Description
Title of Invention: RADIO BASE STATION, COMMUNICATION
NODE, CONTROL METHOD FOR A RADIO BASE STATION
AND CONTROL METHOD FOR A COMMUNICATION NODE
Technical Field
[0001] The exemplary embodiments relate to a radio communication system, a radio base
station, an upper node, and a communication method.
Background Art
[0002] In the recent radio communication system, there is a case of newly introducing a
small-type radio base station called as "femto base station" in addition to the existing
radio base station, and thereby of providing a service in a femto cell. In the 3G (Third
Generation) system, the radio base station is referred to as "NB (Node B)", and the
femto base station is referred to as "HNB (Home Node B)". Further, in the LTE (Long
Term Evolution) system, the radio base station is referred to as "eNB (evolved Node
B)", and the femto base station is referred to as "HeNB (Home evolved Node B)". Fur
thermore, if both of the HNB and the HeNB are intended, they are referred to as
"H(e)NB". The H(e)NB can be installed in a house, a store or the like. Therefore, there
is flexibility for a location at which the H(e)NB is installed.
[0003] Non-Patent Literature 1 defines service requirements for the H(e)NB in 3GPP (Third
Generation Partnership Project). According to Non-Patent Literature 1, upon installing
the H(e)NB, it is required for the telecommunications carrier to verify an identification
information (identity) of the H(e)NB, and to acquire information on a geographical
location of the H(e)NB. Further, it is required for the telecommunications carrier to
determine the installation and operation of the H(e)NB in accordance with all the
related regulatory requirements.
[0004] Further, Non-Patent Literature 2 defines, as S1AP (SI Application Protocol), the
specification of interfaces between the HeNB, and an HeNB-GW (Home evolved Node
B Gateway) and an MME (Mobility Management Entity) which are upper nodes for
the HeNB.
Citation List
Non Patent Literature
[0005] NPL 1: Service requirements for Home Node B (HNB) Home eNode B (HeNB)
[3GPP TS 22.220 v l 1.3.0]
NPL 2: Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); SI Ap
plication Protocol (S1AP) [3GPP TS 36.413 vl0.3.0]
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0006] The aforementioned background art has problems as follows.
[0007] Non-Patent Literature 2 has not defined any specific method for notifying the identi
fication information of the HeNB, the information on the geographical location of the
HeNB, and the like. Therefore, the upper node cannot acquire the identification in
formation of the HeNB, the information on the geographical location of the HeNB, and
the like.
[0008] Further, it is desired for the H(e)NB to notify the upper node of information on envi
ronments around the H(e)NB, so that the telecommunications carrier can determine the
installation and operation of the H(e)NB in accordance with all the related regulatory
requirements.
[0009] Further, there is a similar problem for an RN (Relay Node) including a function of
relaying the radio base station. That is, there is a case where the backhaul line for the
RN is a wireless network. Therefore, the RN may move to another location. Ac
cordingly, it is desired for the telecommunications carrier to appropriately determine
whether or not it is possible to install and operate the RN as with the case of the
H(e)NB.
[0010] The above-mentioned problems are caused by the fact that the radio base station does
not notify the upper node of the identification information and the information on envi
ronments around the radio base station. Accordingly, an exemplary object of the
exemplary embodiments is to provide a radio communication system in which a radio
base station can notify an upper node of identification information and information on
environments around the radio base station, and thereby to solve any one of the abovementioned
problems. However, the exemplary embodiments may achieve objectives
other than those described above. Further, exemplary embodiments are not required to
achieve the objectives described above, and an exemplary embodiment may not
achieve any of the objectives described above.
Solution to Problem
[001 1] A radio communication system according to the exemplary embodiment includes a
radio base station that wirelessly communicates with a radio terminal; and an upper
node that communicates with the radio base station. In this radio communication
system, the radio base station includes a transmitter that transmits, to the upper node, a
message including identification information of the radio base station and information
on environments around the radio base station. The upper node includes a receiver that
receives the message.
[0012] A radio base station according to an exemplary embodiment wirelessly communicates
with a radio terminal. This radio base station includes a transmitter that
transmits, to an upper node, a message including identification information of the radio
base station and information on environments around the radio base station.
[0013] An upper node according to an exemplary embodiment communicates with a radio
base station. This upper node includes a receiver that receives a message including
identification information of the radio base station and information on environments
around the radio base station. The message is transmitted by the radio base station.
