ACTIVATION OF AUTONOMOUS NETWORK SEARCH Field

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communications. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods, apparatus, systems and computer programs for control of autonomous network search in a mobile network.

Background

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication sessions may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and/or content data and so on. Non- limiting examples of services provided comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

In a wireless communication system at least a part of a communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). The wireless systems can typically be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

A user can access the communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device of a user is often referred to as user equipment (UE). A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other users. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station, for example a base station of a cell, and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier.

The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters, which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. An example of attempts to solve the problems associated with the increased demands for capacity is an architecture that is known as the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. The LTE is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The various development stages of the 3GPP LTE specifications are referred to as releases. Certain releases of 3GPP LTE (e.g., LTE Rel-1 1 , LTE Rel-12, LTE Rel-13) are targeted towards LTE-Advanced (LTE-A). LTE- A is directed towards extending and optimizing the 3GPP LTE radio access technologies.

Communication systems may be configured to use a mechanism for aggregating radio carriers to support wider transmission bandwidth. In LTE this mechanism is referred to as carrier aggregation (CA) and can, according to LTE Rel. 12 specifications, support a transmission bandwidth up to 100 MHz. A

communication device with reception and/or transmission capabilities for CA can simultaneously receive and/or transmit on multiple component carriers (CCs) corresponding to multiple serving cells, for which the communication device has acquired/monitors system information needed for initiating connection establishment. When CA is configured, the communication device has only one radio resource control (RRC) connection with the network. At RRC connection establishment/reestablishment or handover, one serving cell provides the non-access stratum (NAS) mobility information, such as tracking area identity information. At RRC connection (re)establishment or handover, one serving cell provides the security input. This cell is referred to as the primary serving cell (PCell), and other cells are referred to as the secondary serving cells (SCells). Depending on capabilities of the communication device, SCells can be configured to form together with the PCell a set of serving cells under CA. In the downlink, the carrier corresponding to the PCell is the downlink primary component carrier (DL PCC), while in the uplink it is the uplink primary component carrier (UL PCC). A SCell needs to be configured by the network using RRC signaling before usage in order to provide necessary information, such as DL radio carrier frequency and physical cell identity (PCI) information, to the communication device. A SCell for which such necessary information has been provided to a communication device is referred to as configured cell for this communication device. The information available at the communication device after cell configuration is in particular sufficient for carrying out cell measurements. A configured SCell is in a deactivated state after cell configuration for energy saving. When a SCell is deactivated, the communication device does in particular not monitor/receive the physical dedicated control channel (PDCCH) or enhanced physical dedicated control channel (EPDCCH) or physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in the SCell. In other words the communication device cannot communicate in a SCell after cell configuration, and the SCell needs to be activated before data transmission from/the communication device can be initiated in the SCell. LTE provides for a mechanism for activation and deactivation of SCells via media access control (MAC) control elements to the communication device.

Communication systems may be configured to support simultaneous communication with two or more access nodes. In LTE this mechanism is referred to as dual connectivity (DC). More specifically, a communication device may be configured in LTE to communicate with a master eNB (MeNB) and a secondary eNB (SeNB). The MeNB may typically provide access to a macrocell, while the SeNB may provide on a different radio carrier access to a relatively small cell, such as a picocell. Only the MeNB maintains for the communication device in DC mode a connection via an S1 -MME interface with the mobility management entity (MME), that is, only the MeNB is involved in mobility management procedures related to a communication device in DC mode. LTE supports two different user plane architectures for communication devices in DC mode. In the first architecture (split bearer) only the MeNB is connected via an S1 -U interface to the serving gateway (S-GW) and the user plane data is transferred from the MeNB to the SeNB via an X2 interface. In the second architecture the SeNB is directly connected to the S-GW, and the MeNB is not involved in the transport of user plane data to the SeNB. DC in LTE reuses with respect to the radio interface concepts introduced for CA in LTE. A first group of cells, referred to as master cell group (MCG), can be provided for a communication device by the MeNB and may comprise one PCell anc one or more SCells, and a second group of cells, referred to as seconday cell group (SCG), is provided by the SeNB and may comprise a primary SCell (PSCell) with functionality similar to the PCell in the MCG, for example with regard to uplink control signaling from the communication device. This second group of cells may further comprise one or more SCells.

Future networks, such as 5G, may progressively integrate data transmissions of different radio

technologies in a communication between one or more access nodes and a communication device.

Accordingly, communication devices may be able to operate simultaneously on more than one radio access technology, and carrier aggregation and dual connectivity may not be limited to the use of radio carriers of only one radio access technology. Rather, aggregation of radio carriers according to different radio access technologies and concurrent communication on such aggregated carriers may be supported.

