U.S. patent application number 16/424903 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-26 for mobile communication system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Yasushi IWANE, Miho MAEDA, Mitsuru MOCHIZUKI, Taiga SAEGUSA.
Application Number | 20190297510 16/424903 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43031928 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-26 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190297510 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MAEDA; Miho ; et
al. |
September 26, 2019 |
MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Abstract
A base station which uses either one of a plurality of component
carriers individually or uses an aggregate carrier which is an
aggregate of the above-mentioned plurality of component carriers to
carry out radio communications with a mobile terminal corresponding
to the above-mentioned component carrier and also carry out radio
communications with a mobile terminal corresponding to the
above-mentioned aggregate carrier is provided. The base station
notifies a bandwidth of an aggregate carrier which is an aggregate
of all of the above-mentioned component carriers, as a bandwidth
which the above-mentioned base station uses, to the mobile terminal
corresponding to the above-mentioned aggregate carrier. As a
result, while an improvement in the transmission rate is provided
according to the aggregate carrier, the base station can also
support an operation of a mobile terminal corresponding to a
component carrier.
Inventors: |
MAEDA; Miho; (Tokyo, JP)
; MOCHIZUKI; Mitsuru; (Tokyo, JP) ; SAEGUSA;
Taiga; (Tokyo, JP) ; IWANE; Yasushi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Chiyoda-ku |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation
Chiyoda-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
43031928 |
Appl. No.: |
16/424903 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15134934 |
Apr 21, 2016 |
10356635 |
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16424903 |
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13266336 |
Oct 26, 2011 |
9350501 |
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PCT/JP2010/002861 |
Apr 21, 2010 |
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15134934 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 5/001 20130101;
H04W 8/24 20130101; H04L 5/0091 20130101; H04W 72/0453 20130101;
H04W 68/00 20130101; H04W 48/12 20130101; H04W 24/02 20130101; H04L
5/0005 20130101; H04W 36/30 20130101; H04W 76/28 20180201; H04W
76/27 20180201 |
International
Class: |
H04W 24/02 20060101
H04W024/02; H04L 5/00 20060101 H04L005/00; H04W 48/12 20060101
H04W048/12; H04W 36/30 20060101 H04W036/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2009 |
JP |
2009-109310 |
Jun 19, 2009 |
JP |
2009-146293 |
Apr 2, 2010 |
JP |
2010-086194 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A mobile communication system performing a wireless
communication between a mobile terminal and a base station using an
aggregate carrier aggregating a plurality of subcarriers, wherein
the mobile terminal reports, to the base station, a measurement
result of a reception quality using a channel quality indicator
(CQI) in a case where data transmission/reception is performed
using one of subcarriers among the plurality of subcarriers, and
the mobile terminal does not report, to the base station, the
measurement result of the reception quality using CQI in a case
where data transmission/reception is not performed using the one of
the subcarriers.
3. A mobile terminal performing a wireless communication with a
base station using an aggregate carrier aggregating a plurality of
subcarriers, reporting, to the base station, a measurement result
of a reception quality using a channel quality index (CQI) in a
case where data transmission/reception is performed using one of
subcarriers among the plurality of subcarriers, and not reporting,
to the base station, the measurement result of the reception
quality using CQI in a case where data transmission/reception is
not performed using the one of the subcarriers.
4. A base station performing a wireless communication with a mobile
terminal using an aggregate carrier aggregating a plurality of
subcarriers, receiving, from the mobile terminal, a measurement
result of a reception quality using a channel quality index (CQI)
in a case where data transmission/reception is performed using one
of subcarriers among the plurality of subcarriers; and not
receiving, from the mobile terminal, the measurement result of the
reception quality using CQI in a case where data
transmission/reception is not performed using the one of the
subcarriers.
Description
[0001] The application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/134,934, filed Apr. 21, 2016, which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 13/266,336, filed Oct. 26, 2011, which
claims the benefit of PCT/JP2010/002861 filed Apr. 21, 2010, and
claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-086194
filed Apr. 2, 2010, Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-146293
filed Jun. 19, 2009, and Japanese Patent Application No.
2009-109310 filed Apr. 28, 2009. The entire contents of each of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a base station that carries
out radio communications with a plurality of mobile terminals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Commercial service of a wideband code division multiple
access (W-CDMA) system among so-called third-generation
communication systems has been offered in Japan since 2001. In
addition, high speed down link packet access (HSDPA) service for
achieving higher-speed data transmission using a downlink has been
offered by adding a channel for packet transmission high
speed-downlink shared channel (HS-DSCH)) to the downlink (dedicated
data channel, dedicated control channel). Further, in order to
increase the speed of data transmission in an uplink direction,
service of a high speedup link packet access (HSUPA) has been
offered. W-CDMA is a communication system defined by the 3rd
generation partnership project (3GPP) that is the standard
organization regarding the mobile communication system, where the
specifications of Release 8 version are produced.
[0004] Further, 3GPP is investigating new communication systems
referred to as "long term evolution (LTE)" regarding radio areas
and "system architecture evolution (SAE)" regarding the overall
system configuration including a core network (merely referred to
as network as well) as communication systems independent of W-CDMA.
In the LTE, an access scheme, radio channel configuration and a
protocol are totally different from those of the current W-CDMA
(HSDPA/HSUPA). For example, as to the access scheme, code division
multiple access is used in the W-CDMA, whereas in the LTE,
orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is used in a
downlink direction and single career frequency division multiple
access (SC-FDMA) is used in an uplink direction. In addition, the
bandwidth is 5 MHz in the W-CDMA, while in the LTE, the bandwidth
can be selected from 1.4 MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz and 20
MHz for each base station. Further, differently from the W-CDMA,
circuit switching is not provided but a packet communication system
is only provided in the LTE.
[0005] The LTE is defined as a radio access network independent of
the W-CDMA network because its communication system is configured
with a new core network different from a core network (GPRS) of the
W-CDMA. Therefore, for differentiation from the W-CDMA
communication system, a base station that communicates with a user
equipment (UE) and a radio network controller that
transmits/receives control data and user data to/from a plurality
of base stations are referred to as an E-UTRAN NodeB (eNB) and an
evolved packet core (EPC: also referred to as access gateway
(aGW)), respectively, in the LTE communication system. Unicast
service and evolved multimedia broadcast multicast service (E-MBMS
service) are provided in this LTE communication system. The E-MBMS
service is broadcast multimedia service, which is merely referred
to as MBMS in some cases. Bulk broadcast contents such as news,
weather forecast and mobile broadcast are transmitted to a
plurality of UEs. This is also referred to as point to multipoint
service.
[0006] Non-Patent Document 1 describes the current decisions by
3GPP regarding an overall architecture in the LTE system. The
overall architecture (Chapter 4 of Non-Patent Document 1) is
described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram
illustrating the configuration of the LTE communication system.
With reference to FIG. 1, the evolved universal terrestrial radio
access (E-UTRAN) is composed of one or a plurality of base stations
102, provided that a control protocol (for example, radio resource
management (RRC)) and a user plane (for example, packet data
convergence protocol (PDCP), radio link control (RLC), medium
access control (MAC), and physical layer (PHY)) for a UE 101 are
terminated in the base station 102. The base stations 102 perform
scheduling and transmission of paging signaling (also referred to
as paging messages) notified from a mobility management entity
(MME) 103. The base stations 102 are connected to each other by
means of an X2 interface. In addition, the base stations 102 are
connected to an evolved packet core (EPC) by means of an S1
interface, more specifically, connected to the mobility management
entity (MME) 103 by means of an S1_MME interface and connected to a
serving gateway (S-GW) 104 by means of an S1_U interface. The MME
103 distributes the paging signaling to multiple or a single base
station 102. In addition, the MME 103 performs mobility control of
an idle state. When the UE is in the idle state and an active
state, the MME 103 manages a list of tracking areas. The S-GW 104
transmits/receives user data to/from one or a plurality of base
stations 102. The S-GW 104 serves as a local mobility anchor point
in handover between base stations. Moreover, there is provided a
PDN gateway (P-GW), which performs per-user packet filtering and
UE-ID address allocation.
[0007] The current decisions by 3GPP regarding the frame
configuration in the LTE system are described in Non-Patent
Document 1 (Chapter 5), which are described with reference to FIG.
2. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a radio
frame used in the LTE communication system. With reference to FIG.
2, one radio frame is 10 ms. The radio frame is divided into ten
equally sized sub-frames. The subframe is divided into two equally
sized slots. The first and sixth subframes contain a downlink
synchronization signal (SS) per each radio frame. The
synchronization signals are classified into a primary
synchronization signal (P-SS) and a secondary synchronization
signal (S-SS). Multiplexing of channels for multimedia broadcast
multicast service single frequency network (MBSFN) and for
non-MBSFN is performed on a per-subframe basis. Hereinafter, a
subframe for MBSFN transmission is referred to as an MBSFN
sub-frame. Non-Patent Document 2 describes a signaling example when
MBSFN subframes are allocated. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the
configuration of the MBSFN frame. With reference to FIG. 3, the
MBSFN subframes are allocated for each MBSFN frame. An MBSFN frame
cluster is scheduled. A repetition period of the MBSFN frame
cluster is allocated.
[0008] Non-Patent Document 1 describes the current decisions by
3GPP regarding the channel configuration in the LTE system. It is
assumed that the same channel configuration is used in a closed
subscriber group (CSG) cell as that of a non-CSG cell. A physical
channel (Chapter 5 of Non-Patent Document 1) is described with
reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating physical
channels used in the LTE communication system. With reference to
FIG. 4, a physical broadcast channel 401 (PBCH) is a downlink
channel transmitted from the base station 102 to the UE 101. A BCH
transport block is mapped to four subframes within a 40 ms
interval. There is no explicit signaling indicating 40 ms timing. A
physical control format indicator channel 402 (PCFICH) is for
transmission from the base station 102 to the UE 101. The PCFICH
notifies the number of OFDM symbols used for PDCCHs from the base
station 102 to the UE 101. The PCFICH is transmitted in each
subframe. A physical downlink control channel 403 (PDCCH) is a
downlink channel transmitted from the base station 102 to the UE
101. The PDCCH notifies the resource allocation, HARQ information
related to DL-SCH (downlink shared channel that is one of the
transport channels shown in FIG. 5) and the PCH (paging channel
that is one of the transport channels shown in FIG. 5). The PDCCH
carries an uplink scheduling grant. The PDCCH carries ACK/Nack that
is a response signal to uplink transmission. The PDCCH is referred
to as an L1/L2 control signal as well. A physical downlink shared
channel 404 (PDSCH) is a downlink channel transmitted from the base
station 102 to the UE 101. A DL-SCH (downlink shared channel) that
is a transport channel and a PCH that is a transport channel are
mapped to the PDSCH. A physical multicast channel 405 (PMCH) is a
downlink channel transmitted from the base station 102 to the UE
101. A multicast channel (MCH) that is a transport channel is
mapped to the PMCH.
[0009] A physical uplink control channel 406 (PUCCH) is an uplink
channel transmitted from the UE 101 to the base station 102. The
PUCCH carries ACK/Nack that is a response signal to downlink
transmission. The PUCCH carries a channel quality indicator (CQI)
report. The CQI is quality information indicating the quality of
received data or channel quality. In addition, the PUCCH carries a
scheduling request (SR). A physical uplink shared channel 407
(PUSCH) is an uplink channel transmitted from the UE 101 to the
base station 102. A UL-SCH (uplink shared channel that is one of
the transport channels shown in FIG. 5) is mapped to the PUSCH. A
physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel 408 (PHICH) is a downlink
channel transmitted from the base station 102 to the UE 101. The
PHICH carries ACK/Nack that is a response to uplink transmission. A
physical random access channel 409 (PRACH) is an uplink channel
transmitted from the UE 101 to the base station 102. The PRACH
carries a random access preamble.
[0010] A downlink reference signal which is a known symbol in a
mobile communication system is inserted in the first, third and
last OFDM symbols of each slot. The physical layer measurement
objects of a UE include, for example, reference symbol received
power (RSRP).
[0011] The transport channel (Chapter 5 of Non-Patent Document 1)
is described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram
illustrating transport channels used in the LTE communication
system. FIG. 5(a) shows mapping between a downlink transport
channel and a downlink physical channel. FIG. 5(b) shows mapping
between an uplink transport channel and an uplink physical channel.
A broadcast channel (BCH) is broadcast to the entire base station
(cell) regarding the downlink transport channel. The BCH is mapped
to the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). Retransmission control
according to a hybrid ARQ (HARQ) is applied to a downlink shared
channel (DL-SCH). Broadcast to the entire base station (cell) is
enabled. The DL-SCH supports dynamic or semi-static resource
allocation. The semi-static resource allocation is also referred to
as persistent scheduling. The DL-SCH supports discontinuous
reception (DRX) of a UE for enabling the UE to save power. The
DL-SCH is mapped to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).
The paging channel (PCH) supports DRX of the UE for enabling the UE
to save power. Broadcast to the entire base station (cell) is
required. The PCH is mapped to physical resources such as the
physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) that can be used
dynamically for traffic or physical resources such as the physical
downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the other control channel. The
multicast channel (MCH) is used for broadcast to the entire base
station (cell). The MCH supports SFN combining of MBMS service
(MTCH and MCCH) in multi-cell transmission. The MCH supports
semi-static resource allocation. The MCH is mapped to the PMCH.
[0012] Retransmission control according to a hybrid ARQ (HARQ) is
applied to an uplink shared channel (UL-SCH). The UL-SCH supports
dynamic or semi-static resource allocation. The UL-SCH is mapped to
the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). A random access channel
(RACH) shown in FIG. 5(b) is limited to control information. There
is a collision risk. The RACH is mapped to the physical random
access channel (PRACH). The HARQ is described.
[0013] The HARQ is the technique for improving the communication
quality of a channel by combination of automatic repeat request and
forward error correction. The HARQ has an advantage that error
correction functions effectively by retransmission even for a
channel whose communication quality changes. In particular, it is
also possible to achieve further quality improvement in
retransmission through combination of the reception results of the
first transmission and the reception results of the retransmission.
An example of the retransmission method is described. In a case
where the receiver fails to successfully decode the received data
(in a case where a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error occurs
(CRC=NG)), the receiver transmits "Nack" to the transmitter. The
transmitter that has received "Nack" retransmits the data. In a
case where the receiver successfully decodes the received data (in
a case where a CRC error does not occur (CRC=OK)), the receiver
transmits "AcK" to the transmitter. The transmitter that has
received "Ack" transmits the next data. Examples of the HARQ system
include "chase combining". In chase combining, the same data
sequence is transmitted in the first transmission and
retransmission, which is the system for improving gains by
combining the data sequence of the first transmission and the data
sequence of the retransmission. This is based on the idea that
correct data is partially included even if the data of the first
transmission contains an error, and highly accurate data
transmission is enabled by combining the correct portions of the
first transmission data and the retransmission data. Another
example of the HARQ system is incremental redundancy (IR). The IR
is aimed to increase redundancy, where a parity bit is transmitted
in retransmission to increase the redundancy by combining the first
transmission and retransmission, to thereby improve the quality by
an error correction function.
[0014] A logical channel (Chapter 6 of Non-Patent Document 1) is
described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram
illustrating logical channels used in an LTE communication system.
FIG. 6(a) shows mapping between a downlink logical channel and a
downlink transport channel. FIG. 6(b) shows mapping between an
uplink logical channel and an uplink transport channel. A broadcast
control channel (BCCH) is a downlink channel for broadcast system
control information. The BCCH that is a logical channel is mapped
to the broadcast channel (BCH) or downlink shared channel (DL-SCH)
that is a transport channel. A paging control channel (PCCH) is a
downlink channel for transmitting paging signals. The PCCH is used
when the network does not know the cell location of a UE. The PCCH
that is a logical channel is mapped to the paging channel (PCH)
that is a transport channel. A common control channel (CCCH) is a
channel for transmission control information between UEs and a base
station. The CCCH is used in a case where the UEs have no RRC
connection with the base station. In downlink, the CCCH is mapped
to the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) that is a transport
channel. In uplink, the CCCH is mapped to the uplink shared channel
(UL-SCH) that is a transport channel.
[0015] A multicast control channel (MCCH) is a downlink channel for
point-to-multipoint transmission. The MCCH is a channel used for
transmission of MBMS control information for one or several MTCHs
from a network to a UE. The MCCH is a channel used only by a UE
during reception of the MBMS. The MCCH is mapped to the downlink
shared channel (DL-SCH) or multicast channel (MCH) that is a
transport channel. A dedicated control channel (DCCH) is a channel
that transmits dedicated control information between a UE and a
network. The DCCH is mapped to the uplink shared channel (UL-SCH)
in uplink and mapped to the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) in
downlink. A dedicate traffic channel (DTCH) is a point-to-point
communication channel for transmission of user information to a
dedicated UE. The DTCH exists in uplink as well as downlink. The
DTCH is mapped to the uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) in uplink and
mapped to the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) in downlink. A
multicast traffic channel (MTCH) is a downlink channel for traffic
data transmission from a network to a UE. The MTCH is a channel
used only by a UE during reception of the MBMS. The MTCH is mapped
to the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) or multicast channel
(MCH).
[0016] GCI represents a global cell identity. A closed subscriber
group (CSG) cell is introduced in the LTE and universal mobile
telecommunication system (UMTS). The CSG is described below
(Chapter 3.1 of Non-Patent Document 4). The closed subscriber group
(CSG) is a cell in which subscribers who are permitted to use are
identified by an operator (cell for identified subscribers). The
identified subscribers are permitted to access one or more E-UTRAN
cells of a public land mobile network (PLMN). One or more E-UTRAN
cells in which the identified subscribers are permitted to access
are referred to as "CSG cell (s)". Note that access is limited in
the PLMN. The CSG cell is part of the PLMN that broadcasts a
specific CSG identity (CSG ID, CSG-ID). The members of the
authorized subscriber group who have registered in advance access
the CSG cells using the CSG-ID that is the access permission
information. The CSG-ID is broadcast by the CSG cell or cells. A
plurality of CSG-IDs exist in a mobile communication system. The
CSG-IDs are used by UEs for making access from CSG-related members
easy. 3GPP discusses in a meeting that the information to be
broadcast by the CSG cell or cells is changed from the CSG-ID to a
tracking area code (TAC). The locations of UEs are traced based on
an area composed of one or more cells. The locations are traced for
enabling tracing of the locations of UEs and calling (calling of
UEs) even in an idle state. An area for tracing locations of UEs is
referred to as a tracking area. A CSG whitelist is a list stored in
the USIM containing all the CSG IDs of the CSG cells to which the
subscribers belong. The whitelist of the UE is provided by a higher
layer. By means of this, the base station of the CSG cell allocates
radio resources to the UEs.
[0017] A "suitable cell" is described below (Chapter 4.3 of
Non-Patent Document 4). The "suitable cell" is a cell on which a UE
camps to obtain normal service. Such a cell shall fulfill the
following: (1) the cell is part of the selected PLMN or the
registered PLMN, or part of the PLMN of an "equivalent PLMN list";
and (2) according to the latest information provided by a
non-access stratum (NAS), the cell shall further fulfill the
following conditions: (a) the cell is not a barred cell; (b) the
cell is part of at least one tracking area (TA), not part of
"forbidden LAs for roaming", where the cell needs to fulfill (1)
above; (c) the cell shall fulfill the cell selection criteria; and
(d) for a cell identified as CSG cell by system information (SI),
the CSG-ID is part of a "CSG whitelist" of the UE (contained in the
CSG whitelist of the UE).
[0018] An "acceptable cell" is described below (Chapter 4.3 of
Non-Patent Document 4). This is the cell on which a UE camps to
obtain limited service (emergency calls). Such a cell shall fulfill
all the following requirements. That is, the minimum required set
for initiating an emergency call in an E-UTRAN network are as
follows: (1) the cell is not a barred cell; and (2) the cell
fulfills the cell selection criteria.
[0019] 3GPP is studying base stations referred to as Home-NodeB
(Home-NB, HNB) and Home-eNodeB (Home-eNB, HeNB). HNB/HeNB is a base
station for, for example, household, corporation or commercial
access service in UTRAN/E-UTRAN. Non-Patent Document 6 discloses
three different modes of the access to the HeNB and HNB. Those are
an open access mode, a closed access mode and a hybrid access mode.
The respective modes have the following characteristics. In the
open access mode, the HeNB and HNB are operated as a normal cell of
a normal operator. In the closed access mode, the HeNB and HNB are
operated as a CSG cell. The CSG cell is a cell where only CSG
members are allowed access. In the hybrid access mode, the HeNB and
HNB are CSG cells where non-CSG members are allowed access at the
same time. In other words, a cell in the hybrid access mode is the
cell that supports both the open access mode and the closed access
mode.
RELATED ART DOCUMENT
Nonpatent Reference
[0020] Nonpatent reference 1: 3GPP TS36.300 V8.6.0 Chapters 4, 5,
and 6 [0021] Nonpatent reference 2: 3GPP R1-072963 [0022] Nonpatent
reference 3: TR R3.020 V0.6.0 [0023] Nonpatent reference 4: 3GPP
TS36. 304 V8. 4. 0 Chapters 3.1, 4.3, 5.2.4.2, 5.2.4.3, 5.2.4.6,
7.1, and 7.2 [0024] Nonpatent reference 5: 3GPP R2-082899 [0025]
Nonpatent reference 6: 3GPP S1-083461 [0026] Nonpatent reference 7:
TR 36.814 V0.4.1 Chapter 5 [0027] Nonpatent reference 8: 3GPP
R1-090860 [0028] Nonpatent reference 9: 3GPP TS36. 331 V8. 4. 0
Chapter 6.2.2 [0029] Nonpatent reference 10: 3GPP R2-093104
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0030] It has been considered that in a long term evolution
advanced (Long Term Evolution Advanced: LTE-A) system, larger
frequency bandwidths than the frequency bandwidths of an LTE system
are supported. This support is aimed at an improvement in the
transmission rate. It has been discussed in the 3GPP that the
frequency bandwidth of an LTE-A system is set to 100 MHz or
less.
[0031] The frequency usage pattern varies from region to region.
Therefore, there can be a region which cannot secure a continuous
frequency bandwidth of 100 MHz. It has been further considered that
a compatible operation of an LTE-support mobile terminal is
implemented in an LTE-A system. In the 3GPP, it has been considered
in connection with the compatible operation that a frequency band
(carrier) is divided into elements each referred to as a component
carrier (component carrier). In the 3GPP, it has been planned that
an LTE-support mobile terminal can operate on each of these
component carriers. It has been further considered that an
improvement is provided in the transmission rate of an LTE-A system
by using an aggregate carrier which is created by aggregating
(aggregating) component carriers.
[0032] It is an object of the present invention to provide a base
station which implements an improvement in the transmission rate by
complying with an aggregate carrier a while supporting an operation
of a mobile terminal corresponding to component carriers.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0033] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a base station which uses either one of a plurality of component
carriers individually or uses an aggregate carrier which is an
aggregate of the above-mentioned plurality of component carriers to
carry out radio communications with a mobile terminal corresponding
to the above-mentioned component carrier and also carry out radio
communications with a mobile terminal corresponding to the
above-mentioned aggregate carrier is provided, in which the base
station notifies a bandwidth of an aggregate carrier which is an
aggregate of all of the above-mentioned component carriers, as a
bandwidth which the above-mentioned base station uses, to the
mobile terminal corresponding to the above-mentioned aggregate
carrier.
Advantages of the Invention
[0034] The mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention
can transmit required information correctly by notifying the
bandwidth of the aggregate carrier which is an aggregate of all of
the component carriers instead of the bandwidth of any component
carrier, as the bandwidth which the base station uses, to the
mobile terminal. As a result, while an improvement in the
transmission rate is provided according to the aggregate carrier,
the base station can also support an operation of a mobile terminal
corresponding to a component carrier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0035] FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing showing the configuration
of a communication system using an LTE method.
[0036] FIG. 1 is an explanatory drawing showing the configuration
of a communication system using an LTE method;
[0037] FIG. 2 is an explanatory drawing showing the configuration
of a radio frame for use in a communication system using an LTE
method;
[0038] FIG. 3 is an explanatory drawing showing the configuration
of an MBSFN (Multimedia Broadcast multicast service Single
Frequency Network) frame;
[0039] FIG. 4 is an explanatory drawing explaining physical
channels for use in a communication system using an LTE method;
[0040] FIG. 5 is an explanatory drawing explaining the transport
channels for use in a communication system using an LTE method;
[0041] FIG. 6 is an explanatory drawing explaining logical channels
for use in a communication system using an LTE method;
[0042] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the whole structure of a
mobile communication system which has been debated in the 3GPP;
[0043] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of a mobile
terminal 311 in accordance with the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the structure of a base
station 312 in accordance with the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the structure of an MME
in accordance with the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the structure of an
HeNBGW in accordance with the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an outline of a cell search
made by a mobile terminal (UE) in a communication system which
supports an LTE method;
[0048] FIG. 13 is a view showing the configuration of a frequency
band for use in an LTE-A system;
[0049] FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing an operation of a mobile
terminal in accordance with Embodiment 1;
[0050] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of a
mobile communication system in accordance with Embodiment 2;
[0051] FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of a
mobile communication system in accordance with Variant 1 of
Embodiment 2;
[0052] FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing a problem shown in
Embodiment 3;
[0053] FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an operation of a mobile
terminal showing the problem in Embodiment 3;
[0054] FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an operation of a mobile
terminal in accordance with Embodiment 3;
[0055] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of a
mobile communication system in accordance with Variant 2 of
Embodiment 3;
[0056] FIG. 21 is a view explaining a first concrete example of
component carrier information of a neighboring cell in accordance
with Variant 1 of Embodiment 4;
[0057] FIG. 22 is a view explaining a second concrete example of
the component carrier information of a neighboring cell in
accordance with Variant 1 of Embodiment 4;
[0058] FIG. 23 is a view explaining a third concrete example of the
component carrier information of a neighboring cell in accordance
with Variant 1 of Embodiment 4;
[0059] FIG. 24 is a view explaining a fourth concrete example of
the component carrier information of a neighboring cell in
accordance with Variant 1 of Embodiment 4;
[0060] FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing an operation of a mobile
terminal in accordance with Variant 1 of Embodiment 4;
[0061] FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing an operation of a mobile
terminal in accordance with Variant 2 of Embodiment 4;
[0062] FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram showing a solution provided
by Embodiment 7;
[0063] FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of a
mobile communication system in accordance with Embodiment 8;
and
[0064] FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the
mobile communication system in accordance with Embodiment 8.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1
[0065] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration
of an LTE mobile communication system, which is currently under
discussion of 3GPP. Currently, 3GPP is studying an overall system
configuration including closed subscriber group (CSG) cells
(Home-eNodeBs (Home-eNB and HeNB) of e-UTRAN, Home-NB (HNB) of
UTRAN) and non-CSG cells (eNodeB (eNB) of e-UTRAN, NodeB (NB) of
UTRAN, and BSS of GERAN) and, as to e-UTRAN, is proposing the
configurations of (a) and (b) of FIG. 7 (Non-Patent Document 1 and
Non-Patent Document 3). FIG. 7(a) is now described. A user
equipment (UE) 71 performs transmission/reception to/from a base
station 72. The base station 72 is classified into an eNB (non-CSG
cell) 72-1 and Home-eNBs (CSG cells) 72-2. The eNB 72-1 is
connected to MMEs through interfaces S1, and control information is
communicated between the eNB and the MMEs. A plurality of MMEs are
connected to one eNB. The Home-eNB 72-2 is connected to the MME 73
through the interface S1, and control information is communicated
between the Home-eNB and the MME. A plurality of Home-eNBs are
connected to one MME.
[0066] Next, FIG. 7(b) is described. The UE 71 performs
transmission/reception to/from the base station 72. The base
station 72 is classified into the eNB (non-CSG cell) 72-1 and the
Home-eNBs (CSG cells) 72-2. As in FIG. 7(a), the eNB 72-1 is
connected to the MMEs 73 through the interface S1, and control
information is communicated between the eNB and the MMEs. A
plurality of MMEs are connected to one eNB. While, the Home-eNBs
72-2 are connected to the MMEs 73 through a Home-eNB Gateway
(HeNBGW) 74. The Home-eNBs are connected to the HeGW through the
interfaces Sa, and the HeNBGW 74 is connected to the MMEs 73
through an interface S1_flex. One or a plurality of Home-eNBs 72-2
are connected to one HeNBGW 74, and information is communicated
therebetween through S1. The HeNBGW 74 is connected to one or a
plurality of MMEs 73, and information is communicated therebetween
through S1_flex.
[0067] With the configuration of FIG. 7(b), one HeNBGW 74 is
connected to the Home-eNBs belonging to the same CSG-ID. As a
result, in the case where the same information such as registration
information is transmitted from the MME 73 to a plurality of
Home-eNBs 72-2 belonging to the same CSG-ID, the information is
transmitted to the HeNBGW 74 and then transmitted to the plurality
of Home-eNBs 72-2, with the result that signaling efficiency is
enhanced more compared with the case where the information is
directly transmitted to each of the plurality of Home-eNBs 72-2.