[0014] A communication method according to an exemplary embodiment is a method for
communication in a radio communication system including a radio base station that
wirelessly communicates with a radio terminal, and an upper node that communicates
with the radio base station. This method includes the steps of: transmitting, by the
radio base station, a message to the upper node, the message including identification
information of the radio base station and information on environments around the radio
base station; and receiving the message by the upper node.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0015] According to the exemplary embodiment, a radio base station can notify an upper
node of identification information and information on environments around the radio
base station. Therefore, the upper node can determine whether or not it is possible to
install and operate the radio base station.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0016] [fig. 1]Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration according to a first exemplary em
bodiment.
[fig.2]Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an operation according to the first
exemplary embodiment.
[fig.3]Fig. 3 shows an example of information transmitted from an HeNB to an HeNBGW
in the first exemplary embodiment.
[fig.4]Fig. 4 shows an example of information transmitted from the HeNB to the
HeNB-GW in the first exemplary embodiment.
[fig.5]Fig. 5 shows an example of information transmitted from the HeNB to the
HeNB-GW in the first exemplary embodiment.
[fig.6A]Fig. 6A shows an example of information transmitted from the HeNB to the
HeNB-GW in the first exemplary embodiment.
[fig.6B]Fig. 6B shows an example of information transmitted from the HeNB to the
HeNB-GW in the first exemplary embodiment.
[fig.7]Fig. 7 shows an example of information transmitted from the HeNB to the
HeNB-GW in the first exemplary embodiment.
[fig.8]Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an operation according to a second
exemplary embodiment.
[fig.9]Fig. 9 shows an example of information transmitted from an HeNB to an HeNBGW
in the second exemplary embodiment.
[fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration according to a third exemplary
embodiment.
[fig. 1l]Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an operation according to the third
exemplary embodiment.
[fig. 12] Fig. 12 shows an example of information transmitted from a DeNB to an RN in
the third exemplary embodiment.
[fig.l3]Fig. 13 shows an example of information transmitted from the DeNB to the RN
in the third exemplary embodiment.
[fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an operation according to a fourth
exemplary embodiment.
[fig.l5]Fig. 15 shows an example of information transmitted from a DeNB to an RN in
the fourth exemplary embodiment.
[fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an operation according to a fifth
exemplary embodiment.
[fig.l7]Fig. 17 shows an example of information transmitted from a DeNB to an RN in
the fifth exemplary embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
[0017] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the
drawings. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example,
instance, or illustration". Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not nec
essarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[00 18] (First exemplary embodiment)
A first exemplary embodiment is applied to a sequence for establishing an SI
connection between an HeNB and an HeNB-GW.
[0019] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration according to the first
exemplary embodiment. A radio communication system according to this exemplary
embodiment includes an HeNB-GW 100, an MME 200, an HeNB 300, and a UE (User
Equipment) 400. The UE 400 is also called "radio terminal" or "user terminal". The
MME 200 is a device in a core network, and includes a function of managing mobility
of the UE 400. The HeNB-GW 100 is a gateway device which connects the HeNB 300
to the core network.
[0020] The HeNB-GW 100 includes a transceiver 101, a processor 102, and storage 103.
The HeNB-GW 100 can communicate with the HeNB 300 and an HeNB 320, and
transmits and receives messages using the S1AP. Similarly, the HeNB-GW 100 also
transmits and receives messages using the S1AP to and from the MME 200. In the
HeNB-GW 100, the transceiver 101 performs processing for transmitting and receiving
information, the processor 102 performs processing for generating and analyzing the
transmitted and received information, and the storage 103 performs processing for
storing the transmitted and received information.
[0021] The MME 200 includes a transceiver 201, a processor 202, and storage 203. The
MME 200 can communicate with an HeNB 310 in addition to the above-mentioned
HeNB-GW 100, and transmits and receives messages using the S1AP. In the MME
200, the transceiver 201 performs processing for transmitting and receiving in
formation, the processor 202 performs processing for generating and analyzing the
transmitted and received information, and the storage 203 performs processing for
storing the transmitted and received information.
