U.S. patent application number 13/028387 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-18 for reporting of non-real-time mdt measurements.
This patent application is currently assigned to Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ). Invention is credited to Henrik Enbuske, Janne Peisa, Hakan Persson.
Application Number | 20110201324 13/028387 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44369991 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110201324 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Persson; Hakan ; et
al. |
August 18, 2011 |
Reporting of Non-Real-Time MDT Measurements
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for providing measurement reports to a
wireless communication network from a mobile station are disclosed.
A first mobile station performs measurements concerning one or more
connectivity aspects for the first mobile station in relation to
the wireless communication network and stores the measurements in
an internal log, where the measurements are performed according to
a reporting configuration for the first mobile station. A first
network node of the network sends a request for a logged
measurement report, which is received by the first mobile station.
The first mobile station then sends a logged measurement report as
a response to the, which report is then received by the first
network node.
Inventors: |
Persson; Hakan; (Solna,
SE) ; Enbuske; Henrik; (Stockholm, SE) ;
Peisa; Janne; (Espoo, FI) |
Assignee: |
Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson
(publ)
Stockholm
SE
|
Family ID: |
44369991 |
Appl. No.: |
13/028387 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/EP2011/052219 |
Feb 15, 2011 |
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13028387 |
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61304963 |
Feb 16, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/422.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 24/10 20130101;
H04W 24/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/422.1 |
International
Class: |
H04W 24/10 20090101
H04W024/10 |
Claims
1. A method for receiving, in a first network node of a wireless
communication network, a logged measurement report from a first
mobile station according to a reporting configuration for the
mobile station, the method comprising: sending a request for a
logged measurement report to at least the first mobile station, and
receiving a logged measurement report as a response to the
request.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reporting
configuration specifies that the first mobile station shall perform
measurements when in idle mode.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining
a point in time when to send the request based on at least one
request timing criterion.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the request timing
criterion is based on one or more of the following properties load
in cell, load in network and connection to centralized data
base.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the report is received
on a signalling radio bearer dedicated to transmissions of logged
measurement reports.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first mobile
station has been provided with the reporting configuration by the
network.
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising providing
the reporting configuration to the first mobile station.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request is sent in
a radio resource control message.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the radio resource
control message is a modified radio resource control message
concerning the capabilities of the mobile station.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the logged measurement
report is received in a modified radio resource control message
that is a response message to the radio resource control message
comprising the request.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request is sent
based on data concerning the first mobile station provided in the
network.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request is
provided as a reporting-on indication being provided by the first
network node.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request is
broadcast to a group of mobile stations.
14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a
notification from the first mobile station of the presence of
logged measurements and the sending of a request is only performed
based on the reception of such a notification from the mobile
station.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the notification
comprises an indication of type of access technology used by the
first mobile station when gathering data for the report.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the notification is
received as a radio resource control message.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the radio resource
control message is a modified message relating to the connection of
a mobile station to the network.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the message is a
radio resource control connection setup complete message.
19. A first network node of a wireless communication network for
receiving a logged measurement report from a first mobile station
according to a reporting configuration for the mobile station, the
network node comprising: a control processor arranged to cause the
sending of a request for a logged measurement report to at least
the first mobile station, and to receive a logged measurement
report as a response to the request.
20. A computer program product for receiving, in a first network
node of a wireless communication network, a logged measurement
report from a first mobile station according to a reporting setup
scheme, the computer program product comprising a computer readable
storage medium comprising a non-transitory set of instructions
causing the first network node to: send a request for a logged
measurement report to at least the first mobile station, and
receive a logged measurement report as a response to the
request.
21. A method of enabling a mobile station connected to a wireless
communication network to send logged measurement reports to the
network, the method comprising providing, from a network node, a
first mobile station with a reporting configuration for sending
logged measurement reports in order to enable the network to send a
request for a logged measurement report to the first mobile station
and receive a logged measurement report as a response to the
request.
22. A network node of a wireless communication network for enabling
a first mobile station to send a logged measurement report to the
network, the network node comprising a control processor arranged
to provide the first mobile station with a reporting configuration
for enabling the network to send a request for a logged measurement
report to the first mobile station and receive a logged measurement
report as a response to the request.
23. A computer program product for enabling a mobile station to
send a logged measurement report to a wireless communication
network, the computer program product comprising a computer
readable storage medium comprising a non-transitory set of
instructions causing a network node in the network to: provide a
first mobile station with a reporting configuration for enabling
the network to send a request for a logged measurement report to
the first mobile station and receive a logged measurement report as
a response to the request.
24. A method of sending a logged measurement report from a first
mobile station to a first network node of a wireless communication
network, the method comprising: performing measurements concerning
one or more connectivity aspects for the first mobile station in
relation to the wireless communication network, the measurements
being performed according to a reporting configuration for the
first mobile station, storing the measurements in an internal log,
receiving a request for a logged measurement report from the first
network node, and sending a logged measurement report as a response
to a request.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the performing of
measurements is made in idle mode.
26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the report is sent on
a signalling radio bearer dedicated to transmissions of logged
measurement reports.
27. The method according to claim 24, further comprising receiving
the reporting configuration from a network node.
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the network node is
the first network node.
29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the network node is a
further network node, where the first and further network node use
different types of access technology and the request and
configuration are received using these different types of access
technology.
30. The method according to claim 24, wherein the request is
received in a radio resource control message.
31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the radio resource
control message is a modified radio resource control message
concerning the capabilities of the mobile station.
32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the logged
measurement report is sent in a modified radio resource control
message that is a response message to the radio resource control
message comprising the request.
33. The method according to claim 24, wherein the request is
received as a reporting-on indication being provided by the first
network node.
34. The method according to claim 24, wherein the request is
received via a broadcast to a group of mobile stations performed by
the first network node.
35. The method according to claim 24, further comprising
determining a point in time when to send the logged measurement
report based on at least one report timing criterion.
36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the report timing
criterion is based on one or more of the following properties:
mobile station memory consumption, battery level, availability of
measurements, load in network and when leaving a logging
campaign.
37. The method according to claim 24, further comprising sending a
notification to the first network node regarding the presence of
logged measurements and receiving a request for a report as a
response to such a notification.
38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the notification
comprises an indication of type of access technology used by the
first mobile station when gathering data for the report.
39. The method according to claim 37, wherein the notification is
sent as a radio resource control message.
40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the radio resource
control message is a modified message relating to the connection of
a mobile station to the network.
41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the message is a
radio resource control connection setup complete message.
42. The method according to claim 37, wherein the notification is
sent based on at least one notification timing criterion.
43. A first mobile station for sending a logged measurement report
to a first network node of a wireless communication network, the
mobile station comprising: a measurement performing unit for
performing measurements concerning one or more connectivity aspects
for the first mobile station in relation to the wireless
communication network, the measurements being performed according
to a reporting configuration for the first mobile station, and a
control unit arranged to order the measurements to be performed and
store the measurements in an internal log, receive a request for a
logged measurement report from the first network node, and order a
transmitter to transmit a logged measurement report as a response
to a request.