While, in the case where each Home-eNB 72-2 communicates dedicated
information with the MME 73, the information is merely caused to
pass through the HeNBGW 74 (to be transparent) without being
processed, which allows communication in such a manner that the
Home-eNB 72-2 is directly connected to the MME 73.
[0068] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
UE (equipment 71 of FIG. 7) according to the present invention. The
transmission process of the UE shown in FIG. 8 is described. First,
a transmission data buffer unit 803 stores the control data from a
protocol processing unit 801 and the user data from an application
unit 802. The data stored in the transmission data buffer unit 803
is transmitted to an encoding unit 804 and is subjected to encoding
process such as error correction. There may exist the data output
from the transmission data buffer unit 803 directly to a modulating
unit 805 without encoding process. The data encoded by the encoding
unit 804 is modulated by the modulating unit 805. The modulated
data is output to a frequency converting unit 806 after being
converted into a baseband signal, and then is converted into a
radio transmission frequency. After that, a transmission signal is
transmitted from an antenna 807 to a base station 312. A UE 311
executes the reception process as follows. The antenna 807 receives
the radio signal from the base station 312. The received signal is
converted from a radio reception frequency to a baseband signal by
the frequency converting unit 806 and is then demodulated by a
demodulating unit 808. The demodulated data is transmitted to a
decoding unit 809 and is subjected to decoding process such as
error correction. Among the pieces of decoded data, the control
data is transmitted to the protocol processing unit 801, while the
user data is transmitted to the application unit 802. A series of
process of the UE is controlled by a control unit 810. This means
that, though not shown, the control unit 810 is connected to the
respective units (801 to 809).
[0069] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
base station (base station 72 of FIG. 7) according to the present
invention. The transmission process of the base station shown in
FIG. 9 is described. An EPC communication unit 901 performs data
transmission/reception between the base station 72 and the EPCs
(such as MME 73 and HeNBGW 74). A communication with another base
station unit 902 performs data transmission/reception to/from
another base station. The EPC communication unit 901 and the
communication with another base station unit 902 respectively
transmit/receive information to/from the protocol processing unit
903. The control data from the protocol processing unit 903, and
the user data and control data from the EPC communication unit 901
and the communication with another base station unit 902 are stored
in the transmission data buffer unit 904. The data stored in the
transmission data buffer unit 904 is transmitted to an encoding
unit 905 and is then subjected to encoding process such as error
correction. There may exist the data output from the transmission
data buffer unit 904 directly to a modulating unit 906 without
encoding process. The encoded data is modulated by the modulating
unit 906. The modulated data is output to a frequency converting
unit 907 after being converted into a baseband signal, and is then
converted into a radio transmission frequency. After that, a
transmission signal is transmitted from an antenna 908 to one or a
plurality of UEs 71. While, the reception process of the base
station 72 is executed as follows. A radio signal from one or a
plurality of UEs 311 is received by the antenna 908. The received
signal is converted from a radio reception frequency into a
baseband signal by the frequency converting unit 907, and is then
demodulated by a demodulating unit 909. The demodulated data is
transmitted to a decoding unit 910 and is then subjected to
decoding process such as error correction. Among the pieces of
decoded data, the control data is transmitted to the protocol
processing unit 903, EPC communication unit 901, or communication
with another base station unit 902, while the user data is
transmitted to the EPC communication unit 901 and communication
with another base station unit 902. A series of process by the base
station 72 is controlled by a control unit 911. This means that,
though not shown, the control unit 911 is connected to the
respective units (901 to 910).
[0070] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
mobility management entity (MME) according to the present
invention. A PDN GW communication unit 1001 performs data
transmission/reception between an MME 73 and a PDN GW. A base
station communication unit 1002 performs data
transmission/reception between the MME 73 and the base station 72
through the S1 interface. In the case where the data received from
the PDN GW is user data, the user data is transmitted from the PDN
GW communication unit 1001 to the base station communication unit
1002 through a user plane processing unit 1003 and is then
transmitted to one or a plurality of base stations 72. In the case
where the data received from the base station 72 is user data, the
user data is transmitted from the base station communication unit
1002 to the PDN GW communication unit 1001 through the user plane
processing unit 1003 and is then transmitted to the PDN GW.
[0071] In the case where the data received from the PDN GW is
control data, the control data is transmitted from the PDN GW
communication unit 1001 to a control plane control unit 1005. In
the case where the data received from the base station 72 is
control data, the control data is transmitted from the base station
communication unit 1002 to the control plane control unit 1005. A
HeNBGW communication unit 1004 is provided in the case where the
HeNBGW 74 is provided, which performs data transmission/reception
by the interface (IF) between the MME 73 and the HeNBGW 74
according to an information type. The control data received from
the HeNBGW communication unit 1004 is transmitted from the HeNBGW
communication unit 1004 to the control plane control unit 1005. The
processing results of the control plane control unit 1005 are
transmitted to the PDN GW through the PDN GW communication unit
1001. The processing results of the control plane control unit 1005
are transmitted to one or a plurality of base stations 72 by the S1
interface through the base station communication unit 1002, or are
transmitted to one or a plurality of HeNBGWs 74 through the HeNBGW
communication unit 1004.
[0072] The control plane control unit 1005 includes a NAS security
unit 1005-1, an SAE bearer control unit 1005-2 and an idle state
mobility managing unit 1005-3, and performs overall process for the
control plane. The NAS security unit 1005-1 provides, for example,
security of a non-access stratum (NAS) message. For example, the
SAE bearer control unit 1005-2 manages a system architecture
evolution (SAE) bearer. For example, the idle state mobility
managing unit 1005-3 performs mobility management of an idle state
(LTE-IDLE state, which is merely referred to as idle as well),
generation and control of paging signaling in an idle state,
addition, deletion, update and search of one or a plurality of UEs
71 being served thereby, and tracking area (TA) list management.
The MME begins a paging protocol by transmitting a paging message
to the cell belonging to a tracking area (TA) in which the UE is
registered. The idle state mobility managing unit 1005-3 may manage
the CSG of the Home-eNBs 72-2 to be connected to the MME, CSG-IDs
and a whitelist. In the CSG-ID management, the relationship between
a UE corresponding to the CSG-ID and the CSG cell is managed
(added, deleted, updated or searched). For example, it may be the
relationship between one or a plurality of UEs whose user access
registration has been performed with a CSG-ID and the CSG cells
belonging to this CSG-ID. In the whitelist management, the
relationship between the UE and the CSG-ID is managed (added,
deleted, updated or searched). For example, one or a plurality of
CSG-IDs with which user registration has been performed by a UE may
be stored in the whitelist. Although other part of the MME 73 may
perform those types of CSG-related management, through execution by
the idle state mobility managing unit 1005-3, the method of using a
tracking area code in place of a CSG-ID, which is currently under
discussion of 3GPP meeting, can be efficiently performed. A series
of process by an MME 313 is controlled by a control unit 1006. This
means that, though not shown, the control unit 1006 is connected to
the respective units (1001 to 1005).
[0073] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
HeNBGW according to the present invention. An EPC communication
unit 1101 performs data transmission/reception between the HeNBGW
74 and the MME 73 by the S1_flex interface. A base station
communication unit 1102 performs data transmission/reception
between the HeNBGW 74 and the Home-eNB 72-2 by the S1 interface. A
location processing unit 1103 performs the process of transmitting,
to a plurality of Home-eNBs, the registration information or the
like among the data transmitted from the MME 73 through the EPC
communication unit 1101. The data processed by the location
processing unit 1103 is transmitted to the base station
communication unit 1102 and is transmitted to one or a plurality of
Home-eNBs 72-2 through the S1 interface. The data only caused to
pass through (to be transparent) without requiring the process by
the location processing unit 1103 is passed from the EPC
communication unit 1101 to the base station communication unit
1102, and is transmitted to one or a plurality of Home-eNBs 72-2
through the S1 interface. A series of process by the HeNBGW 74 is
controlled by a control unit 1104. This means that, though not
shown, the control unit 1104 is connected to the respective units
(1101 to 1103).
[0074] Next, an example of a typical cell search method in a mobile
communication system is described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing
an outline from cell search to idle state operation performed by a
user equipment (UE) in the LTE communication system. When the cell
search is started by the UE, in Step ST1201, the slot timing and
frame timing are synchronized by a primary synchronization signal
(P-SS) and a secondary synchronization signal (S-SS) transmitted
from a nearby base station. Synchronization codes, which correspond
to physical cell identities (PCIs) assigned per cell one by one,
are assigned to the synchronization signals (SS) including the P-SS
and S-SS. The number of PCIs is currently studied in 504 ways, and
these 504 ways are used for synchronization, and the PCIs of the
synchronized cells are detected (identified). Next, in Step ST1202,
a reference signal RS of the synchronized cells, which is
transmitted from the base station per cell, is detected and the
received power is measured. The code corresponding to the PCI one
by one is used for the reference signal RS, and separation from
other cell is enabled by correlation using the code. The code for
RS of the cell is derived from the PCI identified in ST1201, which
makes it possible to detect the RS and measure the RS received
power. Next, in ST1203, the cell having the best RS reception
quality (for example, cell having the highest RS received power;
best cell) is selected from one or more cells that have been
detected up to ST1202. In ST1204, next, the PBCH of the best cell
is received, and the BCCH that is the broadcast information is
obtained. A master information block (MIB) containing the cell
configuration information is mapped on the BCCH on the PBCH.
Examples of MIB information include the down link (DL) system
bandwidth, the number of transmission antenna and system frame
number (SFN).
[0075] In 1205, next, the DL-SCH of the cell is received based on
the cell configuration information of the MIB, to thereby obtain a
system information block (SIB) 1 of the broadcast information BCCH.
The SIB1 contains the information regarding access to the cell,
information regarding cell selection and scheduling information of
other SIB (SIBk; k is an integer equal to or larger than 2). In
addition, the SIB1 contains a tracking area code (TAC). In ST1206,
next, the UE compares the TAC received in ST1205 with the TAC that
has been already possessed by the UE. In a case where they are
identical to each other as a result of comparison, the UE enters an
idle state operation in the cell. In a case where they are
different from each other as a result of comparison, the UE
requires a core network (EPC) (including MME and the like) to
change a TA through the cell for performing tracking area update
(TAU). The core network updates the TA based on an identification
number (such as a UE-ID) of the UE transmitted from the UE together
with a TAU request signal. The core network updates the TA, and
then transmits the TAU accept signal to the UE. The UE rewrites
(updates) the TAC (or TAC list) of the UE. After that, the UE
enters the idle state operation in the cell.
[0076] In an LTE or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication
System), the introduction of a CSG (Closed Subscriber Group) cell
has been studied. As mentioned above, a CSG cell is accessible only
by one or more mobile terminals which are registered with the CSG
cell. The CSG cell and the one or more registered mobile terminals
construct one CSG. A specific identification number called a CSG-ID
is given to each CSG which is constructed in this way. There can
exist a plurality of CSG cells in each CSG. When a mobile terminal
is registered with one CSG cell, the mobile terminal can access any
other CSG cell in the CSG to which the CSG cell belongs.
Furthermore, a Home-eNB for use in an LTE or a Home-NB for use in a
UMTS can be used as a CSG cell. Each mobile terminal registered
with a CSG cell has a white list. Concretely, the white list is
stored in an SIM/USIM of each mobile terminal. CSG information
about the CSG cell with which each mobile terminal is registered is
written in the white list. Concretely, a CSG-ID, a TAI (Tracking
Area Identity), a TAC, etc. can be considered as the CSG
information. Either one of the CSG-ID and the TAC is enough as long
as the CSG-ID is brought into correspondence with the TAC. As an
alternative, only a GCI (Global Cell Identity) is enough as long as
the CSG-ID, the TAC, and the GCI are brought into correspondence
with one another. As can be seen from the above explanation, a
mobile terminal which does not have a white list (in the present
invention, includes a mobile terminal whose white list is empty)
cannot access any CSG cell, but can access only a non-CSG cell. In
contrast, a mobile terminal having a white list can access not only
a CSG cell having a CSG-ID with which the mobile terminal is
registered, but also a non-CSG cell.
[0077] A split of all the PCIs (Physical Cell Identities) into PCIs
for CSG cells and PCIs for non-CSG cells (referred to as a PCI
split) has been debated in the 3GPP (nonpatent reference 5). It has
been further debated that the PIC information about PCI split is
broadcast, in system information, from a base station to mobile
terminals being served by the base station. A fundamental operation
of a mobile terminal using the PCI split will be disclosed
hereafter. A mobile terminal which does not have the PIC
information about PCI split needs to make a cell search by using
all the PCIs (e.g., by using all the 504 codes). In contrast, a
mobile terminal which has the above-mentioned PIC information about
PCI split can make a cell search by using this PIC information
about PCI split.
[0078] As disclosed in nonpatent reference 7 and nonpatent
reference 8, in the 3GPP, the decision of standards for "long term
evolution advanced" (Long Term Evolution Advanced: LTE-A) has been
advanced as release 10.
[0079] It has been considered that in an LTE-A system larger
frequency bandwidths than the frequency bandwidths (transmission
bandwidths) of an LTE system are supported.
[0080] To this end, it has been considered that an LTE-A-support
mobile terminal receives one or more component carriers (component
carriers: CCs) simultaneously.
[0081] It has been considered that an LTE-A-support mobile terminal
has a capability (capability) of carrying out carrier aggregation
(carrier aggregation) of reception and transmission on a plurality
of component carriers, only reception on a plurality of component
carriers or only transmission on a plurality of component carriers
simultaneously.
[0082] As long as a component carrier has a configuration according
to the current 3GPP specifications (release 8), an LTE-support
mobile terminal can carry out reception and transmission only on a
single component carrier. An LTE-support mobile terminal can
translate to a 3GPP release 8-support mobile terminal. More
specifically, it can be considered that an LTE-support mobile
terminal has compatibility with an LTE-A system in such a way that
the LTE-support mobile terminal can operate in the LTE-A
system.
[0083] A method of notifying system information in an LTE-A system
is described in nonpatent reference 8. This reference also
discloses single carrier anchor (Single carrier anchor) and multi
carrier anchor (Multi carrier anchor) in a carrier
aggregation-capable base station.
[0084] In the case of single carrier anchor, reception and
transmission from and to an LTE-support mobile terminal can be
carried out. In the case of single carrier anchor, information
showing carriers of multi carrier anchor is notified. In the case
of single carrier anchor, system information (System information:
SI) according to the current 3GPP specifications (release 8) is
broadcast.
[0085] On the other hand, also in the case of multi carrier anchor,
reception and transmission from and to an LTE-support mobile
terminal can be carried out. Also in the case of multi carrier
anchor, system information (System information: SI) according to
the current 3GPP specifications (release 8) is broadcast. In the
case of multi carrier anchor, system information about multiple
carriers is broadcast.
[0086] A problem to be solved by Embodiment 1 will be
explained.
[0087] Nonpatent reference 8 discloses that both in the case of
single carrier anchor and in the case of multi carrier anchor,
system information (SI) according to the current 3GPP
specifications (release 8) is broadcast. However, the reference
does not disclose any point to note about system information
according to the current 3GPP specifications (release 8) which is
broadcast on an anchor carrier of an LTE-A system, etc. in either
of the case of carrier anchor and the case of multi carrier
anchor.
[0088] A transmission bandwidth configuration (transmission
bandwidth configuration: dl-bandwidth) is included in master
information (Master information) among the system information
according to the current 3GPP specifications (release 8) (nonpatent
reference 9).
[0089] FIG. 13 is a view showing the structure of the frequency
band of an LTE-A system. The problem will be explained with
reference to FIG. 13 while a concrete example is shown.
[0090] 1301 shown in FIG. 13 denotes a physical downlink control
channel (PDCCH). Although an example in which a physical downlink
control channel is mapped onto each component carrier is shown in
FIG. 13, the present invention is not limited to this example. As
another example, a case in which there coexist a component carrier
onto which a physical downlink control channel is mapped, and a
component carrier onto which any physical downlink control channel
is not mapped can be considered.
[0091] Each of 1302, 1303, 1304, 1305, and 1306 denotes a downlink
synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH).
Although the example in which a downlink synchronization signal and
a physical broadcast channel are mapped onto each component carrier
is shown in FIG. 13, the present invention is not limited to this
example. As another example, a case in which there coexist a
component carrier onto which a downlink synchronization signal and
a physical broadcast channel are mapped, and a component carrier
onto which any downlink synchronization signal and any physical
broadcast channel are not mapped can be considered.
[0092] A base station having a bandwidth of 20 MHz for each
component carrier and having five component carriers (fa, fb, fc,
fd, fe) in an LTE-A system will be considered hereafter. More
specifically, a base station having a downlink transmission
bandwidth of 100 MHz will be considered. Furthermore, a case in
which fa, fc, and fe are provided as single carrier anchors, and fb
and fd are provided as multi carrier anchors will be examined. In a
3GPP meeting, it has been debated that the bandwidth of each
component carrier is not limited to 20 MHz, but can be 20 MHz or
smaller. In a 3GPP meeting, it has been further debated that the
downlink transmission bandwidth of a base station in an LTE-A
system is not limited to 100 MHz, but can be 100 MHz or
smaller.
[0093] The base station shown in FIG. 13 has a transmission band of
100 MHz. Therefore, information showing 100 MHz is mapped as the
transmission band width included in master information of system
information which is broadcast on an anchor carrier.
[0094] Next, an operation of selecting the base station shown in
FIG. 13 as a cell to camp on the base station, which is performed
by an LTE-support mobile terminal, will be examined with reference
to FIG. 12. It is assumed that the LTE-support mobile terminal can
carry out reception and transmission with fa, fb, fc, fd, and fe of
the base station shown in FIG. 13 by using, for example, the
technology disclosed by nonpatent reference 8.
[0095] It is further assumed that the reception quality of a
reference signal RS on the anchor carrier fe is determined to be
the best in step ST1203, for example.
[0096] The mobile terminal then, in step ST1204, receives the PBCH
broadcast on the anchor carrier fe and acquires a BCCH which is
broadcast information. An MIB is mapped onto the BCCH on the PBCH.
Nonpatent reference 8 discloses that system information according
to the current 3GPP specifications (release 8) is broadcast in
either of the case of single carrier anchor and the case of multi
carrier anchor. Therefore, also on the anchor carrier fe (similarly
on each of fa, fb, fc, and fd), the transmission bandwidth is
broadcast to the mobile terminal as information of the MIB. Because
the transmission bandwidth of the base station shown in FIG. 13 is
100 MHz, information showing 100 MHz is mapped, as the transmission
bandwidth, also onto the information of the above-mentioned
MIB.
[0097] Next, the mobile terminal, in step 1205, receives a PDCCH on
the basis of the transmission bandwidth notified thereto via the
MIB. The mobile terminal also receives a DL-SCH mapped on a PDSCH
(also referred to as scheduling information) according to
allocation information about the PDSCH mapped onto the PDCCH, and
tries to acquire SIB (System Information Block) 1 which is
broadcast information. As shown in above-mentioned step ST1204, the
information showing the transmission bandwidth of the base station
is mapped onto the MIB information broadcast on the above-mentioned
anchor carrier. As a result, the LTE-support mobile terminal cannot
know the transmission bandwidth of the component carrier.
Therefore, the mobile terminal cannot receive the PDCCH transmitted
thereto by using the whole transmission bandwidth of the component
carrier. Accordingly, the mobile terminal cannot receive the SIB
information included in the BCCH mapped onto the PDSCH. Therefore,
there arises a problem that the LTE-support mobile terminal cannot
carry out reception and transmission on an anchor carrier. More
specifically, there arises a problem that compatibility between an
LTE-A system and an LTE system cannot be maintained.
[0098] A solution provided in this Embodiment 1 will be shown
hereafter.
[0099] A base station which can carry out carrier aggregation does
not broadcast the information showing the transmission bandwidth
thereof as system information about anchor carriers, master
information included in system information, or transmission
bandwidth information in master information included in system
information. In this case, the cell which can carry out carrier
aggregation is a base station compatible with an LTE-A system. As
an alternative, the cell can be a release 10-support base station.
The anchor carrier can be an anchor carrier in the case of single
carrier anchor, or can be an anchor carrier in the case of multi
carrier anchor. As an alternative, the base station does not
broadcast the information showing the transmission bandwidth
thereof as system information about a component carrier, master
information included in system information, or transmission
bandwidth information in master information included in system
information.
[0100] As an alternative, a base station which can carry out
carrier aggregation can broadcast information showing the
transmission bandwidth of an anchor carrier as system information
about the anchor carrier, master information included in system
information, or transmission bandwidth information in master
information included in system information. As an alternative, the
base station can broadcast the information showing the transmission
bandwidth of the anchor carrier as system information about a
component carrier, master information included in system
information, or transmission bandwidth information in master
information included in system information.
[0101] Accordingly, the LTE-support mobile terminal can know the
transmission bandwidth of the anchor carrier on this anchor
carrier. Therefore, the LTE-support mobile terminal can receive the
PDCCH transmitted thereto by using the whole transmission bandwidth
of the anchor carrier. Therefore, the LTE-support mobile terminal
can receive the allocation information about the PDSCH mapped onto
the PDCCH. Accordingly, there is provided an advantage of enabling
the LTE-support mobile terminal to receive the SIB information
included in the BCCH mapped on the PDSCH, and carry out reception
and transmission on the anchor carrier.
[0102] As an alternative, a base station which can carry out
carrier aggregation can broadcast information showing the
transmission bandwidth thereof as system information about multiple
carriers (aggregate carrier). The system information about multiple
carriers can be system information for LTE-A system or system
information for release 10.
[0103] The receiving bandwidth capability of the LTE-support mobile
terminal is 20 MHz. Furthermore, as disclosed in nonpatent
reference 7, it has been considered that an LTE-support mobile
terminal can carry out reception and transmission only on a single
component carrier. Therefore, information showing the transmission
bandwidth of a base station compatible with an LTE-A system which
can be assumed to be greater than the receiving bandwidth
capability of an LTE-support mobile terminal becomes unnecessary
for the LTE-support mobile terminal.
[0104] The information showing the transmission bandwidth of a base
station compatible with an LTE-A system, which is unnecessary for
LTE-support mobile terminals, is not notified as the system
information about anchor carriers, but is broadcast as the system
information about multiple carriers. Therefore, an LTE-support
mobile terminal can select not to receive the unnecessary
information. As a result, there can be provided an advantage of
being able to reduce the amount of data which an LTE-support mobile
terminal needs to decode, thereby being able to reduce the
processing load. There can be provided another advantage of
enabling a base station to broadcast information required for an
LTE-A-support mobile terminal as the system information about
multiple carriers to all LTE-A-support mobile terminals being
served by the base station.
[0105] In the above-mentioned solution, each anchor carrier is
referred to as a master carrier, a primary (Primary) carrier, or a
specific (Specific) carrier.
[0106] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of
a mobile terminal. Because in FIG. 14 the same process or a like
process is performed in a step designated by the same reference
character string as that shown in FIG. 12, the explanation of each
step designated by the same reference character string will be
omitted hereafter.
[0107] The mobile terminal, in step ST1401, selects an anchor
carrier having the highest reception quality (referred to as a best
carrier).
[0108] The mobile terminal, in step ST1402, receives the PBCH of
the best carrier selected in step ST1401, and acquires the BCCH
carrying broadcast information. An MIB (Master Information Block)
is mapped onto the BCCH. The mobile terminal receives the
information showing the transmission bandwidth of the anchor
carrier as information of the MIB.
[0109] The mobile terminal, in step ST1403, receives the PDCCH of
this best carrier on the basis of the transmission bandwidth of the
above-mentioned best carrier received in step ST1402, and other MIB
information. The mobile terminal receives the SIB (System
Information Block) 1 which is broadcast information mapped on the
PDSCH according to the scheduling information on the PDCCH which
the mobile terminal has acquired at that time. The SIB1 includes
information about access, information about a cell selection, and
scheduling information about other SIBs (SIBk; k is an integer
satisfying k>=2). A TAC (Tracking Area Code) is also included in
the SIB1. The mobile terminal also, in step ST1403 or ST1402,
receives information about carriers (the information about
frequency band) of multi carrier anchor.
[0110] The mobile terminal, in step ST1404, determines whether or
not the mobile terminal supports LTE-A (can alternatively determine
whether or not the mobile terminal supports release 10). When the
mobile terminal supports LTE-A, the mobile terminal makes a
transition to step ST1405. In contrast, when the mobile terminal
does not support LTE-A, the mobile terminal makes a transition to
step ST1408. The mobile terminal alternatively, in step ST1404,
determines whether or not the mobile terminal supports LTE (can
alternatively determine whether or not the mobile terminal supports
release 8). When the mobile terminal does not support LTE, the
mobile terminal makes a transition to step ST1405. In contrast,
when the mobile terminal supports LTE, the mobile terminal makes a
transition to step ST1408.
[0111] On the basis of the information about carriers in the case
of multi carrier anchor which the mobile terminal has received in
step ST1402 or ST1403, the mobile terminal, in step ST1405, changes
its setting to the frequency of the multi carrier anchor which is
shown by the information.
[0112] The mobile terminal, in step ST1406, receives the PBCH of
the multi carrier anchor to which the mobile terminal has switched
in step ST1405, and acquires the BCCH carrying broadcast
information. An MIB (Master Information Block) is mapped onto the
BCCH. The mobile terminal receives the information showing the
transmission bandwidth of the anchor carrier as information of the
MIB.
[0113] The mobile terminal, in step ST1407, receives the PDCCH of
this anchor carrier on the basis of the transmission bandwidth of
the anchor carrier received in step ST1406, and other MIB
information. The mobile terminal receives the SIB (System
Information Block) 1 which is broadcast information mapped on the
PDSCH according to the scheduling information on the PDCCH which
the mobile terminal has acquired at that time. The SIB1 includes
information about access, information about a cell selection, and
scheduling information about other SIBs (SIBk; k is an integer
satisfying k>=2). A TAC (Tracking Area Code) is also included in
the SIB'. The mobile terminal also, in step ST1406 or ST1407,
receives the system information about multiple carriers. The mobile
terminal receives the information showing the transmission
bandwidth of the base station as the system information about
multiple carriers. The information showing the transmission
bandwidth of the base station is used when carrier aggregation is
carried out.
[0114] The mobile terminal, in step ST1408, compares the TAC
received in step ST1403 or ST1407 with a TAC which the mobile
terminal has already held. When the result of the comparison shows
that they are the same as each other, the mobile terminal makes a
transition to step ST1409. In contrast, when the result of the
comparison shows that they are different from each other, the
mobile terminal makes a transition to step ST1410.
[0115] The mobile terminal, in step ST1409, enters an idle
state.
[0116] The mobile terminal, in step ST1410, transmits a signal to
make a request for change of the TA in order to carry out a TAU
(Tracking Area Update) to a core network (Core Network, EPC). MMEs
and so on are included in the core network. The core network
updates the TA on the basis of an identification number of the
mobile terminal (the UE-ID of this mobile terminal or the like), as
well as the TAU request signal, which is sent from the mobile
terminal. After updating the TA, the core network transmits a TAU
receipt signal to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal rewrites
(updates) the TAC (or TAC list) which the mobile terminal holds
with the TAC received in step ST1403 or ST1407, or adds the
received TAC. After that, the mobile terminal makes a transition to
step ST1409, and then enters an idle state.
[0117] Another solution in step ST1402 will be disclosed
hereafter.
[0118] It has been debated in a 3GPP meeting that the bandwidth of
a component carrier is not limited to 20 MHz, but is 20 MHz or
smaller.
[0119] In this solution, the transmission bandwidth of an anchor
carrier is set to a fixed value in a base station which can carry
out carrier aggregation. In a concrete example, the transmission
bandwidth of an anchor carrier is set to 20 MHz in a base station
which can carry out carrier aggregation. As an alternative, the
transmission bandwidth of a component carrier is set to a fixed
value in a base station which can carry out carrier aggregation. In
a concrete example, the transmission bandwidth of a component
carrier is set to 20 MHz in a base station which can carry out
carrier aggregation.
[0120] As a result, an LTE-support mobile terminal can know the
transmission bandwidth of the anchor carrier from this anchor
carrier. Therefore, the mobile terminal can receive the PDCCH
transmitted thereto by using the whole transmission bandwidth of
the anchor carrier. Therefore, the mobile terminal can receive the
allocation information about allocation of the PDSCH mapped on the
PDCCH. Accordingly, there is provided an advantage of enabling the
LTE-support mobile terminal to receive the SIB information included
in the BCCH mapped on the PDSCH, and carry out reception and
transmission on the anchor carrier.
[0121] At this time, a base station which can carry out carrier
aggregation can broadcast the information showing the transmission
bandwidth of the base station as the system information about
anchor carriers or a component carrier, master information included
in system information, or transmission bandwidth information in
master information included in system information, like in the case
of transmitting system information compliant with release 8. As an
alternative, a base station which can carryout carrier aggregation
does not have to broadcast the information showing the transmission
bandwidth of the base station. As a result, there can be provided
an advantage of eliminating the necessity to add a change to
methods for use in an LTE system, and preventing increase in the
complexity of the mobile communication system.
