Patent Application
20180249361
The present invention relates to a network node, a communication system, a terminal, a network control method, and a non-transitory medium.
In recent years, such services, called IoT (Internet of Things) or IoE (Internet of Everything), have begun to draw attention. These services are aimed at providing an added value, by connecting not only conventional communication apparatuses but also every “Thing” to a network. According to these techniques, the network accommodates enormous number of “Things”.
Minimization of Drive Tests (MDT) performed by an operator that manages and operates a network is specified in 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) (for example, Non-Patent Literature 1 (3 GPP TS 32.422 V 12; 4.0), Non-Patent Literature 2 (3 GPP TS 37.320 V 12.2.0)).
In the MDT, there are specified an immediate MDT and a logged MDT. In the immediate MDT, a terminal in an RRC (Radio Resource Control) connected state executes measurement and immediately reports a measurement result to a radio network. In the logged MDT, a terminal in an RRC idle state executes measurement and logging (log), and then, when the terminal enters in an RRC connected state, the terminal reports a measurement result to the radio network. A radio access network to which the terminal (UE) reports includes, for example, a base station (evolved Node B: eNB) of E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network), an RNC (Radio Network Controller) of UTRAN. Hereinafter, an eNodeB of E-UTRAN, or a Node B and an RNC of UTRAN may be referred to as “eNB/RNC”.
In the logged MDT, for example, when a terminal is in an idle mode (RRC Idle Mode, RRC idle state), the terminal performs measurement and logging of a cell, such as a CSG (Closed Subscriber Group) cell, to which the terminal cannot belong, or a cell of other PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network). When returning to an RRC connected mode (RRC connected state), the terminal reports the logged measurement result.
In an area based MDT, measurement is performed by the terminal served in a cell indicated by UTRAN/E-UTRAN or in a location registration area (Location Area (LA), Routing Area (RA), and Tracking Area (TA)). Furthermore, in a signaling based (subscription based) MDT, measurement data is collected for a specific subscriber, wherein an OAM (Operations, Administration, and Maintenance) selects the terminal that performs the measurement in the signaling based MDT.
Regarding MDT, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which enables a radio network to determine a cause of a radio coverage failure detected by a radio terminal (UE), and to determine and execute an action according to the determination result of the cause. In addition, In Patent Literature 2, a terminal is notified of configuration information related to at least one of collection of measurement information by the terminal and reporting of measurement information to a radio network. On reception of a status of at least one of collection of measurement information by the terminal and reporting of measurement information to a radio network, it is determined whether to re-configure the configuration information or not, thereby making it possible to reduce load on the terminal and to reduce reporting of information with low necessity. Patent Literature 3 discloses a server that saves a load in a drive test of a terminal.
In a network that accommodates an enormous number of IoT devices, measurement and reporting of log data by all of the IoT devices may not necessarily be required, from the MDT perspective. For example, when the network instructs a terminal to perform MDT for detecting a coverage hole, there may be a case where measurement, logging and reporting by small number of terminals are sufficient to detect such a coverage hole that occurred in a predetermined area. That is, depending on a use purpose of coverage optimization by a network side, measurement, logging and reporting by all of terminals that can detect a coverage hole may not be necessary.
The present invention has been made in view of the above issues, and an object thereof is to provide a method, an apparatus, and a non-transitory medium, each of which enables to exempt measurement, logging and reporting (making execution thereof unnecessary) of at least some of terminals among a plurality of terminals having proximity relationship to each other.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network node comprising:
a memory; and
a processor coupled to the memory, wherein
the processor is configured to:
collect information used for determining proximity of a plurality of terminals, and
select at least one terminal from among the plurality of terminals which is caused to execute a measurement report based on the collected information.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising: a plurality of terminals; and a network node, wherein the network node includes at least:
a memory; and
a processor coupled to the memory, wherein
the processor is configured to:
collect information used for determining proximity of a plurality of terminals, and
select at least one terminal that executes measurement and reporting, from among the plurality of terminals, based on the collected information.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a network including a plurality of terminals and a network node, the method comprising:
the network node receiving at least information used for determining proximity of a plurality of terminals from another node; and
based on the information used for determining proximity of the plurality of terminals, selecting at least one terminal that executes measurement and reporting, from among the plurality of terminals.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal comprising:
a transceiver configured to receive a measurement configuration, or a measurement re-configuration from a network node that operates to select at least one terminal that executes measurement and reporting, from among a plurality of terminals, based on information used for determining proximity of the plurality of terminals; and
a processor configured to perform measurement based on the received measurement configuration, or the received measurement re-configuration.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-transitory medium storing therein a program for causing a computer constituting a network node to execute processing comprising:
based on information received from another node, the information used for determining proximity of a plurality of terminals, selecting at least one terminal that executes measurement and reporting, from among the plurality of terminals.
