US20060166677A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Balancing load of cells in inter-frequency handover of wireless communications
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
•
Filing: 2005-01-27
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2025-01-27
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for allocating frequency bands associated with a multi-band network across a first and a second cell in a communications system. The method comprises determining a load parameter associated with the first and second cells in the communications system, selecting a target cell among the first and second cells for a mobile wireless device for transferring the mobile wireless device from a first frequency band to a second frequency band based on the load parameter of the first and second cells. In one embodiment, selection of an appropriate frequency band may be realized for a mobile wireless device in a multi-band network based on measurements of pilot channel properties and a load parameter to take into account a cell load of a target set of cells for an inter-frequency handover. This integration of the cell load for ranking, selection and transfer of user to a target cell from an overloaded cell may prevent unnecessary inter-frequency handover of users to cells with a relatively higher load, resulting in an increase in overall system capacity as well as quality of service.
Inventors
- 👤 Fariborz Derakshan
- 👤 Armin Dekorsy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:58
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W36/00; H04W36/14; H04W36/142; H04W36/16; H04W36/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
1 . A method for allocating frequency bands associated with a multi-band network across a first and a second cell in a communications system, the method comprising: determining a load parameter associated with said first and second cells in the communications system; and based on the load parameter of said first and second cells, selecting a target cell among said first and second cells for a mobile wireless device for transferring said mobile wireless device from a first frequency band to a second frequency band.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
1 . A method for allocating frequency bands associated with a multi-band network across a first and a second cell in a communications system, the method comprising: determining a load parameter associated with said first and second cells in the communications system; and based on the load parameter of said first and second cells, selecting a target cell among said first and second cells for a mobile wireless device for transferring said mobile wireless device from a first frequency band to a second frequency band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
2 . A method, as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising: measuring at said mobile wireless device pilot power of a first common pilot channel associated with said first frequency band from a first base station associated with said first cell; and measuring at said mobile wireless device pilot power of a second common pilot channel associated with said second frequency band from said first base station associated with said second cell or from a second base station associated with said second cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
3 . A method, as set forth in claim 2 , further comprising: causing an inter-frequency handover on a multiplicity of channels for a user of said mobile wireless device based on the measured pilot power of said first and second common pilot channels together with the load parameter of said first and second cells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
4 . A method, as set forth in claim 2 , wherein determining a load parameter associated with said first and second cells further comprising: measuring a change in at least one of radio transmit power and noise from said first and second base stations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
5 . A method, as set forth in claim 2 , wherein measuring at said mobile wireless device pilot power further comprising: determining signal quality at said mobile wireless device for said first and second cells based on a ratio of an average power of said first and second common pilot channels to a total signal power.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
6 . A method, as set forth in claim 5 , wherein selecting a target cell among said first and second cells further comprising: determining an overloaded cell between said first and second cells based on the measured pilot power of said first and second common pilot channels together with the load parameter of said first and second cells.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
7 . A method, as set forth in claim 6 , further comprising: ranking said first and second cells based on the load parameter to transfer said mobile wireless device from said overloaded cell to said target cell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
8 . A method, as set forth in claim 7 , further comprising: using a mathematical generic function that combines values of the ratio of the average power of said first and second common pilot channels to the total signal power form said first and second base stations with values of the load parameter in said first and second cells to cause the inter-frequency handover.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
9 . A method, as set forth in claim 8 , further comprising: using the mathematical generic function to rank said first and second cells into a target set of cells based on the values of the load parameter of said first and second cells and the values of the ratio of the average power of said first and second common pilot channels to the total signal power form said first and second base stations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
10 . A method, as set forth in claim 9 , further comprising: in response to said mobile wireless device indicating a desire to transfer from said overloaded cell, selecting from said target set of cells said target cell with a load that balances load in the communications system to prevent the inter-frequency handover of said user to a cell with a higher load than said overloaded cell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
193 words
11 . A method for controlling a communications system including a first and a second base station and a radio network controller, the method comprising: determining a load parameter associated with said first and second cells in the communications system; executing instructions at a mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a first common pilot channel associated with a first frequency band from a first base station associated with said first cell; executing instructions at said mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a second common pilot channel associated with a second frequency band from said first base station associated with said second cell or from a second base station associated with said second cell; executing instructions at said radio network controller to cause an inter-frequency handover for a user of said mobile wireless device; and selecting a target cell among said first and second cells for transferring said mobile wireless device from said first to said second frequency band associated with a multi-band network based on the load parameter associated with said first and second cells together with the measured pilot power of said first and second common pilot channels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
193 words
