3gpp based control and management architecture for small cell backhaul solutions

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a small cell transport network that is configured to interface with a 3GPP core and is further configured to provide 3GPP mobile terminals with broadband mobile communication services. In addition, the present invention relates to the components of a small cell transport network, namely a small cell radio base station, a small cell concentrator, a small cell transport network controller, and a small cell transport network memory unit.

Prior Art

The following abbreviations are used in this document, some of which are at least mentioned within the scope of the following description of the present invention.

Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) - Third Generation Partnership Project

Access Grant Channel (AGCH) - access permission channel

Emulated Core (EU) - emulated core

Enhanced Power Control (EPC) - Advanced Power Management

Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) - Frequency Division Duplex

GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) - GPRS tunneling protocol

Home Location Register (HLR) - home location register

Higher Order Provisioning (HOP) - providing a higher level

High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA) - high-speed packet access

Home Subscriber Register (HSS) - Own Subscriber Server

Information Element (IE) - information element

IP Multi-Media Subsystem (IMS) - multimedia subsystem based on IP

International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) - international mobile communication

Long Term Evolution (LTE) - long-term development project

Medium Access Control (MAC) - media access control

Mobile Broadband (MIB) - mobile broadband network

Mobile Backhaul (MBH) - mobile transport network

Mobility Management (MM) - mobility management

Mobility Management Entity (MME) - mobility management node

Multi-Protocol Lable Switching (MPLS) - multiprotocol label switching

Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) - mobile network virtual network operator

Microwave (MW) - microwave radiation

Hon-Access Stratum (NAS) - level not associated with granting access

Next Generation (NG) - next generation network

Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) - next-generation mobile networks

Non / Near Line of Sight (NLOS) - the area of ​​propagation of radio waves within / out of line of sight

Operations Support System (OSS) - Operations Support System

Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) - packet data merge protocol

Protocol Data Unit (PDU)

Quality of Service (QoS) - Quality of Service

Radio Access (RA) - radio access

Radio Access Network (RAN) - radio access network

Radio Base Station (RBS) - basic radio station

Radio Link Control (RLC) - radio link management

Radio Resource Control (RRC) - radio resource management

S1 Application Protocol (S1AP) - application protocol for the S1 interface

Small Cell Backhaul (SCBH) is a small cell transport network

Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) - Flow Control Transmission Protocol

Service Gateway (SGw) - serving gateway

Self-Organized Networking (SON) - self-organized network

Time Division Duplex (TDD) - Time Division Duplex

User Entity / Equipment (Mobile Terminal) (UE) - user object / user equipment (mobile terminal)

User Datagram Protocol (UDP) - User Datagram Protocol

User Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) - Universal Subscriber Identity Module

In the field of telecommunications, the transport network of small cells plays an important role in the mobile communication network and is gaining importance due to the introduction of heterogeneous networks, sometimes referred to as HetNet (hetnet). Basically, the transport networks of small cells involve the deployment of numerous base radio stations of small cells that supplement the basic radio stations of macrocells. The deployment of radio base stations of small cells requires a highly scalable and flexible transport solution for small cells. The advantageous approach used today to implement the transport solution for small cells is to reduce the scale of the existing transport solution for macrocells.

In Fig. 1 (prior art) is a diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 100, which shows the main features of the advantageous approach for implementing a transport solution for small cells. In this approach, small RBSs 102 are connected through the MVH network 104 to the 3GPP core 106. Typically, between the small RBS 102 and the 3GPP core 106, a MWL connectivity is preconfigured using OSS 108 or some other network management solution. This MHD connectivity forms the basis on which it is possible to dynamically establish the connectivity of the mobile broadband network (MBB) with the mobile terminals 110 over the air interfaces 112 of the 3GPP.

In this approach, the 3GPP core 106 interfaces with small RBSs 102 to establish 3GPP unidirectional channels 114 through which the MBC data can be exchanged between the mobile terminals 110 and, for example, the Internet 114. The portions of these 3GPP unidirectional channels 114 pass through the DFG connections 116, the form of tunnels through a packet network (for example, GTP tunnels over an MPLS-based network). In this situation, one can already observe the difference in the mechanisms for managing connectivity between the traditional MVR area and the 3GPP domain:

- MVH connections 116 are semi-static and are controlled by OSS 108.

- 3GPP unidirectional channels 314 are dynamic and are established using the 3GPP core 106 and small RBS 102 whenever the 3GPP mobile terminals 110 perform an MBR resource request.

As a result of this distinction, there is a growing interest in "advancing" MWN connection 116 in the direction of more dynamic provision of services on demand, that is, in the direction of an approach that is more similar to MBR connectivity, compared to traditional MWN connectivity. In this regard, operators and system suppliers are turning their attention to an alternative transport solution for small cells, which will be described below with reference to FIG. 2 (prior art).

In Fig. 2 (prior art), a diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 200 that shows the main features of this alternative transport solution for small cells is depicted. In this approach, the first link 202 of the MVN transport network between the small RBS 204 and the rest of the MWN 206 (MWN cloud 206) is performed using a TDD LTE wireless communication link 208, in particular, supporting the fan structure. The TDD LTE wireless communication link 208 has beams that terminate in small RBSs 204. The TDD LTE communication link 208 has a hub that terminates in the RDS 210 of the TDD LTE. Typically, the RDS 210 TDD LTE uses a wireless TDD LTE communication link 208 as a NLOS point-to-multipoint radio link 208 for connecting to small RBS 204.

