CN104486820A

CN104486820A - Method for controlling cell activation in radio communication network

Info

Publication number: CN104486820A
Application number: CN201410638755.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J.奥斯特林
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 2009-02-16
Filing date: 2009-02-16
Publication date: 2015-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-16
Also published as: CN104486820B

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling cell activation in a radio communication network. The method includes the following steps that: 1) signal strength measurement in at least one non-activated cell of radio base stations which do not transmit information defined by any cells to non-activated cells currently is requested; 2) at least one non-activated is selected to be activated based on receiving information indicating the requested signal strength measurement, and radio base stations corresponding to the selected cells are managed to begin transmit the information defined by the cells, so that users can be assisted to search the cells; and 3) activation of the selected cells are requested. With the method adopted, cells can be non-activated as long as possible so that power consumption can be reduced, and the non-activated cells can be allowed to be activated when it needs to ensure satisfactory communication services for the user.

Description

The community controlled in radio circuit is activated

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to the operation in radio communication technology and radio circuit, particularly relate to the problem controlling this type of radio circuit small area and activate.

Background technology

Now, radio circuit typically comprises the radio base station having and continue active associated cell.This means that radio base station more or less continues to transmit subscriber equipment that the signal of some form helps be present in radio circuit in the cell or attempts connected subscriber equipment.The example of this type of signal is reference signal, so-called pilot signal, synchronizing signal and broadcast channel.These signals are used to many objects, comprise down link (DL) channel estimating, power on relevant cell synchronous and mobility Cell searching with subscriber equipment.

In Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) (WCDMA), at night by closing the supply of electric power to NodeB, the NodeB of community can be placed in dormancy to reduce power consumption.In the morning, again NodeB is opened by providing supply of electric power to NodeB again.

Summary of the invention

An overall object provides the minimizing in radio circuit in power consumption while of being and still guaranteeing effective communication service.

Specific purposes are to provide a kind of method controlling the activation of at least one community in radio circuit.

Another specific purposes are to provide a kind of device of the activation for controlling at least one community in radio circuit.

Also have another object to be to provide a kind of network element, described network element comprises the such device of the activation for controlling at least one community in radio circuit.

These and other object by as appended Patent right requirement the embodiment that defines meet.

Temporarily make community inactive and the possibility becoming inactive community (passive cell) is useful sometimes, in described inactive community, their associated radio base stations does not transmit any above-mentioned signal.This type of community is inactive can be used for subsequently such as not needing radio communication services in community or at least need very low period during.Make community conveyer that is inactive and that close inactive community not be only radio base station and save power, and contribute to reducing interference rank total in radio circuit.

The present inventor has recognized that and is realizing some interests to the inactive radio circuit operator that is not only in the community of radio communication services not or during the period of low needs, and brings new challenge.Such as, the effective solution of inactive community how is not activated now when there is the potential demand to radio communication services in the region in inactive community.In addition, do not have inactive community in notifying user equipment radio circuit effective solution.

Have multiple radio base station at radio circuit, wherein at least one is in the environment of the serving radio base station of management active cell (active cell), basic thought is the current signal strength measurement do not transmitted for inactive community in the region of at least one other community sluggish of the radio base station of the information of any cell definitions of request.Based on the reception information representing the signal strength measurement of asking, at least one inactive community is selected for activation, then starts to transmit the information of cell definitions by the corresponding radio base station of the community making administrative institute select, the community selected by request activates.

In this way, the present invention allows community to keep inactive to reduce power consumption as far as possible longly, and allows inactive community to be activated when gratifying communication service guaranteed by needs for user.

Other advantages of the present invention's contribution will be understood during the description of the embodiment of the present invention below reading.

Accompanying drawing explanation

By referring to following description (carrying out together with accompanying drawing), the present invention will be understood best together with further object and advantage thereof, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the flow chart according to an example embodiment, and the method that controlled community is activated is shown.

Fig. 2 is the flow chart according to another example embodiment, and the method that controlled community is activated is shown.

Fig. 3 is the flow chart according to another example embodiment also had, and the method that controlled community is activated is shown.

Fig. 4 is the synoptic chart of the radio communications system according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 5 is the synoptic chart of the radio communications system according to another example embodiment.

Fig. 6 is the synoptic chart of the radio communications system according to another example embodiment also had.

Fig. 7 is the synoptic chart of the radio communications system according to another example embodiment.

Fig. 8 is the schematic diagram according to an example embodiment, and the co-sited point (co-siting) of the radio base station of different radio access networks (RAN) and/or different radio access technologies (RAT) is shown.

Fig. 9 is schematic diagram, and the example of the shared plot planning between different radio access networks (RAN) and/or different radio access technologies (RAT) is shown.

Figure 10 A is schematic diagram, illustrates that the radio base station of wherein different radio access networks (RAN) and/or different radio access technologies (RAT) is not the example of co-sited point (co-sited) plot planning.

Figure 10 B is the schematic diagram according to an example embodiment, and the example of partial common plot planning is shown.

Figure 11 A is schematic diagram, and the simple examples of the plot planning for given radio access network/technology is shown.

Figure 11 B is schematic diagram, and the example of plot planning expansion being had to the given radio access network/technology of multiple Microcell (micro cell) is shown.

Figure 12 is the schematic diagram according to an example embodiment, and the example of measurement report is shown.

Figure 13 is according to the community active controller of an example embodiment or the schematic block diagram for controlling the device that community is activated.

Embodiment

Run through accompanying drawing, identical reference character will be used for corresponding or similar key element.

In the radio circuit with at least one inactive community, community activation is controlled as embodiment disclosed herein relates to.