[0122] An example of an operation of a mobile terminal will be
explained with reference to FIG. 14. An explanation will be made
focusing on a point different from the solution shown in Embodiment
1.
[0123] The mobile terminal, in step ST1402, determines whether or
not the best carrier selected in step ST1401 belongs to an
LTE-A-support base station. When determining that the best carrier
belongs to neither a base station which supports LTE-A system or
release 10, nor a base station which supports LTE system, the
mobile terminal does not use the transmission bandwidth information
included in the system information for a subsequent receiving
process. The mobile terminal carries out the subsequent receiving
process by setting the transmission bandwidth of the component
carrier to the above-mentioned fixed value regardless of the
transmission bandwidth information received in step ST1402.
[0124] In a concrete example of the determination of whether the
best carrier belongs to a base station which supports LTE system,
each base station notifies a release which the base station
supports to mobile terminals being served thereby by using
broadcast information (an MIB or the like) of the base station. In
this case, only a base station which supports LTE-A (supports
release 10) can be constructed in such a way as to notify the
release which the base station supports. As a result, there can be
provided an advantage of being able to prevent any change to
existing LTE systems. Accordingly, each mobile terminal being
served by a cell selected thereby can know the release which the
cell supports.
[0125] Embodiment 1 can provide the following advantages.
[0126] By causing an LTE-A-support base station, i.e. a base
station which can carry out carrier aggregation to broadcast the
transmission bandwidth of an anchor carrier or a component carrier
on the anchor carrier or the component carrier, an LTE-support
mobile terminal is enabled to know the transmission bandwidth of
the anchor carrier or the component carrier. As a result, the
LTE-support mobile terminal is enabled to receive the PDCCH on the
anchor carrier or the component carrier of the LTE-A-support base
station. Therefore, while carrier aggregation is implemented in an
LTE-A system, the LTE-support mobile terminal can carry out
reception and transmission on the anchor carrier or the component
carrier of the LTE-A-support base station. That is, there is
provided an advantage of being able to implement the compatibility
between an LTE-A system and an LTE system. This provides a further
advantage of, even in a case in which the version which the network
supports advances from the release 8 of the 3GPP to the release 10
of the 3GPP, and carrier aggregation is therefore implemented,
enabling a user who owns a release 8-support (LTE-support) mobile
terminal to use the mobile communication system.
[0127] In addition, by mapping the transmission bandwidth of an
LTE-A-support base station onto the system information about
multiple carriers, the amount of data which each LTE-support mobile
terminal needs to decode can be reduced. Therefore, it becomes able
to implement carrier aggregation for each LTE-A-support mobile
terminal without any increase in the processing load. The
implementation of carrier aggregation can provide an advantage of
improving the transmission rate.
Variant 1 of Embodiment 1
[0128] A problem to be solved by Variant 1 of Embodiment 1 will be
explained hereafter.
[0129] Nonpatent reference 8 discloses that system information
according to the current 3GPP specifications (release 8) is
broadcast in either of the case of single carrier anchor and the
case of multi carrier anchor. However, the reference does not
disclose any point to note about system information according to
the current 3GPP specifications (release 8) which is broadcast on
an anchor carrier in an LTE-A system, etc. Anchor carriers in an
LIE-A system include both anchor carriers in the case of single
carrier anchor and anchor carriers in the case of multi carrier
anchor. A tracking area code (trackingAreaCode) is mapped onto
system information block type 1 (SystemInformationBlockType1)
included in system information according to the current 3GPP
specifications (release 8) (nonpatent reference 9).
[0130] A mobile terminal needs to carryout a tracking area update
(TAU) process when the TAC which the mobile terminal holds differs
from a TAC received thereby.
[0131] It can be considered that when an LTE-A-support mobile
terminal carries out carrier aggregation while including a
plurality of anchor carriers in carriers to be aggregated, tracking
area codes differ among the plurality of anchor carriers. The
anchor carriers can be component carriers. In this case, the mobile
terminal does not know which anchor carrier's TAC the mobile
terminal should use for the determination of whether to carryout
the TAU. Therefore, there arises a problem that the mobile
communication system needs a complicated control operation, such as
an operation of determining which anchor carrier's TAC each mobile
terminal should use.
[0132] A solution provided by variant 1 of this Embodiment 1 will
be shown hereafter.
[0133] It is assumed that in base stations which can carry out
carrier aggregation, a single type of tracking area code (an
identical tracking area code) is provided. In other words, it is
assumed that in cells which can carry out carrier aggregation, an
identical tracking area code is notified as the system information
about anchor carriers, SIB information included in system
information, or SIB1 information included in system
information.
[0134] A concrete example will be explained with reference to FIG.
13. An identical tracking area code is broadcast as system
information broadcast on a single carrier anchor (fa, fc, fe) or on
a multi carrier anchor (fb, fd), SIB information included in the
system information, or SIB information included in the system
information.
[0135] A concrete example will be explained with reference to FIG.
14. A TAC which a mobile terminal receives in step ST1403 is the
same as a TAC which the mobile terminal receives in step
ST1407.
[0136] Variant 1 of Embodiment 1 can provide the following
advantages.
[0137] Even if an LTE-A-support mobile terminal causes a base
station to carry out carrier aggregation while including a
plurality of anchor carriers into carriers to be aggregated, the
tracking area codes notified on the plurality of anchor carriers do
not differ from one another. Therefore, it becomes able to
implement the carrier aggregation without increasing the complexity
of the TAU control. There can be provided an advantage of improving
the transmission rate by virtue of the carrier aggregation.
[0138] Variant 1 of Embodiment 1 can be used in combination with
Embodiment 1.
Variant 2 of Embodiment 1
[0139] Because a problem to be solved by Variant 2 of Embodiment 1
is the same as that shown in Variant 1 of Embodiment 1, the
explanation of the problem will be omitted hereafter.
[0140] A solution provided by this Variant 2 of Embodiment 1 will
be shown hereafter.
[0141] In a base station which can carry out carrier aggregation, a
tracking area code at the time when the base station carries out
carrier aggregation is provided separately from a tracking area
code for an anchor carrier. The tracking area code at the time when
the base station carries out carrier aggregation can be the same as
or different from the tracking area code for the anchor carrier.
Furthermore, when a plurality of anchor carriers exist, tracking
area codes provided for the plurality of anchor carriers can be the
same as or different from one another.
[0142] As an alternative, in a base station which can carry out
carrier aggregation, a tracking area code at the time when each
mobile terminal operates as an LTE-A-support mobile terminal can be
provided separately from a tracking area code at the time when each
mobile terminal operates as an LTE-support mobile terminal. The
tracking area code at the time when each mobile terminal operates
as an LTE-A-support mobile terminal can be the same as or different
from the tracking area code at the time when each mobile terminal
operates as an LTE-support mobile terminal.
[0143] The above-mentioned tracking area code newly provided
separately is broadcast, as the system information about multiple
carriers (aggregate carrier), from a base station which can carry
out carrier aggregation.
[0144] An LTE-support mobile terminal cannot carry out carrier
aggregation. Therefore, the tracking area code at the time of
carrying out carrier aggregation is information unnecessary for an
LTE-support mobile terminal.
[0145] The tracking area code at the time of carrying out carrier
aggregation which is information unnecessary for an LTE-support
mobile terminal is not notified as the system information about
anchor carriers, but is broadcast as the system information about
multiple carriers. Therefore, an LTE-support mobile terminal can
select not to receive the unnecessary information. As a result,
there can be provided an advantage of being able to reduce the
amount of data which an LTE-support mobile terminal needs to
decode, thereby being able to reduce the processing load. There can
be provided another advantage of enabling a base station to
broadcast information required for an LTE-A-support mobile terminal
as the system information about multiple carriers to all
LTE-A-support mobile terminals being served by the base
station.
[0146] A concrete example will be explained with reference to FIG.
13.
[0147] The tracking area code at the time of carrying out carrier
aggregation is broadcast, as the system information about multiple
carriers broadcast on the anchor carrier (fb, fd) in the case of
multi carrier anchor, separately from the tracking area code
broadcast on the anchor carrier (fa, fc, fe) in the case of single
carrier anchor, or on the anchor carrier (fb, fd) in the case of
multi carrier anchor.
[0148] In this case, on the anchor carrier (fb, fd) in the case of
multi carrier anchor, a tracking area code different from the
tracking area code at the time of carrying out carrier aggregation
can be broadcast. As a result, there can be provided an advantage
of enabling an LTE-support mobile terminal to operate on any one of
all the anchor carriers (fa, fb, fc, fd, fe) in the base station
regardless of whether the anchor carrier belongs to either the
single carrier anchor or the multi carrier anchor.
[0149] A concrete example will be explained with reference to FIG.
14. A mobile terminal, in step ST1407, receives the tracking area
code at the time of carrying out carrier aggregation, as the system
information about multiple carriers, separately from the tracking
area code which it has received in step ST1403 or ST1407.
[0150] Variant 2 of Embodiment 1 can provide the following
advantages in addition to the advantages provided by Variant 1 of
Embodiment 1.
[0151] There is an MME as an entity which manages a tracking area.
According to Variant 2 of Embodiment 1, a tracking area code at the
time when each mobile terminal operates as an LTE-A-support mobile
terminal can be provided separately from a tracking area code at
the time when each mobile terminal operates as an LTE-support
mobile terminal. Therefore, it becomes easy to dispose different
MMEs both in an LTE-A system and in an LTE system. It therefore
becomes easy to newly dispose an MME for LTE-A system without
adding any change to MMEs disposed in an existing LTE system.
Therefore, there can be provided an advantage of being able to
construct a flexible mobile communication system while preventing
any change to an existing LTE system.
[0152] Variant 2 of Embodiment 1 can be used in combination with
Embodiment 1.
Variant 3 of Embodiment 1
[0153] A problem to be solved by Variant 3 of Embodiment 1 will be
explained hereafter.
[0154] Nonpatent reference 8 discloses that system information
according to the current 3GPP specifications (release 8) is
broadcast in either of the case of single carrier anchor and the
case of multi carrier anchor. However, the reference does not
disclose any point to note about system information according to
the current 3GPP specifications (release 8) which is broadcast on
an anchor carrier in an LTE-A system, etc. Anchor carriers in an
LIE-A system include both anchor carriers in the case of single
carrier anchor and anchor carriers in the case of multi carrier
anchor.
[0155] In nonpatent reference 4, a paging notification method
according to the current 3GPP specifications (release 8) is
described as below.
[0156] A paging occasion (Paging Occasion: PO) shows a subframe in
which a paging identifier (may be referred to as P-RNTI) can exist
on a PDCCH in order to notify a paging message showing that a call
has occurred. More specifically, a paging occasion specifies a
specific subframe to show a timing with which to report the
occurrence of a call.
[0157] One paging frame (Paging Frame: PF) shows one radio frame.
One paging frame includes one or more paging occasions.
[0158] There exist three parameters: "IMSI", "T" and "nB" required
to derive a PF and a PO.
[0159] The IMSI is an identifier of a mobile terminal. The IMSI may
be referred to as a UE-ID.
[0160] The T is a DRX cycle. The T may be referred to as a
discontinuous reception cycle.
[0161] The nB is used in order to calculate the generation cycle of
a PF, the number of subframes in each of which a PO occurs, and the
numbers of the subframes in each of which a PO occurs.
[0162] A base station broadcasts T and nB to mobile terminals being
served by the base station with them being mapped onto SIB2
included in system information.
[0163] According to the current 3GPP specifications (release 8),
one, two or four paging occasions can be included in one paging
frame.
[0164] Each mobile terminal needs to calculate a PF, a PO, and a
subframe pattern of subframes for paging occasions on the basis of
the received paging associated parameters.
[0165] It can be considered that when an LTE-A-support mobile
terminal carries out carrier aggregation while including a
plurality of anchor carriers in carriers to be aggregated, the
paging associated parameters differ among the plurality of anchor
carriers. The anchor carriers can be component carriers. In this
case, the mobile terminal does not know which anchor carrier's
paging associated parameters the mobile terminal should use.
Therefore, there arises a problem that the mobile communication
system needs a complicated control operation, such as an operation
of determining which anchor carrier's paging associated parameters
each mobile terminal should use.
[0166] A solution provided by this Variant 2 of Embodiment 1 will
be shown hereafter.
[0167] It is assumed that in base stations which can carry out
carrier aggregation, a single set of paging associated parameters
(identical paging related parameters) is provided. In other words,
it is assumed that in cells which can carry out carrier
aggregation, identical paging associated parameters are notified as
the system information about anchor carriers, SIB information
included in system information, or SIB2 information included in
system information.
[0168] A concrete example will be explained with reference to FIG.
13. Identical paging associated parameters are broadcast as system
information broadcast on a single carrier anchor (fa, fc, fe) or on
a multi carrier anchor (fb, fd), SIB information included in the
system information, or SIB2 information included in the system
information.
[0169] As a result, in base stations which can carry out carrier
aggregation, a single type of PF (an identical PF), a single type
of PO (an identical PO), and a single type of subframe pattern of
subframes for paging occasions (an identical subframe pattern) are
provided.
[0170] A concrete example will be explained with reference to FIG.
14. Paging associated parameters which a mobile terminal receives
in step ST1403 are the same as paging associated parameters which
the mobile terminal receives in step ST1407.
[0171] Variant 2 of Embodiment 1 can provide the following
advantages.
[0172] Even if an LTE-A-support mobile terminal causes a base
station to carry out carrier aggregation while including a
plurality of anchor carriers into carriers to be aggregated, the
paging associated parameters notified on the plurality of anchor
carriers do not differ from one another. Therefore, it becomes able
to implement the carrier aggregation without increasing the
complexity of the paging process. There can be provided an
advantage of improving the transmission rate by virtue of the
carrier aggregation.
[0173] Variant 3 of Embodiment 1 can be used in combination with
Embodiment 1, Variant 1 of Embodiment 1, or Variant 2 of Embodiment
1.
Variant 4 of Embodiment 1
[0174] Because a problem to be solved by Variant 4 of Embodiment 1
is the same as that shown in Variant 3 of Embodiment 1, the
explanation of the problem will be omitted hereafter.
[0175] A solution provided by Variant 4 of this Embodiment 1 will
be shown hereafter.
[0176] In a base station which can carry out carrier aggregation,
paging associated parameters at the time of carrying out carrier
aggregation are provided separately from paging associated
parameters for anchor carriers. The paging associated parameters at
the time of carrying out carrier aggregation can be the same as or
different from the paging associated parameters for anchor
carriers. Furthermore, when a plurality of anchor carriers exist,
paging associated parameters for each of the plurality of anchor
carriers can be the same as or different from those for any other
one of the plurality of anchor carriers.
[0177] As a result, in base stations which can carry out carrier
aggregation, PFs, POs, and subframe patterns of subframes for
paging occasions of the plurality of anchor carriers can differ
from one another.
[0178] As an alternative, in a base station which can carry out
carrier aggregation, paging associated parameters at the time when
each mobile terminal operates as an LTE-A-support mobile terminal
can be provided separately from paging associated parameters at the
time when each mobile terminal operates as an LTE-support mobile
terminal. The paging associated parameters at the time when each
mobile terminal operates as an LTE-A-support mobile terminal can be
the same as or different from the paging associated parameters at
the time when each mobile terminal operates as an LTE-support
mobile terminal.
[0179] The above-mentioned paging associated parameters newly
provided separately are broadcast, as the system information about
multiple carriers (aggregate carrier), from a base station which
can carry out carrier aggregation.
[0180] An LTE-support mobile terminal cannot carry out carrier
aggregation. Therefore, the paging associated parameters at the
time of carrying out carrier aggregation are information
unnecessary for an LTE-support mobile terminal.
[0181] The paging associated parameters at the time of carrying out
carrier aggregation which are information unnecessary for an
LTE-support mobile terminal are not notified as the system
information about anchor carriers, but are broadcast as the system
information about multiple carriers. Therefore, an LTE-support
mobile terminal can select not to receive the unnecessary
information. As a result, there can be provided an advantage of
being able to reduce the amount of data which an LTE-support mobile
terminal needs to decode, thereby being able to reduce the
processing load. There can be provided another advantage of
enabling a base station to broadcast information required for an
LTE-A-support mobile terminal as the system information about
multiple carriers to all LTE-A-support mobile terminals being
served by the base station.
[0182] A concrete example will be explained with reference to FIG.
13.
[0183] The paging associated parameters at the time of carrying out
carrier aggregation are broadcast, as the system information about
multiple carriers broadcast on the anchor carrier (fb, fd) in the
case of multi carrier anchor, separately from the paging associated
parameters broadcast on the anchor carrier (fa, fc, fe) in the case
of single carrier anchor, or on the anchor carrier (fb, fd) in the
case of multi carrier anchor.
[0184] In this case, on the anchor carrier (fb, fd) in the case of
multi carrier anchor, paging associated parameters different from
the paging associated parameters at the time of carrying out
carrier aggregation can be broadcast. As a result, there can be
provided an advantage of enabling an LTE-support mobile terminal to
operate on any one of all the anchor carriers (fa, fb, fc, fd, fe)
in the base station regardless of whether the anchor carrier
belongs to either the single carrier anchor or the multi carrier
anchor.
[0185] A concrete example will be explained with reference to FIG.
14. A mobile terminal, in step ST1407, receives the paging
associated parameters at the time of carrying out carrier
aggregation, as the system information about multiple carriers,
separately from the paging associated parameters which it has
received in step ST1403 or ST1407.
[0186] Variant 4 of Embodiment 1 can provide the following
advantages in addition to the advantages provided by Variant 3 of
Embodiment 1.
[0187] An LTE-support mobile terminal can operate only from a
single component carrier. Therefore, it is also considered that the
number of mobile terminals being served by a base station differs
greatly for each component carrier. In this Variant 4 of Embodiment
1, when a plurality of anchor carriers exist, the paging associated
parameters of the plurality of anchor carriers can differ from one
another. Therefore, as compared with Variant 3 of Embodiment 1, it
becomes able to adjust the paging associated parameters according
to the number of mobile terminals being served by a base station in
the mobile communication system, and more flexible control can be
implemented. Therefore, there can be provided an advantage of being
able to construct a flexible mobile communication system while
preventing any change to an existing LTE system.
[0188] Variant 4 of Embodiment 1 can be used in combination with
Embodiment 1, Variant 1 of Embodiment 1, or Variant 2 of Embodiment
1.
Embodiment 2
[0189] A problem to be solved by Embodiment 2 will be
explained.
[0190] Nonpatent reference 4 describes a paging notification method
provided in the current 3GPP specifications (release 8), as will be
shown below.
[0191] A paging occasion (PO) shows a subframe in which a paging
identifier (may be referred to as P-RNTI) can exist on a PDCCH in
order to notify a paging message showing that a call has occurred.
More specifically, a paging occasion specifies a specific subframe
to show a timing with which to report the occurrence of a call.
[0192] One paging frame (PF) shows one radio frame. One paging
frame includes one or more paging occasions.
[0193] There exist three parameters: "IMSI", "T" and "nB" required
to derive a PF and a PO.
[0194] The IMSI is an identifier of a mobile terminal. The IMSI may
be referred to as a UE-ID.
[0195] The T is a DRX cycle. The T may be referred to as a
discontinuous reception cycle.
[0196] The nB is used in order to calculate the generation cycle of
a PF, the number of subframes in each of which a PO occurs, and the
numbers of the subframes in each of which a PO occurs.
[0197] A base station broadcasts T and nB to mobile terminals being
served by the base station with them being mapped onto SIB2
included in system information.
[0198] According to the current 3GPP specifications (release 8),
one, two or four paging occasions can be included in one paging
frame.
[0199] As disclosed in nonpatent reference 7 and nonpatent
reference 8, it has been considered that in an LTE-A system larger
frequency bandwidths than the frequency bandwidths (transmission
bandwidths) of an LTE system are supported.
[0200] It can be considered that as the frequency bandwidths are
widened, an LIE-A-support base station has a larger number of
mobile terminals being served thereby than an LTE-support base
station. When the types of paging occasions are the same as each
other even though the number of mobile terminals being served by an
LIE-A-support base station and placed in an idle state becomes
large, the number of mobile terminals each of which monitors the
presence or absence of a P-RNTI on the PDCCH with the same paging
occasion increases.
[0201] When a mobile terminal determines there is a P-RNTI, the
mobile terminal monitors a PCH on a PDSCH. An accurate identifier
of the mobile terminal becomes known on the PCH.
[0202] More specifically, as the number of mobile terminals each of
which monitors the presence or absence of a P-RNTI on the PDCCH
with the same paging occasion increases, there arises a problem
that a mobile terminal has a high probability of determining that
there is a P-RNTI on the PDCCH even though the paging is destined
for another mobile terminal, and monitoring the PCH on the PDSCH.
This results in a problem of increase in the power consumption of
the mobile terminal.
[0203] Furthermore, when a paging occurs with the same timing in
mobile terminals each of which monitors the presence or absence of
a P-RNTI on the PDCCH with the same paging occasion, a notification
of the paging to any one of the mobile terminals is made, and a
notification of the paging of any other mobile terminal is placed
in a standby mode.
[0204] More specifically, as the number of mobile terminals each of
which monitors whether or not there is a P-RNTI on the PDCCH with
the same paging occasion increases, there arises a problem that the
probability that a paging occurs with the same timing for mobile
terminals each of which monitors the presence or absence of a
P-RNTI on the PDCCH with the same paging occasion increases. This
results in a problem of increase in the control delay in the whole
mobile communication system.
[0205] A solution provided by this Embodiment 2 will be shown
hereafter.
[0206] In a base station which can carry out carrier aggregation,
the number of paging occasions which can be included in one paging
frame is increased as compared with that in a base station which
cannot carry out carrier aggregation. A base station which can
carry out carrier aggregation can be an LTE-A system-support base
station or a release 10-support base station. A base station which
cannot carry out carrier aggregation can be an LTE system-support
base station or a release 8-support base station. In a concrete
example, the number of subframes included in a subframe pattern for
paging occasions included in one paging frame is increased.
[0207] According to this embodiment, a larger value than current
possible values of the nB is introduced in the concrete example.
Accordingly, the number of paging occasions included in one paging
frame is increased.
[0208] On the other hand, each radio frame is divided into ten
equal-sized subframes (sub-frames). Therefore, even if the number
of paging occasions included in one paging frame is increased to
become larger than 10, it becomes impossible to assign all the
paging occasions to the different subframes, respectively. More
specifically, even if the number of paging occasions included in
one paging frame is increased to become larger than 10, it becomes
impossible to assign all the paging occasions to the different
subframes, respectively, when actually mapping all the paging
occasions onto the subframes. Because in this case it is impossible
to map the pagings onto the different subframes, respectively, this
case offers no solution to the problem. Furthermore, when a base
station broadcasts a large value, as the nB, to mobile terminals, a
large number of bits is consumed for the broadcasting, and there is
a problem in the effective use of radio resources.
[0209] Therefore, in accordance with this embodiment, a larger
value than the possible values of the nB which are defined in the
current 3GPP specifications (release 8) is introduced in the
concrete example with its maximum upper limit being set to "10T".
As a result, there can be provided an advantage of being able to
increase the number of paging occasions included in one paging
frame while preventing increase in the amount of information of the
nB provided as broadcast information.
[0210] In the concrete example, the upper limit "4T" of the
currently-defined possible values of the nB: "4T, 2T, T, T/2, T/4,
T/8, T/16, T/32" is changed to "5T", "6T", "7T", "8T", "9T", or
"10T".
[0211] Furthermore, another solution lies in increasing the number
of paging frames which can be generated during DRX which is a cycle
in which whether or not a paging occurs is checked to see.
[0212] An example of an operation is shown in FIG. 15.
[0213] A base station, in step ST1501, broadcasts paging associated
parameters to mobile terminals being served thereby. A concrete
example of the paging associated parameters includes "T" and "nB".
In a concrete example of a method of broadcasting the paging
associated parameters, the paging associated parameters are
broadcast, as system information, on an anchor carrier. As a
result, there can be provided an advantage of enabling any terminal
being served by the base station, regardless of whether the
terminal is an LTE-support terminal or an LTE-A-support terminal,
to receive the paging parameters. As an alternative, these paging
parameters are mapped onto SIB2 included in system information.
According to the current 3GPP specifications (release 8) (for LTE
system) the paging parameters are similarly mapped onto the SIB2.
Therefore, it is not necessary to add any change to the methods for
use in an LTE system, and there can be provided an advantage of
avoiding the complexity of the mobile communication system.
[0214] A mobile terminal, in step ST1502, uses both the paging
associated parameters broadcast thereto from the base station in
step ST1501 and an identifier thereof (also referred to as IMSI or
UE-ID) to carry out determination of a paging frame and a paging
occasion. As an concrete example of the determination, a method
which is the same as that according to the current 3GPP
specifications (release 8) (for LTE systems) is used. As a result,
it is not necessary to add any change to the methods for use in an
LTE system, and there can be provided an advantage of avoiding the
complexity of the mobile communication system.
[0215] The mobile terminal, in step ST1503 carries out a
discontinuous reception (also referred to as DRX) operation
according to the paging frame and the paging occasion which are
determined in step ST1502.
[0216] An incoming call to the mobile terminal occurs in step
ST1504.
[0217] An MME, in step ST1505, notifies paging information to one
or more base stations belonging to one or more tracking areas to
which the mobile terminal belongs. It can be considered that the
paging information is the identifier of the mobile terminal or the
like.
[0218] The base station which has received the paging information
destined for the mobile terminal from the MME, in step ST1506,
determines a paging frame and a paging occasion by using the
identifier of the mobile terminal included in the paging
information which is, in step 1505, notified from the MME, and the
"T" and "nB" which the base station, in step ST1501, has broadcast
to mobile terminals being served thereby. The determining method
can be the same as that of step ST1502.
[0219] The base station, in step ST1507, notifies PCH allocation
information to the mobile terminal by using a P-RNTI on a PDCCH
according to the paging frame and the paging occasion which are
determined.
[0220] The base station, in step ST1508, notifies a PCH on a PDSCH
to the mobile terminal according to the PCH allocation information
which the base station has notified in step ST1507.
[0221] The mobile terminal, in step ST1509, monitors whether the
PCH allocation information on the PDCCH exists by using the P-RNTI
according to the paging frame and the paging occasion determined in
step ST1502. When receiving the PCH allocation information, the
mobile terminal makes a transition to step ST1510.
[0222] The mobile terminal, in step ST1510, receives the PCH on the
PDSCH according to the PCH allocation information received in step
ST1509. When recognizing that the paging is destined for the mobile
terminal itself from the PCH, the mobile terminal makes a
transition to step ST1511.
[0223] The mobile terminal, in step ST1511, performs an incoming
call receiving process according to the paging message thereto on
the PDSCH.
[0224] Embodiment 2 can provide the following advantages.
[0225] Either the number of paging occasions which can be included
in one paging frame or the number of paging frames which can be
generated during DRX which is a cycle in which whether or not
paging is carried out is checked to see can be increased.
Therefore, it becomes able to reduce the number of mobile terminals
each of which monitors the presence or absence of a P-RNTI on the
PDCCH with the same paging occasion. As a result, it becomes able
to reduce the probability that a mobile terminal monitors the PCH
on the PDSCH even though the paging is destined for another mobile
terminal. Accordingly, there can be provided an advantage of
reducing the power consumption of the mobile terminal.
[0226] Furthermore, it becomes able to reduce the probability that
paging occurs with the same timing for mobile terminals each of
which monitors the presence or absence of a P-RNTI on the PDCCH
with the same paging occasion. As a result, there can be provided
an advantage of being able to reduce the control delay in the whole
mobile communication system.
[0227] Furthermore, a paging receiving operation and a paging
transmitting operation performed by an LTE-support mobile terminal
being served by an LTE-A-support base station can be made to be the
same as those performed by an LTE-A-support mobile terminal being
served by the base station. As a result, there can be provided an
advantage of preventing increase in the complexity of the mobile
communication system.
[0228] Embodiment 2 can be used in combination with Embodiment 1,
Variant 1 of Embodiment 1, Variant 2 of Embodiment 1, Variant 3 of
Embodiment 1, or Variant 4 of Embodiment 1. From the viewpoint that
the paging receiving operation and the paging transmitting
operation performed by an LTE-support mobile terminal being served
by an LTE-A-support base station can be made to be the same as
those performed by an LTE-A-support mobile terminal, the
compatibility with Variant 1 of Embodiment 1 is higher as compared
with that with Variant 2 of Embodiment 1.
Variant 1 of Embodiment 2
[0229] Because a problem to be solved by Variant 1 of Embodiment 2
is the same as that shown in Embodiment 2, the explanation of the
problem will be omitted hereafter.
[0230] A solution provided in this Variant 1 of Embodiment 2 will
be shown hereafter.
