Techniques for deploying small cells as secondary cells for user equipment

• US 9,686,677 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2013
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intel IP Corporation (Intel Corporation)
• Inventors: Pinheiro, Ana Lucia A, Schmidt, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): SIVJI, NIZAR N
• Application Number:
  US14/652,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20150341838A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• 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

Examples are disclosed for deploying small cells as secondary cells for user equipment (UE). The examples include an UE, one or more small cell evolved node B (eNBs) or a macro cell eNB gathering information and reporting the gathered information to a management entity for an evolved packet core. The gathered information may be associated with the one or more small cell eNBs serving as a secondary cell for the UE while the macro cell eNB may serve as a primary cell. In some examples, the gathered information may be reported in one or more minimization of drive tests (MDT) reports. The MDT reports may be sent to the management entity by the UE, small cell eNBs or macro cell eNBs for the management entity to manage deployment of the one or more small cell eNBs. Other examples are described and claimed.

Claims

1. At least one non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions that, in response to being executed by processing circuitry of a macro cell evolved node B (eNB), cause the macro cell eNB to:

gather information associated with one or more small cell eNBs, each of the one or more small cell eNBs to comprise a candidate for serving as a secondary cell for user equipment (UE) that also has the macro cell eNB serving as a primary cell, the gathered information associated with a first small cell eNB from among the one or more small cell eNBs, the gathered information to include a number of times a request to add the first small cell eNB as a candidate for serving as a secondary cell for the UE but the UE fails to establish a connection with the first small cell eNB; and

send the gathered information in a minimization of drive tests (MDT) report to a management entity for an evolved packet core (EPC).

3. The at least one non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 1, the macro cell eNB coupled with the one or more small cell eNBs through separate backhaul channels via an X2 interface and coupled to a mobility management entity (MME) for the EPC through a control plane channel via an S1-MME interface and also coupled to a serving gateway (SGW) for the EPC through a user plane channel via an S1-U interface.

4. The at least one non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 3, comprising instructions that, in response to being executed by the processing circuitry of the eNB, cause the eNB to:

monitor signaling and data routed via the X2, S1-MME or S1-U interfaces;

determine a traffic load on the one or more small cell eNBs based on the monitored signaling and data routed via the X2, S1-MME or S1-U interfaces; and

include the determined traffic load in the MDT report sent to the MME.

2. At least one non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions that, in response to being executed by processing circuitry of a macro cell evolved node B (eNB), cause the macro cell eNB to:

gather information associated with one or more small cell eNBs, each of the one or more small cell eNBs to comprise a candidate for serving as a secondary cell for user equipment (UE) that also has the macro cell eNB serving as a primary cell, the gathered information associated with a first small cell eNB from among the one or more small cell eNBs, the gathered information to include a number of times the UE reported to the macro cell eNB that the first small cell eNB was suitable to serve as a secondary cell for the UE but the UE failed to establish a connection with the first small cell eNBs responsive to a command to establish the connection; and

send the gathered information in a minimization of drive tests (MDT) report to a management entity for an evolved packet core (EPC).

5. At least one non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions that, in response to being executed by processing circuitry of a macro cell evolved node B (eNB), cause the macro cell eNB to:

gather information associated with one or more small cell eNBs, each of the one or more small cell eNBs to comprise a candidate for serving as a secondary cell for user equipment (UE) that also has the macro cell eNB serving as a primary cell, the gathered information to indicate one or more of a first time each of the one or more small cell eNBs are in an activated state, a second time each of the one or more small cell eNBs are in a deactivated state, a first percentage of time each of the small cell eNBs are in the activated state, a second percentage of time each of the one or more small cell eNBs are in the deactivated state or a third percentage of time each of the one or more small cell eNBs served as the secondary cell for the UE; and

send gathered information in a minimization of drive tests (MDT) report to a management entity for an evolved packet core (EPC).

