HANDOVER OF SUBNETWORK

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to handover of subnetworks. The first apparatus determines that a first subnetwork is triggered to handover from a first cell to a second cell, the first apparatus being in the first subnetwork; based on the triggering, communicates with at least one other apparatus in the first subnetwork by using a first frequency resource; receives, from a second apparatus providing the second cell, resource configuration indicating a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork instead of the first frequency resource; and communicates with the at least one other apparatus by using the second frequency resource indicated in the resource configuration.

FIELDS

Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for handover of subnetworks.

BACKGROUND

The In-X subnetwork (hereinafter may also be referred to as subnetwork or sub-network) has been proposed as a promising component to satisfy the extreme performance requirements in terms of latency, reliability and/or throughput envisioned for some short-range scenarios in 6th Generation (6G) radio access technology. For example, the subnetworks may be installed in specific entities e.g., in-production module, in-vehicle, in-body, in-house, etc., to provide life-critical data service with extreme performances over the local capillary coverage.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: determine that a first subnetwork is triggered to handover (HO) from a first cell to a second cell, the first apparatus being in the first subnetwork; based on the triggering, communicate with at least one other apparatus in the first subnetwork by using a first frequency resource; receive, from a second apparatus providing the second cell, resource configuration indicating a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork instead of the first frequency resource; and communicate with the at least one other apparatus by using the second frequency resource indicated in the resource configuration.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: receive, from a first apparatus in a first subnetwork, first interference information among the first subnetwork and at least one second subnetwork in a second cell provided by the second apparatus; receive, from the first apparatus or a third apparatus providing a first cell, second interference information among the first subnetwork and at least one third subnetwork in the first cell; determine, based on the first and second interference information, a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork; and transmit, to the first apparatus, a resource configuration indicating the second frequency resource, wherein the first subnetwork is triggered to switch from the first cell to the second cell.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a third apparatus. The third apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the third apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, a message comprising information used by the first apparatus to determine a first frequency resource; and transmit the message to the first apparatus, wherein the first subnetwork is triggered to switch from a first cell provided by the third apparatus to a second cell provided by the second apparatus.

In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: determining that a first subnetwork is triggered to handover from a first cell to a second cell, the first apparatus being in the first subnetwork; based on the triggering, communicating with at least one other apparatus in the first subnetwork by using a first frequency resource; receiving, from a second apparatus providing the second cell, resource configuration indicating a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork instead of the first frequency resource; and communicating with the at least one other apparatus by using the second frequency resource indicated in the resource configuration.

In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, from a first apparatus in a first subnetwork, first interference information among the first subnetwork and at least one second subnetwork in a second cell provided by the second apparatus; receiving, from the first apparatus or a third apparatus providing a first cell, second interference information among the first subnetwork and at least one third subnetwork in the first cell; determining, based on the first and second interference information, a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork; and transmitting, to the first apparatus, a resource configuration indicating the second frequency resource, wherein the first subnetwork is triggered to switch from the first cell to the second cell.

In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, from a second apparatus, a message comprising information used by the first apparatus to determine a first frequency resource; and transmitting the message to the first apparatus, wherein the first subnetwork is triggered to switch from a first cell provided by the third apparatus to a second cell provided by the second apparatus.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for determining that a first subnetwork is triggered to handover from a first cell to a second cell, the first apparatus being in the first subnetwork; means for based on the triggering, communicating with at least one other apparatus in the first subnetwork by using a first frequency resource; means for receiving, from a second apparatus providing the second cell, resource configuration indicating a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork instead of the first frequency resource; and means for communicating with the at least one other apparatus by using the second frequency resource indicated in the resource configuration.

In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a first apparatus in a first subnetwork, first interference information among the first subnetwork and at least one second subnetwork in a second cell provided by the second apparatus; means for receiving, from the first apparatus or a third apparatus providing a first cell, second interference information among the first subnetwork and at least one third subnetwork in the first cell; means for determining, based on the first and second interference information, a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork; and means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, a resource configuration indicating the second frequency resource, wherein the first subnetwork is triggered to switch from the first cell to the second cell.