44. A computer program product for sending a logged measurement
report to a first network node of a wireless communication network,
the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage
medium comprising a non-transitory set of instructions causing a
control unit in the mobile station to: order measurements
concerning one or more connectivity aspects to be performed in and
for the first mobile station in relation to the wireless
communication network, the measurements being performed according
to a reporting configuration for the first mobile station, store
the measurements in an internal log, receive a request for a logged
measurement report from the first network node, and order a
transmitter of the first mobile station to transmit a logged
measurement report as a response to a request.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention generally relates to providing measurement
reports to a network from a mobile station. More particularly, the
invention relates to a method and computer program product for
receiving, in a first network node of a wireless communication
network, a logged measurement report from a first mobile station,
such a network node, a method and a computer program product for
enabling a mobile station connected to a wireless communication
network to send logged measurement reports to the network, such a
network node, a method and a computer program product for sending a
logged measurement report from a first mobile station to a first
network node of a wireless communication network as well as to such
a mobile station.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Mobile stations, often denoted user equipment, have a need
to measure various network parameters. Such measurements may be
stored in measurement logs and then reported to the network.
[0003] The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is in the
process of defining solutions for Minimizing Drive Tests (MDT). The
intention of the work is documented in 3GPP Technical Report (TR)
36.805, where mobile stations or user equipment (UE) measurement
logging functions are described.
[0004] A network (NW) can request the mobile station to perform
some logging of measurements. The mobile station executes the
logging as requested by the network with certain constraints, e.g.
location information availability. Reporting of mobile station
measurement log can be separately configured. This means that the
period of logging and that for reporting can be different.
[0005] The most important use case for MDT is coverage
optimization. For coverage optimization, the following mobile
station measurements (or similar functionality) are considered:
[0006] periodic downlink pilot measurements [0007] Serving Cell
becomes worse than threshold [0008] transmit power headroom becomes
less than threshold [0009] Paging Channel failure, such as Paging
Control Channel (PCCH) Decode Error [0010] Broadcast Channel
failure
[0011] The details of the reporting criteria have not been
considered, but real-time reporting and/or non-real-time reporting
(also known as logged or deferred reporting) can be required.
[0012] Possible triggers for non-real-time measurements include:
[0013] periodical downlink pilot measurements: radio environment
measurements, such as Common Pilot Channel (CPICH) Received Signal
Code Power (RSCP), Common Pilot Channel Energy per chip to Noise
ratio (CPICH Ec/No), or Time Division Duplexing (TDD) Primary
Common Control Physical Channel (P-CCPCH) Received Signal Code
Power (RSCP) and Interference Signal Code Power (ISCP), Reference
Signal Received Power (RSRP) and Reference Signal Received Quality
(RSRQ) (connected mode only) are logged periodically; [0014]
Serving Cell becomes worse than threshold: radio environment
measurements, such as CPICH RSCP, CPICH Ec/No, or TDD P-CCPCH RSCP
and ISCP, RSRP and RSRQ (connected mode only), are logged when the
serving cell metric becomes worse than the configured threshold. A
measurement logging window (i.e. "sliding window" in which
collected logs are kept in the UE) is used in order to be able to
collect information during a certain period before and after the
occurrence of event; [0015] transmit power headroom becomes less
than threshold: transmit power headroom and radio environment
measurements, such as CPICH RSCP, CPICH Ec/No, or TDD P-CCPCH RSCP
and ISCP, RSRP and RSRQ (connected mode only) are logged when UE
transmit power headroom becomes less than the configured threshold;
[0016] random access failure: details on the random access and
radio environment measurements, such as CPICH RSCP, CPICH Ec/No, or
TDD P-CCPCH RSCP and ISCP, RSRP, and RSRQ (connected mode only) are
logged when a random access failure occurs.
[0017] An example of real-time reporting is radio resource
management (RRM) reporting specified in 3GPP Technical
Specification (TS) 25.331 and 3GPP TS 36.331. The details of
non-real-time reporting (deferred reporting) are not specified,
making it impossible for the network to control the reporting.
[0018] One particular issue is the support of the non-real-time
reporting in the network. Not all network nodes may be upgraded to
support reception of the non-real-time reports, potentially leading
to the network discarding the received logged measurement report.
Currently the mobile station has no way to know if the network is
prepared to receive the logged measurement report.
SUMMARY
[0019] The invention is therefore directed towards providing
measures that raise the reliability of providing measurement
reports to a network from a mobile station.
[0020] Among other things, this invention enables a mechanism to
control the reporting of the non-real-time reporting.
[0021] In one aspect of the invention, a mobile station indicates
availability of a logged measurement report to a network and
delivers the actual logged measurement report, for example after
the network has indicated it is prepared to receive the measurement
report.
[0022] In another aspect of the invention, a mobile station
includes a memory arranged for storing reporting data such as MDT
data and a processor that controls the collection of data and
controls the delivery to the network of MDT data according to
information, such as requirements, received from the network.
[0023] One object of the invention is thus to increase, by a
wireless communication network, the reliability with which logged
measurement reports are provided to a network node from a mobile
station.
[0024] This object is according to a first aspect of the invention
achieved through a method for receiving, in a first network node of
a wireless communication network, a logged measurement report from
a first mobile station according to a reporting configuration for
the mobile station. The method comprises:
sending a request for a logged measurement report to at least the
first mobile station, and receiving a logged measurement report as
a response to the request.
[0025] The object is according to a second aspect of the invention
achieved through a first network node of a wireless communication
network, which node is provided for receiving a logged measurement
report from a first mobile station according to a reporting
configuration for the mobile station. The network node
comprises:
a control processor arranged to cause the sending of a request for
a logged measurement report to at least the first mobile station,
and to receive a logged measurement report as a response to the
request.
[0026] The above-mentioned object is according to a third aspect of
the invention achieved through a computer program product for
receiving, in a first network node of a wireless communication
network, a logged measurement report from a first mobile station
according to a reporting setup scheme. The computer program product
comprises a computer readable storage medium comprising a set of
instructions causing the first network node to:
send a request for a logged measurement report to at least the
first mobile station, and receive a logged measurement report as a
response to the request.
[0027] The invention has many advantages. It enables the network to
control the reporting of the logged measurements. Loss of logged
measurements can be avoided if the network does not support the
reception of non-real-time measurements. This further allows the
network to perform a number of further activities such as changing
of cell coverage.
[0028] The reporting configuration can here specify that the first
mobile station shall perform measurements when in idle mode.
[0029] According to a variation of the first aspect the method
further comprises determining a point in time when to send the
request based on at least one request timing criterion.
[0030] According to a variation of the second aspect, the control
processor is further arranged to determine a point in time when to
send the request based on at least one request timing
criterion.
[0031] The request timing criterion can be based on one or more of
the properties: load in cell, load in network and connection to
centralized data base.
[0032] The report my furthermore be received on a signalling radio
bearer dedicated to transmissions of logged measurement
reports.
[0033] The reporting configuration can be provided to the first
mobile station by the network.
