Methods and Arrangements in Cellular Communication Systems

Abstract

Methods and arrangements are presented wherein a user equipment (UE) supporting a first frequency band H B is enabled to communicate with a network utilizing a second frequency band. The second frequency band is a sub-band of the first frequency band or overlaps with the first frequency band. The UE, which supports the first frequency band, implements the channel numbering scheme of the second frequency band S B which overlaps with the first frequency band H B . This enables the UE supporting the first frequency band H B to recognize the second frequency band S B and communicate with the network when the UE is camped or connected to a cell operating in the second frequency band S B .

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, implemented in a network node in a cellular communication system, the network node arranged to communicate with a user equipment, the method comprising:
 receiving a report from the user equipment reporting that the user equipment is configured to support a first frequency band without reporting any capability by the user equipment to support a second frequency band, wherein the second frequency band comprises a sub-band of the first frequency band or overlaps with the first frequency band and wherein the network node operates on the second frequency band;   sending to the user equipment, in response to receiving the report that the user equipment is configured to support the first frequency band, at least one parameter related to the second frequency band to enable the user equipment to identify and implement a channel numbering scheme related to the second frequency band, the second frequency band and the channel numbering scheme being currently unknown and currently unstored by the user equipment before the at least one parameter is sent to the user equipment, and wherein the at least one parameter enables the user equipment to be configured to support the second frequency band; and   communicating with the user equipment on the second frequency band.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first frequency band comprises a harmonized frequency band and the second frequency band comprises an individual frequency band. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one parameter comprises a channel number of the second frequency band. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the channel number comprises an Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN), a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access ARFCN, or an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access ARFCN. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one parameter comprises a channel raster of the second frequency band. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the network node comprises a core network node or a base station comprised in an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) system. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the network node comprises a core network node, a base station, or a radio network controller comprised in a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) system. 
     
     
         8 . A network node configured to be used in a cellular communication system and to communicate with a user equipment, the network node comprising:
 a transceiver configured to:
 receive a report from the user equipment reporting that the user equipment is configured to support a first frequency band without reporting any capability by the user equipment to support a second frequency band, wherein the second frequency band comprises a sub-band of the first frequency band or overlaps with the first frequency band, and wherein the network node operates on the second frequency band; 
 send to the user equipment, in response to receiving the report that the user equipment is configured to support the first frequency band, at least one parameter related to the second frequency band to enable the user equipment to identify and implement a channel numbering scheme related to the second frequency band, the second frequency band and the channel numbering scheme being currently unknown and currently unstored by the user equipment before the at least one parameter is sent to the user equipment, and wherein the at least one parameter enables the user equipment to be configured to support the second frequency band; and 
 communicate with the user equipment on the second frequency band. 
   
     
     
         9 . The network node according to  claim 8 , wherein the first frequency band comprises a harmonized frequency band and the second frequency band comprises an individual frequency band. 
     
     
         10 . The network node according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one parameter comprises a channel number of the second frequency band. 
     
     
         11 . The network node according to  claim 10 , wherein the channel number comprises an Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN), a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access ARFCN, or an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access ARFCN. 
     
     
         12 . The network node according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one parameter comprises a channel raster of the second frequency band. 
     
     
         13 . The network node according to  claim 8 , wherein the network node comprises a core network node or a base station comprised in an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) system. 
     
     
         14 . The network node according to  claim 8 , wherein the network node comprises a core network node, a base station, or a radio network controller comprised in a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) system.