Patent Description:
Current mobile communication is more and more tending to provide multimedia service with high rate transmission to users. A system architecture of System Architecture Evolution (SAE) includes elements to provide mobility context, session context and security information of the UE.

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has proposed requirements of small cell enhancement in release <NUM> (Rel-<NUM>). Target scenarios of the small cell enhancement include scenarios with macro cell coverage and without macro cell coverage, indoor and outdoor, ideal and non-ideal backhaul enhancement.

The following publications are related to data forwarding between two base stations:.

The present invention has been made to address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, to address the above-discussed deficiencies, it is a primary object to provide a method for data forwarding, which may support both a direct data forwarding and an indirect data forwarding based on actual situation of the network, reduce data loss and failure of data forwarding, and improve the efficiency of data forwarding.

Advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention. It can be seen from the above technical scheme that the method for data forwarding provided in the present application may support both the direct data forwarding and the indirect data forwarding based on actual situation of the network, reduce data loss and failure of data forwarding, and improve the efficiency of data forwarding.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged wireless communications system. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, descriptions related to technical contents that are well-known in the art to which the present disclosure pertains, and are not directly associated with the present disclosure, will be omitted. Such an omission of unnecessary descriptions is intended to prevent obscuring of the main idea of the present disclosure and more clearly transfer the main idea.

Further, the size of each element does not entirely reflect the actual size.

The advantages and features of the present disclosure and ways to achieve them will be apparent by making reference to embodiments as described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments set forth below, but may be implemented in various different forms. The following embodiments are provided only to completely disclose the present disclosure and inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the appended claims.

These computer program instructions also can be stored in a computer usable or computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer usable or computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions also can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

And each block of the flowchart illustrations can represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s).

As used herein, the "unit" or "module" refers to a software element or a hardware element, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which performs a predetermined function. However, the "unit" or "module" does not always have a meaning limited to software or hardware. The "unit" or "module" can be constructed either to be stored in an addressable storage medium or to execute one or more processors. Therefore, the "unit" or "module" includes, for example, software elements, object-oriented software elements, class elements or task elements, processes, functions, properties, procedures, sub-routines, segments of a program code, drivers, firmware, micro-codes, circuits, data, database, data structures, tables, arrays, and parameters. The elements and functions provided by the "unit" or "module" can be either combined into a smaller number of elements, "unit", or "module" or divided into a larger number of elements, "unit", or "module". Moreover, the elements and "units" or "modules" can be implemented to reproduce one or more CPUs within a device or a security multimedia card.

The present application is further described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings to make the objective, technical solution and merits thereof more apparent.

Note that a direct data forwarding in the present application refers to: during SeNB change for a UE, data to be forwarded is sent directly from a source SeNB to a target SeNB. An indirect data forwarding refers to: data is sent from a source SeNB to a MeNB, and then from the MeNB to a target SeNB.

<FIG> shows a system architecture of System Architecture Evolution (SAE). A user equipment (UE) <NUM> is a terminal device for receiving data. Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) <NUM> is a wireless access network, comprising a macro base station (eNodeB/NodeB) that can provide the UE an interface for accessing the wireless network. A mobility management entity (MME) <NUM> is responsible for managing mobility context, session context and security information of the UE. A serving gateway (SGW) <NUM> mainly provides the user-plane functions. The MME <NUM> and the SGW <NUM> can be located in the same physical entity. A packet data network gateway (PGW) <NUM> is responsible for functions, such as charging, monitoring, and also can be located in the same physical entity with the SGW <NUM>. A policy and charging rules function entity (PCRF) <NUM> provides policy and charging rules of quality of service (QoS). A serving General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) support node (SGSN) <NUM> is a network node device providing routing for data transmission in Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). A home subscriber server (HSS) <NUM> is a home subsystem of the UE, responsible for protecting information of the UE, including current location of the UE, an address of a serving node, security information of the UE, packet data context of the UE, and so forth.