[0034] For this reason the method according to the first aspect can
further comprise the step providing the reporting configuration to
the first mobile station. For the same reason the control processor
of the network node according to the second aspect can be further
arranged to provide the reporting configuration to the first mobile
station.
[0035] The request can furthermore be sent in a radio resource
control message, which can be a modified radio resource control
message concerning the capabilities of the mobile station. The
logged measurement report can in turn be received in a modified
radio resource control message that is a response message to the
radio resource control message comprising the request.
[0036] The request can be sent based on data concerning the first
mobile station provided in the network. As another alternative the
request can be a reporting-on indication being provided by the
first network node. As a further alternative the request can be
broadcast to a group of mobile stations.
[0037] According to another variation of the first aspect the
method further comprises receiving a notification from the first
mobile station of the presence of logged measurements and the
sending of a request is then only performed based on the reception
of such a notification from the mobile station.
[0038] According to a variation of the second aspect the control
processor of the network node is further arranged to receive a
notification from the first mobile station of the presence of
logged measurements and only cause the sending of a request based
on the reception of such a notification from the mobile
station.
[0039] The notification can comprise an indication of type of
access technology used by the first mobile station when gathering
data for the report.
[0040] The indication can also be received as a radio resource
control message. The radio resource control message can here be a
modified message relating to the connection of a mobile station to
the network and can more specifically be a radio resource control
connection setup complete message.
[0041] Another object of the invention is to increase, by a mobile
station, the reliability with which logged measurement reports are
provided to a first network node from the mobile station.
[0042] This object is according to a fourth aspect of the invention
achieved through a method of sending a logged measurement report
from a first mobile station to a first network node of a wireless
communication network, where the method comprises:
performing measurements concerning one or more connectivity aspects
for the first mobile station in relation to the wireless
communication network, the measurements being performed according
to a reporting configuration for the first mobile station, storing
the measurements in an internal log, receiving a request for a
logged measurement report from the first network node, and sending
a logged measurement report as a response to a request.
[0043] This object is according to a fifth aspect of the invention
achieved through a first mobile station for sending a logged
measurement report to a first network node of a wireless
communication network, where the mobile station comprises
measurement performing unit for performing measurements concerning
one or more connectivity aspects for the first mobile station in
relation to the wireless communication network, the measurements
being performed according to a reporting configuration for the
first mobile station, and a control unit that [0044] orders the
measurements to be performed and [0045] stores the measurements in
an internal log, [0046] receives a request for a logged measurement
report from the first network node, and [0047] orders a transmitter
to transmit a logged measurement report as a response to a
request.
[0048] This object is according to a sixth aspect of the invention
furthermore achieved through a computer program product for sending
a logged measurement report to a first network node of a wireless
communication network. The computer program product comprises
computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions
that cause a control unit in the mobile station to:
order measurements concerning one or more connectivity aspects to
be performed in and for the first mobile station in relation to the
wireless communication network, the measurements being performed
according to a reporting configuration for the first mobile
station, store the measurements in an internal log, receive a
request for a logged measurement report from the first network
node, and order a transmitter of the first mobile station to
transmit a logged measurement report as a response to a
request.
[0049] It is here possible that the measurements are performed in
idle mode.
[0050] It is also possible that the report is sent on a signalling
radio bearer dedicated to transmissions of logged measurement
reports.
[0051] According to one variation of the fourth aspect, the method
further comprises receiving of the reporting configuration from a
network node.
[0052] According to a variation of the fifth aspect, the control
unit further receives the reporting configuration from a network
node.
[0053] The network node can here the first network node. As an
alternative the network node can be a further network node, where
the first and further network node can use different types of
access technology and the request and configuration can be received
using these different types of access technology.
[0054] The request can furthermore be received in a radio resource
control message, which radio resource control message can be a
modified radio resource control message concerning the capabilities
of the mobile station. It is furthermore possible that the logged
measurement report is sent in a modified radio resource control
message that is a response message to the radio resource control
message comprising the request.
[0055] As a further alternative, the request can be received as a
reporting-on indication being provided by the first network node.
As another alternative the request can be received via a broadcast
to a group of mobile stations performed by the first network
node.
[0056] The method can according to a further variation of the
fourth aspect comprise determining of a point in time when to send
the logged measurement report based on at least one report timing
criterion.
[0057] The control unit of the mobile station can according to a
further variation of the fifth aspect determine a point in time
when to send the logged measurement report based on at least one
report timing criterion.
[0058] The report timing criterion can be based on one or more of
the following properties: mobile station memory consumption,
battery level, availability of measurements, load in network and
when leaving a logging campaign.
[0059] The method can according to another variation of the fourth
aspect further comprise sending of a notification to the first
network node regarding the presence of logged measurements and
receiving a request for a report as a response to such a
notification.
[0060] The control unit of the mobile station can according to
another variation of the fifth aspect further order the transmitter
to send a notification to the first network node regarding the
presence of logged measurements and receive a request for a report
as a response to such a notification.
[0061] It is possible that the notification comprises an indication
of type of access technology used by the first mobile station when
gathering data for the report. The notification can furthermore be
sent based on at least one notification timing criterion.
[0062] It is also possible that the notification is sent as a radio
resource control message, which can be a modified message relating
to the connection of a mobile station to the network. It can
especially be a radio resource control connection setup complete
message.
[0063] Another object of the invention is to enable, by a wireless
communication network, a mobile station to provide logged
measurement reports to a network node in a reliable way.
[0064] This object is according to a seventh aspect of the
invention achieved through a method of enabling a mobile station
connected to a wireless communication network to send logged
measurement reports to the network. This method comprises
providing, from a network node, a first mobile station with a
reporting configuration for sending logged measurement reports.
This provision of a reporting configuration is done in order to
enable the network to send a request for a logged measurement
report to the first mobile station and receive a logged measurement
report as a response to the request.
[0065] This object is according to an eight aspect of the invention
also achieved through a network node of a wireless communication
network for enabling a first mobile station to send a logged
measurement report to the network. This network node comprises a
control processor that is arranged to provide the first mobile
station with a reporting configuration. This is done in order to
enable the network to send a request for a logged measurement
report to the first mobile station and receive a logged measurement
report as a response to the request.
[0066] The object is according to a ninth aspect of the invention
also achieved through a computer program product for enabling a
mobile station to send a logged measurement report to a wireless
communication network. The computer program product comprises a
computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions
causing a network node in the network to: provide a first mobile
station with a reporting configuration for enabling the network to
send a request for a logged measurement report to the first mobile
station and receive a logged measurement report as a response to
the request.
