TW201728126A - Mobility management for software defined radio access networks - Google Patents

Mobility management for software defined radio access networks Download PDF

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TW201728126A
TW201728126A TW105132749A TW105132749A TW201728126A TW 201728126 A TW201728126 A TW 201728126A TW 105132749 A TW105132749 A TW 105132749A TW 105132749 A TW105132749 A TW 105132749A TW 201728126 A TW201728126 A TW 201728126A
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base station
controller
controller device
ran
sdn switch
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TWI714647B (en
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亞歷山大 沙洛金
楊峰
張旭
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英特爾股份有限公司
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W36/00—Hand-off or reselection arrangements
    • H04W36/10—Reselecting an access point controller
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W36/00—Hand-off or reselection arrangements
    • H04W36/0005—Control or signalling for completing the hand-off
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/04—Large scale networks; Deep hierarchical networks
    • H04W84/042—Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W92/00—Interfaces specially adapted for wireless communication networks
    • H04W92/04—Interfaces between hierarchically different network devices
    • H04W92/12—Interfaces between hierarchically different network devices between access points and access point controllers

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Circuits Of Receivers In General (AREA)

Abstract

An SDN architecture, for a cellular communications system, separates the control plane and the user plane in a RAN of the cellular communication system. A controller, in the RAN, may serve a number of base stations and perform mobility management control functions (i.e., functions related to handovers), via a control plane, for base stations in the RAN. User plane traffic may be separately communicated between base stations and an SDN switch. The SDN switch, in the RAN, may be used to route data plane traffic and terminate the backhaul connection towards the core network.

Description

用於軟體定義無線電存取網路的行動管理 Mobile management for software-defined radio access networks

本發明係有關用於軟體定義無線電存取網路的行動管理。 The present invention relates to action management for software defined radio access networks.

LTE(長期演進)是行動電話及資料終端(行動裝置)之高速資料無線通訊的標準。LTE蜂巢式通訊系統包含無線電存取網路(RAN)區及「核心」網路區。RAN區可以處理與行動裝置的無線(無線電)通訊。「核心」區可以處理關於提供資料服務給行動裝置之控制功能。 LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a standard for high-speed data wireless communication between mobile phones and data terminals (mobile devices). The LTE cellular communication system includes a Radio Access Network (RAN) area and a "core" network area. The RAN zone can handle wireless (radio) communication with mobile devices. The "core" area can handle the control functions for providing data services to mobile devices.

蜂巢式網路部署的一個趨勢是使用高密度接取網路(有時稱為超稠密無線電存取網路(UDN))，其中，部署均具有相對有限的涵蓋區之大量的獨立小型基地台(SC)。UDN部署可以被使用於需要額外容量的室外或室內交通熱點。但是，UDN部署會造成額外的挑戰，例如基地台間干擾。此外，大量的小型基地台會在網路核心中導致來自小型基地台之大量的發訊訊息。 A trend in cellular network deployments is to use high-density access networks (sometimes referred to as ultra-dense radio access networks (UDNs)), where deployments have a large number of independent small base stations with relatively limited coverage areas. (SC). UDN deployments can be used for outdoor or indoor traffic hotspots that require additional capacity. However, UDN deployments create additional challenges, such as inter-base station interference. In addition, a large number of small base stations will cause a large amount of messaging messages from small base stations in the core of the network.

100‧‧‧環境 100‧‧‧ Environment

105‧‧‧使用者設備 105‧‧‧User equipment

110‧‧‧無線電存取網路 110‧‧‧radio access network

112‧‧‧大型基地台 112‧‧‧ Large base station

114‧‧‧小型基地台 114‧‧‧Small base station

120‧‧‧控制器 120‧‧‧ Controller

125‧‧‧軟體定義網路交換機 125‧‧‧Software-defined network switches

130‧‧‧演進封包核心 130‧‧‧Evolution Packet Core

142‧‧‧服務閘道器 142‧‧‧service gateway

144‧‧‧行動管理實體 144‧‧‧Action Management Entity

146‧‧‧封包資料網路閘道器 146‧‧‧Package data network gateway

310‧‧‧來源基地台 310‧‧‧Source base station

320‧‧‧目標基地台 320‧‧‧Target base station

405‧‧‧基地台 405‧‧‧Base station

410‧‧‧基地台 410‧‧‧Base station

415‧‧‧控制基地台 415‧‧‧Control base station

420‧‧‧基地台 420‧‧‧Base station

700‧‧‧電子裝置 700‧‧‧Electronic devices

配合附圖，從下述詳細說明，將容易瞭解此處所述的實施例。為便於此說明，類似的代號代表類似的結構元件。在附圖的圖中，以舉例說明而非限定的方式，顯示實施例。 The embodiments described herein will be readily apparent from the following detailed description. For the purposes of this description, similar symbols represent similar structural elements. In the drawings, the embodiments are shown by way of illustration and not limitation.

圖1是對應於蜂巢式網路之舉例說明的環境圖，此處說明的系統及/或方法可以被實施於其中；圖2是流程圖，說明圖1的環境中執行控制器內交遞之處理；圖3是訊號流程圖，顯示舉例說明的控制器內交遞；圖4是特別顯示多個控制器的環境圖；圖5是流程圖，說明圖1的環境中執行控制器間交遞之處理；圖6是訊號流程圖，顯示舉例說明的控制器間交遞之訊號流程圖；以及圖7顯示舉例說明的電子裝置組件。 1 is an environmental diagram corresponding to an example of a cellular network, and the systems and/or methods described herein may be implemented therein; FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the execution of intra-controller handover in the environment of FIG. 1. Figure 3 is a signal flow diagram showing the illustrated intra-controller handover; Figure 4 is an environmental diagram showing a plurality of controllers in particular; Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating the inter-controller handover in the environment of Figure 1. FIG. 6 is a signal flow diagram showing an exemplary signal flow diagram for inter-controller handover; and FIG. 7 shows an exemplary electronic device assembly.

【發明內容及實施方式】 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND EMBODIMENT

下述詳細說明係參考附圖。不同圖式中相同的代號可以識別相同或類似的元件。須瞭解，可以使用其它實施例，並且在不悖離本揭示的範圍之下可以作出結構或邏輯改變。因此，下述詳細說明並非是限定性的，實施例的範圍由後附的申請專利範圍及其均等性來予以界定。 The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different figures may identify the same or similar elements. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be considered as limiting

於此說明用於蜂巢式通訊系統的RAN之軟體定義網 路(SDN)架構。說明的架構會分開RAN中的控制平面及使用者平面。對於RAN中的基地台，在RAN中，控制器可以經由控制平面而服務多個基地台及執行行動管理控制功能(亦即，與交遞有關的功能)。使用者平面交通可以在基地台與SDN交換機之間分別地通訊。在RAN中，SDN交換機可以用以安排資料平面交通路由及終止朝向核心網路的回程連接。 This describes the RAN software definition network for the cellular communication system. Road (SDN) architecture. The illustrated architecture separates the control plane and the user plane in the RAN. For a base station in the RAN, in the RAN, the controller can serve multiple base stations and perform action management control functions (i.e., functions related to handover) via the control plane. User plane traffic can be communicated separately between the base station and the SDN switch. In the RAN, the SDN switch can be used to schedule data plane traffic routing and terminate backhaul connections towards the core network.

控制及使用者平面分開可以有助於由控制器作有效率的行動管理決定。此外，控制及使用者平面分開能使多個基地台與「虛擬」基地台相關聯，其中，對核心網路隱藏虛擬基地台內的行動管理決定(亦即，可不需通訊)。依此方式，可以降低與核心網路的發訊量。 Control and user plane separation can help the controller make efficient action management decisions. In addition, the control and user plane separation enables multiple base stations to be associated with a "virtual" base station, wherein the core network hides the action management decisions within the virtual base station (ie, no communication is required). In this way, the amount of traffic to the core network can be reduced.

在一個實施中，如同本文中所述，根據虛擬基地台內與負載有關的總體知識，可由控制器作控制器內交遞操作(亦即，在虛擬基地台內的基地台之間)。對於控制器間交遞操作(亦即，在不同虛擬基地台中的基地台之間)，在不同的虛擬基地台的控制器之間可首先執行控制平面交遞。然後，可執行基地台之間的使用者平面交遞。 In one implementation, as described herein, based on the overall knowledge of the load within the virtual base station, the controller can be used for intra-controller handover operations (i.e., between base stations within the virtual base station). For inter-controller handover operations (i.e., between base stations in different virtual base stations), control plane handover may be performed first between controllers of different virtual base stations. The user plane handover between the base stations can then be performed.

圖1是對應於蜂巢式網路之舉例說明的環境100圖，此處說明的系統及/或方法可以被實施於其中。環境100大致上可提供RAN中的軟體定義網路(SDN)式架構，其將控制平面發訊及使用者平面資料交通分開。在圖1中，以虛線顯示RAN控制平面介面，並且以實線顯示RAN使用者平面介面。 1 is an illustration of an environment 100 corresponding to an exemplary cellular network in which the systems and/or methods described herein can be implemented. Environment 100 generally provides a software-defined networking (SDN) architecture in the RAN that separates control plane signaling from user plane data traffic. In Figure 1, the RAN control plane interface is shown in dashed lines and the RAN user plane interface is shown in solid lines.

如同所繪示者，環境100可包含被稱為使用者設備(UE)105的行動裝置、RAN 110、及演進封包核心(EPC)130。環境100可代表無線蜂巢式通訊網路，例如根據第三代夥伴專案(3GPP)標準的網路。RAN 110通常可提供無線(例如，無線電)介面給UE 105。核心部份可以提供背端控制平面及使用者平面傳輸路徑、使用者控制及驗證、以及其它特點。 As depicted, environment 100 may include a mobile device called User Equipment (UE) 105, RAN 110, and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 130. Environment 100 may represent a wireless cellular communication network, such as a network under the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard. The RAN 110 can typically provide a wireless (e.g., radio) interface to the UE 105. The core part can provide back-end control planes and user plane transmission paths, user control and verification, and other features.

UE 105可包含可攜式計算及通訊裝置，例如個人數位助理(PDA)、智慧型手機、行動電話、連接至蜂巢式無線網路的膝上型電腦、平板電腦、等等。UE 105也可包含非可攜式通訊裝置，例如桌上型電腦、消費或商用設備、或是具有無線連接(例如經由無線電鏈路)至蜂巢式無線網路的能力之其它裝置。為了簡明起見，顯示單一個UE 105。實際上，多個UE 105可以在無線網路的環境中操作。 The UE 105 may include portable computing and communication devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), smart phones, mobile phones, laptops connected to a cellular wireless network, tablets, and the like. The UE 105 may also include non-portable communication devices, such as desktop computers, consumer or business equipment, or other devices having the ability to wirelessly connect (e.g., via a radio link) to a cellular wireless network. For the sake of simplicity, a single UE 105 is shown. In fact, multiple UEs 105 can operate in the context of a wireless network.

RAN 110可以代表包含一或多個無線電存取技術(RAT)之3GPP存取網路。RAN 110可包含一或多個基地台，例如大型基地台112及小型基地台114。RAN 110又可包含控制器120及SDN交換機125。 The RAN 110 may represent a 3GPP access network that includes one or more radio access technologies (RATs). The RAN 110 may include one or more base stations, such as a large base station 112 and a small base station 114. The RAN 110 may in turn include a controller 120 and an SDN switch 125.

在3GPP網路的環境中，例如大型基地台112和小型基地台114等基地台被稱為演進節點B(eNB)。相對於現有的eNB，大型基地台112及小型基地台114可以包含更少的控制邏輯。反而是，控制邏輯可由控制器120來予以實施。相較於小型基地台114，大型基地台112可以提 供用於UE 105的無線電介面給相對較大的區域。小型基地台114可以被部署以增加系統容量並且可包含大型基地台112之涵蓋區域內的涵蓋區域。舉例而言，小型基地台114可以包含微微型基地台(picocell)、毫微微型基地台(femtocell)、及/或自家節點B。舉例而言，大型基地台112及小型基地台114可以實施與封包資料收歛協定(PDCP)層處理、無線電鏈路控制(RLC)處理、媒體存取控制(MAC)層處理、及實體(PHY)層處理有關的邏輯。 In the context of a 3GPP network, base stations such as the large base station 112 and the small base station 114 are referred to as evolved Node Bs (eNBs). Large base station 112 and small base station 114 may contain less control logic than existing eNBs. Instead, control logic can be implemented by controller 120. Compared to the small base station 114, the large base station 112 can mention The radio interface for the UE 105 is given to a relatively large area. The small base station 114 can be deployed to increase system capacity and can include coverage areas within the coverage area of the large base station 112. For example, the small base station 114 can include a picocell, a femtocell, and/or a home Node B. For example, the large base station 112 and the small base station 114 can implement packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer processing, radio link control (RLC) processing, media access control (MAC) layer processing, and physical (PHY) Layer processing related logic.