In current cellular radio, radio base station continues the signal transmitting some form in their respective cell.The example of this type of signal is pilot signal, such as reference and/or synchronizing signal and broadcast channel.These signals are used to many objects, comprising:

Mobility Cell searching: subscriber equipment regularly scans neighbor cell.The synchronizing signal transmitted in neighbor cell is used to search and be synchronized to potential neighbour.Active user equipment is typically to the signal strength signal intensity of network-reporting neighbor cell, and this makes the decision whether subscriber equipment should be switched to candidate cell.

Search of initial zone: subscriber equipment is attempted to search the potential community that will be connected to by scanning synchronizing signal when powering on.Once find community and obtain synchronous, the broadcast channel transmitted in subscriber equipment reading community and pilot signal are to obtain necessary system information and usually to perform Stochastic accessing to be connected to network.

Data receiver: active user equipment needs typically to perform channel estimating based on pilot reference signal, to receive transmitted data.Pilot reference signal also may be used for estimation and the report of downlink channel quality, to support the radio base station function of the scheduling that such as channel is correlated with.

Subscriber equipment is synchronous: Idle subscriber devices needs synchronizing signal and/or reference signal can keep synchronous with network, namely once (non-continuous receives: DiscontinuousReception) circulation is waken up, and these signals are used to finely tune sequential and frequency errors etc. from paging DRX.

When there is any active ues in community, the cost transmitting above-mentioned signal is rational.But, when there is not any active ues in community, there are not the needs to these signals in principle.This is especially in the situation with community dense deployment, is namely correct when Microcell is placed under macrocell (macrocell).In this type of situation, Microcell is mainly used to deal with high load capacity situation, and spends in the energy transmitted these signals from Microcell in underload situation and be wasted in fact.

When there is not active user equipment in community, or the quantity of at least active user equipment is considerably less, does not need in principle to transmit anything.This allows radio base station to close power amplifier, wide-band processing and transfer equipment.Become in fact in the downlink " free time " by the community of management of radio base station.This type of community is referred to as inactive community in this article, but also can use alternative term, such as dormant cell or inactive community.Statement " inactive community " therefore also comprises the statement of such as idle, dormancy or inactive community.

As defined herein, inactive community is the community of radio circuit, and its corresponding radio base station is current not for the information of any cell definitions is transmitted in community.The information of cell definitions is particularly including the information helping subscriber equipment to search community.It can also comprise subscriber equipment requirement for identify and actual lock in the information of community.The information of cell definitions typically comprises the information of being carried by above-mentioned pilot signal (such as reference signal and/or synchronizing signal) traditionally, and the information of being carried by broadcast channel in addition alternatively.In a concrete example embodiment, the information of cell definitions comprises at least synchronous signal information.

But, even if note radio base station not for the information of any cell definitions is transmitted in inactive community, radio base station still can make its receiver open and therefore can receive the data such as transmitted by subscriber equipment alternatively, even if one or more conveyers of inactive community are cut out.

For object of the present disclosure, one or more community is served in assumed wireless electricity base station in radio circuit.Therefore, " radio base station " also refers to entity more recently, all if process NodeB and eNodeB (NodeB of evolution) of more than one community, and the network node of other correspondences, such as base transceiver station (BTS) and base station (BS).In addition, statement " base station " can also comprise wireless network node, such as repeater, transponder and have the Home eNodeB of corresponding geographic service area (i.e. community).

Similarly, " subscriber equipment " will be used to refer to dissimilar radio terminal, such as have the functional mobile station, mobile subscriber equipment, laptop computer etc. that carry out radio communication with the radio base station in radio circuit.

Fig. 1 is flow chart, and the method for the activation controlling at least one community is shown in radio circuit.Radio circuit comprises at least one active cell, namely there is the associated radio base stations of the information transmitting cell definitions for active cell, and at least one inactive community, namely have current not for the associated radio base stations of the information of any cell definitions is transmitted in inactive community.

In the example of fig. 1, by asking the current signal strength measurement do not transmitted for inactive community in the region of at least one other community sluggish of the radio base station of the information of any cell definitions, the method starts in step sl.Based on the information of received expression institute request signal ionization meter, at least one inactive community is selected for activation in step s 2.Then the information by making administrative institute select the corresponding radio base station of community to start to transmit cell definitions searches community to help subscriber equipment, asks selected community to be activated in step s3.

Fig. 2 is the flow chart according to another example embodiment, and the method that controlled community is activated is shown.In this instance, the downlink measurement of the information of cell definitions that receives from least one radio base station of the radio access network (RAN) of another overlap of the requested execution of subscriber equipment report in step s 11.In step s 12 based on the radio access network of reported overlap downlink measurement and select at least one other community sluggish for activate.Then by making administrative institute select the corresponding radio base station of community to start the information of the cell definitions required by transmission, selected community is asked to be activated in step s 13.

In an exemplary embodiment, active cell associates with the first radio access technologies with other communities one or more sluggish that wherein at least one community will be activated, and the radio access network of overlap associates with the second different radio access technologies.Exemplarily, the first radio access technologies can be Long Term Evolution (LTE), and the second radio access technologies can be one of GSM, CDMA2000, TDSCDMA and WCDMA.

But the radio access network of overlap has identical underlying Radio access technology is also possible.Exemplarily, the first radio access network can based on the given radio access technologies operated at first frequency, and the radio access network of the second overlap can based on identical but at the radio access technologies of the second different frequency operation.LTE 700MHz and LTE 2600Hz is comprised in the example of the heterogeneous networks of the same basic technology of different frequency range operation.

Fig. 3 is the flow chart according to another example embodiment also had, and the method that controlled community is activated is shown.In this instance, the one or more radio base stations managing corresponding other communities inactive are the uplink measurement that transmits of requested execution reporting user facility in the step s 21.In step S22, based on the uplink measurement that reported subscriber equipment transmits, at least one other community sluggish is selected for activation.Then by making administrative institute select the corresponding radio base station of community to start the information of the cell definitions required by transmission, in step S23, selected community is asked to be activated.

As will be explained in more detail after a while, if expected, when other the inactive communities selecting which (which) to activate, the downlink measurement transmitted in other one or more active communities of being reported by subscriber equipment also may be used.Usually, demonstration program is above triggered by the needs current subscriber equipment of being served by the active cell of serving radio base station being switched to new Target cell.Once selected community is activated, then it can be used as Target cell.

In order to better understanding, now wherein can the example of various network environments of Application Example by schematically describing.

Fig. 4 is the synoptic chart of a part for radio circuit according to an example embodiment.In this instance, radio base station 10 manages active cell 15 and is therefore the information that active cell 15 transmits cell definitions.The geographic area of community 15 contains one or more (being three in the example of fig. 4) other communities 25,35,45 with smaller geographic area at least in part.Active cell 15 is typically referred to as macrocell in the art, and less community 25,35,45 can be such as Microcell or picocell (pico cell).

In one embodiment, Microcell 25,35,45 current be sluggish, mean their corresponding radio base station 20,30,40 current for the information of any cell definitions is transmitted in community 25,35,45.Inactive community 25,35,45 therefore in the region being present in inactive community 25,35,45 or close to inactive community 25,35,45 subscriber equipment 100 for be sightless.

If the radio base station 20,30,40 of such as inactive community 25,35,45 by planning be used for can not by or not by the specific service that the radio base station 10 of active cell 15 processes well enough, then this situation is favourable.One typical example can be that it is active that broadband access technology only just needs when requiring the service of wide bandwidth to be required when inactive community 25,35,45 and their radio base station 20,30,40 are planned as broadband access technology.If do not need this type of wide bandwidth service, then the access technology that business changes the overlap provided by radio base station 10 and active cell 15 thereof into is served.In this case, active cell 15 and radio base station 10 can have given radio access technologies, such as global system for mobile communications (GSM), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) (wCDMA), CDMA 2000 (CDMA2000) or time division synchronous CDMA (TDSCDMA), and inactive community 25,35,45 and their radio base station 20,30,40 can be the another kind of radio access technologies that can process wide bandwidth service, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE).

Another possible situation can be, inactive community 25,35,45 only increases so many to the needs of radio communication services so that just activate when the traffic load in macrocell 15 becomes excessive for radio base station 10 and can not effectively process in macrocell 15.In such cases, at least one that can change into by the radio base station 20,30,40 for inactive community 25,35,45 of some business processes, and thus these inactive communities need to be activated.

Fig. 5 illustrates another embodiment of radio circuit, wherein can realize controlled community and activate.In this instance, radio circuit 1 comprises at least one active cell 15 with radio base station 10, and described radio base station 10 manages community 15 and transmits the information being applicable to the cell definitions of active cell 15.Active cell 15 has the inactive neighbor cell 25,35 of one or more (being two in the example of hgure 5), and its radio base station 20,30 has (silent) conveyer so there is no as the information of any cell definitions is transmitted in corresponding inactive community 25,35 of mourning in silence.

For subscriber equipment 100, transmit the radio base station 10 of radio base station 10 current service typically.Subscriber equipment 100 may be advanced the geographic area away from radio base station 10 and towards one of current inactive community 25,35.Because community 25,35 is sluggish and their radio base station 25,35 does not transmit the information of any cell definitions, so subscriber equipment 100 can not find community and therefore not perform any signal strength measurement for inactive community 25,35.By using any one in above-mentioned demonstration program, the activation controlling this type of community in radio circuit is possible.Once one or more inactive community 25,35 is activated, traditional up link and downlink signal strength are measured and also can as usual be performed, and candidate cell 25,35 can subsequently (if desired) assessed further in order to the object of potential switching.

Therefore other communities sluggish can be such as the neighbor cells of active cell, usually have between neighbor cell and partly overlap.When macrocell-microcell environment, other communities sluggish can be included in the Microcell in the region of active macrocell.In principle, furthermore it is possible that Microcell is active and macrocell that is that contain more greatly is sluggish.

Should also be appreciated that radio base station (such as aforesaid NodeB and eNodeB) can serve multiple (namely at least two) community, one of them or more the subset of community can be sluggish and another subset can be active.

Fig. 6 is the synoptic chart of the radio communications system according to another example embodiment also had.In this instance, radio communications system is LTE radio circuit 1.LTE radio access network (RAN) generally has a fundamental node type, eNodeB 10,20.Each eN0deB 10,20 is responsible for the set of one or more community 15,25.The community 15,25 of eNodeB 10,20 does not need use identical antenna sites (antenna site) and can have dedicated antenna website separately.

In the example of fig. 6, eNodeB 10,20 is responsible for many functional usually, comprises single cell radio resource management (RRM) decision, switching determines, the scheduling of subscriber equipment in its community in up link and both downlink.

In radio circuit 1, any eNodeB 10 is connected with other eNodeB 20 any by X2 interface.This X2 interface is mainly used to support active mode mobility (active-mode mobility), but also may be used for multiple cell RRM function.Another interface and S1 interface, be connected to core net 60 by eNodeB 10,20.

The block core (EPC) that the core network 60 of LTE is often referred to as evolution is basic evolution from GSM/ general packet radio service (GPRS) core network to indicate it.EPC is developed to single node framework, there is its functions all in a node, except home subscriber servers (HSS) (not shown), that comprises the authorized database or the node that use the details of each subscriber equipment subscriber of LTE core network network.EPC is connected to LTE RAN via above-mentioned S1 interface, is connected to internet (not shown) via SGi interface, and uses S6 interface to be connected to HSS (not shown).

Fig. 7 is the synoptic chart of the radio communications system according to another example embodiment.In this instance, radio communications system is WCDMA/ high-speed packet access (HSPA) radio circuit 1.WCDMA/HSPA radio circuit (RAN) generally has two basic logic node types: radio network controller (RNC) 55A, 55B and be connected to the node NodeB 10,20 of antenna or the radio base station (RBS) of community 15,25.

RBS/NodeB 10,20 is the one or more process of aggregation transmission of community 15,25 and the logical node of reception.In logic, the antenna of community 15,25 belongs to NodeB 10,20, but they need not be positioned at identical antenna sites.NodeB 10,20 has its hardware but the radio resource of Bu Shiqi community 15,25, and this RNC55A, 55B be connected to by NodeB 10,20 has.Use Iub interface to realize this RNC-NodeB to connect.

In radio circuit 1, each RNC 55A can be connected to other RNC 55B each via Iur interface.Therefore, Iur interface is network range (network wide) interface, makes likely keep a RNC 55A as anchor point (anchor point) for subscriber equipment 100 and hide mobility to core network 60.

RNC 55A, 55B are the nodes via Iu interface, radio access network being connected to core network 60.For WCDMA/HSPA, therefore core network 60 also comprises Liang Gexiang foreign lands based on GSM core network usually; There is circuit switching (CS) territory of mobile switching centre (MSC) (not shown), and there is packet switching (PS) territory of Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) (not shown) and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) (not shown).To two territories common be attaching position register (HLR).

In the ps domain, SGSN is connected to GGSN via Gn or gp interface, and GGSN has its Gi interface of the extenal grouped network of such as internet of going out.

Demonstration program above stating together with Fig. 1-3 can be the execution in the network element associated with radio circuit and realizes.This can be serving radio base station (RBS) in such as radio circuit or radio network controller (RNC).

When down link (DL) is measured, relevant subscriber equipment measurement DL signal strength signal intensity also reports that then get back to relevant service RBS or association RNC, relevant service RBS or association RNC selects the inactive Target cell be applicable to for activation.

When up link (UL) is measured, the relevant RBS of the corresponding inactive community of each management measures UL signal strength signal intensity and relevant service RBS or association RNC is got back in report.Preferably, relevant network element is that each of other communities multiple receives from the corresponding radio base station be responsible for for other communities described and represents that community is inactive or active information.

Several different radio base station that makes is had to be the method that specific community starts to transmit the information of cell definitions.Illustrated examples comprises the signal being sent community activation command by the RBS-RBS interface of such as X2 interface or the RNC-RBS interface of such as Iub interface.Another illustrated examples also had comprises and sends the Stochastic accessing (RA) of subscriber equipment from serving radio base station to selected community and enable the signal of information, and asks subscriber equipment Stochastic accessing (RA) to be sent to the corresponding radio base station of the community that administrative institute is selected to trigger the activation of selected community.

As noted earlier, embodiment can also be applied to the radio circuit having multiple different radio access network (RAN) and have different radio access technologies (RAT) alternatively.

Below, various example embodiment is described in more detail for Primary Reference LTE and gsm communication system.But the present invention is not limited thereto.

In LTE communication system, such as, can require that the quantity making to open to process the ambulant LTE community of UE minimizes.Service RBS determines that selective activation is carried out in one or more reasonably (plausible) Target cell that seems, and only opens them.This will minimize or at least reduce power consumption.

In a concrete example embodiment, the service RBS (can be the RNC in different system) in LTE system carries out measurement to determine seeming rational Target cell by making UE to the radio access network (RAN) of overlap and/or the pilot tone of radio access technologies (RAT).Such as, UE can be required to perform measurement to GSM BCCH, and based on which GSM base station is heard and selects to open one or more LTE community.

Although GSM is pointed out by the RAT as overlap in this example and other examples, should be appreciated that overlapping RAN/RAT can be any cellular system, comprise GSM, WCDMA, CDMA2000, TDSCDMA or even another LTE system.Most of regions having spread out LTE have the covering of at least one other radio access technologies (RAT) of such as GSM, CDMA2000, TDSCDMA or WCDMA.

To LTE, for every other 3GPP RAT, the signal strength signal intensity usually by making UE measure the pilot tone transmitted in the peripheral cell received manages mobility.Measurement result is sent to service RBS, and service RBS explains them and determines whether that another community better and whether should be triggered to the switching of this community.

LTE RBS can require that UE measures GSM.This is included in a standard to support to be switched to GSM when leaving LTE overlay area.Typically, the initial deployment of LTE will not have good covering same with GSM.

The situation of co-sited point

It is the website recycling GSM that one of LTE may dispose, and such as on GSM website, adjacent GSM RBS places LTE RBS.In addition, due to the reason of outward appearance with due to wind load, feeder line and antenna element can re-use.Fig. 8 illustrates this type of example.

