBs or over the wireless interface provided by the WLAN APs .

In an embodiment, access nodes of the access network 112 communicate on different frequency bands that are separate in frequency. The frequency bands may comprise an unlicensed and a licensed frequency band for example. In one example an LTE FDD communications is provided by an access node in UL onl920-1980 MHz and in DL on 2110 MHz - 2170 MHz and another access node provides WLAN on Channel 1 on the 2.4GHz

frequency band. Accordingly, the frequency bands that are separated in frequency may provide a two-way communications on one of the frequency bands, e.g. by using WLAN, and oneway communications in another one of the frequency bands, e.g. by using LTE FDD.

In an embodiment, the access nodes may include access nodes of different communications technologies that use different frequency bands . In one example, one access node implements !OllOlb 12

LTE, and another implements WLAN. For each of the

technologies frequency bands specified in their corresponding specifications may be used. The frequency band used by the LTE may be licensed by an operator of a communications system. The frequency band used by the WLAN may be an unlicensed frequency band.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus 200 according to an embodiment. The apparatus may comprise e.g. an access node, eNB, or a network entity of a core network

communicating with an access network described in the embodiments. Although the apparatus has been depicted as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities . The apparatus may be a terminal suitable for operating as a termination point for telecommunication sessions. Examples of the apparatus include but are not limited to UE, a mobile phone,

communicator, PDA, application server or a computer.

The apparatus 200 comprises an interfacing unit 202, a central processing unit (CPU) 208, and a memory 210, that are all being electrically interconnected. The interfacing unit comprises an input 204 and an output unit 206 that provide, respectively, the input and output interfaces to the

apparatus . The input and output units may be configured or arranged to send and receive data and/or messages according to one or more protocols used in the above-mentioned

communication standards . The memory may comprise one or more applications that are executable by the CPU.

The apparatus 200 may be implemented as an electronic digital computer, which may comprise a working memory (RAM) , a central processing unit (CPU), and a system clock. The CPU may comprise a set of registers, an arithmetic logic unit, and a control unit. The control unit is controlled by a sequence of program instructions transferred to the CPU from the memory. The control unit may contain a number of

microinstructions for basic operations. The implementation of micro-instructions may vary, depending on the CPU design. The program instructions may be coded by a programming language, which may be a high-level programming language, such as C, Java, etc., or a low-level programming language, such as a machine language, or an assembler. The electronic digital computer may also have an operating system, which may provide system services to a computer program written with the program instructions . The memory may be a volatile or a nonvolatile memory, for example EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, firmware, programmable logic, etc.

An embodiment provides a computer program embodied on a distribution medium, comprising program instructions which, when loaded into an electronic apparatus, cause the CPU to perform according to an embodiment of the present invention. The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example. Depending on the

processing power needed, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or it may be

distributed amongst a number of computers.

The apparatus 200 may also be implemented as one or more integrated circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits ASIC. Other hardware embodiments are also feasible, such as a circuit built of separate logic components . A hybrid of these different implementations is also feasible. When selecting the method of implementation, a person skilled in the art will consider the requirements set for the size and power consumption of the apparatus 200, necessary processing capacity, production costs, and production volumes, for example.

In an embodiment the input unit may provide circuitry for obtaining data, signalling, signalling messages and/or transmissions to the apparatus . The obtaining may comprise receiving radio frequency signals from an antenna, for example. In another example the obtaining may comprise receiving baseband signals from an RF unit. Accordingly, data, signalling, signalling messages and transmissions in embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as RF signals or baseband signals .

In an embodiment the output unit may provide circuitry for transmitting data, signalling, signalling messages and/or transmissions from the apparatus. The transmitting may comprise transmitting radio frequency signals from an antenna, for example . In another example the transmitting may comprise transmitting baseband signals to an RF unit.

Accordingly, data, signalling, signalling messages and transmissions in embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as RF signals or baseband signals .