In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a third apparatus. The third apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a message comprising information used by the first apparatus to determine a first frequency resource; and means for transmitting the message to the first apparatus, wherein the first subnetwork is triggered to switch from a first cell provided by the third apparatus to a second cell provided by the second apparatus.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect.

In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fifth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the sixth aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture comprises a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node comprises a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

As used herein, the term “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any other resource enabling a communication, and the like.

As described above, 6G radio access technology may expect extreme high requirements in terms of latency, reliability and/or throughput and the In-X subnetwork (i.e., subnetwork) may be considered as a promising component of 6G network to meet these extreme performance requirements.

In addition to support the extreme performance requirements, the subnetworks may be implemented with low transmit power which leads to the limited coverage. For a subnetwork, a star or tree topology may be implemented with one in-X subnetwork AP and one or more in-X subnetwork UEs under the AP's control. There is limited mobility for the subnetwork UEs across different subnetworks. A subnetwork may be part of overlay Wide Area Network (WAN) network but shall continue to work also when out of network coverage.

For example, typical in-X subnetwork use cases may comprise in-robot/in-production module subnetworks and in-vehicle subnetworks with extreme performance requirements in both reliability (up to 6 nines or more) and latency (down to the level of 100 us or even below) e.g., for the high demanding periodic deterministic communication services and these use cases may be the most challenging scenarios in 6G system.

Generally speaking, the handover procedure is an essential process of current cellular technologies. Further, handover of a subnetwork in general follows the same protocols as in user handover. However, there are critical differences in the sense. For example, the handover is effectively not only for the subnetwork AP but also effects the group of UEs in that subnetwork, and further, the resource allocation to the subnetwork is affected by the handover differently from typical UE handover in cellular technologies.

As used herein, HO stands for handover; HO AP stands for the AP of the subnetwork that is subject to handover; departure (Dep.) BS stands for the overlay cell BS that HO AP is leaving, and Host BS stands for the destination cell BS; a subband stands for a segment of the carrier bandwidth, and refers to the smallest chunk of bandwidth that is allocated to a subnetwork.

For ease of discussion, some terms used in the following description are listed as below:First frequency resource: refer to a temporary frequency resource, e.g., a subband, used in a subnetwork when the subnetwork is triggered to handover from a first cell to a second cell. In view of this, terms of “first frequency resource” and “temporary frequency resource” may be used interchangeably.Second frequency resource: refer to a frequency resource, e.g., a subband, allocated by a network device (such, a target network device) and to be used in a subnetwork. In view of this, terms of “second frequency resource”, “configured frequency resource” and “allocated frequency resource” may be used interchangeably. Be intended to replace or to be used after the first frequency resource.The interference measurement matrix (IMM) denotes a holistic inter-subnetwork interference measure which is constructed by the overlay BS based on the inter-subnetwork interference periodically reported from all the relevant sub-network APs. Here the inter-subnetwork interference reported from a subnetwork AP may be the summed weighted interference (e.g., interference-to-signal power ratio, ISR) measured by the subnetwork devices for the interference from each of the interfering subnetwork. It may also refer to the inverse of that measure, i.e., signal to interference power ratio (SIR). The implementation details of the IMM is not limited in this present disclosure.

Further, one of the “first frequency resource” and “second frequency resource” may be referred to as “a frequency resource” and the other one of the “first frequency resource” and “second frequency resource” may be referred to as “a further frequency resource”.

Principles and implementations of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the figures.

Example Environment

FIG.1illustrates an example communication environment100in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The communication environment100includes a first apparatus110within a first subnetwork140. In addition to the first apparatus110, the first subnetwork140also may comprise other apparatuses115-1and115-2. InFIG.1, the first apparatus110may be an access point (AP), while the other apparatuses115-1and115-2may be terminal devices.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the communication environment100also comprises a second apparatus120and a third apparatus130. Further, a serving area provided by the second apparatus120/third apparatus130is called a cell. The second apparatus120/third apparatus130can provide one or more cells, for example, a first cell170-1is provided by the third apparatus130, while a second cell170-2is provided by the second apparatus120.

