Simultaneous data transmission method based on multiple networks, and apparatus therefor

• US 10,206,239 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2013
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Gyumin, Kim, Jeongsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Orange, David
• Application Number:
  US14/082,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20140073323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,912 Days
• Field of Search: 455436
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/155 Ground-based stations H04B7/204 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/005 Multiple registrations, e.g. multihoming
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/16 Involving different core network technologies, e.g. a packet-switched [PS] bearer in combination with a circuit-switched [CS] bearer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/34 Selective release of ongoing connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/047 using dedicated repeater stations
• 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

Disclosed is a relay for a simultaneous data transmission using multiple networks including: a connection control unit configured to control a terminal equipment to connect to multiple networks, when sensing entrance of the terminal equipment currently connected with a macro base station of the mobile communication network into simultaneous transmission service coverage serviced by the multiple networks, at least one of the multiple networks including at least one micro base station; and a relay processing unit configured to partition data transmitted or received to/from the terminal equipment into partial data corresponding to each of the multiple networks, and transmit and/or receive the partitioned partial data through each of the multiple networks.

Claims

1. A relay in a mobile communication network including a first network and a second network, the relay comprising at least one processor or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) configured to

transmit data from both the first network and the second network to a terminal equipment on conditions that (i) the relay detects that the terminal equipment is located at a matching coverage range and (ii) the relay determines that the second network is available for servicing the terminal equipment at the matching coverage range,

wherein, in order to transmit data from both the first network and the second network with terminal equipment to be located in the matching coverage range, the relay configures the matching coverage range servicing for both (i) a coverage area of a micro base station of the first network and (ii) a coverage area of the second network, wherein the first network is serviced by a macro base station and the micro base station, and

wherein the relay is configured to configure the matching coverage range by matching a first service coverage range serviced by the micro base station of the first network with a second service coverage range serviced by the second network,

wherein the relay is configured to detect that the terminal equipment having been currently connected with the macro base station of the first network enters into the matching coverage range which corresponds to the first service coverage serviced by the micro base station,

wherein when the terminal equipment is detected entering into the matching coverage range and the second network is determined to be available for servicing the terminal equipment located in the matching coverage range, the relay is configured to

control the terminal equipment to switch the terminal equipment'"'"'s connection to the first network from the macro base station of the first network to the micro base station of the first network when the entrance of the terminal equipment is detected,

control the terminal equipment to additionally connect to the second network, and

wherein the relay is further configured to

partition data to be transmitted to the terminal equipment into first partial data and second partial data, and

transmitting, to the terminal equipment, the first partial data through the first network serviced by the micro base station and the second partial data through the second network when a terminal equipment is detected to be located at the matching coverage range.

2. The relay of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor or ASIC is further configured to control the terminal equipment to

release the current connection from the macro base station, and

switch the terminal equipment'"'"'s connection to the first network to the micro base station from the macro base station when the entrance of the terminal equipment into the matching coverage range is detected.

3. The relay of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor or ASIC is further configured to confirm the first network and the second network to simultaneously service the terminal equipment, when the at least one processor or ASIC detects the entrance of the terminal equipment into the first service coverage range serviced by the micro base station.

4. The relay of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor or ASIC is further configured to

control the terminal equipment to perform a handover from the currently connected macro base station to the micro base station for the first network, when the entrance of the terminal equipment into the first service coverage range serviced by the micro base station is detected.

5. The relay of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor or the ASIC is further configured to:

restore two or more partial data received from the terminal equipment, when the terminal equipment simultaneously transmits the two or more partial data through the first network and the second network.

6. A terminal equipment in a mobile communication network including a first network and a second network, wherein the first network is serviced by a macro base station and a micro base station, the terminal equipment comprising at least one processor or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) configured to:

transmit data from both the first network and the second network to a relay on conditions that (i) the terminal equipment is detected to be located at a matching coverage range and (ii) the second network is determined to be available for servicing the terminal equipment at the matching coverage range,

sense signals of the first network and the second network, when the terminal equipment currently connected with the macro base station of the first network enters in a matching coverage range configured to serve (i) a coverage area of a micro base station of the first network and (ii) a coverage area of the second network;

switch the terminal equipment'"'"'s connection for the first network from the macro base station of the first network to the micro base station of the first network when the entrance of the terminal equipment is detected and the second network is determined to be available for servicing the terminal equipment located in the matching coverage range; and

additionally connect to the second network when the entrance of the terminal equipment is detected;

partition data to be transmitted, after the terminal equipment enters the matching coverage range, into first partial data and second partial data, and

transmit, to the relay, the first partial data through the first network serviced by the micro base station and the second partial data through the second network when the terminal equipment is detected to be located at the matching coverage range,

wherein the matching coverage range is a service coverage which is configured by matching a first service coverage range serviced by the micro base station of the first network with a second service coverage range serviced by the second network.

