Distributed virtual cell deployment method, network device and mobile communication network

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a distributed virtual cell deployment method, network device and mobile communication network, wherein the present application proposes to deploy one or more virtual base stations by grouping small base stations and setting the first network device between the small base station group and the macro base station in the mobile communication network, and control the number of virtual cells provided by each virtual base station, and respectively provide virtual cell feature information for each virtual base station to configure the virtual cells, so that the multiple small base stations contained in the same virtual cell use the same physical cell identifier and frequency point, and on this basis, record the above information in the neighbor cell relation table. Since the number of virtual base stations is much smaller than the number of small base stations in mutual neighbor cell relation with the macro base station, thus, the purpose of simplifying the neighbor cell relation configuration and reducing the maintenance and operation cost can be achieved. Further, using the neighbor cell relation table for service cell switching management is also more simple, fast and efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a distributed virtual cell deployment method, network equipment, and mobile communication network. Background Technology

[0002] In mobile communication networks, hybrid networking is a common network deployment strategy aimed at optimizing coverage, increasing network capacity, and improving user experience. For example, in 5G networks, macro base stations and small base stations, such as micro base stations, pico base stations, and femto base stations, are often used in a hybrid networking configuration. For instance,... Figure 1 The network 100 shown has four small base stations deployed near one macro base station and three small base stations deployed near another macro base station. This hybrid networking method fully utilizes the large-area coverage capability of macro base stations and the local high-capacity advantage of small base stations, making it suitable for various different scenario requirements.

[0003] In a hybrid network of macro base stations and small base stations, the macro base stations have a wide coverage area and a large number of small base stations. Each macro base station may be adjacent to several or even dozens of small base stations. This makes the configuration of neighboring cells of macro base stations very complicated, prone to errors, and the configuration files are bloated. It also leads to difficulties in upgrading and maintenance and high operation and maintenance costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a distributed virtual cell deployment method, network equipment, and mobile communication network to simplify the configuration of macro base station neighbor cell relationships and reduce operation and maintenance difficulty and cost.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a distributed virtual cell deployment method, applied to a macro base station in a mobile communication network. The mobile communication network includes: at least one macro base station, a first network device, and a small base station group, wherein the small base station group includes multiple small base stations; the at least one macro base station is connected to the small base station group through the first network device, wherein the first network device and the small base station group form one or more virtual base stations, and any virtual base station provides one or more virtual cells through its own contained small base stations; the method includes:

[0006] The macro base station acquires one or more virtual base station identifiers; the number of virtual base station identifiers is the same as the number of adjacent virtual base stations of the macro base station;

[0007] The macro base station acquires one or more sets of virtual cell feature information; the number of virtual cell feature information and the number of adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station are the same, and the virtual cell feature information includes: a physical cell identifier and a frequency point;

[0008] The macro base station establishes neighbor cell relationships and saves the successfully established neighbor cell relationships to the second neighbor cell relationship table;

[0009] The establishment of neighbor cell relationships includes: establishing relationships between adjacent virtual base stations of the macro base station and their respective virtual base station identifiers, and establishing relationships between adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station and their respective virtual cell feature information; wherein, the physical cells generated by each small base station belonging to the same virtual cell use the same physical cell identifier, and the physical cells generated by each small base station belonging to the same virtual cell use the same frequency point;

[0010] The second neighbor cell relationship table is used at least for serving cell handover management; the second neighbor cell relationship table includes the neighbor cell relationship information of the macro base station: the neighbor cell relationship information of the macro base station includes the mapping relationship between the following: the identifier of the macro base station, the virtual base station identifier configured for the adjacent virtual base stations of the macro base station, and the virtual cell feature information configured for the adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station.

[0011] In some possible designs, the method further includes:

[0012] When a terminal initiates a serving cell handover, the macro base station acquires the terminal's measurement report; the macro base station is the source macro base station.

[0013] The macro base station queries the second neighbor cell relationship table based on the cell feature information carried in the terminal measurement report to determine the target virtual base station, and determines the virtual base station identifier corresponding to the target virtual base station as the identifier of the target base station;

[0014] The macro base station sends a handover request and the identifier of the target base station to the first network device, so that the first network device can use the content carried in the handover request to determine the target small base station and allocate radio resources to the target small base station for serving cell handover; wherein, the handover request carries the identifier of the target base station, the identifier of the source macro base station, the terminal measurement report, and the cell code of the target cell; or, the handover request carries the identifier of the target base station, the identifier of the source macro base station, the terminal measurement report, the cell code of the target cell, and the synchronization signal block (SSB) index of the target cell.

[0015] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a distributed virtual cell deployment method, applied to a first network device in a mobile communication network, the mobile communication network comprising: at least one macro base station, the first network device, and a small base station group, the small base station group comprising multiple small base stations; the at least one macro base station is connected to the small base station group through the first network device, wherein the first network device and the small base station group form one or more virtual base stations, and any virtual base station provides one or more virtual cells through its contained small base stations; the method includes:

[0016] The first network device acquires one or more virtual base station identifiers;

[0017] The first network device acquires one or more sets of virtual cell feature information; the virtual cell feature information includes: a physical cell identifier and a frequency point;

[0018] The first network device establishes neighbor cell relationships and saves the successfully established neighbor cell relationships to the first neighbor cell relationship table;

[0019] The establishment of neighbor cell relationships includes: establishing relationships between the one or more virtual base stations and virtual base station identifiers, and establishing relationships between the virtual cells provided by each virtual base station and virtual cell feature information; wherein, the physical cells generated by each small base station belonging to the same virtual cell use the same physical cell identifier, and the physical cells generated by each small base station belonging to the same virtual cell use the same frequency.

[0020] The first neighbor cell relationship table is used at least for serving cell handover management; the first neighbor cell relationship table includes neighbor cell relationship information corresponding to the at least one macro base station; the neighbor cell relationship information of any macro base station includes the mapping relationship between the following: the identifier of any macro base station, the virtual base station identifier configured for the adjacent virtual base stations of any macro base station, the list of small base stations contained in the adjacent virtual base stations of any macro base station, and the virtual cell feature information configured for the virtual cells contained in the adjacent virtual base stations of any macro base station.

[0021] In some possible designs, the method further includes:

[0022] The first network device obtains the configuration information of the small base station subgroups corresponding to the at least one macro base station;

[0023] For any macro base station, the first network device configures the adjacent small base stations of the macro base station into one or more small base station subgroups based on the small base station subgroup configuration information corresponding to the macro base station; wherein, any one of the small base station subgroups is used to provide a virtual sub-area;

[0024] The first network device stores the mapping relationship between any macro base station and the one or more small base station subgroups in the first neighbor cell relationship table.

[0025] In some possible designs, the method further includes:

[0026] The first network device receives a handover request, which is used to switch the serving cell of the terminal. The handover request carries the identifier of the source macro base station, the identifier of the target base station, the terminal measurement report, and the cell code of the target cell. The identifier of the target base station is the virtual base station identifier corresponding to the target virtual base station determined by the source macro base station based on the cell feature information carried in the terminal measurement report sent by the terminal and querying the second neighbor cell relationship table. The second neighbor cell relationship table is a neighbor cell relationship table maintained locally by the source macro base station.

[0027] The first network device queries the first neighbor cell relationship based on the identifier of the source macro base station, the identifier of the target base station, and the terminal measurement report carried in the handover request, and determines the target virtual sub-cell.

[0028] The first network device determines the target small base station from the small base stations contained in the target virtual sub-cell based on the cell code of the target cell;

[0029] The first network device allocates radio resources to the target small base station to switch the terminal to the cell provided by the target small base station.

[0030] In some possible designs, the method further includes:

[0031] The first network device obtains the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) mode configuration information of any virtual cell. The SSB mode configuration information carries the SSB mode corresponding to each small base station subgroup contained in the virtual cell. The SSB mode indicates the SSB index assigned to each small base station in the corresponding small base station subgroup.

[0032] The first network device configures the SSB mode based on the SSB mode configuration information;

[0033] The first network device stores the mapping relationship between the successfully configured SSB mode and the small base station subgroup in the first neighbor cell relationship table.

[0034] In some possible designs, the SSB mode indicates that multiple small base stations within the same small base station subgroup have different SSB indices; and the same small base stations belonging to different virtual sub-areas are configured with one SSB index.

[0035] In some possible designs, the method further includes:

[0036] The first network device receives a handover request; the handover request is used to request the serving base station of the switching terminal device; wherein, the handover request carries the identifier of the source macro base station, the identifier of the target base station, the terminal measurement report, and the SSB index of the target cell; the identifier of the target base station is the virtual base station identifier corresponding to the target virtual base station determined by the source macro base station by querying the second neighbor cell relationship table based on the cell feature information carried in the terminal measurement report; the second neighbor cell relationship table is a neighbor cell relationship table locally maintained by the source macro base station;

[0037] The first network device determines the target virtual sub-cell by querying the first neighbor cell relationship table based on the identifier of the source macro base station, the identifier of the target base station, and the terminal measurement report in the handover request;

[0038] The first network device queries the mapping relationship between the SSB mode and the small base station subgroup stored in the first neighbor cell relationship table based on the SSB index of the target cell, and determines the target small base station from the small base station subgroup corresponding to the target virtual sub-cell;

[0039] The first network device allocates radio resources to the target small base station to switch the terminal to the cell provided by the target small base station.

[0040] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a network device applied to a macro base station in a mobile communication network, including a module for performing the method described in any of the first aspects.

[0041] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a network device, a first network device applied in a mobile communication network, including a module for performing the method described in any of the second aspects.

[0042] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a network device, including: a memory and a processor; the memory is configured to store computer program instructions; the processor is configured to execute the computer program instructions, causing the network device to implement the method described in any of the first aspects, or to implement the method described in any of the second aspects.

[0043] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, which an electronic device runs to enable the electronic device to implement the method described in any of the first aspects, or to implement the method described in any of the second aspects.

[0044] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a mobile communication network, comprising: at least one macro base station, a first network device, and a small base station group, wherein the small base station group includes at least one small base station; the macro base station is used to perform the method described in any of the first aspects; and the first network device is used to perform the method described in the second aspect.

