Centralized partitioning of user devices in a heterogeneous wireless network

• US 9,226,211 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2013
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc., Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel IP Corporation (Intel Corporation)
• Inventors: Himayat, Nageen, Talwar, Shilpa, Yeh, Shu-Ping
• Primary Examiner(s): MITCHELL, NATHAN A
• Application Number:
  US14/129,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20150201374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 455/422.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0456 Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices antenna weighting
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/00 Time-division multiplex systems H04J14/00 takes precedence; relay systems H04B7/14; selecting techniques H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/18 Automatic repetition systems, e.g. Van Duuren systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1812 Hybrid protocols; Hybrid automatic repeat request [HARQ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1887 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/24 Key scheduling, i.e. generating round keys or sub-keys for block encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0035 Resource allocation in a cooperative multipoint environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0051 of dedicated pilots, i.e. pilots destined for a single user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0055 Physical resource allocation for ACK/NACK for physical mapping arrangements in ARQ protocols H04L1/1861
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0057 Physical resource allocation for CQI
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0062 Avoidance of ingress interference, e.g. ham radio channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0076 Allocation utility-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0092 Indication of how the channel is divided
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0094 Indication of how sub-channels of the path are allocated
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0096 Indication of changes in allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1469 using time-sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/22 : using time-division multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/30 : for supporting lawful interception, monitoring or retaining of communications or communication related information circuit switched telephony call monitoring H04M3/2281
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 : Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 : for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 : Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 : at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/14 : using a plurality of keys or algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0431 : Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 : Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 : Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0231 : based on communication conditions dynamic wireless traffic scheduling definition based on channel quality criteria H04W72/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 : of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0069 : in case of dual connectivity, e.g. decoupled uplink/downlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/00692 : using simultaneous multiple data streams, e.g. cooperative multipoint [CoMP], carrier aggregation [CA] or multiple input multiple output [MIMO] allocation of physical resources in CoMP or in CA H04L5/0035
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 : for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 : Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 : using broadcasted information
• 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 52/0251 : using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/001 : Synchronization between nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 : Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/00 : Local resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 : Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 : Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/046 : the resource being in the space domain, e.g. beams
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1263 : Mapping of traffic onto schedule, e.g. scheduled allocation or multiplexing of flows
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 : Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 : in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 : Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 : Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 : Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 : Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe devices, methods, computer-readable media and systems configurations for control of a heterogeneous wireless network. Embodiments described may improve upon one or more utility metrics of the heterogeneous network. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for partitioning user devices comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

a control module coupled with the wireless transceiver, the control module to;

receive utility measurements from a plurality of cooperating cell stations (CCSs) of a heterogeneous wireless network, wherein the utility measurements are associated with a plurality of user devices that wirelessly connect to the plurality of CCSs;

determine, based upon the utility measurements, partition information that results in a partitioning of the user devices across the plurality of CCSs and a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs) associated with individual CCSs of the plurality of CCSs to improve one or more utility metrics of the heterogeneous wireless network, wherein at least one CCS of the plurality of CCSs is associated with at least two RATs of the plurality of RATs and the determination of the partitioning includes a selection of one RAT of the at least two RATs; and

transmit the partition information to the user devices to partition the user devices.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the partition information comprises assignment of each user device to a CCS and an associated RAT.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control module is to transmit the partition information to the user devices, through the plurality of CCSs, to partition the user devices.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the partition information comprises network-assisting information to enable individual user devices to select a CCS and an associated RAT to partition the user devices in accordance with the partitioning.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the network-assisting information includes a cost associated with each CCS and each associated RAT.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more utility metrics are associated with one or more of channel quality, loading level, congestion level, and quality of service (QoS) requirements.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more utility metrics are associated with increasing sum log throughput or increasing a minimum per user device throughput.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CCSs are selected from a group consisting of a picocell, femtocell, microcell, or macrocell.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RATs are selected from a group consisting of 4G, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiFi, and 3G.

10. A computer-implemented method to assign user devices in a heterogeneous wireless network comprising:

transmitting, by a controller, a wireless signal to instruct a plurality of cooperating cell stations (CCS) of the heterogeneous wireless network to gather utility measurements associated with a plurality of user devices wirelessly connected to the plurality of CCS;

receiving, by the controller, the utility measurements from the plurality of CCSs;

determining, by the controller, based upon the utility measurements, assignments of individual user devices of the plurality of user devices to a corresponding CCS of the plurality of CCSs and a corresponding radio access technology (RAT) of an associated one or more RATs to improve one or more utility metrics of the heterogeneous wireless network, wherein at least one CCS of the plurality of CCSs is associated with at least two RATs of the one or more RATs and determining the assignments includes selecting one RAT of the at least two RATs; and

transmitting, by the controller, the assignments to the plurality of user devices.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more utility metrics are associated with one or more of channel quality, loading level, congestion level, and quality of service (QoS) requirements.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more utility metrics are associated with increasing sum log throughput or increasing a minimum per user device throughput.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the CCSs are selected from a group consisting of a picocell, femtocell, microcell, and macrocell.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the RATs are selected from a group consisting of 4G, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiFi, and 3G.

15. A cooperating cell station (CCS) associated with at least two radio access technologies (RATs) of a plurality of RATs, the CCS comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

a partition module coupled with the wireless transceiver, the partition module to;

collect utility measurement information from one or more user devices wirelessly connected to the CCS via one or more of the plurality of RATs, the utility measurement information associated with one or more utility metrics of a heterogeneous wireless network (HetNet) to which the CCS is wirelessly connected;

transmit the utility measurements to a controller of the HetNet to be combined with utility measurements from one or more other CCSs of the HetNet;

receive, from the controller, partition information associated with the one or more user devices wirelessly connected to the CCS, wherein the partition information is to improve one or more utility metrics of the HetNet, and wherein the partition information is to indicate a selection of one RAT of the at least two RATs to be utilized by individual user devices of the one or more user devices; and

forward the partition information to the one or more user devices.

16. The CCS of claim 15, wherein the CCS is further to monitor one or more radio links respectively connecting the CCS to the one or more user devices to enable the collection of utility measurements.

17. The CCS of claim 15, wherein the partition information comprises assignment of the one or more user devices to a CCS and an associated RAT of the heterogeneous network.

18. The CCS of claim 15, wherein the partition information comprises network-assisting information to enable the one or more user devices to select a CCS and an associated RAT to partition the user devices in accordance with the partitioning.

19. The CCS of claim 18, wherein the network-assisting information includes a cost associated with each CCS and each associated RAT.

20. The CCS of claim 15, wherein the CCS is one of a picocell, femtocell, microcell, or macrocell.

21. The CCS of claim 15, wherein the RATs are selected from a group consisting of 4G, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiFi, and 3G.

22. One or more non-transitory, computer-readable media having instructions embodied thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors of a user device provides the user device with a selection module to:

receive partition information from a controller of a heterogeneous wireless network, wherein the partition information is calculated to improve one or more utility metrics of the heterogeneous wireless network;

select, based at least in part upon the partition information, a cooperating cell station (CCS) and corresponding radio access technology (RAT) with which to connect to the heterogeneous wireless network, wherein the CCS is associated with at least two RATs and the selection includes a selection of one RAT of the at least two RATs; and

establish a connection with the selected CCS via the corresponding RAT.

23. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 22, wherein the partition information comprises assignment of the user device to a CCS and an associated RAT.

24. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 22, wherein the partition information comprises network-assisting information to enable the user devices to select a CCS and an associated RAT.

25. The one or more non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 24, wherein the network-assisting information includes a cost associated with each CCS and each associated RAT of the heterogeneous network.