U.S. patent application number 14/279147 was filed with the patent office on 2015-02-05 for paging area reduction based predictive mobility.
This patent application is currently assigned to QUALCOMM Incorporated. The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Olufunmilola Awoniyi-Oteri, Thomas Kilpatrick, II, Roy Franklin Quick, JR..
Application Number | 20150038180 14/279147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52427609 |
Filed Date | 2015-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150038180 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Quick, JR.; Roy Franklin ;
et al. |
February 5, 2015 |
PAGING AREA REDUCTION BASED PREDICTIVE MOBILITY
Abstract
Methods, systems, and devices are described for adjusting the
number of base stations of a paging group based on the mobility
state of a mobile device. The mobile device may autonomously
determine its mobility state based on a sequence of repeated
historical events associated with mobility patterns of the mobile
device. The mobile device may communicate the mobility state to a
base stations and receive a page from at least one of a subset of
base stations of a paging group. The subset of base stations may be
selected based on the mobility state of the mobile device. The
number of base stations selected to be included in the subset of
base stations may be reduces when the mobile device is in a
stationary state or increased when the mobile device is in a mobile
state. The mobile device may explicitly or implicitly convey the
mobility state.
Inventors: |
Quick, JR.; Roy Franklin;
(San Diego, CA) ; Awoniyi-Oteri; Olufunmilola;
(San Diego, CA) ; Kilpatrick, II; Thomas; (San
Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
QUALCOMM Incorporated
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
52427609 |
Appl. No.: |
14/279147 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61860789 |
Jul 31, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/458 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 36/10 20130101;
H04W 72/0473 20130101; H04W 36/0055 20130101; H04W 60/00 20130101;
H04W 52/325 20130101; H04W 72/048 20130101; H04W 36/245 20130101;
H04W 64/006 20130101; H04W 8/08 20130101; H04W 52/362 20130101;
H04W 36/32 20130101; H04W 52/285 20130101; H04W 64/00 20130101;
H04W 68/02 20130101; H04W 72/02 20130101; H04W 52/228 20130101;
H04W 52/50 20130101; H04W 52/22 20130101; H04W 52/223 20130101;
H04W 74/0833 20130101; H04W 36/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/458 |
International
Class: |
H04W 8/08 20060101
H04W008/08; H04W 68/02 20060101 H04W068/02 |
Claims
1. A method for managing wireless communications, comprising:
determining, autonomously by a mobile device, a mobility state of
the mobile device based on a sequence of repeated historical events
associated with mobility patterns of the mobile device;
communicating the mobility state of the mobile device to a base
station; and receiving a page from at least one of a subset of base
stations of a paging group, wherein the subset of base stations of
the paging group is selected based on the mobility state of the
mobile device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobility state comprises one
or more of a mobile state or a stationary state.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein a number of base stations in the
paging group is reduced when the mobile device is in the stationary
state and increased when the mobile device is in the mobile
state.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the mobility state
comprises transmitting a location area update.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein communicating the mobility state
comprises: transmitting two location area updates when the mobility
state of the mobile device has changed to a stationary state, each
of the location area updates indicating that the mobile device is
within a same location area.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein communicating the mobility state
comprises: transmitting a location area update to the base station,
wherein the base station is different from a recipient of a
previous location area update.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the mobility state
of the mobile device comprises: transmitting a location area
update, the location area update comprising at least one of: a
mobility state information element or a cause information element
indicative of the mobility state.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequence of historical events
associated with the mobility patterns of the mobile device
comprises at least two previous instances of a same historical
event within a predetermined time period.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sequence of historical events
comprises one or more of: a channel environment event, a user
event, a location event, or a time event.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprises: predicting a future
mobility of the mobile device based on a correlation among the
sequence of historical events; wherein the mobility state of the
mobile device is based on the predicted future mobility of the
mobile device.
11. An apparatus for managing wireless communications, comprising:
a processor; and memory in electronic communication with the
processor, the memory embodying instructions, the instructions
being executable by the processor to: determine, autonomously by a
mobile device, a mobility state of the mobile device based on a
sequence of repeated historical events associated with mobility
patterns of the mobile device; communicate the mobility state of
the mobile device to a base station; and receive a page from at
least one of a subset of base stations of a paging group, wherein
the subset of base stations of the paging group is selected based
on the mobility state of the mobile device.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mobility state comprises
one or more of a mobile state or a stationary state.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a number of base stations in
the paging group is reduced when the mobile device is in the
stationary state and increased when the mobile device is in the
mobile state.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the instructions executable
by the processor to communicate the mobility state are further
executable to transmit a location area update.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions executable
by the processor to communicate the mobility state are further
executable to: transmit two location area updates when the mobility
state of the mobile device has changed to a stationary state, each
of the location area updates indicating that the mobile device is
within a same location area.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions executable
by the processor to communicate the mobility state are further
executable to: transmit a location area update to the base station,
wherein the base station is different from a recipient of a
previous location area update.
17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the instructions executable
by the processor to communicate the mobility state are further
executable to: transmit a location area update, the location area
update comprising at least one of: a mobility state information
element or a cause information element indicative of the mobility
state.
18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the sequence of historical
events associated with the mobility patterns of the mobile device
comprises at least two previous instances of a same historical
event within a predetermined time period.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sequence of historical
events comprises one or more of: a channel environment event, a
user event, a location event, or a time event.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising instructions
executable by the processor to: predict a future mobility of the
mobile device based on a correlation among the sequence of
historical events; wherein the mobility state of the mobile device
is based on the predicted future mobility of the mobile device.
21. A method for managing wireless communications, comprising:
determining that a mobile device has transmitted a plurality of
location area updates to one or more base stations within a same
location area; determining a mobility state of the mobile device
based on the plurality of location area updates; determining, based
on the mobility state of the mobile device, a subset of base
stations of a paging group to send a page to the mobile device; and
transmitting the page to the subset of base stations of the paging
group.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the mobility state comprises at
least one of: a mobile state or a stationary state.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: reducing a number
of base stations in the paging group in response to a determination
that the mobile device is in the stationary state.
24. The method of claim 22, further comprising: increasing a number
of base stations in the subset of base stations of the paging group
in response to a determination that the mobile device is in the
mobile state.
25. The method of claim 21, further comprising: determining that
the mobile device has transmitted a location area update to a base
station other than a recipient of a previous location area update
from the mobile device; and updating the mobility state of the
mobile device based on the location area update.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the transmission of a second
one of the location area updates by the mobile device indicates
that the mobile device has transitioned to a mobile state.
27. An apparatus for managing wireless communications, comprising:
a processor; and a memory in electronic communication with the
processor, the memory embodying instructions, the instructions
executable by the processor to: determine that a mobile device has
transmitted a plurality of location area updates to one or more
base stations within a same location area; determine a mobility
state of the mobile device based on the plurality of location area
updates; determine, based on the mobility state of the mobile
device, a subset of base stations of a paging group to send a page
to the mobile device; and transmit the page to the subset of base
stations of the paging group.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the mobility state comprises
at least one of: a mobile state or a stationary state.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising instructions
executable by the processor to: reduce a number of base stations in
the paging group in response to a determination that the mobile
device is in the stationary state.
30. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising instructions
executable by the processor to: increase a number of base stations
in the subset of base stations of the paging group in response to a
determination that the mobile device is in the mobile state.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/860,789, filed Jul. 31, 2013, entitled
"PREDICTIVE MOBILITY IN CELLULAR NETWORKS," the entire disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present description relates generally to wireless
communication, and more specifically to adjusting the number of
base stations of a paging group for a mobile devices based on
observed mobility trends. Wireless communications systems are
widely deployed to provide various types of communication content
such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on.
These systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting
communication with multiple users by sharing the available system
resources (e.g., time, frequency, space and power). Examples of
such multiple-access systems include code-division multiple access
(CDMA) systems, time-division multiple access (TDMA) systems,
frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) systems, and orthogonal
frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) systems.
[0003] Generally, a wireless multiple-access communications system
may include a number of base stations, each simultaneously
supporting communication for multiple mobile devices. Base stations
may communicate with mobile devices on downstream and upstream
links. Each base station has a coverage range, which may be
referred to as the coverage area of the cell. A cellular network
may define one or more geographical areas as paging areas and
assign some or all of the cells within the paging area to a paging
group. The network may attempt to page a mobile device by sending a
page to the mobile device on at least one cell assigned to the
paging group. The network typically assigns the cells to the paging
group to provide a level of abstraction regarding the location of
the mobile device. For instance, the network may create and assign
mobile devices to the paging group in order to reduce the
granularity with which the network tracks the location of the
mobile devices. Thus, the network may avoid the processing and
storage load required to monitor which cell the mobile device is
attached to at any given instant.
[0004] The paging messages are typically sent over a paging channel
of the cellular network. As more and more mobile devices enter the
paging area and camp on the cells of the paging group, the number
of pages being sent within the paging group increases
substantially. As can be appreciated, each page consumes backhaul
resources between the cells as well between the cells and network
entities. Moreover, each page consumes over-the-air resources of
the cellular network. As the number of mobile devices within the
paging area increases, the likelihood of paging collisions
increases. Paging collisions can delay page receipt and consume
battery life of the mobile devices.
SUMMARY
[0005] The described features generally relate to one or more
improved systems, methods, and/or apparatuses for a mobile device
to autonomously determine its mobility state based on based on a
sequence of repeated historical events associated with mobility
patterns of the mobile device and, based on the mobility state,
being assigned to a paging group. Generally, the mobile device may
analyze its historical information to determine whether the mobile
device is likely to be in a stationary state or a mobile state for
a predetermined period of time, for example. Once the mobile device
determines its mobility state, the mobile device may communicate
information indicative of the mobility state to a cell or base
station, e.g., the serving cell of the mobile device. Accordingly,
a network entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME)) may
assign cells to a paging group for the mobile device based on the
mobility state. For example, the network entity may reduce the
cells assigned to the paging group if the mobile device is in a
stationary state or assign more cells to the paging group if the
mobile device is in a mobile state.
[0006] In a first illustrative set of embodiments, a method for
managing wireless communications is described. The method may
include: determining, autonomously by a mobile device, a mobility
state of the mobile device based on a sequence of repeated
historical events associated with mobility patterns of the mobile
device; communicating the mobility state of the mobile device to a
base station; and receiving a page from at least one of a subset of
base stations of a paging group, wherein the subset of base
stations of the paging group is selected based on the mobility
state of the mobile device.
