Method and system for performing network slicing in a radio access network

Abstract

Systems and methods of performing handover for a user equipment between hyper cells are provided. Handover is done on a per service basis. In some cases, a handover of one service from a source cell to target cell is performed while continuing to use the source cell, the target cell, or another cell for another service. In some cases the handover for a user equipment is from a source cell to a target cell in respect of one of uplink and downlink communications, and the user equipment continues to use the source cell for the other of uplink and downlink communications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method in an access network comprising a plurality of cells, the method comprising:
 communicating with a user equipment (UE) using at least one of the plurality of cells to send or receive each of a plurality of packet streams, the plurality of cells comprising at least one serving cell and a target cell, wherein the plurality of packet streams comprise either or both of uplink communications and downlink communications for at least one service;   receiving at least one measurement report or receiving a reference signal;   transmitting instructions to the UE to complete a handover, in respect of a first packet stream of the plurality of packet streams, from one of the at least one serving cell to the target cell; and   after the handover, continuing to communicate with the UE, in respect of a second packet stream of the plurality of packet streams, with one of the at least one serving cell and the target cell.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 communicating with the UE using at least one of the plurality of cells comprises, in a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicating the first packet stream with the UE in respect of a first service, and in a second serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicating the second packet stream with the UE in respect of a second service; and 
 receiving at least one measurement report or receiving a reference signal comprises, at the first serving cell or the second serving cell, receiving at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 the method further comprising the first serving cell making a decision to handover to the target cell in respect of the first service; 
 wherein transmitting instructions comprises the first serving cell transmitting a control message indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; 
 the method further comprising completing the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 wherein continuing to communicate comprises the second serving cell continuing to communicate with the UE in respect of the second service. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 communicating with the UE using at least one of the plurality of cells comprises, in a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicating the first packet stream with the UE in respect of a first service and communicating the second packet stream with the UE in respect of a second service; 
 receiving at least one measurement report or receiving a reference signal comprises, at the first serving cell, receiving at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 the method further comprising:
 the first serving cell making a decision to handover to the target cell in respect of the first service but not to perform a handover in respect of the second service, wherein transmitting instructions comprises the first serving cell transmitting a control message indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 completing the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service, wherein continuing to communicate comprises the first serving cell continuing to communicate with the UE in respect of the second service. 
 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 communicating with the UE using at least one of the plurality of cells comprises, in a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicating the first packet stream with the UE in respect a first service and, in the target cell, communicating the second packet stream with the UE in respect of a second service; and 
 receiving at least one measurement report or receiving a reference signal comprises receiving at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 the method further comprising:
 the first serving cell making a decision to handover to the target cell in respect of the first service, wherein transmitting instructions comprises the first serving cell transmitting a control message indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 completing the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service, wherein continuing to communicate comprises the target cell continuing to communicate with the UE in respect of the second service. 
 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 communicating with the UE using at least one of the plurality of cells comprises, in a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicating the first packet stream with the UE in respect of a downlink communication, and communicating the second packet stream with the UE in respect of an uplink communication; and 
 the method further comprising:
 the first serving cell making a decision to handover to the target cell in respect of the downlink communication but not to perform a handover in respect of the uplink communication, wherein transmitting instructions comprises the first serving cell transmitting a control message indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the downlink communication; and 
 completing the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the downlink communication, wherein continuing to communicate comprises the first serving cell continuing to communicate with the UE in respect of the uplink communication. 
 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 communicating with the UE using at least one of the plurality of cells comprises, in a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicating the first packet stream with the UE in respect of an uplink communication, and communicating the second packet stream with the UE in respect of a downlink communication; and 
 the method further comprising:
 the first serving cell making a decision to handover to a target cell in respect of the uplink communication but not to perform a handover in respect of the downlink communication, wherein transmitting instructions comprises the first serving cell transmitting a control message indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the uplink communication; and 
 completing the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the uplink communication, wherein continuing to communicate comprises the first serving cell continuing to communicate with the UE in respect of the downlink communication. 
 
 
     
     
         7 . An access network comprising:
 a non-transitory memory storage comprising instructions; and   one or more processors in communication with the non-transitory memory storage, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
 communicate with a user equipment (UE) using at least one of a plurality of cells to send or receive each of a plurality of packet streams, the plurality of cells comprising at least one serving cell and a target cell, wherein the plurality of packet streams comprise either or both of uplink communications and downlink communications for at least one service; 
 receive at least one measurement report or receive a reference signal; 
 transmit instructions to the UE to complete a handover, in respect of a first packet stream of the plurality of packet streams, from one of the at least one serving cell to the target cell; and 
 after the handover, continue to communicate with the UE, in respect of a second packet stream of the plurality of packet streams, with one of the at least one serving cell and the target cell. 
   
