U.S. patent application number 15/766286 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-18 for selecting transmission parameters for an indoor user equipment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ). Invention is credited to Tomas Jonsson, Peter Okvist.
Application Number | 20180302892 15/766286 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56561410 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180302892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okvist; Peter ; et
al. |
October 18, 2018 |
Selecting Transmission Parameters for an Indoor User Equipment
Abstract
A method performed by a network node is provided. The network
node and a User Equipment (UE) operate in a wireless communications
system. The network node receives (201) from the UE, an indication
of whether or not the UE is indoors. The network node then selects
(203) transmission parameters based on the received indication.
Inventors: |
Okvist; Peter; (Lulea,
SE) ; Jonsson; Tomas; (Lulea, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) |
Stockholm |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
56561410 |
Appl. No.: |
15/766286 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
July 7, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2016/050697 |
371 Date: |
April 5, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62237602 |
Oct 6, 2015 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 36/165 20130101;
H04B 17/318 20150115; H04W 24/08 20130101; H04W 88/02 20130101;
H04W 36/32 20130101; H04W 64/006 20130101; H04W 16/28 20130101;
H04W 36/0083 20130101; H04W 36/14 20130101; H04B 7/0413 20130101;
H04W 72/048 20130101; H04W 64/003 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/04 20060101
H04W072/04; H04B 17/318 20060101 H04B017/318; H04W 64/00 20060101
H04W064/00; H04W 24/08 20060101 H04W024/08 |
Claims
1-22. (canceled)
23. A method performed by a network node, the network node and a
User Equipment (UE) operating in a wireless communications system,
the method comprising: receiving from the UE an indication of
whether or not the UE is indoors; and selecting transmission
parameters based on the received indication.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: sending a message
to the UE, which message comprises information about the selected
transmission parameters.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the transmission parameters
comprise any one or more out of: Modulation and Coding Scheme
(MCS), Link Adaptation (LA), and Multiple Input Multiple Output
(MIMO) rank.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein the network node is Multiple
Input Multiple Output (MIMO) capable, and wherein the UE is
indicated as indoor, and wherein the selecting transmission
parameters based on the received indication comprises selecting a
rank scheme related to the MIMO such that a session with the UE
will be initiated directly on a higher rank scheme than the rank
scheme used if the UE would not have been indicated as indoor.
27. The method of claim 23, wherein the UE is indicated as indoor,
and wherein the selecting transmission parameters based on the
received indication further comprises selecting an MCS that is more
aggressive than what have been selected if the UE would not have
been indicated as indoor.
28. The method of claim 23, further comprising obtaining signal
strength measurements from the UE, and wherein the selecting the
transmission parameters further is based on the obtained signal
strength.
29. A method performed by a User Equipment (UE), the UE and a
network node operating in a wireless communications system, the
method comprising: establishing whether or not the UE is indoors,
sending to the network node an indication of whether or not the UE
is indoors, and receiving a message from the network node which
message comprises information about transmission parameters,
selected based on the indication.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the transmission parameters
comprise any one or more out of: Modulation and Coding Scheme
(MCS), Link Adaptation (LA), and Multiple Input Multiple Output
(MIMO) rank.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the UE is Multiple Input
Multiple Output (MIMO) capable, wherein the UE is indicated as
indoor, and wherein the message comprising information about
transmission parameters based on the indication comprises a rank
scheme related to the MIMO, such that a session to the UE will be
initiated directly on a higher rank scheme than the rank scheme
used if the UE would not have been indicated as indoor.
32. The method of claim 29, wherein the UE is indicated as indoor,
and wherein the information about the selected transmission
parameters based on the received indication further comprises
information about a selected MCS that is more aggressive than what
would have been selected if the UE would not have been indicated as
indoor.
33. The method of claim 29, wherein the transmission parameters are
selected further based on a signal strength measured by the UE.
34. A network node, which network node and a User Equipment (UE)
are operable in a wireless communications system, the network node
being configured to: receive from the UE an indication of whether
or not the UE is indoors, select transmission parameters based on
the received indication.
35. The network node of claim 34, further being configured to: send
a message to the UE, which message comprises information about the
selected transmission parameters.
36. The network node of claim 34, wherein the transmission
parameters comprise any one or more out of: Modulation and Coding
Scheme (MCS), Link Adaptation (LA) and Multiple Input Multiple
Output (MIMO) rank.
37. The network node of claim 34, wherein the network node is
Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) capable, and wherein the UE
is adapted to be indicated as indoor, and wherein the network node
further is configured to select transmission parameters based on
the received indication by selecting a rank scheme related to the
MIMO such that a session with the UE, will be initiated directly on
a higher rank scheme than the rank scheme used if the UE would not
have been indicated as indoor.
38. The network node of claim 34, wherein the UE is adapted to be
indicated as indoor and wherein the network node further is
configured to select transmission parameters based on the received
indication by selecting an MCS that is more aggressive than what
have been selected if the UE would not have been indicated as
indoor.
39. The network node of claim 34, further being configured to:
obtain measurements of signal strength from the UE; and select the
transmission parameters further based on the obtained signal
strength.
40. A User Equipment (UE), which UE and a network node are operable
in a wireless communications system, the UE being configured to:
establish whether or not the UE is indoors; send to the network
node an indication of whether or not the UE is indoors; and receive
a message from the network node which message comprises information
about transmission parameters, selected based on the
indication.
41. The UE of claim 40, wherein the transmission parameters are
adapted to comprise any one or more out of: Modulation and Coding
Scheme (MCS), Link Adaptation (LA) and Multiple Input Multiple
Output (MIMO) rank.
