Long Term Evolution Radio Access Network

• US 20140226481A1
• Filed: 02/12/2014
• Published: 08/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altiostar Networks, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Altiostar Networks, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dahod, Ashraf M., Chowdhury, Kuntal, Khan, Parvez, Nguyen, Si
• Granted Patent: US 10,009,803 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/235
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0055 Transmission or use of information for re-establishing the radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/12 Setup of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/02 Data link layer protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

A system, a method, and a computer program product for coordinating communication of data packets between a user device and a core network are disclosed. The system includes a first device communicatively coupled to the core network, a second device communicatively coupled to the first device. The second device receives signals from the user device. The first device and the second device share at least one functionality associated with layer 2 of a long term evolution radio access network.

Claims

1. A system for coordinating communication of data packets between a user device and a core network, comprising:

a first device communicatively coupled to the core network; and

a second device communicatively coupled to the first device and configured for receiving signals from the user device;

wherein the first device and the second device share at least one functionality associated with layer 2 of a long term evolution radio access network.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first device comprises at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second device comprises a remote radio head, the remote radio head including a radio transmitter and a radio receiver.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first device and the second device are communicatively coupled via a fronthaul Ethernet connection and the first device is communicatively coupled with the core network using a backhaul connection.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein at least one message in a plurality of messages is configured to traverse the fronthaul Ethernet connection, the plurality of message being associated with establishing communication between the user device and the core network.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration and messages relating to establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration are combined with the messages relating to establishing the RRC connection, thereby reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration are combined with the messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection, thereby reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

10. The system according to claim 2, further comprising a third device communicatively coupled to the core network.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the third device comprises at least one of the following:

at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station and a remote radio head.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first device and the third device are at least one of the following:

a macro cell and a micro cell.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first device and the third device exchange a plurality of messages relating to handover.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of messages exchanged between the first device and the third device include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein at least one message relating to handover is combined with at least one message relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the second device and the third device, upon detecting a reconfiguration of a connection with the user device, is configured to transmit data on a downlink connection connecting the user device and at least one of the second device and the third device.

17. A method for coordinating communication of data packets between a user device and a core network, wherein a first device is communicatively coupled to the core network and a second device is communicatively coupled to the first device, the method comprising

receiving, using the second device, data packets from the user device;

and

transmitting, using the first device, the data packets to the core network;

wherein the first device and the second device share at least one functionality associated with layer 2 of a long term evolution radio access network.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first device comprises at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the second device comprises a remote radio head, the remote radio head including a radio transmitter and a radio receiver.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first device and the second device are communicatively coupled via a fronthaul Ethernet connection and the first device is communicatively coupled with the core network using a backhaul connection.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising

transmitting at least one message in a plurality of messages on the fronthaul Ethernet connection, wherein the plurality messages being associated with establishing communication between the user device and the core network.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration and messages relating to establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration are combined with the messages relating to establishing the RRC connection, thereby reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration are combined with the messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection, thereby reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

26. The method according to claim 18, wherein a third device is communicatively coupled to the core network.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the third device comprises at least one of the following:

at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station and a remote radio head.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the first device and the third device are at least one of the following:

a macro cell and a micro cell.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the first device and the third device exchange a plurality of messages relating to handover.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the plurality of messages exchanged between the first device and the third device include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein at least one message relating to handover is combined with at least one message relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein at least one of the second device and the third device, upon detecting a reconfiguration of a connection with the user device, is configured to transmit data on a downlink connection connecting the user device and at least one of the second device and the third device.

33. A computer program product comprising a machine-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one programmable processor, cause the at least one programmable processor to perform operations relating to coordination of communication of data packets between a user device and a core network, wherein a first device is communicatively coupled to the core network and a second device is communicatively coupled to the first device, the operations including receiving, using the second device, data packets from the user device;

and

transmitting, using the first device, the data packets to the core network;

wherein the first device and the second device share at least one functionality associated with layer 2 of a long term evolution radio access network.

34. The computer program product according to claim 33, wherein the first device comprises at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station.

35. The computer program product according to claim 33, wherein the second device comprises a remote radio head, the remote radio head including a radio transmitter and a radio receiver.

36. The computer program product according to claim 33, wherein the first device and the second device are communicatively coupled via a fronthaul Ethernet connection and the first device is communicatively coupled with the core network using a backhaul connection.