Fig. 8 is the schematic diagram according to an example embodiment, and the co-sited point of the radio base station of different radio access networks (RAN) and/or different radio access technologies (RAT) is shown.Fig. 8 illustrates that the community of co-sited point represents, has the more detailed view of radio base station (RBS) 210,220 in the typical physical website 200 of shared feeder cable and antenna and website 200 and duplexer filter 230 and fan antenna (sector antenna) 240.Radio base station 210,220 can have different radio access technologies (RAT), typically operates on different frequency bands and has the duplexer filter for shared feeder line.The antenna element 240 of association typically holds two diversity antennas, each band diversity antenna.Alternative, radio base station has identical RAT, but belongs to different radio access networks in a word.Certainly, also there are other co-sited point solutions that tool is with or without shared equipment.Community is actually overlapping usually.

Fig. 9 is schematic diagram, and the example of the shared plot planning between different radio access networks (RAN) and/or different radio access technologies (RAT) is shown.Such as, a RAT of such as LTE plot planning can with solid arrow instruction and the plot planning of the 2nd RAT of such as GSM can indicate with dotted arrow.This can be such as the result of co-sited point as shown in Figure 8.

With reference to figure 9, suppose that LTE RBS A is the service RBS of UE 100, and the community supposing the LTE RBS in B and C is sluggish.

When UE 100 shifts out the overlay area of service RBS A, UE is apprised of the signal strength signal intensity in the community of the GSM RBS measuring B and C place.Signal strength measurement is performed by UE 100 and reports gets back to service RBS A.

Exemplarily, then service RBS A calculates the path loss from RBS B and RBS C, and determines which is preferred handover candidate based on these calculating.Service RBS A sends a message to selected RBS (B or C) to open its relevant community, and starts to transmit the information of the cell definitions of such as pilot tone and/or synchronizing signal.For LTE, this type of control signal can use X2 interface to send.

Preferably, the knowledge of the pilot carrier frequency of RBS that will have about other RAT on B and C of LTE RBS A.This information that can be static configuration or be supplied by other RAT (such as being inquired the GSM RBS of co-sited point by LTERBS via website local control interface).Then this information can use X2 interface to exchange between LTE RBS.

It should be noted that, can be detected by common mobile process by UE in the community of transmitting pilot signal: DL pilot tone and synchronizing channel are measured and correspondingly takes action.Be to be further noted that the initiation determining to seem rational Target cell is typically triggered by the necessity switching UE, such as, due to the overload in Serving cell or poor radio path.

Ordinary circumstance

When LTE dispose expansion time, not every LTE RBS all will with GSM RBS co-sited point.

The example of more ordinary circumstance is summarized now with reference to Figure 10 A, B.

Figure 10 A is schematic diagram, illustrates that the radio base station of wherein different radio access networks (RAN) and/or different radio access technologies (RAT) is not the example of the plot planning of co-sited point.Exemplarily, this can represent wherein LTE RBS not with the situation (being perhaps because another RAT belongs to another operator) of GSM RBS co-sited point.

Figure 10 B is the schematic diagram according to an example embodiment, and the example of partial common plot planning is shown.Exemplarily, this can represent that wherein the RBS (LTE-only RBS) of only LTE is placed on the situation in the middle of the website of the RBS with co-sited point.This can be owing to causing to LTE instead of to the needs of the more high power capacity of GSM in this region.

For more generally situation, LTE RBS needs the regional service knowing which positive Wei Yu GSM community, LTE community is identical.As to together with Fig. 9 describe before situation, UE is preferably required GSM executive signal ionization meter, but report can cause service RBS may select more than one LTE RBS.Such as, when Figure 10 B, RBS A can ask RBS C and RBS G to open their respective cell.

This is provided in the very effective method determining targeted radio base station in the situation with overlapping RAT.Because related cell is opened in time, user can not see any degradation in service.

In another concrete example embodiment, carry out up link (UL) by order to the UE transmission from possible Target cell selected works to measure, the service RBS (can be the RNC in different system) in LTE system can determine the one or more rational Target cell that seems.The RBS of each selection measures by the UL signal strength signal intensity of the one or more UE of service RBS process, and report measurement results (and depends on network type and design configurations to service RBS, also continue report alternatively to RNC), then it can estimate such as path loss and therefore determine that the RBS considered has as target RBS to be applicable to more.

As previously described, to LTE, as to every other 3GPP RAT, the signal strength signal intensity usually by making UE measure the pilot tone transmitted in the peripheral cell received manages mobility.The shortcoming that standardized method has is that all RBS need transmission signal to measure to allow UE to collect.In ensuing embodiment, that provide one to supplement or alternative solution is to assess neighbor cell, and this allows RBS to enter wherein does not have the information of the cell definitions of such as pilot tone and/or synchronizing signal by the low-power mode transmitted.Service RBS (or the RNC in different communication systems) identifies potential target RBS in inactive pattern or low-power mode to measure up link (UL) received signal strength for the UE needing to be switched to another RBS.

Figure 11 A is schematic diagram, and the simple examples of the plot planning for given radio access network/technology is shown.This can be such as usual LTE plot planning; The hexagonal cell planning with three RBS shown in Figure 11 A.

Figure 11 B is schematic diagram, and example expansion being had to the plot planning of the given radio access network/technology of multiple Microcell is shown.In this example, such as, in order to capacity strengthens, plot planning has been expanded multiple Microcell.

In the example of Figure 11 A-B, first UE 100 is served by RBS A.Each and the respective cell of other RBS can be unlocked or close (inactive/low-power mode).

Cell status information

According to standard solution, each LTE RBS know which RBS be present near (so-called adjacent R BS), and use so-called X2 interface backhaul (back-haul) upper to have with them directly contact.LTE RBS also knows which community is the neighbor cell of its oneself each community, and namely which community is that expection UE hears and can be switched to potentially.