控制器120可包含一或多個計算及通訊裝置，作為用於RAN 110的控制節點。雖然圖1所示為單一個控制器，但是，實際上可以使用多個控制器120來控制RAN 110，其中，各控制器120可以被指派來控制多個基地台(例如，大型基地台112及/或小型基地台114)。指派給特定控制器120的基地台於本文中可被稱為「虛擬基地台」。控制器120可操作以執行用於RAN 110的空氣介面之控制功能。舉例而言，如圖1所示，作為非限定實例，控制器120可以執行與下述有關的控制功能：(1)無線電資源控制(RRC)發訊；(2)無線電資源管理(RRM)；(3)自我組織網路(SON)；(4)基地台(BS)控制；(5)S1應用協定(S1-AP)發訊；(6)X2-應用協定(X2-AP)發訊；及/或(7)SDN控制。 Controller 120 may include one or more computing and communication devices as a control node for RAN 110. Although FIG. 1 shows a single controller, a plurality of controllers 120 can be used to actually control the RAN 110, wherein each controller 120 can be assigned to control a plurality of base stations (eg, a large base station 112 and / or small base station 114). The base station assigned to a particular controller 120 may be referred to herein as a "virtual base station." Controller 120 is operative to perform a control function for the air interface of RAN 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, as a non-limiting example, controller 120 may perform control functions related to: (1) Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; (2) Radio Resource Management (RRM); (3) self-organizing network (SON); (4) base station (BS) control; (5) S1 application protocol (S1-AP) communication; (6) X2-application agreement (X2-AP) communication; And / or (7) SDN control.

做為RRC發訊的部份，控制器120可以執行與RRC協定子層有關的控制功能，RRC協定子層係有關UE 105 與基地台之間的LTE空氣介面。由RRC子層所提供的服務及功能可包含關於非存取層(NAS)的系統資訊之廣播、關於存取層(AS)的系統資訊之廣播、呼叫(paging)、服務品質(QoS)管理功能、及其它功能。做為RRM發訊的部份，控制器120可以分析及控制無線電資源，例如管理共頻道干擾及其它無線的無線電傳輸特徵。舉例而言，控制器120可以控制在大型基地台112及小型基地台114處與無線電傳輸功率、使用者分配、成束、資料速率、使用的調變設計、使用的錯誤碼化設計、等等有關的參數。在某些實施中，控制器120也可控制在基地台及/或在SDN交換機125處的SON參數。SON參數大致上可有關基地台的自我配置、自我最佳化、及自我恢復。 As part of the RRC communication, the controller 120 can perform control functions related to the RRC protocol sublayer, which is related to the UE 105. The LTE air interface between the base station and the base station. The services and functions provided by the RRC sublayer may include broadcast of system information about non-access stratum (NAS), broadcast of system information about access layer (AS), paging, and quality of service (QoS) management. Features, and other features. As part of the RRM messaging, the controller 120 can analyze and control radio resources, such as managing co-channel interference and other wireless radio transmission features. For example, the controller 120 can control radio transmission power, user allocation, bundling, data rate, modulation design used, error coded design used, and the like at the large base station 112 and the small base station 114. Relevant parameters. In some implementations, controller 120 can also control SON parameters at the base station and/or at SDN switch 125. The SON parameter is roughly related to the self-configuration, self-optimization, and self-recovery of the base station.

在某些實施中，控制器120也可控制基地台(「BS ctrl)」，例如大型基地台112及小型基地台114的設置及操作的控制。在某些實施中，控制器120也可執行用於RAN 110與EPC 130之間的S1應用協定發訊之功能。S1-AP發訊訊息可以路經SDN交換機125而至EPC 130。舉例而言，S1-AP發訊訊息可包含關於UE能力資訊、內容傳輸、S1介面管理、及/或其它應用協定功能的發訊。此外，控制器120也可執行用於X2-AP發訊的功能。舉例而言，X2-AP發訊訊息係關於UE行動管理及負載管理。控制器120也可執行關於SDN配置及控制(SDN ctrl)之功能。舉例而言，控制器120可以更新SDN交換 機125中的路由表或是更新/配置SDN交換機125的其它網路態樣。 In some implementations, the controller 120 can also control the base station ("BS ctrl"", such as the control of the setup and operation of the large base station 112 and the small base station 114. In some implementations, the controller 120 can also perform the functions for S1 application protocol messaging between the RAN 110 and the EPC 130. The S1-AP messaging message can pass through the SDN switch 125 to the EPC 130. For example, the S1-AP messaging message may include signaling regarding UE capability information, content transmission, S1 interface management, and/or other application protocol functions. In addition, the controller 120 can also perform functions for X2-AP signaling. For example, the X2-AP messaging message is about UE action management and load management. Controller 120 can also perform functions related to SDN configuration and control (SDN ctrl). For example, the controller 120 can update the SDN exchange. The routing table in machine 125 is or other network aspect of updating/configuring SDN switch 125.

SDN交換機125可為SDN裝置，其會操作來連接RAN 110至EPC 130。SDN交換機125可由控制器120來予以配置。雖然在此處被稱為「交換機」，但是，SDN交換機125可以包含路由器或其它網路裝置的功能。一般而言，軟體定義網路化意指允許網路管理者經由較高階功能的抽象化來管理網路服務之電腦網路化的方法。在SDN中，關於交通是否被送出(控制平面)之決定可以從轉送交通給選取的目的地(資料平面)之系統退耦合(decouple)。 The SDN switch 125 can be an SDN device that operates to connect the RAN 110 to the EPC 130. The SDN switch 125 can be configured by the controller 120. Although referred to herein as a "switch," SDN switch 125 can include the functionality of a router or other network device. In general, software-defined networking means a way to allow network managers to manage the networking of network services through the abstraction of higher-order functions. In SDN, the decision as to whether traffic is being sent (control plane) can be decoupled from the system that forwards traffic to the selected destination (data plane).

在一個實施中，可使用OpenFlow協定來執行SDN態樣的配置(例如，SDN交換機125、大型基地台112、及/或小型基地台114的配置)。OpenFlow是一種通訊協定，其授予存取例如SDN交換機125等網路交換機或路由器的轉送平面。舉例而言，控制器120可以使用OpenFlow訊息(於圖1中標示為「OF」)而對SDN交換機125通訊以配置封包的封裝、解封裝、及編排路由(例如，GPRS穿隧協定(GTP)使用者平面封包)。此外，控制器120可以使用訊息(在圖1中標示為介面(OF-w))而與基地台相通訊以配置基地台；設立、修改、及/或刪除與基地台相關聯的無線管路；以及，執行空中(無線電)協調。 In one implementation, an SDN-like configuration (eg, configuration of SDN switch 125, large base station 112, and/or small base station 114) may be performed using an OpenFlow protocol. OpenFlow is a communication protocol that grants access to a forwarding plane such as a network switch or router such as SDN switch 125. For example, the controller 120 can communicate with the SDN switch 125 using OpenFlow messages (labeled "OF" in FIG. 1) to configure encapsulation, decapsulation, and routing of packets (eg, GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP)). User plane packet). In addition, the controller 120 can communicate with the base station to configure the base station using a message (labeled as interface (OF-w) in FIG. 1); set up, modify, and/or delete the wireless pipeline associated with the base station And, perform aerial (radio) coordination.

圖1中繪示出多個介面，其包含OF及OF-w介面。 介面可意指環境100中的裝置之間的實體或邏輯連接。除了控制平面OF及OF-w介面之外，圖1中也繪示使用者平面「Xi」及「S1」介面。Xi介面可被用來在基地台與SDN交換機125之間傳輸酬載資料(例如，S1-U酬載資料)。S1介面，其可包含3GPP S1使用者平面(S1-U)介面，可被用來在SDN交換機125與EPC 130的各式各樣裝置(例如，SGW 142及MME 144)之間傳輸酬載資料。 A plurality of interfaces are illustrated in FIG. 1 that include OF and OF-w interfaces. An interface may refer to a physical or logical connection between devices in environment 100. In addition to the control plane OF and OF-w interfaces, the user plane "Xi" and "S1" interfaces are also shown in FIG. The Xi interface can be used to transfer payload data (eg, S1-U payload data) between the base station and the SDN switch 125. The S1 interface, which may include a 3GPP S1 User Plane (S1-U) interface, may be used to transfer payload data between the SDN switch 125 and various devices of the EPC 130 (eg, SGW 142 and MME 144) .

又如圖1所示，EPC 130可包含多個網路裝置，包含服務閘道器(SGW)142、行動管理實體(MME)144、及封包資料網路閘道器(PGW)146。SGW 142可包含一或多個網路裝置，聚集從一或多個基地台接收到的交通。SGW 142大致上可處理使用者(資料)平面交通。MME 144可包含一或多個計算及通訊裝置，其執行UE 105與EPC 130的註冊操作、及/或執行其它操作。MME 144大致上可處理控制平面交通。 As further shown in FIG. 1, EPC 130 may include a plurality of network devices including a service gateway (SGW) 142, a mobility management entity (MME) 144, and a packet data network gateway (PGW) 146. SGW 142 may include one or more network devices that aggregate traffic received from one or more base stations. The SGW 142 is generally capable of handling user (data) plane traffic. The MME 144 may include one or more computing and communication devices that perform registration operations of the UE 105 with the EPC 130, and/or perform other operations. The MME 144 can generally handle control plane traffic.

PGW 146可包含一或多個裝置，以作為核心網路140與外部IP網路及/或操作者IP服務之間的互連點。PGW 146會編排封包進出存取網路、及外部IP網路的路徑。 PGW 146 may include one or more devices as an interconnection point between core network 140 and an external IP network and/or operator IP service. The PGW 146 will route the packets into and out of the access network and the path to the external IP network.

圖1中所示的裝置及/或網路的數量僅供說明之用。實際上，相較於圖1中所示，可以有添加的裝置及/或網路；更少的裝置及/或網路；不同的裝置及/或網路；或者，不同配置的裝置及/或網路。替代地、或額外地，環境100之一或多個裝置可以執行如同所述之由環境100的 另一或多個裝置所執行的一或多個功能。此外，圖1中雖然顯示「直接」連接，但是，這些連接應被解釋為邏輯計算路徑，實際上，可以存在有一或多個介於中間的裝置(例如，路由器、閘道器、數據機、交換機、集線器、等等)。 The number of devices and/or networks shown in Figure 1 is for illustrative purposes only. In fact, as shown in Figure 1, there may be added devices and/or networks; fewer devices and/or networks; different devices and/or networks; or devices of different configurations and/or Or the internet. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more devices of environment 100 may perform as described by environment 100 One or more functions performed by another device or devices. In addition, although "direct" connections are shown in Figure 1, these connections should be interpreted as logical computation paths. In fact, there may be one or more intervening devices (eg, routers, gateways, modems, Switches, hubs, etc.).

如上所述，OF-w介面可為由控制器120所使用的控制介面，以控制大型基地台112及/或小型基地台140的操作。表I中列出OF-w訊息的一個舉例說明的實施。在表1中，「訊息名稱」一欄包含可能的名稱或訊息標示，以及，「主欄位說明」一欄包含不同訊息的功能及/或欄位的更詳細說明。 As noted above, the OF-w interface can be the control interface used by controller 120 to control the operation of large base station 112 and/or small base station 140. An illustrative implementation of the OF-w message is listed in Table I. In Table 1, the "Message Name" column contains possible names or message indications, and the "Main Field Description" column contains a more detailed description of the functions and/or fields of the different messages.

圖2是流程圖，其繪示用於在環境100中執行交遞操作的過程200。對於過程200，交遞操作可為控制器內交遞操作。亦即，交遞操作可以是在連接至特定控制器120的基地台之間。過程200可由控制器120來予以執行。在下述說明中，「來源」基地台一詞將用以意指網路交遞情 境中UE係附接至其的啟始基地台。「目標」基地台一詞將用以意指網路交遞情境中交遞程序結束時UE係附接至其的基地台。 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 200 for performing a handover operation in environment 100. For process 200, the handover operation can be a handover operation within the controller. That is, the handover operation may be between base stations connected to a particular controller 120. Process 200 can be performed by controller 120. In the following description, the term "source" base station will be used to refer to the Internet handover. The UE in the environment is attached to its starting base station. The term "target" base station will be used to refer to the base station to which the UE is attached at the end of the handover procedure in the network handover scenario.

過程200可包含決定交遞應該發生(區塊210)。對於過程200，假定交遞操作是控制器內交遞。舉例而言，參考圖1，交遞操作可以是從多個小型基地台114中之一至多個小型基地台114中之其它小型基地台的交遞。可根據多個因素來做出交遞的決定。舉例而言，UE 105可偶爾或週期地測量由UE 105從UE 105近處中的不同基地台所接收到之訊號的強度。UE 105可將測量報告給控制器120。控制器120可根據接收到的測量且可能根據例如控制器120之虛擬基地台中的其它基地台的擁塞或負載等其它因素而作決定，以啟始交遞操作而致使UE附接至不同的基地台(例如，至不同的小型基地台114)。在一個實施中，控制器120又可使用與UE 105有關的軌跡或速度資訊，以選取用於交遞之適當的基地台。 Process 200 can include determining that a handover should occur (block 210). For process 200, it is assumed that the handover operation is a handover within the controller. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the handover operation may be handover from one of the plurality of small base stations 114 to other small base stations of the plurality of small base stations 114. The decision to hand over can be made based on a number of factors. For example, the UE 105 may occasionally or periodically measure the strength of signals received by the UE 105 from different base stations in the vicinity of the UE 105. The UE 105 can report the measurements to the controller 120. The controller 120 can make decisions based on received measurements and possibly other factors such as congestion or load of other base stations in the virtual base station of the controller 120 to initiate handover operations to cause the UE to attach to different bases. Station (for example, to a different small base station 114). In one implementation, controller 120, in turn, may use trajectory or speed information associated with UE 105 to select the appropriate base station for handover.

