MOBILITY INFORMATION REPORTING

Abstract

Technology for reporting mobility information is disclosed. Mobility information can be identified for the UE when the UE is in idle mode, the mobility information including a visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in idle mode. An evolved node B (eNB) can be notified that the mobility information for the UE is available when the UE transitions from the idle mode to a connected mode. A request can be received from the eNB for the mobility information. The mobility information can be sent to the eNB using a reduced number of bits to represent the mobility information while substantially maintaining a level of accuracy of a mobility state estimation for the UE, wherein the mobility state estimation is performed at the eNB in order to determine an estimated speed of the UE.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/893,792, filed Oct. 21, 2013 with a docket number of P61815Z, the entire specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to transmit data between a node (e.g., a transmission station) and a wireless device (e.g., a mobile device). Some wireless devices communicate using orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) in a downlink (DL) transmission and single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) in an uplink (UL) transmission. Standards and protocols that use orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) for signal transmission include the third generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16 standard (e.g., 802.16e, 802.16m), which is commonly known to industry groups as WiMAX (Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access), and the IEEE 802.11 standard, which is commonly known to industry groups as WiFi.

In 3GPP radio access network (RAN) LTE systems, the node can be a combination of Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node Bs (also commonly denoted as evolved Node Bs, enhanced Node Bs, eNodeBs, or eNBs) and Radio Network Controllers (RNCs), which communicates with the wireless device, known as a user equipment (UE). The downlink (DL) transmission can be a communication from the node (e.g., eNodeB) to the wireless device (e.g., UE), and the uplink (UL) transmission can be a communication from the wireless device to the node.

In homogeneous networks, the node, also called a macro node, can provide basic wireless coverage to wireless devices in a cell. The cell can be the area in which the wireless devices are operable to communicate with the macro node. Heterogeneous networks (HetNets) can be used to handle the increased traffic loads on the macro nodes due to increased usage and functionality of wireless devices. HetNets can include a layer of planned high power macro nodes (or macro-eNBs) overlaid with layers of lower power nodes (small-eNBs, micro-eNBs, pico-eNBs, femto-eNBs, or home eNBs [HeNBs]) that can be deployed in a less well planned or even entirely uncoordinated manner within the coverage area (cell) of a macro node. The lower power nodes (LPNs) can generally be referred to as “low power nodes”, small nodes, or small cells.

In LTE, data can be transmitted from the eNodeB to the UE via a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). A physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) can be used to acknowledge that data was received. Downlink and uplink channels or transmissions can use time-division duplexing (TDD) or frequency-division duplexing (FDD).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the disclosure; and, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an accuracy of mobility state estimation based on a number of cells a user equipment (UE) reports to a network in accordance with an example;

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate accuracies of mobility state estimation based on a number of cells a user equipment (UE) reports to a network and a resolution level in accordance with an example;

FIG. 3 illustrates an accuracy of mobility state estimation based on a maximum time of stay for a user equipment (UE) in accordance with an example;

FIG. 4 is a mapping table used to represent mobility information for a user equipment (UE) using a reduced number of bits in accordance with an example;

FIG. 5 illustrates an accuracy of mobility state estimation based on a type of mapping number used to represent the mobility information for a user equipment (UE) in accordance with an example;

FIG. 6 illustrates signaling between a user equipment (UE) and an evolved node B (eNB) to determine a mobility state estimation for the UE in accordance with an example;

FIG. 7 depicts functionality of computer circuitry of a user equipment (UE) operable to report mobility information in accordance with an example;

FIG. 8 depicts functionality of computer circuitry of an evolved node B (eNB) operable to utilize mobility information associated with a user equipment (UE) in accordance with an example;

FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart of a method for reporting mobility information in accordance with an example; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram of a wireless device (e.g., UE) in accordance with an example.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but is extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element. Numbers provided in flow charts and processes are provided for clarity in illustrating steps and operations and do not necessarily indicate a particular order or sequence.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

An initial overview of technology embodiments is provided below and then specific technology embodiments are described in further detail later. This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding the technology more quickly but is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the technology nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A user equipment (UE) can report mobility information to a network device, such as an evolved node B (eNB), upon transitioning from a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode into an RRC connected mode. In other words, when the UE switches to RRC connected from RRC idle, the UE can communicate the mobility information to the eNB. In one example, the UE can indicate an availability of a visited cell history to the eNB when the UE transitions from RRC idle to RRC connected. The eNB can receive the indication, and in response, request the visited cell history from the UE.

The mobility information can include a physical cell identifier (ID) and a time of stay for which the UE stays in a cell corresponding with the physical cell ID. The time of stay for each physical cell ID can be represented in seconds. Alternatively, the mobility information can include a global cell ID and a time of stay for which the UE stays in a cell corresponding with the global cell ID. In other words, the visited cell history requested by the eNB can include the physical/global cell IDs and the time of stay (in seconds) for each physical/global cell ID. The physical cell ID can range from 0-503 and can be represented using up to nine bits.

The UE's mobility information (or visited cell history) can include a plurality of physical cell IDs and time of stays. As a non-limiting example, the mobility information can include a first physical cell ID of 412 and an associated time of stay of 5.2 seconds, a second physical cell ID of 416 and an associated time of stay of 8.3 seconds, and so on. The physical cell IDs can be represented using nine bits, and as discussed in further detail below, the time of stay can be represented using a reduced number of bits (e.g., 3 to 8 bits).

