Redundancy handling in a wireless communication network

Redundant disposal technology field in wireless communication network

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems and, in particular, to handling redundant connections within wireless communication networks.

Background technique

[0002] In order to improve the reliability of the connection in the 3GPP network, there is a solution in which the packets of the data service are copied and sent through two independent PDU sessions, as described, for example, in 3GPP TR 23.725 V0.2.0 Like that. Then, the data services associated with these PDU sessions can be transmitted on a more or less independent path from one endpoint to another. For example, the data services associated with these PDU sessions can be sent through different user plane functions (UPFs) that can be served by different hardware, and the links from these UPFs to the radio access network (RAN) can also be independent to some extent. Because it is served by different hardware, and therefore the reliability will be improved, because a hardware failure on one of these links may not affect the other link, and therefore the communication can be more robust.

[0003] 3GPP is formulating a New Air Interface (NR) standard for 5G, which is based on the LTE/EUTRAN standard. According to NR, RAN includes a collection of access nodes, also known as gNB. In some cases, it may be advantageous to carry different PDU sessions on different gNBs, so that if one gNB fails, there is another gNB working and communication will not be interrupted. To achieve this, the core network can indicate to the RAN that dual connectivity (DC) should be enabled for the UE so that the UE can connect to two gNBs, so that different PDU sessions can be carried on the two gNBs to improve reliability .

[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a method of establishing a redundant session in a 3GPP radio network. This method may be applicable to both IP and Ethernet PDU sessions. Figure 1 additionally shows a user equipment UE 100, which is connected to two different radio access nodes or base stations, including a primary NR network node (referred to herein as MgNB 200) and a secondary eNB (referred to herein as SeNB 201). Further, FIG. 1 shows the access and mobility function (AMF) 400, the first session management function (SMF1) 501, the second session management function (SMF2) 502, the first user plane function (UPF1) 301, and the second The user plane function (UPF2) 302, both UPF1 and UPF2 are associated with the data network DN 300.

[0005] AMF 400 provides UE-based authentication, authorization, mobility management, etc. Even UEs using multiple access technologies are associated with a single AMF because AMF is independent of access technologies.

[0006] SMFCSMF1 501 or SMF2 502) is responsible for session management and assigns an IP address to the UE. It can also select and control the UPF used for data transmission. If the UE has multiple sessions, for example, PDU session 1 and PDU session 2, as shown in FIG. 1, different SMFs can be assigned to each session to manage them separately, and may provide different functionality per session. In the example of FIG. 1, SMF1 501 manages PDU session 1, and SMF2 502 manages PDU session 2.

[0007] UPF selection can be based on existing mechanisms. Based on, for example, UE indication or network configuration, SMF can initiate the corresponding UPF selection. When a PDU session is established, it can be instructed to the RAN to handle two PDU sessions at different gNBs (MgNB 200 and SgNB 201 in the example of FIG. 1) using dual connectivity. As shown in Figure 1, initially (before dual connectivity is established), both PDU sessions 1 and 2 use MgNB 200. As long as dual connectivity is established in the RAN, the second PDU session starts to use SgNB 201, and the user plane is switched to travel via SgNB.

[0008] However, in some cases, dual connectivity may be unavailable, for example, if the UE is not within the coverage of a gNB that may act as an SgNB for the UE. Therefore, gNB receiving instructions from the core network to apply dual connectivity may lead to

As a result, redundant PDU sessions cannot be established. In addition, this method does not consider alternative methods for establishing redundancy.

Summary of the invention

[0009] The purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide flexible handling (or management) of redundant establishment.

[0010] This objective is achieved by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0011] The embodiment relates to a method performed by a radio access network RAN node of a wireless communication network, wherein the communication network provides a UE's connection to a data (or core) network, including: Determining that redundant connections are required Or it is beneficial to the UE; Determine available redundancy options that can be established for the UE; and Select a redundancy option from among the multiple available redundancy options to be activated for the UE.

[0012] Other embodiments relate to a radio network node, including a processor that causes the wireless access node to perform the following steps: Determine whether a redundant connection is required or beneficial to the UE; Determine whether it can Available redundancy options established for the UE; and · selecting a redundancy option from among the plurality of available redundancy options to be activated for the UE.

[0013] Other embodiments relate to a computer program and a computer program storage medium, the computer program including computer program code executed by a processor that causes a radio network node to perform the steps of the above method.

[0014] Hereinafter, detailed embodiments of the present invention will be described in order to give a complete and comprehensive understanding to those skilled in the art. It is to be noted that these embodiments are illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

Description of the drawings

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network that performs dual connectivity according to 3GPP.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which one or more RAN nodes of the network are split into a central unit CU and a distributed unit DU.

