Patent Description:
The subject matter described herein relates to wireless repeaters of small cells, and more particularly to cell barring in relay nodes.

Relay nodes can include a small cell or femtocell coupled with a long term evolution (LTE) modem to provide backhaul connectivity. In some cases, the small cell can operate on one frequency and the backhaul link can operate on a different frequency. This can resolve any interference problems that may arise with operating the small cell and the backhaul link on a single frequency. In some cases though, single frequency behavior can be desired or required. When single frequency behavior is desired or required, it can be possible for the modem that is to provide the backhaul capability to camp onto the signal from the small cell or femtocell creating a non-functional loop.

Several techniques can improve this situation. One example may be to use a directional antenna to point away from the small cell and towards the macro base station. Another option may be to use signal cancellation techniques to reduce the signal coming from the small cell. These techniques, as well as several others, may help to improve the situation. However, even with the level of the small cell signal significantly reduced at the input to the LTE modem, it may still be possible for the LTE modem to camp onto the signal from the small cell.

One method around this would be to modify the software inside the LTE modem to recognize that a signal may be coming from a small cell and to prevent the modem from camping on the small cell. Such an approach may not be desirable as it makes essentially a standards non-compliant device.

<CIT> discloses the possibility of using a small cell provided by a vehicle as an IAB node, which can use the same frequency for both the access link and the backhaul links.

<CIT> discloses assigning cell-based priority values to users, in addition to the standardised access classes, in order to dynamically assign, to governmental users privileged access to given cells, when needed.

This disclosure provides a standards-compliant means to achieve the same feature of not camping on a specific small cell. In some cases, the process can operate by establishing a special Access class set for all LTE modems (e.g., first user equipment and/or the like) that are used to provide backhaul for small cells. Such an Access class designation can be stored in the SIM card (e.g., universal integrated circuit card (UICC) and/or the like) that is used by the LTE modem to connect to the network. Small cells, femto cells, and/or the like can be configured to transmit information to all handsets, and/or the like that UE's with the Access class reserved for the LTE modems are barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell.

In an aspect, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card is designated with an access class designation indicating that a first user equipment is barred from camping on or reselecting to a small cell. The small cell is configured to transmit information to at least one second user equipment in communication with the small cell that the first user equipment incorporating the SIM card with the access class designation is barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell. The configured small cell transmits the information to the at least one second user equipment.

One or more of the following features can be included in any feasible combination. The first user equipment incorporating the SIM card with the access class designation can be configured to provide backhaul to a wireless network for the small cell. The first user equipment can be barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell. A first frequency of a first communications channel can be compared with a third frequency of a third communications channel. The first user equipment can be barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell in response to the first frequency matching the third frequency. The access class designation can be persisted in the SIM card. The first communications channel can be established on a first hop between the first user equipment and a base station of the wireless network. The third communications channel can be established on a third hop between the small cell and the at least one second user equipment. The SIM card can include a universal integrated circuit card. The universal integrated circuit card can retain the persisted access class designation after power to the first user equipment is disconnected.

The designating can include specifying, by the small cell and in response to determining that the first user equipment is barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell, the access class designation with a first value of a Boolean flag. The Boolean flag can include the first value and a second value different from the first value. The first value can indicate that the first user equipment is barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell. The second value can indicate that the first user equipment is not barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell. A backhaul to the wireless network for the small cell can include the first communications channel. The backhaul to the wireless network for the small cell can further include a second communications channel established on a second hop between the first user equipment and the small cell. The second communications channel can operate over a connection between the first user equipment and the small cell.

The first frequency can be compared with the third frequency. The first user equipment can be barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell in response to the first frequency matching the third frequency. The configuring can further include establishing, by the small cell, the third communications channel. A message including the access class designation indicating that the first user equipment is barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell can be prepared. The transmitting can further include transmitting, by the small cell and over the third communications channel, a signal including the message. The access class designation can include a cell status code indicating that the first user equipment is prevented from establishing a wireless connection with the small cell. Barring camping on or reselecting to the small cell can include preventing the first user equipment from establishing the wireless connection with the small cell. The small cell can include a cellular radio access node with transmitting power less than a transmitting power of a macro cell. The small cell can further include at least one of a femtocell, a picocell, and a microcell.