過程200又可包含更新與虛擬基地台相關聯的SDN交換機(區塊220)。舉例而言，SDN交換機125的更新可包含更新SDN交換機125的路由/交換表以修改對應於與UE 105相關聯的一或多個交通流量之登錄，使得來自目標基地台的交通將繼續被轉送至EPC 130中正確的實體(例如，正確的SGW 142)。可使用OF介面來執行SDN交換機125的更新。 Process 200, in turn, can include updating an SDN switch (block 220) associated with the virtual base station. For example, an update of the SDN switch 125 can include updating the routing/switching table of the SDN switch 125 to modify the login corresponding to one or more traffic flows associated with the UE 105 such that traffic from the target base station will continue to be forwarded. The correct entity to the EPC 130 (eg, the correct SGW 142). The update of the SDN switch 125 can be performed using the OF interface.

過程200又可包含使用OF-w介面以更新來源基地台 (區塊230)。舉例而言，關於表I中標示的訊息，控制器120會傳送「UE交遞命令」訊息給來源基地台。來源基地台會以「UE狀態報告」訊息回覆給控制器120。 Process 200 may in turn include using the OF-w interface to update the source base station (block 230). For example, regarding the message indicated in Table I, the controller 120 transmits a "UE Handover Command" message to the source base station. The source base station will reply to the controller 120 with a "UE Status Report" message.

過程200又可包含使用OF-w介面以更新目標基地台(區塊240)。目標基地台可被更新以標示UE將附接至目標基地台。舉例而言，關於表I中標示的訊息，控制器120會傳送「UE情境設定」訊息給目標基地台，其可提供用於UE的情境資訊給目標基地台。 Process 200, in turn, can include updating the target base station (block 240) using the OF-w interface. The target base station can be updated to indicate that the UE will be attached to the target base station. For example, regarding the message indicated in Table I, the controller 120 transmits a "UE Situation Setting" message to the target base station, which can provide context information for the UE to the target base station.

由於控制器120會控制控制器120的虛擬基地台中的各基地台，所以，控制器120知道虛擬基地台中的基地台的狀態(例如，各基地台的交通負載狀態、可供利用的無線電資源、等等)。因此，當執行與過程200有關的控制器內交遞程序時，控制器120可以更有效地控制交遞操作。結果，由不適當的目標基地台(例如，高度負載且不具有足夠的無線電資源之基地台)初始化的交遞所引起的交遞失敗會減少。 Since the controller 120 controls each base station in the virtual base station of the controller 120, the controller 120 knows the status of the base station in the virtual base station (eg, the traffic load status of each base station, available radio resources, and many more). Thus, when executing an inter-controller handover procedure associated with process 200, controller 120 can more effectively control the handover operation. As a result, handover failures caused by handovers initiated by inappropriate target base stations (e.g., base stations that are highly loaded and do not have sufficient radio resources) are reduced.

圖3是訊號流程圖，其繪示涉及環境100中不同裝置的舉例說明的控制器內交遞。在圖3中，來源基地台及目標基地台分別被標示為來源基地台310及目標基地台320。 3 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an in-controller handover involving an example of different devices in environment 100. In FIG. 3, the source base station and the target base station are labeled as the source base station 310 and the target base station 320, respectively.

UE 105及控制器120可以對來源基地台或其它基地台交換關於UE 105的連接之測量資訊(在305，「測量」)。舉例而言，UE 105可以傳輸關於對應於UE 105近處的不同基地台之訊號強度測量。根據訊號強度測量， 控制器120可以作出關於UE 105的交遞(HO)決定(在310，「HO決定」)。舉例而言，當從UE目前係附接至其的基地台(來源基地台310)接收到的訊號強度落在臨界值之下時，控制器120可以選擇UE應該附接至其的另一基地台(目標基地台320)。目標基地台320可以被選擇作為在UE附近的另一基地台，其中，UE與目標基地台320之間的訊號強度是在臨界值之上，並且，其中，目標基地台具有可供利用的無線電資源。由於控制器120知道在控制器120的虛擬基地台中的所有基地台之狀態，所以，控制器120能夠作出最佳的、或接近最佳的交遞決定。在一個施行中，藉由經過OF-w介面(亦即，經過控制平面介面)而透明地傳送RRC訊號(從UE接收到)給控制器，可以將測量資訊從基地台傳送至控制器。舉例而言，由基地台接收到的RRC訊息可以藉由基地台來予以封裝作為OF-w訊息且傳送至控制器120。 The UE 105 and controller 120 can exchange measurement information about the connection of the UE 105 to the source base station or other base station (at 305, "Measurement"). For example, the UE 105 can transmit signal strength measurements for different base stations corresponding to the vicinity of the UE 105. According to the signal strength measurement, Controller 120 can make a handover (HO) decision with respect to UE 105 (at 310, "HO Decision"). For example, when the signal strength received from the base station (source base station 310) to which the UE is currently attached is falling below a threshold, the controller 120 may select another base to which the UE should attach. Taiwan (target base station 320). The target base station 320 can be selected as another base station in the vicinity of the UE, wherein the signal strength between the UE and the target base station 320 is above a critical value, and wherein the target base station has available radios Resources. Since controller 120 knows the status of all base stations in the virtual base station of controller 120, controller 120 can make an optimal, or near optimal, handover decision. In one implementation, measurement information can be transmitted from the base station to the controller by transparently transmitting the RRC signal (received from the UE) to the controller via the OF-w interface (ie, via the control plane interface). For example, the RRC message received by the base station can be encapsulated as an OF-w message by the base station and transmitted to the controller 120.

控制器120接著可修改SDN交換機125，例如藉由修改與SDN交換機125相關聯的路由表，以更新SDN交換機125，使得SDN交換機125將緩衝接收用於UE 105的封包(在315，「修改流動登錄」)。在一個施行中，修改可特別地包含刪除與SDN交換機中的承載相關連的交通流動登錄，因而使得接收到之與承載相關的封包由SDN交換機來予以緩衝。緩衝可以一直被執行直到交遞操作完成為止。舉例而言，OF介面可被用來修改對SDN交換機125之路由表的登錄，以致使SDN交換機125緩衝接收到 之用於UE 105的封包。 The controller 120 can then modify the SDN switch 125, for example by modifying the routing table associated with the SDN switch 125, to update the SDN switch 125 such that the SDN switch 125 will buffer the receipt for the UE 105 (at 315, "Modify Flow log in"). In one implementation, the modification may specifically include deleting the traffic flow login associated with the bearer in the SDN switch, thus causing the received bearer-related packet to be buffered by the SDN switch. Buffering can be performed until the handover operation is completed. For example, the OF interface can be used to modify the login to the routing table of the SDN switch 125 so that the SDN switch 125 buffers the reception. The packet for the UE 105.

控制器120可以接著傳送UE交遞命令訊息給來源基地台310(在320，「UE交遞命令」)。UE交遞命令可以經由OF-w介面而被傳送，並且，可以對應於訊息「UE交遞命令」(表I)。訊息可以包含例如UE 105的識別及要重配置之RRC連接的標示。為了回應，來源基地台310會啟始對UE 105之RRC連接配置(在325，「RRC連接重配置」)。來源基地台310以關於RRC重配置的狀態報告來更新控制器120(在330，「UE狀態報告」)。UE狀態報告可以經由OF-w介面而被傳送，並且，可以對應於訊息「UE狀態報告」(表I)。 Controller 120 may then transmit a UE handover command message to source base station 310 (at 320, "UE handover command"). The UE handover command may be transmitted via the OF-w interface and may correspond to the message "UE handover command" (Table I). The message may contain, for example, an identification of the UE 105 and an indication of the RRC connection to be reconfigured. In response, source base station 310 initiates an RRC connection configuration for UE 105 (at 325, "RRC Connection Reconfiguration"). The source base station 310 updates the controller 120 (at 330, "UE Status Report") with a status report on RRC reconfiguration. The UE status report can be transmitted via the OF-w interface and can correspond to the message "UE Status Report" (Table I).

控制器120隨後可將交遞通知目標基地台220。特別是，以將不會在UE造成中斷的方式來處理交遞時所需的UE情境資訊可以被傳送給目標基地台320。如同所示，控制器120可以經由OF-w介面而傳送UE情境設定訊息給目標基地台320(在335，「UE情境設定」)。如同表I詳述般，UE情境設定訊息可以包含多個資訊欄，包含UE識別欄、安全資訊、專用承載配置資訊、及隨機存取通道(RACH)配置資訊。 The controller 120 can then notify the target base station 220 of the handover. In particular, the UE context information required to handle the handover in a manner that will not cause an interruption in the UE can be transmitted to the target base station 320. As shown, the controller 120 can transmit the UE context setting message to the target base station 320 via the OF-w interface (at 335, "UE Situation Settings"). As detailed in Table I, the UE context setting message may include multiple information fields including a UE identification field, security information, dedicated bearer configuration information, and random access channel (RACH) configuration information.

可以執行RACH程序作為交遞操作的部份。舉例而言，如同所示，隨機存取前言可以從UE 105被傳送至目標基地台320及隨機存取回應可以從目標基地台320被傳送至UE 105(在340及345，「隨機存取前言」及「隨機存取回應」)。在此週期期間，在SDN交換機125處接 收到之用於UE 105的封包(例如，來自EPC 130的封包)可被緩衝於SDN交換機125(在350，「封包緩衝」)。根據「RRC連接重配置完成」訊息之UE 105與目標基地台320之間的通訊，可完成空中介面中的交遞操作(在355)。使用OF-w介面，目標基地台320可以傳送「UL RRC訊息傳輸」訊息給控制器120(在360)，並且，控制器120可以又從來源基地台310釋放UE情境(在365，「UE情境釋放」)。 The RACH procedure can be executed as part of the handover operation. For example, as shown, a random access preamble may be transmitted from the UE 105 to the target base station 320 and a random access response may be transmitted from the target base station 320 to the UE 105 (at 340 and 345, "Random Access Preface" And "random access response"). During this period, it is connected at the SDN switch 125. Packets received for UE 105 (e.g., packets from EPC 130) may be buffered at SDN switch 125 (at 350, "Packet Buffering"). According to the communication between the UE 105 and the target base station 320 according to the "RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete" message, the handover operation in the empty intermediate plane can be completed (at 355). Using the OF-w interface, the target base station 320 can transmit a "UL RRC Message Transfer" message to the controller 120 (at 360), and the controller 120 can again release the UE context from the source base station 310 (at 365, "UE context" freed").

控制器120可以藉由例如修改與SDN交換機125相關聯的路由表來修改SDN交換機125，以更新SDN交換機125，使得SDN交換機125將適當地把從目標基地台320接收到的交通流量轉送給EPC 130，並且，把從EPC 130接收到的交通流量轉送給目標基地台320(在370，「修改流量登錄」)。舉例而言，OF介面可以被用來將登錄添加至SDN交換機125的路由表，以將對應於UE 105及來自目標基地台320的交通流量轉送給EPC 130。 Controller 120 may modify SDN switch 125 to modify SDN switch 125 by, for example, modifying a routing table associated with SDN switch 125, such that SDN switch 125 will properly forward traffic received from target base station 320 to EPC. 130, and the traffic received from the EPC 130 is forwarded to the target base station 320 (at 370, "Modify Traffic Login"). For example, the OF interface can be used to add a login to the routing table of the SDN switch 125 to forward traffic corresponding to the UE 105 and from the target base station 320 to the EPC 130.

圖4是環境100的圖形，其特別繪示多個控制器120。如先前所述般，各控制器120可以控制多個基地台，其中，由特定控制器120控制的基地台集合於本文中可被稱為用於控制器120的虛擬基地台。在圖4中，顯示二個控制器120，被標示為控制器120-1及控制器120-2。此外，顯示四個基地台，被標示為基地台405-420。基地台405及410被繪示為與控制器120-1有聯繫，基地台420被繪示為與控制器120-2有聯繫。基地台415可以經 由控制平面訊息而連接至基地控制器120-1及120-2兩者。此基地台可以被視為在與控制器120-1及120-2兩者有聯繫的「控制器間交遞(HO)區」中(亦即，控制器120兩者皆可控制基地台415)。相反地，由於基地台405、410、及420可能僅由一個控制器所控制，所以，這些基地台可以被視為在「控制器內交遞(HO)區」中。可以藉由網路而靜態地決定(例如，由網路管理者來予以配置)或者動態地決定及配置特定的基地台是否有可能被連接至多個控制器120(控制器間HO區)或者被連接至單一控制器120。 4 is a diagram of an environment 100 that specifically illustrates a plurality of controllers 120. As previously described, each controller 120 can control a plurality of base stations, wherein the base stations controlled by the particular controller 120 can be referred to herein as virtual base stations for the controller 120. In Figure 4, two controllers 120 are shown, labeled as controller 120-1 and controller 120-2. In addition, four base stations are shown, labeled as base stations 405-420. Base stations 405 and 410 are shown in association with controller 120-1, which is shown in association with controller 120-2. Base station 415 can pass Both are connected to base controllers 120-1 and 120-2 by control plane messages. The base station can be considered to be in an "inter-controller handover (HO) zone" associated with both controllers 120-1 and 120-2 (i.e., both controllers 120 can control base station 415). ). Conversely, since base stations 405, 410, and 420 may be controlled by only one controller, these base stations may be considered to be in the "in-controller handover (HO) zone". It can be statically determined by the network (eg, configured by the network administrator) or dynamically determined and configured whether a particular base station is likely to be connected to multiple controllers 120 (inter-controller HO zone) or Connected to a single controller 120.