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a list of information elements received by a RAN node to establish redundant messages.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method performed in a RAN node to establish redundancy.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another method performed in a RAN node to maintain redundancy.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary physical blocks of a gNB.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary functional blocks of a gNB.

[0022] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a telecommunications network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a general block diagram of a host computer communicating with user equipment via a base station through a partial wireless connection.

[0024] FIGS. 10 to 13 are flowcharts illustrating methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and user equipment.

Detailed ways

[0025] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] In an embodiment, a radio access network RAN node, such as the (first) gNB or MgNB 200 of FIG. 1, determines that redundancy is required or beneficial to the UE 100. Then, the RAN node determines a redundancy option from among the multiple redundancy options, and initiates the activation (execution) of the redundancy option for UE communication.

[0027] In an embodiment, determining the redundancy option from among the plurality of redundancy options includes determining which of the plurality of redundancy options is (currently) available for the UE 100, and selecting one option from the available options.

[0028] In an embodiment, the RAN node selects one redundancy option from among a plurality of (available) redundancy options based on the priority of the (available) redundancy option.

[0029] The RAN node to which may establish a priority order for different options (which may also be referred to as a redundancy level). Then, the RAN node can establish the redundancy option with the highest possible priority.

[0030] In an embodiment, at least two redundant options (currently) are available, where option 1 has a higher priority than option 2. If both options are currently available (for example, if the RAN node can establish two options), select establishment option 1. Otherwise, if option 1 is currently unavailable, select build option 2.

[0031] In an embodiment, each of the options is associated with one or more premises or conditions. Such prerequisites/conditions may include UE capabilities and/or (required) quality of service QoS. Such preconditions/conditions can be pre-configured or can be determined by the network. For example, the RAN node may obtain information about the conditions and/or premises from another network node.

[0032] Determining the current availability may include determining whether the preconditions/conditions are met (for example, if the radio quality of option 1 does not currently meet the conditions of the option, the RAN node determines that the option is not available for the UE).

[0033] In an embodiment, there are multiple methods or options involving multiple RAN nodes and/or RAN functions. For example, a redundancy option may involve different (physically separated) RAN nodes of different technologies (for example, LTE/5G and WLAN). Yet another redundancy option may involve different RAN nodes, each associated with a different radio cell (for example, MeNB 200 and SeNB 201 in FIG. 1). Yet another redundancy option may involve physically separate RAN nodes of the same technology. Yet another redundancy option may involve different RAN (child) nodes (eg, different DUs of gNB) associated with the same radio cell. Yet another redundancy option may involve separate functions of the same physical RAN node (for example, different CU-UP functions of the gNB CU). The individual functions can be associated with one or more different layers, for example, different functions associated with the protocol data unit (PDU) layer.

[0034] In one embodiment, the core network node, such as the SMF, sends to the RAN node such as the gNB an indication that redundancy is required or beneficial to the UE (and/or to the (application layer) communication performed with the UE). In response to this indication, the RAN node determines whether and how redundancy can be enabled.

[0035] Exemplary redundancy methods or options may be as follows:

A. Enable dual connectivity for the UE (involving the second gNB or SgNB);

B. Enable carrier aggregation for the UE;

C. Enable additional use of alternative RATs (for example, WLAN) for the UE;

D. By using two (or more) units of the RAN node, for example, different distributed units DU of gNB, as described below, to enable service to the UE; and

E. Enable the use of separate RAN user plane resources. For example, as described below, the gNB serves different user plane resources of the central unit CU-UP.

[0036] Depending on certain conditions, such as radio conditions, UE capabilities, UE subscriptions, and/or QoS requirements for data services provided to the UE, the RAN node may select one of the redundancy options. The RAN node may be further based on another The node (for example, from the core network node (SMF)) receives information to select the redundancy option.

[0037] As discussed, the RAN node may establish an order of priority (which may also be referred to as a redundancy level) for different options (for example, options AE as shown above). Among them, option A may have the highest priority (level), and option E may have the lowest priority (level). The RAN can then try to establish/maintain the redundancy option with the highest possible priority.

[0038] If feasible, the RAN node may, for example, prioritize the establishment of dual connectivity for the UE. If this is not feasible (based on certain conditions), the RAN node can prioritize the establishment of carrier aggregation for the UE. If this is not feasible, the RAN node can prioritize the establishment of an alternative RAT (eg, WLAN) for the UE. If this is not feasible, the RAN node can prioritize and start using two (or more) different UEs to serve the UE. If this is still not feasible, the RAN node can establish the use of individual RAN user plane resources.

[0039] In an embodiment, the RAN node determines one of the options based on evaluating one or more of the following conditions: · If the UE can obtain a service connection is available (and on which, for example, redundant PDU sessions can continue to exist); · If the available connections are good enough, for example, in terms of signal quality/strength; and/or · if the UE has the ability to utilize the connection(s).