Using "LTE" in a transport network, for example, in this case TDD 208 LTE, means that it is necessary to establish a connectivity for which the LTE (3GPP) core is required. In modern solutions, performed in the form of various tests and notifications, this 3GPP LTE 216 kernel is emulated at a node, the type of which was mentioned earlier in this document as RBS 210 TDD LTE. In addition, the first link 202 of the MVN transport network (for example, the hop 202 in the TDD LTE transport network) can be performed by placing the LTE LTE equivalent 218 on each of the original LTD LTE RDS 204, which then interacts with the LTE LTE LTE 210 and, in in particular, with the emulated core node 3GPP LTE node 216 (eg, with the emulated core 216) to establish the first link 202 of the MW transport network. Below is a phased discussion of this issue in order to explain how connectivity between mobile stations 214 and 3GPP core 222 can be calculated from this transport solution for small cells. Below are the following steps:

1. OSS 220 MVH establishes connectivity between the core of 222 3GPP and RBS 210 TDD LTE.

2. The emulated core 216 of the RBS TDD LTE provides the necessary core functions of the 3GPP so that a TDD LTE wireless link 208 is established between the RBS 210 TDD LTE and the small RBS 204. Now small RBS 204 has a full MHD connectivity with the 3GPP core 222.

a. Thus, the DGH connectivity for the small RBS 204 cells is a combination of a DIM 224 and a TDD LTE wireless communication link 208.

Now, small RBSs 204 are used for pairing with the 3GPP core 222 and establishing 3GPP radio bearer unicast 226 for the MBS services provided in their respective mobile stations 214.

In Fig. 3 (prior art), a diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 300 that shows the main features of yet another alternative transport solution for small cells that has a structure similar to that of FIG. 2, except that the RBS 210 TDD LTE no longer has the emulated 216 located therein, but instead has a separate 3GPP core 302 (shown as the 3GPP core 2) that is located on the MWR 206 network (in the MWS cloud 206). Discussion of this particular solution is given in 3GPP TR 36.806 "Relay Architectures for E-UTRA (LTE-Advanced)" V.9.0.0, March 2010 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). This is followed by a phased discussion of how to establish the connectivity between mobile stations 214 and the 3GPP core 222 based on this transport solution for small cells.

1. The OSS 220 establishes a 302 MVN connection ("MVN 1") between 3GPP cores 222 and 302.

2. The OSS 220 also establishes another 306 ("MHP 2") MIM connection between the 3GPP core 302 and the RDS 210 TDD LTE.

3. The 3GPP core 302 is used to control the unidirectional channels of the small cell transport network 308 ("3GPP relay bearers") and to establish connection with small RBS 204.

a. Thus, the small RBS 204 MVN connection is a combination of unidirectional transport network channels 308 (partially transmitted over MVH 2) and MWR 1.

4. Now, small RBS 204 has connectivity on the entire segment to the 3GPP core 222 to establish 3GPP unidirectional channels 310 for MBS services for their respective mobile stations 214.

Although these small-cell transport solutions work well in most applications, there is still a need to improve them to provide a more flexible transport solution for small cells. One such new and improved transport solution for small cells is the subject of the present invention.

Disclosure of Invention

The transport network of small cells, which represents the further development of traditional small-cell transport networks, is described in the dependent claim of this application. In addition, small-cell transport network components, namely a small cell radio base station, a small cell concentrator, a small cell transport network controller, a small cell transport network memory and related methods are also described in the dependent claims of this application. Advantageous embodiments of a small-cell transport network including small-cell transport network components, namely, a small cell radio base station, a small cell concentrator, a small cell transport network controller, a small cell transport network memory and associated methods,

In one aspect of the present invention, a small cell transport network is implemented that is configured to interface with a 3GPP core and is further configured to provide mobile broadband services that will be provided by the 3GPP core for 3GPP mobile terminals. The transport network of small cells contains numerous base radio stations of small cells, a small cell concentrator, a small-cell transport network controller, and a small-cell transport network memory. Each base radio station of small cells has a communication line with the corresponding mobile terminals 3GPP. A small cell concentrator provides at least one wireless link with a plurality of small cell base radio stations. At least one wireless link is emulated as 3GPP unidirectional radio channels in terms of the 3GPP core, regardless of the radio technology that is actually used to perform at least one wireless link. The small cell transport network controller controls at least one wireless communication link between the small cell concentrator and the base radio stations of small cells. The controller of the transport network of small cells interacts with both the small cell concentrator and the 3GPP core. The small cell transport network storage unit stores data that refers to at least one wireless link between the small cell concentrator and the base radio stations of small cells. The block of memory of the transport network of small cells is connected with the controller of the transport network of small cells.

In another aspect of the present invention, a radio base station of small cells (and a method implemented by it) is implemented that provides mobile broadcast services that will be provided to the 3GPP mobile terminal. The base station of small cells contains a processor and memory that stores instructions executed by the processor, where the processor interfaces with the memory and executes the instructions executed by the processor to provide the following operations: (a) providing a link (eg, FDD LTE link) to 3GPP mobile terminals; and (b) pairing with a small cell concentrator via a wireless link. The wireless link is emulated as 3GPP unidirectional radio channels in terms of the 3GPP core, regardless of radio technology (for example, NLOS in non-IMT, WiFi-enabled bands), which is actually used to implement a wireless link. In addition, the base radio station of small cells is emulated as legacy user equipment from the point of view of the 3GPP core. The advantage of a radio base station for small cells is that it efficiently "reuses" 3GPP technology to control a large number of dynamic communication links of small cells.