[0007] In some aspects, the mobility state may be one or more of a
mobile state or a stationary state. The number of base stations in
the paging group may be reduced when the mobile device is in the
stationary state and increased when the mobile device is in the
mobile state. Communicating the mobility state may include
transmitting a location area update.
[0008] In some aspects, communicating the mobility state may
include transmitting two location area updates when the mobility
state of the mobile device has changed to a stationary state, each
of the location area updates indicating that the mobile device is
within a same location area. Communicating the mobility state may
include transmitting a location area update to the base station,
wherein the base station is different from a recipient of a
previous location area update.
[0009] In some aspects, communicating the mobility state of the
mobile device may include transmitting a location area update, the
location area update including at least one of: a mobility state
information element or a cause information element indicative of
the mobility state. The sequence of historical events associated
with the mobility patterns of the mobile device may include at
least two previous instances of a same historical event within a
predetermined time period. The sequence of historical events may
include one or more of: a channel environment event, a user event,
a location event, or a time event.
[0010] In some aspects, the method may include: predicting a future
mobility of the mobile device based on a correlation among the
sequence of historical events; wherein the mobility state of the
mobile device is based on the predicted future mobility of the
mobile device.
[0011] In a second set of illustrative embodiment, an apparatus for
managing wireless communications is described. The apparatus may
include a processor and memory in electronic communication with the
processor. The memory may embody instructions. The instructions may
be executable by the processor to: determine, autonomously by a
mobile device, a mobility state of the mobile device based on a
sequence of repeated historical events associated with mobility
patterns of the mobile device; communicate the mobility state of
the mobile device to a base station; and receive a page from at
least one of a subset of base stations of a paging group, wherein
the subset of base stations of the paging group is selected based
on the mobility state of the mobile device.
[0012] In some aspects, the mobility state may include one or more
of a mobile state or a stationary state. A number of base stations
in the paging group may be reduced when the mobile device is in the
stationary state and increased when the mobile device is in the
mobile state. The instructions executable by the processor to
communicate the mobility state may be further executable to
transmit a location area update.
[0013] In some aspects, the instructions executable by the
processor to communicate the mobility state may be further
executable to transmit two location area updates when the mobility
state of the mobile device has changed to a stationary state, each
of the location area updates indicating that the mobile device is
within a same location area. The instructions executable by the
processor to communicate the mobility state may be further
executable to: transmit a location area update to the base station,
wherein the base station is different from a recipient of a
previous location area update.
[0014] In some aspects, the instructions executable by the
processor to communicate the mobility state may be further
executable to transmit a location area update, the location area
update including at least one of a mobility state information
element or a cause information element indicative of the mobility
state. The sequence of historical events associated with the
mobility patterns of the mobile device may include at least two
previous instances of a same historical event within a
predetermined time period. The sequence of historical events may
include one or more of: a channel environment event, a user event,
a location event, or a time event.
[0015] In some aspects, the apparatus may include instructions
executable by the processor to: predict a future mobility of the
mobile device based on a correlation among the sequence of
historical events; wherein the mobility state of the mobile device
is based on the predicted future mobility of the mobile device.
[0016] In a third illustrative set of embodiments, a method for
managing wireless communications is described. The method may
include: determining that a mobile device has transmitted a
plurality of location area updates to one or more base stations
within a same location area; determining a mobility state of the
mobile device based on the plurality of location area updates;
determining, based on the mobility state of the mobile device, a
subset of base stations of a paging group to send a page to the
mobile device; and transmitting the page to the subset of base
stations of the paging group.
[0017] In some aspects, the mobility state may include at least one
of: a mobile state or a stationary state. The method may also
include reducing a number of base stations in the paging group in
response to a determination that the mobile device is in the
stationary state. The method may also include increasing a number
of base stations in the subset of base stations of the paging group
in response to a determination that the mobile device is in the
mobile state. The method may also include: determining that the
mobile device has transmitted a location area update to a base
station other than a recipient of a previous location area update
from the mobile device; and updating the mobility state of the
mobile device based on the location area update.
[0018] In some aspects, transmission of a second one of the
location area updates by the mobile device indicates that the
mobile device has transitioned to a mobile state.
[0019] In a fourth illustrative set of embodiments, an apparatus
for managing wireless communications is described. The apparatus
may include a processor and a memory in electronic communication
with the processor. The memory may embody instructions. The
instructions may be executable by the processor to: determine that
a mobile device has transmitted a plurality of location area
updates to one or more base stations within a same location area;
determine a mobility state of the mobile device based on the
plurality of location area updates; determine, based on the
mobility state of the mobile device, a subset of base stations of a
paging group to send a page to the mobile device; and transmit the
page to the subset of base stations of the paging group.
[0020] In some aspects, the mobility state may include at least one
of: a mobile state or a stationary state. The apparatus may include
instructions executable by the processor to reduce a number of base
stations in the paging group in response to a determination that
the mobile device is in the stationary state. The apparatus may
include instructions executable by the processor to increase a
number of base stations in the subset of base stations of the
paging group in response to a determination that the mobile device
is in the mobile state.
[0021] Further scope of the applicability of the described methods
and apparatuses will become apparent from the following detailed
description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and
specific examples are given by way of illustration only, since
various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of
the description will become apparent to those skilled in the
art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
present invention may be realized by reference to the following
drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features
may have the same reference label. Further, various components of
the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label
by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If only the first reference label is used in the
specification, the description is applicable to any one of the
similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communications
system, according to one aspect of the principles described
herein;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of an example of device mobility in a
wireless communications system, according to one aspect of the
principles described herein;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a diagram of another example of device mobility
in a wireless communications system, according to one aspect of the
principles described herein;
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a diagram of an example of communications
between devices in a wireless communications system, according to
one aspect of the principles described herein;
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a diagram of an example of communications
between devices in a wireless communications system, according to
one aspect of the principles described herein;
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a diagram of an example of communications
between devices in a wireless communications system, according to
one aspect of the principles described herein;
[0029] FIG. 7 shows a diagram of an example of communications
between devices in a wireless communications system, according to
one aspect so the principles described herein;
[0030] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a wireless communications
system, according to one aspect of the principles described
herein;
[0031] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of one example of a mobile
device, according to one aspect of the principles described
herein;
[0032] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of one example of a base
station, according to one aspect of the principles described
herein;
[0033] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of one example of a mobile,
according to one aspect of the principles described herein;
[0034] FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of one example of a base
station, according to one aspect of the principles described
herein;
[0035] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart diagram of a method for managing
wireless communications, according to one aspect of the principles
described herein;
[0036] FIG. 14 shows a flowchart diagram of a method for managing
wireless communications, according to one aspect of the principles
described herein;
[0037] FIG. 15 shows a flowchart diagram of a method for managing
wireless communications, according to one aspect of the principles
described herein; and
[0038] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart diagram of a method for managing
wireless communications, according to one aspect of the principles
described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] Methods, systems, and devices are provided that may be used
to improve network and/or mobile device performance based on
learning and predicting the behavior of a mobile device (e.g.,
mobile phone, laptop, tablet, etc.) user. For a mobile device user,
for example, using predictive behavior may involve a mobile device
autonomously determining its mobility state based on a sequence of
repeated historical evens associated with mobility patterns of the
mobile device. The mobile device may communicate the mobility state
to a base station, e.g., its serving base station, and receive a
page from one of a subset of base stations of a paging group. The
subset of base stations may be selected based on the mobility
state, e.g., a reduced subset of base stations may be selected when
the mobile device is in a stationary state.
[0040] On the network side, the described techniques provide for a
network entity, e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), to
determine a mobility state of a mobile device based on the mobile
device sending more than one location area update to base
station(s) within the same location area. The plurality of location
area updates sent within the same location area may indicate that
the mobile device is in a stationary state, for example. The
network entity may identify and assign a subset of base stations of
a paging group to send pages to the mobile device and, when a page
for the mobile device arrives, send the page to the subset of base
stations. The network entity may update the mobility state when it
determines the mobile device has sent a location area update to a
base station other than the base stations the previous location
area updates were transmitted to.
[0041] Thus, the following description provides examples, and is
not limiting of the scope, applicability, or configuration set
forth in the claims. Changes may be made in the function and
arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit
and scope of the disclosure. Various embodiments may omit,
substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate.
For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order
different from that described, and various steps may be added,
omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to
certain embodiments may be combined in other embodiments.
[0042] Techniques described herein may be used for various wireless
communications systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA,
and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are often used
interchangeably. A CDMA system may implement a radio technology
such as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc.
CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards. IS-2000
Releases 0 and A are commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc.
IS-856 (TIA-856) is commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, High
Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA)
and other variants of CDMA. A TDMA system may implement a radio
technology such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).
An OFDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Ultra
Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi),
IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDMA, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA
are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP
Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are new releases
of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM
are described in documents from an organization named "3rd
Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are
described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation
Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). The techniques described herein may
be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above as
well as other systems and radio technologies. The description
below, however, describes an LTE system for purposes of example,
and LTE terminology is used in much of the description below,
although the techniques are applicable beyond LTE applications.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating an
example of a wireless communications system 100, in accordance with
an aspect of the present disclosure. The wireless communications
system 100 includes base stations (or cells) 105, mobile devices
115, and a core network 130. The base stations 105 may communicate
with the mobile devices 115 under the control of a base station
controller (not shown), which may be part of the core network 130
or the base stations 105 in various embodiments. Base stations 105
may communicate control information and/or user data with the core
network 130 through backhaul links 132. In certain embodiments, the
base stations 105 may communicate, either directly or indirectly,
with each other over backhaul links 134, which may be wired or
wireless communication links. The wireless communications system
100 may support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of
different frequencies). Multi-carrier transmitters can transmit
modulated signals simultaneously on the multiple carriers. For
example, each communication link 125 may be a multi-carrier signal
modulated according to the various radio technologies described
above. Each modulated signal may be sent on a different carrier and
may carry control information (e.g., reference signals, control
channels, etc.), overhead information, data, etc.
[0044] The base stations 105 may wirelessly communicate with the
mobile devices 115 via one or more base station antennas. Each of
the base stations 105 sites may provide communication coverage for
a respective coverage area 110. In some embodiments, base stations
105 may be referred to as a base transceiver station, a radio base
station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a basic service set
(BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a NodeB, eNodeB, Home NodeB,
a Home eNodeB, or some other suitable terminology. The coverage
area 110 for a base station may be divided into sectors making up
only a portion of the coverage area (not shown). The wireless
communications system 100 may include base stations 105 of
different types (e.g., macro, micro, and/or pico base stations).