[0040] For example, in order to use dual connectivity to establish a redundancy option, the (5G) gNB can determine whether there is an available cell in another gNB, or whether there is an available cell in the same gNB in order to establish a redundancy option for carrier aggregation Of the community and so on. The gNB can determine those availability based on certain UE measurements. In addition, the gNB may send a request to perform certain measurements to the UE and receive certain UE measurements from the UE.

[0041] In an embodiment for limited UE capabilities, the UE may only have the capability to be served on certain (predefined) frequency bands (or combinations of frequency bands) of multiple (contiguous) frequency bands. As an example, if the UE can only communicate or be served on Band A + B or Band A + C, and the UE is currently served by the primary gNB (MgNB) on Band B, and the candidate secondary gNB (SgNB) only serves Band C , It is not feasible to establish dual connectivity between these gNBs and the UE, because the UE does not support the combination of frequency band B + C. The possibility of establishing carrier aggregation and/or using alternative RATs may also depend on the UE's capabilities.

[0042] In an embodiment, the core network CN sends information to the RAN node, where the information includes an indication of one or more redundancy options that are allowed (among one or more predetermined options).

[0043] In an embodiment, such information may be part of a (modified) NGAP PDU session resource establishment request, for example, within the frame of the NGAP PDU session resource establishment request as defined in 3GPP TS 38.413 v15.0.0.

[0044] Another example of communicating the requested redundancy level is to add such information to the NGAP initial context setup request message of the same 3GPP specification.

[0045] As described above, the option of redundancy can be achieved by establishing multiple PDU sessions. In addition, in the embodiment, the PDU session resource establishment request is sent from the AMF of the core network (CN) to the (NG) RAN node. In response to the request, the RAN node can allocate resources for one or several PDU sessions on Uu and NG-U.

[0046] If the requested level of redundancy cannot be provided, the core network may also indicate the action that the RAN node should take, for example, to establish another option in the event that the PDU session resource is removed (and to the CN and/or Instruct other nodes to release resources).

[0047] Due to changes in radio conditions, the availability of redundancy options may change. This change may be caused by the movement of the UE. Therefore, at a certain point in time, a certain option for achieving redundancy that is feasible up to that point in time may become infeasible (or vice versa, at a certain point in time, it is not feasible to use up to that point in time). An option to achieve redundancy may become feasible).

[0048] For example, if dual connectivity has been used until a certain point in time, and the radio condition to the SgNB becomes poor, the connection may no longer be good enough to serve the business (or at least to a meaningful extent, Because packets may be lost too often, etc.), then dual connectivity will no longer work. Or similarly, in the case of carrier aggregation, the secondary cell on which no longer bears one of the PDU sessions can be maintained.

[0049] If the actually used redundancy option becomes useless (for example, the situation is changing such that it drops below a defined threshold), the RAN node can switch to another redundancy option. Among them, the RAN node can select the option associated with the next lower redundancy level of the available options.

[0050] For example, if dual connectivity is applied first, and the UE 100 moves out of the coverage of the SeNB 201, the gNB can establish carrier aggregation secondly to achieve (maintain) redundancy.

[0051] When evaluating the alternative option(s), the RAN may consider the priority order as described above and/or may consider the allowed redundancy methods as described above.

[0052] In an embodiment, different redundancy options may have the same level. Before switching between options of different levels (for example, switching from option 1 to option 2 after the current option 1 becomes useless), the RAN node can establish redundant options of the same level. For example, in a situation where a gNB (of a 5G network) has applied dual connectivity methods to achieve redundancy and the UE leaves, another gNB may become the most suitable to act as the SgNB 201 for the UE 100, and therefore another gNB may be used as SgNB 201 to maintain dual connectivity.

[0053] If there are no suitable (feasible) redundancy options left, for example, if the UE moves out of the coverage of the SgNB, there is no alternative SgNB that can be used, and/or there are no other suitable options that can be used In the redundancy method, the RAN node (gNB) will not be able to maintain (or establish) redundancy with respect to the UE. In this scenario, the RAN node can send corresponding information to the core network. The core network can notify the application function AF (for example, via PCF) when receiving such information. The AF can determine whether the remaining reliability of the "non-redundant" communication is sufficient for the application involving the UE. The AF may, for example, disable functionality that is currently unavailable that requires a certain degree of reliability, for example, by removing the PDU session(s).

[0054] As described above, the term gNB is being used within the framework of 5G standardization. gNB can be implemented as a group of radio network nodes deployed in a decomposed manner.