In another aspect of the present invention, a small cell concentrator (and a method performed by it) is implemented that allows mobile broadband services to be provided to 3GPP mobile terminals. The small cell concentrator contains a processor and memory that stores instructions executed by the processor, where the processor interfaces with the memory and executes instructions executed by the processor, which allow performing the following operation: (a) provide at least one wireless link to the base radio stations of small cells. At least one wireless link is emulated as 3GPP unidirectional radio links from the perspective of the 3GPP core, regardless of radio technology (e. G., NLOS in non-IMT, WiFi bands) that is actually used to implement at least one wireless link. In addition, a small cell concentrator is emulated as an inherited base radio station from the point of view of the 3GPP core. The advantage of a small cell concentrator is that it efficiently "reuses" 3GPP technology to manage a large number of small-cell dynamic links.

In another aspect of the present invention, a hub transport network hub (and a method performed by it) is implemented that provides mobile broadband services to 3GPP mobile terminals. The small cell transport network storage unit comprises a processor and memory that stores processor executable instructions where the processor interfaces with the memory and executes instructions executable by the processor that enable the following operation: (a) to control at least one wireless link between the small cell concentrator and radio base stations of small cells. At least one wireless link is emulated as 3GPP unidirectional radio links from the perspective of the 3GPP core regardless of radio technology (eg, NLOS in non-IMT, WiFi-enabled frequency bands), which is actually used to implement at least one wireless link. The advantage of a hub transport network concentrator is that it efficiently "reuses" 3GPP technology to manage a large number of small-cell dynamic links.

In another aspect of the present invention, a small cell transport network storage unit (and a method performed by it) is implemented that allows mobile broadband services to be provided to 3GPP mobile terminals. The small cell transport network storage unit contains a processor and memory that stores processor executable instructions where the processor interfaces with the memory and executes instructions executable by the processor that enable the following operation: (a) store data related to at least one wireless link connection between the small cell concentrator and the base radio stations of small cells. At least one wireless link is emulated as 3GPP unidirectional radio links from the perspective of the 3GPP core regardless of radio technology (eg, NLOS in non-IMT, WiFi-enabled frequency bands), which is actually used to implement at least one wireless link. The advantage of the small-cell transport network memory block is that it efficiently "reuses" 3GPP technology to manage a large number of small-cell dynamic links.

Further aspects of the invention will be set forth in particular in the detailed description of the figures and any claims that are set forth below and in particular will be obtained from the detailed description, or they can be learned in practice of the invention. It is to be understood that both the previous general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory and do not limit the invention as disclosed herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 (prior art) is a diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system that is used to describe the basic features of a traditional transport solution for small cells;

FIG. 2 (prior art) is a diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system that is used to describe the main features of another conventional transport solution for small cells;

FIG. 3 (prior art) is a diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system that is used to describe the basic features of yet another traditional transport solution for small cells;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system that includes a small cell transport network constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating exemplary protocol stacks that interact with components of a small cell transport network, namely a small cell radio base station, a small cell concentrator, and a small cell transport network controller as shown in FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates exemplary steps of a method for providing a transport solution for small cells that are performed by a small cell radio base station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary step of a method for providing a transport solution for small cells that is performed by a small cell concentrator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary step of a method for providing a transport solution for small cells that is performed by a small cell transport network controller according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary step of a method for providing a transport solution for small cells that is executed by a small cell transport network storage unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a basic diagram illustrating a small cell transport network management architecture that is provided for comparing two transport solutions for small cells of the prior art and a new transport network of small cells, each of which interfaces with a 3GPP core network to interface the 3GPP mobile terminal with the Internet .

Detailed Description of the Invention

In Fig. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 400 that includes a small cell transport network 402 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The transport network 402 of the small cells is configured to interface with the 3GPP 404 and is further configured to provide mobile broadband services 406 using the 3GPP core 404 by the 3GPP mobile terminal 408a and 408b (eg, a UE, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, , a personal digital assistant). As shown, the small cell transport network 402 comprises a plurality of small cell base radio stations 410a and 410b (only two are shown), a small cell concentrator 412, small cell transport network controller 414, and a small cell transport network memory unit 416. The base cell radio stations 410a and 410b provide the FDD LTE (or other 3GPP) wireless links 418a and 418b to their respective 3GPP mobile terminals 408a and 408b. The small cell concentrator 412 provides at least one wireless communication link 420 to the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells. The small cell transport network controller 414 interacts with both the small cell concentrator 412 and the 3GPP core 404. In particular, the small cell transport network controller 414 controls at least one wireless link 420 between the small cell concentrator 412 and the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells. The small cell concentrator 412 and the small cell transport network controller 414 are located in the mobile transport network 413. The small cell transport network memory unit 416 stores data 422, which relate to at least one wireless link 420 between the small cell concentrator 412 and the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells. A detailed discussion of each of the components 410a, 410b, 412, 414 and 416 is given below after a step-by-step discussion to explain how it is possible to establish the connectivity between the 3GPP mobile terminals 408a and 408b and the 3GPP core 404 using this new and improved transport network 402 of small cells.