According to the present invention, the non-transitory medium is a computer readable recording medium (a semiconductor memory, a magnetic recording medium, a storage such as a CD (Compact Disk)) in which the program is recorded.
According to the present invention, it is possible to exempt execution of measurement, logging and reporting (execution can be made unnecessary) on at least a part of terminals among a plurality of terminals having proximity relationship with each other. Still other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein only exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out this invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
The following describes example embodiments of the present invention.
In each example embodiment, as illustrated in
According to the present invention, in
Although not particularly limited, the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 have a function (D2D (Device-to-Device) communication) for performing direct communication between the terminals without going through a core network. For example, the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 may perform discovery of nearby terminals to perform direct communication (data communication, voice call, and so forth) between the nearby terminal and the terminal. The proximity of the terminals may be determined by using LTE D2D (Proximity Service: ProSe) which is specified by the 3GPP standard (e.g., Rel-12 LTE). For example, in
Information used for determining proximity of a plurality of terminals is, for example, information indicating whether or not a plurality of terminals are in proximity relationship (possibility is high).
The information used for determining proximity of a plurality of terminals may be, for example, the following information, though not limited thereto.
The mobility history information of each terminal is, for example, information indicating a history of movement of each terminal per predetermined time. The mobility history information may include, for example, the following information items.
The information indicating execution of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication of the plurality of terminals is information indicating that a plurality of terminals execute or have executed terminal-to-terminal direct communication. Information indicating execution of terminal-to-terminal direct communication of a plurality of terminals may include, for example, the following information.
In
In a network side (a management node (not shown) in the core network 40), a plurality of terminals 10-1 to 10-3 may be managed by grouping the plurality of terminals 10-1 to 10-3. In that case, among the terminals belonging to the same group, for example, one terminal (for example, 10-2) may be caused to execute measurement and reporting.
The following describes, as an example, group management of terminals. In the example of
According to the present invention, there is provided a network node that receives, from another node, information used for determining proximity of a plurality of terminals. And then, the network node selects at least one terminal that executes measurement and reporting, based on the information used for determining proximity of the plurality of terminals. The network node may be a base station, a predetermined node connected to a core network, a server, or the like. In the below, some example embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
The terminal 10-2 in an RRC idle state executes measurement and logging based on the logged measurement configuration information (S3). In a case where the terminal 10-2 logs a measurement result, the terminal 10-2 may record mobility history information of the terminal 10-2. It is noted that the mobility history information may include a staying time of the terminal in a cell in which measurement and logging are performed, and Cell ID. For example, as illustrated in
Further, a group of the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 move outside an area of the PLMN A in an RRC idle state (S4). It is noted that a moving range may be within a cell of PLMN B as illustrated in
Further, the terminal 10-2 in an RRC idle state executes measurement and logging (S5) at a movement destination (S4). In a case where the terminal 10-2 logs a measurement result, the terminal 10-2 may record mobility history information of the terminal 10-2, as in step S3.
The terminals 10-1 to 10-3 move (re-belong or re-connect) to a cell of PMLN A (S6). The terminal 10-2 that has transitioned to an RRC connected state transmits a measurement report to the base station 20 (S7). The base station 20 may transmit a measurement report received from the terminal 10-2 to a management server, such as TCE (Trace Collection Entity) not shown, OAM (Operations, Administration, Maintenance), or the like, for example.
In addition, in
It is noted that the cell of the mobile network B (PLMN B) in
In
The other entity provides to the NW entity information used for determining proximity between the terminal 10-1 and the terminal 10-2 (UE1, UE2) (S101).
Based on the received information used for determining the proximity, the NW entity determines that the terminal 10-1 and the terminal 10-2 (UE1, UE2) belong to the same group (S102).
Based on the information used for determining proximity, the NW entity selects at least one terminal (terminal 10-2) among the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 (UE1, UE2) (S103). The selected terminal may be a terminal that executes measurement, logging and reporting, or may be a terminal for which execution of measurement, logging and reporting are exempted.
The NW entity instructs to configure the measurement (Measurement Configuration) to the terminal 10-2 (UE2) in an RRC connected state (S 104). It is noted that this Measurement Configuration may include an instruction to execute measurement, logging, and reporting as a representative of the group, and a terminal ID as a target of the instruction.
