NEIGHBOUR CELL RELATION

• US 20130337778A1
• Filed: 03/02/2011
• Published: 12/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks US LLC (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks US LLC (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Ye, Yinghua, Lakshmi Narayanan, Ram
• Application Number:
  US14/002,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20130337778A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0055 Transmission or use of information for re-establishing the radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0058 Transmission of hand-off measurement information, e.g. measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0061 of neighbour cell information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/00835 Determination of neighbour cell lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0085 Hand-off measurements

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for improved neighbour cell relation, in particular in multi mobile network operator environments. A network entity (104) may receive roaming relation information from a network operator system (107). The network entity (104) may also receive an identification report from user equipment (106) wherein the identification report may include one or more parameters relating to one or more neighbouring cells (103). The network entity (104) may categorise the one or more neighbouring cells (103) based on the one or more parameters and the roaming relation information. The network entity (104) may further generate a neighbour cell list based on the categorised one or more neighbouring cells.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

receiving roaming relation information from a network operator system;

receiving an identification report from user equipment wherein said identification report includes one or more parameters relating to one or more neighbouring cells;

categorising said one or more neighbouring cells based on said one or more parameters and said roaming relation information; and

generating a neighbour cell list based on said categorised one or more neighbouring cells.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a measurement report from said user equipment wherein said measurement report includes one or more parameters relating to said one or more neighbouring cells; and

transmitting a message to said user equipment wherein said message instructs said user equipment to determine an identification report for at least one of said one or more neighbouring cells.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a security token for each of said one or more neighbouring cells; and

authenticating each of said one or more neighbouring cells based on said security token relating to each of said one or more neighbouring cells.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting said generated neighbour cell list to said network operator system; and

receiving from said network operator system an address for neighbour cells included in said neighbour cell list.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

identifying from said neighbour cell list a neighbour cell; and

performing a handover of said user equipment to said neighbour cell.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a first input adapted to receive roaming relation information from a network operator system;

a second input adapted to receive an identification report from user equipment wherein said identification report includes one or more parameters relating to one or more neighbouring cells;

a first processor adapted to categorise said one or more neighbouring cells based on said one or more parameters and said roaming relation information; and

a second processor adapted to generate a neighbour cell list based on said categorised one or more neighbouring cells.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further comprising:

a third input adapted to receive a measurement report from said user equipment wherein said measurement report includes one or more parameters relating to said one or more neighbouring cells; and

a first output adapted to transmit a message to said user equipment wherein said message instructs said user equipment to determine an identification report for at least one of said one or more neighbouring cells.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further receives a security token relating to said one or more neighbouring cells;

and said apparatus further comprises;

an authenticator adapted to authenticate each of said one or more neighbouring cells based on said security token relating to each of said one or more neighbouring cells.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further comprising:

a third processor adapted to identify from said neighbour cell list a neighbour cell; and

a fourth processor adapted to perform a handover of said user equipment to said neighbour cell.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 further comprising:

a second output adapted to transmit said generated neighbour cell list to said network operator system; and

a fourth input adapted to receive from said network operator system an address for neighbour cells included in said neighbour cell list.

11. A computer program product comprising computer readable executable code for:

receiving roaming relation information from a network operator system;

receiving an identification report from user equipment wherein said identification report includes one or more parameters relating to one or more neighbouring cells;

categorising said one or more neighbouring cells based on said one or more parameters and said roaming relation information; and

generating a neighbour cell list based on said categorised one or more neighbouring cells.