1. The OSS 424 establishes a MHD connection 426 ("MWP 1") between the 3GPP core 404 and the small cell transport network controller 414. This will be done before the deployment of the radio base stations 410a and 410b of small cells.

2. The small cell transport network controller 414 and the small cell base radio stations 410a and 410b establish another segment 428 ("MIL 2") without OSS 424 interference (note that the OSS 424 can alternatively establish the segment 428 ("MWR 2") only in the case where the OSS 424 is used to control at least one wireless link 420). Each base cell radio base stations 410a and 410b provide coverage for the respective small cells 411a and 411b that are in a region that is smaller than the 3GPP macro cell 413. The base station 415 of the macro cell provides coverage of the 3GPP macro cell 413, typically covering the coverage areas of small cells 411a and 411b.

3-4. A small cell transport controller 414 that emulates 3GPP core control portions (eg, MME) sets up 3GPP emulated radio bearers 430 (between the small cell concentrator 412 and the small cell base radio stations 410a and 410b) and establishes the 3GPP emulated unidirectional channels 432 (between the controller 414 transport network of small cells and radio base stations 410a and 410b of small cells). This is done in conjunction with radio base stations 410a and 410b of small cells that emulate the behavior of the 3GPP UE. It should be noted that the small cell transport controller 414 is an example of a 3GPP core that can be performed in a separate new node or in an existing node, such as the 3GPP core 404. These stages are marked as improved in comparison with transport solutions for small honeycombs of the prior art,

5. Now, the small cell base radio stations 410a and 410b have connectivity on the entire 3GPP core 404 to establish 3GPP unidirectional channels 434 for the MBC services 406 in their respective 3GPP mobile terminals 408a and 408b.

It should be noted that at least one wireless communication link 420 that is implemented via the air interface can be implemented as a point-to-multipoint wireless link (which will be discussed later in this description), at least one point-to- point ", a combination of a point-to-multipoint wireless link and at least one point-to-point wireless link, a radio-frequency propagation section within / out of line of sight (NLOS) in non-international frequency bands (IMT), or WiFi, but at least one wireless link 420 is emulated as a wireless point-to-multipoint link from the perspective of the 3GPP core. In other words,

The components of the small cell transport network, namely, the base radio stations 410a and 410b of the small cells, the small cell concentrator 412, the small cell transport network controller 414, and the small cell transport network memory block 416 have the following features and functionality:

1. Each small cell radio base station 410a and 410b communicate with the rest of the network via a point-to-multipoint wireless link 420.

1.1. From the perspective of the 3GPP core 404, each base radio base station 410a and 410b of small cells is modeled as a regular UE 3GPP.

1.2. The portions of the 3GPP NAS of each radio base station 410a and 410b of small cells need not be performed directly in the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells, but it can be emulated in a small cell concentrator 412. As discussed below, this feature is particularly advantageous in the case of legacy unidirectional radio channels, which can not be changed on the NAS for various reasons.

Note: The air interface connected between the small cell concentrator 412 and the small cell base radio stations 410a and 410b can be based on air interface technology for point-to-point radio communications, since even in this case, the small cell concentrator 412 still acts as a point, where multiple base radio stations 410a and 410b of small cells are connected to the rest of the network, namely 3GPP core 404. As discussed above, the 3GPP core 404, in terms of the transport network topology, interprets this wireless communication link 420 (air interface) as a point-to-multipoint wireless link.

2. The small cell concentrator 412 forms an aggregation point or a communication link between the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells and the rest of the mobile network.

2.1. From the perspective of the 404 3GPP core, the 412 small cell concentrator is modeled as a regular base radio station.

2.2. The small cell concentrator 412 can emulate some of the functionality of the 3GPP (eg, NAS), which is typically intended to be implemented later for the base cell radio stations 410a and 410b (which are modeled as UE 3GPP from the viewpoint of the 404 3GPP core). For example, the small cell concentrator 412 comprises a NAS bridge 440 that hides at least a portion of the NAS signaling from the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells, which originates from the small cell transport network controller 414 (see FIG. In particular, the NAS bridge 440 can emulate a UE NAS node in the direction of the small cell transport network controller 414. In addition, NAS bridge 440 is configured to create and terminate the NAS PDU.

3. The wireless point-to-multipoint link 420 connects the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells to the small cell concentrator 412.

3.1. From the point of view of the 3GPP core 404, the wireless point-to-multipoint link 420 is emulated as 3GPP unidirectional radio channels (unidirectional channels for regular LTE) regardless of the radio technology actually used to implement the point-to-multipoint wireless link 420. For example, another radio technology that can be used to implement this communication link includes NLOS in the IMT, WiFi, etc. bands.

3.1.1. The method in which the small cell base radio stations 410a and 410b and the small cell concentrator 412 detect, establish communication and connection with each other is similar to the method in which the 3GPP UE and the corresponding 3GPP base radio station respectively detect, establish communication and connection with each other . For example, reselection of a 3GPP cell corresponds to a change in its connectivity between the radio base stations 410a and 410b of small cells from a single concentrator 412 of small cells to another small cell concentrator (not shown).