Small cells, such as picocells, may progressively be deployed in future radio access networks to match the increasing demand for system capacity due to the growing population of communication devices and data applications. Integration of radio access technologies and/or a high number of small cells may bring about that a communication device may detect more and more cells in future networks, which are suitable candidates for connection establishment. Enhancements of carrier aggregation and dual connectivity mechanisms may be needed to make best use of these cells in future radio access networks. Such enhancements may allow for an aggregation of a high number of radio carriers at a communication device, for example up to 32 are currently specified in LTE Rel. 13, and in particular an integration of radio carriers operated on unlicensed spectrum.

Aggregation of radio carriers for communication to/from a communication device and simultaneous communication with two or more access nodes may in particular be used for operating cells on unlicensed (license exempt) spectrum. Wireless communication systems may be licensed to operate in particular spectrum bands. A technology, for example LTE, may operate, in addition to a licensed band, in an unlicensed band. LTE operation in the unlicensed spectrum may be based on the LTE Carrier Aggregatior (CA) framework where one or more low power secondary cells (SCells) operate in the unlicensed spectrum and may be either downlink-only or contain both uplink (UL) and downlink (DL), and where the primary cell (PCell) operates in the licensed spectrum and can be either LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) or LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD).

Two proposals for operating in unlicensed spectrum are LTE Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA) and LTE in Unlicensed Spectrum (LTE-U). LTE-LAA specified in 3GPP as part of Rel. 13 and LTE-U as defined by the LTE-U Forum may imply that a connection to a licensed band is maintained while using the unlicensec band. Moreover, the licensed and unlicensed bands may be operated together using, e.g., carrier aggregation or dual connectivity. For example, carrier aggregation between a primary cell (PCell) on a licensed band and one or more secondary cells (SCells) on unlicensed band may be applied, and uplink control information of the SCells is communicated in the PCell on licensed spectrum.

In an alternative proposal stand-alone operation using unlicensed carrier only may be used. In stand-alone operation at least some of the functions for access to cells on unlicensed spectrum and data transmission in these cells are performed without or with only minimum assistance or signaling support from license- based spectrum. Dual connectivity operation for unlicensed bands can be seen as an example of the scenario with minimum assistance or signaling from licensed-based spectrum.

Unlicensed band technologies may need to abide by certain rules, e.g. a clear channel assessment procedure, such as Listen-Before-Talk (LBT), in order to provide fair coexistence between LTE and other technologies such as Wi-Fi as well as between LTE operators. In some jurisdictions respective rules may be specified in regulations.

A radio access network (RAN) providing access via a technology operated in unlicensed spectrum may be connected to the core network of a mobile network operator (MNO), such as the 3GPP evolved packet core network (EPC). In such a configuration, the RAN may provide additional access points to a public land mobile network (PLMN). Specifically, the MNO of a PLMN may act as a service provider for communication devices in the RAN in unlicensed spectrum, and the communication devices may receive services similar to communication devices connected to, for example, a RAN for LTE or any other 3GPP technology. This access mode is in the following referred to as PLMN access mode. A communication device may need an identity module, such as a universal subscriber identity module (USIM), for access to the network of a MNO in PLMN access mode. Alternatively or additionally a RAN in unlicensed spectrum may support access to multiple participating service providers (PSP), which offer authentication and connectivity via the RAN in unlicensed spectrum. The RAN may support multiple PSPs, from which a communication device may select a preferred PSP during initial access to the network. This access mode is often referred to a neutral host network (NHN) mode. A RAN supporting NHN access mode is primarily intended for local internet access, similar to WLAN. A communication device may not need an identity module for access to a network in NHN access mode. PLMN access mode and NHN access mode are currently specified by the MulteFire Alliance for a new access technology MulteFire (MF). MF is intended for stand-alone operation of radio access networks (RAN) in unlicensed spectrum. Specifically, MF is a LTE-based technology and shall feature

enhancements/modifications of the LTE access technology for stand-alone operation in unlicensed spectrum. In PLMN access mode MF-RANs may be in included in the network selection mechanism for LTE/EUTRA. In other words, access stratum (AS) functions in communication devices may be configured to search for both, RANs supporting conventional LTE access and/or MF-RANs supporting PLMN access mode. A communication device may in particular be able to change easily between these two types of RANs.

Radio access technology selection and frequencies for network discovery may be controlled via idle mode network selection rules broadcast in system information blocks (SIBs). These rules guide network/cell selection procedures of all communication devices in a cell. Additionally or alternatively, an access point may provide a communication device with device-specific selection rules on dedicated channels, for example, when the RRC connection to the communication device is released. A respective RRC connection release message may include device-specific network discovery and selection rules for the communication device in idle mode. The communication device may after RRC connection release still be reachable via a paging mechanism.

