Cell search for D2D enabled UEs in out of network coverage

• US 9,843,992 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2016
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Thangarasa, Santhan, Kazmi, Muhammad, Axmon, Joakim, Sorrentino, Stefano
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzalez, Amancio
• Application Number:
  US15/025,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20160330676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 455434
• 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 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/19 Connection re-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

There is disclosed a method for operating a D2D enabled UE for a cellular communication network. The method comprises performing a cell search in an out of coverage condition of the UE, wherein performing a cell search is based on a first measurement configuration during a first phase, and based on a second measurement configuration during a second phase, wherein the first measurement configuration pertains to a carrier whose sidelink is preconfigured for ProSe operation in out of network coverage operation.

The disclosure also pertains to related methods and devices.

Claims

1. A method for operating a Device-to-Device, D2D enabled User Equipment, UE, for a cellular communication network, the method comprising performing a cell search in an out of coverage condition of the UE, wherein performing a cell search is based on a first measurement configuration during a first phase, and based on a second measurement configuration during a second phase, wherein the first measurement configuration pertains to a carrier whose sidelink is preconfigured for Proximity Services, ProSe, operation in out of network coverage operation and wherein a first set of carriers that are searched based on the first measurement configuration during the first phase comprises less than all of a second set of carriers that are searched based on the second measurement configuration during the second phase.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second phase is not performed if the UE detects a cell during the first phase.

3. A Device-to-Device, D2D enabled User Equipment, UE, for a cellular communication network, the D2D enabled UE being adapted for performing a cell search in an out of coverage condition of the UE, wherein performing a cell search is based on a first measurement configuration during a first phase, and performing a cell search is based on a second measurement configuration during a second phase, wherein the first measurement configuration pertains to a carrier whose sidelink is preconfigured for D2D operation in out of network coverage operation and wherein a first set of carriers that are searched based on the first measurement configuration during the first phase comprises less than all of a second set of carriers that are searched based on the second measurement configuration during the second phase.

4. The D2D enabled UE of claim 3 wherein the second phase is not performed if the UE detects a cell during the first phase.

5. A method for operating a network node for a wireless communication network, the method comprising configuring a Device-to-Device, D2D, enabled User Equipment, UE, with a first measurement configuration for performing a cell search during a first phase and a second measurement configuration for performing a cell search during a second phase, wherein the first measurement configuration pertains to a carrier whose sidelink is preconfigured for D2D operation in out of network coverage operation and wherein a first set of carriers that are searched based on the first measurement configuration during the first phase comprises less than all of a second set of carriers that are searched based on the second measurement configuration during the second phase.

6. A network node for a wireless communication network, the network node being adapted for configuring a Device-to-Device, D2D, enabled User Equipment, UE, with a first measurement configuration for performing a cell search during a first phase and a second measurement configuration for performing a cell search during a second phase, wherein the first measurement configuration pertains to a carrier whose sidelink is preconfigured for D2D operation in out of network coverage operation and wherein a first set of carriers that are searched based on the first measurement configuration during the first phase comprises less than all of a second set of carriers that are searched based on the second measurement configuration during the second phase.