Method and user equipment in a communication network

• US 8,265,685 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2008
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Vikberg, Jari, Hiltunen, Kimmo, Nylander, Tomas, Olofsson, Hakan
• Primary Examiner(s): Gelin, Jean
• Application Number:
  US12/866,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20100323663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,575 Days
• Field of Search: 455/403, 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 455/414.1, 455/432.3, 455/434, 455/432.1, 455/438, 455/439, 455/440, 455/442, 455/452.1, 455/453, 455/410, 455/411, 370/238, 370/329, 370/331
• US Class Current: 455/525
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/0093 Neighbour cell search
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B

Abstract

The invention relates to a user equipment (600) comprising a receiving unit (606) arranged to receive, when the user equipment (600) is in idle mode, data from a base station indicating an identification of a second cell of a second frequency, a control unit (610) arranged to determine, based on the received data, that the user equipment (600) is not allowed access to the second cell, and, upon determination that the user equipment is not allowed access to the second cell, to perform a cell selection process to change from a present camped first cell of a first frequency to a third cell of a third frequency being different than the first frequency.

Claims

1. A method in a user equipment camped on a first cell that uses a first frequency, the method comprising:

receiving, from a base station, data identifying a second cell using a second frequency, wherein the second frequency is the same frequency as the first frequency,

determining that the user equipment is not allowed to access the second cell;

performing, upon determination that the user equipment is not allowed to access the second cell, a cell selection process to find a third cell to access, using a third frequency that differs from the first frequency, to avoid interference between the user equipment and the second cell.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the user equipment is not allowed to access the second cell comprises determining that the second cell is on a list of cells forbidden to access.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the user equipment is not allowed to access the second cell comprises determining that the second cell is omitted from a list of cells permitted to access.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein performing a cell selection process comprises taking into account that the user equipment is too close to a forbidden cell.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the cell selection process is based on a predetermined threshold value of signal measurement for the second cell, wherein the predetermined threshold value must be exceeded to initiate the cell selection.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the cell selection process comprises reducing, by a predetermined value, signal strength measurements, quality measurements or both, for cells of the first frequency, and wherein the cell selection process prioritizes cells of highest measurements of signal strength, quality, or both, after measurements are reduced.

7. The method of 1, wherein the cell selection process comprises changing to a different radio access technology.

8. The method of 1, further comprising:

receiving a rejection message when the user equipment is in active mode, the rejection message indicating that the user equipment is not allowed to access the second cell; and

updating a list of cells indicating accessibility with an identification of the second cell.

9. A user equipment comprising:

a receiving unit arranged to receive, when the user equipment is in idle mode, data from a base station identifying a second cell using a second frequency;

a control unit arranged to determine, based on the received data, that the user equipment is not allowed access to the second cell, and, upon determination that the user equipment is not allowed access to the second cell, to perform a cell selection process to change from a present camped first cell of a first frequency to a third cell, the third cell using a third frequency that differs from the first frequency.

10. The user equipment of claim 9, further comprising a memory with a stored list of cells identifications thereon indicating allowed access, and wherein the control unit is arranged to compare the received data with cell identifications in the list to determine that the user equipment is not allowed access to the second cell.

11. The user equipment of claim 10, wherein the list comprises a white list containing identification of cells that the user equipment is allowed to access.

12. The user equipment of claim 10, wherein the list comprises a black list containing identification of cells that the user equipment is denied to access.

13. The user equipment of claim 9, wherein the control unit is further arranged to determine whether to perform a cell selection procedure by taking into account whether the user equipment is too close to a forbidden cell.

14. The user equipment of claim 9, wherein the control unit is arranged to measure a signal strength or a signal quality, or both, for a signal carrying the received data, and, based on the received data and the measured signal strength or measured signal quality, or both, to determine to perform a cell selection process to change to the third cell.

15. The user equipment of claim 14, wherein the control unit is arranged to reduce, by a predetermined value, signal strength or quality measurements, or both, for cells of the first frequency, and wherein the cell selection process prioritizes cells having highest signal strength or signal quality measurements, or both.

16. The user equipment of claim 9, further comprising a transmitting arrangement, wherein the control unit is arranged to transmit data relating to a selected cell to connect to the selected cell.

17. The user equipment of claim 9, wherein the control unit is arranged to perform the cell selection process to change from a present camped first cell of a first frequency using a first radio access technology to a third cell, using a third frequency that differs from the first frequency and using a different radio access technology.