<FIG> illustrates small cell coverages with macro cell coverage and without macro cell coverage, indoor and outdoor, ideal and non-ideal backhaul enhancement. In the case with macro cell coverage, it has been proposed to apply a technique of carrier aggregation at different base stations. A macro cell and a small cell can work in different bands, such as (F <NUM>) <NUM> for macro cell and (F2) for small cell <NUM>. There are two kinds of architectures that apply the technique of carrier aggregation at different base stations, i.e., one based on Radio Access Network (RAN) split, and the other based on Core Network (CN) split, for the user-plane data. The architecture based on CN split means that for a bearer established on a pico cell, the user-plane data is directly sent by the CN entity SGW to the pico, but not forwarded by the macro.

In the architectures of small cells, the UE may simultaneously transmit and receive data to and from two base stations, named as dual-connectivity, in which only one base station is responsible for sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to the UE, and interconnect with the CN control-plane entity MME, such base station named as a master base station (MeNB), and the other named as a secondary base station (SeNB). One cell with the MeNB for the UE is a primary cell (Pcell) of the UE, through which a RRC message is sent to the UE, and other cells are secondary cells (Scells). One cell among the Scells of the SeNB is a primary Scell of the SeNB (pScell), providing functions of the pScell. There is a physical uplink control channel in the pScell, but none in other Scells. A cell group of the MeNB is named as MCG, and a cell group of the SeNB is named as SCG.

A problem, which is not solved by the prior art, is how to forward data between two base stations when the SeNB of the UE is required to be changed from one base station to the other.

<FIG> is a flow chart illustrating a method for data forwarding in a small cell system according to an embodiment of the present application, including the following blocks.

In block <NUM>, a MeNB sends to a target SeNB information of a source SeNB or a source SeNB cell where radio resource is assigned to a UE. The information of the source SeNB can be a base station identifier of the source SeNB. The information of the source SeNB cell can be a cell identifier or a cell global identifier of the source SeNB cell. If there are a plurality of Scells at the source SeNB for the UE, the information of the SeNB cell can be a cell identifier of any of the Scells or cell identifiers of all the Scells.

The MeNB includes the above-described information of the source SeNB or the source SeNB cell only when the SeNB changes.

In block <NUM>, the target SeNB determines whether the direct data forwarding is feasible, and notifying the MeNB whether the direct data forwarding is feasible. The target SeNB determines whether the direct data forwarding is feasible according to whether there is an X2 interface available between itself and the source SeNB. If yes, the direct data forwarding is feasible, otherwise it is infeasible. The target SeNB also can consider configurations of operation and maintenance (O&M) to determine whether the direct data forwarding is feasible. For example, if the direct data forwarding is configured by the O&M and there is an X2 interface available between the target SeNB and the source SeNB, the direct data forwarding is feasible. If the indirect data forwarding is configured by the O&M, the direct data forwarding is infeasible. The existence of X2 interface between the target SeNB and the source SeNB is necessary to be considered by the target SeNB, however, this does not exclude that the target SeNB can also consider other factors to determine whether the direct data forwarding is feasible.

The target SeNB can be aware that the bearer is switched between different SeNBs, rather than from the MeNB to the SeNB, according to the base station identifier of the source SeNB or the cell identifier of the source Scell in block <NUM>, so as to determine whether the direct data forwarding is feasible. When the bearer is switched from the MeNB to the SeNB, the information of the source SeNB or the cell identifier of the source Scell in block <NUM> may not be included, such that the target SeNB can be aware that the switch is from the MeNB to the SeNB, without determining whether the direct data forwarding is feasible, consequently it is not necessary to indicate to the MeNB whether the direct data forwarding is feasible.

The target SeNB allocates the user-plane resources for the data forwarding. The target SeNB sends a TEID and a TNL address for the data forwarding to the MeNB. The TEID and TNL address are specified with respect to each bearer. For each bearer, the TEID and TNL address include the TEID and TNL address for uplink data forwarding or the TEID, or both, and TNL address for downlink data forwarding.