The UE can provide the mobility information to the eNB, and based on UE's mobility information, the eNB can perform a mobility state estimation for the UE. The mobility state estimation can refer to the UE's speed in idle mode or connected mode. The eNB can use the physical cell IDs and/or global cell IDs that were visited by the UE, as well as the time of stay for each of the physical cell IDs and/or global cell IDs, in order to determine the mobility state estimation for the UE. In other words, the physical/global cell IDs and the corresponding time of stay information can be used to determine the UE's mobility state (e.g., the UE's speed in idle mode or connected mode). When the UE switches from the RRC idle mode to the RRC connected mode, the eNB can set one or more handover parameters according to the estimated UE mobility state (e.g., the UE's estimated speed). In other words, the eNB can use the mobility state estimation for the UE in order to set the handover parameters for the UE. In one example, the eNB can set the handover parameters based on the UE's mobility state in order to enhance handover performance. The handover parameters that are configured based on the UE's speed can include, but are not limited to, time to trigger (ttt), A3offset, T312, etc. Each of these handover parameters can affect handover performance.

A novel technique is described herein for representing the time of stay information (that is transmitted from the UE to the eNB along with the physical/global cell IDs) using a reduced number of bits, while not compromising an accuracy of the mobility state estimation at the network side (e.g., at the eNB). In other words, the calculation of the UE's mobility state can remain substantially accurate, even though a reduced number of bits are used to represent the time of stay information. A mathematical model can be used to estimate the UE speed at the network side based on a cell size (e.g., a cell size of a macro cell or a pico cell). A novel mapping table is described herein that represents specific time sequences, which can reduce the entropy of the time of stay information. As a result, the UE's mobility state can be determined with substantially the same accuracy as full resolution time of stay information, even though the number of bits used to represent the time of stay can be reduced by more than 50%.

In one example, representing a time of stay of 408 seconds can take 9 bits. The number of bits used to represent the time of stay (in seconds) can be calculated using the equation 2ⁿ, wherein n is the number of bits. 2⁸ is equal to 256, and therefore, 8 bits is not sufficient to represent the time of stay of 408 seconds. On the other hand, 2⁹ is equal to 512, and therefore, 9 bits is sufficient to represent the time of stay of 408 seconds. In this example, the time of stay is represented using the full resolution (i.e., every second of the time of stay is accounted for when determining the number of bits for representing the time of stay). The time sequence used to represent the 408 seconds can be 1, 2, 3, . . . 407, 408.

In past solutions, according to the equation 2ⁿ, 1 bit can be used to represent a time of stay of 1 second, 2 bits can be used to represent a time of stay for up to 4 seconds, 3 bits can be used to represent a time of stay for up to 8 seconds, 4 bits can be used to represent a time of stay for up to 16 seconds, 5 bits can be used to represent a time of stay for up to 32 seconds, 6 bits can be used to represent a time of stay for up to 64 seconds, 7 bits can be used to represent a time of stay for up to 128 seconds, 8 bits can be used to represent a time of stay for up to 256 seconds, 9 bits can be used to represent a time of stay for up to 512 seconds, 10 bits can be used to represent a time of stay for up to 1024 seconds, and so on.

In the novel technique described herein, the time of stay can be represented in a defined resolution in order to reduce the number of bits used to represent the time of stay. For example, the time of stay can be represented as a five second interval (e.g., 5 second, or 10 seconds, or 15 seconds). In other words, the time of stay can be represented according to N resolutions, wherein N is an integer. Therefore, a time of stay of 9 seconds can be represented by 10 seconds and a time of stay of 13 seconds can be represented by 15 seconds. As discussed in further detail below, representing the time of stay information in N resolutions can result in a substantially similar accuracy when calculating the UE's mobility state, while at the same time reducing the number of bits used for representing the time of stay.

As a non-limiting example, if the time of stay of 408 seconds is switched from full resolution (i.e., every 1 second) to a 2-second resolution, the 408 seconds can be represented according to 2, 4, 6, . . . 406, 408. In other words, this reduced time sequence (i.e., time sequence with reduced entropy) can have 204 values, as opposed to 408 values. The number of bits for representing 204 values is 8 bits since 2⁸ is equal to 256. Therefore, in this example, modifying the resolution can save one bit when representing the time of stay information. As another non-limiting example, if the time of stay of 408 seconds is switched to a 5-second resolution, the 408 seconds can be represented according to 5, 10, . . . , 405, 410. In other words, this reduced time sequence can have 82 values, as opposed to 408 values. The number of bits for representing 82 values is 7 bits since 2⁷ is equal to 128. Therefore, in this example, modifying the resolution can save two bits when representing the time of stay information.

FIG. 1 illustrates an accuracy of mobility state estimation based on a number of cells a user equipment (UE) reports to a network, e.g., an evolved node B (eNB). For example, the UE can report time of stay information for 8 cells or 16 cells. In other words, for each of the cells, the UE can report a time of stay at that respective cell. The cell can correspond to a global cell identifier (ID) or a physical cell ID. In general, as the number of cells increase, the accuracy can increase. The accuracy can refer to a percentage (or likelihood) that the eNB correctly estimates the UE's mobility state. In other words, the accuracy can refer to the likelihood (as a percentage) that the eNB correctly determines the UE's estimated speed when the UE transitions from a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode to an RRC connected mode.

