(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0183427 A1
`
` Nylander et al. (43) Pub. Date: Aug. 9, 2007
`
`
`US 20070183427A1
`
`(54) ACCESS CONTROL IN RADIO ACCESS
`NETWORK HAVING PICO BASE STATIONS
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`................................... 370/395.2; 370/395.52
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Tomas Nylander, Varmdo (SE); Jari
`Vikberg, Jama (SE); Paul Minkel
`Teder, Taby (SE)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`NIXON & VANDERHYE’ PC
`901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD’ 11TH FLOOR
`ARLINGTON’ VA 22203 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`11/538,081
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 31' 2006
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application NO- 60/722983: filed on 0C1-
`4, 2005 Provisional application No 69/722984: filed
`on OCt' 4’ 2005‘ Prov1s10nal aPPhcaUOH NO' .60/722’
`982’ filed on OCt’ 4’ 2005 ‘ Prov1s10nal application NQ’
`
`visional application No. 60/731,495, filed on Oct. 31,
`2005.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. C],
`H04L 12/56
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Methods and apparatus provide access control to a femto
`radio base station (28f) of a radio access network (24). The
`radio access network (24) maintains a database (44) of
`allowed user equipment units which are to be permitted
`access for use of a femto radio base station (28f). The
`database (44)
`is consulted and used to determine if a
`candidate user equipment (30) unit attempting to use the
`
`femto radio base station (28f) for access to the radio access
`network (24) is to be given access. In some implementa-
`tions, the candidate user equipment unit (30) is permitted to
`use the femto radio base station (28f) only if the candidate
`user equipment unit is an allowed user equipment unit as
`determined by the database (44). In some implementations,
`if the candidate user equipment unit (30) is not an allowed
`user equipment unit as determined by the database (44), the
`aaaaadda
`dd
`dad
`
`quency, or to anot er ce ’. or to anot er ra .10 access tec _
`nology network. In some implementations, if the candidate
`user equipment unit (30) is not an allowed user equipment
`unit as determined by the database (44), the candidate user
`equipment unit is required to wait for a specified wait time
`before again attempting to use the femto radio base station
`(28f) for access to the radio access network.
`
`FEMTO ACCESS
`
`CONTROL
`
`DATABASE
`
`FEMTO RBS
`
`
`
`
`RADIO
`I
`
`‘
`NETWORK
`
`FEMTO RBS
`[r CONTROL (RNC)
`NODE
`
`
`
`CORE
`
`
`NETWORK
`
`
`FEMTO RBS
`
` NETWORK
`
`CONTROL (RNC)
`NODE
`
`Page 1 of 17
`
`HTC EXHIBIT 1009
`
`1
`
`HTC EXHIBIT 1009
`
`Page 1 of 17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2007 Sheet 1 0f 8
`
`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`6sz.65on
`
`
`
`
`
`mmOz.zofiomzzoo0mm
`
`m0<wmeHMN
`
`OE<m
`
`mmOO
`
`meZsz
`
`xm02:mz
`
`wmeO<OH§mu
`
`JOMFZOO
`
`mw<m<k<o
`
`05$“.
`
`xmozfimz
`
`6sz.65on
`
`Page 2 of 17
`
`2
`
`Page 2 of 17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2007 Sheet 2 0f 8
`
`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`”Emamwmoo<95m“.
`
`MIOO
`
`VEO>>._.m_Z
`
`99E
`
`xmozfimz
`
`8sz.6528
`
`mgOz
`
`6
`
`NI
`
`IQ
`
`mmmomo<_>_
`
`2mm:0
`
`
`
`859$.65on
`
`
`
`was:mm<m<k<o
`
`mmmO._._>_m_u_
`
`mmmO._._>_m_u_
`
`..........
`me>>._.m_za..a”Ea.a.
`
`wDOZ
`
`.mmm05m“.MUM
`
`szjoEzooK-
`
`
`Page 3 of 17
`
`3
`
`Page 3 of 17
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2007 Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`mmOO
`
`me>>._.m_Z
`
`oa<m
`
`xmozfimz
`
`Aozmvaomhzoo
`
`MDOZ
`
`¥m0>>._.m_2
`
`Aozmvaomhzoo
`
`moOz
`
`‘-
`
`
`
`wmeO<O._._>_m_n__
`
`.
