ACCESS CONTROL IN RADIO ACCESS NETWORK HAVING PICO BASE STATIONS

• US 20070183427A1
• Filed: 10/03/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Vikberg, Jari, Nylander, Tomas, Teder, Paul
• Application Number:
  US11/538,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20070183427A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/395.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/30 Types of network names
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/24 Cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/06 Testing, supervising or monitoring using simulated traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/10 Reselecting an access point controller
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• 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 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 : Access point devices with remote components
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/12 : between access points and access point controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/22 : between access point controllers

Abstract

Methods and apparatus provide access control to a femto radio base station (28_f) of a radio access network (24). The radio access network (24) maintains a database (44) of allowed user equipment units which are to be permitted access for use of a femto radio base station (28_f). The database (44) is consulted and used to determine if a candidate user equipment (30) unit attempting to use the femto radio base station (28_f) for access to the radio access network (24) is to be given access. In some implementations, the candidate user equipment unit (30) is permitted to use the femto radio base station (28_f) only if the candidate user equipment unit is an allowed user equipment unit as determined by the database (44). In some implementations, if the candidate user equipment unit (30) is not an allowed user equipment unit as determined by the database (44), the candidate user equipment unit is redirected to another frequency, or to another cell, or to another radio access technology network. In some implementations, if the candidate user equipment unit (30) is not an allowed user equipment unit as determined by the database (44), the candidate user equipment unit is required to wait for a specified wait time before again attempting to use the femto radio base station (28_f) for access to the radio access network.

Claims

1. A method of operating a radio access network comprising:

maintaining a database of allowed user equipment units which are to be permitted access for use of a femto radio base station;

using the database to faciliate a determination if a candidate user equipment unit attempting to use the femto radio base station for access to the radio access network is to be given access.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the candidate user equipment unit attempting to use the femto radio base station for access to the radio access network comprises the candidate user equipment unit attempting to establish a radio connection with the radio access network through the femto radio base station.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising permitting the candidate user equipment unit to use the femto radio base station only if the candidate user equipment unit is an allowed user equipment unit as determined by the database.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if the candidate user equipment unit is not an allowed user equipment unit as determined by the database, redirecting the candidate user equipment unit to another frequency, or to another cell, or to another radio access technology network.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if the candidate user equipment unit is not an allowed user equipment unit as determined by the database, requiring the candidate user equipment unit to wait for a specified wait time before again attempting to use the femto radio base station for access to the radio access network.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the access control database with identities of allowed user equipment units which are to be permitted access for use of the femto radio base station.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a status message to a node of the radio access network for providing information regarding the determination.

8. A radio access network comprising:

a femto radio base station for serving a femto cell of the radio access network;

at least one radio network controller node, the at least one radio network controller node configured for controlling a connection between a user equipment unit and the radio access network using resources of the femto radio base station;

an access control database configured for facilitating a determination whether a candidate user equipment unit attempting to use the femto radio base station for access to the radio access network is to be given access.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the access control database is situated as a stand alone node of the radio access network.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the access control database is situated at a radio network controller node of the radio access network.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the access control database is configured for facilitating the determination in response to interrogation by the radio network controller node.

12. A radio access network node comprising an access control database configured for facilitating a determination whether a candidate user equipment unit attempting to use a femto radio base station for access to a radio access network is to be given access to the radio access network through the femto radio base station.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the access control database is situated as a stand alone node of the radio access network.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the access control database is situated at a radio network controller node of the radio access network.