Techniques for provisioning configuration information based on cell characteristics

• US 10,028,212 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2014
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Griot, Miguel, Horn, Gavin Bernard, Malladi, Durga Prasad
• Primary Examiner(s): WANG, TED M
• Application Number:
  US14/492,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20150148038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,394 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0205 at the air interface dynamic wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0247 based on conditions of the access network or the infrastructure network central resource management H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0967 Quality of Service [QoS] parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/00698 using different RATs
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

Techniques are described for configuring wireless service for a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communications network in which the UE may be served over one or more of multiple available cells. Wireless service for the UE may be configured based on parameters associated with each of the multiple cells, such as, for example, a primary/secondary cell designation of a cell, whether the cell operates using a licensed or an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, a radio access technology associated with a cell, and/or an operating frequency band of a cell. Based on the parameters for each cell, one or more cell configurations for serving the UE may be provided. The cell configurations may identify, for example, a set of rules that control how much and/or what type of traffic is sent on different cells.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at an access node in a wireless communications network, comprising:

providing a first cell associated with a first set of parameters;

providing a second cell associated with a second set of parameters;

identifying, as part of an activation procedure or a modification procedure for at least one bearer associated with a user equipment (UE) served by the access node, at least one cell configuration for serving the UE over the first cell and the second cell, wherein the at least one cell configuration is based at least in part on the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters;

selecting a service allocation of the at least one bearer, the service allocation comprising one or more service data flows over at least one of the first cell and the second cell based at least in part on the at least one cell configuration; and

serving data traffic to the UE based at least in part on the selected service allocation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein serving data traffic to the UE comprises:

serving a first subset of the one or more service data flows over the first cell;

or

serving a second subset of the one or more service data flows over the second cell.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the service allocation further comprises:

a percentage of traffic volume to be served over the first cell and a percentage of traffic volume to be served over the second cell.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on:

a default bearer activation procedure between the access node and the UE.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a second network node.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from the first network node as part of a bearer setup request message.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one cell configuration is provided:

for the UE;

for the at least one bearer of the UE;

for the one or more service data flows (SDFs);

for a class of UE;

or

for all UEs to be served using one or more of the first cell or the second cell.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein serving the UE comprises:

determining whether to serve the UE over the first cell; and

determining whether to serve the UE over the second cell.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining whether to serve the UE over the first cell or the second cell comprises one or more of:

instructing the UE to establish a connection with each of the first cell and the second cell;

or

instructing the UE to determine if access to the first cell or the second cell is available.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the service allocation further comprises:

a maximum amount of traffic volume to be served over the first cell or the second cell, in combination with the one or more service data flows and based at least in part on the selecting.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the service allocation further comprises:

a maximum bit rate to be served over the first cell or the second cell, in combination with the one or more service data flows and based at least in part on the selecting.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the service allocation further comprises:

a minimum bit rate to be served over the first cell or the second cell, in combination with the one or more service data flows and based at least in part on the selecting.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the service allocation further comprises:

an application type to be served over the first cell or the second cell, in combination with the one or more service data flows and based at least in part on the selecting.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the service allocation further comprises:

one or more bearers to be served over the first cell or the second cell, in combination with the one or more service data flows and based at least in part on the selecting, wherein the one or more bearers comprise at least the at least one bearer.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the service allocation further comprises:

a Quality of Service (QoS) requirement of traffic volume to be served by the first cell or the second cell, in combination with the one or more service data flows and based at least in part on the selecting.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the service allocation further comprises:

one or more prioritization rules associated with the first cell or the second cell, in combination with the one or more service data flows and based at least in part on the selecting.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on;

a default bearer modification procedure between the access node and the UE.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from the first network node as part of a bearer modify request message.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on;

a dedicated bearer activation procedure between the access node and the UE.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from the first network node as part of a bearer setup request message.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a dedicated bearer modification procedure between the access node and the UE.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from the first network node as part of a bearer modify request message.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a cell configuration procedure between the access node and the UE.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

establishing the cell configuration procedure through a service request procedure; and

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from the first network node as part of an initial context setup request message.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a connection establishment procedure between the access node and the UE.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cell is provided via a first Radio Access Technology (RAT) and the second cell is provided via a second RAT different from the first RAT.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cell is provided via a licensed radio frequency spectrum band and the second cell is provided via an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

28. An apparatus for wireless communication at an access node in a wireless communications network, comprising:

means for providing a first cell associated with a first set of parameters;

means for providing a second cell associated with a second set of parameters;

means for identifying, as part of an activation procedure or a modification procedure for at least one bearer associated with a user equipment (UE) served by the access node, at least one cell configuration for serving the UE over the first cell and the second cell, wherein the at least one cell configuration is based at least in part on the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters;

means for selecting a service allocation of the at least one bearer, the service allocation comprising one or more service data flows over at least one of the first cell and the second cell based at least in part on the at least one cell configuration; and

means for serving data traffic to the UE based at least in part on the selected service allocation.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for serving data traffic to the UE serves a first subset of the one or more service data flows over the first cell or serves a second subset of the one or more service data flows over the second cell.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the service allocation further comprises one or more of:

a percentage of traffic volume to be served over the first cell and a percentage of traffic volume to be served over the second cell;

a maximum amount of traffic volume to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

a maximum bit rate to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

a minimum bit rate to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

an application type to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

one or more bearers to be served over the first cell or the second cell, wherein the one or more bearers comprise at least the at least one bearer;

one or more prioritization rules associated with the first cell or the second cell;

a Quality of Service (QoS) requirement of traffic volume to be served by the first cell or the second cell;

or

an amount of air interface resources available to the first cell or the second cell.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

means for receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on;

a default bearer activation or a default bearer modification procedure between the access node and the UE.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising:

means for receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a second network node.

33. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one cell configuration is provided:

for the UE;

for the at least one bearer of the UE;

for the one or more service data flows (SDFs);

for a class of UE;

or

for all UEs to be served using one or more of the first cell or the second cell.

34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for serving the UE determines whether to serve the UE over the first cell and determines whether to serve the UE over the second cell.

35. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

means for receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a default bearer activation or a default bearer modification procedure between the access node and the UE.

36. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

means for receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a dedicated bearer activation or a dedicated bearer modification procedure between the access node and the UE.

37. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

means for receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a cell configuration procedure between the access node and the UE.

38. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

means for receiving information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a connection establishment procedure between the access node and the UE.

39. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first cell is provided via a first Radio Access Technology (RAT) and the second cell is provided via a second RAT different from the first RAT.

40. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the first cell is provided via a licensed radio frequency spectrum band and the second cell is provided via an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

41. An apparatus for wireless communication at an access node in a wireless communications network, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to;

provide a first cell associated with a first set of parameters;

provide a second cell associated with a second set of parameters;

identify, as part of an activation procedure or a modification procedure for at least one bearer associated with a user equipment (UE) served by the access node, at least one cell configuration for serving the UE over the first cell and the second cell, wherein the at least one cell configuration is based at least in part on the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters;

select a service allocation of the at least one bearer, the service allocation comprising one or more service data flows over at least one of the first cell and the second cell based at least in part on the at least one cell configuration; and

serve data traffic to the UE based at least in part on the selected service allocation.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to serve a first set of one or more service data flows over the first cell or serve a second set of one or more service data flows over the second cell.

43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the service allocation further comprises one or more of:

a percentage of traffic volume to be served over the first cell and a percentage of traffic volume to be served over the second cell;

a maximum amount of traffic volume to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

a maximum bit rate to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

a minimum bit rate to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

an application type to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

one or more bearers to be served over the first cell or the second cell, wherein the one or more bearers comprise at least the at least one bearer;

one or more prioritization rules associated with the first cell or the second cell;

a Quality of Service (QoS) requirement of traffic volume to be served by the first cell or the second cell;

or

an amount of air interface resources available to the first cell or the second cell.

44. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to receive information associated with at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on:

a default bearer activation or a default bearer modification procedure between the access node and the UE.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to receive information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a second network node.

46. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the at least one cell configuration is provided:

for the UE;

for the at least one bearer of the UE;

for the one or more service data flows (SDFs);

for a class of UE;

or

for all UEs to be served using one or more of the first cell or the second cell.

47. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to determine whether to serve the UE over the first cell and determine whether to serve the UE over the second cell.

48. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a default bearer activation or a default bearer modification procedure between the access node and the UE.

49. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a dedicated bearer activation or a dedicated bearer modification procedure between the access node and the UE.

50. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a cell configuration procedure between the access node and the UE.

51. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a connection establishment procedure between the access node and the UE.

52. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the first cell is provided via a first Radio Access Technology (RAT) and the second cell is provided via a second RAT different from the first RAT.

53. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the first cell is provided via a licensed radio frequency spectrum band and the second cell is provided via an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

54. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code for wireless communication at an access node in a wireless communications network, the code executable by a processor to:

provide a first cell associated with a first set of parameters;

provide a second cell associated with a second set of parameters;

identify, as part of an activation procedure or a modification procedure for at least one bearer associated with a user equipment (UE) served by the access node, at least one cell configuration for serving the UE over the first cell and the second cell, wherein the at least one cell configuration is based at least in part on the first set of parameters and the second set of parameters;

select a service allocation of the at least one bearer, the service allocation comprising one or more service data flows over at least one of the first cell and the second cell based at least in part on the at least one cell configuration; and

serve data traffic to the UE based at least in part on the selected service allocation.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the code is further executable by the processor to serve a first subset of the one or more service data flows over the first cell or serve a second subset of one the or more service data flows over the second cell.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the service allocation further comprises one or more of:

a percentage of traffic volume to be served over the first cell and a percentage of traffic volume to be served over the second cell;

a maximum amount of traffic volume to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

a maximum bit rate to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

a minimum bit rate to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

an application type to be served over the first cell or the second cell;

one or more bearers to be served over the first cell or the second cell, wherein the one or more bearers comprise at least the at least one bearer;

one or more prioritization rules associated with the first cell or the second cell;

a Quality of Service (QoS) requirement of traffic volume to be served by the first cell or the second cell;

or

an amount of air interface resources available to the first cell or the second cell.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the code is further executable by the processor to receive information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on:

a default bearer activation or a default bearer modification procedure between the access node and the UE.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 57, wherein the code is further executable by the processor to receive information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a second network node.

59. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the at least one cell configuration is provided:

for the UE;

for the at least one bearer of the UE;

for the one or more service data flows (SDFs);

for a class of UE;

or

for all UEs to be served using one or more of the first cell or the second cell.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the code is further executable by the processor to determine whether to serve the UE over the first cell and determine whether to serve the UE over the second cell.

61. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the code is further executable by the processor to:

receive information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a default bearer activation or a default bearer modification procedure between the access node and the UE.

62. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the code is further executable by the processor to:

receive information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a dedicated bearer activation or a dedicated modification procedure between the access node and the UE.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the code is further executable by the processor to:

receive information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a cell configuration procedure between the access node and the UE.

64. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the code is further executable by the processor to:

receive information associated with the at least one cell configuration from a first network node based at least in part on a connection establishment procedure between the access node and the UE.