Patent Description:
In the research and discussion of a <NUM>th generation mobile communication technology (<NUM>) project, in order to meet the requirements of more diversified traffic, higher rate, larger numbers of connections and the like, <NUM> networks need to significantly improve spectrum efficiency. Due to the transmission characteristics of high frequency bands, base stations using high frequency bands for transmissions are generally small base stations (i.e., small cells). If each small base station is configured with a traditional wired backhaul link such as an optical fiber link, the cost is high, and the backhaul link deployment is complex.

In order to reduce the deployment complexity of a backhaul link, in the research and discussion of the <NUM> project, an integrated access and backhaul solution was proposed. That is, both data transmission between a small base station and a UE and data transmission between a base station and a core network are performed by using the same wireless communication system protocol through wireless links. Therefore, wireless backhaul small stations are usually used in <NUM> networks for high frequency band transmissions. In addition, in order to meet different requirements for traffics in different regions, for example, the demand for Internet access traffics in shopping malls is high, and the demand for video browsing traffics in railway stations is high, etc., a solution that combines regional traffic characteristics and wireless backhaul small stations is desired in <NUM> systems, so that UEs needing different traffics in different regions can be served better.

<CIT> discloses a wireless communication access method, which includes: obtaining a service capability of an access node accessible by the wireless terminal, where the service capability is used to indicate communication quality of service supported by the access node; determining, as a target access node according to the service capability of the access node and a device type and/or a service type of the wireless terminal, an access node having the service capability that supports the device type and/or the service type of the wireless terminal; and accessing a wireless communications network by using the target access node.

<CIT> discloses a method for facilitating efficient admission control, which includes that: a base station may broadcast quality of service (QoS) and loading information to mobile stations; when a mobile station determines that there is demand for a new traffic connection, the mobile station may select a base station from which to request the desired traffic connection based on the QoS information and the loading information received from one or more base stations.

<CIT> discusses techniques for selecting a serving base station for a terminal by taking into account backhaul capability. The terminal may be within the coverage of multiple base stations, which may be of different types and may have different backhaul capabilities. One of the base stations may be selected as a serving base station for the terminal based on the backhaul capabilities of these base stations. The serving base station may also be selected based on additional criteria such as data or delay requirements of the terminal, transmit power capability of the terminal, characteristics of data for the terminal, etc..

The invention is defined in the attached set of claims.

In order to overcome the problems in the related art, the disclosure provides a method for accessing a network, and a UE. By means of wireless backhaul small base stations deployed in different regions and supporting different traffic types, corresponding types of traffic services are provided for UEs, so that the UEs can be served better.

According to a first aspect, a method for accessing a network is provided in independent claim <NUM>.

According to a second aspect, a UE is provided in independent claim <NUM>.

The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the disclosure include the following beneficial effects.

When a UE accesses a base station, a wireless backhaul small base station that matches a traffic type of traffic to be initiated by the UE is preferentially selected for access. If the traffic type of traffic to be initiated by a user is an Internet access traffic, a base station with a traffic type being the Internet access traffic is preferentially selected for access. If the traffic type of traffic to be initiated by the user is a video browsing traffic, a small base station with a traffic type being a high-definition video providing service is preferentially selected for access. Therefore, the UE is served better by the wireless backhaul small base station with service characteristics.

It is to be understood that the above general descriptions and detailed descriptions below are only exemplary and explanatory and not intended to limit the disclosure.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the disclosure and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

The implementations set forth in the following description of exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with aspects related to the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method for accessing a network not being part of the invention. <FIG> is an application scenario diagram of a method for accessing a network according to the invention. The method for accessing a network is applied to a UE. As illustrated in <FIG>, the method for accessing the network includes the following operations illustrated in blocks <NUM> and <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, a wireless backhaul small base station to be accessed is determined based on a traffic type of data to be transmitted and a service type of at least one wireless backhaul small base station.

The traffic type of data to be transmitted includes an Internet access traffic, a video browsing traffic, an online game traffic, and the like.

In one example, the service type of the wireless backhaul small base station is defined by the quality of service (QoS) of a service. That is, the service types of the wireless backhaul small base stations are classified based on transmission bandwidths (throughput rates), transmission delays, data packet loss rates and the like. A wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> is capable of providing services with the QoS requirements, such as supporting the transmission of data streams such as voice, audio, and video. A wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> is capable of providing services with high QoS requirements, such as services for online games.