3.1.2. The unmodulated LTE transmission portions and the lower layer 3GPP protocol stacks (eg, PDCP, RLC, MAC, RRC) can be reused in the small cell radio base stations 410 a and 410 b and in the small cell concentrator 412 to control the point-to-multipoint wireless link 420 . Alternatively, the data plane control and / or protocols may not be 3GPP.

4. The small cell transport network controller 414 controls the wireless point-to-multipoint link 420 through interactions with the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells and the small cell concentrator 412.

4.1. A small cell transport network controller 414 comprises a data plane node 436 (a user plane node 436) and a control plane node 438. In one embodiment, A small cell transport network controller 414 is implemented using 3GPP core network technologies, such as, for example, MME, SGw, etc. As with 3GPP, the data plane nodes and control plane nodes of the small cell transport network controller need not be located in the same physical node.

4.2. The small cell transport controller 414 can use the S1AP standard (application protocol S1 (S1AP), 3GPP 36.413, V10.6.0, June 2012 - whose contents are incorporated herein by reference) for interactions in the control plane with the small cell concentrator 412 and resource management unidirectional radio channels) associated with the point-to-multipoint wireless link 420.

4.3. Likewise, the small cell transport network controller 414 can use the NAS signaling standard to interact with the radio base stations 410a and 410b in the control plane.

4.3.1. This does not exclude the adaptation of an existing NAS 3GPP or the definition of any new NAS for the purpose of managing unidirectional radio channels in non-IMT bands.

4.3.2. Completion of the NAS signaling can take place directly in the small cell concentrator 412 (see the explanation in paragraph 2.2).

4.4. The small cell transport network controller 414 and the small cell transport network memory unit 416 can be implemented as an MVNO node in an existing 3GPP core network (see FIG. 10).

5. The small cell transport network memory unit 416 contains resource allocation data 422 and others that relate to the small cell radio base stations 410 a and 410 b and to the characteristics (for example, QoS, bandwidth, etc.) of the point-to-multipoint wireless link 420, , with the base radio stations 410a and 410b of the small cells being used with a 412 small cell concentrator.

5.1. The small cell transport network memory unit 416 is implemented using 3GPP core network technologies, eg, HSS, HLR.

5.1.1. Therefore, in the small cell transport network memory 416, the base cell radio stations 410a and 410b are modeled as regular 3GPP UEs.

In Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a small cell radio base station protocol stack 502 and a control plane protocol stack 504, a small cell concentrator protocol stack 506, and a control plane protocol stack 508 and a small cell network transport protocol stack stack 510 and 512 of the control plane protocol according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the small cell base radio station 410a that implements the UE side of the point-to-multipoint wireless link 420 (e.g., the NLOS P2MP communication link 420) is shown using the options of various protocols marked PDCP ', RLC', MAC 'and Phy '. In particular, the base cell radio base station 410a is shown as including a user plane protocol stack 502 that contains an IP layer 502a, a PDCP layer 502b, an RLC layer 502, a MAC layer 502d, and a physical layer 502e. In addition, the small cell base radio station 410a / 410b includes a control plane protocol stack 504 including a NAS layer 504a, an RRC layer 504b, a PDCP layer 504, an RLC layer 504d, a MAC layer 504e, and a physical layer 504f. The base cell radio base station 410b (and other base cell radio base stations) will also include the same user plane protocol stack 502 and the same control plane protocol stack 504. the base cell radio base station 410a / 410b includes a control plane protocol stack 504 including a NAS layer 504a, an RRC layer 504b, a PDCP layer 504, an RLC layer 504d, a MAC layer 504e, and a physical layer 504f. The base cell radio base station 410b (and other base cell radio base stations) will also include the same user plane protocol stack 502 and the same control plane protocol stack 504. the base cell radio base station 410a / 410b includes a control plane protocol stack 504 including a NAS layer 504a, an RRC layer 504b, a PDCP layer 504, an RLC layer 504d, a MAC layer 504e, and a physical layer 504f. The base cell radio base station 410b (and other base cell radio base stations) will also include the same user plane protocol stack 502 and the same control plane protocol stack 504.

In this example, the small cell concentrator 412 includes a user plane protocol stack 506 that has a portion 506 'that interfaces with the user plane protocol stack 502 of the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells and contains the PDCP layer 506b, RLC layer 506b, level 506 with 'MAC and physical layer 506d'. The user plane stack stack 506 of the small cell concentrator 412 has another portion 506 "that interfaces with the user plane protocol stack 510 of the small cell transport network controller 414 and contains a level 506b of the GTP, a UDP layer 506b, an IP layer 506c , level 506d "L2 and level 506e" L1. In addition, the small cell concentrator 412 includes a control plane protocol stack 508, which has a portion 508 'that interfaces with the control plane protocol stack 504 of the small cell base radio stations 410a and 410b and includes a NAS proxy layer 508a, an RRC layer 508b, a PDCP layer 508c, an RLC layer 508d, a MAC layer 508e and the physical layer 508f '. The small control cell hub 412 protocol stack stack 508 has another portion 508 "that interfaces with the control plane protocol stack 512 of the small cell transport network controller 414 and includes a level 508a" S1AP, a level 508b "SCTP, an IP layer 508c , level 508d "L2 and level 508e" L1. A wireless point-to-multipoint communication link 420 (e.g., P2MR 420 NLOS) is formed between the physical layers 502e and 504f of the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells and the physical layers 506d 'and 508f of the small cell concentrator 412. Alternatively, the small cell base radio stations 410a and 410b and the small cell concentrator 412 can optionally implement their own protocol versions corresponding to the marked PDCP ', RLC', MAC ', Phy', etc.