37. The computer program product according to claim 36, the operations further comprising

transmitting at least one message in a plurality of messages on the fronthaul Ethernet connection, wherein the plurality messages being associated with establishing communication between the user device and the core network.

38. The computer program product according to claim 37, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration and messages relating to establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection.

39. The computer program product according to claim 38, wherein the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration are combined with the messages relating to establishing the RRC connection, thereby reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

40. The computer program product according to claim 38, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection.

41. The computer program product according to claim 40, wherein the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration are combined with the messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection, thereby reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

42. The computer program product according to claim 34, wherein a third device is communicatively coupled to the core network.

43. The computer program product according to claim 42, wherein the third device comprises at least one of the following:

at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station and a remote radio head.

44. The computer program product according to claim 43, wherein the first device and the third device are at least one of the following:

a macro cell and a micro cell.

45. The computer program product according to claim 43, wherein the first device and the third device exchange a plurality of messages relating to handover.

46. The computer program product according to claim 45, wherein the plurality of messages exchanged between the first device and the third device include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration.

47. The computer program product according to claim 46, wherein at least one message relating to handover is combined with at least one message relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration.

48. The computer program product according to claim 47, wherein at least one of the second device and the third device, upon detecting a reconfiguration of a connection with the user device, is configured to transmit data on a downlink connection connecting the user device and at least one of the second device and the third device.

49. A communications device configured to be communicatively coupled to a core network and a remote radio head for coordinating communication of data packets between a user device and the core network, the communications device comprising

a processing component having at least one functionality associated with layer 2 of a long term evolution radio access network, wherein the communications device and the remote radio head are configured to share the at least one functionality.

50. The communications device according to claim 49, wherein the communications device comprises at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station.

51. The communications device according to claim 49, wherein the communications device and the remote radio head are communicatively coupled via a fronthaul Ethernet connection and the communications device is communicatively coupled with the core network using a backhaul connection.

52. The communications device according to claim 51, wherein at least one message in a plurality of messages is configured to traverse the fronthaul Ethernet connection, the plurality of message being associated with establishing communication between the user device and the core network.

53. The communications device according to claim 52, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration and messages relating to establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection.

54. The communications device according to claim 53, wherein the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration are combined with the messages relating to establishing the RRC connection, thereby reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

55. The communications device according to claim 53, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection.

56. The communications device according to claim 55, wherein the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration are combined with the messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection, thereby reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

57. The communications device according to claim 50, further comprising another communications device communicatively coupled to the core network.

58. The communications device according to claim 57, wherein the another communications device comprises at least one of the following:

at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station and another remote radio head.

59. The communications device according to claim 58, wherein the communications device and the another communications device are at least one of the following:

a macro cell and a micro cell.

60. The communications device according to claim 58, wherein the communications device and the another communications device exchange a plurality of messages relating to handover.

61. The communications device according to claim 60, wherein the plurality of messages exchanged between the communications device and the another communications device include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration.

62. The communications device according to claim 61, wherein at least one message relating to handover is combined with at least one message relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration.

63. The communications device according to claim 62, wherein the remote radio head, upon detecting a reconfiguration of a connection with the user device, is configured to transmit data on a downlink connection connecting the user device and the remote radio head.

64. A method for coordinating communication of data packets between a user device and a core network, comprising

establishing, using a communications device, a radio connection for communicating data packets between the user device and the core network, wherein the communications device is configured to be communicatively coupled to the core network and a remote radio head, and includes a processing component having at least one functionality associated with layer 2 of a long term evolution radio access network, wherein the communications device and the remote radio head are configured to share the at least one functionality;

and

communicating, using the communications device, data packets on the established radio connection.

65. The method according to claim 64, wherein

the communications device comprises at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station.

66. The method according to claim 64, wherein the communications device and the remote radio head are communicatively coupled via a fronthaul Ethernet connection and the communications device is communicatively coupled with the core network using a backhaul connection.

67. The method according to claim 66, further comprising

traversing at least one message in a plurality of messages in the fronthaul Ethernet connection, the plurality of message being associated with establishing communication between the user device and the core network.

68. The method according to claim 67, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration and messages relating to establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection.

