Method and apparatus for layer 3 configuration in a heterogeneous network
Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for camping, assisted serving cell addition or removal, and discontinuous reception (DRX) in networks having a macro cell and at least one assisted serving cell. In other aspects, enhancements to Layer 1 channels and uplink timing alignments are provided in networks having a macro cell and at least one assisted serving cell. In further aspects, assisted serving cell Layer 2 architecture and transport channels are provided in networks having a macro cell and at least one assisted serving cell. In further aspects, collaborated HARQ solutions are provided in networks having a macro cell and at least one assisted serving cell.
1. A method at a user equipment operating in a network having a macro cell and at least one assisted serving cell, the method comprising:
while the user equipment is connected to both the macro cell and an assisted serving cell:
transmitting, from the user equipment to the macro cell, radio resource control signaling intended for a radio resource control layer of the assisted serving cell, the assisted serving cell having its own cell identifier and having an S1 interface with a mobility management entity (MME), and the assisted serving cell having a smaller coverage size than the macro cell; and
receiving, from the macro cell, radio resource control signaling originating from the radio resource control layer of the assisted serving cell.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the radio resource control signaling for the assisted serving cell is in a message container.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving from the assisted serving cell, user plane data.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the user plane data comprises a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) data unit from the macro cell.
5. A user equipment operating in a network having a macro cell and at least one assisted serving cell, the user equipment comprising:
a processor; and
a communications subsystem,
wherein the user equipment is configured to:
while the user equipment is connected to both the macro cell and an assisted serving cell:
transmit, from a user equipment to the macro cell, radio resource control signaling intended for a radio resource control layer of the assisted serving cell, the assisted serving cell having its own cell identifier and having an S1 interface with a mobility management entity (MME), and the assisted serving cell having a smaller coverage size than the macro cell; and
receive, from the macro cell, radio resource control signaling originating from the radio resource control layer of the assisted serving cell.
6. The user equipment of claim 5 , wherein the radio resource control signaling for the assisted serving cell is in a message container.
7. The user equipment of claim 5 , wherein the user equipment is further configured to receive from the assisted serving cell, user plane data.
8. The user equipment of claim 7 , wherein the user plane data comprises a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) data unit from the macro cell.
9. A method at an assisted serving cell without an S1 interface operating in a network having a macro cell, the method comprising:
configuring a local radio resource control (LRRC) protocol layer at the assisted serving cell;
receiving information for the LRRC over a backhaul from the macro cell, the information for the LRRC originating from a user equipment served by the assisted serving cell; and
transmitting information from the LRRC over the backhaul to the macro cell;
wherein the LRRC protocol layer is responsible for local radio resource management functions and the LRRC protocol layer is not responsible for mobility control functions, and the LRRC protocol layer is the only RRC protocol layer in the assisting serving cell.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the assisted serving cell is enabled to configure the LRRC by one or more of: Random Access functions for the assisted serving cell; radio bearer configurations for the assisted serving cell according to instructions from the macro cell; resource or traffic status including a number of radio bearers used; uplink timing alignment for any camped user equipments; and a list of user equipment identifiers that utilizes the assisted serving cell.
11. An assisted serving cell without an S1 interface operating in a network having a macro cell, the assisted serving cell comprising:
a processor; and
a communications subsystem,
wherein the assisted serving cell is enabled to:
configure a local radio resource control (LRRC) protocol layer at the assisted serving cell;
receive information for the LRRC over a backhaul from the macro cell, the information for the LRRC originating from a user equipment served by the assisted serving cell; and
transmit information from the LRRC over the backhaul to the macro cell;
wherein the LRRC protocol layer is responsible for local radio resource management functions and the LRRC protocol layer is not responsible for mobility control functions, and the LRRC protocol layer is the only RRC protocol layer in the assisted serving cell.
12. The assisted serving cell of claim 11 , wherein the assisted serving cell is enabled to configure the LRRC by one or more of: Random Access functions for the assisted serving cell; radio bearer configurations for the assisted serving cell according to instructions from the macro cell; resource or traffic status including a number of radio bearers used; uplink timing alignment for any camped user equipments; and a list of user equipment identifiers that utilizes the assisted serving cell.