WO2013124776A1

WO2013124776A1 - Methods, apparatus and computer programs for device-to-device operator identification

Info

Publication number: WO2013124776A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/051301
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timo Koskela; Samuli Turtinen; Sami-Jukka Hakola
Original assignee: Renesas Mobile Corporation
Priority date: 2012-02-20
Filing date: 2013-02-18
Publication date: 2013-08-29
Also published as: GB2499458B; GB201202863D0; GB2499458A

Abstract

A network operator associated with a device configures an operator identifier (204) and configures the identifier for one or more devices. A device broadcasts an operator identifier (204) in a device to device discovery signal, and other devices receiving the signal are able to identify the operator associated with the broadcasting device.

Description

METHODS, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS

FOR DEVICE- TO-DEVICE OPERATOR IDENTIFICATION

Cross Reference to Related Application

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 and 37 CFR § 1.55 to UK patent application no. 1202863.5, filed on February 20th, 2012, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to methods, apparatus and computer programs for device-to-device operator identification. The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of this invention relate generally to wireless communication systems, methods, devices and computer programs, and more generally relate to identification of an operator of a device engaging in device to device communication.

Background

The following abbreviations which may be found in the specification and/or the drawing figures are defined as follows:

3 GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

D2D device to device

DL downlink

eNB node B/base station in an E-UTRAN system

E-UTRAN evolved UTRAN (LTE)

HPLMN home public land mobile network

ID identifier

IE information element

ISM industrial, scientific, medical (unlicensed spectrum)

LTE Long Term Evolution (E-UTRAN)

LTE-A Long Term Evolution- Advanced (of E-UTRAN)

MAC medium access control

MCC mobile country code

MNC mobile network code PDCCH physical downlink control channel

PLMN public land mobile network

PUCCH physical uplink control channel

PUSCH physical uplink shared channel

RAT radio access technology

RF radio frequency

RRC radio resource control

TAC tracking area code

UE user equipment

UL uplink

UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

WiFi wireless fidelity, generally a WLAN system

WLAN wireless local area network (IEEE 802.11 , also termed WiFi) Wireless devices continue to increase in number and capability.

Communication between wireless devices and base stations provides many services to users, and devices also have transmitting and receiving capability that can be, and in some cases has been, adapted for direct device to device communication. Direct device to device communication can provide a number of services to users without burdening network infrastructure such as base stations. In addition, to the extent that device to device communication can be conducted on frequencies other than licensed network frequencies, it reduces the load on those licensed network frequencies.

For example, data might be exchanged directly between user devices in the form of audio and video, such as photos, user videos, voice and music, such as in photo, video, and music sharing. Players in device to device range of one another might play in a multiplayer game, with game data being communicated directly between devices. Other players who were not in direct communication range could play using ordinary network communication, and the network load would be reduced through the ability of some or all of the players to communicate directly. Networks could conserve resources by offloading network communication to device to device communication, and machine to machine communication could be conducted directly.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in a user equipment, the apparatus comprising a processing system constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus to perform at least: causing broadcasting of an operator identifier (ID) in a device to device discovery signal, the operator ID identifying a network operator with which the user equipment is associated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for use in a base station, the apparatus comprising a processing system constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus to perform at least: causing the base station to configure an operator identifier (ID) to be used by a plurality of user equipment served by the base station, wherein the operator ID is broadcast by at least one of the plurality of user equipment in a device to device discovery signal, the operator ID identifying a network operator with which the user equipment is associated. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising: broadcasting of an operator identifier (ID) in a device to device discovery signal, the operator ID identifying a network operator with which the user equipment is associated. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method performed by a base station, the method comprising: configuring an operator identifier (ID) to be used by a plurality of user equipment served by the base station, wherein the operator ID is broadcast by at least one of the plurality of user equipment in a device to device discovery signal, the operator ID identifying a network operator with which the user equipment is associated. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for use in a user equipment, the computer program comprising instructions, execution of which by a processor arranges an apparatus of the user equipment to perform at least: causing broadcasting of an operator identifier (ID) in a device to device discovery signal, the operator ID identifying a network operator with which the user equipment is associated.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for use in a base station, the computer program comprising instructions, execution of which by a processor arranges an apparatus of the base station to perform at least: configuring an operator identifier (ID) to be used by a plurality of user equipment served by the base station, wherein the operator ID is broadcast by at least one of the plurality of user equipment in a device to device discovery signal, the operator ID identifying a network operator with which the user equipment is associated.

