Configurable antenna system terminal equipment

Abstract

A method for managing terminal equipment (1) comprising an antenna system (6) that can be configured in at least one first configuration and a second configuration exhibiting degraded communication performance on at least one specific frequency band, the management method comprising the following steps: - detect at least one usable cell (Cu); - determine whether at least one specific usable cell, among the at least one usable cell (Cu), uses at least part of the specific frequency band; - if so, and if the antenna system (6) is configured in the second configuration, perform an action to switch the antenna system (6) to the first configuration. ABRIDGED FIGURE: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Terminal equipment with configurable antenna system

[0001] The invention relates to the field of terminal equipment for cellular networks, such as cellular gateways.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A cellular network Internet access gateway (here referred to as a "cellular gateway"), or Fixed Wireless Access Internet gateway in English, is classically capable of communicating with an operator's cellular network using different frequency bands.

[0004] However, implementing a frequency band in a wireless communication device requires the use of at least one antenna adapted to that frequency band. The geometric dimensions of an antenna are directly dependent on its operating frequency band. These dimensions increase as the frequency decreases, so that, for example, an antenna adapted for 700 MHz communication will have larger dimensions than an antenna of the same type adapted for 2400 MHz communication.

[0005] When a communication system requires the use of an antenna array, for example, a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) communication system, it is necessary to isolate each antenna from the other antennas in the same array to allow for decorrelation of the signals used by each antenna. This isolation is achieved through the use of multiple orientations, polarizations, but above all, by varying the distance between the antennas in an array. As with the antenna itself, the distance between the antennas required to ensure a minimum level of isolation increases as the frequency decreases.

[0006] It is therefore understood that, for a wireless communication device to function optimally, it is advantageous to be able to vary the configuration of the antenna system (and for example its geometric / dimensional configuration) to adapt it to the frequency band used. The antenna system of the wireless communication device may, for example, comprise a single antenna or an antenna array of several antennas.

[0007] It is thus known to use antennas of variable size, such as those of historical radio receivers whose extendable and orientable element allows for manual adjustment as needed. This type of antenna, equipped with two elements, is also used in some televisions.

[0008] It is also known to operate an antenna system in which the number of antennas can vary depending on the local operating conditions of radio frequency equipment. A cellular gateway incorporating an internal antenna device (comprising one or more antennas) is known, which can be connected to a removable external antenna device (comprising one or more antennas). The internal antenna device is sufficient in most cases, but the use of the external antenna device is very advantageous under difficult communication conditions. The antenna system used can therefore be configured in a first configuration in which it includes both the internal and external antenna devices, and in a second configuration in which it includes only the internal antenna device.Switching between the two configurations is the user's responsibility, based on their own understanding of their environment.

[0009] Ideally, when the cellular gateway is equipped with a configurable antenna system, the user should configure the antenna system to optimize the performance of the cellular gateway and thus communications within the cellular network. The configuration should also take into account whether or not certain frequency bands are used by the network of the operator responsible for the communication. Indeed, it is pointless to implement a more complex or cumbersome antenna system configuration when it is not necessary to achieve specific performance levels, or when the frequency band corresponding to this configuration is not used by the operator in the user's area of ​​operation.

[0010] However, no indication is given to the user to help him in choosing the antenna system configuration.

[0011] This situation leaves a large degree of subjectivity for an inexperienced user in choosing the best course of action to take to fully benefit from their cellular gateway under local conditions of use. This very frequently results in the use of the cellular gateway with degraded performance.

[0012] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention aims to improve the communication performance of a cellular gateway that uses a configurable antenna system.

[0014] SUMMARY

[0015] To achieve this goal, a method for managing terminal equipment of a predefined cellular network is proposed, the terminal equipment comprising a processing unit arranged to cooperate with an antenna system that can be configured according to at least a first configuration and a second configuration, the second configuration exhibiting degraded communication performance on at least one specific frequency band, the management process being implemented in the processing unit and comprising the following configuration steps:

[0016] - detect at least one usable cell that can be used to connect terminal equipment to the predefined cellular network;

[0017] - determine if at least one particular usable cell, among the at least one usable cell, uses at least partially the particular frequency band;

[0018] - if so, and if the antenna system is configured according to the second configuration, perform an action aimed at switching the antenna system to the first configuration.

[0019] Thus, as soon as the terminal equipment's processing unit detects at least one suitable cell using the particular frequency band, the processing unit performs an action to configure and / or have the antenna system configured according to the first configuration (unless the antenna system is already in the first configuration). This action may, for example, consist of notifying the user that a change in the antenna system configuration would be preferable.

[0020] It is thus ensured that, regardless of the cell with which the terminal equipment synchronizes (at the present time or in the future), the gateway antenna system is / will be configured so that the terminal equipment operates optimally - or, at the very least, that the user is aware of the relevance of this reconfiguration.

[0021] A management method as previously described is also proposed, comprising a preliminary phase during which the configuration steps are implemented, the preliminary phase further comprising the step of synchronizing the terminal equipment with the cellular network using one of the usable cells.

[0022] A management method as previously described is also proposed, in which, during the preliminary phase, the processing unit performs a frequency scan to detect at least one usable cell.

[0023] A management method as previously described is further proposed, wherein the particular frequency band is a low-frequency band, and wherein, during the preliminary phase, the processing unit is arranged to:

[0024] - determine whether the antenna system is configured according to the first configuration or the second configuration;

[0025] - if the antenna system is configured according to the first configuration, perform the frequency sweep according to increasing frequencies;

[0026] - if the antenna system is configured according to the second configuration, perform the frequency sweep according to decreasing frequencies.