There may be overlapping coverage areas for different
technologies.
[0045] In certain embodiments, the wireless communications system
100 is an LTE/LTE-A network communication system. In LTE/LTE-A
network communication systems, the terms evolved Node B (eNodeB)
may be generally used to describe the base stations 105. The
wireless communications system 100 may be a Heterogeneous LTE/LTE-A
network in which different types of eNodeBs provide coverage for
various geographical regions. For example, each eNodeB may provide
communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell,
and/or other types of cell. A macro cell generally covers a
relatively large coverage area (e.g., several kilometers in radius)
and may allow unrestricted access by mobile devices 115 with
service subscriptions with the network provider. A pico cell would
generally cover a relatively smaller coverage area (e.g.,
buildings) and may allow unrestricted access by mobile devices 115
with service subscriptions with the network provider. A femto cell
would also generally cover a relatively small coverage area (e.g.,
a home) and, in addition to unrestricted access, may also provide
restricted access by mobile devices 115 having an association with
the femto cell (e.g., mobile devices 115 in a closed subscriber
group (CSG), mobile devices 115 for users in the home, and the
like). In such examples, a base station 105 for a macro cell may be
referred to as a macro eNodeB, a base station 105 for a pico cell
may be referred to as a pico eNodeB, and a base station 105 for a
femto cell may be referred to as a femto eNodeB or a home eNodeB. A
base station 105 may support one or multiple (e.g., two, three,
four, and the like) cells.
[0046] The core network 130 may communicate with the base stations
105 via a backhaul link 132 (e.g., S1 interface, etc.). The base
stations 105 may also communicate with one another, e.g., directly
or indirectly via backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2 interface, etc.)
and/or via backhaul links 132 (e.g., through core network 130). The
wireless communications system 100 may support synchronous or
asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the base
stations 105 may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from
different base stations 105 may be approximately aligned in time.
For asynchronous operation, the base stations 105 may have
different frame timing, and transmissions from different base
stations 105 may not be aligned in time. The techniques described
herein may be used for either synchronous or asynchronous
operations.
[0047] The mobile devices 115 may be dispersed throughout the
wireless communications system 100, and each mobile device 115 may
be stationary or mobile. A mobile device 115 may also be referred
to by those skilled in the art as a user equipment (UE), mobile
station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a
wireless unit, a remote unit, a wireless communications device, a
remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a
mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset,
a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable
terminology. A mobile device 115 may be a cellular phone, a
personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless
communication device, a handheld device, a tablet computer, a
laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL)
station, or the like.
[0048] The communication links 125 shown in the wireless
communications system 100 may include uplink (UL) transmissions
from a mobile device 115 to a base station 105, and/or downlink
(DL) transmissions, from a base station 105 to a mobile device 115.
The downlink transmissions may also be called forward link
transmissions while the uplink transmissions may also be called
reverse link transmissions.
[0049] Mobile device 115 users typically have predictable behavior,
often doing the same things or going to the same places at about
the same time each day. One example is the travel pattern and
schedule of a mobile device 115 user going to and from work. The
user may typically leave home at a certain time, travel certain
roads to get to work, stay at work until it is time to go back home
using the same roads as before, and then repeat more or less the
same routine the next day. Because the movements of mobile device
115 user in such a scenario can be foreseeable, it may be possible
to predict with a high degree of confidence which cells are used by
the mobile device 115 at particular times when going to work, when
returning home at the end of the day, or even when taking a lunch
break. This prediction may be based on previous measurements, cell
reselections (e.g., when the mobile device 115 is in idle mode),
and/or handovers, which were performed by the mobile device 115
during the user's commute. Moreover, the use of predictive behavior
may also apply to other devices such as laptops, tablets, pads,
machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, and the like.
[0050] The historical information defining predictable behavior may
refer to data taken over a long enough time to show at least two
instances of a repeated sequence of mobile device environmental
events. Example environmental events may include one or more radio
frequency (RF) events, such as channel measurements of particular
cells, connection to a specific wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access
point, and the like. Another example environmental event may
include one or more user events. Example user events may include,
but are not limited to, initiation or acceptance of calls, sending
or receiving data, usage of a particular application, and the like.
Yet another example environmental event may include one or more
location events. Example location events may include, but are not
limited to arriving at a location, leaving a location, a speed of
movement, and the like. A further example of an environment event
may include one or more time events. Example time events may
include, but are not limited to, start or end of work hours, etc.
Repeated sequences of environmental events may be taken as
sequences with enough commonality and regularity to ensure the
mobile device is following a similar path with the same use
requirements. The sequences may not necessarily be identical, but
may occur frequently enough and with sufficient similarity to
provide confidence of the predictive mobility of the mobile
device.
[0051] The ability to learn and predict the behavior of the mobile
device 115 user may be used to reduce the (usually large) number of
base stations assigned to the paging group for the mobile device
115. For example, when the historical behavior of the mobile device
115 indicates that the mobile device 115 is currently in a
stationary or less-mobile state, the number of base stations in the
paging group for the mobile device 115 may be reduced.
Alternatively, if the historical behavior of the mobile device 115
indicates that the mobile device 115 is currently in a mobile
state, the number of base stations in the paging group for the
mobile device 115 may remain the same or be increased. Dynamically
adjusting the number of base stations assigned to the subset of
base stations of the paging group (and related reporting/control
messaging) may have the benefit of reducing overhead signaling
requirements as well as conserving time frequency resources at each
base station. In dense urban areas, for example, where large
numbers of small cells and/or Wi-Fi hot spots are deployed,
predicting the mobile device 115 mobility (e.g., pattern and
schedule) may have an impact on the performance of both the network
and the mobile device 115.
[0052] Although the described techniques refer to a paging group,
it is to be understood that the described techniques may be equally
applied to dynamically adjusting a base stations of a tracking
group based on the mobility state of a mobile device 115. Moreover,
it is also to be understood that, in some aspects, the location
area described in the present disclosure may be coextensive with
one or more of the paging groups/tracking groups.
[0053] In addition to the commuting example described above, there
may be other instances in which the behavior of the mobile device
115 user may be leveraged to predict cells to adjust the subset of
base stations of a paging group. One example is when "airplane
mode" is turned off after the user arrives at her destination. When
such a trip is routine and the behavior predictable, the mobile
device 115 may start by sending an unsolicited signal indicating
its arrival and associated mobility state to the network.
[0054] In yet another example of predictive behavior, when a cell
that is typically used by a mobile device during the user's commute
to work is congested, the network may look at other cells and may
use predictive techniques and the loading levels on the other cells
to identify and assign base stations to the subset of base stations
of the paging group. Moreover, when the network knows that the
mobile device 115 is going to use a particular cell at a certain
time it may reduce the subset of base stations assigned to the
mobile device 115 during that time.
[0055] Generally, predictive mobility in wireless networks may be
used to alleviate network signaling demands, to control the subset
of base stations that are assigned to the paging group for the
mobile device 115 and/or to allocate networking resources more
effectively, for example.
[0056] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a simplified example of device
mobility in a wireless communications system 200, according to one
aspect of the principles described herein. In the wireless
communications system 200 of FIG. 2, a mobile device 115-a travels
along a path 205 through the coverage areas 110-a, 110-b, 110-c,
110-d of a first base station 105-a, a second base station 105-b, a
third base station 105-c, and a fourth base station 105-d,
respectively. The mobile device 115-a may be an example of one or
more of the mobile devices 115 of FIG. 1. Similarly, the base
stations 105 of FIG. 2 may be examples of one or more of the base
stations 105 of FIG. 1.
[0057] Each base station 105 may represent an actual or potential
serving cell for the mobile device 115-a. In the present example,
the mobile device 115-a may begin at position 1 with the first base
station 105-a as the serving cell, then move through the coverage
area 110-a of the first base station 105-a to position 2. At
position 2, the mobile device 115-a may be located at the outer
reaches of the coverage area 110-a of the first base station 105-a
and enter an intersection of the coverage areas 110-a, 110-b, 110-c
of the first, second, and third base stations 105-a, 105-b, 105-c.
At position 2, the mobile device 115-a may report a signal strength
measurement of the first base station 105-a, the current serving
cell, to the first base station 105-a.
[0058] In conventional systems, if the mobile device 115-a is in a
connected mode with the first base station 105-a, the signal
strength measurement of the first base station 105-a may indicate
that the mobile device 115-a is exiting the coverage area 110-a of
the first base station 105-a and trigger preparations for a
handover of the mobile device 115-a from the first base station
105-a to a new serving cell base station. Accordingly, the first
base station 105-a may instruct the mobile device 115-a to measure
the signal strengths of neighboring base stations to identify a
handover candidate for the mobile device 115-a. The mobile device
115-a may identify the neighboring base stations 105-b, 105-c using
a stored neighboring cell list (NCL) and/or by scanning for the
neighboring base stations 105-b, 105-c. If the mobile device 115-a
is in idle mode, the mobile device 115-a may measure neighboring
cells to identify a reselection target based on a pre-defined
threshold for the serving cell signal strength, as configured by
the carrier.
[0059] The mobile device 115-a may transmit signal strength
measurements to the serving base station 105-a, and the serving
base station 105-a may select either the second base station 105-b
or the third base station 105-c as the handover target base station
for the mobile device 115-a based on the signal strength
measurements. If the second base station 105-b is selected as the
handover target, the mobile device 115-a might briefly handover to
the second base station 105-b, and then perform an additional
handover to the third base station 105-c as the mobile device 115-a
moves out of the coverage area 110-b of the second base station
105-b. In certain examples, upon arriving at position 3, the mobile
device 115-a may be handed over to the fourth base station 105-d
(e.g., a femtocell or picocell) before returning to the third base
station 105-c.
[0060] In such systems, it may be difficult for the current serving
cell and the mobile device 115-a to determine the optimal time to
perform a handover, and the most appropriate handover target. For
example, at position 2, a more efficient transition may be for the
mobile device 115-a to bypass the second base station 105-b and
move directly from the first base station 105-a to the third base
station 105-c. Similarly, when the mobile device 115-a is at
position 3, the signal strength of the fourth base station 105-d
may be stronger than that of the third base station 105-c for a
short amount of time, but as the mobile device 115-a is moving
along the path 205 (e.g., in a train or automobile), the mobile
device 115-a may spend a small amount of time in the coverage area
110-d of the fourth base station 105-d, thereby triggering another
handover in short order. In certain examples, the mobile device
115-a may exit the coverage area 110-d of the fourth base station
105-d before there is an opportunity to complete a handover to the
next serving cell, which may result in a dropped call or
interrupted data connectivity. Thus, it may be more efficient to
refrain from handing the mobile device 115-a over to the fourth
base station 105-d when it can be determined that the mobile device
115-a is traveling along the path 205.