[0045] This application provides a distributed virtual cell deployment method, network device, and mobile communication network. Specifically, it proposes deploying small base station groups and a first network device positioned between the small base station groups and macro base stations as one or more virtual base stations within a mobile communication network. The method controls the number of virtual cells provided by each virtual base station and configures virtual cell characteristic information for each virtual cell, ensuring that multiple small base stations within the same virtual cell use the same physical cell identifier and frequency. This information is then recorded in a neighbor cell relationship table. Since the number of virtual base stations is much smaller than the number of small base stations that are neighbors with the macro base station, this simplifies the configuration of macro base station neighbor cell relationships and reduces maintenance and operation costs. Furthermore, using this neighbor cell relationship table for serving cell handover management is simpler, faster, and more efficient. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a hybrid networking scenario in related technologies;

[0047] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a mobile communication network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of a mobile communication network provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a mobile communication network provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of a mobile communication network provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a distributed virtual cell deployment method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating a distributed virtual cell deployment method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating a distributed virtual cell deployment method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating a distributed virtual cell deployment method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 10A A schematic diagram illustrating the lookup path of a target small base station determined by a gateway based on a first neighbor cell relationship table, according to an embodiment of this application.

[0056] Figure 10BA schematic diagram illustrating the lookup path of a gateway for determining a target small base station based on a first neighbor cell relationship table, provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0059] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c alone can mean: a alone, b alone, c alone, a combination of a and b, a combination of a and c, a combination of b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0060] The terms "connected" and "connected" should be interpreted broadly. For example, in circuit structures, "connected" or "connected" can refer not only to physical connections but also to electrical or signal connections. This could be a direct connection (physical connection) or an indirect connection via at least one intermediate component, as long as the circuit is connected. It could also refer to the internal connection between two components. Similarly, a signal connection can refer to a connection via a circuit or a medium, such as radio waves. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0061] This application provides a distributed virtual cell deployment method, network equipment, and mobile communication network. Considering that the configuration of neighboring cell relationships can be simplified by reducing the number of neighboring base stations, the number of cells provided by small base stations in neighboring cells, and the amount of cell feature information used by small base stations in neighboring cells, the application proposes deploying small base station groups and a first network device positioned between the small base station groups and the macro base station as one or more virtual base stations in the mobile communication network. The application controls the number of virtual cells provided by each virtual base station and configures virtual cell feature information for each virtual cell so that multiple small base stations within the same virtual cell use the same physical cell identifier and frequency. This information is then recorded in a neighboring cell relationship table. Since the number of virtual base stations is much smaller than the number of small base stations that are neighbors with the macro base station, the configuration of neighboring cell relationships is simplified, and maintenance and operation costs are reduced. Furthermore, using this neighboring cell relationship table for serving cell handover management is simpler, faster, and more efficient.

[0062] Furthermore, the utilization rate of wireless resources is further improved by deploying small base station subgroups during the network deployment phase and allocating wireless resources according to small base station subgroups.

[0063] In addition, by planning the SSB mode of small base station subgroups, the SSB indexes of each small base station belonging to the same small base station subgroup are made different as much as possible, thereby further improving the resource utilization of small base station subgroups.

[0064] The following section provides a detailed description of the distributed virtual cell deployment method provided in this application, taking into account the architecture of mobile communication networks.

[0065] This application exemplarily illustrates the structure of a mobile communication network, wherein the mobile communication network includes: a small cell group, a first network device, and at least one macro base station. The small cell group includes N small cells, namely: a first small cell, a second small cell, ..., an Nth small cell, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0066] N small base stations are connected to the base station-oriented interface provided by the first network device.

[0067] The first network device is directly connected to at least one macro base station, or, when the first network device is not directly connected to the macro base station, it is connected through the core network.

[0068] In addition, when the first network device is directly connected to at least one macro base station, at least one macro base station is also connected to the core network.

[0069] Small base stations can be classified as micro cells, pico cells, and femtocells, among others.

[0070] The first network device can be a gateway (GW) or a centralized unit (CU). The first network device serves as a connection bridge between small base stations and macro base stations.

[0071] When the first network device is a GW, the GW and the N connected small base stations together form one or more virtual base stations, and each virtual base station can provide one or more virtual cells through the small base stations it contains.

[0072] When the first network device is a CU, the CU and the N connected small base stations together form a virtual base station, and each virtual base station provides one or more virtual cells through the N connected small base stations.

[0073] For example, Figure 2 and Figure 3 All of these are exemplary structural diagrams of mobile communication networks shown in this application. Figure 2 The example is illustrated using two macro base stations and seven small base stations.

[0074] Figure 2 In the first mobile communication network 200 shown, the first network device is a GW. The GW is connected to the first small base station, the second small base station, the third small base station, the fourth small base station, the fifth small base station, the sixth small base station, and the seventh small base station, respectively. The GW is also connected to the first macro base station and the second macro base station. In addition, the GW is also connected to the core network, and the core network is also connected to the first macro base station and the second macro base station, respectively.

[0075] Figure 2 In this configuration, the GW and its subordinate first to seventh small base stations together form one or more virtual base stations, and each virtual base station is configured with a corresponding virtual base station identifier. Each virtual base station can provide one or more virtual cells. For example, the following scenarios are possible:

[0076] Scenario (1): The GW and the first to seventh small base stations together form the first virtual base station (gNB1), and the corresponding virtual base station identifier gNB ID1 is configured for gNB1. In this way, gNB1 and the first macro base station are neighboring cells, and at the same time, gNB1 and the second macro base station are also neighboring cells.

[0077] Furthermore, gNB1 forms a virtual cell by generating physical cells from the first to the seventh small base stations, denoted as virtual cell 1-1.

[0078] It should be noted that, in this application, the numbers contained in the name of the virtual cell are the numerical code of the virtual cell, which can also be understood as the cell number or cell identifier of the virtual cell, used to distinguish different virtual cells. For example, the number "1-1" contained in "virtual cell 1-1" is the cell number of that virtual cell; and the number "1-2" contained in "virtual cell 1-2" is the cell number of that virtual cell.

[0079] Scenario (2): The GW and the first to seventh small base stations together form the first virtual base station (gNB1), and the corresponding virtual base station identifier gNB ID1 is configured for gNB1. In this way, gNB1 and the first macro base station are neighboring cells, and at the same time, gNB1 and the second macro base station are also neighboring cells.

[0080] Furthermore, gNB1 forms virtual cell 1-1 through the physical cells generated by the first to the fifth small base stations, and forms virtual cell 1-2 through the physical cells generated by the sixth to the seventh small base stations.

[0081] Scenario (3): The GW and the first to seventh small base stations together form the first virtual base station (gNB1), and the corresponding virtual base station identifier gNB ID1 is configured for gNB1. In this way, gNB1 and the first macro base station are neighboring cells, and at the same time, gNB1 and the second macro base station are also neighboring cells.

[0082] Furthermore, gNB1 forms a virtual cell through the physical cells generated by the first to the third small base stations, denoted as virtual cell 1-1; forms a virtual cell through the physical cells generated by the fourth and fifth small base stations, denoted as virtual cell 1-2; and forms a virtual cell through the physical cells generated by the sixth and seventh small base stations, denoted as virtual cell 1-3.

[0083] Scenario (4): The GW and the first to fifth small base stations jointly form the first virtual base station (gNB1), and the corresponding virtual base station identifier gNB ID1 is configured for gNB1; the GW and the sixth and seventh small base stations jointly form the second virtual base station (gNB2), and the corresponding virtual base station identifier gNB ID2 is configured for gNB2. Among them, gNB1 and the first macro base station are neighboring cells, and gNB2 and the second macro base station are neighboring cells.

[0084] For example, gNB1 forms a virtual cell by generating physical cells from the first to the third small base station, denoted as virtual cell 1-1, and forms a virtual cell by generating physical cells from the fourth and fifth small base stations, denoted as virtual cell 1-2; gNB2 forms a virtual cell by generating physical cells from the sixth and seventh small base stations, denoted as virtual cell 2-1.

[0085] Scenario (5): The GW and the first to fifth small base stations jointly form the first virtual base station (gNB1), and the corresponding virtual base station identifier gNB ID1 is configured for gNB1; the GW and the sixth and seventh small base stations jointly form the second virtual base station (gNB2), and the corresponding virtual base station identifier gNB ID2 is configured for gNB2. Among them, gNB1 and the first macro base station are neighboring cells, and gNB2 and the second macro base station are neighboring cells.

[0086] For example, gNB1 forms a virtual cell by generating physical cells from the first to the fifth small base stations, denoted as virtual cell 1-1; gNB2 forms a virtual cell by generating physical cells from the sixth and seventh small base stations, denoted as virtual cell 2-1.

[0087] Scenario (6): The GW and the first to seventh small base stations jointly form the first virtual base station (gNB1), and the corresponding virtual base station identifier gNB ID1 is configured for gNB1. Among them, gNB1 is a neighbor cell with the first macro base station and the second macro base station. Specifically, the first macro base station is a neighbor cell with the first to fifth small base stations, and the second macro base station is a neighbor cell with the sixth and seventh small base stations.

[0088] Furthermore, gNB1 forms a virtual cell by generating physical cells from the first, third, sixth, and seventh small base stations respectively, denoted as virtual cell 1-1; the fourth and fifth small base stations provide a virtual cell, denoted as virtual cell 1-2.

[0089] The above deployment methods are merely examples and are not intended to limit the deployment methods of virtual base stations and virtual cells.

[0090] Figure 3 In the second mobile communication network 300 shown, the first network device is a CU. The CU is connected to the first small base station, the second small base station, the third small base station, the fourth small base station, the fifth small base station, the sixth small base station, and the seventh small base station, respectively. The CU is also connected to the first macro base station and the second macro base station. In addition, the CU is also used for core network connection. The core network is also connected to the first macro base station and the second macro base station, respectively.

[0091] Figure 3In this system, the CU and its subordinate first to seventh small base stations together form a virtual base station, which is configured with a corresponding virtual base station identifier. This virtual base station provides at least two virtual cells. One set of virtual cells contains small base stations that are neighbors with the first macro base station, while the other set of virtual cells contains small base stations that are neighbors with the second macro base station.

[0092] Case (7): gNB1 provides one virtual cell, denoted as Virtual Cell 1-1, through the first small base station to the third small base station; one virtual cell, denoted as Virtual Cell 1-2, through the fourth and fifth small base stations; and one virtual cell, denoted as Virtual Cell 1-3, through the sixth and seventh small base stations. Among them, the small base stations contained in Virtual Cell 1-1 and Virtual Cell 1-2 are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, and the two small base stations contained in Virtual Cell 1-3 are neighboring cells of the second macro base station.

[0093] In this application, during network planning and deployment, corresponding virtual cell characteristic information is configured for each virtual cell. This virtual cell characteristic information includes a Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) and a frequency point. Furthermore, physical cells generated by small base stations belonging to the same virtual cell use the same PCI, and all small base stations belonging to the same virtual cell use the same frequency point.