[0027] A management method as previously described is also proposed, further comprising the steps of detecting that a user has voluntarily modified the configuration of the antenna system and, if so, of sending him a notification to offer him the opportunity to repeat the preliminary phase.

[0028] A management method as previously described is further proposed, in which the frequency sweep carried out during the reiteration of the preliminary phase uses a list of useful cells detected during a previous preliminary phase.

[0029] A management method as previously described is also proposed, comprising at least one current phase during which the configuration steps are implemented, the processing unit detecting at least one usable cell by exploiting at least one piece of information from the cellular network.

[0030] We further propose a management method as previously described, the at least one current phase comprising a first current phase during which the at least one piece of information includes a request for intercellular transfer to a target cell of the cellular network.

[0031] A management method is further proposed as previously described, the at least one current phase comprising a second current phase during which the at least one piece of information includes information indicating the presence of at least one neighboring cell of the cellular network located in the same geographical area as the terminal equipment.

[0032] A management method as previously described is also proposed, in which the frequency sweep carried out during the reiteration of the preliminary phase uses information obtained during a second previous phase.

[0033] A management method as previously described is further proposed, in which the action includes transmitting a notification to a user of the terminal equipment to invite them to configure the antenna system according to the first configuration.

[0034] A terminal equipment is further proposed comprising a processing unit arranged to cooperate with an antenna system that can be configured according to at least a first configuration and a second configuration, the second configuration having degraded communication performance on at least one particular frequency band, the management process as previously described being implemented in the processing unit.

[0035] Terminal equipment as previously described is also proposed, comprising a position sensor arranged to detect whether the antenna system is configured according to the first configuration or according to the second configuration.

[0036] We further propose a terminal equipment as previously described, the terminal equipment being a cellular gateway.

[0037] A system comprising the terminal equipment as previously described, and the antenna system is also proposed.

[0038] A system such as previously described is also proposed, the antenna system being integrated into the terminal equipment.

[0039] A system such as previously described is further proposed, the antenna system comprising at least one antenna not integrated into the terminal equipment and arranged to be connected to the terminal equipment.

[0040] A computer program is also proposed comprising instructions which lead the processing unit of the terminal equipment as previously described to execute the steps of the management process as previously described.

[0041] A computer-readable recording medium is also proposed, on which the computer program as previously described is recorded.

[0042] The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0043] Reference will be made to the attached drawings, among which:

[0044] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] represents a cellular gateway and the cellular network;

[0045] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents steps of a preliminary phase;

[0046] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents steps of a first current phase;

[0047] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents steps of a second current phase;

[0048] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] represents steps implemented when the indicator ANTENNE_A_DEPLIER takes the value "TRUE";

[0049] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents steps implemented in the event of unfolding or voluntary folding of the antenna system by the user. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] With reference to [Fig. 1], a terminal device 1, in this case a cellular gateway 1, is installed in a user's home 2 and is intended to be connected to an operator's cellular network 3, to provide Internet access to the user's connected devices. The cellular network 3, which includes C cells, operates, for example, according to the 4G / LTE standard.

[0051] The cellular gateway 1 includes a communication device 4 comprising a processing unit 5 and an antenna system 6.

[0052] The processing unit 5 (electronic and software) includes at least one processing component 7, which is for example a "general-purpose" processor, a processor specialized in signal processing (or DSP, for Digital Signal Processor), a processor specialized for artificial intelligence algorithms (of the NPU type, for Neural Processing Unit), a microcontroller, or a programmable logic circuit such as an FPGA (for Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (for Application Specified Integrated Circuit).

[0053] The processing unit 5 also includes one or more memories 8, connected to or integrated into the processing component 7. At least one of these memories 8 forms a computer-readable recording medium, on which is recorded at least one computer program called application software comprising instructions which lead the processing component 7 to execute at least some of the steps of the different phases of the management process which will be described.

[0054] The antenna system 6 is used by the cellular gateway 1 to communicate with the cellular network 3. The antenna system 6 is here integrated into the cellular gateway 1.

[0055] The antenna system 6 can be configured according to at least a first configuration and a second configuration, the second configuration having degraded communication performance on at least one particular frequency band.

[0056] Here, the particular frequency band includes low frequencies, typically below 1000 MHz, more particularly below 900 MHz.

[0057] In other embodiments, the cellular network may be considered to operate according to a standard of the 5G standard. As is known, this standard provides for several low frequency bands centered respectively around 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, 2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz, an intermediate frequency band between 3.4 GHz and 3.8 GHz and a high frequency band between 24.25 GHz and 27.5 GHz known as the millimeter band.

[0058] In other embodiments, the cellular network 3 operates according to several coexisting standards. For example, a subset of C cells in the cellular network 3 operate according to a 4G standard, and another subset of C cells in the cellular network 3 operate according to a 5G standard.

[0059] The antenna system 6 herein comprises an antenna 10 or an array of antennas 10 (hereinafter referred to as antenna 10) that can be extended or retracted. The shape of the antenna 10 shown in [Fig. 1] does not correspond to its actual shape. The antenna system 6 may further comprise one or more other antenna subsystems, the respective geometries of which are fixed in positions where they are suitable for transmitting and receiving optimally on their operating frequency bands.