[0022] The HeNB 300 includes a transceiver 301, a processor 302, and storage 303. The
HeNBs 310 and 320 are similarly configured. There are a case where the HeNB com
municates, like the HeNB 310, with the MME 200 as the upper node, and a case where
the HeNB communicates, like the HeNBs 300 and 320, with the HeNB-GW 100 as the
upper node. The HeNB transmits and receives messages using the S1AP to and from
these upper nodes. Further, the HeNB 300 can wirelessly communicate with the UE
400, and the interface therebetween is defined as "Uu". Further, the HeNBs 300, 310
and 320 can communicate with each other, and the interface therebetween is defined as
"X2". In the HeNB 300, the transceiver 301 performs processing for transmitting and
receiving information, the processor 302 performs processing for generating and
analyzing the transmitted and received information, and the storage 303 performs
processing for storing the transmitted and received information. The similar ex
planation is also applied to the HeNBs 310 and 320.
[0023] The UE 400 includes a transceiver 401, a processor 402, and storage 403. As
described above, the UE 400 wirelessly communicates with the HeNB 300. In the UE
400, the transceiver 401 performs processing for transmitting and receiving in
formation, the processor 402 performs processing for generating and analyzing the
transmitted and received information, and the storage 403 performs processing for
storing the transmitted and received information.
[0024] Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation according to the
first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, with reference to
Fig. 2, there will be described operations of the HeNB 300, the HeNB-GW 100 and the
MME 200.
[0025] At S101, the HeNB 300 transmits an SI SETUP REQUEST message to the HeNBGW
100. The SI SETUP REQUEST is a message transmitted from the HeNB to the
HeNB-GW for establishing the SI connection only after a connection at TNL
(Transport Network Layer) has become available, the detail of which is disclosed in
Non-Patent Literature 2. Hereinafter, the detail of IEs (Information Elements) included
in this message will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 7.
[0026] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the IEs in the SI SETUP REQUEST. In
this figure, eNB Identity is identification information of a radio base station, and eNB
Environment Information is information on environments around the radio base
station. Note that the eNB Identity and the eNB Environment Information are not
disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 2.
[0027] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the detail of IEs included in the eNB
Identity. The eNB Identity is an information element for identifying the radio base
station.
[0028] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the detail of IEs included in the eNB En
vironment Information. The eNB Environment Information is composed of Radio In
formation which is information on a radio environment, and Non Radio Information
which is information on environments other than the radio environment.
[0029] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the detail of IEs included in the Radio In
formation. IEs of E-UTRAN Cell ID Information include various information items on
cells in E-UTRAN (Enhanced Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network). IEs of
UTRAN Cell ID Information include various information items on cells in UTRAN
(Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network). IEs of GERAN Cell ID Information
include various information items on cells in GERAN (GSM (registered trademark)
EDGE Radio Access Network). IEs of WiMAX base stations Information includes
various information items on base stations by WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for
Microwave Access). IEs of Wireless Internet hotspots Information include various in
formation items on wireless Internet hotspots. IEs of Television stations Information
include various information items on television stations. IEs of Radio Stations In
formation include various information items on radio stations. IEs of GPS Information
include various information items on GPS (Global Positioning System). Note that as
shown in Fig. 6, this information on GPS includes location information such as
latitude, longitude and altitude. However, this information is not always limited to in
formation which is acquired by using GPS mounted on the radio base station.
[0030] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the detail of IEs included in the Non
Radio Information. CHOICE IP Address is an IE indicating an IP (Internet Protocol)
address assigned to the radio base station. Phone number, Address and Postcode are
IEs indicating a phone number, an address and a post code, respectively, regarding a
location at which the radio base station is installed. HeNB-GW ID is an IE indicating
identification information of an HeNB-GW which is most recently connected to an
HeNB in the case where the radio base station is the HeNB.
[003 1] At S102 in Fig. 2, the HeNB-GW 100 determines whether or not the HeNB 300 is
operational based on the eNB Identity and the eNB Environment Information included
in the received SI SETUP REQUEST. The detail of operations for the determination is
explained with a specific example. For example, based on policies for operating the
HeNB 300, the HeNB-GW 100 specifically stores, in the storage 103, information on
surrounding environments determined as non-operational, e.g., location information
such as an address, a post code, latitude and longitude regarding a location at which the
HeNB 300 is installed, an IP address, and various information items on a WiMAXcompatible
base station. The HeNB-GW 100 compares the information stored in the
storage 103 with the IEs included in the eNB Environment Information acquired from
the SI SETUP REQUEST. The HeNB-GW 100 determines as non-operational if they
coincide with each other as a result of the comparison, otherwise determines as op
erational. Note that the information element used as conditions for this determination
may be a certain specific information element, or may be combined plural information
elements. A value of the information element stored in the storage 103 and determined
as non-operational may be a predetermined value or a value indicated within a prede
termined range. Further, while the information on the conditions for determining as
non-operational is stored in the storage 103 in the above-mentioned example, in
formation on conditions for determining as operational may be stored in the storage
103. Furthermore, upon determining whether or not the HeNB is operational, the
HeNB-GW 100 may inquire of a different device which stores and manages policies
regarding conditions for the determination, a management device in a different radio
communication system or the like, about the conditions for the determination, and may
perform the determination after acquiring necessary information. This allows the
maintenance such as revising and changing the conditions for the determination to be
easily implemented.