`
`O_D<N_
`
`mm<m<2oEAom+zoo
`1%.-
`
`Page 4 of 17
`
`4
`
`Page 4 of 17
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2007 Sheet 4 0f 8
`
`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`
`
`mmZOQmmmmm<m<._.<n_
`
`
`
`>mm50JOKFZOO
`
`
`
`wwm00<O._._>_m_u_
`
`mmOO
`
`me>>._.m_Z
`
`mgOz
`
`6sz405onL
`
`05$.
`
`xmozfimz
`
`8szJoEzoo
`
`mmOz
`
`_.
`o
`
`NI
`
`Page 5 of 17
`
`,./Mmm
`
`wmmomo<_>_
`
`93mm
`
`_>__>_
`
`5
`
`Page 5 of 17
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2007 Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`mmOO
`
`xm0>>._.m_z
`
`$6252
`
`8sz55200
`
`MDOZ
`
`99E
`
`
`
`$220_.WHHw__...mACNE-ZOO._
`
`.HH...u”a””a”H..a.
`
`
`
`wmeO<O._._>_m_u_
`
`xmozfimz
`
`6sz405200
`
`Page 6 of 17
`
`6
`
`Page 6 of 17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2007 Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`.mvwmm>ooz<zmmmmjomkzoom\l2396325.38%<20
`
`O_n_<w_NRHE2.:
`
`oww@Z_Z_m=>_OOmm_1_n_Z<I
`
`:2:
`
`mmmO._._>_m_n_
`
`OZ_._.._._._n_w
`
`
`
`:2:imam/mm
`
`
`
`mo;moEmmfiZ
`
`wwmoo<92E
`
`SE28
`
`mm<m<k<o
`
`I
`
`
`
`mmOzmmjoEzoo
`
`me>>._.m_Z
`
`m5E
`
`
`
` 55%%+920263095<29
`
`
`
`
`
`ZO_._.<._.wmw<mO_D<N_O._._>_m_u_
`
`mm
`
`Page 7 of 17
`
`7
`
`Page 7 of 17
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 9, 2007 Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`
`
`zo_5m_m_om_m9:35295%?oyzmomo
`m:mm3<om.
`
`Dm>>O._._<
`
`im0<wwm=2wD._.<._.w
`
`
`
`
`/
`
`e.5oo_\
`
`
`
`
`
`mm:Dm.>>O._n_<ZO_._.<._.m
`
`ozmmom9m5Dm.>>O._n_<
`
`m:B>>0j<
`
`_\m0“.n:
`
`T:2mo;9
`
`m5Dm>>O._._<
`
`ozmmom9m5Dm>>O._._<Fm0“.n:
`
`
`
`m:om>>o._._<
`
`T:zmo;9
`
`
`
`m:om>>oj<
`
`w.9;
`
`mmEFzmQ
`
`mm<m<._.<n_
`
`
`
`“.0._.m_._mm<mO_n_<m
`
`O._._>_m_n_
`
`
`
`
`
`._Om_._.ZOOmmeO<O._._>_m_u_
`
`g
`
`Page 8 of 17
`
`8
`
`Page 8 of 17
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 9, 2007 Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`immmmmm25$
`
`x<_>__>>
`
`_:m;xomg
`
`
`
`
`mmmOHEML
`
`Page 9 of 17
`
`
`
`EmEongEmmw/wammgim”mama
`
`
`
`:EEQE55$.”on“mam$523“mzam
`
`9
`
`Page 9 of 17
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`Aug. 9, 2007
`
`ACCESS CONTROL IN RADIO ACCESS
`NETWORK HAVING PICO BASE STATIONS
`
`I. TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of
`the following United States provisional patent applications
`(all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
`entirety):
`
`[0002] LS. Provisional Patent Application 60/722,983,
`entitled “REDIRECTION OF IP-CONNECTED RBS TO
`THE CORRECT RNC”;
`
`[0003] LS. Provisional Patent Application 60/722,984,
`entitled “ UTOMATIC RNC SELECTION FOR IP-CON-
`NECTED RBS”;
`
`
`
`[0004] LS. Provisional Patent Application 60/722,982,
`entitled FINE-GRAINED ACCESS CONTROL IN A
`WCDMA SYSTEM USING PICO BASE STATIONS”;
`
`[0005] LS. Provisional Patent Application 60/723,946,
`entitled “PAGING FOR A WCDMA SYSTEM USING
`PICO BASE STATIONS”;
`
`[0006] LS. Provisional Patent Application 60/728,780,
`entitled “AUTOMATIC BUILDING OF NEIGHBOR
`LISTS IN A MOBILE SYSTEM”; and
`
`[0007] LS. Provisional Patent Application 60/731,495,
`entitled “AUTOMATIC CONFIGURATION OF THE
`MACRO RADIO IN A PICO BASE STATION”.
