Performing initial clustering in cell-free network

Abstract

Systems and methods for clustering in a cell-less network are described herein. A cluster of one or more base stations provides radio access network (RAN) functionality to user equipments (UEs) within a wireless communication system in a cell-free manner (e.g., without using base station-centric cell context, such as in an existing wireless communication system). The cluster serving the UE includes one or more connected base stations (cBSs) actively serving the UE. A cluster control function (CCF) of a network establishes and maintains a cluster serving one or more UEs. Herein, messaging systems and messaging types used by the CCF, the base station, and the UE in the cell-free context are discussed. An initial clustering method for forming a cluster of UEs by a CCF is discussed. Further, a cluster update method used by the CCF to maintain / modify a cluster of UEs is discussed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates in general to wireless communication systems, including wireless communication systems that utilize clusters in a cell-free context. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless mobile communication technologies use various standards and protocols to transmit data between base stations and wireless communication devices. For example, wireless communication system standards and protocols may include, for instance, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) (e.g., 4G), 3GPP New Radio (NR) (e.g., 5G), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) (often referred to as Wi-Fi within the industry organization). ® ).

[0003] As envisioned by 3GPP, different wireless communication system standards and protocols can utilize various Radio Access Networks (RANs) for communication between RAN base stations (sometimes referred to as RAN nodes, network nodes, or simply nodes) and wireless communication equipment called User Equipment (UEs). 3GPP RANs can include, for example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rate GSM Evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and / or Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN). A sixth-generation RAN is also envisioned.

[0004] Each RAN can use one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) to perform communication between the base station and the UE. For example, GERAN implements the GSM and / or EDGE RAT, UTRAN implements the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) RAT or other 3GPP RATs, E-UTRAN implements the LTE RAT (sometimes simply referred to as LTE), and NG-RAN implements the NR RAT (this NR RAT is sometimes referred to herein as the 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or simply NR). In some deployments, E-UTRAN may also implement the NR RAT. In some deployments, NG-RAN may also implement the LTE RAT.

[0005] The base stations used by a RAN can correspond to that RAN. An example of an E-UTRAN base station is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly referred to as Evolved Node B, Enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB). An example of an NG-RAN base station is a Next Generation Node B (sometimes also called gNode B or gNB). A sixth-generation base station is also envisioned.

[0006] The RAN provides communication services to external entities through its connection with the core network (CN). For example, E-UTRAN can utilize the evolved packet core (EPC), while NG-RAN can utilize the 5G core network (5GC). A sixth-generation CN is also envisioned. Attached Figure Description

[0007] To facilitate the identification of any particular element or action in the discussion, one or more of the most significant digits in the figure reference numerals refer to the figure number in which the element was first introduced.

[0008] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating a cellless wireless communication system operating according to the implementation scheme discussed herein is provided.

[0009] Figure 2 An illustration is provided showing a first UE served by a first cluster and a second UE served by a second cluster, according to the implementation scheme discussed herein.

[0010] Figure 3 A table illustrating the various message types that can be used in implementing cell-free, trunked-based wireless communication systems as described in this paper.

[0011] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the message transmission exchange for cluster decisions regarding UEs controlled by the CCF according to the implementation scheme discussed herein is provided.

[0012] Figure 5 A first example arrangement of a possible cluster within a wireless communication system having a base station that implements CU / DU splitting is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 6 A second example arrangement of a possible cluster within a wireless communication system with a base station that implements CU / DU splitting is illustrated.

[0014] Figure 7 A third example arrangement of a possible cluster is illustrated within a wireless communication system with a base station that implements CU / DU splitting.

[0015] Figure 8 A fourth example arrangement of a possible cluster is illustrated within a wireless communication system with a base station that implements CU / DU splitting.

[0016] Figure 9 A fifth example arrangement of a possible cluster is illustrated within a wireless communication system having a base station that implements CU / DU splitting.

[0017] Figure 10 A sixth example arrangement of a possible cluster is illustrated within a wireless communication system having a base station that implements CU / DU splitting.

[0018] Figure 11 A greedy algorithm for performing initial clustering is illustrated according to the implementation scheme discussed in this paper.

[0019] Figure 12 A flowchart corresponding to the RACH process between the UE and the network is illustrated, accompanied by a DL-based algorithm for initial clustering, as discussed in the implementation scheme herein.

[0020] Figure 13 A CCF method for a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme discussed herein is illustrated.

[0021] Figure 14 A method for cBS in a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme discussed herein is illustrated.

[0022] Figure 15 An example is given of a uBS method that is not in a trunking serving the wireless communication of the UE, according to the implementation scheme discussed herein.

[0023] Figure 16 An example of a method for a UE in a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme discussed herein is illustrated.

[0024] Figure 17 A CCF method for a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme discussed herein is illustrated.

[0025] Figure 18 A CCF method for a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme discussed herein is illustrated.

[0026] Figure 19 A method for establishing a base station in a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme discussed herein is illustrated.

[0027] Figure 20 A CCF method for a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme discussed herein is illustrated.

[0028] Figure 21 A CCF method for a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme discussed herein is illustrated.

[0029] Figure 22 A CCF method for a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme discussed herein is illustrated.

[0030] Figure 23 An example architecture of a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme disclosed herein is illustrated.

[0031] Figure 24 A system for performing signaling between a wireless device and a network device according to an embodiment disclosed herein is illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Various implementations are described with respect to the UE. However, references to the UE are provided for illustrative purposes only. The example implementations can be used with any electronic component capable of establishing a connection to a network and configured with hardware, software, and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Therefore, the UE as described herein is used to represent any suitable electronic component.

[0033] In legacy wireless communication systems (e.g., LTE and / or 5G wireless communication systems as currently understood), neighboring base stations are understood to operate one or more cells within which a UE of the wireless communication system can operate. In this cell context, these base stations coordinate with each other and perform joint scheduling and joint / coordinated beamforming over a shared channel. As an example of the application of this cell context, it can be understood that control information for the UE regarding communication within the wireless communication system can be delivered by the UE's serving cell, which is one of many cells on which the UE can communicate.

[0034] Future wireless communication systems (e.g., sixth-generation or "6G" wireless communication systems) are expected to be implemented / configured in a cellless manner to operate in a cellless context. In the cellless networks of such wireless communication systems, dense deployments within a "free-planning" network can be envisioned, where sectors can overlap, and where UEs are typically located within the coverage areas of multiple base stations (where base stations serving the UE are understood as "clusters"). This introduces a new concept of UE-centric "clusters" or "serving clusters."

[0035] Figure 1 Figure 102 illustrates a cellless wireless communication system operating according to the implementation scheme discussed herein. Figure 102 illustrates various base stations 104, each communicating cellless with one or more UEs in UE 106, as described herein. It can be seen that each base station in base station 104 communicates with its corresponding UE in UE 106 without the underlying context of a formal cell, as can be understood with reference to current understandings of some wireless communication systems such as LTE and / or 5G.

[0036] Cell-free operation can inject a variety of potential benefits into wireless communication systems. These benefits may include, but are not limited to: more uniform quality of service for UEs (because there are no cell-edge UEs); more seamless mobility when UEs move throughout the network (because there is no handover-related latency); and improvements in latency, throughput, and / or capacity.

[0037] It is anticipated that these and other improvements to cellless network operation could further enable the use of, for example, massive extended reality (XR) via wireless communication systems. Such improvements could increase the number of XR users simultaneously supported in wireless communication systems. These improvements could allow for the realization of massive XR, immersive reality, holographic communication, and more within a wide-area communication context.

[0038] The conceptual shift from cell-based networks relates to cell-free networks. For example, cell-free networks can be implemented to dynamically create and maintain UE-centric base station clusters (rather than associating cells with UEs, as understood in existing systems). Furthermore, UEs operating in cell-free networks can support Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection states with the network (rather than with, for example, any specific cell or base station, as understood in existing systems). Cell-free networks can further dynamically schedule the cluster's radio resources for UEs to use for transmitting and / or receiving (as opposed to cell-based scheduling, as understood in existing systems).

[0039] As understood herein, a cluster can be a group of base stations on which various communication functionalities (e.g., similar to the "serving cell" functionality from previous wireless communication systems) are distributed. At any given time, there may be a one-to-one correspondence between a UE and its associated cluster (meaning that even if a first UE and a second UE each use the same set of base stations as the serving cluster, they are understood to be operating under two different logical clusters). Such clusters are understood to be inherently dynamic (the individual base stations constituting the cluster serving the UE can change over time).

[0040] Note that in some examples in this article, "cluster" can also be referred to as "service cluster".

[0041] Regarding such clustering, various proposals and work items include (but are not limited to): the definition / description of components of cellless networks, including cluster control functions (CCFs) for serving clusters and for wireless communication systems that implement clustering characteristics within the wireless communication system; the definition / description of parameters, triggers, and requirements for CCFs and cluster formation and / or update operations; the definition / description of the rights and roles of CCFs, base stations, and UEs; the definition / description of methods for the initial cluster formation process; the definition / description of methods for the dynamic cluster update process; and / or the definition / description of mathematical models for clustering in cellless networks.

[0042] In a clustered scenario, the UE can support RRC connections with the network (as opposed to RRC connections based on a specific cell understanding, such as in the case of an existing wireless communication system). Therefore, cluster updates (removal and / or addition of base stations to the cluster serving the UE) when the UE moves through the wireless communication system can correspondingly eliminate the need for an RRC connection reconstruction process between the UE and the base station (as can be used in an existing wireless communication system).

[0043] Regarding this type of RRC, various proposals and work items include (but are not limited to): definitions / descriptions of RRC message delivery exchange guidelines and protocols for cluster operations; and / or definitions / descriptions of RRC message types for cluster operations, including definitions, triggers, recipients, senders, and potential content for these message types in different / various operating modes.

[0044] definition

[0045] The following definitions should be understood in the context of the relevant descriptions of these items found in this disclosure (for example, additionally).

[0046] A “cellless network architecture” or “cellless network” includes / is an adaptive (e.g., dynamic) and UE-centric distributed network that provides various communication functionalities (such as, for example, one or more functionalities that may already be provided by a “serving cell” within an existing wireless communication system). Therefore, in applicable implementations, a serving cluster can generally be understood as operating in place of a “serving cell” as understood within an existing wireless communication system.

[0047] A “serving cluster” or “cluster” is a group of connected base stations on which various communication functions (e.g., conventional LTE / 5G serving base station functions) are distributed. The connections between base stations in this group can be physical and / or logical. A cluster is defined as a one-to-one mapping to a UE. Therefore, there exists a different logical cluster for each UE (even when multiple UEs use the same group of physical base stations). Base stations can belong to one or more logical clusters serving different UEs. Base stations within the same cluster serving a UE do not necessarily jointly perform transmit / receive operations to / from the UE. Furthermore, control plane (CP) and user plane (UP) functions can be dynamically split among base stations in a cluster serving a UE. In any given transmission time interval (TTI), the CCF within the wireless communication system controls and schedules the transmission of data associated with the CP and UP, as well as the associated message delivery for each base station in the cluster serving a UE.

[0048] Figure 2Figure 202 illustrates a first UE 204 served by a first cluster 206 and a second UE 208 served by a second cluster 210, according to the implementation scheme discussed herein. As illustrated, the first cluster 206 includes a first base station 212, a second base station 214, a third base station 216, a fourth base station 218, and a fifth base station 220. Furthermore, as illustrated, the second cluster 210 includes a fourth base station 218, a fifth base station 220, a sixth base station 222, a seventh base station 224, an eighth base station 226, and a ninth base station 228. Note that in... Figure 2 In the example, each of the fourth base station 218 and the fifth base station 220 is a member of multiple different clusters serving different UEs (a member of each of the first cluster 206 and the second cluster 210).

[0049] A “CCF” is a logical function (which can be distributed across multiple physical entities) residing in one or more of the CN (Communication Center) of a wireless communication system, the RAN (Radio Access Controller) for a wireless communication system, and / or distributed across multiple base stations. The CCF of a wireless communication system dynamically controls (e.g., develops, updates, controls, and / or schedules communications) the UE-centric service cluster. Note that, in this document, a cluster controlled by a single CCF can exist within one or more “connected” clusters controlled by that CCF, where a “connected” cluster is a group of clusters interconnected at the base station level within a geographic area corresponding to the CCF’s scope. A CCF can be configured to control one or more connected clusters existing within a geographic area. The CCF can control its cluster / groups of connected clusters based on considerations such as (e.g.) traffic, latency, reliability, coverage, interference, sensing, mobility, base station load, radio resource management (RRM), radio link quality, backhaul ideality, location, quality of service (QoS) requirements, and / or measurement reporting.