The processing systems described above may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being arranged to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to operate as described above.

The computer programs described above may be stored on or in a computer- readable medium. These and other embodiments of the invention are described below with particularity.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows schematically an example of a network according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 2 to 4 show schematically examples of device to device discovery signals comprising operator identification information according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows schematically an example of a process according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 shows schematically an example of details of a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 7 shows schematically an example of details of a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention recognise that operator identity may often be relevant to device to device communication. For example, operator identity may be relevant to some device to device discovery features; for example, features may be operator-specific. In addition, the use of shared operation bands may often require operator identification. Fig. 1 illustrates a combined deployment 100 of network cells 102A-102E, with the cells 102A-102C being served by base stations 104A-104C operated by a first operator A, and with the cells 102D and 102E being served by base stations 104D and 104E, operated by a second operator B. The base stations may for example suitably take the form of evolved Node Bs (eNodeBs) operating in one or more LTE networks. The operator A operates a network controller 120 and the operator B operates a network controller 130. The network controllers 120 and 130 may receive configuration information from a core network 140. UEs 1 lOA-110O operate in the various cells 102A-102E. Embodiments of the present invention recognise that it is a relatively simple matter to configure UEs to engage in direct communications with one another. Such communications may be referred to as device to device (D2D) communications, and permit devices to exchange directly, without routing the information through their serving base station. In the present example, the UEs HOC and HOD, 11 OH and 1101, and 110M and HON, are shown as being engaged in device to device communication with each other.

The various devices seeking connections for device to device communication may broadcast a discovery signal, comprising at least one device to device (D2D) discovery signal frame. The signal frame may include an operator identifier (operator ID) field. Fig. 2 illustrates elements of an example of a signal frame 200 including an operator identifier field according to an embodiment of the present invention. The signal frame 200 includes a header field 202, an operator identifier field 204, and a message body 206. The operator identifier field identifies the operator of the device transmitting the D2D discovery signal. Each operator, such as the operators A and B in the example presented in Fig. 1 , may have a separate operator ID. An operator ID may be shared by multiple operators, and each user device belonging to one of the multiple operators sharing the ID would then broadcast a shared or virtual operator ID. In the case of network sharing, the identifier may belong to a single one of the operators, or the ID may belong to a "super" operator that is not the actual operator of the communicating devices, but that whose ID is shared by those operators. In one or more embodiments of the invention, a device to device operator ID may comprise N alphanumeric characters, uniquely identifying an operator. In another embodiment, the ID may comprise a bit string of predefined bits, uniquely identifying the operator. In one embodiment of the invention, a network may configure for each operator an identifier that is shorter than a public land mobile network ID (PLMN-id). For example, the operators A and B, that is, the network controllers 120 and 130, are configured to use the identifiers. Each identifier is unique within a specified area, such as the area under a single tracking area code (TAC). If an E-UTRAN is shared by multiple operators, a single shared cell may use as many as 6 different PLMN-ids. An identification of a few bits may be sufficient to comprise the D2D operator ID field in the D2D discovery signal. In one embodiment of the invention, a table index value of PLMN-IdentityList corresponding to a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) value in system information may be indicated in a D2D discovery signal.

If a D2D device operates on a shared or unlicensed band without operator coverage, the identifier may be set to a predetermined value indicating that no operator identification is being used. For example, the bits may be all set to 1. Alternatively, a device initiating communication may select an arbitrary D2D operator ID (D2DOID) from a pool of IDs in order to form a network of D2D devices communicating with one another. The ID would not be selected from IDs reserved for other purposes. In an embodiment of the invention, the operator ID may be used to identify