[0067] It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising"
when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of
stated features, integers, steps or components, but does not
preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0068] The invention will now be described in more detail in
relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:
[0069] FIG. 1 schematically shows an architecture of a wireless
communication network comprising radio network controllers, base
stations and mobile stations,
[0070] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an arrangement in a mobile
station that can implement some of the functionality according to
the invention,
[0071] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a portion of a base station
that can communicate with mobile stations and implement some of the
functionality according to the invention,
[0072] FIG. 4 schematically shows signals exchanged between a
mobile station and network in a first basic variation of the
invention,
[0073] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a number of method steps being
performed in a network node of the system according to a first
embodiment of the invention,
[0074] FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a number of method steps being
performed in a mobile station according to the first embodiment of
the invention,
[0075] FIG. 7 schematically shows signals exchanged between mobile
station and network node in a variation of the first
embodiment,
[0076] FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of a number of method steps being
performed in a network node of the system according to a second
embodiment of the invention,
[0077] FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of a number of method steps being
performed in a mobile station according to the second embodiment of
the invention,
[0078] FIG. 10 schematically shows signals exchanged between mobile
station and network in a variation of the second embodiment,
[0079] FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of a number of method steps being
performed in a network node of the system according to a third
embodiment of the invention,
[0080] FIG. 12 shows a flow chart of a number of method steps being
performed in a mobile station according to the third embodiment of
the invention, and
[0081] FIG. 13 schematically shows a computer program product
according to the invention comprising a computer readable storage
medium in the form of a CD ROM disc.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0082] In the following description, for purposes of explanation
and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as
particular architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be
practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific
details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known
devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the
description of the invention with unnecessary detail.
[0083] The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term
Evolution (LTE) standard for wireless communication systems has
recently been finalized, supporting bandwidths up to 20 megahertz
(MHz). LTE and High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) are sometimes called
"third generation" (3G) communication systems and are currently
being standardized by the 3GPP. The LTE specifications can be seen
as an evolution of the current wideband code division multiple
access (WCDMA) specifications.
[0084] An LTE system uses orthogonal frequency division multiplex
(OFDM) as a multiple access technique (called OFDMA) in the
downlink (DL) from system nodes to user equipment (UEs). UE is the
term used for mobile stations in LTE and WCDMA. An LTE system has
channel bandwidths ranging from about 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz, and
supports throughputs of more than 100 megabits per second (Mb/s) on
the largest-bandwidth channels. One type of physical channel
defined for the LTE downlink is the physical downlink shared
channel (PDSCH), which conveys information from higher layers in
the LTE protocol stack and to which one or more specific transport
channels are mapped. Control information is conveyed by a physical
uplink control channel (PUCCH) and by a physical downlink control
channel (PDCCH). LTE channels are described in 3GPP Technical
Specification (TS) 36.211 V9.1.0, Physical Channels and Modulation,
among other specifications, which are here incorporated by
reference.
[0085] An IMT-Advanced communication system uses an internet
protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) of an LTE, HSPA, or other
communication system for IMS multimedia telephony (IMT). In the IMT
advanced system (which may be called a "fourth generation" (4G)
mobile communication system), bandwidths of 100 MHz and larger are
being considered. The 3GPP promulgates the LTE, HSPA, WCDMA, and
IMT specifications, and specifications that standardize other kinds
of cellular wireless communication systems.
[0086] In an OFDMA communication system, the data stream to be
transmitted is portioned among a number of narrowband subcarriers
that are transmitted in parallel. In general, a resource block
devoted to a particular UE is a particular number of particular
subcarriers used for a particular period of time. Different groups
of subcarriers can be used at different times for different users.
Because each subcarrier is narrowband, each carrier experiences
mainly flat fading, which makes it easier for a UE to demodulate
each subcarrier. OFDMA communication systems are described in the
literature, for example US 2008/0031368, which is herein
incorporated by reference.
[0087] FIG. 1 depicts the architecture of a WCDMA system 10, which
is a typical cellular communication system. Radio network
controllers (RNCs) 12, 14 control various radio network functions,
including for example radio access bearer setup, diversity
handover, etc. In general, each RNC directs calls to and from a UE,
such as a mobile station (MS), mobile phone, or other remote
terminal, via appropriate base station(s) (BSs), which communicate
with each other through downlink (DL, or forward) and uplink (UL,
or reverse) channels. In FIG. 1, RNC 12 is shown coupled to BSs 16,
18, 20, and RNC 14 is shown coupled to BSs 22, 24, 26. The
architecture of an LTE system differs from that of aWCDMA system in
that the RNC is lacking as a separate node. Instead, the BS, or
eNodeB as is the name of the LTE radio base station, has some of
the functions of the RNC integrated, and has an interface for
communication with other eNodeBs.
[0088] Each BS, or eNodeB in an LTE system, serves a geographical
area that is divided into one or more cell(s). In FIG. 1, BS 26 is
shown as having five antenna sectors S1-S5, which can be said to
make up the cell of the BS 26, although a sector or other area
served by signals from a BS can also be called a cell. In addition,
a BS can use more than one antenna to transmit signals to a UE. The
BSs are typically coupled to their corresponding RNCs by dedicated
telephone lines, optical fibre links, microwave links, etc. The
RNCs 12, 14 are connected with external networks such as the public
switched telephone network (PSTN), the internet, etc. through one
or more core network nodes, such as a mobile switching centre (not
shown) and/or a packet radio service node (not shown).
[0089] It will be understood that the arrangement of
functionalities depicted in FIG. 1 can be modified in 3G LTE and
other communication systems. For example, the functionality of the
RNCs 12, 14 can be moved to the eNodeBs 22, 24, 26, and other
functionalities can be moved to other nodes in the network. It will
also be understood that a base station can use multiple transmit
antennas to transmit information into a cell/sector/area, and those
different transmit antennas can send respective, different pilot
signals.
[0090] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a structure 31 of an eNodeB or
eNB, i.e. of a base station BS. This structure 31 which is typical
of the BSs 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and other such transmitting nodes
in the network 10 can be used for communicating with mobile
stations by implementing the methods to be described below. It will
also be appreciated that the functional blocks depicted in FIG. 2
can be combined and re-arranged in a variety of equivalent ways,
and that many of the functions can be performed by one or more
suitably programmed digital signal processors and other known
electronic circuits.
[0091] The eNB structure 31 is operated by a control processor 32,
which typically and advantageously is a suitably programmed digital
signal processor. The control processor 32 typically provides and
receives control and other signals from various devices in the
structure 31. For simplicity in FIG. 2, the control processor 32 is
as shown exchanging information with a scheduler and selector 33,
which receives digital words to be transmitted to respective mobile
stations or to be broadcast from a suitable data generator 34. The
scheduler and selector 33 implements resource block and resource
element (RB/RE) scheduling and selection in an LTE system, for
example, and implements code allocation in a WCDMA/HSPA system, for
example.
[0092] The control processor 32 is configured to monitor the load
on the base station, which can be determined for example simply by
counting the RBs and REs to be transmitted in a sub-frame, frame,
or group of them. A processor such as the control processor 32 can
also be configured as a traffic analyzer that determines the load
on a BS by monitoring the BS buffer status, e.g., how much data is
waiting for available bandwidth to be transmitted to all connected
mobile stations in relation to the number of RBs and REs being and
recently transmitted. As discussed above, the load on a BS can also
be determined based on the number of its connected mobile stations,
or in a WCDMA, HSPA, or equivalent system, based on the number of
allocated channelization codes. Based on the determined load, the
processor 32 implements other steps of the methods to be described
below.