[0094] In some embodiments, the configuration planning of virtual cell feature information can be carried out in the following manner:

[0095] Virtual cells belonging to different virtual base stations and located in different geographical areas can be configured with the same virtual cell feature information; that is, virtual cells under different virtual base stations can use the same frequency and the same physical cell identifier. For different macro base stations, their corresponding neighbor cell relationships are different; the same frequency and the same PCI point to different virtual base stations.

[0096] Among them, different virtual cells belonging to the same virtual base station can also be configured with the same virtual cell feature information if they belong to different geographical areas and are neighboring cells with different macro base stations.

[0097] For a single macro base station, if there are two or more adjacent virtual cells, then these multiple virtual cells adjacent to the macro base station must be configured with different virtual cell feature information. It should be noted that multiple virtual cells adjacent to the same macro base station can be provided by the same virtual base station or by different virtual base stations.

[0098] It should be noted that in this application, if at least one of the frequency point or PCI in the virtual cell feature information is different, the virtual cell feature information is considered to be different. Conversely, completely identical virtual cell feature information means that both the frequency point and PCI are the same.

[0099] In other embodiments, the virtual cell feature information also includes a Tracking Area Code (TAC).

[0100] For example, combined Figure 2 The virtual cell feature information configuration can be as follows for the six scenarios corresponding to the first mobile communication network 200 shown:

[0101] In scenario (1): Since a virtual base station is deployed and the virtual base station provides a virtual cell, a frequency point and a PCI are allocated for use by all small base stations within the virtual cell.

[0102] In scenario (2): If virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2 are located in different geographical areas, they can be configured with the same frequency and the same PCI, thus saving frequency and PCI resources. For example, configure PCI1 and frequency 1 for both virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2.

[0103] If virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2 are geographically close and have sufficient frequency and PCI resources, then completely different frequency and PCI can be configured for virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2 respectively. For example, PCI1 and frequency 1 can be configured for virtual cell 1-1; virtual cell feature information can be allocated to virtual cell 1-2, such as PCI2 and frequency 2.

[0104] It is understandable that if virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2 are located in different geographical areas, and if frequency and PCI resources are sufficient, completely different frequency and PCI can be configured for virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2 respectively.

[0105] In scenario (3): Virtual cell 1-1, virtual cell 1-2, and virtual cell 1-3 belong to the same virtual base station. In some embodiments, different frequency points and PCIs can be configured for these three virtual cells. That is, frequency point 1 and PCI1 are configured for virtual cell 1-1, frequency point 2 and PCI2 are configured for virtual cell 1-2, and frequency point 3 and PCI3 are configured for virtual cell 1-3. Subsequent examples of scenario (3) will use the configuration of different frequency points and PCIs for the three virtual cells as an example.

[0106] In other embodiments, different virtual cells belonging to the same virtual base station can also be configured with the same virtual cell feature information if they belong to different geographical areas. That is, frequency point 1 and PCI1 can be configured for virtual cell 1-1, frequency point 2 and PCI2 can be configured for virtual cell 1-2, and frequency point 1 and PCI1 can be configured for virtual cell 1-3. When the mobile communication network is deployed in other ways, the virtual cell feature information can also be configured to virtual cells in this manner.

[0107] In scenario (4): Virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2 belong to the same virtual base station gNB1, and different virtual cell feature information can be assigned to virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2. For example, frequency point 1 and PCI1 can be configured for virtual cell 1-1, and frequency point 2 and PCI2 can be configured for virtual cell 1-2.

[0108] Furthermore, virtual cell 2-1 belongs to virtual base station gNB2. Based on the location / coverage relationship of the two small base stations contained in virtual cell 2-1, if virtual cell 2-1 is located in different geographical areas from virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2, i.e., they are far apart, then the frequency and PCI of virtual cell 2-1 can be the same as those of virtual cell 1-1, or the frequency and PCI of virtual cell 2-1 can be the same as those of virtual cell 1-2.

[0109] If the nearest base station distance between virtual cell 2-1 and virtual cell 1-1 is less than a preset first distance threshold, or if the distance between their coverage areas is less than a preset first distance threshold, then the frequency and PCI of virtual cell 2-1 must be different from those of virtual cell 1-1. Similarly, if the nearest distance between virtual cell 2-1 and virtual cell 1-2 is less than a preset first distance threshold, or if the distance between their coverage areas is less than a preset first distance threshold, then the frequency and PCI of virtual cell 2-1 must be different from those of virtual cell 1-2.

[0110] If the nearest base station distance between virtual cell 2-1 and virtual cell 1-1, and the nearest base station distance between virtual cell 2-1 and virtual cell 1-2 are both less than the first distance threshold, or if the nearest distance between the coverage area of ​​virtual cell 2-1 and the coverage area of ​​virtual cell 1-1, and the coverage area of ​​virtual cell 2-1 and the coverage area of ​​virtual cell 1-2 are both less than the second distance threshold, then the frequency points and PCI of the three virtual cells must be configured to be completely different.

[0111] Of course, you can also disregard the location / coverage relationship between several virtual cells and, if frequency and PCI resources are sufficient, configure completely different frequency points and PCI by default.

[0112] In scenario (5): Virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 2-1 belong to different virtual base stations. Based on the location / coverage relationship between virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 2-1, if virtual cell 2-1 and virtual cell 1-1 are located in different geographical areas, i.e., far apart, then the frequency point and PCI of virtual cell 2-1 can be the same as those of virtual cell 1-1.

[0113] If the nearest base station distance between virtual cell 2-1 and virtual cell 1-1 is less than a preset first distance threshold, or if the distance between their coverage areas is less than a preset first distance threshold, then the frequency point and PCI of virtual cell 2-1 must be different from those of virtual cell 1-1.

[0114] The first distance threshold and the second distance threshold mentioned in scenarios (4) and (5) can be determined based on factors such as the distance between multiple macro base stations and the coverage of small base stations.

[0115] In scenario (6), virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2 belong to the same virtual base station. The first to fifth small base stations contained in both virtual cell 1-2 and virtual cell 1-1 are located around the first macro base station. Therefore, virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2 need to be configured with different virtual cell feature information, such as configuring completely different frequency points and PCI.

[0116] Combination Figure 3 In the case (7) corresponding to the second mobile communication network 300 shown, since the CU and the small base station form a virtual base station and the unique virtual base station provides 3 virtual cells, different virtual cell feature information can be configured for these three virtual cells. Alternatively, the same virtual cell feature information can be configured for two virtual base stations that are far apart, and different virtual cell feature information can be configured for two virtual cells that are neighboring cells of the first macro base station.

[0117] The above network deployment methods can control the number of virtual base stations formed by GW and small base station groups or CU and small base station groups, control the number of virtual cells, and control the number of physical cell identifiers and frequency points used by virtual cells. This can greatly simplify the neighbor cell relationships of macro base stations, thereby reducing the complexity of network planning.

[0118] It should be noted that in practical applications, the number of small base stations and macro base stations may be more or less, and is not limited to a certain number. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The quantity shown.

[0119] In some mobile communication networks, there may be a small base station that is a neighbor to multiple macro base stations. These small base stations are usually close to multiple macro base stations, thus they can provide local capacity supplementation for multiple macro base stations. Therefore, such small base stations can perform service base station handover with any of the adjacent macro base stations.

[0120] For example, Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a mobile communication network structure is shown. Figure 4 This mainly illustrates the scenario where a small base station is simultaneously a neighbor of multiple macro base stations and small base station groups, using the positional relationships between these groups. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4 As shown, the third mobile communication network 400 includes a first macro base station and a second macro base station. The first macro base station is a neighboring cell with the first small base station, the second small base station, the third small base station, the fourth small base station, and the fifth small base station. The second macro base station is also a neighboring cell with the fifth small base station, the sixth small base station, and the seventh small base station.

[0121] in, Figure 4 The third mobile communication network 400 shown may include one or more virtual base stations, each of which can provide one or more virtual cells, as described above. Figure 2 , Figure 3 The implementation method is similar, and will not be described in detail here.

[0122] For example, the fifth small base station is located at the midpoint of the line connecting the locations of the first macro base station and the second macro base station. Thus, the distance between the fifth small base station and the first macro base station, and the distance between the fifth small base station and the second macro base station, are equal. The fifth small base station can perform serving base station handover with the first macro base station, and also with the second macro base station, as well as with any of the other small base stations under the second macro base station, such as the sixth or seventh small base station.

[0123] Although these small base stations have neighboring cell relationships with multiple macro base stations, this does not affect the number of virtual base stations, virtual cells, and virtual cell feature information deployed in the mobile communication network. Therefore, it will not affect the complexity of the neighboring cell relationship configuration.

[0124] In some embodiments, small cell subgroups are also deployed during network deployment. This allows the GW or CU to accurately allocate radio resources when there are a large number of small cells and a very limited number of virtual cells and PCIs, thereby improving the utilization rate of radio resources allocated to small cells and increasing transmission efficiency.

[0125] Specifically, when there are a large number of small base stations and a very limited number of virtual cells and PCIs, there may be a large number of small base stations using the same frequency and PCI under the same virtual base station. By deploying small base station subgroups, the GW or CU can specify the target small base station within a small range according to the actual handover needs and accurately allocate radio resources to the target small base station. This can avoid the waste of services from a large number of small base stations outside the local area where the handover actually occurs, and can also avoid virtual cell congestion.

[0126] Specifically, this can include the following network deployment methods:

[0127] In this application, based on the location and / or coverage relationship between small base stations and macro base stations, multiple small base stations that are relatively close in location and have similar coverage areas can be grouped into a small base station subgroup, thereby pre-determining the deployment scheme of the small base station subgroup.

[0128] In network deployment, multiple small base stations adjacent to a macro base station can be deployed as small base station subgroups according to virtual cells. Each virtual cell includes one or more small base station subgroups, and each small base station subgroup includes one or more small base stations.

[0129] It is understandable that small base stations belonging to the same small base station subgroup provide physical cells that belong to the same virtual cell. Multiple small base station subgroups can belong to the same virtual cell or different virtual cells.

[0130] Small base stations belonging to the same small base station subgroup use the same physical cell identifier and frequency.

[0131] Within the same virtual cell, radio resources can be reused between different virtual sub-cells.

[0132] Small base station groups may or may not overlap; that is, some small base stations may belong to multiple small base station subgroups at the same time.

[0133] Next, combined Figure 2 and Figure 3 An example illustrating the deployment of small base station subgroups:

[0134] exist Figure 2 When the first mobile communication network 200 shown is deployed as in case (1):

[0135] The first to fifth small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the first small base station subgroup. The sixth and seventh small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the second macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the second small base station subgroup.

