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 at least one virtual node on the physical node;
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 at least one virtual node; 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; and
supporting access technologies corresponding to one or more of the group consisting of MulteFire, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and 5G.
2. 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).
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 , wherein broadcasting the plurality of network identifiers comprises broadcasting PLMN identifiers.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein broadcasting the mobile network specific parameter comprises broadcasting mobile network specific identifiers associated with the radio cell.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling the radio cell with an eNodeB.
7. 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.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising controlling the radio cell with an eNodeB.
9. A method for sharing a radio access network node between multiple mobile networks, comprising:
providing a radio cell comprising a physical node;
supporting at least one virtual node 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 at least one virtual node; 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,
wherein broadcasting the mobile network specific parameter 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 (NFlNs).
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein broadcasting the plurality of network identifiers comprises broadcasting PLMN identifiers.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein broadcasting the mobile network specific parameter comprises broadcasting mobile network specific identifiers associated with the radio cell.
12. The method of claim 9 , 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.
13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising applying the mobile network specific parameter in communications with each of the respective multiple mobile networks.
14. A method for sharing a radio access network node between multiple mobile networks, comprising:
providing a radio cell comprising a physical node;
supporting at least one virtual node on the physical node; and
at the radio cell, broadcasting:
data corresponding to a radio access service;
a plurality of PLMN network identifiers of respective multiple mobile networks, wherein each of the multiple mobile networks corresponds to at least one of the at least one virtual node; 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.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein broadcasting the mobile network specific parameter comprises broadcasting mobile network specific identifiers associated with the radio cell.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein broadcasting the mobile network specific parameter further comprises broadcasting a closed subscriber group identifier.
17. A method for sharing a radio access network node between multiple mobile networks, comprising:
providing a radio cell comprising a physical node;
supporting at least one virtual node on the physical node;
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 at least one virtual node; 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; and
applying the mobile network specific parameter in communications with each of the respective multiple mobile networks.
18. The method of claim 17 , 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).
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising applying the mobile network specific parameter in communications with each of the respective multiple mobile networks.