The expansion herein advised based on each LTE RBS about community active/inactive pattern (namely whether transmitting the information of cell definitions) sends the signal of its cell status to adjacent R BS so that each LTE RBS know UE can listen what to and can not what be heard.

Relative path loss is estimated

In an exemplary embodiment, UE can be the signal power that those cell measurements of transmitting pilot tone receive, and sends measurement report to service RBS.This is according to standard, and provides the relative path loss between different RBS (comprise its oneself) to estimate to service RBS.

For not transmitting the community of pilot tone, service RBS (A) is preferably sending request the signal that corresponding RBS B-G (or its suitable subset) carries out UL signal strength measurement.Thus RBS B-G performs the corresponding measurement report of measure and transmit to service RBS A.

Typically, service RBS A also measures the signal strength signal intensity received from UE at its oneself receiver, and this and the measurement report that carrys out measurement RBS B-G is compared.This provides relative path loss difference.

Based on by the measurement in a closed series of measuring RBS B-G and also undertaken by UE alternatively, serve RBS and can determine which community is most suitable for serving UE.If (inactive/low-power mode) is closed in this community, then serve RBS and send request the signal of unlatching community to corresponding RBS.

The RBS of time synchronized

In most applications, RBS is time synchronized, and namely they share common time base.This can be such as that GPS starts the time.

UL measures

Service RBS request carries out UL measurement by another RBS.Such as, described request comprises with the time interval for measuring and frequency interval and measures the information effectively relevant to which community.

Because two RBS are locked in common time base, the measurement moment can represent with base time this.

Measure RBS and carry out signal power measurement.This measurement produces matrix, and wherein each value represents the average power of received signal to time and frequency interval, as appreciable in Figure 12.

At LTE medium frequency interval (FI) 1PRB frequency size, i.e. 180kHz typically.

The time interval (TI) is UL time slot, such as a 500us typically.

When system is time synchronized, minimum measurement report size can be realized.So the request of measurement only comprises a frequency and the time interval, such as, sometime to the measurement of 500us on a certain 180kHz interval.

Total Measuring Time is shorter, report will less and measure power consumption in RBS also can be less.

Request UL measures

When serving RBS and wanting to measure, it determines that it is suitable for UL transmission and dispatches time and the frequency interval at UE place.If it is interested for having the measurement that more than one UL performs, then UL measures and is preferably scheduled close to each other.

Then service RBS sends the request of measurement to measuring RBS.

Then service RBS performs UL scheduling by sending scheduling grant to UE.Then UE will transmit data.

The signal strength signal intensity received is stored.

Service RBS will receive measurement report from measurement RBS.Because measurement RBS is time synchronized, so can signal strength signal intensity that is direct and that oneself receive compare.

The RBS of time irreversibility

In some applications, RBS does not share common time base, or synchronous accuracy is too low.So measurement report and process will be slightly more complicated.

UL measures

Service RBS can ask to carry out UL measurement by another RBS.Such as, described request comprises with the time interval for measuring and frequency interval and measures the information effectively relevant to which community.

Because two RBS are not locked in common time reference, measure the moment preferably relative to asking the time of transmitting to represent.Will add extra uncertainty, this needs to process when explaining measurement report.

Measure RBS and carry out signal power measurement.This measurement produces matrix, and wherein each value represents the average power of received signal to preset time and frequency interval, as appreciable in Figure 12.

The same with the situation for time synchronized, at LTE medium frequency interval (FI) 1PRB frequency size, i.e. 180kHz typically.

The time interval (TI) is typically significantly less than UL time slot, such as a 10us.

Temporal overall measurement length is extended owing to not having synchronous RBS, because will add extra uncertainty, and the UL transmission that relevant UE is caught in measurement is important.

Request UL measures

When serving RBS and wanting to carry out UL measurement, it determines that it is suitable for UL transmission and dispatches time and the frequency interval at UE place.If it is interested for having the measurement that more than one UL performs, then UL measures and is preferably scheduled close to each other.

Then serve RBS and send the request of measurement to measuring RBS.Because measurement RBS is not time synchronized, surplus (margin) was added before and after UL scheduling instance, and report interval (TI) is established short.

The signal strength signal intensity received is stored, and its UE both with just measured is relevant, again with before and after time slot relevant.

Service RBS will receive measurement report from measurement RBS.

Because measurement RBS is not time synchronized, so the UL signal strength signal intensity stored is compared where have its sample to search relevant UE in the time domain in a matrix by with the signal strength signal intensity of report.If this can not easily be determined, then measure needs and re-start, such as, adopt preceding empty timeslots or adopt the signal strength signal intensity pattern easily found.

This is mainly used in the business situation that RBS is just operating in inactive/low-power mode.Business is therefore typically very not high, and such as to optimize UL scheduling by following method be rational with simplified measurement:

UL transmission was not carried out immediately before or after the UE paid close attention to.

(such as 10ms) upper continuing transmits over a long time to make the UE of concern.

This provides supplementary or alternative solution to the measurement based on UE, and wherein travelling performance is processed when not opening the conveyer of community of the business of transport.User can not see the degradation in any service, because LTE community is just in time opened in time.

As previously described, benefit comprises power consumption and the operability cost of reduction, such as, must transmit the time of the information of cell definitions by minimizing or at least reducing wherein radio base station and/or reduce wherein radio base station and need to make its receiver exercisable time.

