System and method for virtual radio cell
In particular, systems and methods according to present principles configure physical eNodeB to have multiple virtual eNodeBs, where each virtual eNodeBs corresponds to a particular PLMN. Thus, each PLMN has its own virtual eNodeB which is hosted on a common shared physical eNodeB.
1. A method for sharing a radio access network node between multiple mobile networks, comprising:
providing a radio cell comprising a physical node;
supporting a plurality of virtual nodes on the physical node; and
at the radio cell, broadcasting:
data corresponding to a radio access service;
a plurality of network identifiers of respective multiple mobile networks, wherein each of the multiple mobile networks corresponds to at least one of the plurality of virtual nodes; and
a mobile network specific parameter applicable only for accessing a specific mobile network by user equipment associated with the specific mobile network, wherein the mobile network specific parameter includes at least one of the group consisting of: a tracking area code, a cell identifier, and a cell barred indication.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising supporting access technologies corresponding to one or more of the group consisting of: MulteFire, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and 5G.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising applying the mobile network specific parameter in communications with each of the respective multiple mobile networks.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising controlling the radio cell with an eNodeB.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein broadcasting the mobile network specific parameter applicable for accessing the specific mobile network comprises broadcasting a mobile network specific parameter for a mobile network selected from one or more of the group consisting of: public land mobile networks (PLMNs) and Neutral Host Networks (NHNs).
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting the mobile network specific parameter applicable for accessing the specific mobile network comprises broadcasting a mobile network specific parameter for a mobile network selected from one or more of the group consisting of: public land mobile networks (PLMNs) and Neutral Host Networks (NHNs).
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting the plurality of network identifiers comprises broadcasting PLMN identifiers.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting the mobile network specific parameter comprises broadcasting mobile network specific identifiers associated with the radio cell.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting the mobile network specific parameter further comprises broadcasting at least one of the group consisting of: a closed subscriber group indication and a closed subscriber group identifier.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying the mobile network specific parameter in communications with each of the respective multiple mobile networks.
11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling the radio cell with an eNodeB.
12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
support a plurality of virtual nodes on a physical node of a radio cell; and
broadcast:
data corresponding to a radio access service;
a plurality of network identifiers of respective multiple mobile networks, wherein each of the multiple mobile networks corresponds to at least one of the plurality of virtual nodes; and
a mobile network specific parameter applicable only for accessing a specific mobile network by user equipment associated with the specific mobile network, wherein the mobile network specific parameter includes at least one of the group consisting of: a tracking area code, a cell identifier, and a cell barred indication.