Implementations of the current subject matter can include, but are not limited to, methods consistent with the descriptions provided herein as well as articles that comprise a tangibly embodied machine-readable medium operable to cause one or more machines (e.g., computers, etc.) to result in operations implementing one or more of the described features. Similarly, computer systems are also described that may include one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors. A memory, which can include a non-transitory computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, may include, encode, store, or the like one or more programs that cause one or more processors to perform one or more of the operations described herein. Computer implemented methods consistent with one or more implementations of the current subject matter can be implemented by one or more data processors residing in a single computing system or multiple computing systems. Such multiple computing systems can be connected and can exchange data and/or commands or other instructions or the like via one or more connections, including but not limited to a connection over a network (e.g. the Internet, a wireless wide area network, a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, or the like), via a direct connection between one or more of the multiple computing systems, etc..

This document describes systems and methods for cell barring in relay nodes. The systems and methods can provide a standards-compliant means to achieve the same feature of not camping on a specific small cell. For example, the standards-compliant means can include the compliance of a device (e.g., first user equipment, second user equipment, and/or the like) with, for example, telecommunications standards such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE), and/or the like. Standards compliance can be desirable because end-user throughput, performance, and overall user experience can be significantly improved over standards non-compliance. Additionally, standards compliance can ensure, among other things, that the compliant device provides increased data speeds with decreased latency, builds upon the security foundations of previous cellular systems, supports interoperability between current and next generation cellular systems and other data networks, improves system performance while maintaining current quality of service, and maintains interoperability with legacy systems.

Camping on a small cell can include, for example, establishing a wireless connection with the small cell. For example, the device camping on the small cell can include the device completing a cell selection and/or reselection process and choosing the small cell to provide available telecommunications services, such as calling, texting, internet connectivity, and/or the like. As described above, camping on a small cell can cause a non-functional loop. To overcome this problem, and maintain a standards-compliant relay system, the subscriber identity module (SIM) card (e.g., universal integrated circuit card and/or the like) incorporated in the user equipment (e.g., modem, first user equipment, and/or the like) can be designated with an access class designation indicating that the user equipment incorporating the SIM card is barred from camping on the small cell. Cell barring, or barring, can include restricting access of a device on certain cells based on, for example, the access class designation of the SIM card incorporated in the device (e.g., first user equipment, modem, and/or the like). The access class designation of a SIM card incorporated in a device can include an inclusion of the device into a category associated with a priority for accessing a network.

By designating a SIM card of, for example, a modem (e.g., first user equipment and/or the like) with an access class designation indicating that the modem incorporating the SIM card is prevented (e.g., barred) from camping on or reselecting to a small cell and configuring the small cell to communicate the modem's access class designation to devices wirelessly connected to the small cell, some implementations of the current subject matter can facilitate cell barring on the modem incorporating the SIM card while maintaining the standard-compliance of the modem. As such, the modem can dynamically assess the suitability of a cell to be camped on by checking the barring information of the small cell and its own (e.g., the modem, relay node, relay system, first user equipment, and/or the like) access class designation. And the modem does not need to maintain a list of identifiable information of small cells. Accordingly, some implementations of the current subject matter can save computational resources and can provide an improved relay system.

<FIG> is a system block diagram illustrating an example implementation of a system <NUM> configured to facilitate cell barring on a relay node <NUM>. System <NUM> can include a base station <NUM>, a relay node <NUM> (which can include first user equipment <NUM> and small cell <NUM>), and a second user equipment <NUM> (e.g., phone, device, mobile device, mobile phone and/or the like). By designating a SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> with an access class designation indicating that first user equipment <NUM> incorporating the SIM card <NUM> is barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM> and configuring small cell <NUM> to communicate the access class designation of SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> to devices wirelessly connected to small cell <NUM>, some implementations of the current subject matter can facilitate cell barring on first user equipment <NUM> while maintaining the standard-compliance of first user equipment <NUM>.

Base station <NUM> can include a transceiver connecting a number of other devices to one another and/or to a wide area. For example, base station <NUM> can provide the connection between mobile phones and the wider telephone network. As another example, base station <NUM> can include a transceiver acting as a switch for computers in a network, connecting them to another local area network, the internet, and/or another network. As another example, base station <NUM> can act as a hub of a wireless network, a gateway between a wired network and a wireless network, a hub of a cellular network, and/or the like. In some cases, base station <NUM> can include an antenna and can be used in a mobile telecommunications network, for example, to maintain communication between the network and the mobile users through a radio link. The geographic area covered by for example, a base station, and more generally, a telecommunications transceiver, can be referred to as a cell.