11 . A method for controlling a communications system including a first and a second base station and a radio network controller, the method comprising: determining a load parameter associated with said first and second cells in the communications system; executing instructions at a mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a first common pilot channel associated with a first frequency band from a first base station associated with said first cell; executing instructions at said mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a second common pilot channel associated with a second frequency band from said first base station associated with said second cell or from a second base station associated with said second cell; executing instructions at said radio network controller to cause an inter-frequency handover for a user of said mobile wireless device; and selecting a target cell among said first and second cells for transferring said mobile wireless device from said first to said second frequency band associated with a multi-band network based on the load parameter associated with said first and second cells together with the measured pilot power of said first and second common pilot channels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
12 . A method, as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising: managing radio resources in said first and second base stations, wherein the managed radio resources are associated with communicating between at least one of said first and second base stations and said mobile wireless device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
13 . A method, as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising: ranking said first and second cells based on the load parameter to transfer said mobile wireless device from an overloaded cell to said target cell.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
14 . A method, as set forth in claim 11 , further comprising: using a mathematical generic function that combines values of a ratio of an average power of said first and said second common pilot channels to a total signal power form said first and second base stations with values of the load parameter in said first and second cells to cause the inter-frequency handover.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
15 . A method, as set forth in claim 13 , further comprising: in response to said mobile wireless device indicating a desire to transfer from said overloaded cell, selecting from a target set of cells said target cell with a load that balances load in the communications system to prevent the inter-frequency handover of said user to a cell with a higher load than said overloaded cell.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
190 words
16 . A communications system comprising: a first and a second base station associated with a multi-band network; a radio network controller coupled to said first and second base stations; and a storage coupled to said radio network controller, said storage storing instructions to cause an inter-frequency handover for a user of a mobile wireless device that determines a load parameter associated with a first and second cell in the communications system, measures pilot power of a first common pilot channel associated with a first frequency band from a first base station associated with said first cell and measures pilot power of a second common pilot channel associated with a second frequency band from said first base station associated with said second cell or from a second base station associated with said second cell, and selects a target cell among said first and second cells for transferring said mobile wireless device from said first to said second frequency band associated with a multi-band network based on the load parameter associated with said first and second cells together with the measured pilot power of said first and second common pilot channels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
190 words
16 . A communications system comprising: a first and a second base station associated with a multi-band network; a radio network controller coupled to said first and second base stations; and a storage coupled to said radio network controller, said storage storing instructions to cause an inter-frequency handover for a user of a mobile wireless device that determines a load parameter associated with a first and second cell in the communications system, measures pilot power of a first common pilot channel associated with a first frequency band from a first base station associated with said first cell and measures pilot power of a second common pilot channel associated with a second frequency band from said first base station associated with said second cell or from a second base station associated with said second cell, and selects a target cell among said first and second cells for transferring said mobile wireless device from said first to said second frequency band associated with a multi-band network based on the load parameter associated with said first and second cells together with the measured pilot power of said first and second common pilot channels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
17 . A telecommunication system, as set forth in claim 16 , wherein said multi-band network, said first and second base stations and said radio network controller are being defined at least in part by a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) protocol.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
98 words
18 . An article comprising a computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed cause a communications system to: determine a load parameter associated with a first and a second cell in the communications system for allocating frequency bands associated with a multi-band network across said first and second cells in the communications system; and based on the load parameter of said first and second cells, select a target cell among said first and second cells for a mobile wireless device for transferring said mobile wireless device from a first frequency band to a second frequency band.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
98 words
18 . An article comprising a computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed cause a communications system to: determine a load parameter associated with a first and a second cell in the communications system for allocating frequency bands associated with a multi-band network across said first and second cells in the communications system; and based on the load parameter of said first and second cells, select a target cell among said first and second cells for a mobile wireless device for transferring said mobile wireless device from a first frequency band to a second frequency band.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
96 words
19 . An article, as set forth in claim 18 , comprising a medium storing instructions that, when executed cause a communications system to: measure at said mobile wireless device pilot power of a first common pilot channel associated with said first frequency band from a first base station associated with said first cell; and measure at said mobile wireless device pilot power of a second common pilot channel associated with said second frequency band from said first base station associated with said second cell or from a second base station associated with said second cell.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
66 words
20 . An article, as set forth in claim 19 , comprising a medium storing instructions that, when executed cause a communications system to: cause an inter-frequency handover on a multiplicity of channels for a user of said mobile wireless device based on the measured pilot power of said first and second common pilot channels together with the load parameter of said first and second cells.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