42. The UE of claim 40, wherein the UE is Multiple Input Multiple
Output (MIMO) capable, wherein the UE is adapted to be indicated as
indoor, and wherein the message is adapted to comprise information
about transmission parameters based on the indication comprises a
rank scheme related to the MIMO such that a session to the UE will
be initiated directly on a higher rank scheme than the rank scheme
used if the UE would not have been indicated as indoor.
43. The UE of claim 40, wherein the UE is adapted to be indicated
as indoor, and wherein the information about the selected
transmission parameters based on the received indication further is
adapted to comprise information about a selected MCS that is more
aggressive than what would have been selected if the UE would not
have been indicated as indoor.
44. The UE of claim 40, wherein the UE further is configured to
select transmission parameters further based on a signal strength
measured by the UE.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments herein relate to a network node, a User
Equipment (UE), and methods therein. In particular, they relate to
the handling of transmission parameters, related to whether or not
the UE is indoors.
BACKGROUND
[0002] User Equipments (UE) for communication are also known as
e.g., wireless devices, terminals, mobile terminals, wireless
terminals and/or mobile stations. UEs are enabled to communicate
wirelessly in a cellular communications network or wireless
communication system, sometimes also referred to as a cellular
radio system or cellular networks. The communication may be
performed e.g. between two UEs, between a UE and a regular
telephone and/or between a UE and a server, such as server
providing video streaming service, via a Radio Access Network (RAN)
and possibly one or more core networks, comprised within the
cellular communications network.
[0003] UEs may further be referred to as mobile telephones,
cellular telephones, computers, or tablets with wireless
capability, just to mention some further examples. The UEs in the
present context may be, for example, portable, pocket-storable,
hand-held, computer-comprised, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices,
enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via the RAN, with another
entity, such as another UE or a server.
[0004] A cellular communications network covers a geographical area
which is divided into cell areas, mostly overlapping each other,
wherein each cell area is served by a base station, e.g. a Radio
Base Station (RBS), which sometimes may be referred to as e.g.
eNodeB (eNB), NodeB, B node, Base Transceiver Station (BTS), or AP
(Access Point), depending on the technology and terminology used.
The base stations may be of different classes such as e.g. macro
eNodeB, home eNodeB, micro, or pico base station, based on
transmission power and thereby also cell size. A cell is the
geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the base
station at a base station site. One base station, situated on the
base station site, may serve one or several cells. Further, each
base station may support one or several communication technologies.
The base stations communicate over the air interface operating on
radio frequencies with the UEs within range of the base stations.
The base stations and the UEs involved in communication may also be
referred to as transmitter-receiver pairs, where the respective
transmitter and receiver in a pair may refer to a base station or a
UE, depending on the direction of the communication. Two UEs
involved in D2D communication may also be referred to as a
transmitter-receiver pair. In the context of this disclosure, the
expression Downlink (DL) is used for the transmission path from the
base station to a UE. The expression Uplink (UL) is used for the
transmission path in the opposite direction i.e. from the UE to the
base station.
[0005] Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third
generation mobile communication system, which evolved from the GSM,
and is intended to provide improved mobile communication services
based on Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) technology.
UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) is essentially a
radio access network using wideband code division multiple access
for communication with terminals. The 3GPP has undertaken to evolve
further the UTRAN and GSM based radio access network
technologies.
[0006] In 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term
Evolution (LTE), base stations, which may be referred to as eNodeBs
or even eNBs, may be directly connected to one or more core
networks.
[0007] 3GPP LTE radio access standard has been written in order to
support high bitrates and low latency both for uplink and downlink
traffic. The data transmissions in LTE are controlled by the radio
base station.
[0008] Indoor utilization of wireless cellular technology is
emerging, and with this development, indoor specific deployments
increase to meet network capacity and expectations of end user
experience.
[0009] It will therefore be of emerging interest to know if a
cellular user such as e.g. a UE, in fact is located indoors or
outdoors. A network may try to find out if the UE is located
indoors is by using positioning services, and more specifically in
context of emergency matters. In public safety and emergency
scenarios, it would be beneficial to gain better knowledge on e.g.
in which building and in which floor a specific UE is located, to
be able to warn the user of the UE by notification or call if the
user of the UE is unknowably in danger, or the other way around if
the UE is making an emergency call it is important to identify if
the UE is inside a building to be able to send help.
[0010] Other areas of application may for example be network
optimization algorithms and tuning where it is of interest to know
if a UE is inside or outside a specific building, so that a base
station may consider the indoor/outdoor classification in the radio
resource management to improve the user experience of the UE. For
example, indoor UEs may be assumed to be subject to specific
mobility behavior, or may be requested to start monitoring indoor
cells on a dedicated frequency carrier.
[0011] Unfortunately, indoor GPS positioning is often very
inaccurate or even impossible. Some indoor radio systems with very
high density of cells, such as e.g. Radio-Frequency Identification
(RFID) which is a wireless use of electromagnetic fields to
transfer data or similar, for the purposes of automatically
identifying and tracking tags attached to objects, may possibly
deduct a more accurate user location, but such systems are still
very rare. RFID is a short range radio tags solution.
[0012] Other possible solutions are Inertial Navigation Systems
(INS), with or without GPS support. An INS is a navigation aid that
uses a computer, motion sensors and rotation sensors to
continuously calculate e.g. the position of a moving object without
the need for external references. However, so far none of these
solutions is practically feasible for cellular UEs of today.
SUMMARY
[0013] It is therefore an object of embodiments herein to improve
the performance in a wireless communications system.
[0014] According to a first example aspect of embodiments herein,
the object is achieved by a method performed by a network node. The
network node and a UE operate in a wireless communications system.