[0136] Among them, the physical cells generated by the 5 small base stations in the first small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-1, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-1-1; the physical cells generated by the 2 small base stations in the second small base station subgroup form another virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-1, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-1-2.

[0137] It should be noted that, in this application, the numbers contained in the name of the virtual sub-region are the numerical code of the virtual sub-region, which can also be understood as the sub-region code or the identifier of the virtual sub-region, used to distinguish different virtual sub-regions. For example, in case (1), the number "1-1-1" contained in "virtual sub-region 1-1-1" is the numerical code of the virtual sub-region; and the number "1-1-2" contained in "virtual sub-region 1-1-2" is the numerical code of the virtual sub-region.

[0138] In this embodiment, the two virtual sub-areas deployed belong to the same virtual cell.

[0139] For example, in Figure 2 When the first mobile communication network 200 shown is deployed as in case (2):

[0140] The first to fifth small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the first small base station subgroup. The sixth and seventh small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the second macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the second small base station subgroup.

[0141] Among them, the physical cells generated by the 5 small base stations in the first small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-1 under gNB1, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-1-1; the physical cells generated by the 2 small base stations in the second small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-2 under gNB1, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-2-1.

[0142] Unlike case (1), the two virtual sub-areas deployed in this embodiment belong to different virtual cells.

[0143] For example, in Figure 2 When the first mobile communication network 200 shown is deployed as in case (3):

[0144] The first to third small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the first small base station subgroup. The fourth and fifth small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the second small base station subgroup. The sixth and seventh small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the second macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the third small base station subgroup.

[0145] The physical cells generated by the three small base stations in the first small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-1, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-1-1; the physical cells generated by the two small base stations in the second small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-2, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-2-1; and the physical cells generated by the two small base stations in the third small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-3, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-3-1.

[0146] For example, in Figure 2 When the first mobile communication network 200 shown is deployed in case (4): the deployment method of the small base station subgroup is similar to that in case (3).

[0147] The difference lies in the fact that the virtual base stations and virtual cells belonging to the virtual sub-areas formed by the physical cells generated by the two small base stations in the third small base station subgroup are different.

[0148] Specifically, in scenario (4), the physical cells generated by the three small base stations in the first small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-1 under gNB1, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-1-1; the physical cells generated by the two small base stations in the second small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-2 under gNB1, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-2-1; and the physical cells generated by the two small base stations in the third small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 2-1 under gNB2, denoted as virtual sub-area 2-1-1.

[0149] For example, in Figure 2 When the first mobile communication network 200 shown is deployed as in case (5):

[0150] The first to fifth small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the first small base station subgroup. The sixth and seventh small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the second macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the second small base station subgroup.

[0151] Among them, the physical cells generated by the 5 small base stations in the first small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-1, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-1-1; the physical cells generated by the 2 small base stations in the second small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 2-1, denoted as virtual sub-area 2-1-1.

[0152] In some other possible designs, the first to fifth small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, can be divided into multiple small base station subgroups. The physical cells generated by the small base stations in each small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area under virtual cell 1-1. In this way, virtual cell 1-1 contains multiple virtual sub-areas.

[0153] For example, in Figure 2 When the first mobile communication network 200 shown is deployed as in case (6):

[0154] The first to third small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, denoted as the first small base station subgroup. The fourth and fifth small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, denoted as the second small base station subgroup. The sixth and seventh small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the second macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, denoted as the third small base station subgroup.

[0155] The physical cells generated by the three small base stations in the first small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-1, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-1-1; the physical cells generated by the two small base stations in the second small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-2, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-2-1; and the physical cells generated by the two small base stations in the third small base station subgroup form another virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-1, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-1-2.

[0156] For example, in Figure 3 When the second mobile communication network 300 shown is deployed as in case (7):

[0157] The first to third small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the first small base station subgroup. The fourth and fifth small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the second small base station subgroup. The sixth and seventh small base stations, which are neighboring cells of the second macro base station, can be grouped into a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the third small base station subgroup.

[0158] The physical cells generated by the three small base stations in the first small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-1, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-1-1; the physical cells generated by the two small base stations in the second small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-2, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-2-1; and the physical cells generated by the two small base stations in the third small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area of ​​virtual cell 1-3, denoted as virtual sub-area 1-3-1.

[0159] In summary, by deploying small cell subgroups, when a virtual cell contains multiple small cell subgroups, the GW or CU can accurately determine the target small cell that the terminal wants to hand over to within a small range, and allocate the radio resources required for handover to the target small cell, thus avoiding resource waste.

[0160] In some embodiments, after the successful deployment of the small cell subgroup, SSB allocation is performed on the virtual sub-area provided by the small cell subgroup to differentiate each small cell in a virtual cell. This enables the gateway or CU to accurately mobilize the target small cell in the virtual sub-area that covers the terminal device to provide services to the terminal device using the allocated radio handover resources. Other non-target small cells in the virtual sub-area do not perform air interface behavior, thereby avoiding resource waste by non-target small cells.

[0161] Specifically, the following deployment methods may be included:

[0162] Different SSB indices (i.e., SSB indexes) can be assigned to different small base stations in a small base station subgroup, and each small base station can send one of multiple SSBs.

[0163] Specifically, for small base stations that have neighboring cell relationships with multiple macro base stations, the same SSB index is assigned, or the same set of SSB indexes is assigned.

[0164] In this way, the relevant information on SSB index allocation is stored in the GW or CU, and different small base stations are addressed through the SSB index.

[0165] For example, such as Figure 2 The first mobile communication network 200 shown is deployed as follows: the GW and the first to seventh small base stations together form a virtual base station, denoted as gNB1. Specifically, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth small base stations are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, and the sixth and seventh small base stations are neighboring cells of the second macro base station. Furthermore, the physical cells generated by the first, second, third, sixth, and seventh small base stations respectively form virtual cell 1-1, and the physical cells generated by the fourth and fifth small base stations respectively form virtual cell 1-2. Further, the first, second, and third small base stations are assigned to the first small base station subgroup; the fourth and fifth small base stations are assigned to the second small base station subgroup; and the sixth and seventh small base stations are assigned to the third small base station subgroup.

[0166] Based on the above SSB index allocation method, SSB index0 can be assigned to the first small base station belonging to the same first small base station subgroup, SSB index1 can be assigned to the second small base station, and SSB index2 can be assigned to the third small base station. Furthermore, SSB index0 can be assigned to the fourth small base station belonging to the same second small base station subgroup, and SSB index1 can be assigned to the fifth small base station. Furthermore, SSB index0 can be assigned to the sixth small base station belonging to the same third small base station subgroup, and SSB index1 can be assigned to the seventh small base station.

[0167] For example, such as Figure 4 The third mobile communication network 400 shown is deployed as follows: the GW and the first to seventh small base stations together form a virtual base station, denoted as gNB1. Among them, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth small base stations are neighboring cells of the first macro base station, and the fifth, sixth, and seventh small base stations are neighboring cells of the second macro base station.

[0168] The physical cells provided by the first, second, fifth, sixth, and seventh small base stations form virtual cell 1-1, while the physical cells provided by the third and fourth small base stations form virtual cell 1-2. Different virtual cell characteristic information is assigned to virtual cell 1-1 and virtual cell 1-2; for example, frequency point 1 and PCI1 are assigned to virtual cell 1-1, and frequency point 2 and PCI2 are assigned to virtual cell 1-2.

[0169] Furthermore, the first, second, and fifth small base stations are assigned to a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the first small base station subgroup. The physical cells generated by the three small base stations in the first small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-region 1-1-1. The third and fourth small base stations are assigned to a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the second small base station subgroup. The physical cells generated by the two small base stations in the second small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-region 1-2-1. The fifth, sixth, and seventh small base stations are assigned to a single small base station subgroup, referred to as the third small base station subgroup. The physical cells generated by the three small base stations in the third small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-region 1-1-2.

[0170] Figure 4 The scenario in which the third mobile communication network 400 shown is deployed in this manner is referred to as scenario (8) below.

[0171] In scenario (8), based on the SSB index allocation method provided in this application, SSB index1 can be allocated to the first small base station belonging to the same first small base station subgroup, SSB index2 can be allocated to the second small base station, and SSB index0 can be allocated to the fifth small base station. Further, SSB index0 can be allocated to the third small base station belonging to the same second small base station subgroup, and SSB index1 can be allocated to the fourth small base station. Further, SSB index0 can be allocated to the fifth small base station belonging to the same third small base station subgroup, SSB index1 can be allocated to the sixth small base station, and SSB index2 can be allocated to the seventh small base station.

[0172] It should be noted that the SSB indicated by SSB index0 of the fifth small base station in the first small base station subgroup is the same SSB indicated by SSB index0 of the fifth small base station in the third small base station subgroup.

[0173] After the SSB index is assigned to the small base station, since each small base station generates a physical cell, the target small base station can be accurately located in different small base station subgroups through the SSB index.

[0174] In a serving cell handover scenario, the GW or CU can obtain the SSB index of the target cell by parsing the relevant information about the target cell in the terminal measurement report. The GW or CU then determines the target small base station corresponding to the target cell based on the correspondence between the SSB index configured for the small base station in the small base station subgroup and the small base station, and then uses the target small base station to serve the terminal.

[0175] Next, through Figure 5 Examples, and in conjunction with the preceding text Figure 2 , Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The embodiments shown provide network deployment methods for mobile communication networks, and provide a detailed introduction to the distributed virtual cell deployment method executed on the macro base station side.

[0176] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a distributed virtual cell deployment method according to another embodiment of this application. The method of this embodiment is applied to a macro base station in a mobile communication network. Please refer to... Figure 5 As shown, the method in this embodiment includes:

[0177] S51, Macro base station obtains one or more virtual base station identifiers.

[0178] The number of virtual base station identifiers is the same as the number of adjacent virtual base stations of the macro base stations included in the mobile communication network as determined during the network planning phase. For example, if the mobile communication network plans for 3 virtual base stations, and 2 of these virtual base stations are neighbors of the macro base stations, then the macro base station will receive 2 virtual base station identifiers.

[0179] In some embodiments, one or more virtual base station identifiers can be issued to a macro base station through manual configuration. That is, the macro base station can connect to an external device via an interface, and the user issues virtual base station identifiers to the macro base station by operating the external device. This method is also known as manual configuration.

[0180] In other embodiments, one or more virtual base station identifiers may be issued to macro base stations through the network management platform of the basic RAN.

[0181] S52. The macro base station acquires one or more sets of virtual cell feature information; wherein, the number of virtual cell feature information and the number of adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station are the same, and any set of virtual cell feature information includes: a physical cell identifier and a frequency point.