Figure 3 illustrates a signalling chart according to

exemplary meth-od embodiment . In the illustrated method, an operator of a communications system may provide access to services of the communications system on a plurality of frequency bands to his subscribers. The access on the plurality of frequency bands may be provided using CA, where an Access Network of the communications system may allocate a subscriber station resources from more than one frequency band. The use of a plurality of frequency bands provides higher peak data rates and increased average data rates for the subscribers . The AN may comprise a Radio AN (RAN) providing access by communication of radio access signals on the plurality of radio frequency bands .

The elements involved in the signalling of Figure 3 may correspond to the elements illustrated in Figure 1.

Accordingly, for illustrative purposes the communicating elements in Figure 3 use the same reference numbering as used in Figure 1.

Accordingly, in Figure 3 the communications system may comprise an access network 114, 116 and a core network 102, an EPC as illustrated in Figure 1. In the embodiments illustrated in Figure 3, the EPC is provided an indication 324 of resources allocated to a subscriber station of a communications system, said allocated resources comprising at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands . In this way the infor-mation of the usage of the access network resources may be provided to the EPC. In the EPC, the information may be used for managing the subscription of the subscriber, e.g. charging the subscription.

In 302, it may be determined that resources should be allocated to the subscriber station on an air-interface provided by the AN. In one example the need for resources may be determined on the basis of the UE attaching to the communications system and/or when a dedicated bearer needs to be set up, e.g. for data transfer of the subscriber station. In 304, a message may be sent to a node in the AN responsible for allocating resources on the air-interface from a

plurality of frequency bands that are separated in frequency. The message may comprise e.g. a Context Setup Request for the subscriber station or a Bearer Setup Request message from a MME to an eNB responsible for allocating the resources .

In another example, the message 304 may be sent to a Radio

Network Controller (RNC) that is connected to a plurality of NBs that communicate on different frequency bands . In this example the RNC AN provides CA by MC-HSPA.

The message in 304 may comprise a limit for allocating resources from the plurality of frequency bands to the subscriber station. The limit may comprise one or more from a threshold for a quality of service, a threshold for a data rate, an amount of data and a preferred frequency band to be used .

In 306, the AN allocates resources from a plurality of frequency bands to the subscriber station. The allocation may be made on the basis of information of one or more limits for allocating resources from the plurality of frequency bands to the subscriber station. The information of the limits may be provided to the AN upon attachment of the UE e.g. by the eNB requesting the limits from the EPC or by the EPC sending information comprising the limits in the message 304.

In an embodiment, in 306 resources are allocated from two or more frequency bands by corresponding MAC protocols of the frequency bands . The MAC protocol used on each of the frequency bands is the MAC protocol of the radio system used for communications on each of the frequency bands . The MAC 2:01101638 16 protocol for each frequency band includes radio access technology specific rules for allocating the resources of the physical layer. The resources may comprise a time slot, frequency band, one or more sub-carriers of a frequency band and a code or any combination of the previous .

For example, in LTE a time slot of a radio frame on a sub- carrier may be allocated for transmission of data. In another example, e.g. in a WLAN, a time slot on a shared medium may be scheduled for transmission of data.

In an embodiment in 306 a Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol allocates resources of a physical layer. The physical layer comprises resources for transmission of data on an interface between the UE and the access network.

Accordingly, the allocation may comprise scheduling a transmission time instant on the frequency band controlled by the MAC.

In an embodiment an interface between the UE and the access network comprises an air-interface for wirelessly

communicating radio signals between the access network and the UE . Accordingly, the resources allocated by a MAC protocol may comprise resources of a frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands used between the UE and the access network.

One example of a radio technology used on the air-interface between the UE and the access network is LTE. In LTE the interface between the access network and the UE is defined as LTE-Uu interface. In the context of LTE, LTE MAC allocates resources from a frequency band defined for LTE.

Another example of a radio technology used on the air- interface between the UE and the access network is WLAN, where the interface between the access network and the UE is defined by WLAN air-interface for example defined by WLAN IEEE 802.11 Specifications Part 11, Wireless LAN Medium

Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications. A WLAN MAC allocates resources from a frequency band defined for WLAN. Examples of the frequency bands for WLAN may be referred to in the above referenced IEEE 802.11 Specification Table 15-7—DSSS PHY frequency channel plan of Section

15.4.6.2.

