Patent Grant
11457349
The present invention relates to a wireless communication network, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for managing User Equipment (UE) history information in order to improve performance of the wireless communication network.
Generally, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation (3G) mobile communication system that uses Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) based on Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and General Packet Radio Services (CPRS). A third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) for standardization of the UMTS has suggested an Evolved Packet System (EPS) of the UMTS similar to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. In this case, the LTE system is a technology for implementing high-speed packet based communication.
In the EPS, while a source base station is downloading source data, a handover of a User Equipment (UE) can occur from the source base station to a target base station. At this time, the source base station forwards the source data to the target base station. Further, the target base station downloads the source data and next followed target data. In this case, the source base station records UE history information as a UE Context. Upon handover, the source base station transfers the UE history information to the target base station.
The UE history information may include cell ID, cell type (large, small, etc.), a time served from a cell, and information on a plurality of cells with information of a recent serving cell. The UE history information is used to prevent a ping-pong handover of a UE from a target cell (a continuous handover of the UE between two base stations within a short time) and for a radio resource allocation algorithm to the UE after estimation of a moving speed of the UE. However, the UE does not process the UE history information even though the serving base station creates it. When the UE firstly accesses the serving base station, because the UE history information is not created, the serving base station cannot use the UE history information.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a method for managing UE history information in a wireless communication network that collects and provides its history information by an UE operating in an idle mode to the wireless communication network, thereby providing an efficient data transmission environment to the UE and providing valid information on an operation of a wireless communication system to the wireless communication network.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method is provided by a terminal in a wireless communication system. The method includes generating mobility history information upon entering an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) radio access network (E-UTRAN) from another radio access technology (RAT), the mobility history information including information on a time duration for which the terminal stayed outside of the E-UTRAN; receiving, from a base station, a request for the mobility history information; and transmitting the mobility history information to the base station, in response to the request.
In a method for managing UE history information in a wireless communication network accordance with the present invention, a UE transmits its UE history information to a serving base station, so that the serving base station can provide an efficient data transmission environment to the UE based on the UE history information. Further, the UE transmits its UE history information to an O&M (Operating and Management) server or a core network entity of a wireless communication network, so that a network operator can use the UE history information for managing the wireless communication network.
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention.
First, a configuration of a wireless communication network is described. The wireless communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured based on a cellular system.
Referring to
The E-UTRAN 102 accesses the UE 101 through a wireless channel. The E-UTRAN 102 is composed of a plurality of cells. The E-UTRAN 102 includes a plurality of evolved base stations, or Node Bs (eNBs) for controlling respective cells. The evolved base stations eNBs may be connected to each other through an X2 interface. The evolved base stations (eNBs) execute a radio bearer control function, a radio admission control function, a connection mobility control function, and a Radio Resource Management (RRM) function such as dynamic resource allocation to the UE 101. Further, the evolved base stations eNBs execute an Internet is Protocol (IP) header compression and data encryption function, a data routing function, a scheduling and transmitting function of a paging message, a scheduling and transmitting function of broadcast information, a measurement function for mobility and scheduling, and a measurement report set function. Namely, the evolved base stations eNBs receive downloading of data and transmits the downloaded data to the UE 101.
The E-UTRAN 102 includes a source base station and a target base station. The source base station indicates a base station currently being accessed by the UE 101. The target base station indicates a base station that the UE 101 wants to access through hand-over. Namely, upon a handover from the source base station to the target base station, the UE 101 terminates access to the source base station, and initiates access to the target base station. In other words, when the UE 101 accesses the source base station, the source base station downloads source data. Upon the hand-over from the source base station to the target base station, the source base station forwards source data to the target base station. Further, the target base station downloads target data followed by the source data. At this time, the source base station transmits UE history information recorded as a UE Context to the target base station at the time of the handover.
The MME 103 accesses the E-UTRAN 102 by a wired channel. In this case, the MME 103 is connected to the E-UTRAN 102 through an SI interface. The MME 103 executes a paging message distribution function to the evolved base station, a ciphering and integrity protection function of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling, an idle state mobility control function, and a bearer control function.
The SGW 104 accesses the E-UTRAN 102 and the MME 103 by a wired channel. In this case, the SGW 104 is connected to the E-UTRAN 102 through an SI interface. The SGW 104 can be provided with plurality of SGWs. Namely, the SGW 104 accesses at least one evolved base station. Further, the SGW 104 executes a mobility control function of the UE 101 and the like.
