Sounding reference signal based small cell activity control
First Claim
1. A method for cell management in a mobile network comprising a cell with one or more subordinate cells at least partially within a coverage region of the cell, the method comprising:
- determining that a traffic load at a base station serving the cell is greater than a first threshold;
in response to determining that the traffic load at the base station is greater than the first threshold, requesting a further base station operable for serving one of the subordinate cells to perform measurement on an uplink reference signal transmitted by a user equipment;
receiving, at the base station serving the cell, a measurement report from the further base station, the measurement report indicating a result of a measurement performed by the further base station on an uplink reference signal transmitted by the user equipment;
on the basis of the measurement report, controlling activity of the one of the subordinate cells;
determining that the traffic load at the base station is below a second threshold;
in response to determining that the traffic load at the base station is below a second threshold, obtaining a report of a traffic load at the further base station; and
controlling activity of the one of the subordinate cells on the basis of the traffic load at the further base station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile network comprises a cell, with one or more subordinate cells having regions that are each located at least partially within a coverage region of the cell. A base station serving the cell receives a measurement report from a further base station. The further base station is operable for serving one of the subordinate cells. The measurement report indicates a result of a measurement performed by the further base station on an uplink reference signal transmitted by a user equipment. On the basis of the measurement report, the base station controls activity of the subordinate cell.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for cell management in a mobile network comprising a cell with one or more subordinate cells at least partially within a coverage region of the cell, the method comprising:
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determining that a traffic load at a base station serving the cell is greater than a first threshold; in response to determining that the traffic load at the base station is greater than the first threshold, requesting a further base station operable for serving one of the subordinate cells to perform measurement on an uplink reference signal transmitted by a user equipment; receiving, at the base station serving the cell, a measurement report from the further base station, the measurement report indicating a result of a measurement performed by the further base station on an uplink reference signal transmitted by the user equipment; on the basis of the measurement report, controlling activity of the one of the subordinate cells; determining that the traffic load at the base station is below a second threshold; in response to determining that the traffic load at the base station is below a second threshold, obtaining a report of a traffic load at the further base station; and controlling activity of the one of the subordinate cells on the basis of the traffic load at the further base station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A base station for a mobile network comprising a cell with one or more subordinate cells at least partially within a coverage region of the cell, the base station comprising:
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a radio interface for serving a user equipment in the cell; a further interface for communication with one or more further base stations operable to serve the subordinate cells; and at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to; measure an uplink signal power of the user equipment relative to the base station; determine that a traffic load at the base station serving is greater than a first threshold; in response to determining that the traffic load at the base station is greater than the first threshold, requesting a first further base station operable to serve one of the subordinate cells to perform measurement on an uplink reference signal transmitted by the user equipment; receive a measurement report from the first further base station, the measurement report indicating a result of a measurement performed by the first further base station on an uplink reference signal transmitted by the user equipment; and on the basis of the measurement report and the measured uplink signal power, control activity of the one of the subordinate cells; determine that the traffic load at the base station is below a second threshold; in response to determining that the traffic load at the base station is below a second threshold, obtain a report of a traffic load at the further base station; and control activity of the one of the subordinate cells on the basis of the traffic load at the further base station. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification