Network access through a second wireless network

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The proposed technology relates to access to wireless networks, and in particular to the use of a second wireless network to allow a wireless device to access the first wireless network. The proposed technology also applies to methods enabling access to the first wireless network, wireless device and nodes for implementing methods, and the corresponding computer program.

BACKGROUND [0002] 3GPP Long Term Evolution, LTE, is a fourth generation mobile communication technology standard developed under the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, to improve the Universal Cellular Telecommunications System, UMTS, to meet future requirements for improved services such as higher data transfer rates, higher performance and lower costs. The Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, UTRAN, is the UMTS radio access network, and Evolved UTRAN, E-UTRAN, is the LTE radio access network. In UTRAN and E-UTRAN, the user equipment, UE, is wirelessly connected to a Radio Base Station, RBS, commonly referred to as NodeB, NB, in UMTS, and as developed NodeB, eNodeB or eNodeB, in LTE. RBS is a general term for a radio network node capable of transmitting radio signals to the UE and receiving signals transmitted by the UE.

[0003] During work to improve 3GPP TR 36.824, v11.0.0 coverage, it was found that situations may occur where the E-UTRAN UE cannot access the network due to E-UTRAN, RACH coverage problems, i.e. The UE may have a transmission control channel, BCCH, range, and may measure the cell and read its system information, but the network cannot receive any random access attempts from the UE because the UE is limited in power / range, and therefore the received signal in the network is therefore Too weak. Therefore, the UE cannot connect to the E-UTRAN domain of the radio network.

[0004] A similar scenario, as described above, may occur when the limitation of the first cell's RACH coverage is due to the fact that broad beamforming is required to provide coverage to users in the cell. This can happen if the first RAT is e.g. a future 5G cell operating in quite high frequency bands.

[0005] "Mobile and Wireless Communications Enablers for the Twenty-twenty (2020) Information Society", METIS, is a project co-financed by the European Commission and its 29 partners. The aim of the project is to respond to social challenges for 2020 and subsequent years, by laying the foundations for a new generation of mobile and wireless telephony. Frequencies discussed for 5G e.g. the METIS design is much higher than the currently widely used 3GPP access - suggestions have been made for carrier frequencies> 60 GHz.

[0006] In this frequency area, the user's network and devices at a distance greater than a few steps from the network antenna will be almost impossible to communicate without using e.g. advanced multi-antenna techniques such as forming a tightly targeted beam. Therefore, it will not be possible to create a covering cell / sector that could be used e.g. for RACH purposes in this scenario.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for methods for accessing the network when the UE knows about the network because it can e.g. measure the cell and read the layout information but the network cannot receive any random access attempts from the UE because the UE is limited from power / range, and therefore the received signal on the network is too weak.

[0008] Documents related to providing access to the network are known, namely D1 WO 2012/100837 A1 and WO 2011/014730 A2. However, the devices and operations that will now be described in the invention are neither disclosed nor suggested in these documents.

SUMMARY [0009] The invention is disclosed in the appended claims.

[0010] The present disclosure proposes a general method of accessing a network when a wireless device, e.g. a user device, UE, knows about the wireless network because it can e.g. measure the cell and read the layout information but cannot access it.

[0011] According to one embodiment, this disclosure proposes to the UE in the situation described above, to gain access to E-UTRAN by means of GERAN random access procedures and thus effectively extend the range of E-UTRAN.

[0012] In a similar scenario, in which the limitation of the random access range to the first cell is rather due to the fact that broad beamforming is required to provide users in the cell with coverage, as explained above, it is also likely that the coverage is provided by a lower frequency layer same or different RAT. Therefore, a similar solution also applies in this case.

[0013] Hence, this disclosure is e.g. based on the idea of ​​using signaling by a second wireless network implementing the second RAT (e.g. GERAN) to request reconfiguration of the first wireless network implementing the first RAT (e.g. E-UTRAN) for better coverage, e.g. changing carrier settings, antennas, pre-coding, repetitive coding or other measures to improve E-UTRAN coverage.

[0014] The proposed method effectively increases the range of a multi-RAT-enabled wireless device (e.g., GERAN and E-UTRAN), using a second wireless network to provide access range and allowing fast network-controlled switching / mobility. Therefore, the wireless device may now be able to move from the second wireless network to the first wireless network much earlier than previously possible. Alternatively, the wireless device may now be able to switch from the second wireless network to the first wireless network, whereas previously this would not be possible at all.

[0015] The mechanisms for planning downlink and / or uplink measurements for the UE in GERAN, together with the ability to provide unrivaled access to the target E-UTRAN cell, allow the network to avoid erroneous switching, i.e. in the event of loss of coverage to the UE when the E-UTRAN radio conditions are not favorable for the GERAN transfer to E-UTRAN. Therefore, switching performance between RATs will be improved. This will also be beneficial, for example when optimizing load balancing performance between RATs, because load balancing will require additional switching signaling.

[0016] According to another aspect, this disclosure also allows the use of a non-5G RAT to provide RACH coverage for a 5G RAT cell, which assumes that it operates in high frequency bands in which the range is very limited without using, for example, wide beam shaping. Due to this disclosure, it is therefore possible to use another RAT (e.g. E-UTRAN / UTRAN / GERAN) to provide this for a 5G RAT cell.

[0017] According to another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method carried out in a first network node or in multiple network nodes in a first wireless network. The method relates to allowing a wireless device that cannot access the first wireless network to access the first wireless network. The method includes receiving from the second wireless network information indicating the inability of the wireless device to access the first wireless network and reconfiguring the access procedure or procedures provided in the first wireless network based on the received information. In one aspect, at least one access procedure parameter is reconfigured such that the range of the first wireless network is modified to provide coverage for the wireless device.

[0018] In accordance with one aspect, the method further comprises sending information related to the at least one procedure of accessing the first wireless network to the second wireless network for further distribution to the wireless device.

[0019] In one aspect, the information includes information about the at least one access resource or header that is reserved for the wireless device. According to one aspect, the information includes a request that the wireless device transmit at least one reference signal. In accordance with one aspect, the method further comprises receiving, from a second wireless network, information for use in at least one access procedure in the first wireless network.