Base station <NUM> can be in wireless communication with first user equipment <NUM>. For example, system <NUM> can include a first hop <NUM> and a communications channel can be established on first hop <NUM> between base station <NUM> and first user equipment <NUM>. First user equipment <NUM> can include SIM card <NUM> and antenna <NUM>. First user equipment <NUM> can convert data into a format suitable for transmission, such as, by modulating a carrier wave signal to encode digital information for transmission and demodulating the carrier wave signal to decode the transmitted information. For example, first user equipment <NUM> can include a mobile broadband modem, such as an LTE modem, that can facilitate reception of Internet access via a mobile network. As described above, first user equipment <NUM> can communicate over a communications channel established on the first hop between base station <NUM> and first user equipment <NUM>. The communications channel between base station <NUM> and first user equipment <NUM> can include a mobile broadband connection and can operate on a first frequency.

First user equipment <NUM> can include SIM card <NUM>. SIM card <NUM> incorporated in user equipment <NUM> can include a universal integrated circuit card (UICC). The UICC can include, for example, a physical electronic authorization device and can include an embedded integrated circuit. The UICC can provide identification, authentication, data storage, application processing, and/or the like. For example, the UICC can include a subscriber identity module (SIM) application that can be used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile telephony devices, such as for providing access to cellular networks, and/or the like.

First user equipment <NUM> can be in communication with small cell <NUM>. For example, system <NUM> can include second hop <NUM> and a communications channel can be established on second hop <NUM> between first user equipment <NUM> and small cell <NUM>. The second hop <NUM> can be wired (e.g., ethernet) or wireless (e.g., using an unlicenced spectrum). Small cell <NUM> can include antenna <NUM>. Small cell <NUM> can include cellular radio access nodes with a transmitting power less than a macrocell (e.g., base station and/or the like). In some cases, small cell <NUM> can include a transmitting range in the magnitude of <NUM> meters to a few kilometers. In some cases, small cell <NUM> can reuse frequencies in the spectrum of available frequencies, such as the licensed spectrum, the unlicensed spectrum, and/or the like.

In some cases, small cell <NUM> can include a femtocell, a picocell, a microcell, and/or the like. A femtocell can include a small, low-powered cellular base station and can be used in a home or small business. In some cases, a femtocell can extend service coverage in places with bad service coverage, such as indoors, the edge of a cell, and/or the like. A picocell can include a small cellular base station covering a small area, such as in-building (e.g., office, shopping mall, train station, and/or the like), in-vehicle (e.g., bus, airplane, and/or the like), and/or the like. A microcell can include a coverage area larger than a picocell, and can use power control to limit the radius of its coverage area. As described above, small cell <NUM> can be connected to a core network using a backhaul, such as provided by first user equipment <NUM> over the communications channel established on first hop <NUM> and the communications channel established on second hop <NUM>.

First user equipment <NUM> coupled with small cell <NUM> can form relay node <NUM>. Relay node <NUM> can provide backhaul connectivity to second user equipment <NUM>. The backhaul portion of a network can include the intermediate links between the core network, or backbone network, and the small subnetworks at the edge of the network. In some cases, first user equipment <NUM> can provide backhaul to a wireless network for small cell <NUM> over the communications channel established on first hop <NUM> between base station <NUM> and first user equipment <NUM>. Second user equipment <NUM> can include a device used directly by an end-user to communicate. For example, second user equipment <NUM> can include a hand-held telephone, a device equipped with a wireless transceiver, a laptop, a tablet, and/or the like. Small cell <NUM> can be in wireless communication with second user equipment <NUM>. For example, system <NUM> can include third hop <NUM>, and a communications channel can be established on third hop <NUM> between small cell <NUM> and second user equipment <NUM>. The communications channel between small cell <NUM> and second user equipment <NUM> can operate on a third frequency.

As described above, in some cases, single frequency behavior can be desirable. For example, it can be desirable for the first frequency corresponding to the communications channel between base station <NUM> and first user equipment <NUM> and the third frequency corresponding to the communications channel between small cell <NUM> and second user equipment <NUM> to match. As discussed above, when the operating frequency of the communications channel on first hop <NUM> and the operating frequency of the communications channel on third hop <NUM> match, it can be desirable to prevent the creation of a non-functional loop between first user equipment <NUM> and small cell <NUM>. For example, hop <NUM> can include a non-functional loop between first user equipment <NUM> and small cell <NUM>. If first user equipment <NUM> is camped on small cell <NUM>, then communications from second user equipment <NUM> can, for example, be transmitted from small cell <NUM> over second hop <NUM> to first user equipment <NUM> and from first user equipment <NUM> to small cell <NUM> over hop <NUM>. As such, communications from second user equipment <NUM> may be stuck in the non-functional loop, and backhaul connectivity can be prevented. As will be described below, first user equipment <NUM> can be barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>.