It is noted that the NW entity instructs reconfiguration of the logged measurement (Measurement (Re) Configuration) to the terminal 10-1 (UE1) (S105). The measurement reconfiguration may include information indicating exemption from execution of measurement, logging and reporting (execution not required). In a case where the measurement configuration has already been configured in the terminal 10-1, the exemption from execution of the measurement may be performed by an instruction to release the configuration is set in a logged measurement reconfiguration.
The terminal 10-2 (UE2) executes measurement and logging, for example, in an RRC idle state (S106).
The terminal 10-1 (UE1) releases the measurement configuration (in a case where the measurement configuration has already been made) (S107).
In one embodiment of the present invention, a NW entity selects at least one terminal that executes (or is exempted from) measurement, logging and/or reporting, based on the information used for determining proximity between a plurality of terminals, the information being received from the other entity. It is noted that the NW entity may recognize (consider) that the plurality of terminals belong to the same group based on the proximity information of the plurality of terminals (10-1, 10-2). Measurement, logging and/or reporting may comply with MDT. Alternatively, a measurement report other than MDT may be adopted.
Although not limited thereto, an object of measurement, logging and/or reporting is, for example,
A basic arrangement of the system according to the second example embodiment of the present invention is the same as the arrangement shown in
In the second example embodiment, when the base station 20 transmits logged measurement configuration to the terminal 10, the base station 20 may not yet recognize which terminal 10 has a proximity relationship with each other. Therefore, the base station 20, according to the present embodiment, at first, transmits logged measurement configuration to all target terminals 10-1 to 10-3. It is noted that the target terminal is such a terminal which has, for example, capability (UE capability) of executing measurement and logging compliant with MDT, a user of which has a consent for MDT (User consent), and which is located within a target tracking area TA.
In the second example embodiment, reports on measurement and logging transmitted from the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 to the base station 20 are included in a terminal information response (UE information response), in response to reception of a terminal information request (UE information request). And then the measurement log is reported to the base station.
Based on the mobility history information received from the terminal, the base station 20 (eNB/RNC) selects at least one terminal that executes MDT, among a plurality of terminals relating to mobility during a predetermined period, from among a plurality of terminals within an MDT target tracking area (or routing area).
More specifically, the eNB/RNC determines that a plurality of terminals have relationship of mobility within a predetermined period (i.e. the plurality of terminals belongs to the same group) based on the mobility history information received from the terminal, and selects one terminal that executes (is exempted from) measurement, logging and reporting (MDT) from among the plurality of terminals in following cases:
Then, the base station/control station (eNB/RNC) executes the following (a) and/or (b).
(a) Transmits, to a terminal is caused to execute MDT, (re) configuration information instructing measurement, logging and reporting, as a representative terminal.
(b) Transmits, to a terminal that does not need MDT execution (exempted from MDT execution), (re) configuration information including information indicating discard or release of the measurement configuration information. Upon reception of the (re) configuration information, the terminal discards or releases of the configured measurement configuration information, in a case where measurement configuration information has been already configured.
The terminals 10-1 to 10-3 (UE1 to UE3) move to a cell of the base station 20B of (a cell of) the mobile network B. With the movement along a direction of the cell of PRMN B, a radio quality or the like in a radio link with the PLMN A deteriorates, the radio link with the PLMN A is disconnected (i.e. Radio Link Failure) (for example, RRC connection is disconnected), and makes a transition to an RRC idle state (S22). Each of the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 (UE1 to UE3) in an RRC idle state executes measurement and logging (measurement and log) including an item (objects) of mobility history information (S23-1). Further, the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 (UE1 to UE3) move to another place in the cell of the base station 20 B of the PLMN B and the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 (UE1 to UE3) in an RRC idle state executes measurement and logging (measurement and log) including an item (objects) of mobility history information (S23-2).
The terminals 10-1 to 10-3 (UE1 to UE3) move (re-belong or re-connect) to the cell of the base station 20A of the PMLN A (S24).
After the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 (UE1 to UE3) each make a transition to an RRC connection state, the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 (UE1 to UE3) transmit the measurement reports including the mobility history information to the base station 20A (S25).
Based on the mobility history information from the terminals 10-1 to 10-3, the base station 20A selects a terminal that executes the logged MDT as a representative terminal (S26). More specifically, if the mobility history information of the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 satisfies a predetermined condition regarding proximity, the base station 20A selects, among the terminals 10-1 to 10-3, the terminal 10-2, for example.
Here, a predetermined condition regarding proximity includes at least one of:
The following describes a specific example in the case where the mobility history information of the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 satisfies a predetermined condition on the proximity with reference to
Therefore, since the history of the cells (cell ID, or the like) in which the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 stayed are the same within a predetermined range, the base station 20A selects one among the terminals 10-1 to 10-3. For example, the base station 20A selects the terminal 10-2.