In block <NUM>, the MeNB determines whether it is the direct data forwarding or the indirect data forwarding. If the direct data forwarding is feasible, the MeNB determines direct data forwarding, and sends the TEID and TNL address received from the target SeNB for the data forwarding to the source SeNB. When forwarding the data, the source SeNB directly forwards the data to the tunnel identified by the TEID of the target SeNB, which is identified by the TNL address. If the direct data forwarding is infeasible, the MeNB allocates the TEID and TNL address for the data forwarding, and then sends the allocated TEID and TNL address for the data forwarding to the source SeNB. For each bearer, the TEID and TNL address includes the TEID and TNL address for uplink data forwarding or the TEID, or both, and TNL address for downlink data forwarding. As such, the MeNB stores the TEID and TNL address used for the same bearer, which are allocated by the target SeNB. When forwarding the data, the source SeNB sends the data to the MeNB, and then the MeNB forwards the received data to the target SeNB according to the TEID and TNL address allocated by the target SeNB.

When the MeNB determines whether it is the direct data forwarding or the indirect data forwarding, the MeNB considers according to whether the direct data forwarding is feasible or not, as received from the target SeNB. The MeNB does not exclude that other factors can be considered to determine whether the direct data forwarding is feasible, which are not limited in the present application.

Note that when the target SeNB indicates the direct data forwarding is feasible, the MeNB also determines to apply the indirect data forwarding based on the configurations of O&M. If the indirect data forwarding is determined by the MeNB, the MeNB allocates the TEID and TNL address for the data forwarding, and then sends the allocated TEID and TNL address for the data forwarding to the source SeNB. For each bearer, the TEID and TNL address include the TEID and TNL address for uplink data forwarding or the TEID, or both, and TNL address for downlink data forwarding. As such, the MeNB stores the TEID and TNL address used for the same bearer, which are allocated by the target SeNB. When forwarding the data, the source SeNB sends the data to the MeNB, and then the MeNB forwards the received data to the target SeNB according to the TEID and TNL address allocated by the target SeNB.

Using the above-described method, the MeNB enables the network to support both the direct data forwarding and the indirect data forwarding based on actual situation of the network, reduce data loss and failure of data forwarding, and improve the efficiency of data forwarding.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for data forwarding in a small cell system according to another embodiment of the present application, wherein the O&M needs to configure the MeNB to support the direct data forwarding or the indirect data forwarding. For example, based on the network deployments, when there is no X2 interface between most of eNBs within the coverage of an eNB that serves as a MeNB, the MeNB is configured by the O&M to support the indirect data forwarding; when there is X2 interface available between most of eNBs within the coverage of the MeNB, the MeNB is configured by the O&M to support the direct data forwarding. The O&M can consider other factors during configuration, or the MeNB is configured by the O&M regarding which eNBs served as SeNBs the direct data forwarding may apply, and which may not, so that the MeNB is able to determine the pattern of data forwarding based on the source SeNB and the target SeNB. As shown in <FIG>, the flow includes the following blocks:
In block <NUM>, the MeNB determines the pattern of data forwarding between the source SeNB and the target SeNB, that is, whether it is the direct data forwarding between the source SeNB and the target SeNB or the indirect data forwarding via the MeNB. According to the configurations of O&M, the MeNB determines whether it is the direct data forwarding. Furthermore, the MeNB can consider other factors to determine the pattern of data forwarding between the source SeNB and the target SeNB, such as QoS requirements.

In block <NUM>, the MeNB sends the corresponding TEID and TNL address to the source SeNB. The TEID and TNL address is specified with respect to each bearer, including the TEID and TNL address for uplink data forwarding or the TEID, or both, and TNL address for downlink data forwarding.