Allocation of resources from different frequency bands by specific MACs for each frequency band provides the data of the UE to be transmitted over different communications channels . The communications channels may provide different service quality to the UE . In some cases the service level provided by the WLAN may be sufficient, but better quality of service for the UE may be provided when resources are allocated from the LTE frequency band, if needed. On the other hand when the resources of LTE are congested or a limit for allocating resources on the LTE for a specific UE is reached, the UE may still be provided data transmission service on the WLAN.

In an embodiment, when a limit for allocating resources comprises a threshold for a data rate the resources may be allocated from the frequency band that meets the limit. For example, when the limit comprises a limit for data rate, it may be determined to allocate resources to the subscriber station from a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands that have available capacity to support the data rate. In an embodiment, in 306 when a limit comprises a preferred frequency band, it may be determined to allocate resources from the preferred frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands .

In an embodiment, in 306 resources are allocated from a frequency band an access node, e.g. eNB, of the AN operates on. This frequency band may be a licensed frequency band, e.g. an LTE frequency band that is licensed by the operator of the communications system. In another example, in 306 the resources may be allocated from an unlicensed frequency band as is performed in 314. The unlicensed frequency band may be the operation frequency band of a WLAN AP, for example. The preferred frequency band may be used to determine the frequency band that should be first used for allocating resources .

In one example of the preferred frequency band, an unlicensed frequency band may be set as a preferred frequency band, to minimize costs to the subscriber, when the charging policy applied by the operator on the unlicensed frequency band induces less or no costs to the subscriber.

In an embodiment, in 306 a limit for allocating resources comprises a limit for a data rate of the subscriber station on a preferred frequency band of a licensed frequency band. The data of the subscriber station may be sent on the licensed frequency band up to the data rate limit and any data above the limit for the data rate may be allocated resources on the unlicensed frequency band.

Accordingly it should be appreciated that in some embodiments resources may be allocated to the subscriber station on more than one frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, e.g. on both a licensed and an unlicensed frequency band. In this way higher data rates may be provided to a subscriber whose subscription is limited in data rate on a licensed frequency band.

In an embodiment, in 306 when a limit for allocating

resources comprises a preferred frequency band, , it may be determined to allocate resources from the preferred frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands when a quality of service of the subscriber station is above a limit for allocating resources to the subscriber station.

In an embodiment, in 306 when a limit comprises a limit for an amount of data and a preferred frequency band, it may be determined to allocate resources to the subscriber station from the preferred frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, when the limit for the amount of data is not met, and from another frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, when the limit is met. Accordingly, in this way the resources may be allocated on the preferred frequency band only up to a limit defined by the amount of data conveyed on the preferred frequency band. Also sharing of traffic between the frequency bands may be provided in this way .

After the resources have been allocated in 306, data of the subscriber station may be transmitted from the EPC to the AN 308 and from the AN to subscriber station on the allocated resources 310.

It should be appreciated that the data of the subscriber station from the EPC 308 may be received at the AN also before the resources have been allocated for transferring the data of the subscriber station in 306. Accordingly, the data of the subscriber station may be received after the need for resources has been determined in 302 and a connection is setup between the EPC and the AN for transferring the data of the subscriber station in in 304.

In 312, it may be determined, whether one or more of the limits for allocating resources are met.

In an embodiment, where the limit comprises a limit for an amount of resources that may be allocated, the allocated resources may be measured in 312. The allocated resources may be measured by the actual allocated resources in 306 or by an amount of data of the subscriber station carried on the resources . Indeed, the amount of data received by the EPC to be transmitted to the subscriber station indicates an amount of resources on the interface of the AN towards the

subscriber station. Thereby, the amount of data may be measured instead of the information of allocated resources to have information of how much data of the subscriber station is carried on a specific frequency band.

In an embodiment, where the limit comprises a limit for a quality of service the quality of service may be measured in 312. The quality of service may be measured by error rate and/or obtainable data rate on a specific frequency band used for the data of the subscriber station, for example.

