JP5396330B2 - Mobile communication method, mobile station and radio base station - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication method, a mobile station, and a radio base station.

  In the LTE (Long Term Evolution) -Advanced scheme, the mobile station UE can perform CA (Carrier Aggregation) communication with the radio base station eNB using a plurality of CCs (Component Carriers) having different carrier frequencies. It is configured as follows.

  Among each of the plurality of CCs, in each of the downlink and the uplink, one CC is specified as a PCC (Primary CC), and the other CCs are handled as SCC (Secondary CC).

  Note that, in the LTE-Advanced scheme in the LTE Release-10 scheme, it is possible to set up to four SCCs in each of the downlink and the uplink.

  Here, in the LTE-Advanced scheme, each SCC used in CA communication can be set to either an active state or an inactive state. It is specified that the PCC is always in an active state.

  In the LTE-Advanced scheme, it is specified that a newly set SCC is set to an inactive state.

3GPP R2-102645

  However, in the LTE-Advanced scheme, when a mobile station performing CA communication performs a handover, if all configured SCCs are started from an inactive state in the handover destination cell, In comparison, there is a problem that the user throughput after the handover is lowered and the QoS (Quality of Service) experienced by the user is significantly deteriorated every time the handover is performed.

  For example, in the handover source cell, four SCCs are set, and all the SCCs are set to the active state, and data transmission / reception is performed using five CCs together with the PCC. In the handover destination cell, if all the configured SCCs start in an inactive state, data can be transmitted and received only by the PCC immediately after the handover. In comparison, the user throughput has been reduced, and the QoS experienced by the user has deteriorated.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and reduces the reduction in user throughput immediately after handover of a mobile station performing CA communication, and the accompanying deterioration in user experience QoS, and An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communication method, a mobile station, and a radio base station that can reduce power consumption of the mobile station.

  The first feature of the present invention is that a mobile station communicating in a cell under the first radio base station hands over to a cell under the second radio base station and carries in the cell under the second radio base station. A mobile communication method for performing communication using a plurality of carriers having different frequencies, wherein the second radio base station transmits a handover instruction signal including state setting information to the mobile station via the first radio base station. And when the mobile station starts communication in the cell under the second radio base station, each of the carriers is set to either an active state or an inactive state according to the state setting information. And a step of setting.

  The second feature of the present invention is that, when communication is performed in a cell under the first radio base station, a handover is performed to a cell under the second radio base station, and a carrier frequency is transmitted in the cell under the second radio base station. Mobile station configured to be able to communicate using a plurality of different carriers, and is included in the received handover instruction signal when communication is started in a cell under the second radio base station The gist of the present invention is to provide a setting unit configured to set each of the carriers to either an active state or an inactive state according to the state setting information.

  A third feature of the present invention is that a mobile station communicating in a cell subordinate to the first radio base station hands over to a cell subordinate to the second radio base station, and is carried in the cell subordinate to the second radio base station. In a mobile communication system configured to be able to communicate using a plurality of carriers having different frequencies, a radio base station that functions as the second radio base station, wherein each of the carriers is active or not A transmission unit configured to transmit a handover instruction signal including state setting information indicating which of the active states should be set to the mobile station via the first radio base station; The gist.

  A fourth feature of the present invention is that a mobile station communicating in a cell under the first radio base station hands over to a cell under the second radio base station and carries in the cell under the second radio base station. A mobile communication method for performing communication using a plurality of carriers having different frequencies, wherein when the mobile station starts communication in a cell under the second radio base station, all of the carriers are set in an active state. The gist is to have a process.