InFIG.1, the third subnetworks150-1,150-2and the first subnetwork140are within the first cell170-1, and second subnetworks160-1,160-2and the first subnetwork140are within the second cell170-2.

Communications in the communication environment100may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), and the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and/or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and/or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

Work Principle and Example Signaling for Communication

According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a solution for subnetwork handover. It is to be clarified that the solution discussed herein may be applicable to any wireless network in a cellular technology with subnetwork-like architecture where low-latency communications is required as part of the service.

The solution may be especially implemented in a scenario where a subnetwork (i.e., the subnetwork AP, also called as HO AP and/or the connected devices) is triggered to switch from one overlay BS (called as departure BS sometimes), to another overlay BS (called as Host BS sometimes). The examples are divers and may include in-body or in-vehicle subnetworks with mobility being handed off among cells.

Refer toFIG.2A(which illustrates an example timing200A of the subband allocation periods and handover operation). InFIG.2A, the first apparatus110(such as, HO AP) and its connected UEs are affected by both the interference from host BS area (i.e., the second cell170-2) and the interference from departure BS area (i.e., the first cell170-1), and therefore require additional consideration for handover and subband allocation during and after handover process.

Generally speaking, the subband allocated by departure BS to HO AP prior to HO, may experience interference by other subnetworks in the Host BS coverage area too (and vice versa). This situation is very likely given that the subband allocation to subnetworks is not coordinated among BSs, but additionally, some allocations follow distributed subband allocation.

The applications served by the subnetwork are mission critical and cannot be strongly interfered, otherwise, service interruption in the form of lack of such as reliability, increased latency, service unavailability may be experienced.

Below example embodiments may reduce/remove chance of excess interference duration and after HO operation.

In summary, as illustrated in2B (which illustrates example operation phase200B), the solution discussed herein considers the fact that HO AP and devices connected to it are affected by interference from both the subnetworks in Host BS cell and the subnetworks in the departure BS cell. Therefore, a two-phase solution is proposed, where in the first phase, HO AP is assisted with choice of a temporary subband. The temporary subband is used by the HO AP during the HO operation and until the next interference measurement and subband allocation instance in the Host BS cell starts. During the second phase, the Host BS triggers interference measurement for the HO AP and a selected group of subnetworks in the Host BS cell and allocates subband to HO AP considering the result of that interference measurement and the interference that is affecting HO AP from the departure BS cell subnetworks.

Reference is made toFIG.3, which illustrates a signaling flow300of communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling flow300will be discussed with reference toFIG.1, for example, by using the first apparatus110, the second apparatus120and the third apparatus130.

In the following, although some operations are described from a perspective of the first apparatus110, it is to be understood that the corresponding operations should be performed by the second apparatus120/the third apparatus130. Similarly, although some operations are described from a perspective of the second apparatus120, it is to be understood that the corresponding operations should be performed by the first apparatus110/the third apparatus130, and although some operations are described from a perspective of the third apparatus130, it is to be understood that the corresponding operations should be performed by the first apparatus110/the second apparatus120. Merely for brevity, some of the same or similar contents are omitted here.

In the example ofFIG.3, the first apparatus110may be an access point, the second apparatus120and third apparatus130may be base stations. Additionally, the base station may be responsible for allocating frequency resources (such as, subband resource) for the subnetworks within the coverage of the base station. For example, transmit a resource configuration to an access point within a subnetwork, which may indicate a frequency resource to be used in the subnetwork. In this way, the resource allocation may be centrally controlled.

InFIG.3, the first frequency resource and the second frequency resource may be a subband resource.

In operation, a first subnetwork140is triggered310to handover from a first cell170-1to a second cell170-2, where the first apparatus110is in the first subnetwork140.

Based on the triggering, the first apparatus110communicates350with at least one other apparatus115in the first subnetwork140by using a first frequency resource.

In the following, the first apparatus110receives390from a second apparatus120providing the second cell170-2, resource configuration indicating a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork140instead of the first frequency resource, and then communicate395with the at least one other apparatus by using the second frequency resource indicated in the resource configuration.

