Managing communication resources
AssigneeVodafone IP Licensing Limited
InventorsTim FROST, Chris PUDNEY, Alexej KULAKOV
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Abstract
Method and system for managing communication resources within a cellular network. The method comprising determining one or more groups of user equipment, UEs, engaged in a group call in a first mode of operation to be migrated to a second mode of operation based on information indicating the load of a base station. Sending a message indicating that the determined one or more groups of UEs are to migrate to the second mode of operation.
Claims31
A method of managing communication resources within a cellular network, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining one or more groups of user equipment, UEs, engaged in a group call in a first mode of operation to be migrated to a second mode of operation based on information indicating the load of a base station;
- and
- sending a message indicating that the determined one or more groups of UEs are to migrate to the second mode of operation.
The method according to any previous claim, wherein the base station is an eNodeB within a Long Term Evolution, LTE, network.
The method according to any previous claim, wherein the groups of UEs are engaged in a Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service, MBMS, group call.
The method according to any previous claim, wherein the base station provides a plurality of cells.
The method according to any previous claim, wherein the information indicating the load of the base station is an indication that a load threshold has been reached.
The method according to any previous claim, wherein the message comprises a MAC control element.
The method according to any previous claim, wherein the information indicating the load of the base station further includes information indicating the utilisation of one or more MBMS resources.
The method according to any previous claims, wherein the first mode of operation is multicast and the second mode of operation is unicast and further wherein the message indicating that the determined one or more groups of UEs are to migrate to the unicast mode of operation is sent by a LTE MAC control element.
The method according to any previous claims further comprising receiving information indicating the number of UEs within each one or more groups of UEs.
The method according to any previous claim further comprising the step of sending a time indicator for synchronising the migration to the second mode of operation.
A system comprising:
- one or more base stations;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- receive information indicating the load of a base station from the one or more base stations;
- determine one or more groups of user equipment, UEs, engaged in a group call in a first mode of operation to be migrated to a second mode of operation based on the information indicating the load of the base station of the one or more base stations;
- and
- send a message indicating that the determined one or more groups of UEs are to migrate to the second mode of operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.