     
     
         8 . The access network of  claim 7  wherein:
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to communicate with the UE using at least one of the plurality of cells comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, in a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicate the first packet stream with the UE in respect of a first service, and in a second serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicate the second packet stream with the UE in respect of a second service; and 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive at least one measurement report or receive a reference signal comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the first serving cell or the second serving cell, receive at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 the one or more processors further executing the instructions to, at the first serving cell, make a decision to handover the target cell in respect of the first service; 
 wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to transmit instructions comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the first serving cell, transmit a control message indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; 
 the one or more processors further executing the instructions to the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the second serving cell, continue to communicate with the UE in respect of the second service. 
 
     
     
         9 . The access network of  claim 7  wherein:
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to communicate with the UE using at least one of the plurality of cells comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, in a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicate the first packet stream with the UE in respect of a first service and communicating the second packet stream with the UE in respect of a second service; 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive at least one measurement report or receive a reference signal comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the first serving cell, receive at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 the one or more processors further executing the instructions to:
 at the first serving cell, make a decision to handover to the target cell in respect of the first service but not to perform a handover in respect of the second service, wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to transmit instructions comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the first serving cell, transmit a control message indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 the one or more processors execute the instructions to complete the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service, wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the first serving cell, continue to communicate with the UE in respect of the second service. 
 
 
     
     
         10 . The access network of  claim 7  wherein:
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to communicate with the UE using at least one of the plurality of cells comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, in a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicate the first packet stream with the UE in respect a first service and, in the target cell, communicate the second packet stream with the UE in respect of a second service; and 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive at least one measurement report or receive a reference signal comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 the one or more processors further executing the instructions to:
 at the first serving cell, make a decision to handover to the target cell in respect of the first service, wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to transmit instructions comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the first serving cell, transmit a control message indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 complete the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service, wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the target cell, continue to communicate with the UE in respect of the second service. 
 
 
     
     
         11 . The access network of  claim 7  wherein:
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to communicate with the UE using at least one of the plurality of cells comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, in a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicate the first packet stream with the UE in respect of a downlink communication, and communicate the second packet stream with the UE in respect of an uplink communication; and 
 the one or more processors further executing the instructions to:
 at the first serving cell, make a decision to handover to the target cell in respect of the downlink communication but not to perform a handover in respect of the uplink communication, wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to transmit instructions comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the first serving cell, transmit a control message indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the downlink communication; and 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to complete the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the downlink communication, wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the first serving cell, continue to communicate with the UE in respect of the uplink communication. 
 
 
     
     
         12 . The access network of  claim 7  wherein:
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to communicate with the UE using at least one of the plurality of cells comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, in a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell, communicate the first packet stream with the UE in respect of an uplink communication, and communicate the second packet stream with the UE in respect of a downlink communication; and 
 the one or more processors further executing the instructions to:
 at the first serving cell, make a decision to handover to a target cell in respect of the uplink communication but not to perform a handover in respect of the downlink communication, wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to transmit instructions comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the first serving cell, transmit a control message indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the uplink communication; and 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to complete the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the uplink communication, wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, at the first serving cell, continue to communicate with the UE in respect of the downlink communication. 
 
 
     
     
         13 . A method in a user equipment (UE) in an access network comprising a plurality of cells, the method comprising:
 communicating, by the UE, with at least one of the plurality of cells to send or receive each of a plurality of packet streams, the plurality of cells comprising at least one serving cell and a target cell, wherein the plurality of packet streams comprise either or both of uplink communications and downlink communications for at least one service;   transmitting at least one measurement report or transmitting a reference signal;   receiving instructions to complete a handover, in respect of a first packet stream of the plurality of packet streams, from one of the at least one serving cell to the target cell; and   after the handover, continuing to communicate with one of the at least one serving cell and the target cell, in respect of a second packet stream of the plurality of packet streams.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein:
 communicating with the at least one of the plurality of cells comprises, in respect of a first service, communicating the first packet stream with a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell and, in respect of a second service, communicating the second packet stream with a second serving cell of the at least one serving cell; 
 transmitting at least one measurement report or transmitting a reference signal comprises transmitting, to the first serving cell or the second serving cell, at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 receiving instructions comprises receiving a control message from the first serving cell indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 the method further comprising completing the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 continuing to communicate comprises continuing to communicate with the second serving cell in respect of the second service. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein:
 communicating with the at least one of the plurality of cells comprises, in respect of a first service, communicating the first packet stream with a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell and, in respect of a second service, communicating the second packet stream with the first serving cell of the at least one serving cell; 
 transmitting at least one measurement report or transmitting a reference signal comprises transmitting, to the first serving cell, at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 receiving instructions comprises receiving a control message from the first serving cell indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 the method further comprising completing the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 wherein continuing to communicate comprises continuing to communicate with the first serving cell in respect of the second service. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein:
 communicating with the at least one of the plurality of cells comprises, in respect a first service, communicating the first packet stream with a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell and, in respect of a second service, communicating the second packet stream with the target cell; and 
 transmitting at least one measurement report or transmitting a reference signal comprises transmitting at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 receiving instructions comprises receiving a control message from the first serving cell indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 the method further comprising completing the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 wherein continuing to communicate comprises continuing to communicate with the target cell in respect of the second service. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein:
 communicating with at least one of the plurality of cells comprises, in respect of a downlink communication, communicating the first packet stream with a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell and, in respect of an uplink communication, communicating the second packet stream with the first serving cell of the at least one serving cell; and 
 receiving instructions comprises receiving a control message from the first serving cell indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the downlink communication; and 
 the method further comprising completing the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the downlink communication; and 
 wherein continuing to communicate comprises continuing to communicate with the first serving cell in respect of the uplink communication. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein:
 communicating with the at least one of the plurality of cells comprises, in respect of an uplink communication, communicating the first packet stream with a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell and, in respect of a downlink communication, communicating the second packet stream with the first serving cell of the at least one serving cell; and 
 receiving instructions comprises receiving a control message from the first serving cell indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the uplink communication; and 
 the method further comprising completing the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the uplink communication; and 
 wherein continuing to communicate comprises continuing to communicate with the first serving cell in respect of the downlink communication. 
 
