US 2014/0369285 A1Published application

Physical cell identity allocation

AssigneeTelefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)

InventorsMingxin Li, Jing Liu, Hua Zhang

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Abstract

The invention discloses Physical Cell Identity (PCI) allocation in a cellular network. Radii of an inner boundary circle of a first and second cell—are each estimated according to a cell distance relation model. Signal strengths within the inner boundary circles of the first and second cells are each greater than a first threshold. Then radii of an outer boundary circle of the first and second cell are each estimated according to the cell distance relation model. The signal strengths within the outer boundary circles of the first and second cells are each greater than a second threshold, where the second threshold is lower than the first threshold. The second cell is allocated a PCI based on a distance relation between the first cell and the second cell.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method for allocating a Physical Cell Identity (PCI) in a communication node of a cellular network, the method comprising:

estimating a radius (R1) of an inner boundary circle of a first cell and a radius (R2) of an inner boundary circle of a second cell according to a propagation model, where signal strengths within the inner boundary circle of the first cell and within the inner boundary circle of the second cell are greater than a first threshold respectively;
estimating a radius R1′ of an outer boundary circle of the first cell and a radius (R2′) of an outer boundary circle of the second cell according to the propagation model, where the signal strengths within the outer boundary circle of the first cell and within the outer boundary circle of the second cell are greater than a second threshold respectively, the second threshold being lower than the first threshold;
allocating to the second cell a PCI based on a distance relation between the first cell and the second cell, wherein said allocating comprises:
comparing a distance between the first cell and the second cell with Max[(R1′+R2), (R1+R2′)];
and
responsive to determining that the distance is greater than Max[(R1′+R2), (R1+R2′)], allocating to the second cell the same PCI as that of the first.

3 more elements

An apparatus for allocating a Physical Cell Identity (PCI) in a cellular network, the apparatus comprising:

a controlling unit operative to:
estimate a radius (R1) of an inner boundary circle of a first cell and a radius (R2) of an inner boundary circle of a second cell according to a propagation model, where signal strengths within the inner boundary circle of the first cell and within the inner boundary circle of the second cell are greater than a first threshold respectively;
estimate a radius (R1′) of an outer boundary circle of the first cell and a radius (R2′) of an outer boundary circle of the second cell according to the propagation model, where the signal strengths within the outer boundary circle of the first cell and within the outer boundary circle of the second cell are greater than a second threshold respectively, the second threshold being lower than the first threshold;
and
allocate to the second cell a PCI based on a distance relation between the first cell and the second cell, and
an interface operative to send the allocated PCI to the second cell, wherein the controlling unit is operative to:
compare a distance between the first cell and the second cell with Max[(R1′+R2), (R1+R2′)];
and
responsive to the distance being greater than Max[(R1′+R2), (R1+R2′)], allocate to the second cell the same PCI as that of the first cell.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.