Exemplarily, for uplink measurement, handover measurement can be performed when not opening RBS conveyer.The assessment of the target handover candidate that may be able to be based on the RBS considered also, is ordered by related network unit (such as serving RBS) and measures.In this way, the sum measured can be limited.Generally, Measuring Time phase and signaling also will be restricted, and therefore minimize the load in transmission network and power consumption.

Also possibly, select one group of possible target handover candidate based on the what is called with known geographical locations with reference to upper measurement, thus the rough estimate of location of user equipment is provided.This restriction actual needs executive signal ionization meter or open their quantity of RBS of conveyer.

Process above can be realized by the appropriately combined of processing hardware of hardware or software and executive software in device or corresponding controller module.

Figure 13 is according to the community active controller of an example embodiment or the schematic block diagram for controlling the device that community is activated.Substantially, the device 300 also referred to as community active controller comprises: measure for request signal intensity (SS) and receive the unit 310 of reported measurement, Cell selector 320 and community activated trigger unit 330.Unit 310 for request signal ionization meter is arranged to current this type of measurement do not transmitted for inactive community in the region of at least one other community sluggish of the radio base station of the information of any cell definitions of request.Unit 310 also receives the measurement report from relevant measuring unit.Selector 320 is arranged to the information based on the signal strength measurement of received expression request and selects one or more inactive community for activating.Community activated trigger unit 330 is arranged to information by making administrative institute select the corresponding radio base station of community to start to transmit the cell definitions of community and is activated with the community helping the subscriber equipment community of searching for radio communication services and carry out request selecting.

Community active controller 300 can realize in the network element associated with radio circuit of such as radio base station 10 or radio network controller 55.

In a concrete example, the unit 310 for request signal ionization meter is arranged to request subscriber equipment and performs and report the downlink measurement of the information of the cell definitions received from the one or more radio base stations of the radio access network (can be another kind of radio access technologies) of another overlap.The downlink measurement that thus selector 320 is configured to the radio access network of the overlap based on report operates.

In another example, the one or more radio base stations that the unit 310 for request signal ionization meter is arranged to the corresponding inactive community of request management perform and the uplink measurement of reporting user facility transmission.In the case, the uplink measurement that selector 320 is configured to transmit based on the subscriber equipment of report operates.Optionally, selector 320 is configured to also operate based on the downlink measurement transmitted in other active cell one or more reported by subscriber equipment.

Other examples and/or the optional feature of community active controller will be described below:

Preferably, community active controller 300 is configured to collect and consider the signal strength measurement in multiple inactive community, to allow to select suitable Target cell for activating in a large amount of candidate cell.

Community active controller or alternative be the network element realizing it wherein be preferably configured as other communities multiple each receive from the corresponding radio base station being responsible for other communities described and represent that community is sluggish or active information.

For community activated trigger unit 330, several different radio base station that makes is had to be the method that specific cell starts to transmit the information of cell definitions.Such as, triggering signal can be the community activation command of the inter-base station interface via such as X2 interface or the network controller-base-station interface via such as Iub interface.The Stochastic accessing (RA) also having another example to comprise the subscriber equipment be issued in the community of selection enables the signal of information, and asks subscriber equipment Stochastic accessing (RA) to be sent to the corresponding radio base station of the community that management is selected with the community selected that triggers the activation.

Managing in the radio base station of inactive community that will activate, typically there is conveyer controller, this controller can be that the information that community starts to transmit cell definitions activates inactive community by controlling conveyer.Radio base station can also have the access right to timer, and when this timer expired and/or when as usual manner detect do not have or only much lower amounts business of enlivening or be present in active cell time, this conveyer controller can such as by control conveyer stop for community transmit cell definitions information and make community inactive.

Conveyer controller can be associated with the transfer equipment of the power amplifier in radio base station, Base-Band Processing and reality.

Unit 310 to 330 can all in the network element of such as radio base station one and realize in identical physical unit, same site such as in radio circuit, or be in fact distributed in multiple geographic sites, but these websites carry out Combined Treatment as single wireless electricity base station or (e) NodeB.

In the block diagram of above-mentioned Figure 13, the unit only as being directly involved in the activation of controlled community disclosed herein is explicitly shown.Therefore the network element of such as radio base station that expection comprises the corresponding intrument activated for community comprises other unit of using in their traditional operation and functional.

The above embodiments are merely given as examples, and should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited thereto.Retain the further amendment of the basic basic principle of open and prescription herein, changes and improvements within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. control a method for the activation of at least one community in radio circuit (1), described radio circuit (1) comprises multiple radio base station (10,20; 10,20,30; 10,20,30,40), be called that at least one management service of the described radio base station of serving radio base station (10) is in the active cell (15) of subscriber equipment (100), said method comprising the steps of:

-request (S1; S11; S21; ) current less than being at least one other community sluggish (25; 25,35; 25,35,45) radio base station (20 of the information of any cell definitions is transmitted; 20,30; 20,30,40) signal strength measurement in the region of other communities described sluggish;

-based on the reception information representing described signal strength measurement, select (S2; S12; S22) at least one other community sluggish is used for activating; And

-start to transmit the information of cell definitions by the corresponding radio base station of the community making administrative institute select, request (S3; S13; S23) other communities sluggish of described selection are activated, and the feature of described method is:

Described step (the S1 of request signal ionization meter; S11; S21) comprise the described subscriber equipment of request perform and report the step (S11) of the downlink measurement of the information of the cell definitions received from least one radio base station of the radio access network of another overlap, and select at least one other community sluggish for the described step (S12) that the activates downlink measurement based on the radio access network of the described overlap of report, or

Described step (the S1 of request signal ionization meter; S11; S21) at least one radio base station comprising corresponding other communities sluggish of request management performs and the step (S21) of the uplink measurement of reporting user facility transmission, and selects the uplink measurement that at least one other community sluggish is transmitted based on the subscriber equipment reported for the described step (S22) activated.