[0020] In one aspect, the step of reconfiguring the access procedure or procedures includes reconfiguring the coding or resources to be used to access the first wireless network. The resources planned in this way can be reserved for the wireless device, while the chance of access to the network increases due to less interference.

[0021] In one aspect, the step of reconfiguring the access procedure or procedures includes informing the recipient of the radio network node about the pre-coding used by the wireless device.

[0022] In one aspect, the disclosure further relates to a computer program comprising a computer program code that, when run on a first wireless network node, causes the first network node to perform the method as claimed above.

[0023] According to another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method performed on a second wireless node or multiple nodes in a second wireless network, enabling a wireless device that cannot access the first wireless network to access the first wireless network. The method includes receiving information from the wireless device indicating no access to the first wireless network and sending information to the first wireless network indicating the inability of the wireless device to access the first wireless network, thereby enabling the first wireless network to reconfigure the access procedure parameter in the first wireless network to increase the range of the device.

[0024] In accordance with another aspect, the method further includes indicating the ability to assist the wireless device in accessing the first wireless network.

[0025] According to another aspect, the method in the second node of the network further includes tunneling information related to at least one access procedure for the first wireless network, from the first wireless network to the wireless device or from the wireless device to the first wireless network.

[0026] According to one aspect, the disclosure further relates to a computer program comprising a computer program code which, when run on a second wireless node, causes the network node to perform the method described above.

[0027] According to another aspect, the disclosure relates to a first network node in a first wireless network configured to allow a wireless device that cannot access the first wireless network to access the first wireless network. The first wireless network node includes a radio communication interface configured to communicate with a wireless device, a network communication interface configured to communicate with a second wireless network. The first network node further includes a processing circuit assembly configured to allow the first network node to receive, using a network communication interface, information from the second wireless network indicating the inability of the wireless device to access the first wireless network and change the configuration of at least one access procedure parameter in the first wireless network based on the information received.

[0028] According to another aspect, the disclosure relates to a second network node in a second wireless network configured to allow a wireless device that cannot access the first wireless network to access the first wireless network. The second wireless node contains a radio interface configured to communicate with the wireless device, a network communication interface configured to communicate with the first wireless network. The second wireless network node further includes a processing circuit assembly configured to cause the second wireless network node to receive, via a radio interface, information about the wireless device indicating the inability to gain access to the first wireless network and sending information using the network interface to the first wireless network information indicating the inability of the wireless device to access the first wireless network, thus enabling the first wireless network to reconfigure at least one parameter of the access procedure in the first wireless network to increase the range for the wireless device.

[0029] In view of the above description, the purpose of the present disclosure is to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of known technologies as previously described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0030] This technique will be more easily understood by examining the following detailed description of the embodiments / aspects with attached drawings, of which:

Figure 1a illustrates a cell of a first wireless network, wherein the range of the first wireless network is limited to the wireless device.

Figure 1b shows the first wireless network of figure 1a, wherein a second wireless network is additionally present and the range of the second wireless network is good for a wireless device.

Figure 2a illustrates the sequence of messages exchanged between the device and eNodeB during the random access procedure.

Figure 2b illustrates two header subsets defined for random access.

Figure 2c is an illustration of a random access header transmission in the time-frequency domain.

Figure 3 illustrates an overview of the signaling in a system when access to the first wireless network is enabled.

Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the proposed method carried out in a wireless device that cannot access the first wireless network, allowing access to the first wireless network.

Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the proposed method carried out at the first network node in the first wireless network enabling a wireless device that cannot access the first wireless network to access the first wireless network.

Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating the proposed method carried out at the second network node in the second wireless network, enabling a wireless device that cannot access the first wireless network to access the first wireless network.

Figure 7 illustrates an overview of signaling in a system when it allows access to a first wireless network in accordance with the first embodiment.

Figure 8 illustrates an overview of signaling in a system when it allows access to a first wireless network in accordance with a second embodiment.

Figure 9 illustrates an overview of signaling in a system when it allows access to a first wireless network in accordance with the third embodiment.

Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating a wireless device.

Figure 11a is a diagram illustrating the first node.

Figure 11b is a diagram illustrating a second node.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0031] The general purpose or idea of ​​embodiments of the present disclosure is to address at least one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art solutions described above as well as below. The various stages described below in connection with the numerical data should be understood primarily in a logical sense, while each stage may involve the communication of one or more specific messages depending on the implementation and protocols used.

[0032] This disclosure proposes the use of signaling by a second wireless network, typically implementing a second radio access technology, to request the reconfiguration of at least one random access procedure or random access procedure parameter of the first wireless network for a better access state. For example, the range of the first wireless network may be increased by changing the arrangement of carriers, antennas, precoding, repetition or other means to improve the range of the first wireless network.

[0033] A situation is considered in which the UE is a device supporting many radio access technologies, RAT, not only the developed terrestrial radio access network UMTS, E-UTRAN, but also another RAT, e.g. GSM / EDGE radio access network, GERAN, and also that the UE is within GERAN coverage, but still E-UTRAN coverage is limited as described above. In this situation, the UE with support for multiple RATs will actually be able to perform random access to GERAN and connect to the GERAN domain of the radio network. However, the UE will not be able to access E-UTRAN until the E-UTRAN radio conditions are more favorable, e.g. until it is closer to the E-UTRAN base station.

[0034] In this application, the term wireless device is generally used. A wireless device, or user equipment, UE, which is the term used in the 3GPP specifications referred to in this application, may be any wireless device capable of communicating with a wireless network. Examples of such devices are, of course, mobile phones, smartphones, laptops and machine-to-machine devices, M2M, etc. However, it should be appreciated that the ability to communicate with a wireless network can be built into almost any device, e.g. a car, street lamp, scale and so on.

[0035] Figures 1a and 1b show cell 111 of first wireless network 100, with the proposed technique being used. In Figure 1a, the range of the first wireless network 100 is limited to wireless device 10, which is very close to the cell border. The first wireless network is e.g. UMTS terrestrial radio access network, E-UTRAN or 5th Generation wireless network. Thus, the wireless device 10 attempts to access the first wireless network, e.g., by attempting random E-UTRAN access, but failed to connect to the network.