In one example, the service type of the wireless backhaul small base station is defined by a traffic type of a specific traffic supported by the small base station. The base station supports an Internet access traffic, or a video browsing traffic, or a file download traffic.

In one example, in order to implement the technical solution provided by the disclosure, an operator needs to deploy wireless backhaul small base stations supporting different traffics in different regions according to their own requirements (which may also be understood as the requirements of a majority of UEs). Wireless backhaul small base stations supporting Internet access traffics are deployed in shopping malls, and wireless backhaul small base stations supporting video browsing traffics are deployed at train stations. Therefore, wireless backhaul small base stations in different regions can provide traffics matching traffic requirements for UEs in the regions.

In one example, a UE selects, based on a traffic type of data to be transmitted and a service type of at least one wireless backhaul small base station, a wireless backhaul small base station capable of supporting that the UE transmits the data to be transmitted is determined as a wireless backhaul small base station to be accessed. If traffic to be initiated by the UE is a video browsing traffic, that is, the traffic type of data to be transmitted is a video browsing traffic, a wireless backhaul small base station supporting the video browsing traffic is selected as a wireless backhaul small base station to be accessed.

At block <NUM>, the wireless backhaul small base station is accessed.

If the UE has established a connection with a macro base station before accessing the wireless backhaul small base station, the UE switches from the macro base station to the wireless backhaul small base station; or, the UE establishes a dual connection with the macro base station and the wireless backhaul small base station.

The process of switching from a macro base station to a wireless backhaul small base station and the process of establishing a dual connection with the macro base station and the wireless backhaul small base station both refer to the method processes in the related art, and will not be described in detail herein.

In a scenario, as illustrated in <FIG>, a wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> with a wireless backhaul capability, a wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> with a wireless backhaul capability, a base station <NUM> with a wired backhaul capability, a UE <NUM> and a core network device <NUM> are provided. The wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> with the wireless backhaul capability and the wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> with the wireless backhaul capability implement wireless backhauls with the core network device <NUM> through wireless connections with the base station <NUM> with the wired backhaul capability. When required to access the base station or switch to the base station, the UE <NUM> determines, based on a traffic type of data to be transmitted by the UE <NUM> and a service type of each wireless backhaul small base station, a wireless backhaul small base station to be accessed.

In this example, by means of operation <NUM> and operation <NUM>, when a UE accesses a base station, a wireless backhaul small base station that matches the type of traffic to be initiated by the UE is preferentially selected for access. If the type of traffic to be initiated by a user is Internet access traffic, a base station with a service type being the Internet access traffic is preferentially selected for access. If the type of traffic to be initiated by the user is a video browsing traffic, a small base station with a service type being a high-definition video providing traffic is preferentially selected for access. Therefore, the UE is served better by the wireless backhaul small base station with traffic characteristics.

For details on how to implement network access of the UE, reference may be made to the subsequent embodiments.

The following describes the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the disclosure with specific embodiments.

<FIG> is a flowchart of another method for accessing a network according to the invention. The above method provided in the embodiment of the disclosure is used to take an example of how a UE accesses a wireless backhaul small base station. As illustrated in <FIG>, the method includes the following operations.

At block <NUM>, system signaling broadcast by the wireless backhaul small base station is monitored.

The wireless backhaul small base station carries the service type of the traffic provided by the wireless backhaul small base station in the broadcast system signaling.

The service type of the wireless backhaul small base station is defined by the QoS of a service. That is, the service types of the wireless backhaul small base stations are classified based on transmission bandwidthd (throughput rated), transmission delays, data packet loss rates and the like. A wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> can provide services with the QoS requirements, such as supporting the transmission of data streams such as voice, audio, and video. A wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> can provide services with high QoS requirements, such as services for online games. In one embodiment, the service type of the wireless backhaul small base station is defined by a traffic type of a specific traffic supported by the small base station. The base station supports an Internet access service, or a video browsing traffic, or a file download traffic.

At block <NUM>, in response to the system signaling being detected, a service type of a traffic provided by the wireless backhaul small base station is obtained by parsing the system signaling.

The operations illustrated in blocks <NUM> and <NUM> may be referred to the description of operations <NUM> and <NUM> in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, and will not be described in detail herein.

A UE determines, based on broadcast signaling of a detected wireless backhaul small base station, a service type of traffic supported by the wireless backhaul small base station, and then access a wireless backhaul small base station that matches a traffic type of data to be transmitted by the UE for better service.

<FIG> is a flowchart of yet another method for accessing a network not being part of the invention. The above method provided in the embodiment of the disclosure is used to take an example of how a UE accesses a wireless backhaul small base station. As illustrated in <FIG>, the method includes the following operations.