`
`[0008] This application is related to the following United
`States patent applications (all of which are incorporated
`herein by reference in their entirety):
`
`(attor-
`[0009] US. patent application Ser. No. 11/
`ney docket: 2380-1024), filed on even date herewith, entitled
`“REDIRECTION OF IP-CONNECTED RADIO BASE
`STATION TO CORRECT CONTROL NODE”;
`
`(attor-
`[0010] US. patent application Ser. No. 11/
`ney docket: 2380-1023), filed on even date herewith, entitled
`“RADIO NETWORK CONTROLLER SELECTION FOR
`IP-CONNECTED RADIO BASE STATION”;
`
`(attor-
`[0011] US. patent application Ser. No. 11/
`ney docket: 2380-1022), filed on even date herewith, entitled
`“ACCESS CONTROL IN A RADIO ACCESS NETWORK
`HAVING PICO BASE STATIONS”;
`
`(attor-
`[0012] US. patent application Ser. No. 11/
`ney docket: 23 80-1021), filed on even date herewith, entitled
`“PAGING FOR A RADIO ACCESS NETWORK HAVING
`PICO BASE STATIONS”;
`
`(attor-
`[0013] US. patent application Ser. No. 11/
`ney docket: 2380-1019 filed on even date herewith, entitled
`“AUTOMATIC BUILDING OF NEIGHBOR LISTS IN A
`MOBILE SYSTEM”;
`
`(attor-
`[0014] US. patent application Ser. No. 11/
`ney docket: 2380-1004, filed on even date herewith, entitled
`“AUTOMATIC
`CONFIGURATION
`OF MACRO
`RECEIVER OF PICO RADIO BASE STATION”; and,
`
`[0015] US. patent application Ser. No. 11/380,824, filed
`Apr. 28, 2006, entitled “DYNAMIC BUILDING OF MONI-
`TORED SET”.
`
`[0016] This invention pertains to wireless telecommuni-
`cations, and particularly to access control in a radio access
`network having pico or “femto” radio base stations.
`
`II. RELATED ART AND OTHER
`CONSIDERATIONS
`
`In a typical cellular radio system, wireless user
`[0017]
`equipment units (UEs) communicate via a radio access
`network (RAN) to one or more core networks. The user
`equipment units (UEs) can be mobile stations such as mobile
`telephones (“cellular” telephones) and laptops with mobile
`termination, and thus can be, for example, portable, pocket,
`hand-held,
`computer-included, or car-mounted mobile
`devices which communicate voice and/or data with radio
`
`access network. Alternatively, the wireless user equipment
`units can be fixed wireless devices, e.g.,
`fixed cellular
`devices/terrninals which are part of a wireless local loop or
`the like.
`
`[0018] The radio access network (RAN) covers a geo-
`graphical area which is divided into cell areas, with each cell
`area being served by a base station. A cell is a geographical
`area where radio coverage is provided by the radio base
`station equipment at a base station site. Each cell is identi-
`fied by a unique identity, which is broadcast in the cell. The
`base stations communicate over the air interface with the
`
`user equipment units (UE) within range of the base stations.
