U.S. patent application number 13/849988 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-14 for measurement reporting.
This patent application is currently assigned to RENESAS MOBILE CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is RENESAS MOBILE CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Keiichi KUBOTA, Brian Alexander MARTIN.
Application Number | 20130301442 13/849988 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46458810 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130301442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MARTIN; Brian Alexander ; et
al. |
November 14, 2013 |
MEASUREMENT REPORTING
Abstract
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in
order to provide for periodic measurements related to a frequency
identified by the network, such as a downlink frequency associated
with a secondary uplink frequency. In the context of a method, a
message is caused to be transmitted to a mobile terminal indicating
that the mobile terminal is to perform periodic measurements in
relation to a secondary uplink frequency. Following the performance
of the periodic measurements by the mobile terminal, the method
also includes receiving an indication of the periodic measurements
in relation to the secondary uplink frequency that have been
performed by the mobile terminal.
Inventors: |
MARTIN; Brian Alexander;
(Farnham, GB) ; KUBOTA; Keiichi; (Weybridge,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RENESAS MOBILE CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
RENESAS MOBILE CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
46458810 |
Appl. No.: |
13/849988 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 36/0058 20180801;
H04W 24/10 20130101; H04W 36/0061 20130101; H04L 5/0053 20130101;
H04W 24/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/252 |
International
Class: |
H04W 24/02 20060101
H04W024/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 11, 2012 |
GB |
1208469.5 |
Claims
1. A method for use in measurement reporting, the method
comprising: causing a message to be transmitted to a mobile
terminal indicating that the mobile terminal is to perform periodic
measurements in relation to a secondary uplink frequency; and
receiving an indication of the periodic measurements in relation to
the secondary uplink frequency performed by the mobile terminal,
wherein the message identifies the secondary uplink frequency and
includes control information specific to the secondary uplink
frequency, independent of any other frequency to be measured.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control information
includes at least one of: a reporting amount that indicates a
number of times that a periodic measurement is to be reported, an
interval at which results of the periodic measurements are to be
reported, and a reporting cell status.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the message includes a
flag indicating that the mobile terminal is to perform the periodic
measurements in relation to the secondary uplink frequency.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the
indication of the periodic measurements comprises receiving at
least one of: an indication of a quality of a cell on a downlink
frequency associated with the secondary uplink frequency, an
indication of a strength of signals on the downlink frequency
associated with the secondary uplink frequency, and a pathloss.
5. An apparatus for use in measurement reporting, the apparatus
comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including
computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer
program code being configured to, with the at least one processor,
cause the apparatus at least to: cause a message to be transmitted
to a mobile terminal indicating that the mobile terminal is to
perform periodic measurements in relation to a secondary uplink
frequency; and receive an indication of the periodic measurements
in relation to the secondary uplink frequency performed by the
mobile terminal, wherein the message identifies the secondary
uplink frequency and includes control information specific to the
secondary uplink frequency, independent of any other frequency to
be measured.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control
information includes at least one of: a reporting amount that
indicates a number of times that a periodic measurement is to be
reported, an interval at which results of the periodic measurements
are to be reported, and a reporting cell status.
7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the message includes
a flag indicating that the mobile terminal is to perform the
periodic measurements in relation to the secondary uplink
frequency.
8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the at least one
processor is configured to cause the apparatus to receive the
indication of the periodic measurements by receiving at least one
of: an indication of a quality of a cell on a downlink frequency
associated with the secondary uplink frequency, an indication of a
strength of signals on the secondary uplink frequency, and a
pathloss.
9. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus is
embodied by a radio network controller.
10. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium having computer readable
instructions stored thereon, the computer readable instructions
being executable by a computerized device to cause the computerized
device to perform a method for use in measurement reporting, the
method comprising: causing a message to be transmitted to a mobile
terminal indicating that the mobile terminal is to perform periodic
measurements in relation to a secondary uplink frequency; and
receiving an indication of the periodic measurements in relation to
the secondary uplink frequency performed by the mobile terminal,
wherein the message identifies the secondary uplink frequency and
includes control information specific to the secondary uplink
frequency, independent of any other frequency to be measured.