[0182] Specifically, the virtual cell feature information acquired by the macro base station is determined based on virtual cells related to the macro base station from one or more virtual cells provided by virtual base stations adjacent to the macro base station. That is, the macro base station does not need to maintain information about non-adjacent virtual cells or non-adjacent virtual base stations; non-adjacent virtual cells include virtual cells not adjacent to the macro base station provided by neighboring virtual base stations, as well as virtual cells provided by virtual base stations not adjacent to the macro base station.

[0183] The number of virtual cell feature information is less than or equal to the number of adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station.

[0184] In some embodiments, virtual cell feature information of neighboring virtual cells to be configured to the macro base station can be sent to the macro base station by manual configuration.

[0185] In other embodiments, the virtual cell feature information of the neighboring virtual cells to be configured for the macro base station can be sent to the macro base station through the network management platform of the basic RAN.

[0186] S53. The macro base station establishes neighbor cell relationships and saves the successfully established neighbor cell relationships to the second neighbor cell relationship table; wherein, the second neighbor cell relationship table is used at least for serving cell handover management; the second neighbor cell relationship table includes the neighbor cell relationship information of the macro base station, and the neighbor cell relationship information includes the mapping relationship between the following: the identifier of the macro base station, the virtual base station identifier configured for the adjacent virtual base stations of the macro base station, and the virtual cell feature information configured for the adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station.

[0187] The virtual base station identifier is also called the virtual base station ID.

[0188] The establishment of neighbor cell relationships includes: establishing mapping relationships between adjacent virtual base stations of a macro base station and their respective virtual base station identifiers, and establishing mapping relationships between adjacent virtual cells of a macro base station and their respective virtual cell feature information, that is, establishing mapping relationships between adjacent virtual cells of a macro base station and their frequency points and PCI.

[0189] The neighbor cell relationship table can also be called a neighbor cell relationship database, a neighbor cell relationship data table, etc. In this application, in order to distinguish between the neighbor cell relationship data table stored in the first network device and the neighbor cell relationship data table stored in the macro base station, the neighbor cell relationship table stored locally in the first network device is called the first neighbor cell relationship table, and the neighbor cell relationship table stored locally in the macro base station is called the second neighbor cell relationship table.

[0190] For example, with Figure 2 When the first mobile communication network 200 shown is deployed as described above (6):

[0191] The second neighbor cell relationship table stored in the first macro base station includes the contents shown in Table 1 below:

[0192] Table 1

[0193]

[0194] The second neighbor cell relationship table stored in the second macro base station includes the contents shown in Table 2 below:

[0195] Table 2

[0196]

[0197] In Table 2, " / " indicates no data. It should be noted that the numbers in the macro cell names in Tables 1 and 2 are the corresponding numerical codes for the macro cells, i.e., cell numbers or cell identifiers. Furthermore, Tables 1 and 2 use the example of a first macro base station comprising one macro cell for illustration; in actual mobile communication networks, a macro base station can provide one or more macro cells.

[0198] Furthermore, during actual network deployment, any macro base station can accurately determine the virtual base station to which the virtual cell belongs by using the virtual cell characteristics used by the virtual cell. Therefore, there is no need to maintain the cell number of the virtual cell in the macro base station, which simplifies the configuration of neighbor cell relationships in the macro base station.

[0199] If a traditional network deployment method is used, the neighbor cell relationship tables stored by the first macro base station and the second macro base station will record the frequency points and PCI information allocated to their respective neighboring small base stations, as well as the identifiers of the small base stations. For example, in Figure 2In the case of the first mobile communication network deployment shown in scenario (6), the neighbor cell relationship table in the first macro base station includes the frequency points, PCI, and small base station identifiers corresponding to the first, second, third, sixth, and seventh small base stations, respectively. Similarly, the neighbor cell relationship table stored in the second macro base station includes the frequency points, PCI, and small base station identifiers corresponding to the fourth and fifth small base stations, respectively.

[0200] A comparison shows that, using the method described in this application, the number of neighboring base stations and the amount of neighboring cell feature information stored in the neighboring cell relationship table of the macro base station are reduced, thus simplifying the configuration of neighboring cell relationships for the macro base station. The macro base station uses a second neighboring cell relationship table for serving cell handover management, which is more efficient.

[0201] In particular, when a macro base station has a large number of neighboring small base stations, the complexity of the neighbor cell relationship table generated using traditional methods increases significantly, further increasing the complexity of serving cell handover management for the macro base station. In such cases, the method described in this application significantly simplifies the second neighbor cell relationship table maintained in the macro base station, resulting in a more significant improvement in serving cell handover management efficiency.

[0202] In summary, the method of this embodiment can control the number of virtual base stations in the mobile communication network, the number of virtual cells in the mobile communication network, and the number of frequency resources and PCI resources used by small base stations. In this way, the complexity of the neighbor relationships in the second neighbor relationship table stored by the macro base station is reduced, and the configuration of neighbor relationships in the macro base station is simplified.

[0203] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a distributed virtual cell deployment method according to an embodiment of this application. The method in this embodiment is applied to a first network device, namely, a gateway (GW) or a core unit (CU). Please refer to... Figure 6 As shown, the method in this embodiment includes:

[0204] S61. The first network device acquires one or more virtual base station identifiers.

[0205] The number of virtual base station identifiers is the same as the number of virtual base stations planned in the mobile communication network. For example, if it is determined during the network planning phase that the mobile communication network will form 3 virtual base stations, then 3 virtual base station identifiers will be issued to the first network device.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first network device can connect to an external device via an interface, and the user can send the virtual base station identifier to the first network device by operating the external device. This method can also be referred to as manual configuration.

[0207] In other embodiments, a virtual base station identifier is issued to the first network device through the network management platform of the virtual radio access network (also known as the network management platform of the virtual RAN). The network management platform of the virtual RAN is primarily responsible for the management and configuration of virtual base stations, virtual cells, small cell subgroups, virtual sub-areas, etc.

[0208] S62. The first network device acquires one or more sets of virtual cell feature information, wherein each set of virtual cell feature information includes a frequency point and a physical cell identifier.

[0209] The quantity of virtual cell feature information is related to factors such as the number of virtual cells provided by each virtual base station planned in the mobile communication network, the location and / or coverage relationships between multiple virtual cells belonging to the same virtual base station, the location and / or coverage relationships between virtual cells provided by different virtual base stations, the number of available frequency resources, and the number of available PCI resources. See the example above; it will not be repeated here.

[0210] In some embodiments, virtual cell feature information required for network deployment can be sent to the first network device through manual configuration.

[0211] In other embodiments, the virtual cell feature information required for network deployment can be sent to the first network device through the network management platform of the virtual RAN.

[0212] S63. The first network device establishes neighbor cell relationships and saves the successfully established neighbor cell relationships to the first neighbor cell relationship table. The first neighbor cell relationship table is used at least for serving cell handover management. The first neighbor cell relationship table includes neighbor cell relationship information corresponding to at least one macro base station. The neighbor cell relationship information of any macro base station includes the mapping relationship between the following: the identifier of any macro base station, the virtual base station identifier configured for the adjacent virtual base stations of any macro base station, the list of small base stations contained in the adjacent virtual base stations of any macro base station, and the virtual cell feature information configured for the virtual cells contained in the adjacent virtual base stations of any macro base station. Among them, the physical cells provided by each small base station belonging to the same virtual cell use the same physical cell identifier, and the physical cells provided by each small base station belonging to the same virtual cell use the same frequency.

[0213] Establishing neighbor cell relationships includes: establishing a mapping relationship between one or more virtual base stations in the mobile communication network and the virtual base station identifier, and establishing a mapping relationship between the virtual cells provided by each virtual base station and the allocated virtual cell feature information, that is, establishing a mapping relationship between virtual cells and frequency points and PCI.

[0214] The neighbor cell relationship table can also be called a neighbor cell relationship database, a neighbor cell relationship data table, etc. In this application, in order to distinguish between the neighbor cell relationship table stored in the first network device and the neighbor cell relationship table stored in the macro base station, the neighbor cell relationship table stored locally in the first network device is called the first neighbor cell relationship table, and the neighbor cell relationship table stored locally in the macro base station is called the second neighbor cell relationship table.

[0215] For example, with Figure 2 When the first mobile communication network 200 shown is deployed as described above (6), the first neighbor cell relationship table stored in the first network device may include the contents shown in Table 3 below:

[0216] Table 3

[0217]

[0218] In this context, a microcell refers to a serving cell provided by a small base station. In the embodiments of this application, the mapping relationship between microcells and small base stations contained in the first neighbor cell relationship table is used for illustration. Furthermore, in this application, the numbers contained in the microcell name are the microcell's numerical identifier, which can also be understood as the microcell's cell code or cell identifier, used to distinguish different microcells; for example, in Table 3, the number "1-1-0" in "microcell 1-1-0" is the cell code of the corresponding microcell.

[0219] In other embodiments, the first neighbor cell relationship table may not contain the mapping relationship between microcells and small base stations. The mapping relationship between microcells and small base stations is maintained in a separate relationship table. When performing a serving cell handover, the first network device combines the first neighbor cell relationship table with the microcell and small base station relationship table to accurately determine the target small base station.

[0220] For example, the relationship table used to store the mapping relationship between microcells and small base stations includes the contents shown in Table 4:

[0221] Table 4

[0222] Cell ID micro-region Small cell base station identifier cell ID1 First Micro District First small base station cell ID2 Second Micro-district Second small base station cell ID3 Third Microzone Third small base station cell ID4 Fourth micro-district Fourth small base station cell ID5 Fifth Micro-district Fifth small base station cell ID6 Sixth Micro District Sixth small base station cell ID7 Seventh Micro District Seventh small base station

[0223] In summary, the method of this embodiment can control the number of virtual base stations in the mobile communication network, the number of virtual cells in the mobile communication network, and the number of frequency resources and PCI resources used by small base stations. This simplifies the complexity of configuring neighbor relationships for macro base stations. At the same time, the first network device maintains its own neighbor relationships locally based on a similar network deployment. Thus, the first network device and the macro base station can cooperate to provide the basic conditions for accurate handover resource scheduling in serving cell handover scenarios.

[0224] Figure 7A flowchart illustrating a distributed virtual cell deployment method according to another embodiment of this application. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 7 As shown, the method in this embodiment is Figure 6 Based on the illustrated embodiment, after S63, it further includes:

[0225] S64. The first network device obtains the configuration information of the small base station subgroups corresponding to at least one macro base station in the mobile communication network.

