Method and apparatus for self configuration of LTE E-node Bs

• US 9,320,066 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2015
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miller, James M., Wang, Peter S., Olvera-Hernandez, Ulises
• Primary Examiner(s): Vaughan, Michael R
• Application Number:
  US14/601,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20150139147A1
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/00 Orthogonal multiplex systems, e.g. using WALSH codesH04J13/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 by measured or perceived connection quality data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/304 due to measured or perceived resources with higher communication quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/12 Access point controller devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

The present invention is a procedure for a self configuring eNB/E-UTRAN. The eNB/E-UTRAN interacts with the Enhanced Packet Core (EPC) of the LTE network in order to complete the mutual authentication task between the eNB and the EPC and other operating procedures in the eNB self configuration phase.

Claims

1. A method for self configuring an evolved Node B (eNB), comprising:

sending, from the eNB, a first message including a fully qualified domain name to establish a connection to a first node;

establishing the connection between the eNB and the first node using an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first node;

sending a second message from the eNB to the first node, wherein the second message includes location information of the eNB; and

on condition of successful verification of the eNB by the first node using the location information, receiving, by the eNB from the first node, a third message including operating parameters associated with a second node.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fully qualified domain name is stored in the eNB.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the fully qualified domain name is associated with the first node.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the connection between the eNB and the first node comprises establishing a secure connection between the eNB and the first node via IP Security (IPsec).

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, in response to the first message, the IP address of the first node.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message further includes identity information of the eNB.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating parameters include at least one of a cell operating frequency, a cell bandwidth, power parameters, security parameters, or handoff parameters.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information includes latitude information and longitude information associated with the eNB.

9. An evolved Node B (eNB), comprising:

a transmitter;

a receiver; and

a processor in communication with the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the processor is configured to;

send a first message including a fully qualified domain name to establish a connection to a first node;

establish the connection between the eNB and the first node using an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first node;

send a second message to the first node, wherein the second message includes location information of the eNB; and

on condition of successful verification of the eNB by the first node using the location information, receive, from the first node, a third message including operating parameters associated with a second node.

10. The eNB of claim 9, wherein the fully qualified domain name is stored in the eNB.

11. The eNB of claim 9, wherein the fully qualified domain name is associated with the first node.

12. The eNB of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to receive, in response to the first message, the IP address of the first node.

13. The eNB of claim 9, wherein the second message includes identity information of the eNB.

14. A method for self configuring an evolved Node B (eNB), comprising:

establishing a connection with the eNB by a first node responsive to a first message from the eNB;

receiving a second message from the eNB by the first node, wherein the second message includes location information of the eNB;

performing verification of the eNB by the first node using the location information; and

on condition of successful verification of the eNB by the first node using the location information, sending, to the eNB by the first node, a third message including operating parameters associated with a second node.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

receiving the first message from the eNB by the first node.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the second message includes identity information of the eNB.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the location information includes latitude information and longitude information associated with the eNB.

18. A network, comprising:

a first node; and

a second node,

wherein the first node is configured to;

establish a connection with an evolved Node B (eNB) responsive to a first message from the eNB;

receive a second message from the eNB, wherein the second message includes location information of the eNB;

perform verification of the eNB using the location information; and

on condition of successful verification of the eNB using the location information, send, to the eNB, a third message including operating parameters associated with the second node.

19. The network of claim 18, wherein the first node is further configured to receive the first message from the eNB.

20. The network of claim 18, wherein the second node is configured to establish a connection with the eNB using the operating parameters.