11. A method for use in measurement reporting, the method
comprising: receiving a message indicating that periodic
measurements are to be performed periodically in relation to a
secondary uplink frequency; in response to receipt of the message,
performing the periodic measurements periodically in relation to
the secondary uplink frequency; and causing an indication of the
periodic measurements to be provided to a network, wherein the
received message identifies the secondary uplink frequency and
includes control information specific to the secondary uplink
frequency, independent of any other frequency to be measured, and
wherein performing the periodic measurements comprises performing
the periodic measurements in relation to the secondary uplink
frequency identified by the message.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the control
information includes at least one of: a reporting amount that
indicates a number of times that a periodic measurement is to be
reported, an interval at which results of the measurements are to
be reported, and a reporting cell status.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein causing an indication
of the periodic measurements to be provided comprises causing a
periodic measurement to be reported a number of times indicated by
the reporting amount included within the control information.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein causing an indication
of the periodic measurements to be provided comprises causing the
indication of the periodic measurements to be provided in
accordance with the interval included within the control
information.
15. The method according to claim 11, wherein performing the
periodic measurements comprises determining at least one of: a
quality of a cell on a downlink frequency associated with the
secondary uplink frequency, an indication of a strength of signals
on the secondary uplink frequency, and a pathloss.
16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the received message
includes a flag indicating that periodic measurements are to be
performed in relation to the secondary uplink frequency.
17. An apparatus for use in measurement reporting, the apparatus
comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including
computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer
program code being configured to, with the at least one processor,
cause the apparatus at least to: receive a message indicating that
periodic measurements are to be performed periodically in relation
to a secondary uplink frequency; in response to receipt of the
message, perform the periodic measurements periodically in relation
to the secondary uplink frequency; and cause an indication of the
periodic measurements to be provided to a network, wherein the
received message identifies the secondary uplink frequency and
includes control information specific to the secondary uplink
frequency, independent of any other frequency to be measured, and
wherein performing the periodic measurements comprises performing
the periodic measurements in relation to the secondary uplink
frequency identified by the message.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the control
information includes at least one of: a reporting amount that
indicates a number of times that a periodic measurement is to be
reported, an interval at which results of the periodic measurements
are to be reported, and a reporting cell status.
19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the at least one
processor is configured to cause the apparatus to cause an
indication of the periodic measurements to be provided by causing a
periodic measurement to be reported a number of times indicated by
the reporting amount included within the control information.
20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the at least one
processor is configured to cause the apparatus to cause an
indication of the periodic measurements to be provided by causing
the indication of the periodic measurements to be provided in
accordance with the interval included within the control
information.
21. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the at least one
processor is configured to cause the apparatus to perform the
periodic measurements by determining at least one of: a quality of
a cell on a downlink frequency associated with the secondary uplink
frequency, an indication of a strength of signals on the secondary
uplink frequency, and a pathloss.
22. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the received
message includes a flag indicating that periodic measurements are
to be performed in relation to the secondary uplink frequency.
23. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the apparatus is
embodied by a mobile telephone.
24. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising user
interface circuitry adapted to facilitate user control of at least
some functions of the mobile telephone through use of a display or
a touch screen.
25. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium having computer readable
instructions stored thereon, the computer readable instructions
being executable by a computerized device to cause the computerized
device to perform a method for use in measurement reporting, the
method comprising: receiving a message indicating that periodic
measurements are to be performed periodically in relation to a
secondary uplink frequency; in response to receipt of the message,
performing the periodic measurements periodically in relation to
the secondary uplink frequency; and causing an indication of the
periodic measurements to be provided to a network, wherein the
received message identifies the secondary uplink frequency and
includes control information specific to the secondary uplink
frequency, independent of any other frequency to be measured, and
wherein performing the periodic measurements comprises performing
the periodic measurements in relation to the secondary uplink
frequency identified by the message.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) and 37 CFR 1.55 to UK Patent Application No. GB
1208469.5, filed on May 11, 2012, the entire content of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to measurement reporting. In
particular, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to
a method, apparatus and computer program product for use in
reporting periodic measurements and, more particularly, to the
performance of periodic measurements in relation to an uplink
frequency.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Dual cell-high speed uplink packet access (DC-HSUPA) was
introduced in Release 9 of the Third Generation Partnership Project
(3GPP) specifications. DC-HSUPA introduced a secondary uplink
frequency that a mobile terminal may utilize in order to perform
uplink data transmission in addition to the primary uplink
frequency. Along with the definition of the DC-HSUPA feature by
Release 9 of the 3GPP specifications, event-triggered
intra-frequency measurements were introduced for the downlink
frequency associated with the secondary uplink frequency. However,
the 3GPP specifications have not specified any technique for
performing periodic measurements for a specific frequency, such as
for the downlink frequency associated with the secondary uplink
frequency, and for reporting the results of any such periodic
measurements. Instead, the only intra-frequency measurements for
the downlink frequency associated with the secondary uplink
frequency are event-triggered intra-frequency measurements as
opposed to periodic measurements.