[0032] At S103, the HeNB-GW 100 transmits an S1 SETUP REQUEST message to the
MME 200 if the HeNB-GW 100 has determined as operational at S102. After that,
normal processing is carried on, so that the HeNB 300 can start its operation.
[0033] At S104, the HeNB-GW 100 transmits an S1 SETUP FAILURE message to the
HeNB 300 if the HeNB-GW 100 has determined as non-operational at S102. The detail
of SI SETUP FAILURE is disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 2.
[0034] At S105, the HeNB-GW 100 disconnects SCTP (Stream Control Transmission
Protocol) connection between the HeNB-GW 100 and the HeNB 300. As a result, the
HeNB 300 cannot operate. Note that either one of S104 and S105 can be omitted. In
the case of omitting S104, transmission and reception of messages between the HeNB
300 and the HeNB-GW 100 are reduced. Therefore, it is possible to improve the
usability of communication lines. In addition, it is possible to reduce processing loads
on the HeNB 300 and the HeNB-GW 100. On the other hand, in the case of omitting
S105, it is possible to reduce the processing loads on the HeNB 300 and the HeNBGW
100.
[0035] As described above, the HeNB-GW 100 according to the first exemplary em
bodiment receives from the HeNB 300 the message including the identification in
formation of the HeNB 300 and the information on the environments around the HeNB
300, in the sequence for establishing the SI connection. As a result, the HeNB-GW
100 can determine whether or not the HeNB 300 is operational. Further, in the present
invention, the IEs are added to the existing message using the S1AP. Therefore, it is
possible to solve the problems without newly adding any messages.
[0036] (Second exemplary embodiment)
A second exemplary embodiment is applied to a situation where the SI connection
has been already established between the HeNB and the HeNB-GW.
[0037] A configuration according to the second exemplary embodiment is the same as that
according to the first exemplary embodiment. Therefore, its explanation is omitted.
[0038] Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation according to the
second exemplary embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 8, there will be
described operations of the HeNB 300, the HeNB-GW 100 and the MME 200.
[0039] At S20 1, the HeNB 300 transmits an ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE message to
the HeNB-GW 100. The detail of ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE is disclosed in
Non-Patent Literature 2.
[0040] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of IEs in the ENB CONFIGURATION
UPDATE. In this figure, eNB Identity is the same as that in the first exemplary em
bodiment, as shown in Fig. 4. Further, eNB Environment Information is the same as
that in the first exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5. Note that the eNB Identity
and the eNB Environment Information are not disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 2.
[0041] At S202 in Fig. 8, the HeNB-GW 100 determines whether or not the HeNB 300 is
operational based on the eNB Identity and the eNB Environment Information included
in the received ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE. A specific example of operations
for the determination is the same as that at SI02 in the first exemplary embodiment.
Therefore, its explanation is omitted.
[0042] At S203, the HeNB-GW 100 transmits ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE to the
MME 200 if the HeNB-GW 100 has determined as operational at S202. After that,
normal processing is carried on, so that the HeNB 300 can start its operation.
[0043] At S204, the HeNB-GW 100 transmits an ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE
FAILURE message to the HeNB 300 if the HeNB-GW 100 has determined as nonoperational
at S202. The detail of ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE FAILURE is
disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 2.
[0044] At S205, the HeNB-GW 100 disconnects SCTP connection between the HeNB-GW
100 and the HeNB 300. As a result, the HeNB 300 cannot operate. Note that S204 may
be omitted. In this case, transmission and reception of messages between the HeNB
300 and the HeNB-GW 100 are reduced. Therefore, it is possible to improve the
usability of communication lines. In addition, it is possible to reduce processing loads
on the HeNB 300 and the HeNB-GW 100.