[0061] The above described handover scenarios may provide an
example of environmental events that may be recorded and tracked as
historical information of mobility patterns of the mobile device
115-a. Over a period of time, the mobility pattern of the mobile
device 115-a along the path 205 may be repeated a predetermined
number of times to provide a high degree of confidence of which of
the base stations 105 may be suitable candidates to be selected as
part of a subset of base stations of a paging group. The present
description provides methods, systems, and devices that may be used
to improve network and/or mobile device 115-a performance based on
learning such example environmental events and predicting the
behavior of the mobile device 115-a. Using predictive behavior may
involve the mobile device 115-a determining its mobility state
based on the historical information associated with mobility
patterns of the mobile device 115-a. The historical information may
indicate that a sequence of repeated historical events associated
with mobility patterns of the mobile device 115-a, in combination
with the current state of the mobile device 115-a, is being
repeated with a degree of confidence that suggests the future
mobility of the mobile device 115-a may be predicted. The predicted
behavior of the mobile device 115-a may be used to modify mobility
parameters (e.g., the mobile device 115-a may autonomously or
without direction from its serving base station and/or any other
network entity determine its mobility state and report same) to
improve performance. The self-reported mobility state may then be
used to select a subset of base stations 105 of a paging group to
assign to the mobile device 115-a.
[0062] In the example of FIG. 2, for example, the mobile device
115-a may regularly travel along path 205 at regular intervals,
times of day, and at consistent speeds. This behavior may be
tracked and stored at the mobile device 115-a, a network server,
and/or one or more of the base stations 105. Based on the
historical information, the mobile device 115-a can predict a next
location of the mobile device 115-a, using the predicted next
location to inform the base station of its mobility state (e.g., a
mobile state), and receive a page from one of the subset of base
stations of the paging group selected based on the mobility state.
For example, as the mobile device 115-a approaches position 2, a
network entity may assign the first base station 105-a and the
third base station 105-c to the subset of base stations of the
paging group to send a page to the mobile device 115-a.
[0063] FIG. 3 show a diagram of an example of device mobility in a
wireless communications system 300, according to aspects of the
principles described herein. Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates an
illustrative path 205-a of a mobile device 115-b between a home
location 305 and a work location 310. The path 205-a may traverse
the coverage areas 110 of a number of large cells and small
cells.
[0064] When behavioral information is not considered, the user may
travel from the home location 305 to the work location 310 along
the depicted path 205-a in a normal manner. For example, cells
along the path 205-a may be assigned to paging groups based on
known network management protocols and without consideration of the
mobility state of the mobile device 115-b, e.g., without
considering the repeated historical events associated with the
mobility patterns of the mobile device 115-b along the path 205-a
and/or the home or work locations 305 and 310, respectively.
[0065] In one example of a repeated historical event, after the
signal strength drops in cell 1, the mobile device 115-b may find
cell 2 the strongest and the network may ask the mobile device
115-b to hand-off to cell 2. The same process may take place with
cells 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 until the user reaches the work
location 310. Moreover, the mobile device 115-b may traverse
clusters of femtocells or other small cells (e.g., cells 5, 6, and
10) having small cell radiuses along the path 205-a, which may
result in various other handover events in which the mobile device
115-b is handed over to or from one or more cells. Each handover
event may be an example of an environmental event for the mobile
device 115-b that may repeated with sufficient regularity and
consistency that the mobility patterns of the mobile device 115-b
may be predicted to within a high degree of confidence (e.g.,
>75%, >85%, >95%). In addition to the handover events, the
mobile device 115-b may record and store other environmental
events, e.g., how long the mobile device 115-b remains at a given
location, what time the mobile device arrives or departs from a
location, etc. In conventional systems, the mobile device 115-b may
be assigned to a paging group having base stations that does not
consider the mobility state of the mobile device 115-b. To overcome
these inefficiencies, predictive behavior of the mobile device
115-b may be leveraged in a number of ways.
[0066] According to a first approach, a predictive algorithm
application may reside on the mobile device 115-b. Mobile device
profile information (i.e., based on collected historical
information associated with mobility patterns of the mobile device)
may be stored by the mobile device 115-b for use by the predictive
algorithm application. Over a certain learning period (e.g., twenty
days), enough environmental event information (e.g., location,
time, speed, cell measurements, etc.) may be collected by the
mobile device 115-b to predict with a high degree of confidence
where the mobile device 115-b will be on a certain day and time,
when and where the mobile device 115-b will stationary for a period
of time, and the like. Alternatively, a network entity (e.g.,
measurement server) may collect and store the profile information
of the mobile device 115-b, and the predictive algorithm
application of the mobile device 115-b may communicate with the
network entity to access the mobile device profile information.
[0067] The predictive algorithm application may identify with a
high degree of confidence (e.g., >90%) that the mobile device
115-b is moving along a known path 205-a and that the next cell
along the path 205-a to the work location 310 is cell 2. The
predictive algorithm application may determine that the mobile
device 115-b is in a mobile state based on the sequence of repeated
historical events associated with moving along the path 205-a. The
mobile device 115-b may communicate the mobility state to a base
station, e.g., the serving base station. The mobile device 115-b
may receive page(s) from a subset of base stations of a paging
group that are selected based on the communicated mobility state.
Based on the communicated mobile state, the number of base stations
of the paging group may be increased to, for example, ensure paging
coverage for the mobile device 115-b along the path 205-a.
[0068] Once the mobile device 115-b arrives at the work location
310, the predictive algorithm application may identify with a high
degree of confidence (e.g., >90%) that the mobile device 115-b
will remain at the work location 310 for a known period of time.
The predictive algorithm application may determine that the mobile
device 115-b is in a stationary state based on the sequence of
repeated historical events associated with being located at the
work location 310. The mobile device 115-b may communicate the
stationary mobility state to a base station, e.g., the serving base
station. The mobile device 115-b may receive page(s) from a subset
of base stations of a paging group that are selected based on the
communicated mobility state. Based on the communicated stationary
state, the number of base stations in the subset of base stations
of the paging group may be reduced to, for example, conserve paging
resources while the mobile device 115-b is located at or near the
work location 310.
[0069] In some aspects, the mobile device 115-b may determine and
report its mobility state autonomously. For example, the predictive
algorithm application may monitor the current status of the mobile
device 115-b (e.g., location, speed, serving base station, etc.)
and compare the current status to the recorded historical
information to determine if a sequence of repeated historical
events are consistent with the current status. The predictive
algorithm application may predict a future mobility of the mobile
device 115-b based on a correlation among the sequence of
historical events. The mobility state of the mobile device 115-b
may be based on the predicted future mobility of the mobile device.
If the comparison indicates to within a degree of accuracy or
confidence that the mobility state of the mobile device 115-b may
be known for a predetermined period of future time, the mobile
device 115-b may communicate the mobility state to its serving base
station. For example, the mobile device 115-b may send one or more
location area update messages to the serving base station that
include a mobility state information element, a cause information
element indicative of the mobility state, and the like, to
communicate its mobility state. The mobile device 115-b
autonomously monitoring and reporting its mobility state may
conserve resources of the serving base station, network entities,
etc.
[0070] In other aspects, mobile device 115-b may communicate its
mobility state using existing signaling schemes. As one example,
the mobile device 115-b may send more than one location area
updates within the same location area to communicate its mobility
state. As previously discussed, a mobile device 115-b may generally
send location area update messages when it moves into a new
location area. Transmitting two, or more location area updates when
the mobility state of the mobile device has changed to a stationary
state may, implicitly signal the mobility state to the base
station. In each of the location area updates may include
information indicating that the mobile device is within a same
location area. The mobile device 115-b may transmit a third
location area to indicate that its mobility state has changed to a
mobile state. The transmission of location area updates may allow
for the transitions from a stationary state to a mobile state, and
vice versa, to be signaled according to the described
techniques.
[0071] On the network side, a network entity (e.g., a MME) may
determine that the mobile device 115-b has sent multiple location
area updates to base station(s) within the same location area. The
network entity may determine the mobility state based on the
multiple location area updates and select a subset of base stations
of a paging group based on the mobility state. The network entity
may then transmit page(s) to the subset of base stations of the
paging group to page the mobile device 115-b. The network entity
may reduce the number of base stations selected for the subset of
base stations of the paging group when the mobile device 115-b is
in a stationary state. The network entity may increase the number
of base stations selected for the subset of base stations of the
paging group when the mobile device 115-b is in a mobile state. The
network entity may update or change the mobility state of the
mobile device 115-b based on the mobile device 115-b transmitting
another location area update to a different base station, e.g., a
base station other than the base station(s) the previous location
area updates were transmitted to. The subsequent location area
update, e.g., a third location area update message, may signal that
the mobile device 115-b is mobile again and the network entity may
reselect the subset of base stations of the paging group
accordingly.
[0072] When the network entity has reduced the number of base
stations selected for the subset of base stations of the paging
group and a page to the mobile device fails, the network may
conduct fallback operations where additional base stations are
added to the subset of base stations of the paging group to
increase the paging coverage area. In some aspects, the network
entity may assume a default mobility state for the mobile device
115-b when the mobile device 115-b initially connects (e.g., wakes
up and connects to a base station). The default mobility state may
be a mobile state to ensure the broadest paging coverage area.
[0073] FIG. 4 shows a diagram 400 of an example of communications
between devices in a wireless communications system, according to
one aspect of the principles described herein. The diagram 400 of
the present example includes a mobile device 115-c, a first base
station 105-e, and a second base station 105-f. In certain
embodiments, the mobility profile of the mobile device may be
stored entirely on the mobile device 115-c. The diagram 400 may be
an example of one or more of the wireless communications systems
100, 200, 300 described above with respect to the previous figures.
The mobile device 115-c may be an example of a mobile device 115
described above with respect to the previous figures. The first
base station 105-e and/or the second base station 105-f may be
examples of the base stations 105 describe above with respect to
the previous figures.
