System information distribution in multi-operator scenarios
AssigneeTelefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
InventorsPål Frenger, Erik Eriksson, Martin Hessler, Göran Rune
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for distributing access information in a multi-operator scenario. In a multi-operator network (100), network nodes (130, 140, 150) are configured to transmit one or more system signatures and one or more access information tables. A terminal device (200) can use a received system signature to retrieve a set of system information from an access information table. The retrieved system information is used by the terminal device (200) to initiate a random access procedure to gain access to an operator network.
Claims31
A method of distributing system information to a terminal device located in an area covered by a first network node and a second network node of a wireless communication system, the terminal device having a subscription with an operator of the second network node, and the method comprising:
- transmitting a system signature by the first network node to the terminal device, the first network node being associated with a first network identifier;
- and
- transmitting an access information table by the second network node to the terminal device, the second network node being associated with a second network identifier different than the first network identifier, wherein the access information table is identified by the second network identifier and includes an entry comprising the system signature and an associated first set of access information enabling the terminal device to initiate a random access procedure to gain access to the first network node.
A wireless communication system configured to distribute system information to a terminal device located in an area covered by a first and a second network node, the terminal device having a subscription with an operator of the second network node and the wireless communication system comprising:
- the first network node associated with a first network identifier, the first network node configured to transmit a system signature to the terminal device;
- and
- the second network node associated with a second network identifier different than the first network identifier, the second network node configured to transmit an access information table to the terminal device, wherein the access information table is identified by the second network identifier and includes an entry comprising the system signature and an associated first set of access information enabling the terminal device to initiate a random access procedure to gain access to the first network node.
A method of distributing, by a second network node, access information associated with a first network node to a terminal device located in an area covered by the first and second network nodes, wherein the terminal device has a subscription with an operator of the second network node and the second network node is associated with a second network identifier and the first network node is associated with a first network identifier different from the second network identifier, the method comprising:
- generating an access information table identified by the second network identifier, that includes an entry comprising a system signature and an associated set of access information enabling the terminal device to initiate a random access procedure to access the first network node;
- and
- transmitting the access information table to the terminal device.
A second network node associated with a second network identifier and configured to distribute access information associated with a first network node to a terminal device located in an area covered by the first and the second network nodes, the terminal device having a subscription with an operator of the second network node, the second network node comprising:
- a processor configured to generate an access information table identified by the second network identifier that includes an entry comprising a system signature to a and an associated set of access information enabling the terminal device to initiate a random access procedure to access the first network node which is associated with a first network identifier different from the second network identifier;
- and
- a transceiver configured to transmit the generated access information table to the terminal device.
A method implemented by a terminal device located in an area covered by a first network node and a second network node, for gaining access to the first network node which is affiliated with a first operator with which the terminal device has no subscription, the terminal device having a subscription with an operator of the second network node, wherein the first and second network nodes have overlapping coverage and the second network node is associated with a second network identifier and the first network node is associated with a first network identifier different from the second network identifier, the method comprising:
- receiving a system signature;
- retrieving, from a stored access information table identified by the second network identifier, a set of access information usable to initiate a random access procedure to gain access to the first network node, wherein the retrieving is based on the received system signature and the second network identifier;
- and
- initiating a random access procedure based on the set of access information to gain access to the first network node.
A terminal device configured with a subscription of a second operator operating a second network node, wherein the first and second network nodes have overlapping coverage and the second network node is associated with a second network identifier and the first network node is associated with a first network identifier different from the second network identifier, the terminal device comprising:
- a transceiver for receiving a system signature;
- a processor configured to:
- retrieve, from a stored access information table identified by the second network identifier, a set of access usable to initiate a random access procedure to gain access to the first network node, wherein the retrieve operation is based on the received system signature and the second network identifier;
- and
- initiate a random access procedure based on the set of access information to gain access to the first network node.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.