As shown in FIG. 1, the accuracy of the mobility state estimation can be graphically represented with respect to the number of cells that are reported by the UE. As shown in FIG. 1, a UE can be traveling at 3 kilometers per hour (km/h), a UE can be traveling at 30 km/h, and a UE can be traveling at 60 km/h. In addition, FIG. 1 illustrates accuracy levels with respect to the number of cells for a UE traveling at an average speed. With respect to the UE traveling at 3 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 100% when the UE reports mobility information for 8 cells and the accuracy can be approximately 100% when the UE reports mobility for 16 cells. In other words, the eNB is approximately 100% likely to correctly estimate the UE's mobility state when the UE reports mobility information for either 8 or 16 cells. With respect to the UE traveling at 30 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 83% when the UE reports mobility information for 8 cells and the accuracy can be approximately 92% when the UE reports mobility for 16 cells. With respect to the UE traveling at 60 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 90% when the UE reports mobility information for 8 cells and the accuracy can be approximately 94% when the UE reports mobility for 16 cells. In general, the accuracy can be greater when the UE reports mobility information for 16 cells as opposed to 8 cells. In most cases, an accuracy of at least 80% can be achieved.

In one example, a relatively slow moving UE (e.g., a UE traveling at 3 km/h) can take approximately 408 seconds to traverse or travel the longer distance of a macro cell with a radius of 170 meters. In other words, the UE's time of stay in a particular macro cell can be 408 seconds. In previous solutions, reporting a time of stay of up to 408 seconds can consume 9 bits. As previously explained, the number of bits for representing the time of stay can be determined using the equation 2ⁿ, wherein n is the number of bits. If 8 bits are used (i.e., 2⁸), then only a maximum time of stay of 256 seconds can be represented using the 8 bits. If 9 bits are used (i.e., 2⁹), then the time of stay of 408 seconds can be represented using the 9 bits. The UE can use 72 bits (i.e., 9 bits×8) if the UE reports the time of stay for 8 cells. In other words, the UE's visited cell history can include 8 cells when the UE reports the visited cell history to the eNB, e.g., when the UE goes into a connected mode from an idle mode.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate accuracies of mobility state estimation based on a number of cells a user equipment (UE) reports to a network and a resolution level. In one example, the number of bits used for representing the time of stay can be reduced, while substantially maintaining an acceptable accuracy. In other words, the probability of the eNB correctly determining the UE's mobility state can remain at an acceptable level, even though the UE's time of stay (which is used to calculate the UE's mobility state), is represented using a reduced number of bits. The time of stay can be represented according to a defined resolution (in seconds). The resolution can refer to a level of granularity at which the time of stay can be represented in seconds. In other words, the resolution can refer to possible time intervals that are used to represent the time of stay (e.g., 1 second intervals, 5 second intervals, 10 second intervals). When the resolution is 1, the time of stay can be represented as being 1 second, or 2 seconds, or 3 seconds, etc. In other words, the time of stay can be represented as a multiple of 1. When the resolution is 5, the time of stay can be represented as being 5 seconds, or 10 seconds, or 15 seconds, or so on. In other words, the time of stay can be represented as a multiple of 5. So even if an actual time of stay for the UE at a specific cell is 11 seconds, if the resolution is every 5 seconds, the actual time of stay can be represented as being 10 seconds (e.g., 10 seconds is closer to 11 seconds as compared to 15 seconds).

As described earlier, by modifying the resolution of the time of stay representation, a reduced number of bits can be used. For example, if the actual time of stay of 408 seconds is switched from full resolution (i.e., every 1 second) to a 3-second resolution, the 408 seconds can be represented according to 3, 6, 9, . . . 405, 408. The time of stay can be expressed in multiples of 3 when the resolution is 3. In other words, this reduced time sequence (i.e., time sequence with reduced entropy) can have 136 values, as opposed to 408 values. The number of bits for representing 136 values is 8 bits since 2⁸ is equal to 256. As another example, if the actual time of stay of 408 seconds is switched to a 10-second resolution, the 408 seconds can be represented according to 10, 20, . . . , 400, 410. The resolution can be expressed in multiples of 10 when the resolution is 10. In other words, this reduced time sequence can have 41 values, as opposed to 408 values. The number of bits for representing 41 values is 6 bits since 2⁶ is equal to 64. The actual time of stay of 408 seconds can be represented as being 410 seconds since 410 seconds is the closest time (e.g., at the given resolution of 10 seconds) to the actual time of stay of 408 seconds. Therefore, the time of stay of 408 seconds can be represented using 9 bits at full resolution (i.e., 1 second intervals), 8 bits when the resolution is at 3 seconds, and 6 bits when the resolution is at 10 seconds, while at the same time, maintaining an acceptable accuracy level.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the accuracy of the mobility state estimation can be graphically represented with respect to the resolution (in seconds) of the time of stay information for the UE. FIG. 2A can represent the accuracy levels when the UE reports mobility information for 8 cells. As shown in FIG. 2A, a UE can be traveling at 3 kilometers per hour (km/h), a UE can be traveling at 30 km/h, and a UE can be traveling at 60 km/h. In addition, accuracy levels may be represented with respect to resolution for a UE traveling at an average speed. With respect to the UE traveling at 3 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 100% until the resolution becomes approximately 30 seconds. In other words, the eNB is approximately 100% likely to correctly estimate the UE's mobility state until the resolution of the time of stay reaches approximately 30 seconds (i.e., the time of stay is represented as a multiple of 30). With respect to the UE traveling at 30 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 82% when the resolution is 1 second. The accuracy can drop to accuracies of 75% when the resolution becomes approximately 6 seconds (i.e., the time of stay is represented as a multiple of 6) and 35% when the resolution becomes approximately 11 seconds (i.e., the time of stay is represented as a multiple of 11), respectively. With respect to the UE traveling at 60 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 100% when the resolution is 10 seconds. The accuracy can drop to approximately 95% when the resolution is increased to 15 seconds, but can again reach approximately 100% when the resolution is increased to 25 seconds.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the accuracy of the mobility state estimation can be graphically represented with respect to the resolution (in seconds) of the time of stay information for the UE. FIG. 2B can represent the accuracy levels when the UE reports mobility information for 16 cells. As shown in FIG. 2B, a UE can be traveling at 3 kilometers per hour (km/h), a UE can be traveling at 30 km/h, and a UE can be traveling at 60 km/h. In addition, accuracy levels may be represented with respect to resolution for a UE traveling at an average speed. With respect to the UE traveling at 3 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 100%, even when the resolution reaches approximately 45 seconds. In other words, the eNB is approximately 100% likely to correctly estimate the UE's mobility state even when the resolution of the time of stay reaches approximately 45 seconds (i.e., the time of stay is represented as a multiple of 45). With respect to the UE traveling at 30 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 91% when the resolution is 1 second. The accuracy can drop to accuracies of 85% when the resolution becomes approximately 6 seconds (i.e., the time of stay is represented as a multiple of 6) and 32% when the resolution becomes approximately 11 seconds (i.e., the time of stay is represented as a multiple of 11), respectively. With respect to the UE traveling at 60 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 100% when the resolution is 10 seconds. The accuracy can drop to approximately 96% when the resolution is increased to 15 seconds, but can again reach approximately 100% when the resolution is increased to 25 seconds.