<FIG> is a process flow diagram illustrating an example implementation of a process <NUM> to facilitate cell barring in relay nodes of a small cell. By designating a SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM>, such as an LTE modem, with an access class designation indicating that the first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> is barred from camping on or reselecting to a small cell <NUM> and configuring the small cell <NUM> to communicate the access class designation of SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> to devices <NUM> wirelessly connected to the small cell <NUM>, some implementations of the current subject matter can facilitate cell barring on the first user equipment <NUM> while maintaining the standard-compliance of the first user equipment <NUM>.

At <NUM>, an access class set can be established for all first user equipment <NUM> that are used to provide backhaul for small cells <NUM>. Such an access class designation can be stored in SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM>, such as the UICC, that can be used by the first user equipment <NUM> to connect to the network. At <NUM>, all small cells <NUM> can be configured to transmit information to all handsets <NUM> that first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> with the access class reserved for the first user equipment <NUM> (e.g., LTE modems, and/or the like) are barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell <NUM>.

In some cases, it can be desirable to prevent devices from making access attempts to a network, for example, to prevent overload of the network. Preventing devices from making access attempts to the network (e.g., cell barring) can be facilitated by assigning an access class to each device. For example, the access class of a device can correspond to a priority of access of the device when attempting to establish a connection with the network. In some cases, such as in LTE, the access class of a device can include a designation between <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., access class <NUM>, access class <NUM>,. , access class <NUM>, and/or the like). For example, a device designated with access class <NUM>, access class <NUM>,. , access class <NUM> can be operated by an ordinary user. A device designated with access class <NUM> can be operated for network use, a device designated with access class <NUM> can be operated by security services, a device designated with access class <NUM> can be operated by public utilities, a device designated with access class <NUM> can be operated by emergency services, and a device designated with access class <NUM> can be operated by network staff. In case of a network overload, the network can reduce access from a device by modifying the radio resource configuration (RRC) information included in SystemInformationBlockType2 (SIB2). SIB2 can include access barring related parameters, such as the access class of the device. The access class of the device can be stored on a SIM card associated with the device, such as a UICC.

In some cases, the access class designation can be extended to include a designation that can prevent the device from accessing the network. For example, it can be desirable to prevent first user equipment <NUM> from establishing a non-functional loop over hop <NUM> with small cell <NUM>. As such, the access class designation can be extended such that first user equipment <NUM> can be designated as a device that is prevented (e.g., barred) from connected to small cell <NUM>, for example, over the first frequency. The access class designation of first user equipment <NUM> can include, for example, a cell status code referring to whether first user equipment <NUM> is prevented from establishing a connection with small cell <NUM> over hop <NUM>. For example, the access class designation of a device, such as first user equipment <NUM>, barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM> can include access class <NUM> and/or any unreserved access class designation specified for barring the device incorporating the SIM card storing the access class designation.

<FIG> is a process flow diagram illustrating an example implementation of a process <NUM> to facilitate cell barring in relay nodes of a small cell. By designating a SIM card incorporated in a first user equipment with an access class designation indicating that the first user equipment incorporating the SIM card is barred from camping on or reselecting to a small cell and configuring the small cell to communicate the access class designation of the SIM card incorporated in the first user equipment to devices wirelessly connected to the small cell, some implementations of the current subject matter can facilitate cell barring on the first user equipment while maintaining the standard-compliance of the first user equipment.

At <NUM>, subscriber identity module (SIM) card <NUM> is designated with an access class designation. The access class designation indicates that first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> is barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>. In some cases, the frequency of the communications channel established on first hop <NUM> can be compared to the frequency of the communications channel established on third hop <NUM>. For example, in response to the frequency used on first hop <NUM> matching the frequency used on third hop <NUM>, first user equipment <NUM> can be barred from camping on or selecting to small cell <NUM>. And for example, in response to determining that SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> is barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>, small cell <NUM> can specify the access class designation indicative of cell barring.

