SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL RADIO CELL

• US 20170347272A1
• Filed: 05/26/2017
• Published: 11/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: SpiderCloud Wireless, Inc. (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: AHMAVAARA, Kalle, NAMA, Hithesh
• Granted Patent: US 10,098,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B

Abstract

In particular, systems and methods according to present principles configure physical eNodeB to have multiple virtual eNodeBs, where each virtual eNodeBs corresponds to a particular PLMN. Thus, each PLMN has its own virtual eNodeB which is hosted on a common shared physical eNodeB.

Claims

1. A radio access network node operable within a shared radio access network, the radio access network including at least one radio cell and providing access to multiple mobile networks, comprising:

a. a radio cell, configured to broadcast data corresponding to a radio access service provided via the radio cell;

b. wherein the radio cell is further configured to broadcast a plurality of identifiers of respective multiple mobile networks; and

c. wherein the radio cell is further configured to broadcast mobile network specific information applicable only for accessing a specific mobile network, the accessing by user equipment associated with the specific mobile network.

2. The network node of claim 1, wherein the radio cell supports access technologies corresponding to one or more of the group consisting of:

MulteFire, LTE, 5G.

3. The network node of claim 1, wherein the mobile network is selected from one or more of the group consisting of:

PLMNs, NHNs.

4. The network node of claim 1, wherein the identifiers correspond to PLMN identifiers.

5. The network node of claim 1, wherein the broadcast of mobile network specific information is such that the radio cell is enabled to support multiple virtual radio cells, each associated with at least one of the multiple mobile networks.

6. The network node of claim 1, wherein the mobile network specific information includes mobile network specific identifiers associated with the radio cell.

7. The network node of claim 1, wherein the mobile network specific information includes at least one of the group consisting of:

tracking area code, cell identifier, closed subscriber group indication, closed subscriber group identifier, and cell barred indication.

8. The network node of claim 1, wherein a radio access network node operating the radio cell is configured to apply the mobile network specific information in communications with each of the multiple mobile networks.

9. The network node of claim 1, wherein the radio cell is a member of a plurality of radio cells controlled by an eNodeB, and wherein first and second radio cells each receive respective first and second sets of lists of network specific information to service multiple mobile networks associated therewith, and wherein the first and second sets are different.

10. The network node of claim 9, wherein the first and second sets are associated with different PLMNs.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising instructions for causing the network node of claim 1 to perform the steps of broadcasting data, broadcasting the plurality of identifiers, and broadcasting the mobile network specific information.

12. A mobile device operable to communicate with a specific mobile network via a shared radio access network, the mobile device programmed to perform the following steps:

a. receiving broadcast information from a radio cell belonging to a shared radio access network;

b. detecting mobile network specific broadcast information associated with a selected mobile network; and

c. applying the detected mobile network specific broadcast information, whereby communication is enabled with the selected mobile network via the shared radio access network.

13. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the applying includes configuring the mobile device according to the detected mobile network specific broadcast information.

14. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the mobile device supports access technologies corresponding to one or more of the group consisting of:

MulteFire, LTE, 5G.

15. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the radio cell supports access technologies corresponding to one or more of the group consisting of:

MulteFire, LTE, 5G.

16. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the mobile network is selected from one or more of the group consisting of:

PLMNs, NHNs.

17. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the mobile network specific broadcast information includes mobile network specific identifiers associated with the radio cell.

18. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein a radio access network node operating the radio cell is configured to apply the mobile network specific broadcast information in communications with multiple mobile networks.