圖5是流程圖，其繪示用於在控制器間交遞情境中執行交遞操作的過程500。在下述說明中，「來源」一詞將用來意指：在網路交遞的情境中，於交遞操作開始時UE係與其有聯繫的開始網路裝置(亦即，基地台、控制器、或者SDN交換機)。類似地，「目標」一詞將用來意指：在網路交遞的情境中，於交遞操作完成時UE係與其有聯繫的結束網路裝置(亦即，基地台、控制器、或者SDN交換機)。 FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 500 for performing a handover operation in an inter-controller handover context. In the following description, the term "source" will be used to mean: in the context of network handover, the UE is connected to the network device at the beginning of the handover operation (ie, the base station, controller, Or SDN switch). Similarly, the term "target" will be used to mean: in the context of network handover, the UE terminates the network device (ie, base station, controller, or SDN) when the handover operation is completed. switch).

過程500包含決定交遞操作應該發生(區塊510)。對於過程500，假定交遞操作是控制器間交遞。亦即，來源基地台可以與不同的控制器120而不是目標基地台相關聯，或者，來源基地台可以是在控制器間交遞區中的基地台。舉例而言，假定UE 105係附接至基地台415並且與控制器120-1(來源控制器)有聯繫。控制器120-1可以 決定(例如，根據UE的歷史資料，包括軌跡、位置、速度、觀察到的鄰近基地台、等等)交遞是適當的且目標基地台是與控制器120-2(目標控制器)有聯繫的基地台420。 Process 500 includes deciding that a handover operation should occur (block 510). For process 500, it is assumed that the handover operation is inter-controller handover. That is, the source base station can be associated with a different controller 120 than the target base station, or the source base station can be a base station in the inter-controller handover area. For example, assume that the UE 105 is attached to the base station 415 and is associated with the controller 120-1 (source controller). Controller 120-1 can Decisions (eg, based on historical data of the UE, including trajectory, location, speed, observed neighboring base stations, etc.) handover is appropriate and the target base station is associated with controller 120-2 (target controller) Base station 420.

來源控制器可以傳送交遞請求給目標控制器(區塊520)。如同所述，目標控制器可以是控制器120-2。該請求可以指示控制器間交遞會發生。過程500又可包含使目標控制器(控制器120-2)與UE有聯繫，作為主動控制器(區塊530)。過程500又可包含使目標SDN交換機(例如，SDN交換機125-2)與UE有聯繫，作為主動交換機(區塊540)。在區塊520-540中執行的配置可以都在RAN的控制平面中被執行。 The source controller can transmit a handover request to the target controller (block 520). As mentioned, the target controller can be controller 120-2. The request can indicate that inter-controller handover will occur. Process 500, in turn, can include having the target controller (controller 120-2) contact the UE as an active controller (block 530). Process 500, in turn, can include having the target SDN switch (e.g., SDN switch 125-2) contact the UE as an active switch (block 540). The configurations performed in blocks 520-540 may all be performed in the control plane of the RAN.

過程500又可包含發訊EPC以請求交遞操作(區塊550)。舉例而言，目標控制器可以與EPC 130相通訊，例如與SGW 142及MME 144相通訊，以請求與遞交有關之EPC 130中的承載修改。 Process 500, in turn, can include a messaging EPC to request a handover operation (block 550). For example, the target controller can communicate with the EPC 130, such as with the SGW 142 and the MME 144, to request bearer modifications in the EPC 130 associated with the delivery.

在目標控制器及目標SDN交換器已被設定之後(區塊530及540)，如同參考圖2及3之上面所述般，交遞操作等同於控制器內交遞操作。過程500又可包含執行控制器內交遞程序(區塊560)。依此方式，可以執行來源與目標基地台之間的交遞。 After the target controller and the target SDN switch have been set (blocks 530 and 540), as described above with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the handover operation is equivalent to the intra-controller handover operation. Process 500, in turn, can include executing an inter-controller handover procedure (block 560). In this way, the handover between the source and the target base station can be performed.

圖6是訊號流程圖，其繪示舉例說明之涉及環境100中的不同裝置之控制器間交遞。控制器間交遞程序可以被分成二個階段。第一個階段包含與切換主動控制器120有 關的控制平面操作(並且，如果不同的SDN開關125係正由目標控制器所使用時，則切換SDN交換機)以及通知EPC 130。如同參考圖2及3所述般，第二個階段接著控制器內交遞操作之後。 6 is a signal flow diagram illustrating inter-controller handovers that illustrate different devices in the environment 100. The inter-controller handover procedure can be divided into two phases. The first phase contains and switches to the active controller 120 The closed control plane operates (and switches the SDN switch if a different SDN switch 125 is being used by the target controller) and notifies the EPC 130. As described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the second phase follows the intra-controller handover operation.

如圖6中所示，使用來源基地台415及來源SDN交換機125-1，UE 105可以初始地與EPC的SGW 142相通訊(在605，「封包資料」)。在某點，來源控制器120-1可以決定應被執行的交遞操作(在610，「HO決定」)。如同先前所述，交遞決定可以根據例如UE的軌跡、UE的位置、UE的速度、UE作的訊號強度測量、等等資訊。交遞決定可牽涉不同虛擬基地台中的基地台之間的交遞，例如，參考圖4，牽涉與二不同控制器120相關聯的基地台之交遞(例如，在來源基地台415與目標基地台420之間)。 As shown in FIG. 6, using source base station 415 and source SDN switch 125-1, UE 105 may initially communicate with EPC's SGW 142 (at 605, "Packet Data"). At some point, source controller 120-1 may determine the handover operation that should be performed (at 610, "HO Decision"). As previously described, the handover decision may be based on, for example, the trajectory of the UE, the location of the UE, the speed of the UE, the signal strength measurements made by the UE, and the like. The handover decision may involve handover between base stations in different virtual base stations, for example, with reference to Figure 4, involving the handover of base stations associated with two different controllers 120 (e.g., at source base station 415 and target base) Between stages 420).

來源控制器120-1可以傳送交遞請求給目標控制器120-2(在615，「交遞請求」)。可以經由RAN 110中的控制平面發訊而作出交遞請求。可由目標控制器120-2來確認交遞請求(在620，「交遞請求ACK」)。來源控制器120-1可以對來源基地台415指示要被使用於特定的UE之控制器及SDN交換機正被切換至目標控制器120-2、以及目標SDN交換機125-2(在625，「控制器及錨定交換機」)。目標控制器120-2可以對應地更新目標SDN交換機125-2以修改或增加用於對應於UE之交通流量的登錄(在630，「修改流量登錄」)。 Source controller 120-1 may transmit a handover request to target controller 120-2 (at 615, "Handover Request"). A handover request can be made via a control plane in the RAN 110. The handover request can be confirmed by the target controller 120-2 (at 620, "Handover Request ACK"). The source controller 120-1 may indicate to the source base station 415 that the controller and SDN switch to be used for the particular UE are being handed over to the target controller 120-2, and the target SDN switch 125-2 (at 625, "Control And anchor switch"). The target controller 120-2 may correspondingly update the target SDN switch 125-2 to modify or increase the login for the traffic flow corresponding to the UE (at 630, "Modify Traffic Login").

目標控制器120-2可以將交遞通知EPC 130。如同所示，目標控制器120-2可以傳送路徑切換請求給MME 144(在635，「路徑切換請求」)。為了回應，MME 144可以控制SGW 142以修改承載路徑(在640，「修改承載請求」)。SGW 142可以為承載而切換下行鏈路(DL)路徑(在142，「切換DL路徑」)。在此點，在SGW 142與UE 105之間傳輸的封包資料可以經由SDN交換機152-2及來源基地台415而傳送。下行鏈路路徑切換的確認可以傳回至目標控制器120-2(在655及660，「修改承載響應」及「路徑切換響應」)。在此點，目標控制器及目標SDN交換機會係UE 105有聯繫，並且，交遞程序可以如同在控制器內交遞程序中般地完成(參考圖2及3所述)(在665，「控制器內交遞程序」)。 The target controller 120-2 may notify the EPC 130 of the handover. As shown, target controller 120-2 may transmit a path switch request to MME 144 (at 635, "Path Switch Request"). In response, the MME 144 can control the SGW 142 to modify the bearer path (at 640, "Modify Bearer Request"). The SGW 142 can switch the downlink (DL) path for the bearer (at 142, "Switching the DL Path"). At this point, the packet data transmitted between the SGW 142 and the UE 105 can be transmitted via the SDN switch 152-2 and the source base station 415. The acknowledgment of the downlink path switch can be passed back to the target controller 120-2 (at 655 and 660, "Modify Bearer Response" and "Path Switch Response"). At this point, the target controller and the target SDN switch are associated with the UE 105, and the handover procedure can be completed as in the handover procedure within the controller (refer to Figures 2 and 3) (at 665, " In-controller handover procedure").

有了上述技術，可以以彈性方式採用高密度無線電存取網路，其中，由於交遞，可降低對核心網路發訊。特別是，可能僅控制器間交遞需要核心網路發訊。然而，在控制器的虛擬基地台內的交遞可以在RAN中被處理。 With the above technology, a high-density radio access network can be used in a flexible manner, in which the core network can be reduced due to handover. In particular, it may be that only inter-controller handover requires core network messaging. However, the handover within the virtual base station of the controller can be handled in the RAN.

本文中所使用之「電路」或「處理電路」一詞可意指或部份意指或包含執行一或多個軟體或韌體程式之特定應用積體電路(ASIC)、電子電路、處理器(共用、專用、或群組)、及/或記憶體(共用、專用、或群組)、結合的邏輯電路、及/或其它提供所述功能之適當的硬體組件。在某些實施例中，該電路可以與由一或多個軟體或韌體模組實施的電路相關聯地實施或作用。在某些實施例 中，該電路可包含邏輯，至少部份地可以以硬體來予以操作。 The term "circuit" or "processing circuit" as used herein may mean or partially mean or include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuit, processor that executes one or more software or firmware programs. (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group), combined logic, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the functionality. In some embodiments, the circuitry can be implemented or function in association with circuitry implemented by one or more software or firmware modules. In some embodiments The circuit can include logic that can be operated, at least in part, in hardware.

本文中所述的實施例可以被實施成使用任何適當配置的硬體及/或軟體之系統。圖7繪示用於一個實施例之舉例說明的電子裝置700的組件。在一個實施例中，電子裝置700可為UE、基地台、SDN交換機、控制器(例如，控制器120)、MME、PGW、或SGW。在某些實施例中，電子裝置700可包括至少如同所示地彼此耦合之應用電路702、基頻帶電路704、射頻(RF)電路706、前端模組(FEM)電路708、及一或多個天線760。在電子裝置700不需要無線電介面的實施例中(例如，資料閘道器、網路控制器、等等)，RF電路706、FEM電路708、及天線760可以被省略。在其它實施例中，該些電路中的任何電路可以被包含在不同裝置中。 The embodiments described herein can be implemented as a system using any suitably configured hardware and/or software. FIG. 7 illustrates components of an electronic device 700 for use in an exemplary embodiment. In one embodiment, electronic device 700 can be a UE, a base station, an SDN switch, a controller (eg, controller 120), an MME, a PGW, or an SGW. In some embodiments, electronic device 700 can include application circuit 702, baseband circuit 704, radio frequency (RF) circuit 706, front end module (FEM) circuit 708, and one or more coupled to each other at least as shown Antenna 760. In embodiments where the electronic device 700 does not require a radio interface (eg, a data gateway, network controller, etc.), the RF circuit 706, the FEM circuit 708, and the antenna 760 may be omitted. In other embodiments, any of the circuits may be included in different devices.

應用電路702可包含一或多個應用處理器。舉例而言，應用電路702包含但不限於例如一或多個單核心或多核心處理器等電路。處理器可包含通用處理器及專用處理器(例如，圖形處理器、應用處理器、等等)的任何組合。處理器可以與記憶體/儲存器相耦合及/或包含記憶體/儲存器以及配置成執行儲存在記憶體/儲存器中的指令以使各式各樣的應用及/或操作系統能夠在系統上運行。舉例而言，記憶體/儲存器可包含電腦可讀取媒體703，其為非暫態性電腦可讀取媒體。在某些實施例中，應用電路720可連接至或包含一或多個感測器，例如環境感測器、 相機、等等。 Application circuit 702 can include one or more application processors. For example, application circuit 702 includes, but is not limited to, circuitry such as one or more single core or multi-core processors. A processor can include any combination of general purpose processors and special purpose processors (eg, graphics processors, application processors, and so on). The processor can be coupled to the memory/storage and/or include a memory/storage and configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage to enable a wide variety of applications and/or operating systems to be Run on. For example, the memory/storage can include computer readable media 703, which is a non-transitory computer readable medium. In some embodiments, the application circuit 720 can be coupled to or include one or more sensors, such as an environmental sensor, Camera, and more.

