U.S. patent application number 15/121174 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-09 for techniques for rach (random access channel)-less synchronized handover for wireless networks.
The applicant listed for this patent is NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS OY. Invention is credited to Frank FREDERIKSEN, Klaus Ingemann Pedersen.
Application Number | 20170041841 15/121174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50190446 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170041841 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pedersen; Klaus Ingemann ;
et al. |
February 9, 2017 |
TECHNIQUES FOR RACH (RANDOM ACCESS CHANNEL)-LESS SYNCHRONIZED
HANDOVER FOR WIRELESS NETWORKS
Abstract
An example technique is provided for receiving, by a target base
station (BS) from a source BS, information identifying a source
cell or the source BS, and a first time advance value used by the
user device to transmit signals to the source BS, receiving a
signal by the target BS that was transmitted from the user device
based on the first time advance value, determining, by the target
BS based upon the first time advance value and the received signal
from the user device, a second time advance value to be used by the
user device to transmit data to the target BS, sending the second
time advance value from the target BS to the source BS, receiving,
by the target BS, a handover of the user device from the source BS
to the target BS, and receiving data by the target BS from the user
device based on the second time advance value.
Inventors: |
Pedersen; Klaus Ingemann;
(Aalborg, DK) ; FREDERIKSEN; Frank; (Hornbaekvej
4, DK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NOKIA SOLUTIONS AND NETWORKS OY |
Espoo |
|
FI |
|
|
Family ID: |
50190446 |
Appl. No.: |
15/121174 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
February 28, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/053952 |
371 Date: |
August 24, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 36/08 20130101;
H04W 36/0094 20130101; H04W 56/0045 20130101; H04W 36/0072
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 36/00 20060101
H04W036/00; H04W 36/08 20060101 H04W036/08; H04W 56/00 20060101
H04W056/00 |
Claims
1-47. (canceled)
48. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one
memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine, by a user
device, a first time advance value for the user device for use in
transmitting signals from the user device to a source base station
(source BS); determine, by the user device, a first propagation
delay from the source BS and the user device; determine, by the
user device, a time difference value as a difference between the
first propagation delay and a second propagation delay, the second
propagation delay including a propagation delay from a target base
station (target BS) and the user device; determine, by the user
device based on the first propagation delay and the time difference
value, a second time advance value for use in transmitting signals
from the user device to the target BS; perform, by the user device,
a handover from the source BS to the target BS; and transmit
signals from the user device to the target BS based upon the second
time advance value.
49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform a synchronized
and random access-free handover from the source BS to the target BS
in response to a handover command received from the source BS, the
synchronized handover being performed by the user device at a time
identified in the handover command.
50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to: send, from the user
device to the source BS, a measurement report indicating a handover
to the target BS; receive, by the user device from the source BS, a
handover command including at least a handover time field that
identifies a time to perform the handover to the target BS; begin
to receive data from the target BS at a time identified by the
handover time field; and send a handover completion message from
the user device to the target BS.
51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine the second
time advance value based on the following: TA2=TA1-2*X, wherein TA1
is the first time advance value, TA2 is the second time advance
value, and X is the time difference value.
52. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive a first signal
from the source BS; receive a second signal from the target BS,
wherein the first signal and the second signal are transmitted at
the same time; and determine a difference in arrival time between
the first signal and the second signal as received by the user
device, wherein the time difference value comprises the difference
in arrival time of the first signal and the second signal.
53. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive at least one
first common reference signal (CRS) from the source BS; receive at
least one second CRS from the target BS, wherein the first CRS and
the second CRS are transmitted at the same time; and determine a
difference in an arrival time between the least one first CRS and
the least one second CRS as received by the user device, wherein
the time difference value comprises the difference in arrival time
of the least one first CRS and the at least one second CRS.
54. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one
memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, by a target
base station (target BS) from a source base station (source BS),
information identifying a user device that is connected to the
source BS, information identifying a source cell or the source BS,
and a first time advance value used by the user device to transmit
signals to the source BS; receive a signal by the target BS that
was transmitted from the user device based on the first time
advance value; determine, by the target BS based upon the first
time advance value and the received signal from the user device, a
second time advance value to be used by the user device to transmit
data to the target BS; send the second time advance value from the
target BS to the user device; receive a handover of the user device
from the source BS to the target BS; and receive data by the target
BS from the user device based on the second time advance value.
55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive by the target
BS from the source BS a handover request to perform a handover of
the user device from the source BS to the target BS, the handover
request including a handover time that identifies a time when a
synchronized handover for the user device is to be performed from
the source BS to the target BS.
56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, by the target
BS from the source BS, a signal configuration information
identifying a configuration of a reference signal transmitted by
the user device to the source BS using the first time advance
value; receive, by the target BS from the source BS, scheduling
information identifying scheduled resources for the user device to
transmit the reference signal to the source BS; wherein the
receiving a signal by the target BS from the user device includes
the target BS receiving the scheduled reference signal from the
user device.
57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine, by the
target BS, a second time advance value to be used by the user
device to transmit data to the target BS based upon the first time
advance value and the reference signal received from the user
device via the scheduled resources.
58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the reference signal
comprises a sounding reference signal.
59. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive a synchronized
and random access-free handover of the user device from the source
BS to the target BS in response, the synchronized handover being
performed at a time identified by a handover command.
60. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one
memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine, by a source
base station (source BS), a first time advance value for a user
device to use in transmitting signals from the user device to the
source BS; send, from the source BS to the user device a request to
measure a target base station (target BS) propagation delay of a
signal transmitted from a target BS to the user device; receive the
target BS propagation delay from the user device; determine, by the
source BS, a second time advance value for the user device to use
in transmitting signals to the target BS; send a handover command
to the user device, the handover command including the second time
advance value.
61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine, by the
source BS based on the first time advance value and the target BS
propagation delay, the second time advance value for the user
device to use in transmitting signals to the target BS.
62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine, by the
source BS based on the following: TA2=TA1-2*(T2-T1), where T1 is a
source BS propagation delay of a signal transmitted from the source
BS to the user device, T2 is the target BS propagation delay, TA1
is the first time advance value for the user device, and TA2 is the
second time advance value for the user device.
63. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform a synchronized
and random access procedure-free handover of the user device from
the source BS to the target BS based on the handover command, the
handover of the user device being performed at a time identified in
the handover command.
64. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the at least one memory and
the computer program code are further configured to, with the at
least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform a handover of
the user device from the source BS to the target BS, including:
receive, by the source BS from the user device, a measurement
report indicating a handover to the target BS; and send, by the
source BS to the user device, a handover command including at least
a handover time field that identifies a time to perform a random
access procedure-free and synchronized handover to the target BS.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This description relates to wireless networks.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A communication system may be a facility that enables
communication between two or more nodes or devices, such as fixed
or mobile communication devices. Signals can be carried on wired or
wireless carriers.
[0003] An example of a cellular communication system is an
architecture that is being standardized by the 3rd Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP). A recent development in this field is
often referred to as the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal
Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology.
E-UTRA (evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) is the air interface
of 3GPP's Long Term Evolution (LTE) upgrade path for mobile
networks. In LTE, base stations, which are referred to as enhanced
Node Bs (eNBs), provide wireless access within a coverage area or
cell. In LTE, mobile devices, or mobile stations are referred to as
user equipments (UE). LTE has included a number of improvements or
developments. A mobile station or UE may perform a handover from a
source BS to a target BS. In many technologies, a handover may use
a random access procedure to allow the MS to obtain a time advance
value with respect to the target BS. Also, a handover often causes
an interruption in data services for a MS.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to an example implementation, a method includes
performing a synchronized and random access procedure-less handover
including: receiving, by the user device from the source BS, a
handover command including at least a handover time field that
identifies a time to perform a synchronized handover to the target
BS, performing, by the user device without using a random access
procedure, a handover from the source BS to the target BS at the
time identified by the handover time field, and sending a handover
completion message from the user device to the target BS.
[0005] In an example implementation, the performing a handover may
include the user device: beginning to receive data from the target
BS at approximately the time identified by the handover time field,
and ceasing to receive data from the source BS at approximately the
time identified by the handover time field.
[0006] In an example implementation, the method may further include
determining, by the user device in an autonomous and a random
access procedure-free manner, a time advance value for the user
device to transmit data to the target BS.