In an embodiment, in 314 resources may be allocated from another frequency band, when a limit for allocating resources measured in 312 is met. Accordingly, as illustrated in Figure 3, the resources are first allocated on the frequency band, where the eNB 116 communicates, and when a limit for

allocating data on that frequency band is met, resources may be allocated from another frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands . For example, resources may be allocated from another licensed or unlicensed frequency band. In 314, the resources may be allocated form a frequency band, where a WLAN AP 114 operates. After allocating the resources for data of the subscriber station on the frequency band of the WLAN AP, the data 316 of the subscriber station received at the eNB may be forwarded 318 from the eNB 116 to the WLAN AP 114 and transmitted 320 by the WLAN AP on the frequency band of communication of the WLAN AP .

In an embodiment, when a quality of service is below a limit, resources may be allocated from another frequency band that is more likely to meet the limit for quality of service.

Indeed, in an embodiment, where resources are first allocated from an unlicensed frequency band in 306, but the quality of service determined in 312 is below the limit, the resources may be allocated in 314 from a licensed frequency band. The licensed frequency band provides the required quality of service with better success than the unlicensed frequency band since the use of licensed frequency band is regulated and thereby interference to the transmissions of data may be lower than on the unlicensed frequency band.

In an embodiment a request 321 may be received from the EPC for information of an amount of data transmitted on a specific frequency band. An explicit request for the

information provides following the usage of the subscription of the subscriber station by the operator at the core network. The services provided to the subscriber station may be updated based on the usage information of the resources from the AN. The received information may be used e.g. for charging the subscription, for example.

In 322, an amount of data transmitted on a specific frequency band is determined. The determining may be based on

measurement 32 of the amount of data of the subscriber station transmitted on the allocated resources. Also

information of the allocated resources may be used to determine the amount of data .

In 324 an indication of resources allocated to a subscriber station of a communications system is sent to the EPC. The allocated resources comprise at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands . The indication may comprise an amount of data transmitted on the allocated resources. In one example the indication may comprise an amount data of allocated resources on a specific frequency band. In another example the indication may comprise a share of data of the subscriber station that was transmitted on a specific frequency band. The indication of resources provides the operator to charge the subscription of the subscriber station on the basis of the usage of different frequency bands used in the AN. Also the indication of the share may be sufficient information for the EPC apply charging to the subscription, since the information aggregate data of the subscriber station on all the frequency bands is available to the EPC from the amount of data delivered on the connection between the EPC and the AN.

It should be appreciated that instead or in addition to the above described sending of information in 324 to the EPC in response to a request 320, the information may be sent in 324 also in unsolicited manner, e.g. upon release of RAB of the subscriber station. In this way, the EPC may be updated of an amount of data determined in 322 without any messaging.

In an embodiment, the message 324 may be sent to the EPC when no more data of the subscriber is sent on a licensed

frequency band. Accordingly, the message may be triggered by the switch transmission of the data of the subscriber station from a licensed frequency band to an unlicensed frequency band. This may be beneficial since the charging policy applied to the subscription may not consider the data that is sent over the unlicensed frequency band. Thus, when the message 324 is sent after no more data is sent on the licensed frequency band, the charging information at the EPC may be updated with the amount of data relevant for charging without unnecessary delaying the sending after no more chargeable data is transmitted.

It should be appreciated that the specific frequency band referred to above may comprise e.g. a frequency band of the eNB or the frequency band of the WLAN AP .

In 326 the information received in 326 may be used to charge a subscriber. The received information may be used to ^ U l l U l b 22 determine an amount of data sent on specific frequency bands of the available frequency bands . In one example it may be determined an amount of data sent on a licensed fre-quency band and an unlicensed frequency band. Different charging policies may be then applied in the EPC to the data sent on different frequency bands .

In one example, where no request is needed from the EPC for the eNB sending indication of resources allocated on the plurality of frequency bands, the information sent to the EPC about the allocated resources may be predefined at the eNB any other node of the access network responsible for

allocating resources on the plurality of frequency bands . When the message 324 comprises an indication of an amount of data sent on a specific frequency band e.g. a licensed or unlicensed frequency band the EPC is directly provided information of the amount of data that may be used as one criterion when the subscriber is charged.