[0036] Figure 1b shows the first wireless network 100 of Figure 1a, wherein a second wireless network 200 is additionally present. The range of the second wireless network 200 is good for a wireless device 10. The second wireless network is e.g. a GSM / EDGE, GERAN radio access network or UMTS terrestrial radio access network, EUTRAN. Thus, the wireless device 10 attempts to access the first wireless network, e.g., the use of E-UTRAN Random Access Attempt fails. However, the device can access the other wireless network.

[0037] The following embodiments partially use the example where the first wireless network is E-UTRAN and the second wireless network is GERAN. Therefore, the random access procedure in the E-UTRAN network will now be described in more detail. However, it is expected that the problems and solutions described in this application can be extended to other first / second RATs than LTE / GERAN and 5G / LTE.

[0038] In 3GPP Release 11, random access procedure for long-term evolution, LTE is a four-step procedure used for initial access during radio link establishment, to re-establish the radio link after a radio link failure, to establish uplink synchronization or scheduling request if dedicated scheduling request resources not configured on the uplink physical control channel, PUCCH.

[0039] 3GPP edition 11 provides a random LTE access procedure that is used in several situations: for initial access when establishing a radio link (transition from radio resource control (RRC) _IDLE state to RRC_CONNECTED state); restore the radio connection after a radio link failure; to establish uplink synchronization; or, as a scheduling request, if no dedicated scheduling request resources have been configured on the uplink physical control channel, PUCCH. The LTE 3GPP Release 11 random access procedure generally includes four basic steps that include the sequence of messages exchanged between the terminal and eNodeB, as generally shown in Fig. 2a. In Fig. 2a, the four steps generally correspond to full arrows, while the dotted arrows essentially correspond to the control signaling for the full arrow step that precede the dotted arrows. For example, the second step is the second arrow S32a and the third arrow S32. The second arrow S32a tells the UE to listen to the third arrow S32 corresponding to the second stage. Further, in the same way, the fifth arrow S34a tells the UE to listen to the fourth stage of the RA procedure corresponding to the last arrow S34. These basic four stages are briefly discussed below.

[0040] The first step S31 in the random access procedure includes transmitting the random access header on a random random access channel, PRACH. As part of the first step of the random access procedure, the terminal randomly selects one header to be transmitted from one of two subsets 201, 202 defined for contention-based access, as shown in Fig. 2b. In LTE, a total of 64 headers 204 are defined in each cell. When a contention-based configuration is used, there is a risk of collision between two UEs accessing the same resource. Subsets used for non-contiguous 203 configurations can be used, for example, for handover when there is no risk of collision, i.e. when the terminal and network already have dedicated means of communication.

[0041] Which subset from which the header is to be selected is given based on the amount of data that the terminal would like, and from a power perspective it can transmit on the Uplink Shared Physical Channel, PUSCH, in the third step of random access. The time / frequency resource to be used in these transmissions is illustrated in Fig. 2c, which is understood after reading "4G-LTE / LTE Advanced for Mobile Broadband" by E. Dahlman et al., Academic Press, 2011. The time / frequency resource 205 to be used is given by the common PRACH configuration of the cell, which may be further limited by an optional UE-specific mask that limits the available PRACH capabilities for the given UE.

[0042] The second step S32 of the random access procedure includes a random access response. In random access response, eNodeB sends a message on the Downlink Shared Physical Channel, PDSCH, containing the random access header sequence index that the network detected and for which the response is correct; timing correction calculated by the random access header receiver; schedule subsidy; and temporary identification, TC-RNTI, used for further communication between the EU and the network. A UE that does not receive any random access response in response to its initial transmission of the access header from step 1 above in a predefined time window will consider the attempt unsuccessful and possibly repeat the transmission of the random access header, possibly with higher transmission power, up to four times, before the entire random access procedure is considered unsuccessful.

[0043] Third step S33 of the random access procedure is used e.g. to assign a unique UE identity in the cell, C-RNTI. In this third step, the UE sends the necessary information to the eNodeB using the PUSCH resources assigned to the UE in the random access response.

[0044] The fourth and final step S34 of the random access procedure includes a downlink contention message. The fourth stage message is also known as the RRC Connection Configuration message. Based on the contention resolution message, each terminal receiving the downlink message will compare the identity in the message with the identity sent in the third step. Only the terminal that observes the match between the identity received in the fourth stage and the identity sent as part of the first stage will declare that the random access procedure was successful, otherwise the terminal will have to restart the random access procedure.

[0045] The UE power used in the random access test is calculated according to a specific formula known from "3GPP TS 36.213 v.10.6.0. Physical layer procedures ", reproduced as Formula 1 below, with parameters transferred in the layout information. If the UE does not receive a RandomAccessResponse response in the second stage of the procedure, the transmit power of the next PRACH transmission is increased by the parameter delta value until limited by the maximum UE power:

Formula 1:

PPRACH = min {P_MOTHx_c (i), PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER + PL_c} _ [dBm] [0046] In Formula 1, P_CMAXc(i) is the configured UE transmit power as defined in "3GPP TS 36.213 v.10.6.0. Physical layer procedures ”for subframe and first cell and PL_c this estimate of downlink path loss calculated in UE for the first cell, and PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER is the original power used for headers, i.e. before any potential power increase.

[0047] As is currently discussed when working on improving 3GPP coverage, there are situations in which the UE cannot access the network due to the Random Access Channel, RACH, coverage problems, e.g. UE has the Broadcast Control Channel, the range and therefore it can measure the cell and read cell layout information, but the network cannot receive any random access header attempts from the UE because the UE has limited power / range and therefore the received signal on the network is too weak.

[0048] In the situation described above, it would be beneficial if the UE could access E-UTRAN using GERAN RACH procedures and thus effectively extend the reach of the E-UTRAN cell, assuming that the coverage is limited only by E-UTRAN RACH procedures, when E-UTRAN user plane transfer procedures can be maintained. However, this is not possible today because the UE will not be able to access the E-UTRAN network until the E-UTRAN radio conditions are more favorable, i.e. until it moves to a position closer to the E-UTRAN base station, after which the network can start forwarding to the E-UTRAN cell. One reason for this is that access to the E-UTRAN cell after the UE leaves the GERAN cell will still require E-UTRAN EACH access according to earlier methods as described earlier.