The network node receives from the UE, an indication of whether or
not the UE is indoors. The network node then selects transmission
parameters based on the received indication.
[0015] According to a second example aspect of embodiments herein,
the object is achieved by a method performed by a User Equipment,
UE. The UE and a network node operate in a wireless communications
system. The UE establishes whether or not the UE 120 is
indoors.
[0016] The UE then sends to the network node an indication of
whether or not the UE is indoors. The UE receives a message from
the network node. The message comprises information about
transmission parameters, selected based on the indication.
[0017] According to a third example aspect of embodiments herein,
the object is achieved by a network node. The network node and a
User Equipment, UE, are operable in a wireless communications
system. The network node is configured to: [0018] receive from the
UE an indication of whether or not the UE is indoors, [0019] select
transmission parameters based on the received indication.
[0020] According to a fourth example aspect of embodiments herein,
the object is achieved by a User Equipment, UE. The UE and a
network node are operable in a wireless communications system. The
UE is configured to: [0021] establish whether or not the UE is
indoors, [0022] send to the network node an indication of whether
or not the UE is indoors, and [0023] receive a message from the
network node which message comprises information about transmission
parameters, selected based on the indication.
[0024] An advantage with embodiments herein is that when having a
signaling framework supporting information about whether or not the
UE is indoor being sent from a UE to the network such as any of the
first and second network nodes 111, 112, i.e. having the network
knowing if a UE is physically indoors or outdoors, it is possible
to carry out SON-like optimization of indoor and/or outdoor network
parameters and corresponding performance with respect to UE's
location.
[0025] Without such signaling support, similar optimizations are up
to guestimate algorithms that will become less efficient or not
even possible.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail
with reference to attached drawings in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments
of a wireless communications network.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a
network node.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a
UE.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a
network node.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram depicting a method of
signalling.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments
of a network node.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments
of a UE.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] As part of developing embodiments, a problem will first be
identified and discussed. Please note that the terms "UE" and
"user" are used interchangeably in this document.
[0035] Node Power Tuning and Handover Cell Specific Offset (CSO)
Adjustments
[0036] As mentioned above, it is increasingly interesting to know
if a UE is located indoors or outdoors. Apart from Public safety
emergency and blue-light aspects, for example radio network
algorithms, network tuning, network dimensioning, and positioning
may use such information to improve network operations and
performance.
[0037] Typical parameters to adjust are node power and
cell-specific handover thresholds, which may also be referred to as
offsets, making a certain type of cells more or less appealing for
a specific UE to enter.
[0038] 3GPP fully supports cell specific handover offsets between
any cell handover-pair constellation a UE might end up in.
[0039] Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) Selection for Indoor
UEs
[0040] As studies of indoor networks and systems become more
evolved, it is clear that some of the radio network aspects are
different for UEs that are located indoors and served by indoor
systems. For example, there are results showing that the knowledge
of a UE being indoors could be used to alter/enhance the choice of
rank and MCS.
[0041] Indoor Localization Solutions
[0042] It is increasingly interesting to know if a UE/user is
located indoors or outdoors. This is interesting from many aspects,
for example radio network algorithms, network tuning, and
positioning. It may also be interesting for mobile users to have
their UEs change behavior depending on where they are located.
[0043] As such, a functionality where the phone by itself evaluates
"am I indoors or outdoors" has been discussed.
[0044] A framework to carry such of indoor/outdoor information
entity to the network was recently suggested and discussed for 3GPP
RANI (R1-153747).
[0045] A UE may be capable of classifying whether it is indoors or
outdoors, for example via analysis of magnetic fields, ambient
light spectral density, radio network fingerprinting, etc.
[0046] Given that such signalling framework and reporting is
available, several novel applications emerge.
[0047] In radio networks of today, there is a challenge of tuning
transition zones between indoor and outdoor systems to full
satisfaction automatically.
[0048] For example, extensive or ill-advised utilization of Indoor
dominance as design paradigm may turn into unwanted, or in worst
case severe, indoor-to-outdoor
unwanted/undesired/unplanned/unintentional coverage also referred
to as coverage bleeding. Thus bleeding here means undesired
coverage. Over-shooting of indoor cells to outdoors areas may cause
indoor systems such as e.g. In-building Solutions (IBS) to pick up
traffic it should not cater for. The intention to protect indoor
UEs' integrity by for example avoiding indoor UEs to handover to a
macro cell by increasing the power of the indoor system, i.e.
imposing indoor dominance, may result in that the handover area
between said indoor system and macro system is moved away from the
"building" and hence its inhabited UEs. As a consequence, the
corresponding handover area may be pushed into unforeseen
locations, and into locations that hold significant physical
movement of UEs, and as a result that the IBS picks up mobility
from outdoor non-building traffic that the indoor system never
originally had the intention of serving.
[0049] Thus, IBS nodes should be held at power levels that enable
them to properly serve their targeted traffic uptake areas, while
still having as low power as possible not bleeding into non-desired
areas. Alternatively, the CSO-relation between indoor and outdoor
cells should be set in such a manner, such as e.g. increasing the
indoor cell uptake area, so that an indoor UE served by an outdoor
cell ends up being served by the indoor cell. Individual power
setting is available and 3GPP supports CSO.
[0050] Indoor bleeding observed from an indoor system such as a
Radio Dot System (RDS) deployed building has the potential to be
dealt with, with reasonable efforts spent, but with the challenge
to identify which individual Dot (or group of Dots) that cause(s)
the bleeding, but with e.g. a fully split RDS installation having
one dot per cell, or future versions with individual dot
identification, this becomes straightforward.