[0050] return Figure 2 Note that the CCF can control clusters of base stations that communicate back to the CN of the wireless communication system via / across different CN elements and / or devices. For example, in Figure 2 In the first cluster 206, the first base station 212, the third base station 216, and the fourth base station 218 communicate with the CN via the first CN device 230, while the second base station 214 and the fifth base station 220 communicate with the CN via the second CN device 232. Furthermore, in the second cluster 210, the fourth base station 218, the fifth base station 220, and the eighth base station 226 communicate with the CN via the first CN device 230, while the fifth base station 220, the seventh base station 224, and the ninth base station 228 communicate with the CN via the second CN device 232.

[0051] A connected base station (cBS) is a base station connected to the UE and therefore operates within the cluster serving the UE. In other words, the UE's cBS is a member of the cluster serving the UE / a base station within the cluster.

[0052] An unconnected base station (uBS) is a base station that is not connected to a UE (e.g., a neighboring base station) and therefore does not operate within a cluster serving the UE. In other words, a uBS is a base station that is not a member of a cluster serving the UE / is not in the cluster. In some cases, one or more uBSs can be defined by the network as a set of candidate base stations to be (potentially) added to a given UE cluster.

[0053] It will be understood that the status of a base station as a cBS or uBS can be different for different UEs. For example, a base station can be both a cBS serving a first UE / first cluster (possibly in the first cluster) and a uBS serving a second UE / second cluster (possibly not in the second cluster).

[0054] Functionality for clustering in cell-free multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)

[0055] In some wireless communication systems, the CCF has the following capabilities: to update its group of connected clusters over the air (OTA) by modifying, adding, or removing clusters; to modify one or more clusters that control OTA by modifying, adding, and / or removing base stations within a cluster; to transmit information about the updated clusters to the corresponding network elements via appropriate interfaces; to modify, add, and / or remove clusters by adding or removing base stations, base station-to-base station connections, and / or base station-to-UE connections within a connected cluster; to maintain a group of updated connected clusters over time; and / or to update the group of connected clusters globally or locally in a distributed manner to avoid network-wide disruption and message transmission overhead.

[0056] In some implementations, the CCF may modify / update its connected clusters / its cluster OTA based on one or more of the following: connected UE feedback and updated information regarding mobility, environment, measured interference, and service / QoS requirements; a UE disconnecting from a given base station in a cluster; a UE requesting / proposing to add or remove a base station from a cluster serving the UE; a UE accepting and / or rejecting the addition or removal of a base station from a cluster serving the UE; a base station requesting / proposing to add or remove a base station from a cluster; a base station accepting and / or rejecting the addition or removal of a base station from a given cluster; a new UE connecting to (e.g., a new) cluster; and / or any combination and / or subset of these reasons.

[0057] A set of connected clusters in a geographic area should be jointly constructed and / or formed by the CCF based on one or more of the following: joint communication and sensing data; environmental aspects (channel quality, channel rank, etc.); interference levels; network element capabilities; QoS requirements; and / or combinations or subsets of these aspects.

[0058] In some wireless communication systems, the CCF may have the following rights and / or capabilities: to globally and / or locally request other network elements (base stations and UEs) to share its current capabilities (e.g., central processing unit (CPU) load, memory usage, supported frequency bands, etc.) via extended RRC messaging; to globally or locally request the CBS to share information and measurements regarding the mobility, environment, interference, and QoS requirements of connected UEs and / or their co-located neighboring base stations via extended RRC messaging; to globally or locally configure the CBS with a coordinated synchronization signaling block (SSB) that supports multi-base station connectivity with the corresponding UE within the cluster serving the UE via extended RRC reconfiguration messaging; and to globally or locally request the CBS to share information and measurements regarding the mobility, environment, interference, and QoS requirements of the connected UEs connected to its network and / or its co-located neighboring base stations via extended RRC messaging; and to globally or locally request the CBS to share information and measurements regarding the mobility, environment, interference, and QoS requirements of the connected UEs connected to its network and / or neighboring base stations via extended RRC messaging; and to globally or locally configure the CBS with a coordinated synchronization signaling block (SSB) that supports multi-base station connectivity with the corresponding UE within the cluster serving the UE via extended RRC reconfiguration messaging; and to globally or locally request the CBS to share information and / or ... Reconfiguration messaging can be used to globally or locally trigger base station addition and / or removal processes within a given cluster (periodically, upon UE request, and / or based on updated information and / or measurements reported by other network elements (base stations and UEs)); via extended RRC reconfiguration messaging can be used to globally or locally transmit the results of any base station addition or removal process to the cBS and / or UE of a given cluster; via extended RRC reconfiguration messaging can be used to globally or locally request any base station that may be added to a given cluster; via extended RRC messaging can be used to accept and / or reject any addition or removal requests from UEs and / or base stations regarding a given cluster; and via extended RRC messaging can be used to globally or locally request base stations and / or UEs to re-initiate previously rejected base station addition or removal requests.

[0059] In some wireless communication systems, a base station may have the following rights and / or capabilities: to request connected UEs to share their current capabilities (CPU load, memory usage, supported frequency bands, etc.) via extended RRC messaging; to request connected UEs to share information and measurements regarding mobility, environment, interference, and / or QoS requirements of a given UE cluster's cBS via extended RRC messaging; to request connected UEs to share information and measurements regarding mobility, environment, interference, and / or QoS requirements of unconnected and co-located neighboring base stations / uBSs not in a given UE cluster via extended RRC messaging; to transmit any clustering procedure triggering and / or results to connected UEs in a given cluster via extended RRC reconfiguration messaging; to transmit a contention-free random access channel (RACH) configuration to connected UEs via extended RRC reconfiguration messaging to enable base station addition to a given cluster; and / or to accept and / or reject any network addition request to a given cluster via extended RRC messaging.

[0060] In some wireless communication systems, a UE may have the following rights and / or capabilities: to trigger base station addition and / or removal procedures within its own cluster via extended RRC reconfiguration messaging (periodically, upon request, or based on updated information and / or measurements reported by other network elements); to accept and / or reject any base station addition or removal procedure results regarding its own cluster via extended RRC reconfiguration messaging; to request the network to re-initiate a previously rejected connectivity decision via extended RRC reconfiguration messaging; and to accept and / or reject requests for information regarding the cluster serving the UE via extended RRC messaging. Network requests for cBS measurements; accepting and / or rejecting network requests to the UE via extended RRC messaging regarding measurements of unconnected and co-located neighboring base stations (uBS) not in the cluster serving the UE; requesting cBSs serving the UE to share measurements of radio channels / environment via extended RRC messaging; sharing measurements of radio channels / environment for unconnected and co-located neighboring base stations (uBS) not in the cluster serving the UE with the network via extended RRC messaging; and / or accepting and / or rejecting network decisions to add carriers and / or RATs via extended RRC messaging.

[0061] Implementation plan for message transmission

[0062] As understood herein, one or more uBSs can be defined by the network as a set of candidate base stations to be added to a given UE cluster. In various implementations, the UE is capable of performing measurements on both the uBS and its cBS. Furthermore, the CCF can exchange messages with all base stations directly or indirectly via appropriate interfaces. Additionally, both the uBS and cBS can exchange messages using, for example, an Xn interface.

[0063] Within this context, eight types of messages are defined between the CCF, cBS, uBS, and UE. These messages can be used to coordinate, communicate, and process clustering processes among these entities as described herein.

[0064] Regarding the discussion in this paper, each of the eight different message types can be distinguished from the other seven message types by referring to the sender and receiver of that message, etc. Furthermore, it should be understood that the first message type and the second message type can contain similar / similar information (e.g., the first message type is used to transmit information between the CCF and the base station, and the second message type is used to transmit the same / similar information between the base station and the UE).

[0065] Figure 3 Table 302 illustrates various message types that can be used in wireless communication systems that implement cell-free, trunked-based operations as described herein.

[0066] Message type 1

[0067] The CCF uses a first message type 304 message to transmit coordinated SSB configurations to all base stations, which can potentially work together within the cluster to coordinate their SSBs in order to facilitate UE SSB searches. In some cases, the first message type 304 message may be triggered based on pre-configured periodicity. In other cases, the message may be triggered based on pre-configured events. For example, changes in UE state (changes in mobility state, UE base station add / remove requests, changes in channel conditions, etc.) and / or the addition of a new UE to the wireless communication system can trigger a first message type 304 message.

[0068] The first message type 304 message is transmitted to all base stations connected to the CCF, which can potentially work together in one or more clusters.

[0069] Messages of type 304 may include SSB burst configuration information for time and / or frequency reuse / coordination to support multi-base station search.

[0070] The first message type 304 message may include coordinated primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS) configuration information to support multi-base station synchronization.

[0071] The message of the first message type 304 may include coordinated Master Information Block (MIB) configuration information to provide multi-base station and / or multi-band support. This coordinated MIB configuration information may include / indicate: support for different MIB periodicities (e.g., including but not limited to 80 milliseconds (ms)) to support coordinated / multiplexed SSB bursts (which may use collision avoidance); support for multiple Frame Numbers (SFNs) per base station; support for multiple parameter sets for multi-band operation; support for Multi-Base Station / Multi-Band System Information Block (SIB) 1 (SIB1) configuration (where different CORESETs can support multi-base station operation); and / or support for Multi-Base Station / Multi-Band Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) - Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) configuration.

[0072] The first message type 304 message may include coordinated SIB1 configuration information to provide multi-base station support. This coordinated SIB1 configuration information may include / indicate: support for different SIB1 periodicities (e.g., including but not limited to 160ms) to support coordinated / multiplexed SSB bursts (which may use collision avoidance); support for different RACH configurations and resource allocations for each base station; support for different CORESET configurations for multi-base station operation; and support for different base station selection information (e.g., minimum received signal strength indicator (RSSI) level) for multi-base station operation.

[0073] Message types 2 and 3

[0074] Messages of second message type 306 and third message type 308 allow the CCF to transmit information to the UE via the UE's cBS. In some cases, the CCF transmits a message of second message type 306 to the cBS, and the cBS transmits a message of third message type 308 to the UE containing information similar to that of second message type 306. It is also conceivable that in some cases, second message type 306 and / or third message type 308 can be used alone or in other cases.

[0075] like Figure 3 As illustrated, messages of second message type 306 and third message type 308 can operate in one of two different modes. The first such mode (“Mode 1”) could be a “pre-clustering decision request mode”, used to transmit requests between the CCF and the UE before the CCF makes a clustering decision. Messages of second message type 306 and third message type 308 under Mode 1 may include, for example, clustering requests and / or measurement requests, which may include, for example, requests for base station or removal, requests for measurement / measurement reports (e.g., as described in more detail later herein), and / or one or more of the UE context report.

[0076] The second such mode (“Mode 2”) can be a “cluster decision request mode” for the configuration of adjacent and unconnected base stations (uBS) (e.g., a set of candidate base stations that are defined / understood as to be added to the cluster serving the UE).

[0077] In some implementations, the use of the described second message type 306 and third message type 308 can be triggered based on pre-configured events. For example, changes in UE state (e.g., UE mobility state, UE channel condition, etc.), CCF base station addition and / or removal requests, and / or new UE joining the wireless communication system can trigger the use of second message type 306 and third message type 308.

[0078] In some implementations, the use of the described second message type 306 and third message type 308 can be triggered based on a pre-configured request. For example, a UE request to add or remove a base station from its own cluster can trigger the use of the second message type 306 and third message type 308.

[0079] The content found in messages of second message type 306 and / or third message type 308 may include a variety of information items. For example, in at least some embodiments, messages of second message type 306 and / or third message type 308 include a mode selection identifier that identifies whether the message operates according to mode 1 or mode 2 (e.g., as described herein).

[0080] As another example, in at least some implementations, messages of the second message type 306 and / or the third message type 308 include a request identifier (ID) that the UE and / or CCF can use to associate the request for these messages with corresponding / response measurement / measurement report and / or UE context report messages.

[0081] As another example, in at least some implementations, the Mode 1 message of the second message type 306 and / or the third message type 308 may include measurement target object information specifying the measurement object (e.g., a radio reference signal or channel) that the UE should measure. This measurement target object information may also specify which neighboring and unconnected base stations (uBS) the UE wants to measure.