`In the radio access network, several base stations are typi-
`cally connected (e.g., by landlines or microwave) to a radio
`network controller (RNC). The radio network controller,
`also sometimes termed a base station controller (BSC),
`supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural
`base stations connected thereto. The radio network control-
`
`lers are typically connected to one or more core networks.
`The core network has two service domains, with an RNC
`having an interface to both of these domains.
`
`[0019] One example of a radio access network is the
`Universal Mobile Telecommunications (UMTS) Terrestrial
`Radio Access Network (UTRAN). The UMTS is a third
`generation system which in some respects builds upon the
`radio access technology known as Global System for Mobile
`communications (GSM) developed in Europe. UTRAN is
`essentially a radio access network providing wideband code
`division multiple access (WCDMA) to user equipment units
`(UEs). The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has
`undertaken to evolve further the UTRAN and GSM-based
`
`radio access network technologies.
`
`[0020] As those skilled in the art appreciate, in WCDMA
`technology a common frequency band allows simultaneous
`communication between a user equipment unit (UE) and
`plural base stations. Signals occupying the common fre-
`quency band are discriminated at
`the receiving station
`through spread spectrum CDMA waveform properties based
`on the use of a high speed, pseudo-noise (PN) code. These
`high speed PN codes are used to modulate signals transmit-
`ted from the base stations and the user equipment units
`(UEs). Transmitter stations using different PN codes (or a
`PN code offset in time) produce signals that can be sepa-
`rately demodulated at a receiving station. The high speed PN
`modulation also allows the receiving station to advanta-
`geously generate a received signal from a single transmitting
`station by combining several distinct propagation paths of
`
`Page 10 of 17
`
`10
`
`10
`
`Page 10 of 17
`
`

`

`US 2007/0183427 Al
`
`Aug. 9, 2007
`
`the transmitted signal. In CDMA, therefore, a user equip-
`ment unit (UE) need not switch frequency when handover of
`a connection is made from one cell to another. As a result,
`a destination cell can support a connection to a user equip-
`ment unit (UE) at the same time the origination cell con-
`tinues to service the connection. Since the user equipment
`unit (UE) is always communicating through at least one cell
`during handover, there is no disruption to the call. Hence, the
`term “soft handover.” In contrast to hard handover, soft
`handover is a “make-before-break” switching operation.
`
`[0021] Other types of telecommunications systems which
`encompass radio access networks include the following:
`Global System for Mobile
`communications
`(GSM);
`Advance Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) system; the Nar-
`rowband AMPS system (NAMPS); the Total Access Com-
`munications System (TACS); the Personal Digital Cellular
`(PDC) system; the United States Digital Cellular (USDC)
`system; and the code division multiple access (CDMA)
`system described in EIA/TIA IS-95.
`
`in the
`interfaces of interest
`[0022] There are several
`UTRAN. The interface between the radio network control-
`
`lers (RNCs) and the core network(s) is termed the “Iu”
`interface. The interface between a radio network controller
`
`(RNC) and its base stations (BSs) is termed the “Iub”
`interface. The interface between the user equipment unit
`(UE) and the base stations is known as the “air interface” or
`the “radio interface” or “Uu interface”. In some instances, a
`connection involves both a Source and Serving RNC
`(SRNC) and a target or drift RNC (DRNC), with the SRNC
`controlling the connection but with one or more diversity
`legs of the connection being handled by the DRNC. An
`Inter-RNC transport link can be utilized for the transport of
`control and data signals between Source RNC and a Drift or
`Target RNC, and can be either a direct link or a logical link.
`An interface between radio network controllers
`(e.g.,
`between a Serving RNC [SRNC] and a Drift RNC [DRNC])
`is termed the “Iur” interface.
`
`[0023] The radio network controller (RNC) controls the
`UTRAN. In fulfilling its control role, the RNC manages
`resources of the UTRAN. Such resources managed by the
`RNC include (among others) the downlink (DL) power
`transmitted by the base stations; the uplink (UL) interference
`perceived by the base stations; and the hardware situated at
`the base stations.