[0093] Information from the scheduler and selector 33 is provided
to a modulator 35 that uses the information to generate a
modulation signal suitable for the particular communication system.
For example, the modulator 35 in an LTE system is an OFDM
modulator. The modulation signal generated by the modulator 35 is
provided to a suitable radio circuit 37 that generates a wireless
signal that is transmitted through at least one transmit antenna
38. Wireless signals transmitted by mobile stations are captured by
at least one receive antenna 39 that provides those signals to the
radio circuit 37 and a demodulator 36. The artisan will understand
that the same antenna can be used for transmission and reception,
as is often done in a UE. It will be understood that the control
processor 32 can be configured such that it includes one or more
other devices depicted in FIG. 2, which can be implemented by
dedicated programmed processors or other suitable logic configured
to perform their functions. The combination of the data generator
34, scheduler and selector 33, and modulator 35 produces DL frames
or sub-frames to be transmitted. The modulator 35 converts the
information into modulation symbols that are provided to the radio
circuit 37, which impresses the modulation symbols on one or more
suitable carrier signals. In an LTE system for example, the radio
circuit 37 impresses the modulation symbols on a number of OFDM
subcarriers. The modulated subcarrier signals are transmitted
through the antenna 38.
[0094] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an arrangement 40 in a mobile
station that can implement methods of various embodiments of the
invention to be described below. It will be appreciated that the
functional blocks depicted in FIG. 3 can be combined and
re-arranged in a variety of equivalent ways, and that many of the
functions can be performed by one or more suitably programmed
digital signal processors. Moreover, connections among and
information provided or exchanged by the functional blocks depicted
in FIG. 3 can be altered in various ways to enable a mobile station
to implement other methods involved in the operation of the mobile
station.
[0095] As depicted in FIG. 3, a mobile station receives a DL radio
signal through an antenna 41 and typically down-converts the
received radio signal to an analog baseband signal in a front end
receiver (Fe RX) 42. The baseband signal is spectrally shaped by an
analog filter 44 that has a bandwidth BW.sub.0, and the shaped
baseband signal generated by the filter 44 is converted from analog
to digital form by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 46.
[0096] The digitized baseband signal is further spectrally shaped
by a digital filter 48 that has a bandwidth BW.sub.sync which
corresponds to the bandwidth of synchronization signals or symbols
included in the DL signal. The shaped signal generated by the
filter 48 is provided to a cell search unit 50 that carries out one
or more methods of searching for cells as specified for the
particular communication system, e.g., 3G LTE. Typically, such
methods involve detecting predetermined primary and/or secondary
synchronization channel (P/S-SCH) signals in the received
signal.
[0097] The digitized baseband signal is also provided by the ADC 46
to a digital filter 52 that has the bandwidth BW.sub.0, and the
filtered digital baseband signal is provided to a processor 54 that
implements a fast Fourier transform (FFT) or other suitable
algorithm that generates a frequency-domain (spectral)
representation of the baseband signal. A channel estimation unit 56
receives signals from the processor 54 and generates a channel
estimate H.sub.i,j for each of several subcarriers i and cells j
based on control and timing signals provided by a control unit 58,
which also provides such control and timing information to the
processor 54.
[0098] The estimator 56 provides the channel estimates H.sub.i to a
decoder 60 and a signal power estimation unit 62. The decoder 60,
which also receives signals from the processor 54, is suitably
configured to extract information from radio resource control (RRC)
messages or other messages as described below and typically
generates signals subject to further processing in the mobile
station (not shown). The estimator 62 generates received signal
power measurements (e.g., estimates of reference signal received
power (RSRP), received subcarrier power S.sub.i, signal to
interference ratio (SIR), etc.). The estimator 62 can generate
estimates of RSRP, reference signal received quality (RSRQ),
received signal strength indicator (RSSI), received subcarrier
power S.sub.i, SIR, and other relevant measurements, in various
ways in response to control signals provided by the control unit
58. Power estimates generated by the estimator 62 are typically
used in further signal processing in the mobile station. The
estimator 62 and channel estimation unit 56 can both be measurement
providing units of the invention.
[0099] The estimator 62 (or the searcher 50, for that matter) is
configured to include a suitable signal correlator.
[0100] In the arrangement depicted in FIG. 3, the control unit 58
keeps track of substantially everything needed to configure the
searcher 50, processor 54, estimation unit 56, and estimator 62.
For the estimation unit 56, this includes both method and cell
identity (for reference signal extraction and cell-specific
scrambling of reference signals). Communication between the
searcher 50 and the control unit 58 includes cell identity and, for
example, cyclic prefix configuration.
[0101] The control unit 58 can determine which of several possible
estimation methods is used by the estimator 56 and/or by the
estimator 62 for measurements on the detected cell(s). In addition,
the control unit 58, which typically can include a correlator or
implement a correlator function, can receive information signaled
by the network and can control the on/off times of the Fe RX
42.
[0102] The control unit 58 provides appropriate information to an
encoder 64, which generates modulation symbols or similar
information that is provided to a transmitter front-end (FE TX) 66,
which generates a transmission signal appropriate to the
communication system. As depicted in FIG. 3, the transmission
signal is provided to the antenna 41. The control unit 58 with the
encoder 64 is suitably configured to generate RRC and other
messages sent by the mobile station to the network as described
below. Finally there is a memory 67 connected to the control unit
58 in order to store measurement logs.
[0103] The control unit 58 and other blocks of the mobile station
can be implemented by one or more suitably programmed electronic
processors, collections of logic gates, etc. that processes
information stored in one or more memories. As noted above, the
mobile station includes the memory 67. As an alternative it can
include some other type of information storage functionality. The
memory 67 or other type of information storage functionality is
suitable for carrying out the methods and receiving and generating
the signals to be described below in cooperation with the control
unit 58 and software executed by the control unit. For example, the
memory can be used to collect data for Minimizing of Drive Tests
(MDT) under the control of the control unit 58 and possibly other
electronic processor(s) in the mobile station and to deliver the
data to the network according to software executed by the control
unit(s) and information and/or requests received from the network.
The stored information can include program instructions and data
that enable the control unit 58 to implement the methods to be
described below. It will be appreciated that the control unit
typically includes timers, etc. that facilitate its operations.
[0104] Now a first basic variation of the invention will be
described with reference also being made to FIG. 4, which shows
signals exchanged between a first mobile station MS and a first
network node NN, where the first network node can be a base station
or a radio network controller.
[0105] As mentioned earlier the invention is provided for
controlling the reporting, here non-real time reporting, of
measurements from a mobile station to a network node.
[0106] At a minimum, control of non-real-time reporting can
comprise configuration of measurements to be logged, triggering of
logging events, and reporting of logs. FIG. 4 shows a schematic
picture of a non-real-time measurement procedure. Note that the
network node NN or network node entity can be either a base station
such as an eNB or a radio network controller (RNC), depending on
access technology. In both cases the node will typically use the
structure 31 depicted in FIG. 2.