[0049] Furthermore, if the UE range is thus limited, it is quite likely that the subsequent transmission of the RRC / MSG3 connection request from the UE to the network in accordance with the third step of the random access procedure described in the previous section will also fail.

[0050] In addition, it would be beneficial in the situations described above, as well as in the "normal" case of IRAT transfer from GERAN to E-UTRAN, it would be beneficial if it was possible to provide trouble-free access for the UE in the target cell after IRAT HO, i.e. initial protection PRACH resources and / or headers for use by the UE in the target E-UTRAN cell. This is already possible today for intraRAT switches between two LTE cells, but not for IRAT, as discussed here.

[0051] Finally, in the 5G High Frequency case discussed earlier, the very high path loss in the very high frequencies considered for 5G hinders communication between UE networks and devices without the use of advanced multi-antenna techniques, such as e.g. wide beam formation. Because determining the precoding matrix needed for beam forming is usually dependent on measurements (e.g., CSI measurements for LTE) that are not available prior to initial access (i.e. RACH), UE will not be able to perform random access on such a node / network. So this is a similar problem to the one disclosed above, although access technologies are different, the same (or similar) solution should be possible.

[0052] The method for accessing the first wireless network will now be described by means of figures 3, 4, 5 and 6. The method is e.g. carried out in the wireless device 10 of figure 1.

[0053] Fig. 3 is a signaling diagram showing an overview of the signaling in a system comprising wireless device 10 and first network node 110 and second network node 210 when allowing access according to the technology disclosed herein. More specifically, Figure 3 provides an overview of all messages transmitted between wireless device 10 and network nodes 110, 210 when performing methods in the respective device, as will now be described with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6.

[0054] Figure 4 illustrates how the wireless device 10 cannot access the first wireless network 100, consisting of allowing access to the first wireless network 100. In accordance with one aspect, the method is initiated when the wireless device tries, step S0a, to connect with the first wireless network, but it fails. Another possibility is that the wireless device is notified of the existence of the first wireless network, but it already knows that access is not possible. For example, you can assume that 5G networks will always need pre-coding or direction information. According to one aspect of the proposed technique, the wireless device 10 receives, step S0b, from the second wireless network 200 an indication of the ability to assist in accessing the first wireless network 100. Thus, the second wireless network 200 may inform the wireless device that a first wireless network exists and that the second wireless network may assist the wireless device 10 in accessing it.

[0055] In one embodiment, the first network does not transmit system information, e.g., beacon, synchronization signals, etc. However, the wireless device may be aware of its existence. The second system may then request the first network to start transmitting system information such as beacon, etc.

[0056] Next, an access procedure assisted by the second wireless network is initiated. A wireless device typically initiates the procedure. In a first step, the wireless device accesses S1, the second wireless network 200. This means that the wireless device and the secondary network have exchanged sufficient information to start exchanging data. In the example from GERAN it is e.g. implies a random access procedure, but may also involve transferring the secondary wireless network in some other way. Please note that a connection to the second wireless network may have been established well before attempting to access the first wireless network. Then this step may simply suggest that the wireless device is checking if the connection still exists.

[0057] In a next step, the wireless device sends S2 information indicating no access to the first wireless network 100 to the second wireless network 200 for further distribution to the first wireless network 100. Lack of network access means, e.g., that the wireless device attempted to access network and it failed as described above. Inability may also depend on the fact that the first wireless network is "off", i.e. does not send any system information. Thus, the second wireless network 200 tunnels this information to the first wireless network. In this way, the wireless device allows the first wireless network 100 to reconfigure at least one parameter of the access procedure in the first wireless network 100 to improve the conditions for the wireless device when accessing the first wireless network. This can be done in a number of ways, depending on which network node and / or network controls the access procedure. If the network is off, you may be prompted to start sending layout information.

[0058] According to one aspect, information indicating that the first wireless network cannot be accessed is a request that the first wireless network reconfigure at least one access procedure parameter. Then the indication is a request sent from the UE that is tunneled through the second wireless network to the first wireless network.

[0059] Another possibility is that the second wireless network will ask the first wireless network to change the access procedures. Another option is that the indication only contains information about the inability and that the first wireless network must then start to act on its own initiative based on the information received to improve the conditions for the wireless device. The improved conditions mean e.g. increased capacity or greater range. In one aspect, this means that the information allows the first wireless network to reconfigure the access procedures parameter so that the range of the access channel is increased for the wireless device. This can be achieved by increasing the power or by pointing the receiver of the second wireless network towards the wireless device.

[0060] In a last step, the wireless device accesses the S5 of the first wireless network 100 using at least one reconfigured access procedure. The fact that the device uses a reconfigured access procedure expresses that the wireless device uses an access procedure having a reconfigured access procedure parameter. Reconfiguration is enabled in the previous step. Note that a wireless device does not necessarily change its behavior. The access procedure can be completely reconfigured on the network side, e.g. muting other transmitters or directing the receiver in a certain direction. Therefore, this step may mean changes to the network and / or the wireless device side. However, the likelihood of successful completion of the access procedure is somehow increased for the wireless device.

[0061] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the method in a wireless device further includes the step of receiving S3, from the second wireless network, information associated with at least one access procedure to the first wireless network 100. The information received is e.g. the header described in Figure 3 or another code to be used when accessing the first wireless network. The information can usually come from the first wireless network 100. The information may also be a request for mass repetitions, increased power or TTI combining, i.e. prior execution of additional / blind retransmission (i.e. without prior receipt of NACK) to improve link budget.

[0062] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the received information includes information on at least one access resource or message header that is reserved for the wireless device 10. Therefore, the network could then increase the likelihood of subsequent forwarding between RATs, e.g. from GERAN to E-UTRAN by requesting the UE to use specific headers and / or resources for this purpose, as opposed to the RACH procedure described in Figures 2a. According to this aspect, the step of accessing S5 of the first wireless network 100 includes using the reserved access resource or header.