`
`[0024] Those skilled in the art appreciate that, with respect
`to a certain RAN-UE connection, an RNC can either have
`the role of a serving RNC (SRNC) or the role of a drift RNC
`(DRNC). If an RNC is a serving RNC (SRNC), the RNC is
`in charge of the connection with the user equipment unit
`(UE), e.g., it has full control of the connection within the
`radio access network (RAN). A serving RNC (SRNC) is
`connected to the core network. On the other hand, if an RNC
`is a drift RNC (DRNC),
`it supports the serving RNC
`(SRNC) by supplying radio resources (within the cells
`controlled by the drift RNC (DRNC)) needed for a connec-
`tion with the user equipment unit (UE). A system which
`includes the drift radio network controller (DRNC) and the
`base stations controlled over the Iub Interface by the drift
`radio network controller (DRNC) is herein referenced as a
`DRNC subsystem or DRNS. An RNC is said to be the
`Controlling RNC (CRNC) for the base stations connected to
`it by an Iub interface. This CRNC role is not UE specific.
`
`The CRNC is, among other things, responsible for handling
`radio resource management for the cells in the base stations
`connected to it by the Iub interface.
`
`Some operators are investigating the possibility of
`[0025]
`providing home or small area WCDMA coverage for limited
`number of users using a small radio base station (“RBS”),
`also called a “Femto RBS” and/or a “Home RBS” and/or
`
`“pico RBS” and/or “micro RBS” in some contexts. Accord-
`ing to such investigation, the small RBS would provide
`normal WCDMA coverage for the end users (e.g., to a user
`equipment unit (UE)), and would be connected to the RNC
`using some kind of IP based transmission. The coverage area
`so provided is called a “femto cell” (to indicate that the
`coverage area is relatively small). Other terminology for a
`femto cell includes “pico cell” or “micro cell”, which is in
`contrast to a macro cell covered by a macro or standard radio
`base station (RBS).
`
`[0026] One alternative for the IP based transmission is to
`use Fixed Broadband access (like xDSL, Cable etc.) to
`connect the home RBS to the RNC. Another alternative
`
`would be to use Wireless Broadband access (e.g. HSDPA
`and Enhanced Uplink; or WiMAX). FIG. 5 illustrates the
`two different backhaul alternatives in more detail. The first
`alternative is labeled “xDSL Backhaul” and the second
`alternative is labeled “WiMAX Backhaul”.
`
`In general, ordinary WCDMA base stations (macro
`[0027]
`RBS) are able to connect to an RNC using IP-based trans-
`mission. Operator personnel, e.g., employees of an operator
`company which owns or maintains the macro RBS nodes
`and RNC nodes of the radio access network (RAN), typi-
`cally install the macro RBS nodes. As part of the installation,
`the macro RBS is manually configured with IP addressing
`information (DNS name, Fully Qualified Domain Name,
`FQDN, or IP-address) of the RNC to which the macro RNC
`is to connect.
`
`[0028] By contrast, a femto RBS is typically installed by
`the end user rather than the network operator. The end users
`are also able to move the Femto RBS geographically from
`place to place without the operator being able or willing to
`control relocation of the femto RBS. Such user-directed
`
`the Femto RBS is
`relocation requires that, wherever
`installed or located, it should connect to the correct RNC. A
`“correct RNC” or “preferred RNC” in this sense would be
`the same RNC that is controlling the overlaying macro cell
`of the radio access network (RAN).
`
`[0029] When the femto RBS is used to enhance local
`coverage for example in a small or home office (SOHO)
`environment, it should be dedicated to the home or enter-
`prise since the transmission towards the radio network
`controller node (and mobile core network) may be using
`transmission provided and paid by the home or enterprise
`itself. In such case the only terminals belonging to the
`SOHO or enterprise should be allowed to access the femto
`radio base stations.
`
`In some situations the end user or SOHO purchases
`[0030]
`and possibly operates the femto radio base station. In some
`instances the femto radio base station may be a type of base
`stations that can only serve a limited number of end users.
`So it is very important that the end user or SOHO that has
`purchased the Femto RBS have access and not be denied
`access in view of the femto radio base station being preoc-
`cupied serving with unauthorized users.