[0055] FIG. 2 additionally illustrates an exploded gNB or radio access network node deployment according to 3GPP TS 38.401v15.0.2 (eg, MgNB 200 of FIG. 1). Among them, gNB functions are distributed to a so-called central unit CU and one or more so-called distributed units DU (gNB-DU). For example, the function distribution can be selected so that the radio resource control RRC layer and the packet data convergence protocol PDCP layer reside in the CU, while the radio link control RLC layer, medium access control MAC layer, and physical PHY layer reside in the radio interface. Stay in one or more DUs.

[0056] The CU can be further divided into a control plane unit CU-CP (gNB-CU-CP 210) and one or more user plane units CU-UP (gNB-CU-UP 220, 221, 222). There may be one or more DUs, such as gNB-DU 230 and gNBDU 231, where each of these DUs may be associated with one or more cells.

[0057] gNB-CU-CP 210 is connected to gNB-DU 230 and 231 through a logical F1-C interface; gNB-CU-UP 220, 221, 222 is connected to gNB-DU through a logical F1-U interface; and gNB-CU -UP 210 is connected to any one of UgNB-CU CP 220, 221, 222 through the logical E1 interface.

[0058] In an embodiment, the option for redundancy (as discussed above as option D) can be used by enabling the use of gNB

200 DU 230, 231 to achieve.

[0059] In an embodiment, the option for redundancy (as discussed above as option E) can be implemented by enabling the use of separate RAN user plane resources, for example, different user plane resources (or units) serving the central unit, CU-UP of gNB.

[0060] Although the above embodiments are mainly described in accordance with the 3GPP 5G specifications, it should be noted that the present invention can be similarly implemented in any other wireless radio network with similar functions and/or structures. For example, options D and E can also be implemented in a decomposed LTE base station.

[0061] As described above, the (core) network can indicate redundant information to the RAN. Redundancy information can indicate allowed redundancy

Options/methods (for example, whether to allow dual connectivity, whether to allow carrier aggregation, and/or whether to enable the use of another RAT for the UE to achieve redundancy), or the requested level of redundancy to be established relative to the UE.

[0062] Such an indication may be sent in the NGAP PDU session resource establishment request specified in section 9.2.1.1 of 3GPP TS 38.413v15.0.0. This message can be sent by AMF, and it is used to request (NG) RAN node to allocate resources for one or more PDU session resources on Uu and NG-U.

[0063] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary enhanced PDU session resource setup request message. This message includes the information elements specified in section 9.2.1.1 of 3GPP TS 38.413v15.0.0. and additional information elements called redundancy levels. [0064] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method 400 performed by a radio network node.

[0065] In the first step 402, the RAN node may determine that redundancy is required or beneficial to the UE.

[0066] In the second step 404, the RAN node may determine the available redundancy options that can be established for the UE.

[0067] In the third step 406, the RAN node may select (and establish) a redundancy option from among a plurality of available redundancy options.

[0068] In an embodiment, determining that redundancy is required includes receiving information from another wireless network node as described above.

[0069] In an embodiment, determining available redundancy options may include establishing an order of priority for different options (which may also be referred to as a redundancy level).

[0070] In an embodiment, selecting (and establishing) a redundant option may include selecting (and establishing) a redundant option of a different option with the highest possible priority among the different available options.

[0071] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a further exemplary method 500 performed by a radio network node.

[0072] In the first step 502, the RAN node may determine that the established redundancy option becomes useless.

[0073] In the second step 504, the RAN node may determine the available redundancy options, which can be established to replace the currently established redundancy options.

[0074] In the third step 506, the RAN node may switch (cancel the establishment of the current redundancy option and establish a new redundancy option) to one of the multiple available redundancy options.

[0075] FIG. 6 illustrates an example radio network node 600 according to one or more embodiments. The radio network node is configured to implement the embodiments to enable and/or maintain redundancy as described above.

[0076] The radio network node may include one or more processing circuits 620 configured to implement processing, such as by implementing functional components or units for performing one or more aspects described above. In one embodiment, for example, the processing circuit(s) 620 implements functional components or units as corresponding circuits. The circuit in this respect may include a circuit and/or one or more microprocessors together with a memory 630 dedicated to performing certain functional processing. In the embodiment using the memory 630, it may include one or several types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, cache memory, flash memory device, optical storage device, etc., and the memory 630 stores programs Code, the program code, when executed by one or more of the microprocessors for executing one or more microprocessors, executes the techniques described herein.