In the above scenario of Figure 3 a transfer of data to the sub-scriber station from the EPC is described, that is in downlink direction. However, it should be appreciated the data transfer may also be performed towards the EPC from the subscriber station. Indeed, in such a case the resources are allocated on uplink resources on the frequency band, whereas in the above scenarios the resources have been allocated on the downlink resources. The Uplink and downlink bands may be different frequency bands, when frequency division duplexing is used in communications, e.g. in LTE FDD. However, also the same frequency band may be used for both uplink and downlink transfer of data as is done in WLAN .

It should be appreciated that one or more of the above mentioned steps performed by the eNB or any other node of the access network responsible for allocating resources on the plurality of frequency bands, may be performed by the eNB when needed. For example, the eNB may allocate resources when data to be transmitted to the subscriber station is received from the EPC. The data may be received any time a connection of the subscriber station to the EPC and to the operator's communications system is provided via the eNB. Accordingly, each of the steps of 306, 312, 314, and 322 may be performed one or more times, when a subscriber station is connected to the communications system of the operator via the eNB .

In the above scenario of Figure 3 also other data

transmissions of the subscriber station than the transmission of data illustrated in Figure 3 may be performed.

Accordingly, the transmissions of data illustrated in Figure 3 are only exemplary .

Figure 4a and 4b illustrate arrangements providing allocation of resources from a plurality of frequency bands. In the illustrated arrangements, the allocation of resources from a plurality of bands is provided by different radio access technologies used to communicate on the different frequency bands . The devices illustrated by the arrangements of Figures 4a and 4b may perform one or more steps and functions described above with Figure 3. teh arrangement described in Figures 4a and 4b may be used to implement CA in an AN of an operator .

In the Figures 4a and 4b a node of an access network is responsible for the allocation of resources. In the

illustrated examples this node is an eNB. However, it should be appreciated that the task of allocating the resources may be also performed by another node, e.g. an RNC . Accordingly, the node responsible for the allocation of resources may depend on the architecture of the access network. Thus, in E- UTRAN the task may be performed by an eNB and in UTRAN by an RNC .

The embodiments of Figures 4a and 4b will now be described with reference to Figures 5a and 5b illustrating protocol stack of access network nodes communicating on a plurality of frequency bands. The protocol stacks of eNB 506 and WLAN AP 510 that may be used in the eNB 406 and WLAN AP 410 of

Figures 4a. The protocol stack of eNB 526 that may be used in the eNB 426 of Figures 4b.

In the example of Figure 4a, the eNB 406 connects to the EPC on an SI interface 504. The SI interface may be implemented by protocols defined by the 3GPP LTE specifications for example, as is well-known to a skilled person. The protocols of the SI interface may include different stacks for control plane and user plane data. The protocols of the SI interface are implemented in both eNB and a node of the EPC, e.g. an S- GW 502. Data of a subscriber station may thus be communicated on the SI interface between the eNB and the EPC. A WLAN AP

410 is connected to the eNB and thereby an air-interface to a subscriber station on the frequency band used by the WLAN radio access technology for communications.

The eNB 406 and WLAN AP 410 operate on different frequency bands as defined by the specification of each of the WLAN and LTE radio access technology. The frequency bands available for the WLAN AP may be further determined by limitations of frequency bands available for the unlicensed use. Examples of these limitations depending on regulatory domains are illustrated for example in IEEE 802.11 Specification Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications Table 15.4.6.2 Number of operating channels . The frequency band of the eNB may be further determined by a frequency band licensed to an operator of the eNB.

The interface 508 providing the connection between the WLAN AP 410 and the eNB 406 may be implemented by an Ethernet connection defined by IEEE 802.3 Specification. Thereby, the eNB 406 includes a LTE MAC for allocating resources on the LTE frequency band and IEEE 802.3 MAC that allocates

resources on the wired Ethernet connection between the eNB and WLAN to be transmitted on the frequency band of the WLAN AP . The WLAN AP 410 operates thereby as a bridge between the wired domain provided by the Ethernet and the wireless air- interface on the operating frequency band of the WLAN AP . The data transmitted via the Ethernet to the WLAN are thus sent to a subscriber station on the frequency band of the WLAN AP . Thereby the data allocated to the Ethernet connection by the eNB is consequently allocated resources on the frequency band of the WLAN AP .