[0007] In an example implementation, the determining the time
advance value for the user device to transmit data to the target BS
may include: determining, by the user device, a first propagation
delay from the source BS to the user device, determining, by the
user device, a time difference value as a difference between the
first propagation delay and a second propagation delay, the second
propagation delay including a propagation delay from a target BS to
the user device, determining, by the user device based on the first
propagation delay and the time difference value, a second time
advance value for use in transmitting signals from the user device
to the target BS.
[0008] In an example implementation, the method may include
receiving, by the user device from the target BS, within an initial
scheduling grant from the target BS after handover has been
performed to the target BS, a time advance value for the user
device to transmit data to the target BS.
[0009] In an example implementation, the method may further include
receiving, by the user device from the source BS within the
handover command, a time advance value for the user device to
transmit data to the target BS.
[0010] In an example implementation, the method may further include
the user device transmitting data to the target BS using a
shortened packet or transmission time interval (TTI), including
omitting one or more symbols in the shortened packet or TTI based
on a coverage area or transmission power of the target BS.
[0011] In an example implementation, an apparatus includes at least
one processor and at least one memory including computer
instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause
the apparatus to: receive, by the user device from the source BS, a
handover command including at least a handover time field that
identifies a time to perform a synchronized handover to the target
BS, perform, by the user device without using a random access
procedure, a handover from the source BS to the target BS at the
time identified by the handover time field, and send a handover
completion message from the user device to the target BS.
[0012] In an example implementation, a computer program product
includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and
storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data
processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data
processing apparatus to perform a method including: receiving, by
the user device from the source BS, a handover command including at
least a handover time field that identifies a time to perform a
synchronized handover to the target BS, performing, by the user
device without using a random access procedure, a handover from the
source BS to the target BS at the time identified by the handover
time field, and sending a handover completion message from the user
device to the target BS.
[0013] In an example implementation, a method includes determining,
by a user device, a first time advance value for the user device
for use in transmitting signals from the user device to a source
base station (source BS), determining, by the user device, a first
propagation delay from a source base station (BS) to the user
device, determining, by the user device, a time difference value as
a difference between the first propagation delay and a second
propagation delay, the second propagation delay including a
propagation delay from a target BS to the user device, determining,
by the user device based on the first propagation delay and the
time difference value, a second time advance value for use in
transmitting signals from the user device to the target BS,
performing, by the user device, a handover from the source BS to
the target BS, and transmitting signals from the user device to the
target BS based upon the second time advance value.
[0014] In an example implementation, the performing a handover may
include performing a synchronized and random access-free handover
from the source BS to the target BS in response to a handover
command received from the source BS, the synchronized handover
being performed by the user device at a time identified in the
handover command.
[0015] In an example implementation, the performing a handover from
the source BS to the target BS may include: sending, from the user
device to the source BS, a measurement report indicating a handover
to the target BS, receiving, by the user device from the source BS,
a handover command including at least a handover time field that
identifies a time to perform the handover to the target BS,
beginning to receive data from the target BS at a time identified
by the handover time field, and sending a handover completion
message from the user device to the target BS.
[0016] In an example implementation, the determining the second
time advance value may include determining the second time advance
value based on the following:
[0017] TA2=TA1-2*X, wherein TA1 is the first time advance value,
TA2 is the second time advance value, and X is the time difference
value.
[0018] In an example implementation, the determining the time
difference value may include the user device performing the
following: receiving a first signal from the source BS, receiving a
second signal from the target BS, wherein the first signal and the
second signal are transmitted at the same time, determining a
difference in an arrival time between the first signal and the
second signal as received by the user device, wherein the time
difference value comprises the difference in arrival time of the
first signal and the second signal.
[0019] In an example implementation, the determining the time
difference value may include the user device performing the
following: receiving a first common reference signal(s) (CRS) from
the source BS, receiving a second CRS from the target BS, wherein
the first CRS and the second CRS are transmitted at the same time,
and determining a difference in an arrival time between the first
CRS and the second CRS as received by the user device, wherein the
time difference value comprises the difference in arrival time of
the first CRS and the second CRS.
[0020] In an example implementation, an apparatus may include at
least one processor and at least one memory including computer
instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause
the apparatus to: determine, by a user device, a first time advance
value for the user device for use in transmitting signals from the
user device to a source base station (source BS), determine, by the
user device, a first propagation delay from a source base station
(BS) and the user device, determine, by the user device, a time
difference value as a difference between the first propagation
delay and a second propagation delay, the second propagation delay
including a propagation delay from a target BS and the user device,
determine, by the user device based on the first propagation delay
and the time difference value, a second time advance value for use
in transmitting signals from the user device to the target BS,
perform, by the user device, a handover from the source BS to the
target BS, and transmit signals from the user device to the target
BS based upon the second time advance value.
[0021] In an example implementation, a computer program product
includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and
storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data
processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data
processing apparatus to perform a method including: determining, by
a user device, a first time advance value for the user device for
use in transmitting signals from the user device to a source base
station (source BS), determining, by the user device, a first
propagation delay from a source base station (BS) and the user
device, determining, by the user device, a time difference value as
a difference between the first propagation delay and a second
propagation delay, the second propagation delay including a
propagation delay from a target BS and the user device,
determining, by the user device based on the first propagation
delay and the time difference value, a second time advance value
for use in transmitting signals from the user device to the target
BS, performing, by the user device, a handover from the source BS
to the target BS, and transmitting signals from the user device to
the target BS based upon the second time advance value.
[0022] In an example implementation, a method may include
receiving, by a target base station (BS) from a source BS,
information identifying a user device that is connected to the
source BS, information identifying a source cell or the source BS,
and a first time advance value used by the user device to transmit
signals to the source BS, receiving a signal by the target BS that
was transmitted from the user device based on the first time
advance value, determining, by the target BS based upon the first
time advance value and the received signal from the user device, a
second time advance value to be used by the user device to transmit
data to the target BS, sending the second time advance value from
the target BS to the user device, receiving a handover of the user
device from the source BS to the target BS, receiving data by the
target BS from the user device based on the second time advance
value.
[0023] In an example implementation, the method may further include
receiving by the target BS from the source BS a handover request to
perform a handover of the user device from the source BS to the
target BS, the handover request including a handover time that
identifies a time when a synchronized handover for the user device
is to be performed from the source BS to the target BS.
[0024] In an example implementation, the method may further include
receiving, by the target BS from the source BS, a signal
configuration information identifying a configuration of a
reference signal transmitted by the user device to the source BS
using the first time advance value, receiving, by the target BS
from the source BS, and scheduling information identifying
scheduled resources for the user device to transmit the reference
signal to the source BS, wherein the receiving a signal by the
target BS from the user device includes the target BS receiving the
scheduled reference signal from the user device.
[0025] In an example implementation, the determining may include
determining, by the target BS, a second time advance value to be
used by the user device to transmit data to the target BS based
upon the first time advance value and the reference signal received
from the user device via the scheduled resources.
[0026] In an example implementation, the reference signal may
include a sounding reference signal.
[0027] In an example implementation, the receiving a handover may
include receiving a synchronized and random access-free handover of
the user device from the source BS to the target BS in response,
the synchronized handover being performed at a time identified by a
handover command.
[0028] In an example implementation, a computer program product,
the computer program product comprising a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that,
when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is
configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to
perform a method including: receiving, by a target base station
(BS) from a source BS, information identifying a user device that
is connected to the source BS, information identifying a source
cell or the source BS, and a first time advance value used by the
user device to transmit signals to the source BS, receiving a
signal by the target BS that was transmitted from the user device
based on the first time advance value, determining, by the target
BS based upon the first time advance value and the received signal
from the user device, a second time advance value to be used by the
user device to transmit data to the target BS, sending the second
time advance value from the target BS to the user device, receiving
a handover of the user device from the source BS to the target BS,
and receiving data by the target BS from the user device based on
the second time advance value.
[0029] In an example implementation, an apparatus includes at least
one processor and at least one memory including computer
instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause
the apparatus to: receive, by a target base station (BS) from a
source BS, information identifying a user device that is connected
to the source BS, information identifying a source cell or the
source BS, and a first time advance value used by the user device
to transmit signals to the source BS;
[0030] receive a signal by the target BS that was transmitted from
the user device based on the first time advance value, determine,
by the target BS based upon the first time advance value and the
received signal from the user device, a second time advance value
to be used by the user device to transmit data to the target BS,
send the second time advance value from the target BS to the user
device, receive a handover of the user device from the source BS to
the target BS, and receive data by the target BS from the user
device based on the second time advance value.
