Controlling data rate at a relay UE (UE-R) for relaying traffic to and from a relayed UE

• US 9,980,180 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2015
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Panaitopol, Dorin, D'Ennequin, Christophe Le Thierry, Lecroart, Benoit
• Primary Examiner(s): DAYA, TEJIS A
• Application Number:
  US14/774,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20170006503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

A communication system (1) is disclosed in which a relaying user device (UE-R) (3-2) obtains bit rate information (e.g. aggregate maximum bit rate, AMBR) for relaying data for another (relayed) user device (UE) (3-1, 3-3). The obtention of said bit rate information may by receiving a message from the another (relayed) device, UE1, for registering the UE1 to an application server, AS (PSCC). The registration message may comprise UE1 identity, UE-R identity and information identifying a bit rate required by the UE1 while communicating via the UE-R (e.g. an AMBR parameter such as Relay-APN-AMBR). The UE-R sends the registration message received from the UE1 to a core network (7) node (e.g. a gateway device like a P-GW or S-GW, an MME, or a PCRF) comprising the information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for the UE (3-1, 3-3) to which the bit rate information relates. The UE-R (3-2) relays data received from the UE (3-1, 3-3) to a base station (5), and relays data for the UE (3-1, 3-3), received from the base station (5), to the UE (3-1, 3-3).

Claims

1. A relaying user communication device for relaying communication data for other user communication devices in a cellular communication network, the relaying user communication device comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured to communicate with other communication devices in the cellular communication network, wherein the transceiver circuit is configured to;

communicate via a first communication interface with at least one other user communication device; and

communicate via a second communication interface with a base station; and

a processor configured to;

relay communication data received from each other user communication device via said first interface, to said base station via said second interface;

relay communication data received from the base station via said second interface for each other user communication device, to that other user communication device, via said first interface;

obtain information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device, by receiving the information identifying a bit rate from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates; and

control said transceiver circuit to send, to at least one core network node via said base station, said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates,

wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

2. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

obtain said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device during a process to register said at least one other user communication device with an application server (AS).

3. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

obtain said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device during a process to establish a relaying connection.

4. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

obtain said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device;

by receiving an identifier associated with said bit rate from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates; and

by obtaining said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates based on said received identifier.

5. The relaying user communication device according to claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to:

obtain said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device during a process to establish a relaying connection.

6. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

control the transceiver circuit to send, to a core network device via said base station, said information identifying a bit rate in association with information identifying said relaying user communication device.

7. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

control the transceiver circuit to send, to a core network device via said base station, said information identifying a bit rate in association with information identifying said at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates.

8. The relaying user communication device according to claim 6, wherein said information identifying said relaying user communication device and/or said information identifying at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates comprises at least one of:

an International mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) associated with that user device;

an IP address associated with that user device;

a public safety identifier associated with that user device;

a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) associated with that user device;

a proximity services identifier (ProSe ID) associated with that user device;

a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identifier (TMSI) associated with that user device; and

a Globally Unique Temporary Identifier (GUTI) associated with that user device.

9. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) for a specific access point (APN_AMBR).

10. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1,

wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) associated with a particular service.

11. The relaying user communication device according to claim 10,

wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) associated with a particular public safety service.

12. The relaying user communication device according to claim 10, wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) associated with a particular user or user communication device identifier (user ID or user communication device ID).

13. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one core network node comprises at least one of:

a gateway device;

a mobility management entity (MME); and

a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF).

14. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

control the transceiver circuit to send, to at least one of a core network node and an application server, said information identifying a bit rate.

15. A user communication device for communicating data to a relaying user communication device for relaying by the relaying user communication device in a cellular communication network, the user communication device comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured to communicate with other communication devices in the cellular communication network, the transceiver circuit being configured to communicate, via a communication interface with the relaying user communication device, information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data on behalf of said user communication device,

wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

16. The user communication device according to claim 15,

wherein said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data on behalf of said user communication device comprises an identifier associated with said bit rate.

17. A core network node comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured to;

receive information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device;

send, to said relaying user communication device, said parameter for controlling data throughput; and

receive said information identifying a bit rate, from the relaying user communication device, via another core network node; and

a processor configured to;

generate, based on said information, provided via the relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate;

a parameter for controlling data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device, wherein

said information identifying the bit rate is received, by the relaying user communication device, from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates, and

said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

18. The core network node according to claim 17, wherein said transceiver circuit is further configured to:

receive said information identifying a bit rate, from the relaying user communication device, via a base station without involving a core network gateway.

19. The core network node according to claim 17, wherein said transceiver circuit is further configured to:

receive said information identifying a bit rate, from the relaying user communication device, via a core network gateway.

20. The core network node according to claim 17, wherein said transceiver circuit is further configured to:

receive said information identifying a bit rate in association with information identifying said relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided.

21. The core network node according to claim 17, wherein said core network node comprises a mobility management entity (MME).