[0082] As another example, in at least some implementations, the Mode 1 message of the second message type 306 and / or the third message type 308 may include measurement time configuration information specifying the timing of the requested measurement report.

[0083] As another example, in at least some implementations, the Mode 1 message of the second message type 306 and / or the third message type 308 may include a measurement report configuration specifying the format of the requested measurement report (e.g., the format expected by the CCF).

[0084] As another example, in at least some implementations, the Mode 1 message of the second message type 306 and / or the third message type 308 may include UE context request configuration information specifying the format and / or content of the requested UE context report. Example content of such a requested UE context report may include, for example, UE RRM configuration (with UE inactivity periods), QoS Flow to Data Radio Bearer (DRB) mapping, information about UE capabilities for different RATs, and / or Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session and / or network slicing information.

[0085] As another example, in at least some implementations, the Mode 2 message of the second message type 306 and / or the third message type 308 may include a cluster ID associated with the cluster serving the UE in question.

[0086] As another example, in at least some implementations, the Mode 2 message of the second message type 306 and / or the third message type 308 may include dedicated RACH, MIB, SIB1 and / or time / frequency configuration information for connecting to a selected neighboring and unconnected base stations (uBS) serving a given cluster for the UE.

[0087] Message types 4 and 5

[0088] Messages of type 4 (310) and type 5 (312) allow the UE to transmit information to the CCF via its cBS. In some cases, the UE transmits message of type 4 (310) to the cBS, and the cBS transmits message of type 5 (312) to the CCF containing information similar to that of type 4 (310). It is also conceivable that in some cases, type 4 (310) and / or type 5 (312) can be used alone or in other cases.

[0089] like Figure 3 As illustrated, messages of the fourth message type 310 and the fifth message type 312 can operate in one of three different modes. The first such mode (“Mode 1”) could be a “pre-cluster response mode”, which is used to respond to Mode 1 messages of the second message type 306 and / or the third message type 308 (e.g., to accept or reject these Mode 1 messages, potentially with information indicating the reasons for doing so).

[0090] The second such mode (“Mode 2”) could be a “cluster decision response mode”, which is used to respond to Mode 2 messages of the second message type 306 and / or the third message type 308 (e.g., to accept or reject these Mode 2 messages, potentially with information indicating the reasons for doing so).

[0091] The third such mode (“Mode 3”) can be a “cluster re-initiation request mode”, which is used by the UE to request the re-initiation of a previously rejected pre-cluster and / or cluster decision request from the CCF. In response to these Mode 3 messages, the CCF may retransmit the previous messages of the second message type 306 and the third message type 308 to trigger the UE to transmit measurements of (potential) cluster updates and / or UE context reports.

[0092] In some implementations, the use of the described fourth message type 310 and fifth message type 312 can be triggered based on pre-configured events. For example, changes in UE state (e.g., UE mobility state, UE channel condition, etc.) and / or CCF base station addition and / or removal requests can trigger the use of the fourth message type 310 and fifth message type 312.

[0093] In some implementations, the use of the described fourth message type 310 and fifth message type 312 can be triggered based on a pre-configured request. For example, a UE request from the CCF to / from its cluster to re-initiate a previously rejected base station add or remove request can trigger the use of the fourth message type 310 and fifth message type 312.

[0094] The content found in messages of fourth message type 310 and / or fifth message type 312 may include various information items. For example, in at least some embodiments, messages of fourth message type 310 and / or fifth message type 312 include a mode selection identifier that identifies whether the message operates according to mode 1, mode 2 or mode 3 (e.g., as described herein).

[0095] As another example, in at least some implementations, the messages of the fourth message type 310 and / or the fifth message type 312 include a request ID that the UE and / or CCF can use to associate a request (e.g., according to the second message type 306 and the third message type 308) with corresponding / response measurement and / or UE context reporting information (such as found in these messages of the fourth message type 310 and the fifth message type 312).

[0096] As another example, in at least some implementations, the Mode 1 messages of the fourth message type 310 and / or the fifth message type 312 may include a response (e.g., a binary response) indicating whether the UE accepts or rejects the pre-clustering report request (e.g., for measurement and / or UE context information) of the messages of the second message type 306 and the third message type 308 operating according to Mode 1 (as described herein). The Mode 1 messages of the fourth message type 310 and the fifth message type 312 may also indicate reasons for acceptance and / or rejection. Regarding rejection, reasons such as lack of memory, high CPU load, insufficient resources, etc., may be indicated. Regarding acceptance, this may indicate that the UE will substantially respond to the pre-clustering report request.

[0097] As another example, in at least some embodiments, the Mode 1 messages of the fourth message type 310 and / or the fifth message type 312 may include measurement reports (e.g., in response to a request for the same information found in the second message type 306 and / or the third message type 308, as described herein). These measurement reports may be formatted as previously specified and / or corresponding to the timing of the requested measurement report previously specified in the second message type 306 and / or the third message type 308, as discussed herein.

[0098] As another example, in at least some implementations, the Mode 1 message of the fourth message type 310 and / or the fifth message type 312 may include UE context information. This UE context information may include one or more of the following: UERRC status, UE RRM configuration (with UE inactivity periods), QoS flow-to-DRB mapping, information about UE capabilities for different RATs, UE radio link control (RLC) buffer status reports (during active periods), and / or PDU session and / or network slicing information.

[0099] As another example, in at least some implementations, the Mode 2 messages of the fourth message type 310 and / or the fifth message type 312 may include a response (e.g., a binary response) indicating whether the UE accepts or rejects the cluster decision request of the messages of the second message type 306 and the third message type 308 operating according to Mode 2 (as described herein). The Mode 2 messages of the fourth message type 310 and the fifth message type 312 may also indicate reasons for acceptance and / or rejection. Regarding rejection, reasons such as insufficient memory, high CPU load, insufficient resources, etc., may be indicated. Regarding acceptance, this may indicate that the UE accepts a request to connect to the uBS and / or disconnect from the cBS as requested by the system, as appropriate. The Mode 2 messages of the fourth message type 310 and the fifth message type 312 may be associated with / related to the cluster ID of the cluster serving the UE.

[0100] As another example, in at least some implementations, the Mode 3 messages of the fourth message type 310 and / or the fifth message type 312 may include a UE request to the CCF to re-initiate a previously rejected pre-cluster request (corresponding to Mode 1 messages of the second message type 306 and the third message type 308) and / or a previously rejected cluster decision request (corresponding to Mode 2 messages of the second message type 306 and the third message type 308) from the CCF. Such Mode 3 messages of the fourth message type 310 and the fifth message type 312 may contain a request ID of the second message type 306 and the third message type 308 corresponding to the previous request that the UE expects to re-initiate. In response to receiving these Mode 3 messages of the fourth message type 310 and the fifth message type 312, the CCF may retransmit the second message type 306 message to the cBS corresponding to the specified request ID (the cBS responds by transmitting the third message type 308 message to the UE) to trigger / cause the UE to (potentially) transmit measurement and / or UE context reports for cluster update purposes.

[0101] Message type 6

[0102] The CCF uses message type 614 to request an admission control procedure from neighboring and unconnected base stations (uBSs) that do not belong to the cluster serving the UE for a given cluster decision request involving a uBS, in order to check whether the uBS can be used to join the UE cluster.

[0103] In some implementations, the use of the described sixth message type 314 can be triggered based on pre-configured events. For example, changes in UE state (e.g., UE mobility state, UE channel condition, etc.), CCF base station addition and / or removal requests, and / or new UE joining the wireless communication system can trigger the use of the sixth message type 314.

[0104] In some implementations, the use of the described sixth message type 314 can be triggered based on a pre-configured request. For example, a UE request to add or remove a base station from its own cluster can trigger the use of the sixth message type 314.

[0105] The sixth message type 314 message can be transmitted from the CCF to the uBS defined / understood as a set of candidate base stations to be added to the UE cluster.

[0106] The content found in a message of message type 314 may include various information items. For example, in at least some embodiments, a message of message type 314 may include a CCF and a request ID that the receiving uBS can use to identify the access control process request.

[0107] As another example, in at least some implementations, the message of the sixth message type 314 includes a cluster ID associated with the cluster serving the UE in question.

[0108] As another example, in at least some implementations, the message of message type 314 includes UE context information. This UE context information may include one or more of the following: UE RRC status, UE RRM configuration (with UE inactivity time), QoS flow to DRB mapping, information about UE capabilities for different RATs, RLC buffer status report (during active time), and / or PDU session and / or network slice information.

[0109] Message type 7

[0110] uBS uses message type 7, 316, to respond to CCF's admission control requests regarding a given cluster decision request involving uBS.

[0111] In some implementations, the use of the described seventh message type 316 can be triggered based on pre-configured events. For example, changes in UE state (e.g., UE mobility state, UE channel condition, etc.), CCF base station addition and / or removal requests, and / or new UE joining the wireless communication system can trigger the use of the seventh message type 316.

[0112] In some implementations, the use of the described seventh message type 316 can be triggered based on a pre-configured request. For example, a UE requesting the addition or removal of a base station from its own cluster can trigger the use of the seventh message type 316.

[0113] The content found in messages of message type 316 can include various information items. For example, in at least some embodiments, messages of message type 316 may include uBS and CCF, which can be used to identify the request ID of an access control process request.

[0114] As another example, in at least some implementations, a message of the seventh message type 316 may include a cluster ID associated with the cluster serving the UE in question.

[0115] As another example, in at least some implementations, the message of the seventh message type 316 may include a response (e.g., a binary response) indicating whether the UE accepts or rejects the clustering and admission control request of the message of the sixth message type 314. In such cases, the message of the seventh message type 316 may also indicate the reasons for acceptance and / or rejection. Regarding rejection, the message may indicate unsupported network slicing, lack of memory, high CPU load, insufficient resources, etc. Regarding acceptance, such acceptance may serve as an indication to the CCF that the uBS will attempt to join the cluster serving the UE / attempt to connect to the UE. Such a message of the seventh message type 316 may be associated with / related to the cluster ID of the cluster serving the UE.

[0116] Eighth message type

[0117] Neighboring and unconnected base stations (uBS) of the UE use messages of message type 8 318 to transmit dedicated configuration information (e.g., dedicated RACH and / or SIB1 configuration information) for connecting to the uBS to the cBS of the UE in question in response to a given cluster decision request involving the uBS (so that those cBSs can then provide the information to the UE).

[0118] In some implementations, the use of the described eighth message type 318 can be triggered based on pre-configured events. For example, changes in UE state (e.g., UE mobility state, UE channel condition, etc.), CCF base station addition and / or removal requests, and / or new UE joining the wireless communication system can trigger the use of the eighth message type 318.

[0119] In some implementations, the use of the described eighth message type 318 can be triggered based on a pre-configured request. For example, a UE request to add or remove a base station from its own cluster can trigger the use of the eighth message type 318.

[0120] The message of message type 318 can be transmitted to one or more cBSs in the cBS serving the UE, which are in a cluster serving the UE.

[0121] The content found in messages of message type 318 may include various information items. For example, in at least some embodiments, messages of message type 318 include a cluster ID associated with the cluster serving the UE in question.

[0122] As another example, in at least some implementations, messages of the eighth message type 318 include dedicated RACH, MIB, SIB1, and / or time / frequency configuration / synchronization information for connecting to a uBS serving a given cluster of the UE.

[0123] As another example, in at least some implementations, messages of message type 318, including uBS and CCF, can be used to identify the request ID of an access control process request.

[0124] Figure 4 A flowchart 402 illustrates a message transmission exchange for cluster decisions regarding UE 406 controlled by CCF 404 according to the implementation scheme discussed herein. Flowchart 402 illustrates the communication occurring between CCF 404, one or more uBS 408 not part of the cluster serving UE 406, one or more cBS 410 in the cluster serving UE 406, and UE 406. Note that in Figure 4 At the outset of the discussion, one or more of the cBSs in cBS 410 under discussion should be understood in a forward-looking manner (as will be apparent from the context).