[0231] The paging associated parameters are divided into parameters
for LTE-support mobile terminals, and parameters for LTE-A-support
mobile terminals. As an alternative, paging associated parameters
for LTE-A are newly disposed. As a result, a network side can
adjust the paging parameters for LTE-support mobile terminals, and
those for LTE-A-support mobile terminals separately. Therefore,
there can be provided an advantage of being able to reduce the
number of mobile terminals each of which monitors the presence or
absence of a P-RNTI on the PDCCH with the same paging occasion
while preventing any change to an existing LTE system.
[0232] A concrete example in which the paging associated parameters
are divided into parameters for LTE-support mobile terminals, and
parameters for LTE-A-support mobile terminals will be shown
below.
[0233] Radio resources configure common information (also referred
to as Radio Resource Configure Common information Element) is
divided into information for LTE-support mobile terminals, and that
for LTE-A-support mobile terminals. As an alternative, either radio
resources configure common information or information similar to
radio resources configure common information is newly disposed for
LTE-A. As a result, POs and PFs can be adjusted in such a way that
PO and PF are provided for LTE-support mobile terminals, and PO and
PF are provided for LTE-A-support mobile terminals, separately.
[0234] As an alternative, the SIB2 is divided into a portion for
LTE-support mobile terminals, and that for LTE-A-support mobile
terminals. As an alternative, another SIB2 or information similar
to the SIB2 is newly disposed for LTE-A. As a result, POs and PFs
can be adjusted in such a way that PO and PF are provided for
LTE-support mobile terminals, and PO and PF are provided for
LTE-A-support mobile terminals, separately. The radio resources
configure information common to mobile terminals is mapped onto the
SIB2.
[0235] For example, in order to map information for LTE-A-support
mobile terminals similar to the SIB2, a new SIB is disposed. As a
result, POs and PFs can be adjusted in such a way that PO and PF
are provided for LTE-support mobile terminals, and PO and PF are
provided for LTE-A-support mobile terminals, separately.
[0236] As an alternative, the information for LIE-A-support mobile
terminals similar to the SIB2 can be broadcast as the system
information about multiple carriers, for example. As a result, POs
and PFs can be adjusted in such a way that PO and PF are provided
for LTE-support mobile terminals, and PO and PF are provided for
LTE-A-support mobile terminals, separately. The paging parameters
for LTE-A-support mobile terminals which are information
unnecessary for an LTE-support mobile terminal are not notified as
system information from an anchor carrier, but are broadcast as the
system information about multiple carriers. Therefore, an
LTE-support mobile terminal can select not to receive the
unnecessary information. As a result, there can be provided an
advantage of being able to reduce the amount of data which an
LTE-support mobile terminal needs to decode, thereby being able to
reduce the processing load. There can be provided another advantage
of enabling a base station to broadcast, as the system information
about multiple carriers, information required for an LIE-A-support
mobile terminal to all LIE-A-support mobile terminals being served
by the base station.
[0237] As an alternative, instead of dividing the SIB2 into a
portion for LTE-support mobile terminals and that for LTE-A-support
mobile terminals, the T and nB which are paging associated
parameters are divided into parameters for LTE-support mobile
terminals (e.g. T_LTE and nB_LTE) and those for LTE-A-support
mobile terminals (e.g. T_LTE-A and nB_LTE-A). As an alternative,
either another T and another nB or paging parameters similar to the
T and nB are newly disposed for LTE-A. As a result, POs and PFs can
be adjusted in such a way that PO and PF are provided for
LTE-support mobile terminals, and PO and PF are provided for
LTE-A-support mobile terminals, separately.
[0238] As an alternative, an occurrence subframe pattern of
subframes in each of which a PO occurs is divided into a subframe
pattern for LTE-support mobile terminals and that for LTE-A-support
mobile terminals. As an alternative, another occurrence subframe
pattern is newly disposed for LTE-A. The occurrence subframe
pattern can be determined statically. By determining the occurrence
subframe pattern statically, it becomes unnecessary to notify the
occurrence subframe pattern from the network side to mobile
terminals, and there can be provided an advantage of making the
effective use of radio resources. Furthermore, by making the paging
associated parameters common among mobile terminals, there can be
provided an advantage of making the effective use of radio
resources. As a result, subframes in each of which a PO occurs can
be adjusted in such a way that subframes in each of which a PO
occurs are provided for LTE-support mobile terminals, and subframes
in each of which a PO occurs are provided for LTE-A-support mobile
terminals, separately. In conjunction with this adjustment, the
paging associated parameters can be divided into parameters for
LTE-support mobile terminals and those for LTE-A-support mobile
terminals.
[0239] As an alternative, a paging identifier (also referred to as
P-RNTI) on the PDCCH is divided into a portion for LTE-support
mobile terminals and that for LTE-A-support mobile terminals. In a
concrete example, P-RNTI_LTE is provided as the portion for
LTE-support mobile terminals, and P-RNTI_LTE-A is provided as that
for LTE-A-support mobile terminals. Accordingly, a region for
LTE-support mobile terminals and that for LTE-A mobile terminals
can be disposed separately on the PDCCH. In other words, an
LTE-support mobile terminal monitors whether or not there is PCH
allocation information on the PDCCH by using the P-RNTI_LTE while
an LTE-A-support mobile terminal monitors whether or not there is
PCH allocation information on the PDCCH by using the P-RNTI_LTE-A.
Even if the same PO or PF is provided, by separately disposing the
identifiers used for the monitoring for LTE-support mobile
terminals and for LTE-A-support mobile terminals, it becomes able
to reduce the number of mobile terminals each of which monitors the
presence or absence of PCH allocation information by using the same
identifier on the PDCCH with the same paging occasion. In
conjunction with the above-mentioned method, the paging associated
parameters can be divided into parameters for LTE-support mobile
terminals and those for LTE-A-support mobile terminals.
[0240] When an incoming call to a mobile terminal occurs, the base
station checks the system which the mobile terminal supports, and
carries out either determination of a paging frame and a paging
occasion, or reference of the occurrence subframe pattern and
selection of a paging identifier according to the system which the
mobile terminal supports.
[0241] A concrete example of a method which the base station uses
to check the system which the mobile terminal supports will be
shown hereafter.
[0242] According to method 1, the mobile terminal transmits paging
associated capability (Capability) information as UE capability
(Capability) information in response to an inquiry (also referred
to as UECapabilityEnquiry) from the network side. As a concrete
example of the paging associated capability information, there is
information showing whether to use, as the paging associated
parameters, either paging associated parameters for LTE-A-support
mobile terminals or those for LTE-support mobile terminals.
[0243] As an alternative, when the mobile terminal supports the
current 3GPP specifications (release 8), the mobile terminal uses
the paging associated parameters for LTE-support mobile terminals,
whereas when the mobile terminal supports release 10, the mobile
terminal uses the paging associated parameters for LTE-A-support
mobile terminals. In this case, as a concrete example of the paging
associated capability information, there is information showing the
release (release 8, release 10, or the like) which the mobile
terminal supports.
[0244] Mobile terminals which can notify the paging associated
capability information to the network side as the UE capability
information can be limited to only LTE-A-support mobile terminals.
If no notification of the paging associated capability information
from the mobile terminal to the network side is made as the UE
capability information, the network side should just determine that
the mobile terminal uses the paging associated parameters for
LTE-support mobile terminals. As a result, it is not necessary to
add any change to the methods for use in an LTE system, and there
can be provided an advantage of avoiding the complexity of the
mobile communication system.
[0245] Furthermore, according to method 2, the mobile terminal
transmits the paging associated capability information to the
network side at the time of a TAU without receiving any inquiry
from the network side. Because a concrete example of the paging
associated capability information is the same as that according to
method 1, the explanation of the concrete example will be omitted
hereafter. Unless the mobile terminal stores the TAC of the cell
which it has selected in performing cell selection, that is, when
the mobile terminal moves to the TA of a cell with which it has not
registered, the mobile terminal transmits a TAU spontaneously.
Because method 2 needs no inquiry from the network side, the
effective use of radio resources can be achieved. Furthermore, like
in the case of using method 1, the paging associated capability
information can be transmitted only to an LTE-A-support mobile
terminal at the time of a TAU. If no notification of the paging
associated capability information from the mobile terminal to the
network side is made at the time of a TAU, the network should just
determine that the mobile terminal uses the paging associated
parameters for LTE-support mobile terminals. As a result, it is not
necessary to add any change to the methods for use in an LTE
system, and there can be provided an advantage of avoiding the
complexity of the mobile communication system.
[0246] Furthermore, according to method 3, the mobile terminal
transmits the paging associated capability information without any
inquiry from the network side regardless of transmission of a TAU
of the mobile terminal. A concrete example of the case in which the
mobile terminal transmits the paging associated capability
information will be described hereafter. When the mobile terminal
makes a cell reselection to select a base station which can carry
out carrier aggregation, or when the mobile terminal selects a base
station which can carry out carrier aggregation as a handover
destination, the mobile terminal transmits the paging associated
capability information. Furthermore, when the mobile terminal makes
a cell reselection to select a carrier of multi carrier anchor in a
base station which can carry out carrier aggregation, or when the
mobile terminal selects a base station which can carry out carrier
aggregation as a handover destination, the mobile terminal
transmits the paging associated capability information. As a method
of notifying the paging associated capability information, a method
of mapping the paging associated capability information onto a DCCH
can be considered. As a result, only when the mobile terminal makes
a cell reselection to select a base station which divides the
paging associated parameters into paging associated parameters for
LTE-support mobile terminals, and those for LTE-A-support mobile
terminals, and which can carry out carrier aggregation, or when the
mobile terminal is handed over to such a base station which can
carry out carrier aggregation, the mobile terminal transmits the
paging associated capability information to the base station.
Therefore, there can be provided an advantage of making the
effective use of radio resources. Like in the case of using method
1, mobile terminals which can notify the paging associated
capability information can be limited to only LTE-A-support mobile
terminals. If no notification of the paging associated capability
information from the mobile terminal to the network side is made,
the network side should just determine that the mobile terminal
uses the paging associated parameters for LTE-support mobile
terminals. As a result, it is not necessary to add any change to
the methods for use in an LTE system, and there can be provided an
advantage of avoiding the complexity of the mobile communication
system.
[0247] The above-mentioned method of causing the base station to
check to see the system which the mobile terminal supports can be
used not only in the case in which an incoming call to the mobile
terminal occurs, but also in the mobile communication system.
[0248] An example of the operation is shown in FIG. 16. Because the
same processes or like processes in FIG. 16 are performed in the
steps designated by the same reference characters as those shown in
FIG. 15, the explanation of the steps designated by the same
reference characters will be omitted hereafter. The operation using
method 2 as the method of causing the base station to check to see
the system which the mobile terminal supports will be explained as
an example.
[0249] The mobile terminal, in step ST1601, compares the TAC of the
cell which it has selected in performing cell selection with the
TAC which the mobile terminal has already held, and, when
determining that they are different from each other, or when the
mobile terminal does not store the TAC of the cell which it has
selected in performing cell selection, transmits a TAU to the base
station. The TAU includes the identification information about the
mobile terminal (also referred to as an identifier, and referred to
as an IMSI, a UE-ID, or the like).
[0250] The base station, in step ST1602, notifies the TAU received
from the mobile terminal in step ST1601 to an MME.
[0251] The mobile terminal, in step ST1603, notifies the paging
associated capability to the base station. A concrete example of
the paging associated capability is provided as mentioned
above.
[0252] The base station, in step ST1604, notifies the paging
associated capability received from the mobile terminal in step
ST1603 to an MME. As a result, it is not necessary for the base
station to manage the paging associated capability information of
the mobile terminal, and there can be provided an advantage of
being able to manage the paging associated capability information
collectively in the MME. As an alternative, the notification to
this MME can be omitted, and the paging associated capability
information of the mobile terminal can be managed by the base
station. In this case, there can be provided an advantage of making
the effective use of communication resources between the base
station and the MME.
[0253] The base station, in step ST1605, broadcasts the paging
associated parameters for LTE-support mobile terminals (e.g. T_LTE
and nB_LTE), and the paging parameters for LTE-A-support mobile
terminals (e.g. T_LTE-A and nB_LTE-A) to mobile terminals being
served thereby. In a concrete example of a method of broadcasting
the paging associated parameters, the base station broadcasts the
paging associated parameters, as the SIB2 included in the system
information, on an anchor carrier. The anchor carrier includes an
anchor carrier in single carrier anchor, and an anchor carrier in
multi carrier anchor.
[0254] The mobile terminal, in step 1606, checks the paging
associated capability information thereof. The mobile terminal
determines whether or not to use the paging associated parameters
for LTE-A-support mobile terminals as the paging associated
parameters. When using the paging associated parameters for
LTE-A-support mobile terminals, the mobile terminal makes a
transition to step ST1607. In contrast, when not using the paging
associated parameters for LTE-A-support mobile terminals, or when
using the paging associated parameters for LTE-support mobile
terminals, the mobile terminal makes a transition to step
ST1609.
[0255] The mobile terminal, in step ST1607, carries out
determination of a paging frame and a paging occasion by using the
paging parameters for LTE-A-support mobile terminals (e.g. T_LTE-A
and nB_LTE-A), and the identifier thereof (also referred to as an
IMSI or a UE-ID), among the paging associated parameters broadcast
thereto from the base station in step ST1605. As a concrete example
of a method of determining a paging frame and a paging occasion, a
method similar to that defined by the current 3GPP specifications
(release 8) (LTE system) can be used. As a result, it is not
necessary to add any change to the methods for use in an LTE
system, and there can be provided an advantage of avoiding the
complexity of the mobile communication system.
[0256] The mobile terminal, in step ST1608, carries out a
discontinuous reception (also referred to as DRX) operation
according to the paging frame and the paging occasion which are
determined in step ST1607.
[0257] The mobile terminal, in step ST1609, carries out
determination of a paging frame and a paging occasion by using the
paging parameters for LTE-support mobile terminals (e.g. T_LTE and
nB_LTE), and the identifier thereof (also referred to as an IMSI or
a UE-ID), among the paging associated parameters broadcast thereto
from the base station in step ST1605. As a concrete example of a
method of determining a paging frame and a paging occasion, a
method similar to that defined by the current 3GPP specifications
(release 8) (LTE system) can be used. As a result, it is not
necessary to add any change to the methods for use in an LTE
system, and there can be provided an advantage of avoiding the
complexity of the mobile communication system.
[0258] The mobile terminal, in step ST1610, carries out a
discontinuous reception (also referred to as DRX) operation
according to the paging frame and the paging occasion which are
determined in step ST1609.
[0259] An MME, in step ST1611, notifies the paging information and
the paging associated capability information of the mobile terminal
which it has received in step ST1604 to one or more base stations
belonging to one or more tracking area to which the mobile terminal
belongs. The paging information and the paging associated
capability information can be notified simultaneously or at
different times. When the notification of the paging associated
capability information to the MME is omitted in step ST1604, the
notification of the paging related capability information from the
MME to the base station is not made in the step.
[0260] The base station, in step 1612, checks to see the paging
associated capability information of the mobile terminal to which
an incoming call has occurred. The base station determines whether
or not to use the paging associated parameters for LTE-A-support
mobile terminals as the paging associated parameters. In the case
of using the paging associated parameters for LTE-A-support mobile
terminals, but not using the paging associated parameters for
LTE-support mobile terminals, the base station makes a transition
to step ST1613. In the case of not using the paging associated
parameters for LTE-A-support mobile terminals, but using the paging
associated parameter for LTE-support mobile terminals, the base
station makes a transition to step ST1614.
[0261] The base station, in step ST1613, carries out determination
of a paging frame and a paging occasion by using the paging
parameters for LTE-A-support mobile terminals (e.g. T_LTE-A and
nB_LTE-A), and the identifier of the mobile terminal (also referred
to as an IMSI or a UE-ID), among the paging associated parameters.
The base station uses the same method of determining a paging frame
and a paging occasion as that used by the mobile terminal. The base
station, in step ST1614, carries out determination of a paging
frame and a paging occasion by using the paging parameters for
LTE-support mobile terminals (e.g. T_LTE and nB_LTE), and the
identifier of the mobile terminal (also referred to as an IMSI or a
UE-ID), among the paging associated parameters. The base station
uses the same method of determining a paging frame and a paging
occasion as that used by the mobile terminal.
[0262] In the above-mentioned example, an LTE-A-support mobile
terminal can use the paging associated parameters for LTE-support
mobile terminals. In this case, an LTE-A-support mobile terminal
individually notifies the network side (the base station or the
MME) to that effect. As a method of notifying the information, a
method of mapping this information onto a DCCH can be considered.
As a result, there can be provided an advantage of being able to
implement flexible use of LTE-A-support mobile terminals.
[0263] Furthermore, a case in which an LTE-A-support mobile
terminal operates while being served by an LTE-support base station
(a release 8-support base station) can be considered.
[0264] The base station notifies the release which the base station
supports to mobile terminals being served thereby by using the
broadcast information (SIB, MIB, or the like) about the base
station. In this case, the base station which notifies the release
which the base station supports can be limited to only an
LTE-A-support base station (a release 10-support base station). As
a result, there can be provided an advantage of being able to
prevent any change to an existing LTE system. Accordingly, each of
mobile terminals being served by the base station can know the
release with which the cell selected thereby supports.
[0265] When performing cell selection, each mobile terminal
determines whether the base station is an LTE-support one or an
LTE-A-support one. When the base station is an LTE-A-support one,
each mobile terminal uses the method according to above-mentioned
Variant 1 of Embodiment 2 to perform the same operation as that
performed by an LTE-support mobile terminal, whereas when the base
station is an LTE-support one, each mobile terminal does not use
the method according to above-mentioned Variant 1 of Embodiment 2
to perform the same operation as that performed by an LTE-support
mobile terminal. The same operation as that performed by an
LTE-support mobile terminal is the one of determining a paging
frame and a paging occasion according to the paging associated
parameters (T and nB) mapped onto the SIB2 included in the system
information, and then performing a discontinuous reception
operation by using the occurrence subframe pattern for LTE-support
mobile terminals. As a result, there can be provided an advantage
of reducing the number of mobile terminals each of which monitors
the presence or absence of a P-RNTI on the PDCCH with the same
paging occasion in an LTE-A system by using Variant 1 of Embodiment
2 while enabling an LTE-A-support mobile terminal to operate while
being served by an LTE-support base station.
[0266] Variant 1 of Embodiment 2 can provide the following
advantages in addition to the advantages provided by Embodiment
2.
[0267] The network side can separately adjust the paging parameters
for LTE-support mobile terminals and the paging parameters for
LTE-A-support mobile terminals. Therefore, there is provided an
advantage of preventing any change to an existing LTE system while
reducing the number of mobile terminals each of which monitors the
presence or absence of a P-RNTI on the PDCCH with the same paging
occasion.
[0268] Variant 1 of Embodiment 2 can be used in combination with
Embodiment 1, Variant 1 of Embodiment 1, Variant 2 of Embodiment 1,
Variant 3 of Embodiment 1, or Variant 4 of Embodiment 1. From the
viewpoint that the paging receiving operation and the paging
transmitting operation performed by an LTE-support mobile terminal
can be made to be different from those performed by an
LIE-A-support mobile terminal, the compatibility with Variant 2 of
Embodiment 1 is higher as compared with that with Variant 1 of
Embodiment 1.
Embodiment 3
[0269] A problem to be solved by Embodiment 3 will be
explained.
[0270] It has been considered that in an LTE-A system larger
transmission bandwidths than the transmission bandwidths
(transmission bandwidths) of an LTE system are supported, as
disclosed in nonpatent reference 7 and nonpatent reference 8.
[0271] When a selected anchor carrier (this can be replaced by a
component carrier) differs, the carrier frequency differs. Because
the wavelength and the period also differ when the frequency
differs, each reception point receives a different influence and
has different reception quality even if the transmission wave
propagates over the same distance through the same route.
Therefore, a change of the component carrier according to the
reception quality of a downlink signal is effective for an
improvement in the reception quality.
[0272] Because a mobile terminal receives system information on the
anchor carrier as a component carrier, a method of changing the
anchor carrier according to the reception quality is effective for
an improvement in the reception quality.
[0273] On the other hand, in a method of making a reselection
between different frequencies according to the current 3GPP
specifications (release 8), it is assumed that a mobile terminal
simply performs reselection and evaluation according to a
high-priority frequency provided by SIB5 included in system
information (see nonpatent reference 4 and nonpatent reference 9).
When the reception quality of a cell having a frequency to which a
priority higher than or equal to that of the serving frequency is
provided does not satisfy reference quality for cell reselection, a
reselection of a cell having a frequency to which a priority
(Priority) lower than that of the serving frequency is assigned is
made (nonpatent reference 4). There is "CellReselectionPriority"
provided by the SIB5 as a parameter showing the priority of a
frequency.
[0274] Therefore, according to a current technology, a mobile
terminal gives a higher priority to reselection and evaluation of
another base station having a frequency having a higher priority
than to reselection and evaluation of another carrier (anchor
carrier, component carrier, or the like) having a low priority in
the serving base station. More specifically, when another base
station having a frequency having a higher priority satisfies the
reference reception quality for cell reselection, a mobile terminal
does not perform reselection and evaluation of another carrier
having a low priority in the serving base station.
[0275] An example of a cell reselecting operation performed by a
carrier aggregation-capable base station will be explained with
reference to FIGS. 17 and 18 by using a concrete example.
[0276] 1701 and 1702 of FIG. 17(a) denote physical downlink control
channels (PDCCHs). Although the example in which the physical
downlink control channels are mapped for each component carrier is
shown in FIG. 17, the present embodiment is not limited to this
example. As another example, a case in which a component carrier
onto which a physical downlink control channel is mapped, and a
component carrier onto which a physical downlink control channel is
not mapped coexist can be considered.
[0277] 1703, 1704, 1705, 1706, 1707, 1708, 1709, 1710, 1711, and
1712 denote downlink synchronization signals and physical broadcast
channels (PBCH). Although the example in which a downlink
synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel are mapped
for each component carrier is shown in FIG. 13, the present
embodiment is not limited to this example. As another example, a
case in which a component carrier onto which a downlink
synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel are mapped,
and a component carrier onto which a downlink synchronization
signal and a physical broadcast channel are not mapped coexist can
be considered.
[0278] As shown in FIG. 17(a), a cell A and a cell B each of which
has five component carriers (fa, fb, fc, fd, fe) each having a
bandwidth of 20 MHz in an LTE-A system will be considered. It is
further assumed that fa, fc, and fe are anchor carriers of single
carrier anchor, and fb and fd are anchor carriers of multi carrier
anchor. In FIG. 17(b), a concrete example of the priority parameter
(also referred to CellReselectionPriority) broadcast using the SIB5
which is system information of the cell A is shown. For example, it
is assumed that "7" shows the highest priority and "0" shows the
lowest priority.
[0279] FIG. 18 describes an example of a cell reselecting operation
of a mobile terminal which is carrying out an idle operation at fe
of the cell A of FIG. 17.
[0280] The mobile terminal, in step ST1801, receives parameters
which it uses for cell reselection from the anchor carrier fe of
the cell A. As a concrete example of the parameters which the
mobile terminal uses for cell reselection, there are S_intrasearch,
Q_Hyst, Q_offset, T_reselection, S_nonintrasearch,
cellReselectionPriority, etc.
[0281] S_intrasearch is a threshold for measurement at the same
frequency.
[0282] Q_Hyst is a hysteresis value for ranking criteria.
[0283] Q_offset is an offset between the two cells.
[0284] T_reselection is a cell reselection timer value.
[0285] S_nonintrasearch is a threshold for measurement at a
different frequency and in a different system.
[0286] CellReselectionPriority is the absolute priority of the
carrier frequency.
[0287] The mobile terminal, in step ST1802, determines whether or
not to make a measurement falling within the same frequency (fe)
for cell reselection. When determining that the mobile terminal
does not make a measurement for cell reselection, the mobile
terminal makes a transition to step ST1806. In contrast, when
determining that the mobile terminal makes a measurement for cell
reselection, the mobile terminal makes a transition to step ST1803.
In a concrete example of the determination of whether or not to
make a cell reselection, when the receive level value at fe of the
cell A is larger than the parameter (S_intrasearch), the mobile
terminal determines that it does not make a measurement. In
contrast, when the receive level value at fe of the cell A is equal
to or smaller than the parameter (S_intrasearch), the mobile
terminal determines that it makes a measurement.
[0288] The mobile terminal, in step ST1803, performs cell ranking
on carriers falling within the same frequency, i.e., fe. In FIG.
17, the target for cell ranking is fe of the cell B. In a concrete
example of the cell ranking, the mobile terminal carries the
ranking by using both a value which is an addition of the
adjustment parameter (Q_Hyst) to the measured value of the
reception quality at fe of the cell A, and a value which is a
subtraction of the adjustment parameter (Q_offset) from the
measured value of the reception quality at fe of the cell B.
[0289] The mobile terminal, in step ST1804, determines whether or
not to make a cell reselection. In a concrete example, when the
reception quality at fe of the new cell B is ranked above (or
higher than) that at fe of the cell A during a certain period
(T_reselection), and one or more seconds has elapsed after the
mobile terminal has camped on (camped on) fe of the current cell A,
the mobile terminal determines that it makes a cell reselection,
and then makes a transition to step ST1805. When the
above-mentioned requirements are not satisfied, the mobile terminal
determines that it does not make a cell reselection, and then makes
a transition to step ST1806.
[0290] The mobile terminal, in step ST1805, makes a cell
reselection. The mobile terminal then returns to step ST1801.
[0291] The mobile terminal, in step ST1806, determines whether or
not to make a measurement falling within a different frequency
(other than fe) for cell reselection. When determining not to make
a measurement for cell reselection, the mobile terminal makes a
transition to step ST1802. In contrast, when determining to make a
measurement for cell reselection, the mobile terminal makes a
transition to step ST1807. In a concrete example of the
determination of whether or not to make a cell reselection, when
the receive level value at fe of the cell A is larger than the
parameter (S_nonintrasearch), the mobile terminal determines that
it does not make a measurement. In contrast, when the receive level
value at fe of the cell A is equal to or smaller than the parameter
(S_nonintrasearch), the mobile terminal determines that it makes a
measurement.
[0292] The mobile terminal, in step ST1807, checks the priority of
the current carrier (fe of the cell A) in the serving cell. In a
concrete example, the mobile terminal checks the priority of the
current carrier by using the parameter "cellReselectionPriority"
broadcast, as the SIB5 of the system information, from the serving
cell. In this concrete example, the priority of the current carrier
(fe of the cell A) is set to "7", as shown in FIG. 17(b). For
example, it is assumed that "0" is the lowest priority and "7" is
the highest priority. In that case, the priority of the current
carrier is the highest.
[0293] The mobile terminal, in step ST1808, performs cell ranking
on carriers each having a different frequency having a priority
equal to or higher than the priority of the current carrier. In the
concrete example (FIG. 17), only "7" is equal to or higher than the
priority of the current carrier. Therefore, the mobile terminal
performs cell ranking on carriers each having a frequency having a
priority of "7" or higher, i.e. carriers falling within fe. The
target for cell ranking is only fe of the cell B. Because a
concrete example of the cell ranking is the same as that shown in
step ST1803, the explanation of the concrete example will be
omitted hereafter.
[0294] The mobile terminal, in step ST1809, determines whether or
not to make a cell reselection. Because a concrete example of the
determination is the same as that shown in step ST1804, the
explanation of the concrete example will be omitted hereafter.
[0295] The mobile terminal, in step ST1810, makes a cell
reselection. The mobile terminal then returns to step ST1801.
[0296] The mobile terminal, in step ST1811, performs cell ranking
on carriers each having a different frequency having a lower
priority than the priority of the current carrier. In the concrete
example (FIG. 17), "3" and "5" are priorities lower than a priority
of "7" of the current carrier. The mobile terminal carries out cell
ranking for carriers each having a frequency having a priority
lower than a priority of "7", i.e. carries falling within fa, fb,
fc, and fd. Because a concrete example of the cell ranking is the
same as that shown in step ST1803, the explanation of the concrete
example will be omitted hereafter.
[0297] The mobile terminal, in step ST1812, determines whether or
not make a cell reselection. Because a concrete example of the
determination is the same as that shown in step ST1804, the
explanation of the concrete example will be omitted hereafter.
[0298] In this case, the mobile terminal can carry out the cell
ranking in order of descending priority. In the concrete example,
the highest one of the priorities lower than the priority of the
current carrier is "5". Therefore, the mobile terminal performs
cell ranking on carriers falling within the frequencies having a
priority of "5", i.e. fc and fd. When not determining any cell
reselection destination through this cell ranking, the mobile
terminal can perform cell ranking on carriers falling within the
frequencies having the second highest priority of "3", i.e., fa and
fb.
[0299] The order in which the processes of steps ST1802 to ST1805
and those of steps ST1806 to ST1812 are performed is arbitrary, and
both of the sets of processes can be performed simultaneously.