[0004] TS25.331 of the 3GPP specifications defines an
inter-frequency periodic measurement. If the periodic
inter-frequency measurements are configured, the mobile terminal
shall perform the periodic measurements on the configured
inter-frequencies' neighbor cells in the neighbor cell list with
the network being able to configure up to two inter-frequencies'
neighbor cells in the neighbor cell list. However, these periodic
measurements apply not only for a specific single frequency, but
for all the configured inter-frequencies to be measured.
SUMMARY
[0005] A method, apparatus and computer program product for
periodic measurements related to a frequency identified by a
network, such as a downlink frequency associated with a secondary
uplink frequency. As such, the method, apparatus and computer
program product of embodiments provide for periodic measurements of
a downlink frequency associated with the secondary uplink frequency
to be performed and reported to the network, thereby maintaining a
desired set of cells in the active set that are involved in the
uplink transmission, such as by adding a new cell in the active set
and/or removing a cell from the active set based on, for example,
measured results.
[0006] In accordance with first embodiments, there is a method for
use in measurement reporting, the method including:
[0007] causing a message to be transmitted to a mobile terminal
indicating that the mobile terminal is to perform periodic
measurements in relation to a secondary uplink frequency; and
[0008] receiving an indication of the periodic measurements in
relation to the secondary uplink frequency performed by the mobile
terminal
[0009] wherein the message identifies the secondary uplink
frequency and includes control information specific to the
secondary uplink frequency, independent of any other frequency to
be measured.
[0010] In accordance with second embodiments, there is apparatus
for use in measurement reporting, the apparatus including at least
one processor and at least one memory including computer program
code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being
configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus
at least to:
[0011] cause a message to be transmitted to a mobile terminal
indicating that the mobile terminal is to perform periodic
measurements in relation to a secondary uplink frequency; and
[0012] receive an indication of the periodic measurements in
relation to the secondary uplink frequency performed by the mobile
terminal,
[0013] wherein the message identifies the secondary uplink
frequency and includes control information specific to the
secondary uplink frequency, independent of any other frequency to
be measured.
[0014] In accordance with third embodiments, there is computer
program product including a non-transitory computer-readable
storage medium having computer readable instructions stored
thereon, the computer readable instructions being executable by a
computerized device to cause the computerized device to perform a
method for use in measurement reporting, the method including:
[0015] causing a message to be transmitted to a mobile terminal
indicating that the mobile terminal is to perform periodic
measurements in relation to a secondary uplink frequency; and
[0016] receiving an indication of the periodic measurements in
relation to the secondary uplink frequency performed by the mobile
terminal
[0017] wherein the message identifies the secondary uplink
frequency and includes control information specific to the
secondary uplink frequency, independent of any other frequency to
be measured.
[0018] In accordance with fourth embodiments, there is a method for
use in measurement reporting, the method including:
[0019] receiving a message indicating that periodic measurements
are to be performed periodically in relation to a secondary uplink
frequency;
[0020] in response to receipt of the message, performing the
periodic measurements periodically in relation to the secondary
uplink frequency; and
[0021] causing an indication of the periodic measurements to be
provided to a network,
[0022] wherein the received message identifies the secondary uplink
frequency and includes control information specific to the
secondary uplink frequency, independent of any other frequency to
be measured, and
[0023] wherein performing the periodic measurements includes
performing the periodic measurements in relation to the secondary
uplink frequency identified by the message.
[0024] In accordance with fifth embodiments, there is apparatus for
use in measurement reporting, the apparatus including at least one
processor and at least one memory including computer program code,
the at least one memory and the computer program code being
configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus
at least to:
[0025] receive a message indicating that periodic measurements are
to be performed periodically in relation to a secondary uplink
frequency;
[0026] in response to receipt of the message, perform the periodic
measurements periodically in relation to the secondary uplink
frequency; and
[0027] cause an indication of the periodic measurements to be
provided to a network,
[0028] wherein the received message identifies the secondary uplink
frequency and includes control information specific to the
secondary uplink frequency, independent of any other frequency to
be measured, and
[0029] wherein performing the periodic measurements includes
performing the periodic measurements in relation to the secondary
uplink frequency identified by the message.