22. A core network node comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured to receive information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

a processor configured to control data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device, when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device, based on said bit rate requested via said relaying user communication device, wherein

said information identifying the bit rate is received, by the relaying user communication device, from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates, and

said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

23. The core network node according to claim 22,

wherein said core network node comprises a gateway device.

24. A communication node, comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured to;

receive, via a relaying user communication device, information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

send, to another core network node, said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with said information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided, wherein

said information identifying the bit rate is received, by the relaying user communication device, from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates, and

said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

25. The communication node according to claim 24,

wherein said communication node further comprises a gateway device.

26. The communication node according to claim 24, further comprising:

an application server.

27. The communication node according to claim 24, further comprising:

a processor configured to;

verify whether a bit rate represented by said information identifying a bit rate is in conformity with at least one operator policy,

wherein said transceiver circuit is further configured to;

send, to said another core network node, said information identifying a bit rate when said information identifying a bit rate is in conformity with at least one operator policy, and

not send, to said another core network node, said information identifying a bit rate when said information identifying a bit rate is not in conformity with at least one operator policy.

28. The communication node according to claim 27,

wherein said processor is further configured to adjust a value of said bit rate when said information identifying a bit rate is not in conformity with at least one operator policy, and

wherein said transceiver circuit is further configured to send, to said another core network node, information identifying said adjusted bit rate, when said information identifying a bit rate is not in conformity with at least one operator policy.

29. The communication node according to claim 27, wherein said core network node comprises a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF).

30. A system comprising:

a relaying user communication for relaying communication data for other user communication devices in a cellular communication network, the relaying user communication device comprising;

a first transceiver circuit configured to communicate with other communication devices in the cellular communication network, wherein the first transceiver circuit is configured to;

communicate via a first communication interface with at least one other user communication device; and

communicate via a second communication interface with a base station; and

a first processor configured to;

relay communication data received from each other user communication device via said first interface, to said base station via said second interface;

relay communication data received from the base station via said second interface for each other user communication device, to that other user communication device, via said first interface;

obtain information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device, by receiving the information identifying a bit rate from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates; and

control said transceiver circuit to send, to at least one core network node via said base station, said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates;

a user communication device for communicating data to a relaying user communication device for relaying by the relaying user communication device in a cellular communication network, the user communication device comprising;

a second transceiver circuit configured to communicate with other communication devices in the cellular communication network, the second transceiver circuit being configured to communicate, via a communication interface with the relaying user communication device, information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data on behalf of said user communication device;

a core network node comprising;

a third transceiver circuit configured to;

receive information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device;

send, to said relaying user communication device, said parameter for controlling data throughput; and

receive said information identifying a bit rate, from the relaying user communication device, via another core network node; and

a second processor configured to;

generate, based on said information, provided via the relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate;

a parameter for controlling data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device;

a core network node comprising;

a fourth transceiver circuit configured to receive information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

a third processor configured to control data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device, when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device, based on said bit rate requested via said relaying user communication device; and

a communication node comprising;

a fifth transceiver circuit configured to;

receive, via a relaying user communication device, information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

send, to another core network node, said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with said information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided, wherein

said information identifying the bit rate is received, by the relaying user communication device, from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates, and

said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

31. A method performed by a relaying user communication device for relaying communication data for other user communication devices in a cellular communication network, the relaying user communication device comprising a transceiver circuit configured to communicate via a first communication interface with at least one other user communication device and to communicate via a second communication interface with a base station, the method comprising:

obtaining information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device;

controlling transceiver circuit to send, to at least one core network node via said base station, said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates; and

controlling transceiver circuit to relay communication data received from each other user communication device via said first interface, to said base station via said second interface, and to relay communication data received from the base station via said second interface for each other user communication device, to that other user communication device, via said first interface, wherein

said information identifying the bit rate is received, by the relaying user communication device, from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates, and

said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

32. A method performed by a user communication device for communicating data to a relaying user communication device for relaying by the relaying user communication device in a cellular communication network, the method comprising:

communicating, via a communication interface with the relaying user communication device, information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data on behalf of said user communication device,

wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

33. A method performed by a core network node, the method comprising:

receiving information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device;

generating, based on said information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate;

a parameter for controlling data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device; and

sending, to said relaying user communication device, said parameter for controlling data throughput,

wherein receiving the information includes receiving said information identifying a bit rate, from the relaying user communication device, via another core network node, wherein

said information identifying the bit rate is received, by the relaying user communication device, from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates, and

said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

34. A method performed by a core network node, the method comprising:

receiving information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

controlling data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device, when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device, based on said bit rate requested via said relaying user communication device, wherein

said information identifying the bit rate is received, by the relaying user communication device, from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates, and

said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

35. A method performed by a communication node, the method comprising:

receiving, via a relaying user communication device, information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

sending, to another core network node, said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with said information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided, wherein

said information identifying the bit rate is received, by the relaying user communication device, from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates, and

said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

36. A non-transitory computer readable media that stores a computer program including instructions for causing a computer-programmable device to perform a method according to claim 31.