7. The terminal equipment of claim 6, wherein the terminal equipment is configured to

release the current connection from the macro base station and

switch the terminal equipment'"'"'s connection to the first network from the macro base station to the micro base station, when the terminal equipment enters into the matching coverage range.

8. The terminal equipment of claim 6, wherein the at least one processor or the ASIC is further configured to:

restore two or more partial data received from the relay, when the relay simultaneously transmits the two or more partial data through the first network and the second network.

9. A method of transmitting data in a mobile communication network including a first network and a second network, the method comprising:

transmitting data from both the first network and the second network to a terminal equipment on conditions that (i) the relay detects that the terminal equipment is located at a matching coverage range and (ii) the relay determines that the second network is available for servicing the terminal equipment at the matching coverage range;

in order to broadcast both the first network and the second network with terminal equipment to be located at the matching coverage range, configuring matching coverage range servicing for (i) a coverage area of a micro base station of the first network and (ii) a coverage area of the second network,

wherein the first network is serviced by a macro base station and the micro base station;

detecting that the terminal equipment having been currently connected with the macro base station of the first network enters into the matching coverage range which corresponds to the first network service coverage range serviced by the micro base station;

where the method further comprises, when the terminal equipment is detected entering into the matching coverage range, the second network is determined to be available for servicing the terminal equipment located in the matching coverage range,

controlling the terminal equipment to switch the terminal equipment'"'"'s connection to the first network from the macro base station of the first network to the micro base station of the first network when the entrance of the terminal equipment is detected;

controlling the terminal equipment to additionally connect to the second network;

partitioning data to be transmitted to the terminal equipment into first partial data and second partial data; and

transmitting, to the terminal equipment, the first partial data through the micro base station and the second partial data through the second network when the terminal equipment is detected to be located at the matching coverage range.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the controlling of the terminal equipment comprises

controlling the terminal equipment to release the current connection from the macro base station and

switch the terminal equipment'"'"'s connection to the first network from the macro base station to the micro base station, when the entrance of the terminal equipment into the matching coverage range is detected.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

restoring two or more partial data received from the terminal equipment, when the terminal equipment simultaneously transmits the two or more partial data through the first network and the second network.

12. A method of transmitting data in a mobile communication network including a first network and a second network, the method comprising:

transmitting data from both the first network and the second network to a relay on conditions that (i) the terminal equipment is detected to be located at a matching coverage range and (ii) the second network is determined to be available for servicing the terminal equipment at the matching coverage range;

sensing signals of the first network and the second network, when a terminal equipment currently connected with a macro base station of the first network enters in a matching coverage range configured to serve (i) a coverage area of a micro base station of the first network and (ii) a coverage area of the second network, wherein the first network is serviced by the macro base station and a micro base station;

switching the terminal equipment'"'"'s connection to the first network from the macro base station of the first network to the micro base station of the first network when the entrance of the terminal equipment is sensed and the second network is determined to be available for servicing the terminal equipment located in the matching coverage range;

additionally connecting the terminal equipment to the second network when the entrance of the terminal equipment is sensed;

partitioning data to be transmitted, after the terminal equipment enters the matching coverage range, into first partial data and second partial data; and

transmitting, to the relay, the first partial data through the micro base station and the second partial data through the second network when the terminal equipment is detected to be located at the matching coverage range,

wherein the method further comprises;

matching a first service coverage range serviced by the micro base station of the first network with the second service coverage range serviced by the second network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the additionally connecting comprises

releasing the current connection of the terminal equipment from the macro base station, and

connecting the terminal equipment to the micro base station, when the entrance of the terminal equipment into the matching coverage range is detected.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

restoring two or more partial data received from the relay, when the relay simultaneously transmits the two or more partial data through the first network and the second network.