基頻帶電路704可包含例如但不限於一或多個單核心或多核心處理器等電路。基頻帶電路704可包含一或多個基頻帶處理器及/或控制邏輯以處理從RF電路706的接收訊號路徑接收到的基頻帶訊號以及產生用於RF電路706的傳送訊號路徑之基頻帶訊號。為了產生及處理基頻帶訊號以及控制RF電路706的操作，基頻帶處理電路704可以與應用電路702介接。舉例而言，在某些實施例中，基頻帶電路704可以包含第二代(2G)基頻帶處理器704a、第三代(3G)基頻帶處理器704b、***(4G)基頻帶處理器704c、及/或用於其它現有世代、發展中或未來要發展的世代(例如，第5代(5G)、7G、等等)之其它基頻帶處理器704d。基頻帶電路704(例如，一或多個基頻帶處理器704a-d)可以處理能夠經由RF電路706而與一或多個無線電網路通訊之各式各樣的無線電控制功能。無線電控制功能可包含但不限於訊號調變/解調變、編碼/解碼、射頻偏移、等等。在某些實施例中，基頻帶電路704的功能可以由配置成執行儲存在記憶體/儲存器中的指令之記憶體/儲存裝置而被全部地或部份地實施。舉例而言，記憶體/儲存器包含非暫態性電腦可讀取媒體704h。 Baseband circuitry 704 can include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuit 704 can include one or more baseband processors and/or control logic to process the baseband signals received from the receive signal path of the RF circuitry 706 and to generate a baseband signal for the transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 706. . Baseband processing circuitry 704 can interface with application circuitry 702 for generating and processing baseband signals and controlling the operation of RF circuitry 706. For example, in some embodiments, baseband circuitry 704 can include a second generation (2G) baseband processor 704a, a third generation (3G) baseband processor 704b, and a fourth generation (4G) baseband processing. 704c, and/or other baseband processors 704d for other generations, developing or future generations (e.g., 5th generation (5G), 7G, etc.). Baseband circuitry 704 (e.g., one or more baseband processors 704a-d) can handle a wide variety of radio control functions capable of communicating with one or more radio networks via RF circuitry 706. Radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, radio frequency offset, and the like. In some embodiments, the functionality of the baseband circuitry 704 can be implemented in whole or in part by a memory/storage device configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage. For example, the memory/storage includes non-transitory computer readable media 704h.

在某些實施例中，基頻帶電路704的調變/解調變電路可包含快速傅立葉轉換(FFT)、預編碼、及/或星座映射/解映射(demapping)功能。在某些實施例中，基頻 帶電路704的編碼/解碼電路可包含卷積、咬尾卷積、加速、維特比(Viterbi)、及/或低密度同位檢查(LDPC)編碼器/解碼器功能。調變/解調變及編碼器/解碼器功能的實施例並不限於這些實例且在其它實施例中可以包含其它適當的功能。在某些實施例中，基頻帶電路704可包含例如演進通用陸地無線電存取網路(EUTRAN)協定之元件等協定堆疊的元件，舉例而言，包含實體(PHY)媒體接取控制(MAC)、無線電鏈路控制(RLC)、封包資料收歛協定(PDCP)、及/或無線電資源控制(RRC)元件。基頻帶電路704的中央處理單元(CPU)704e可以被配置成運行協定堆疊的元件以用於PHY、MAC、RLC、PDCP及/或RRC層的發訊。在某些實施例中，基頻帶電路可包含一或多個音頻數位訊號處理器(DSP)704f。音頻DSP 704f可以包含用於壓縮及解壓縮的元件及回聲消除，且在其它實施例中包含其它適當的處理元件。 In some embodiments, the modulation/demodulation transformer circuit of baseband circuit 704 can include fast Fourier transform (FFT), precoding, and/or constellation mapping/demapping functions. In some embodiments, the fundamental frequency The encoding/decoding circuitry with circuitry 704 may include convolution, tail biting convolution, acceleration, Viterbi, and/or low density parity check (LDPC) encoder/decoder functionality. Embodiments of modulation/demodulation and encoder/decoder functions are not limited to these examples and other suitable functions may be included in other embodiments. In some embodiments, baseband circuitry 704 can include components of an agreed stack, such as elements of an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN) protocol, including, for example, physical (PHY) media access control (MAC). , Radio Link Control (RLC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and/or Radio Resource Control (RRC) elements. The central processing unit (CPU) 704e of the baseband circuit 704 can be configured to run the elements of the protocol stack for signaling by the PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and/or RRC layers. In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry can include one or more audio digital signal processors (DSPs) 704f. Audio DSP 704f may include components for compression and decompression and echo cancellation, and other suitable processing elements are included in other embodiments.

在某些實施例中，基頻帶電路704可包含例如演進通用陸地無線電存取網路(EUTRAN)協定之元件等協定堆疊的元件，舉例而言，其包含實體(PHY)媒體接取控制(MAC)、無線電鏈路控制(RLC)、封包資料收歛協定(PDCP)、及/或無線電資源控制(RRC)元件。基頻帶電路704的中央處理單元(CPU)704e可以被配置成運行協定堆疊的元件以用於PHY、MAC、RLC、PDCP及/或RRC層的發訊。在某些實施例中，基頻帶電路可包含 一或多個音頻數位訊號處理器(DSP)704f。音頻DSP 704f可以包含用於壓縮/解壓縮的元件及回聲消除，且在其它實施例中包含其它適當的處理元件。 In some embodiments, baseband circuitry 704 may include elements of a protocol stack, such as elements of an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN) protocol, including, for example, physical (PHY) media access control (MAC) ), Radio Link Control (RLC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and/or Radio Resource Control (RRC) elements. The central processing unit (CPU) 704e of the baseband circuit 704 can be configured to run the elements of the protocol stack for signaling by the PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and/or RRC layers. In some embodiments, the baseband circuit can include One or more audio digital signal processor (DSP) 704f. Audio DSP 704f may include components for compression/decompression and echo cancellation, and other suitable processing elements are included in other embodiments.

基頻帶電路704又可包含記憶體/儲存器704g。記憶體/儲存器704g可被用來載入及儲存用於基頻帶電路704的處理器所執行的操作之資料及/或指令。記憶體/儲存器704g可特別地包含非暫態性記憶體。用於一個實施例之記憶體/儲存器可包含適當的依電性記憶體及/或非依電性記憶體之任何組合。記憶體/儲存器704g可包含不同等級的記憶體/儲存器之組合，其包含但不限於具有嵌入式軟體指令(例如，韌體)的唯讀記憶體(ROM)、隨機存取記憶體(例如，動態隨機存取記憶體(DRAM))、快取記憶體、緩衝器、等等。記憶體/儲存器704g可以在不同的處理器之間被共用或是專用於特定處理器。 Baseband circuit 704, in turn, can include a memory/storage 704g. Memory/storage 704g can be used to load and store data and/or instructions for operations performed by a processor of baseband circuitry 704. The memory/storage 704g may specifically comprise non-transitory memory. The memory/storage for one embodiment may comprise any combination of suitable electrical memory and/or non-electrical memory. The memory/storage 704g may include different levels of memory/storage combinations including, but not limited to, read only memory (ROM) with embedded software instructions (eg, firmware), random access memory ( For example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache memory, buffers, and the like. The memory/storage 704g can be shared between different processors or dedicated to a particular processor.

在某些實施例中，基頻帶電路的組件可以被適當地結合於單一晶片、單一晶片組中、或是被配置於相同的電路板上。在某些實施例中，基頻帶電路704及應用電路702的某些或全部構成組件可以被一起實施於例如系統晶片(SOC)上。 In some embodiments, the components of the baseband circuit can be suitably combined in a single wafer, in a single wafer set, or on the same circuit board. In some embodiments, some or all of the components of baseband circuit 704 and application circuit 702 can be implemented together on, for example, a system silicon (SOC).

在某些實施例中，基頻帶電路704可以提供可以與一或多個無線電技術並容的通訊。舉例而言，在某些實施例中，基頻帶電路704可支援與通用陸地無線電存取網路(EUTRAN)及/或其它無線都會區域網路(WMAN)、無線區域網路(WLAN)、無線個人區域網路(WPAN) 的通訊。基頻帶電路704被配置成支援一個以上的無線協定之無線電通訊的實施例稱為多模式基頻帶電路。 In some embodiments, baseband circuitry 704 can provide for communication with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, baseband circuitry 704 can support a common terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) and/or other wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) Communication. Embodiments of baseband circuitry 704 that are configured to support more than one wireless protocol for radio communication are referred to as multimode baseband circuitry.

使用經由非固態媒體之經過調變的電磁輻射，RF電路706能夠與無線網路通訊。在各式各樣的實施例中，RF電路706可包含開關、濾波器、放大器、等等，以助於與無線網路通訊。RF電路706可包含接收訊號路徑，接收訊號路徑包含電路以將從FEM電路708接收到的RF訊號降頻轉換以及提供基頻帶訊號給基頻帶電路704。RF電路706也可包含傳送訊號路徑，傳送訊號路徑包含電路以將基頻帶電路704提供的基頻帶訊號升頻轉換以及提供RF輸出訊號給FEM電路708以供傳輸用。 The RF circuit 706 is capable of communicating with the wireless network using modulated electromagnetic radiation via non-solid media. In various embodiments, RF circuit 706 can include switches, filters, amplifiers, and the like to facilitate communication with a wireless network. The RF circuit 706 can include a receive signal path that includes circuitry to downconvert the RF signal received from the FEM circuit 708 and provide a baseband signal to the baseband circuit 704. The RF circuit 706 can also include a transmit signal path that includes circuitry to upconvert the baseband signal provided by the baseband circuit 704 and provide RF output signals to the FEM circuit 708 for transmission.

在某些實施例中，RF電路706可以包含接收訊號路徑及傳送訊號路徑。RF電路706的接收訊號路徑可包含混合器電路706a、放大器電路706b及濾波器電路706c。RF電路706的傳送訊號路徑可包含濾波器電路706c及混合器電路706a。RF電路706也可包含合成器電路706d，用以合成由接收訊號路徑及傳送訊號路徑的混合器電路706a使用的頻率。在某些實施例中，接收訊號路徑的混合器電路706a可以被配置成根據合成器電路706d提供的合成頻率而將從FEM電路708接收到的RF訊號降頻轉換。放大器電路706b可以被配置成放大降頻轉換的訊號，並且，濾波器電路706c可以是低通濾波器(LPF)或是帶通濾波器(BPF)，係配置成從降頻轉換的訊號移除不必要的訊號以產生輸出基頻帶訊號。 In some embodiments, RF circuitry 706 can include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of RF circuit 706 can include mixer circuit 706a, amplifier circuit 706b, and filter circuit 706c. The transmit signal path of RF circuit 706 can include filter circuit 706c and mixer circuit 706a. The RF circuit 706 can also include a synthesizer circuit 706d for synthesizing the frequencies used by the mixer circuit 706a that receives the signal path and transmits the signal path. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 706a that receives the signal path can be configured to downconvert the RF signal received from the FEM circuit 708 based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuit 706d. The amplifier circuit 706b can be configured to amplify the downconverted signal, and the filter circuit 706c can be a low pass filter (LPF) or a band pass filter (BPF) configured to be removed from the down converted signal. Unnecessary signals to generate an output baseband signal.

輸出基頻帶訊號可以被提供給基頻帶電路704，以供進一步處理用。在某些實施例中，輸出基頻帶訊號可以是零頻率基頻帶訊號，但是，這並非必要的。在某些實施例中，接收訊號路徑的混合器電路706a可以包括被動混合器，但是，實施例的範圍不侷限於此。 The output baseband signal can be provided to baseband circuitry 704 for further processing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signal can be a zero frequency baseband signal, but this is not necessary. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 706a that receives the signal path can include a passive mixer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

在各式各樣的實施例中，當電子裝置700被實施成基地台或是控制器的部分時，電子裝置700可以包含用來控制UE的行動力之設備。電子裝置可包含交遞電路、或其它邏輯用以：決定UE應否從來源(服務)基地台切換；決定來源基地台是否在控制器內交遞區之內或是在控制器間交遞區內；選取用於要切換之UE的目標基地台或目標控制器中之一或多個；以及，致使UE與服務基地台之間的連接切換至目標基地台。 In various embodiments, when the electronic device 700 is implemented as a base station or part of a controller, the electronic device 700 can include a device for controlling the mobility of the UE. The electronic device may include a handover circuit, or other logic for determining whether the UE should switch from the source (service) base station; determining whether the source base station is within the handover area of the controller or the handover area between the controllers Selecting one or more of the target base stations or target controllers for the UE to be handed over; and causing the connection between the UE and the serving base station to switch to the target base station.

在某些實施例中，傳送訊號路徑的混合器電路706a可以被配置成根據合成器電路706d提供的合成頻率來升頻轉換輸入基頻帶訊號以產生用於FEM電路708的RF輸出訊號。基頻帶訊號可由基頻帶電路704所提供以及可由濾波器電路706c所濾波。濾波器電路706c包含低通濾波器(LPF)，但是，實施例的範圍不侷限於此。 In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 706a that transmits the signal path can be configured to upconvert the input baseband signal based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuit 706d to generate an RF output signal for the FEM circuit 708. The baseband signal can be provided by baseband circuitry 704 and can be filtered by filter circuitry 706c. The filter circuit 706c includes a low pass filter (LPF), but the scope of the embodiment is not limited thereto.