Further,
Here, IDs of the cells in which the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 have stayed from the first to the fourth from the last, IDs of the cells in which the terminal 10-3 has stayed from the second to the fifth from the last, and IDs of the cells in which the terminal 10-4 has stayed from the third to the sixth from the last, are, cell 7, cell 2, cell 8, and cell 2 in this order and they match. However, an error range of the staying time in each cell is within 10 s in each of the terminals 10-1 to 10-3, whereas an error range of the staying time is 10 s or more between the terminal 10-4 and each of the terminals 10-1 to 10-3.
Therefore, the base station 20A selects the terminal 10-2 from among the terminals 10-1 to 10-3, because the history of the cells (cell ID, or the like) in which the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 have stayed are the same within a predetermined range and that the error range of the staying time of each terminal in the cell is within a predetermined range.
The base station 20A transmits, if necessary, logged measurement reconfiguration information, using an RRC message, to the terminal 10-2 that causes the terminal 10-2 to execute logged MDT (as a representative) (S7). Here, the logged measurement reconfiguration information transmitted to the terminal 10-2 may include information indicating that the terminal 10-2 executes MDT as a representative. In addition, the base station 20A transmits logged measurement reconfiguration information to the terminals 10-1 and 10-3 exempted from execution of the logged MDT, as necessary, using an RRC Message (S7). Here, the logged measurement reconfiguration information transmitted to the terminals 10-1 and 10-3 may include information indicating discard or release of the measurement configuration information. The terminals 10-1 and 10-3 that receive the measurement configuration information may discard or release the measurement configuration information that has been already configured therein. Thereafter, only the terminal 10-2 among the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 executes measurement, logging and reporting.
MDT activation information is transmitted from the MME or SGSN to the eNB/RNC (S201).
The eNB/RNC selects the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 (UE1, UE2, UE3) based on the received data (S202).
The eNB/RNC transmits logged measurement configuration information to the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 (S203). The transmission of the logged measurement configuration information here may implicitly indicate an instruction of MDT activation.
The terminals 10-1 to 10-3 enter an RRC idle state (S204).
The terminals 10-1 to 10-3 execute measurement and logging based on the logged measurement configuration information (S205).
The terminals 10-1 to 10-3 enter an RRC connected state (S206). For example, in the step S206, the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 transmit an RRC Connection Setup Request to the eNB/RNC for establishing an RRC connection with the eNB/RNC. And then, the eNB/RNC responses RRC Connection Setup to the terminals 10-1 to 10-3. The terminals 10-1 to 10-3 transmit an RRC Connection Setup Complete to the eNB/RNC, in response to reception of the RRC Connection Setup. In a case where, the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 each store or have measurement data, the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 each set, into the RRC Connection Setup Complete, information indicating that the recorded measurement data can be provided. When the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 each store and have mobility history information, the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 each set, into the RRC Connection Setup Complete, information indicating that the mobility history information can be provided.
The eNB/RNC transmits a terminal information request (UE Information request) to the terminals 10-1 to 10-3. The terminal information request (UE Information request) is a message used by a network (E-/UTRAN) side for requesting terminal information to the terminal. The terminal information request may include a request for measured/logged data and a request for mobility history information.
The terminals 10-1 to 10-3 transmit a terminal information response (UE Information Response) to the eNB/RNC (S207). In a case where the terminal information request received by each of the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 includes a request for measurement data and a request for mobility history information, the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 each set, into the terminal information response, corresponding measurement, logging (measurement data), and mobility history information.
MDT activation information is again transmitted from the MME/SGSN to the eNB/RNC (S208).
The eNB/RNC selects the terminal 10-2 (UE2) from among the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 (UE1, UE2, and UE3) based on the mobility history information, for example (S209).
The eNB/RNC transmits logged measurement reconfiguration to the terminal 10-2 (UE2) (S210).
The terminal 10-2 (UE2) which has received the logged measurement reconfiguration information performs logged measurement reconfiguration (S211). As a result, the terminal 10-2 (UE2) performs MDT measurement and reporting. The terminals 10-1 and 10-3 that do not receive logged measurement reconfiguration information (Logged Measurement Reconfiguration) need not perform MDT measurement/reporting. Although not shown in
Timings of transition to an RRC idle state or an RRC connected state of the terminals 10-1 to 10-3 are not necessarily simultaneous.