[0030] In accordance with sixth embodiments, there is a computer
program product including a non-transitory computer-readable
storage medium having computer readable instructions stored
thereon, the computer readable instructions being executable by a
computerized device to perform a method for use in measurement
reporting, the method including:
[0031] receiving a message indicating that periodic measurements
are to be performed periodically in relation to a secondary uplink
frequency;
[0032] in response to receipt of the message, performing the
periodic measurements periodically in relation to the secondary
uplink frequency; and
[0033] causing an indication of the periodic measurements to be
provided to a network.
[0034] wherein the received message identifies the secondary uplink
frequency and includes control information specific to the
secondary uplink frequency, independent of any other frequency to
be measured, and
[0035] wherein performing the periodic measurements includes
performing the periodic measurements in relation to the secondary
uplink frequency identified by the message.
[0036] Further features and advantages will become apparent from
the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of
example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system that may be
specifically configured in accordance with embodiments;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that may be embodied or otherwise
associated with a mobile terminal or a network entity, such as an
access point, and that may be specifically configured in accordance
with embodiments;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operations performed
by an apparatus that may be embodied by or otherwise associated
with a network entity, such as an access point, and that may be
specifically configured in accordance with embodiments; and
[0040] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operations performed
by an apparatus that may be embodied by or otherwise associated
with a mobile terminal and that may be specifically configured in
accordance with embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] Embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not
all embodiments are shown. Indeed, embodiments may be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout.
[0042] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to
all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations
(such as implementations in only analogue and/or digital circuitry)
and (b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware),
such as (as applicable): (i) to a processing system and/or
combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of
processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)),
software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus,
such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and
(c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a
microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation,
even if the software or firmware is not physically present.
[0043] This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this
term in this application, including in any claims. As a further
example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would
also cover an implementation of merely a processing system or
processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and
its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term
"circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the
particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or
application specific integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a
similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or
other network device.
[0044] A method, apparatus, computer software and computer program
product are provided according to one embodiment in order to
provide for periodic measurements related to a frequency identified
by the network, such as a downlink frequency associated with a
secondary uplink frequency. In this regard, a network element, such
as an access point, may transmit a message to a mobile terminal to
instruct the mobile terminal to perform the periodic
intra-frequency measurements. The mobile terminal may, in turn,
perform the periodic intra-frequency measurements in response to
receipt of the message from the network element and may thereafter
report the results of the periodic intra-frequency measurements to
the network element. By taking into account the periodic
measurements related to a frequency identified by the network, such
as a downlink frequency associated with a secondary uplink
frequency, a desired set of cells that are involved in the uplink
transmission may be maintained in the active set, such as by adding
a new cell in the active set and/or removing a cell from the active
set based on, for example, measured results.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 1, a system that supports
communications between a plurality of mobile terminals 10 (one of
which is illustrated by way of example) and a network 14, such as
an 802.11 network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an
LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, a Global Systems for Mobile
communications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA) network, e.g., a Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network, a CDMA2000
network or the like, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network
or other type of network, via an access point 12 is shown. Various
types of mobile terminals may be employed including, for example,
mobile communication devices such as, for example, mobile
telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, computers,
e.g., laptop computers, tablet computers, etc., data cards,
dongles, e.g., universal serial bus (USB) dongles, or any of
numerous other hand-held or portable communication devices,
computation devices, content generation devices, content
consumption devices, or combinations thereof. The mobile terminal
may communicate with the network via an access point, such as a
base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network
controller (RNC), a relay node or other type of access point.
[0046] The mobile terminal 10 and the access point 12 may each
embody or otherwise be associated with an apparatus 20 that is
generally depicted in FIG. 2 and that may be configured to perform
various operations in accordance with embodiments as described
below, such as in conjunction with FIG. 3 from the perspective of
the access point and FIG. 4 from the respective of the mobile
terminal. However, it should be noted that the components, devices
or elements described below may not be mandatory and thus some may
be omitted in certain embodiments. Additionally, some embodiments
may include further or different components, devices or elements
beyond those shown and described herein.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus 20 may include or
otherwise be in communication with a processing system including,
for example, processing circuitry 22 that is configurable to
perform actions in accordance with embodiments described herein.