The PGW 105 accesses the SGW 104 by a wired channel. The POW 105 further accesses an IP network. The PGW 105 executes an IP address allocation function and a data filtering function for the UE 101. That is, the POW 105 transmits data provided from an IP network 106 to the UE 101 through the SGW 104 and the E-UTRAN 102.
Referring to
Subsequently, the UE 201 performs a handover to the target base station 203 in step 210. The target base station 203 informs in step 211 an MME 204 that the handover of the UE 201 is performed. The MME 204 transmits a response signal (e.g. Path switch ACK) to the target base station 203 in step 212, and instructs the service base station 202 to erase all UE information in step 213. The serving base station 202 informs the success of reception of the UE information and the resources used by the UE 201 to the MME 204 in step 214.
The UE history information in step 207 contains cell ID, cell type (large, small, etc.), a served time from a corresponding base station, and information on a plurality of base stations with recent information of a serving base station. The UE, history information is used to prevent a ping-pong handover of a UE from a target cell, namely, a continuous handover of the UE between two base stations within a short time, and for a radio resource allocation algorithm to the UE after estimation of a moving speed of the UE.
The following is an explanation of a method for using history information of a UE operating in an idle mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. Herein, the idle mode is a state in which a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection established between a UE and a base station is released. Meanwhile, an active mode means a state in which RRC connection between a UE and a base station is established.
Referring to
In particular, as shown in
Referring to
In detail, when an event 408 converting to an idle mode occurs in the first cell 404, the UE 401 records information regarding the occurred event 408 in idle mode UE history information. More particularly, an event with a change of a serving cell occurs in the UE, and the UE records a time stayed in a previous serving cell, namely, the first cell 404, and information about a second cell 405 being a current serving cell in the idle mode UE history information.
Next, when the UE enters into an impossible service zone (i.e. an area where no service is available) and a service impossibility event 410 occurs, the UE records a time stayed in a second cell 405 being a previous serving cell and current service impossibility information in the idle mode UE history information. When the UE enters into a third cell 406, it executes an event selecting a PLMN and a cell, and records the occurrence time of the service impossibility event and information about a current PLMN and service cell in the idle mode UE history information.
When the UE continuously moves and an event in which a serving cell changes from the third cell 460 to the fourth cell 407 occurs, the UE records a time stayed in the third cell 360 being a previous serving cell and information about the fourth cell 407 being a current serving cell in the idle mode UE history information.
When the UE accesses the fourth cell 407 and a conversion event from an idle mode to an active mode occurs, the UE records a time of the fourth cell 407 being a current serving cell operating in the idle mode in the idle mode UE history information. The idle mode UE history information recorded according to an embodiment of
Referring to
Further, step 506 can be performed after step 504 or as a part of step 504. The base station 502 which received the idle mode UE history information may share the idle mode UE history information or information related thereto with another core network entity, i.e., a core network entity such an O & M server or an MME in step 507. Meanwhile, the base station 503 may share the idle mode UE history information or information related thereto with another base station neighboring therewith. Another base station or another core network entity may estimate a moving speed of a UE and then use the idle mode UE history information in a radio resource allocation algorithm, in acquisition of information about its neighbor cells, PCI selection algorithm, problem discovery at the time of an enterpriser's cell planning or setting a cell parameter, a coverage problem discovery of an enterpriser cellular network, and automatic setting of other networks.
Referring to
When the UE is not in an idle mode at step 601, the UE determines if it is attempting to access a base station in step 605. When the UE is attempting to access a base station, the UE determines if it succeeds in accessing the base station to be converted to an active mode in step 606. When the UE is converted to the active mode, the UE receives a request for the idle mode UE history information from the base station in step 607 and transmits the idle mode UE history information to the base station in step 608. In this case, step 608 may be performed according to the request for the idle mode UE history information from the base station 520 in step 607 or be performed independently while omitting step 607.
The RF communication unit 710 performs transmitting and receiving functions of corresponding data for a wireless communication of the UE. The RF communication unit 710 may be composed of an RF transmitter that up-converts a frequency of a signal to be transmitted and amplifies the signal, and an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies a received signal and down-converts a frequency of the amplified signal. The RF communication unit 710 may receive data through a wireless channel, output the received data to the controller 730, and transmit data output from the controller 730 through the wireless channel. In particular, the RF communication unit 710 according to an embodiment of the present invention may transmit the idle mode UE history information generated from the UE in an idle mode to a base station.