[0060] In the first configuration, the antenna 10 is deployed. When the antenna 10 is deployed, all the frequency bands usable by the communication device 4 of the gateway 1 are available and the transmission performance / Reception is optimal across the entire spectrum provided by the unfolded geometry of antenna 10. In particular, the gain of the antenna system 6 optimally covers all frequency bands. In this position, all channels usable by gateway 1 are available under optimal conditions. In its unfolded position, antenna 10 is suitable for transmitting and receiving signals across all frequency bands used by gateway 1.

[0061] In the second configuration, antenna 10 is folded. In this case, the antenna system 6 only optimally covers a portion of the spectrum (here, the upper part of the spectrum), and due to its small size, a portion of the lower spectrum is only partially usable because the antenna system 6 cannot provide sufficient gain (and / or sufficient isolation between antennas, if the system 6 included several antennas). In this folded position, the electrical signal transmitted to user equipment via gateway 1 may not be sufficient to decode a signal that could be decoded when antenna 10 of the antenna system 6 is unfolded.The incompatibility of antenna 10 with this frequency band causes a decrease in its gain and, in particular, the level of the received electrical signal is reduced, as well as the signal-to-noise ratio, thus affecting the decoding of a signal that could have been decoded if the antenna were fully extended.

[0062] In this folded position, part of the frequency channels are covered in a degraded manner due to the poor performance of the antenna system 6. In the folded position, the antenna 10 is adapted to the transmission and reception of signals for a first subset of the frequency bands implemented by the gateway 1, and has at least one deficiency in its adaptation to the transmission and reception of signals for a second subset of the frequency bands implemented by the gateway 1.

[0063] The communication device 4 of the cellular gateway 1 further includes detection means arranged to detect the configuration of the antenna system 6 (antenna 10 unfolded or folded).

[0064] The detection means here comprise a position sensor 11 which is connected to the processing unit 5. The position sensor 11 produces an electrical signal representative of the antenna system configuration.

[0065] The position sensor 11 is, for example, an electrical microswitch actuated by a moving part of the antenna system 6 when the antenna 10 of the antenna system 6 is fully extended. The position sensor 11 could be any other position sensor that generates an electrical signal usable by the processing unit 5.

[0066] The management process, which is implemented in the processing unit 5, comprises the following configuration steps:

[0067] - detect at least one usable Cu cell that can be used to connect the cellular gateway 1 to a predefined cellular network, which here is the operator's network 3;

[0068] - determine if at least one particular usable Cup cell, among the at least a usable Cu cell, uses at least partially the particular frequency band;

[0069] - if so, and if the antenna system 6 is configured according to the second configuration, perform an action aimed at switching the antenna system 6 into the first configuration (antenna 10 unfolded).

[0070] As we shall see, these configuration steps can be implemented during different phases of operation of the cellular gateway 1.

[0071] The processing unit 5 uses indicators to carry out these different phases.

[0072] The "ANTENNA_TO_FOLD" indicator can take the value "TRUE" or the value "FALSE". This indicator highlights the existence of a usable Cu (for "suitable cell") cell of the cellular network 3 in the local horizon of the cellular gateway 1 which potentially requires the antenna 10 to be unfolded in order to be used under the best conditions.

[0073] By usable cell Cu, we mean a cell C of the cellular network operator 3, on which the cellular gateway 1 is able to synchronize so as to operate with nominal performance.

[0074] A "suitable cell" as defined by the 3GPP standard is a cell usable by the User Equipment (UE) with full service. It is therefore a cell managed by the network of the operator to which the user of gateway 1 is subscribed. This implies that gateway 1 receives a sufficient signal from this cell to be able to decode all the cell's information.

[0075] A "suitable cell" differs from an "acceptable cell," also defined by the standard, for which gateway 1 is also able to decode all the information, but will not be able to access all the functionalities. This includes, for example, cells managed by third-party operators that can be used in a limited way, for example, to make an emergency call.

[0076] The "USABLE_CELLS" indicator can take the value "IN_PROGRESS", the value "EMPTY", or the value "FULL". It highlights the presence of at least one usable cell Cu in the local horizon.

[0077] We are interested first of all in a preliminary phase PO, which is implemented at the start-up of the cellular gateway 1.

[0078] With reference to [Fig. 2], this preliminary phase PO begins with a step El during which the cellular gateway 1 is powered on. Alternatively, step El corresponds to a deliberate action aimed at configuring the cellular gateway 1 for connection to the cellular network 3.

[0079] Then, the "ANTENNE_A_DEPLIER" indicator is initialized to the value "FALSE" and the "CELLULES_UTILISABLES" indicator is initialized to the value "EN_COURS": step E2.

[0080] The processing unit 5 then uses the sensor 11 to determine the configuration of the antenna system 6: first configuration (antenna 10 unfolded) or second configuration (antenna 10 folded): step E3.

[0081] Advantageously, the list of frequencies and corresponding channels usable by the gateway 1 will be stored in permanent memory (included in memory 8), for example in the form of a table, to allow the application software to know at any given time the expected performance of the antenna system 6 for a given channel, depending on the configuration of the antenna system 6. This table will be populated, for example, during the manufacturing of the cellular gateway 1, and will contain, for each frequency channel usable by the cellular gateway 1, at least one piece of information relating to the performance of the antenna system 6 in its folded position. This information may take the form of a binary value (NORMAL / DEGRADED) depending on whether the antenna system 6 in its folded position will have optimal or degraded performance at the frequency considered.

[0082] The processing unit 5 will then attempt to detect at least one usable Cu cell that can be used to connect the cellular gateway 1 to the cellular network 3.

[0083] For this purpose, the processing unit 5 performs a frequency or frequency band scan to detect at least one usable cell Cu (this operation is also referred to as cell scan or cell search).