  A fifth feature of the present invention is that, when communication is performed in a cell under the first radio base station, handover is performed to a cell under the second radio base station, and a carrier frequency is transmitted in the cell under the second radio base station. Mobile stations configured to be able to communicate using a plurality of different carriers, and when communication is started in a cell under the second radio base station, all of the carriers are set in an active state. The gist is to include a setting unit configured to set.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a reduction in user throughput immediately after handover of a mobile station performing CA communication, and a corresponding deterioration in user experience QoS, and a waste of power of the mobile station are achieved. Mobile communication method, mobile station, and radio base station can be provided.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a mobile communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating CA communication currently performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a radio base station according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a mobile station according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

(Mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention)
The configuration of the mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG.

  The mobile communication system according to the present embodiment is an LTE-Advanced mobile communication system. In the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment, the mobile station UE performs CA communication using a plurality of CCs having different carrier frequencies. It is configured to be able to do.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment, the mobile station UE communicating in the cell # 1 under the radio base station eNB # 1 is the cell # 2 under the radio base station eNB # 2. A case where handover is performed will be described as an example.

  Further, in the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the mobile station UE includes UL PCC (Uplink Primary Component Carrier), UL SCC (Uplink Secondary Component Carrier) # 1, and UL SCC # 2. CA communication is performed using DL PCC (Downlink Primary Component Carrier), DL SCC # 1, and DL SCC # 2.

  Note that the functions of the radio base station eNB # 1 and the radio base station eNB # 2 are basically the same (that is, the operation as the handover source radio base station and the operation as the handover destination radio base station are different). However, since a certain radio base station eNB can support both operations), hereinafter, these will be collectively referred to as a radio base station eNB. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the radio base station eNB includes an RRC (Radio Resource Control) layer function unit 11, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer function unit 12, and a handover processing unit 13.

  The RRC layer function 11 is configured to perform processing in the RRC layer with the mobile station UE.

  For example, the RRC layer function 11 uses a RRC message (for example, “RRC Reconfiguration” message or the like) to add a new CC or delete an existing CC to a mobile station UE that supports CA communication. In addition, the PCC can be instructed to change.

  Here, after the mobile station UE transitions from the RRC_Idle state to the RRC_Connected state and starts communication using one downlink carrier and one uplink carrier as in the LTE (Release 8/9) scheme, The RRC layer function 11 is configured to instruct the addition of the second and subsequent downlink carriers and uplink carriers using the RRC message.

  The MAC layer function unit 12 is configured to perform processing in the MAC layer with the mobile station UE.

  For example, the MAC layer function unit 12 is configured to instruct setting of the state (active state or inactive state) of each CC used in CA communication using “MAC Control Element (MAC control element)”. Has been.

  Here, the MAC layer function unit 12 may be configured to be able to instruct only the setting of the DL SCC state and not to be able to instruct the setting of the DL PCC, UL PCC, or UL SCC state. .

  That is, the states of DL PCC, UL PCC, and UL SCC may always be active.

  In the LTE-Advanced scheme, the DL SCC state is set to an inactive state immediately after the DL SCC is newly added, so that data transmission / reception is performed in the DL SCC. After the DL SCC is added, the MAC layer function unit 12 instructs the mobile station UE to change the setting of the DL SCC state to the active state using “MAC Control Element”. It is configured as follows.

  The handover processing unit 13 is configured to perform processing necessary for the mobile station UE to perform handover.

  Here, when the radio base station eNB operates as a handover destination radio base station, the handover processing unit 13 receives “Handover Request” or the like from the handover source radio base station, “Handover Command” or the like addressed to the mobile station UE, etc. Or “Handover Request Ack” including “Handover Command” addressed to the mobile station UE is transmitted to the handover source radio base station.

  For example, when the handover processing unit 13 decides to perform CA communication with the mobile station UE at the handover destination radio base station, the “handover command” includes setting information of a plurality of CCs used for CA communication. May be generated.

  At this time, the handover processing unit 13 determines “Activation / Deactivation Status” indicating whether each CC should be set in an active state or an inactive state immediately after the handover, and the “Activation / Deactivation Status” is also determined. The “Handover Command” may be generated in such a manner as to include it.