在某些實施例中，接收訊號路徑的混合器電路706a及傳送訊號路徑的混合器電路706a可包含二或更多個混合器並且可分別被配置成用於正交降頻轉換及/或升頻轉換。在某些實施例中，接收訊號路徑的混合器電路706a及傳送訊號路徑的混合器電路706a可包含二或更多個混 合器且可被配置成用於影像拒斥(例如，哈特雷(Hartley)影像拒斥)。在某些實施例中，接收訊號路徑的混合器電路706a及傳送訊號路徑的混合器電路706a可以分別被配置成用於直接降頻轉換及/或直接升頻轉換。在某些實施例中，接收訊號路徑的混合器電路706a及傳送訊號路徑的混合器電路706a可以被配置成用於超異差式操作。 In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 706a that receives the signal path and the mixer circuit 706a that transmits the signal path can include two or more mixers and can be configured for quadrature down conversion and/or liter, respectively. Frequency conversion. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 706a that receives the signal path and the mixer circuit 706a that transmits the signal path can include two or more hybrids. The combiner can be configured for image rejection (eg, Hartley image rejection). In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 706a that receives the signal path and the mixer circuit 706a that transmits the signal path can each be configured for direct down conversion and/or direct up conversion. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 706a that receives the signal path and the mixer circuit 706a that transmits the signal path can be configured for super-heterodyne operation.

在某些實施例中，輸出基頻帶訊號及輸入基頻帶訊號可以是類比基頻帶訊號，但是，實施例的範圍不侷限於此。在某些替代實施例中，輸出基頻帶訊號及輸入基頻帶訊號可以是數位基頻帶訊號。在這些替代實施例中，RF電路706可包含類比對數位轉換器(ADC)及數位對類比轉換器(DAC)電路，並且，基頻帶電路704可包含數位基頻帶介面以與RF電路706通訊。 In some embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be analog baseband signals, but the scope of the embodiments is not limited thereto. In some alternative embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal can be digital baseband signals. In these alternate embodiments, RF circuit 706 can include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit, and baseband circuit 704 can include a digital baseband interface to communicate with RF circuitry 706.

在某些雙模式實施例中，可以提供分別的無線電IC電路以處理各頻譜訊號，但是，實施例的範圍不侷限於此。 In some dual mode embodiments, separate radio IC circuits may be provided to process the various spectral signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

在某些實施例中，合成器電路706d可為分數N合成器或是分數N/N+6合成器，但是，實施例的範圍不侷限於此，其它型式的頻率合成器可以適用。舉例而言，合成器電路706d可為差和合成器、倍頻器、或是包括設有分頻器的鎖相迴路之合成器。 In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuit 706d can be a fractional-N synthesizer or a fractional N/N+6 synthesizer, however, the scope of the embodiments is not limited thereto, and other types of frequency synthesizers are applicable. For example, synthesizer circuit 706d can be a difference and synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer that includes a phase locked loop with a frequency divider.

根據頻率輸入及除法器控制輸入，合成器電路706d可以被配置成合成輸出頻率以由RF電路706的混合器電 路706a使用。在某些實施例中，合成器電路706d可為分數N/N+6合成器。 Based on the frequency input and the divider control input, synthesizer circuit 706d can be configured to synthesize the output frequency to be powered by the mixer of RF circuit 706. Road 706a is used. In some embodiments, synthesizer circuit 706d can be a fractional N/N+6 synthesizer.

在某些實施例中，頻率輸入可由電壓控制振盪器(VOC)來予以提供，但是，這並非必須的。取決於所需的輸出頻率，除法器控制輸入可由基頻帶電704或是應用處理器702來予以提供。在某些實施例中，根據應用處理器702指示的通道，從查詢表決定除法器控制輸入(例如，N)。 In some embodiments, the frequency input can be provided by a voltage controlled oscillator (VOC), but this is not required. The divider control input can be provided by baseband power 704 or application processor 702 depending on the desired output frequency. In some embodiments, the divider control input (eg, N) is determined from the lookup table based on the channel indicated by the application processor 702.

RF電路706的合成器電路706d可包含除法器、延遲鎖住迴路(DLL)、乘法器及相位累積器。在某些實施例中，除法器可為雙模數除法器(DMD)，相位累積器可為數位相位累積器(DPA)。在某些實施例中，DMD可被配置成將輸入訊號除以N或N+6(例如，根據進位輸出)以提供分數除法比例。在某些舉例說明的實施例中，DLL包含串級的、可調諧的、延遲元件、相位偵測器、電荷泵及D型正反器。在這些實施例中，延遲元件可以被配置成將VCO週期分成Nd個相等的相位封包，其中，Nd是延遲線中的延遲元件的數目。依此方式，DLL提供負回饋以幫助確保經過延遲線的總延遲是一個VCO循環。 The synthesizer circuit 706d of the RF circuit 706 can include a divider, a delay locked loop (DLL), a multiplier, and a phase accumulator. In some embodiments, the divider can be a dual modulus divider (DMD) and the phase accumulator can be a digital phase accumulator (DPA). In some embodiments, the DMD can be configured to divide the input signal by N or N+6 (eg, based on the carry output) to provide a fractional division ratio. In certain illustrative embodiments, the DLL includes a cascade, tunable, delay element, phase detector, charge pump, and D-type flip-flop. In these embodiments, the delay element can be configured to divide the VCO period into Nd equal phase packets, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. In this way, the DLL provides a negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is a VCO cycle.

在某些實施例中，合成器電路706d可以被配置成產生載頻作為輸出頻率，而在其它實施例中，輸出頻率可為載頻的倍數(例如，載頻的二倍、四倍)且配合正交產生器及除法器電路使用，以產生在具有彼此不同的多個相位之載頻的多個訊號。在某些實施例中，輸出頻率可為LO 頻率(fLO)。在某些實施例中，RF電路706可包含IQ/極性轉換器。 In some embodiments, synthesizer circuit 706d can be configured to generate a carrier frequency as an output frequency, while in other embodiments, the output frequency can be a multiple of a carrier frequency (eg, twice, four times the carrier frequency) and The quadrature generator and the divider circuit are used in combination to generate a plurality of signals having carrier frequencies of a plurality of phases different from each other. In some embodiments, the output frequency can be LO Frequency (fLO). In some embodiments, RF circuit 706 can include an IQ/polarity converter.

FEM電路708可包含接收訊號路徑，接收訊號路徑可包含電路，其係配置成對從一或多個天線760接收到的RF訊號操作、修改接收的訊號及提供接收訊號的放大版本給RF電路706以供進一步處理用。FEM電路708也可包含傳送訊號路徑，傳送訊號路徑可包含電路，其係配置成放大RF電路706提供之用於傳輸的訊號以用於由一或多個天線760中之一或多個傳送。 The FEM circuit 708 can include a receive signal path, and the receive signal path can include circuitry configured to operate on the RF signal received from the one or more antennas 760, modify the received signal, and provide an amplified version of the received signal to the RF circuit 706. For further processing. The FEM circuit 708 can also include a transmit signal path, which can include circuitry configured to amplify the signals provided by the RF circuit 706 for transmission for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas 760.

在某些實施例中，FEM電路708可包含TX/RX切換器以在傳送模式與接收模式操作之間切換。FEM電路可包含接收訊號路徑及傳送訊號路徑。FEM電路的接收訊號路徑可包含低雜訊放大器(LNA)以放大接收到的RF訊號以及提供放大的接收到的RF訊號作為輸出(例如，提供給RF電路706)。FEM電路708的傳送訊號路徑包含功率放大器(PA)以放大輸入的RF訊號(例如，由RF電路706提供)，以及一或多個濾波器以產生用於後續傳輸的RF訊號(例如，由一或多個天線760中之一或多個傳送)。 In some embodiments, FEM circuit 708 can include a TX/RX switch to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEM circuit can include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuit can include a low noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify the received RF signal and provide an amplified received RF signal as an output (e.g., to RF circuit 706). The transmit signal path of FEM circuit 708 includes a power amplifier (PA) to amplify the input RF signal (eg, provided by RF circuit 706), and one or more filters to generate an RF signal for subsequent transmission (eg, by a Or one or more of the plurality of antennas 760 are transmitted).

在某些實施例中，電子裝置700可包含例如記憶體/儲存器、顯示器、相機、感測器、及/或輸入/輸出(I/O)介面等增加的元件。在某些實施例中，圖7的電子裝置可以被配置成執行例如此處說明的一或多種方法，及/或技術。 In some embodiments, electronic device 700 can include additional components such as a memory/storage, display, camera, sensor, and/or input/output (I/O) interface. In some embodiments, the electronic device of FIG. 7 can be configured to perform one or more methods, and/or techniques, such as those described herein.

於下將說明與上述技術的實施有關之多個實例。 A number of examples related to the implementation of the above techniques will be described below.

在第1實例中，用於蜂巢式通訊網路的無線電存取網路(RAN)之控制器裝置可包含電路，用以：接收與使用者設備(UE)對RAN中之多個基地台的來源基地台的連通性強度有關之測量資訊；根據接收到的測量資訊，決定執行交遞操作；以及，當來源基地台與RAN中的第二控制器裝置有聯繫時，執行控制器間交遞操作，其中，電路又用以：將第二控制器裝置決定作為UE即將要與其有聯繫的控制器裝置，以及，與第二控制器裝置相通訊，以將UE的聯繫從控制器裝置切換至第二控制器裝置。 In a first example, a controller device for a radio access network (RAN) of a cellular communication network can include circuitry for receiving a source of user equipment (UE) to a plurality of base stations in the RAN Measurement information related to the connectivity strength of the base station; determining to perform the handover operation according to the received measurement information; and performing the inter-controller handover operation when the source base station is associated with the second controller device in the RAN The circuit is further configured to: determine, by the second controller device, a controller device to which the UE is to be associated, and communicate with the second controller device to switch the UE's contact from the controller device to the first Two controller devices.

在實例2中，實例1的專利標的、或任何本文中的實例可又包含：其中，電路又用以：儲存多個基地台對該多個基地台對其有聯繫之控制器裝置的聯繫，該多個基地台中的至少某些基地台與控制器裝置有聯繫，以及該多個基地台中的其它基地台與控制器裝置及RAN中的第二控制器裝置有聯繫；以及，當來源基地台與控制器裝置有聯繫且不與第二控制器裝置有聯繫時，執行控制器內交遞操作，其中，電路又用以：決定交遞操作完成之後UE要附接至其的目標基地台，修改RAN中之軟體定義網路(SDN)交換機的配置以表示與UE的交通流量應經由SDN交換機及目標基地台而與蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份相通訊。 In Example 2, the patent of Example 1, or any of the examples herein may further include: wherein the circuit is further configured to: store a plurality of base stations to contact the controller devices to which the plurality of base stations are associated, At least some of the plurality of base stations are associated with the controller device, and the other base stations of the plurality of base stations are associated with the controller device and the second controller device of the RAN; and, when the source base station Performing an intra-controller handover operation when associated with the controller device and not in contact with the second controller device, wherein the circuit is further configured to: determine a target base station to which the UE is to be attached after the handover operation is completed, The configuration of the software-defined networking (SDN) switch in the RAN is modified to indicate that traffic with the UE should communicate with the core portion of the cellular communication network via the SDN switch and the target base station.

在實例3中，實例1或2的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，經由控制平面介面來執行SDN 交換機的測量資訊及配置。 In Example 3, the patent of Example 1 or 2, or any of the examples herein may further comprise: wherein SDN is performed via a control plane interface Measurement information and configuration of the switch.

在實例4中，實例1或2的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，電路又用以：在控制器間交遞操作期間，將交遞操作通知蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份，以及，在控制器內交遞操作期間不要通知蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份。 In Example 4, the patent of Example 1 or 2, or any of the examples herein may further include: wherein the circuit is further configured to: notify the core of the cellular communication network of the handover operation during the inter-controller handover operation In part, and not to notify the core of the cellular communication network during handover operations within the controller.

在實例5中，實例4的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，通知蜂巢式網路的核心部份包含將路徑切換請求傳送給行動管理實體(MME)。 In Example 5, the patent of Example 4, or any of the examples herein, may further include: wherein notifying the core portion of the cellular network includes transmitting a path switch request to a Mobility Management Entity (MME).

在實例6中，實例1或2的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，測量資訊包含由UE所取得並且從來源基地台經由控制平面介面而轉送至控制裝置之測量資訊。 In Example 6, the patent of Example 1 or 2, or any of the examples herein, may further comprise: wherein the measurement information comprises measurement information obtained by the UE and forwarded from the source base station to the control device via the control plane interface.

在實例7中，實例2的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，目標基地台的決定包含根據與多個基地台有關的負載資訊而決定最佳的目標基地台。 In Example 7, the patent of Example 2, or any of the examples herein, may further include: wherein the decision of the target base station includes determining the best target base station based on load information associated with the plurality of base stations.

在實例8中，實例2的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，SDN交換機的配置包含刪除對SDN交換機之一或多個交通流量登錄，以致使在SDN交換機處與交通登錄相關聯的封包之緩衝。 In Example 8, the patent of Example 2, or any of the examples herein, may further include: wherein the configuration of the SDN switch includes deleting one or more traffic flow logins to the SDN switch, such that the traffic is logged in at the SDN switch The buffer of the associated packet.