[0063] One example in the LTE network is to allow the UE to access PRACH to the E-UTRAN cell to which it is being forwarded, as would be the case in the "normal" IRAT handover scenario. But earlier (by tunneling with EUTRAN-> GERAN), the UE was provided with a previously selected LTE PRACH resource / header for use in the E-UTRAN cell, i.e. unrivaled access was provided for IRAT HO. Non-competitive access methodology already exists for intra-LTE switches, but not IRAT in this case. One option is to implement intra-RAT forwarding interfaces on the GERAN node, so that GERAN can signal contention-free resources towards the first E-UTRAN node using the X2 interface. For a base station with many RATs, this is very easy. Thus, in accordance with this aspect, the step of accessing S5, the first wireless network 100 includes using the reserved access resource or header.

[0064] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the received information includes precoding information, wherein the step of accessing S5 of the first wireless network 100 includes using the received precoding information. This step may e.g. suggest that the wireless device is informed about the precoding matrix to be used to direct the transmission in order to gain access to the first wireless network 100 in an optimal physical direction. According to one aspect, a wireless device can actually rotate / tilt the entire antenna system, which in some special cases may be one of the possibilities for a vehicle-mounted system. Pre-coding can also be performed in the signal space.

[0065] As an embodiment of how the information obtained can be used, consider the following example regarding the VL-MIMO 5G system. In the case of TDD systems, e.g. the VL-MIMO 5G system, in which the UE has several antennas compared to the network, the function allowing random access to the 5G system is simpler. In this case, the first wireless network is the 5G VL-MIMO system, and the second wireless network is, for example, E-UTRAN or GERAN. The reason why the procedure is easier here is that the additional gain needed can be obtained by selecting the appropriate antenna weights on the base station side. By using reciprocity, it is enough to listen to UE UL transmission to enable operation between the UE and the base station. In this case, the functionality needed is that the UE may be sufficiently synchronized and assigned to the RACH header to allow the 5G base station to receive RACH.

[0066] In this example, the procedure is started as described above by the wireless device 10 indicating the impossibility of connecting to the network. In response, the second base station sends a RACH header (i.e., the radio signal used for random access to the first wireless network) for use by the UE.

[0067] In one aspect, the second wireless network further signals the time and frequency resources used in the RACH procedure using the RACH header to the UE and the first wireless network. The first wireless network listens for time and frequency resources and correlates the received signal with the RACH header, which is signaled by the second wireless network. The first wireless network then continues the RACH procedure using antenna weights determined on the basis of receiving the RACH header from the UE.

[0068] To incorporate this new functionality into the 3GPP core network mobility structure, the needed configuration messages are specific to the selection of the first wireless network and the second wireless network. That this is possible is quite clear because it is assumed that mobility is supported in the first wireless network, but the interfaces are different, e.g. E-UTRAN allows intra-RAT mobility through X2 and S1-MME. In addition, in the case of the first 5G network, the names of network units and interfaces implementing the described functionality are unknown.

[0069] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the method in a wireless device further includes the step of sending information S4 for use in at least one access procedure in the first wireless network 100 to the second wireless network 200 for further distribution to the first wireless network 100. This aspect means that the wireless device sends information to a second wireless network to facilitate connection to the first wireless network. One example of such information is measurement reports of at least one signal sent from the first wireless network.

[0070] In one aspect, the step of receiving S3 information related to the at least one access procedure includes receiving the S3c from the first wireless network 100 requesting transmission of at least one reference signal. Then, the method further includes transmitting S4c at least one reference signal. For example, EUTRAN instructs the UE to start transmitting the reference signal, e.g. LTE probing reference signals, while still in GERAN, to provide LTE RAN better evaluation of uplink conditions for the UE. This mechanism is not currently supported by the current 3GPP standard, so it should be standardized. This may include allowing the UE to indicate at an early stage of GERAN which E-UTRAN cell it was trying to access, which will help the GERAN cell to know which E-UTRAN node to contact.

[0071] The UE permission to perform dedicated uplink transmissions in the E-UTRAN may also allow network alignment with the UE time. Further improvements to this procedure could use GERAN time alignment or dedicated PUSCH transmission designed for time alignment, as in RACH.

[0072] In the above examples, it was assumed that the network knows the neighbors between base stations, for example using the intra-RAT Automatic Neighbor Relation, ANR functionality. In some cases, e.g. when the first RAT is 5G with VL-MIMO base stations, one important use case is that the second base station uses the same physical position as the first 5G base station. This makes it possible to assume that some basic radio parameters are the same between the first and second base stations, for example the time between UL and DL for synchronization purposes.

[0073] The corresponding method carried out in the first network node or in multiple network nodes in the first wireless network will now be explained in more detail. Basically, the functionality could be distributed between two or more processing nodes in the first wireless network, where each node has its own set of processing electrical circuits as well as memory and communication interfaces. However, for simplicity in this example, the method is performed on one network node in the first wireless network.

[0074] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the proposed method carried out in the first network node in the first wireless network enabling a wireless device that cannot access the first wireless network to access the first wireless network. As explained above, the method is usually activated by the wireless device 10, which indicates, in step S1 of figure 4, the inability to connect to the first system. This indication is then transmitted through the second wireless network to the first wireless network. The message sent by the wireless device can be directly forwarded, i.e. without processing in the second wireless network. Alternatively, a new message containing information about the inability is sent from the first network to the second wireless network.

[0075] Hence, in a first step performed in the first wireless network, the first network node receives S11 from the second wireless network 200 information indicating the inability of the wireless device 10 to access the first wireless network 100. Referring again to Figure 4, this step means that the information that wireless device 10 is unable to access the primary wireless network, sent in S2, has reached the first wireless network 100. As explained above, this can be achieved in many ways. One possibility is that the information is tunneled down to the first wireless network. However, there may well be many intermediate nodes involved in sending and analyzing information. The rule is that the first wireless network receives information that modification is needed. Therefore, after receiving the indication, one or more intermediate steps are usually performed, which will be illustrated below. Thus, in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure, the method further includes that data is exchanged between the wireless device and the first wireless network, as will be explained with reference to steps S12 and S13.