[0084] As we have seen, if the antenna system 6 is configured according to the first configuration, then the communication device 4 offers maximum performance over the entire frequency spectrum.

[0085] In this case, the frequency sweep is implemented according to increasing frequencies (step E4). Thus, the sweep is carried out by sweeping the usable frequencies from the bottom of the spectrum, thereby favoring the discovery of cells offering a long range.

[0086] For example, this frequency sweep will first be performed from the lower frequency bands to the higher frequency bands as defined by the LTE standard in the 3GPP specification TS 36.101 V18.7.0 section 5.5, table 5.5-1 E-UTRA operating bands. For example, certain bands among bands 12, 17, 13, 14, 20, 26, 18, 19 will be swept first, then the bands around 2100 MHz, then the bands around 2600 MHz, then the bands around 3500 MHz. In one example, this frequency scanning is carried out by the antenna system 6 with the antenna 10 and the other antenna subsystem(s), and controlled by the processing unit 5.

[0087] For a 5G type cellular network, the scanning order in this case is chosen according to the lower bands of the spectrum according to document 3GPP 38.101-1 V18.7.0 section 5.

[0088] On the other hand, if the antenna system 6 is configured according to the second configuration, then the communication device 4 offers degraded performance in a part of its spectrum.

[0089] In this case, the frequency scan is implemented using decreasing frequencies (step E5). The cell scan phase is carried out by scanning the frequencies least affected by the degraded performance of the antenna system 6 in the folded state, thus favoring the discovery of cells usable by the antenna system 6.

[0090] The cellular gateway 1, which is capable, for example, of operating in the 3.5 GHz, 2.1 GHz, and 700 MHz frequency bands, therefore performs the analysis starting from the upper part of the spectrum, whose performance is not affected by the aliasing of the antenna system 6, and progressively decreasing the channel frequencies until it has scanned all the frequency bands down to the lowest channel. The scan order can be given according to 3GPP document 36.101-1 V18.7.0 for LTE or according to 3GPP document 38.101 V18.7.0 for 5G.

[0091] Following step E3, the processing unit 5 begins the frequency scan by positioning itself on a first channel (step E6) and starting with the analysis of the first channel (step E7). The processing unit 5 analyzes this first channel and checks if there is a usable Cu cell on this channel (step E8). If not, the process proceeds to step E9, which is described below.

[0092] If so, processing unit 5 assigns the value "FULL" to the "USABLE_CELLS" indicator (step E10).

[0093] The processing unit 5 informs the system of the existence of the usable cell Cu in the local horizon. Certain characteristics of this usable cell are stored in a list of usable cells. These characteristics may include: E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Charnel Number or EARFCN, the time alignment or timing downlink, the reception level of the signals of the common channels of this usable cell, certain information contained in the Master Information Blocks (MIBs) belonging to the System Information Block (SIB), etc.

[0094] The processing unit 5 determines whether the usable cell is a particular usable Cup cell which uses at least partially the particular frequency band (here the low frequencies): Eli step.

[0095] If this is not the case, the process proceeds to step E9.

[0096] If so, the processing unit 5 assigns to the indicator " ANTENNE_A_DEPLIER » the value “TRUE” (step E12).

[0097] Thus, if at some point in the process of analysis by the processing unit 5 of the information it receives, an analyzed cell appears to be a usable cell and the frequency of its channel appears to belong to a range of frequencies whose performance is degraded by the folding of the antenna 10 of the antenna system 6 (this is a "particular usable cell"), then an indicator is positioned to signal to the system that at least one cell in the local horizon with theoretical radio range is implementing a frequency which, in order to be fully exploited, requires the unfolding of the antenna system 6.

[0098] The process proceeds to step E9.

[0099] At step E9, the processing unit 5 checks whether the scan is complete.

[0100] If this is not the case, the processing unit 5 checks whether the antenna system 6 is in the first or second configuration (step E13). If the antenna system is in the first configuration, the processing unit 5 increments the channel frequency, or selects a frequency band with frequencies higher than those already scanned, to be analyzed (step E14), and the process proceeds to step E7. If the antenna system 6 is in the second configuration, the processing unit 5 decrements the channel frequency, or selects a frequency band with frequencies lower than those already scanned, to be analyzed (step E15), and the process proceeds to step E7.

[0101] At step E9, if the scan is finished, the processing unit 5 checks if the indicator USABLE_CELLS has the value "IN_PROGRESS" (step E16).

[0102] If this is not the case, the process proceeds to step E17 and ends.

[0103] If so, the processing unit 5 assigns to the indicator The value of the USABLE_CELLS indicator is "EMPTY" (step E18). The process then proceeds to step E17 and terminates. Thus, if the analysis process implemented by processing unit 5 has reached the frequency of the last usable channel without detecting a usable cell, processing unit 5 uses this value of the "USABLE_CELLS" indicator to signal to the system the absence of a usable cell in the local horizon.

[0104] At the end of the analysis by the processing unit 5 of the entire radio environment accessible to the cellular gateway 1, the following information is known: - a USABLE_CELLS indicator which can take the values ​​FULL or EMPTY depending on whether at least one or no usable cell by processing unit 5 has been discovered; - optionally, the exhaustive list of usable cells discovered and their characteristics; - an ANTENNA_TO_FOLD indicator which can take the values: • TRUE if at least one usable cell was discovered in a band fully exploited by the unfolded antenna 10 but which could have been discovered fortuitously while the antenna 10 was folded; • FALSE if no usable cells have been discovered in such a band.