The processing circuitry may be configured to perform data
processing, application execution and/or other processing and
management services according to embodiments. In some embodiments,
the apparatus or the processing circuitry may be embodied as a chip
or chip set. In other words, the apparatus or the processing
circuitry may include one or more physical packages (e.g., chips)
including materials, components and/or wires on a structural
assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide
physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of
electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon.
The apparatus or the processing circuitry may therefore, in some
cases, be configured to implement an embodiment on a single chip or
as a single "system on a chip." As such, in some cases, a chip or
chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations
for providing the functionalities described herein.
[0048] In an embodiment, the processing circuitry 22 may include a
processor 24 and memory 28 that may be in communication with or
otherwise control a communication interface 26 and, in some cases
in which the apparatus is embodied by the mobile terminal 10, a
user interface 30. As such, the processing circuitry may be
embodied as a circuit chip (e.g., an integrated circuit chip)
configured (e.g., with hardware, software or a combination of
hardware and software) to perform operations described herein.
[0049] The user interface 30 (if implemented in embodiments of the
apparatus 20 embodied by the mobile terminal 10) may be in
communication with the processing circuitry 22 to receive an
indication of a user input at the user interface and/or to provide
an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user. As
such, the user interface may include, for example, a keyboard, a
mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen, a microphone, a
speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. In one embodiment,
the user interface includes user interface circuitry configured to
facilitate at least some functions of the mobile terminal by
receiving user input and providing output via, for example, a
display, a touch screen or the like.
[0050] The communication interface 26 may include one or more
interface mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices
and/or networks. In some cases, the communication interface may be
any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either
hardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is
configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a network and/or
any other device or module in communication with the processing
circuitry 22, such as between the mobile terminal 10 and an access
point. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for
example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware
and/or software for enabling communications with a wireless
communication network and/or a communication modem or other
hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital
subscriber line (DSL), USB, Ethernet or other methods.
[0051] In an embodiment, the memory 28 may include one or more
non-transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or
non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The
memory may be configured to store information, data, applications,
instructions or the like for enabling the apparatus 20 to carry out
various functions in accordance with embodiments. For example, the
memory could be configured to buffer input data for processing by
the processor 24. Additionally or alternatively, the memory could
be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor.
As yet another alternative, the memory may include one of a
plurality of databases that may store a variety of files, contents
or data sets. Among the contents of the memory, applications may be
stored for execution by the processor in order to carry out the
functionality associated with each respective application. In some
cases, the memory may be in communication with the processor via a
bus for passing information among components of the apparatus.
[0052] The processor 24 may be embodied in a number of different
ways. For example, the processor may be embodied as various
processing means such as one or more of a microprocessor or other
processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or various other
computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such
as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit),
an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a DSP (digital signal
processor) or the like. In an embodiment, the processor may be
configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 28 or
otherwise accessible to the processor. As such, whether configured
by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the
processor may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in
circuitry--in the form of processing circuitry) capable of
performing operations according to embodiments while configured
accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor is embodied as
an ASIC, an FPGA, a DSP or the like, the processor may be
specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations
described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the
processor is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the
instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform
the operations described herein.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 3, the operations performed by a
method, apparatus, computer software and computer program product
of an example embodiment are illustrated from the perspective of an
apparatus 20 that may be embodied by or otherwise associated with a
network entity, such as an access point 12. In this regard and as
shown in operation 40 of FIG. 3, the apparatus embodied by a
network entity, such as the access point, may include means, such
as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communication
interface 26 or the like, for causing a message to be transmitted
to a mobile terminal 10 indicating that the mobile terminal is to
perform periodic intra-frequency measurements in relation to a
frequency identified by the message or otherwise identified by the
network. Whilst the message may identify a variety of different
frequencies for which the mobile terminal is requested to perform
periodic intra-frequency measurements, the message that is
transmitted by the network entity, such as the access point, in one
embodiment, indicates that the mobile terminal is to perform
periodic intra-frequency measurements in relation to a secondary
uplink frequency, such as a secondary uplink frequency established
by DC-HSUPA. As such, the message of this embodiment identifies the
secondary uplink frequency.