If the direct data forwarding is determined by the MeNB, the MeNB sends the TEID and TNL address received from the target SeNB for the data forwarding to the source SeNB. When forwarding the data, the source SeNB directly forwards the data to the target SeNB.

If the indirect data forwarding is determined by the MeNB, the MeNB allocates the TEID and TNL address for the data forwarding, and then sends the allocated TEID and TNL address for the data forwarding to the source SeNB. As such, the MeNB stores the TEID and TNL address used for the same bearer, which are allocated by the target SeNB. When forwarding the data, the source SeNB sends the data to the MeNB, and then the MeNB forwards the received data to the target SeNB according to the TEID and TNL address allocated by the target SeNB.

In block <NUM>, the source SeNB performs the data forwarding according to the received TEID and TNL address, and sends the data to the corresponding data tunnel. If the TEID and TNL address sent in block <NUM> are allocated by the target SeNB, it is the direct data forwarding to be performed. If the TEID and TNL address sent in block <NUM> are allocated by the MeNB, it is the indirect data forwarding to be performed.

Using the above-described method enables the network to support both direct data forwarding and indirect data forwarding based on actual situation of the network, reduce data loss and failure of data forwarding, and improve the efficiency of data forwarding.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for data forwarding in a small cell system according to an example of the present application. Here, detailed description of steps irrelevant to the present application are omitted, for example, the MeNB sends a message of bearer switch request or path switch request to the MME. The flow includes the following steps.

In step <NUM>, the MeNB sends a message of SeNB configuration request <NUM> to the target SeNB for adding a Scell of the SeNB or allocating a Scell at this SeNB to the UE. The message includes the eNB identifier of the source SeNB or the cell identifier of the source SeNB Scell for the UE. The cell identifier of the source SeNB scell for the UE is the same as that in block <NUM>, which is not described in detail herein.

In step <NUM>, the target SeNB sends a message of SeNB configuration response <NUM> to the MeNB.

The message includes resource configuration information in RRC container sent to the UE. The message includes the TEID and TNL address of downlink data tunnel that are allocated by the target SeNB. The message includes the TEID and TNL address for the data forwarding. The TEID and TNL address can be specified with respect to each bearer, including the TEID and TNL address for uplink data forwarding or the TEID, or both, and TNL address downlink data forwarding.

The target SeNB determines whether the direct data forwarding is feasible. The target SeNB examines whether there is an X2 interface between the target SeNB and the source SeNB based on the identifier of the SeNB or the identifier of the Scell received in step <NUM>. If there is an X2 interface available, the direct data forwarding is feasible, otherwise it is infeasible.

When the target SeNB determines whether the direct data forwarding is feasible, in addition to whether an X2 interface is available between the target SeNB and the source SeNB, other factors may also be considered, such as, configurations of the O&M, which are not limited in the present application.

The target SeNB notifies the MeNB whether the direct data forwarding is feasible.

The target SeNB can be aware that the bearer is switched between different SeNBs, rather than from the MeNB to the SeNB, according to the identifier of the source SeNB or the cell identifier of the source Scell in step <NUM>, so as to determine whether the direct data forwarding is feasible. If the bearer is switched from the MeNB to the SeNB, the message in step <NUM> may not include the identifier of the source SeNB or the cell identifier of the source Scell, such that the target SeNB is aware that the switch is from the MeNB to the SeNB, without determining whether the direct data forwarding is feasible or not.

Note that step <NUM>, step <NUM> and step <NUM>, step <NUM> can be within a single procedure, that is, adding a SeNB (or Scell) and deleting a SeNB (or Scell) is achieved by one X2 procedure, or can be in different procedures, that is, adding a SeNB (or Scell) is defined as one X2 procedure, and deleting a SeNB (or Scell) is defined as another X2 procedure.

In step <NUM>, the MeNB determines whether it is the direct data forwarding or the indirect data forwarding. According to whether the direct data forwarding is feasible, which is received from the target SeNB, the MeNB determines whether it is the direct data forwarding or the indirect data forwarding. Other information can also be considered by the MeNB to determine whether it is the direct data forwarding or the indirect data forwarding, such as configurations of one or more of the O&M, properties of service, and so forth.