[0077] In an embodiment, the radio network node further includes one or more communication interfaces 610. The one or more communication interfaces 610 include various components (for example, an antenna 640) for transmitting and receiving data and control signals. More specifically, the interface(s) 610 includes a transmitter configured to generally use known signal processing techniques according to one or more standards, and configured to condition the signal for transmission (for example, via air One or more antennas 640). Similarly, the interface(s) 450 includes a receiver configured to convert the received signal (eg, via the antenna(s) 640) into digital samples for use by one or more processing circuits deal with. The transmitter and/or receiver may also include one or more antennas 640. By using the communication interface(s) 610 and/or day(s)

On line 640, the radio network node can communicate with other devices to transmit QoS data streams and manage the mapping of these streams to radio bearers, remap these streams to different bearers, and/or remove these streams altogether.

[0078] FIG. 7 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary network node 600. The functional block may include a redundancy option determination module 650 and a redundancy option selection and enabling module 660.

[0079] The redundancy option determination module 650 may be configured to perform the first step 402 and the second step 504 of FIG. 4 and/or the first step 502 and the second step 504 of FIG. 5.

[0080] The redundancy option selection and enabling module 660 may be configured to perform the third step 406 of FIG. 4 and/or the third step 506 of FIG. 5.

[0081] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the embodiments herein further include corresponding computer programs. The computer program includes instructions that, when executed on at least one processor of a network node, cause one or more devices to perform any one of the above-mentioned corresponding processes. In addition, processing or functionality can be considered to be performed by a single instance or device, or can be split across multiple instances that may exist in a given system, so that the device instances perform all disclosed functionality together.

[0082] Embodiments further include a carrier containing such a computer program. The carrier may include one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, or a computer-readable storage medium. In this regard, the computer program may include one or more code modules corresponding to the aforementioned components or units.

[0083] The access network node or RAN node herein may be any type of node that can communicate with another node through radio signals, for example, a gNB according to the 3GPP 5G specification, an eNB according to the 3GPP 4G specification, or an eNB according to other 3GPP specifications. NodeB. Such a node can also be commonly referred to as an access point or a base station.

[0084] A UE is any type of device that can communicate with a network node through radio signals, such as but not limited to a device that can perform autonomous wireless communication with one or more other devices, including machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, machine-type communication (MTC) device, user equipment (UE) (it should be noted that the UE does not necessarily have a "user" in the sense of an individual human who owns and/or operates the device).

[0085] The UE may also be referred to as a radio device, a radio communication device, a wireless terminal, or simply a terminal-unless the context indicates otherwise, the use of any of these terms is intended to include device-to-device UE or device , Machine type devices or devices capable of machine-to-machine communication, sensors equipped with wireless devices, wireless desktop computers, mobile terminals, smart phones, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop installation equipment (LME) ), USB dongle and wireless customer premises equipment (CPE). In the discussion in this article, UE can also cover devices that are configured to transmit and/or receive data without human interaction, such as machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, machine-type communication (MTC) devices, and (wireless) sensors .

[0086] In this context, the current 3GPP terminology is preferably used. It should be noted that 3GPP can change the terminology without departing from the current principles.

[0087] It should be noted that although the embodiments described herein focus on the NR radio interface, the same principles can also be applied to LTE nodes showing a similar (functional and/or structural) structure.

[0088] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a telecommunications network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network. Referring to FIG. 8, according to an embodiment, the communication system includes a telecommunication network A-10, such as a 3GPP type cellular network, which includes an access network A-11 (such as a radio access network) and a core network A-14. The access network A-11 includes multiple base stations A-12a, A-12b, A-12c, such as NB, eNB, gNB, or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area A-13a, A-13b , A-13c. In one aspect, any one of base stations A-12a, A-12b, A-12c, or any other base stations described herein can be considered

A network node, for example, such as the network node described above in this application. Each base station A-12a, A-12b, A-12c can be connected to the core network A-14 through a wired or wireless connection A-15. The first user equipment (UE) A-91 located in the coverage area A-13c is configured to wirelessly connect to the corresponding base station A-12c or be paged by the corresponding base station A-12c. The second UE A-92 in the coverage area A-13a can be wirelessly connected to the corresponding base station A-12a. Although multiple UEs A-91, A92 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to the case where the only UE is in the coverage area or where the only UE is connected to the corresponding base station A-12. In one aspect, any one of these UEs or any other UEs described herein may be considered to be configured to perform the aspects of any UE, user terminal, client device, or mobile device described above in this application. [0089] The telecommunications network A-10 itself is connected to a host computer A-30, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of an independent server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as a server group Processing resources. The host computer A-30 can be under the ownership or control of the service provider, and can be served by the service provider or representative Service provider to operate. The connection A-21, A-22 between the telecommunications network A-10 and the host computer A-30 can extend directly from the core network A-14 to the host computer A-30, or can travel via the optional intermediate network A-20 . The intermediate network A-20 can be one or a combination of more than one of the public, private or managed networks; the intermediate network A-20, if available, can be the backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network A-20 It may include two or more subnets (not shown).