[0107] Initially the first network node (for instance either eNB or
RNC) configures the non-real-time measurements. The first network
node thus sends a configuration of non-real time measurements to
the first mobile station, step 68. The measurements can apply for a
mobile station being either connected using radio resource control
(RRC) or being in RRC idle mode. The configuration of the mobile
station can be done or carried out using dedicated signaling when
the mobile station is in connected mode even though the actual
measurements can be performed in RRC idle mode, or can be done or
carried out with broadcast of system information, in which case it
is expected that the mobile station, when in idle mode reads the
system information directly. The configuration can be sent in a
dedicated RRC message, logged measurement configuration. The
configuration typically sets out measurements to be made by the
mobile station concerning one or more connectivity aspects in and
for the first mobile station in relation to the first communication
network, which connectivity aspects can include one or more of the
following: measurement object (e.g. frequency and/or Radio Access
Technology (RAT) that the mobile station is supposed to measure),
reporting quantity (e.g. Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) or
Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), measurement type (e.g.
periodical or event triggered). The control processor 32 can here
provide configuration data to the scheduler and selector 33, which
in turn treats the data through performing resource block and
resource element scheduling and selection or code allocation
depending on type of network. The configuration can also include a
timer or timer value indicating for how long the configuration is
valid. The configuration can thus only be in force a limited time.
The treated data is then modulated by the modulator 35 onto a
suitable carrier, which is then transmitted as a wireless signal by
the radio circuit 37 via the antenna 38. In this way it can be seen
that the control processor is arranged to provide the first mobile
station with the reporting configuration.
[0108] The configuration is then received by the control unit 58 of
the mobile station, for instance mobile station 28. The
configuration can here be received via the antenna 41, front-end
receiver 42, analog filter 44, ADC 46, digital filter 52, processor
54 and decoder 60.
[0109] When the mobile station MS has received the configuration it
performs measurements according to the received measurement
configuration and stores the measurement results in the mobile
station internal log. It thus collects measurements according to
the configuration, step 69. The measurements can be collected or
gathered through the control unit 58 ordering a measurement
performing unit, such as estimator 62, to perform measurements
according to the configuration. The measurement performing unit
then performs measurements and sends these to the control unit 58.
When receiving measurements, the control unit 58 then stores these
in an internal log in the memory 67.
[0110] After having been collected p, the logged measurements are
delivered to the network node entity. The mobile station thus
performs reporting of the non-real-time measurements, step 70. Two
alternative ways of reporting logged measurements will be described
later. Typically reporting is made through the control unit 58
providing data to the encoder 64 for modulation and thereafter to
the transmitter front-end 66 for transmission via the antenna 41.
It can thus be seen that the control unit 58 orders the transmitter
front-end to send the report.
[0111] It should here be realized that the reporting of
non-real-time measurements can not necessarily correspond to the
same network node as the configuration of the measurements. For
example, the measurements can be configured using an eNB, but the
reporting can be made to RNC, i.e. a mobile station can use a
different RAT to report the logged measurements than the one it
received the configuration from.
[0112] As a further variation of this general concept it is
possible that a mobile station is pre-configured, i.e. it is
provided with the configuration beforehand and would therefore not
need to receive it from the network.
[0113] Now a first embodiment of the invention will be described in
more detail with reference also being made to FIG. 5, which shows a
flow chart of a number of method steps being performed in a network
node in the form of a base station or radio network controller and
to FIG. 6, which shows a flow chart of a number of corresponding
method steps being performed in a mobile station.
[0114] In this first embodiment the first network node, for
instance the base station 16, provides a reporting configuration to
a mobile station MS, for instance the first mobile station 28, step
71. This reporting configuration is provided to the first mobile
station in order to enable the network to send a request for a
logged measurement report to the first mobile station and receive
such a report as a response. The configuration can set out what
parameters are to be measured, when measurements are to be made and
how reporting is to be made. The reporting configuration can also
specify that the mobile station is to perform measurements when in
idle mode. This reporting configuration is thus sent to the mobile
station 28. It can more particularly be performed in the same way
as was described above in relation to the first basic variation of
the invention in an RRC message named logged measurement
configuration.
[0115] The mobile station thus receives such a reporting
configuration from the network node, step 76, and then performs
measurements according to this reporting configuration, step 78.
The measurements can with advantage be performed in idle mode. As
measurements are performed they are then being stored in an
internal measurement log, step 80. This measurement log can be
provided through the memory 67 connected to the control unit 58 of
the mobile station. In this way data is gathered in the log. At a
suitable time, which time can be set by the reporting configuration
or the selection of which can be set by the reporting
configuration, a notification is then sent to the first network
node from the first mobile station, step 82. The notification is a
notification of the presence of logged measurements and is sent in
order to enable the first network node to respond to the
notification with a request for the logged measurement report. The
notification can be sent in an RRC message and therefore the
control unit 58 can provide such a message to the encoder 64 for
modulation and thereafter transmission by the transmitter front-end
66 via the antenna 41. In the first embodiment the first mobile
station can first send an RRC Connection Request message to the
first network node, which responds with an RRC Connection Setup
message. Thereafter the first mobile station can send an RRC
Connection Setup Complete message. It is this latter message that
can include a bit position, logged measurements available, that has
been set.
[0116] The control processor 32 of the network node then receives
the notification via the antenna 39, radio circuit 37 and
demodulator 36. As the network node receives the notification from
the mobile station, step 72, it thereafter sends a request for a
logged measurement report as a response to the notification, step
73. It is here possible that such a request is only sent as a
response to a notification. It is thus according to the first
embodiment possible that a request for measurement is only sent if
there is a prior notification. It can thus only be sent based on
the reception of a notification from the first mobile station. In
this first embodiment it is furthermore the same network node that
provides the configuration and sends the request for a measurement
report. The request can be sent in the form of an RRC message
provided to the scheduler and selector 33 from the control
processor 32 for being treated, for instance code allocation in
WCDMA. Thereafter the treated data is modulated by the modulator 35
and transmitted to the mobile station via the antenna 38. In this
way it can be seen that the control processor 32 is arranged to
cause the sending of the request. The request is in the first
embodiment sent in a RRC UE Information Request message. Here it is
possible to use a bit position or variable in this message named
LogMeasReportRequest.
[0117] The mobile station then receives the request as a response
to the notification, step 84. The request is received in the
control unit 58 via antenna 41, front-end receiver 42, analog
filter 44, ADC 46, digital filter 52, processor 54 and decoder 60.
The control unit 58 then sends the report as a response to the
request, step 86. It is here possible that such a report is only
sent as a response to a request. It is thus according to the first
embodiment possible that a report is only sent if there is a prior
request for measurements. In this first embodiment the report is
then sent as soon as it is possible. The report is sent using the
encoder 64, transmitter front-end 66 and antenna 41. The reporting
is in the first embodiment sent in an RRC UE information response
message in a section named LogMeasReport.
[0118] The network node then receives the logged measurement report
as a response to the request, step 74, which report can be received
in the same way as the notification. The control processor is thus
arranged to receive the logged measurement report as a response to
the request. The node can then perform a suitable activity such as
change its coverage based on one or more such reports received from
various mobile stations.