在實例9中，實例8的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，對SDN交換機的修改又包含增加對SDN交換機的交通流量登錄以致使交通流量與目標基地台相通訊。 In Example 9, the patent of Example 8, or any of the examples herein, may further include: wherein the modification to the SDN switch further includes increasing traffic flow registration to the SDN switch to cause traffic flow to communicate with the target base station.

在實例10中，實例8或9的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，對SDN交換機的修改係經由RAN中的控制平面來予以執行。 In Example 10, the patent of Example 8 or 9 or any of the examples herein may further comprise: wherein the modification of the SDN switch is performed via a control plane in the RAN.

在第11實例中，電腦可讀取媒體，其含有程式指令，用來致使與用於蜂巢式通訊網路的無線電存取網路(RAN)之控制器裝置相關聯的一或多個處理器用以：儲存控制器裝置於其有聯繫之RAN中的多個基地台的指示，多個基地台中至少某些基地台是與控制器裝置有聯繫，以及多個基地台中的其它基地台與控制器裝置及RAN中的第二控制器裝置有聯繫；接收使用者設備(UE)對該RAN中之多個基地台且該UE係附接至其的來源基地台之連通性強度有關的測量資訊；當來源基地台與RAN中的另一控制器裝置有聯繫時，根據接收到的測量資訊而決定執行交遞操作作為控制器間交遞操作，其中，作為控制器間交遞性能的部份，該一或多個處理器又用以：將第二控制器裝置決定作為UE即將要與其聯繫的控制器裝置，以及與第二控制器裝置相通訊以將UE的聯繫從控制器裝置切換至第二控制器裝置，在相關於RAN的空氣介面而執行交遞操作之前以及在相關於蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份而執行交遞操作之前，先執行UE的聯繫從控制器裝置至第二控制器裝置之切換。 In an eleventh example, a computer readable medium containing program instructions for causing one or more processors associated with a controller device of a Radio Access Network (RAN) for a cellular communication network to : an indication that the storage controller device is in a plurality of base stations in its associated RAN, at least some of the plurality of base stations are associated with the controller device, and other base stations and controller devices of the plurality of base stations Corresponding to the second controller device in the RAN; receiving measurement information related to the connectivity strength of the user equipment (UE) to the plurality of base stations in the RAN and the source base station to which the UE is attached; When the source base station is associated with another controller device in the RAN, it is decided to perform the handover operation as the inter-controller handover operation according to the received measurement information, wherein, as part of the handover performance between the controllers, The one or more processors are further configured to: determine the second controller device as a controller device to which the UE is to be contacted, and communicate with the second controller device to switch the UE's contact from the controller device to the first The controller device performs the contact of the UE from the controller device to the second controller before performing the handover operation in relation to the air interface of the RAN and before performing the handover operation in relation to the core portion of the cellular communication network Switching of the device.

在實例12中，實例11的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，程式指令又致使一或多個處理器用以：當來源基地台未與RAN中的另一控制器裝置有聯繫 時，根據接收到的測量資訊而決定執行交遞操作作為控制器內交遞操作，其中，一或多個處理器又用以：決定交遞操作完成之後UE要附接至其的目標基地台，以及修改RAN中軟體定義網路(SDN)交換機的配置，以表示與UE的交通流量應經由SDN交換機及目標基地台而與蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份相通訊。 In Example 12, the patent of Example 11, or any of the examples herein, may further include: wherein the program instructions in turn cause one or more processors to: when the source base station is not associated with another controller device in the RAN contact And determining, according to the received measurement information, performing the handover operation as an intra-controller handover operation, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine a target base station to which the UE is to be attached after the handover operation is completed And modifying the configuration of the software-defined networking (SDN) switch in the RAN to indicate that traffic with the UE should communicate with the core portion of the cellular communication network via the SDN switch and the target base station.

在實例13中，實例12的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，經由控制平面介面而執行SDN交換機的測量資訊及配置。 In Example 13, the patent of Example 12, or any of the examples herein, may further comprise: wherein the measurement information and configuration of the SDN switch is performed via a control plane interface.

在實例14中，實例12的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，程式指令又致使一或多個處理器用以：在控制器間交遞操作期間，將交遞操作通知蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份，以及，在控制器內交遞操作期間不要通知蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份。 In Example 14, the patent of Example 12, or any of the examples herein, can further include: wherein the program instructions, in turn, cause one or more processors to: notify the hive of the handover operation during the inter-controller handover operation The core part of the communication network, and the core part of the cellular communication network should not be notified during handover operations within the controller.

在實例15中，實例14的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，通知蜂巢式網路的核心部份包含將路徑切換請求傳送給行動管理實體(MME)。 In Example 15, the patent of Example 14, or any of the examples herein, can further include: wherein notifying the core portion of the cellular network includes transmitting a path switch request to a Mobility Management Entity (MME).

在實例16中，實例12的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，測量資訊包含由UE所取得並且從來源基地台經由控制平面介面而轉送至控制裝置之測量資訊。 In Example 16, the patent of Example 12, or any of the examples herein, can further include: wherein the measurement information includes measurement information obtained by the UE and forwarded from the source base station to the control device via the control plane interface.

在實例17中，實例12的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，目標基地台的決定包含根據與多個基地台有關的負載資訊而決定最佳的目標基地台。 In Example 17, the patent of Example 12, or any of the examples herein, can further include: wherein the decision of the target base station includes determining the best target base station based on load information associated with the plurality of base stations.

在實例18中，實例12的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，對SDN交換機的修改包含刪除對SDN交換機之一或多個交通流量登錄，以致使在SDN交換機與交通登錄相關聯的封包之緩衝。 In Example 18, the patent of Example 12, or any of the examples herein, may further include: wherein the modification to the SDN switch includes deleting one or more traffic flow logins to the SDN switch, such that the SDN switch and the traffic log in The buffer of the associated packet.

在實例19中，實例18的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，對SDN交換機的修改又包含增加對SDN交換機的交通流量登錄以致使交通流量與目標基地台相通訊。 In Example 19, the patent of Example 18, or any of the examples herein, may further include: wherein the modification to the SDN switch further includes increasing traffic flow registration to the SDN switch to cause traffic flow to communicate with the target base station.

在第20實例中，用於蜂巢式通訊網路的基地台包括：無線電介面，用以連接至使用者設備(UE)裝置；控制平面介面，用以連接至用於蜂巢式通訊網路的無線電存取網路(RAN)的控制器裝置；資料平面介面到RAN中之軟體定義網路(SDN)交換機；以及，處理電路用以：將透過無線電介面而從複數個UE裝置中的特定UE接收到的無線電資源控制(RRC)層測量報告解碼，測量報告指示特定UE對基地台的連通性強度；致使將測量報告經由控制平面介面而提供給控制器裝置；致使接收到的使用者平面資料經由資料平面介面而傳送給蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份；處理來自控制器裝置的指示以執行特定UE與第二基地台的交遞；以及，促使RRC連接重配置訊息經由無線電介面而傳送至特定UE，以致使特定UE開始與第二基地台的通訊。 In a twentieth example, a base station for a cellular communication network includes: a radio interface for connecting to a User Equipment (UE) device; and a control plane interface for connecting to a radio access for a cellular communication network a network (RAN) controller device; a data plane interface to a software-defined network (SDN) switch in the RAN; and processing circuitry for: receiving from a particular UE of the plurality of UE devices over a radio interface Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer measurement report decoding, the measurement report indicating the strength of connectivity of the specific UE to the base station; causing the measurement report to be provided to the controller device via the control plane interface; causing the received user plane data to pass through the data plane The interface is transmitted to a core portion of the cellular communication network; processing an indication from the controller device to perform handover of the specific UE with the second base station; and causing the RRC connection reconfiguration message to be transmitted to the specific UE via the radio interface, So that a specific UE starts communication with the second base station.

在實例21中，實例20的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，經由控制平面介面而接收用以執行 交遞操作的指示。 In Example 21, the patent of Example 20, or any of the examples herein, may further comprise: wherein receiving is performed via a control plane interface for execution An indication of the handover operation.

在實例22中，實例20的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，控制器平面介面包含OpenFlow式介面。 In Example 22, the patent of Example 20, or any of the examples herein, may further comprise: wherein the controller plane interface comprises an OpenFlow-style interface.

在實例23中，實例20的專利標的、或本文中的任何實例可又包含：其中，控制平面介面使基地台連接至RAN中的多個控制器裝置。 In Example 23, the subject matter of Example 20, or any of the examples herein, can further include: wherein the control plane interface connects the base station to a plurality of controller devices in the RAN.

在第24實例中，用於蜂巢式通訊網路的基地台可包括：資料平面介面機構，用來實施用於蜂巢式通訊網路的無線電存取網路(RAN)中的軟體定義網路(SDN)交換機之資料平面介面；以及，用於經由無線電介面而從特定的使用者設備(UE)裝置接收標示特定UE對基地台的連通性強度之無線電資源控制(RRC)層測量報告的機構；提供機構，用以提供測量報告給用於蜂巢式通訊網路的RAN之控制器裝置；用以經由無線電介面而從特定UE接收使用者平面資料的機構；用以經由資料平面介面而傳送接收到的使用者平面資料給蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份之機構；用以從控制器裝置及根據提供的測量報告而接收用以執行特定UE與第二基地台的交遞之指示的機構；以及，用以經由無線電介面而傳送RRC連接重配置訊息給特定UE以致使特定UE開始與第二基地台的通訊以回應用以執行交遞之指示的機構。 In the twenty-fourth example, the base station for the cellular communication network may include: a data plane interface mechanism for implementing a software defined network (SDN) in a radio access network (RAN) for a cellular communication network. a data plane interface of the switch; and means for receiving, by the radio interface, a radio resource control (RRC) layer measurement report indicating a strength of connectivity of the specific UE to the base station from a specific user equipment (UE) device; a controller device for providing a measurement report to the RAN for the cellular communication network; a mechanism for receiving user plane data from the specific UE via the radio interface; for transmitting the received user via the data plane interface a mechanism for the planar data to be a core portion of the cellular communication network; means for receiving an indication from the controller device and for performing the handover of the specific UE and the second base station based on the provided measurement report; Transmitting an RRC connection reconfiguration message to a specific UE via a radio interface to cause a specific UE to initiate communication with the second base station in response to performing handover Instructed agency.

在實例25中，實例24的專利標的、或是本文中的任何標的，其中，經由控制平面介面而接收用以執行交遞操 作的指示。 In Example 25, the subject matter of Example 24, or any of the subject matter herein, wherein receiving is performed via a control plane interface to perform a handover operation Instructions for making.

在實例26中，實例24的專利標的、或是本文中的任何標的，其中，控制平面介面包含OpenFlow式介面。 In Example 26, the patent of Example 24, or any of the subject matter herein, wherein the control plane interface comprises an OpenFlow-type interface.

在前述說明中，參考附圖，說明各式各樣的實施例。但是，清楚可知，在不悖離後述申請專利範圍中揭示的較廣範圍之下，可對其作各式各樣的修改及變化，以及實施增加的實施例。說明書及圖式因而被視為說明性的而非限定性的。 In the foregoing description, various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be made in the various embodiments disclosed in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting.

舉例而言，雖然參考圖2、3、5、及6而說明訊號及/或操作系列，但是，在其它實施中，可以修改訊號的順序。此外，可以平行地執行非相依訊號。 For example, although the signal and/or series of operations are described with reference to Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6, in other implementations, the order of the signals can be modified. In addition, non-dependent signals can be executed in parallel.

清楚可知，可以以圖中所示的實施中很多不同形式的軟體、韌體、及硬體，實施如上所述的舉例說明的態樣。用以實施這些態樣的真正軟體碼或特定的控制硬體不應被解釋為限定性的。因此，未參考特定軟體碼，說明態樣的操作及表現，須瞭解，根據本文中的說明，軟體及控制硬體可以被設計成實施這些態樣。 It will be apparent that the illustrative aspects described above can be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardware in the implementations shown in the figures. The true software code or specific control hardware used to implement these aspects should not be construed as limiting. Therefore, without reference to a particular software code, to illustrate the operation and performance of the aspects, it is to be understood that the software and control hardware can be designed to implement these aspects in accordance with the teachings herein.

即使特點的特定組合載述在申請專利範圍中及/或揭示於說明書中，這些結合也不是限定性的。事實上，這些特點中的很多特點可以以申請專利範圍中未具體載述及/或說明書中未具體揭示的方式結合。 These combinations are not limiting, even if a particular combination of features is recited in the scope of the patent application and/or disclosed in the specification. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the scope of the claims and/or not specifically disclosed in the specification.

除非明確說明，否則本申請案中使用的元件、動作、或指令都不應被解釋為關鍵的或必要的。本文中使用「及(and)」一詞的情形中並不一定在該情形中排除「及/或 (and/or)」文句的解釋。類似地，本文中使用「或(or)」一詞的情形中並不一定在該情形中排除「及/或(and/or)」文句的解釋。而且，如同本文中使用般，冠詞「a」是要包含一或多個，且可與「一或多個」之字句互換使用。其中，僅要意指一項時，會使用「一個(one)」、「單一(single)」、「唯一(only)」或類似的語言。 No element, act, or instruction used in this application should be construed as critical or essential. The use of the term "and" in this document does not necessarily exclude "and/or" in this case. (and/or) Interpretation of the sentence. Similarly, the use of the term "or" in this context does not necessarily exclude the interpretation of the "and/or (or)" sentence in this case. Moreover, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more, and may be used interchangeably with the word "one or more". Among them, when you only want one item, you will use "one", "single", "only" or similar language.