[0045] As described above, the HeNB-GW 100 according to the second exemplary em
bodiment receives from the HeNB 300 the message including the identification in
formation of the HeNB 300 and the information on the environments around the HeNB
300, in the case where the SI connection has been already established. As a result, the
HeNB-GW 100 can determine whether or not the HeNB 300 is operational based on
this message. Further, the IEs are added to the existing message using the SIAP.
Therefore, it is possible to solve the problems without newly adding any messages.
[0046] (Third exemplary embodiment)
A third exemplary embodiment is not applied to the HeNB but is applied to an RN.
[0047] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration according to the third
exemplary embodiment. A radio communication system according to this exemplary
embodiment includes the MME 200, a DeNB (Donor eNB) 500, an RN 600, and the
UE 400. Further, in Fig. 10, there are shown an area 700 in which the RN 600 can
operate and an area 800 in which the RN 600 cannot operate.
[0048] The configuration of the MME 200 is the same as that in the first exemplary em
bodiment. Therefore, it explanation is omitted.
[0049] The DeNB 500 includes a transceiver 501, a processor 502, and storage 503. The
DeNB 500 can communicate with the MME 200, and transmits and receives message
using the SIAP. Further, the DeNB 500 can wirelessly communicate with the RN 600,
and the interface therebetween is defined as "Un". The message using the SIAP is
transmitted and received on the Un. In the DeNB 500, the transceiver 501 performs
processing for transmitting and receiving information, the processor 502 performs
processing for generating and analyzing the transmitted and received information, and
the storage 503 performs processing for storing the transmitted and received in
formation.
[0050] The RN 600 includes a transceiver 601, a processor 602, and storage 603. The RN
600 can wirelessly communicate with the UE 400 in addition to the above-mentioned
DeNB 500, and the interface therebetween is defined as "Uu". In the RN 600, the
transceiver 601 performs processing for transmitting and receiving information, the
processor 602 performs processing for generating and analyzing the transmitted and
received information, and the storage 603 performs processing for storing the
transmitted and received information.
[0051] The configuration of the UE 400 is the same as that in the first exemplary em
bodiment. Therefore, its explanation is omitted.
[0052] Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation according to the
third exemplary embodiment. The operation in this exemplary embodiment is almost
the same as the operation that is performed in a configuration obtained by replacing the
HeNB 300 with the RN 600 and replacing the HeNB-GW 100 with the DeNB 500 in
the first exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2.
[0053] Operations from S301 to S305 are the same as those from S101 to S105 in Fig. 2.
Therefore, their explanation is omitted. A specific operation at S302 can be performed
as follows. The DeNB 500 stores, in the storage 503, information on conditions in
dicating the operational area 700 or the non-operational area 800, e.g., location in
formation. The DeNB 500 compares the information stored in the storage 503 with the
IEs included in the eNB Identity and the eNB Environment Information acquired from
the SI SETUP REQUEST. The DeNB 500 determines as non-operational if they
coincide with each other as a result of the comparison, otherwise determines as op
erational.
[0054] Note that at S304, the DeNB 500 may include information on surrounding envi
ronments determined as non-operational in the S1 SETUP FAILURE to be transmitted
to the RN 600.
[0055] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of IEs in the SI SETUP FAILURE in such
a case. IEs of Prohibited eNB Environment Information are information on the sur
rounding environments determined as non-operational, but are not disclosed in Non-
Patent Literature 2.
[0056] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the detail of the IEs of Prohibited eNB
Environment Information. Radio Information is the one as shown in Fig. 6, and Non
Radio Information is the one as shown in Fig. 7.
[0057] As described above, the DeNB 500 according to the third exemplary embodiment
receives from the RN 600 the message including the identification information of the
RN 600 and the information on the environments around the RN 600, in the sequence
for establishing the SI connection. As a result, the DeNB 500 can determine whether
or not the RN 600 is operational based on this message. Further, the DeNB 500 notifies
the RN 600 of the information on the surrounding environments determined as nonoperational
when the DeNB 500 determines that the RN 600 is not operational. As a
result, it is possible to prompt the RN 600 to operate under appropriate environments.
Furthermore, the IEs are added to the existing message using the SIAP. Therefore, it is
possible to solve the problems without newly adding any messages.
[0058] (Fourth exemplary embodiment)
A fourth exemplary embodiment is not applied to the HeNB but is applied to the RN
in the second exemplary embodiment.