21 . An article, as set forth in claim 18 , comprising a medium storing instructions that, when executed cause a communications system to: ranking said first and second cells based on the load parameter to transfer said mobile wireless device from an overloaded cell to said target cell.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
207 words
22 . An article comprising a computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed cause a communications system to: determine a load parameter associated with a first and a second cell in the communications system for controlling the communications system including a first and a second base station and a radio network controller; execute instructions at a mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a first common pilot channel associated with a first frequency band from a first base station associated with said first cell; execute instructions at a mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a second common pilot channel associated with a second frequency band from said first base station associated with said second cell or from a second base station associated with said second cell; execute instructions at said radio network controller to cause an inter-frequency handover for a user of said mobile wireless device; and select a target cell among said first and second cells for transferring said mobile wireless device from a first to a second frequency band associated with a multi-band network based on the load parameter associated with said first and second cells together with the measured pilot power of said first and second common pilot channels.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
207 words
22 . An article comprising a computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed cause a communications system to: determine a load parameter associated with a first and a second cell in the communications system for controlling the communications system including a first and a second base station and a radio network controller; execute instructions at a mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a first common pilot channel associated with a first frequency band from a first base station associated with said first cell; execute instructions at a mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a second common pilot channel associated with a second frequency band from said first base station associated with said second cell or from a second base station associated with said second cell; execute instructions at said radio network controller to cause an inter-frequency handover for a user of said mobile wireless device; and select a target cell among said first and second cells for transferring said mobile wireless device from a first to a second frequency band associated with a multi-band network based on the load parameter associated with said first and second cells together with the measured pilot power of said first and second common pilot channels.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
59 words
23 . An article, as set forth in claim 22 , comprising a medium storing instructions that, when executed cause a communications system to: manage radio resources in said first and second base stations, wherein the managed radio resources are associated with communicating between at least one of said first and second base stations and said mobile wireless device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
89 words
24 . An apparatus for allocating frequency bands associated with a multi-band network across a first and a second cell in a communications system, the apparatus comprising: means for determining a load parameter associated with said first and second cells in the communications system; and means for selecting a target cell among said first and second cells for a mobile wireless device for transferring said mobile wireless device from a first frequency band to a second frequency band based on the load parameter of said first and second cells.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
89 words
24 . An apparatus for allocating frequency bands associated with a multi-band network across a first and a second cell in a communications system, the apparatus comprising: means for determining a load parameter associated with said first and second cells in the communications system; and means for selecting a target cell among said first and second cells for a mobile wireless device for transferring said mobile wireless device from a first frequency band to a second frequency band based on the load parameter of said first and second cells.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
203 words
25 . An apparatus for controlling a communications system including a first and a second base station and a radio network controller, the apparatus comprising: means for determining a load parameter associated with said first and second cells in the communications system; means for executing instructions at a mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a first common pilot channel associated with a first frequency band from a first base station associated with said first cell; means for executing instructions at said mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a second common pilot channel associated with a second frequency band from said first base station associated with said second cell or from a second base station associated with said second cell; means for executing instructions at said radio network controller to cause an inter-frequency handover for a user of said mobile wireless device; and means for selecting a target cell among said first and second cells for transferring said mobile wireless device from said first to said second frequency band associated with a multi-band network based on the load parameter associated with said first and second cells together with the measured pilot power of said first and second common pilot channels.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
203 words
25 . An apparatus for controlling a communications system including a first and a second base station and a radio network controller, the apparatus comprising: means for determining a load parameter associated with said first and second cells in the communications system; means for executing instructions at a mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a first common pilot channel associated with a first frequency band from a first base station associated with said first cell; means for executing instructions at said mobile wireless device to measure pilot power of a second common pilot channel associated with a second frequency band from said first base station associated with said second cell or from a second base station associated with said second cell; means for executing instructions at said radio network controller to cause an inter-frequency handover for a user of said mobile wireless device; and means for selecting a target cell among said first and second cells for transferring said mobile wireless device from said first to said second frequency band associated with a multi-band network based on the load parameter associated with said first and second cells together with the measured pilot power of said first and second common pilot channels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4799253A
Cited
US6069871A
Cited
US6792276B1
Cited
US6609007B1
Cited
US6748222B1
Cited
US6799045B1
Cited
US20030125039A1
Cited
US20050130662A1
Cited
US20050192010A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.