FIG. 3 illustrates an accuracy of mobility state estimation based on a maximum time of stay for a user equipment (UE). Since the maximum time for a UE traveling at 3 km/h to move across the longest distance in a macro cell is approximately 408 seconds, in some cases, a maximum time of stay for the UE can be reduced while substantially not comprising the accuracy of the mobility state estimation. As a non-limiting example, an actual time of stay of 408 seconds can be represented as 128 seconds (thereby reducing the number of bits), and the accuracy of the mobility state estimation for the UE using the value of 128 seconds instead of the actual time of 408 seconds can be unlikely to substantially change the likelihood of the eNB correctly determining the UE's mobility state.

FIG. 3 illustrates accuracies of mobility state estimation with respect to a maximum time of stay (in seconds) for the UE in a particular cell, wherein the maximum time of stay includes 408 seconds, 128 seconds, 64 seconds and 32 seconds. The UE can report time of stay information for 8 cells. As shown in FIG. 3 a UE can be traveling at 3 kilometers per hour (km/h), 30 km/h, or 60 km/h. In addition, FIG. 3 illustrates accuracy levels with respect to the maximum time of stay when the UE is traveling at an average speed. With respect to the UE traveling at 3 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 100% when the maximum time of stay is 408 seconds, 128 seconds, or 64 seconds. The accuracy can drop to approximately 50% when the maximum time of stay is 32 seconds. With respect to the UE traveling at 30 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 84% when the maximum time of stay is 408 seconds, 128 seconds, 64 seconds, or 32 seconds. With respect to the UE traveling at 60 km/h, the accuracy can be approximately 90% when the maximum time of stay is 408 seconds, 128 seconds, 64 seconds, or 32 seconds. Therefore, the accuracy of the UE's mobility state is generally not compromised, even when the maximum time of stay is modified to 64 seconds. In addition, the time of stay of 64 seconds can be represented using six bits, whereas the time of stay of 408 seconds can be represented using nine bits, thereby saving 3 bits when representing the UE's time of stay in a particular cell.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary mapping table used to represent mobility information for a user equipment (UE) using a reduced number of bits. The number of bits used to represent the time of stay information can be optimized or reduced without substantially compromising an accuracy of the mobility state estimation. In mapping number M1, a time of stay can be between 1-64 seconds. The number of bits used to represent the time of stay (i.e., 64 possible values) can be 6 bits. In mapping number M2, a time of stay can be between 1-32 seconds or 64 seconds. The number of bits used to represent the time of stay (i.e., 33 possible values) can be 6 bits. In mapping number M3, a time of stay can be between 1-16 seconds, 32 seconds or 64 seconds. The number of bits used to represent the time of stay (i.e., 18 possible values) can be 5 bits. In mapping number M4, a time of stay can be between 1-18 seconds, 32 seconds or 64 seconds. The number of bits used to represent the time of stay (i.e., 20 possible values) can be 5 bits. In mapping number M5, a time of stay can be between 1-9 seconds, 10 seconds, 12 seconds, 14 seconds, 16 seconds, 18 seconds, 32 seconds or 64 seconds. The number of bits used to represent the time of stay (i.e., 16 possible values) can be 4 bits. In mapping number M6, a time of stay can be between 1-8 seconds, 10 seconds, 12 seconds, 14 seconds, 16 seconds, 18 seconds, 32 seconds or 64 seconds. The number of bits used to represent the time of stay (i.e., 15 possible values) can be 4 bits. In mapping number M7, a time of stay can be between 1-8 seconds, 10 seconds, 13 seconds, 16 seconds, 19 seconds, 32 seconds or 64 seconds. The number of bits used to represent the time of stay (i.e., 14 possible values) can be 4 bits. In mapping number M8, a time of stay can be 1 second, 2 seconds, 4 seconds, 8 seconds, 16 seconds, 32 seconds or 64 seconds. The number of bits used to represent the time of stay (i.e., 7 possible values) can be 3 bits.