The small cell transport controller 414 includes a user plane protocol stack 510 that interfaces with the user plane stack stack 506 of the user of the small cell concentrator 412 'and comprises a first IP layer 510a, a GTP layer 510b, a UDP layer 510c, a second IP layer 510d, 510e L2 and level 510f L1. In addition, the small cell transport controller 414 includes a management plane protocol stack 512 that interfaces with the small cell stack controller board stack 508 and comprises a NAS layer 512a, a S1AP level 512b, an SCTP layer 512c, an IP level 512d, a level 512e L2 and the level 512f L1.

As shown in Fig. 5, the NAS role is emulated by the control node node 508 of the small cell concentrator 412 that acts as a NAS 440 bridge with the following functionality:

- NAS bridge 440 emulates the UE NAS in the direction of the core of the network, i.e., towards the small cell transport network controller 414.

- The NAS 440 bridge conceals, in the base radio stations 410a and 410b of the small cells, all or part of the NAS signaling occurring normally between the UE 3GPP and the MME 3GPP. It will be recalled that each radio base station 410a and 410b of small cells is modeled as a regular UE 3GPP in terms of the 404 3GPP core. In addition, the small cell transport network controller 414 can be implemented using MME 3GPP technologies.

- The NAS 440 arises and terminates, for example, the NAS PDU NAS, which is commonly used in 3GPP for messaging between the 3GPP MME and the 3GPP UE.

- on the basis that the small cell concentrator 412 knows or detects the capabilities of the small cell base radio stations 410a and 410b, it can activate the NAS bridge 440 function for these small cell radio base stations 410a and 410b and the point-to-multipoint wireless link 420 between the base radio stations 410a and 410b of small cells and a concentrator 412 of small cells.

In Fig. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates exemplary steps of a method of providing a transport solution for small cells that are performed by a radio base station 410a of small cells (for example) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The base station radio base station 410a comprises a processor 450 and a memory 452 that stores instructions executable by the processor where the processor 450 interfaces with the memory 452 and executes instructions executable by the processor that allow the following operations: (a) provide a communication link 418a (FDD link 418a LTE) to the 3GPP mobile terminals 408a (step 602); and (b) pair with the small cell concentrator 412 via a wireless point-to-multipoint link 420 (step 604). It should be recalled, that the wireless point-to-multipoint link 420 is emulated as 3GPP unidirectional radio links, as seen from the 3GPP core 404, regardless of the radio technology (e. g., NLOS in the IMT, WiFi bands) that is actually used to implement the point-to-multipoint "a mnogotochka". In addition, the base cell radio station 410a of small cells is emulated as legacy user equipment from the perspective of the 404 3GPP core.

In Fig. 7 is a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary step of a method 700 for providing a transport solution for small cells that is performed using a small cell concentrator 412 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The small cell concentrator 412 includes a processor 454 and a memory 456 that stores instructions executable by the processor where the processor 454 interfaces with the memory 456 and executes instructions executable by the processor that enable the following operation: (a) provide a wireless point-to- the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells (step 702). It will be recalled that a wireless point-to-multipoint communication line 420, It is emulated as 3GPP unidirectional radio channels from the point of view of the 3GPP core 404 regardless of the radio technology (for example, NLOS in the IMT, WiFi bands) that is actually used to implement the point-to-multipoint wireless link 420. In addition, the small cell concentrator 412 is emulated as an inherited base radio station in terms of the 404 3GPP core.

In Fig. 8 is a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary step of a method for providing a small cell transport solution 800 that is performed by a small cell transport network controller 414 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A small cell transport controller 414 includes a processor 458 and a memory 460 that stores instructions executable by the processor where the processor 458 interfaces with the memory 460 and executes instructions executable by the processor that enable the following operation: (a) to control the point-to- multipoint "link between the small cell concentrator 412 and the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells (step 802). It will be recalled that a wireless point-to-multipoint communication line 420,

In Fig. 9 is a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary step of a method 900 for providing a transport solution for small cells that is performed by a small cell transport network memory unit 416 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The small cell transport network memory unit 416 includes a processor 462 and a memory 464 that stores processor executable instructions where the processor 462 interfaces with the memory 464 and executes instructions executable by the processor that enable the following operation: (a) store data 422 that relates to wireless point-to-multipoint links 420 between the small cell concentrator 412 and the small cell base radio stations 410a and 410b (block 902). It will be recalled that a wireless point-to-multipoint communication line 420,