[0074] The mobile device 115-c may determine its mobility state at
405. Generally, the mobility state may be determined autonomously
and be based on historical information associated with a sequence
of repeated historical events associated with the mobility patterns
of the mobile device 115-c. In one example, a predictive algorithm
application may be executed by the mobile device 115-c to determine
the mobility state. The predictive algorithm application of the
mobile device 115-c may store and/or retrieve historical
information associated with mobility patterns of the mobile device
115-c. As described above, the historical information may be
entirely collected by, and stored on the mobile device 115-c.
[0075] At block 410, the mobile device 115-c may communicate its
mobility state to the first base station 105-e. The mobile device
115-c may communicate the mobility state via one or more location
area update messages that include one or more information elements
indicative of the mobility state. The mobile device 115-c may
communicate the mobility state without direction from, or control
of the first base station 105-e. The first base station 105-e
and/or the second base station 105-f may be selected to be included
in the subset of base stations of a paging group based on the
mobility state. At least at the time the mobile device 115-c
communicates its mobility state, the first base station 105-e might
be considered the serving base station of the mobile device. At
block 415, the second base station 105-f may send a page to the
mobile device 115-c. Although the page is shown as being
transmitted from the second base station 105-f, it can be
appreciated that the page may likely be sent to the mobile device
115-c from the first base station 105-e, so long as the first base
station 105-e has been selected to be included in the subset of
base stations of the paging group. As discussed above, the first
base station 105-e may be the serving base station for the mobile
device 115-c (at least when the mobility status indicator is
transmitted) and, therefore, will likely be selected to be included
in the subset of base stations of the paging group. In the scenario
illustrated in FIG. 4, the first and second base station may be
neighbor base stations. The mobile device 115-c may have moved away
from the first base station 105-e and closer to the second base
station 105-f since the mobility information was communicated to
the first base station 105-e. In this scenario, the second base
station 105-f may then be the serving base station of the mobile
device 115-f and, accordingly, may be assigned to the subset of
base stations of the paging group and send the page to the mobile
device 115-c.
[0076] FIG. 5 shows a diagram 500 of an example of communications
between devices in a wireless communications system, according to
one aspect of the principles described herein. The diagram 500 of
the present example includes a mobile device 115-d, a first base
station 105-g, a second base station 105-h, and a network entity
505. The diagram 500 may be an example of communications in one or
more of the wireless communications systems 100, 200, 300 described
above with respect to the previous figures. The mobile device 115-d
may be an example of a mobile device 115 described above with
respect to the previous figures. The first base station 105-g
and/or the second base station 105-h may be examples of the base
stations 105 describe above with respect to the previous figures.
The network entity 505 may be an example of the core network 130
described above with respect to the previous figures.
[0077] The mobile device 115-d may determine its mobility state at
405-a. Generally, the mobility state may be determined autonomously
and be based on historical information associated with a sequence
of repeated historical events associated with the mobility patterns
of the mobile device 115-d. In one example, a predictive algorithm
application may be executed by the mobile device 115-d to determine
the mobility state. The predictive algorithm application of the
mobile device 115-d may store and/or retrieve historical
information associated with mobility patterns of the mobile device
115-d. The mobility state may be a mobile state where the mobile
device 115-d is moving along a path, for example, or a stationary
state where the mobile device 115-d is expected to be stationary
(e.g., within a coverage of the first base station 105-g and/or an
adjacent base station) for a predetermined amount of time.
[0078] At block 410-a, the mobile device 115-d may communicate its
mobility state to the first base station 105-g. The mobile device
115-d may communicate the mobility state via one or more location
area update messages that include one or more information elements
indicative of the mobility state. The first base station 105-g
might be considered the serving base station of the mobile device
based on the mobile device 115-d transmitting the mobility state
information. The first base station 105-g may forward the mobility
state information of the mobile device 115-d to the network entity
505 at 510. The network entity 505 may determine or otherwise
select a subset of base stations of a paging group based on the
mobility state at 515. The network entity 505 may assign the subset
of base stations to the paging group at 520 and send signals to the
second base station 105-h at 525 and to the first base station
105-g at 530. In some aspects, the first base station 105-g and the
second base station 105-h may be selected to be included in the
subset of base stations of the paging group based on their
proximity to each other with respect to the mobile device 115-d.
The network entity 505 may subsequently receive a page for the
mobile device 115-d and send the page to the first base station
105-g at 540, for example, which sends the page to the mobile
device 115-d at 545. Although the page is shown as being
transmitted from the first base station 105-g, it can be
appreciated that the page may additionally or alternatively be sent
to the mobile device 115-d from the second base station 105-h,
since the second base station 105-h was assigned to the subset of
base stations of the paging group at 525.
[0079] FIG. 6 shows a diagram 600 of an example of communications
between devices in a wireless communications system, according to
one aspect of the principles described herein. The diagram 600 of
the present example includes a mobile device 115-e, a first base
station 105-i, a second base station 105-j, and a network entity
505-a. The diagram 600 may be an example of communications in one
or more of the wireless communications systems 100, 200, 300
described above with respect to the previous figures. The mobile
device 115-e may be an example of a mobile device 115 described
above with respect to the previous figures. The first base station
105-i and/or the second base station 105-j may be examples of the
base stations 105 describe above with respect to the previous
figures. The network entity 505-a may be an example of the core
network 130 described above with respect to the previous
figures.
[0080] The mobile device 115-e may determine its mobility state at
405-b. Generally, the mobility state may be determined autonomously
and be based on historical information associated with a sequence
of repeated historical events associated with the mobility patterns
of the mobile device 115-e. In one example, a predictive algorithm
application may be executed by the mobile device 115-e to determine
the mobility state. The predictive algorithm application of the
mobile device 115-e may store and/or retrieve historical
information associated with mobility patterns of the mobile device
115-e. The mobility state may be a mobile state where the mobile
device 115-e is moving along a path, for example, or a stationary
state where the mobile device 115-e is expected to be stationary
(e.g., within a coverage of its first base station 105-i and/or an
adjacent base station) for a predetermined amount of time.
[0081] At block 610, the mobile device 115-e may communicate its
mobility state to the first base station 105-i by sending two
location area updates. Although the two location area updates are
shown as being sent to the first base station 105-i, the two
location area updates may be sent to two base stations within the
same location area to indicate the mobility state of the mobile
device 115-e. The first base station 105-i might be considered the
serving base station of the mobile device based on the mobile
device 115-e transmitting the mobility state information. The first
base station 105-i may forward information indicative of the
mobility state of the mobile device 115-e, or information
indicating that the mobile device 115-e has sent the two location
area updates within the same location area, to the network entity
505-a at 615. The network entity 505-a may reduce the number of
base stations selected to be included in a subset of base stations
of a paging group based on the mobility state at 620. That is, the
two location area updates may indicate that the mobile device 115-e
is in a stationary state and, therefore a smaller number of base
stations may be assigned to the paging group. The network entity
505-a may assign the subset of base stations to the paging group at
520-a and send signals to the second base station 105-j at 525-a
and to the first base station 105-i at 530-a assigning them to the
paging group. Although the example illustrated in FIG. 6 depicts
the network entity 505-a assigning, and signaling the assignment
of, the second base station 105-j to the subset of base stations of
the paging group, it is to be understood that the second base
station 105-j may not be selected based on the network entity 505-a
reducing the subset of base stations. In this scenario, the network
entity 505-a may not send the signal at 525-a assigning the second
base station 105-j to the subset of base stations. The network
entity 505-a may subsequently receive a page for the mobile device
115-e and send the page to the first base station 105-i at 540-a,
for example, which sends the page to the mobile device 115-e at
545-a. Although the page is shown as being transmitted from the
first base station 105-i, it can be appreciated that the page may
additionally or alternatively be sent to the mobile device 115-e
from the second base station 105-j, in the scenario where the
second base station 105-j was assigned to the subset of base
stations of the paging group at 525-a.
[0082] FIG. 7 shows a diagram 700 of an example of communications
between devices in a wireless communications system, according to
one aspect of the principles described herein. The diagram 700 of
the present example includes a mobile device 115-f, a first base
station 105-k, a second base station 105-l, and a network entity
505-b. The diagram 700 may be an example of communications in one
or more of the wireless communications systems 100, 200, 300
described above with respect to the previous figures. The mobile
device 115-f may be an example of a mobile device 115 described
above with respect to the previous figures. The first base station
105-k and/or the second base station 105-l may be examples of the
base stations 105 describe above with respect to the previous
figures. The network entity 505-b may be an example of the core
network 130 described above with respect to the previous
figures.
[0083] The mobile device 115-f may determine its mobility state at
405-c. Generally, the mobility state may be determined autonomously
and be based on historical information associated with a sequence
of repeated historical events associated with the mobility patterns
of the mobile device 115-f. In one example, a predictive algorithm
application may be executed by the mobile device 115-f to determine
the mobility state. The predictive algorithm application of the
mobile device 115-f may store and/or retrieve historical
information associated with mobility patterns of the mobile device
115-f. The mobility state may be a mobile state where the mobile
device 115-f is moving along a path, for example, or a stationary
state where the mobile device 115-f is expected to be stationary
(e.g., within a coverage of its first base station 105-k and/or an
adjacent base station) for a predetermined amount of time.
[0084] At block 610-a, the mobile device 115-f may communicate its
mobility state to the first base station 105-k by sending two
location area updates. Although the two location area updates are
shown as being sent to the first base station 105-k, the two
location area updates may be sent to two base stations within the
same location area to indicate the mobility state of the mobile
device 115-f, e.g., a first location area update sent to the first
base station 105-k and a second location area update sent to the
second base station 105-l, assuming these base stations are within
the same location area. The first base station 105-k (and the
second base stations 105-l, if appropriate) may forward information
indicative of the mobility state of the mobile device 115-f, or
information indicating that the mobile device 115-f has sent the
two location area updates within the same location area, to the
network entity 505-b at 615-a. The network entity 505-b may reduce
the number of base stations selected to be included in a subset of
base stations of a paging group based on the mobility state at
620-a. That is, the two location area updates may indicate that the
mobile device 115-f is in a stationary state and, therefore a
smaller number of base stations may be assigned to the paging
group. The network entity 505-b may assign the subset of base
stations to the paging group at 520-b and send a signal to the
first base station 105-k at 530-b assigning it to the paging group.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 7 and as discussed above, the
second base station 105-l may not be selected to be included in the
subset of base stations of the paging group based on the network
entity 505-b reducing the subset of base stations and, therefore,
no signal is sent assigning the second base station 105-l to the
paging group. The network entity 505-b may subsequently receive a
page for the mobile device 115-f and send the page to the first
base station 105-k at 540-b which sends the page to the mobile
device 115-f at 545-b.