The MeNB sends a message of SeNB configuration request <NUM> to the source SeNB. If the direct data forwarding is determined by the MeNB, the MeNB sends the TEID and TNL address received from the target SeNB for the data forwarding to the source SeNB. If the indirect data forwarding is determined by the MeNB, the MeNB allocates the TEID and TNL address for the data forwarding between the source SeNB and the MeNB, and then sends the allocated TEID and TNL address to the source SeNB. When the MeNB receives the data forwarded from the source SeNB, the MeNB sends the forwarded data to the target SeNB according to the TEID and TNL address received from the target SeNB for the data forwarding in step <NUM>. The TEID and TNL address can be specified with respect to each bearer, and includes the TEID and TNL address for uplink data forwarding and/or the TEID and TNL address for downlink data forwarding.

In step <NUM>, the source SeNB sends a message of SeNB configuration response <NUM> to the MeNB.

In step 504a, the source SeNB sends a message of sequence number (SN) status to the MeNB.

In step 504b, the MeNB sends a message of SN status to the target SeNB.

The source SeNB starts the data forwarding according to the received TEID and TNL address. If the TEID and TNL address received by the source SeNB are allocated by the target SeNB, it is the direct data <NUM> forwarding to be performed. If the TEID and TNL address received by the source SeNB are allocated by the MeNB, it is the indirect data <NUM> forwarding to be performed.

Note that there is no absolute order between step 504a and step <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the MeNB sends a RRC reconfiguration message to the UE, to request the UE to configure a new SeNB, and delete the configurations for the source SeNB.

In step <NUM>, the UE sends a RRC reconfiguration complete message to the MeNB.

Using the above-described method, it enables the network to support both direct data forwarding and indirect data forwarding based on actual situation of the network, reduce data loss and failure of data forwarding, and improve the efficiency of data forwarding.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for data forwarding in a small cell system according to another example of the present application. Here, detailed description of steps irrelevant to the present application are omitted, for example, the MeNB sends a message of bearer switch request or path switch request to the MME. The flow includes the following steps.

In step <NUM>, the MeNB sends a message of SeNB configuration request <NUM> to the target SeNB for adding a Scell of the SeNB or allocating a Scell at this SeNB to the UE.

The message includes resource configuration information in RRC container sent to the UE. The message includes the TEID and TNL address of downlink data tunnel that are allocated by the target SeNB. The message includes the TEID and TNL address for the data forwarding. The TEID and TNL address can be specified with respect to each bearer, including the TEID and TNL address for uplink data forwarding or the TEID, or both, and TNL address for downlink data forwarding.

Note that step <NUM>, step <NUM> and step <NUM>, step <NUM> can be within a single procedure, that is, adding a SeNB (or Scell) and deleting a SeNB (or Scell) is achieved by one X2 procedure, or can be in different procedures, namely, adding a SeNB (or Scell) is defined as one X2 procedure, and deleting a SeNB (or Scell) is defined as another X2 procedure.

In step <NUM>, the MeNB determines whether it is the direct data forwarding or the indirect data forwarding. The method for the MeNB to determine whether it is the direct data forwarding or the indirect data forwarding is the same with block <NUM>, which is not described in detail herein.

The MeNB sends a message of SeNB configuration request <NUM> to the source SeNB. If the direct data forwarding is determined by the MeNB, the MeNB sends the TEID and TNL address received from the target SeNB for the data forwarding to the source SeNB. If the indirect data forwarding is determined by the MeNB, the MeNB allocates the TEID and TNL address for the data forwarding between the source SeNB and the MeNB, and then sends the allocated TEID and TNL address to the source SeNB. When the MeNB receives the data forwarded from the source SeNB, the MeNB sends the forwarded data to the target SeNB according to the TEID and TNL address received from the target SeNB for the data forwarding in step <NUM>.