[0105] It is noted that, once at least one usable cell has been discovered (step E10) and its eligibility for step E12 has been determined, the process can be directly diverted to the final step E17.

[0106] The implementation of the rest of the process, and in particular the continuation of the frequency scanning, is optional and not essential once a usable cell is discovered.

[0107] Indeed, depending on the implementations, gateway 1 can trigger a synchronization with the network as soon as it has discovered its first usable cell Cu, or it can wait to build up a list to classify it, and thus select the one that will have the best conditions to establish communication.

[0108] Continuing the scan makes it possible in particular to detect from this stage the indicator "ANTENNA_TO_FOLD" after having scanned the entire spectrum down to the low frequencies even though a usable Cu cell would have been discovered in the high frequencies at the beginning of the scan.

[0109] As we have seen, the configuration steps also include the step, if necessary, of performing an action to switch the antenna system 6 to the first configuration. This step can be performed as soon as the "ANTENNA_TO_FOLD" indicator takes the value "TRUE", and will be described below.

[0110] The preliminary phase PO further includes the step of synchronizing the cellular gateway 1 with the cellular network 3 using one of the usable Cu cells. After step E17, gateway 1 performs synchronization on the operator's cellular network 3 using one of the usable Cu cells it has detected. Gateway 1 thus reaches a camped normally state according to the terms specified by the standard (reference standardization available at www.3gpp.org) thanks to the cell selection mechanism.

[0111] Gateway 1 is now synchronized to network 3. Once this activation has been successful, the operator's core network, via its eNodeB network for a LTE network or its gNB network for a 5G network (radio base stations) will be responsible for controlling gateway 1 to give it instructions to improve near real-time communication.

[0112] The management process includes at least one ongoing phase during which the configuration steps are implemented. The ongoing phases can be repeated while gateway 1 is in operation (as can the preliminary PO phase, as will be seen below).

[0113] The detection step, during these current phases, does not implement a frequency scan as is the case for the preliminary PO phase. The processing unit 5 detects at least one usable cell Cu by exploiting at least one piece of information from the cellular network 3.

[0114] Indeed, once the cellular gateway 1 is synchronized with the cellular network 3 (in the "camped normally" state as defined by the standard), the latter will control the cellular gateway 1 to perform a number of operations necessary to maintain the communication link under conditions best suited to the environmental conditions (base station selection, cell selection, physical parameters of the cellular gateway transmitter, etc.). To do this, network 3 uses a number of protocol messages.

[0115] In a first current optional PI phase, the at least one piece of information may thus include a request for intercellular transfer to a target cell Ce of the cellular network 3.

[0116] One category of protocol message therefore relates to an explicit request from the core network that forces the cellular gateway 1 to attempt to connect to another cell in its immediate environment. This procedure is described in the previously mentioned standard as a handover procedure. It is initiated by network 3 as soon as it experiences an overload, or when the propagation conditions with the cell are no longer satisfactory.

[0117] The core network operator holds and uses information on the geographic location of the base stations in its own network and the characteristics of each of them. It is therefore able to predict the presence of the cells it operates in an area potentially located within the local horizon encompassing all the base stations within radio range of the cellular gateway 1.

[0118] The inter-cell transfer request can be indirect. It can be a measurement request aimed at receiving measurement information. The command issued by the core network is, for example, the RRC connection reconfiguration command, which includes the RRC measurement field. Using this request, and the measurement information requested by the core network, the frequency channel of the target cell Ce can be determined.

[0119] Since the network manager knows the position of the cells C of network 3, the reception of an inter-cell transfer request to a target cell Ce indirectly allows the gateway 1 to detect this target cell as a usable cell Cu.

[0120] The exploitation of this cell measurement request is therefore a reliable indicator of the presence of said cell in a geographical area surrounding the cellular gateway 1 at a distance potentially compatible with the establishment of a communication.

[0121] Advantageously, this demand for intercellular transfer is also an indicator of a communication condition that can be improved.

[0122] When the cellular gateway 1 receives such a handover command to a cell C whose channel corresponds to degraded operation by system 10 with antenna 6 in folded position, then the global indicator ANTENNA_TO_FOLD will be set to the value TRUE.

[0123] With reference to [Fig.3], the first current phase PI begins with step E20.

[0124] Gateway 1 receives a measurement request on a target cell Ce. The unit of Treatment 5 thus detects that this target cell Ce is a usable cell Cu.

[0125] The processing unit 5 determines whether this cell uses at least partially the particular frequency band: step E21 (i.e. whether it is a particular usable cell).

[0126] If so, the processing unit 5 assigns the indicator ANTENNA_TO_FOLD the value TRUE: step E22. The process proceeds to step E23. At step E21, if the cell does not use the particular frequency band, the process proceeds directly to step E23.

[0127] Gateway 1 executes the network request (e.g., measurements on the cell). The first current PI phase is completed: step E24.

[0128] In an optional second current phase P2, at least one piece of information, coming from network 3 and enabling gateway 1 to detect at least one usable cell Cu, may also include information indicating the presence of at least one neighboring cell Cv of cellular network 3 located in the same geographical area as cellular gateway 1.

[0129] Once it is synchronized with the operator's cellular network 3, the cellular gateway 1 is able to receive, and therefore exploit, the system information blocks (SIB) contained in the Broadcast Control Charnel (BCCH) logical channel received continuously from the cell in question.