[0085] At block 705, the mobile device 115-f may again determine
its mobility state. The mobile device 115-f may determine that its
mobility state has changed at 705 based on the mobile device 115-f
user leaving work location 310 and beginning to travel along path
205-a towards the home location 305, for example and referring
again to FIG. 3. The mobile device 115-f may send another location
area update at 710 to signal its mobility state. The location area
update sent at 710 may be sent to the second base station 105-l,
i.e., to a base station other than the base station(s) the two
location area updates were sent to at 610-a. The second base
station 105-l that the third location area update is sent to may be
in the same location area or in a different location area with
respect to the first base station 105-k.
[0086] The second base station 105-l may forward information
indicative of the mobility state of the mobile device 115-f, or
information indicating that the mobile device 115-f has sent a
third location area update, to the network entity 505-b at 715. The
network entity 505-b may increase the number of base stations
selected to be included in a subset of base stations of a paging
group based on the mobility state at 720. That is, the third
location area update may indicate that the mobile device 115-f has
transitioned to a mobile state and, therefore a larger number of
base stations may be assigned to the paging group. The network
entity 505-b may assign the subset of base stations to the paging
group at 725 and send signals to the second base station 105-l at
730 and to the first base station 105-k at 735 assigning them to
the paging group. In this instance, the second base station 105-l
has been added to the subset of base stations of the paging group.
It is to be understood, again, that it is likely that a base
station the mobile device sends its mobility state to may, for at
least a period of time, be the serving base station and, therefore,
likely included in the paging group. The network entity 505-b may
assign additional base stations (not shown) to the subset of base
stations of the paging group. The network entity 505-b may
subsequently receive a page at 740 for the mobile device 115-f and
send the page to the second base station 105-l at 745, for example,
which sends the page to the mobile device 115-f at 750.
[0087] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a wireless communications
system 800, according to one aspect of the principles described
herein. Specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates a design of a base station
105-m and a mobile device 115-g, in accordance with an aspect of
the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 800 may
illustrate aspects of one or more of the wireless communications
systems 100, 200, or 300 described above with reference to previous
figures. For example, the base station 105-m may be an example of
one or more of the base stations 105 described above with respect
to FIGS. 1-7, and the mobile device 115-g may be an example of one
or more of the mobile devices 115 described above with respect to
FIGS. 1-7.
[0088] The base station 105-m may be equipped with base station
antennas 834-a through 834-x, where x is a positive integer, and
the mobile device 115-g may be equipped with mobile device antennas
852-a through 852-n, where n is a positive integer. In the wireless
communications system 800, the base station 105-m may be able to
send data over multiple communication links at the same time. Each
communication link may be called a "layer" and the "rank" of the
communication link may indicate the number of layers used for
communication. For example, in a 2.times.2 MIMO system where base
station 105-m transmits two "layers," the rank of the communication
link between the base station 105-m and the mobile device 115-g is
two.
[0089] At the base station 105-m, a base station transmit processor
820 may receive data from a base station data source and control
information from a base station processor 840 or other controller.
The control information may be for the PBCH, PCFICH, PHICH, PDCCH,
etc. The data may be for the PDSCH, etc. The base station transmit
processor 820 may process (e.g., encode and symbol map) the data
and control information to obtain data symbols and control symbols,
respectively. The base station transmit processor 820 may also
generate reference symbols, e.g., for the PSS, SSS, and
cell-specific reference signal. An base station transmit (TX) MIMO
processor 830 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on
data symbols, control symbols, and/or reference symbols, if
applicable, and may provide output symbol streams to the base
station modulator/demodulators 832-a through 832-x. Each base
station modulator/demodulator 832 may process a respective output
symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample
stream. Each base station modulator/demodulator 832 may further
process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert)
the output sample stream to obtain a downlink (DL) signal. In one
example, DL signals from base station modulator/demodulators 832-a
through 832-x may be transmitted via the base station antennas
834-a through 834-x, respectively.
[0090] At the mobile device 115-g, the mobile device antennas 852-a
through 852-n may receive the DL signals from the base station
105-m and may provide the received signals to the mobile device
modulator/demodulators 854-a through 854-n, respectively. Each
mobile device modulator/demodulator 854 may condition (e.g.,
filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a respective received
signal to obtain input samples. Each mobile device
modulator/demodulator 854 may further process the input samples
(e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. A mobile device
MIMO detector 856 may obtain received symbols from all the mobile
device modulator/demodulators 854-a through 854-n, perform MIMO
detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide
detected symbols. A mobile device receiver processor 858 may
process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected
symbols, providing decoded data for the mobile device 115-g to a
data output, and provide decoded control information to a mobile
device processor 880 or controller, or mobile device memory
882.
[0091] On the uplink (UL), at the mobile device 115-g, a mobile
device transmit processor 864 may receive and process data from a
mobile device data source. The mobile device transmit processor 864
may also generate reference symbols for a reference signal. The
symbols from the mobile device transmit processor 864 may be
precoded by a mobile device transmit MIMO processor 866 if
applicable, further processed by the mobile device
modulator/demodulators 854-a through 854-n (e.g., for SC-FDMA,
etc.), and be transmitted to the base station 105-m in accordance
with the transmission parameters received from the base station
105-m. At the base station 105-m, the UL signals from the mobile
device 115-g may be received by the base station antennas 834,
processed by the base station modulator/demodulators 832, detected
by a base station MIMO detector 836 if applicable, and further
processed by a base station receiver processor 838. The base
station receiver processor 838 may provide decoded data to a base
station data output and to the base station processor 840.
[0092] The components of the mobile device 115-g may, individually
or collectively, be implemented with one or more Application
Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all
of the applicable functions in hardware. Each of the noted modules
may be a means for performing one or more functions related to
operation of the wireless communications system 800. Similarly, the
components of the base station 105-m may, individually or
collectively, be implemented with one or more Application Specific
Integrated Circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the
applicable functions in hardware. Each of the noted components may
be a means for performing one or more functions related to
operation of the wireless communications system 800.
[0093] The communication networks that may accommodate some of the
various disclosed embodiments may be packet-based networks that
operate according to a layered protocol stack. For example,
communications at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol
(PDCP) layer may be IP-based. A Radio Link Control (RLC) layer may
perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate over
logical channels. A Medium Access Control (MAC) layer may perform
priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into
transport channels. The MAC layer may also use Hybrid ARQ (HARQ) to
provide retransmission at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency.
At the Physical layer, the transport channels may be mapped to
Physical channels.
[0094] In one configuration, the base station 105-m may operate as
a first base station 105-m for the mobile device 115-g, and may
include means for determining that the mobile device 115-g has
transmitted a plurality of location area updates to base station(s)
with a same location area, determining a mobility state of the
mobile device 115-g based on the location area updates, selecting a
subset of base stations of a paging group based on the mobility
state, and/or transmitting a page to the subset of base stations of
the paging group. In one aspect, the aforementioned means may be
the base station processor 840, the base station memory 842, the
base station transmit processor 820, base station receiver
processor 838, the base station modulator/demodulators 832, and the
base station antennas 834 of the base station 105-m configured to
perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.
[0095] In an additional or alternative configuration, the mobile
device 115-g may include means for determining, autonomously, a
mobility state of the mobile device 115-g based on a sequence of
repeated historical events associated with mobility patterns of the
mobile device, communicating the mobility state of the mobile
device 115-g to the base station 105-m, and receiving a page from
at least one of a subset of base stations of a paging group,
wherein the subset of base stations of the paging group is selected
based on the mobility state of the mobile device 115-g. In one
aspect, the aforementioned means may be the mobile device processor
880, the mobile device memory 882, the mobile device transmit
processor 864, mobile device receiver processor 858, the mobile
device modulator/demodulators 854, and the mobile device antennas
852 configured to perform the functions recited by the
aforementioned means.
[0096] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of one example of a mobile
device 115-h, according to one aspect of the principles described
herein. The mobile device 115-h may be an example of one or more of
the mobile devices 115 described above with reference to the
previous figures.
[0097] The mobile device 115-h may include a processor 910, a
memory 915, a historical information module 920, a mobility state
module 925, a paging module 930, and a transceiver 935. Each of
these components may be in communication, directly or
indirectly.
[0098] The processor 910 may be configured to execute
computer-readable program code stored by the memory 915 to
implement one or more aspects of the historical information module
920, the mobility state module 925, the paging module 930, and/or
the transceiver 935. The processor 910 may also execute
computer-readable program code stored by the memory 915 to
implement other applications 917.
[0099] The historical information module 920 may be configured to
implement aspects of the functionality of one or more of the
predictive algorithm applications described above with respect to
the previous figures. In certain examples, the historical
information module 920 may identify and store (e.g. in historical
information 919 of memory 915) historical information associated
with mobility patterns of the mobile device 115-h. The historical
information may further be identified based on a current location
or state of the mobile device 115-h in relation to the historical
information 919.
[0100] In certain examples, a serving cell of the mobile device
115-h (e.g., a cell associated with one or more of the base
stations 105 described in other figures) and/or other network
entity may identify and store the historical information. In this
case, the historical information module 920 may determine this
information based on signaling from the serving cell and/or other
network entity. The mobile device 115-h may communicate with the
serving cell using the transceiver 935 to retrieve the historical
information. In certain examples, the historical information module
920 may communicate with a server (e.g., over transceiver 935) to
receive the historical information. Additionally or alternatively,
the mobile device 115-h may collect and store the historical
information 919 locally in the memory 915 of the mobile device
115-h, as shown in FIG. 9.
[0101] The historical information may include information about the
mobility patterns of the mobile device 115-h. The mobility patterns
may include, for example, a route and a schedule of the mobile
device 115-h between a first location and a second location.
Additionally or alternatively, the mobility patterns may include a
location and a period of time during which the mobile device 115-h
remains at the location. Thus, in certain examples, the historical
information may include a serving cell history of the mobile device
115-h over a predetermined period of time, as observed and stored
by the server, the serving cell, and/or the mobile device 115-h. In
some cases, the historical information may defining predictable
behavior may refer to data taken over a long enough time to show at
least two instances of a repeated sequence of a mobile device
environmental event. Example environmental events may include one
or more radio frequency (RF) events, one or more user events, one
or more location events, and/or one or more time events. Repeated
sequences of environmental events may be taken as sequences with
enough commonality and regularity to ensure the mobile device is
following a similar path with the same use requirements. The
sequences may not necessarily be identical, but may occur
frequently enough and with sufficient similarity to provide
confidence of the predictive mobility of the mobile device.