The terminal 10-1 and the terminal 10-3 discard or release measurement log respectively has been already configured therein, if information indicating discard or release of the measurement configuration information is included in the received logged measurement re-configuration information (S311, S312). As a result, the terminal 10-1 and the terminal 10-3 do not perform MDT measurement and reporting.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the network determines that a plurality of terminals are in close proximity to each other from mobility history information of a plurality of terminals, and selects a terminal that executes (or is exempted from) measurement, logging and reporting (MDT). As a result, it is possible to avoid measurement reports from all of the plurality of terminals that are located substantially at the same location, or are concomitantly moving (possibly high), and to prevent reporting of information duplicate at least in part, to the network, thereby enabling to contribute to reduction of wasteful processing and power consumption in the terminal.
A basic arrangement of a system according to the third example embodiment of the present invention is the same as the configuration as illustrated in
In the present embodiment, at least one terminal which is caused to execute a logged MDT may be selected based on ProSe discovery, that is, ProSe EPC-level Discovery/ProSe Direct Discovery.
Regarding ProSe discovery, the EPC level discovery (ProSe EPC-level discovery) is a method in which a network (for example, core network (EPC)) detects proximity of two terminals (ProSe enabled UEs) and notifies the terminal of the proximity. In the direct discovery (ProSe Direct Discovery), a terminal (ProSe-enabled UE) discovers another terminal (ProSe-enabled UE) in a neighbour location, for example due to capability of the terminal. The terminal (ProSe-enabled UE) has a function of exchanging ProSe control information between the terminal (ProSe-enabled UE) and a ProSe function node, and a function of ProSe Direct Discovery of another terminal (ProSe-enabled UE).
The terminal 10-1 (UE1) transmits a Proximity Request to the ProSe function (S401). The proximity request may include terminal information of the terminal 10-1 (UE1) and terminal information of the target terminal (terminal 10-2 (UE2 in
The terminal information of the target terminal (Target UE Info) is acquired between the ProSe function and the ProSe application server (S402).
The ProSe function performs verification of the proximity request (Proximity Request Validation) between the ProSe function and the terminal 10-2 (UE2) (S403).
After the proximity request verification has been completed, the ProSe function transmits a proximity response to the terminal 10-1 (UE1) (S 404).
The terminal 10-1 (UE1) transmits a location reporting to the ProSe function via a SLP (SUPL Location Platform) (S405).
The terminal 10-2 (UE2) also transmits a location reporting to the ProSe function via the SLP (SUPL Location Platform) (S406).
The ProSe function executes a proximity check based on a distance between the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 (UE1, UE2) (S407).
The ProSe function notifies the EM of proximity information between the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 (UE1, UE2) (S408).
The EM stores/updates the proximity information between the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 (UE1, UE2) (S409).
Thereafter, if it is decided to cause the terminal 10 to execute the MDT, the EM transmits the proximity information between the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 (UE1, UE2) to the MME (S 410). In a case where the EM is an HSS, the proximity information may be transmitted in “Insert Subscriber Data procedure” between the HSS and the MME (Non-Patent Document 5 (3GPP TS 23. 401)).
The MME stores the proximity information and transfers the proximity information to an eNB (S411). Here, the proximity information may be transmitted in “INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST” (Non-Patent Document 6 (3 GPP TS 36.413)) performed by “Context Management procedures” between the MME and the eNB. More specifically, the MME may set proximity information into a “ProSe Authorized IE” or a “Management Based MDT Allowed IE” included in “INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST” for transmission or may set a new information element indicating the proximity information into “INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST” for transmission.
The eNB selects a terminal based on the received information or criteria. In this case, the terminal 10-2 (UE2) is selected based on the proximity information between the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 included in the received information or criteria (S412).
The eNB transmits measurement configuration information (Measurement Configuration) to the terminal 10-2 (UE2) (S413). It is noted that transmission of the measurement configuration (Logged Measurement Configuration) information here may indicate implicitly an MDT activation instruction.
The node EM that stores proximity information need not be an HSS, but may be any core network node.
Further, contractor information of a plurality of terminals may be transmitted from the HSS and the contractor information may also be used to select a terminal that performs a logged MDT. The contractor information may be included in a “ProSe Authorized IE” or a “Management Based MDT Allowed IE” transmitted between the MME and the base station (eNB). The details of the contractor information will be described later. Radio resource allocation performed from the base station 20 to the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 is performed by broadcast information (SIB) and an RRC signaling. In the present embodiment, RRC signaling is used.
In
The ProSe function transmits a discovery response to the terminal 10-1 (UE1) (S502).
The terminal 10-2 (UE2) transmits a discovery request to the ProSe function (S503).
The ProSe function transmits a discovery response to the terminal 10-2 (UE2) (S504).