[0031] In an example implementation, a method includes receiving,
by a target base station (BS) from a source BS, information
identifying a user device that is connected to the source BS,
information identifying a source cell or the source BS, and a first
time advance value used by the user device to transmit signals to
the source BS, receiving a signal by the target BS that was
transmitted from the user device based on the first time advance
value, determining, by the target BS based upon the first time
advance value and the received signal from the user device, a
second time advance value to be used by the user device to transmit
data to the target BS, sending the second time advance value from
the target BS to the source BS, receiving, by the target BS, a
handover of the user device from the source BS to the target BS,
and receiving data by the target BS from the user device based on
the second time advance value.
[0032] In an example implementation, the source BS sends the second
time advance value to the user device.
[0033] In an example implementation, the method may further include
the source BS sending a handover command to the user device, the
handover command identifying a synchronized and random access
procedure-free handover to the target BS, a time to perform the
handover, and the second time advance value.
[0034] In an example implementation, the method may further include
receiving by the target BS from the source BS a handover request to
perform a handover of the user device from the source BS to the
target BS, the handover request including a handover time that
identifies a time when a synchronized handover for the user device
is to be performed from the source BS to the target BS, and
sending, by the target BS to the source BS, a handover request
acknowledgement that acknowledges that a synchronized handover will
be performed for the user device from the source BS to the target
BS at the identified time.
[0035] In an example implementation, the method may further include
receiving, by the target BS from the source BS, a signal
configuration information identifying a configuration of a
reference signal transmitted by the user device to the source BS
using the first time advance value, receiving, by the target BS
from the source BS, scheduling information identifying scheduled
resources for the user device to transmit the reference signal to
the source BS, wherein the receiving a signal by the target BS from
the user device includes the target BS receiving the scheduled
reference signal from the user device.
[0036] In an example implementation, the determining may include
determining, by the target BS, a second time advance value to be
used by the user device to transmit data to the target BS based
upon the first time advance value and the reference signal received
from the user device via the scheduled resources.
[0037] In an example implementation, the reference signal may
include a sounding reference signal.
[0038] In an example implementation, the receiving a handover may
include receiving a synchronized and random access-free handover of
the user device from the source BS to the target BS, the
synchronized handover being performed at a time identified by a
handover command.
[0039] In an example implementation, a computer program product may
include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and
storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data
processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data
processing apparatus to perform a method including: receiving, by a
target base station (BS) from a source BS, information identifying
a user device that is connected to the source BS, information
identifying a source cell or the source BS, and a first time
advance value used by the user device to transmit signals to the
source BS, receiving a signal by the target BS that was transmitted
from the user device based on the first time advance value,
determining, by the target BS based upon the first time advance
value and the received signal from the user device, a second time
advance value to be used by the user device to transmit data to the
target BS, sending the second time advance value from the target BS
to the source BS, receiving, by the target BS, a handover of the
user device from the source BS to the target BS, and receiving data
by the target BS from the user device based on the second time
advance value.
[0040] In an example implementation, an apparatus may include at
least one processor and at least one memory including computer
instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause
the apparatus to: receive, by a target base station (BS) from a
source BS, information identifying a user device that is connected
to the source BS, information identifying a source cell or the
source BS, and a first time advance value used by the user device
to transmit signals to the source BS, receive a signal by the
target BS that was transmitted from the user device based on the
first time advance value, determine, by the target BS based upon
the first time advance value and the received signal from the user
device, a second time advance value to be used by the user device
to transmit data to the target BS, send the second time advance
value from the target BS to the source BS, receiving, by the target
BS, a handover of the user device from the source BS to the target
BS, and receive data by the target BS from the user device based on
the second time advance value.
[0041] In an example implementation, a method may include
determining, by a source base station (BS), a first time advance
value for the user device to use in transmitting signals from the
user device to source BS, sending, from the source BS to the user
device a request to measure a target BS propagation delay of a
signal transmitted from a target BS to the user device, receiving
the target BS propagation delay from the user device, determining,
by the source BS, a second time advance value for the user device
to use in transmitting signals to the target BS, and sending a
handover command to the user device, the handover command including
the second time advance value.
[0042] In an example implementation, the determining, by the source
BS, the second time advance value for the user device may include
determining, by the source BS based on the first time advance value
and the target BS propagation delay, the second time advance value
for the user device to use in transmitting signals to the target
BS.
[0043] In an example implementation, the determining, by the source
BS, the second time advance value for the user device may include
determining, by the source BS based on the following:
TA2=TA1-2*(T2-T1), where T1 is a source BS propagation delay of a
signal transmitted from the source BS to the user device, T2 is the
target BS propagation delay, TA1 is the first time advance value
for the user device, and TA2 is the second time advance value for
the user device.
[0044] In an example implementation, the method further includes
performing a synchronized and random access procedure-free handover
of the user device from the source BS to the target BS based on the
handover command, the handover of the user device being performed
at a time identified in the handover command.
[0045] In an example implementation, the method may further include
performing a handover of the user device from the source BS to the
target BS, including: receiving, by the source BS from the user
device, a measurement report indicating a handover to the target
BS, and sending, by the source BS to the user device, a handover
command including at least a handover time field that identifies a
time to perform a random access procedure-free and synchronized
handover to the target BS.
[0046] In an example implementation, a computer program product
includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and
storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data
processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data
processing apparatus to perform a method including: determining, by
a source base station (BS), a first time advance value for the user
device to use in transmitting signals from the user device to
source BS, sending, from the source BS to the user device a request
to measure a target BS propagation delay of a signal transmitted
from a target BS to the user device, receiving the target BS
propagation delay from the user device, determining, by the source
BS, a second time advance value for the user device to use in
transmitting signals to the target BS, and sending a handover
command to the user device, the handover command including the
second time advance value.
[0047] In an example implementation, an apparatus includes at least
one processor and at least one memory including computer
instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause
the apparatus to: determine, by a source base station (BS), a first
time advance value for the user device to use in transmitting
signals from the user device to source BS, send, from the source BS
to the user device a request to measure a target BS propagation
delay of a signal transmitted from a target BS to the user device,
receive the target BS propagation delay from the user device,
determine, by the source BS, a second time advance value for the
user device to use in transmitting signals to the target BS, and
send a handover command to the user device, the handover command
including the second time advance value.
[0048] In an example implementation, a method includes sending,
from a source base station (BS) to a target BS, a request for
expected coverage range or transmission power level for a cell
associated with the target BS, receiving, by the source BS from the
target BS, the expected coverage range or transmission power level
of the cell associated with the target BS, sending the expected
coverage range or transmission power level of the cell associated
with the target BS from the source BS to a user device, sending a
handover command to the user device to cause a handover for the
user device from the source BS to the target BS, wherein the user
device omits one or more symbols from one or more packets
transmitted by the user device to the target BS based on the
expected coverage range or transmission power level of the target
BS.
[0049] In an example implementation, the user device omitting may
include the user device omitting a first number of symbols of one
or more packets if the expected coverage range or transmission
power is above a first threshold and less than a second threshold,
and the user device omitting a second number of symbols of one or
more packets if the expected cover range or transmission power is
greater than the second threshold, wherein the second number is
greater than the first number.
[0050] In an example implementation, the user device omitting may
include the user device: omitting three symbols of one or more
packets if the expected coverage range or transmission power
indicates a macro cell or large cell, omitting two symbols of one
or more packets if the expected coverage range or transmission
power indicates a micro cell or medium cell, where the micro cell
is smaller than the macro cell, and omitting one symbol of one or
more packets if the expected coverage range or transmission power
indicates a pico cell or small cell, where the pico cell is smaller
than the micro cell.
[0051] In an example implementation, a computer program product
includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and
storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data
processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data
processing apparatus to perform a method including: sending, from a
source base station (BS) to a target BS, a request for expected
coverage range or transmission power level for a cell associated
with the target BS, receiving, by the source BS from the target BS,
the expected coverage range or transmission power level of the cell
associated with the target BS, sending the expected coverage range
or transmission power level of the cell associated with the target
BS from the source BS to a user device, sending a handover command
to the user device to cause a handover for the user device from the
source BS to the target BS, wherein the user device omits one or
more symbols from one or more packets transmitted by the user
device to the target BS based on the expected coverage range or
transmission power level of the target BS.