[0090] The communication system of FIG. 8 as a whole can realize the connectivity between the connected UE A-91, A-92 and the host computer A-30. This connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection A-50. The host computer A-30 and the connected UEs A-91, A-92 are configured to use the access network A-11, the core network A-14, any intermediate network A-20 and possible additional infrastructure (not shown) ) As an intermediary, it transmits data and/or signaling via the OTT connection A-50. The OTT connection A-50 may be transparent in the sense that the OTT connection A-50 does not know the route of uplink and downlink communication through its participating communication devices. For example, base station A-12 may not be informed or need not be informed of the past route of incoming downlink communications that have originated from host computer A-30 to be forwarded (eg, handed over) to Data of the connected UE A-91. Similarly, base station A-12 does not need to know the future route of outgoing uplink communications originating from UE A-91 towards host computer A-30.

[0091] According to an embodiment, an example implementation of the UE, base station, and host computer discussed in the previous paragraph will now be described with reference to FIG. 9. Figure 9 is a general block diagram of a host computer communicating with user equipment via a base station through a partial wireless connection.

9, in the communication system B-00, the host computer B-10 includes hardware B-15, the hardware B-15 includes a communication interface 8-16, the communication interface 8-16 is configured to set up and maintain Wired or wireless connection with the interfaces of different communication devices of the communication system B-00. The host computer B-10 further includes a processing circuit B-18, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuit B-18 may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or combinations of these (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The host computer B-10 further includes software B-11, which is stored in the host computer B-10 or can be accessed by the host computer B-10, and can be executed by the processing circuit B-18. Software B-11 includes host application B-12. The host application B-12 is operable to provide services to remote users, such as UE B-30 connected via an OTT connection B-50 that terminates at UE B-30 and host computer B-10. When providing services to remote users, the host application B-12 can provide user data transmitted using the OTT connection B-50.

[0093] The communication system B-00 further includes a base station B-20 provided in the telecommunications system, and the base station B-20 includes hardware B-25 to enable it to communicate with the host computer B-10 and the UE B-30. The hardware B-25 may include a communication interface 8-26 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with the interface of different communication devices of the communication system B-00, and a communication interface 8-26 for setting up and maintaining a connection with the base station B-20. In the coverage area (not shown in Figure 9) UE B-30 has at least the radio interface 8-27 of the wireless connection B70.

[0094] The communication interface 8-26 may be configured to facilitate connection of the B-60 to the host computer B-10. The connection B-60 can be direct, or it can be through the core network of the telecommunications system (not shown in Figure 9) and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunications system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware B-25 of the base station B-20 further includes a processing circuit B-28, which may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, and field programmable gates. An array or combination of these (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. The base station B-20 further has software B-21 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0095] The communication system B-00 further includes UE B-30, which has been mentioned above. Its hardware B-35 may include a radio interface 8-37, which is configured to establish and maintain a wireless connection with a base station serving the coverage area in which UE B-30 is currently located B-700 UE B-30 hardware B-35 It further includes a processing circuit B-38, which may include one or more programmable processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, or a combination of these (not shown) suitable for executing instructions. UE B-30 further includes software B-31, which is stored in host computer B-30 or accessible by UE B-30, and can be executed by processing circuit B-38.

[0096] The software B-31 includes the client application B-32. The client application B-32 is operable to provide services to human or non-human users via UE B-30 with the support of the host computer B-10. In the host computer B-10, the executing host application B-12 can communicate with the executing client application B32 via the OTT connection B-50 that terminates at the UE B-30 and the host computer B-10. When providing services to users, the client application B-32 may receive request data from the host application B-12, and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection B-50 can transfer both request data and user data. The client application B-32 can interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

[0097] It should be noted that the host computer B-10, base station B-20, and UE B-30 illustrated in FIG. 9 may be equivalent to the host computer A-30, base stations A-12a, A-12b, and A of FIG. 8, respectively. One of -12c and one of UE A-91, A-92. In other words, the internal workings of these entities can be as shown in Figure 9, and independently, the surrounding network topology can be the network topology of Figure 8.

[0098] In FIG. 9, the OTT connection B-50 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer B-10 and the use device B30 via the base station B-20, without explicitly mentioning any intermediate devices and Precise routing of messages via these devices. The network infrastructure may determine the route, which may be configured to be hidden from the UE B-30 or the service provider operating the host computer B10, or both. When the OTT connection B-50 is active, the network infrastructure can make further decisions, through these decisions, it dynamically changes routing (for example, based on network reconfiguration or load balancing considerations).