[0054] In one embodiment, the message also includes control
information. The control information may include the reporting
amount that indicates the number of times that a periodic
intra-frequency measurement is to be reported by the mobile
terminal 10 to the access point 12. Additionally or alternatively,
the control information may include the interval at which the
results of the periodic intra-frequency measurements are to be
reported to the network. Based on the control information, the
mobile terminal 10 may then perform the periodic intra-frequency
measurements, such as periodic intra-frequency measurements in
relation to a secondary uplink frequency, and may report the
results in accordance with the control information provided via the
message as described below. In this regard, the combination of the
reporting amount and the interval define the measurement period in
which a periodic intra-frequency measurement is reported with the
measurement period equaling, for example, the product of the
reporting amount and the interval. In one embodiment, the control
information may additionally or alternatively include the reporting
cell status that indicates the cell group indicating cells that
should be measured and reported and/or the maximum number of cells
that may be reported in a measurement report message.
[0055] In an example useful for explaining embodiments, the message
that is transmitted by the network entity, such as the access point
12, to the mobile terminal 10 may include a flag indicating that
the mobile terminal is to perform the periodic intra-frequency
measurements in relation to the secondary uplink frequency. In this
example, the mobile terminal may be able to determine independently
the secondary uplink frequency and, in some other examples, the
reporting amount that indicates the number of times that a periodic
intra-frequency measurement is to be reported and the interval at
which the results of the periodic intra-frequency measurements are
to be reported, such as based upon predefined control information
stored by or otherwise accessible by the mobile terminal. As such,
the message of this example may include a flag that may be set to a
first value in order to indicate that the periodic intra-frequency
measurements are to be performed by the mobile terminal in
accordance with the control information that has already been
provided to or is otherwise accessible by the mobile terminal.
Conversely, the message of this example may include a flag set to a
second value, different from the first value, to indicate that the
mobile terminal need not perform the periodic intra-frequency
measurements.
[0056] As indicated by operation 42 of FIG. 3, the apparatus 20
embodied by the network entity, such as an access point 12, may
also include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the
processor 24, the communication interface 26 or the like, for
receiving an indication of the periodic intra-frequency
measurements that have been performed by the mobile terminal 10.
For example, the periodic intra-frequency measurements may be the
periodic intra-frequency measurements performed by the mobile
terminal in relation to the secondary uplink frequency or another
frequency specified by the message transmitted from the access
point.
[0057] In an embodiment in which the mobile terminal 10 performs
periodic intra-frequency measurements in relation to a secondary
uplink frequency, the indication of the periodic intra-frequency
measurements that is received by the network entity, such as the
access point 12, may include the measured results, such as an
indication of a quality, e.g., Ec/No, of a cell on a downlink
frequency associated with the secondary uplink frequency, an
indication of the strength of signals on the downlink frequency
associated with the secondary uplink frequency and/or an indication
of pathloss. For example, the measured results may include received
signal code power (RSCP), which is a measure of both the strength
of the signals and the quality of the signals. As such, a desired
set of cells that is involved in the uplink transmission may be
maintained in the active set, such as by adding a new cell in the
active set and/or removing a cell from the active set based on, for
example, measured results.
[0058] From the perspective of an apparatus 20 embodied by the
mobile terminal 10, the apparatus may include means, such as the
processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communication
interface 26 or the like, for receiving a message indicating that
periodic intra-frequency measurements are to be performed
periodically. See operation 50 of FIG. 4. As described above, this
message may be received by the mobile terminal from the network
entity, such as an access point 12. The message may indicate the
frequency for which the mobile terminal is to perform the periodic
intra-frequency measurements. In one embodiment, the message may
indicate that periodic intra-frequency measurements are to be
performed periodically in relation to a secondary uplink frequency,
such as a secondary uplink frequency as defined by DC-HSUPA. As
such, the message provided by the network entity, such as an access
point 12, in this embodiment indicates the secondary uplink
frequency for which the mobile terminal is to perform the periodic
intra-frequency measurements.
[0059] The message received by the mobile terminal 10 includes
control information. In one embodiment, the control information
includes the reporting amount that indicates the number of times
that a periodic intra-frequency measurement is to be reported.
Additionally, or alternatively, the control information may include
the interval at which results of the intra-frequency measurements
are to be reported to the network, such as to the access point 12.