The terminal 10-1 (UE1) transmits side link terminal information (Sidelink UE information) including side link transmission resource request information (Sidelink Transmission Resource Request) to the base station 20 (eNB) (S505). A side link is a concept representing a link between terminals, while an uplink and a downlink represent links between a terminal and a base station, and in particular, is so called from a point of view of RAN (Radio Access Network). Therefore, ProSe may be called a side link. The side link corresponds to the PC 5 interface of the terminal to terminal communication in
The eNB transmits configuration information (Sidelink communication configuration) of the radio resources used for the side link direct discovery to the terminal 10-1 (UE1) and allocates radio resources used for the discovery (S506). For example, the radio resource configuration information (Sidelink communication configuration) may be “discTxConfig” indicating configuration information of radio resources used for transmission (or announcement) of Sidelink (ProSe) direct discovery prescribed in Non-Patent Document 3 (3 GPP TS 36.331).
Further, the terminal 10-2 (UE2) transmits side link terminal information (Sidelink UE information) to the eNB (S 507). At this time, side link reception (or monitor) request information (Sidelink Reception/Monitoring Resource Request) which is information for requesting resources for side link reception (or monitoring) may be included in the side link terminal information (Sidelink UE Information).
Further, the side link terminal information (Sidelink UE Information) may include a request from the terminal for allocating or releasing radio resources for side link direct discovery, or information indicating that the terminal performs or performed transmission (announcement) or reception (or monitoring) of the discovery (Sidelink direct discovery). As a prerequisite of the transmission of the side link terminal information, the terminal may receive a system information block (SIB) type 18, 19, or the like notified from the eNB, and check necessary information in addition to the version or the like thereof.
The eNB transmits radio resource configuration information (Sidelink communication configuration) used for the side link direct discovery to the terminal 10-2 (UE2) and allocates radio resources (S508). Here, the radio resource configuration information (Sidelink communication configuration) used for the discovery may be information indicating a radio resource used for monitoring of Sidelink (ProSe) direct discovery. The information may be called “discRxConfig”.
The terminal 10-1 (UE1) transmits a discovery message to the terminal 10-2 (UE2) (S509).
The eNB stores information (for example, terminal ID or the like) of the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 (UE1, UE2) to which the same radio resource is allocated for side link direct discovery (S510). The eNB stores information (for example, terminal ID or the like) of the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 (UE1, UE2) that reported to the eNB that transmission (announcement) and/or reception (monitoring) of the discovery was performed with the same radio resource (S510).
Thereafter, if it is decided to cause the terminal 10 to execute MDT, subscriber data of a plurality of terminals including the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 (UE1, UE2) is inserted from the EM (for example, an HSS) to the MME (S511). Subscriber data may also include subscriber's consent information (User Consent) to MDT and subscriber contract information. In a case where the EM is an HSS, the subscriber data may be transmitted in “Insert Subscriber Data procedure” between HSS and MME (Non-Patent Document 5 (3 GPP TS 23. 401)).
The MME transfers the subscriber data to the eNB (S512). Here, the subscriber data may be transmitted, for example, in a “INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST” performed by “Context Management procedures” between the MME and the eNB (Non-Patent Literature 6 (3 GPP TS 36.413)).
Out of the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 (UE1, UE2) that have reported to the eNB that the same radio resource has been allocated to the terminals, or that the terminals have performed transmission (announced) and/or reception (monitoring) of the discovery, one terminal (terminal 10-2) is selected (S513). In this case, the eNB may determine that the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 are in close proximity to make the selection.
The eNB transmits measurement configuration information to the terminal 10-2 (UE2) (S514). It is noted that the transmission of measurement configuration information (Logged Measurement Configuration) here may implicitly indicate an MDT activation instruction.
In a case where radio resources are allocated to the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 for the side link direct discovery, the eNB may also transmit configuration information designating a transmission power of the side link transmission. A distance between terminals is proportional to a transmission power required for communication between terminals that are parted by the distance. Therefore, by receiving information indicating that transmission (announcement) and/or reception (monitor) of discovery has been performed from the terminals 10-1 and 10-2, the distance between the terminals can be estimated based on a value of transmission power each set for the terminals 10-1 and 10-2.
The eNB may recognize that the terminals 10-1 and 10-2 to which the same radio resource have been allocated, or which have reported to the eNB that they have performed transmission (announcement) and/or reception (monitoring) of discovery, belong to the same group.
Although a case where the present invention is applied mainly to ProSe (Sidelink) discovery has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention may be applied to ProSe (Sidelink) direct communication (Direct Communication).