[0102] The mobility state module 925 may be configured to determine
a mobility state of the mobile device 115-h based on the historical
information determined by the historical information module 920.
For example, the mobility state module 925 may compare the current
status of the mobile device 115-h with previously recorded
sequences of events to determine a future mobility state of the
mobile device 115-h. As one example, the mobility state module 925
may determine that the mobile device is traveling along the known
path 205-a based on the historical information and, therefore, is
in a mobile state and will remain in the mobile state until arrival
at the work location 310. As another example, the mobility state
module 925 may determine that the mobile device 115-h has arrived
at the work location 310, based on the comparison, and will remain
there and in a stationary state until the end of the work day
(i.e., for a predetermined time). The mobility state module 925
may, in conjunction with the transceiver 935, send a signal to
communicate the mobility state to a serving base station, e.g.,
send one or more location area updates.
[0103] In certain examples, the paging module 930 may be configured
to receive a page from at least one base station of a subset of
base stations of a paging group. The subset of base station of the
paging group may be selected based on the mobility state
information communicated by the mobility state module 925. In some
cases, the number of base stations selected to be included in the
subset of base stations of the paging group may be reduces when the
mobile device 115-h is in a stationary state and may be increased
when the mobile device 115-h is in a mobile state.
[0104] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of one example of a base
station 105-n, according to one aspect of the principles described
herein. The base station 105-n may be an example of one or more of
the base stations 105 described above with reference to the
previous figures. The base station 105-n may be associated with a
serving cell of one or more of the mobile devices 115 described
above with reference to the previous figures.
[0105] The base station 105-n of FIG. 10 may include a processor
1010, a memory 1015, a mobility state module 1020, a paging group
selection module 1025, a paging module 1030, a transceiver module
1035, and a backhaul/core network interface 1040. Each of these
components may be in communication, directly or indirectly.
[0106] The processor 1010 may be configured to execute
computer-readable program code stored by the memory 1015 to
implement one or more aspects of the mobility state module 1020,
the paging group selection module 1025, the paging module 1030, the
transceiver module 1035, and/or the backhaul/core network interface
1040. The processor 1010 may also execute computer-readable program
code stored by the memory 1015 to implement other applications
1017.
[0107] The mobility state module 1020 may be configured to identify
a mobility state of a mobile device (e.g., one or more of the
mobile devices 115 described above with respect to the previous
figures). The mobility state may be determined based on receiving
one or more signal transmitted from the mobile device, e.g., a
signal forwarded from a serving base station of the mobile device.
The signal may be a location area update having one or more
information elements. An example information element may include a
mobility state information element as a component of the location
area update. Another example information element may include a
cause information element repurposed to indicate the mobility
state. The mobility state may be a mobile state or a stationary
state. A mobile state may indicate that the mobile device is moving
(along a path 205-a, for example). A stationary state may indicate
that the mobile device is not moving (e.g., stationary at a work
location 310). The mobile device may determine its communicated
mobility state based on historical information, as discussed
above.
[0108] In some examples, the mobility state module 1020 may
determine the mobility state based on a determination that the
mobile device has transmitted a plurality of location area updates
to base station(s) with a same location area. The location area
update messages within the same location area may implicitly convey
to the mobility state module 1020 that the mobile device is in a
stationary state, for example. The mobility state module 1020 may
also determine that the mobility state of the mobile device has
changed to a mobile state based on a determination that the mobile
device has sent another location area update to a base station
other than the base station(s) the plurality of location area
updates were sent to. The third, for example, location area update
message may be within the same or a different location area.
[0109] In some examples, the paging group selection module 1025 may
be configured to identify and select base stations to be included
in a subset of base stations of a paging group. The paging group
selection module 1025 may select base stations to be included in
the subset to ensure paging coverage is provided to the mobile
device, i.e., based on the mobility state of the mobile device. The
paging group selection module 1025 may reduce the number of base
stations included in the subset of base stations of the paging
group when the mobile device is in a stationary state. The paging
group selection module 1025 may increase the number of base
stations included in the subset of base stations of the paging
group when the mobile device is in a mobile state. The paging group
selection module 1025 may, in cooperation with the transceiver
module 1035 and/or the backhaul/core network interface 1040, send
one or more signals to the selected base stations indicating their
assignment to the subset of base stations of the paging group.
[0110] In certain examples, the paging module 1030 may determine
that the mobile device is an intended recipient of a page and
output one or more signals, through the transceiver module 1035, to
at least one base station of the subset of base stations of the
paging groups to send the page to the mobile device. The paging
module 1030, in cooperation with the paging group selection module
1025 may identify the selected subset of base stations to send the
page to. At least one of the base stations of the subset of base
stations of the paging group may send the page to the mobile device
via the transceiver module 1035 and/or the backhaul/core network
interface 1040.
[0111] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of one example of a mobile
device 115-i, according to one aspect of the principles described
herein. The mobile device 115-i may be an example of one or more of
the mobile devices 115 described above with reference to the
previous figures.
[0112] The mobile device 115-i may include a processor 910-a, a
memory 915-a, a historical information module 920-a, a mobility
state module 925-a, a paging module 930-a, a mobility state
signaling module 1105, and a transceiver 935-a. Each of these
components may be in communication, directly or indirectly.
[0113] The processor 910-a may be configured to execute
computer-readable program code stored by the memory 915-a to
implement one or more aspects of the historical information module
920-a, the mobility state module 925-a, the paging module 930-a,
the mobility state signaling module 1105, and/or the transceiver
935-a. The processor 910-a may also execute computer-readable
program code stored by the memory 915-a to implement other
applications 917-a.
[0114] The historical information module 920-a may be configured to
implement aspects of the functionality of one or more of the
predictive algorithm applications described above with respect to
the previous figures. In certain examples, the historical
information module 920-a may identify and store (e.g. in historical
information 919-a of memory 915-a) historical information
associated with mobility patterns of the mobile device 115-i. The
historical information may further be identified based on a current
location or state of the mobile device 115-i in relation to the
historical information 919-a.
[0115] In certain examples, a serving cell of the mobile device
115-i (e.g., a cell associated with one or more of the base
stations 105 described in other figures) and/or other network
entity may identify and store the historical information. In this
case, the historical information module 920-a may determine this
information based on signaling from the serving cell and/or other
network entity. The mobile device 115-i may communicate with the
serving cell using the transceiver 935-a to retrieve the historical
information. In certain examples, the historical information module
920-a may communicate with a server (e.g., over transceiver 935-a)
to receive the historical information. Additionally or
alternatively, the mobile device 115-i may collect and store the
historical information 919-a locally in the memory 915-a of the
mobile device 115-i, as shown in FIG. 11.
[0116] The historical information may include information about the
mobility patterns of the mobile device 115-i. The mobility patterns
may include, for example, a route and a schedule of the mobile
device 115-i between a first location and a second location.
Additionally or alternatively, the mobility patterns may include a
location and a period of time during which the mobile device 115-i
remains at the location. Thus, in certain examples, the historical
information may include a serving cell history of the mobile device
115-i over a predetermined period of time, as observed and stored
by the server, the serving cell, and/or the mobile device 115-i. In
some cases, the historical information may defining predictable
behavior may refer to data taken over a long enough time to show at
least two instances of a repeated sequence of a mobile device
environmental event. Example environmental events may include one
or more radio frequency (RF) events, one or more user events, one
or more location events, and/or one or more time events. Repeated
sequences of environmental events may be taken as sequences with
enough commonality and regularity to ensure the mobile device is
following a similar path with the same use requirements. The
sequences may not necessarily be identical, but may occur
frequently enough and with sufficient similarity to provide
confidence of the predictive mobility of the mobile device.
[0117] The mobility state module 925-a may be configured to
determine a mobility state of the mobile device 115-i based on the
historical information determined by the historical information
module 920-a. For example, the mobility state module 925-a may
compare the current status of the mobile device 115-i with
previously recorded sequences of events to determine a future
mobility state of the mobile device 115-i.
[0118] In some examples, the mobility state signaling module 1105
may be configured to determine a signaling scheme to communicate
the mobility state of the mobile device 115-i. Exemplary signaling
schemes may include explicitly signaling the mobility state or
implicitly signaling the mobility state. The mobility state may be
signaled explicitly in a mobility state message having one or more
information fields indicative of the mobility state, the length of
predetermined future time the mobile device will be in the current
mobility state, a confidence level indicator field indicative of
the degree of confidence the mobile device will be in the current
mobility state for the predetermined future time, and the like. The
mobility state may also be explicitly signaled via one or more
location area updated messages. The location area update message(s)
may include a mobility state indicator field, for example. In
another example, one or more information elements in the location
area update message may be repurposed to convey the mobility state,
e.g., the cause information element.
[0119] The mobility state may be implicitly signaled by sending a
plurality of location area update messages to base station(s)
within the same location area. For instance, two location area
update messages within the same location area may indicate that the
mobile device is in a stationary state. Two location area update
messages may also be sent within a predefined time period to
indicate that the mobile device is in a stationary state. A third
location area update message may indicate that the mobile device
has transitioned to a mobile state.
[0120] The mobility state signaling module, in cooperation with the
mobility state module 925-a and/or the transceiver 935-a, may send
a signal to communicate the mobility state to a serving base
station.
[0121] In certain examples, the paging module 930-a may be
configured to receive a page from at least one base station of a
subset of base stations of a paging group. The subset of base
station of the paging group may be selected based on the mobility
state information communicated by the mobility state module 925-a.
In some cases, the number of base stations selected to be included
in the subset of base stations of the paging group may be reduces
when the mobile device 115-i is in a stationary state and may be
increased when the mobile device 115-i is in a mobile state.
[0122] FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of one example of a base
station 105-o, according to one aspect of the principles described
herein. The base station 105-o may be an example of one or more of
the base stations 105 described above with reference to the
previous figures. The base station 105-o may be associated with a
serving cell of one or more of the mobile devices 115 described
above with reference to the previous figures.
[0123] The base station 105-o of FIG. 12 may include a processor
1010-a, a memory 1015-a, a mobility state module 1020-a, a paging
group selection module 1025-a, a paging module 1030-a, a location
area update monitor module 1205, a transceiver module 1035-a, and a
backhaul/core network interface 1040-a. Each of these components
may be in communication, directly or indirectly.
[0124] The processor 1010-a may be configured to execute
computer-readable program code stored by the memory 1015-a to
implement one or more aspects of the mobility state module 1020-a,
the paging group selection module 1025-a, the paging module 1030-a,
the location area update monitor module 1205, the transceiver
module 1035-a, and/or the backhaul/core network interface 1040-a.