[0300] As shown in above-mentioned FIGS. 17 and 18 (particularly in
step ST1808 of FIG. 18), a higher priority is given to the cell
ranking performed on the carrier (fe) having a frequency having a
priority equal to or higher than the priority of the current
carrier of a neighboring cell (cell B) other than the serving cell
than to the cell ranking performed on the carriers (fa, fb, fc, fd)
other than the current carrier (fe) of the serving cell (cell
A).
[0301] Accordingly, there arises a problem that another carrier
having a frequency having a priority lower than the priority of the
current carrier in the same base station cannot be reselected on a
priority basis in spite of the fact that another base station is
physically closer to the mobile terminal and there is a possibility
that the reception quality becomes better. This causes a problem
that the downlink data throughput is reduced and the effective use
of radio resources cannot be accomplished in the mobile
communication system. A solution provided by this Embodiment 3 will
be shown hereafter.
[0302] When a plurality of carriers exist in a carrier
aggregation-capable base station, each of mobile terminals being
served by this base station carries out reselection and evaluation
for each of a plurality of carriers in the base station regardless
of the priority settings of their frequencies. For example, even in
a case in which a lower priority than that of the current carrier
is set to another carrier of the base station, each of mobile
terminals being served by the base station carries out reselection
and evaluation for the other carrier.
[0303] FIG. 19 describes an example of a cell reselecting operation
using this Embodiment 3 which is performed by a mobile terminal
which has been carrying out an idle operation at fe of the cell A
of FIG. 17. Because the same processes or like processes in FIG. 19
are performed in the steps designated by the same reference
characters as those shown in FIG. 18, the explanation of the steps
designated by the same reference characters will be omitted
hereafter.
[0304] The mobile terminal, in step ST1901, determines whether or
not the serving cell is a carrier aggregation-capable cell. A
concrete example of the determination will be shown hereafter.
[0305] (1) When information showing a carrier of multi carrier
anchor is notified via an anchor carrier of single carrier anchor
(which can be replaced by an anchor carrier of multi carrier
anchor), which is described in nonpatent reference 8, the mobile
terminal determines that the above-mentioned cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one. In contrast, when no information showing a
carrier of multi carrier anchor is notified, the mobile terminal
determines that the cell is not a carrier aggregation-capable
one.
[0306] (2) When the system information about multiple carriers is
broadcast on an anchor carrier of multi carrier anchor which is
described in nonpatent reference 8, the mobile terminal determines
that the above-mentioned cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one.
In contrast, when no system information about multiple carriers is
notified, the mobile terminal determines that the cell is not a
carrier aggregation-capable one.
[0307] (3) The mobile terminal can use the release which the base
station supports and which is broadcast from the base station, as
shown in Variant 1 of Embodiment 2. Because a concrete example of
the release which the base station supports is the same as that
shown in Variant 1 of Embodiment 2, the explanation of the concrete
example will be omitted. When the base station which supports LTE-A
or when the base station does not support LTE, the mobile terminal
determines that the above-mentioned cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one. In contrast, when the base station does
not support LTE-A or when the base station supports LTE, the mobile
terminal determines that the cell is not a carrier
aggregation-capable one. When determining that the cell is a
carrier aggregation-capable one, the mobile terminal makes a
transition to step ST1902. In contrast, when determining that the
cell is not a carrier aggregation-capable one, the mobile terminal
makes a transition to step ST1802 of FIG. 18.
[0308] The mobile terminal, in step ST1902, receives the carrier
information of the serving cell. In a concrete example, the mobile
terminal receives the frequencies of the anchor carriers. The
anchor carriers can be either the ones of multi carrier anchor or
the ones of single carrier anchor. In the example of FIG. 17, the
frequencies of the anchor carriers of the cell A are fa, fb, fc,
fd, and fe.
[0309] Concrete examples of a method of notifying the carrier
information from the base station to mobile terminals will be shown
hereafter.
[0310] (1) The base station notifies the carrier information as the
system information about multiple carriers to mobile terminals via
an anchor carrier of multi carrier anchor. Therefore, an
LTE-support mobile terminal can select not to receive any
unnecessary information. As a result, there can be provided an
advantage of being able to reduce the amount of data which an
LTE-support mobile terminal needs to decode, thereby being able to
reduce the processing load. There can be provided another advantage
of enabling a base station to broadcast information required for an
LTE-A-support mobile terminal as the system information about
multiple carriers to all LTE-A-support mobile terminals being
served by the base station.
[0311] (2) The base station newly adds the carrier information to
an information element of the system information transmitted on an
anchor carrier. In a concrete example, the base station maps the
carrier information onto SIB3 included in the system information.
When mapping the carrier information onto the SIB3, there can be
provided the following advantages. In the 3GPP, it has been planned
that a setting common in cell reselection is mapped onto the SIB3.
If the carrier information which is a parameter for cell
reselection is added to the SIB3 in which similar parameters are
included, each mobile terminal can acquire the similar parameters
by simply receiving the same system information. Therefore, there
can be provided an advantage of avoiding the complexity of the
mobile communication system, and preventing a control delay from
occurring in the mobile communication system.
[0312] As an alternative, the carrier information is mapped onto
SIB5 included in the system information. When the carrier
information is mapped onto the SIB5, there can be provided the
following advantages. In the 3GPP, it has been concluded that a
parameter for cell reselection between different frequencies is
mapped onto the SIB5. If the carrier information which is a
parameter for cell reselection between different frequencies is
added to the SIB5 in which similar parameters are included, each
mobile terminal can acquire the similar parameters by simply
receiving the same system information. Therefore, there can be
provided an advantage of avoiding the complexity of the mobile
communication system, and preventing a control delay from occurring
in the mobile communication system.
[0313] As an alternative, a new SIB is newly disposed and the
carrier information is mapped onto this new SIB. As a result, there
can be provided an advantage of being able to prevent any change to
an existing LTE system. Thus, when the carrier information is newly
added as an information element of the system information from the
anchor carrier, even an LTE-support mobile terminal becomes able to
receive the carrier information. Therefore, even an LTE-support
mobile terminal becomes able to reselect a carrier in the same base
station. Therefore, there can be provided an advantage of being
able to provide an improvement in the reception quality even in an
LTE-support mobile terminal by enabling this mobile terminal to
make a reselection according to the reception quality of a carrier,
like in the case of an LTE-A-support mobile terminal.
[0314] The base station, in step ST1903, determines whether or not
to make a measurement thereon for cell reselection. When
determining that the base station does not make a measurement for
cell reselection, the base station makes a transition to step
ST1802 of FIG. 18. In contrast, when determining that the base
station makes a measurement for cell reselection, the base station
makes a transition to step ST1904. In a concrete example of the
determination of whether or not to make a cell reselection, when
the receive level value at fe of the cell A is larger than the
parameter (S_intercarrier), the base station determines that it
does not make a measurement. In contrast, when the receive level
value at fe of the cell A is equal to or smaller than the parameter
(S_intercarrier), the base station determines that it makes a
measurement. The above-mentioned "S_intercarrier" is a parameter
newly disposed in this Embodiment 3 in order for the base station
to determine whether or not to make a measurement thereon for
reselection. By newly disposing the parameter separately from
conventional parameters "S_intrasearch" and "S_nonintrasearch",
there can be provided an advantage of making it possible for the
mobile communication system to perform a flexible cell reselection
control operation. Because a method of notifying "S_intercarrier"
from the base station to mobile terminals is the same as the method
of notifying "carrier information" of step ST1902, the explanation
of the method will be omitted hereafter. As an alternative,
"S_intercarrier" can be used together with the conventional
parameter "S_intrasearch" or "S_nonintrasearch". As a result, the
amount of information which is notified from the base station to
mobile terminals can be reduced, and there can be provided an
advantage of making the effective use of radio resources.
Therefore, there can be provided an advantage of being able to
construct a flexible mobile communication system while preventing
any change to an existing LTE system.
[0315] The base station, of step ST1904, performs a cell ranking
operation on the carriers thereof, i.e. fa, fb, fc, fd, and fe of
the cell A regardless of the priority settings of their
frequencies. Because a concrete example of the cell ranking
operation is the same as that of step ST1803, the explanation of
the concrete example will be omitted hereafter. The base station
can use PCIs to determine their ranks.
[0316] Embodiment 3 can provide the following advantages.
[0317] Each mobile terminal can reselect another carrier having a
frequency having a lower priority than the current carrier in the
serving base station on a priority basis, the other carrier being
provided by another base station which is physically closer to the
mobile terminal and which provides a possibility that the reception
quality becomes better. As a result, there can be provided an
advantage of enabling each mobile terminal to carry out
communications using a carrier providing good reception quality
after making a reselection. Accordingly, there can be provided
another advantage of improving the downlink data throughput and
making the effective use of radio resources in the mobile
communication system.
[0318] Embodiment 3 can be used in combination with Embodiment 1,
Variant 1 of Embodiment 1, Variant 2 of Embodiment 1, Variant 3 of
Embodiment 1, Variant 4 of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, or Variant 1
of Embodiment 2.
Variant 1 of Embodiment 3
[0319] A problem to be solved by Variant 1 of Embodiment 3 will be
explained hereafter.
[0320] A case in which a neighboring cell in the neighborhood of
the serving cell is a carrier aggregation-capable base station will
be considered. It is assumed that when a mobile terminal being
served by the serving cell performs cell selection, the mobile
terminal carries out reselection and evaluation for a plurality of
carriers of the neighboring cell regardless of the priority
settings of frequencies with Embodiment 3 being applied to the
above-mentioned neighboring cell.
[0321] Because the wavelength and the period also differ when the
frequency differs, each reception point receives a different
influence and has different reception quality even if the
transmission wave propagates over the same distance through the
same route. Therefore, reselection of a component carrier with
which to receive a downlink signal from the neighboring cell
according to the reception quality is effective for an improvement
in the reception quality.
[0322] However, the mobile terminal needs to determine whether or
not the above-mentioned cell (neighboring cell) is a carrier
aggregation-capable one in order to implement Embodiment 3 (step
ST1901 of FIG. 19). In a concrete method for this determination,
the mobile terminal needs to receive the broadcast information of
the cell, the system information about multiple carriers, etc. The
mobile terminal also needs to acquire the carrier information of
the cell (step ST1902 of FIG. 19). In a concrete method for this
acquirement, the mobile terminal needs to receive the system
information about multiple carriers, the system information about
anchor carriers, etc.
[0323] These necessities show that when Embodiment 3 is applied to
a carrier aggregation-capable neighboring cell in the reselecting
operation, the mobile terminal needs to receive and decode the
broadcast information (MIB, SIB, etc.) of the neighboring cell when
making a measurement on the neighboring cell. Explaining with
reference to FIG. 12, when Embodiment 3 is applied to a carrier
aggregation-capable neighboring cell in the reselecting operation,
the mobile terminal needs to perform the processes in steps ST1204
and ST1205 on the above-mentioned neighboring cell.
[0324] Because the mobile terminal needs to receive and decode the
broadcast information of the neighboring cell, the control delay
increases.
[0325] Particularly SIB information is mapped onto a PDSCH.
Therefore, because the mobile terminal needs to receive a PDCCH and
also receive the SIB information on the PDSCH on the basis of
scheduling information mapped onto the received PDCCH, the control
delay increases.
[0326] When the mobile terminal carries out reselection and
evaluation for the plurality of carriers of the neighboring cell
regardless of the priority settings of frequencies with Embodiment
3 being applied to the neighboring cell, as mentioned above, there
arises a problem that the control delay of the mobile communication
system increases, the processing load of each mobile terminal
increases, and the power consumption of each mobile terminal
increases.
[0327] A solution provided by this Variant 1 of Embodiment 3 will
be shown hereafter.
[0328] It is assumed that the target carrier for reselection
evaluation in the reselecting operation is only the current carrier
(frequency), only a system frequency, or only a frequency having
the highest priority even if the neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one. In this case, reselection and evaluation
can be merely a measurement for reselection. The mobile terminal
acquires the system frequency and the frequency having the highest
priority from the broadcast information (MIB, SIB, etc.) from the
serving cell.
[0329] Variant 1 of Embodiment 3 can provide the following
advantages.
[0330] There can be provided an advantage of being able to reduce
the control delay occurring in the mobile communication system,
reduce the processing load of each mobile terminal, and reduce the
power consumption of each mobile terminal in the reselecting
operation.
[0331] Variant 1 of Embodiment 3 can be used in combination with
Embodiment 1, Variant 1 of Embodiment 1, Variant 2 of Embodiment 1,
Variant 3 of Embodiment 1, Variant 4 of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2,
Variant 1 of Embodiment 2, or Embodiment 3.
Variant 2 of Embodiment 3
[0332] Because a problem to be solved by Variant 2 of Embodiment 3
is the same as that shown in Embodiment 3, the explanation of the
problem will be omitted hereafter.
[0333] On the other hand, according to the current 3GPP
specifications (release 8), a network side (a base station or the
like) determines whether or not to carry out a handover on the
basis of the results of measurements on the serving cell and
neighboring cells which are acquired by a mobile terminal currently
performing communications. In measurement configuration information
notified from the base station to the mobile terminal, no
configuration information about carriers served by the same cell
exists. Furthermore, no configuration information about carriers
served by the same cell exists in a measurement report reported
from the mobile terminal to the base station.
[0334] Therefore, a problem with the current technology is that
even in a case in which a carrier which provides good reception
quality exists in a carrier aggregation-capable base station, this
base station cannot be the target for handover and the carrier
cannot be the target carrier to which the current carrier is
switched.
[0335] This causes a problem that the downlink data throughput is
reduced and the effective use of radio resources cannot be
accomplished in the mobile communication system.
[0336] A solution provided by this Variant 2 of Embodiment 3 will
be shown hereafter.
[0337] In measurement configuration information notified from a
base station to a mobile terminal, configuration information about
carriers in the same cell (including the serving cell and
neighboring cells) is newly disposed. As an alternative,
information about carriers served by the same cell is newly
disposed in a measurement report reported from a mobile terminal to
a base station.
[0338] In FIG. 20, an example of the mobile terminal's operation of
carrying out communications at fe of a cell A shown in FIG. 17 is
described.
[0339] The base station, in step ST2001, transmits measurement
configuration information to the mobile terminal.
[0340] A concrete example of configuration information which is
newly disposed in the above-mentioned measurement configuration
(Measurement Configuration) information will be mentioned
hereafter.
[0341] (1) Newly dispose configuration information about carriers
in the serving cell. In a concrete example, configuration
information about carriers in the serving cell is newly disposed in
measurement object information included in the measurement
configuration information. As an alternative, frequency information
about frequencies at which synchronization signals (P-SS, S-SS,
etc.) of the serving cell are transmitted (in FIG. 17, fa, fb, fc,
and fd) is newly disposed in the measurement object information
included in the measurement configuration information. By using
this method, commonality of a measurement configuring operation can
be provided across LTE-support mobile terminals and LTE-A-support
mobile terminals which are served by a carrier aggregation-capable
base station. As a result, there can be provided an advantage of
avoiding the complexity of the mobile communication system. As an
alternative, carrier identifiers, instead of the frequency
information, can be mapped. A correspondence between the carrier
identifiers to identify and pieces of actual frequency information
is determined statically or semi-statically. As a result, in the
case of notifying the carrier identifiers, the amount of
information can be reduced and the effective use of radio resources
can be as accomplished compared with the case in which the
frequency information is notified.
[0342] (2) Newly dispose configuration information about carriers
in the serving cell. As a concrete example, configuration
information in the serving cell is newly disposed in the system
information about multiple carriers, as measurement configuration
information, separately from the existing measurement configuration
information. The system information about multiple carriers can be
system information for LTE-A system or system information for
release 10. Measurement configuration information in which the
frequency information about frequencies at which synchronization
signals (P-SS, S-SS, etc.) of the serving cell are transmitted is
included is newly disposed separately from the measurement
configuration information according to the current 3GPP
specifications (release 8). According to this method, there can be
provided an advantage of being able to construct a flexible mobile
communication system while preventing any change to an existing LTE
system. As an alternative, carrier identifiers, instead of the
frequency information, can be mapped. A correspondence between the
carrier identifiers and pieces of actual frequency information is
determined statically or semi-statically. As a result, in the case
of notifying the carrier identifiers, the amount of information can
be reduced and the effective use of radio resources can be as
accomplished compared with the case in which the frequency
information is notified.
[0343] (3) Newly dispose configuration information about carriers
in a neighboring cell. In a concrete example, the configuration
information about carriers in the serving cell shown in the
above-mentioned examples (1) and (2) is simply replaced by
configuration information about carriers in a neighboring cell.
Therefore, the explanation of the concrete example will be omitted
hereafter.
[0344] The mobile terminal, in step ST2002, receives the
measurement configuration information sent thereto from the base
station.
[0345] The mobile terminal, in step ST2003, carries out
measurements on the serving cell or a neighboring cell on the basis
of the measurement configuration information received in step
ST2002. In a concrete example, the mobile terminal changes the
reception frequency setting according to the frequency information
notified thereto (in FIG. 17, fa, fb, fc, and fd), and carries out
synchronous processing using the synchronization signals (step 1201
of FIG. 12). After that, the mobile terminal detects a reference
signal RS (Reference Signal), and measures the received power.
[0346] The mobile terminal, in step ST2004, transmits a measurement
report to the base station. According to the current 3GPP
specifications (release 8), a PCI (Physical CellIdentity) or a GCI
(Global Cell Identity) is included in the measurement report
(nonpatent reference 9).
[0347] A setting will be shown below is newly disposed in the
above-mentioned measurement report (Measurement Report).
[0348] (1) Newly dispose information about carriers in the
measurement report. In a concrete example of the information about
carriers, frequency information about carriers which are to be
reported and at which synchronization signals (P-SS, S-SS, etc.)
are transmitted (in FIG. 17, fa, fb, fc, and fd) is newly disposed.
By using this method, commonality of the measurement configuring
operation can be provided across LTE-support mobile terminals and
LTE-A-support mobile terminals which are served by a carrier
aggregation-capable base station. As a result, there can be
provided an advantage of avoiding the complexity of the mobile
communication system. As an alternative, carrier identifiers,
instead of the frequency information, can be mapped.
[0349] (2) Newly dispose a measurement report in which the
information about carriers is included separately from the
measurement report according to the current 3GPP specifications
(release 8). According to this method, there can be provided an
advantage of being able to construct a flexible mobile
communication system while preventing any change to an existing LTE
system. Carrier identifiers, instead of the frequency information,
can be mapped. Concrete examples of the measurement report which is
newly disposed will be shown. (a) Dispose an event for reporting
that the reception quality of the current carrier becomes better
than a threshold. (b) Dispose an event for reporting that the
reception quality of the current carrier gets worse than the
threshold. (c) Dispose an event for reporting that the reception
quality of another carrier in the same cell (or in the same PCI)
becomes better than that of the current carrier. (d) Dispose an
event for reporting that the reception quality of another carrier
in the same cell (or in the same PCI) becomes better than the
threshold. (e) Dispose an event for reporting that the reception
quality of the current carrier gets worse than the threshold, and
the reception quality of another carrier in the same cell (in the
same PCI) becomes better than the threshold.
[0350] The base station, in step ST2005, receives the measurement
report from the mobile terminal.
[0351] The base station, in step ST2006, determines whether or not
to perform a handover. When the base station determines that it
performs a handover, the base station carries out a handover
process as the mobile communication system (the base station, the
mobile terminal, etc.). When the base station determines from
factors including the processing load of another base station which
is a handover destination, that it does not perform a handover, the
base station ends the processing.
[0352] Variant 2 of Embodiment 3 can provide the following
advantages.
[0353] Each mobile terminal can measure the reception quality for
each carrier in a carrier aggregation-capable base station, and can
report the measurement results for each carrier to the base
station. The same goes for each anchor carrier and for each of
frequencies at which the synchronization signals (P-SS, S-SS, etc.)
are transmitted. Therefore, the serving base station can determine
whether or not each carrier in a carrier aggregation-capable base
station can be selected as a handover destination. As a result,
there can be provided an advantage of enabling each mobile terminal
to carry out communications with good reception quality after
performing a handover. Accordingly, there can be provided an
advantage of improving the downlink data throughput and making the
effective use of radio resources in the mobile communication
system.
[0354] Variant 2 of Embodiment 3 can be used in combination with
Embodiment 1, Variant 1 of Embodiment 1, Variant 2 of Embodiment 1,
Variant 3 of Embodiment 1, Variant 4 of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2,
Variant 1 of Embodiment 2, Embodiment 3, or Variant 1 of Embodiment
3.
[0355] The present invention is explained above focusing on the
drawings in which the component carriers are arranged contiguously.
The present invention can be applied also to a case in which the
component carriers are arranged non-contiguously.
[0356] Although the present invention is described above focusing
on an LTE system (E-UTRAN) and an LTE-advanced (LTE-Advanced)
system, the present invention can be applied also to a W-CDMA
system (UTRAN, UMTS).
Embodiment 4
[0357] Because a problem to be solved by Embodiment 4 is the same
as that shown in Variant 1 of Embodiment 3, the explanation of the
problem will be omitted hereafter.
[0358] A solution provided by this Embodiment 4 will be shown
hereafter.
[0359] Even if a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable
one in a reselecting operation, the target carrier for reselection
and evaluation can be the same (can have the same frequency) as an
anchor carrier at the time of RRC_IDLE of a serving cell. In this
case, the reselection and evaluation can be merely a measurement
for reselection.
[0360] As an alternative, even if a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one in a reselecting operation and whether the
carrier aggregation-capable cell supports anchor carriers at the
time of RRC_IDLE of a serving cell is unknown, the target carrier
for reselection and evaluation can be the same (can have the same
frequency) as an anchor carrier at the time of RRC_IDLE of the
serving cell.
[0361] An anchor carrier at the time of RRC_IDLE can be a component
with which to monitor paging information or system information at
the time of RRC_IDLE. An anchor carrier can be multi carrier anchor
or single carrier anchor. One or more anchor carriers can be
provided.
[0362] As an alternative, even if a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one in a reselecting operation, the target
carrier for reselection and evaluation can be a component carrier
falling within a frequency band in which the current carrier
(frequency) on which the mobile terminal is camping is included. In
this case, the reselection and evaluation can be merely a
measurement for reselection.
[0363] As an alternative, even if a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one in a reselecting operation and whether the
carrier aggregation-capable cell supports a component carrier
falling within a frequency band in which the current carrier
(frequency) on which the mobile terminal is camping is included is
unknown, the target carrier for reselection and evaluation can be a
component carrier falling within the frequency band in which the
current carrier (frequency) on which the mobile terminal is camping
is included. In this case, the reselection and evaluation can be
merely a measurement for reselection.
[0364] In systems, such as UTRA, LTE, and LTE-A systems, both
uplink and downlink are designed in such a way that system
components operate in a frequency band which consists of some
contiguous frequencies. Each of these frequency bands will be
referred to as a frequency band from here on. Component carriers
included in the same frequency band have a common physical property
or common radio characteristic.
[0365] In a concrete example of a method of notifying the component
carriers included in a frequency band to mobile terminals,
broadcast information from a base station to mobile terminals, e.g.
a BCCH (MIB or SIB) is used as a concrete example to notify the
component carriers. As an alternative, the component carriers can
be statically determined in the mobile communication system. In the
case in which the component carriers are statically determined,
there can be provided an advantage of making the effective use of
radio resources and preventing communication errors caused by radio
communications from occurring.
[0366] Embodiment 4 can provide the following advantages.
[0367] There can be provided an advantage of in the mobile
communication system in which a carrier aggregation-capable base
station is included, reducing the control delay of the mobile
communication system which occurs in the reselecting operation,
reducing the processing load of each mobile terminal, and reducing
the power consumption of each mobile terminal.
Variant 1 of Embodiment 4
[0368] A problem to be solved by Variant 1 of Embodiment 4 will be
explained hereafter.
[0369] Because the wavelength and the period also differ when the
frequency differs, each reception point receives a different
influence and has different reception quality even if the
transmission wave propagates over the same distance through the
same route. Therefore, reselection of a component carrier with
which to receive a downlink signal from a neighboring cell
according to the reception quality is effective for an improvement
in the reception quality.
[0370] On the other hand, like in the case of Embodiment 3, a case
in which cell selection and evaluation of a plurality of multiple
carriers or component carriers included in a neighboring cell is
carried out is considered.
[0371] In order for a mobile terminal to receive information
showing a plurality of multiple carriers or component carriers
included in the above-mentioned neighboring cell, the mobile
terminal needs to receive and decode the broadcast information from
the neighboring cell. Therefore, there arises a problem that the
control delay of the mobile communication system increases, and the
power consumption of the mobile terminal increases.
[0372] To solve this problem, in Variant 1 of Embodiment 3 and in
Embodiment 4, a reselecting operation at the time when the
neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one is disclosed.
However, although this reselecting operation makes it possible to
suppress the increase in the control delay of the mobile
communication system and the increase in the power consumption of
each mobile terminal, there arises another problem that the
reselecting operation according to the reception quality for each
component carrier in the carrier aggregation-capable cell cannot
provide a sufficient improvement in the reception quality.
[0373] In this Variant 1 of Embodiment 4, a method for solving the
problem of an increase in the control delay and an increase in the
power consumption increase of each mobile terminal while providing
an advantage of providing an improvement in the reception quality
by carrying out a reselecting operation according to the reception
quality for each component carrier in a carrier aggregation-capable
cell will be considered.
[0374] A solution provided by this Variant 1 of Embodiment 4 will
be shown hereafter.
[0375] A serving base station (serving cell) notifies component
carrier information about neighboring cells to mobile
terminals.
[0376] A mobile terminal which has received the component carrier
information of neighboring cells carries out a cell reselecting
operation by using the component carrier information about
neighboring cells.
[0377] A concrete example of a method of notifying the component
carrier information about neighboring cells will be shown
hereafter.
[0378] By adding the component carrier information about
neighboring cells to the broadcast information, information
associated with a mobile terminal at the time of RRC_IDLE which is
reselection of a cell can be notified via the broadcast information
which a mobile terminal at the time of RRC_IDLE monitors. As a
result, a mobile terminal at the time of RRC_IDLE does not have to
receive any additional information. Accordingly, there can be
provided an advantage of preventing the increase in the power
consumption of each mobile terminal.
[0379] By adding the component carrier information about
neighboring cells to the system information about multiple carriers
included in the broadcast information, an LTE-support mobile
terminal can select not to receive any unnecessary information. As
a result, there can be provided an advantage of being able to
reduce the amount of data which an LTE-support mobile terminal
needs to decode, thereby being able to reduce the processing
load.
[0380] By adding the component carrier information about
neighboring cells by using an SIB included in the broadcast
information, an increase in the amount of information of an MIB
included in the broadcast information can be prevented. Since an
MIB is broadcast using a PBCH, it is necessary to prevent an
increase of the amount of information as much as possible.
[0381] There can be provided the following advantages by adding the
component carrier information about neighboring cells to SIB4
included in the SIB included in the broadcast information. It has
been planned that information about neighboring cells is mapped
onto the SIB4. If the component carrier information about
neighboring cells which is information about neighboring cells is
added to the SIB4 in which similar parameters are included, each
mobile terminal becomes able to acquire the similar parameters by
receiving the same system information. Therefore, there can be
provided an advantage of avoiding the complexity of the mobile
communication system, and preventing a control delay from occurring
in the mobile communication system. As an alternative, although it
has been planned that information about neighboring cells having
the same frequency is transmitted via the SIB4. Information about
neighboring cells having a different frequency can be added to the
SIB4, and can be used to notify the component carrier information
about neighboring cells which is information about neighboring
cells having a different frequency. As a result, each mobile
terminal becomes able to acquire the similar parameters by
receiving the same system information. Therefore, there can be
provided an advantage of avoiding the complexity of the mobile
communication system, and preventing a control delay from occurring
in the mobile communication system.
[0382] By adding the component carrier information about
neighboring cells to a neighboring cell list included in the SIB of
the broadcast information, there can be provided the following
advantages. The PCIs of neighboring cells are included in the
neighboring cell list. Each mobile terminal becomes able to acquire
the PCIs of neighboring cells and the component carrier information
about neighboring cells, which are parameters of neighboring cells
which each mobile terminal can use for prevention of the occurrence
of a control delay in the cell reselection, and for reduction in
the power consumption of each mobile terminal, by receiving the
same system information or the same list. Therefore, there can be
provided an advantage of avoiding the complexity of the mobile
communication system, and preventing a control delay from occurring
in the mobile communication system. This neighboring cell list can
be included in the neighboring cell information included in the
SIB4, and the same advantages can be provided.
[0383] By adding the component carrier information about
neighboring cells to an SIB newly added in LTE-A, an LTE-support
mobile terminal can select not to receive any unnecessary
information. As a result, there can be provided an advantage of
being able to reduce the amount of data which an LTE-support mobile
terminal needs to decode, thereby being able to reduce the
processing load.
[0384] A concrete example of the component carrier information
about neighboring cells will be shown hereafter.
