Cell selection and reselection in deployments with home nodeBs

• US 8,971,888 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2009
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Deshpande, Manoj M., Nanda, Sanjiv, Chen, Jen Mei, Pica, Francesco
• Primary Examiner(s): AJIBADE AKONAI, OLUMIDE
• Application Number:
  US12/400,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20090238114A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,185 Days
• Field of Search: 370/332, 370328-331, 455/449, 4554351-4353, 455436-444
• US Class Current: 455/435.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/0069 Cell search, i.e. determining cell identity [cell-ID] design of multiplexing codes H04J13/00; processing access restriction or access information H04W48/16; discovery of network devices for network data management H04W8/005; sounding signals for channel estimation H04L25/0226; structure of reference signals in multicarrier modulation systems H04L27/2613; frame, time or carrier synchronisation in multicarrier modulation systems H04L27/2655
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/0093 Neighbour cell search
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/73 Access point logical identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0061 of neighbour cell information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B

Abstract

Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate cell search, selection, and reselection within a wireless communication network that includes a home node base station (home nodeB). A user equipment (UE) can detect a home nodeB and communicate such identification to a macro network that includes at least one node base station (nodeB). The detected home nodeB and nodeB can be hierarchically structured in order to prioritize connectivity with the home nodeB over the nodeB. Such prioritization can be implemented by broadcasting home nodeB parameters and macro nodeB parameters having identification information therewith.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

utilizing a hierarchical structure to organize at least one node base station (nodeB) and at least one home node base station (home nodeB), wherein the hierarchical structure prioritizes a home nodeB over a nodeB;

receiving a portion of data related to a system information block (SIB) from at least one of a nodeB and a home nodeB, wherein the SIB is configured to enable a user equipment (UE) to discover the home nodeB;

communicating a detection notification related to a home nodeB to a macro network;

employing at least one of the hierarchical structure or the portion of data related to the SIB to enable the UE to select between the home nodeB or the nodeB;

receiving a public land mobile network identification (PLMN ID) for a selected home nodeB, wherein the UE established connectivity with the selected home nodeB;

tracking the PLMN ID associated with the selected home nodeB;

utilizing the tracked PLMN ID to select between a first home nodeB and a second home nodeB; and

connecting to at least one of the first home nodeB and the second home nodeB based upon the tracked PLMN ID.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing a manual search with the UE to discover the home nodeB.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling a search for the home nodeB and selection of the home nodeB with a mobility factor and a penalty timer.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a first PLMN ID allocation for the home nodeB and a second PLMN ID allocation for a macro network that includes the nodeB, wherein the first PLMN ID allocation is prioritized over the second PLMN ID allocation; and

utilizing the first PLMN ID allocation and the second PLMN ID allocation to select between the home nodeB or the nodeB.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising dynamically updating two or more equivalent PLMN ID'"'"'s to enable the UE to search for a home nodeB.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a location area code (LAC) assignment, wherein the LAC assignment is employed to distinguish an authorized home nodeB from an unauthorized home nodeB.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a scrambling code associated with a home nodeB;

receiving a scrambling code associated with a nodeB;

evaluating a received scrambling code to identify a new SIB or an existing SIB;

utilizing the evaluation to search for a nodeB;

or

utilizing the evaluation to prevent a search for a home nodeB.

8. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

organize at least one node base station (nodeB) and at least one home node base station (home nodeB) into a hierarchical structure that prioritizes a home nodeB over a nodeB;

receive a communication that includes a system information block (SIB) from at least one of a nodeB and a home nodeB;

leverage the SIB to identify the home nodeB;

utilize a manual search with a user equipment (UE) to discover the home nodeB;

evaluate a public land mobile network identification (PLMN ID) to identify at least one of the home nodeB or the nodeB;

receive a location area code (LAC) assignment to distinguish an authorized home nodeB from an unauthorized home nodeB;

communicate a detection notification related to a home nodeB to a macro network;

employ at least one of the hierarchical structure, the communication that includes the SIB, the PLMN ID, the manual search, or the LAC assignment to enable the UE to select between the home nodeB or the nodeB;

receive a PLMN ID for a selected home nodeB, wherein the UE established connectivity with the selected home nodeB;

tracking the PLMN ID associated with the selected home nodeB;

utilize the tracked PLMN ID to select between a first home nodeB and a second home nodeB; and

connect to at least one of the first home nodeB and the second home nodeB based upon the tracked PLMN ID; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

9. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

receive a scrambling code associated with a home nodeB;

receive a scrambling code associated with a nodeB;

evaluating a received scrambling code to identify a new SIB or an existing SIB;

utilize the evaluation to search for a nodeB;

or

utilize the evaluation to prevent a search for a home nodeB.

10. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to organize at least one node base station (nodeB) and at least one home node base station (home nodeB) into a hierarchical structure that prioritizes a home nodeB over a nodeB;

code for causing at least one computer to receive a communication that includes a system information block (SIB) from at least one of a nodeB and a home nodeB;

code for causing at least one computer to leverage the SIB to identity the home nodeB;

code for causing at least one computer to utilize a manual search with a user equipment (UE) to discover the home nodeB;

code for causing at least one computer to evaluate a public land mobile network identification (PLMN ID) to identify at least one of the home nodeB or the nodeB;

code for causing at least one computer to receive a location area code (LAC) assignment to distinguish an authorized home nodeB from an unauthorized home nodeB;

code for causing at least one computer to communicate a detection notification related to a home nodeB to a macro network;

code for causing at least one computer to employ at least one of the hierarchical structure, the communication that includes the SIB, the PLMN ID, the manual search, or the LAC assignment to enable the UE to select between the home nodeB or the nodeB;

code for causing at least one computer to receive a PLMN ID for a selected home nodeB, wherein the UE established connectivity with the selected home nodeB;

code for causing at least one computer to record the PLMN ID associated with the selected home nodeB;

code for causing at least one computer to utilize the recorded PLMN ID to select between a first home nodeB and a second home nodeB; and

code for causing at least one computer to connect to at least one of the first home nodeB and the second home nodeB based upon the recorded PLMN ID.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, further comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to assign a home nodeB with at least one of a new SIB or an existing SIB;

code for causing at least one computer to receive a scrambling;

code associated with at least one of a home nodeB or a nodeB;

code for causing at least one computer to search for a nodeB based upon the received scrambling code; and

code for causing at least one computer to prevent a search for a home nodeB based upon the received scrambling code.

12. A method, comprising:

receiving a detection notification associated with a home node base station (home nodeB) from a user equipment (UE), wherein the detection notification identifies a home nodeB for connectivity;

organizing at least one node base station (nodeB) and at least one home nodeB within a hierarchical structure that prioritizes connectivity for the UE to the home nodeB over the nodeB;

establishing connectivity between the UE and at least one of the home nodeB or the nodeB based upon the hierarchical structure;

communicating a public land mobile network identification (PLMN ID) for a selected home nodeB, wherein the UE established connectivity with the selected home nodeB, and wherein the UE tracks the PLMN ID of the selected home nodeB; and

establishing connectivity between the UE and a first home nodeB or a second home nodeB based upon the tracked PLMN ID.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting a portion of data related to a home nodeB system information block (SIB) and a portion of data related to a nodeB SIB; and

establishing connectivity between the UE and at least one of the home nodeB or the nodeB based upon the portions of data.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

communicating a PLMN ID related to a home nodeB and a PLMN ID related to a nodeB; and

establishing connectivity between the UE and at least one of the home nodeB or the nodeB based upon one the PLMN ID related to the home nodeB and the PLMN ID related to the nodeB.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

communicating a location area code (LAC) assignment for a home nodeB and a LAC assignment for a nodeB; and

establishing connectivity between the UE and at least one of the home nodeB or the nodeB based upon one the LAC assignment for the home nodeB and the LAC assignment for the nodeB.

16. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

receive a detection notification associated with a home node base station (home nodeB) from a user equipment (UE), wherein the detection notification identifies a home nodeB for connectivity;

organize at least one node base station (nodeB) and at least one home nodeB within a hierarchical structure that prioritizes connectivity for the UE to the home nodeB over the nodeB;

establish connectivity between the UE and at least one of the home nodeB or the nodeB based upon one of the hierarchical structure;

communicate a public land mobile network identification (PLMN ID) for a selected home nodeB, wherein the UE established connectivity with the selected home nodeB, and wherein the UE tracks the PLMN ID of the selected home nodeB; and

establish connectivity between the UE and a first home nodeB or a second home nodeB based upon the tracked PLMN ID; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

17. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

leverage at least one of a location area code (LAC) assignment, a PLMN ID, or a system information block (SIB) to establish connectivity between the UE and at least one of the home nodeB or the nodeB.

18. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to receive a detection notification associated with a home node base station (home nodeB) from a user equipment (UE), wherein the detection notification identifies a home nodeB for connectivity;

code for causing at least one computer to organize at least one node base station (nodeB) and at least one home nodeB within a hierarchical structure that prioritizes connectivity for the UE to the home nodeB over the nodeB;

code for causing at least one computer to enable connectivity between the UE and at least one of the home nodeB or the nodeB based upon one of the hierarchical structure;

code for causing at least one computer to communicate a public land mobile network identification (PLMN ID) for a selected home nodeB, wherein the LIE established connectivity with the selected home nodeB, and wherein the UE tracks the PLMN ID of the selected home nodeB; and

code for causing at least one computer to establish connectivity between the UE and a first home nodeB or a second home nodeB based upon the tracked PLMN ID.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises:

code for causing at least one computer to leverage at least one location area code (LAC) assignment, a PLMN ID, or a system information block (SIB) to enable connectivity between the UE and at least one of the home nodeB or the nodeB.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

a receiver module that receives a detection notification associated with a home node base station (home nodeB) from a user equipment (UE);

an organizer module that utilizes a hierarchical structure to organize at least one node base station (nodeB) and at least one home nodeB, wherein the hierarchical structure prioritizes a detected home nodeB over a nodeB; and

a transmitter module that communicates a portion of data to the UE, wherein the portion of data is at least one of a system information block (SIB) for a home nodeB, a SIB for a nodeB, a public land mobile network identification (PLMN ID) for a home nodeB, a PLMN ID for a nodeB, a location area code (LAC) for a home nodeB, or a LAC for a nodeB, and wherein the transmitter module further communicates a PLMN ID for a selected home nodeB, wherein the UE established connectivity with the selected home nodeB, wherein the UE tracks the PLMN ID of the selected home nodeB, and wherein the UE connects to a first home nodeB or a second home nodeB based upon the tracked PLMN ID for the selected home nodeB.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the UE connects to at least one of the detected home nodeB or the nodeB based upon the communicated portion of data.