At block <NUM>, when no base station is accessed, a macro base station with a wired backhaul capability is preferentially selected for access.

When a UE is powered on for network access, a macro base station with a wired backhaul capability is preferentially selected for access, thereby ensuring coverage.

A base station with a wired backhaul capability provides the most basic services that occupy the smallest bandwidth, such as voice calls, so that when the UE accesses the macro base station, it can be ensured that the most basic traffic support is obtained.

At block <NUM>, a wireless backhaul small base station to be accessed is determined based on a traffic type of data to be transmitted and a service type of at least one detected wireless backhaul small base station.

After accessing a macro base station, a UE continues to detect whether there is a suitable wireless backhaul small base station capable of supporting a traffic of the UE by monitoring broadcast signaling, and select, after one or more wireless backhaul small base stations are detected, based on a service type broadcast by the one or more wireless backhaul small base stations, of a provided traffic, a base station suitable for access.

At block <NUM>, the UE is switched from the macro base station to the wireless backhaul small base station.

When a UE is powered on, a macro base station with a wired backhaul capability is preferentially accessed to ensure coverage, and the most basic traffic support is obtained. After detecting a small base station that matches a traffic type of data to be transmitted by the UE, the UE switches to a wireless backhaul small base station. With high-band characteristics and traffic matching characteristics of a small base station, the UE can obtain better traffic support.

<FIG> is a flowchart of another method for accessing a network according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the above method provided in the embodiment of the disclosure is used to take an example of how a UE accesses a wireless backhaul small base station. As illustrated in <FIG>, the method includes the following operations.

In one embodiment, the description of operations <NUM> and <NUM> may be referred to the description of operations <NUM> and <NUM> in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, and will not be described in detail herein.

At block <NUM>, when maintaining a connection with the macro base station, a secondary connection with the wireless backhaul small base station is established.

In this embodiment, when a UE is powered on, a macro base station with a wired backhaul capability is preferentially accessed to ensure coverage, and the most basic traffic support is obtained. After detecting a wireless backhaul small base station that matches a traffic type of data to be transmitted by the UE, the UE accesses the wireless backhaul small base station by establishing a dual-connection. With high-band characteristics and traffic matching characteristics of the small base station and large coverage characteristics of the macro base station, the UE can obtain better traffic support.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method for accessing a network not being part of the invention. The method for accessing a network in this embodiment is applied to a wireless backhaul small base station. As illustrated in <FIG>, the method includes the following operations <NUM> and <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, a service type of a wireless backhaul small base station is determined. Here, the service type is indicative of a service type of a traffic provided by the wireless backhaul small base station.

The wireless backhaul small base station determines a service type based on the QoS of the provided traffic. A wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> can provide services with the QoS requirements, such as supporting the transmission of data streams such as voice, audio, and video. A wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> can provide services with high QoS requirements, such as services for online games.

The wireless backhaul small base station determines a service type based on a traffic type of the provided traffic. A wireless backhaul small base station supporting an Internet access traffic, or a wireless backhaul small base station supporting a video browsing traffic, or a wireless backhaul small base station supporting a file download traffic, and the like.

At block <NUM>, the service type is broadcast through system signaling.

In a scenario, as illustrated in <FIG>, a wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> with a wireless backhaul capability, a wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> with a wireless backhaul capability, a base station <NUM> with a wired backhaul capability, a UE <NUM> and a core network device <NUM> are provided. The wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> with the wireless backhaul capability and the wireless backhaul small base station <NUM> with the wireless backhaul capability implement wireless backhauls with the core network device <NUM> through wireless connections with the base station <NUM> with the wired backhaul capability. The wireless backhaul small base station with the wireless backhaul capability broadcasts a traffic type of a traffic provided by the wireless backhaul small base station. Therefore, when required to access the base station or switch to the base station, the UE <NUM> determines, based on a traffic type of data to be transmitted and a service type of each wireless backhaul small base station, a wireless backhaul small base station to be accessed.

Each wireless backhaul small base station broadcasts its own service type, so that a UE preferentially selects a base station with a service type being Internet access traffic for access. If the type of traffic to be initiated by a user is a video browsing traffic, a small base station with a service type being a high-definition video providing traffic is preferentially selected for access. Therefore, the UE is served better by the wireless backhaul small base station with service characteristics.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for accessing a network according to the invention. The device is applied to a UE. As illustrated in <FIG>, the device for accessing a network includes: a first determination module <NUM> and a first access module <NUM>.