[0130] The core network operator holds and uses the geographical location information for the base stations in its own network and the characteristics of each of them. It therefore has knowledge of the cells it operates in an area potentially located in the local horizon including all base stations within radio range of cellular gateway 1.

[0131] Gateway 1, by exploiting in particular the SIB3 (Intra Frequency Cell Reselection) and / or SIB4 (Under Frequency Neighbour Cell) and / or SIB5 (Under Frequency Neighbour Cell) fields, is therefore able to detect the presence in its vicinity of a neighbouring cell Cv belonging to the operator's network 3 and using at least one frequency belonging to a range or band of frequencies whose performance is degraded by the folding of the antenna 10 of the antenna system 6.

[0132] As soon as such a neighbor cell Cv is detected, then the global indicator ANTENNA_TO_FOLD will be set to the value TRUE.

[0133] With reference to [Fig.4], the second current phase P2 begins with step E30. Gateway 1 receives a system information block from the core network.

[0134] The processing unit 5 determines whether this system information block includes information relating to the presence of at least one neighboring cell Cv of the cellular network 3 located in the same geographical area as the cellular gateway 1: step E31

[0135] If this is not the case, the process proceeds directly to step E32.

[0136] If so, the processing unit 5 determines whether this neighboring cell Cv uses at least partially the particular frequency band (using the information transmitted by the network 3): step E33.

[0137] If this is not the case, the process proceeds to step E32.

[0138] If so, then processing unit 5 sets the ANTENNA_TO_FOLD indicator to TRUE: step E34.

[0139] The process proceeds to step E32.

[0140] The cellular gateway 1 performs the processing of the system information block.

[0141] The process proceeds to step E35 and is completed.

[0142] As we have seen, the configuration steps, which can be implemented during the preliminary phase PO or during a current phase PI or P2, include the step, if necessary, of carrying out an action aimed at bringing the antenna system 6 into the first configuration.

[0143] The processes described above have highlighted various methods for positioning the ANTENNA_TO_FOLD indicator from different situations encountered by the cellular gateway 1 during its operation.

[0144] As soon as this indicator changes from the default value "FALSE" to the value "TRUE", then the processing unit 5 has highlighted that the antenna 10 of the antenna system 6, which is in its folded position, should advantageously be unfolded to exploit the entire frequency band optimally.

[0145] In particular, unfolding (or unfolding) the antenna 10 of the antenna system 6 would substantially improve communication performance for frequencies that are actively used by the network 3 in an environment close to the user.

[0146] Figure 5 shows an example of the implementation of a method for offering the user the option to unfold the antenna 10 of the antenna system 6.

[0147] The process begins at step E40. The processing unit 5 changes the ANTENNA_TO_FOLD indicator from the value FALSE to the value TRUE (transition).

[0148] The processing unit 5 uses the sensor 11 to determine the actual configuration of the antenna system 6: step E41.

[0149] If it is in the first configuration (antenna 10 unfolded), the process proceeds to step E42 and is completed.

[0150] If it is in the second configuration (antenna 10 folded), the processing unit 5 performs the action aimed at switching the antenna system 6 into the first configuration: step E43. Then, the process proceeds to step E42 and is completed.

[0151] This action consists, for example, of issuing a notification to the user to inform him of the situation and invite him to configure the antenna system 6 according to the first configuration, i.e. to unfold the antenna 10 of the antenna system 6.

[0152] This notification can take various forms, such as a message on a display of the cellular gateway 1, a light indication on the cellular gateway 1, a sound notification, an indication on a gateway configuration page, an SMS, an email, etc.

[0153] For example, a message such as "The performance of the cellular gateway could be improved. To do this, it is preferable to deploy the antenna system" could be considered.

[0154] Normal operation of gateway 1 then resumes immediately without waiting for immediate action from the user. Reconfiguration is therefore not mandatory; the user may very well not reconfigure the antenna system 6, for example because they do not see the message, or because they are satisfied with the "degraded" operating performance of their gateway 1 and do not wish to deploy antenna 10.

[0155] Advantageously, to avoid repeated notifications, the processing unit 5 waits a relatively long time before issuing a second notification. This time is typically between 1 and 24 hours.

[0156] On the contrary, to help in taking into account the notifications, the processing unit 5 waits a relatively short time before issuing a second notification. This time is typically between 1 and 60 minutes.

[0157] A user confirmation step can also be implemented through an explicit action (checkbox, validation, etc.) aimed at accepting the fact that the user does not wish to unfold the antenna 10 of the antenna system 6 and that he / she accepts the degraded operating conditions.

[0158] It is noted that there are specific cases which highlight difficult conditions which could be significantly improved by unfolding the antenna 10 of the antenna system 6.

[0159] For example, when the USABLE_CELLS indicator has the value EMPTY (step E18, [Fig.2]) and the antenna 10 of the antenna system 6 is in the folded position, then the sufficient conditions for communication with the antenna system 6 in its second configuration are not met.

[0160] In this case, the cellular gateway 1 is unusable with the antenna 10 in the folded position.

[0161] Another critical case concerns the situation highlighted in step E22 of [Fig.3], where the cell measurement request concerns a channel whose frequency belongs to a frequency range with degraded performance due to the folding of the antenna system 6.

[0162] In this case, the cellular gateway 1 does not allow to respond correctly to the injunctions of the core network (handovef) with the antenna 10 in folded position.

[0163] Advantageously, these two cases can be the subject of a separate notification to the user, different from that previously described. This different notification significantly improves the availability of the cellular gateway 1 because the probability that the reconfiguration will actually be carried out is higher.