`
`Page 11 0f17
`
`11
`
`11
`
`Page 11 of 17
`
`

`

`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`Aug. 9, 2007
`
`[0031] As understood from the two foregoing scenarios of
`utilization of a femto radio base station, access control is
`important for gaining end-user acceptance for the femto
`radio base station concept.
`
`[0032] UE access control for femto radio base stations is
`sorely lacking. There are two current mechanisms that have
`the illusion of potential access control or are seen as related
`to access control. These mechanisms, Access Control Class
`and Location Update (or Routing Area Update), are either
`provided in the UTRAN or between a mobile station and a
`Core Network (CN. Each of these mechanisms are discussed
`briefly below.
`
`[0033] The radio access network mechanisms are based on
`the Access Control Class concept. At subscription, one or
`more Access Control Classes are allocated to the subscriber
`
`and stored in the USIM of the subscriber’s user equipment
`unit (UE). These Access Control Classes can be used to
`prevent selected classes of users from sending initial access
`messages, mostly for load control reasons. Unfortunately,
`the Access Control Class concept in UTRAN cannot be used
`for fine-grained Access Control. One reason for the defi-
`ciency is related to the fact that only ten different Access
`Control Classes are available for normal end-users. With
`such a limited number of Access Control Classes,
`it
`is
`impossible to build any logic for access control for the femto
`radio base station concept.
`
`[0034] The mechanisms between the mobile station (e.g.,
`mobile terminal or user equipment unit (UE)) and the core
`network are based on Location Update control. This means
`that when the mobile station performs a Location Update
`towards the core network, the core network can reject the
`Location Update based on e.g. the location of the mobile
`station. Although the core network can reject a Location
`Update, a problem exists in the fact that the level of rej ection
`can be only done on Location Area (LAI) or PLMN levels.
`The core network is not even aware of the Cell Identifier
`allocated for each femto radio base station.
`
`[0035] What is needed, therefore, and an object herein
`provided, are method, technique, apparatus, and systems for
`providing effective access control to a femto radio base
`station in a radio access network.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`[0036] Methods and apparatus provide access control to a
`femto radio base station of a radio access network. The radio
`
`access network maintains a database of allowed user equip-
`ment units which are to be permitted access for use of a
`femto radio base station. The database is consulted and used
`
`to determine if a candidate user equipment unit attempting
`to use the femto radio base station for access to the radio
`
`access network is to be given access.
`
`In some implementations, the candidate user equip-
`[0037]
`ment unit is permitted to use the femto radio base station
`only if the candidate user equipment unit is an allowed user
`equipment unit as determined by the database.
`
`In some implementations, if the candidate user
`[0038]
`equipment unit is not an allowed user equipment unit as
`determined by the database, the candidate user equipment
`unit is redirected to another frequency, or to another cell, or
`to another radio access technology network.
`
`if the candidate user
`In some implementations,
`[0039]
`equipment unit is not an allowed user equipment unit as
`determined by the database, the candidate user equipment
`unit is required to wait for a specified wait time before again
`attempting to use the femto radio base station for access to
`the radio access network.
`
`[0040] The access control database can be pre-configured
`and/or dynamically configured with identities of allowed
`user equipment units which are to be permitted access for
`use of the femto radio base station
`
`[0041] One example way for the candidate user equipment
`unit to attempt to use the femto radio base station for access
`to the radio access network is by the candidate user equip-
`ment unit attempting to establish a radio resource control
`(RRC) connection with the radio access network through the
`femto radio base station.
`
`In one of its aspects, the technology concerns a
`[0042]
`method of operating a radio access network. The method
`includes (1) maintaining a database of allowed user equip-
`ment units which are to be permitted access for use of a
`femto radio base station; and (2) using the database to
`determine if a candidate user equipment unit attempting to
`use the femto radio base station for access to the radio access
`
`network is to be given access.