[0385] As a first concrete example, the frequency of a component
carrier is provided. The first concrete example will be explained
with reference to FIGS. 21. 2101 to 2107 denote components on which
carrier aggregation can be performed in the base station. f1 to f10
denote the component carrier frequencies of components. In the
first concrete example, each of component carrier frequencies as
shown in FIG. 21 is used as the component carrier information. In
the case of the component 2104 of FIG. 21, the component carrier
frequency f6 is provided as a concrete example of the component
carrier information. This concrete example has a merit of being
able to support a change in the carrier frequency of the mobile
communication system with flexibility because an absolute value is
mapped.
[0386] As an alternative, a value which is derived from the
absolute value of the component carrier frequency by using a
deriving equation which is determined beforehand can be mapped. In
this case, the same advantage can be provided.
[0387] In FIG. 21, the horizontal axis shows frequency. Although DL
frequencies differ from UL frequencies in FDD, the DL frequencies
and the UL frequencies are described on the same axis for the sake
of simplicity. Similarly, for the sake of simplicity, each downlink
component (downlink CC, DL CC) is the same as an uplink component
(uplink CC, UL CC) corresponding to each DL CC (they make a pair
band), and pairs of downlink and uplink components are designated
by 1501 to 1507 in the figure. The present invention is not limited
to this example, and the order in which the downlink CCs are
arranged on the frequency axis can differ from that in which the
corresponding uplink CCs are arranged. Except where specifically
noted in this specification, a component or a component carrier
which is referred to in this specification shows either a downlink
component or a downlink component and an uplink CC corresponding to
this downlink component (they make a pair band) together.
[0388] As a second concrete example, there is a component
identifier. The second concrete example will be explained with
reference to FIG. 22. Because the same reference numerals as those
shown in FIG. 21 denote like parts, the explanation of the parts
will be omitted hereafter. 2101 to 2107, and 2201 to 2203 denote
components used in the mobile communication system. In the second
concrete example, each of component identifiers as shown in FIG.
22(b) is used as the component carrier information. In the mobile
communication system, the carrier frequencies of the components
(2101 to 2107, and 2201 to 2203) which are used in, for example, an
LTE-A system are brought into correspondence with the component
identifiers (FIG. 22(b)). When the component carrier information
corresponds to the component 2104 of FIG. 22, information about the
component identifier "CC#6" is used as a concrete example of the
component carrier information. A receive side which has received
the component identifier "CC#6" determines that "CC#6" shows the
component carrier frequency f6 on the basis a table showing the
correspondence between the carrier frequencies of the components
used in the mobile communication system of FIG. 22(b) and the
component identifiers. As compared with the first concrete example
of mapping an absolute value, an identifier is mapped in this
second concrete example. Therefore, in the second concrete example,
the amount of information added to the broadcast information, i.e.
the number of information bits can be further reduced. This results
in an advantage of making the effective use of radio resources.
[0389] The table, as shown in FIG. 22(b), showing the
correspondence between the carrier frequencies of the components
used in the mobile communication system and the component
identifiers is notified from the network side to mobile terminals.
In a concrete example of a method of notifying the table, the
broadcast information from the base station to mobile terminals is
used. A BCCH (MIB or SIB) is used as a concrete example of the
broadcast information to notify the table. By thus notifying the
information for bringing the physical information about the
component carriers into correspondence with the information for
identifying the component carriers from the network side to mobile
terminals, there can be provided an advantage of maintaining the
merit of being able to support a change of the carrier frequency in
the mobile communication system with flexibility while reducing the
amount of information of the component carrier information.
[0390] As an alternative, the table, as shown in FIG. 22(b),
showing the correspondence between the carrier frequencies of the
components used in the mobile communication system and the
component identifiers can be determined statically in the mobile
communication system. As a result, it becomes unnecessary to notify
the table showing the correspondence from the network side to
mobile terminals, and there can be provided an advantage of making
the effective use of radio resources and preventing communication
errors caused by radio communications from occurring.
[0391] As a third concrete example, there is a component
identifier. The third concrete example will be explained with
reference to FIG. 23. Because the same reference numerals as those
shown in FIG. 21 denote like parts, the explanation of the parts
will be omitted hereafter. In the third concrete example, each of
component identifiers as shown in FIG. 23(b) is used as the
component carrier information. The carrier frequencies of the
components served by the base station are brought into
correspondence with the component identifiers (FIG. 23(b)). In a
concrete example, in the case of the component 2104 of FIG. 23, the
component identifier "CC#4" is used as the component carrier
information. A receive side which has received the component
identifier "CC#4" determines that "CC#4" shows the component
carrier frequency f6 on the basis a table showing the
correspondence between the carrier frequencies of the components
shown in FIG. 23(b) and the component identifiers. As compared with
the first concrete example of mapping an absolute value, and with
the second concrete example of mapping an identifier corresponding
to a component carrier frequency which the mobile communication
system can serve, an identifier corresponding to a component
carrier frequency which the base station can have is mapped in the
third concrete example. Therefore, in the third concrete example,
the amount of information including both the component carrier
information and the correspondence list between the component
carrier frequencies and the component identifiers, i.e. the number
of information bits can be further reduced. This results in an
advantage of making the effective use of radio resources.
[0392] The correspondence list shown in FIG. 23(b) between the
component carrier frequencies and the component identifiers is
notified from the network side to mobile terminals. In a concrete
example of a method of notifying the correspondence list, the base
station notifies the correspondence list to mobile terminals using
the broadcast information. A BCCH (MIB or SIB) is used as a
concrete example of the broadcast information. By thus notifying
the information for bringing the physical information about the
component carriers into correspondence with the information for
identifying the component carriers from the network side to mobile
terminals, there can be provided an advantage of maintaining the
merit of being able to support a change of the carrier frequency in
the mobile communication system with flexibility while reducing the
amount of information of both the component carrier information and
the correspondence list between the component carrier frequencies
and the component identifiers.
[0393] As a fourth concrete example, there is a frequency band.
[0394] The fourth concrete example will be explained with reference
to FIG. 24(b). For example, a case in which component carriers of
f8 and f9 exist in a neighboring cell will be considered. In this
case, information about "Band IV" is used as the component carrier
information about neighboring cells. Information about component
carriers which can be included in each frequency band is notified
from the network side to mobile terminals. The information about
component carriers which can be included in each frequency band is
shown in FIG. 24(c) in a frequency band configuration which is
shown as an example in FIG. 24(b). For example, the component
carriers which can be included in a frequency band of "Band I" are
"f1" and "f2", the component carriers which can be included in a
frequency band of "Band II" are "f3" and "f4", the component
carriers which can be included in a frequency band of "Band III"
are "f5", "f6", and "f7", and the component carriers which can be
included in a frequency band of "Band IV" are "f8", "f9", and
"f10". As the information about component carriers which can be
included in each frequency band, component identifiers shown in the
second concrete example or those shown in the third concrete
example can be alternatively used. Because the component
information about one or more components can be replaced by the
information about one frequency band in the fourth concrete example
as compared with the first concrete example, the second concrete
example, and the third concrete example, there can be provided an
advantage of being able to reduce the amount of information of the
component carrier information, and making the effective use of
radio resources.
[0395] In a concrete example of a method of notifying the
information about component carriers which can be included in each
frequency band, the broadcast information from the base station to
mobile terminals is used. A BCCH (MIB or SIB) is used as a concrete
example of the broadcast information to notify the correspondence
list. As an alternative, the information about component carriers
which can be included in each frequency band can be determined
statically in the mobile communication system. As a result, it
becomes unnecessary to notify the information about component
carriers which can be included in each frequency band from the
network side to mobile terminals, and there can be provided an
advantage of making the effective use of radio resources and
preventing communication errors caused by radio communications from
occurring.
[0396] Concrete examples of numbering the component identifiers
will be shown hereafter.
[0397] In a first concrete example, numbers continuously increasing
are assigned to the components in the mobile communication system,
in an LTE-A system, or in a base station. In a concrete example of
the assignment of numbers in sequence, numbers in sequence are
assigned to the components arranged in order of ascending frequency
or numbers continuously decreasing are assigned to the components
arranged in order of descending frequency, as shown in FIG.
24(a).
[0398] In a second concrete example, numbers in sequence are
assigned to the components included in each frequency band in the
mobile communication system, in the LTE-A system, or in the base
station. In a concrete example of the assignment of numbers in
sequence, numbers continuously increasing are assigned to the
components included in each frequency band and arranged in order of
ascending frequency or numbers continuously decreasing in order of
descending frequency, as shown in FIG. 24(b). In this case, when a
component identifier shown in the above-mentioned second or third
concrete example is used as control information showing which
component is associated with this control information, the
component carrier information is shown by a frequency band and a
component identifier.
[0399] Concrete examples of adding information about some component
carriers of some neighboring cells to the broadcast information
will be shown hereafter.
[0400] In a first concrete example, component carrier information
about all the component carriers of all the neighboring cells which
are supported by all the neighboring cells is added to the
broadcast information. Because each mobile terminal can acquire the
information about all the component carriers which each mobile
terminal can select in performing cell selection in the first
concrete example, there can be provided an advantage of providing
an improvement in the reception quality.
[0401] In a second concrete example, component carrier information
which is a subset of the component carrier information about all
the component carriers supported by all the neighboring cells, and
which is supported by neighboring cells which are a subset of all
the neighboring cells is added to the broadcast information. In
other words, component carrier information which is a subset of the
component carrier information about all the component carriers
which each mobile terminal can select in performing cell selection
is added to the broadcast information. Because in the second
concrete example the component carrier information about
neighboring cells that each mobile terminal uses in the cell
reselecting operation can be reduced as compared with the first
concrete example, the processing load on the mobile communication
system is reduced, the increase in the control delay occurring in
the mobile communication system is suppressed, and the amount of
information of the component carrier information is reduced.
Therefore, there can be provided an advantage of making the
effective use of radio resources.
[0402] Concrete examples of a method of selecting the subset of the
component carrier information which is added to the broadcast
information in the network side will be shown hereafter.
[0403] In a first concrete example, the network side adds component
carrier information about neighboring cells which the network side
desires to include in the target for cell reselection in each
mobile terminal to the broadcast information. According to the
first concrete example, there can be provided an advantage of
enabling the mobile communication system to perform the control
operation with flexibility.
[0404] In a second concrete example, each mobile terminal adds
carrier information about components on each of which each mobile
terminal can camp to the broadcast information. As concrete
examples of a component on which each mobile terminal can camp,
there are a component (1) which broadcasts the system information,
a component (2) which broadcasts synchronization signals, a
component (3) which transmits paging information, and an anchor
carrier (4) at the time of RRC_IDLE. In the second concrete
example, component carrier information about component carries
which each mobile terminal can actually select in the cell
reselecting operation can be added. Therefore, there can be
provided an advantage of reducing the processing load on the mobile
communication system, and suppressing the increase in the control
delay occurring in the mobile communication system.
[0405] An example of the cell reselecting operation of a mobile
terminal using this Variant 1 of Embodiment 4 is described in FIG.
25. Because the same processes or like processes in FIG. 25 are
performed in the steps designated by the same reference characters
as those shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the explanation of the steps
designated by the same reference characters will be omitted
hereafter.
[0406] The mobile terminal, in step ST2501, determines whether it
has received the component information about neighboring cells.
When the mobile terminal determines that it has received the
component information about neighboring cells, the mobile terminal
makes a transition to step ST1903. In contrast, when the mobile
terminal determines that it has not received the component
information about neighboring cells, the mobile terminal ends the
processing.
[0407] The mobile terminal, in step ST2502, carries out cell
ranking on the basis of information included in the received
component information about neighboring cells. In a concrete
example, the mobile terminal carries out cell ranking for each
component carrier which it derives from the received PCIs of
neighboring cells and the received component information about
neighboring cells. Because a concrete example of the cell ranking
is the same as that shown in step ST1803, the explanation of the
concrete example will be omitted hereafter. When the network side
specifies a target PCI and a component carrier frequency, the
mobile terminal does not have to acquire the component information
from the system information of the neighboring cell and hence does
not have to receive and decode the broadcast information of the
neighboring cell, like in the case of using Embodiment 3.
Therefore, there can be provided an advantage of suppressing the
increase in the control delay occurring in the mobile communication
system, and reducing the power consumption of each mobile
terminal.
[0408] Furthermore, Variant 1 of Embodiment 4, e.g. the operation
shown in FIG. 25 as a concrete example, Embodiment 3, e.g. the
operation shown in FIG. 19 as a concrete example, or/and a
conventional cell reselecting operation, e.g. the operation shown
in FIG. 18 as a concrete example can be used in combination with
one another. In this case, the order in which the operations are
carried out can be arbitrary.
[0409] According to Variant 1 of Embodiment 4, there can be
provided an advantage of suppressing the problem of the occurrence
of a control delay and an increase in the power consumption of each
mobile terminal while improving the reception quality by carrying
out the reselecting operation according to the reception quality of
each component carrier in a carrier aggregation-capable cell.
Variant 2 of Embodiment 4
[0410] A problem to be solved by Variant 2 of Embodiment 4 will be
explained hereafter.
[0411] In Variant 1 of Embodiment 4, by notifying the component
carrier information about neighboring cells from the base station
to mobile terminals using the broadcast information, there is
provided an advantage of suppressing the problem of the occurrence
of a control delay and an increase in the power consumption of each
mobile terminal while improving the reception quality by carrying
out a reselecting operation according to the reception quality of
each component carrier in a carrier aggregation-capable cell.
[0412] On the other hand, it is necessary to suppress the increase
in the amount of information of the broadcast information as much
as possible in the viewpoint of the effective use of radio
resources.
[0413] In this Variant 2 of Embodiment 4, a method of suppressing
the amount of information of broadcast information as much as
possible while solving the same problem as that solved by Variant 1
of Embodiment 4 will be disclosed.
[0414] A solution provided by this Variant 2 of Embodiment 4 will
be shown hereafter.
[0415] Information showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a
carrier aggregation-capable one is notified from a base station to
mobile terminals.
[0416] A mobile terminal which has received the information showing
whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable
one changes its reselecting operation according to whether or not a
neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one.
[0417] As an alternative, when a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one, the mobile terminal carries out the
reselecting operation according to the reception quality for each
component carrier in the neighboring cell. In contrast, when a
neighboring cell is not a carrier aggregation-capable one, the
mobile terminal does not carry out the reselecting operation
according to the reception quality for each component carrier in
the neighboring cell.
[0418] A concrete example of a method of notifying the information
showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one will be shown hereafter.
[0419] In addition to the concrete example of the method of
notifying the component carrier information about neighboring cells
according to Variant 1 of Embodiment 4, the following concrete
example can be used.
[0420] By adding the information showing whether or not a
neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one to SIB3 or
SIB5 included in an SIB included in the broadcast information,
there can be provided the following advantages. It has been planned
that information about neighboring cells is mapped onto the SIB3 or
SIB5. If the information showing whether or not a neighboring cell
is a carrier aggregation-capable one which is information about
neighboring cells is added to the SIB3 or SIB5 in which similar
parameters are included, each mobile terminal becomes able to
acquire the similar parameters by receiving the same system
information. Therefore, there can be provided an advantage of
avoiding the complexity of the mobile communication system, and
preventing a control delay from occurring in the mobile
communication system.
[0421] By adding the information showing whether or not a
neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one to a
neighboring cell configuration (neighCellConfig) included in the
SIB 3 or SIB5 included in the SIB of the broadcast information,
there can be provided the following advantage. If the information
showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one which is information about neighboring
cells is added to the neighboring cell configuration in which
similar parameters are included, each mobile terminal becomes able
to acquire the similar parameters by receiving the same system
information. Therefore, there can be provided an advantage of
avoiding the complexity of the mobile communication system, and
preventing a control delay from occurring in the mobile
communication system.
[0422] As a concrete example of the information showing whether or
not a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one, the
following examples can be considered.
[0423] (1) Information showing whether or not a neighboring cell in
question is a carrier aggregation-capable one is defined as the
information showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one. For example, when the neighboring cell is
a carrier aggregation-capable one, the information is set to "1",
whereas when the neighboring cell is not a carrier
aggregation-capable one, the information is set to "0".
[0424] (2) Information showing whether a carrier
aggregation-capable cell exists in the neighboring cells of a
serving cell is defined as the information showing whether or not a
neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one. For example,
when one or more carrier aggregation-capable cells exist in the
neighboring cells of the serving cell, the information is set to
"1", whereas when no carrier aggregation-capable cells exist in the
neighboring cells of the serving cell, the information is set to
"0".
[0425] Although in the above-mentioned concrete examples, the
information showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one is expressed as the 1-bit information of
"1" or "0", the amount of information is not limited to 1 bit. As
an alternative, the information can be set to "0" when a
neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one, whereas the
information can be set to "1" when any neighboring cell is not a
carrier aggregation-capable one.
[0426] The system can be alternatively constructed in such away
that the information showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a
carrier aggregation-capable one is notified when a neighboring cell
is a carrier aggregation-capable one, whereas the information is
not notified when any neighboring cell is not a carrier
aggregation-capable one. In contrast with this, the system can be
constructed in such a way that the information is not notified when
a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one, whereas
the information is notified when any neighboring cell is not a
carrier aggregation-capable one.
[0427] When above-mentioned (2) is used as a concrete example of
the information showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a
carrier aggregation-capable one, there is no necessity to add the
information showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one for each neighboring cell. Therefore, there
can be provided an advantage of making the effective use of radio
resources.
[0428] Concrete examples of adding information showing whether or
not each of some neighboring cells is a carrier aggregation-capable
one to the broadcast information will be shown hereafter.
[0429] In a first concrete example, information showing whether or
not each of all the neighboring cells is a carrier
aggregation-capable one is added to the broadcast information.
Because each mobile terminal can acquire the information about all
the neighboring cells which each mobile terminal can select in
performing cell selection in the first concrete example, there can
be provided an advantage of providing an improvement in the
reception quality.
[0430] In a second concrete example, information showing whether or
not each of neighboring cells which are a subset of all the
neighboring cells, instead of each of all the neighboring cells, is
a carrier aggregation-capable one is added to the broadcast
information. In other words, the information showing whether or not
each of neighboring cells included in a subset is a carrier
aggregation-capable one is added to the broadcast information.
Because in the second concrete example the information showing
whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable
one that each mobile terminal uses in the cell reselecting
operation can be reduced as compared with the first concrete
example, the processing load on the mobile communication system is
reduced, the increase in the control delay occurring in the mobile
communication system is suppressed, and the amount of information
of the component carrier information is reduced. Therefore, there
can be provided an advantage of making the effective use of radio
resources.
[0431] A concrete example of a method of selecting the subset
including neighboring cells for each of which the information
showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one is added to the broadcast information in
the network side will be shown hereafter.
[0432] In a first concrete example, the network side adds the
information showing whether or not each of neighboring cells, which
the network side desires to include in the target for cell
reselection by each mobile terminal, is a carrier
aggregation-capable one to the broadcast information. According to
the first concrete example, there can be provided an advantage of
enabling the mobile communication system to perform the control
operation with flexibility.
[0433] An example of the cell reselecting operation of a mobile
terminal using this Variant 2 of Embodiment 4 is described in FIG.
26. This example will be explained by using above-mentioned (1) as
a concrete example of the information showing whether or not a
neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one. Because the
same processes or like processes in FIG. 26 are performed in the
steps designated by the same reference characters as those shown in
FIGS. 18, 19, and 25, the explanation of the steps designated by
the same reference characters will be omitted hereafter.
[0434] The mobile terminal, in step ST2601, determines whether or
not a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one. When
determining that a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one, the mobile terminal makes a transition to
step ST1903. In contrast, when determining that any neighboring
cell is not a carrier aggregation-capable one, the mobile terminal
ends the processing.
[0435] The mobile terminal, in step ST2602, receives the carrier
information of the carrier aggregation-capable neighboring cell.
The mobile terminal receives the system information of the
neighboring cell to acquire the carrier information of the
neighboring cell. Because the concrete example of the method of
notifying the carrier information shown in Embodiment 3 can be used
as a concrete example of a method of notifying the carrier
information of the neighboring cell, the explanation of the
concrete example will be omitted hereafter.
[0436] Furthermore, Variant 2 of Embodiment 4, e.g. the operation
shown in FIG. 26 as a concrete example, Embodiment 3, e.g. the
operation shown in FIG. 19 as a concrete example, and Variant 1 of
Embodiment 3, Embodiment 4 or a conventional cell reselecting
operation, e.g. the operation shown in FIG. 18 as a concrete
example can be used in combination with one another. In this case,
the order in which the operations are carried out can be
arbitrary.
[0437] An example of the cell reselecting operation performed by
the mobile terminal in the case of using above-mentioned (2) as a
concrete example of the information showing whether or not a
neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one will be
explained with reference to FIG. 26. The explanation will be made
focusing on a portion different from the case in which
above-mentioned (1) is used as a concrete example of the
information showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one.
[0438] The mobile terminal, in step ST2601, determines whether a
carrier aggregation-capable cell exists in the neighboring cells.
When determining that a carrier aggregation-capable cell exists in
the neighboring cells, the mobile terminal makes a transition to
step ST1903. In contrast, when determining that no carrier
aggregation-capable cell exists in the neighboring cells, the
mobile terminal ends the processing.
[0439] The mobile terminal, in step ST2602, receives the carrier
information of the cell included in the neighboring cells existing
in the neighborhood of the serving cell. The mobile terminal
receives the system information of the neighboring cell to acquire
the carrier information of the neighboring cell. Because the
concrete example of the method of notifying the carrier information
shown in Embodiment 3 can be used as a concrete example of a method
of notifying the carrier information of the neighboring cell, the
explanation of the concrete example will be omitted hereafter.
[0440] Furthermore, the mobile terminal can carry out the following
cell reselecting operation by using the information showing the
information showing whether or not a neighboring cell in question
is a carrier aggregation-capable one which is the concrete example
(1) of the information showing whether or not a neighboring cell is
a carrier aggregation-capable one.
[0441] A mobile terminal which desires high speed communications,
an LTE-A-support mobile terminal, a mobile terminal which supports
3GPP release 10 or later, a mobile terminal which desires carrier
aggregation, or a carrier aggregation-capable mobile terminal can
determine whether or not to reselect a neighboring cell by using
the information showing whether or not the neighboring cell is a
carrier aggregation-capable one.
[0442] As an alternative, when the information showing whether or
not a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one shows
that the neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one, a
mobile terminal which desires high speed communications can include
this neighboring cell into the target for cell reselection. In
contrast, when the information showing whether or not a neighboring
cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one shows that the
neighboring cell is not a carrier aggregation-capable one, a mobile
terminal which desires high speed communications can exclude this
neighboring cell from the target for cell reselection.
[0443] As a result, there can be provided an advantage of enabling
the above-mentioned mobile terminal to continuously carry out
carrier aggregation, i.e. carry out high speed communications.
[0444] Variant 2 of Embodiment 4 can provide the following
advantages.
[0445] There can be provided an advantage of suppressing the amount
of information of the broadcast information as much as possible
while suppressing the problem of an increase in the control delay
and an increase in the power consumption of each mobile terminal,
and improving the reception quality by making each mobile terminal
carry the reselecting operation according to the reception quality
for each component carrier in a carrier aggregation-capable
cell.
Embodiment 5
[0446] A problem to be solved by Embodiment 5 will be explained.
When such a measurement configuration as shown in the solution
described in Variant 2 of Embodiment 3 is not set to each mobile
terminal by a network side, any method of measuring the reception
quality for each component of a carrier aggregation-capable
neighboring base station cannot be implemented. Therefore, when
this measurement configuration is not set to each mobile terminal
by the network side, the problem described in Variant 2 of
Embodiment 3 arises again.
[0447] A solution provided by this Embodiment 5 will be shown
hereafter. Each mobile terminal receives the system information of
a neighboring cell and measures the reception quality for each
component of the neighboring cell on the basis of the carrier
information of the neighboring cell, and notifies the measurement
results to the network side. Because the concrete example of the
method of notifying the carrier information shown in Embodiment 3
can be used as a concrete example of a method of notifying the
carrier information of the neighboring cell, the explanation of the
concrete example will be omitted hereafter. Because a measurement
report shown in Variant 2 of Embodiment 3 can be used as a method
of notifying the measurement results to the network side, the
explanation of the notifying method will be omitted hereafter.
[0448] Embodiment 5 can provide the following advantages. Even in
the case in which the measurement configuration is not set to a
mobile terminal by the network side, the mobile terminal becomes
able to measure the reception quality for each component of a
carrier aggregation-capable neighboring base station. Therefore,
the mobile terminal can report the measurement results for each
carrier to the base station. As a result, the serving base station
can determine whether or not each carrier of a carrier
aggregation-capable base station is suitable for the target to be
selected as a handover destination. As a result, there can be
provided an advantage of enabling each mobile terminal to carry out
communications with good reception quality after performing a
handover. Accordingly, there can be provided another advantage of
improving the downlink data throughput and making the effective use
of radio resources in the mobile communication system.
Variant 1 of Embodiment 5
[0449] A problem to be solved by Variant 1 of Embodiment 5 will be
explained hereafter. Because the wavelength and the period also
differ when the frequency differs, each reception point receives a
different influence and has different reception quality even if the
transmission wave propagates over the same distance through the
same route. Therefore, reselection of a component carrier with
which to receive a downlink signal from a neighboring cell
according to the reception quality is effective for an improvement
in the reception quality.
[0450] However, in order to implement Embodiment 5, each mobile
terminal needs to receive the carrier information of a neighboring
cell. In a concrete method, each mobile terminal needs to receive
the system information of the neighboring cell, the system
information about multiple carriers, the system information about
anchor carriers, etc.
[0451] These necessities show that when Embodiment 5 is applied to
the handover operation, each mobile terminal needs to receive and
decode the broadcast information (MIB, SIB, etc.) of the
neighboring cell when measuring the reception quality of the
neighboring cell.
[0452] Because each mobile terminal needs to receive and decode the
broadcast information of the neighboring cell, the control delay
increases. Particularly SIB information is mapped onto a PDSCH.
Therefore, because each mobile terminal needs to receive a PDCCH
and also receive the SIB information on the PDSCH on the basis of
scheduling information mapped onto the received PDCCH, the control
delay increases.
[0453] When each mobile terminal carries out a reception quality
measurement for handover operation for each of a plurality of
carriers of a neighboring cell with Embodiment 5 being applied to
the neighboring cell, as mentioned above, there arises a problem
that the control delay of the mobile communication system
increases, the processing load of each mobile terminal increases,
and the power consumption of each mobile terminal increases.
[0454] A solution provided by this Variant 1 of Embodiment 5 will
be shown hereafter. Each mobile terminal restricts the component
carriers which it includes into the target for reception quality
evaluation when performing a handover operation regardless of
whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable
one or regardless of the component carriers which are supported by
a neighboring cell. As an alternative, each mobile terminal
restricts the blind detection, i.e. the target for measurement of
reception quality which does not depend on a configuration set up
by the network side. In this case, the handover operation can be
merely a measurement for handover.
[0455] Even if a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable
one in the handover operation or even in a case in which there is
no cell list in the measurement configuration and a plurality of
carrier frequencies are set, the target carrier for reception
quality evaluation in the handover operation is a current carrier
(frequency), a system frequency, or a frequency having the highest
priority.
[0456] Each mobile terminal acquires the system frequency and the
frequency having the highest priority from the broadcast
information (MIB, SIB, etc.) of the serving cell.
[0457] As an alternative, even if a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one in the handover operation or even in a case
in which there is no cell list in the measurement configuration and
a plurality of carrier frequencies are set, the target carrier for
reception quality evaluation in the handover operation is a carrier
(frequency) which is the same as either an anchor carrier at the
time of RRC_IDLE of the serving cell or an anchor carrier at the
time of RRC_CONNECTED of the serving cell.
[0458] As an alternative, even if a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one in the handover operation, and it is
unknown whether the neighboring cell supports either an anchor
carrier at the time of RRC_IDLE of the serving cell or an anchor
carrier at the time of RRC_CONNECTED of the serving cell, the
target carrier for reception quality evaluation in the handover
operation can be a carrier (frequency) which is the same as either
the anchor carrier at the time of RRC_IDLE of the serving cell or
the anchor carrier at the time of RRC_CONNECTED of the serving
cell.
[0459] A component with which to monitor paging information or
system information at the time of RRC_IDLE is referred to as an
anchor carrier at the time of RRC_IDLE. An anchor carrier can be a
one of multi carrier anchor or single carrier anchor. One or more
anchor carriers can be provided.
[0460] An anchor carrier at the time of RRC_CONNECTED can be a
carrier of a component which each mobile terminal certainly
measures or monitors, for example, can be an anchor carrier shown
in nonpatent reference 10.
[0461] As an alternative, even if a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one in the handover operation or even in a case
in which there is no cell list in the measurement configuration and
a plurality of carrier frequencies are set, the target carrier for
reception quality evaluation in the handover operation can be a
component carrier included in a frequency band in which the current
carrier (frequency) with which the mobile terminal is communicating
is included.