[0164] The notification may be similar to the previous one, but with the addition of a more peremptory character such as a colour, a sound signal, vocabulary more suited to a level of alert.

[0165] For example, a message such as "The equipment performance is insufficient. The antenna system must be deployed to allow communication" could be considered.

[0166] Advantageously, to avoid repeated notifications, the processing unit 5 waits a relatively long delay before issuing a second notification. This delay is typically between 1 and 24 hours.

[0167] On the contrary, to help in taking notifications into account, the processing unit 5 waits a relatively short time before issuing a second notification. This time is typically between 1 and 60 minutes.

[0168] Again, a user confirmation step can also be implemented through an explicit action (checkbox, validation, etc.) aimed at accept the fact that the user does not wish to deploy the antenna system 6 and that he / she accepts the degraded operating conditions.

[0169] It is also noted that the user can, at any time, decide to modify the configuration of the antenna system 6. This action may be the consequence of a notification or an alert presented by the operation of gateway 1 as described previously, but it may also be the result of an arbitrary decision.

[0170] As described in step E3 of [Fig.2], the processing unit 5 can evaluate the position of the antenna 10 of the antenna system 6 and is therefore able to detect a change in the configuration of the antenna system 6.

[0171] When the configuration of the antenna system 6 is modified by the user, the operation of the gateway 1 as described herein can continue, and the communication system as a whole will converge towards the best communication conditions.

[0172] However, advantageously, a complete resynchronization with the network 3 would allow convergence more quickly by discovering firstly the cells C whose frequencies are most suited to the performance of the antenna system 6 in its current position.

[0173] It is therefore conceivable, when this switchover has been detected, to notify the user as described in the preceding paragraphs, but offering them a resynchronization.

[0174] Thus, when the processing unit 5 detects that the user has modified the configuration of the antenna system 6 on their own, the processing unit 5 issues a notification to the user to offer them the option of repeating the preliminary phase PO (of [Fig.2]).

[0175] For example, a message such as "The geometry of the antenna system has just been changed, do you want to restart synchronization with the network to take advantage of a fast response to communication conditions?" could be considered.

[0176] Once the user accepts the resynchronization, then the preliminary PO phase is restarted.

[0177] With reference to [Fig.6], the following process is implemented.

[0178] The processing unit 5 detects the change in the configuration of the antenna system 6: step E50.

[0179] Processing unit 5 transmits a notification to the user, offering to repeat the preliminary phase PO (and therefore to perform a resynchronization): step E51.

[0180] Processing unit 5 determines whether resynchronization is accepted: step E52. If so, the process proceeds to step E2 of the process in [Fig.2]: step E53. Otherwise, the process terminates and gateway 1 returns to normal operation: step E54.

[0181] When a resynchronization is accepted, after returning to step E2, the preliminary PO phase can be optimized by exploiting the exhaustive list of usable Cu cells established during the previous preliminary PO phase. Indeed, a scan performed with antenna 10 of the antenna system 6 in the folded position, analyzing a channel in a degraded range—for example, a scan performed in bands close to 700 MHz while the antenna is a 700 MHz antenna and is folded—may have identified one or more usable Cu cells. This indicates that the identified usable Cu cell(s) are geographically very close because, despite the folded state of antenna 10, it is able to find usable Cu cells. An optimization of the preliminary PO phase in this case would be to perform a scan based on the usable cells previously identified.

[0182] The frequency sweep performed during the reiteration of the preliminary PO phase therefore uses a list of useful Cu cells detected during a previous preliminary PO phase.

[0183] Another possible optimization of the preliminary phase when resynchronization is accepted is to exploit the information transmitted by the active cell in SIB3, SIB4, and SIB5 during the second current phase P2 ([Fig. 4]). This information has been previously stored. For example, the neighboring cells indicated in the SIB5 information are stored, in particular the cells whose frequency bands are relevant to the operation of the folded antenna. An optimization of the preliminary PO phase, in this case, would be to perform a scan based on the previously recorded neighboring cell information.

[0184] The frequency sweep carried out during the reiteration of the preliminary phase PO therefore uses information obtained during a second phase P2 previously carried out.

[0185] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0186] The terminal equipment in which the management process is implemented is not necessarily a cellular gateway. The management process can be implemented in any equipment incorporating cellular network access technology. This could be, for example, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, etc.

[0187] It has been described here that the antenna system comprises one antenna. The antenna system could comprise several.

[0188] The antenna system could include an array of antennas, for example at 700 MHz, to perform MIMO.

[0189] The antenna system may consist of several antennas, each covering a portion of the spectrum, whose signals are combined by means of a diplexer. In this case, the "folding" function may only apply to the larger antennas intended to operate at lower frequencies. Again, the antenna system in its unfolded position has maximum efficiency across the entire intended spectrum, whereas in its folded position, its efficiency is reduced in a portion of the spectrum.

[0190] As we have seen, the antenna system can be configured according to at least two configurations: a first configuration exhibiting first communication performance in at least one particular frequency band, and a second configuration exhibiting second communication performance lower than the first performance in at least one particular frequency band.

[0191] The particular frequency band is not necessarily a low frequency band.

[0192] The different configurations do not necessarily correspond to a folded or unfolded antenna system. In one example, it could also refer to the connection or not of one or more antennas, via one or more switches, without any geometric or dimensional modification of the antenna system.