`
`[0043] Another aspect of the technology concerns a radio
`access network comprising at least one femto cell, the femto
`radio base station serving a femto cell of the radio access
`network; at least one radio network controller node (con-
`figured for controlling a connection between a user equip-
`ment unit and the radio access network using resources of
`the femto radio base station); and, an access control data-
`base. The access control database is configured for facili-
`tating a determination whether a candidate user equipment
`unit attempting to use the femto radio base station for access
`to the radio access network is to be given access. The access
`control database can be situated as a stand alone node of the
`radio access network or situated at a radio network control-
`
`ler node of the radio access network. Preferably the access
`control database is configured for facilitating the determi-
`nation in response to interrogation by the radio network
`controller node.
`
`[0044] Yet another aspect of the technology concerns a
`radio access network node comprising an access control
`database configured for facilitating a determination whether
`a candidate user equipment unit attempting to use a femto
`radio base station for access to a radio access network is to
`
`be given access to the radio access network through the
`femto radio base station. The access control database can be
`situated as a stand alone node of the radio access network or
`situated at a radio network controller node of the radio
`access network.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`features, and
`[0045] The foregoing and other objects,
`advantages of the invention will be apparent from the
`following more particular description of preferred embodi-
`ments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which
`reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the
`various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale,
`emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the prin-
`ciples of the invention.
`
`Page 12 0f17
`
`12
`
`12
`
`Page 12 of 17
`
`

`

`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`Aug. 9, 2007
`
`[0046] FIG. 1A-FIG. 1E are diagrammatic views of an
`example embodiment of a telecommunications
`system
`including a radio access network, showing different stages of
`an access control operation with respect to a femto radio
`base station.
`
`[0047] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an example embodi-
`ment of a femto radio base station.
`
`[0048] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an example radio
`network control (RNC) node.
`
`[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of an example
`structure of an access control database for femto radio base
`stations.
`
`[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing two dif-
`ferent backhaul alternatives.
`
`[0051] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an example
`embodiment of a status message returned by a radio network
`controller node after consultation with a femto access con-
`trol database.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`In the following description, for purposes of expla-
`[0052]
`nation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such
`as particular architectures,
`interfaces,
`techniques, etc.
`in
`order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
`invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
`art that the present invention may be practiced in other
`embodiments that depart from these specific details. That is,
`those skilled in the art will be able to devise various
`
`arrangements which, although not explicitly described or
`shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and
`are included within its spirit and scope. In some instances,
`detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and
`methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of
`the present invention with unnecessary detail. All statements
`herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the
`invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended
`to encompass both structural and functional equivalents
`thereof. Additionally,
`it is intended that such equivalents
`include both currently known equivalents as well as equiva-
`lents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed
`that perform the same function, regardless of structure.
`
`[0053] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those
`skilled in the art that block diagrams herein can represent
`conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the
`principles of the technology. Similarly, it will be appreciated
`that any flow charts, state transition diagrams, pseudocode,
`and the like represent various processes which may be
`substantially represented in computer readable medium and
`so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such
`computer or processor is explicitly shown.
`
`[0054] The functions of the various elements including
`functional blocks labeled as “processors” or “controllers”
`may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as
`well as hardware capable of executing software in associa-
`tion with appropriate software. When provided by a proces-
`sor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated
`processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of
`individual processors, some of which may be shared or
`distributed. Moreover, explicit use of the term “processor”
`or “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively
`
`to hardware capable of executing software, and may include,
`without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware,
`read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random
`access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage.
`
`invention is described in the non-
`[0055] The present
`limiting, example context of a telecommunications system
`10 shown in FIG. 1A. The telecommunications system 10
`connects to a core network 20. The telecommunications
`
`system 10 comprises a radio access network 24. The radio
`access network 24 includes one or more radio network
`
`controller nodes (RNCs) 26 and radio base stations (BS) 28.
`For sake of example FIG. 1A particular shows two radio
`network control nodes, i.e., a first radio network control 261
`and a second radio network control 262 as well as one or
`more macro radio base stations (only one macro radio base
`station 28M being shown in FIG. 1A) and plural femto radio
`base stations 28H, 28m,
`.
`.