D2D devices when service changes from D2D mode to cellular mode, speeding up connection setup when the D2D mode changes to cellular mode. In addition, an operator ID may be used when D2D discovery occurs on shared resources between operators, such as on an unlicensed band or in a licensed shared spectrum.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the PLMN identity may be used in a D2D discovery signal to identify a subscriber's operator. For example, the PLMN identity may be used in the D2D discovery signal to identify a subscriber's operator. The D2D-PLMN-Identity may have a similar structure to the PLMN-Identity broadcast in system information including an optional MCC field (mobile country code). MNC-field (Mobile Network Code) identifies the operator. The IE PLMN-Identity identifies a Public Land Mobile Network, and may take a format as follows:

Fig. 3 illustrates an example of the use of D2D-PLMN-Identity according to an embodiment of the present invention. A D2D discovery signal frame 300 comprises header fields 302 and an operator identity field, implemented here as a D2D PLMN-Identity field 304. The frame 300 also comprises a message body 306.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, a network may signal a list of available PLMNs. In such a case, each of the UEs may receive a list of available PLMNs from its own base station or elsewhere, and may store such a list. In such a case, a D2D UE that is transmitting a discovery signal may simply use a PLMN_index, which simply indexes to a PLMN list stored by or otherwise available to a receiving UE. Fig. 4 illustrates an example of the use of the D2D-PLMN-Identity according to an embodiment of the present invention. A D2D discovery signal frame 400 comprises header fields 402 and an operator identity field, implemented here as a D2D-PLMN-Index field 404. The frame 400 also comprises a message body 406. In one embodiment of the invention, the operator ID field may comprise the D2D-PLMN-Identity field or the D2D-PLMN-Index field, along with an additional bit to indicate which field is used. Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a process 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention. At step 502, an operator ID is associated with an operator of a network or with an operator of one or more base stations operating in a shared network. At step 504, one or more UEs associated with the operator are configured to use the operator ID. The operator ID may take the form of a PLMN ID. At step 506, one or more UEs broadcasts a D2D discovery signal. The D2D discovery signal may include an operator ID field, which may in turn take the form of a PLMN ID. Alternatively, the operator ID field may take the form of a PLMN index associated with a list entry equipment is configured to use a D2D operator ID in a D2D discovery signal. As a further alternative, the operator ID field may include one or the other of a PLMN ID or a PLMN index, with an indicator, such as a single bit, indicating whether the operator ID takes the form of a PLMN ID or a PLMN index. At step 508, a D2D discovery signal broadcast by one UE is received and interpreted by at least one other UE.

The process of Fig. 5 may be considered to illustrate the operation of a method, and a result of execution of a computer program stored in a computer readable memory, and a specific manner in which components of an electronic device are configured to cause that electronic device to operate.

The process steps shown in Fig. 5 may also be considered as blocks of a logic flow comprising plurality of coupled logic circuit elements constructed to carry out the associated function(s), or specific result of strings of computer program code stored in a memory.

Such blocks and the functions they represent are non-limiting examples, and may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit chips and modules, and that the exemplary embodiments of this invention may be realised in an apparatus that is embodied as an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit, or circuits, may comprise circuitry (as well as possibly firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data processor or data processors, a digital signal processor or processors, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry that are configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention. Such circuit/circuitry embodiments include any of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as: (i) a combination of processor(s) or (ii) portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone/UE, to perform the various functions summarised at Fig. 5 and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" also covers, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone/UE or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate additional details of examples of a UE and an eNB that may be configured according to, and employed in, embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 6 illustrates a UE 600, suitably comprising a transmitter 602, receiver 604, radio controller 606, and antenna 608. The UE 600 may also suitably comprise a processor 610, memory 612 and storage 614, suitably communicating with one another and with the radio controller 606 over a bus 616. The UE 600 may also suitably employ data 618 and programs 620, suitably residing in storage 614 and transferred to memory 612 as needed for use by the processor 610. Fig. 7 illustrates an eNB 700, suitably comprising a transmitter 702, receiver 704, radio controller 706 and antenna 708. The eNB 700 may also suitably comprise a processor 710, memory 712, and storage 714, suitably communicating with one another and with the radio controller 706 over a bus 716. The eNB 700 may also suitably employ data 718 and programs 720, suitably residing in storage 714 and transferred to memory 712 as needed for use by the processor 710.