[0462] As an alternative, even if a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one in the handover operation, and it is
unknown whether the neighboring cell supports a component carrier
included in the frequency band in which the current carrier
(frequency) which the mobile terminal is camping on is included,
the target carrier for reselection evaluation can be a component
carrier included in the frequency band in which the current carrier
(frequency) with which the mobile terminal is communicating is
included.
[0463] In a concrete example of a method of notifying the component
carrier included in the frequency band to each mobile terminal,
broadcast information from a base station to mobile terminals, e.g.
a BCCH (MIB or SIB) is used as a concrete example to notify the
component carrier. As an alternative, the component carrier can be
statically determined in the mobile communication system. In the
case in which the component carrier is statically determined, there
can be provided an advantage of making the effective use of radio
resources and preventing communication errors caused by radio
communications from occurring.
[0464] As an alternative, even if a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one in the handover operation or even in a case
in which there is no cell list in the measurement configuration and
a plurality of carrier frequencies are set, the target carrier for
reception quality evaluation in the handover operation can be a
component carrier to be included in a candidate component carrier
set of the serving cell for the mobile terminal in question or a
scheduling component carrier of the serving cell for the mobile
terminal in question.
[0465] As an alternative, even if a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one in the handover operation, and it is
unknown whether the neighboring cell supports either a component
carrier to be included in the candidate component carrier set of
the serving cell for the mobile terminal in question or the
scheduling component carrier of the serving cell for the mobile
terminal in question, the target carrier for reception quality
evaluation in the handover operation can be either the component
carrier to be included in the candidate component carrier set of
the serving cell for the mobile terminal in question or the
scheduling component carrier of the serving cell for the mobile
terminal in question.
[0466] The candidate component carrier set (Candidate Component
Carrier Set) is formed by one or more component carriers with which
a carrier aggregation-capable base station (can be replaced by a
carrier aggregation-capable cell) can carry out data transmission
and reception with a UE in an RRC_connected state (RRC_CONNECTED
state, simply referred to as RRC_CONNECTED), which is proposed by
nonpatent reference 10.
[0467] The scheduling component carrier (Scheduling Component
Carrier) is one or more component carriers with which a base
station actually carries out data transmission and reception, which
are proposed by nonpatent reference 10.
[0468] Variant 1 of Embodiment 5 can provide the following
advantages. There can be provided an advantage of reducing the
control delay of the mobile communication system which occurs in
the handover operation, reducing the processing load of each mobile
terminal in the handover operation, and reducing the power
consumption of each mobile terminal in the handover operation.
Variant 2 of Embodiment 5
[0469] A problem to be solved by Variant 2 of Embodiment 5 will be
explained hereafter. Because the wavelength and the period also
differ when the frequency differs, each reception point receives a
different influence and has different reception quality even if the
transmission wave propagates over the same distance through the
same route. Therefore, a handover operation according to the
reception quality for a component carrier with which to receive a
downlink signal from a neighboring cell is effective for an
improvement in the reception quality.
[0470] On the other hand, a case in which the reception quality
evaluation for a plurality of multiple carriers or component
carriers included in a neighboring cell is carried out will be
considered, like in the case of Embodiment 5.
[0471] There occurs a necessity to receive and decode the broadcast
information of the neighboring cell in order to receive information
showing a plurality of multiple carriers or component carriers
included in the neighboring cell. Therefore, there arises a problem
that the control delay increases in the mobile communication
system, and the power consumption of each mobile terminal
increases.
[0472] To solve this problem, in Variant 1 of Embodiment 5, a
handover operation in the case in which a neighboring cell is a
carrier aggregation-capable one is disclosed. However, there arises
a problem that although it is possible to suppress the increase in
the control delay in the mobile communication system and the
increase in the power consumption of each mobile terminal in the
handover operation, a sufficient improvement in the reception
quality cannot be achieved even if the handover operation is
performed according to the reception quality for each component
carrier in a carrier aggregation-capable cell.
[0473] In this Variant 2 of Embodiment 5, a method of providing an
advantage of suppressing the problem of an increase of the control
delay and an increase of the power consumption of each mobile
terminal while achieving an improvement in the reception quality by
carrying out a handover operation according to the reception
quality for each component carrier in a carrier aggregation-capable
cell will be considered.
[0474] A solution provided by this Variant 2 of Embodiment 5 will
be shown hereafter. The component carrier information about
neighboring cells is notified from the serving base station to
mobile terminals. A mobile terminal which has received the
component carrier information about neighboring cells carries out a
handover operation by using the component carrier information about
neighboring cells.
[0475] As an alternative, even in a case in which there is no cell
list in the measurement configuration, and a plurality of carrier
frequencies are set, the mobile terminal which has received the
component carrier information about neighboring cells can carryout
a handover operation by using the component carrier information
about neighboring cells regardless of the set carrier frequencies.
In this case, the handover operation can be merely a measurement
for handover.
[0476] Because the same method as that shown in Variant 1 of
Embodiment 4 can be used as a concrete example of a method of
notifying the component carrier information about neighboring
cells, the explanation of this notifying method will be omitted
hereafter. Because a concrete example of the component carrier
information about neighboring cells is the same as a concrete
example shown in Variant 1 of Embodiment 4, the explanation of the
concrete example of the component carrier information will be
omitted hereafter. Because a concrete example of the numbering of
component identifiers is the same as a concrete example shown in
Variant 1 of Embodiment 4, the explanation of the concrete example
of the numbering will be omitted hereafter. Because a concrete
example of adding information about some component carriers of some
neighboring cells to the broadcast information is the same as an
concrete example shown in Variant 1 of Embodiment 4, the
explanation of the concrete example of adding the information will
be omitted hereafter. Because a concrete example of a method of
selecting a subset of the component carrier information which is
added to the broadcast information in the network side is the same
as a concrete example shown in Variant 1 of Embodiment 4, the
explanation of the concrete example of the method will be omitted
hereafter.
[0477] An example of an operation of a mobile terminal in the case
of using Variant 2 of Embodiment 5 will be explained with reference
to FIG. 20. The serving base station (serving cell), in step
ST2001, transmits the component carrier information about
neighboring cells to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal, in
step ST2002, receives the component carrier information about
neighboring cells which is sent thereto from the serving base
station.
[0478] The mobile terminal, in step ST2003, makes measurements on a
neighboring cell on the basis of the component carrier information
about neighboring cells received in step ST2002.
[0479] In a concrete example, the mobile terminal measures the
reception quality for each received PCI of the neighboring cell and
for each component carrier which it derives from the received
component information of the neighboring cell. When the network
side (serving base station) specifies a target PCI and a component
carrier frequency, the mobile terminal does not have to acquire the
component information from the system information of the
neighboring cell, like in the case of using Embodiment 5.
Therefore, there can be provided an advantage of suppressing the
increase in the control delay occurring in the mobile communication
system, and reducing the power consumption of each mobile
terminal.
[0480] Even in the case in which there is no cell list in the
measurement configuration, and a plurality of carrier frequencies
are set, the mobile terminal can make measurements on a neighboring
cell only on the basis of the component carrier information about
neighboring cells received in step ST2002. As a result, even in the
case in which no cell list is included in the measurement
configuration, the mobile terminal becomes able to make a
measurement report of detected cells (Detected cells) by using the
component carrier information about neighboring cells. As a result,
there can be provided an advantage of suppressing the control delay
of the mobile communication system, and lowering the power
consumption of each mobile terminal.
[0481] The mobile terminal, in step ST2004, transmits a measurement
report to the base station. Because a concrete example of the
measurement report is the same as that shown in Variant 2 of
Embodiment 3, the explanation of the concrete example of the
measurement report will be omitted hereafter.
[0482] The base station, in step ST2006, determines whether or not
to perform a handover. When the base station determines that it
performs a handover, the base station carries out a handover
process as the mobile communication system (the base station, the
mobile terminal, etc.). In contrast, when the base station
determines from a factor, such as the processing load on a base
station which is a handover destination, that it does not perform a
handover, the base station ends the processing.
[0483] In Variant 2 of Embodiment 5, there can be provided an
advantage of suppressing the problem of an increase of the control
delay and an increase of the power consumption of each mobile
terminal while achieving an improvement in the reception quality by
carrying out a handover operation according to the reception
quality for each component carrier in a carrier aggregation-capable
cell.
Variant 3 of Embodiment 5
[0484] A problem to be solved by Variant 3 of Embodiment 5 will be
explained hereafter. In Variant 2 of Embodiment 5, by notifying the
component carrier information about neighboring cells to mobile
terminals by using the broadcast information from the serving base
station, there is provided an advantage of suppressing the problem
of an increase in the control delay and an increase in the power
consumption of each mobile terminal while achieving an improvement
in the reception quality by carrying out a handover operation
according to the reception quality for each component carrier in a
carrier aggregation-capable cell.
[0485] On the other hand, it is necessary to suppress the increase
in the amount of information of the broadcast information as much
as possible from the viewpoint of the effective use of radio
resources.
[0486] In this Variant 3 of Embodiment 5, a method of suppressing
the amount of information of the broadcast information as much as
possible while solving the same problem as that solved by Variant 2
of Embodiment 5 will be disclosed.
[0487] A solution provided by this Variant 3 of Embodiment 5 will
be shown hereafter. Information showing whether or not a
neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one is notified
from a base station to mobile terminals. A mobile terminal which
has received the information showing whether or not a neighboring
cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one changes its handover
operation according to whether or not a neighboring cell is a
carrier aggregation-capable one. As an alternative, when a
neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one, the mobile
terminal carries out its handover operation according to the
reception quality for each component carrier in the neighboring
cell. In contrast, when a neighboring cell is not a carrier
aggregation-capable one, the mobile terminal does not carry out its
handover operation according to the reception quality for each
component carrier in the neighboring cell. In this case, the
handover operation can be merely a measurement for handover.
[0488] Because a concrete example of a method of notifying the
information showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one is the same as that shown in Variant 2 of
Embodiment 4, the explanation of the concrete example will be
omitted hereafter. Because a concrete example of the information
showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one is the same as that shown in Variant 2 of
Embodiment 4, the explanation of the concrete example will be
omitted hereafter. Because a concrete example of adding information
showing whether or not each of some neighboring cells is a carrier
aggregation-capable one to the broadcast information is the same as
that shown in Variant 2 of Embodiment 4, the explanation of the
concrete example will be omitted hereafter. Because a concrete
example of a method of selecting a subset including neighboring
cells for each of which the information showing whether or not a
neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one is added to
the broadcast information in the network side is the same as shown
in Variant 2 of Embodiment 4, the explanation of the concrete
example will be omitted hereafter.
[0489] An example of an operation of a mobile terminal in the case
of using Variant 3 of Embodiment 5 will be explained with reference
to FIG. 20. The base station, in step ST2001, transmits the
information showing whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one to the mobile terminal. The mobile
terminal, in step ST2002, receives the information showing whether
or not a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one
which is sent from the base station.
[0490] When a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable
one, the mobile terminal, in step ST2003, receives the carrier
information of the carrier aggregation-capable neighboring cell.
The mobile terminal receives the system information of the
neighboring cell to acquire the carrier information of the
neighboring cell. The mobile terminal makes neighboring cell
measurements on the basis of the carrier information of the
neighboring cell. In contrast, when the neighboring cell is not a
carrier aggregation-capable cell, the mobile terminal does not
carry out a handover operation according to the reception quality
for each component carrier in the neighboring cell.
[0491] Even in the case in which there is no cell list in the
measurement configuration and a plurality of carrier frequencies
are set, the mobile terminal can also make a measurement on only a
neighboring cell which is a carrier aggregation-capable one by
using the information showing whether or not the neighboring cell
is a carrier aggregation-capable one which the mobile terminal has
received in step ST2002.
[0492] Even in the case in which there is no cell list in the
measurement configuration and a plurality of carrier frequencies
are set, the mobile terminal can alternatively receive the system
information of only a neighboring cell which is a carrier
aggregation-capable one by using the information showing whether or
not the neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one which
the mobile terminal has received in step ST2002 to acquire the
carrier information of the neighboring cell and then make a
measurement on the neighboring cell on the basis of the carrier
information of the neighboring cell.
[0493] The mobile terminal, in step ST2004, transmits a measurement
report to the base station. Because a concrete example of the
measurement report is the same as that shown in Variant 2 of
Embodiment 3, the explanation of the concrete example will be
omitted hereafter.
[0494] The base station, in step ST2006, determines whether or not
to perform a handover. When the base station determines that it
performs a handover, the base station carries out a handover
process as the mobile communication system (the base station, the
mobile terminal, etc.). In contrast, when the base station
determines from a factor, such as the processing load on a base
station which is a handover destination, that it does not perform a
handover, the base station ends the processing.
[0495] Furthermore, the mobile terminal can carry out the following
handover operation by using the information showing whether or not
a neighboring cell in question is a carrier aggregation-capable one
which is the concrete example (1) of the information showing
whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable
one.
[0496] A mobile terminal which desires high speed communications,
an LTE-A-support mobile terminal, a mobile terminal which supports
3GPP release 10 or later, a mobile terminal which desires carrier
aggregation, or a carrier aggregation-capable mobile terminal can
determine whether or not to transmit the measurement report to a
neighboring cell by using the information showing whether or not
the neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one.
[0497] As an alternative, when the information showing whether or
not a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one shows
that the neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable one, a
mobile terminal which desires high speed communications can include
this neighboring cell into the target for transmission of the
measurement report. In contrast, when the information showing
whether or not a neighboring cell is a carrier aggregation-capable
one shows that the neighboring cell is not a carrier
aggregation-capable one, a mobile terminal which desires high speed
communications can exclude this neighboring cell from the target
for transmission of the measurement report.
[0498] As a result, there can be provided an advantage of enabling
the above-mentioned mobile terminal to continuously carry out
carrier aggregation, i.e. carryout high speed communications.
[0499] In Variant 3 of Embodiment 5, there can be provided an
advantage of suppressing the amount of information of the broadcast
information as much as possible while suppressing the problem of an
increase in the control delay and an increase in the power
consumption of each mobile terminal, and improving the reception
quality by making each mobile terminal carry the handover operation
according to the reception quality for each component carrier in a
carrier aggregation-capable cell.
Variant 4 of Embodiment 5
[0500] In Variant 2 of Embodiment 5, in order to solve the problem
which occurs when such a measurement configuration as shown in the
solution described in Variant 2 of Embodiment 3 is set to each
mobile terminal by a network side, the component carrier
information about neighboring cells is notified from the serving
base station to each mobile terminal. In this variant, in order to
solve the above-mentioned problem, information about the component
carriers of a cell which is a target is newly set, as target cell
information to be notified from a network side, to a mobile
terminal when the mobile terminal performs a handover operation.
The information about the component carriers of the target cell
which is newly disposed, as well as the cell information about the
cell which is the target, is notified from the network side to the
mobile terminal.
[0501] As this information about the component carriers of the
cell, configuration information which is newly disposed in
measurement configuration information, which is disclosed in
Variant 2 of Embodiment 3, can be applied.
[0502] In the handover operation, the mobile terminal receives the
above-mentioned component carrier information of the target cell as
well as the target cell information notified from the network side,
and determines the cell which is the handover destination and a
component carrier of this cell on the basis of the target cell
information and the component carrier information.
[0503] As a result, the necessity for the mobile terminal to
acquire the component information from the system information of
the neighboring cell or the like, as described in Embodiment 5, can
be eliminated, and there can be provided an advantage of
suppressing the increase in the control delay occurring in the
mobile communication system, and reducing the power consumption of
each mobile terminal.
[0504] Mobility control information can be used as a concrete
example of the target cell information notified from the network
side to the mobile terminal in the handover operation. The mobility
control information is control information which already exists in
an LTE system (release 8). As a result, it is not necessary to add
any change to the methods for use in an LTE system, and there can
be provided an advantage of avoiding the complexity of the mobile
communication system.
[0505] The number of component carriers which are newly set can be
one or more. In the case in which the number of component carriers
is one, the mobile terminal performs a handover operation, such as
a synchronization establishment operation, only on this component
carrier of the target cell. Therefore, the control time at the time
of the handover operation can be reduced greatly, and the power
consumption of the mobile terminal can also be reduced greatly.
[0506] When a plurality of component carriers are set, a priority
is preferably assigned to each of the component carriers. The
mobile terminal is made to perform a handover operation of handing
over to a component carrier according to the priority assigned to
each of the component carriers. When performing a handover
operation of handing over to a component carrier having the highest
priority, the mobile terminal measures the reception quality for
this component carrier, and, when determining that the reception
quality is lower than a threshold beyond which the mobile terminal
determines that it can perform a handover, the mobile terminal
performs a handover to a component carrier having the next highest
priority. Furthermore, when the mobile terminal has failed in a
handover, for example, the mobile terminal can perform a handover
to a component carrier having the next highest priority. The
network side can determine the priority assigned to each component
carrier and can notify the priority, as well as the above-mentioned
component carrier information, to the mobile terminal, or the
mobile terminal can determine the priority assigned to each
component carrier. Because the load balance of the cell or the like
can be taken into consideration when the network side determines
the priority assigned to each component carrier, an improvement in
the throughput of the whole cell or the whole system after a
handover is performed can be provided. In a method of determining
the priority assigned to each component carrier which the mobile
terminal uses, the mobile terminal can measure the reception
quality for each of a plurality of set component carriers, and can
determine the priority assigned to each of the component carriers
on the basis of the above-mentioned reception quality. As a result,
there is provided an advantage of enabling the mobile terminal to
perform a handover to the component carrier having the best
reception quality among the component carriers which are set
between the mobile terminal and the base station. In this case, a
measurement of the reception quality is needed. In order to
eliminate this necessity to measure the reception quality, the
mobile terminal can be made to determine one component carrier at
random from the plurality of set component carriers. In this case,
because the mobile terminal does not have to measure the reception
quality, there is provided an advantage of being able to shorten
the time required to perform the handover operation and also reduce
the power consumption of each mobile terminal.
[0507] Furthermore, when a plurality of component carriers are set,
after performing a handover, the mobile terminal can carry out
communications with the base station which is the handover
destination by using one of the plurality of component
carriers.
[0508] As a method of setting which component carrier of the target
cell as the component carrier which is the handover destination,
the method of setting the target carrier for reception quality
evaluation in a handover operation, which is disclosed in Variant 1
of Embodiment 5, can be applied.
[0509] The method disclosed in this variant can also be applied to
a method (blind handover) of allowing the network to command a
mobile terminal to perform a handover without using the measurement
results acquired by the mobile terminal.
Embodiment 6
[0510] Because a problem to be solved by Embodiment 6 is the same
as that shown in Embodiment 3, the explanation of the problem will
be omitted hereafter.
[0511] A solution provided by this Embodiment 6 will be shown
hereafter.
[0512] When a plurality of carriers exist in a carrier
aggregation-capable base station, reselection evaluation can be
performed on not all the components included in the base station,
but one or more components or only one component included in each
frequency band.
[0513] In a concrete example of a method of notifying one or more
components included in each frequency band on which reselection
evaluation is performed to mobile terminals, broadcast information
from a base station to mobile terminals, e.g. a BCCH (MIB or SIB)
is used as a concrete example to notify the one or more components.
As an alternative, one or more components included in each
frequency band can be statically determined in a mobile
communication system. In the case in which one or more components
included in each frequency band are statically determined, there
can be provided an advantage of making the effective use of radio
resources and preventing communication errors caused by radio
communications from occurring. As an alternative, each mobile
terminal can select one or more components included in each
frequency band. In the case in which each mobile terminal selects
one or more components included in each frequency band, there can
be provided an advantage of making the effective use of radio
resources and preventing communication errors caused by radio
communications from occurring.
[0514] Embodiment 6 can be used in combination with Embodiment
3.
[0515] Because the necessity for each mobile terminal to carry out
reselection evaluation by using all the component carriers in the
serving base station is eliminated in Embodiment 6, there can be
provided an advantage of suppressing the increase in the control
delay occurring in the mobile communication system, and reducing
the power consumption of each mobile terminal.
[0516] A frequency band consists of some contiguous frequencies.
Therefore, because one or more components included in a frequency
band have carrier frequencies close to each other, they may provide
similar reception quality. Therefore, by performing reselection
evaluation on one or more components included in each frequency
band by using Embodiment 6, there can be provided an advantage of
increasing the possibility that each mobile terminal can select a
reselection destination from among components having various radio
characteristics and a high possibility that corresponding degrees
of reception quality differ from one another.
Embodiment 7
[0517] A problem to be solved by Embodiment 7 will be
explained.
[0518] As an example of a method of selecting a scheduling
component and a candidate component carrier set, a method of
allowing a base station to select them on the basis of CQI and a
measurement report which are notified from a mobile terminal to the
base station has been considered.
[0519] The CQI is periodically reported at periods specified by the
base station. The measurement report is periodically reported at
periods specified by the base station. As an alternative, when the
result of a reception quality measurement made by the mobile
terminal satisfies a requirement for transmission of the
measurement report, that is, when a trigger occurs, the measurement
report is transmitted.
[0520] The CQI has an advantage of making it possible to carry out
frequency scheduling efficiently. On the other hand, even if the
mobile terminal is standing still and there is no change in the
reception quality for each component, the periodical notification
of the CQI is needed. Because it is necessary to report the
reception quality periodically, the notification of the CQI results
in an increase in the power consumption of the mobile terminal, as
compared with the notification of the measurement report at the
time when a trigger occurs.
[0521] An optimal method of sending a reception quality report from
a mobile terminal to a base station in order to select a candidate
component carrier set and a scheduling component will be
disclosed.
[0522] A solution provided by this Embodiment 7 will be shown
hereafter.
[0523] A conceptual diagram of the solution is shown in FIGS. 27.
2701 to 2707 denote downlink components on which the base station
can perform carrier aggregation. 2708 to 2712 denote uplink
components on which the base station can perform carrier
aggregation. fD1 to fD10 denote the component carrier frequencies
of the downlink components. fU1 to fU9 denote the component carrier
frequencies of the uplink components.
[0524] The components 2701 and 2708, the components 2702 and 2709,
the components 2703 and 2710, and the components 2704 and 2711 are
pair bands of downlink and uplink. 2705, 2706, 2707, and 2712
denote an asymmetrical pair band.
[0525] 2713 denotes a scheduling component which is a component
with which data transmission and reception to and from the mobile
terminal are actually carried out. The components 2701, 2782, 2708,
and 2709 are included in the scheduling component 2713. 2714
denotes a candidate component carrier set with which data
transmission and reception to and from the mobile terminal can be
carried out. The components 2701, 2702, 2703, 2708, 2709, and 2710
are included in the candidate carrier set.
[0526] According to the solution provided by this Embodiment 7, a
method of sending a reception quality report to select the
candidate component carrier set from the components included in the
base station and a method of sending a reception quality report to
select the scheduling component from the candidate component
carrier set are provided separately.
[0527] Concrete examples of a method of separately providing these
report sending methods will be shown hereafter.
[0528] In a first concrete example, the measurement report is used
to send a reception quality report of the reception quality for a
component included in the base station which is not included in the
candidate component carrier set, the CQI is used to send a
reception quality report of the reception quality for a component
included in the candidate component carrier set which is not
included in the scheduling component, and the CQI is also used to
send a reception quality report of the reception quality for a
component included in the scheduling component.
[0529] More specifically, both the measurement report and the CQI
are used for selection of the candidate component carrier set while
the CQI is used for selection of the scheduling component. In other
words, the CQI is used for the scheduling for components.
[0530] The first concrete example will be explained with reference
to FIG. 27. The measurement report is used as to the components
2704, 2705, 2706, and 2707 while the CQI is used as to the
components 2703, and 2701 and 2702.
[0531] This concrete example makes it possible to use the CQI,
which is more effective for the frequency scheduling, for the
reception quality measurement on the scheduling component.
Therefore, there can be provided an advantage of implementing the
frequency scheduling effectively while being able to suppress the
increase in the power consumption of each mobile terminal.
[0532] In a second concrete example, the measurement report is used
to send a reception quality report of the reception quality for a
component included in the base station which is not included in the
candidate component carrier set, the measurement report is also
used to send a reception quality report of the reception quality
for a component included in the candidate component carrier set
which is not included in the scheduling component, and the CQI is
used to send a reception quality report of the reception quality
for a component included in the scheduling component.
[0533] More specifically, both the measurement report and the CQI
are used for not only selection of the candidate component carrier
set, but also selection of the scheduling component. More
specifically, the CQI is used for a component with which data
transmission and reception between the mobile terminal and the base
station are carried out actually.
[0534] In this concrete example, the CQI is used for a component
with which data transmission and reception between the mobile
terminal and the base station are carried out actually. That is,
the CQI is not used for any component with which data transmission
and reception are not carried out actually. Therefore, there can be
provided an advantage of suppressing the increase in the processing
load for the scheduling for each mobile terminal as much as
possible as compared with that in an LTE system.
Embodiment 8
[0535] A problem to be solved by Embodiment 8 will be
explained.
[0536] Carrier aggregation using component carriers belonging to
different frequency bands is supported. A concrete example will be
explained with reference to FIG. 24(b). There is a case in which a
mobile terminal is scheduled to carry out carrier aggregation using
a component carrier "f2" included in a frequency band "BandI" and a
component carrier "f9" included in a frequency band "BandIV" by a
base station.
[0537] On the other hand, there is a case in which in order to be
able to carry out transmission and reception in different frequency
bands, a mobile terminal needs a plurality of antennas (807 of FIG.
8) respectively corresponding to, for example, the frequency bands,
or the like. A case in which a mobile terminal which can carry out
transmission and reception in different frequency bands, and a
mobile terminal which cannot carry out transmission and reception
in different frequency bands coexist can be considered.
[0538] In a case in which a mobile terminal does not have an
antenna corresponding to a frequency band in question (e.g., the
above-mentioned frequency band "BandIV"), and is scheduled to carry
out carrier aggregation using component carriers included in
different frequency bands (BandI and BandIV) (e.g., the
above-mentioned component carriers "f2" and "f9"), for example, the
following problem arises. In the case of downlink scheduling, this
mobile terminal cannot carry out reception using the resource
(e.g., the above-mentioned component carrier "f9") which is
scheduled to be aggregated. As a result, a receiving error occurs
and useless retransmission is repeated. Therefore, a problem of the
occurrence of waste of radio resources arises. In the case of
uplink scheduling, the above-mentioned mobile terminal cannot carry
out transmission using the resource (e.g., the above-mentioned
component carrier "f9") is scheduled to be aggregated. As a result,
the radio resource (e.g., the above-mentioned component carrier
"f9") which another mobile terminal could have used if the other
mobile terminal had been scheduled to use the radio resource cannot
be used by the other mobile terminal. Therefore, a problem of the
occurrence of waste of radio resources arises.
[0539] A solution provided by this Embodiment 8 will be shown
hereafter.
[0540] The mobile terminal notifies information showing whether the
mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation between different
frequency bands to a network side.
[0541] The network side carries out scheduling for this mobile
terminal depending on the above-mentioned information. Uplink
scheduling and downlink scheduling are included in the scheduling.
The network side can select scheduling component carriers in the
scheduling. As an alternative, the network side can select
component carriers to be included in a candidate component carrier
set for the above-mentioned mobile terminal depending on the
above-mentioned information.
[0542] There is a base station or the like as a concrete example of
an entity of the above-mentioned network side.
[0543] Four concrete examples of the information showing whether
the mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation between
different frequency bands will be disclosed hereafter.
[0544] (1) Information showing whether the mobile terminal can
carry out carrier aggregation between different frequency bands.
Information showing whether this mobile terminal can carry out
carrier aggregation in operating (operating) frequency bands in the
serving cell on which carrier aggregation can be performed can be
alternatively used. In a concrete example of a method of notifying
the operating frequency bands in the serving cell on which the
mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation, broadcast
information is used. There is SIB1 as a concrete example of the
broadcast information. Because the timing with which the SIB1 is
broadcast is determined in advance, there can be provided an
advantage of enabling the UE to receive the SIB1 at an early time.
A concrete example of information included in the SIB1 is
implemented by providing two or more "freqBandindicators" in the
SIB1 (nonpatent reference 9). As a result, the compatibility of the
mobile communication system can be easily maintained, and there can
be provided an advantage of avoiding the complexity of the mobile
communication system. As an alternative, the method of notifying
the carrier information from a base station to a mobile terminal in
accordance with Embodiment 3 can be used. Information showing
whether the mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation
between different frequency bands for each frequency band can be
alternatively used.
[0545] (2) Information showing that the mobile terminal can carry
out carrier aggregation between different frequency bands.
Information showing that this mobile terminal can carry out carrier
aggregation in operating (operating) frequency bands in the serving
cell on which carrier aggregation can be performed can be
alternatively used, like in the case of above-mentioned (1). As an
alternative, information showing that the mobile terminal can carry
out carrier aggregation between different frequency bands for each
frequency band can be used.
[0546] (3) Information showing that the mobile terminal cannot
carry out carrier aggregation between different frequency bands. As
an alternative, information showing that the mobile terminal cannot
carry out carrier aggregation between different frequency bands for
each frequency band can be used.