100‧‧‧環境 100‧‧‧ Environment

105‧‧‧使用者設備 105‧‧‧User equipment

110‧‧‧無線電存取網路 110‧‧‧radio access network

112‧‧‧大型基地台 112‧‧‧ Large base station

114‧‧‧小型基地台 114‧‧‧Small base station

120‧‧‧控制器 120‧‧‧ Controller

125‧‧‧軟體定義網路交換機 125‧‧‧Software-defined network switches

130‧‧‧演進封包核心 130‧‧‧Evolution Packet Core

142‧‧‧服務閘道器 142‧‧‧service gateway

144‧‧‧行動管理實體 144‧‧‧Action Management Entity

146‧‧‧封包資料網路閘道器 146‧‧‧Package data network gateway

Claims (23)

一種用於蜂巢式通訊網路之無線電存取網路(RAN)的控制器裝置，該控制器裝置包括電路，用以：接收與使用者設備(UE)對該RAN中之多個基地台的來源基地台的連通性強度有關之測量資訊；根據該接收到的測量資訊，決定執行交遞操作；以及當該來源基地台與該RAN中的第二控制器裝置有聯繫時，執行控制器間交遞操作，其中，該電路又用以：將該第二控制器裝置決定作為該UE即將要與其聯繫的控制器裝置，以及與該第二控制器裝置相通訊，以將該UE的聯繫從該控制器裝置切換至該第二控制器裝置。 A controller device for a radio access network (RAN) of a cellular communication network, the controller device comprising circuitry for receiving a source with a user equipment (UE) for a plurality of base stations in the RAN Measurement information related to the connectivity strength of the base station; determining, according to the received measurement information, performing a handover operation; and performing inter-controller handover when the source base station is associated with the second controller device in the RAN Handing operation, wherein the circuit is further configured to: determine the second controller device as a controller device to which the UE is to be contacted, and communicate with the second controller device to contact the UE from the The controller device switches to the second controller device. 如申請專利範圍第1項的控制器裝置，其中，該電路又用以：儲存該多個基地台對該多個基地台對其有聯繫之控制器裝置的聯繫，該多個基地台中的至少某些基地台與該控制器裝置有聯繫，以及該多個基地台中的其它基地台與該控制器裝置及該RAN中的該第二控制器裝置有聯繫；以及當該來源基地台與該控制器裝置有聯繫且不與該第二控制器裝置有聯繫時，執行控制器內交遞操作，其中，該電路又用以：決定該交遞操作完成之後該UE要附接至其的目標基地台，以及 修改該RAN中之軟體定義網路(SDN)交換機的配置，以表示與該UE的交通流量應經由該SDN交換機及該目標基地台而與該蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份相通訊。 The controller device of claim 1, wherein the circuit is further configured to: store, by the plurality of base stations, a connection of a controller device to which the plurality of base stations are associated, at least one of the plurality of base stations Some base stations are associated with the controller device, and other base stations of the plurality of base stations are associated with the controller device and the second controller device of the RAN; and when the source base station and the control Performing an intra-controller handover operation when the device is in contact and not in contact with the second controller device, wherein the circuit is further configured to: determine a target base to which the UE is to be attached after the handover operation is completed Taiwan, and Modifying the configuration of the software-defined networking (SDN) switch in the RAN to indicate that traffic with the UE should communicate with the core portion of the cellular communication network via the SDN switch and the target base station. 如申請專利範圍第1項的控制器裝置，其中，經由控制平面介面來執行該SDN交換機的該測量資訊及該配置。 The controller device of claim 1, wherein the measurement information of the SDN switch and the configuration are performed via a control plane interface. 如申請專利範圍第1項的控制器裝置，其中，該電路又用以：在控制器間交遞操作期間，將該交遞操作通知該蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份，以及，在控制器內交遞操作期間不要通知該蜂巢式通訊網路的該核心部份。 The controller device of claim 1, wherein the circuit is further configured to: notify the core portion of the cellular communication network, and the controller during the inter-controller handover operation Do not notify the core portion of the cellular communication network during intra-delivery operations. 如申請專利範圍第4項的控制器裝置，其中，通知該蜂巢式網路的該核心部份包含將路徑切換請求傳送給行動管理實體(MME)。 The controller device of claim 4, wherein the notifying the core portion of the cellular network comprises transmitting a path switch request to a mobility management entity (MME). 如申請專利範圍第1項的控制器裝置，其中，該測量資訊包含由該UE所取得並且從該來源基地台經由控制平面介面而轉送至該控制裝置之測量資訊。 The controller device of claim 1, wherein the measurement information comprises measurement information obtained by the UE and transferred from the source base station to the control device via a control plane interface. 如申請專利範圍第2項的控制器裝置，其中，該目標基地台的該決定包含根據與該多個基地台有關的負載資訊而決定最佳的目標基地台。 The controller device of claim 2, wherein the determining of the target base station includes determining an optimal target base station based on load information associated with the plurality of base stations. 如申請專利範圍第2項的控制器裝置，其中，該SDN交換機的配置包含刪除對該SDN交換機之一或多個交通流量登錄，以致使在該SDN交換機處與該等交通登 錄相關聯之封包的緩衝。 The controller device of claim 2, wherein the configuration of the SDN switch includes deleting one or more traffic flows of the SDN switch, so that the traffic at the SDN switch is Record the buffer of the associated packet. 如申請專利範圍第8項的控制器裝置，其中，對該SDN交換機的修改又包含增加對該SDN交換機的交通流量登錄，以致使該交通流量與該目標基地台相通訊。 The controller device of claim 8, wherein the modification of the SDN switch further comprises increasing traffic flow registration to the SDN switch such that the traffic flow communicates with the target base station. 如申請專利範圍第9項的控制器裝置，其中，對該SDN交換機的該修改係經由該RAN中的控制平面來予以執行。 The controller device of claim 9, wherein the modification to the SDN switch is performed via a control plane in the RAN. 一種電腦可讀取媒體，其含有程式指令，用來致使與用於蜂巢式通訊網路的無線電存取網路(RAN)之控制器裝置相關聯的一或多個處理器用以：接收與使用者設備(UE)對該RAN中之多個基地台且該UE係附接至其的來源基地台之連通性強度有關的測量資訊；當該來源基地台與該RAN中的另一控制器裝置有聯繫時，根據該接收到的測量資訊而決定執行交遞操作作為控制器間交遞操作，其中，作為該控制器間交遞之性能的部份，該一或多個處理器又用以：將第二控制器裝置決定作為該UE即將要與其聯繫的控制器裝置，以及與該第二控制器裝置相通訊以將該UE的聯繫從該控制器裝置切換至該第二控制器裝置，在相關於該RAN的空氣介面而執行交遞操作之前以及在相關於該蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份而執行交遞操作之前，先執行該UE的該聯繫從該控制器裝置至該第二控制器裝置之該切換。 A computer readable medium containing program instructions for causing one or more processors associated with a controller device of a Radio Access Network (RAN) for a cellular communication network to: receive and receive Measurement information relating to the connectivity strength of the plurality of base stations in the RAN and the source base stations to which the UE is attached; when the source base station and another controller device in the RAN have When contacting, determining to perform the handover operation as an inter-controller handover operation based on the received measurement information, wherein the one or more processors are used as part of the inter-controller handover performance: Determining, by the second controller device, as a controller device to which the UE is about to contact, and communicating with the second controller device to switch the UE's contact from the controller device to the second controller device, Performing the contact of the UE from the controller device to the second control prior to performing the handover operation with respect to the air interface of the RAN and before performing the handover operation in relation to the core portion of the cellular communication network Of the switching means. 如申請專利範圍第11項的電腦可讀取媒體，其中，該等程式指令又致使該一或多個處理器用以：當該來源基地台並未與該RAN中的另一控制器裝置有聯繫時，根據該接收到的測量資訊而決定執行交遞操作作為控制器內交遞操作，其中，該一或多個處理器又用以：決定該交遞操作完成之後該UE要附接至其的目標基地台，以及修改該RAN中之軟體定義網路(SDN)交換機的配置，以表示與該UE的交通流量應經由該SDN交換機及該目標基地台而與該蜂巢式通訊網路的該核心部份相通訊。 The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the program instructions cause the one or more processors to: when the source base station is not associated with another controller device in the RAN Determining to perform a handover operation as an intra-controller handover operation according to the received measurement information, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: determine that the UE is to be attached to the handover operation after the completion of the handover operation a target base station, and modifying a configuration of a software-defined network (SDN) switch in the RAN to indicate that traffic with the UE should be connected to the core of the cellular communication network via the SDN switch and the target base station Part of the communication. 如申請專利範圍第12項的電腦可讀取媒體，其中，經由控制平面介面而執行該SDN交換機的該測量資訊及該配置。 The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the measurement information of the SDN switch and the configuration are performed via a control plane interface. 如申請專利範圍第12項的電腦可讀取媒體，其中，該等程式指令又致使該一或多個處理器用以：在控制器間交遞操作期間，將該交遞操作通知該蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份，以及，在控制器內交遞操作期間不要通知該蜂巢式通訊網路的該核心部份。 The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the program instructions cause the one or more processors to: notify the cellular communication network of the handover operation during an inter-controller handover operation The core part of the road, and the core part of the cellular communication network should not be notified during the handover operation within the controller. 如申請專利範圍第14項的電腦可讀取媒體，其中，通知該蜂巢式網路的該核心部份包含將路徑切換請求傳送給行動管理實體(MME)。 The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the notifying the core portion of the cellular network comprises transmitting a path switch request to a mobility management entity (MME). 如申請專利範圍第12項的電腦可讀取媒體，其 中，該測量資訊包含由該UE所取得並且從該來源基地台經由控制平面介面而轉送至該控制裝置之測量資訊。 Such as the computer readable medium of claim 12, The measurement information includes measurement information obtained by the UE and transferred from the source base station to the control device via the control plane interface. 如申請專利範圍第12項的電腦可讀取媒體，其中，該目標基地台的決定包含根據與該多個基地台有關的負載資訊而決定最佳的目標基地台。 The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the decision of the target base station comprises determining an optimal target base station based on load information related to the plurality of base stations. 如申請專利範圍第12項的電腦可讀取媒體，其中，對該SDN交換機的修改包含刪除對該SDN交換機之一或多個交通流量登錄，以致使在該SDN交換機處與該等交通登錄相關聯之封包的緩衝。 The computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the modification of the SDN switch includes deleting one or more traffic flows of the SDN switch, so as to be related to the traffic registration at the SDN switch. The buffer of the packet. 如申請專利範圍第18項的電腦可讀取媒體，其中，對該SDN交換機的該修改又包含增加對該SDN交換機的交通流量登錄以致使該交通流量與該目標基地台相通訊。 The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the modification to the SDN switch further comprises increasing traffic flow registration to the SDN switch to cause the traffic flow to communicate with the target base station. 一種用於蜂巢式通訊網路的基地台，該基地台包括：無線電介面，用以連接至使用者設備(UE)裝置；控制平面介面，用以連接至用於該蜂巢式通訊網路之無線電存取網路(RAN)的控制器裝置；資料平面介面到該RAN中之軟體定義網路(SDN)交換機；以及處理電路，用以：將透過該無線電介面而從該等UE裝置中的特定UE接收到的無線電資源控制(RRC)層測量報告解碼，該測量報告指示該特定UE對該基地台的連通性強度； 致使將該測量報告經由該控制平面介面而提供給該控制器裝置；致使該接收到的使用者平面資料經由該資料平面介面而傳送給該蜂巢式通訊網路的核心部份；處理來自該控制器裝置的指示以執行該特定UE與第二基地台的交遞；以及產生用於該特定UE之RRC連接重配置訊息，以致使該特定UE開始與該第二基地台的通訊。 A base station for a cellular communication network, the base station comprising: a radio interface for connecting to a user equipment (UE) device; and a control plane interface for connecting to a radio access for the cellular communication network a network (RAN) controller device; a data plane interface to a software defined network (SDN) switch in the RAN; and processing circuitry for receiving from a particular UE in the UE devices over the radio interface a radio resource control (RRC) layer measurement report decoding, the measurement report indicating the connectivity strength of the specific UE to the base station; Causing the measurement report to be provided to the controller device via the control plane interface; causing the received user plane data to be transmitted to the core portion of the cellular communication network via the data plane interface; processing from the controller An indication of the device to perform handover of the particular UE with the second base station; and generating an RRC connection reconfiguration message for the particular UE to cause the particular UE to initiate communication with the second base station. 如申請專利範圍第20項的基地台，其中，經由該控制平面介面而接收用以執行該交遞操作的該指示。 The base station of claim 20, wherein the indication for performing the handover operation is received via the control plane interface. 如申請專利範圍第20項的基地台，其中，該控制器平面介面包含OpenFlow式介面。 For example, the base station of claim 20, wherein the controller plane interface includes an OpenFlow interface. 如申請專利範圍第20項的基地台，其中，該控制平面介面使該基地台連接至該RAN中的多個控制器裝置。 The base station of claim 20, wherein the control plane interface connects the base station to a plurality of controller devices in the RAN.
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