For example, the access class designation indicative of cell barring can include a first value of a Boolean flag. In some cases, the Boolean flag can include the first value and a second value different from the first value. For example, the first value can be indicative that SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> is barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>. As such, the access class designation of SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> can include, for example, (Access class Barred = first value), where, as discussed above, a value of first value for the access class designation corresponding to cell barring can be indicative that first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> is barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>. In some cases, the Boolean flag can include the second value. For example, the second value can be indicative that first user equipment <NUM> is not barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>. As such, the access class designation of such a SIM card <NUM> can include, for example, (Access class Barred = second value), where, as discussed above, a value of second value for the access class designation corresponding to cell barring can be indicative that such a SIM card <NUM> is not barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>, for example, in the case that camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM> may not cause a non-functional loop.

In some cases, the access class designation can include a single value indicative of cell barring, where if SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> is associated with the single value indicative of cell barring, then first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> can be barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM> and if SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> is not associated with the single value indicative of cell barring, then first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> cannot be barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>. In some cases, the access class designation can include more than two values.

The access class designation associated with SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> can be stored in SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM>. For example, SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> can include a UICC. The access class designation can be persisted in the UICC, and the UICC can retain the persisted access class designation even after disconnecting power to first user equipment <NUM>. In the Boolean flag example above, if first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM <NUM> is barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>, then the first value indicative of such cell barring can be stored in SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM>. Continuing the Boolean flag example, if first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> is not barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>, then the second value indicative of not barring first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> from camping on or reselecting small cell <NUM> can be stored in SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM>.

At <NUM>, small cell <NUM> is configured to transmit information to at least one second user equipment <NUM> in communication with small cell <NUM>. The information can include the access class designation of SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM>. In some cases, small cell <NUM> can establish a communications channel on third hop <NUM>. The communications channel established on third hop <NUM> can operate wirelessly on a frequency matching the frequency of the communications channel established on first hop <NUM>. When the frequency of third hop <NUM> matches the frequency of first hop <NUM>, a message including the access class designation of SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> can be prepared. Following the Boolean flag example, if first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> is barred from camping on or selecting to small cell <NUM>, for example, due to the frequency of third hop <NUM> matching the frequency of first hop <NUM>, then the prepared message can include the first value of the Boolean flag, where the first value is indicative of cell barring first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the information is transmitted by small cell <NUM> to at least one second user equipment <NUM>. As described above, the information can include an indication that that first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> is barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>. For example, the information can include the access class designation. First user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> with the access class designation indicated in the information can be barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell <NUM>. In some cases, a signal can be sent by small cell <NUM> over a communications channel established on third hop <NUM> between small cell <NUM> and at least one second user equipment <NUM>. The signal can include the message indicating the access class designation (e.g., a value corresponding to cell barring, where, if a SIM card <NUM> incorporated in first user equipment <NUM> includes such a value, then that first user equipment <NUM> is barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM> and/or the like). For example, the message can include the first value of the Boolean flag indicating that first user equipment <NUM> incorporating SIM card <NUM> is barred from camping on or reselecting to small cell <NUM>.

Using this standards-compliant approach, the problem of the first user equipment, such as the LTE backhaul modem, camping on the small cell can be overcome without being standards non-compliant. Furthermore, it can allow the relay system, such as the first user equipment coupled to the small cell, to be able to dynamically assess if a cell is suitable to be camped on by checking the barring information of the small cell and its own access class information (e.g., by checking the access class information stored on the SIM card). In this way, no lists of identifiable information of small cells need to be kept by relay nodes.

These computer programs, which can also be referred to programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-oriented programming language, a functional programming language, a logical programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language.

To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as for example a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) monitor for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, such as for example a mouse or a trackball, by which the user may provide input to the computer. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as for example visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including, but not limited to, acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Other possible input devices include, but are not limited to, touch screens or other touch-sensitive devices such as single or multi-point resistive or capacitive trackpads, voice recognition hardware and software, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices and associated interpretation software, and the like.

Claim 1:
A method performed by a small cell (<NUM>) comprising:
designating (<NUM>) a subscriber identity module, SIM, card (<NUM>) with an access class designation indicating that a first user equipment (<NUM>) incorporating the SIM card (<NUM>) is barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell (<NUM>);
configuring (<NUM>) the small cell (<NUM>) to transmit information, to at least one second user equipment (<NUM>) in communication with the small cell (<NUM>), that the first user equipment (<NUM>) incorporating the SIM card (<NUM>) with the access class designation is barred from camping on or reselecting to the small cell (<NUM>); and
transmitting (<NUM>), by the small cell (<NUM>), the information to the at least one second user equipment (<NUM>).