The above description of the EPC 402, SI interface 504 and eNB 406 of Figure 4a applies also to the EPC 422, SI

interface 524, eNB 426 and WLAN AP 430 illustrated in Figure 4b with a difference that now the WLAN AP is integrated to the eNB and no Ethernet connection 508 is needed be-tween the eNB 426 and WLAN AP 430. The interface between the EPC 422 and the eNB 426 may be implemented over an S I interface 524 similar to the S I interface 504 in Figure 5a and between the EPC 402 and the eNB 406. Accordingly the S I interface may be provided between an S-GW 522 and an eNB 526.

Figure 5b illustrates one example of integrating a WLAN AP 430 to an eNB 426. Accordingly, the integrating may comprise including the protocol stack of WLAN including the WLAN MAC and physical layer to the eNB 426. Then the data of the subscriber station received from the EPC 422 may be allocated resources by the WLAN MAC on the frequency band of operation of the WLAN AP .

In the context of E-UTRAN the data of the subscriber station uses Internet Protocol (IP) on the S I interface. In the example of implementing a WLAN AP into an eNB illustrated in Figure 5b, IP datagrams of a subscriber station received on the S I interface may be directly provided to the WLAN MAC to be transmitted on frequency band of the WLAN AP . In this way data destined to a subscriber station and received by the eNB may be allocated resources by the WLAN MAC on the frequency band of the WLAN AP .

The steps/points, signaling messages and related functions de-scribed above in Figure 3 are in no absolute chronological order, and some of the steps/points may be performed

simultaneously or in an order differing from the given one. Other functions can also be executed between the steps/points or within the steps/points and other signaling messages sent between the illustrated messages. Some of the steps/points or part of the steps/points can also be left out or replaced by a corresponding step/point or part of the step/point. The operations illustrated to be performed by the eNB and EPC in Figure 3, may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities. The signaling messages are only exemplary and may even comprise several separate messages for

transmitting the same information. In addition, the messages may also contain other information. Apparatuses, such as access nodes, or corresponding access node components, and/or other corresponding devices or apparatuses implementing the functionality of a corresponding apparatus described with an embodiment comprise not only prior art means, but also means for allocating resources from at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands to a subscriber station of a communications system and means for indicating the allocated resources to a core network of the communications system.

Apparatuses, such as servers, or corresponding server components, and/or other corresponding devices or apparatuses implementing the functionality of a corresponding apparatus described with an embodiment comprise not only prior art means, but also means for receiving an indication of

resources allocated to a subscriber station of a

communications system, said allocated resources comprising at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands . More precisely, they comprise means for implementing functionality of a corresponding apparatus described with an embodiment and they may comprise separate means for each separate function, or means may be configured to perform two or more functions. Present apparatuses comprise processors and memory that can be utilized in an embodiment. For example, an apparatus implementing a functionality according to an embodi-ment may be a software application, or a module, or a unit configured as arithmetic operation, or as a program (including an added or updated software routine), executed by an operation processor. Programs, also called program products, including software routines, applets and macros, can be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they include program instructions to perform particular tasks . All modifications and configurations required for implementing functionality of an embodiment may be performed as routines, which may be implemented as added or updated software routines, application circuits (ASIC) and/or programmable circuits. Further, software routines may be downloaded into an apparatus . The apparatus implementing the functionality of a corresponding apparatus described with an embodiment may be configured as a computer or a

microprocessor, such as single-chip computer element, including at least a memory for providing storage area used for arithmetic operation and an operation processor for executing the arithmetic operation. An example of the operation processor includes a central processing unit. The memory may be removable memory detachably connected to the apparatus .

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technol-ogy advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways . The invention and its

embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

allocating resources from at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands to a subscriber station of a communications system;

indicating the allocated resources to a core network of the communications system.

2. A method according to claim 1, comprising:

receiving a limit for allocating resources from the plurality of frequency bands to the subscriber station;

allocating resources to the subscriber station on the basis of the limit;

and

sending an indication of the allocated resources to the core network .