Next, how to determine the first frequency resource will be discussed.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110may receive340-2from a third apparatus130(or may receive340-1from the second apparatus120), a first message indicating the first frequency resource. Then, the first apparatus110may determine330the first frequency resource based on the first message.

Alternatively, in some example embodiments, the first apparatus110may perform interference measurements on a plurality of frequency resources, and then may determine, based on interference measurement results, the first frequency resource from the plurality of frequency resources. Additionally, in some example embodiments, prior to performing the interference measurements, the first apparatus110may receive340-2from a third apparatus130(or may receive340-1from the second apparatus120), a second message indicating the plurality of frequency resources.

In some example embodiments, the second message may further indicate a plurality of priority values corresponding to the plurality of frequency resources. As a result, the first apparatus110may determine the first frequency resource further based on the plurality of priority values.

In the following, how to determine the second frequency resource will be discussed.

As illustrated inFIG.3, in operation, the second apparatus120receives380, from a first apparatus110in a first subnetwork140, first interference information among the first subnetwork140and at least one second subnetwork160in a second cell170-2provided by the second apparatus120.

In addition to the first interference information, the second apparatus120may also receive second interference information among the first subnetwork140and at least one third subnetwork150in the first cell170-1. In one example embodiments, the second interference information may be received320-1from the third apparatus130, Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second interference information may be received320-2from the first apparatus110.

Then, based on the first and second interference information, the second apparatus120determines385the second frequency resource, and transmits390the resource configuration indicating the second frequency resource to the first apparatus110.

In some example embodiments, prior to receiving the first interference information, the second apparatus120may transmit370, to the first apparatus110, a third message used for indicating the first apparatus110to perform interference measurements to determine the first interference information.

In some example embodiments, prior to receiving the second interference information, the second apparatus120may transmit360, to the first apparatus110, a fourth message used for configuring a resource to be used by the first apparatus110for transmitting the second interference information.

Embodiments

Merely for better understanding the processes discussed herein, some example embodiments are discussed with reference toFIG.4AtoFIG.8. For the purposes of discussion,FIG.4AtoFIG.8will be discussed with reference toFIG.1, for example, by using the first apparatus110(such as, an HO AP), the second apparatus120(such as, a host BS) and the third apparatus130(such as, a Dep. BS).

In some example embodiments, a temporary subband may be allocated for a first subnetwork during a handover procedure of the first subnetwork. Specifically, since the IMM information for the second apparatus120does not include the first apparatus110, a temporary subband may be allocated to the first subnetwork.

In some example embodiments, the temporary allocation signaling may be conveyed over ‘temp subband allocation’. In some example embodiments, the temporary subband may be valid until the next IMM measurement incident.

In some example embodiments, the temporary subband may be determined by the second apparatus120by monitoring its own IMM. For example, the second apparatus120may select a subband(s) that is not in use by any of the other subnetworks in the second cell170-2. In case of no such vacant subband, the second apparatus120may select a subband that is least likely to be interfered.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110may perform carrier sensing and select a subband with smallest interference level upon receiving handover message (which trigger the first subnetwork to switch to the second cell170-2), which is suitable for the distributed resource allocation scenarios.

Reference is now made toFIG.4, which illustrates an example block400for determining the temporary subband.

In some example embodiments, a short list of potential subbands may be created by the second apparatus120. For example, the second apparatus120may select a list of subbands that are not in use by any of the other subnetworks in the second cell170-2. In case of no such vacant subband, the second apparatus120may select a list of subbands that are least likely to be interfered. The second apparatus120may send over ‘temporary subband allocation’ indicating the short list of potential subbands to the first apparatus110. Then, the first apparatus110may perform carrier sensing to choose the temporary subband from the short list.

In some example embodiments, the temporary subband may also be selected by the departure BS, or the information (i.e., the temporary subband or a short list of potential subbands) originated from the second apparatus120may be communicated to the first apparatus110through departure BS.

In some example embodiments, the departure BS, i.e., the third apparatus, may send HO request to the second apparatus120, the second apparatus120makes admission control and HO preparation, departure BS sends HO command to HO AP, then the first apparatus110makes access procedure to the second apparatus120to establish connection. Finally, the first apparatus110sends HO complete to the second apparatus120.