  Then, the handover processing unit 13 may be configured to transmit the generated “Handover Command” to the mobile station UE via the handover source radio base station.

  Specifically, the handover processing unit 13 includes the generated “Handover Command” in the “Handover Request Ack” and transmits it to the handover source radio base station, and the handover source radio base station transmits the “Handover Command” to the mobile station. It may be configured to transmit to the UE.

  Here, when the amount of data that can be transmitted / received to / from the mobile station UE is large, the handover processing unit 13 determines “Activation / Deactivation Status” so as to activate more DL SCCs. Thus, the user throughput of the mobile station UE immediately after the handover can be improved.

  On the other hand, when the amount of data that can be transmitted / received to / from the mobile station UE is small, the handover processing unit 13 determines “Activation / Deactivation Status” so that only the minimum necessary DL SCC is activated. As a result, the power consumption of the mobile station UE immediately after the handover can be reduced.

  Specifically, the handover processing unit 13 determines the CC immediately after the handover based on “auxiliary information for determining“ Activation / Deactivation Status ”” notified by the “Handover Request” from the handover source radio base station. Each may be configured to determine an “Activation / Deactivation Status” that indicates whether each should be set to an active state or an inactive state.

  On the other hand, when the radio base station eNB operates as a handover source radio base station, the handover processing unit 13 transmits “Handover Request” or the like to the handover destination radio base station, or “Handover” from the handover destination radio base station. “Request Ack” or the like is received, “Handover Command” or the like is transmitted to the mobile station UE, or “Measurement Report” or the like is received from the mobile station UE.

  For example, when CA communication is performed with the mobile station UE at the handover source radio base station, the handover processing unit 13 transmits “Handover Request” transmitted to the handover destination radio base station to “Activation / It may be configured to include “auxiliary information” for determining “Deactivation Status”.

  Specifically, the handover processing unit 13 determines whether each CC is set to an active state or an inactive state in the handover source radio base station as “auxiliary information for determining“ Activation / Deactivation Status ””. The information indicating whether or not is included in the “Handover Request” may be configured to be transmitted to the handover destination radio base station.

  For example, the information indicating whether each CC is set in the active state or the inactive state in the handover source radio base station is set in the active state (or inactive state) in the handover source radio base station It may be information indicating the number of DL SCCs.

  Further, the handover processing unit 13 uses “Handover” as information indicating the amount of data transmitted and received between the handover source radio base station and the mobile station UE as “auxiliary information for determining“ Activation / Deactivation Status ””. “Request” may be included and transmitted to the handover destination radio base station.

  For example, the information indicating the data amount transmitted / received between the handover source radio base station and the mobile station UE is information indicating the data amount transmitted / received between the handover source radio base station and the mobile station UE in a predetermined period. There may be information indicating the average user throughput between the handover source radio base station and the mobile station UE.

  Further, the handover processing unit 13 uses, as “auxiliary information for determining“ Activation / Deactivation Status ””, information indicating the amount of buffering data managed for the mobile station UE in the handover destination radio base station, It may be configured to be included in the “Handover Request” and transmitted to the handover destination radio base station.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the mobile station UE includes an RRC layer function unit 21, a MAC layer function unit 22, and a communication unit 23.

  The RRC layer function 21 is configured to perform processing in the RRC layer with the radio base station eNB.

  For example, when the mobile station UE is performing CA communication, the RRC layer function 21 newly sets a CC in accordance with an instruction (specifically, an RRC message) from the RRC layer function 11 of the radio base station eNB. It is configured to be able to add, delete an existing CC, or change a PCC.

  The MAC layer function unit 22 is configured to perform processing in the MAC layer with the radio base station eNB.

  For example, when the mobile station UE is performing CA communication, the MAC layer function 22 performs the CA according to an instruction (specifically, “MAC Control Element”) from the MAC layer function 12 of the radio base station eNB. It is configured to set the state (active state or inactive state) of each CC used in communication.