[0099] The wireless connection B-70 between UE B-30 and base station B-20 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE B-30 using OTT connection B-50, where wireless connection B-70 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments can improve the data rate, delay, and/or power consumption associated with one or more devices in the communication system B-00 and/or the communication performed in the communication system B-00 One or more of, and thereby can provide benefits for OTT user data communication, such as one of reduced user waiting time, relaxed constraints on file size, better responsiveness, and/or extended battery life Multiple.

[0100] For the purpose of monitoring data rate, time delay, and other factors improved by one or more embodiments, a measurement process may be provided. There may also be optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection B-50 between the host computer B-10 and the UE B-30 in response to changes in the measurement results. The measurement process and/or network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection B-50 can be implemented in the software B-11 of the host computer B-10 or in the software B-31 of the UE B-30 or both.

[0101] In an embodiment, a sensor (not shown) may be deployed in a communication device through which the OTT connection B-50 passes or communicate with

The sensor can participate in the measurement process by supplying the value of the monitoring quantity exemplified above or supplying software B-11, B-31 from which the value of other physical quantities of the monitoring quantity can be calculated or estimated. The reconfiguration of the OTT connection B-50 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc.; the reconfiguration does not need to affect the base station B-20, and may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station B-20.

[0102] This process and functionality may be known and practiced in the art. In some embodiments, the measurement may involve proprietary UE signaling, which facilitates the B-10 measurement of throughput, propagation time, delay, etc. by the host computer. The measurement can be implemented in the following scenario: while the software B-11, B-31 monitors propagation time, errors, etc., it uses the OTT connection B-50 to cause messages to be transmitted, especially empty messages or "dummy messages.

[0103] FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13 are flowcharts illustrating methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and user equipment.

[0104] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment.

[0105] The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In order to simplify the present disclosure, only the drawing reference to FIG. 10 will be included in this section. In the first step C-10 of the method, the host computer provides user data.

[0106] In the optional sub-step C-11 of the first step C-10, the host computer provides user data by executing the host application. In the second step C-20, the host computer initiates a transmission that carries user data to the UE.

[0107] In an optional third step C-30, according to the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station transmits to the UE user data carried in the transmission initiated by the host computer. In an optional fourth step C-40, the UE executes the client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0108] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment.

[0109] The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In order to simplify the present disclosure, only the drawing reference to FIG. 11 will be included in this section. In the first step D-10 of the method, the host computer provides user data.

[0110] In an optional sub-step (not shown), the host computer provides user data by executing the host application. In the second step D-20, the host computer initiates a transmission to carry user data to the UE. In accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, transmission can pass through a base station. In an optional third step D-30, the UE receives user data carried in the transmission.

[0111] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. In order to simplify the present disclosure, only the drawing reference to FIG. 12 will be included in this section. In the optional first step E-10 of the method, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second step E-20, the UE provides user data. In an optional sub-step E-21 of the second step E20, the UE provides user data by executing a client application. In another optional sub-step E-11 of the first step E-10, the UE executes a client application that provides user data in response to the received input data provided by the host computer. When providing user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data is provided, in an optional third substep E-30, the UE initiates the transmission of the user data to the host computer. In the fourth step E-40 of the method, the host computer receives user data transmitted from the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

[0112] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be those described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. In order to simplify the present disclosure, only the drawing reference to FIG. 13 will be included in this section. In the optional first step F-10 of the method, according to the implementation described throughout this disclosure

According to the teaching of the example, the base station receives user data from the UE. In the optional second step F-20, the base station initiates the transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In the third step F-30, the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0113] Further exemplary embodiments are listed below:

A-1. A base station configured to communicate with user equipment (UE), the base station including a radio interface and a processing circuit configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

[0114] A-2. A communication system, comprising a host computer, the host computer comprising: a processing circuit configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to User equipment (UE), where a cellular network includes a base station with a radio interface and processing circuitry, and the processing circuitry of the base station is configured to perform aspects of the example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to forwarding user data to the UE.

[0115] A-3. The communication system of embodiment A-2 further includes a base station.

[0116] A-4. The communication system of embodiment A-3, further comprising a UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

[0117] A-5. The communication system of embodiment A-4, wherein: the processing circuit of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the UE includes being configured to The processing circuit of the client application associated with the host application is executed.

[0118] A-6. A method implemented in a base station, including aspects of example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to transmitting user data to a UE.

[0119] A-7. A method implemented in a communication system including a host, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, providing user data; and at the host computer, initiating The transmission of user data is carried to the UE via a cellular network including a base station, where the base station is configured to perform aspects of the example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to the transmission of user data to the UE.

[0120] A-8. The method of embodiment A-7, further comprising: transmitting the user data at the base station.

[0121] A-9. The method of embodiment A-8, wherein the user data is provided at the host by executing the host application, the method further comprising: at the UE, executing the client associated with the host application application.