At least one of the programs 620 in storage of the UE 614 includes a set of program instructions that, when executed by the processor 610, enable the device to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention, as detailed above. The eNB 700 also has software 720 stored in its storage 714 to implement aspects of these teachings as detailed above. In this regard, the exemplary embodiments of this invention may be implemented at least in part by computer software stored in storage 614 or memory 612 which is executable by the processor 610 of the UE 600, or by computer software stored in storage 714 or memory 712 executable by the processor 710 of the eNB 700, or by hardware, or by a combination of tangibly stored software and hardware (and tangibly stored firmware). Electronic devices implementing these aspects of the invention need not be the entire devices as depicted at Figs. 6 and 7, or may be one or more components of same such as the above described tangibly stored software, hardware, firmware and digital processing, or a system-on-a-chip SOC or an application specific integrated circuit ASIC.

In general, the various embodiments of the UE 600 can include, but are not limited to, personal portable digital devices having wireless communication capabilities, including but not limited to cellular telephones, navigation devices, laptop/palmtop/tablet computers, digital cameras and music devices, and Internet appliances, as well as the machine-to -machine type devices mentioned above.

Various embodiments of the computer readable memories 612 and 712 and storage 614 and 714 include any data storage technology type which is suitable to the local technical environment, including but not limited to semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, removable memory, disc memory, flash memory, DRAM, SRAM, EEPROM and the like. Various embodiments of the processors 610 and 710 include but are not limited to general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and multi-core processors.

Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this invention may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description. While the exemplary embodiments have been described above in the context of the LTE and LTE-A system, and with systems involving the use of unlicensed frequencies such as frequencies defined under the 802.11 standard, as noted above the exemplary embodiments of this invention may be used with various other types of wireless communication systems. The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in a user equipment, the apparatus comprising a processing system constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus to perform at least:

causing broadcasting of an operator identifier (ID) in a device to device discovery signal, the operator ID identifying a network operator with which the user equipment is associated.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operator ID comprises a field of a device to device discovery signal.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the operator ID comprises a public land mobile network identifier.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the operator ID comprises an index to a public land mobile network identifier.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operator ID is shared among a plurality of network operators.

6. Apparatus for use in a base station the apparatus comprising a processing system constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus to perform at least:

causing the base station to configure an operator identifier (ID) to be used by a plurality of user equipment served by the base station, wherein the operator ID is broadcast by at least one of the plurality of user equipment in a device to device discovery signal, the operator ID identifying a network operator with which the user equipment is associated.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operator ID is a public land mobile network ID.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein configuration of the operator ID comprises configuring a list of available operator IDs and an index to an operator ID associated with the base station.

9. A method performed by a user equipment, the method comprising:

broadcasting of an operator identifier (ID) in a device to device discovery signal, the operator ID identifying a network operator with which the user equipment is associated.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the operator ID comprises a field of a device to device discovery signal.

11. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the operator ID comprises a public land mobile network identifier.

12. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the operator ID comprises an index to a public land mobile network identifier.

13. A method according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the operator ID is shared among a plurality of network operators.

14. A method performed by a base station, the method comprising:

configuring an operator identifier (ID) to be used by a plurality of user equipment served by the base station, wherein the operator ID is broadcast by at least one of the plurality of user equipment in a device to device discovery signal, the operator ID identifying a network operator with which the user equipment is associated.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the operator ID is a public land mobile network ID.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein configuration of the operator ID comprises configuring a list of available operator IDs and an index to an operator ID associated with the base station.

17. A computer program for use in a user equipment, the computer program comprising instructions, execution of which by a processor arranges an apparatus of the user equipment to perform at least:

18. A computer program according to claim 17, wherein the operator ID comprises a field of a device to device discovery signal.

19. A computer program according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the operator ID comprises a public land mobile network identifier.

20. A computer program according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the operator ID comprises an index to a public land mobile network identifier.

21. A computer program according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the operator ID is shared among a plurality of network operators.

22. A computer program for use in a base station, the computer program comprising instructions, execution of which by a processor arranges an apparatus of the base station to perform at least:

23. A computer program according to claim 22, wherein the operator ID is a public land mobile network ID.

24. A computer program according to claim 22, wherein configuration of the operator ID comprises configuring a list of ivailable operator IDs and an index to an operator ID associated with the base station.