[0125] As illustrated, CCF 404 can initially operate according to the coordinated SSB phase 412. During the coordinated SSB phase 412, CCF 404 transmits messages of first message type 304 to the respective base stations (e.g., message 414 of first message type 304 is transmitted to cBS 410 of the UE, and message 416 of first message type 304 is transmitted to uBS 408). Note that at this time, UE 406 may not yet be connected to any cBS 410. The information found in the messages of first message type 304 can be used by the receiving base station to configure a specific SSB at each such base station, so that the overall use of SSBs across all base stations is coordinated in time, frequency, and / or direction. This organization can facilitate efficient SSB searches across the RAN corresponding to the portions of these base stations (e.g., as performed by UE 406).

[0126] UE 406 can first operate according to SSB search phase 418. During SSB search phase 418, the UE can search for SSBs broadcast by the base station and, based on the appropriate SSB it receives from the base station, perform RACH procedure 420 with that base station. At this time, the connected base station is understood as... Figure 4 The cBS (e.g., the first one in time) of the cluster serving the UE in cBS 410.

[0127] Once the UE 406 has established a connection to the cBS 410 (e.g., this is achieved at least by establishing a connection to the first cBS in time, as described herein with respect to the operation of the coordinated SSB phase 412 and SSB search phase 418), the CCF 404 is able to modify the cluster (e.g., modify the cBS 410) by adding or removing base stations within the UE's cluster.

[0128] To this end, CCF 404 can operate according to the pre-cluster request phase 422. CCF 404 transmits a message of second message type 306, 424, to cBS 410. In response, cBS 410 transmits a message of third message type 308, 426, to UE 406. Consistent with the discussion herein, these messages may include, for example, a request from the UE to provide a measurement report containing measurements of one or more measurement objects corresponding to one or more uBSs in uBS 408.

[0129] In response to receiving a message of third message type 308 from cBS 410, UE 406 may perform the requested measurement 428.

[0130] UE 406 then transmits message 430, fourth message type 310, to cBS 410. In response, cBS 410 transmits message 432, fifth message type 312, to CCF. Consistent with the discussion herein, these messages may include, for example, measurement reports, which include measurements 428 corresponding to one or more measurement objects of uBS 408, as previously requested by CCF 404.

[0131] Once the measurement report is received at CCF 404, CCF 404 can take action according to cluster decision phase 434. Based on the measurement report, CCF 404 identifies the uBS in uBS 408 that it wants to add to the cluster serving the UE.

[0132] CCF 404 transmits message 436, sixth message type 314, to these uBSs 408. Consistent with the discussion herein, this message may include, for example, a request to perform an admission control procedure on the receiving uBS to determine whether the uBS can be used to join the cluster serving UE 406.

[0133] The uBS 408 that receives the message can then execute the admission control procedure 438 to determine whether it is available to join the cluster serving UE 406.

[0134] Then, as illustrated in the figure, one or more uBSs in uBS 408 that have finally determined whether they can be used to join the cluster serving UE 406 transmit a message of message type 316 (7th message type) to the CCF (consistent with the discussion here). This message may include, for example, an indication that the uBS may / will attempt to join the cluster serving the UE.

[0135] In addition, uBS 408 has been identified as being available for joining the cluster serving UE 406, and these uBSs are prepared 442 for UE 406 to use for RACH configuration to connect to these uBSs.

[0136] These uBS 408s then transmit messages of message type 318 (444) to cBS 410 of UE 406. Consistent with the disclosure herein, these messages may include RACH configurations for UE 406 to use in connecting to the corresponding uBS 408.

[0137] cBS 410 then transmits message 446 of third message type 308 to UE 406. Consistent with the disclosure herein, these messages may include RACH configurations for UE 406 to use to connect to uBS 408 corresponding to the RACH configuration (e.g., since these are received from messages of eighth message type 318).

[0138] Based on its receipt of these messages, UE 406 formulates a cluster decision response (448). As illustrated, the UE can initiate one or more RACH procedures (450) with one or more uBSs (408) in uBS 408 based on the received RACH configuration, in order to connect to those uBSs in uBS 408 and bring them into the cluster serving the UE as cBS 410.

[0139] In addition, the UE may transmit a message of type 310 (452) to cBS 410. Consistent with the discussion herein, this message may include an indication that the UE 406 accepts a cluster decision request to connect to the applicable uBS in uBS 408, as already described.

[0140] Finally, cBS 410 may transmit message 454, fifth message type 312, to CCF 404. Consistent with the disclosure herein, this message may include an indication that UE 406 accepts a cluster decision request to connect to the applicable uBS in uBS 408, as already described.

[0141] Figures 5 to 10 Various arrangements of possible clusters within a wireless communication network with base stations implementing centralized unit (CU) / distributed unit (DU) splitting are illustrated. In some wireless communication systems, base station functionality can be split between a CU and one or more DUs, where the CU is used to control one or more DUs and connect them back to the CN, while one or more DUs are used to provide physical-level radio resources for the RAN controlled by the CN.

[0142] It should be understood that, where applicable (e.g., when one or more base stations operate using a CU / DU split architecture, such as...), Figures 5 to 10 As illustrated, the concepts, systems, and methods of clustering explicitly described in this paper for each base station of a cluster can alternatively be applied at the level of each DU of the base station (e.g., controlled by the CU).

[0143] Figure 5A first example arrangement 502 of a possible cluster in a wireless communication system having a base station implementing CU / DU splitting is illustrated. A first cluster 504 serves a first UE 506, while a second cluster 508 serves a second UE 510. The first cluster 504 consists of a first DU 514 and a second DU 516, each controlled by a first CU 512 via a first F1 interface 524 originating from the first CU 512. The second cluster 508 consists of a third DU 518 and a fourth DU 520, both controlled by a second CU 522 via a second F1 interface 526 originating from the second CU 522. The first CU 512 and the second CU 522 communicate using an Xn interface 528.

[0144] Figure 6 A second example arrangement 602 of a possible cluster in a wireless communication system having a base station implementing CU / DU splitting is illustrated. A first cluster 604 serves a first UE 606, while a second cluster 608 serves a second UE 610. The first cluster 604 consists of a first DU 614 and a second DU 616, wherein the first DU 614 is controlled by a first CU 612 via a first F1 interface 624 originating from the first CU 612, and the second DU 616 is controlled by a second CU 622 via one of a second F1 interfaces 626 originating from the second CU 622. The second cluster 608 consists of a third DU 618 and a fourth DU 620, wherein the third DU and the fourth DU are controlled by the second CU 622 via two of the second F1 interfaces 626 originating from the second CU 622. The first CU 612 and the second CU 622 communicate using an Xn interface 628.

[0145] Figure 7 A third example arrangement 702 of possible clusters is illustrated within a wireless communication system having a base station implementing CU / DU splitting. A first cluster 704 serves a first UE 706, while a second cluster 708 serves a second UE 710. The first cluster 704 consists of a first DU 714 and a second DU 716, each controlled by a CU 712 via an F1 interface 722 derived from the CU 712. The second cluster 708 consists of a third DU 718 and a fourth DU 720, both of which are also controlled by a CU 712 via an F1 interface 722 derived from the CU 712.

[0146] Figure 8A fourth example arrangement 802 of possible clusters in a wireless communication system having base stations implementing CU / DU splitting is illustrated. A first cluster 804 serves a first UE 806, while a second cluster 808 serves a second UE 810. The first cluster 804 consists of a first DU 814 and a second DU 816, each controlled by a first CU 812 via a first F1 interface 824 originating from the first CU 812. The second cluster 808 consists of a second DU 816, a third DU 818, and a fourth DU 820. The second DU 816 is controlled by the first CU 812 via one of the first F1 interfaces 824 originating from the first CU 812 (as described above), and the third DU 818 and the fourth DU 820 are controlled by the second CU 822 via a second F1 interface 826 originating from the second CU 822. The first CU 812 and the second CU 822 communicate using an Xn interface 828.

[0147] Figure 9 A fifth example arrangement 902 of possible clusters is illustrated within a wireless communication system having a base station implementing CU / DU splitting. A first cluster 904 serves a first UE 906, while a second cluster 908 serves a second UE 910. The first cluster 904 consists of a first DU 914 and a second DU 916, wherein the first DU 914 is controlled by a first CU 912 via a first F1 interface 924 originating from the first CU 912, and the second DU 916 is controlled by a second CU 922 via one of a second F1 interfaces 926 originating from the second CU 922. The second cluster 908 consists of a second DU 916, a third DU 918, and a fourth DU 920, each of which is controlled by a second CU 922 via a second F1 interface 926 originating from the second CU 922. The first CU 912 and the second CU 922 communicate using an Xn interface 928.

[0148] Figure 10 A sixth example arrangement 1002 of possible clusters in a wireless communication system having a base station implementing CU / DU splitting is illustrated. A first cluster 1004 serves a first UE 1006, while a second cluster 1008 serves a second UE 1010. The first cluster 1004 consists of a first DU 1014 and a second DU 1016, each controlled by a CU 1012 via an F1 interface 1022 originating from the CU 1012. The second cluster 1008 consists of a second DU 1016, a third DU 1018, and a fourth DU 1020, which are also controlled by a CU 1012 via an F1 interface 1022 originating from the CU 1012.

[0149] Various definitions are now provided for consideration within the region corresponding to CCF (e.g., within a given metropolitan area of ​​a publicly distributed entity that hosts CCF functionality):

[0150] • S is a set of m active base stations. S can be defined / understood as

[0151] • U is a set of n active UEs. U can be defined / understood as , where n >> m.

[0152] • C is a set of n clusters in each connected cluster, corresponding to n active UEs. C can be defined / understood as .

[0153] Regarding the aspect corresponding to C, it can be understood as follows:

[0154] • It is a group of active base stations serving UE u in the cluster. It can be defined / understood as .

[0155] • This is the current cluster. The combination with candidate base stations s. Within this framework, it will be understood accordingly. . It can be defined / understood as .

[0156] • It is the number of clusters in each connected cluster (correspondingly, ).

[0157] • This refers to the number of base stations in the cluster of UE u (which can depend on the UE's capabilities and / or the output of the CCF clustering algorithm). This will be understood. .

[0158] • It is the number of clusters including base station s.

[0159] Further definition can be given as follows:

[0160] • Where P is (for example) the measured reference received power (RSRP) between all UEs and the base station, defined as .

[0161] • Where α is the inference factor, as shown in the figure, this inference factor is based on the flow sparsity factor. and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) multiplexing factor Each of these can contribute to the carrier load factor.

[0162] • As shown in the figure, β is based on the business sparsity factor. and MU-MIMO multiplexing factor Each of these can contribute to the carrier load factor.

[0163] • ,in It is the average amount of radio resources that base station s can provide to cluster / UE.

[0164] It can be assumed that the scheduler allocates resources for joint send / receive when available. Therefore, for clusters... The corresponding specific UE u, The elements can be sorted in ascending order of res, defined as , Furthermore, it is understandable Resources will be allocated for use from All base stations jointly transmit / receive. Finally, Can represent subsets The amount of public radio resources to be jointly used for joint transmission / reception to UE u, wherein .

[0165] A description of the use of the objective function within the mathematical framework / context will now be provided. Assume the input / output is to / from the currently active cluster. The objective function for adding / removing candidate base stations s for UE u can be expressed as: (Depending on the circumstances).

[0166] The objective function for adding candidate base stations s can be understood as:

[0167]

[0168] in:

[0169] • It is the current cluster of UE u. The objective function value;

[0170] • This is the objective function gain of UE u due to the (potential) connection between UE u and candidate base stations s, and

[0171] • This is a network-range penalty caused by the (potential) connection between UE u and candidate base stations s.

[0172] It can express an assumption The spectral efficiency at UE u, where the base station performs joint transmission or reception, can be calculated using the following formula:

[0173] .

[0174] This can represent the improvement in spectral efficiency at UE u due to the interference-to-noise ratio (INR) gain, and can be calculated using the following formula:

[0175] .

[0176] Therefore, it should be understood that, within this framework, in some implementations, the overall network objective to be optimized is:

[0177] .

[0178] Initial Clustering Method

[0179] We will now discuss methods for performing initial clustering (e.g., establishing a new cluster for a UE in a situation where the UE has only recently been attached to the network via a RACH procedure with a first base station).

[0180] In the first method used for initial clustering, a greedy algorithm can be implemented. Figure 11 A method 1102 for performing a greedy algorithm for initializing a cluster, according to the implementation scheme discussed herein, is illustrated. Method 1102 is described here using the context of a mathematical framework for the objective function, as such a framework is presented herein.