[0051] Fraction of Indoor Users in a Network
[0052] There are currently no reliable methods to calculate the
fractions of indoor users a specific cell or system holds, and
deployment discussions often tend to state " . . . 80% of the
systems' users are indoors" without any further motivation.
[0053] MCS Selection for Indoor UEs
[0054] Typically in LTE products, a downlink session is initiated
at lowest MCS and is increased during operations as long as
transmission feedback acknowledges error free transmissions.
[0055] In observations of typically indoor RDS installations, it is
noted that the radio channel is very rich, from a Multiple Input
Multiple Output (MIMO) perspective, and given targeted, relative to
macro, very dense deployments providing high signal strength
levels, the good radio channel is very often under-utilized and/or
under-estimated in that first MCS is too conservatively
selected.
[0056] Especially for small packets, and hence very short
transmission times, Link Adaptation (LA) cannot reach "higher MCSs"
since the packet is too short and is finished already before LA
have had time to ramp up the MCS. Measurements of live traffic also
show that these small packet sessions can actually constitute the
major traffic of a cell, significantly affecting
quality/performance KPIs. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are a
type of performance measurement, that are used to measure
performance e.g. against set goals.
[0057] Since cell edge throughput KPIs are defined to reflect "5%
of the samples with lowest throughput", i.e. the 5th percentile,
starting at a too low MCS will automatically put small-packet/short
transmissions in that KPI basket. Since small packet transmissions
are very commonly occurring, conservative initial selection of MCS
will punish cell edge KPIs.
[0058] This may be avoided if MCS would be selected more
opportunistically and taking benefit from the rich indoor
channel.
[0059] Some embodiments herein relate to is-indoor-signaling, and
supported indoor system performance optimization. Is-indoor
signalling relate to whether or not a UE is indoors, i.e. whether a
UE is indoors or outdoors.
[0060] Embodiments herein e.g. provide methodologies that may be
used to balance and optimize indoor system performance utilizing
is-indoor signaling framework.
[0061] FIG. 1 depicts an example of a wireless communications
network 100 in which embodiments herein may be implemented. The
wireless communications network 100 may be a wireless communication
network such as an LTE, WCDMA, GSM network, any 3GPP cellular
network, Wimax, Fifth Generation (5G) 5G/NX or any cellular network
or system.
[0062] A plurality of network nodes operate in the wireless
communications network 100 whereof two, a first network node 111
and a second network node 112 are depicted in FIG. 1. The network
nodes 111, 112 may for example be an eNodeB, a NodeB, a Home Node
B, a Home eNode B, a WiFi Access Point (AP) or any other network
node capable to serve a UE in a wireless communications network.
The network nodes 111, 112 may in some embodiments be a Radio
Network Controller (RNC). Both the first network node 111 and the
second network node 112 may be located either outdoors or indoors.
According to an example scenario the first network node 111 is
located indoors e.g. in a building 115, and the second network node
112 is located outdoors.
[0063] According to another example scenario, it does not matter
whether a network node is indoors or outdoors, i.e. it may relate
to any of the first network node 111 and the second network node
112 and in that case the network node referred to as the network
node 111, 112.
[0064] A UE 120 operates in the wireless communications network
100. The UE 120 may be served by the first network node 111 or the
second network node 112.
[0065] The UE 120 may e.g. be a wireless device, a mobile wireless
terminal or a wireless terminal, a mobile phone, a computer such as
e.g. a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) or a tablet
computer, sometimes referred to as a surf, with wireless
capability, or any other radio network units capable to communicate
over a radio link in a wireless communications network. Please note
the term UE used in this document also covers other wireless
devices such as Machine to machine (M2M) devices.
[0066] UE sensors may be used to detect whether or not the UE 120
is indoors. For example, the UE 120 may use a light sensor and/or
camera to measure the ambient light, which may be used to classify,
also referred to as establish, whether the UE is indoors or
outdoors. The sensor may for example measure the light intensity,
but it may also analyse spectral properties of the ambient light to
identify characteristics of light bulbs, LEDs, fluorescent light,
halogen lights or other light sources typically found indoors.
[0067] The indoor/outdoor classification such as the establishing
whether or not the UE 120 is indoor, may be binary, or may be
associated with a measurement, or a determined indoor probability.
It may also be separated in finer categories, for example with a
semi-indoor class.
[0068] According to some embodiments herein, an Indoor/outdoor
classification reporting is provided as one enhancement for indoor
positioning.
[0069] The UE 120 may be indoors or not indoors, i.e. outdoors,
both cases are shown in FIG. 1. The UE 120 is capable of
classifying whether it is indoors or outdoors, for example via
analysis of magnetic fields, ambient light spectral density, radio
network fingerprinting, etc. The UE 120 may be located indoors or
outdoors of the building 115. The building 115 may e.g. be a mall a
galleria, an arcade a hospital, an airport, an office building of
varying sizes and forms, a science park, a university campus, a
train station, a sporting venue, an arena, a construction site, a
mining facility, a street markets, etc. The building 115 may e.g.
comprise one or more companies, stores, etc.
[0070] As mentioned above, it is of interest to know if a UE such
as the UE 120 is inside or outside of a specific building, so that
a base station such as the network node 111, 112 may consider the
indoor/outdoor classification in the radio resource management to
improve the user experience of the UE. For example, indoor UEs may
be assumed to be subject to specific mobility behavior, or may be
requested to start monitoring indoor cells on a dedicated frequency
carrier.