FIG. 5 illustrates an accuracy of mobility state estimation based on a type of mapping number used to represent the mobility information for a user equipment (UE). The accuracy of the mobility state estimation can be graphically illustrated with respect to the type of mapping number (e.g., M1-M8 as described above). The UE can report time of stay information for 8 cells. With respect to a UE traveling at 3 km/h, the mapping numbers M1-M8 can all provide approximately 100% accuracy when determining the UE's mobility state. With respect to a UE traveling at 30 km/h, the mapping numbers M1-M7 can all provide approximately 80% accuracy when determining the UE's mobility state and the mapping number M8 can provide below 55% accuracy when determining the UE's mobility state. With respect to a UE traveling at 60 km/h, the mapping numbers M1-M7 can all provide approximately 90% accuracy when determining the UE's mobility state and the mapping number M8 can provide approximately 100% accuracy when determining the UE's mobility state.

3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 36.423 Section 9.2.38 discusses an X2 application protocol and UE history information. A UE history information IE (information element) can include information about cells that a UE has been served by in an active state prior to a target cell. 3GPP TS 36.423 Section 9.2.39 discusses last visited cell information. The last visited cell information can include evolved universal terrestrial access network (E-UTRAN) or UTRAN or GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) cell specific information. The last visited cell information can include the following information:

	IE type and
IE/Group Name	reference	Description
Global Cell ID	ECGI
	9.2.14
Time UE stayed	INTEGER	The duration of the time the UE
in cell	(0 . . . 4095)	stayed in the cell in seconds. If the
		UE stays in a cell more than 4095 s,
		this IE is set to 4095

In addition, 3GPP TS 36.423 Section 9.2.40 discusses last visited E-UTRAN cell information. The last visited E-UTRAN cell information can include information about a cell that is to be used for radio resource management (RRM) purposes.

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary signaling between a user equipment (UE) 602 and an evolved node B (eNB) 604 to determine a mobility state estimation for the UE 602. The UE 602 can identify its mobility information (or visited cell history). The mobility information can include a physical cell identifier (ID) and a time of stay for which the UE 602 stays in a cell corresponding with the physical cell ID. The time of stay for each physical cell ID can be represented in seconds. Alternatively, the mobility information can include a global cell ID and a time of stay for which the UE 602 stays in a cell corresponding with the global cell ID. The UE's mobility information (or visited cell history) can include a plurality of physical cell IDs and corresponding time of stay information.

The UE 602, upon transitioning from a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode to an RRC connected mode, can indicate an availability of the mobility information to an evolved node B (eNB). The eNB 604 can receive the indication from the UE 602, and then request the mobility information from the UE 602. The UE 602 can communicate the mobility information to the eNB 604, e.g., the physical/global cell IDs and the time of stay (in seconds) for each physical/global cell ID.

In one example, the UE 602 can communicate mobility information (or cell history information) in accordance with 3GPP TS 36.423 Release 12, e.g., the time of stay for the UE can be expressed as an integer ranging from 0 to 4095 seconds. In another example, the UE 602 can optimize the cell history by reporting an E-UTRAN cell global ID (ECGI) of a first cell, but then reporting a physical cell ID (PCI) of the remaining cells because it is not likely that one cell has neighboring cells with the same PCI. The time of stay information can be represented up to 64 seconds (6 bits) or 128 seconds (7 bits) or 256 seconds (8 bits) or 4095 seconds (12 bits).

In one example, the UE 602 can include the time of stay information using a reduced number of bits. For example, the time of stay information can be represented in a mapping as described above (3 to 6 bits). In another example, the time of stay information can be represented in a resolution of N steps, wherein N is an integer. For example, if the resolution is every 2 seconds, the time of stay can be represented as being 1 second, 3 seconds, 5 seconds, . . . , k seconds, or k+2 seconds, wherein k is a defined integer. By representing the time of stay according to a defined resolution, the number of bits used to represent the time of stay can be reduced.

In another example, the time of stay information can be represented in a multiple level of multiple resolutions. A sequence S_k can be a sequence starting from a defined integer. The defined integer (or starting integer) can be defined as b. Therefore, the sequence can be [b, b+k, b+2k, . . . , b+n*k], wherein n is an integer. The time information mapping can be formed in a sequence, such as S1, S2, S3, . . . , S_k, . . . , S_n. Any of the S_i can be empty and can start and end with an integer, but any number is S_n will be greater than numbers in S_n-1. As a non-limiting example, a sequence having multiple levels of multiple resolutions can include 2, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40. In this example, the resolution can start at 2 seconds, then increase to 5 seconds, and then increase to 10 seconds. By using multiple resolutions in the same sequence, a number of bits used to represent the time of stay information can be reduced.

In one configuration, the time of stay information can include reference signal receive power (RSRP) values of the cell. The RSRP values can include minimum RSRP values, maximum RSRP values and/or difference RSRP values. Therefore, for each cell that the UE 602 has visited, the RSRP for that particular cell can be included in the mobility information communicated from the UE 602 to the eNB 604.