Example operation at the first apparatus110for determining the temporary subband is illustratedFIG.4B, which illustrates an example block400B for determining temporary subband.

InFIG.4B, potential set of subbands may be received over the ‘temporary subband allocation’ signal from the second apparatus120. Further, in some example embodiments, the potential set includes weighting for each subband demonstrating the priority (e.g., likelihood of being interfered, or the normalized level of expected signal to expected interference power ratio).

Further, the instantaneous carrier sensing result from the first apparatus110may be used in form of weighting values (e.g., in terms of normalized interference level sensed, or normalized level of expected signal to expected interference power ratio). As a result, the two weightings are combined to create the composite subband metric.

In the following, a procedure of IMM update for the second apparatus120will be discussed as below. In some example embodiments, this procedure may be implemented based on pre-configured cycles or is triggered on-demand by the second apparatus120.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110receives instructions from the second apparatus120to perform pilot transmission and interference measurement for IMM update, which may happen at the periodic IMM measurement instance of the second apparatus120, or triggered on-demand.

Additionally, the first apparatus110may report back its measurements as illustrated inFIG.5, which illustrates a signaling flow500of communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some example embodiments, a special signaling opportunity is scheduled for the first apparatus110, called ‘incumbent interference measurement report’ (IIMR), where it reports its IMM measurements from the last measurement incidence in departure BS cell. Refer toFIG.6, which illustrates a signaling flow600of communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. InFIG.6, the first apparatus110(i.e. HO AP) transmits the IIMR to the host BS.

In one example embodiment, a sub-matrix update of the IMM may be performed instead of the full IMM update. E.g., the second apparatus120triggers a sub-matrix IMM update by following:choosing a subset of the subbands;creating a sub-matrix IMM for those subbands and the subnetworks that are active subnetworks in those subbands;triggering pilot transmission and interference measurement for the selected subnetworks and the first apparatus110subnetwork, to update a sub-matrix IMM.

Alternatively, in some example embodiments, the departure BS sends its IMM to the second apparatus120which will be used as the IIMR (as illustrated inFIG.7, illustrates a signaling flow700of communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure).

In the present disclosure, different embodiments of the IIMR report can be considered.

In some example embodiments, the report includes the actual interference measurements: this measurement can be done during a resource allocation cycle shown inFIG.2A, by the first apparatus110. This measurement can also be estimated by the Dep. AP, e.g., at the beginning of a resource allocation cycle, the BS allocates subbands to subnetworks according to the IMM. By performing the allocation, the BS can also estimate according to the IMM, what will be the interference received by each subnetwork over each subband.

In some example embodiments, the report includes the expected interference according to IMM only. Note that the IMM includes the expected interference between each two subnetworks over each subband. Therefore, without the knowledge of allocated subbands, one cannot know the actual interference each subnetwork will experience over each subband. However, the IMM can be used to predict the expected interference for the first apparatus110over each subband.

Then, the subband allocation to the first apparatus110and finalizing coordination of the subnetwork may be performed.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus120collects measurement from its subnetwork APs including the first apparatus110; the second apparatus120also collects IIMR from the first apparatus110(or departure BS).

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus120performs subnetwork assignment for all APs (or subset of APs) using the updated IMM (or sub-matrix IMM).

In some example embodiments, for the first apparatus110, the IIMR is used along with IMM for subband assignment, e.g., the subbands where AP reports strong interference from departure BS cell are not considered (or de-prioritized) when choosing subband for it (refer toFIG.8, which illustrates an example block800for determining allocated subband).

InFIG.8, the subset of subnetworks chosen from the second apparatus120cell includes SN1 and SN3 and the subset of subbands chosen for this IMM measurement includes SB #1, SB #2 and SB #3. The IIMR includes interference from SN4 and SN5, which are subnetworks in the departure BS cell.

InFIG.8, the interference levels in blocks810,820and830are the first interference information, and the interference levels in block840are the second interference.