69. The method according to claim 68, further comprising

combining the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration with the messages relating to establishing the RRC connection;

and

reducing, based on the combining, latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

70. The method according to claim 68, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection.

71. The method according to claim 70, further comprising

combining the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration with the messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection;

and

reducing, based on the combining, latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

72. The method according to claim 65, wherein another communications device is communicatively coupled to the core network.

73. The method according to claim 72, wherein the another communications device comprises at least one of the following:

at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station and another remote radio head.

74. The method according to claim 73, wherein the communications device and the another communications device are at least one of the following:

a macro cell and a micro cell.

75. The method according to claim 73, further comprising

exchanging, using the communications device and the another communications device, a plurality of messages relating to handover.

76. The method according to claim 74, wherein the plurality of messages exchanged between the communications device and the another communications device include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration.

77. The method according to claim 76, further comprising

combining at least one message relating to handover with at least one message relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration.

78. The method according to claim 77, further comprising

transmitting, using the remote radio head, upon detecting a reconfiguration of a connection with the user device, data on a downlink connection connecting the user device and the remote radio head.

79. A communications device for coordinating communication of data packets between a user device and a second communications device, the communications device having a radio transmitter and a radio receiver, the communications device comprising

a processing component having at least one functionality associated with layer 2 of a long term evolution radio access network, wherein the communications device and the second communications device are configured to share the at least one functionality.

80. The communications device according to claim 79, wherein the communications device is configured to be coupled to the second communications device using a fronthaul Ethernet connection.

81. The communications device according to claim 79, wherein the communications device is a remote radio head comprising a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station.

82. The communications device according to claim 79, wherein the communications device and the second communications device are communicatively coupled via a fronthaul Ethernet connection and the second communications device is communicatively coupled with the core network using a backhaul connection.

83. The communications device according to claim 82, wherein at least one message in a plurality of messages is configured to traverse the fronthaul Ethernet connection, the plurality of message being associated with establishing communication between the user device and the core network.

84. The communications device according to claim 83, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration and messages relating to establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection.

85. The communications device according to claim 84, wherein the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration are combined with the messages relating to establishing the RRC connection, thereby reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

86. The communications device according to claim 84, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection.

87. The communications device according to claim 86, wherein the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration are combined with the messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection, thereby reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

88. The communications device according to claim 81, further comprising another communications device communicatively coupled to the core network.

89. The communications device according to claim 88, wherein the another communications device comprises at least one of the following:

at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station and another remote radio head.

90. The communications device according to claim 79, wherein the communications device, upon detecting a reconfiguration of a connection with the user device, is configured to transmit data on a downlink connection connecting the user device and the communications device.

91. A method for coordinating communication of data packets between a user device and a core network, comprising

establishing, using a communications device, a radio connection for communicating data packets between the user device and the core network, wherein the communications device and is configured to be coupled to a second communications device and includes a radio transmitter, a radio receiver, and a processing component having at least one functionality associated with layer 2 of a long term evolution radio access network, wherein the communications device and the second communications device are configured to share the at least one functionality;

and

communicating, using the communications device, data packets on the established radio connection.

92. The method according to claim 91, wherein the communications device is configured to be coupled to the second communications device using a fronthaul Ethernet connection.

93. The method according to claim 91, wherein the communications device is a remote radio head comprising a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station.

94. The method according to claim 91, wherein the communications device and the second communications device are communicatively coupled via a fronthaul Ethernet connection and the second communications device is communicatively coupled with the core network using a backhaul connection.

95. The method according to claim 94, further comprising

traversing at least one message in a plurality of messages in the fronthaul Ethernet connection, the plurality of message being associated with establishing communication between the user device and the core network.

96. The method according to claim 95, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration and messages relating to establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection.

97. The method according to claim 96, further comprising

combining the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration with the messages relating to establishing the RRC connection;

and

reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

98. The method according to claim 96, wherein the plurality of messages include messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection.

99. The method according to claim 98, further comprising

combining the messages relating to layer 1 and/or layer 2 configuration with the messages relating to re-establishing the RRC connection;

and

reducing latency associated with the Ethernet fronthaul connection.

100. The method according to claim 93, wherein another communications device communicatively coupled to the core network.

101. The method according to claim 100, wherein the another communications device comprises at least one of the following:

at least a portion of an evolved node (eNodeB) base station and another remote radio head.

102. The method according to claim 91, further comprising

transmitting, using the communications device, upon detecting a reconfiguration of a connection with the user device, data on a downlink connection connecting the user device and the communications device.