15. A relay in a mobile communication network including a first network and second network, the relay comprising:

a connection control processor, implemented by one or more processors, configured to

transmit data from both the first network and the second network with a terminal equipment on conditions that (i) the relay detects that the terminal equipment is located at a matching coverage range and (ii) the relay determines that the second network is available for servicing the terminal equipment at the matching coverage range,

control a terminal equipment to switch the terminal equipment'"'"'s current connection to the first network from a macro base station of the first network to a micro base station of the first network, when detecting entrance of the terminal equipment currently connected the first network through the macro base station into the matching coverage range servicing for (i) a coverage area of a micro base station of the first network and (ii) a coverage area of the second network,

wherein the first network is serviced by the macro base station and the micro base station, and wherein the matching coverage range is same as a first service coverage range serviced by the micro base station of the first network and a second service coverage range of the second network, and

control the terminal equipment to additionally connect to the second network; and

a relay processing processor, implemented by one or more processors, configured to

partition data to be simultaneously transmitted via the first network and the second network into first partial data and second partial data, and

transmitting, to the terminal equipment, the first partial data through the first network serviced by the micro base station and the second partial data through the second network when a terminal equipment is detected to be located at the matching coverage range.

16. A terminal equipment in a mobile communication network including a first network and second network, the terminal equipment comprising at least one processor or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) configured to:

transmit data from both the first network and the second network to a relay on conditions that (i) the terminal equipment is detected to be located at a matching coverage range and (ii) the second network is determined to be available for servicing the terminal equipment at the matching coverage range,

switch the terminal equipment'"'"'s current connection to the first network from a macro base station of the first network to a micro base station of the first network when the terminal equipment currently connected the first network through the macro base station enters into a matching coverage range servicing for (i) a coverage area of the micro base station of the first network and (ii) a coverage area of the second network, wherein the matching coverage range is a simultaneous service coverage range for simultaneously transmitting data using both the first network and the second network when a terminal equipment is detected to be located at the matching coverage range,

wherein the first network is serviced by the macro base station and the micro base station, and wherein the matching coverage range is same as a first service coverage range serviced by the micro base station of the first network and a second service coverage range of the second network;

additionally connect to the second network in order to simultaneously transmit data via the first network and the second network;

partition the data to be simultaneously transmitted into first partial data and second partial data; and

simultaneously transmit, to the relay, the first partial data through the first network serviced by the micro base station and the second partial data through the second network when the terminal equipment is detected to be located at the matching coverage range.

17. A method of transmitting data in a mobile communication network including a first network and a second network, the method comprising:

transmitting data from both the first network and the second network to a terminal equipment on conditions that (i) the relay detects that the terminal equipment is located at a matching coverage range and (ii) the relay determines that the second network is available for servicing the terminal equipment at the matching coverage range;

controlling the terminal equipment to switch the terminal equipment'"'"'s current connection to the first network from a macro base station of the first network to a micro base station of the first network when detecting entrance of the terminal equipment currently connected the first network through the macro base station into the matching coverage range servicing for (i) a coverage area of the micro base station of the first network and (ii) a coverage area of the second network,

wherein the first network is serviced by the macro base station and the micro base station, and wherein the matching coverage range is same as a first service coverage range serviced by the micro base station of the first network and a second service coverage range of the second network;

controlling the terminal equipment to additionally connect to the second network in order to simultaneously transmit data via the first network and the second network;

partitioning the data to be simultaneously transmitted into first partial data and second partial data; and

transmitting, to the terminal equipment, the first partial data through the first network serviced by the micro base station and the second partial data through the second network when a terminal equipment is detected to be located at the matching coverage range.

18. A method of transmitting data in a mobile communication network including a first network and a second network, the method comprising:

transmitting data from both the first network and the second network to a relay on conditions that (i) the terminal equipment is detected to be located at a matching coverage range and (ii) the second network is determined to be available for servicing the terminal equipment at the matching coverage range;

switching the terminal equipment'"'"'s current connection for the first network from a macro base station of the first network to a micro base station of the first network when the terminal equipment currently connected the first network through the macro base station enters into a matching coverage range servicing for (i) a coverage area of the micro base station of the first network and (ii) a coverage area of the second network, wherein the matching coverage range is a simultaneous service coverage range for simultaneously transmitting data using both the first network and the second network when the terminal equipment is detected to be located at the matching coverage range,

wherein the first network is serviced by the macro base station and the micro base station, and wherein the matching coverage range is same as a first service coverage range serviced by the micro base station of the first network and a second service coverage range of the second network;

additionally connecting to the second network in order to simultaneously transmit data via the first network and the second network;

partitioning the data to be simultaneously transmitted into first partial data and second partial data; and

simultaneously transmitting, to the relay, the first partial data through the first network serviced by the micro base station and the second partial data through the second network when the terminal equipment is detected to be located at the matching coverage range.