The first determination module <NUM> is configured to determine, based on a traffic type of data to be transmitted and a service type of at least one a wireless backhaul small base station, a wireless backhaul small base station to be accessed.

The first access module <NUM> is configured to access the wireless backhaul small base station.

When a UE accesses a base station, a wireless backhaul small base station that matches the type of traffic to be initiated by the UE is preferentially selected for access. If the type of traffic to be initiated by a user is an Internet access traffic, a base station with a service type being the Internet access traffic is preferentially selected for access. If the type of traffic to be initiated by the user is a video browsing traffic, a small base station with a service type being a high-definition video providing traffic is preferentially selected for access. Therefore, the UE is served better by the wireless backhaul small base station with service characteristics.

<FIG> is a block diagram of another device for accessing a network according to the invention. As illustrated in <FIG>, on the basis of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the device further includes: a monitoring module <NUM> and a parsing module <NUM>.

The monitoring module <NUM> is configured to monitor system signaling broadcast by the at least one wireless backhaul small base station.

The parsing module <NUM> is configured to parse, in response to the system signaling being detected, the system signaling to obtain a service type of a traffic provided by the at least one wireless backhaul small base station.

A UE determines, based on broadcast signaling of the detected wireless backhaul small base station, a service type of traffic supported by the wireless backhaul small base station, and then access a wireless backhaul small base station that matches a traffic type of data to be transmitted by the UE for better service.

The service type of the wireless backhaul small base station is indicative of: QoS of a provided traffic, or a traffic type of a provided traffic.

A mode in which a wireless backhaul small base station defines a service type is disclosed.

The device further includes: a second access module <NUM>.

The second access module <NUM> is configured to preferentially select, when no base station is accessed, a macro base station with a wired backhaul capability for access.

A UE preferentially accesses a macro base station with a wired backhaul capability when powered on. The coverage can be ensured, and the most basic traffic support can be obtained.

The first access module <NUM> includes: a switching sub-module <NUM> or a connection establishment sub-module <NUM>.

The switching sub-module <NUM> is configured to switch from the macro base station to the wireless backhaul small base station.

The connection establishment sub-module <NUM> is configured to establish a secondary connection with the wireless backhaul small base station while maintaining a connection with the macro base station.

After accessing a macro base station, a UE continues to detect a wireless backhaul small base station that conforms to a traffic type of data to be transmitted by the UE, and switches to the wireless backhaul small base station or establish a dual connection. With high-band characteristics and traffic matching characteristics of a small base station, the UE can obtain better traffic support.

The first determination module <NUM> is configured to determine, based on a traffic type of data to be transmitted and a service type of at least one wireless backhaul small base station, a wireless backhaul small base station capable of supporting transmission of data to be transmitted by the UE as a wireless backhaul small base station to be accessed.

A UE selects a wireless backhaul small base station capable of supporting transmission of data to be transmitted by the UE as a wireless backhaul small base station to be accessed, so that the efficiency of traffic data transmission of the UE can be improved.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for accessing a network not being part of the invention. The device is applied to a wireless backhaul small base station. As illustrated in <FIG>, the network access device includes: a second determination module <NUM> and a broadcast module <NUM>.

The second determination module <NUM> is configured to determine a service type of a wireless backhaul small base station, the service type being indicative of a traffic type of a traffic provided by the wireless backhaul small base station.

The broadcast module <NUM> is configured to broadcast the service type through system signaling.

Each wireless backhaul small base station broadcasts its own service type, so that a UE preferentially selects a base station with a service type being an Internet access traffic for access. If the type of traffic to be initiated by a user is a video browsing traffic, a small base station with a service type being a high-definition video providing traffic is preferentially selected for access. Therefore, the UE is served better by the wireless backhaul small base station with traffic characteristics.

<FIG> is a block diagram of another device for accessing a network not being part of the invention. Based on the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the second determination module <NUM> includes: a first determination sub-module <NUM> or a second determination sub-module <NUM>.

The first determination sub-module <NUM> is configured to determine the service type based on the QoS of a provided traffic.

The second determination sub-module <NUM> is configured to determine the service type based on a traffic type of a provided traffic.

Two modes in which a wireless backhaul small base station defines a service type are disclosed.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a detection device suitable for scheduling signaling according to an embodiment. A device <NUM> is a UE such as a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a messaging device, a gaming console, a tablet, a medical device, exercise equipment, and a personal digital assistant.

