Communication network, radio base station, radio network controller and resource management method therefor

A base station for a communication network, comprising

• a controller which:
• establishes a plurality of radio links between a plurality of mobile devices and the base station, the plurality of mobile devices communicate with the base station via the plurality of radio links;
• assigns each of the plurality radio links a plurality of radio resources;
• selects at least one radio link from the plurality of radio links based on priority levels that are set for the plurality of radio links, respectively;
• releases at least one but not all of the plurality of radio resources from the radio link which is selected;
• and
• assigns at least one of the plurality of radio resources which is released to a new radio link which is established.

A radio network controller for a communication network, comprising

• a controller which:
• transmits a first message instructing the base station to establish a new radio link to a base station;
• receives, from the base station, a second massage indicating that a change is necessary in radio resource assignment to a plurality of radio links between the base station and a plurality of mobile devices in order to establish the new radio link, the plurality of mobile devices communicate with the base station via the plurality of radio links, each of the plurality of radio links being assigned a plurality of radio resources;
• and
• transmits, to the base station, a third message instructing the base station:
• to select at least one radio link from the plurality of radio links based on priority levels that are set for the plurality of radio links, respectively;
• to release at least one but not all of the plurality of radio resources from the radio links which is selected;
• and
• to assign at least one of the radio resources which is released to a new radio link which is established.

A base station for a communication network, comprising

• means for establishing a plurality of radio links between a plurality of mobile devices and a base station, the plurality of mobile devices communicate with the base station via the plurality of radio links;
• means for assigning each of the plurality of radio links a plurality of radio resources;
• means for selecting at least one radio link from the plurality of radio links based on priority levels that are set for the plurality of radio links, respectively;
• means for releasing at least one but not all of the plurality of radio resources from the radio link which is selected;
• and
• means for assigning at least one of the plurality of radio resources which is released to a new radio link which is established.

A radio network controller for a communication network, comprising

• means for transmitting a first message instructing the base station to establish a new radio link to a base station;
• means for receiving, from the base station, a second massage indicating that a change is necessary in radio resource assignment to a plurality of radio links between the base station and a plurality of mobile devices in order to establish the new radio link, the plurality of mobile devices communicate with the base station via the plurality of radio links, each of the plurality of radio links being assigned a plurality of radio resources;
• and
• means for transmitting, to the base station, a third message instructing the base station:
• to select at least one radio link from the plurality of radio links based on priority levels that are set for the plurality of radio links, respectively;
• to release at least one but not all of the plurality of radio resources from the radio link which is selected;
• and
• to assign at least one of the plurality of radio resources which is released to a new radio link which is established.