[0071] Example embodiments of a method performed by a network node
111, 112 such as any of the first or second network nodes 111, 112
are described with reference to a flowchart depicted in FIG. 2. The
network node 111, 112, and the UE 120 operate in a wireless
communications system 100. The method comprises the following
actions, which actions may be performed in any suitable order.
[0072] Action 201
[0073] According to an example scenario, the UE 120 informs the
network node 111, 112, whether it is indoors or not. This is to
assist the network node 111, 112 in selecting optimal transmission
parameters for the UE 120. Thus in this action the network node
111, 112, receives from the UE 120 an indication of whether or not
the UE 120 is indoors. The indication may be an indicator such as
e.g. an is_indoor flag, or other indicators such as measurement
results or estimations of parameters like e.g. ambient light
spectrum, ambient light transients, etc.
[0074] Please note that the UE may in some embodiments establish
whether or not the UE is outdoor. If established that the UE 120 is
outdoor, it means that it is established that the UE 120 is not
indoor. If established that the UE 120 is not outdoor, it means
that it is established that the UE 120 is indoor.
[0075] Action 202
[0076] To further prepare for and take into consideration when
selecting optimal transmission parameters, the network node 111,
112, may in some embodiments obtain signal strength measurements
from the UE 120. For example via commanding the UE 120 to send
instant measurements, periodical measurements, or just receiving a
measurement report from the UE 120. The UE 120 may perform the
actual measurement.
[0077] Action 203
[0078] Since the network node 111, 112 is informed by the UE 120
whether UE 120 is indoors or not, the network node 111, 112 takes
that into consideration when selecting transmission parameters.
This is an advantage since the parameters may be fine-tuned to give
the best performance utilizing the knowledge that the UE 120 is
indoors. Thus the network node 111, 112, selects transmission
parameters based on the received indication.
[0079] The transmission parameters may e.g. comprise any one or
more out of MCS, LA and MIMO rank.
[0080] In some embodiments, the network node 111, 112 is MIMO
capable, the selection of transmission parameters based on the
received indication comprises selecting a rank scheme related to
the MIMO. In case the UE 120 is indicated as indoor, the rank
scheme is selected such that a session with the UE 120 will be
initiated directly on a higher rank scheme than the rank scheme
used if the UE 120 would not have been indicated as indoor.
[0081] In some embodiments, which may be combined with the
embodiments above, when the UE 120 is indicated as indoor, the
selection of the transmission parameters based on the received
indication further comprises selecting an MCS that is more
aggressive than what have been selected if the UE 120 would not
have been indicated as indoor.
[0082] The word aggressive used in this document means that the
choice is done with less redundancy enabling higher performance if
successful but at a higher risk of transmission failure.
[0083] As mentioned above in action 202, the network node 111, 112,
may in some embodiments have obtained signal strength from the UE
120. In these embodiments the network node 111, 112 may select the
transmission parameters further based on the obtained signal
strength. This is to be able to further optimize the selection of
transmission parameters by e.g. initiating a more aggressive
transmission if the network node 111, 112 knows that the UE 120 is
indoors and has a high signal strength.
[0084] Action 204
[0085] In some embodiments, the network node 111, 112, sends a
message to the UE 120. The message comprises information about the
selected transmission parameters. The message may e.g. in LTE be
sent in a scheduling assignment message.
[0086] Example embodiments of a method performed by the UE 120 are
described with reference to a flowchart depicted in FIG. 3. The UE
120 and the network node 111, 112 operate in a wireless
communications system 100. The method comprises the following
actions, which actions may be performed in any suitable order.
[0087] Action 301
[0088] The UE 120 may be indoors or outdoors. The UE 120
establishes whether or not the UE 120 is indoors. This may e.g. be
performed by the UE 120 being capable of classifying whether it is
indoors or outdoors, for example via analysis of magnetic fields,
ambient light spectral density, radio network fingerprinting,
etc.
[0089] Action 302
[0090] The UE 120 informs the network node 111, 112, of the
establishment whether or not it is indoors. This is to assist the
network node 111, 112 in selecting optimal transmission parameters
for the UE 120. The UE 120 therefore sends to the network node 111,
112 an indication of whether or not the UE 120 is indoors.
[0091] Action 303
[0092] The network node 111, 112 selects transmission parameters
based on the received indication as described in Action 203 above
and informs the UE 120 about the selected transmission parameters
as described in Action 204 above. UE 120 thus receives a message
from the network node 111, 112. The message comprises information
about transmission parameters, selected based on the
indication.
[0093] The transmission parameters may comprise any one or more out
of MCS LA and MIMO rank.
[0094] In some embodiments, the UE 120 is MIMO capable, and the
message may comprising information about transmission parameters
based on the indication may further comprise a rank scheme related
to the MIMO. In case the UE 120 is indicated as indoor, the rank is
such that a session to the UE 120 will be initiated directly on a
higher rank scheme than the rank scheme used if the UE 120 would
not have been indicated as indoor.
[0095] According to some embodiments that may be combined with the
embodiments above, the information about the selected transmission
parameters based on the received indication may further comprise
information about a selected MCS. When the UE 120 is indicated as
indoor, the MCS is selected to be more aggressive than what would
have been selected if the UE 120 would not have been indicated as
indoor.
[0096] The transmission parameters may be selected further based on
an obtained signal strength from the UE 120.
[0097] Some example embodiments of a method performed by the
network node 111, 112 such as any of the first or second network
nodes 111, 112 are described with reference to a flowchart depicted
in FIG. 4.
[0098] The network node 111 and the UE 120 are operable in a
wireless communications system 100. The method comprising any one
out of: [0099] receiving 401 from the UE 120 an indication of
whether or not the UE 120 is indoors, [0100] selecting 402
transmission parameters such as Modulation and Coding Scheme or
link adaptation based on the received indication, and [0101]
sending 403 a message to the UE 120, which message comprises
information about the selected transmission parameters such as
Modulation and Coding Scheme or link adaptation.