[0193] The antenna system could include at least one antenna not integrated into the cellular gateway and arranged to be connected to the cellular gateway. The cellular gateway could, for example, integrate an internal antenna device (comprising one or more antennas) and could optionally be connected to a removable external antenna device (comprising one or more antennas). The antenna system can therefore be configured according to a first configuration in which it includes the internal antenna device and the external antenna device (and thus in which the external antenna device is connected to the gateway), and according to a second configuration in which it includes only the internal antenna device (and thus in which the external antenna device is not connected to the gateway).

[0194] The action, carried out by the processing unit and intended to bring the antenna system into the first configuration, could be different from that described here.

[0195] In the example described above where the antenna system implements switches for activating and deactivating one or more antennas, without geometric or dimensional modification of the antenna system 6, the processing unit 5 is configured to control, according to the decision taken, the switch(s) in order to connect the antenna whose performance is degraded (e.g. at 700 MHz).

[0196] According to another example, the processing unit is configured to adjust the amplification regime of the amplifiers (e.g., power amplifier (PA) or low noise amplifier (LNA)) of the radio frequency chain of antenna 10 of the antenna system 6. The second configuration corresponds to an "under-powering" of the PAs, degrading the performance of antenna 10 in that its reception performance is degraded, making it less likely to nominally detect its operational frequency band. The first configuration corresponds to a nominal powering of the PAs, making antenna 10 nominally operational for reception in its frequency band. Depending on the decision made, the processing unit 5 is configured to switch antenna 10 from its second configuration to its first configuration by adjusting the amplification regime.Thus, in "folded" mode, the antennas are less efficient because the amplifiers operate in a degraded mode. If the "antenna to unfold" decision is made, the amplifiers are automatically configured in nominal mode.

[0197] The means for detecting the configuration of the antenna system do not necessarily include a position sensor. They could, for example, be a sensor measuring an electrical quantity (current, voltage) that depends on the configuration of the antenna system.

Claims

Demands

1. Method for managing terminal equipment (1) of a predefined cellular network (3), the terminal equipment (1) comprising a processing unit (5) arranged to cooperate with an antenna system (6) that can be configured according to at least a first configuration and a second configuration, the second configuration having degraded communication performance on at least one particular frequency band, the management method being implemented in the processing unit (5) and comprising the following configuration steps: - detecting at least one usable cell (Cu) that can be used to connect the terminal equipment (1) to the predefined cellular network (3); - determining whether at least one particular usable cell (Cup), among the at least one usable cell (Cu), uses at least part of the particular frequency band;- if so, and if the antenna system (6) is configured according to the second configuration, perform an action aimed at switching the antenna system (6) to the first configuration.;

2. Management method according to claim 1, comprising a preliminary phase (PO) during which the configuration steps are implemented, the preliminary phase further comprising the step of synchronizing the terminal equipment (1) with the cellular network (3) using one of the usable cells (Cu).

3. Management method according to claim 2, wherein, during the preliminary phase (PO), the processing unit (5) performs a frequency scan to detect at least one usable cell (Cu).

4. A management method according to claim 3, wherein the particular frequency band is a low frequency band, and wherein, during the preliminary phase (PO), the processing unit (5) is arranged to: - determine whether the antenna system (6) is configured according to the first configuration or the second configuration; - if the antenna system (6) is configured according to the first configuration, perform the frequency scan according to increasing frequencies; - if the antenna system (6) is configured according to the second configuration, perform the frequency scan according to decreasing frequencies.

5. A management method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising the steps of detecting that a user has voluntarily changed the configuration of the antenna system (6) and, if so, of sending him a notification to offer him the opportunity to repeat the preliminary phase (PO).

6. A management method according to claims 3 and 5, wherein the frequency scanning carried out during the reiteration of the preliminary phase (PO) uses a list of useful cells (Cu) detected during a previous preliminary phase (PO).

7. Management method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one current phase (PI; P2) during which the configuration steps are implemented, the processing unit (5) detecting at least one usable cell (Cu) by exploiting at least one piece of information from the cellular network (3).

8. Management method according to claim 6, the at least one current phase comprising a first current phase (PI) during which the at least one information includes a request for intercellular transfer to a target cell (Ce) of the cellular network (3).

9. Management method according to claim 7 or 8, the at least one current phase comprising a second current phase (P2) during which the at least one information comprises information indicating the presence of at least one neighboring cell (Cv) of the cellular network (3) located in the same geographical area as the terminal equipment (1).

10. Management method according to claims 5 and 9, wherein the frequency sweep carried out during the reiteration of the preliminary phase (PO) uses information obtained during a previous second phase (P2).

11. A management method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the action includes transmitting a notification to a user of the terminal equipment (1) to invite them to configure the antenna system (6) according to the first configuration.

12. Terminal equipment (1) comprising a processing unit (5) arranged to cooperate with an antenna system (6) that can be configured according to at least a first configuration and a second configuration, the second configuration having degraded communication performance on at least one particular frequency band, the management method according to one of the preceding claims being implemented in the processing unit (5).

13. Terminal equipment (1) according to claim 12, comprising a position sensor (11) arranged to detect whether the antenna system (6) is configured according to the first configuration or according to the second configuration.

14. Terminal equipment according to claim 12 or 13, the terminal equipment being a cellular gateway.

15. System comprising the terminal equipment (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, and the antenna system (6).

16. System according to claim 15, the antenna system (6) being integrated into the terminal equipment (1).

17. System according to claim 15, the antenna system comprising at least one antenna not integrated into the terminal equipment and arranged to be connected to the terminal equipment.

18. Computer program comprising program code instructions for performing the steps of the management process according to any one of claims 1 to 11 when said program is executed on a computer.

19. Computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 18 is recorded.

Images