Further, storage of information by the eNB in step S510 of
A fourth example embodiment of the present invention will be described. A basic arrangement of a system of the fourth example embodiment is the same as that of
The contractor information may be referred to as “owner information”. The contractor information is different from so-called subscriber information (Subscriber data) stored in the HSS. The subscriber information (Subscriber data) is a one-to-one relationship with a terminal. On the other hand, one contractor information can be assigned to a plurality of terminals. The contractor information may be information (group ID) for grouping identifiers of terminals (subscriber information, IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity), or the like). However, it is desirable that terminals in the same group are limited to terminals that have the same contractor or owner.
The contractor information can be transmitted from an HSS to an MME according to “Insert Subscriber Data procedure” described in Non-Patent Document 5 (3 GPP TS 23.401), for example. The subscriber information can be transmitted from an MME to a base station (eNB) by, for example, “INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST” of “Context Management procedures” described in Non-Patent Document 6 (3GPP TS 36.413).
The contractor information may be a user account managed by a database such as a PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) of an EPC. For example, when a user contracts a plurality of terminals, by managing terminal identification information (IMSI) in association with a user account by a PCRF or the like, it is possible to make charging and so forth common. It is also possible for a network side to determine that a plurality of terminals are owned by the same user (therefore, there is a high possibility that the terminals are used in proximity).
For example, at a time of attach processing of each terminal or the like, the base station (eNB) determines that a plurality of terminals belong to the same group from an identifier of each terminal, and when a plurality of terminals belong to the same group, the base station (eNB) may transmit a logged measurement configuration instruction to one terminal as a representative.
Further, in some of the above-described embodiments, a terminal that executes (or exempts) measurement, logging and reporting (MDT) may be selected based on battery information, corresponding frequency information, terminal capability information (UE-Capability Information) of a plurality of terminals having mutually proximity relationships.
In the above-described embodiments, a case where a plurality of terminals are wearable terminals, as an example of IoT devices, and the wearable terminals are worn by the same user, has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a plurality of drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) equipped with a wireless communication function and flying while forming a team, and to a plurality of sensor nodes installed on a manufacturing line of a factory and used together.
The above-described embodiments may be annexed, for example, as follows (but, not limited to the following).
A network node comprising:
a memory; and
a processor coupled to the memory, wherein
the processor is configured to:
collect information used for determining proximity of a plurality of terminals, and
select at least one terminal from among the plurality of terminals which is caused to execute a measurement report based on the collected information.
The network node according to supplementary note 1, wherein the network node determines that the plurality of terminals are close to each other based on the collected information.
The network node according to supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the information used for determining the proximity includes at least one of:
mobility history information of the plurality of terminals;
information indicating a direct execution between the terminals by the plurality of terminals; and
contractor information of the plurality of terminals.
The network node according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3, wherein the mobility history information includes at least one of:
an identifier of a cell or an identifier of a network in which the terminal stayed; and
a time at which the terminal stayed in the cell or the network.
The network node according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4, wherein the information indicating execution of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication includes at least one of:
information on radio resources used for the terminal-to-terminal direct communication;
information indicating a counterpart of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication;
a value of transmission power used for the terminal-to-terminal direct communication; and
the number of times of communication or the communication time of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication.
The network node according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 5, wherein the processor is further configured to select at least one terminal that executes measurement report based on contractor information of the plurality of terminals.
The network node according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 6, further comprising
a transceiver, wherein
the processor is further configured to transmit, via the transceiver, measurement configuration information including information indicating that a measurement report is to be made on behalf of the plurality of terminals, to a terminal that is selected for executing measurement report.
The network node according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 6, further comprising
a transceiver, wherein
the processor is further configured to transmit, via the transceiver, information indicating releasing of preset measurement configuration information to a terminal other than the terminal that is selected for executing measurement report among the plurality of terminals.
A communication system comprising:
a plurality of terminals; and
a network node, wherein
the network node includes at least:
a memory; and
a processor coupled to the memory, wherein
the processor is configured to:
collect information used for determining proximity of a plurality of terminals, and
select at least one terminal that executes measurement and reporting, from among the plurality of terminals, based on the collected information.
The communication system according to supplementary note 9, wherein the network node determines that the plurality of terminals are close to each other based on the collected information.
The communication system according to supplementary note 9 or 10, wherein the information used for determining the proximity includes at least one of:
mobility history information of the plurality of terminals;
information indicating a direct execution between the terminals by the plurality of terminals; and
contractor information of the plurality of terminals.
The communication system according to any one of supplementary notes 9 to 11, wherein the mobility history information includes at least one of:
an identifier of a cell or an identifier of a network in which the terminal stayed; and
a time at which the terminal stayed in the cell or the network.