  The communication unit 23 is configured to perform CA communication using the DL CC and UL CC set by the RRC layer function 21 and the MAC layer function unit 22.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, in step S1001, the mobile station UE performing CA communication in the cell # 1 under the radio base station eNB # 1 transmits “Measurement Report” to the radio base station eNB # 1. .

  In step S1002, when the radio base station eNB # 1 determines to perform a handover from the cell # 1 under the radio base station eNB # 1 of the mobile station UE to the cell # 2 under the radio base station eNB # 2, “Handover Request” is transmitted to the base station eNB # 2.

  When the radio base station eNB # 2 determines to perform CA communication with the mobile station UE in step S1003, the information (for example, in the radio base station eNB # 1) included in the “Handover Request” Information indicating whether each CC is set in an active state or an inactive state, information indicating the amount of data transmitted and received between the radio base station eNB # 1 and the mobile station UE, and the radio base station eNB Etc.) based on the buffering data amount managed for the mobile station UE in # 1, etc., each CC used for CA communication in the cell # 2 is in an active state or an inactive state In step S1004, the radio base station eNB # 1 determines whether it should be set. It shows the determination result including the "Activation / Deactivation Status" including "Handover Command" transmits a "Handover Request Ack".

  In Step 1005, the radio base station eNB # 1 transmits “Handover Command” including “Activation / Deactivation Status” to the mobile station UE.

  Here, the mobile station UE sets each CC to either the active state or the inactive state according to the request in the “Handover Command” based on the “Activation / Deactivation Status” included in the received “Handover Command”. Then, CA communication in cell # 2 is started.

  According to the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment, the mobile station UE transmits each CC immediately after the handover based on “Activation / Deactivation Status” included in the “Handover Command” generated by the handover target radio base station. Since it can be set to either an active state or an inactive state, it is possible to reduce a decrease in user throughput immediately after handover of a mobile station performing CA communication, and a deterioration in user experience QoS associated therewith, And the waste of the electric power of the mobile station UE can be reduced.

(Modification 1)
In the mobile communication system according to the first modification of the present invention, the mobile station UE (MAC layer function 22) communicating in the cell # 1 under the radio base station eNB # 1 is connected to the cell under the radio base station eNB # 2. When handing over to # 2 and starting CA communication in cell # 2, all the states of the CC are set to the active state.

  The characteristics of the present embodiment described above may be expressed as follows.

  The first feature of the present embodiment is that the mobile station UE communicating in the cell # 1 under the control of the radio base station eNB # 1 (first radio base station) is the radio base station eNB # 2 (second radio base station). Station) is a mobile communication method for handing over to subordinate cell # 2 and communicating using a plurality of carriers having different carrier frequencies in cell # 2 under radio base station eNB # 2, wherein radio base station eNB # 2 Step A for transmitting “Handover Command (handover instruction signal)” including “Activation / Deactivation Status (state setting information)” to the mobile station UE via the radio base station eNB # 1, and the mobile station UE When starting communication in the cell # 2 under the station eNB # 2, the “Activation / Deactivation Status” In response, each of the CC, and summarized in that a step of setting either the active or inactive state.

  In the first feature of the present embodiment, the radio base station eNB # 1 is set to either the active state or the inactive state of each CC in the radio base station eNB # 1 with respect to the radio base station eNB # 2. A step of transmitting a “Handover Request (handover request signal)” including information indicating whether or not

  1st characteristic of this embodiment WHEREIN: Information which shows the data amount with which radio base station eNB # 1 was transmitted / received between radio base station eNB # 1 and mobile station UE with respect to radio base station eNB # 2 And a step of transmitting a “Handover Request” including.

  In the first feature of the present embodiment, the radio base station eNB # 1 sets the buffering data amount managed for the mobile station UE in the radio base station eNB # 1 to the radio base station eNB # 2. A step of transmitting a “Handover Request” including the information to be indicated.