InFIG.8, SN1 and SN3 are subnetworks in the second cell170-2, and the SB #1, SB #2 and SB #3 are the measured subbands in the second cell170-2. As can be seen from the block810inFIG.8, the interference level between the HO SN (i.e., the first subnetwork) and SN1 on SB #1 is quantized to be ‘3’, and the interference level between the HO SN (i.e., the first subnetwork) and SN3 on SB #1 is quantized to be ‘2’.

According to the block820inFIG.8, the interference level between the HO SN (i.e., the first subnetwork) and SN1 on SB #2 is quantized to be ‘3’, and the interference level between the HO SN (i.e., the first subnetwork) and SN3 on SB #2 is quantized to be ‘2’.

Further, according to the block830inFIG.8, the interference level between the HO SN (i.e., the first subnetwork) and SN1 on SB #3 is quantized to be ‘3’, and the interference level between the HO SN (i.e., the first subnetwork) and SN2 on SB #2 is quantized to be ‘2’.

In this event, if only considers the IMM measurements in the second cell170-2, SB #1, SB #2 and SB #3 would be considered to have a same priority metric.

InFIG.8, the *SN4 and *SN5 are subnetworks in the first cell170-1, and the SB #1, SB #2 and SB #3 are the measured subbands in the first cell170-1. According to the block840inFIG.8,the interference level on SB #1 for SN*4 is quantized to be ‘0’,the interference level on SB #1 for SN*5 is quantized to be ‘0’,the interference level on SB #2 for SN*4 is quantized to be ‘2’,the interference level on SB #2 for SN*5 is quantized to be ‘0’,the interference level on SB #3 for SN*4 is quantized to be ‘0’,the interference level on SB #3 for SN*5 is quantized to be ‘3’.

By considering both the first interference and the second interference, the priority metrics of the SB #1, SB #2 and SB #3 from high to low should be in an order of SB #1->SB #2->SB #3. As illustrated in block850ofFIG.8, as for the HO SN, the priority metric of SB #1 is quantized to be ‘0.9’, the priority metric of SB #2 is quantized to be ‘0.2’ and the priority metric of SB #3 is quantized to be ‘0.1’, which means that SB #1 may be allocated to the HO SN.

In some example embodiments, allocation procedure may be performed either for one resource allocation period, or continued to be used for multiple resource allocation periods, before switching to the ‘Regular subband allocation by the second apparatus120’ phase inFIG.2B. The number of cycles where the IIMR is used for subband allocation to the first apparatus110can be pre-configured based on subnetwork type (longer for slow-moving subnetwork such as in-body and shorter for fast moving subnetworks such as in-vehicle) or is determined dynamically by the second apparatus120, e.g., based on mobility characteristics of the first apparatus110subnetwork.

Example Methods

FIG.9shows a flowchart of an example method900implemented at a first device in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method900will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus110inFIG.1.

At block910, the first apparatus110determines that a first subnetwork140is triggered to handover from a first cell170-1to a second cell170-2, the first apparatus110being in the first subnetwork140.

At block920, based on the triggering, the first apparatus110communicates with at least one other apparatus in the first subnetwork140by using a first frequency resource.

At block930, the first apparatus110receives, from a second apparatus120providing the second cell170-2, resource configuration indicating a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork140instead of the first frequency resource.

At block940, the first apparatus110communicates with the at least one other apparatus by using the second frequency resource indicated in the resource configuration.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110may receive, from a third apparatus130providing the first cell170-1or from the second apparatus120, a first message indicating the first frequency resource; and may determine the first frequency resource based on the first message.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110may perform interference measurements on a plurality of frequency resources; and may determine, based on interference measurement results, the first frequency resource from the plurality of frequency resources.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110further comprises: prior to performing the interference measurements, the first apparatus110may receive, from a third apparatus130providing the first cell170-1or the second apparatus120, a second message indicating the plurality of frequency resources.