[0181] As illustrated in the figure, method 1102 includes initial UE acquisition 1104. During initial UE acquisition 1104, m base stations broadcast coordinated SSBs scheduled / configured by the CCF, which allows UE discovery (e.g., in applicable metropolitan area). It is possible that n UEs are attempting to perform SSB searches and connect to the network via a RACH procedure with a single base station.

[0182] Once trigger 1106 is received at the CCF, the remainder of method 1102 can be executed. Trigger 1106 can be, for example, an indication / implementation to the CCF that one or more new UEs have successfully performed the RACH procedure with at least one base station and are thus newly attached to the network.

[0183] Once trigger 1106 is received, method 1102 proceeds to the measurement report request procedure 1108. The CCF transmits any measured parameters (e.g., ...) to the currently connected base station and UE. The measurement report request, these parameters contribute to the objective function of the UE under discussion. These connected base stations and UEs respond using the requested measurement reports containing these parameters.

[0184] Method 1102 then proceeds to objective function evaluation 1110. CCF is performed for each UE in the UE under discussion. This assumes that the candidate base station s is added to the UE's current cluster. .

[0185] Method 1102 then proceeds to the cluster update process 1112. It can be envisioned that... Figure 11 In some implementations of the greedy algorithm, to reduce complexity, the function is applied to the specific UE u and base station s under consideration. In the improved scenario, the CCF determines which candidate base stations to add to the UE's cluster. .

[0186] Note that, in alternative cases, the objective function is based on the overall network (e.g., or In cases where improvements are made after adding base stations s, the CCF can alternatively determine which candidate base stations s to add to the UE's cluster. Compared to using it more directly... (At the cost of additional complexity) these formulas can more comprehensively / network-wide reflect the clustering of base stations added to the UE u. The impact.

[0187] In the multiple evaluations of the objective function used for the UE and candidate base stations as described above (e.g., , or In cases where there are improvements for more than one applicable scenario, the network can continue to use the candidate base stations s and UE u that provide the maximum / optimal computational improvement at this stage.

[0188] Then, method 1102 proceeds to the reconfiguration request process 1114. The CCF then reconfigures the cluster it is currently connected to. A reconfiguration request message is transmitted to UE u. This reconfiguration request message may include information about base station s, non-contention RACH configuration information, and / or a preset timer for UE u to respond to the reconfiguration request.

[0189] Method 1102 then proceeds to the registration handshake process 1116. During a preset time period, UE u accepts or rejects the request to add candidate base stations s to the cluster serving the UE. The UE receives a reconfiguration request. If the UE accepts the reconfiguration request, the UE will then communicate via its connected cluster. In response, the UE initiates a RACH procedure with the candidate base stations and begins the registration process (all within the timer duration). If the UE rejects the reconfiguration request, the UE proceeds via its connected cluster. The network responds and returns to / executes another measurement report request process 1108.

[0190] As illustrated in the figure, the portion of method 1102 from the measurement report request process 1108 to the registration handshake process 1116 can then be repeated 1118 until further improvements to the objective function cannot be achieved for the UE in question and / or until the maximum number of base stations in the cluster at the UE in question is reached (e.g., the capacity of each of those UEs). Therefore, the CCF can determine these repeated portions of the greedy algorithm when it is determined that such conditions have not been met in any given situation.

[0191] In the second method for initial clustering, a downlink (DL) based algorithm can be implemented. The UE performs an SSB search (e.g., similar to methods from legacy systems (e.g., some NR and / or LTE systems)) to establish a connection (e.g., when the UE powers on, exits flight mode, enters a geographic area covered by the RAN, etc.). As a result of this SSB search, the UE can obtain a list of (base station ID, received signal power) pairs. In this context, received signal power can be the primary synchronization signal (PSS) / secondary synchronization signal (SSS) received power, PBCH received power, RSRP, etc.

[0192] The UE continues to attempt network attachment, starting with a RACH procedure with the selected base station (e.g., in response to an SSB search). As an early step during this RACH procedure, the UE provides the network with a list (base station ID, received signal power) as a measurement report accompanying the initial clustering process.

[0193] The network (e.g., the network's CCF) can refer to this list to determine / develop candidate base stations for creating the initial cluster. The network will have the ability to modify the cluster serving the UE corresponding to this UE report (e.g., add / remove base stations to the cluster serving the UE). In this context, it can be assumed that the network is responsible for notifying the base stations of the UE's presence.

[0194] Figure 12 A flowchart 1202 corresponding to the RACH procedure between UE 1204 and network 1206 is illustrated, accompanied by a DL-based algorithm for initial clustering, as discussed in the embodiments herein. Initially, as illustrated, UE 1204 obtains 1208 random access parameters from network 1206. Optionally, network 1206 may broadcast a public key related to the RACH procedure for use by the UE.

[0195] Then, during the DL-based cluster formation phase 1210, UE 1204 transmits a 1212 Random Access (RA) preamble to network 1206 (e.g., a base station of the network). In response, network 1206 transmits a 1214 Random Access Response. Accompanying the RACH process, the UE follows up by transmitting message 1216, and network 1206 replies to message 3 by transmitting a 1218 Uplink (UL) Grant to UE 1204.

[0196] At this point, there are two options (as already described) regarding when the UE can transmit its detection / measurement report to the network. Under the first option 1220 (“Option A”), the UE completes the entire random access procedure by completing the contention resolution and security setup 1222 (including key exchange) portions of the RACH procedure before transmitting the 1224 measurement report to the network. As illustrated, considering factors such as mobility management entity and / or gateway information, base station load, UE capabilities, etc., the network (e.g., via CCF) can then form an initial cluster of 1226 UEs based on this detection / measurement report.

[0197] Under the second option 1228, a random access procedure can be used. Because there may not be a strict need to transmit an encrypted detection / measurement report for the purpose of initial cluster formation, the UE can transmit the 1230 detection / measurement report to the network 1206 immediately after / in parallel with the contention resolution information, before performing any procedures for security setup 1232 between UE 1204 and network 1206. As illustrated, this allows network 1206 (e.g., via CCF) to form the initial cluster of UE 1234 earlier in the process based on this detection / measurement report compared to the first option 1220. As previously stated, network 1206 can form the initial cluster of UE 1234 based on the detection / measurement report by taking into account factors such as mobility management entity and / or gateway information, base station load, UE capabilities, etc.

[0198] In the third method for initial clustering, a UL-based algorithm can be implemented. The UE attempts the RACH procedure to achieve its intention to attach to the network. The network's base stations can use one or more UL messages from this RACH procedure (e.g., RA preamble, message 3, first message after collision resolution, etc.) to measure the received power from the UE. These base stations can report these measurements to the network (e.g., to the network's CCF), and the network (CCF) can proceed accordingly to establish the initial clustering of the UE based on these reported measurements. Note that regardless of the values ​​of these reported measurements, the network (CCF) is theoretically unconstrained in selecting base stations for the initial clustering.

[0199] Cluster update method

[0200] We will now discuss methods for performing cluster updates (adding and / or removing base stations to / from existing / established clusters serving the UE). In various cases, such methods can be implemented proactively in real time.

[0201] In various implementations, one or more thresholds and corresponding timers for these thresholds may be used.

[0202] Regarding base station addition, a first threshold τ1 and a corresponding timer T1 can be used. In this case, the UE can receive a measurement report including the measured parameters of the uBS. These measured parameters can be, for example, the uBS's RSRP value, the uBS's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value, the uBS's reference signal reception quality (RSRQ) value, etc.

[0203] The measured parameters can be treated as time samples and then used with a filter to generate filtered measured parameters. If the value of the filtered measured parameter exceeds τ1 and the base station has been out of the cluster for at least T1 seconds, the CCF can request the corresponding base station to rejoin the cluster serving the UE.

[0204] Regarding base station removal, a second threshold τ2 and a corresponding timer T2 can be used. In this case, the UE can receive a measurement report including measured parameters of the cBS. These measured parameters can be, for example, the cBS's RSRP value, cBS's SNR value, cBS's RSRQ value, etc.

[0205] The measured parameters can be treated as time samples and then used with a filter to generate filtered measured parameters. If the value of the filtered measured parameter drops below τ2 and the base station has been in the cluster for at least T2 seconds, the CCF can request the removal of the corresponding base station from the cluster serving the UE.

[0206] Imagine that τ1 / T1 and τ2 / T2 can be used simultaneously. In such a case, it can be understood (at least implicitly) that τ1 ≥ τ2. Furthermore, note that in such a case, timers T1 and T2 can be independent of each other.

[0207] Note that the use of both τ1 / T1 and τ2 / T2 is not strictly required—in some implementations, only one of the described τ1 / T1 and τ2 / T2 may be used.

[0208] In the above text, the filtered parameters can be, for example, a first-order IIR filter with respect to measured parameters. For example, the formula can be used.

[0209]

[0210] in:

[0211] It is in time The sample;

[0212] It is in time The previously filtered measured parameter values;

[0213] It is in time The filtered measured parameter values; and

[0214] α is the IIR filter coefficient in the range [0, 1].

[0215] This real-time approach can be inherently adaptive. Regarding at least some arrangements, it is understood that transmitting control and / or sharing channels from multiple base stations in a cluster can introduce opportunities for inefficiency / collision, which may be particularly significant given other favorable channel conditions for the UE. Therefore, in some implementations, thresholds τ1 and / or τ2 can be adaptive to utilize radio resources efficiently. These thresholds can be increased when channel conditions are favorable. When channel conditions are unfavorable, these thresholds can be decreased. This adaptive scheme results in a smaller cluster (i.e., fewer base stations) for UEs with better channel conditions and a larger cluster (i.e., more base stations) for UEs with poorer channel conditions. Therefore, radio resource utilization / efficiency relative to the baseline channel conditions can be significantly improved, resulting in an increase in the total number of UEs that can be served and / or an enhanced user experience for UEs that do not receive strong signals from any particular base station.

[0216] Figure 13 A method 1300 for a CCF (Continuous Communication Function) of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment discussed herein is illustrated. Method 1300 includes transmitting 1302 a first message to a first cBS (Continuous Broadband System) in a cluster of a wireless communication system serving a UE. The first message includes a first request to provide a measurement report to the UE, the measurement report having measurements on one or more measurement objects corresponding to one or more uBSs not in the cluster serving the UE. Method 1300 also includes receiving 1304 a second message from the first cBS, the second message including the measurement report having measurements on one or more measurement objects corresponding to one or more uBSs. Method 1300 further includes identifying 1306 a first uBS among one or more uBSs based on the measurements to add it to the cluster serving the UE. Method 1300 further includes sending 1308 a third message to the first uBS, the third message including a second request to perform a first admission control procedure on the first uBS to check whether the first uBS can join the cluster serving the UE. Method 1300 also includes receiving 1310 a fourth message from the first uBS, the fourth message including an indication that the first uBS can join the cluster serving the UE based on the execution of the first admission control procedure.

[0217] In some embodiments of method 1300, the first message also indicates the timing for measurement reporting.

[0218] In some embodiments of method 1300, the first message also indicates the format of the measurement report.

[0219] In some implementations of method 1300, the first message also indicates that the first request corresponds to the base station addition process.

[0220] In some embodiments of method 1300, the first request further provides UE context information of the UE to the UE; and the second message includes the UE context information of the UE. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the first message further indicates the format of the UE context information. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the first message further indicates the content of the UE context information.

[0221] In some embodiments of method 1300, the first message further includes a request identifier for the first request; and the second message includes the request identifier for the first request; and method 1300 further includes checking the second message based on the presence of the request identifier for the first request in the second message to obtain a measurement report.

[0222] In some embodiments of method 1300, the second message further includes a pattern indicator that identifies the second message as a pre-cluster decision response pattern message.

[0223] In some implementations of method 1300, the second message also indicates that the first request is accepted by the UE.

[0224] In some implementations of method 1300, the third message also indicates the identifier of the cluster serving the UE.

[0225] In some implementations of method 1300, the third message also indicates the UE context information of the UE.

[0226] In some embodiments of method 1300, the third message further includes a request identifier for the second request; and the fourth message includes a request identifier for the second request; and method 1300 further includes checking the fourth message based on the presence of the request identifier for the second request in the fourth message to obtain an indication regarding whether the first uBS can join a cluster serving the UE.

[0227] In some implementations of method 1300, the fourth message also indicates the identifier of the cluster serving the UE.

[0228] In some implementations of method 1300, the fourth message also indicates that the second request is accepted by the first uBS.