The eNB 604 can receive the physical/global cell IDs and times of stay (using the reduced number of bits) from the UE 602. The eNB 604, based on UE's mobility information, can perform a mobility state estimation for the UE. The mobility state estimation can refer to the UE's speed in idle mode or connected mode. In other words, the eNB can use the physical cell IDs or global cell IDs that were visited by the UE, as well as the time of stay for each of the physical cell IDs or global cell IDs, in order to determine the mobility state estimation for the UE. The physical/global cell IDs and the time can be used to determine the UE's mobility state (e.g., the UE's speed in idle mode or connected mode). The eNB 604 can determine the UE's mobility state with an acceptable accuracy, even though the time of stay information can be represented using a reduced number of bits. In other words, even though the time of stay included in the mobility information does not exactly correspond with an actual time of stay (due to the reduced number of bits), the accuracy at which the eNB 604 calculates the UE's mobility state can still be acceptable, i.e., an accuracy level is above a defined threshold.

In one configuration, the eNB 604 can use the RSRP values for the cells when determining the UE's speed. For example, if the UE enters a cell from a cell edge and travels towards the center of the cell, then the RSRP difference can be relatively high. If the UE enters the cell from the cell edge and then exits the cell, then the RSRP difference can be relatively low. Based on minimum RSRP values, maximum RSRP values and differences in RSRP values, the eNB 604 can estimate the UE's speed.

The eNB 604 can perform the mobility state estimation for the UE 602, and then use the mobility state estimation to set one or more handover parameters for the UE 602. In one example, the eNB can set the handover parameters based on the UE's mobility state in order to enhance handover performance. The handover parameters that are configured based on the UE's speed can include, but are not limited to, time to trigger (ttt), A3offset, T312, etc. Each of these handover parameters can affect handover performance. The eNB 604 can send updated handover parameters to the UE 602.

Another example provides functionality 700 of circuitry of a user equipment (UE) operable to report mobility information, as shown in the flow chart in FIG. 7. The functionality can be implemented as a method or the functionality can be executed as instructions on a machine, where the instructions are included on at least one computer readable medium or one non-transitory machine readable storage medium. The circuitry can be configured to store mobility information for the UE when the UE is in idle mode, the mobility information including a visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in idle mode or a connected mode, as in block 710. The circuitry can be configured to notify an evolved node B (eNB) that the mobility information for the UE is available when the UE transitions from the idle mode to a connected mode, as in block 720. The circuitry can be configured to receive a request from the eNB for the mobility information, as in block 730. The circuitry can be configured to send the mobility information to the eNB using a reduced number of bits to represent the mobility information while substantially maintaining a level of accuracy of a mobility state estimation for the UE, as in block 740.

In one example, the mobility state estimation is performed at the eNB in order to determine an estimated speed of the UE when the UE is in idle mode or connected mode. In another example, handover parameters for the UE are adjusted based in part on the estimated speed of the UE when the UE is in idle mode or connected mode. In yet another example, the mobility information with the visited cell history for the UE includes one or more physical cell identifiers (IDs) and a time of stay for the UE with respect to each of the physical cell IDs.

In one configuration, the mobility information with the visited cell history for the UE includes one or more global cell identifiers (IDs) and a time of stay for the UE with respect to each of the global cell IDs. In another configuration, the circuitry can be further configured to send the mobility information to the eNB via an over-the-air interface. In yet another configuration, the circuitry can be further configured to send the mobility information to the eNB via a UE History information element (IE), wherein the UE History IE includes a Last Visited E-UTRAN Cell IE.

In one example, the mobility information sent to the eNB includes an E-UTRAN Cell Global Identifier (ECGI) of a first cell visited by the UE when the UE is in idle mode and one or more physical cell identifiers (PCIS) of remaining cells visited by the UE when the UE is in idle mode and connected mode. In another example, the mobility information sent to the eNB includes a time of stay for the UE with respect to each of the physical cell IDs, wherein a time of stay of less than 65 seconds is represented using six bits, a time of stay of 65 to 128 seconds is represented using seven bits, a time of stay of greater than 129 seconds is represented using eight bits, and a time of stay of less than 4095 seconds is represented using up to twelve bits. In yet another example, the mobility information sent to the eNB includes a time of stay for the UE within physical cell for the UE, wherein the reduced number of bits to represent the mobility information is determined using a mapping table, wherein the reduced number of bits in the mapping table ranges from three bits to six bits depending on the time of stay of the UE within a physical cell.

In one configuration, the mobility information sent to the eNB includes a time of stay for the UE with respect to the physical cell IDs, wherein the time of stay is represented in a resolution of N steps in order to achieve the reduced number of bits to represent the mobility information, wherein N is an integer. In another configuration, the mobility information sent to the eNB includes a time of stay for the UE with respect to each of the physical cell IDs, wherein the time of stay is represented in a sequence of multiple resolutions in order to achieve the reduced number of bits to represent the mobility information. In yet another configuration, the mobility information sent to the eNB includes at least one of a maximum reference signal received power (RSRP), a minimum RSRP or a difference RSRP to enable the eNB to determine the estimated speed of the UE when the UE is in idle mode.

Another example provides functionality 800 of circuitry of an evolved node B (eNB) operable to utilize mobility information associated with a user equipment (UE), as shown in the flow chart in FIG. 8. The functionality can be implemented as a method or the functionality can be executed as instructions on a machine, where the instructions are included on at least one computer readable medium or one non-transitory machine readable storage medium. The circuitry can be configured to receive mobility information from the UE after the UE switches to a connected mode from an idle mode, wherein the mobility information is represented by a reduced number of bits and includes a visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in idle mode, as in block 810. The circuitry can be configured to perform a mobility state estimation for the UE based in part on the mobility information being represented by the reduced number of bits while a level of accuracy of the mobility state information for the UE is substantially maintained, wherein the mobility state estimation includes an estimated speed of the UE when the UE is in idle mode, as in block 820. The circuitry can be configured to adjust one or more parameters for the UE based in part on the mobility state estimation for the UE, as in block 830.