[0052] In an example implementation, an apparatus includes at least
one processor and at least one memory including computer
instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause
the apparatus to: send, from a source base station (BS) to a target
BS, a request for expected coverage range or transmission power
level for a cell associated with the target BS, receive, by the
source BS from the target BS, the expected coverage range or
transmission power level of the cell associated with the target BS.
send the expected coverage range or transmission power level of the
cell associated with the target BS from the source BS to a user
device, sending a handover command to the user device to cause a
handover for the user device from the source BS to the target BS,
wherein the user device omits one or more symbols from one or more
packets transmitted by the user device to the target BS based on
the expected coverage range or transmission power level of the
target BS.
[0053] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in
the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features
will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0054] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a handover of a user
device from a source base station (BS) to a target BS according to
an example implementation.
[0055] FIG. 2 is a timing diagram that illustrates an example
unsynchronized handover where a user device uses a random access
procedure to obtain a time advance value.
[0056] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a general
synchronized RACH-less (or random access procedure-less) handover
procedure according to an example implementation.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating downlink data scheduling
from a source BS and a target BS before and after a handover time
410 according to an example implementation.
[0058] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating downlink data scheduling
from a source BS and a target BS before and after a handover time
410, including a hysteresis time 510, according to an example
implementation.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second example
implementation in which a target BS estimates a time advance value
for a user device with respect to the target BS.
[0060] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a third example
implementation in which a source BS determines a time advance value
for a user device with respect to a target BS.
[0061] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating decreasing a size of a
packet according to an example implementation.
[0062] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a decreasing of a size of a
packet to avoid interference with an adjacent packet.
[0063] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fifth example
implementation in which a target BS estimates a time advance value
for a user device with respect to the target BS, and then forwards
the time advance value to the source BS for forwarding to the user
device.
[0064] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user
device according to an example implementation.
[0065] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user
device according to another example implementation.
[0066] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a target
base station according to an example implementation.
[0067] FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a target
base station according to another example implementation.
[0068] FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a source
base station according to an example implementation.
[0069] FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a source
base station according to an example implementation.
[0070] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a wireless station (e.g., a BS
or a user device, or other communications device) 1700 according to
an example implementation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0071] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a handover of a user
device from a source base station (BS) to a target BS according to
an example implementation. A source BS 132 may provide wireless
services within source cell 130 to one or more wireless user
devices. A target BS 142 may provide wireless services within a
target cell 140 to one or more wireless user devices. Multiple user
devices or user equipments (UEs), including user device 134, may be
connected (and in communication) with BS 132, for example. BSs may
also be referred to as enhanced Node Bs (eNBs) in the case where
the radio access technology (RAT) is LTE, but may have other names
for other RATs. A plurality of user devices (not shown) may be
connected to and in communication with target BS 142. While only
one user device is shown (user device 134), multiple user devices
may be connected (and in communication) with each BS.
[0072] According to an example implementation, at least part of the
functionalities of a base station (BS) or (e) Node B may be also be
carried out by any node, server or host which may be operably
coupled to a transceiver, such as a remote radio head. Although not
shown, each of the BSs may be connected together via one or more
communication links, such as a wired link or a wireless
communications link. One example of such communication link could
be the X2 interface. Also, one or more of the BSs may also be
connected to a core network, e.g., via a S1 interface or other
interface. This is merely one simple example of a wireless network,
and others may be used. In one example implementation, source BS
132 and target BS 142 may have the same time synchronization, e.g.,
having or using a same clock for synchronization. In another
example implementation, both source BS 132 and target BS 142 may be
synchronized based on a same clock, but an offset in timing may
exist between the source BS and target BS, as examples.
[0073] A user device (user terminal, user equipment (UE)) may refer
to a stationary (e.g., non-portable) computing device or a portable
computing device that includes wireless mobile communication
devices operating with or without a subscriber identification
module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of
devices: a mobile station, a mobile phone, a cell phone, a
smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset, a device
using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, a patient
medical monitoring device, etc.), a laptop and/or touch screen
computer, a tablet, a phablet, a game console, a notebook, and a
multimedia device, as examples. It should be appreciated that a
user device may also be a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of
which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or
video clips to a network. A user device may also include
downlink-only devices, or devices that primarily receive downlink
communications, such as a pager.
[0074] User device 132 may initially be connected to source BS 132.
Eventually, e.g., based on movement of user device 134 towards BS
142, BS 142 may become a better serving BS than BS 132, e.g., based
on a greater signal strength from BS 142 as compared to BS 132, as
measured by user device 134. Based on the measurement of signals
transmitted by multiple BSs (including signals transmitted by BS
132 and BS 142), user device 134 may send a measurement report to
source BS 132, indicating a handover (HO) to the target BS 142
(e.g., based on signal strength). This may cause a handover
procedure to be performed to handover the user device 134 from the
source BS 132 to the target BS 142. The handover procedure may
typically involve the user device 134 performing a random access
procedure with the target BS to obtain a time advance value.
[0075] FIG. 2 is a diagram that illustrates an example
unsynchronized handover where a user device uses a random access
procedure to obtain a time advance value. A handover of user device
134 from a source BS 132 to a target BS 142 may, for example, be
triggered by a measurement report at 210 sent from user device 134
to source BS 132 indicating handover to target BS 142. For example,
a RRC (Radio Resource Control) measurement report may be triggered
to be sent when one of several conditions has occurred (or one of
several signal conditions has been detected by the user device/UE),
such as, for example: 1) a signal received from a neighbor BS has a
greater received signal strength than a signal received from the
serving cell/source BS (e.g., indicating that better performance
may be obtained by the user device performing a handover and
connecting to the neighbor cell/BS); or, 2) a signal from a
primary/serving cell (or source BS) becomes worse (e.g., a received
signal strength as measured by user device is less) than a defined
threshold, and a signal from a neighbor cell becomes some offset
better (e.g., signal strength is greater) than a signal from the
primary/serving cell. These are merely some examples, and other
signal conditions may be used to trigger or cause the user device
or UE to transmit a RRC measurement report to a serving cell/source
BS, for example. In an example implementation, a measurement report
may indicate a handover to a target BS when, for example, the
measurement report indicates that a received signal strength from
the target BS (as measured by the user device) is an offset better
than the received signal strength of the serving cell/source BS.
This is merely an example.
[0076] After a last transmission of a packet at 212 from source BS
132 to user device 134, the source BS 132 may send a handover
command, such as a Radio Resource Connection (RRC) Connection
Reconfiguration at 214, to user device 134, indicating handover to
target BS 142, including information for target BS 142. The
handover command or RRC Connection Reconfiguration may include a
random access preamble. Next, the user device 134 and the target BS
132 may perform a random access procedure via a random access
channel (RACH), including the user device 134 (or UE) sending a
random access request including the random access preamble via the
RACH to the target BS 142. The target BS 142 may determine a time
advance value for the user device 134 based on the propagation
delay of the transmitted preamble. The target BS 142 may send a
random access response to the user device 134 that includes the
time advance value that may be used by the user device 134 to
adjust the timing of its transmission to the target BS so the user
device 134 may transmit uplink to the target BS 142 in a
synchronized manner. After the random access procedure at 216, the
user device 134 may send a RRC Connection Reconfiguration complete
(or handover complete message) to the target BS 142. And, the user
device 134 may receive system information from the target BS 142 at
219, and may receive data packets from the target BS at 220. Thus,
in this example, the handover of the user device 134 may be
considered unsynchronized because a significant delay exists
between a time (at 212) the user device 134 stops receiving data
from the source BS 132 and a time (at 220) the user device 134
starts receiving data from the target BS 142. Therefore, in this
example shown in FIG. 2 of an unsynchronized handover, the total
interruption time 224 (including handover time 222) may be
significant, e.g., which may include a delay from a last data
transmission from the source BS 132 at 212 until a first data
transmission from the target BS to the user device 134 at 220, for
example.
[0077] Therefore, based on the example handover shown in FIG. 2, in
some cases, a handover procedure may involve both an interruption
time (224) with no data connectivity for the user device 134 as
well as overhead from the random access procedure with the target
BS 142/target cell 140. According to an example implementation,
various example implementations are described to perform a random
access procedure-less (or RACH-less) and time-synchronized (or
simply synchronized) handover for a user device from a source BS
132 to a target BS 142, e.g., in order to reduce overhead and
decrease the interruption time 224 for the user device.