[0229] In some embodiments, method 1300 further includes receiving a fifth message from a first cBS, the fifth message including an indication that the UE accepts the first uBS as part of a cluster serving the UE. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the fifth message also includes a request identifier for a second request. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the fifth message also includes a pattern indicator identifying the fifth message as a cluster decision response pattern message.

[0230] In some implementations, method 1300 further includes: identifying a second uBS among one or more uBSs based on measurements to add to a cluster serving the UE; transmitting a fifth message to the second uBS, the fifth message instructing the second uBS to perform a second admission control procedure to check whether the second uBS can join the cluster serving the UE; and receiving a sixth message from the second uBS, the sixth message instructing the second uBS that it can join the cluster serving the UE based on the execution of the second admission control procedure.

[0231] Figure 14 A method 1400 for a cBS of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment discussed herein is illustrated. Method 1400 includes receiving 1402 a first message from the CCF of the wireless communication system, the first message including a request to provide a measurement report to a UE, the measurement report having measurements on one or more measurement objects corresponding to one or more uBSs not serving the UE. Method 1400 also includes transmitting 1404 a second message to the UE, the second message including a request to provide a measurement report to the UE. Method 1400 also includes receiving 1406 a third message from the UE, the third message including a measurement report having measurements on one or more measurement objects corresponding to one or more uBSs. Method 1400 also includes transmitting 1408 a fourth message including the measurement report to the CCF.

[0232] In some embodiments of method 1400, the first and second messages also indicate the timing for measurement reporting.

[0233] In some embodiments of method 1400, the first and second messages also indicate the format of the measurement report.

[0234] In some implementations of method 1400, the first and second messages also indicate that the request corresponds to the base station addition process.

[0235] In some embodiments of method 1400, the first message further includes a first mode indicator identifying the first message as a first pre-cluster decision request mode message; and the second message further includes a second mode indicator identifying the second message as a second pre-cluster decision request mode message.

[0236] In some embodiments of method 1400, the request further requests the UE to provide UE context information; and the first and second messages include the UE context information. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the first and second messages further indicate the format of the UE context information. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the first and second messages further indicate the content of the UE context information.

[0237] In some embodiments of method 1400, the first and second messages further include a request identifier of the request; and the third and fourth messages include the request identifier of the request.

[0238] In some embodiments of method 1400, the third message further includes a pattern indicator that identifies the second message as a first pre-cluster decision response pattern message; and the fourth message further includes a pattern indicator that identifies the fourth message as a second pre-cluster decision response pattern message.

[0239] In some implementations of method 1400, the third and fourth messages also indicate that the request is accepted by the UE.

[0240] In some implementations, method 1400 further includes: receiving a fifth message from a first uBS of one or more uBSs, the fifth message including access configuration information for the first uBS; and transmitting a sixth message including the access configuration information to the UE. In some implementations of these implementations, the fifth and sixth messages also include an identifier of the cluster serving the UE.

[0241] In some embodiments of these implementations, method 1400 further includes: receiving a seventh message from the UE, the seventh message including an indication that the UE accepts a first uBS as part of a cluster serving the UE; and transmitting an eighth message to the UE, the eighth message including an indication that the UE accepts the first uBS as part of a cluster serving the UE. In some of these cases, the seventh and eighth messages also include an identifier of the cluster serving the UE. In some of these cases, the seventh message also includes a first mode indicator identifying the seventh message as a first cluster decision request mode message; and the eighth message also includes a second mode indicator identifying the eighth message as a second cluster decision request mode message.

[0242] Figure 15A method 1500 is illustrated for a uBS not in a cluster of wireless communications serving a UE, according to the implementation discussed herein. Method 1500 includes receiving a first message 1502 from the CCF of the wireless communications system, the first message including a request to perform an admission control procedure on the uBS to check whether the uBS can join the cluster serving the UE. Method 1500 also includes performing an admission control procedure 1504. Method 1500 further includes determining 1506 that the uBS can join the cluster serving the UE based on the result of the admission control procedure. Method 1500 also includes transmitting a second message 1508 to the CCF, the second message including an indication that the uBS can join the cluster serving the UE.

[0243] In some implementations of method 1500, the first message also includes an identifier of the cluster serving the UE.

[0244] In some implementations of method 1500, the first message also indicates the UE context information of the UE.

[0245] In some embodiments of method 1500, the first message further includes a request identifier of the request; and the second message includes the request identifier of the request.

[0246] In some implementations of method 1500, the second message also includes an identifier of the cluster serving the UE.

[0247] In some implementations of method 1500, the second message also indicates that the request is accepted by the uBS.

[0248] In some implementations, method 1500 further includes transmitting a third message to a connected base station (cBS) in a cluster serving the UE, the third message including access configuration information for the uBS. In some such implementations, method 1500 further includes performing a RACH procedure with the UE to join the cluster serving the UE.

[0249] Figure 16 A method 1600 for a UE in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment discussed herein is illustrated. Method 1600 includes receiving 1602 a first message from a cBS in a cluster of the wireless communication system serving the UE, the first message including a request to provide a measurement report to the UE, the measurement report having measurements of one or more measurement objects corresponding to one or more uBSs not serving the UE. Method 1600 further includes generating 1604 a measurement report by performing measurements on one or more measurement objects corresponding to one or more uBSs not serving the UE. Method 1600 further includes transmitting 1606 a second message including the measurement report to the cBS.

[0250] In some implementations of method 1600, the first message also indicates the timing for measurement reporting.

[0251] In some implementations of method 1600, the first message also indicates the format of the measurement report.

[0252] In some implementations of method 1600, the first message also indicates that the request corresponds to the base station addition process.

[0253] In some embodiments of method 1600, the first message further includes a pattern indicator that identifies the first message as a pre-cluster decision response pattern message.

[0254] In some embodiments of method 1600, the request further requests the UE to provide UE context information; and the second message includes the UE context information. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the first message further indicates the format of the UE context information. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the first message further indicates the content of the UE context information.

[0255] In some embodiments of method 1600, the first message further includes a request identifier of the request; and the second message includes the request identifier of the request.

[0256] In some embodiments of method 1600, the second message further includes a pattern indicator that identifies the second message as a pre-cluster decision response pattern message.

[0257] In some implementations of method 1600, the second message also indicates that the request is accepted by the UE.

[0258] In some embodiments, method 1600 further includes: receiving a third message from a cBS, the third message including access configuration information for a first uBS in one or more uBSs; transmitting a fourth message to the cBS, the fourth message including an indication that the UE accepts the first uBS as part of a cluster serving the UE; and using the access configuration information to perform a RACH procedure with the first uBS. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the third message also includes an identifier of the cluster serving the UE. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the third message also includes a pattern indicator identifying the fourth message as a cluster decision response mode message. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the fourth message also includes an identifier of the cluster serving the UE. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the fourth message also includes a pattern indicator identifying the fourth message as a cluster decision response mode message.

[0259] Figure 17A method 1700 for a CCF (Continuous Computational Function) of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment discussed herein is illustrated. Method 1700 includes transmitting 1702 a request to the UE to provide a first measurement report to the UE via a cBS (Cellular Base Station) in a cluster of the wireless communication system serving the UE. Method 1700 also includes receiving 1704 the first measurement report from the UE via the cBS, wherein the first measurement report includes one or more measured parameters corresponding to one or more uBSs not in the cluster serving the UE. Method 1700 further includes calculating 1706 one or more new objective function values ​​corresponding to one or more uBSs using the one or more measured parameters corresponding to the one or more uBSs. Method 1700 further includes determining 1708 that a first new objective function value corresponding to a first uBS among the one or more new objective function values ​​is greater than the current objective function value of the cluster serving the UE. Method 1700 also includes transmitting 1710 a reconfiguration request message to the UE via the cBS, including a RACH configuration for the UE to connect to the first uBS.

[0260] In some implementations, method 1700 further includes determining that the UE is connected to fewer than a maximum number of cBSs, and wherein a request to provide a first measurement report to the UE is transmitted in response to determining that the UE is connected to fewer than a maximum number of cBSs.

[0261] In some implementations, method 1700 further includes: determining that the UE is connected to fewer than a maximum number of cBSs; and in response to determining that the UE is connected to fewer than a maximum number of cBSs, transmitting a request to the UE to provide a second measurement report to the UE.

[0262] In some embodiments of method 1700, each of the one or more new objective function values ​​corresponding to one or more uBSs is generated by modifying the objective function gain and network penalty of the current objective function value of the cluster serving the UE, wherein the objective function gain is used to add the uBS corresponding to one of the one or more new objective function values ​​to the cluster serving the UE, and the network penalty is used to add the uBS corresponding to one of the one or more new objective function values ​​to the cluster serving the UE.

[0263] In some embodiments of method 1700, the request to provide a first measurement report to the UE is transmitted in response to receiving an indication from the UE that the UE is able to communicate with multiple cBSs in the cluster serving the UE.

[0264] In some embodiments of method 1700, the reconfiguration request message also includes a timer indicating the duration within which the UE is permitted to respond to the reconfiguration request message.

[0265] In some embodiments of method 1700, one or more measured parameters are one or more RSRP values.

[0266] Figure 18 A method 1800 for a CCF (Continuous Cell Detection) of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment discussed herein is illustrated. Method 1800 includes receiving 1802 a cell detection report received from a base station of the wireless communication system from a UE during a RACH (Rapid Access Communication) process performed by the base station between the UE and the base station. The cell detection report includes one or more measured parameters corresponding to one or more uBSs not in the cluster of the wireless communication system used to serve the UE. Method 1800 further includes identifying 1804 a first uBS for addition to the cluster used to serve the UE based on a first measured parameter corresponding to a first uBS among the one or more uBSs. Method 1800 further includes transmitting 1806 a first reconfiguration request message to the UE including a first RACH configuration for the UE to connect to the first uBS.

[0267] In some implementations, method 1800 further includes: identifying a second uBS in one or more uBSs based on a second measured parameter corresponding to the second uBS in one or more measured parameters to add it to a cluster for serving the UE; and transmitting a second reconfiguration request message to the UE including a second RACH configuration for the UE to connect to the second uBS.

[0268] In some implementations of Method 1800, the cell detection report is unencrypted.

[0269] In some implementations of method 1800, the first measured parameter is the RSRP value.

[0270] Figure 19 Method 1900 of a base station of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment discussed herein is illustrated. Method 1900 includes receiving a cell detection report 1902 from a UE during a RACH process performed between a UE and a base station, wherein the cell detection report is received prior to the security setup portion of the RACH process between the UE and the base station. Method 1900 also includes transmitting a cell detection report 1904 to the CCF of the wireless communication system.

[0271] Figure 20A method 2000 for a CCF (Continuous Communication Function) of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment discussed herein is illustrated. Method 2000 includes receiving 2002 first measured parameters of a UE from a first base station of the wireless communication system, the first measured parameters corresponding to a first message of a first RACH procedure between the first base station and the UE. Method 2000 further includes determining 2004 that the first base station will be added to a cluster for serving the UE based on the first measured parameters. Method 2000 further includes transmitting 2006 a first reconfiguration request message to the UE including a first RACH configuration for the UE to connect to the first base station.

[0272] In some implementations, method 2000 further includes: receiving second measured parameters of the UE from a second base station of a wireless communication system, the second measured parameters corresponding to a second message of a second RACH procedure between the second base station and the UE; determining, based on the second measured parameters, that the second base station will be added to a cluster for serving the UE; and transmitting to the UE a second reconfiguration request message including a second RACH configuration for the UE to connect to the second base station.

[0273] In some implementations of Method 2000, the first message of the first RACH procedure is one of the following: the RA preamble, message 3, or the first message after conflict resolution.

[0274] In some implementations of method 2000, the first measured parameter is the RSRP value.

[0275] Figure 21 A method 2100 for CCF of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment discussed herein is illustrated. Method 2100 includes receiving 2102 a measurement report from a UE, the measurement report including first measured parameters of a uBS not in the cluster of the wireless communication system serving the UE. Method 2100 also includes maintaining 2104 a first filtered measured parameter using the first measured parameter for the uBS from the measurement report. Method 2100 further includes identifying 2106 that the first filtered measured parameter is higher than a first threshold. Method 2100 further includes identifying 2108 that the uBS has not been in the cluster serving the UE for at least a first duration. Method 2100 further includes transmitting 2110 a first reconfiguration message request to the UE in response to identifying that the first filtered measured parameter is higher than the first threshold and identifying that the uBS has not been in the cluster serving the UE for at least a first duration, the first reconfiguration message request including a first RACH configuration for the UE to connect to the first uBS.