In Fig. 10 is a basic diagram illustrating a small cell transport network management architecture that compares two transport solutions 1002 and 1004 for small cells of the prior art and a new transport network 402 of small cells, each of which interfaces with a 3GPP core network 1006, enabling a mobile terminal 1007 3GPP (not shown) to interface with the Internet 1009. As shown, 3GPP core network 1006 includes MME 1008, SGW 1010, HLR / HSS 1012, MM / MMA 1014, RA 1016, and OSS / BSS 1018 to those skilled in the art It will be clear that the basic 1006 s 3GPP will also include other known components. The first transport solution 1002 for small cells of the prior art includes a MW 1020, a fixed OSS 1022 network, a mobile OSS 1024 and MW 1026 of a radio base station of small cells, and those skilled in the art will readily understand this architecture. The second transport solution 1004 for small cells in the prior art includes LTE TDD RBS / small EPC 1028 and TDD 1030 LTE of the radio base station of small cells, and those skilled in the art will readily understand this architecture. As described above, the new small cell transport network 402 includes a small cell base radio station 410a (which is modeled as LTE not an IMT / 3GGP UE in the 3GPP core network 1006), a small cell concentrator 412, small cell transport network controller 414, and a memory unit 416 transport network of small cells. and those skilled in the art will readily understand this architecture. As described above, the new small cell transport network 402 includes a small cell base radio station 410a (which is modeled as LTE not an IMT / 3GGP UE in the 3GPP core network 1006), a small cell concentrator 412, small cell transport network controller 414, and a memory unit 416 transport network of small cells. and those skilled in the art will readily understand this architecture. As described above, the new small cell transport network 402 includes a small cell base radio station 410a (which is modeled as LTE not an IMT / 3GGP UE in the 3GPP core network 1006), a small cell concentrator 412, small cell transport network controller 414, and a memory unit 416 transport network of small cells.

Below is a discussion of how an operator can deploy a transport network of 402 small cells:

1. The operator deploys the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells. The base cell radio stations 410 a and 410 b are connected via NLOS or other wireless connections 421 to a small cell concentrator 412 that is connected to a small cell transport network controller 414 that connects the radio base stations 410 a and 410 b of small cells to the 3GPP core 404.

2. The operator establishes fixed, or other, connections between the small cell concentrator 412, the small cell transport network controller 414, and the 3GPP core 404. This can be done, for example, through the OSS 424 connectivity management.

3. 420 NLOS wireless connections from the base radio stations 410a and 410b of small cells to the 412 small cell concentrator are established by appropriate emulation of the 3GPP UE and RBS roles.

4. To support this, the small cell transport controller 414 emulates the 3GPP core, which in this document is also referred to as 3GPP-PRIM, the abbreviation of "3GPP Core prim" (i.e., the second logical core of 3GPP, which is only used to manage transport lines 420 communications). The small cell transport network controller 414 is logically different from the conventional 3GPP core 404 that is deployed to implement mobile broadband services for permanent end-users.

5. Each implementation of the radio base stations 410a and 410b of small cells is referred to herein as the role of the UE-PRTM. It should be recalled that the base radio stations 410a and 410b of small cells are emulated as UE 3GPP from the point of view of the 404 3GPP core.

6. The small cell concentrator 412 performs the role of RBS-PRIM. It should be recalled that the small cell concentrator 412 is emulated as regular RBS 3GPP from the perspective of the 404 3GPP core.

7. The 420 NLOS wireless connections used need not necessarily have IMT bands, for example, they may be in frequency bands above 10 GHz or other frequencies.

8. Alternatively, the fixed communication lines 420 may also be implemented as a single unit or used between the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells and the small cell concentrator 412 through IMS technologies.

9. Small cell transport links 420 may be activated in the same manner as any conventional 3GPP wireless service over a RAN / radio air interface using 3GPP-PRIM 414. 3GPP-PRIM 414 logically differs from the 3GPP core 404. 3GPP-PRIM 414 is used to implement transport links 420 of small cells. The 3GPP core 404 is used to perform mobile (broadband) services provided by the radio base stations 410a and 410b of small cells to terminals 408a and 408b3GPP.

10. 3GPP-PRIM 414 can be implemented as a subset, or another, or 3GPP core, for example, in the form of MVNO. This MVNO can be internal or external.

11. 3GPP-PRTM 414 can reuse the same mechanisms, functions and features as the 3GPP core 404. For example, USIM mechanisms and identification data can be used to provide transport links 420 for small cells in the system. The small cell memory 416 (which is related to the HSS / HLR) can be used to determine the communication links 420 and their QoS and other properties. In addition, the OSS system 424 can be reused to increase security, guarantee service and security in small-area communication transport lines 420.

12. 3GPP-PRTM 414 is connected to the 3GPP core 404, typically by control systems. Thus, 3GPP-PRIM 414 acts as both a control and sometimes a traffic aggregator for transport links 420 of small cells.

13. When the 3GPP-PRIM 414 and its associated nodes, namely the small cell radio base stations 410a and 410b and the small cell concentrator 412, have jointly established small cell communication links 420, they can also ensure that the radio base stations 410a and 410b are small cells served by small cell communication links 420 may reach the core 404 of 3GPP.

14. 3GPP-PRIM 414 can work transparently in the nodes of the 404 3GPP core.