[0102] Some further example embodiments of a method performed by
the UE 120 is described with reference to a flowchart depicted in
FIG. 3.
[0103] According to an example aspect of embodiments herein, the
object is achieved by a method performed by a User Equipment, UE,
120. See FIGS. 1 and 3. The UE, 120 and a network node 111, 112
such as any of the first and second network nodes 111, 112 are
operable in a wireless communications system. The method
comprises:
[0104] Establishing 301 whether or not the UE 120 is indoors,
[0105] sending 302 to the network node 111, 112 an indication of
whether or not the UE 120 is indoors, and
[0106] receiving 303 a message from the network node 111, 112,
which message comprises information about transmission parameters
such as a Modulation and Coding Scheme or link adaptation, selected
based on the indication.
[0107] Embodiment's herein will now be further described and
explained. The text below is applicable to and may be combined with
any suitable embodiment described above.
[0108] According to embodiments herein, means of reporting and/or
signaling of the measurement of the detection may be used, for
example an indoor/outdoor bit, informing the network such as the
network node 110 that the UE 120 has classified itself as being
indoor or outdoor. In a further embodiment, the reporting may be
extended to e.g. a 8 bit value resolving a UE-decided probability
of being indoor or outdoor, or a more elaborated
signaling/reporting where the UE sends up a larger amount of
information, making a decision basis for the network to estimate if
the UE is indoors or outdoors.
[0109] An example of such signaling scheme is illustrated in FIG.
5.
[0110] Indoor/outdoor classification for emergency call positioning
may be used according to embodiments herein, in line with the
existing reporting structures in 3GPP from a network node
perspective:
[0111] The network node 111, 112 requests capabilities 501 from the
UE 120, e.g. Request for UE capabilities regarding indoor
classification.
[0112] The UE 120 sends 502 information about its capabilities from
the network node 111, 112.
[0113] The network node 111, 112 then requests location information
503 from the UE 120, such as request location information including
the indoor classification e.g. information of whether or not being
indoor, possibly providing assistance data, see below.
[0114] The network node 111, 112 may provide assistance data 504
from the UE 120. The assistant data may e.g. comprise GPS position
or other additional positioning information available in the UE
120.
[0115] The UE 120 assesses 505 whether being outdoor or indoor,
related to establishing whether or not being indoor in Action
301.
[0116] The UE then provides location information 506 to the network
node 111, 112, such as information about the outcome of the
assessment of whether being outdoor or indoor also referred to as
whether or not being indoor and/or reception of location
information including indoor classification.
[0117] FIG. 5 provides generic signalling to support indoor
classification reporting, essentially using LTE Positioning
Protocol (LPP) messages where the network node 111, 112 is a
location server. Alternatively, the indoor classification
information may be provided via LPP extensions (LPPe) or Radio
Resource Control (RRC)+LPPe. For LPP/LPPe, the benefit is that the
indoor classification signalling may be tailored and optimized to
the E911 use cases, while for RRC the benefit is that the indoor
classification signalling may be more generic and supporting also
RRM use cases. E911 is a system e.g. used in North America that
links emergency callers with the appropriate public resources.
[0118] For E911 purposes, the estimated position may be mapped to a
dispatchable address. However, albeit reasonably good accuracy may
be provided by baseline techniques such as OTDOA, the mapping to a
civic address may be inaccurate. In particular, the UE 120 may be
indoors at the estimated address, or outdoors in the vicinity to
the estimated address. An advantage would therefore be to also have
the capability to estimate whether the UE is indoors or outdoors.
This will facilitate the planning of public safety operations in
response to the E911 call.
[0119] MCS Selection Offset for Indoor Users
[0120] MCS selection may in more detail be described as Modulation
order and transport block size determination. For example, in the
3GPP specification 36.213 it is described in section 7.1.7 as
follows:
[0121] 7.1.7 Modulation Order and Transport Block Size
Determination
[0122] To determine the modulation order and transport block
size(s) in the physical downlink shared channel, the UE shall first
[0123] read the 5-bit "modulation and coding scheme" field
(I.sub.MCS) in the DCI and second if the Downlink Control
Information (DCI) Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) is scrambled by
P-RNTI, RA-RNTI, or SI-RNTI then [0124] for DCI format 1A: [0125]
set the Table 7.1.7.2.1-1 column indicator N.sub.PRB to
N.sub.PRB.sup.IA from subclause 5.3.3.1.3 [0126] for DCI format 1C:
[0127] use Table 7.1.7.2.3-1 for determining its transport block
size.
[0128] else [0129] set N'.sub.PRB to the total number of allocated
PRBs based on the procedure defined in subclause 7.1.6. [0130] if
the transport block is transmitted in DwPTS of the special subframe
in frame structure type 2, then [0131] set the Table 7.1.7.2.1-1
column indicator N.sub.PRB=max {.left
brkt-bot.N'.sub.PRB.times.0.75.right brkt-bot., 1}, [0132] else,
set the Table 7.1.7.2.1-1 column indicator N.sub.pRB=N R.sub.B.
[0133] Wherein: [0134] P-RNTI means Paging--Radio Network Temporary
Identifier (RNTI) [0135] RA-RNTI means Random Access RNTI [0136]
SI-RNTI means System Information RNTI [0137] DwPTS means Downlink
Pilot Time Slot.