     
     
         19 . A user equipment (UE) comprising:
 a non-transitory memory storage comprising instructions; and   one or more processors in communication with the non-transitory memory storage, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
 communicate with at least one of a plurality of cells to send or receive each of a plurality of packet streams, the plurality of cells comprising at least one serving cell and a target cell, wherein the plurality of packet streams comprise either or both of uplink communications and downlink communications for at least one service; 
 transmit at least one measurement report or transmitting a reference signal; 
 receive instructions to complete a handover, in respect of a first packet stream of the plurality of packet streams, from one of the at least one serving cell to the target cell; and 
 after the handover, continue to communicate with one of the at least one serving cell and the target cell, in respect of a second packet stream of the plurality of packet streams. 
   
     
     
         20 . The UE of  claim 19  wherein:
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to communicate with the at least one of the plurality of cells comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, in respect of a first service, communicate the first packet stream with a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell and, in respect of a second service, communicate the second packet stream with a second serving cell of the at least one serving cell; 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to transmit at least one measurement report or transmit a reference signal comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to transmit, to the first serving cell or the second serving cell, at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive instructions comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive a control message from the first serving cell indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 the one or more processors further execute the instructions to complete the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate with the second serving cell in respect of the second service. 
 
     
     
         21 . The UE of  claim 19  wherein:
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to communicate with the at least one of the plurality of cells comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, in respect of a first service, communicate the first packet stream with a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell and, in respect of a second service, communicate the second packet stream with the first serving cell of the at least one serving cell; 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to transmit at least one measurement report or transmit a reference signal comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to transmit, to the first serving cell, at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive instructions comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive a control message from the first serving cell indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 the one or more processors further execute the instructions to complete the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate with the first serving cell in respect of the second service. 
 
     
     
         22 . The UE of  claim 19  wherein:
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to communicate with the at least one of the plurality of cells comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, in respect a first service, communicate the first packet stream with a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell and, in respect of a second service, communicate the second packet stream with the target cell; and 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to transmit at least one measurement report or transmit a reference signal comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to transmit at least one measurement report in respect of at least one of the first serving cell or the target cell; 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive instructions comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive a control message from the first serving cell indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 the one or more processors further execute the instructions to complete the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the first service; and 
 wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate with the target cell in respect of the second service. 
 
     
     
         23 . The UE of  claim 19  wherein:
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to communicate with at least one of the plurality of cells comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, in respect of a downlink communication, communicate the first packet stream with a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell and, in respect of an uplink communication, communicate the second packet stream with the first serving cell of the at least one serving cell; and 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive instructions comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive a control message from the first serving cell indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the downlink communication; and 
 the one or more processors further execute the instructions to complete the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the downlink communication; and 
 wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate with the first serving cell in respect of the uplink communication. 
 
     
     
         24 . The UE of  claim 19  wherein:
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to communicate with the at least one of the plurality of cells comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to, in respect of an uplink communication, communicate the first packet stream with a first serving cell of the at least one serving cell and, in respect of a downlink communication, communicate the second packet stream with the first serving cell of the at least one serving cell; and 
 the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive instructions comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to receive a control message from the first serving cell indicating that the UE should handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the uplink communication; and 
 the one or more processors further execute the instructions to complete the handover from the first serving cell to the target cell in respect of the uplink communication; and 
 wherein the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate comprises the one or more processors executing the instructions to continue to communicate with the first serving cell in respect of the downlink communication.