[0226] The small cell subgroup configuration information corresponding to a macro base station is used to indicate how many small cell subgroups will be divided into for all small cell base stations adjacent to the macro base station, and which small cell base stations are included in each small cell subgroup. For example, the small cell subgroup configuration information may carry: the identifier of the adjacent macro base station, the identifier of each small cell subgroup planned for the macro base station, the identifier of the small cell base stations included in each small cell subgroup, the identifier of the virtual base station to which the small cell subgroup belongs, the identifier of the virtual cell to which it belongs, and the identifier of the corresponding virtual sub-cell.

[0227] In some embodiments, configuration information of small base station subgroups corresponding to each macro base station included in the mobile communication network can be sent to the first network device through manual configuration.

[0228] In other embodiments, the network management platform of the virtual RAN can send the configuration information of the small base station subgroups corresponding to each macro base station included in the mobile communication network to the first network device.

[0229] S65. For any macro base station, the first network device configures the adjacent small base stations of the macro base station as one or more small base station subgroups based on the small base station subgroup configuration information corresponding to the macro base station, and stores the mapping relationship between the macro base station and the corresponding one or more small base station subgroups in the first neighbor cell relationship table.

[0230] Specifically, for any macro base station, configuring all adjacent small base stations of the macro base station into one or more small base station subgroups refers to establishing a mapping relationship between the macro base station, the small base station subgroups, and the small base stations.

[0231] In this application, the physical cells generated by each small base station within a small base station subgroup form a virtual sub-area. Thus, any macro base station can have neighboring cell relationships with one or more virtual sub-areas. For details on how to divide small base station subgroups, please refer to the detailed description and several examples above; for the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0232] For example, with Figure 2 When the first mobile communication network 200 shown is deployed as described above (6), and after the small base station subgroup deployment is successfully completed, the first neighbor cell relationship table stored in the first network device includes the contents shown in Table 5 below:

[0233] Table 5

[0234]

[0235]

[0236] As shown in Table 5, the first network device can narrow down the search range of the target small base station that the terminal wants to switch to by querying the mapping relationship between virtual base stations, virtual cells, adjacent macro base stations and virtual sub-cells, and then determine the target small base station to serve the terminal based on the relevant information of the target cell carried in the received handover request.

[0237] For example, with Figure 4 When the third mobile communication network 400 shown is deployed as described above (8), and after the small base station subgroup deployment is successfully completed, the first neighbor cell relationship table stored in the first network device includes the contents shown in Table 6 below:

[0238] Table 6

[0239]

[0240] As shown in Table 6, the first network device can narrow down the search range of the target small base station that the terminal wants to switch to by querying the three sets of mapping relationships between the virtual base station, virtual cell, adjacent macro base station and virtual sub-cell, and then quickly determine the target small base station based on other information in the received handover request.

[0241] In summary, the method of this embodiment can control the number of virtual base stations in the mobile communication network, the number of virtual cells in the mobile communication network, the number of frequency resources and PCI resources used by small base stations, and the number of virtual sub-cells. This simplifies the complexity of configuring neighbor cell relationships for macro base stations. At the same time, the first network device maintains its own neighbor cell relationships locally based on a similar network deployment. Thus, the first network device and the macro base station can cooperate to provide the basic conditions for accurate handover resource scheduling in serving cell handover scenarios.

[0242] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating a distributed virtual cell deployment method according to another embodiment of this application. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 8 As shown, the method in this embodiment is Figure 7 Based on the illustrated embodiment, after S65, it further includes:

[0243] S66. The first network device obtains the SSB mode configuration information of any virtual cell.

[0244] The SSB mode configuration information carries the SSB mode corresponding to each small base station subgroup contained in any virtual cell. It can also be understood that the SSB mode configuration information contains the SSB mode corresponding to each virtual sub-area contained in the virtual cell.

[0245] The SSB mode corresponding to a small cell subgroup indicates the SSB index allocated to each small cell in that subgroup. This can also be understood as the SSB mode indicating the SSB index allocated to the physical cells generated by each small cell in that subgroup. An SSB index indicates an SSB resource, which includes an SSB signal and related uplink / downlink signaling and resource configurations, such as System Information Block (SIB) signaling and Random Access Occasion (RACH Occasion). This establishes a mapping between SSB indices and physical cells, and since physical cells are generated by small cells, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the two.

[0246] In a serving base station handover scenario, once the first network device determines the SSB index, it can accurately locate the small base station by querying the mapping relationship between the SSB index and the physical cell, as well as the relationship between the physical cell and the small base station.

[0247] During the network planning phase, the deployment methods of virtual cells and small base station subgroups, available SSB resources, and the location / coverage relationships between small base stations can be used to plan how to allocate SSB resources to each small base station in the mobile communication network, and then generate the corresponding SSB mode configuration information for each virtual cell.

[0248] In some embodiments, the SSB mode configuration information may include the transmission period of the virtual cell SSB burst set, the maximum number of SSBs included in each SSB burst set and their temporal distribution, and the index number of the actually active SSBs within the virtual sub-cell. In some cases, the SSB mode configuration information may further include the mapping relationship between small base stations and SSB indices.

[0249] In some embodiments, SSB mode configuration information of each virtual cell included in the mobile communication network can be sent to the first network device through manual configuration.

[0250] In other embodiments, the SSB mode configuration information for each virtual cell can be sent to the first network device through the virtual RAN network management platform. If the basic RAN network management platform includes the functionality of the virtual RAN network management platform, configuration can also be performed through the basic RAN network management platform; otherwise, if the basic RAN network management platform does not include the functionality of the virtual RAN network management platform, configuration can be performed through the virtual RAN network management platform.

[0251] S67. The first network device configures the SSB mode based on the SSB mode configuration information of any virtual cell, and saves the mapping relationship between the successfully configured SSB mode and the small base station subgroup in the first neighbor cell relationship table.

[0252] The first network device performs SSB mode configuration, which includes configuring the virtual sub-cell in SSB mode and configuring the SSB index used by each small base station in the virtual sub-cell.

[0253] For example, with Figure 2 When the first mobile communication network 200 shown is deployed as described above (6), and after successful deployment of small cell subgroups and configuration of SSB mode, the first neighbor cell relationship table stored in the first network device includes the contents shown in Table 7 below:

[0254] Table 7

[0255]

[0256]

[0257] In the case shown in Table 7, the first network device narrows the search range of the target small base station to a small base station subgroup by querying the three sets of mapping relationships between the virtual base station, virtual cell, adjacent macro base station and virtual sub-cell. Then, it can directly determine the target small base station based on the SSB index of the target cell carried in the received handover request.

[0258] For example, with Figure 4 When the third mobile communication network 400 shown is deployed as described in scenario (8) above, and after successful deployment of small cell subgroups and configuration of SSB mode, the first neighbor cell relationship table stored in the first network device includes the contents shown in Table 8 below:

[0259] Table 8

[0260]

[0261] As shown in Tables 7 and 8, the first network device narrows the search range of the target small base station to a small base station subgroup by querying the mapping relationship between virtual base stations, virtual cells, adjacent macro base stations and virtual sub-cells. Then, it can directly determine the target small base station based on the SSB index of the target cell carried in the received handover request.

[0262] In summary, by configuring different SSB indices for each small base station included in the virtual sub-area using the method of this embodiment, the first network device can quickly and accurately find the target small base station in the serving cell handover scenario based on the target cell SSB index carried in the received handover request.

[0263] Through the above Figures 5 to 8 After network deployment as shown in the embodiment, the first network device and at least one macro base station in the mobile communication network each maintain their own neighbor cell relationship tables. Thus, the first network device and the macro base station can manage serving cells based on their own maintained neighbor cell relationship tables.

[0264] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a distributed virtual cell deployment method provided in one embodiment of this application. This embodiment primarily describes how a macro base station and a first network device perform serving cell handover management. Please refer to... Figure 9 As shown, the method in this embodiment includes:

[0265] S91. When a terminal initiates a serving cell handover, the macro base station obtains the terminal's measurement report.

[0266] When a terminal initiates a serving cell handover, it measures the signal quality of the current serving cell and neighboring cells. If the signal quality of the neighboring cells is stronger than that of the current serving cell and other preset conditions are met, the terminal will send a terminal measurement report to the macro base station.

[0267] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the source base station is a macro base station, and the macro cell provided by the macro base station is the source cell.

[0268] S92. The macro base station queries the second neighbor cell relationship table based on the cell feature information carried in the terminal measurement report to determine the target virtual base station, and determines the virtual base station identifier of the target virtual base station as the identifier of the target base station.

[0269] The terminal measurement report carries characteristic information about neighboring cells, namely, the frequency points and PCI used by the neighboring cells. Based on the characteristic information of the neighboring cells, the macro base station queries the second neighbor cell relationship table to find the frequency points and PCI configured for each virtual cell, thereby determining the virtual base station to which the neighboring cell belongs, that is, determining the target virtual base station as the target base station for the serving cell handover.

[0270] In addition, the macro base station can also determine the virtual base station identifier corresponding to the target virtual base station through the second neighbor cell relationship table.

[0271] In this application, the virtual base station identifier can be a Global gNB ID assigned to the virtual base station. The Global gNB ID is an identifier capable of globally identifying a gNB, ensuring that different gNBs can be distinguished even across different PLMNs. The virtual base station identifier can consist of two parts: a PLMN identity (PLMN ID) used to identify the operator's network, and a gNB-ID used to uniquely identify a gNodeB within that PLMN.

[0272] S93. The macro base station sends a handover request to the first network device. Accordingly, the first network device receives the handover request.

[0273] In some embodiments, the handover request carries the base station identifier of the source base station, the identifier of the target base station, the terminal measurement report, and the cell code of the target cell. The handover request also carries the cell code of the source cell.

[0274] Source gNB ID: The handover request includes the identity of the source gNB, which is used by the target gNB to identify the current serving gNB.

[0275] Source cell ID: The source cell ID can be represented by NR CGI (NR cell Global identifier), which includes PLMN ID and cell ID.

[0276] Target base station identifier: The target base station is the base station of the target cell to which the terminal wants to switch. The handover request will include the identifier of the target base station to clearly specify the target base station so that the source base station can determine which base station the terminal will switch to.

[0277] The target cell's cell code is the identifier of the target cell, which can also be represented by NR CGI, including PLMN ID and cell ID, to ensure that the source base station and terminal can accurately identify the target cell.

[0278] The cell characteristic information of the target cell includes the frequency point and PCI of the target cell. In some embodiments, the cell characteristic information of the target cell may also include TAC.

[0279] Frequency of the target cell: The terminal measurement report carries the frequency of the target cell. This is the absolute frequency location of the target cell, which is used to inform the terminal on which frequency to search for the SSB of the target cell.

[0280] PCI of the target cell: The PCI of the target cell is carried in the terminal measurement report. This is the physical layer identifier of the target cell.