6. At least one non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions that, in response to being executed by processing circuitry of a small cell evolved node B (eNB), cause the small cell eNB to:

gather information associated with the small cell eNB to comprise a candidate for serving as a secondary cell for user equipment (UE) that also has a macro cell eNB serving as a primary cell, the gathered information to indicate one or more of a first time the small cell eNB is in an activated state, a second time the small cell eNB is in a deactivated state, a first percentage of time the small cell eNB is in the activated state, a second percentage of time the small cell eNB is in the deactivated state; and

send the gathered information in a minimization of drive tests (MDT) report to a management entity for an evolved packet core (EPC).

7. The at least one non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 6, comprising instructions that, in response to being executed by the processing circuitry of the eNB, cause the eNB to:

couple with a backhaul channel to the macro cell eNB via an X2 interface; and

route the MDT report through the backhaul channel via the X2 interface to send the MDT report to the management entity.

8. The at least one non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 6, comprising instructions that, in response to being executed by the processing circuitry of the eNB, cause the eNB to:

couple with a control plane channel to a mobility management entity (MME) for the EPC via an S1-MME interface; and

send the MDT report though the control plane channel via the S1-MME interface.

9. An apparatus comprising:

at least one memory; and

logic for user equipment (UE), at least a portion of the logic implemented in circuitry coupled to the at least one memory, the logic to;

detect a small cell evolved Node B (eNB);

determine whether the small cell eNB is suitable for serving as a secondary cell with a macro cell eNB serving as a primary cell for the UE and report to the macro cell eNB that the small cell eNB is suitable based on the determination;

receive a command from the macro cell eNB to add the small cell eNB as the secondary cell, the adding to cause the UE to maintain a first connection with the macro cell eNB and maintain a second connection with the small cell eNB;

gather measurements associated with detecting the small cell eNB, adding the small cell eNB as the secondary cell or maintaining the second connection, the gathered measurements to include measurements that indicate an amount of time that the UE maintains the second connection with the small cell eNB; and

send gathered measurements in a minimization of drive tests (MDT) report to a management entity for an evolved packet core (EPC).

10. The apparatus of claim 9, the logic to determine the small cell eNB is suitable based at least in part on a SystemInformationBlockType1 (SIB1) message received from the small cell eNB that includes an indication that the small cell eNB is qualified to serve as the secondary cell.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, the logic to:

measure a radio reference signal received power (RSRP), a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) or a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) from the small cell eNB; and

determine the small cell eNB is suitable based at least in part on whether the RSRP, RSRQ or RSSI from the small cell eNB exceeds a given threshold.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, the logic to gather one or more of a detected signal strength from the small cell eNB, a small cell identifier for the small cell eNB, a received channel quality indication for use in establishing a connection with the small cell eNB or an amount of time the small cell was determined as suitable.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, the logic to gather information for a delay in time from when the small cell eNB was determined as suitable and reported to the macro eNB to the time the command to add the small cell eNB as the secondary cell is received.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, the logic to aggregate the amount of time the UE maintain the second connection with the small cell eNB with other amounts of times the UE maintained other second connections with other small cell eNBs.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, the logic to maintain the gathered measurements in an MDT log stored at the UE.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, the logic to send the gathered measurements maintained in the MDT log responsive to a report command received from the management entity, elapse of an MDT report time interval, or a capacity of a memory used to store the MDT log at the UE has been reached.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising a digital display coupled to the circuitry to present a user interface view.

18. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, at a management entity for an evolved packet core (EPC), a minimization of drive tests (MDT) report originating from a macro cell evolved Node B (eNB); and

managing small cell eNBs based on the MDT report, each of the small cell eNBs to comprise a candidate for serving as a secondary cell for the UE while the macro cell eNB serves as a primary cell for the UE, managing to include causing a first portion of the small cell eNBs to be activated to serve as potential secondary cells for the UE or deactivated from serving as potential secondary cells for the UE;

wherein the MDT report includes traffic load information for the small cell eNBs, the traffic load information to indicate that at least a first portion of the small cell eNBs have a peak traffic load during a first range of hours and low traffic load during a second range of hours, the management entity to cause the first portion of the small cell eNBs to be activated during the first range of hours and to be deactivated during the second range of hours.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 18, managing the small cell eNBs based on the MDT report to also include adding one or more small cell eNBs to the macro cell provided by the macro cell eNB or removing one or more small cell eNBs from the macro cell.