2. the method for claim 1, wherein, the described community managed by described serving radio base station (10) and at least one other community sluggish described associate with the first radio access technologies, and the radio access network of the described overlap radio access technologies different from second associates.

3. the method for claim 1, wherein select the described step (S1 of at least one other community sluggish for activating; S11; The downlink measurement transmitted at least one other active community of S21) also reporting based on described subscriber equipment (100).

4. the described step (S1 of the method for claim 1, wherein request signal ionization meter; S11; S21) the multiple corresponding radio base station (20,30 of request is comprised; 20,30,40) other communities multiple sluggish (25,35; 25,35,45) step of signal strength measurement in, and select the described step (S2 of at least one other community sluggish for activating; S12; S22) comprise based on representing that the reception information of described signal strength measurement selects the step of other communities sluggish for activating in described multiple other communities sluggish.

5. the method for claim 1, wherein, request signal ionization meter, select at least one other community sluggish to be triggered by the needs that current subscriber equipment (100) of being served by described serving radio base station (10) is switched to new target cell for the described step activating and ask other communities sluggish of described selection and be activated, wherein selected after selected community has been activated community can be used as Target cell.

6. the method for claim 1, wherein ask the described step (S3 that other communities sluggish of described selection are activated; S13; S23) step of the signal sending community activation command between radio base station is included in, or send the Stochastic accessing of subscriber equipment (100) from described serving radio base station (10) to selected community and enable the step of the signal of information, to make described subscriber equipment (100), Stochastic accessing is sent to the corresponding radio base station of the community that administrative institute is selected so that the activation of the community selected by triggering.

7. the method for claim 1, wherein, request signal ionization meter, select at least one other community sluggish for the described step that activates and ask other communities sluggish of described selection and be activated by the network element (10 associated with described radio circuit; 55) perform, wherein, described network element is the radio network controller (55) of described serving radio base station (10) or described radio circuit.

8. method as claimed in claim 7, also comprises described network element (10; 55) for each of other communities multiple receives from the corresponding radio base station being responsible for other communities described the step that the described community of expression is inactive or active information.

9. one kind for controlling the device (300) of the activation of at least one community in radio circuit (1), and described radio circuit (1) comprises multiple radio base station (10,20; 10,20,30; 10,20,30,40), be called that at least one management service of the described radio base station of serving radio base station (10) is in the active cell (15) of subscriber equipment (100), described device comprises:

-current less than being at least one other community sluggish (25 for asking; 25,35; 25,35,45) radio base station (20 of the information of any cell definitions is transmitted; 20,30; 20,30,40) parts (310) of signal strength measurement in the region of other communities described sluggish;

-for selecting the parts (320) of at least one other community sluggish for activating based on the reception information representing described signal strength measurement; And

-start to transmit the information of cell definitions for the corresponding radio base station of the community by making administrative institute select and ask the parts (330) that other communities sluggish of described selection are activated, the feature of described device is:

Described parts (310) for request signal ionization meter comprise for asking described subscriber equipment to perform and reporting the parts of the downlink measurement of the information of the cell definitions received from least one radio base station of the radio access network of another overlap, and for selecting at least one other community sluggish to select at least one other community sluggish for activating for the described parts (320) activated are configured for the downlink measurement based on the radio access network of the described overlap reported, or

At least one radio base station that described parts (310) for request signal ionization meter comprise for corresponding other communities sluggish of request management performs and the parts of the uplink measurement of reporting user facility transmission, and for selecting at least one other community sluggish to select at least one other community sluggish for activating for the described parts (320) activated are configured for the uplink measurement based on the subscriber equipment transmission of report.

10. device as claimed in claim 9, wherein, the described community managed by described serving radio base station (10) and at least one other community sluggish described associate with the first radio access technologies, and the radio access network of the described overlap radio access technologies different from second associates.

11. devices as claimed in claim 9, wherein, also select at least one other community sluggish for activating based on the downlink measurement transmitted at least one other active community of being reported by described subscriber equipment (100) for selecting at least one other community sluggish to be configured for for the described parts (320) activated.

12. devices as claimed in claim 9, wherein, the described parts (310) for request signal ionization meter comprise for asking multiple corresponding radio base station (20,30; 20,30,40) other communities multiple sluggish (25,35; 25,35,45) parts of signal strength measurement in, and for selecting at least one other community sluggish to comprise for selecting the parts of other communities sluggish for activating based on the reception information of the described signal strength measurement of expression in described multiple other communities sluggish for the described parts (320) activated.

13. devices as claimed in claim 9, wherein, for request signal ionization meter described parts (310), for selecting at least one other community sluggish to be triggered by the needs that current subscriber equipment (100) of being served by described serving radio base station (10) is switched to new target cell at first for the described parts (320) that activate and the described parts (330) for asking other communities sluggish of described selection to be activated, wherein selected after selected community has been activated community can be used as Target cell.

14. devices as claimed in claim 9, wherein, described parts (330) for asking other communities sluggish of described selection to be activated comprise the parts of the signal for sending community activation command between radio base station, or Stochastic accessing is sent to the corresponding radio base station of the community that administrative institute is selected so that the parts of the selected community that triggers the activation to subscriber equipment in selected community to make described subscriber equipment by the signal enabling information for sending Stochastic accessing.

15. 1 kinds of network element (10 for using in radio circuit; 55), described network element comprises the device according to any one of claim 9-14.