In some example embodiments, second message further indicates a plurality of priority values corresponding to the plurality of frequency resources; the first apparatus110may determine the first frequency resource further based on the plurality of priority values.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110further comprises: prior to receiving the resource configuration, the first apparatus110may transmit, to the second apparatus120, first interference information among the first subnetwork140and at least one second subnetwork160in the second cell170-2.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110further comprises: prior to transmitting the first interference information, the first apparatus110may receive, from the second apparatus120, a third message used for indicating the first apparatus110to perform interference measurements to determine the first interference information.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110further comprises: prior to receiving the resource configuration, the first apparatus110may transmit, to the second apparatus120, second interference information among the first subnetwork140and at least one third subnetwork150in the first cell170-1.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110further comprises: prior to transmitting the second interference information, the first apparatus110may receive, from the second apparatus120a fourth message used for configuring a resource to be used by the first apparatus110for transmitting the second interference information.

In some example embodiments, the first frequency resource may be a subband resource, and the second frequency resource may be a subband resource.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110may be an access point, the second and third apparatuses may be base stations.

FIG.10shows a flowchart of an example method1000implemented at a second device in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method1000will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus120inFIG.1.

At block1010, the second apparatus120receives, from a first apparatus110in a first subnetwork140, first interference information among the first subnetwork140and at least one second subnetwork160in a second cell170-2provided by the second apparatus120.

At block1020, the second apparatus120receives, from the first apparatus110or a third apparatus130providing a first cell170-1, second interference information among the first subnetwork140and at least one third subnetwork150in the first cell170-1.

At block1030, the second apparatus120determines, based on the first and second interference information, a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork140.

At block1040, the second apparatus120transmits, to the first apparatus110, a resource configuration indicating the second frequency resource, the first subnetwork140is triggered to switch from the first frequency resource to the second frequency resource.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus120further comprises: prior to transmitting the resource configuration, the second apparatus120may transmit, to the first apparatus110or to the third apparatus130, a message comprising information of a plurality of frequency resources used by the first apparatus110to determine a first frequency resource, wherein the first frequency resource is useable in the first subnetwork140before the second frequency resource is obtained.

In some example embodiments, the message may further comprise a plurality of priority values corresponding to a plurality of frequency resources, wherein the plurality of priority values are used by the first apparatus110for determining the first frequency resource.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus120further comprises: prior to receiving the first interference information, the second apparatus120may transmit, to the first apparatus110, a third message used for indicating the first apparatus110to perform interference measurements to determine the first interference information.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus120further comprises: prior to receiving the second interference information, the second apparatus120may transmit, to the first apparatus110, a fourth message used for configuring a resource to be used by the first apparatus110for transmitting the second interference information.

In some example embodiments, the second frequency resource may be a subband resource.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110may be an access point, the second and third apparatuses may be base stations.

FIG.11shows a flowchart of an example method1100implemented at a third device in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method1100will be described from the perspective of the third apparatus130inFIG.1.

At block1110, the third apparatus130receives, from a second apparatus120, a message comprising information used by the first apparatus110to determine a first frequency resource.

At block1120, the third apparatus130transmits the message to the first apparatus110, the first subnetwork140is triggered to switch from a first cell170-1provided by the third apparatus130to a second cell170-2provided by the second apparatus120.

In some example embodiments, the third apparatus130may transmit, to the second apparatus120, second interference information among the first subnetwork140and at least one third subnetwork150in the first cell170-1.

In some example embodiments, the first frequency resource may be a subband resource.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus110may be an access point, the second and third apparatuses may be base stations.

Example Apparatus, Device and Medium

In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method900(for example, the first apparatus110inFIG.1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method900. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus110inFIG.1.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for determining that a first subnetwork is triggered to handover from a first cell to a second cell, the first apparatus being in the first subnetwork; means for based on the triggering, communicating with at least one other apparatus in the first subnetwork by using a first frequency resource; means for receiving, from a second apparatus providing the second cell, resource configuration indicating a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork instead of the first frequency resource; and means for communicating with the at least one other apparatus by using the second frequency resource indicated in the resource configuration.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from a third apparatus providing the first cell or from the second apparatus, a first message indicating the first frequency resource; and means for determining the first frequency resource based on the first message.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for performing interference measurements on a plurality of frequency resources; and means for determining, based on interference measurement results, the first frequency resource from the plurality of frequency resources.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for prior to performing the interference measurements, receiving, from a third apparatus providing the first cell or the second apparatus, a second message indicating the plurality of frequency resources.