  The second feature of the present embodiment is that when communication is performed in the cell # 1 under the radio base station eNB # 1, a handover is performed to the cell # 2 under the radio base station eNB # 2, and the radio base station eNB # The mobile station UE is configured to be able to communicate using a plurality of carriers having different carrier frequencies in the cell # 2 under the control of the cell # 2, and starts communication in the cell # 2 under the control of the radio base station eNB # 2 In response to the “Activation / Deactivation Status” included in the received “Handover Command”, each of the CCs is configured to be set to either an active state or an inactive state. The gist is to include a functional unit 22 (setting unit).

  The third feature of the present embodiment is that the mobile station UE communicating in the cell # 1 under the radio base station eNB # 1 hands over to the cell # 2 under the radio base station eNB # 2, and the radio base station In a mobile communication system configured to be able to communicate using a plurality of carriers having different carrier frequencies in cell # 2 under eNB # 2, it is a radio base station eNB that functions as radio base station eNB # 2. Then, “Handover Command” including “Activation / Deactivation Status” indicating whether each CC is to be set in an active state or an inactive state is transmitted to the mobile station UE via the radio base station eNB # 1 A handover processing unit 13 (transmission unit) configured to And effect.

  In the third feature of the present embodiment, the handover processing unit 13 indicates from the radio base station eNB # 1 whether each CC is set to an active state or an inactive state in the radio base station eNB # 1. It may be configured to receive a “Handover Request” including information, and may be configured to determine “Activation / Deactivation Status” based on information included in the “Handover Request”. .

  In the third feature of the present embodiment, the handover processing unit 13 includes “Handover” including information indicating the amount of data transmitted and received between the radio base station eNB # 1 and the mobile station UE from the radio base station eNB # 1. “Request” may be received, and “Activation / Deactivation Status” may be determined based on information included in “Handover Request”.

  In the third feature of the present embodiment, the handover processing unit 13 includes information indicating the amount of buffering data managed for the mobile station UE in the radio base station eNB # 1 from the radio base station eNB # 1. It may be configured to receive “Handover Request” and may be configured to determine “Activation / Deactivation Status” based on information included in “Handover Request”.

  The fourth feature of the present embodiment is that the mobile station UE communicating in the cell # 1 under the radio base station eNB # 1 hands over to the cell # 2 under the radio base station eNB # 2, and the radio base station A mobile communication method in which communication is performed using a plurality of carriers having different carrier frequencies in cell # 2 under eNB # 2, and when mobile station UE starts communication in cell # 2 under radio base station eNB # 2 Further, the present invention includes a step of setting all CCs to an active state.

  The fifth feature of the present embodiment is that when communication is performed in the cell # 1 under the radio base station eNB # 1, a handover is performed to the cell # 2 under the radio base station eNB # 2, and the radio base station eNB # The mobile station UE is configured to be able to communicate using a plurality of carriers having different carrier frequencies in the cell # 2 under the control of the cell # 2, and starts communication in the cell # 2 under the control of the radio base station eNB # 2 The gist of the present invention is to include a MAC layer function unit 22 (setting unit) configured to set all CCs to an active state.

  The operations of the mobile station UE and the radio base station eNB described above may be implemented by hardware, may be implemented by a software module executed by a processor, or may be implemented by a combination of both. .

  The software module includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM, a hard disk, a registerable ROM, a hard disk). Alternatively, it may be provided in a storage medium of an arbitrary format such as a CD-ROM.