[0078] A random access procedure-less handover may be or may
include a handover where the user device does not acquire a time
advance value via a random access procedure (e.g., no random access
procedure is used). In several different example implementations,
the user device 134 may acquire a time advance value for the target
BS 142 via another technique (e.g., without using a random access
procedure). A synchronized handover may include a handover for a
user device where the user device may begin receiving data within X
ms of the user device receiving a last data from the source BS 132
prior to handover, where X is a smaller number than provided by use
of a random access procedure. For example, the total interruption
time 224 may be, 50-150 ms, and may be on the order of 100 ms, as
an example. For an example of a synchronized handover, the user
device may begin receiving data from the target BS 142 at
approximately the same time as the user device 134 last receives
data from the source BS 132, where approximately may mean, for
example, that the interruption delay 224 for a synchronized
handover may be, for example, less than 2 ms, less than 5 ms, or
less than 10 ms, as examples.
[0079] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a general
synchronized RACH-less (or random access procedure-less) handover
procedure according to an example implementation. At operation 1)
of FIG. 3, the user device measures signals transmitted by various
BSs, including signals transmitted by source BS 132 and target BS
142, such as, for example, measuring common reference signals (CRS)
signals. The user device 134 may determine that target BS 142
provides greater signal strength as compared to source BS 132.
Therefore, at operation 1), user device 134 may send a radio
resource measurement report to source BS 132 indicating handover to
target BS 142. This measurement reports triggers a handover of the
user device 134 to target BS 142.
[0080] At operation 2) of FIG. 3, assuming that the source cell or
source BS 142 decides to initiate handover, the source BS 132
informs the target cell or target BS 142 of the requested handover
via the X2 interface, including informing the target cell of the
time when the handover will be performed. For example, source BS
132 may send a handover request to target BS 142, identifying a
time for synchronized handover for user device 134 from source BS
132 to target BS 142.
[0081] At operation 3) of FIG. 3, the target BS 142 confirms the
handover to the source BS 132, including the handover time. For
example, target BS 142 may send a handover request acknowledgement
to source BS 132 to confirm handover of the user device 134 to
target BS 142 at the identified/requested handover time. If the
handover time proposed by the source BS 132 is unacceptable to the
target BS 142, then target BS 142 may send a handover request
acknowledgement which includes a new proposed time for synchronized
handover. Note that operations 2) and 3) of FIG. 3 may be repeated,
as necessary, so that source BS 132 and target BS 142 may negotiate
and/or agree on a time for the synchronized handover.
[0082] At operation 4) of FIG. 3, the source BS 132 sends a
handover command (e.g., a RRC connection reconfiguration) to the
user device 134, informing the user device 134 of the time (e.g.,
exact time-instant) where it should perform the handover from
source cell/source BS 132 to the target cell/target BS 132. The
handover command may include, for example, a field indicating
handover, information identifying the target BS 142 or target cell
(e.g., BSID or cell ID), information (e.g., user device ID or cell
radio network temporary identifier/C-RNTI for the user device or
UE) identifying the user device 134 to which the handover command
is directed, and the time for the synchronized handover. The time
for handover may be indicated in seconds, by frame number, or other
values or quantities that may indicate a specific time for a
handover. In an example implementation, this identified time for
handover may be the time which the user device 134 stops receiving
or listening to transmissions from the source cell/source BS 132
and starts receiving or listening to transmissions from the target
cell/target BS 142 stops transmitting data to the user device 134
on or before the handover time.
[0083] At operation 5), at the time for handover indicated in the
handover command, the target cell/target BS 142 schedules DL data
for transmission to the user device 134 (e.g., user device 134 may
begin receiving data from the target BS 142 at or approximately the
time for handover, for example), and the source cell/source BS 132
stops transmitting data to the user device 134 at (or possibly
before) this handover time. At operation 6) of FIG. 3, the user
device 134 sends a handover complete message (e.g., RRC connection
reconfiguration complete) to the target cell/target BS 142 to
indicate that the handover to the target cell/target BS 142 is
completed.
[0084] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating downlink data scheduling
from a source BS and a target BS before and after a handover time
410 according to an example implementation. Scheduled downlink data
412 (shown in grey) from the source BS 132 is shown in a top row,
and scheduled downlink data 414 (shown in grey) from the target BS
142 is shown in a bottom row. The data is divided into transmission
packets, where, for example, each packet may include one or more
transmission time intervals or TTIs. A handover time 410 is shown
between TTIs (and could also be shown between packets or frames).
In this example implementation, the source BS 132 has scheduled
transmission of data or transmits data to the user device 134 at
downlink data 412 before the handover time 410 (also referred to as
handover switch time). While target BS 142 transmits data (or has
scheduled the transmission of data) to user device 134 at downlink
data 414 after the handover time 410. Thus, the user device 134 may
listen to (e.g., receive and decode) data 412 before the handover
time 410, and may listen to (e.g., receive and decode) data 414
from the target BS after handover time 410. Although the
transmission from the source BS 132 and target BS 142 are time
synchronized, there might be a minor offset 416 in the timing of
the source cell/source BS 132 and target cell/target BS 142. Based
on this offset 416 in timing between source BS 132 and target BS
142, there may be an interruption time period (e.g., corresponding
to offset 416) that may be a fraction or portion of a TTI or a
portion or fraction of a packet, for example.
[0085] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating downlink data scheduling
from a source BS and a target BS before and after a handover time
410, including a hysteresis time 510, according to an example
implementation. In the example implementation shown in FIG. 5,
there is a period of time (hysteresis time 510) where the user
device or UE may listen to (or receive and decode) signals from
both source BS 132 and target BS 142. The advantage of this example
implementation, is that the source BS 132 will be more likely
(higher probability) to transmit any pending Hybrid ARQ (HARQ)
packet retransmissions (e.g., data that was not acknowledged as
being received) to the user device 134 (and other user devices)
during such hysteresis time 510. Both the source BS 132 and the
target BS 142 will know or receive the hysteresis time 510 (the
length of the hysteresis time 510). The length of the hysteresis
time 510 may be fixed, or may be negotiated between source BS and
target BS within operations 2), 3) and 4) of FIG. 3. The cost for
this hysteresis time may include slightly more complexity at the
source BS and target BS and the user device, and usage of slightly
more resources during the hysteresis time 510.
[0086] As noted above with respect to FIG. 3, a RACH-less (random
access procedure-less) handover may be performed. A number of
different example implementations are described below for RACH-less
techniques to either calculate a time advance value (without use of
random access procedure) for a user device 134 with respect to a
target BS 142 or to temporarily reduce a length of an uplink
transmission packet to a target BS when a time advance value is
unavailable, in order to stay within a transmission time interval
for a packet or frame or other chunk of data.
[0087] A first example implementation may include a user device
performing an autonomous calculation of a target cell/target BS
time advance value (TA).
[0088] When calculating the time advance value towards the target
cell, the user device or UE may use the assumption that the network
is synchronized and operate according to the following assumptions
and calculations, as an example:
[0089] Propagation delay from source cell/source BS 132 to user
device 134=T1;
[0090] Propagation delay from target cell/target BS 142 to user
device=T2;
[0091] Current time advance value towards source cell/source BS
132=TA1=2*T1. In other words, a time advance value for a user
device or UE may be set to twice the propagation delay with respect
to such BS. Thus, both TA1 and T1 are known by user device. Also,
the user device 134 is able to measure a time difference in signals
received from the source cell/source BS 132 and the target
cell/target BS 142, since the user device 134 is capable of
measuring radio link measurements.
[0092] The user device 134 will measure a time difference value:
X=T1-T2. For example, the user device 134 may measure a time
difference of common reference signals (CRS) transmitted by the
source BS 132 and target BS 142. The CRS signals may typically be
transmitted at the same time, based on BSs being synchronized, for
example.
[0093] Time advance value towards the target cell would be:
TA2=2*T2.
[0094] Following this, the time advance value towards the target
cell may be calculated based on the following, for example:
TA2=2*(T1-X)=TA1-2*X.