The processor 1010-a may also execute computer-readable program
code stored by the memory 1015-a to implement other applications
1017-a.
[0125] The mobility state module 1020-a may be configured to
identify a mobility state of a mobile device (e.g., one or more of
the mobile devices 115 described above with respect to the previous
figures). The mobility state may be determined based on receiving
one or more signal transmitted from the mobile device, e.g., a
signal forwarded from a serving base station of the mobile device.
The signal may be a location area update having one or more
information elements. An example information element may include a
mobility state information element as a component of the location
area update. Another example information element may include a
cause information element repurposed to indicate the mobility
state. The mobility state may be a mobile state or a stationary
state. A mobile state may indicate that the mobile device is moving
(along a path 205-a, for example). A stationary state may indicate
that the mobile device is not moving (e.g., stationary at a work
location 310). The mobile device may determine its communicated
mobility state based on historical information, as discussed
above.
[0126] In one example, the location area update monitor module 1205
may be configured to monitor for location area update messages
transmitted from a mobile device. Upon determining that a mobile
device has sent a plurality of location area update messages to
base station(s) within the same location area, the location area
update monitor module 1205 may output information indicative of the
location area updates (e.g., as the location area updates relate to
mobility state). The location area update monitor module 1205 may
continue to monitor for and output information indicative of
location area update messages transmitted from the mobile device
to, for example, indicate a change in mobility state.
[0127] The location area update messages within the same location
area may implicitly convey to the mobility state module 1020-a that
the mobile device is in a stationary state, for example. The
mobility state module 1020-a, in cooperation with the location area
update monitor module 1205, may also determine that the mobility
state of the mobile device has changed to a mobile state based on a
determination that the mobile device has sent another location area
update to a base station other than the base station(s) the
plurality of location area updates were sent to. The third, for
example, location area update message may be within the same or a
different location area.
[0128] In some examples, the paging group selection module 1025-a
may be configured to identify and select base stations to be
included in a subset of base stations of a paging group. The paging
group selection module 1025-a may select base stations to be
included in the subset to ensure paging coverage is provided to the
mobile device, i.e., based on the mobility state of the mobile
device. The paging group selection module 1025-a may reduce the
number of base stations included in the subset of base stations of
the paging group when the mobile device is in a stationary state.
The paging group selection module 1025-a may increase the number of
base stations included in the subset of base stations of the paging
group when the mobile device is in a mobile state. The paging group
selection module 1025-a may, in cooperation with the transceiver
module 1035-a and/or the backhaul/core network interface 1040-a,
send one or more signals to the selected base stations indicating
their assignment to the subset of base stations of the paging
group.
[0129] In certain examples, the paging module 1030-a may determine
that the mobile device is an intended recipient of a page and
output one or more signals, through the transceiver module 1035-a,
to at least one base station of the subset of base stations of the
paging groups to send the page to the mobile device. The paging
module 1030-a, in cooperation with the paging group selection
module 1025-a may identify the selected subset of base stations to
send the page to. At least one of the base stations of the subset
of base stations of the paging group may send the page to the
mobile device via the transceiver module 1035-a and/or the
backhaul/core network interface 1040-a.
[0130] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart diagram of a method 1300 for
managing wireless communications, in accordance with an aspect of
the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 13 illustrates a method
1300 of improving network and/or mobile device utilization and
performance based on learning and predicting the behavior of a
mobile device. The method 1300 may be implemented in one or more of
the wireless communications systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,
700, 800 described above with respect to the previous figures. In
particular, the method 1300 may be performed by one or more of the
mobile devices 115 described above with reference to the previous
figures.
[0131] At block 1305, a mobile device may autonomously determine
its mobility state based on a sequence of repeated historical
events associated with mobility patterns of the mobile device. The
historical information may be accessed by collecting and storing
the historical information and/or by receiving the historical
information from another device. At block 1310, the mobility state
of the mobile device may be communicated to a base station, e.g., a
serving base station of the mobile device. The mobility state may
be transmitted in one or more messages, e.g., location area update
messages. At block 1305, a page may be received from one of a
subset of base stations of a paging group, the subset of base
stations of the paging group being selected based on the mobility
state of the mobile device.
[0132] FIG. 14 shows a flowchart diagram of a method 1400 for
managing wireless communications, in accordance with an aspect of
the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 14 illustrates a method
1400 of improving network and/or mobile device utilization and
performance based on learning and predicting the behavior of a
mobile device. The method 1400 may be implemented in one or more of
the wireless communications systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,
700, 800 described above with respect to the previous figures. In
particular, the method 1400 may be performed by one or more of the
mobile devices 115 described above with reference to the previous
figures.
[0133] At block 1405, a mobile device may autonomously determine
its mobility state based on a sequence of repeated historical
events associated with mobility patterns of the mobile device. The
historical information may be accessed by collecting and storing
the historical information and/or by receiving the historical
information from another device. At block 1410, it may be
determined whether the mobile device is in a mobile state or a
stationary state. If the mobile device is in a stationary state, at
block 1415, two location area updates may be transmitted, each
location area update indicating that the mobile device is in the
same location area. The mobility state of the mobile device may be
communicated via the two location area updates to base station(s)
with the same location area. If the mobile device is in a mobile
state, at block 1420 a location area update may be transmitted to a
base station, e.g., the serving base station. The base station may
be different from recipient base station(s) of previous location
area updates. The location area update to the different base
station may indicate that the mobile device is in the mobile state.
At block 1425, a page may be received from one of a subset of base
stations of a paging group, the subset of base stations of the
paging group being selected based on the mobility state of the
mobile device.
[0134] FIG. 15 shows a flowchart diagram of a method 1500 for
managing wireless communications, in accordance with an aspect of
the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 15 illustrates a method
1500 of improving network and/or mobile device utilization and
performance based on learning and predicting the behavior of a
mobile device. The method 1500 may be implemented in one or more of
the wireless communications systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,
700, 800 described above with respect to the previous figures. In
particular, the method 1500 may be performed by one or more of the
base stations 105 and/or a network entity 505 described above with
reference to the previous figures.
[0135] At block 1505, a determination is made that a mobile device
has transmitted a plurality of location area updates to base
station(s) within a same location area. The multiple location area
updates within the same location area may implicitly indicate that
the mobile device is in a stationary state, for example. At block
1510, the mobility state of the mobile device may be determined
based on the plurality of location area updates. The mobility state
may be a mobile state or a stationary state.
[0136] At block 1515, a subset of base stations of a paging group
may be determined for sending a page to the mobile device, the
determination based on the mobility state. The number of base
stations selected to be included in the subset may be increased
when the mobile device is in a mobile state or reduced when the
mobile device is in a stationary state. At block 1520, a page may
be transmitted to the subset of base stations of the paging group.
The page may be further communicated to the mobile device from one
or more of the base stations of the subset of base stations.
[0137] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart diagram of a method 1600 for
managing wireless communications, in accordance with an aspect of
the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 16 illustrates a method
1600 of improving network and/or mobile device utilization and
performance based on learning and predicting the behavior of a
mobile device. The method 1600 may be implemented in one or more of
the wireless communications systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,
700, 800 described above with respect to the previous figures. In
particular, the method 1600 may be performed by one or more of the
base stations 105 and/or the network entity 505 described above
with reference to the previous figures.
[0138] At block 1605, a determination is made that a mobile device
has transmitted a plurality of location area updates to base
station(s) within a same location area. The multiple location area
updates within the same location area may implicitly indicate that
the mobile device is in a stationary state, for example. At block
1610, the mobility state of the mobile device may be determined
based on the plurality of location area updates. The mobility state
may be a mobile state or a stationary state. As one example, if the
mobile device is in a stationary state, two location area updates
may be transmitted, each location area update indicating that the
mobile device is in the same location area. The mobility state of
the mobile device may be communicated via the two location area
updates to base station(s) with the same location area. As another
example, if the mobile device transitions to a mobile state, a
third location area update may be sent to a base station other than
the base station(s) that were the recipient(s) of the first two
location area updates.
[0139] At block 1615, a determination may be made whether the
mobile device is in a stationary state or a mobile state. If the
mobile device is in a stationary state, at block 1620 the number of
base stations in a paging group may be reduced based on the mobile
device being in the stationary state. If the mobile device is in a
mobile state, at block 1625 the number of base stations in a paging
group may be increased based on the mobile device being in the
mobile state. Adjusting the number of the base stations in the
paging group may ensure adequate paging coverage area for the
mobile device while conserving resources of the base station(s)
and/or other network entities.
[0140] At block 1630, a page may be transmitted to the subset of
base stations of the paging group. The page may be further
communicated to the mobile device from one or more of the base
stations of the subset of base stations.
[0141] The detailed description set forth above in connection with
the appended drawings describes exemplary embodiments and does not
represent the only embodiments that may be implemented or that are
within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" used
throughout this description means "serving as an example, instance,
or illustration," and not "preferred" or "advantageous over other
embodiments." The detailed description includes specific details
for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described
techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without
these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures
and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid
obscuring the concepts of the described embodiments.
[0142] Information and signals may be represented using any of a
variety of different technologies and techniques. For example,
data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols,
and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description
may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves,
magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any
combination thereof.
[0143] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in
connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or
performed with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal
processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic
device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware
components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the
functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a
microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any
conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state
machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of
computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a
microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such
configuration.
[0144] The functions described herein may be implemented in
hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any
combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a
processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as
one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.
Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit
of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the
nature of software, functions described above can be implemented
using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware,
hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing
functions may also be physically located at various positions,
including being distributed such that portions of functions are
implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein,
including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items prefaced
by "at least one of" indicates a disjunctive list such that, for
example, a list of "at least one of A, B, or C" means A or B or C
or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).
[0145] Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media
and communication media including any medium that facilitates
transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage
medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a
general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and
not limitation, computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,
EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage
or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be
used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of
instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a
general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose
or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly
termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is
transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc,
as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical
disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-Ray disc
where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs
reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are
also included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0146] The previous description of the disclosure is provided to
enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure.
Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein
may be applied to other variations without departing from the
spirit or scope of the disclosure. Throughout this disclosure the
term "example" or "exemplary" indicates an example or instance and
does not imply or require any preference for the noted example.
Thus, the disclosure is not to be limited to the examples and
designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed
herein.
* * * * *