  Such a storage medium is connected to the processor so that the processor can read and write information from and to the storage medium. Further, such a storage medium may be integrated in the processor. Such a storage medium and processor may be provided in the ASIC. Such an ASIC may be provided in the mobile station UE or the radio base station eNB. Further, the storage medium and the processor may be provided as a discrete component in the mobile station UE or the radio base station eNB.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. The present invention can be implemented as modified and changed modes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the description of the scope of claims. Therefore, the description of the present specification is for illustrative purposes and does not have any limiting meaning to the present invention.

eNB ... radio base station UE ... mobile station 11, 21 ... RRC layer function unit 12,22 ... MAC layer function unit 13 ... handover processing unit 14 ... communication unit

Claims (10)

A mobile station communicating in a cell under the first radio base station hands over to a cell under the second radio base station, and uses a plurality of carriers having different carrier frequencies in the cell under the second radio base station. A mobile communication method for communicating,
A step A in which the second radio base station transmits a handover instruction signal including state setting information to the mobile station via the first radio base station;
A step of setting each of the carriers to either an active state or an inactive state according to the state setting information when the mobile station starts communication in a cell under the second radio base station. Yes, and
The first radio base station, with respect to the second radio base station, a handover request including information indicating whether each of the carriers is set in an active state or an inactive state in the first radio base station And a step of transmitting a signal .   The first radio base station transmitting a handover request signal including information indicating a data amount transmitted / received between the first radio base station and the mobile station to the second radio base station; The mobile communication method according to claim 1, further comprising:   The first radio base station transmits a handover request signal including information indicating the amount of buffering data managed for the mobile station in the first radio base station to the second radio base station. The mobile communication method according to claim 1, further comprising a step. A mobile station communicating in a cell under the first radio base station hands over to a cell under the second radio base station, and uses a plurality of carriers having different carrier frequencies in the cell under the second radio base station. In a mobile communication system configured to be able to communicate, a radio base station that functions as the second radio base station,
A handover instruction signal including state setting information indicating whether each of the carriers should be set to an active state or an inactive state is configured to be transmitted to the mobile station via the first radio base station. A transmission unit,
A handover request signal including information indicating whether each of the carriers is set in an active state or an inactive state in the first radio base station is received from the first radio base station. A radio base station comprising a receiving unit . A receiver configured to receive a handover request signal including information indicating the amount of data transmitted and received between the first radio base station and the mobile station from the first radio base station; The radio base station according to claim 4 . A receiving unit configured to receive a handover request signal including information indicating an amount of buffering data managed for the mobile station in the first radio base station from the first radio base station; The radio base station according to claim 4 , wherein: A mobile station communicating in a cell under the first radio base station hands over to a cell under the second radio base station, and uses a plurality of carriers having different carrier frequencies in the cell under the second radio base station. In a mobile communication system configured to be able to communicate, a radio base station that functions as the first radio base station,
A transmitter configured to transmit a handover request signal including information indicating a data amount transmitted / received between the first radio base station and the mobile station to the second radio base station; A radio base station. A mobile station communicating in a cell under the first radio base station hands over to a cell under the second radio base station, and uses a plurality of carriers having different carrier frequencies in the cell under the second radio base station. In a mobile communication system configured to be able to communicate, a radio base station that functions as the first radio base station,
Transmitter configured to transmit a handover request signal including information indicating the amount of buffering data managed for the mobile station in the first radio base station to the second radio base station A radio base station comprising: A mobile station communicating in a cell under the first radio base station hands over to a cell under the second radio base station, and uses a plurality of carriers having different carrier frequencies in the cell under the second radio base station. A mobile communication method for communicating,
When the mobile station starts communication in the cell under the second radio base station , it is included in the handover request signal received by the mobile station, and each of the carriers is active in the first radio base station. A mobile communication method comprising a step of setting all of the carriers to an active state regardless of the content of information indicating whether the state is set to an inactive state. When communication is performed in a cell under the first radio base station, handover is performed to a cell under the second radio base station, and communication is performed using a plurality of carriers having different carrier frequencies in the cell under the second radio base station. A mobile station configured to be able to
When starting communication in a cell under the second radio base station , it is included in the handover request signal received by the mobile station, and each of the carriers is in an active state or an inactive state in the first radio base station A mobile station comprising: a setting unit configured to set all of the carriers to an active state regardless of the content of information indicating which is set.

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