In one example, the circuitry can be further configured to: receive an indication from the UE that the mobility information is available when the UE switches to the connected mode from the idle mode; and send a request to the UE for the mobility information. In another example, the mobility information with the visited cell history for the UE includes one or more physical cell identifiers (IDs) and a time of stay with respect to each of the physical cell IDs.

In one configuration, the mobility information received at the eNB includes a time of stay for the UE with respect to each of the physical cell IDs, wherein a time of stay of less than 65 seconds is represented using six bits, a time of stay of 65 to 128 seconds is represented using seven bits, and a time of stay of greater than 129 seconds is represented using eight bits. In another configuration, the mobility information received at the eNB includes a time of stay for the UE within physical cell for the UE, wherein the reduced number of bits to represent the mobility information is determined using a mapping table, wherein the reduced number of bits in the mapping table ranges from three bits to six bits depending on the time of stay of the UE within a physical cell.

Another example provides a method 900 for reporting mobility information, as shown in the flow chart in FIG. 9. The method can be executed as instructions on a machine, where the instructions are included on at least one computer readable medium or one non-transitory machine readable storage medium. The method can include the operation of identifying mobility information for the UE when the UE is in idle mode, the mobility information including a visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in idle mode, as in block 910. The method can include the operation of notifying an evolved node B (eNB) that the mobility information for the UE is available when the UE transitions from the idle mode to a connected mode, as in block 920. The method can include the operation of receiving a request from the eNB for the mobility information, as in block 930. In addition, the method can include the operation of sending the mobility information to the eNB using a reduced number of bits to represent the mobility information while substantially maintaining a level of accuracy of a mobility state estimation for the UE, wherein the mobility state estimation is performed at the eNB in order to determine an estimated speed of the UE, as in block 940.

In one example, the method can further include the operation of sending the mobility information to the eNB via an over-the-air interface. In another example, the method can further include the operation of sending the mobility information to the eNB via a UE History information element (IE), wherein the UE History IE includes a Last Visited E-UTRAN Cell IE.

FIG. 10 provides an example illustration of the wireless device, such as a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile wireless device, a mobile communication device, a tablet, a handset, or other type of wireless device. The wireless device can include one or more antennas configured to communicate with a node, macro node, low power node (LPN), or, transmission station, such as a base station (BS), an evolved Node B (eNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a remote radio head (RRH), a remote radio equipment (RRE), a relay station (RS), a radio equipment (RE), or other type of wireless wide area network (WWAN) access point. The wireless device can be configured to communicate using at least one wireless communication standard including 3GPP LTE, WiMAX, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Bluetooth, and WiFi. The wireless device can communicate using separate antennas for each wireless communication standard or shared antennas for multiple wireless communication standards. The wireless device can communicate in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), and/or a WWAN.

FIG. 10 also provides an illustration of a microphone and one or more speakers that can be used for audio input and output from the wireless device. The display screen can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, or other type of display screen such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. The display screen can be configured as a touch screen. The touch screen can use capacitive, resistive, or another type of touch screen technology. An application processor and a graphics processor can be coupled to internal memory to provide processing and display capabilities. A non-volatile memory port can also be used to provide data input/output options to a user. The non-volatile memory port can also be used to expand the memory capabilities of the wireless device. A keyboard can be integrated with the wireless device or wirelessly connected to the wireless device to provide additional user input. A virtual keyboard can also be provided using the touch screen.

Various techniques, or certain aspects or portions thereof, can take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, non-transitory computer readable storage medium, or any other machine-readable storage medium wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the various techniques. Circuitry can include hardware, firmware, program code, executable code, computer instructions, and/or software. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium can be a computer readable storage medium that does not include signal. In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the computing device can include a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. The volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements can be a RAM, EPROM, flash drive, optical drive, magnetic hard drive, solid state drive, or other medium for storing electronic data. The node and wireless device can also include a transceiver module, a counter module, a processing module, and/or a clock module or timer module. One or more programs that can implement or utilize the various techniques described herein can use an application programming interface (API), reusable controls, and the like. Such programs can be implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations.

It should be understood that many of the functional units described in this specification have been labeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a module can be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module can also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the like.

Modules can also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified module of executable code can, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions, which can, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function.

Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need not be physically located together, but can comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.

Indeed, a module of executable code can be a single instruction, or many instructions, and can even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data can be identified and illustrated herein within modules, and can be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data can be collected as a single data set, or can be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and can exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network. The modules can be passive or active, including agents operable to perform desired functions.

Reference throughout this specification to “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials can be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and example of the present invention can be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as defacto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of layouts, distances, network examples, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, layouts, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. At least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium having instructions embodied thereon for reporting mobility history information, the instructions when executed perform the following:

saving, using at least one processor, mobility history information at a user equipment (UE), the mobility history information comprising a visited cell history that includes: an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Access (EUTRA) global cell identifier (ID) or a physical cell ID for one or more visited cells by the UE that are included in the visited cell history; and a duration of stay of the UE in the one or more visited cells that are included in the visited cell history; and

reporting, using the at least one processor, the mobility history information in a visited cell information element (IE) from the UE to an evolved node B (eNB).

23. The at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the mobility history information includes the visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode.