[0119] Here it is also possible that measurements are made and also
that reporting is made before a complete configuration has been
received. The mobile station can for instance start the previously
mentioned timer and then perform collection of measurements in idle
mode, periodically or event-triggered. Then as soon as it enters
connected state, it can notify the network of available logged
measurements. These can be reported upon receiving a request from
the network. If the mobile station then again enters idle mode, it
can again continue to perform measurements according to the
configuration. The performing of measurements can then end when the
timer value expires and a final measurement report being notified
and possibly also being sent the next time the mobile stations gets
connected. It is here further possible to later receive a new
configuration.
[0120] FIG. 7 shows some signals sent between mobile station and
network node in one variation of this first embodiment.
[0121] In this variation, the mobile station indicates the
availability of logged measurements to the network, through sending
a notification to the network node, step 82.
[0122] If the mobile station has performed the measurements in idle
mode, the indication can be done as a part of an RRC connection
setup procedure. It can be a modified RRC message relating to the
connection of a mobile station to the network. As such it can be an
RRC Connection Request or RRC Connection Setup Complete message. As
an alternative it is possible to use a special RRC message. This
means that the indication can be provided in an RRC Connection
Request message, an RRC Connection Setup Complete message, an RRC
Connection Reconfiguration Complete message or an RRC Connection
Reestablishment Complete message, for instance through an
additional bit position provided for this purpose in these
messages. This can be a bit position or variable named
logMeasAvailable. It is also possible to create a new type of RRC
message that is dedicated to notification. Other types of possible
messages are Cell Update, URA Update, Handover To UTRAN Complete
and UTRAN Mobility Information Confirm Measurement Report. As an
alternative it is possible to provide the indication in an UE
Information Response message. If the mobile station has performed
measurements in RRC Connected Mode, a special RRC message (e.g. UE
Information Indication) or an extension of a current RRC message
(e.g. Measurement Report, UECapabilityInformation) can be used. In
the first embodiment the message RRC Connection Setup Complete is
used. If the network node does not support reception of
non-real-time measurements, it will simply ignore the indication
from the mobile station. Note that the timing of the indication can
be determined by the mobile station based on at least one
notification timing criterion. This criterion can be a criterion
based on one of mobile station memory consumption, battery level or
some other factor. Note also that the indication from the mobile
station can include an indication on which technology or RAT (e.g.
HSPA, LTE, cdma2000, etc.) the measurements were collected via. The
indication can include an indication of type of access technology
used by the first mobile station when gathering data for the
report. The first network node can use this information to
determine if it can receive the particular measurements (e.g. is
capable of decoding the Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) format
used for measurement report).
[0123] The first network node then determines if it should request
logged measurements, i.e. it determines if it should send a request
for measurements based on at least one reporting timing criterion,
step 88. If the network node supports reception of the
non-real-time measurements, which it would normally do when
configuring the mobile station, it can use the current load in the
cell, current load in the system, connection to the centralized
data base to store reports and various other factors to determine a
suitable time instance to request the mobile station to transmit a
measurement log. The reporting timing criterion can thus be based
on one or more of the properties load in the cell, load in the
system and connection to the centralized data base. The request is
then sent, step 73. The request to the mobile station can be sent
using a special RRC message, or by using an existing RRC message.
The request can be sent in a radio resource control message
concerning the capabilities if the mobile station, such as
ueCapabilityEnquiry or ueInformationRequest. In the first
embodiment the message ueInformationRequest is used.
[0124] Finally the mobile station, upon receiving the request to
transmit non-real-time measurement data, will transmit the logged
measurements to the network node entity, step 86. The transmission
can be done using a special RRC message, or by using an existing
RRC message (e.g. ueCapabilityResponse, MeasurementReport). In the
first embodiment the message ueInformationResponse is used, which
is a response to the radio resource control message comprising the
request.
[0125] If the mobile station has data available and has reporting
the data as available for transmission, but has not received a
request to transmit logged measurements, it can repeat sending the
indication either periodically, or after it has moved to a
difference cell.
[0126] As a further variation of the first embodiment it is
possible that in order to avoid congesting signaling radio bearers
(SRBs) with large measurement logs, a special SRB for non-real-time
measurement reports can be used. This means that the report can be
transmitted on a signaling radio bearer dedicated to transmissions
of logged measurement reports.
[0127] As yet another variation of the first embodiment it is also
possible to omit the indication from the mobile station completely.
In such a solution, the network and more particularly the network
node can simply ask different mobile stations to provide logged
measurements based on information available in the network. For
example, if the mobile station capabilities (e.g. if the mobile
station is in RRC Connected mode and has indicated that it supports
non-real-time measurements) are known in the network, for instance
by the first network node, the network can simply ask the mobile
station to provide any logged measurements (including measurements
logged earlier in Idle mode).
[0128] After the network and here the first network node has
received an indication that the mobile station has logged
measurements available, or has otherwise determined that the mobile
station might have logged measurements available, the network
selects a suitable occasion to request the logged measurements from
the mobile station. If the network entity doing this, here the
first network node, does not support reception of the non-real-time
measurements, it will never request the logged measurements from
the mobile station.
[0129] It is possible to omit notifications in other scenarios. It
is for instance possible to use broadcasting by the network
instead. This is done in a second embodiment of the invention. The
second embodiment of the invention will now be described with
reference being made to FIG. 8, which shows a flow chart of a
number of method steps being performed in a network node in the
form of a base station or radio network controller and to FIG. 9,
which shows a flow chart of a number of corresponding method steps
being performed in a mobile station.
[0130] In this second embodiment one network node, for instance the
base station 16, provides a reporting configuration of a mobile
station MS, for instance the first mobile station 28, step 90,
through transmitting the configuration to the mobile station. The
mobile station then receives the reporting configuration from the
network node, step 96, and thereafter performs measurements
according to this reporting configuration, step 98. The
measurements can also here with advantage be performed in idle
mode. As measurements are performed they are then being stored in a
measurement log, step 100. So far the second and first embodiments
operate in the same way.
[0131] However, now in the second embodiment there is no
notification. Instead the first network node broadcasts a request
for measurement reports to a group of mobile stations in its
vicinity, which group includes the first mobile station, step 92.
It thus sends a request for measurement reports in a broadcast,
which can be seen as a request being sent to all mobile stations in
its vicinity. This can be done through the control processor 32
ordering the data generator 34 to include the request in a
broadcast being made. The data generator 34 can then include the
request in the data to be broadcast, forward this data to the
scheduler and selector 33 for treatment, followed by modulation of
the treated data in the modulator 35 and transmission of the
modulated and treated data by the radio circuit 37 via the antenna
38.
[0132] As a mobile station, like the first mobile station receives
such a request in a broadcast, step 102, it then sends a report as
a response to the broadcast. It is here possible that reports are
only sent as such responses. This means that unless a broadcast
with a request is received, no reports will be sent by the mobile
station. The network node then receives the report as a response to
the broadcast, step 94, and can then perform a suitable activity
based on one or more such reports. The report is here typically
received by the control processor 32 via the antenna 39, radio
circuit 37 and demodulator 36.