`. 28fx. The macro radio base
`station 28M serves a macrocell CM. The femto radio base
`stations 28H, 28f2, .
`.
`. 28fx serve respective femtocells Cfl,
`sz, .
`.
`. Cfx. The person skilled in the art understands that
`a radio base station is typically situated at an interior (e.g.,
`center) of the respective cell which the radio base station
`serves, but for sake of clarity the macro radio base station
`and femto radio base stations of FIG. 1A are shown instead
`
`as being associated by double headed arrows to their respec-
`tive cells. At least some of the femtocells Cfl, sz, .
`.
`. Cfx
`are geographically overlayed or overlapped by the macrocell
`CM.
`
`[0056] As used herein, a “femto radio base station” also
`has the meaning of a pico radio base station or a micro radio
`base station, which serves a femto cell (or pico cell or micro
`cell). The femto cell is typically overlaid by one or more
`macro cells and serves a smaller geographic area or sub-
`scriber constituency than a macro cell. The technology
`described herein has particular benefit for a femto radio base
`station which can be installed and/or relocated within a radio
`
`access network without the installation or relocation being
`controlled by the owner/operator of the radio access net-
`work. In other words, a non-network operator entity (a femto
`operator) can acquire the femto radio base station and situate
`the femto radio base station in accordance with the prefer-
`ences of the femto operator.
`
`[0057] A user equipment unit (UE), such as user equip-
`ment unit (UE) 30 shown in FIG. 1A, communicates with
`one or more cells or one or more base stations (BS) 28 over
`a radio or air interface 32. The user equipment unit can be
`a mobile station such as a mobile telephone (“cellular”
`telephone) and laptop with mobile termination, and thus can
`be, for example, portable, pocket, hand-held, computer-
`included, or car-mounted mobile device which communicate
`voice and/or data with radio access network.
`
`[0058] The radio access network 24 shown in FIG. 1A can
`be, by way of non-limiting example, a UMTS Terrestrial
`Radio Access Network (UTRAN). In the UTRAN, radio
`access is preferably based upon Wideband Code Division
`Multiple Access (WCDMA) with individual radio channels
`allocated using CDMA spreading codes. Of course, other
`access methods may be employed. The nodes 26 and 28 are
`respectively termed the radio network control node and the
`radio base station nodes in view of the UTRAN example.
`However, it should be understood that the term radio net-
`work control and radio base station also encompasses nodes
`
`Page 13 0f17
`
`13
`
`13
`
`Page 13 of 17
`
`

`

`US 2007/0183427 A1
`
`Aug. 9, 2007
`
`having similar functionality for other types of radio access
`networks. Other types of telecommunications systems which
`encompass other types of radio access networks include the
`following: Global System for Mobile communications
`(GSM); Advance Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) system;
`the Narrowband AMPS system (NAMPS); the Total Access
`Communications System (TACS); the Personal Digital Cel-
`lular (PDC) system;
`the United States Digital Cellular
`(USDC) system; and the code division multiple access
`(CDMA) system described in EIA/TIA IS-95.
`
`[0059] The radio access network 24 is connected to core
`network 20 over an interface, such as the Iu interface for
`UTRAN. The core network 20 of FIG. 1A can comprise,
`among other things a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) node,
`a Gateway MSC node (GMSC), a Gateway General Packet
`Radio Service (GPRS) support node (GGSN), and a Serving
`GPRS Support node (SGSN). Circuit switched (CS) network
`or packet switched (PS) network can be connected to core
`network 20.
`
`[0060] For sake of simplicity, the radio access network 24
`of FIG. 1A is shown with only two RNC nodes 26. Multiple
`radio network controller nodes (RNCs) may be provided,
`with each RNC 26 being connected to one or more base
`stations (BS) 28. It will be appreciated that a different
`number of base stations than that shown in FIG. 1A can be
`
`served by a radio network control 26, and that RNCs need
`not serve the same number of base stations. Moreover, an
`RNC can be connected over an Iur interface to one or more
`other RNCs in radio access network 24. The radio network
`
`controller node (RNC) 26 communicates over an interface
`Iub with the macro radio base station 28M. Further, those
`