[0059] A configuration according to the fourth exemplary embodiment is the same as that
according to the third exemplary embodiment. Therefore, its explanation is omitted.
[0060] Fig. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation according to the
fourth exemplary embodiment. The operation in this exemplary embodiment is almost
the same as the operation that is performed in a configuration obtained by replacing the
HeNB 300 with the RN 600 and replacing the HeNB-GW 100 with the DeNB 500 in
the second exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 8.
[0061] Operations from S401 to S405 are the same as those from S201 to S205 in Fig. 8.
Therefore, their explanation is omitted. A specific operation at S402 can be performed
as with S302.
[0062] Note that at S404, the DeNB 500 may include the information on the surrounding en
vironments determined as non-operational in ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE
FAILURE to be transmitted to the RN 600.
[0063] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of IEs in the ENB CONFIGURATION
UPDATE FAILURE in such a case. IEs of Prohibited eNB Environment Information
are information on the surrounding environments determined as non-operational, but
are not disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 2. The detail of them is the same as that in
the third exemplary embodiment. Therefore, its explanation is omitted.
[0064] As described above, the DeNB 500 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment
receives from the RN 600 the message including the identification information of the
RN 600 and the information on the environments around the RN 600, in the case where
the S1 connection has been already established. As a result, the DeNB 500 can
determine whether or not the RN 600 is operational based on this message. Further, the
DeNB 500 notifies the RN 600 of the information on the surrounding environments de
termined as non-operational when the DeNB 500 determines that the RN 600 is not op
erational. As a result, it is possible to prompt the RN 600 to operate under appropriate
environments. Furthermore, the IEs are added to the existing message using the S1AP.
Therefore, it is possible to solve the problems without newly adding any messages.
[0065] (Fifth exemplary embodiment)
In a fifth exemplary embodiment, the notification of the information on the sur
rounding environments determined as non-operational from the DeNB 500 to the RN
600 in the third and fourth exemplary embodiments is applied to a RESET message.
[0066] A configuration according to the fifth exemplary embodiment is the same as that
according to the third exemplary embodiment. Therefore, its explanation is omitted.
[0067] Fig. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of an operation according to the
fifth exemplary embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 16, there will be
described operations of the RN 600, the DeNB 500 and the MME 200.
[0068] At S501, the MME 200 transmits a RESET message to the DeNB 500. The detail of
RESET is disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 2.
[0069] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of IEs of the RESET. IEs of Prohibited
eNB Environment Information are information on the surrounding environments de
termined as non-operational, but are not disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 2. The
detail of them is the same as that shown in Fig. 13. Therefore, its explanation is
omitted.
[0070] At S502 in Fig. 16, the DeNB 500 transmits RESET to the RN 600. The RESET
includes the Prohibited eNB Environment Information. Therefore, the RN 600 can
acquire the information on the surrounding environments determined as nonoperational.
[007 1] At S503, the RN 600 transmits a RESET ACKNOWLEDGE message to the DeNB
500. The detail of RESET ACKNOWLEDGE is disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 2.
[0072] At S504, the DeNB 500 transmits RESET ACKNOWLEDGE to the MME 200.
[0073] Note that the DeNB 500 may manage the IEs of Prohibited eNB Environment In
formation. In this case, the DeNB 500 can include these IEs upon transmitting the
RESET to the RN 600, without including these IEs in the RESET from the MME 200
to the DeNB 500.
[0074] As described above, the DeNB 500 according to the fifth exemplary embodiment
notifies the RN 600 of the information on the surrounding environments determined as
non-operational by use of the RESET. As a result, it is possible to prompt the RN 600
to operate under appropriate environments. Further, the IEs are added to the existing
message using the SIAP. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problems without newly
adding any messages.
[0075] Note that the method performed in the HeNB-GW 100, the MME 200, the HeNB
300, the UE 400, the DeNB 500 and the RN 600 according to the first to fifth
exemplary embodiments may be applied to a program to be executed by a computer.
Further, the program can be stored in a storage medium, and can also be externally
provided through a network.
[0076] While exemplary embodiments have been described in detail, it should be understood
that these embodiments are not limiting but may be changed in various ways without
departing from the spirit of the present inventive concept.