[0547] (4) Information showing frequency bands on which the mobile
terminal can perform carrier aggregation. Information showing
frequency bands which are included in operating (operating)
frequency bands in the serving cell on which carrier aggregation
can be performed, and on which this mobile terminal can perform
carrier aggregation can be alternatively used. In a case in which
there are a small number of operating frequency bands in the
serving cell on which carrier aggregation can be performed, there
can be provided an advantage of being able to reduce the amount of
information as compared with a case of notifying information about
all frequency bands on which the mobile terminal can perform
carrier aggregation. Because a method of notifying the operating
frequency bands in the serving cell on which carrier aggregation
can be performed is the same as that shown in above-mentioned (1),
the explanation of the notifying method will be omitted hereafter.
As an alternative, information showing different frequency bands on
which the mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation for each
frequency band can be used.
[0548] Two concrete examples of the scheduling to the
above-mentioned mobile terminal depending on the information
showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out carrier
aggregation between different frequency bands will be disclosed
hereafter.
[0549] (1) When the above-mentioned mobile terminal can carry out
carrier aggregation between different frequency bands, a scheduler
allows the network side to perform scheduling on a plurality of
component carriers belonging to the different frequency bands. In
contrast, when the above-mentioned mobile terminal cannot carryout
carrier aggregation between different frequency bands, the
scheduler prohibits the network side from performing scheduling on
a plurality of component carriers belonging to the different
frequency bands. This concrete example has high compatibility with
the concrete examples (1), (2) and (3) of the information showing
whether the mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation
between different frequency bands. This is because the scheduler
determines whether or not to allow the network side to perform
scheduling on a plurality of component carriers belonging to the
different frequency bands, and therefore the information showing
whether the mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation
between different frequency bands is sufficient for the
determination.
[0550] (2) The scheduler allows the network side to perform
scheduling on a plurality of component carriers belonging to
frequency bands on which the above-mentioned mobile terminal can
perform carrier aggregation. The scheduler prohibits the network
side from performing scheduling on component carriers which do not
belong to the frequency bands on which the above-mentioned mobile
terminal can perform carrier aggregation. This concrete example has
high compatibility with the concrete example (4) of the information
showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out carrier
aggregation between different frequency bands. This is because the
scheduler determines whether or not to allow the network side to
perform scheduling on a plurality of component carriers belonging
to the frequency bands on which the mobile terminal can perform
carrier aggregation, and therefore the information showing whether
the mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation between
different frequency bands is not sufficient for the determination
and the information about the frequency bands on which the mobile
terminal can perform carrier aggregation is required for the
determination.
[0551] Seven concrete examples of when to notify the information
showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out carrier
aggregation between different frequency bands to the network side
will be disclosed hereafter.
[0552] (1) When an uplink transmission request (scheduling request)
occurs in the mobile terminal.
[0553] (2) When a paging to the mobile terminal occurs and this
mobile terminal makes a reply to the paging.
[0554] (3) When the mobile terminal selects a base station in
performing cell selection or reselection. In this case, the
notification of the information can be limited to only when the
mobile terminal selects a carrier aggregation-capable base station
in performing cell selection. It becomes unnecessary to carry out
useless uplink transmission, and there can be provided an advantage
of lowering the power consumption of the mobile terminal. Because a
method of determining whether or not a cell is a carrier
aggregation-capable one is the same as that shown in Embodiment 3,
the explanation of the method will be omitted.
[0555] (4) When notifying a tracking area update (TAU).
[0556] (5) When sending an attach request (Attach Request).
[0557] (6) When notifying a measurement report. In this case, the
notification of the information can be limited to only when a base
station which is the destination of the notification of the
measurement report is a carrier aggregation-capable cell. It
becomes unnecessary to carry out useless uplink transmission, and
there can be provided an advantage of lowering the power
consumption of the mobile terminal. As an alternative, the
information showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out
carrier aggregation between different frequency bands can be
notified from the source cell to the target cell by assuming that
it is not necessary to make a second notification from the mobile
terminal at the time of a handover. In this case, it is preferable
to use an S1 interface and an X2 interface. As a result, the uplink
transmission from the mobile terminal can be reduced, and there can
be provided an advantage of lowering the power consumption of the
mobile terminal.
[0558] (7) When an RACH procedure is performed.
[0559] Two concrete examples of a method of notifying the
information showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out
carrier aggregation between different frequency bands to the
network side will be disclosed hereafter.
[0560] (1) Use the RACH procedure.
[0561] (2) Use a dedicated control channel (DCCH).
[0562] Three concrete examples of how to store the information
showing whether each mobile terminal can carry out carrier
aggregation between different frequency bands in the network side
will be disclosed hereafter.
[0563] (1) Store the information in a base station. When the
information showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out
carrier aggregation between different frequency bands is notified
to the network side for each base station in the concrete examples
of when to notify the information showing whether the mobile
terminal can carry out carrier aggregation between different
frequency bands to the network side, this storing method has high
compatibility with, for example, the concrete examples (1), (2),
(3), and (6). The reasons why the storing method has high
compatibility with the concrete examples are as follows. The first
reason is that an uplink transmission request in the case of (1) is
a signal notified from the mobile terminal to the base station. The
second reason is that a paging reply in the case of (2) is a signal
notified from the mobile terminal to the base station. The third
reason is that a cell selection in the case of (3) is a process
carried out for each base station. The fourth reason is that a
measurement report in the case of (6) is a signal notified from the
mobile terminal to the base station.
[0564] (2) Store the information in an MME. When the information
showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out carrier
aggregation between different frequency bands is not notified to
the network side for each base station in the concrete examples of
when to notify the information showing whether the mobile terminal
can carry out carrier aggregation between different frequency bands
to the network side, this storing method has high compatibility
with, for example, the concrete examples (4) and (5). The reasons
why the storing method has high compatibility with the concrete
examples are as follows. The first reason is that the MME carries
out management of the tracking area in the case of (4). When even
if a cell reselection is made, a cell selected before the
reselection and another cell selected after the reselection belong
to the same tracking area, the mobile terminal does not make any
notification of a tracking area update. As a result, in the case of
(4), it is difficult to store the information showing whether each
mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation between different
frequency bands in a base station. Therefore, the second reason is
that it is desirable to store the information in a higher-level
entity. The mobile terminal makes an attach request in the case of
(5) when the mobile terminal is switched on, for example.
Therefore, there is a case in which the mobile terminal does not
send an attach request even if the mobile terminal makes a cell
reselection. As a result, in the case of (5), it is difficult to
store the information showing whether each mobile terminal can
carry out carrier aggregation between different frequency bands in
a base station. Therefore, the third reason is that it is desirable
to store the information in a higher-level entity.
[0565] (3) Store the information in an HSS (Home Subscriber
Server). An HSS is a subscriber information database in a 3GPP
mobile communications network, and is an entity for carrying out
management of authentication information and location information.
When the information showing whether the mobile terminal can carry
out carrier aggregation between different frequency bands is not
notified to the network side for each base station in the concrete
examples of when to notify the information showing whether the
mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation between different
frequency bands to the network side, this storing method has high
compatibility with, for example, the concrete examples (4) and (5).
The reasons why the storing method has high compatibility with the
concrete examples are as follows. When even if a cell reselection
is made in the case of (4), a cell selected before the reselection
and another cell selected after the reselection belong to the same
tracking area, the mobile terminal does not make any notification
of a tracking area update. As a result, in the case of (4), it is
difficult to store the information showing whether each mobile
terminal can carry out carrier aggregation between different
frequency bands in a base station. Therefore, the second reason is
that it is desirable to store the information in a higher-level
entity. The mobile terminal makes an attach request in the case of
(5) when the mobile terminal is switched on, for example.
Therefore, there is a case in which the mobile terminal does not
send an attach request even if the mobile terminal makes a cell
reselection. As a result, in the case of (5), it is difficult to
store the information showing whether each mobile terminal can
carry out carrier aggregation between different frequency bands in
a base station. Therefore, the third reason is that it is desirable
to store the information in a higher-level entity.
[0566] Furthermore, the "information showing whether each mobile
terminal can carry out carrier aggregation between frequency bands"
can be newly added as a component of the UE capability information
about each mobile terminal. As a result, the "information showing
whether each mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation
between frequency bands" can be transmitted at once together with
pieces of other capability information about each mobile terminal
between each mobile terminal and the network. Therefore, there can
be provided an advantage of avoiding the complexity of the mobile
communication system.
[0567] In that case, in addition to the above-mentioned six
concrete examples, the following concrete examples of when to
notify the information showing whether the mobile terminal can
carry out carrier aggregation between different frequency bands to
the network side are provided. Each mobile terminal transmits the
information showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out
carrier aggregation between different frequency bands as its UE
capability information in response to an inquiry (also referred to
as UECapabilityEnquiry) from the network side.
[0568] As an alternative, different pieces of information can be
provided for uplink and for downlink as the above-mentioned
information showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out
carrier aggregation between different frequency bands. In a case in
which each mobile terminal has different hardware configurations or
the like for uplink and for downlink, scheduling can be controlled
separately for uplink and for downlink, and there can be provided
an advantage of being able to perform the scheduling with
flexibility.
[0569] An example of an operation is shown in FIG. 28. In the
example of FIG. 28, the concrete example (4) is used as the
information showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out
carrier aggregation between different frequency bands, the concrete
example (4) is used as an example of when to notify the information
showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out carrier
aggregation between different frequency bands to the network side,
and the concrete example (2) is used as an example of how to store
the information showing whether each mobile terminal can carry out
carrier aggregation between different frequency bands in the
network side.
[0570] The mobile terminal, in step ST2801, determines whether or
not the tracking area has been changed. When the tracking area has
been changed, the mobile terminal makes a transition to step
ST2802. In contrast, when the tracking area has not been changed,
the mobile terminal repeats the determination process of step
ST2801.
[0571] The mobile terminal, in step ST2802, notifies information
about the frequency bands capable of being subjected to carrier
aggregation (CA) to an MME by way of a base station (serving cell).
This notification can be made together with a TAU. Furthermore, an
identifier of this mobile terminal can also be notified.
[0572] The MME, in step ST2803, stores the frequency band
information about the frequency bands capable of being subjected to
carrier aggregation in the above-mentioned mobile terminal which
the MME has received in step ST2802. The MME can also store the
identifier of the above-mentioned mobile terminal.
[0573] The mobile terminal, in step ST2804, sends a scheduling
request to the base station (serving cell), for example.
[0574] The base station, in step ST2805, inquires about the
frequency band information about the frequency bands capable of
being subjected to carrier aggregation (CA) in the above-mentioned
mobile terminal. The identifier of the target mobile terminal can
also be notified via the above-mentioned inquiry. An S1 interface
is used for this inquiry.
[0575] The MME, in step ST2806, sends a reply to the inquiry of
step ST2805 to the base station. This reply includes the frequency
band information about the frequency bands capable of being
subjected to carrier aggregation in the mobile terminal which is
the target for the inquiry. The identifier of the target mobile
terminal can also be notified via the above-mentioned inquiry. An
S1 interface is used for this reply.
[0576] The base station (serving cell), in step ST2807, carries out
scheduling by using the frequency bands on which the
above-mentioned mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation
depending on the frequency band information about the frequency
bands capable of being subjected to carrier aggregation in the
above-mentioned mobile terminal, which the base station has
received in step ST2806.
[0577] The base station (serving cell), in step ST2808, notifies
the result of the scheduling of step ST2807 to the mobile
terminal.
[0578] An example of another operation is shown in FIG. 29. In the
example shown in FIG. 29, the concrete example (4) which is the
information showing frequency bands which are included in operating
(operating) frequency bands in the serving cell on which carrier
aggregation can be performed, and on which the mobile terminal can
perform carrier aggregation is used as the information showing
whether the mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation
between different frequency bands. The concrete example (3) is used
as an example of when to notify the information showing whether the
mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation between different
frequency bands to the network side. The concrete example (1) is
used as an example of how to store the information showing whether
each mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation between
different frequency bands in the network side. Because the same
processes or like processes in FIG. 29 are performed in the steps
designated by the same reference characters as those shown in FIG.
28, the explanation of the steps designated by the same reference
characters will be omitted hereafter.
[0579] The mobile terminal, in step ST2901, determines whether the
mobile terminal has made a cell selection. When determining that
the mobile terminal has made a cell selection, the mobile terminal
makes a transition to step ST2902. In contrast, when determining
that the mobile terminal has not made a cell selection, the mobile
terminal repeats the determination process of step ST2901.
[0580] The base station (serving cell), in step ST2902, notifies
information about the frequency bands capable of being subjected to
carrier aggregation (CA) to the mobile terminal.
[0581] The mobile terminal, in step ST2903, determines or selects
frequency bands on which the mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation, and which are included in the operating frequency
bands in the serving cell on which carrier aggregation can be
performed, which the mobile terminal has received in step
ST2902.
[0582] The mobile terminal, in step ST2904, notifies the frequency
bands which the mobile terminal has selected in step ST2903 and on
which the mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation, the
frequency bands being included in the operating frequency bands in
the serving cell on which carrier aggregation (CA) can be
performed, to the base station (serving cell).
[0583] The base station (serving cell), in step STST2905, stores
the frequency band information about the frequency bands capable of
being subjected to carrier aggregation in the above-mentioned
mobile terminal which the base station has received in step ST2904.
The base station can also store the identifier of the
above-mentioned mobile terminal.
[0584] The base station (serving cell), in step ST2906, carries out
scheduling by using the frequency bands on which the
above-mentioned mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation
depending on the frequency band information about the frequency
bands capable of being subjected to carrier aggregation in the
above-mentioned mobile terminal, which the base station has stored
in step ST2905.
[0585] Embodiment 8 can provide the following advantages.
[0586] The base station becomes able to carryout scheduling for
carrier aggregation according to the capability of the mobile
terminal. As a result, the waste of radio resources resulting from
the impossibility of carrying out carrier aggregation between
different frequency bands in the mobile terminal can be
reduced.
Variant 1 of Embodiment 8
[0587] A problem to be solved by Variant 1 of Embodiment 8 will be
explained hereafter.
[0588] There is a case in which a mobile terminal has a hardware
configuration for each component carrier in order to implement
carrier aggregation. In this case, there can be considered a case
in which the number of component carriers on which carrier
aggregation can be performed differs for each mobile terminal.
[0589] When a mobile terminal has only hardware ready for a smaller
number of component carriers than the number of component carriers
which are scheduled to be aggregated by a base station, the
following problem arises. In the case of downlink scheduling, the
above-mentioned mobile terminal cannot receive resources which are
scheduled to be on component carriers whose number exceeds the
number of component carriers actually provided therein. As a
result, a receiving error occurs and useless retransmission is
repeated. Therefore, a problem of the occurrence of waste of radio
resources arises. In the case of uplink scheduling, the
above-mentioned mobile terminal cannot carry out transmission using
resources which are scheduled to be on component carriers whose
number exceeds the number of component carriers actually provided
therein. As a result, a radio resource which another mobile
terminal could have used if the other mobile terminal had been
scheduled to use the radio resource cannot be used by the other
mobile terminal. Therefore, a problem of the occurrence of waste of
radio resources arises.
[0590] A solution provided by this Variant 1 of Embodiment 8 will
be shown hereafter.
[0591] The mobile terminal notifies information showing the number
of components on which the mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation to the network side.
[0592] The network side performs scheduling on this mobile terminal
depending on this information. Uplink scheduling and downlink
scheduling are included in the scheduling. In the scheduling, the
network side can select scheduling component carriers. As an
alternative, the network side can select component carriers to be
included in a candidate component carrier set to this mobile
terminal depending on the above-mentioned information.
[0593] There is a base station or the like as a concrete example of
an entity of the above-mentioned network side.
[0594] Two concrete examples of the information showing the number
of components on which the mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation will be disclosed hereafter.
[0595] (1) The number of components on which the mobile terminal
can perform carrier aggregation. Information showing the number of
components which are included in operating (operating) component
carriers in the serving cell on which carrier aggregation can be
performed, and on which this mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation can be alternatively used. Because a concrete example
of a method of notifying the operating component carriers in the
serving cell on which carrier aggregation can be performed is the
same as the method in accordance with Embodiment 8 of notifying the
operating frequency bands in the serving cell on which carrier
aggregation can be performed, the explanation of the concrete
example will be omitted hereafter. As an alternative, information
showing the number of components on which the mobile terminal can
perform carrier aggregation for each frequency band can be
used.
[0596] (2) An index showing the number of components on which the
mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation. There can be
provided an advantage of being able to reduce the amount of
information required for the notification, and making the effective
use of radio resources, as compared with the number of components
on which the mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation. In a
concrete example, when the number of components on which the mobile
terminal can perform carrier aggregation is 1, the index is set to
"0", when the number of components on which the mobile terminal can
perform carrier aggregation is 2 or 3, the index is set to "1",
when the number of components on which the mobile terminal can
perform carrier aggregation is 4, the index is set to "2", and when
the number of components on which the mobile terminal can perform
carrier aggregation is 5, the index is set to "3". The relationship
between the number of components on which the mobile terminal can
perform carrier aggregation and the index can be determined
semi-statically or statically. When the relationship is determined
semi-statically, the index should just be notified via broadcast
information from the serving cell. Therefore, there can be provided
an advantage of being able to construct the mobile communication
system with flexibility. In the case in which the relationship is
determined statically, there can be provided an advantage of
eliminating the necessity to notify the index from the network side
to the mobile terminal and making the effective use of radio
resources. As an alternative, an index showing the number of
components on which the mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation for each frequency band can be used.
[0597] A concrete example of the scheduling to the above-mentioned
mobile terminal depending on the information showing the number of
components on which the mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation will be disclosed hereafter. A scheduler allows the
network side to perform the scheduling on component carriers whose
number is equal to or smaller than the number of components which
is notified from the mobile terminal and on which carrier
aggregation can be performed. The scheduler prohibits the network
side from performing the scheduling on component carriers whose
number exceeds the number of components which is notified from the
mobile terminal and on which carrier aggregation can be
performed.
[0598] Because a concrete example of when to notify the information
showing the number of components on which the mobile terminal can
perform carrier aggregation to the network side is the same as that
in accordance with Embodiment 8 of when to notify the information
showing whether the mobile terminal can carry out carrier
aggregation between different frequency bands to the network side,
the explanation of the concrete example will be omitted
hereafter.
[0599] Because a concrete example of a method of notifying the
information showing the number of components on which the mobile
terminal can perform carrier aggregation to the network side is the
same as that of the method in accordance with Embodiment 8 of
notifying the information showing whether the mobile terminal can
carry out carrier aggregation between frequency bands to the
network side, the explanation of the concrete example will be
omitted hereafter.
[0600] Because a concrete example of how to store the information
showing the number of components on which each mobile terminal can
perform carrier aggregation in the network side is the same as that
in accordance with Embodiment 8 of how to store the information
showing whether each mobile terminal can carry out carrier
aggregation between different frequency bands in the network side,
the explanation of the concrete example will be omitted
hereafter.
[0601] Furthermore, the "information showing the number of
components on which the mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation" can be newly added as a piece of the UE capability
information about each mobile terminal, like in the case of
Embodiment 8.
[0602] As an alternative, different pieces of information can be
provided for uplink and for downlink as the "information showing
the number of components on which the mobile terminal can perform
carrier aggregation", like in the case of Embodiment 8.
[0603] Because examples of an operation are the same as those shown
in FIGS. 28 and 29 which are shown in Embodiment 8, the explanation
of the examples will be omitted hereafter.
[0604] Variant 1 of Embodiment 8 can be used in combination with
Embodiment 8.
[0605] Variant 1 of Embodiment 8 can provide the following
advantages.
[0606] The base station becomes able to carryout the scheduling for
carrier aggregation according to the capability of the mobile
terminal. As a result, the waste of radio resources resulting from
the scheduling on component carriers whose number exceeds the
number of component carriers on which the mobile terminal can
perform carrier aggregation can be reduced.
Variant 2 of Embodiment 8
[0607] A problem to be solved by Variant 2 of Embodiment 8 will be
explained hereafter.
[0608] A case in which a mobile terminal performs carrier
aggregation on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers
can be considered.
[0609] It can be considered that a mobile terminal differs in its
hardware configuration between when the mobile terminal can perform
carrier aggregation on non-contiguous component carriers and when
the mobile terminal cannot perform carrier aggregation on
non-contiguous component carriers. There can be a case in which
that a mobile terminal which can perform carrier aggregation on
non-contiguous component carriers and a mobile terminal which
cannot perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous component
carriers coexist.
[0610] When scheduling for carrier aggregation using non-contiguous
components to a mobile terminal which cannot perform carrier
aggregation on non-contiguous component carriers is performed by a
base station, the following problem arises.
[0611] In the case of downlink scheduling, the above-mentioned
mobile terminal cannot receive resources which are scheduled to be
on the non-contiguous component carriers. As a result, a receiving
error occurs and useless retransmission is repeated. Therefore, a
problem of the occurrence of waste of radio resources arises. In
the case of uplink scheduling, the above-mentioned mobile terminal
cannot carry out transmission using resources which are scheduled
to be on the non-contiguous component carriers. As a result, a
radio resource which another mobile terminal could have used if the
other mobile terminal had been scheduled to use the radio resource
cannot be used by the other mobile terminal. Therefore, a problem
of the occurrence of waste of radio resources arises.
[0612] A solution provided by this Variant 2 of Embodiment 8 will
be shown hereafter.
[0613] The mobile terminal notifies information showing whether the
mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous
(non-contiguous) component carriers to the network side.
[0614] The network side performs the scheduling on this mobile
terminal depending on this information. Uplink scheduling and
downlink scheduling are included in the scheduling. In the
scheduling, the network side can select scheduling component
carriers. As an alternative, the network side can select component
carriers to be included in a candidate component carrier set to
this mobile terminal depending on the above-mentioned
information.
[0615] There is a base station or the like as a concrete example of
an entity of the above-mentioned network side.
[0616] Three concrete examples of the information showing whether
the mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation on
non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers will be
disclosed hereafter.
[0617] (1) Information showing whether the mobile terminal can
perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous (non-contiguous)
component carriers. Information showing whether the mobile terminal
can perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous component
carriers which are included in operating (operating) component
carriers in the serving cell on which carrier aggregation can be
performed can be alternatively used. Because a concrete example of
a method of notifying the operating component carriers in the
serving cell on which carrier aggregation can be performed is the
same as the method in accordance with Embodiment 8 of notifying the
operating frequency bands in the serving cell on which carrier
aggregation can be performed, the explanation of the concrete
example will be omitted hereafter. As an alternative, information
showing whether the mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation
on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers for each
frequency band can be used.
[0618] (2) Information showing that the mobile terminal can perform
carrier aggregation on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component
carriers. As an alternative, information showing that the mobile
terminal can perform carrier aggregation on contiguous component
carriers and non-contiguous component carriers can be used.
Information showing that the mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation on non-contiguous component carriers which are included
in operating (operating) component carriers in the serving cell on
which carrier aggregation can be performed can be alternatively
used, like in the case of above-mentioned (1). As an alternative,
information showing that the mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers
for each frequency band can be used.
[0619] (3) Information showing that the mobile terminal cannot
perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous (non-contiguous)
component carriers. As an alternative, information showing that the
mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation on contiguous
component carriers can be used. Information showing that the mobile
terminal cannot perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous
(non-contiguous) component carriers for each frequency band can be
alternatively used.
[0620] A concrete example of the scheduling to the above-mentioned
mobile terminal depending on the information showing whether the
mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous
(non-contiguous) component carriers will be disclosed hereafter.
When the mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation on
non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers, the scheduler
allows the network side to perform the scheduling on the
non-contiguous component carriers. In contrast, when the mobile
terminal cannot perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous
(non-contiguous) component carriers, the scheduler prohibits the
network side from performing the scheduling on the non-contiguous
component carriers.
[0621] Because a concrete example of when to notify the information
showing whether the mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation
on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers to the
network side is the same as that in accordance with Embodiment 8 of
when to notify the information showing whether the mobile terminal
can carry out carrier aggregation between different frequency bands
to the network side, the explanation of the concrete example will
be omitted hereafter.
[0622] Because a concrete example of a method of notifying the
information showing whether the mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers
to the network side is the same as that of the method in accordance
with Embodiment 8 of notifying the information showing whether the
mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation between frequency
bands to the network side, the explanation of the concrete example
will be omitted hereafter.
[0623] Because a concrete example of how to store the information
showing whether each mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers
in the network side is the same as that in accordance with
Embodiment 8 of how to store the information showing whether each
mobile terminal can carryout carrier aggregation between different
frequency bands in the network side, the explanation of the
concrete example will be omitted hereafter.
[0624] Furthermore, the "information showing whether the mobile
terminal can perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous
(non-contiguous) component carriers" can be newly added as a
component of the UE capability information about each mobile
terminal, like in the case of Embodiment 8.
[0625] As an alternative, different pieces of information can be
provided for uplink and for downlink as the "information showing
whether the mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation on
non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers", like in the
case of Embodiment 8.
[0626] Because examples of the operation are the same as those
shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 which are shown in Embodiment 8, the
explanation of the example will be omitted hereafter.
[0627] Variant 2 of Embodiment 8 can be used in combination with
Variant 1 of Embodiment 8 or Embodiment 8.
[0628] A combination of Variant 2 of Embodiment 8 and Variant 1 of
Embodiment 8 can be configured as follows.
[0629] When the mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation on
non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers, the mobile
terminal notifies the information showing whether the mobile
terminal can perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous
(non-contiguous) component carriers, and the information showing
the number of components on which the mobile terminal can perform
carrier aggregation. As an alternative, assuming that the mobile
terminal can perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous
(non-contiguous) component carriers when there is a notification of
the information showing the number of components on which the
mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation, the notification
of the information showing whether the mobile terminal can perform
carrier aggregation on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component
carriers can be eliminated. The amount of information notified from
the mobile terminal to the network side can be reduced, and there
can be provided an advantage of making the effective use of radio
resources.
[0630] When the mobile terminal cannot perform carrier aggregation
on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers, the mobile
terminal notifies the information showing whether the mobile
terminal can perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous
(non-contiguous) component carriers, and the highest frequency band
on which the mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation. When
the bandwidths of the component carriers are equal to one another,
the number of component carriers on which the mobile terminal can
perform carrier aggregation can be derived from the highest
frequency band. As an alternative, assuming that the mobile
terminal cannot perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous
(non-contiguous) component carriers when there is a notification of
the highest frequency band, the notification of the information
showing whether the mobile terminal can perform carrier aggregation
on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers can be
eliminated. The amount of information notified from the mobile
terminal to the network side can be reduced, and there can be
provided an advantage of making the effective use of radio
resources.
[0631] A combination of Variant 2 of Embodiment 8 and Embodiment 8
can be configured hereafter. The information notified from the
mobile terminal to the network side can be configured as
follows.
[0632] The information showing whether the mobile terminal can
carryout carrier aggregation between different frequency bands is
notified.
[0633] When the mobile terminal cannot carry out carrier
aggregation between different frequency bands, the notification of
the information showing whether the mobile terminal can perform
carrier aggregation on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component
carriers can be eliminated. The amount of information notified from
the mobile terminal to the network side can be reduced, and there
can be provided an advantage of making the effective use of radio
resources.
[0634] When the mobile terminal can carry out carrier aggregation
between different frequency bands, the notification of the
information showing whether the mobile terminal can perform carrier
aggregation on non-contiguous (non-contiguous) component carriers
can be made.
[0635] Variant 2 of Embodiment 8 can provide the following
advantages.
[0636] The base station becomes able to carryout the scheduling for
carrier aggregation according to the capability of the mobile
terminal. As a result, the waste of radio resources resulting from
the scheduling on non-contiguous component carriers to a mobile
terminal which cannot perform carrier aggregation on non-contiguous
component carriers can be reduced.
[0637] Scheduling component carriers associated with downlink,
among the "scheduling component carriers" which are used in any of
all the above-mentioned embodiments, are also referred to as a "UE
DL Component Carrier set". This set is a one of downlink component
carriers which is scheduled in order for the mobile terminal to
receive a PDSCH in the downlink, and which is set by using
individual signaling.
[0638] Scheduling component carriers associated with uplink, among
the "scheduling component carriers" which are used in any of all
the above-mentioned embodiments, are also referred to as a "UE UL
Component Carrier set". This set is the set of uplink component
carriers which is scheduled in order for the mobile terminal to
receive a PUSCH in the uplink.
[0639] Each component carrier according to the 3GPP (release 8)
specifications which is used in any of all the above-mentioned
embodiments is also referred to as a "backwards compatible
carrier". This carrier can be accessed by all existing LTE-support
mobile terminals.
[0640] In contrast with this, each carrier which an existing
LTE-support mobile terminal cannot access in any of all the
above-mentioned embodiments is also referred to as a "non-backwards
compatible carrier". Such a carrier is easier for a mobile terminal
which supports a release in which this carrier is defined to
access.
* * * * *