Method of managing authorization of private node B in a wireless communication system and related device

• US 9,191,816 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2013
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Wu, Chih-Hsiang
• Primary Examiner(s): Chery, Dady
• Application Number:
  US14/019,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20140010164A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 370328-331, 370/332, 4554351-4353, 455436-444, 455/449
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/086 using security domains
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B

Abstract

A method of managing authorization of a private node-B in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes performing cell searching, when a cell is found, reading system information corresponding to the cell, and then determining authorization validity of the private node-B according to the system information and licensed band area corresponding to the private node-B.

Claims

1. A method of managing authorization of a private node-B in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

performing cell searching;

when a cell is found, reading system information corresponding to the cell, wherein the system information includes a public land mobile network (PLMN) identity, a location area code (LAC), a routing area code (RAC) or a Tracking Area Code (TAC);

determining authorization validity of the private node-B according to the system information and a licensed band area corresponding to the private node-B, comprising;

coupling the private node-B with a packet core network of the wireless communication system;

sending the PLMN identity to the packet core network; and

rejecting the authorization of the private node-B when the PLMN identity indicates that the private node-B is out of the licensed band area; and

when the private node-B is out of the licensed band area, indicating to the private node-B to use a license-free band for data transmission.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell is a macro cell.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising stopping performing cell searching and reading corresponding system information when the system information indicates that the private node-B is located in the licensed band area.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell belongs to a GSM EDGE radio access network or a UMTS radio access network.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining authorization validity of the private node-B according to the system information and the licensed band area corresponding to the private node-B comprises:

coupling the private node-B with a packet core network of the wireless communication system;

sending the PLMN identity to the packet core network; and

indicating to the private node-B to use the license-free band for data transmission when the PLMN identity indicates that the private node-B is out of the licensed band area.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell belongs to an evolved UMTS radio access network.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising keeping transmitting functions of the private node B deactivated when the system information indicates that the private node-B is out of the licensed band area.

8. A communication device of a wireless communication system for managing authorization of a private node-B to avoid illegal usage of the private node-B, the communication device comprising:

a processor for processing storage data;

a communication interfacing unit for exchanging signals with a peer communication device;

a control unit coupled to the processor and communication interfacing unit, for controlling the communication interfacing unit and the communication device according to processing results of the processor; and

a computer readable recording medium coupled to the processor, for storing the storage data;

wherein the storage data comprises;

program code for performing cell searching;

program code for, when a cell is found, reading system information corresponding to the cell, wherein the system information includes a public land mobile network (PLMN) identity, a location area code (LAC), a routing area code (RAC) or a Tracking Area Code (TAC);

program code for determining authorization validity of the private node-B according to the system information and a licensed band area corresponding to the private node-B, comprising;

coupling the private node-B with a packet core network of the wireless communication system;

sending the PLMN identity to the packet core network; and

rejecting the authorization of the private node-B when the PLMN identity indicates that the private node-B is out of the licensed band area; and

program code for when the private node-B is out of the licensed band area, indicating to the private node-B to use a license-free band for data transmission.

9. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the cell is a macro cell.

10. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the storage data further comprises program code for stopping performing cell searching and reading corresponding system information when the system information indicates that the private node-B is located in the licensed band area.

11. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the cell belongs to a GSM EDGE radio access network or a UMTS radio access network.

12. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the program code for determining authorization validity of the private node-B according to the system information and the licensed band area corresponding to the private node-B comprises:

coupling the private node-B with a packet core network of the wireless communication system;

sending the PLMN identity to the packet core network; and

indicating to the private node-B to use the license-free band for data transmission when the PLMN identity indicates that the private node-B is out of the licensed band area.

13. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the cell belongs to an evolved UMTS radio access network.

14. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the storage data further comprises program code for keeping transmitting functions of the private node B deactivated when the system information indicates that the private node-B is out of the licensed band area.