[0077] For example, in a radio communication system defined by 3GPP, the HeNB-GW
does not always exist. In such a case, in the first and second exemplary embodiments,
the HeNB 300 may transmit and receive message using the SIAP to and from the
MME 200, and the MME 200 may perform the operations in the HeNB-GW 100. In
other words, the upper node with which the HeNB 300 communicates may be either
one of the HeNB-GW 100 and the MME 200. In the case where the upper node is the
MME, the HeNB can also be replaced with an eNB in order to apply the exemplary
embodiment.
[0078] Further, each of the S1 SETUP REQUEST in the first and third exemplary em
bodiments, the ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE in the second and fourth
exemplary embodiments, the RESET in the fifth exemplary embodiment, and the like
is an example of specific messages. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiment may also
be applied to other messages using the S1AP.
[0079] Furthermore, in the third to fifth exemplary embodiments, while the DeNB 500
includes the information on the surrounding environments determined as nonoperational
in the message to be notified to the RN 600, the DeNB 500 may notify in
formation on surrounding environments determined as operational.
[0080] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above exemplary
embodiments but modification can be made as needed without deviating from the spirit
and scope the invention as defined by the claims.
[0081] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent
application No. 2012-066948, filed on March 23, 2012, the disclosure of which is in
corporated herein in its entirety by reference.
Reference Signs List
[0082] 100 HeNB-GW
200 MME
300, 310, 320 HeNB
400 UE
500 DeNB
600 RN
101, 201, 301, 311, 321, 401, 501, 601 TRANSCEIVER
102, 202, 302, 312, 322, 402, 502, 602 PROCESSOR
103, 203, 303, 313, 323, 403, 503, 603 STORAGE
PCT/JP2013/001932
Claims
A radio base station, comprising:
a controller that generates a message comprising identification in
formation of the radio base station and information indicating p a
rameters based on a detected environment; and
a transmitter that transmits the generated message to a communication
node.
The radio base station according to Claim 1, wherein the message
further comprises a request to establish a connection with the commu
nication node.
The radio base station according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a
detector that detects whether or not the radio base station is installed;
wherein the controller generates the message in response to the
detection.
The radio base station according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein
the message comprises a SI SETUP REQUEST message.
The radio base station according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein
the message comprises a ENB CONFIGURATION UPDATE message.
The radio base station according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein
the information indicating parameters based on the detected en
vironment comprises information indicating parameters based on a
detected radio environment.
The radio base station according to Claim 6, wherein the information
indicating parameters based on the detected radio environment
comprises at least one of:
information on a cell in E-UTRAN,
information on a cell in UTRAN,
information on a cell in GERAN,
information on information on a WiMAX-compatible base station,
information on a wireless Internet hotspot,
information on a television station,
information on a radio station, and
information on GPS.
The radio base station according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein
the information indicating parameters based on the detected en
vironment includes at least one of:
an IP address assigned to the radio base station,
WO 2013/140808 PCT/JP2013/001932
an address, a post code or a phone number regarding a location at
which the radio base station is installed, and
identification information of HeNB-GW that is most recently
connected to the radio base station.
[Claim 9] A communication node, adapted to communicate with a radio base
station, the communication node comprising:
a receiver that receives, from the radio base station, a message
including identification information of the radio base station and in
formation indicating parameters based on a detected environment; and
a controller that performs a control of the radio base station based on
the identification information and the information indicating parameters
based on a detected environment.
[Claim 10] The communication node according to Claim 9, wherein the controller
performs a determination whether or not the radio base station is op
erational, based on the identification information and the information
indicating parameters based on the detected environment.
[Claim 11] The communication node according to Claim 9 or 10, further
comprising:
a transmitter that transmits, when the radio base station is not op
erational, an outgoing message to the radio base station,
wherein the outgoing message comprises information indicating p a
rameters based on the detected environment around the radio base
station that is not operational.
[Claim 12] The communication node according to any one of Claims 9 to 11,
further comprising:
a memory that stores a predetermined information,
wherein the determination is performed by comparing the prede
termined information with the information indicating parameters based
on an detected environment.
[Claim 13] A control method for a radio base station, the control method
comprising:
generating a message comprising identification information of the radio
base station and information indicating parameters based on a detected
environment; and
transmitting the generated message to a communication node.
[Claim 14] A control method for a communication node, adapted to communicate
with a radio base station, the control method comprising:
receiving, from radio base station, a message including identification
PCT/JP2013/001932
information of the radio base station and information indicating p a
rameters based on a detected environment; and
performing a control of the radio base station based on the identi
fication information and the information indicating parameters based
on the detected environment.