Handover between a cellular network and an unlicensed radio access network using a single identifier for all the access points

Abstract

In cellular mobile networks handover between base stations of adjacent cells requires the identity, address and frequency of all adjacent cells to be known to other elements of the network. Conventional networks (e.g.cellular networks) can be extended by the addition of unlicensed-radio access networks. Said unlicensed networks can include an access network controller preferably connected via a broadband network to a plurality of low-power local base stations, which communicate with mobile stations over an unlicensed radio interface. The number and changing location of the local base station renders the operation and maintenance required to enable handover from the conventional network to these access networks prohibitively complex. This difficulty is alleviated by assigning to all the mini-cells of the unlicensed network a single identifier being said single identifier associated to the access network controller. With this arrangement regardless of which base station mini-cell an active call is being handed-over to, the conventional network will be able to route the request to the access network controller.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to mobile communications combining public mobile access networks and unlicensed access networks. The invention relates in particular to connection transfer between public mobile networks and unlicensed radio access networks. Background technique [0002] In any mobile communication system, such as a GSM network, an active call between a mobile station and a base station needs to be handed over to a different base station as the mobile station moves between different coverage areas or cells. Depending on how each cell is defined, a handover may require only rerouting of active calls through a different base transceiver station BTS, through a different base station controller BSC or through a different mobile services switching center MSC. Handover may also be required when capacity problems are encountered in any one cell. [0003] Handover requires a certain amount of operation and maintenance, such as defining neighboring cells...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, the base station controller may not be able to compile a list of all possible frequencies that need to be measured within the cell, except for those cells adjacent to the public licensed mobile network

Furthermore, the simplicity of installation of the individual access points of the unlicensed radio access network means that the number and location of these access points may be constantly changing

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