MF may primarily be used in small cells, and the number of potential carrier frequencies in unlicensed spectrum may significantly exceed the number of carrier frequencies in licensed spectrum. Therefore, there may be a plurality of available MF cells operated on different carrier frequencies in the coverage area of a LTE cell. Network/cell selection requires measurements of signal strengths from available cells at the communication devices. Given the high number of available MF cells configuration and control of respective measurement objects for MF cells by an eNB in a LTE cell may not be possible, or may at leasl be very inefficient. Therefore, there is a need in PLMN access mode for a flexible control mechanism which supports explicit configuration of MF frequencies for network/cell selection and

activation/deactivation of autonomous MF network/cell search at a communication device.

Summary

In a first aspect, there is provided a method comprising receiving, for a first radio access technology, configuration information for network and/or cell selection comprising an indication of a degree of autonomous search by a communication device on one or more radio carriers, and using the configuration information for network and/or cell selection based on the first radio access technology on one of the radic carriers, wherein the one or more radio carriers potentially provide access to the communication device foi extension of a mobile network using a second radio access technology under control of a mobile network operator.

The configuration information may be indicative to search autonomously in all of the one or more radic carriers.

The configuration information is indicative to activate or deactivate autonomous search autonomously in a least one of the one or more radio carriers.

In a second aspect, there is provided a method comprising determining, for a first radio access technology, configuration information for network and/or cell selection comprising an indication of a degree of autonomous search by a communication device on one or more radio carriers, and causin transmission of the configuration information for use in network and/or cell selection based on the firs radio access technology on one of the radio carriers, wherein the one or more radio carriers potentially provide access to a communication device for extension of a mobile network using a second radio access technology under control of a mobile network operator.

The configuration information may be indicative to search autonomously in all of the one or more radic carriers.

The configuration information is indicative to activate or deactivate autonomous search autonomously in a least one of the one or more radio carriers.

In a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus, said apparatus comprising at least one processor; and a least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer prograrr code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to receive, for a first radic access technology, configuration information for network and/or cell selection comp rising an indication o a degree of autonomous search by a communication device on one or more radio carriers; and use the configuration information for network and/or cell selection based on the first radio access technology or one of the radio carriers, wherein the one or more radio carriers potentially provide access to the communication device for extension of a mobile network using a second radio access technology unde control of a mobile network operator.

The configuration information may be indicative to search autonomously in all of the one or more radic carriers.

The configuration information is indicative to activate or deactivate autonomous search autonomously in a least one of the one or more radio carriers. In a forth aspect, there is provided an apparatus, said apparatus comprising at least one processor; and a least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer prograrr code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to determine, for a firs radio access technology, configuration information for network and/or cell selection comprising ar indication of a degree of autonomous search by a communication device on one or more radio carriers and cause transmission of the configuration information for use in network and/or cell selection based or the first radio access technology on one of the radio carriers, wherein the one or more radio carriers potentially provide access to a communication device for extension of a mobile network using a seconc radio access technology under control of a mobile network operator.

The configuration information may be indicative to search autonomously in all of the one or more radic carriers.

The configuration information is indicative to activate or deactivate autonomous search autonomously in a least one of the one or more radio carriers.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing a method according to embodiments of the first aspect.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing a method according to embodiments of the second aspect.

In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above.

Description of Figures

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example communication system comprising a base station and a plurality of communication devices;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example mobile communication device;

Figure 3 shows an example method of a mobile communication device for control of autonomous network/cell search; Figure 4 shows an example method of an access node for control of autonomous network/cell search at a communication device;

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of an example control apparatus; Detailed description

Before explaining in detail the examples, certain general principles of a wireless communication system and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1 to 2 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

In a wireless communication system 100, such as that shown in figure 1 , mobile communication devices or user equipment (UE) 102, 104, 105 are provided wireless access via at least one base station or similai wireless transmitting and/or receiving node or point. Base stations are typically controlled by at least one appropriate controller apparatus, so as to enable operation thereof and management of mobile

communication devices in communication with the base stations. The controller apparatus may be located in a radio access network (e.g. wireless communication system 100) or in a core network (CN) (not shown) and may be implemented as one central apparatus or its functionality may be distributed over several apparatus. The controller apparatus may be part of the base station and/or provided by a separate entity such as a Radio Network Controller. In Figure 1 control apparatus 108 and 109 are shown to control the respective macro level base stations 106 and 107. The control apparatus of a base station can be interconnected with other control entities. The control apparatus is typically provided with memory capacity and at least one data processor. The control apparatus and functions may be distributed betweer a plurality of control units. In some systems, the control apparatus may additionally or alternatively be provided in a radio network controller.