[0281] To ensure a smooth handover, the critical information carried in the handover request is essential for the target virtual base station to prepare handover resources and for the terminal to successfully access the target cell.

[0282] In other embodiments, the handover request carries the identifier of the target base station, the base station identifier of the source base station, the terminal measurement report, the cell code of the target cell, and the SSB index of the target cell. Optionally, the handover request may further carry information about the time-domain / frequency-domain location of the SSB of the target cell to help the terminal find and synchronize with the SSB of the target cell at the correct time and frequency.

[0283] In some embodiments, the macro base station can send a handover request directly to the first network device through its interface with the first network device. In other embodiments, the macro base station can send a handover request to the first network device through the core network.

[0284] S94. The first network device uses the handover request to query the first neighbor cell relationship table to determine the target small base station.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first network device determines the target virtual base station based on the identifier of the target base station carried in the handover request. Then, based on the combination of the frequency point and PCI information of the target cell in the handover request and the target virtual base station, the first network device determines the target virtual cell under the target virtual base station. Next, based on the identifier of the source macro base station carried in the handover request, the first network device queries the mapping relationship between the source base station and the virtual sub-cell under the target virtual cell in the first neighbor cell relationship table to determine the target virtual sub-cell. Finally, based on the cell code of the target cell carried in the handover request, the first network device determines the small base station with the matching cell code from the small base station subgroup corresponding to the target virtual sub-cell as the target small base station.

[0286] In other embodiments, the first network device determines the target virtual base station based on the target base station identifier carried in the handover request. Then, based on the combination of the frequency point and PCI information of the target cell in the handover request and the target virtual base station, it determines the target virtual cell under the target virtual base station. Next, the first network device queries the mapping relationship between the source base station and the virtual sub-cell under the target virtual cell in the first neighbor cell relationship table based on the identifier of the source macro base station carried in the handover request, and determines the target virtual sub-cell under the target virtual cell. Then, the first network device queries the mapping relationship between the SSB mode of the small base station subgroup corresponding to the target virtual sub-cell and each small base station in the small base station subgroup in the first neighbor cell relationship table based on the SSB index of the target cell carried in the handover request, and determines the small base station matching the SSB index as the target small base station.

[0287] It should be noted that the order of determining the target small base station based on the information carried in the handover request can be adjusted and is not limited to the above example. For example, after determining the target virtual base station, the virtual cells adjacent to it can be determined first based on the source macro base station, and then the target virtual cell can be determined based on the frequency point and PCI of the target cell.

[0288] Understandably, regardless of how the order is adjusted, the essence is to determine a unique target virtual sub-region based on the combination of information from the target base station, source base station, frequency point, and PCI, and then determine the target small base station within the target virtual sub-region.

[0289] S95. The first network device allocates radio resources to the target small base station to switch the terminal to the cell provided by the target small base station.

[0290] Using the method in this embodiment, the macro base station and the first network device perform serving cell handover using their respective maintained neighbor cell relationship tables. Since the number of virtual base stations, the number of virtual cells provided by the virtual base stations, and the number of frequencies and PCIs used by the virtual cells are controlled during the network planning stage, the neighbor cell relationship of the macro base station is simplified. This provides a basic condition for the macro base station and the first network device to improve the complexity of serving cell handover, thereby improving the efficiency of serving cell handover.

[0291] In one specific embodiment, the architecture of the mobile communication network is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, and when deployed as described above (6), the first macro base station is used as the source base station. The first macro base station can determine the target virtual base station as gNB1 by querying Table 1 shown above, and sends a handover request to the gateway. The handover request carries gNB ID1. When the gateway receives the handover request, it will query Table 5 or Table 7 above according to the target base station ID in the handover request, i.e., gNB ID1, to determine the target virtual base station as gNB1. Then, according to the target virtual base station as gNB1 and the frequency point and PCI of the target cell carried in the handover request, it will query Table 5 or Table 7 above to determine the target virtual cell under gNB1 as virtual cell 1-1. Then, according to the base station identifier of the source base station in the handover request, and the mapping relationship between virtual cells and virtual sub-cells in the first neighbor cell relationship table shown in Table 5 or Table 7, it will determine the target virtual sub-cell as virtual sub-cell 1-1-1. The gateway will further query the mapping relationship between microcells and small base station identifiers in Table 5 above according to the cell code (cell ID) of the target cell carried in the handover request, or query the SSB index in Table 7 above according to the SSB index of the target cell carried in the handover request. The mapping relationship between the index and the small cell identifier is used to determine the target small cell as the third small cell and designate the target small cell to provide services to the terminal.

[0292] Combination Figure 10AAs shown in Table 7, when the first neighbor cell relationship table is as follows, the gateway's query path is as follows: Figure 10A The table shown contains bold black text and background-filled sections, and the query order is from left to right.

[0293] If the order of information in the first neighboring cell relationship table maintained in the gateway is different, the gateway's query path will also be different. For example... Figure 10B As shown, the first neighbor cell relationship table maintained in the gateway is stored in the following order: virtual base station identifier, adjacent macro base stations, virtual cell feature information, virtual cell, virtual sub-cell, SSB index, micro cell, and small base station. The gateway's storage path is as follows: Figure 10B The table shown contains bold black text and background-filled sections, and the query order is from left to right.

[0294] contrast Figure 10A and Figure 10B The query path shown has the same query result, even though the information stored in the first neighboring relation table is in a different order.

[0295] In summary, the method provided in this application can control the number of virtual base stations in a mobile communication network, the number of virtual cells in a mobile communication network, and the number of frequency resources and PCI resources used by small base stations. This effectively simplifies the neighbor cell relationship tables maintained by the macro base station and the first network device, greatly reduces the complexity of neighbor cell relationships, and helps improve the efficiency of serving cell handover.

[0296] Furthermore, this application uses hierarchical numbering for virtual base stations, virtual cells, virtual sub-cells, and microcells to facilitate mobile network management. For example, in this application, virtual cell 1-1 represents the first virtual cell under the first virtual base station (i.e., virtual base station 1), virtual sub-cell 1-1-1 represents the first virtual sub-cell within virtual cell 1-1, and microcell 1-1-1-0 represents microcell number 0 within virtual sub-cell 1-1-1.

[0297] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of a network device provided in one embodiment of this application. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 11 As shown, the network device 1100 provided in this embodiment can exist independently or be integrated into other devices. It can communicate with the macro base station mentioned above to implement the operation corresponding to the first network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0298] The network device 1100 may include a first transceiver module 1101 and a first processing module 1102. The first processing module 1102 is used for data processing, and the first transceiver module 1101 can implement corresponding communication functions. The first transceiver module 1101 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0299] Optionally, the network device 1100 may further include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The first processing module 1102 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the network device 1100 can perform the operations executed by the first network device in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0300] The first transceiver module 1101 is used to perform the receiving-related operations of the first network device in the above method embodiment, and the first processing module 1102 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the first network device in the above method embodiment.

[0301] Optionally, the first transceiver module 1101 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0302] It should be noted that network device 1100 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, network device 1100 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. The specific choice depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by network device 1100 includes both transmitting and receiving actions.

[0303] As an example, network device 1100 is used to perform the aforementioned... Figure 5 The actions performed by the first network device in the illustrated embodiment.

[0304] The network device 1100 may include a first transceiver module 1101 and a first processing module 1102.

[0305] The first transceiver module 1101 is used to acquire one or more virtual base station identifiers; acquire one or more sets of virtual cell feature information; wherein, the virtual cell feature information includes: a physical cell identifier and a frequency point;

[0306] The first processing module 1102 is used to establish neighbor relationships and save the successfully established neighbor relationships to the first neighbor relationship table;

[0307] The establishment of neighbor cell relationships includes: establishing relationships between the one or more virtual base stations and virtual base station identifiers, and establishing relationships between virtual cells provided by each virtual base station and virtual cell feature information; wherein, physical cells generated by small base stations belonging to the same virtual cell use the same physical cell identifier, and small base stations belonging to the same virtual cell use the same frequency; the first neighbor cell relationship table is used at least for serving cell handover management; the first neighbor cell relationship table includes neighbor cell relationship information corresponding to the at least one macro base station; the neighbor cell relationship information of any macro base station includes a mapping relationship between the following: the identifier of any macro base station, the virtual base station identifier configured for the adjacent virtual base stations of any macro base station, the list of small base stations contained in the adjacent virtual base stations of any macro base station, and the virtual cell feature information configured for the virtual cells contained in the adjacent virtual base stations of any macro base station.

[0308] It should be understood that the corresponding processes performed by each module have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0309] The first processing module 1102 in the preceding embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The first transceiver module 1101 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The first transceiver module 1101 can also be referred to as a communication unit or communication interface. The storage unit can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0310] Figure 12 This is a structural diagram of a macro base station provided according to another embodiment of this application. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 12 As shown, the macro base station 1200 provided in this embodiment can exist independently or be integrated into other devices. It can communicate with the first network device mentioned above to implement the operation corresponding to the macro base station in any of the above method embodiments.

[0311] The macro base station 1200 may include a second transceiver module 1201 and a second processing module 1202. The second processing module 1202 is used for data processing, and the second transceiver module 1201 can implement corresponding communication functions. The second transceiver module 1201 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0312] Optionally, the macro base station 1200 may further include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The second processing module 1202 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the macro base station 1200 can perform the operations executed by the macro base station in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0313] The second transceiver module 1201 is used to perform the macro base station receiving-related operations in the aforementioned method embodiment, and the second processing module 1202 is used to perform the macro base station processing-related operations in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0314] Optionally, the second transceiver module 1201 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0315] It should be noted that the macro base station 1200 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the macro base station 1200 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. The specific choice depends on whether the macro base station 1200 performs both transmitting and receiving actions in the aforementioned scheme.

[0316] As an example, the macro base station 1200 is used to perform the aforementioned... Figure 8 The actions performed by the macro base station in the illustrated embodiment.

[0317] The macro base station 1200 may include: a second transceiver module 1201 and a second processing module 1202.