In this regard, the combination of the reporting amount and the
interval define the measurement period in which a periodic
intra-frequency measurement is reported with the measurement period
equaling, for example, the product of the reporting amount and the
interval. In one embodiment, the control information may
additionally or alternatively include the reporting cell status
that indicates the cell group indicating cells that should be
measured and reported and/or the maximum number of cells that may
be reported in a measurement report message.
[0060] In an example useful for explaining embodiments, the message
that is received by the mobile terminal 10 may include a flag
indicating that periodic intra-frequency measurements are to be
performed, such as in relation to the secondary uplink frequency.
As indicated above, in this example, the mobile terminal may be
able to determine independently the secondary uplink frequency and,
in some other examples, the reporting amount that indicates the
number of times that a periodic intra-frequency measurement is to
be reported and the interval at which the results of the periodic
intra-frequency measurements are to be reported, such as based upon
predefined control information stored by the memory 28 or otherwise
accessible by the mobile terminal. As such, the message of this
example may include a flag that may be set to a first value in
order to indicate that the periodic intra-frequency measurements
are to be performed by the mobile terminal in accordance with the
control information that has already been provided to or is
otherwise accessible by the mobile terminal. Conversely, the
message of this example may include a flag that may be set to a
second value, different from the first value, to indicate that the
mobile terminal need not perform the periodic intra-frequency
measurements.
[0061] As shown in operation 52 of FIG. 4, the apparatus 20
embodied by the mobile terminal 10 may also include means, such as
the processing circuitry 22, the processer 24 or the like, for
performing, in response to receipt of the message, the periodic
intra-frequency measurements. In this regard, the apparatus, such
as the processing circuitry, the processor or the like, may perform
the periodic intra-frequency measurements periodically in relation
to a frequency that is identified by the message provided by the
network entity, such as the access point 12. In one embodiment, the
apparatus embodied by the mobile terminal may perform the periodic
intra-frequency measurements periodically in relation to the
secondary uplink frequency, such as the secondary uplink frequency
identified by the message.
[0062] In one embodiment in which the message also includes control
information that identifies the reporting amount that indicates the
number of times that a periodic intra-frequency measurement is to
be reported, the apparatus 20 embodied by the mobile terminal 10
may also include the means, such as the processing circuitry 22,
the processor 24 or the like, for causing the periodic
intra-frequency measurements to be reported the indicated number of
times.
[0063] The apparatus 20 embodied by the mobile terminal 10 may
perform various types of periodic intra-frequency measurements. In
one embodiment, however, the apparatus embodied by the mobile
terminal may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22,
the processor 24 or the like, for determining at least one of a
quality, e.g., Ec/No, of a cell on a downlink frequency associated
with the secondary uplink frequency, a strength of the signals on
the secondary uplink frequency and/or an indication of pathloss.
For example, the measured results may include received signal code
power (RSCP), which is a measure of both the strength of the
signals and the quality of the signals.
[0064] In an embodiment in which the message includes a flag
indicating that periodic intra-frequency measurements are to be
performed, such as in relation to the secondary uplink frequency,
the apparatus 20 embodied by the mobile terminal 10 may include
means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24 or the
like, for performing the periodic intra-frequency measurements in
response to the flag indicating that the periodic intra-frequency
measurements are to be performed.
[0065] Referring now to operation 54 of FIG. 4, the apparatus 20
embodied by the mobile terminal 10 may also include means, such as
the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communication
interface 26 or the like, for causing an indication of the periodic
intra-frequency measurements to be provided to a network, such as
to the network entity, e.g., an access point 12. The indication of
the periodic intra-frequency measurements may be provided in
various manners, but, in one embodiment, in which the control
information provided via the message that is transmitted by the
network entity, such as the access point, includes a reporting
interval at which the results of the intra-frequency measurements
are to be reported, the apparatus, such as the processing
circuitry, the processor, the communication interface or the like,
may cause the indication of the periodic intra-frequency
measurements to be provided in accordance with the interval
included within the control information.