[0133] The signals exchanged between a network node and a mobile
station in a variation of this second embodiment are schematically
shown in FIG. 10.
[0134] Here the network, in the form of a base station, broadcasts
the request, step 92. This can be done through the node broadcasts
a cell level indication that the mobile station can transmit
non-real-time measurement reports in a current cell. Note that the
network entity can use the current load in the cell, current load
in the system, connection to a centralized data base to store
reports and various other factors to determine a suitable time
instance to broadcast an indication for mobile stations to transmit
measurement logs. The broadcast indication can be done using any
existing System Information Message (MIB/SIB1) or System
Information Block (SIB2-13) or using a new SIB or a new RRC
message, i.e. a RRC message designed and dedicated to this
purpose.
[0135] Upon receiving the broadcasted indication, step 102, the
mobile station can determine a suitable time to report logged
measurements, based on at least one report timing criterion, which
criterion can be based on one or more of the properties mobile
station memory consumption, battery level, availability of
measurements, or by various other factors. It is also possible that
the network, and here the first network node, can ask the mobile
station to report the logged measurements immediately.
[0136] When the mobile station has determined a suitable time to
transmit logged measurements, i.e. has determined when to send a
report step 106, (or if being ordered to report logged measurements
immediately), the mobile station will transmit the logged
measurements to the network entity, here the first network node. It
will thus send the report to the network node as a response to the
broadcast, step 104. The transmission can be done using a special
RRC message, or by using an existing RRC message (e.g.
ueCapabilityResponse, MeasurementReport)
[0137] It is also here possible to use a special SRB for
non-real-time measurement reports in order to avoid congesting SRBs
with large measurement logs.
[0138] A third embodiment of the invention is also directed towards
avoiding the use of indications. The third embodiment of the
invention will now be described with reference being made to FIG.
11, which shows a flow chart of a number of method steps being
performed in a network node in the form of a base station or radio
network controller and to FIG. 12, which shows a flow chart of a
number of corresponding method steps being performed in a mobile
station.
[0139] In this third embodiment the mobile station performs
measurements according to a reporting configuration that it has,
step 110, which reporting configuration can have been received in
the same way as described in the first and second embodiment or
which can be provided in the mobile station beforehand. The
measurements can also here with advantage be performed in idle
mode. As measurements are performed they are then being stored in a
measurement log, step 112.
[0140] In the third embodiment, the network controls the
transmission of the non-real-time measurements by indicating
Reporting ON/OFF. For example, the network can use an existing RRC
message (e.g. in ueCapabilityEnquiry or SystemInformationBlock), a
new dedicated RRC message, or a new broadcast message.
[0141] The first network node can thus provide a reporting on
indication to a mobile station, step 107, through sending such a
message.
[0142] Through receiving such a message, the mobile station thus
receives a reporting on indication from the network node, step 114.
Once the mobile station has received the Reporting ON indication,
it can then send the report at corresponding cell at a suitable
point of time, e.g. when the mobile station has no more memory
available, periodically, when the mobile station leaves logging
campaign. In this way the mobile station can send the report as a
response to the reporting on indication.
[0143] This can later be followed by the network sending a
reporting OFF indication, which can typically be done in the same
way as a modification of any of the previously described messages.
This will disable the reporting and therefore no reports will be
sent in this case.
[0144] The present invention has a number of advantages. It enables
the network to control the reporting of the logged measurements.
Loss of logged measurements can be avoided if the network does not
support the reception of non-real-time measurements. This further
allows the network to perform a number of further activities such
as changing of cell coverage. Furthermore, if the measurements are
collected in idle mode, the communication over the wireless
interface between base station and mobile station is not disturbed.
Furthermore, through sending an indication, the reliability in the
reporting is increased. The risk of losing a measurement report is
lowered. It also enables the network to only request reports when
these are available. The network does not have to keep track of the
presence of reports and can therefore use its processing capability
for other activities.
[0145] In some embodiments of the invention RRC messages were used.
Such messages are described in more detail in 3GPP Technical
Specifications 36.331 and 25.331, both of which are herein
incorporated by reference.
[0146] There are many variations that can be made to the invention
apart from those already mentioned. It is possible that different
network nodes are used for performing configuration and receiving
reports. A first network node can for instance send the request and
a further network node can provide the configuration. In this case
the first and further network nodes can use different types of
access technology, i.e. different RATs. Then the configuration and
request can be received by the first mobile station using these
different types of access technology. It is here also possible that
different access networks are used, where one network node in a
first access network is used for configuration and another node in
a second access network is used for receiving reports, where both
access networks can be subnetworks of the same communication
network. It is also possible that the nodes involved in providing
configurations and/or receiving reports are nodes at higher
hierarchical levels of the communication network. Such a node can
for instance be a node in the core network, like a server in a core
network. One example is a Mobility Management Entity (MME) server
or an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) server. The invention
was above described in relation to MDT and logged measurement
reporting. However, it should be realized that the invention is not
limited to this specific area. The reporting according to the
invention can for example also be performed in relation to
Automatic Neighbor Relations (ANR).
[0147] Furthermore in the description given earlier the control
processor performing the network activities of the invention was in
essence a base station. If the node is another node in the network,
this node would also be provided with a control processor, for
instance a master control processor, communicating with the control
processor of the base station, a slave control processor. Such
communication can be performed using a suitable network
communication interface such as the S1 communication interface in
LTE. The slave control processor would then perform the
above-described functionality under the control of the master
control processor.
[0148] It will be appreciated that the methods and devices
described above can be combined and re-arranged in a variety of
equivalent ways, and that the methods can be performed by one or
more suitably programmed or configured digital signal processors
and other known electronic circuits (e.g., discrete logic gates
interconnected to perform a specialized function, or
application-specific integrated circuits). Many aspects of this
invention are described in terms of sequences of actions that can
be performed by, for example, elements of a programmable computer
system. UEs embodying this invention include, for example, mobile
telephones, pagers, headsets, laptop computers and other mobile
terminals, and the like. Moreover, this invention can additionally
be considered to be embodied entirely within any form of
computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an
appropriate set of instructions for use by or in connection with an
instruction-execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a
computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system
that can fetch instructions from a medium and execute the
instructions.
[0149] The control of the mobile station and/or the control
processor of the base station radio network controller can thus
with advantage be provided in the form of a processor with
associated program memory including computer program code for
performing the functionality of the control unit or control
processor. It should be realized that this control unit or control
processor can also be provided in the form of hardware, like for
instance in the form of an Application Specific Integrated Circuit
(ASIC). The computer program code can also be provided on a
computer-readable means, for instance in the form of a data
carrier, like a CD ROM disc or a memory stick, which will implement
the function of the above-described control unit or control
processor when being loaded into the above-mentioned program memory
and run by the processor. One such computer program product in the
form of a CD ROM disc 118 with such a computer program code 120 is
schematically shown in FIG. 13.
[0150] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent
arrangements. Therefore the invention is only to be limited by the
following claims.
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