[0138] The UE may skip decoding a transport block in an initial
transmission if the effective channel code rate is higher than
0.930, where the effective channel code rate is defined as the
number of downlink information bits, including CRC bits, divided by
the number of physical channel bits on Physical Downlink Shared
Channel (PDSCH). If the UE skips decoding, the physical layer
indicates to higher layer that the transport block is not
successfully decoded. For the special subframe configurations 0 and
5 with normal downlink CP or configurations 0 and 4 with extended
downlink CP, shown in Table 4.2-1 of 3GPP TS 36.211: "Evolved
Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical channels and
modulation", there shall be no PDSCH transmission in DwPTS of the
special subframe.
[0139] Furthermore, MCS selection may be described as deciding the
transport format parameters. As mentioned above, in some
embodiments, the selected transmission parameters based on the
received indication may comprise information about a selected MCS.
The transport format parameters may for example for LTE be
Modulation order and Transport Block Size (TBS). The MCS may be
signalled to the UE 120 in a scheduling assignment. The MCS
together with the resource assignment will determine the TBS and
coding rate as specified in 3GPP TS 36.213.
[0140] Furthermore, in a MIMO system, the rank of the channel is
assessed and a rank to be used is decided. A rank refers to the
rank of the channel matrix and estimates how many layers and/or
streams that can be transmitted over the radio channel
simultaneously.
[0141] In the downlink, the channel quality is measured by the UE
120 and sent to the RBS, such as the network node 111, 112, as a
Channel Quality Indicator (CQI). The CQI is part of the channel
feedback reports which also may comprise for example a rank
indicator (RI). Channel feedback reports may for example be sent
periodically at a configured period of time. It may also be sent
based on RBS such as the network node 111, 112 requests. The UE 120
may send a wideband estimate, estimated over the whole downlink
bandwidth, and/or narrowband, estimations over several smaller
parts of the downlink bandwidth, CQI. This reported CQI may be used
by the Link Adaptation. At the RBS, eNB, nodeB etc, the CQI(s)
is/are interpreted to decide the suitable modulation and coding,
e.g. modulation order and transport block size determination.
[0142] The MCS choice may be made biased, such as influenced,
depending on for example reported and/or estimated rank, rank
indicator, may for example be a channel rank of two or larger. The
channel quality metrics, such as for example CQI, or
interpretations thereof in other transformed metrics may of course
be filtered to enhance the estimation.
[0143] Such a bias may according to embodiments herein, be made
dependent on the reported state of the UE 120 as being indoors or
outdoors.
[0144] Measurements of live data traffic have shown that often
enough a majority of the data traffic may comprise very short small
sessions, living only for a few Transmission Time Intervals (TTIs).
For such sessions, it may often be seen that the throughput suffers
from startup or slow start effects, resulting from initiation of
algorithms and protocols etc.
[0145] For example indoor environments often support a higher
degree of higher rank, and having a UE start off on rank 1 will
result in lower throughput and not staying on the channel long
enough to even adapt up to rank 2.
[0146] In such an environment, and according to embodiments herein,
the indication that the UE 120 is indoors, which e.g. may be an
is_indoor flag, or other indicators of that the UE 120 is served
indoors by a MIMO-capable node such as the first network node 111,
may be used as information to initiate the UE 120 directly on a
rank 2 scheme, or higher if applicable, and maybe also on a more
aggressive MCS. This leads to improved throughput KPIs for this
majority of sessions that have small session sizes. The method may
further use a simple measurement of for example Reference Signal
Received Power (RSRP) signal strength as a quick guide to if and if
so how aggressively the session should be initiated.
[0147] In this way, is-indoor-signaling framework for SON network
operation algorithms may be used to optimize indoor and/or outdoor
network parameters and corresponding performance.
[0148] To perform the method actions described above in relation to
FIGS. 1 and 2, the network node 111, 112, such as any of the first
or second network nodes 111, 112 may comprise the arrangement
depicted in FIG. 6.
[0149] As mentioned above, the network node 111, 112 and the UE 120
are operable in the wireless communications system 100.
[0150] The network node 111, 112 is configured to, e.g. by means of
a receiving module 610 configured to, receive from the UE 120 an
indication of whether or not the UE 120 is indoors.
[0151] The network node 111, 112 is configured to, e.g. by means of
a selecting module 620 configured to, select transmission
parameters based on the received indication. The transmission
parameters may e.g. comprise any one or more out of: MCS, LA MIMO
rank.
[0152] In some embodiments, the network node 111, 112 is MIMO
capable, and wherein the network node 111, 112 further is
configured to, e.g. by means of the selecting module 620 configured
to, select transmission parameters based on the received indication
by selecting a rank scheme related to the MIMO. In case the UE 120
is adapted to be indicated as indoor, rank scheme related to the
MIMO is selected such that a session with the UE 120 will be
initiated directly on a higher rank scheme than the rank scheme
used if the UE 120 would not have been indicated as indoor.
[0153] In a case wherein the UE 120 is adapted to be indicated as
indoor, the network node 111, 112 may further be configured to,
e.g. by means of the selecting module 620 configured to, select
transmission parameters based on the received indication by
selecting an MCS that is more aggressive than what have been
selected if the UE 120 would not have been indicated as indoor.
[0154] In some embodiments, the network node 111, 112 is further
configured to: obtain signal strength measured by the UE 120. In
these embodiments the network node 111, 112 may further be
configured to, e.g. by means of the selecting module 620 configured
to, select the transmission parameters further based on the
obtained signal strength.
[0155] The network node 111, 112 may further be configured to, e.g.
by means of a sending module 630 configured to, send a message to
the UE 120. The message comprises information about the selected
transmission parameters.