The storage unit 720 stores programs and data necessary for the overall operation of the UE according to an embodiment of the present invention, and may include a UE history information storing area 720A. The UE history information storing area 720A stores idle mode UE history information generated in the UE in an idle mode.
The controller 730 controls signal transmission between respective blocks of another UE according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the controller 730 controls a series of procedures for transmitting the idle mode UE history information according to an embodiment of the present invention. To do this, the controller 730 may include a UE history information generator 730A and the UE history information transmitting controller 730B.
The UE history information generator 730A determines if a UE is in an idle mode. When the UE is in the idle mode, the UE history information generator 730A performs RF channel search to determine if a recording event to be recorded in UE history information occurs. Referring to
When the recording event occurs, the UE history information generator 730A records relation information in the idle mode UE history information. As described above, the idle mode UE history information contains at least one of an occurrence event, an ID and related information thereof selected by the UE, Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) information selected by the UE, a time influenced by each event, a time camped in a corresponding cell, a cell signal strength, and measuring information. The UE history information transmitting controller 730B controls the generated idle mode UE history information to be stored in the UE history information storing area 720B.
The UE history information transmitting controller 730B determines if a UE operating in an idle mode succeeds accessing a base station to be converted into an active mode. When being converted to the active mode from the idle mode, the UE history information transmitting controller 730B controls the idle mode UE history information to be transmitted to the base station. In this case, the idle mode UE history information can be transmitted simultaneously with the accessing of the base station or according to a request from the base station.
In the method for managing UE history information according to the present invention, a UE may transmit its UE history information to a serving base station, and the serving base station may provide an efficient data transmission environment to the UE base on the UE history information.
Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concepts herein taught which may appear to those skilled in the present t will still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2009-0037205 | Apr 2009 | KR | national |
This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/843,264, which was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Sep. 2, 2015, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/769,126, which was filed in the USPTO on Apr. 28, 2010 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,332,420 on May 3, 2016, and claims priority to Koran Application Serial No, 10-2009-0037205, which was filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Apr. 28, 2009, the entire content of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5446756 | Mallinckrodt | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5966656 | Elkin | Oct 1999 | A |
| 6091716 | Gorday | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6393282 | Iimori | May 2002 | B1 |
| 7079842 | Nagai | Jul 2006 | B2 |
| 8345632 | Mildh | Jan 2013 | B2 |
| 20040082328 | Japenga et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
| 20070082688 | Tu | Apr 2007 | A1 |
| 20070293201 | Meda | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20070293244 | Lee | Dec 2007 | A1 |
| 20080014957 | Ore | Jan 2008 | A1 |
| 20080096580 | Montemurro | Apr 2008 | A1 |
| 20080176551 | Kawabata | Jul 2008 | A1 |
| 20080268852 | Petrovic et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20090232097 | Taneja | Sep 2009 | A1 |
| 20100142486 | Wahlqvist | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| 20100191965 | Fischer et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
| 20100317349 | Serravalle | Dec 2010 | A1 |
| 20100330993 | Kone | Dec 2010 | A1 |
| 20110026484 | Fox | Feb 2011 | A1 |
| 20110080825 | Dimou | Apr 2011 | A1 |
| 20110105153 | Miklos | May 2011 | A1 |
| 20110130141 | Frost et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
| 20110183662 | Lee et al. | Jul 2011 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 3 383 090 | Oct 2018 | EP |
| 2007-166644 | Jun 2007 | JP |
| 1020060067679 | Jun 2006 | KR |
| WO 2008040962 | Apr 2008 | WO |
| WO 2008049213 | May 2008 | WO |
| WO 2008133566 | Nov 2008 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| European Search Report dated Jul. 15, 2015 issued in counterpart Application No. 10769941.5-1857, pp. 7. |
| Korean Office Action dated May 30, 2016 issued in counterpart Application No. 10-2010-0039273, 4 pages. |
| Korean Office Action dated Feb. 22, 2016 issued in counterpart Application No. 10-2010-0039273, 8 pages. |
| Nokia Siemens Networks, Nokia, “UE History Information for Inter-RAT”, R2-083202, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG3 Meeting 62, Nov. 10-14, 2008, 10 pages. |
| European Search Report dated Nov. 19, 2019 issued in counterpart Appln. No. 19191509.9-1215, 8 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200322784 A1 | Oct 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14843264 | Sep 2015 | US |
| Child | 16908327 | US | |
| Parent | 12769126 | Apr 2010 | US |
| Child | 14843264 | US |