[0318] The second transceiver module 1201 is used to acquire one or more virtual base station identifiers; acquire one or more sets of virtual cell feature information; the number of virtual base station identifiers is the same as the number of adjacent virtual base stations of the macro base station; the number of virtual cell feature information is the same as the number of adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station; the virtual cell feature information includes: a physical cell identifier and a frequency point;

[0319] The second processing module 1202 is used to establish neighbor relationships and save the successfully established neighbor relationships to the second neighbor relationship table;

[0320] The establishment of neighbor cell relationships includes: establishing relationships between adjacent virtual base stations of the macro base station and their respective virtual base station identifiers, and establishing relationships between adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station and their respective virtual cell feature information; wherein, the physical cells generated by each small base station belonging to the same virtual cell use the same physical cell identifier, and the physical cells generated by each small base station belonging to the same virtual cell use the same frequency point;

[0321] The second neighbor cell relationship table is used at least for serving cell handover management; the second neighbor cell relationship table includes the neighbor cell relationship information of the macro base station: the neighbor cell relationship information of the macro base station includes the mapping relationship between the following: the identifier of the macro base station, the virtual base station identifier configured for the adjacent virtual base stations of the macro base station, and the virtual cell feature information configured for the adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station.

[0322] It should be understood that the corresponding processes performed by each module have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0323] The second processing module 1202 in the preceding embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The second transceiver module 1201 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The second transceiver module 1201 can also be referred to as a communication unit or communication interface. The storage unit can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0324] One embodiment of this application also provides a network device, which includes a memory and a processor.

[0325] The memory can be a separate physical unit, connected to the processor via a bus. Alternatively, the memory and processor can be integrated and implemented in hardware. The memory stores program instructions, which the processor calls to execute the operations performed by the first network device or macro base station in any of the above method embodiments.

[0326] Optionally, when some or all of the methods in the above embodiments are implemented in software, the network device may also include only a processor. A memory for storing the program is located outside the network device, and the processor is connected to the memory via circuitry / wires to read and execute the program stored in the memory. The processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof. Memory may include volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM); memory may also include non-volatile memory, such as flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), or solid-state drive (SSD); memory may also include combinations of the above types of memory.

[0327] For example, this application provides a chip including: an interface circuit and a logic circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other chips outside the chip and transmit them to the logic circuit, or to send signals from the logic circuit to other chips outside the chip. The logic circuit is used to perform the operations performed by the first network device or macro base station in any of the above method embodiments.

[0328] For example, this application provides a readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon, which are executed by a processor of an electronic device to cause the electronic device to perform the operations performed by the first network device or macro base station in any of the above method embodiments.

[0329] For example, this application provides a computer program product that, when run on an electronic device, causes the electronic device to perform the operations performed by the first network device or macro base station in any of the above method embodiments.

[0330] For example, this application provides a mobile communication system, including: at least one macro base station, a first network device, and a small base station group, wherein the at least one macro base station is connected to the small base station group through the first network device, and the macro base station and the first network device are respectively used to perform the operations performed in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0331] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for distributed virtual cell deployment, the method comprising: The application relates to a macro base station applied to a mobile communication network, wherein the mobile communication network comprises at least one macro base station, a first network device and a small base station group, the small base station group comprises a plurality of small base stations, the at least one macro base station is connected with the small base station group through the first network device, the first network device and the small base station group form one or more virtual base stations, and any virtual base station provides one or more virtual cells through the small base stations contained in the virtual base station; the method comprises the following steps: The macro base station acquires one or more virtual base station identifiers; the number of the virtual base station identifiers is the same as the number of adjacent virtual base stations of the macro base station; The macro base station acquires one or more groups of virtual cell characteristic information; the number of the virtual cell characteristic information is the same as the number of adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station, the virtual cell characteristic information comprises one physical cell identifier and one frequency point; The macro base station establishes a neighbor relation and saves the successfully established neighbor relation to a second neighbor relation table; The establishment of the neighbor relation comprises the following steps: establishing the relation between the adjacent virtual base stations of the macro base station and the virtual base station identifiers respectively, and establishing the relation between the adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station and the virtual cell characteristic information respectively; wherein the physical cells generated by the small base stations belonging to the same virtual cell use the same physical cell identifier, and the small base stations belonging to the same virtual cell use the same frequency point; The second neighbor relation table is used at least for service cell switching management; the second neighbor relation table comprises the neighbor relation information of the macro base station; the neighbor relation information of the macro base station comprises the mapping relation between the following contents: the identifier of the macro base station, the virtual base station identifier configured for the adjacent virtual base stations of the macro base station, and the virtual cell characteristic information configured for the adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station; Wherein, the virtual cells belonging to different virtual base stations and located in different geographical areas are configured with the same virtual cell characteristic information; the virtual cells belonging to the same virtual base station and located in different geographical areas and mutually forming the neighbor relation with different macro base stations are configured with the same virtual cell characteristic information; two or more adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station are configured with different virtual cell characteristic information; the same virtual cell characteristic information refers to that the physical cell identifier and the frequency point are the same, and the different virtual cell characteristic information refers to that at least one of the physical cell identifier or the frequency point is different.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises the following steps: When a terminal initiates service cell switching, the macro base station acquires a terminal measurement report; the macro base station is a source macro base station; The macro base station queries the second neighbor relation table according to the cell characteristic information carried in the terminal measurement report, determines a target virtual base station, and determines the virtual base station identifier corresponding to the target virtual base station as the identifier of a target base station. The macro base station sends a handover request and an identifier of the target base station to the first network device, so that the first network device determines a target small base station by using the content carried by the handover request, and allocates a radio resource to the target small base station for serving cell handover; wherein the handover request carries the identifier of the target base station, the identifier of the source macro base station, the terminal measurement report, and the cell code of the target cell; or the handover request carries the identifier of the target base station, the identifier of the source macro base station, the terminal measurement report, the cell code of the target cell, and the synchronization signal block (SSB) index of the target cell.

3. A distributed virtual cell deployment method, characterized by, A first network device applied to a mobile communication network, the mobile communication network comprising: at least one macro base station, the first network device, and a small base station group comprising a plurality of small base stations; the at least one macro base station is connected with the small base station group through the first network device, wherein the first network device and the small base station group form one or more virtual base stations, and any virtual base station provides one or more virtual cells through the small base stations contained therein; the method comprises: The first network device acquires one or more virtual base station identifiers; The first network device acquires one or more sets of virtual cell characteristic information; wherein the virtual cell characteristic information comprises a physical cell identifier and a frequency point; The first network device establishes a neighbor relation, and saves the successfully established neighbor relation to a first neighbor relation table; The establishment of the neighbor relation comprises: establishing a relation between the one or more virtual base stations and the virtual base station identifiers, respectively, and establishing a relation between the virtual cells provided by each virtual base station and the virtual cell characteristic information, respectively; wherein the physical cells generated by each small base station belonging to the same virtual cell use the same physical cell identifier, and each small base station belonging to the same virtual cell uses the same frequency point; The first neighbor relation table is used at least for serving cell handover management; the first neighbor relation table comprises neighbor relation information corresponding to the at least one macro base station, respectively; the neighbor relation information of any macro base station comprises a mapping relation between the following contents: the identifier of the any macro base station, the virtual base station identifier configured for the adjacent virtual base station of the any macro base station, the small base station list contained in the adjacent virtual base station of the any macro base station, and the virtual cell characteristic information configured for the virtual cell contained in the adjacent virtual base station of the any macro base station; Wherein, the virtual cells belonging to different virtual base stations and located in different geographical areas are configured with the same virtual cell characteristic information; the virtual cells belonging to the same virtual base station and located in different geographical areas and mutually adjacent to different macro base stations are configured with the same virtual cell characteristic information; two or more adjacent virtual cells of the macro base station are configured with different virtual cell characteristic information; the same virtual cell characteristic information refers to the same physical cell identifier and frequency point, and the different virtual cell characteristic information refers to at least one of the different physical cell identifier or frequency point.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The method further comprises: The first network device acquires small base station sub-group configuration information corresponding to each macro base station; For any macro base station, the first network device configures neighboring small base stations of the macro base station into one or more small base station sub-groups based on the small base station sub-group configuration information corresponding to the macro base station, wherein each small base station sub-group is used to provide a virtual sub-area; The first network device saves a mapping relationship between the macro base station and the one or more small base station sub-groups in the first neighbor relation table.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: The first network device receives a handover request, wherein the handover request is used to hand over a serving cell of a terminal, and carries an identifier of a source macro base station, an identifier of a target base station, a terminal measurement report, and a cell code of a target cell; the identifier of the target base station is a virtual base station identifier corresponding to a target virtual base station determined by the source macro base station according to cell feature information carried in the terminal measurement report sent by the terminal, and the second neighbor relation table is a neighbor relation table locally maintained by the source macro base station; The first network device queries the first neighbor relation table based on the identifier of the source macro base station, the identifier of the target base station, and the terminal measurement report carried in the handover request, and determines a target virtual sub-area; The first network device determines a target small base station from small base stations included in the target virtual sub-area based on the cell code of the target cell; The first network device allocates radio resources to the target small base station, so as to hand over the terminal to a cell provided by the target small base station.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: The first network device acquires synchronization signal block (SSB) mode configuration information of any virtual cell, wherein the SSB mode configuration information carries SSB modes corresponding to each small base station sub-group included in the virtual cell; and the SSB mode indicates an SSB index allocated to each small base station in the corresponding small base station sub-group; The first network device performs SSB mode configuration based on the SSB mode configuration information; The first network device saves a mapping relationship between successfully configured SSB modes and small base station sub-groups in the first neighbor relation table.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The SSB mode indicates that SSB indexes of multiple small base stations in the same small base station sub-group are different, and the same small base station belonging to different virtual sub-areas is configured with one SSB index.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein, The method further comprises: The first network device receives a handover request, wherein the handover request is used to request handover of a serving base station of a terminal device; the handover request carries an identifier of a source macro base station, an identifier of a target base station, a terminal measurement report, and an SSB index of a target cell; the identifier of the target base station is a virtual base station identifier corresponding to a target virtual base station determined by the source macro base station according to cell feature information carried in the terminal measurement report; and the second neighbor relation table is a neighbor relation table locally maintained by the source macro base station. The first network device determines a target virtual sub-area according to the identification of the source macro base station, the identification of the target base station and the terminal measurement report in the handover request based on the first adjacent area relationship table. The first network device determines a target small base station from a small base station sub-group corresponding to the target virtual sub-area based on a mapping relationship between an SSB mode and the small base station sub-group saved in the first adjacent area relationship table according to an SSB index of the target cell. The first network device allocates wireless resources for the target small base station to provide a cell for the terminal to be handed over to the target small base station.

9. A network device, comprising: Comprising: a memory and a processor; the memory is configured to store computer program instructions; the processor is configured to run the computer program instructions, so that the network device executes the method in any one of claims 1 or 2, or executes the method in any one of claims 3 to 8.

10. A mobile communication network, characterized in that Comprising: at least one macro base station, a first network device and a small base station group, the small base station group comprising at least one small base station; the macro base station is configured to execute the method in claims 1 or 2; the first network device is configured to execute the method in any one of claims 3 to 8.

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