3. A method comprising:

receiving an indication of resources allocated to a

4. A method according to claim 3, comprising:

sending a limit to an access network node for allocating resources from the plurality of frequency bands to the subscriber station; and

receiving an indication from the access network node, said indication indicating the resources allocated on the basis of the limit.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein resources of a first frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands are allocated by a first medium access control protocol and resources of a second frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands are allocated by a second medium access control protocol.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the subscriber station is allocated resources on the basis of a limit for allocating resources, said limit comprising a limit for resources to be allocated from a preferred frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, and the resources are allocated from the preferred frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, when the limit is not met, and from another frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, when the limit is met.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of frequency bands comprise a licensed frequency band and an unlicensed frequency band, and the resources are allocated form the unlicensed frequency band, when a quality of service of the subscriber station is above a limit for allocating resources to the subscriber station.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of frequency bands comprise a licensed frequency band and an unlicensed frequency band, and the resources are allocated from the licensed frequency band up to a limit for a data rate and the resources are allocated from the unlicensed frequency band for data of the subscriber station exceeding the limit for the data rate .

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the limit for allocating resources to the subscriber station comprises one or more from a threshold for a quality of service, a threshold for a data rate, an amount of data and a preferred frequency band to be used.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an indication of resources allocated to a subscriber station is provided to a core network comprising an evolved packet core network. ^UllUlbJb 30

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the allocated resources comprise resources on a licensed frequency band provided via an access node capable of communicating on the licensed frequency band, and

resources on an unlicensed frequency band provided via an access point of a wireless local area network capable of communicating on the unlicensed frequency band.

12. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the allocated resources comprise resources on a licensed frequency band provided by an access node of at least one from an LTE Radio Access Network, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access Network.

13. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to :

allocate resources from at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands to a subscriber station of a communications system;

indicate the allocated resources to a core network of the communications system.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus is caused to:

receive a limit for allocating resources from the plurality of frequency bands to the subscriber station;

allocate resources to the subscriber station on the basis of the limit;

and

send an indication of the allocated resources to the core network .

15. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

receive an indication of resources allocated to a subscriber station of a communications system, said allocated resources comprising at least one frequency band from a plurality of frequency bands .

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus is caused to:

send a limit to an access network node for allocating resources from the plurality of frequency bands to the subscriber station; and

receive an indication from the access network node, said indication indicating the resources allocated on the basis of the limit.

17. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein resources of a first frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands are allocated by a first medium access control protocol and resources of a second frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands are allocated by a second medium access control protocol.

18. An apparatus according to any one of the claims 13 to 17, wherein the subscriber station is allocated resources on the basis of a limit for allocating resources, said limit comprising a limit for resources to be allocated from a preferred frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, and the resources are allocated from the preferred frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, when the limit is not met, and from another frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, when the limit is met.

19. An apparatus according to any one of the claims 13 to 18, wherein the plurality of frequency bands comprise a licensed frequency band and an unlicensed frequency band, and the resources are allocated form the unlicensed frequency band, when a quality of service of the subscriber station is above a limit for allocating resources to the subscriber station.

20. An apparatus according to any one of the claims 13 to 19, wherein the plurality of frequency bands comprise a licensed frequency band and an unlicensed frequency band, and the resources are allocated from the licensed frequency band up to a limit for a data rate and the resources are allocated from the unlicensed frequency band for data of the subscriber station exceeding the limit for the data rate .

21. An apparatus according to any one of the claims 13 to 20, wherein the limit for allocating resources to the subscriber station comprises one or more from a threshold for a quality of service, a threshold for a data rate, an amount of data and a preferred frequency band to be used.

22. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein an indication of resources allocated to a subscriber station is provided to a core network comprising an evolved packet core network.

23. An apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 22, wherein the allocated resources comprise resources on a licensed frequency band provided via an access node capable of communicating on the licensed frequency band, and

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 23, wherein the allocated resources comprise resources on a licensed frequency band provided by an access node of at ^ U l l U l b 33 least one from an LTE Radio Access Network, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access Network.

25. An apparatus comprising means configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

26. A computer program product comprising executable code that when executed, cause execution of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

27. A system comprising at least one apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 25.