Inter-RAT mobility of in-device coexistence

• US 9,253,698 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2013
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Zhang, Yujian, Fong, Mo-Han, Deparis, Francois, Jechoux, Bruno
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, CLEMENCE S
• Application Number:
  US14/119,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20150249947A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0452 Multi-user MIMO systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0626 Channel coefficients, e.g. channel state information [CSI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/00 Orthogonal multiplex systems, e.g. using WALSH codesH04J13/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/0023 Interference mitigation or co-ordination direct sequence spread spectrum [DSSS] systems H04B1/7097; frequency hopping H04B1/713; allocation criteria for ingress interference avoidance H04L5/0062; frequency allocation criteria for requirements on out-of-channel emissions H04L5/0066; arrangements for removing intersymbol interference or baseband equalisers H04L25/03006; peak power aspects in multicarrier modulation H04L27/2614; power management H04W52/00; traffic scheduling H04W72/54, H04W72/541
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0614 the synchronising signal being characterised by the amplitude, duration or polarity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0027 Scheduling of signalling, e.g. occurrence thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/375 Access point names [APN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0046 Determination of how many bits are transmitted on different sub-channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/006 Quality of the received signal, e.g. BER, SNR, water filling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/3005 Mechanisms for avoiding name conflicts
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/20 for indoor coverage or short range network deployment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/24 Cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 : using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/04 : Error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/24 : Negotiating SLA [Service Level Agreement]; Negotiating QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/20 : for optimising the interference level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 : Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 : using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 : where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/04 : using triggered events
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 : locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 : Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• 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 72/54 : based on quality criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 : using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/563 : of the wireless resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0858 : collision detection
• 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 88/02 : Terminal devices
• 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: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 : Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Embodiments of system, device, and method configurations for managing inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) mobility of handovers between a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) or GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) and an evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) to avoid scenarios of in-device coexistence (IDC) interference are disclosed herein. In one example, the existence and types of IDC interference with an E-UTRAN Long Term Evolution (LTE)/Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) network are determined and communicated to the UTRAN/GERAN in an IDC indication signal. The IDC indication signal may communicate the existence and type of IDC interference occurring at user equipment, such as between licensed LTE/LTE-A and unlicensed industrial scientific medical (ISM) radio frequency bands. Accordingly, the UTRAN/GERAN may use information provided from the IDC indication signal to prevent a handover to the E-UTRAN that would result in IDC interference.

Claims

1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) for management of evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) handover, the method comprising:

performing measurements, at the UE, to determine in-device coexistence (IDC) interference occurring with radio communications of the E-UTRAN; and

transmitting an indication of the IDC interference to a radio access network;

wherein a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) or a GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) refrains from performing a handover from the UTRAN or the GERAN to the E-UTRAN in response to the indication of the IDC interference.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

receiving an IDC indication setting from the UTRAN or the GERAN, the IDC indication setting provided to instruct the UE to transmit the indication of the IDC interference to the UTRAN or the GERAN.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising:

transmitting an IDC indication capability to the UTRAN or the GERAN prior to receiving the IDC indication setting from the UTRAN or the GERAN;

wherein the indication of the IDC interference is transmitted by the UE in response to receiving the IDC indication setting that instructs the UE to transmit the indication of the IDC interference to the UTRAN or the GERAN.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of the IDC interference includes:

a listing of one or more E-UTRAN carrier frequencies affected by the IDC interference, and a direction of the IDC interference.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication of the IDC interference is transmitted to the UTRAN or the GERAN, the method comprising:

performing subsequent measurements, at the UE, to determine a lack of IDC interference occurring with radio communications of the E-UTRAN; and

transmitting a subsequent indication of an absence of the IDC interference to the UTRAN or the GERAN;

wherein handover of the UE is performed from the UTRAN or the GERAN to the E-UTRAN in response to the subsequent indication of the absence of the IDC interference.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the E-UTRAN indicates that a cause of the handover is from the IDC interference by adding a bit in a handover preparation message, wherein the handover preparation message includes a listing of one or more E-UTRAN carrier frequencies affected by the IDC interference.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE coordinates with a network implementation of the management of the E-UTRAN handover to prevent handover, wherein the network implementation of the management of the E-UTRAN handover includes receipt of a handover preparation message at the UTRAN or the GERAN from the E-UTRAN indicating the IDC interference, and use of a timer at the UTRAN or the GERAN to avoid handover of the UE to the E-UTRAN for a period of time, and wherein one or more handover preparation messages exchanged between UTRAN or GERAN nodes include a current value of the timer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more handover preparation messages exchanged between UTRAN or GERAN nodes include an indication that the UE is affected by the IDC interference, and wherein the handover preparation messages exchanged between the UTRAN or GERAN nodes include a listing of one or more E-UTRAN carrier frequencies affected by the IDC interference.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE performs a UE implementation of the management of the E-UTRAN handover to prevent handover, wherein the UE implementation of the management of the E-UTRAN handover includes receipt and processing by the UE of a reference signal received from the E-UTRAN, and communication of pessimistic measurements of the reference signal received from the E-UTRAN;

and

wherein the indication of the IDC interference includes the pessimistic measurements, and wherein handover to the E-UTRAN is avoided from the UTRAN or the GERAN in response to the pessimistic measurements.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the IDC interference is caused by interference of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio of the UE, with a wireless local area network (WLAN) radio, a wireless personal area network (WPAN) radio, or a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio of the UE.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the IDC interference occurs:

between radio transmissions of LTE Band 40 and a 2.4 GHz industrial scientific medical (ISM) frequency band, between radio transmissions of LTE Band 7 and the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band, between radio transmissions of 2.4 GHz ISM bands and LTE Band 40, or between radio transmissions of LTE Band 7, LTE Band 13, or LTE Band 14 and reception of the GNSS radio.