The communication system according to any one of supplementary notes 9 to 12, wherein the information indicating execution of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication includes at least one of:
information on radio resources used for the terminal-to-terminal direct communication;
information indicating a counterpart of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication;
a value of transmission power used for the terminal-to-terminal direct communication; and
the number of times of communication or the communication time of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication.
The communication system according to any one of supplementary notes 9 to 13, wherein the processor is configured to select at least one terminal that executes measurement report based on contractor information of the plurality of terminals.
The communication system according to any one of supplementary notes 9 to 14, wherein the network node comprises
a transceiver, wherein
the processor is configured to transmit, via the transceiver, measurement configuration information including information indicating that a measurement report is to be made on behalf of the plurality of terminals, to a terminal that is selected for executing measurement report.
The communication system according to any one of supplementary notes 9 to 15, further comprising
a transceiver, wherein
the processor is configured to transmit, via the transceiver, information indicating releasing of preset measurement configuration information to a terminal other than the terminal that is selected for executing measurement report among the plurality of terminals.
A network control method for a network including:
a plurality of terminals; and
a network node, the method comprising:
the network node collecting information used for determining proximity of a plurality of terminals; and
selecting at least one terminal that executes measurement and reporting, from among the plurality of terminals, based on the collected information.
The network control method according to supplementary note 17, wherein the network node determines that the plurality of terminals are close to each other based on the collected information.
The network control method according to supplementary note 17 or 18, wherein the information used for determining the proximity includes at least one of:
mobility history information of the plurality of terminals; information indicating a direct execution between the terminals by the plurality of terminals; and
contractor information of the plurality of terminals.
The network control method according to any one of supplementary notes 17 to 19, wherein the mobility history information includes at least one of:
an identifier of a cell or an identifier of a network in which the terminal stayed; and
a time at which the terminal stayed in the cell or the network.
The network control method according to any one of supplementary notes 17 to 20, wherein the information indicating execution of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication includes at least one of: information on radio resources used for the terminal-to-terminal direct communication;
information indicating a counterpart of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication;
a value of transmission power used for the terminal-to-terminal direct communication; and
the number of times of communication or the communication time of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication.
The network control method according to any one of supplementary notes 17 to 21, wherein the network node selects at least one terminal that executes measurement report based on contractor information of the plurality of terminals.
The network control method according to any one of supplementary notes 17 to 22, comprising
the network node transmitting measurement configuration information including information indicating that a measurement report is to be made on behalf of the plurality of terminals, to a terminal that is selected for executing measurement report.
The network control method according to any one of supplementary notes 17 to 22, further comprising
the network node transmitting information indicating releasing of preset measurement configuration information to a terminal other than the terminal that is selected for executing measurement report among the plurality of terminals.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing therein a program causing a computer constituting a network node to execute processing comprising:
collecting information used for determining proximity of a plurality of terminals; and
selecting at least one terminal that executes measurement and reporting from among the plurality of terminals based on the collected information.
A terminal comprising:
a transceiver configured to receive a measurement configuration, or a measurement re-configuration from a network node that operates to select at least one terminal that executes measurement and reporting, from among a plurality of terminals, based on information used for determining proximity of the plurality of terminals; and
a processor configured to perform measurement based on the received measurement configuration, or the received measurement re-configuration.
The terminal according to supplementary note 26, wherein the information used for determining the proximity includes at least one of:
mobility history information of the plurality of terminals;
information indicating a direct execution between the terminals by the plurality of terminals; and
contractor information of the plurality of terminals.
The terminal according to any one of supplementary note 26, wherein the information indicating execution of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication includes at least one of:
information on radio resources used for the terminal-to-terminal direct communication;
information indicating a counterpart of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication;
a value of transmission power used for the terminal-to-terminal direct communication; and
the number of times of communication or the communication time of the terminal-to-terminal direct communication.
The disclosure of each of the above Patent Literatures 1-3 and Non-Patent Literatures 1-6 is incorporated herein by reference thereto. Variations and adjustments of the Exemplary embodiments and examples are possible within the scope of the overall disclosure (including the claims) of the present invention and based on the basic technical concept of the present invention. Various combinations and selections of various disclosed elements (including the elements in each of the claims, examples, drawings, etc.) are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention. Namely, the present invention of course includes various variations and modifications that could be made by those skilled in the art according to the overall disclosure including the claims and the technical concept.
This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2015/074758 filed Aug. 31, 2015.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2015/074758 | 8/31/2015 | WO | 00 |