24. The at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the mobility history information includes the visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) connected mode.

25. The at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the visited cell history in the mobility history information includes the duration of stay and one or more of the EUTRA global cell ID or the physical cell ID for up to 16 visited cells by the UE.

26. The at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the duration of stay of the UE in each visited cell in the visited cell history is between 0 seconds and 4095 seconds.

27. The at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 22, further comprising instructions which when executed by the at least one processor performs the following:

identifying that the duration of stay in a visited cell is greater than 4095 seconds; and

setting the duration of stay for the visited cell in the visited cell IE to 4095 seconds.

28. The at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the UE includes an antenna, a touch sensitive display screen, a speaker, a microphone, a graphics processor, an application processor, an internal memory, or a non-volatile memory port.

29. A user equipment (UE) operable to report mobility history information, the UE comprising one or more processors configured to:

save mobility history information at the UE, the mobility history information comprising a visited cell history that includes an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Access (EUTRA) global cell identifier (ID) or a physical cell ID for one or more visited cells by the UE that are included in the visited cell history, the visited cell history including a duration of stay of the UE in the one or more visited cells that are included in the visited cell history; and

report a visited cell information element (IE) containing the mobility history information to an evolved node B (eNB).

30. The UE of claim 29, wherein the mobility history information includes the visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode.

31. The UE of claim 29, wherein the mobility history information includes the visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) connected mode.

32. The UE of claim 29, wherein the visited cell history in the mobility history information includes the duration of stay and one or more of the EUTRA global cell ID or the physical cell ID for up to 16 visited cells by the UE.

33. The UE of claim 29, wherein the duration of stay of the UE in a visited cell in the visited cell history is between 0 seconds and 4095 seconds.

34. The UE of claim 29, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

identify that the duration of stay in a visited cell is greater than 4095 seconds; and

set the duration of stay for the visited cell in the visited cell IE to 4095 seconds.

35. The UE of claim 29, wherein the UE includes an antenna, a touch sensitive display screen, a speaker, a microphone, a graphics processor, an application processor, an internal memory, or a non-volatile memory port.

36. A system for reporting mobility history information, the system comprising:

a processing module configured to: collect mobility history information at a user equipment (UE), the mobility history information comprising a visited cell history that includes: an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Access (EUTRA) global cell identifier (ID) or a physical cell ID for each visited cell by the UE that is included in the visited cell history; and a duration of stay of the UE in each visited cell that is included in the visited cell history; and store the mobility history information in a visited cell information element (IE) at the UE, wherein the processing module is stored in a digital memory device or is implemented in a hardware circuit; and

a transceiver module configured to report the visited cell IE containing the mobility history information from the UE to an evolved node B (eNB), the eNB performing a handover decision using the mobility history information, wherein the transceiver module is stored in a digital memory device or is implemented in a hardware circuit.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the processing module is further configured to collect the mobility history information for the UE when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the processing module is further configured to collect the mobility history information for the UE when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) connected mode.

39. The system of claim 36, wherein the visited cell history in the mobility history information includes the duration of stay and one or more of the EUTRA global cell ID or the physical cell ID for up to 16 visited cells by the UE.

40. The system of claim 36, wherein the duration of stay of the UE in each visited cell in the visited cell history is between 0 seconds and 4095 seconds.

41. The system of claim 36, wherein the processing module is further configured to:

identify that the duration of stay in a visited cell is greater than 4095 seconds; and

set the duration of stay for the visited cell in the visited cell IE to 4095 seconds.

42. An evolved node B (eNB) operable to receive mobility history information from a user equipment (UE), the eNB comprising one or more processors configured to:

receive a visited cell information element (IE) from the UE, the visited cell IE including mobility history information for the UE,

wherein the mobility history information comprises a visited cell history that includes an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Access (EUTRA) global cell identifier (ID) or physical cell ID for one or more visited cells by the UE that are included in the visited cell history, the visited cell history including a duration of stay of the UE in the one or more visited cells that are included in the visited cell history.

43. The eNB of claim 42, wherein the mobility history information includes the visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode.

44. The eNB of claim 42, wherein the mobility history information includes the visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) connected mode.

45. The eNB of claim 42, wherein the visited cell history in the mobility history information includes the duration of stay and one or more of the EUTRA global cell ID or the physical cell ID for up to 16 visited cells by the UE.

46. The eNB of claim 42, wherein the duration of stay of the UE in a visited cell in the visited cell history is between 0 seconds and 4095 seconds.

47. At least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium having instructions embodied thereon for receiving mobility history information from a user equipment (UE), the instructions when executed perform the following:

receiving a visited cell information element (IE) from the UE, the visited cell IE including mobility history information for the UE,

wherein the mobility history information comprises a visited cell history that includes an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Access (EUTRA) global cell identifier (ID) or a physical cell ID for one or more visited cells by the UE that are included in the visited cell history, the visited cell history including a duration of stay of the UE in the one or more visited cells that are included in the visited cell history.

48. The at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein the mobility history information includes the visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode.

49. The at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein the mobility history information includes the visited cell history for the UE when the UE is in a radio resource control (RRC) connected mode.

50. The at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein the visited cell history in the mobility history information includes the duration of stay and one or more of the EUTRA global cell ID or the physical cell ID for up to 16 visited cells by the UE.

51. The at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium of claim 47, wherein the duration of stay of the UE in a visited cell in the visited cell history is between 0 seconds and 4095 seconds.