[0276] In some implementations of method 2100, the first measured parameter is the RSRP value of the uBS.

[0277] In some implementations of method 2100, the first measured parameter is the SNR value of the uBS.

[0278] In some implementations of method 2100, the first measured parameter is the RSRQ value of the uBS.

[0279] In some embodiments of method 2100, the measurement report further includes a second measured parameter for the uBS; and method 2100 further includes: using the second measured parameter for the uBS from the measurement report to maintain a second filtered measured parameter; indicating that the second measured parameter is higher than a second threshold; and wherein transmitting a first reconfiguration message request to the UE also responds to indicating that the second filtered measured parameter is higher than the second threshold. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the first measured parameter is the RSRP value of the uBS, and wherein the second measured parameter is the RSRQ value of the uBS.

[0280] In some implementations of method 2100, the first filtered measured parameter is obtained by using the first measured parameter as a sample over time according to the following formula. To maintain:

[0281]

[0282] in:

[0283] It is in time The sample;

[0284] It is in time The previously filtered measured parameter values;

[0285] It is in time The filtered measured parameter values; and

[0286] α is the IIR filter coefficient in the range [0, 1].

[0287] In some implementations, method 2100 further includes raising a first threshold in response to determining that the channel conditions of the UE are improving.

[0288] In some implementations, method 2100 further includes lowering a first threshold in response to determining that the channel conditions of the UE are declining.

[0289] Figure 22A method 2200 for CCF (Continuous Communication Function) of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment discussed herein is illustrated. Method 2200 includes receiving 2202 a measurement report from a UE, the measurement report including first measured parameters of a cBS (Continuous Base Station) in a cluster of the wireless communication system serving the UE. Method 2200 also includes maintaining 2204 a first filtered measured parameter using the first measured parameter for the cBS from the measurement report. Method 2200 further includes identifying 2206 that the first filtered measured parameter is below a first threshold. Method 2200 further includes identifying 2208 that the cBS has been in the cluster serving the UE for at least a first duration. Method 2200 further includes removing 2210 a cBS from the cluster serving the UE in response to identifying that the first filtered measured parameter is below the first threshold and identifying that the cBS has been in the cluster serving the UE for at least a first duration.

[0290] In some implementations of method 2200, the first measured parameter is the RSRP value of cBS.

[0291] In some implementations of method 2200, the first measured parameter is the SNR value of cBS.

[0292] In some implementations of method 2200, the first measured parameter is the RSRQ value of cBS.

[0293] In some embodiments of method 2200, the measurement report further includes a second measured parameter for the cBS; and method 2200 further includes: using the second measured parameter for the cBS from the measurement report to maintain a second filtered measured parameter; indicating that the second measured parameter is below a second threshold; and wherein removing the cBS from the cluster serving the UE also responds to indicating that the second filtered measured parameter is below the second threshold. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the first measured parameter is the RSRP value of the cBS, and wherein the second measured parameter is the RSRQ value of the cBS.

[0294] In some implementations of method 2200, the first filtered measured parameter is obtained by using the first measured parameter as a sample over time according to the following formula. To maintain:

[0295]

[0296] in:

[0297] It is in time The sample;

[0298] It is in time The previously filtered measured parameter values;

[0299] It is in time The filtered measured parameter values; and

[0300] α is the IIR filter coefficient in the range [0, 1].

[0301] In some implementations, method 2200 further includes raising a first threshold in response to determining that the channel conditions of the UE are improving.

[0302] In some implementations, method 2200 further includes lowering a first threshold in response to determining that the channel conditions of the UE are declining.

[0303] Figure 23 An example architecture of a wireless communication system 2300 according to an embodiment disclosed herein is illustrated.

[0304] like Figure 23 As shown, the wireless communication system 2300 includes UE 2302 and UE 2304 (but any number of UEs may be used). In this example, UE 2302 and UE 2304 are exemplified as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices capable of connecting to one or more cellular networks), but may also include any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.

[0305] UE 2302 and UE 2304 can be configured to communicatively couple with RAN 2306. In an implementation, RAN 2306 can be NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, etc. UE 2302 and UE 2304 utilize connections (or channels) with RAN 2306 (shown as connection 2308 and connection 2310, respectively), where each connection includes a physical communication interface. RAN 2306 may include one or more base stations (such as base station 2312 and base station 2314) implementing connection 2308 and connection 2310.

[0306] In this example, connection 2308 and connection 2310 are air interfaces that enable this type of communication coupling and can conform to the RAT used by RAN 2306, such as LTE and / or NR, for example.

[0307] In some implementations, UE 2302 and UE 2304 may also exchange communication data directly via sidelink interface 2316. UE 2304 is shown configured to access an access point (shown as AP 2318) via connection 2320. By way of example, connection 2320 may include a local wireless connection, such as a connection conforming to any IEEE 802.11 protocol, wherein AP 2318 may include Wi-Fi. ®Router. In this example, AP 2318 can connect to another network (e.g., the Internet) without using CN 2324.

[0308] In the implementation, UE 2302 and UE 2304 may be configured to communicate with each other or with base station 2312 and / or base station 2314 via a multi-carrier communication channel using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals according to various communication technologies, such as but not limited to orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication technology (e.g., for downlink communication) or single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication technology (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communication), but the scope of the implementation is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signal may include multiple orthogonal subcarriers.

[0309] In some implementations, all or some of the base stations in base station 2312 or base station 2314 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on a server computer as part of a virtual network. Furthermore, or in other implementations, base station 2312 or base station 2314 may be configured to communicate with each other via interface 2322. In implementations where the wireless communication system 2300 is an LTE system (e.g., when CN 2324 is an EPC), interface 2322 may be an X2 interface. This X2 interface may be defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more eNBs, etc.) connected to the EPC and / or between two eNBs connected to the EPC. In implementations where the wireless communication system 2300 is an NR system (e.g., when CN 2324 is a 5GC), interface 2322 may be an Xn interface. The Xn interface is defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more gNBs, etc.) connected to the 5GC, between a base station 2312 (e.g., a gNB) connected to the 5GC and an eNB, and / or between two eNBs connected to the 5GC (e.g., CN 2324).

[0310] RAN 2306 is shown communicatively coupled to CN 2324. CN 2324 may include one or more network elements 2326 configured to provide various data and telecommunications services to customers / subscribers (e.g., users of UE 2302 and UE 2304) connected to CN 2324 via RAN 2306. Components of CN 2324 may be implemented in a single physical device or a separate physical device, including components for reading and executing instructions from machine-readable or computer-readable media (e.g., non-transitory machine-readable storage media).

[0311] In the implementation scheme, CN 2324 may be an EPC, and RAN 2306 may be connected to CN 2324 via S1 interface 2328. In the implementation scheme, S1 interface 2328 may be divided into two parts: an S1 user plane (S1-U) interface carrying service data between base station 2312 or base station 2314 and the serving gateway (S-GW), and an S1-MME interface serving as the signaling interface between base station 2312 or base station 2314 and the mobility management entity (MME).

[0312] In the implementation scheme, CN 2324 may be a 5GC, and RAN 2306 may be connected to CN 2324 via NG interface 2328. In the implementation scheme, NG interface 2328 may be divided into two parts: an NG user plane (NG-U) interface carrying service data between base station 2312 or base station 2314 and user plane function (UPF), and an S1 control plane (NG-C) interface serving as the signaling interface between base station 2312 or base station 2314 and access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0313] Generally, application server 2330 can be an element that provides Internet Protocol (IP) bearer resources (e.g., packet-switched data services) for use with CN 2324. Application server 2330 can also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc.) for UE 2302 and UE 2304 via CN 2324. Application server 2330 can communicate with CN 2324 via IP communication interface 2332.

[0314] Figure 24 A system 2400 for executing signaling 2434 between a wireless device 2402 and a RAN device 2418, according to an embodiment disclosed herein, is illustrated. System 2400 may be part of a wireless communication system as described herein. Wireless device 2402 may be, for example, a UE (User Equipment) of a wireless communication system. RAN device 2418 may be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB, gNB, or a sixth-generation base station) of a wireless communication system.

[0315] Wireless device 2402 may include one or more processors 2404. Processor 2404 may execute instructions to perform various operations of wireless device 2402 as described herein. Processor 2404 may include one or more baseband processors, which may be implemented using, for example, a CPU, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), controller, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0316] Wireless device 2402 may include memory 2406. Memory 2406 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 2408, which may include, for example, instructions executed by processor 2404. Instructions 2408 may also be referred to as program code or computer program. Memory 2406 may also store data used by processor 2404 and results calculated by the processor.

[0317] The wireless device 2402 may include one or more transceivers 2410, which may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuitry and / or receiver circuitry, which use the antenna 2412 of the wireless device 2402 to facilitate signaling (e.g., signaling 2434) to and / or from the wireless device 2402 and other devices (e.g., RAN device 2418) in accordance with the corresponding RAT.

[0318] Wireless device 2402 may include one or more antennas 2412 (e.g., one, two, four, or more antennas). In embodiments with multiple antennas 2412, wireless device 2402 may fully utilize the spatial diversity of such multiple antennas 2412 to transmit and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time and frequency resources. This behavior may be referred to as, for example, MIMO behavior (referring to multiple antennas used at each of the transmitting and receiving devices to implement this aspect). MIMO transmission by wireless device 2402 may be achieved according to pre-decoding (or digital beamforming) applied at wireless device 2402, which multiplexes data streams across antennas 2412 based on known or assumed channel characteristics, such that each data stream is received with appropriate signal strength relative to the others at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of the receiver associated with that data stream). Some implementations may use a single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) approach (where all data streams are directed to a single receiver) and / or a multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) approach (where individual data streams may be directed to individual (different) receivers at different locations in the airspace).

[0319] In some implementations with multiple antennas, wireless device 2402 may implement analog beamforming technology, thereby relatively adjusting the phase of the signal transmitted by antenna 2412 so that the (joint) transmission of antenna 2412 can be directed (this is sometimes referred to as beam control).

[0320] Wireless device 2402 may include one or more interfaces 2414. Interfaces 2414 can be used to provide input to or output to wireless device 2402. For example, wireless device 2402 as a UE may include interfaces 2414, such as microphones, speakers, touchscreens, and buttons, to allow users of the UE to input to and / or output to the UE. Other interfaces of such a UE may consist of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry that allow the UE to communicate with other devices (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 2410 / antenna 2412 already described), and may be based on known protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi). ® and Bluetooth ® (etc.) to perform the operation.

[0321] Wireless device 2402 may include cluster module 2416. Cluster module 2416 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, cluster module 2416 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 2408 stored in memory 2406 and executed by processor 2404. In some examples, cluster module 2416 may be integrated within processor 2404 and / or transceiver 2410. For example, cluster module 2416 may be implemented via a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within processor 2404 or transceiver 2410.

[0322] Cluster module 2416 can be used in various aspects of this disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 22 All aspects. As discussed herein, the clustering module 2416 can be configured to send, receive, and / or use UE message types for cellless clustering. Such messages can operate / be used to implement the initial clustering methods and / or cluster update methods used by the CCF to maintain / modify the cluster, as discussed herein.

[0323] RAN device 2418 may include one or more processors 2420. Processor 2420 may execute instructions to perform various operations of RAN device 2418 as described herein. Processor 2420 may include one or more baseband processors, which may be implemented using, for example, a CPU, DSP, ASIC, controller, FPGA device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0324] RAN device 2418 may include memory 2422. Memory 2422 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 2424, which may include instructions executed, for example, by processor 2420. Instructions 2424 may also be referred to as program code or computer program. Memory 2422 may also store data used by processor 2420 and results calculated by the processor.

[0325] RAN device 2418 may include one or more transceivers 2426, which may include RF transmitter circuitry and / or receiver circuitry that uses antenna 2428 of RAN device 2418 to facilitate signaling to / from RAN device 2418 (e.g., signaling 2434) according to a corresponding RAT with other devices (e.g., wireless device 2402).

[0326] RAN device 2418 may include one or more antennas 2428 (e.g., one, two, four or more antennas). In embodiments having multiple antennas 2428, RAN device 2418 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam control, etc., as already described.