[0076] Then the first network node reconfigures S14 at least one parameter of the access procedure in the first wireless network 100 based on the information received to improve the conditions for the wireless device 10 when accessing the first wireless network 100. the reconfiguration can be performed before or after the data exchange , depending on how you reconfigured it. According to one aspect of the disclosure, at least one access procedure parameter is reconfigured such that the range of the first wireless network is modified to provide coverage for the wireless device 10. Therefore, the range is e.g. extended by changing the physical direction of the receiver of the first network node 110.

[0077] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the method further comprises sending information S12 related to at least one reconfigured access procedure parameter in the first wireless network 100 to the second wireless network 200 for further distribution to the wireless device 10. This information is e.g. header, information about resources, requesting measurements, etc., as described in the various examples above and below.

[0078] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the method further comprises receiving S13, from the second wireless network 200, information for use in at least one access procedure in the first wireless network 100. For example, the wireless device 10 may e.g. send measurements performed on a reference signal transmitted from the first wireless network 110. After receiving such measurements, the first wireless node may e.g. adjust the receiver according to the initial coding used by the wireless device or redirect the receiver to optimize reception when the wireless device gains access to the network. Therefore, in one aspect, the reconfiguration step S14 of the access procedure or procedure includes informing the radio node node receiver 110 about the pre-coding used by the wireless device. The receiver can then be adapted to the pre-encoder used by the wireless device.

[0079] In one aspect, the reconfiguration step S14 of the access procedure or procedures includes reconfiguration of the coding or resources to be used for S14d accessing the first wireless network 100.

[0080] The corresponding method carried out in the second network node or in multiple network nodes in the second wireless network will now be explained in more detail. In principle, the functionality could be distributed between two or more processing nodes, with each node having its own complement to the processing circuit and the memory and communication interfaces. However, for simplicity in this example, the method is performed on one network node in another wireless network.

[0081] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating the proposed method carried out at the second network node in the second wireless network, enabling a wireless device that cannot access the first wireless network to access the first wireless network. As described above, the procedure is initiated when the wireless device 10 Indicates that it is not possible to connect to the wireless network 110.

[0082] In a first step of the method performed in the second wireless network, the second network node receives S21 from the wireless device 10 information indicating no access to the first wireless network. The second wireless network can simply send information to the first wireless network. In this case, the logic of determining how to modify the access procedure will be placed on the first wireless network. Alternatively, the second wireless network processes the received indication.

[0083] In a next step, the second network node sends S22 to the first wireless network 200 information indicating the inability of the wireless device 10 to access the first wireless network 100, thus enabling the first wireless network 100 to reconfigure at least one access procedure parameter in the first wireless network 100, which increases the range of the device. This can be done in many ways. For example, the information received in the first step may be a tunneled message, i.e., a message sent from a wireless device that is forwarded to the first wireless network without any analysis in the second wireless network. Tunneling is usually used when information is being tunneled transparently through another node or network. However, there may also be a direct interface between the two networks for the same purpose.

[0084] In one aspect, the method further includes indicating S20 the ability to support the wireless device 10 in accessing the first wireless network

100. One option is to broadcast layout information stating that: "There is the first wireless network and if you want to access it, use me."

[0085] According to one aspect, the method further includes tunneling information S23 related to at least one access procedure of the first wireless network 100, from the first wireless network 100 to the wireless device 10. Such information is e.g. a request to send an audio signal, which will be described later with reference to figure 9.

[0086] According to one aspect, the method further includes tunneling information S24 for use in at least one access procedure for the first wireless network 100, from the wireless device 10 to the first wireless network 100. As described above, the access procedure may be assisted by sending e.g. (v) measurements of at least one signal transmitted from the first wireless network.

[0087] Figure 7 illustrates an overview of signaling in a system when it allows access to a first wireless network in accordance with the first embodiment.

[0088] In this example, the wireless device first accesses the S1 to the secondary network and sends a message that the network cannot be connected to the second wireless network. The indication is forwarded S21, S22 via the second wireless network and received via the second wireless network.

[0089] The first wireless network sends information S12a about the at least one access resource or header that is reserved for the wireless device 10 to the second wireless network for further distribution to the wireless device 10. The wireless device 10 receives S3a resource information and / or header. Finally, the wireless device accesses the S5a network using the received information.

[0090] Figure 8 illustrates an overview of signaling in a wireless network when access to the first wireless network is enabled in accordance with the second embodiment. According to another embodiment, the proposed technique improves the existing and previously described RACH access procedure for a wireless device being a multi-RAT UE. In this example, the first RAT is E-UTRAN and the second RAT is GERAN.

[0091] The UE is configured, according to older procedures, with a set of tuning / access policies / strategies that are determined between the core network and the UE. Therefore, the radio access network usually does not know this set of policies / strategies. Now, for the purposes of this disclosure, let's assume that this configuration is such that the preferred (first) RAT for tuning for this UE is E-UTRAN. If the UE now finds an E-UTRAN cell that meets the tuning / access requirements but cannot connect to it, the UE will instead make S1 access in the covering GERAN cell, which probably indicates, for example in the system information, its ability to support assistance with access procedures to E-UTRAN RACH / LTE coverage extension, if available. After performing this operation, the UE will clearly indicate to the S2 / 21 of the second wireless network that it failed to connect to the E-UTRAN network, as well as to which specific cell.

[0092] Next, GERAN will inform S22 / S1 1 E-UTRAN about this situation - i.e. that the UE has not gained access to a specific E-UTRAN cell, but is now connected to the GERAN cell. It is possible that along with this information some positioning information and / or preliminary measurement information about the EU may be included.

[0093] The E-UTRAN may then (if not yet) start transmitting UE S125 and / or cell-specific reference signals, which then the UE receives a request S12b / S3b for measurement using commands tunneled from E-UTRAN to GERAN. For transmissions in GERAN, the corresponding measurement request must be updated accordingly.