[0122] A-10. A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base station, the UE including a radio interface and a processing circuit configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including Aspects related to receiving user data from the base station.

[0123] A-11. A communication system, comprising a host computer, the host computer comprising: a processing circuit configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward user data to a cellular network for transmission to user equipment (UE), where the UE includes a radio interface and a processing circuit, and the processing circuit of the UE is configured to perform aspects of the example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to the UE receiving user data from a base station.

[0124] A-12. The communication system of embodiment A-11, further comprising a UE.

[0125] A-13. The communication system of embodiment A-12, wherein the cellular network further includes a base station configured to communicate with the UE.

[0126] A-14. The communication system of embodiment A-12 or A-13, wherein: the processing circuit of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the UE The processing circuit of is configured to execute the client application associated with the host application.

[0127] A-15. A method implemented in user equipment (UE), including aspects of example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to UE receiving user data from a base station.

[0128] A-16. A method implemented in a communication system including a host, a base station, and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, providing user data; and at the host computer, initiating The transmission of user data is carried to the UE via a cellular network including a base station, where the UE is configured to perform aspects of the example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to the UE receiving user data from the base station.

[0129] A-17. The method of embodiment A-16, further comprising: at the UE, receiving the user data from the base station.

[0130] A-18. A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base station, the UE including a radio interface and a processing circuit configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including Aspects related to the UE transmitting user data to the base station.

[0131] A-19. A communication system, comprising a host computer, the host computer comprising: a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station, where the UE includes a radio interface and The processing circuit, the processing circuit of the UE is configured to perform the aspects of the example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to the UE transmitting user data to the base station.

[0132] A-20. The communication system of embodiment A-19 further includes a UE.

[0133] A-21. The communication system of embodiment A-20, further comprising a base station, wherein the base station includes a radio interface configured to communicate with the UE and a user configured to forward a transmission from the UE to the base station to the host computer Data communication interface.

[0134] A-22. The communication system of embodiment A-20 or A-21, wherein: the processing circuit of the host computer is configured to execute the host application; and the processing circuit of the UE is configured to execute the communication system with the host application The associated client application thus provides the user data.

[0135] A-23. The communication system of embodiment A-20 or A-21, wherein: the processing circuit of the host computer is configured to execute the host application, thereby providing request data; and the processing circuit of the UE is configured to The client application associated with the host application is executed, thereby providing the user data in response to the request data.

[0136] A-24. A method implemented in user equipment (UE), including aspects of example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to UE transmitting user data to a base station.

[0137] A-25. The method of embodiment A-24, further comprising: providing user data; and

The user data is forwarded to the host computer via transmission to the base station.

[0138] A-26. A method implemented in a communication system including a host, a base station, and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted from the UE to the base station, wherein the UE is It is configured to perform the aspects of the example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to the UE transmitting user data to the base station.

[0139] A-27. The method of embodiment A-26, further comprising: at the UE, providing user data to the base station.

[0140] A-28. The method of embodiment A-27, further comprising: at the UE, executing a client application, thereby providing user data to be transmitted; and at the host computer, executing a communication with the client The host application associated with the application.

[0141] A-29. The method of embodiment A-27, further comprising: at the UE, executing a client application; and at the UE, receiving input data to the client application, where the input data is The host computer is provided by executing a host application associated with the client application, wherein the client application provides the user data to be transmitted in response to the input data.

[0142] A-30. A base station configured to communicate with user equipment (UE), the base station including a radio interface and a processing circuit configured to perform aspects of example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including Aspects related to the base station receiving user data from the UE.

[0143] A-31. A communication system comprising a host computer including a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station, wherein the base station includes The radio interface and the processing circuit, the processing circuit of the base station is configured to perform the aspects of the example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to the base station receiving user data from the UE.

[0144] A-32. The communication system of embodiment A-31, further including a base station.

[0145] A-33. The communication system of embodiment A-32, further comprising a UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.

[0146] A-34. The communication system of embodiment A-33, wherein: the processing circuit of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby The user data to be received by the host computer is provided.

[0147] A-35. A method implemented in a base station, including performing aspects of example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to the base station receiving user data from user equipment (UE).

[0148] A-36. A method implemented in a communication system including a host, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: at the host computer, receiving a transmission from the base station that has been received from the UE from the base station User data, wherein one or both of the base station and the UE are configured to perform aspects of the example embodiments described throughout this disclosure, including aspects related to the base station receiving user data from the UE and/or related to the UE transmitting user data to the base station Aspect.

[0149] A-37. The method of embodiment A-36, further comprising: at the base station, receiving user data from the UE.

[0150] A-38. The method of embodiment A-37, further comprising: at the base station, initiating transmission of the received user data to the host computer.