[0095] Therefore, according to an example implementation, a user
device may calculate or determine a time advance value towards (or
with respect to) source BS 142 based on the following method or
technique: Determining, by a user device, a first time advance
value (TA1) for the user device for use in transmitting signals
from the user device to a source BS. Determining, by the user
device, a first propagation delay (T1) from the source BS and the
user device (e.g., T1=TA1/2). Determining, by the user device, a
time difference value (X) as a difference between the first
propagation delay (T1) and a second propagation delay (T2), the
second propagation delay including a propagation delay from a
target BS to the user device. Determining, by the user device based
on the first propagation delay (T1) and the time difference value
(X), a second time advance value (TA2) for use in transmitting
signals from the user device to the target BS. For example, TA2 may
be determined or calculated as TA2=2*(T1-X)=TA1-2*X. Performing, by
the user device, a handover from the source BS to the target B.
And, transmitting signals from the user device to the target BS
based upon the second time advance value (TA2).
[0096] In an example implementation, the performing the handover
may include performing a synchronized and random access-free
handover from the source BS to the target BS in response to a
handover command received from the source BS, the synchronized
handover being performed by the user device at a time identified in
the handover command.
[0097] In an example implementation, the performing a handover from
the source BS to the target BS may include: sending, from the user
device to the source BS, a measurement report indicating a handover
to the target BS; receiving, by the user device from the source BS,
a handover command including at least a handover time field that
identifies a time to perform the handover to the target BS;
beginning to receive data from the target BS at a time identified
by the handover time field; and sending a handover completion
message from the user device to the target BS.
[0098] In an example implementation, the determining the second
time advance value (TA2) may include determining the second time
advance value based on the following: TA2=TA1-2*X, wherein TA1 is
the first time advance value, TA2 is the second time advance value,
and X is the time difference value.
[0099] In an example implementation, the determining the time
difference value (X) may include the user device performing the
following: receiving a first signal from the source BS; receiving a
second signal from the target BS, wherein the first signal and the
second signal are transmitted at the same time; and determining a
difference in an arrival time between the first signal and the
second signal as received by the user device, wherein the time
difference value includes the difference in arrival time of the
first signal and the second signal.
[0100] In an example implementation, the determining the time
difference value includes the user device performing the following:
receiving a first common reference signal(s) (CRS) from the source
BS; receiving a second CRS from the target BS, wherein the first
CRS and the second CRS are transmitted at the same time; and
determining a difference in an arrival time between the first CRS
and the second CRS as received by the user device, wherein the time
difference value includes the difference in arrival time of the
first CRS and the second CRS.
[0101] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a second example
implementation in which a target BS estimates a time advance value
for a user device with respect to the target BS. According to a
second example implementation illustrated in FIG. 6, a passive
scheme is provided where: At operation 1, the source cell/source BS
132 informs the target cell/target BS 142 about the configuration
of the handover candidate (e.g., configuration of the user device
134), such as the information identifying the user device 134
(e.g., MSID or C-RNTI), source cell ID or source BS ID, SRS
(sounding reference signal) configuration that identifies a
configuration of the SRS signals transmitted by the user device
134, a current time advance value (e.g., TA1) used by the user
device 134 when transmitting to the source BS 132, and potentially
also scheduling information (e.g., uplink resources scheduled by
source BS 132 to allow the user device 134 to transmit data or SRS
signals to the source BS 132). At operation 2A, the user device 134
may transmit signals (e.g., SRS signals) via the scheduled
resources. By knowing this information, at operation 2B, at the
target cell/target BS 142 is able to measure the uplink (UL)
signals (e.g., SRS signals) transmitted from the user device 134/UE
at operation 2A in FIG. 6, and hence estimate a timing advance
(TA2) for the user device with respect to the target cell/target BS
142. Following, at operation 3), at the time of the handover, the
target BS 142 informs the user device 134 of the time advance value
(TA2). For example, the target cell/target BS 142 may send the time
advance value (TA2) for the target BS 142 to the user device 134/UE
in one of the first downlink (DL) transmissions after the user
device starts to listen (e.g., receive and decode) to signals from
the target cell/target BS 142. For example, the time advance value
(e.g., TA2) with respect to the target BS 142 may be sent by target
BS 142 to user device 134 via a scheduling grant sent to the user
device 134. At operation 4) of FIG. 6, the user device may transmit
data to the target BS based (e.g., by advancing the start of
transmission by TA2) on the time advance value (TA2).
[0102] According to an example implementation, a target BS may
determine a time advance value for a user device with respect to
the target BS based on the following: Receiving, by a target base
station (BS) from a source BS, information identifying a user
device that is connected to the source BS, information identifying
a source cell or the source BS, and a first time advance value used
by the user device to transmit signals to the source BS; receiving
a signal (e.g., SRS signals) by the target BS that was transmitted
from the user device based on the first time advance value;
determining, by the target BS based upon the first time advance
value and the received signal from the user device, a second time
advance value to be used by the user device to transmit data to the
target BS; sending the second time advance value from the target BS
to the user device; receiving a handover of the user device from
the source BS to the target BS; and receiving data by the target BS
from the user device based on the second time advance value.
[0103] The technique may further include receiving by the target BS
from the source BS a handover request to perform a handover of the
user device from the source BS to the target BS, the handover
request including a handover time that identifies a time when a
synchronized handover for the user device is to be performed from
the source BS to the target BS.
[0104] The example technique may further include receiving, by the
target BS from the source BS, a signal configuration information
identifying a configuration of a reference signal transmitted by
the user device to the source BS using the first time advance
value; receiving, by the target BS from the source BS, scheduling
information identifying scheduled resources for the user device to
transmit the reference signal to the source BS; and, wherein the
receiving a signal by the target BS from the user device includes
the target BS receiving the scheduled reference signal from the
user device.
[0105] In an example implementation, the determining may include
determining, by the target BS, a second time advance value to be
used by the user device to transmit data to the target BS based
upon the first time advance value and the reference signal received
from the user device via the scheduled resources.
[0106] In an example implementation, the receiving a handover may
include receiving a synchronized and random access-free handover of
the user device from the source BS to the target BS, the
synchronized handover being performed at a time identified by a
handover command.
[0107] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a third example
implementation in which a source BS determines a time advance value
for a user device with respect to a target BS. This third example
implementation (summarized in FIG. 7) is similar to the first
example implementation, with at least one difference here including
that the source BS/source cell determines a TA (e.g., TA2) for the
target cell based on measurements reported from the user device/UE.
At operation 1) in FIG. 7, the source cell/source BS 132 instructs
the user device 134 or UE to measure target cell timing. For
example, the source BS 132 may instruct the user device to measure
the target BS propagation delay (e.g., T2) from the target BS 142
to the user device 134.
[0108] At operation 2 of FIG. 7, the user device 134 or UE may
measure the target BS propagation delay, e.g., based on the delay
of common reference signals (CRS) transmitted from the target BS
142. At operation 3) of FIG. 7, the user device 134 then sends this
target BS propagation delay (e.g., T2) to the source cell/source BS
132. At operation 4) of FIG. 7, the source cell/source BS 142
determines a time advance value (e.g., TA2) for the user device
with respect to the target BS (or for transmitting to the target BS
142). This time advance value (TA2) may be determined, for example,
based on the time advance value (TA1) for the user device with
respect to the source BS 132 and the target BS propagation delay.
Also, the source cell/source BS 132 may send a handover command to
the user device 134, including the time advance value (TA2) with
respect to the target BS 142. At operation 5) of FIG. 7, the user
device 134 transmits data, e.g., after handover, to the target
cell/target BS 142 based on the time advance value
[0109] The method or technique of FIG. 7 may be implemented
according to the following, for example: determining, by a source
base station (BS), a first time advance value for the user device
to use in transmitting signals from the user device to source BS;
sending, from the source BS to the user device a request to measure
a target BS propagation delay of a signal transmitted from a target
BS to the user device; receiving the target BS propagation delay
from the user device; determining, by the source BS, a second time
advance value for the user device to use in transmitting signals to
the target BS; and, sending a handover command to the user device,
the handover command including the second time advance value.
[0110] The method or technique of FIG. 7 may include one or more
additional or different operations. According to an example
implementation, the determining, by the source BS, the second time
advance value for the user device may include determining, by the
source BS based on the first time advance value and the target BS
propagation delay, the second time advance value for the user
device to use in transmitting signals to the target BS.
[0111] According to an example implementation, the determining, by
the source BS, the second time advance value for the user device
may include determining, by the source BS based on the following:
TA2=TA1-2*(T2-T1), where T1 is a source BS propagation delay of a
signal transmitted from the source BS to the user device, T2 is the
target BS propagation delay, TA1 is the first time advance value
for the user device, and TA2 is the second time advance value for
the user device.