In step 604a, the source SeNB sends a message of SN status to the MeNB.

In step 604b, the MeNB sends a message of SN status to the target SeNB.

Note that there is no absolute order between step 604a and step <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a master base station (MeNB) according to an embodiment of the present application.

Referring to <FIG>, the MeNB <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present application includes a transceiver unit <NUM> and an MeNB control unit <NUM> for controlling the transceiver unit <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the transceiver unit <NUM> transmits or receives a signal to or from at least one of a secondary base station (SeNB) and a terminal including UE. Specifically, through the transceiver unit <NUM>, a wired or wireless signal can be transmitted to or received from at least one of the SeNB and a terminal including the UE under the control of the MeNB control unit <NUM>.

The MeNB control unit <NUM> controls the whole operation of the MeNB <NUM> described in an embodiment of the present application. In one example, the operation of the MeNB <NUM> can be determined on the basis of information contained in a signal transmitted to or received from at least one of a terminal including the UE, a source SeNB, and a target SeNB. Also, setting information for data forwarding and data related information can be transmitted to or received from at least one of a terminal including the UE, a source SeNB, and a target SeNB. Additionally, the MeNB control unit <NUM> determines particulars related to the operation of the MeNB <NUM> on the basis of a signal transmitted or received through the transceiver unit <NUM>, and control the operation of the MeNB <NUM> according to determination results.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a secondary base station (SeNB) according to an embodiment of the present application.

Referring to <FIG>, the SeNB <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present application includes a transceiver unit <NUM> and an SeNB control unit <NUM> for controlling the transceiver unit <NUM>. Additionally, the SeNB control unit <NUM> controls the operation of the SeNB in case the SeNB <NUM> operates as a source SeNB or as a target SeNB.

In an embodiment, the transceiver unit <NUM> transmits or receives a signal to or from at least one of the MeNB, other SeNB, and a terminal including UE. Specifically, through the transceiver unit <NUM>, a wired or wireless signal can be transmitted to or received from at least one of the MeNB, other SeNB, and a terminal including the UE under the control of the SeNB control unit <NUM>.

The SeNB control unit <NUM> can control the whole operation of the SeNB <NUM> described in an embodiment of the present application. In one example, the operation of the SeNB <NUM> can be determined on the basis of information contained in a signal transmitted to or received from at least one of a terminal including the UE, the MeNB, and other SeNB. Also, setting information for data forwarding and data related information can be transmitted to or received from at least one of a terminal including the UE, other SeNB, and the MeNB. In case the SeNB operates as a source SeNB, the SeNB control unit <NUM> can perform a control related to an operation of forwarding data to a target SeNB through the MeNB or directly. Additionally, the SeNB control unit <NUM> determines particulars related to the operation of the SeNB <NUM> on the basis of a signal transmitted or received through the transceiver unit <NUM>, and controls the operation of the SeNB <NUM> according to determination results.

Claim 1:
A method performed by a master base station, BS, in a wireless communication system supporting a dual connectivity, the method comprising:
transmitting (<NUM>), to a target secondary BS, a first request message for adding the target secondary BS;
receiving (<NUM>), from the target secondary BS, a response message including an address of the target secondary BS for a data forwarding and a notification whether direct data forwarding is feasible;
identifying (<NUM>), based on the response message, which of a direct data forwarding or an indirect data forwarding is applied; and
transmitting, to a source secondary BS, a second request message,
wherein in case that the direct data forwarding is applied, the second request message includes the address of the target secondary BS as a data forwarding address, and
wherein in case that the indirect data forwarding is applied, the second request message includes an address of the master BS as the data forwarding address, and the method further comprises:
receiving, from the source secondary BS, data based on the address of the master BS; and
forwarding (<NUM>), to the target secondary BS, the data received from the source secondary BS based on the address of the target secondary BS.