Indicating optional parameter groups

• US 10,171,138 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2016
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Turtinen, Samuli Heikki, Pirskanen, Juho Mikko Oskari, Koskela, Timo
• Primary Examiner(s): Elallam, Ahmed
• Application Number:
  US15/282,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20180097547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0617 for beam forming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/005 of common pilots, i.e. pilots destined for multiple users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal

Abstract

Various communication systems may benefit from improved network communications. For example, messages sent to a user equipment may benefit from having optional configurations of parameters. A method includes determining optional configurations for parameters that override or supplement a default configuration of the parameters. The optional configurations are grouped into optional parameter groups. The method also includes encoding at least one of the optional parameter groups in a message. In addition, the method includes transmitting the message from the network node to a user equipment.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining optional configurations for parameters that override or supplement a default configuration of the parameters, wherein the optional configurations are grouped into optional parameter groups;

determining a number of the optional parameter groups to be encoded so as to not exceed a container size of a physical broadcast channel;

encoding the optional parameter groups in a system information block; and

transmitting the system information block from a network node to a user equipment.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an optionality bit is added to at least one of the optional parameter groups in an Abstract Syntax Notation One coding.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

prioritizing the optional parameter groups based on at least one of a service supported by a coverage area or a current network measurement.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

encoding an indication of whether the optional configurations override or supplement the default configuration.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

adding an identification of the default configuration to the system information block.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the system information block is transmitted through a broadcast or a dedicated signal.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

adding an indication of validity of at least one of the default configuration or the optional parameter groups to at least one of a neighboring carrier frequency, a neighboring cell, or a neighboring beam.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

adding a mapping between the optional configurations and the parameters to the system information block.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

adding an identification of the optional configurations indicating an availability of the optional configurations in a cell.

10. A method, comprising:

receiving a system information block at a user equipment from a network node, wherein the system information block comprises optional parameter groups comprising optional configurations for parameters that override or supplement a default configuration of the parameters, and wherein the optional parameter groups do not exceed a container size limit of a physical broadcast channel;

configuring radio parameters according to the system information block; and

overriding or supplementing the default configuration with the optional configurations.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

determining if a first of the optional parameter groups has been received; and

requesting a second of the optional parameter groups via dedicated signaling from the network node.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

determining that the optional configurations override the default configuration.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

determining a mandatory configuration within the optional configurations included in the system information block.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the system information block is received via dedicated signaling, and wherein the network node is an intra-network or an inter-network node.

15. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

requesting the default configuration via a macro connection.

16. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

determining if at least one of the optional configurations is present; and

request the at least one of the optional configurations via a dedicated signal from a small cell.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one memory comprising computer program code;

at least one processor;

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to;

determine optional configurations for parameters that override or supplement a default configuration of the parameters, wherein the optional configurations are grouped into optional parameter groups;

determine a number of the optional parameter groups to be encoded so as to not exceed a container size of a physical broadcast channel;

encode the optional parameter groups in a system information block; and

transmit the system information block from a network node to a user equipment.

18. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one memory comprising computer program code;

at least one processor;

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to;

receive a system information block at a user equipment from a network node, wherein the system information block comprises optional parameter groups comprising optional configurations for parameters that override or supplement a default configuration of the parameters, and wherein the optional parameter groups do not exceed a container size limit of a physical broadcast channel;

configure radio parameters according to the system information block; and

override or supplementing the default configuration with the optional configurations.