[0112] According to an example implementation, the technique of
FIG. 7 may further include performing a synchronized and random
access procedure-free handover of the user device from the source
BS to the target BS based on the handover command, the handover of
the user device being performed at a time identified in the
handover command.
[0113] According to an example implementation, the technique of
FIG. 7 may further include performing a handover of the user device
from the source BS to the target BS, including: receiving, by the
source BS from the user device, a measurement report indicating a
handover to the target BS; and sending, by the source BS to the
user device, a handover command including at least a handover time
field that identifies a time to perform a random access
procedure-free and synchronized handover to the target BS.
[0114] A fourth example implementation will be described with
reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating
decreasing a size of a packet to keep the packet within a boundary,
such as within a packet or frame boundary. FIG. 9 is a diagram
illustrating the decreasing of a size of a packet or TTI to avoid
interference, e.g., to avoid interference with an adjacent TTI,
packet, frame or other chunk of data. In an example implementation
with respect to both FIGS. 8 and 9, it may be assumed that the user
device does not yet have a time advance value for transmitting to
the target BS. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, Tp is the propagation
delay for the target BS 142 to the user device 134. In order to
shorten or decrease a size of a packet for transmission, the user
device 134 may delay the transmission at 910 by Tp, for example, or
other time period. In addition, or in the alternative, to decrease
a packet size, the user device 134 may prune or omit a portion of
the packet or TTI at 912, e.g., by omitting (at 912) the
transmission of one or more symbols at the beginning, middle or end
of the packet.
[0115] According to an example implementation, the use device 134
may shorten its packet size an amount based on a coverage area (or
expected coverage area) or a transmission power of the target BS
142. For example, more symbols of a packet may be omitted based on
a larger coverage area or higher transmission power. In some cases,
the transmission power of the target BS may define the coverage
area or expected coverage area of the target BS, e.g., a higher
transmission power will typically result in a greater coverage
area. A larger coverage area may also mean a wider variation in
time advance values for user devices or UEs within such cell or
coverage area. By shortening a packet size based on target cell
coverage area or transmission power, this technique may allow a
user device to safely transmit data in an uplink direction to a
target BS, even though the user device does not yet have the time
advance value for transmitting to the target BS.
[0116] At operation 1) of FIG. 8, the source cell/source BS 132
sends to the target BS 142/target cell a request for an expected
coverage range or transmission power for the target BS/target cell.
At operation 2) of FIG. 8, the target BS 142 may send to the source
BS 132 the expected coverage range or transmission power of the
target BS 142/target cell. At operation 3) of FIG. 8, the source BS
132/source cell sends the expected coverage area or transmission
power for the target BS/target cell to the user device 134 or UE.
At operation 4) of FIG. 8, the target BS 142 sends a message to the
user device scheduling UL resources for the user device to transmit
to the target BS, even though in this example case, the user device
may not have a time advance value with respect to the target BS
142. At operation 5) of FIG. 8, the user device 134 transmits data
with a shortened TTI or shortened packet (e.g., based on coverage
are or transmission power of target BS/cell) via scheduled UL
resources. For example, one or more symbols may be omitted, at the
beginning, middle or end (or any location) of a packet or TTI
(transmission time interval). This technique may be used until user
device 134 receives a time advance value from target BS. This
technique may be combined with one or more other techniques
described herein. Also, any of the techniques described herein may
be combined.
[0117] The fourth example implementation may be implemented, for
example, according to the following: sending, from a source base
station (BS) to a target BS, a request for expected coverage range
or transmission power level for a cell associated with the target
BS; receiving, by the source BS from the target BS, the expected
coverage range or transmission power level of the cell associated
with the target BS; sending the expected coverage range or
transmission power level of the cell associated with the target BS
from the source BS to a user device; sending a handover command to
the user device to cause a handover for the user device from the
source BS to the target BS, wherein the user device omits one or
more symbols from the transmitted data packet. The transmitted data
packet may be confined to one or more transmit time intervals
(TTIs) transmitted by the user device to the target BS based on the
expected coverage range or transmission power level of the target
BS.
[0118] According to an example implementation, the user device
omitting may include the user device omitting a first number of
symbols of one or more packets if the expected coverage range or
transmission power is above a first threshold and less than a
second threshold, and the user device omitting a second number of
symbols of one or more packets if the expected cover range or
transmission power is greater than the second threshold, wherein
the second number is greater than the first number.
[0119] According to an example implementation, the user device
omitting may include the user device omitting three symbols of one
or more packets if the expected coverage range or transmission
power indicates a macro cell or large cell; omitting two symbols of
one or more packets if the expected coverage range or transmission
power indicates a micro cell or medium cell, where the micro cell
is smaller than the macro cell; and, omitting one symbol of one or
more packets if the expected coverage range or transmission power
indicates a pico cell or small cell, where the pico cell is smaller
than the micro cell.
[0120] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fifth example
implementation in which a target BS estimates a time advance value
for a user device with respect to the target BS, and then forwards
the time advance value to the source BS for forwarding to the user
device. This fifth example implementation is very similar to the
second example implementation, except in the fifth example
implementation, the target BS sends the determined time advance
value (TA2) to the source BS for forwarding to the user device via
a handover command.
[0121] According to a fifth example implementation illustrated in
FIG. 10, an alternative passive scheme is provided where: At
operation 1, the source cell/source BS 132 informs the target
cell/target BS 142 about the configuration of the handover
candidate (e.g., configuration of the user device 134), such as the
information identifying the user device 134 (e.g., MSID or C-RNTI),
source cell ID or source BS ID, SRS (sounding reference signal)
configuration that identifies a configuration of the SRS signals
transmitted by the user device 134, a current time advance value
(e.g., TA1) used by the user device 134 when transmitting to the
source BS 132, and potentially also scheduling information (e.g.,
uplink resources scheduled by source BS 132 to allow the user
device 134 to transmit data or SRS signals to the source BS 132).
At operation 2A of FIG. 10, the user device 134 may transmit
signals (e.g., SRS signals) via the scheduled resources. By knowing
this information, at operation 2B, at the target cell/target BS 142
is able to receive and measure the uplink (UL) signals (e.g., SRS
signals) transmitted from the user device 134/UE at operation 2A in
FIG. 10, and hence the target BS 142 can estimate a timing advance
(TA2) for the user device with respect to the target cell/target BS
142. Following, at operation 3) of FIG. 10, the target BS 142 sends
the time advance value (TA2) for the target BS 142 to the source BS
132. At operation 4) of FIG. 10, the source BS 132 informs the user
device 134 of the time advance value (TA2). For example, the target
cell/target BS 142 may send the time advance value (TA2) for the
target BS 142 to the user device 134/UE in one of the first
downlink (DL) transmissions after the user device starts to listen
(e.g., receive and decode) to signals from the target cell/target
BS 142. For example, the time advance value (e.g., TA2) with
respect to the target BS 142 may be sent by target BS 142 to user
device 134 via a scheduling grant sent to the user device 134. At
operation 5) of FIG. 10, the user device 134 may transmit data to
the target BS 142 based (e.g., by advancing the start of
transmission by TA2) on the time advance value (TA2).
[0122] According to an example implementation, a target BS may
determine a time advance value for a user device with respect to
the target BS based on the following: receiving, by a target base
station (BS) from a source BS, information identifying a user
device that is connected to the source BS, information identifying
a source cell or the source BS, and a first time advance value used
by the user device to transmit signals to the source BS; receiving
a signal by the target BS that was transmitted from the user device
based on the first time advance value; determining, by the target
BS based upon the first time advance value and the received signal
from the user device, a second time advance value to be used by the
user device to transmit data to the target BS; sending the second
time advance value from the target BS to the source BS; receiving,
by the target BS, a handover of the user device from the source BS
to the target BS; and receiving data by the target BS from the user
device based on the second time advance value.
[0123] In an example implementation, the source BS sends the second
time advance value to the user device.
[0124] The fifth implementation may further include the source BS
sending a handover command to the user device, the handover command
identifying a synchronized and random access procedure-free
handover to the target BS, a time to perform the handover, and the
second time advance value.