[0327] RAN device 2418 may include one or more interfaces 2430. Interfaces 2430 can be used to provide input to or output to RAN device 2418. For example, RAN device 2418, as a base station, may include interface 2430 consisting of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 2426 / antenna 2428 already described), enabling the base station to communicate with other equipment in the core network, and / or enabling the base station to communicate with external networks, computers, databases, etc., for the operation, management, and maintenance of the base station or other equipment operatively connected to it. As another example, RAN device 2418 may communicate with CN device 2436 on interface 2448 of interface 2430 (e.g., an NG interface in the NR case, or an S1 interface in the LTE case).

[0328] RAN device 2418 may include cluster module 2432. Cluster module 2432 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, cluster module 2432 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 2424 stored in memory 2422 and executed by processor 2420. In some examples, cluster module 2432 may be integrated within processor 2420 and / or transceiver 2426. For example, cluster module 2432 may be implemented via a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within processor 2420 or transceiver 2426.

[0329] Cluster module 2432 can be used in various aspects of this disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 22All aspects. As discussed herein, cluster module 2432 can be configured to send, receive, and / or use base station message types for cellless clustering. Such messages can operate / be used to implement initial clustering methods and / or cluster update methods used by the CCF to maintain / modify the cluster, as discussed herein. In some implementations, cluster module 2432 can also configure RAN device 2418 to operate the CCF (fully or partially).

[0330] CN device 2436 may include one or more processors 2438. Processor 2438 may execute instructions to perform various operations of CN device 2436 as described herein. Processor 2438 may include one or more baseband processors, which may be implemented using, for example, a CPU, DSP, ASIC, controller, FPGA device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0331] CN device 2436 may include memory 2440. Memory 2440 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 2442, which may include, for example, instructions executed by processor 2438. Instructions 2442 may also be referred to as program code or computer program. Memory 2440 may also store data used by processor 2438 and results calculated by the processor.

[0332] CN device 2436 may include one or more interfaces 2444. Interface 2444 can be used to provide input to or from CN device 2436. For example, CN device 2436 can communicate with RAN device 2418 on interface 2444 (e.g., NG interface in the case of NR, or S1 interface in the case of LTE).

[0333] CN device 2436 may include cluster module 2446. Cluster module 2446 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, cluster module 2446 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 2442 stored in memory 2440 and executed by processor 2438. In some examples, cluster module 2446 may be integrated within processor 2438. For example, cluster module 2446 may be implemented by a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within processor 2438.

[0334] Cluster module 2446 can be used in various aspects of this disclosure, for example, Figures 1 to 22Various aspects. The cluster module 2446 can be configured to use / cause the sending of CCF message types for cellless clusters, as discussed herein. Such messages can operate / be used to implement the initial clustering methods and / or cluster update methods used by the CCF to maintain / modify the cluster, as discussed herein.

[0335] The embodiments envisioned herein include an apparatus comprising components for performing one or more elements of method 1600. This apparatus may be, for example, a UE (such as wireless device 2402 as a UE, as described herein).

[0336] The embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of method 1600. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, the memory of a UE (such as memory 2406 of a wireless device 2402 serving as a UE, as described herein).

[0337] The embodiments envisioned herein include an apparatus comprising logic components, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of method 1600. This apparatus may be, for example, a UE (such as wireless device 2402 as a UE, as described herein).

[0338] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of method 1600. The apparatus may be, for example, a UE (such as wireless device 2402 as a UE, as described herein).

[0339] The implementation scheme envisioned herein includes a signal as described or associated with one or more elements of method 1600.

[0340] The embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution by a processor will cause the processor to perform one or more elements of method 1600. The processor may be a processor of the UE (such as processor 2404 as a wireless device 2402 of the UE, as described herein). These instructions may, for example, reside in the processor and / or in the memory of the UE (such as memory 2406 as a wireless device 2402 of the UE, as described herein).

[0341] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising components for performing one or more elements of any of the methods 1400, 1500, and / or 1900. This apparatus may be, for example, a base station apparatus (such as RAN equipment 2418 as a base station, as described herein).

[0342] The embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of any of the methods of method 1400, method 1500, and / or method 1900. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may, for example, be the memory of a base station (such as memory 2422 of RAN device 2418 serving as a base station, as described herein).

[0343] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic components, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of any of methods 1400, 1500, and / or 1900. This apparatus may be, for example, a base station apparatus (such as RAN equipment 2418 as a base station, as described herein).

[0344] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of any of the methods 1400, 1500, and / or 1900. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a base station (such as RAN equipment 2418 as a base station, as described herein).

[0345] The implementation schemes envisioned herein include signals described or associated with one or more elements of any of the methods such as method 1400, method 1500, and / or method 1900.

[0346] The embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution by a processing element causes the processing element to perform one or more elements of any of the methods 1400, 1500, and / or 1900. The processor may be a processor of a base station (such as processor 2420 of RAN device 2418 as a base station, as described herein). These instructions may, for example, reside in the processor and / or the memory of the base station (such as memory 2422 of RAN device 2418 as a base station, as described herein).

[0347] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising components for performing one or more elements of any of methods 1300, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2100, and / or 2200. The apparatus may be, for example, a base station (such as RAN equipment 2418 as a base station, as described herein) and / or a CN. Further contemplated, the apparatus may be one of many such apparatuses working in a distributed manner to perform one or more elements of any of methods 1300, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2100, and / or 2200.

[0348] The embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of any of the methods 1300, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2100, and / or 2200. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, the memory of a base station (such as memory 2422 of RAN device 2418 as a base station, as described herein) and / or the memory of a CN. Further contemplated, the electronic device may be one of many such electronic devices that work together in a distributed manner to perform one or more elements of any of the methods 1300, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2100, and / or 2200.

[0349] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic components, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of any of the methods 1300, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2100, and / or 2200. This apparatus may be, for example, a base station (such as RAN equipment 2418 as a base station, as described herein) and / or a CN. Further contemplated, the apparatus may be one of many such apparatuses working in a distributed manner to perform one or more elements of any of the methods 1300, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2100, and / or 2200.

[0350] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of any of the methods 1300, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2100, and / or 2200. The apparatus may be, for example, a base station (such as RAN equipment 2418 as a base station, as described herein) and / or a CN. Further contemplated, the apparatus may be one of many such apparatuses that work together in a distributed manner to perform one or more elements of any of the methods 1300, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2100, and / or 2200.

[0351] The implementation schemes envisioned herein include signals described or associated with one or more elements of any of the methods such as method 1300, method 1700, method 1800, method 2000, method 2100 and / or method 2200.

[0352] The embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein execution of the program by a processing element will cause the processing element to perform one or more elements of any of the methods 1300, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2100, and / or 2200. The processor may be a processor of a base station (such as processor 2420 of RAN device 2418 as a base station, as described herein) and / or a CN. These instructions may, for example, reside in the processor and / or the memory of the base station (such as memory 2422 of RAN device 2418 as a base station, as described herein) and / or on the CN. It is further contemplated that the processing element may be one of many such processing elements working together in a distributed manner to perform one or more elements of any of the methods 1300, 1700, 1800, 2000, 2100, and / or 2200.

[0353] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components illustrated in one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and / or methods as described herein. For example, a baseband processor as described herein in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples illustrated herein. Similarly, circuitry associated with a UE, base station, network element, etc., as described above in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples illustrated herein.

[0354] Unless otherwise expressly stated, any of the embodiments described above may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments). The foregoing description of one or more specific embodiments provides illustrative and descriptive information, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. In light of the teachings above, modifications and variations are possible, or modifications and variations may be derived from practice with various embodiments.

[0355] Implementations and specific embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. The computer system may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices). The computer system may include hardware components, including specific logical parts for performing the operations; or may include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0356] It should be recognized that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific implementations. These implementations may be combined into a single system, partially integrated into other systems, divided into multiple systems, or otherwise partitioned or combined. Furthermore, it is conceivable to use parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., of one implementation in one implementation. For clarity, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., are described only in one or more implementations, and it should be recognized that, unless expressly stated herein, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., may be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., of another implementation.

[0357] As is widely recognized, the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices that are generally accepted to meet or exceed industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to users.

[0358] Although the foregoing has been described in considerable detail for clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways to implement both the processes and apparatus described herein. Therefore, embodiments of the invention should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and this specification is not limited to the details given herein, but can be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for a cluster control function (CCF) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: A request to provide a first measurement report to the UE is transmitted to the UE via a connected base station (cBS) in the cluster of the wireless communication system serving the user equipment (UE); The first measurement report is received from the UE via the cBS, wherein the first measurement report includes one or more measured parameters corresponding to one or more unconnected base stations (uBS) in the cluster not serving the UE; Use the one or more measured parameters corresponding to the one or more uBS to calculate one or more new objective function values ​​corresponding to the one or more uBS; The first new objective function value corresponding to the first uBS in the one or more new objective function values ​​is determined to be greater than the current objective function value of the cluster serving the UE; as well as A reconfiguration request message is transmitted to the UE via the cBS, the reconfiguration request message including a random access channel (RACH) configuration for the UE to connect to the first uBS.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the UE is connected to fewer than a maximum number of cBSs, and wherein the request to provide the first measurement report to the UE is transmitted in response to determining that the UE is connected to fewer than the maximum number of cBSs.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: It is determined that the UE is connected to fewer than the maximum number of cBSs; as well as In response to determining that the UE is connected to fewer than the maximum number of cBSs, a request is sent to the UE to provide a second measurement report to the UE.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more new objective function values ​​corresponding to the one or more uBS is generated by modifying the objective function gain and network penalty of the current objective function value of the cluster serving the UE, the objective function gain being used to add the uBS corresponding to one of the one or more new objective function values ​​to the cluster serving the UE, and the network penalty being used to add the uBS corresponding to the one of the one or more new objective function values ​​to the cluster serving the UE.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the request to provide the first measurement report to the UE is transmitted in response to receiving an indication from the UE that the UE is capable of communicating with multiple cBSs in the cluster serving the UE.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reconfiguration request message further includes a timer indicating the duration within which the UE is permitted to respond to the reconfiguration request message.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more measured parameters are one or more reference signal received power (RSRP) values.

8. A method for a cluster control function (CCF) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: The cell detection report received from the UE during a random access channel (RACH) process performed by the base station between the user equipment (UE) and the base station of the wireless communication system includes one or more measured parameters corresponding to one or more unconnected base stations (uBS) that are not in the cluster of the wireless communication system used to serve the UE. as well as The first uBS is identified based on a first measured parameter corresponding to a first uBS in one or more uBSs to be added to the cluster for serving the UE; as well as A first reconfiguration request message is transmitted to the UE, the first reconfiguration request message including a first RACH configuration for the UE to use in connecting to the first uBS.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: The second uBS is identified based on a second measured parameter corresponding to a second uBS in one or more uBSs to be added to the cluster for serving the UE; as well as A second reconfiguration request message is transmitted to the UE, the second reconfiguration request message including a second RACH configuration for the UE to use in connecting to the second uBS.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the cell detection report is unencrypted.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first measured parameter is a reference signal received power (RSRP) value.

12. A method for establishing a base station in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: During a random access channel (RACH) process performed between a user equipment (UE) and the base station, a cell detection report is received from the UE, wherein the cell detection report is received prior to the security setting portion of the RACH process between the UE and the base station; as well as The cell detection report is transmitted to the cluster control function (CCF) of the wireless communication system.

13. A method for a cluster control function (CCF) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: The first measured parameter of the user equipment (UE) is received from the first base station of the wireless communication system, the first measured parameter corresponding to the first message of the first random access channel (RACH) procedure between the first base station and the UE; Based on the first measured parameters, it is determined that the first base station will be added to the cluster used to serve the UE; as well as A first reconfiguration request message is transmitted to the UE, the first reconfiguration request message including a first RACH configuration for the UE to connect to the first base station.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: The second measured parameter of the UE is received from the second base station of the wireless communication system, and the second measured parameter corresponds to the second message of the second RACH procedure between the second base station and the UE; Based on the second measured parameters, it is determined that the second base station will be added to the cluster used to serve the UE; as well as A second reconfiguration request message is transmitted to the UE, the second reconfiguration request message including a second RACH configuration for the UE to use in connecting to the second base station.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the first message of the first RACH procedure is one of: a random access (RA) preamble, message 3, or a first message after conflict resolution.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first measured parameter is a reference signal received power (RSRP) value.

17. An apparatus comprising components for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. An apparatus comprising a logic component, module, or circuit for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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