Referring to <FIG>, the device <NUM> includes one or more of the following components: a processing component <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a power component <NUM>, a multimedia component <NUM>, an audio component <NUM>, an input/output (I/O) interface <NUM>, a sensor component <NUM>, and a communication component <NUM>.

The processing component <NUM> typically controls overall operations of the device <NUM>, such as operations associated with display, telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM> to execute instructions to perform all or part of the operations in the above described methods. Moreover, the processing component <NUM> includes one or more modules which facilitate the interactions between the processing component <NUM> and other components. The processing component <NUM> includes a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia component <NUM> and the processing component <NUM>.

Examples of such data include instructions for any applications or methods operated on the device <NUM>, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, video, etc. The memory <NUM> is implemented using any type of volatile or non-volatile memory devices, or a combination thereof, such as a static random access memory (SRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, a magnetic or optical disk.

The power component <NUM> includes a power management system, one or more power sources, and any other components associated with the generation, management and distribution of power in the device <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the screen includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). If the screen includes the TP, the screen is implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from the user. The TP includes one or more touch sensors to sense touches, swipes and gestures on the TP. The touch sensors not only sense a boundary of a touch or swipe action, but also sense a period of time and a pressure associated with the touch or swipe action. The front camera and/or the rear camera receive an external multimedia datum while the device <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each of the front camera and the rear camera includes a fixed optical lens system or have focus and optical zoom capability.

The audio component <NUM> is configured to output and/or input audio signals. The audio component <NUM> includes a microphone (MIC) configured to receive an external audio signal when the device <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal is further stored in the memory <NUM> or transmitted via the communication component <NUM>. In some embodiments, the audio component <NUM> further includes a speaker to output audio signals.

The I/O interface <NUM> provides an interface between the processing component <NUM> and peripheral interface modules, such as a keyboard, a click wheel, or buttons. The buttons include, but are not limited to, a home button, a volume button, a starting button, and a locking button.

The sensor component <NUM> detects an open/closed status of the device <NUM>, and relative positioning of components. The component is the display and the keypad of the device <NUM>. The sensor component <NUM> also detects a change in position of the device <NUM> or a component of the device <NUM>, a presence or absence of user contact with the device <NUM>, an orientation or an acceleration/deceleration of the device <NUM>, and a change in temperature of the device <NUM>. The sensor component <NUM> includes a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The sensor component <NUM> also includes a light sensor, such as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor component <NUM> also includes an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

The communication component <NUM> is configured to facilitate communication, wired or wirelessly, between the device <NUM> and other devices. The device <NUM> accesses a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as WiFi, <NUM> or <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the communication component <NUM> receives a broadcast signal or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In one embodiment, the communication component <NUM> further includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communications. The NFC module is implemented based on a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, an infrared data association (IrDA) technology, an ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, a bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

In some embodiments, the device <NUM> is implemented with one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, or other electronic elements, for performing the above described methods.

In some embodiments, there is also provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, such as included in the memory <NUM>, executable by the processor <NUM> of the device <NUM> configured to perform the method described in the first aspect: determining, based on a traffic type of data to be transmitted and a service type of a wireless backhaul small base station, a wireless backhaul small base station to be accessed; and accessing the wireless backhaul small base station.

In one embodiment, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage device and the like.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a device suitable for data sending, according to the invention. A device <NUM> is provided as a base station. Referring to <FIG>, the device <NUM> includes a processing component <NUM>, a wireless transmitting/receiving component <NUM>, an antenna component <NUM>, and a wireless interface-specific signal processing portion. The processing component <NUM> further includes one or more processors.

One of the processors in the processing component <NUM> is configured to perform the network access method described in the second aspect.

There is also provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, executable by the processor <NUM> of the device <NUM> to complete the method described in the second aspect. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage device and the like.

Claim 1:
A method for accessing a network, implemented by a user equipment, UE, characterized in that the method comprises:
preferentially selecting (<NUM>), when no base station is accessed, a macro base station with a wired backhaul capability for access;
determining (<NUM>), based on a traffic type of data to be transmitted and a service type of at least one wireless backhaul small base station, a wireless backhaul small base station to be accessed; and
establishing (<NUM>) a secondary connection with the wireless backhaul small base station while maintaining a connection with the macro base station,
wherein the traffic type of data to be transmitted comprises: an Internet access traffic, a video browsing traffic, or an online game traffic; and
wherein the service type of at least one wireless backhaul small base station is indicative of a traffic type of a traffic provided by the at least one wireless backhaul small base station.