[0125] The fifth implementation may further include receiving by
the target BS from the source BS a handover request to perform a
handover of the user device from the source BS to the target BS,
the handover request including a handover time that identifies a
time when a synchronized handover for the user device is to be
performed from the source BS to the target BS; and sending, by the
target BS to the source BS, a handover request acknowledgement that
acknowledges that a synchronized handover will be performed for the
user device from the source BS to the target BS at the identified
time.
[0126] The fifth implementation may further include receiving, by
the target BS from the source BS, a signal configuration
information identifying a configuration of a reference signal
transmitted by the user device to the source BS using the first
time advance value; receiving, by the target BS from the source BS,
scheduling information identifying scheduled resources for the user
device to transmit the reference signal to the source BS; wherein
the receiving a signal by the target BS from the user device
includes the target BS receiving the scheduled reference signal
from the user device.
[0127] In an example implementation, the determining may include
determining, by the target BS, a second time advance value to be
used by the user device to transmit data to the target BS based
upon the first time advance value and the reference signal received
from the user device via the scheduled resources.
[0128] In an example implementation, the receiving a handover may
include receiving a synchronized and random access-free handover of
the user device from the source BS to the target BS, the
synchronized handover being performed at a time identified by a
handover command.
[0129] FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user
device according to an example implementation. Operation 1110
includes receiving, by the user device from the source BS, a
handover command including at least a handover time field that
identifies a time to perform a synchronized handover to the target
BS. Operation 1120 includes performing, by the user device without
using a random access procedure, a handover from the source BS to
the target BS at the time identified by the handover time field.
And, operation 1130 includes ending a handover completion message
from the user device to the target BS.
[0130] FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user
device according to another example implementation. Operation 1210
includes determining, by a user device, a first time advance value
for the user device for use in transmitting signals from the user
device to a source base station (source BS). Operation 1220
includes determining, by the user device, a first propagation delay
from a source base station (BS) to the user device. Operation 1230
includes determining, by the user device, a time difference value
as a difference between the first propagation delay and a second
propagation delay, the second propagation delay including a
propagation delay from a target BS to the user device. Operation
1240 includes determining, by the user device based on the first
propagation delay and the time difference value, a second time
advance value for use in transmitting signals from the user device
to the target BS. Operation 1250 includes performing, by the user
device, a handover from the source BS to the target BS. Operation
1260 includes transmitting signals from the user device to the
target BS based upon the second time advance value.
[0131] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a target
base station according to an example implementation. Operation 1310
includes receiving, by a target base station (BS) from a source BS,
information identifying a user device that is connected to the
source BS, information identifying a source cell or the source BS,
and a first time advance value used by the user device to transmit
signals to the source BS. Operation 1320 includes receiving a
signal by the target BS that was transmitted from the user device
based on the first time advance value. Operation 1330 includes
determining, by the target BS based upon the first time advance
value and the received signal from the user device, a second time
advance value to be used by the user device to transmit data to the
target BS. Operation 1340 includes sending the second time advance
value from the target BS to the user device. Operation 1350
includes receiving a handover of the user device from the source BS
to the target BS. And, operation 1360 includes receiving data by
the target BS from the user device based on the second time advance
value.
[0132] FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a target
base station according to another example implementation. Operation
1410 includes receiving, by a target base station (BS) from a
source BS, information identifying a user device that is connected
to the source BS, information identifying a source cell or the
source BS, and a first time advance value used by the user device
to transmit signals to the source BS. Operation 1420 includes
receiving a signal by the target BS that was transmitted from the
user device based on the first time advance value. Operation 1430
includes determining, by the target BS based upon the first time
advance value and the received signal from the user device, a
second time advance value to be used by the user device to transmit
data to the target BS. Operation 1440 includes sending the second
time advance value from the target BS to the source BS. Operation
1450 includes receiving, by the target BS, a handover of the user
device from the source BS to the target BS. Operation 1460 includes
receiving data by the target BS from the user device based on the
second time advance value.
[0133] FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a source
base station according to an example implementation. Operation 1510
may include determining, by a source base station (BS), a first
time advance value for the user device to use in transmitting
signals from the user device to source BS. Operation 1520 includes
sending, from the source BS to the user device a request to measure
a target BS propagation delay of a signal transmitted from a target
BS to the user device. Operation 1530 includes receiving the target
BS propagation delay from the user device. Operation 1540 includes
determining, by the source BS, a second time advance value for the
user device to use in transmitting signals to the target BS.
Operation 1550 includes sending a handover command to the user
device, the handover command including the second time advance
value.
[0134] FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a source
base station according to an example implementation. Operation 1610
includes sending, from a source base station (BS) to a target BS, a
request for expected coverage range or transmission power level for
a cell associated with the target BS. Operation 1620 includes
receiving, by the source BS from the target BS, the expected
coverage range or transmission power level of the cell associated
with the target BS. Operation 1630 includes sending the expected
coverage range or transmission power level of the cell associated
with the target BS from the source BS to a user device. Operation
1640 includes sending a handover command to the user device to
cause a handover for the user device from the source BS to the
target BS, wherein the user device omits one or more symbols from
one or more packets transmitted by the user device to the target BS
based on the expected coverage range or transmission power level of
the target BS.
[0135] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a wireless station (e.g., a BS
or a user device, or other communications device) 1700 according to
an example implementation. The wireless station 1700 may include,
for example, two RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers
1702A, 1702B, where each wireless transceiver includes a
transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals.
An antenna may be provided for each wireless transceiver. The
wireless station also includes a processor 1704 to execute
instructions or software and control transmission and receptions of
signals, and a memory 1706 to store data and/or instructions.
[0136] Also, multiple communications or network interfaces 1710 are
provided to allow the wireless station 1700 to communicate via
different communications media. Processor 1704 may also make
decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets or messages
for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further
processing, and other tasks or functions described herein.
Processor 1704, which may be a baseband processor, for example, may
generate messages, packets, frames or other signals for
transmission via wireless transceiver 1702. Processor 1704 may
control transmission of signals or messages over a wireless
network, and may receive signals or messages, etc., via a wireless
network (e.g., after being down-converted by wireless transceiver
1702, for example). Processor 1704 may be programmable and capable
of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or on
other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions
described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods
described above. Processor 1704 may be (or may include), for
example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor
that executes software or firmware, and/or any combination of
these. Using other terminology, processor 1704 and transceiver 1702
together may be considered as a wireless transmitter/receiver
system, for example.
[0137] In addition, referring to FIG. 17, a controller (or
processor) 1708 may execute software and instructions, and may
provide overall control for the station 1700, and may provide
control for other systems not shown in FIG. 17, such as controlling
input/output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and/or may execute
software for one or more applications that may be provided on
wireless station 1700, such as, for example, an email program,
audio/video applications, a word processor, a Voice over IP
application, or other application or software.
[0138] In addition, a storage medium may be provided that includes
stored instructions, which when executed by a controller or
processor may result in the processor 1704, or other controller or
processor, performing one or more of the functions or tasks
described above.
[0139] Implementations of the various techniques described herein
may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer
hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them.
Implementations may implemented as a computer program product,
i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information
carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage device or in a
propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation
of, a data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a
computer, or multiple computers. A computer program, such as the
computer program(s) described above, can be written in any form of
programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages,
and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program
or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for
use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed
to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site
or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a
communication network.
[0140] Method steps may be performed by one or more programmable
processors executing a computer program to perform functions by
operating on input data and generating output. Method steps also
may be performed by, and an apparatus may be implemented as,
special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable
gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated
circuit).
[0141] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program
include, by way of example, both general and special purpose
microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of
digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions
and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both.
Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for
executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing
instructions and data. Generally, a computer also may include, or
be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or
both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,
magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information
carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and
data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of
example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and
flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or
removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM
disks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or
incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.
[0142] To provide for interaction with a user, implementations may
be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a
cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, for
displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing
device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide
input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to
provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback
provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,
visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input
from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic,
speech, or tactile input.
[0143] Implementations may be implemented in a computing system
that includes a back-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that
includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or
that includes a front-end component, e.g., a client computer having
a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user
can interact with an implementation, or any combination of such
back-end, middleware, or front-end components. Components may be
interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication,
e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks
include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN),
e.g., the Internet.
[0144] While certain features of the described implementations have
been illustrated as described herein, many modifications,
substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those
skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the
appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and
changes as fall within the true spirit of the various
embodiments.
* * * * *