[0094] The UE will now perform S31 measurements on these E-UTRAN reference symbols, where after the resulting CSI measurement reports (i.e., CQI and rank measurements) they are tunneled back to LTE RAN S4b / S13b. The current actual tunneling mechanism can probably be used (RIM, see 3GPP TS 48.018 (release 10)), although the E-UTRAN measurement reports (e.g., ENHANCED MEASUREMENT REPORT must be updated to provide CSI reports (currently only RSRP / RSRQ can be included).

[0095] Now E-UTRAN has all the information it needs in order to actively increase the downlink E-UTRAN coverage for UEs by means of range extension functions such as e.g. user-specific beamforming for this very UE, activation of TTI packet or more reliable coding. Other options include antenna tilt or other AAS-related functions.

[0096] Therefore, another S5b access attempt, such as switching between RAT from GERAN to E-UTRAN, will have an increased likelihood of success when using measurements. This embodiment is not limited to GERAN to EUTRAN, but the same principle can be implemented in any network.

[0097] Figure 9 illustrates an overview of signaling in a wireless network when it allows access to a first wireless network in accordance with the third embodiment. In this example, as in the second, the wireless device first accesses S1 to the secondary network and sends a message that it is not possible to connect to the network to the second wireless network. The indication is forwarded S21, S22 via the second wireless network and received via the second wireless network. In this example, the first wireless network 100 then sends a request S12c to wireless device 10 to transmit at least one reference signal. The wireless device receives the request S3c and begins to send the requested reference signal S4c.

[0098] For example, E-UTRAN also instructs the UE to start transmitting, e.g., LTE sounding reference signals, while they are still in GERAN, to provide LTE RAN better evaluation of uplink conditions for the UE. This mechanism is not currently supported by the current 3GPP standard and should therefore be standardized. This may include allowing the UE to indicate at an early stage of GERAN which E-UTRAN cell it was trying to access, which will help the GERAN cell to know which E-UTRAN node to contact.

[0099] The reference signal is usually received by S14c by the first wireless node 110 and at least one parameter of the access procedure is modified S14c based on the reception, e.g. by calculating the channel between the wireless device and the first network node 110. Thus, the chance of a successful S5 access procedure increases.

[0100] Turning now to Figure 10, a diagram will be described illustrating some modules of an exemplary embodiment of a wireless device 10 configured to access the first wireless network 100 when the wireless device is not able to access the first wireless network 100. In this application, the term wireless device 10 means any wireless device capable of connecting to the first and second wireless networks wirelessly. The wireless device is usually a user device, UE, but it may as well be an M2M device.

[0101] The wireless device 10 includes a controller, CTL, or processing circuitry 12 that can be formed by any suitable Central Processing Unit, CPU, microcontroller, Digital Signal Processor, DSP, etc., capable of executing computer program code. The computer program can be stored in MEM 13. Memory 13 can be any combination of read and write memory, RAM and read only memory, ROM. Memory 13 may also include non-volatile memory, which may be, for example, any single magnetic memory, optical memory or semiconductor memory, and even remotely mounted memory.

[0102] The wireless device 10 further includes an (i / f) interface 11 for radio communication. The wireless communication interface 11 is adapted for wireless communication with wireless devices within the range of the wireless device 10. The radio communication interface 11 may be adapted for communication via one or more radio access technologies. If multiple technologies are supported, the node usually has multiple communication interfaces, e.g. one WLAN or Bluetooth 11a communication interface and one cellular communication interface 11b. radio interface 111 configured to communicate with the first and second wireless networks 100, 200.

[0103] When the above-mentioned computer program code is run in the processing circuit 11 of the wireless device 10, this causes the wireless device 10 to send information indicating that it is unable to access the first wireless network 100 to the second wireless network 200 for further distribution to the first network wireless 100, thus enabling the first wireless network 100 to reconfigure at least one access procedure parameter in the first wireless network 100 to improve the conditions for the wireless device when accessing the first wireless network and accessing the first wireless network 100 using at least one reconfigured access procedure.

[0104] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the electric processing circuit assembly 12 includes one or more of the following:

o the first access module 121 configured to access the second wireless network 200, o the first transmitting module 122 configured to send information indicating no access to the first wireless network to the second wireless network for further distribution to the first wireless network, thus enabling the first wireless network to reconfigure at least one access procedure parameter in the first wireless network to improve the wireless device's operating conditions when accessing the first wireless network, by a second access module 123 configured to access the first wireless network using every at least one reconfigured access procedure.

[0105] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the electric processing circuit assembly 12 further comprises a receiving module 125 configured to receive, from the second wireless network 200, information associated with at least one access procedure to the first wireless network 100.

[0106] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the processing circuit 12 further comprises a second transmitting module 125 configured to send information to the second wireless network 200 for further distribution to the first wireless network 100.

[0107] The first, second access modules 121, 123 and the first and second transmitting modules 122, 125 and receiving module 124 are implemented in hardware or in software, or in a combination thereof. Modules 121, 122, 123, 124, 125 are in one aspect implemented as a computer program stored in memory 13 that operates on processing circuit 12. The wireless device 10 is further configured to implement all aspects of the disclosure as described in relation to the above methods. The processing circuit assembly also contains corresponding modules.

[0108] In one aspect, the disclosure further relates to the above-mentioned computer program, comprising a computer readable code which, when run on a wireless device, causes the node to perform any of the aspects of the method described above.

[0109] Turning now to Figure 11a, a schematic diagram illustrating some modules of an embodiment of the first network node 110 configured to allow the wireless device 10 unable to access the first wireless network 100, access to the first wireless network 100 will be described. The term network node is generally used in this application. A network node is any node in a wireless communication network, e.g. RBS or eNodeB.

[0110] Network node 1 includes a controller, CTL, or processing circuit 113, which may be formed by any suitable Central Processing Unit, CPU, microcontroller, Digital Signal Processor, DSP, etc. capable of executing computer program code. The computer program can be saved to MEM 114 memory. Memory 114 can be any combination of read and write memory, RAM and read only memory, ROM. Memory 13 may also include non-volatile memory, which may be, for example, any single magnetic memory, optical memory or semiconductor memory, and even remotely mounted memory.