[0156] To perform the method actions according to some embodiments
described above in relation to FIGS. 1 and 3, the UE 120 may
comprise the arrangement depicted in FIG. 7. As mentioned above the
UE 120 and the network node 111, 112 are operable in the wireless
communications system 100.
[0157] The UE 120 is configured to, e.g. by means of an
establishing module 710 configured to, establish whether or not the
UE 120 is indoors.
[0158] The UE 120 is further configured to, e.g. by means of a
sending module 720 configured to, send to the network node 111, 112
an indication of whether or not the UE 120 is indoors.
[0159] The UE 120 is further configured to, e.g. by means of a
receiving module 730 configured to, receive a message from the
network node 111, 112. The message comprises information about
transmission parameters, selected based on the indication.
[0160] The transmission parameters are adapted to e.g. comprise any
one or more out of: an MCS, a LA and a MIMO rank.
[0161] In some embodiments, the UE 120 is Multiple Input Multiple
Output, MIMO, capable. The UE 120 may be adapted to be indicated as
indoor. In that case, the message adapted to comprise information
about transmission parameters based on the indication may comprise
a rank scheme related to the MIMO such that a session to the UE 120
will be initiated directly on a higher rank scheme than the rank
scheme used if the UE 120 would not have been indicated as
indoor.
[0162] The information about the selected transmission parameters
based on the received indication may further be adapted to comprise
information about a selected MCS that is more aggressive than what
would have been selected if the UE 120 would not have been
indicated as indoor.
[0163] In some embodiments, the UE 120 further is configured to
select transmission parameters further based on a measured signal
strength from the UE 120.
[0164] The embodiments herein may be implemented through one or
more processors, such as a processor 640 in the network node 111,
112 depicted in FIG. 6, and a processor 740 in the UE 120 depicted
in FIG. 7, together with computer program code for performing the
functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code
mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product,
for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer
program code for performing the embodiments herein when being
loaded into the respective network node 111, 112, and/or the UE
120. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is
however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick.
The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure
program code on a server and downloaded to the respective network
node 111, 112, and/or UE 120.
[0165] The respective network node 111, 112, and/or UE 120 may
further comprise a memory 650, and 750 comprising one or more
memory units. The respective memory comprises instructions
executable by the respective processor.
[0166] The memory is arranged to be used to store e.g. information,
indications, parameters, data, configurations, and applications to
perform the methods herein when being executed in the respective
network node 111, 112, and/or UE 120.
[0167] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the
modules in the respective network node 111, 112, and/or UE 120,
described above may refer to a combination of analog and digital
circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software
and/or firmware, e.g. stored in the respective memory, that when
executed by the respective one or more processors as described
above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other
digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific
Integrated Circuitry (ASIC), or several processors and various
digital hardware may be distributed among several separate
components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a
system-on-a-chip (SoC).
[0168] According to some embodiments herein, an example of the
network node 111, 112, such as any of the first and second network
nodes 111, 112 is provided. See FIGS. 1 and 6. The network node
111, 112 and the User Equipment, UE, 120 are operable in a wireless
communications system 100.
[0169] The network node 111, 112 is configured to, e.g. by means of
a receiving module 610 configured to, receive from the UE 120 an
indication of whether or not the UE 120 is indoors,
[0170] The network node 111, 112 is further configured to, e.g. by
means of a selecting module 620 configured to select transmission
parameters such as Modulation and Coding Scheme or link adaptation
based on the received indication.
[0171] The network node 111, 112 is further configured to, e.g. by
means of a sending module 630 configured to, send a message to the
UE 120, which message is adapted to comprise information about the
transmission parameters such as selected Modulation and Coding
Scheme or link adaptation.
[0172] According to some embodiments herein, an example of the-UE
120 is provided. See FIGS. 1 and 7. The UE 120 and a network node
111, 112 such as any of the first and 35 second network nodes 111,
112 are operable in a wireless communications system 100.
[0173] The UE 120 is configured to, e.g. by means of an
establishing module 710 configured to, establish whether or not the
UE 120 is indoors.
[0174] The UE 120 is further configured to, e.g. by means of a
sending module 720 configured to, send to the network node 111, 112
an indication of whether or not the UE 120 is indoors.
[0175] The UE 120 is further configured to, e.g. by means of a
receiving module 730 configured to, receive a message to from the
network node 111, 112. The message is adapted to comprise
information about transmission parameters such as a Modulation and
Coding Scheme or link adaptation, selected based on the
indication.
[0176] When using the word "comprise" or "comprising" it shall be
interpreted as non-limiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least
of".
[0177] The embodiments herein are not limited to the above
described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives,
modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above
embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the
invention, which is defined by the appending claims.
[0178] Abbreviations
[0179] Abbreviation Explanation [0180] 3GPP 3rd Generation
Partnership Project [0181] BS Base Station, in LTE eNB [0182] CSO
Cell Specific Offset [0183] CQI Channel Quality Indicator [0184]
eNB or eNodeB Evolved Node B [0185] IE Information Element [0186]
LPP LTE Positioning Protocol [0187] LPPe LPP Extensions [0188] LTE
3GPP Long Term Evolution [0189] MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme
[0190] MDT Minimize Drive Test [0191] MIMO Multiple Input Multiple
Output [0192] PCIUF Per Cell Indoor User Fraction [0193] PNSIUF Per
Network Subset Indoor User Fraction [0194] RDS Radio Dot System
[0195] RRC Radio Resource Control [0196] PCI Physical Cell Identity
[0197] SON Self-Optimizing Network [0198] TTI Transmission Time
Interval [0199] TBS Transport Block Size [0200] UE User
Equipment
* * * * *