[0066] The indication of periodic intra-frequency measurements as
provided by the mobile terminal 10 may include a variety of
different types of information depending upon the periodic
intra-frequency measurements that are performed. In one embodiment,
however, the indication of the periodic intra-frequency
measurements that is provided may include the measured results,
such an indication of the quality, Ec/No, of the cell on a downlink
frequency associated with the secondary uplink frequency, an
indication of the strength of the signals on the secondary uplink
frequency and/or an indication of pathloss. For example, the
measured results may include received signal code power (RSCP),
which is a measure of both the strength of the signals and the
quality of the signals. As such, a desired set of cells that are
involved in the uplink transmission may be maintained in the active
set, such as by adding a new cell in the active set and/or removing
a cell from the active set based on, for example, measured results.
Since the performance of the secondary uplink frequency may change
over time due to various conditions, the periodic intra-frequency
measurements and the reporting of the results of the periodic
intra-frequency measurements from the mobile terminal to the
network entity, such as the access point, permits the network, such
as the access point, to obtain updated measured results and to
modify the active set based upon the updated measurements.
[0067] As noted above, FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts illustrating
the operations performed by a method, apparatus, computer software
and computer program product, such as apparatus 20 of FIG. 2, from
the perspective of an access point 12 and a mobile terminal 10,
respectively, in accordance with one embodiment. It will be
understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of
blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such
as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry and/or other device
associated with execution of software including one or more
computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the
procedures described above may be embodied by computer program
instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions
which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a
memory 28 of an apparatus employing an embodiment and executed by a
processor 24 of the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such
computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or
other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine,
such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus
provides for implementation of the functions specified in the
flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be
stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage memory that
may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function
in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the
computer-readable storage memory produce an article of manufacture,
the execution of which implements the function specified in the
flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a
series of operations to be performed on the computer or other
programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process
such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other
programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the
functions specified in the flowchart blocks. As such, the
operations of FIGS. 3 and 4, when executed, convert a computer or
processing circuitry into a particular machine configured to
perform embodiments. Accordingly, the operations of FIGS. 3 and 4
define an algorithm for configuring a computer or processing
circuitry, e.g., processor, to perform an example embodiment. In
some cases, a general purpose computer may be provided with an
instance of the processor which performs the algorithm of FIGS. 3
and 4 to transform the general purpose computer into a particular
machine configured to perform embodiments.
[0068] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations
of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of
operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be
understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and
combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by
special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the
specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware
and computer instructions.
[0069] In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above
may be modified or further amplified. Moreover, in some embodiments
additional optional operations may also be included. It should be
appreciated that each of the modifications, optional additions or
amplifications may be included with the operations above either
alone or in combination with any others among the features
described herein.
[0070] In accordance with embodiments, there is a method for use in
measurement reporting, the method including:
[0071] causing a message to be transmitted to a mobile terminal
indicating that the mobile terminal is to perform periodic
measurements in relation to a frequency identified by the message;
and
[0072] receiving an indication of the periodic measurements
performed by the mobile terminal in relation to the frequency
identified by the message.
[0073] In accordance with embodiments, there is a method, apparatus
and computer program product for use in measurement reporting. The
method includes:
[0074] receiving a message indicating that periodic measurements
are to be performed periodically in relation to a frequency
indicated by the message;
[0075] in response to receipt of the message, performing the
periodic measurements periodically in relation to the frequency
indicated by the message; and
[0076] causing an indication of the periodic measurements to be
provided to a network.
[0077] In accordance with embodiments, there is a computer program
product including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
having computer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer
readable instructions being executable by a computerized device to
cause the computerized device to perform a method for use in
measurement reporting, the method including:
[0078] causing a message to be transmitted to a mobile terminal
indicating that the mobile terminal is to perform periodic
measurements in relation to a secondary uplink frequency; and
[0079] receiving an indication of the periodic measurements in
relation to the secondary uplink frequency performed by the mobile
terminal.
[0080] In accordance with embodiments, there is a computer program
product including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium
having computer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer
readable instructions being executable by a computerized device to
cause the computerized device to perform a method for use in
measurement reporting, the method including:
[0081] receiving a message indicating that periodic measurements
are to be performed periodically in relation to a secondary uplink
frequency;
[0082] in response to receipt of the message, performing the
periodic measurements periodically in relation to the secondary
uplink frequency; and
[0083] causing an indication of the periodic measurements to be
provided to a network.
[0084] The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative
examples. Further embodiments are envisaged. It is to be understood
that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be
used alone, or in combination with other features described, and
may also be used in combination with one or more features of any
other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the
embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not
described above may also be employed without departing from the
scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying
claims.
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