12. A user equipment (UE), comprising:

circuitry arranged to perform radio communications in an industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio frequency band; and

circuitry arranged to perform radio access network (RAN) radio communications with an UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) or GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) and an evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), the circuitry further arranged to facilitate handover management of the UE between the E-UTRAN and the UTRAN or GERAN, with operations to;

measure in-device coexistence (IDC) interference occurring between radio communications of the E-UTRAN and the radio communications in the ISM radio frequency band; and

transmit an indication of the IDC interference to the UTRAN or the GERAN;

wherein handover of the UE from the UTRAN or the GERAN to the E-UTRAN is avoided in response to the indication of the IDC interference.

13. The UE of claim 12, the circuitry arranged to perform radio communications with the UTRAN or GERAN and the E-UTRAN being further arranged to respond to an IDC indication setting received from the UTRAN or the GERAN, by processing the IDC indication setting to instruct the UE to transmit the indication of the IDC interference to the UTRAN or the GERAN.

14. The UE of claim 12, the circuitry arranged to perform radio communications with the UTRAN or GERAN and the E-UTRAN being further arranged to:

perform subsequent measurements, at the UE, to determine a lack of IDC interference occurring with the E-UTRAN; and

transmit a subsequent indication of an absence of the IDC interference to the UTRAN or GERAN, in response to the determination of the lack of IDC interference occurring with the E-UTRAN;

wherein handover of the UE to the E-UTRAN is performed from the UTRAN or GERAN in response to the subsequent indication of the absence of the IDC interference.

15. The UE of claim 12, the circuitry arranged to perform radio communications with the UTRAN or GERAN and the E-UTRAN being further arranged to coordinate with a network implementation of the handover management to prevent handover, wherein the network implementation of the handover management includes receipt of a handover preparation message at the UTRAN or GERAN from the E-UTRAN indicating the IDC interference, and use of a timer at the UTRAN or GERAN for a period of time to avoid handover of the UE to the E-UTRAN.

16. The UE of claim 15, wherein a value of the timer is communicated to the E-UTRAN during performance of the handover of the UE to the E-UTRAN.

17. The UE of claim 12, wherein the IDC interference is caused by interference of communications with the circuitry arranged to perform RAN communications to the E-UTRAN, conflicting with communications with the circuitry arranged to perform radio communications in the ISM radio frequency band, the communications in the ISM radio frequency band being communicated with a wireless local area network (WLAN) radio, a wireless personal area network (WPAN) radio, or a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio of the UE.

18. The UE of claim 12, further comprising:

circuitry arranged to receive radio communications from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS);

wherein the IDC interference includes interference occurring between the radio communications with the E-UTRAN and the radio communications from the GNSS.

19. A method performed by a radio access network (RAN) for management of handover of a user equipment (UE) to an evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) based on in-device coexistence (IDC) interference conditions at the UE, comprising:

receiving, at the RAN from the UE, an indication of IDC interference of radio communications exchanged with the E-UTRAN; and

preventing handover of the UE from the RAN to the E-UTRAN in response to the indication of the IDC interference.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the RAN is a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) or a GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN).

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the indication of the IDC interference is produced at the UE in response to measurements, at the UE, of IDC interference occurring between a Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio of the UE arranged for communication with the E-UTRAN, and a wireless local area network (WLAN) radio, a wireless personal area network (WPAN) radio, or a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio of the UE.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the IDC interference occurs:

between radio transmissions of LTE Band 40 and a 2.4 GHz industrial scientific medical (ISM) frequency band, between radio transmissions of LTE Band 7 and the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band, between radio transmissions of 2.4 GHz ISM bands and LTE Band 40, or between radio transmissions of LTE Band 7, LTE Band 13, or LTE Band 14 and reception of the GNSS radio.

23. The method of claim 19, comprising:

transmitting an IDC indication setting from the RAN to the UE, the IDC indication setting providing an instruction to the UE to transmit the indication of the IDC interference to the RAN.

24. The method of claim 19, comprising:

receiving, from the UE, a subsequent indication of an absence of the IDC interference communicated to the RAN, the subsequent indication provided in response to subsequent measurements performed at the UE that indicate a lack of IDC interference occurring with the E-UTRAN; and

performing handover of the UE to the E-UTRAN from the RAN in response to the subsequent indication of the absence of the IDC interference.

25. The method of claim 19, comprising:

receiving a handover preparation message at the RAN from the E-UTRAN indicating the IDC interference;

preventing handover of the UE from the RAN to the E-UTRAN, with use of a timer, for a period of time to avoid handover to the E-UTRAN; and

communicating a value of the timer to another node of the RAN in a second handover preparation message.