In some example embodiments, second message further indicates a plurality of priority values corresponding to the plurality of frequency resources; means for determining the first frequency resource further based on the plurality of priority values.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for prior to receiving the resource configuration, transmitting, to the second apparatus, first interference information among the first subnetwork and at least one second subnetwork in the second cell.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for prior to transmitting the first interference information, receiving, from the second apparatus, a third message used for indicating the first apparatus to perform interference measurements to determine the first interference information.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for prior to receiving the resource configuration, transmitting, to the second apparatus, second interference information among the first subnetwork and at least one third subnetwork in the first cell.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for prior to transmitting the second interference information, receiving, from the second apparatus a fourth message used for configuring a resource to be used by the first apparatus for transmitting the second interference information.

In some example embodiments, the first frequency resource is a subband resource, and the second frequency resource is a subband resource.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is an access point, the second and third apparatuses are base stations.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method900or the first apparatus110. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the first apparatus.

In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method1000(for example, the second apparatus120inFIG.1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method1000. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus120inFIG.1.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a first apparatus in a first subnetwork, first interference information among the first subnetwork and at least one second subnetwork in a second cell provided by the second apparatus; means for receiving, from the first apparatus or a third apparatus providing a first cell, second interference information among the first subnetwork and at least one third subnetwork in the first cell; means for determining, based on the first and second interference information, a second frequency resource to be used in the first subnetwork; and means for transmitting, to the first apparatus, a resource configuration indicating the second frequency resource, wherein the first subnetwork is triggered to switch from the first cell to the second cell.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for prior to transmitting the resource configuration, transmit, to the first apparatus or to the third apparatus, a message comprising information used by the first apparatus to determine a first frequency resource, wherein the first frequency resource is useable in the first subnetwork before the second frequency resource is obtained.

In some example embodiments, the message further comprises a plurality of priority values corresponding to a plurality of frequency resources, wherein the plurality of priority values are used by the first apparatus for determining the first frequency resource.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for prior to receiving the first interference information, transmitting, to the first apparatus, a third message used for indicating the first apparatus to perform interference measurements to determine the first interference information.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for prior to receiving the second interference information, transmitting, to the first apparatus, a fourth message used for configuring a resource to be used by the first apparatus for transmitting the second interference information.

In some example embodiments, the second frequency resource is a subband resource.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is an access point, the second and third apparatuses are base stations.

In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method1000or the second apparatus120. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, a third apparatus capable of performing any of the method1100(for example, the third apparatus130inFIG.1may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method1100. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The third apparatus may be implemented as or included in the third apparatus130inFIG.1.

In some example embodiments, the third apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a message comprising information used by the first apparatus to determine a first frequency resource; and means for transmitting the message to the first apparatus, wherein the first subnetwork is triggered to switch from a first cell provided by the third apparatus to a second cell provided by the second apparatus.

In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, second interference information among the first subnetwork and at least one third subnetwork in the first cell.

In some example embodiments, the first frequency resource is a subband resource.

In some example embodiments, the first apparatus is an access point, the second and third apparatuses are base stations.

In some example embodiments, the third apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of the method1100or the third apparatus130. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the performance of the third apparatus.

FIG.12is a simplified block diagram of a device1200that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device1200may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the first apparatus110, the second apparatus120, or the third apparatus130as shown inFIG.1. As shown, the device1200includes one or more processors1210, one or more memories1220coupled to the processor1210, and one or more communication modules1240coupled to the processor1210.

The communication module1240is for bidirectional communications. The communication module1240has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfaces may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module1240may include at least one antenna.

A computer program1230includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor1210. The instructions of the program1230may include instructions for performing operations/acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program1230may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM1224. The processor1210may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program1230into the RAM1222.

The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program1230so that the device1200may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference toFIG.2toFIG.11. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

In some example embodiments, the program1230may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device1200(such as in the memory1220) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device1200. The device1200may load the program1230from the computer readable medium to the RAM1222for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

FIG.13shows an example of the computer readable medium1300which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium1300has the program1230stored thereon.

Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowcharts and/or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

Further, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, although several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.