In light of the foregoing, it should be understood that an important feature of the present invention is that the small cell transport network 402 emulates, in the direction of the 3GPP core 404, a wireless point-to-multipoint link (for example), 420, as a unidirectional LTE radio channel, even in that case , if the wireless point-to-multipoint link 402 is actually implemented using radio technology that is not part of the LTE / 3GPP standard. Since the proposed solution emulates the RBS-UE's point-to-multipoint relationship from the perspective of the transport network, the 3GPP core network mechanisms that are used to manage the established transport links can be applied using a small cell concentrator 412, for example, by point-to-multipoint radio ", as well as radio communications" point-to-point, or any combination thereof As described above, a small cell wireless link 420 may be NLOS and point-to-multipoint, for example, at frequencies not involved by IMT, as this occurs where Moreover, it should be understood that the present invention fully utilizes the fact that the emulated 3GPP link for the transport network (LTE at non-IMT frequencies) can be modeled and considered as a 3G communication link PP In particular, the present invention provides a small cell transport controller 414 that controls these point-to-multipoint wireless links 420 as a logically and physically separate 3GPP core that forms part of the MVH segment, which carries out the last wireless jump, which results in radio base stations 410a and 410b of small cells. The main purpose of the small cell transport network controller 414 is to manage these jumps. The transport network 402 of small cells has numerous advantages, such as (for example):

- In most transport solutions for small cells, an excessive number of small cell communication lines for management is provided. If these small-cell links are considered to be traditional, such as microwave links, they can not be scaled well enough, since this will require more advanced OSS / network management solutions to support the operation of multiple and dynamic small-cell communication links. The most suitable technology that has proven its ability to manage a large number of wireless connections is directly 3GPP, and therefore a transport network of 402 small cells was configured to effectively "reuse" 3GPP technology to manage these multiple and dynamic small cell communication links.

- A transport network of 402 small cells can effectively "reuse" 3GPP tools to support wireless transport networks for small cells outside of LTE retransmission. By way of example, the small cell transport network 402 can "reuse" the 3GPP core and the OSS solutions without changing their internal work, since the wireless point-to-multipoint links 420 are interpreted-emulated as any normal 3GPP UE. As such, the small cell transport network 402 can "reuse" 3GPP tools, such as HLR / HSS, MME, SGw, multi-activation, performance management tools, revenue-guaranteeing tools, and so on. To monitor the transport links 420 of small cells.

- The transport network of 402 small cells allows the use of new business models for prosperity through 3GPP "reuse" technology, for example, by managing the management of a small cell transport network and managing a similar or similar way, with the support of MVNO (a virtual mobile network operator ). For example, an operator does not need to develop or purchase a new integrated system to support its transport solution for small cells, and instead, a transport network of 402 small cells can be implemented as a virtual solution in existing 3GPP systems. Consequently, the operator can act as retailers for transport solutions for small cells of other operators, but without changing the competence necessary to implement this new business prospect,

- A 402 small cell transport network emulates a small point-to-multipoint point-to-multipoint network link 420 not 3GPP as unidirectional 3GPP channels so that they can operate using the RAN and the core as 3GPP resources.

- The transport network 402 of small cells uses S1 and NAS interfaces on the RAN side through proxy blocks to emulate transport links 420 small point-to-multipoint cells not 3GPP as unidirectional radio channels 3GPP so that they can operate using the RAN and the core as a 3GPP resource.

- A 402 small cell transport network emulates wireless NLOS small cell communication links 420 as unidirectional 3GPP channels so that they can operate using the RAN and the core as 3GPP resources.

- A transport network of 402 small cells emulates the roles of RBS and UE 3GPP over a wireless or other communication line to enable full or partial use of 3GPP facilities for managing small-cell communication links 420.

- The transport network of 402 small cells effectively splits the transport solution into two structures, which are equipped with tools through logically distinct 3GPP solutions. First, the management of the transport network of small cells is performed as if it were a regular 3GPP network that establishes a connection between the role of the UE which the radio base stations 410a and 410b of the small cells for the transport solution take over and the RBS / relay role, which takes over the hub of 412 small cells for the transport solution for small cells. Secondly, a "regular" transport network establishes a connection of a small cell concentrator 412 with 3GPP core devices. The small cell concentrator 412 operates at the point of demarcation between the small cell and the 3GPP network.

The transport network 402 of the small cells allows, if required, to efficiently combine the small cell memory unit 416 and the HSS / HLR 3GPP into one main storage unit and then use smart name assignment agreements such as USIM and other identification data for simulating transport links of small cells in such a way that the system can act differently on the presented nodes in a logical way that ensures the orderly establishment of the small cell links before establishing the 3GPP connectivity served by these lines of communication of small cells. For example:

- The main memory block can contain regular data records of the subscriber, as well as data records of the communication link of small cells. They are treated identically, but the higher order system (NOR) can distinguish one type of node from another by means of different numbering schemes. In particular, the NOR will be able to infer from the scheme whether or not the UE HSS / HLR is a real UE or a communication link for a small cell transport network.

- The order in which the modeled UEs are considered may vary depending on what type of "UE" it represents (real UE or UE of the transport network of small cells).

- Different numbering schemes can also be used to establish more complex scenarios, for example, hierarchies of solutions based on 3GPP. This will allow the system, for example, to first establish the most internal communication links of small cells and then repeat this with respect to the most remote links so that all small cells establish a connection to the 3GPP core that serves all real UE end users.

The topology of the "concentrator and beam" of small cells can be expanded in such a way that one beam acts as a repeater for another beam located farther from the concentrator. This can be achieved by reusing the standard LTE retransmission methods.

Although numerous embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but provides for the possibility of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions, without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is set forth and defined in the following claims .