[0111] The first network node 110 further includes an (i / f) interface, 111, a radio communication. Wireless communication interface 111 is adapted for wireless communication with wireless devices within the range of the first node 110 of the network. The radio communication interface may be adapted to communicate via one or more radio access technologies. If multiple technologies are supported, the node usually has multiple communication interfaces, e.g. one WLAN or Bluetooth 12a communication interface and one cellular communication interface 12b. Radio communication interface 111 configured for communication with a wireless device 10.

[0112] The first network node 110 further includes an (i / f) interface 112 of network communication. The network communication interface 112 is adapted for wireless communication with a second wireless network. If the method is performed in a distributed system, the network communication interface 112 may be implemented in a separate node in the first wireless network.

[0113] When the above-mentioned computer program code is started in the processing circuit 11 of the first network node 110, it causes the first network node 110 to receive, via the network communication interface 112, from the second wireless network 200 information indicating the inability of the wireless device 10 to access the first wireless network 100 and reconfigure the access procedure parameter in the first wireless network 100 based on the information received.

[0114] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the controller includes one or more of them:

- the first receiving module 1131 configured to receive information from the second wireless network 200 indicating the inability of the wireless device 10 to access the first wireless network 100, and

- a reconfiguration module 1132 configured to reconfigure the access procedure or procedures provided in the first wireless network 100 based on the information received to improve the conditions for the wireless device 10 when accessing the first wireless network 100.

[0115] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the electric processing circuit assembly 113 further comprises a transmission module 1133 configured to send information related to at least one access procedure of the first wireless network 100 to the second wireless network 200 for further distribution to the wireless device 10.

[0116] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the processing circuit 113 further comprises a second receiving module 1134 configured to receive S13, from the second wireless network 200, information for use in at least one access procedure in the first wireless network 100.

[0117] The first and second receiving modules 1131, 1134, reconfiguration module 1132 and transmitting module 1133 are implemented in hardware or software, or in a combination thereof. Modules 1131, 1132, 1133, 1134 are in one aspect implemented as a computer program stored in memory 214 that runs on processor 213. Processing circuit 213 is further configured to implement all aspects of the disclosure, as described with reference to the above methods, and also includes appropriate modules.

[0118] According to one aspect, the disclosure further relates to the above-mentioned computer program comprising a computer readable code which, when run at the first network node in the first wireless network causes the first network node to perform any of the aspects of the method described above.

[0119] Turning now to Figure 11b, a schematic diagram illustrating some modules of an exemplary embodiment of a second network node 210 in a second wireless network configured to allow a wireless device 10 that cannot access the first wireless network 100 to access the first wireless network 100 will be described. The term network node is generally used in this application. A network node is any node in a wireless communication network, e.g. RBS or eNodeB.

[0120] The second network node 210 includes a controller, CTL or assembly 213 for processing electrical circuits, which may be formed by any suitable Central Processing Unit, CPU, microcontroller, Digital Signal Processor, DSP, etc. capable of executing computer program code. The computer program can be saved to MEM 114 memory. Memory 214 can be any combination of read and write memory, RAM and read only memory, ROM. Memory 214 may also include non-volatile memory, which may be, for example, any single magnetic memory, optical memory or semiconductor memory, and even remotely mounted memory.

[0121] The second network node 210 further includes an (i / f) interface, 211 for radio communication. Radio communication interface 111 is adapted for wireless communication with wireless devices within the range of the second network node 210. The radio communication interface may be adapted to communicate via one or more radio access technologies. If multiple technologies are supported, the node usually has multiple communication interfaces, e.g. one WLAN or Bluetooth 12a communication interface and one cellular communication interface 12b. Radio communication interface 111 configured for communication with a wireless device 10.

[0122] The second network node 210 further includes a network communication interface (i / f), 212. The network communication interface 212 is adapted to communicate with the first wireless network. If the method is performed in a distributed system, network communication interface 212 may be implemented in a separate node in the second wireless network, i.e. not necessarily in the network node implementing the access procedure.

[0123] When the above-mentioned computer program code is run in the processing circuit 211 of the second network node 210, it causes the second network node 210 to receive, via the radio communication interface 211, information from the wireless device 10 indicating no access to the first wireless network and sends, via a network communication interface 212, to the first wireless network 200 information indicating the inability of the wireless device 10 to access the first wireless network 100, thereby enabling the first wireless network 100 to reconfigure at least one parameter of the access procedure in the first wireless network 100 to increase the range of the wireless device 10.

[0124] In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, controller 213 includes one or more of the following:

- receiving module 2131 configured to receive information from the wireless device 10 indicating the lack of access to the first wireless network 100, and

- transmitting module 2132 configured to send S22 to the first wireless network 100 information indicating the inability of the wireless device 10 to access the first wireless network 100, thereby enabling the first wireless network 100 to reconfigure at least one parameter of the access procedure in the first wireless network 100 in to improve the conditions for the wireless device 10 when accessing the first wireless network 100.

[0125] In one aspect, the disclosure processing circuit 2130 further includes an indicator 1133 configured to indicate the ability to assist a wireless device in accessing the first wireless network 100.

[0126] According to one aspect of the disclosure, processing circuit 2133 further comprises a first tunneling module 2133 configured to tunnel information related to at least one access procedure to the first wireless network 100, from the first wireless network 100 to the wireless device 10.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, the processing circuit assembly 2134 further includes a second tunneling module 2133 configured to tunnel information for use in at least one access procedure for the first wireless network 100, from the wireless device 10 to the first wireless network 100.

[0127] The indicator 2130, the receiving module 2131 and the transmitting module 2132 and the first and second tunneling modules 2133, 2134 are implemented in hardware or in software or in a combination thereof. Modules 2130, 2131, 2132, 2133, 2134 are in one aspect implemented as a computer program stored in memory 214 that runs on processor 213. Processing circuit 213 is further configured to implement all aspects of the disclosure, as described with reference to the above methods, and also includes appropriate modules.

[0128] In one aspect, the disclosure further relates to the above-mentioned computer program comprising a computer readable code which, when run at a node in the second wireless network, causes the second network node to perform any of the aspects of the method described above.