LTE systems may however be considered to have a so-called "flat" architecture, without the provision of RNCs; rather the (e)NB is in communication with a system architecture evolution gateway (SAE-GW) and a mobility management entity (MME), which entities may also be pooled meaning that a plurality of these nodes may serve a plurality (set) of (e)NBs. Each UE is served by only one MME and/or S-GW at a time and the (e)NB keeps track of current association. SAE-GW is a "high-level" user plane core network element in LTE, which may consist of the S-GW and the P-GW (serving gateway and packet data network gateway, respectively). The functionalities of the S-GW and P-GW are separated and they are not required to be co-located.

In Figure 1 base stations 106 and 107 are shown as connected to a wider communications network 1 13 via gateway 1 12. A further gateway function may be provided to connect to another network. The smaller base stations 1 16, 1 18 and 120 may also be connected to the network 1 13, for example by a separate gateway function and/or via the controllers of the macro level stations. The base stations 1 16, 1 18 and 120 may be pico or femto level base stations or the like. In the example, stations 1 16 and 1 18 are connected via a gateway 1 1 1 whilst station 120 connects via the controller apparatus 108. In some embodiments, the smaller stations may not be provided. Smaller base stations 1 16, 1 18 and 120 may be part of a second network, for example WLAN and may be WLAN APs.

A possible mobile communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2 showing a schematic, partially sectioned view of a communication device 200. Such a communication device is often referred to as user equipment (UE) or terminal. An appropriate mobile communication device may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a 'smart phone', a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, or any combinations of these or the like. A mobile communication device may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and so on. Users may thus be offered and provided numerous services via their

communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services or simply an access to a data communications network system, such as the Internet. Users may also be provided broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of the content comprise downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts and other information.

The mobile device 200 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 207 via appropriate apparatus foi receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 2 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 206. The transceiver apparatus 206 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

A mobile device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201 , at least one memory 20. and other possible components 203 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 204. The user may control the operation of the mobile device by means of a suitable user interface such as key pad 205, voice commands, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. A display 208, a speaker and a microphone can be also provided. Furthermore, a mobile communication device may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and/or for connecting external accessories, for example hands-free equipment, thereto. The communication devices 102, 104, 105 may access the communication system based on various access techniques, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), or wideband CDMA (WCDMA). Other non-limiting examples comprise time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and various schemes thereof such as the interleaved frequency division multiple access (IFDMA) _; single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), space division multiple access (SDMA) and so on. Signaling mechanisms and procedures, which may enable a device to address in-device coexistence (IDC) issues caused by multiple transceivers, may be provided with help from the LTE network. The multiple transceivers may be configured for providing radio access to different radio technologies.

An example of wireless communication systems are architectures standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). A latest 3GPP based development is often referred to as the long term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. The various development stages of the 3GPP specifications are referred to as releases. More recent developments of the LTE are often referred to as LTE Advanced (LTE-A). The LTE employs a mobile architecture known as the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). Base stations of such systems are known as evolved or enhanced Node Bs (eNBs) and provide E-UTRAN features sucr as user plane Packet Data Convergence/Radio Link Control/Medium Access Control/Physical layer protocol (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol terminations towards the communication devices. Other examples of radio access system comprise those provided by base stations of systems that are based on technologies such as wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). A base station can provide coverage for an entire cell or similar radio service area.

As discussed above, there is a need in PLMN access mode for a flexible control mechanism which supports explicit configuration of MF frequencies for network/cell selection and activation/deactivation of autonomous MF network/cell search at a communication device.

Such a mechanism may comprise the transmission of first configuration information for network and/or eel selection on one or more radio carriers. The configuration information may be received at a

communication device and may comprise an indication of a degree of autonomous search by the communication device for network and/or cell selection via a first radio access technology on the one or more radio carriers, wherein the one or more radio carriers potentially provide access to the

communication device for extension of a mobile network using a second radio access technology under control of a mobile network operator. The beneficial effect of such a mechanism is to be seen in that it reduces the effort for configuring measurement objects on the side of the access points, and it allows for a flexible control of the effort for autonomous search on the side of the communication devices.

For example, autonomous search may be deactivated for a certain radio access technology or certain combinations of radio access technologies and radio carriers at a communication device, if required subscription information is not available. In another example, autonomous search may be activated at a communication device for a certain radio access technology or certain combinations of radio access technologies and radio carriers, if detailed information on available radio carriers and radio access technologies is unknown at the access point of a network. Or autonomous search may be activated selectively for a certain radio access technology or certain combinations of radio access technologies and radio carriers.

Figure 3 shows an example method of a communication device for control of autonomous network/cell search.

At step 310, the communication device receive, for a first radio access technology, configuration information for network and/or cell selection comprising an indication of a degree of autonomous search by a communication device on one or more radio carriers. The method proceeds to step 320.

At step 320, the communication device uses the configuration information for network and/or cell selection based on the first radio access technology on one of the radio carriers, wherein the one or more radio carriers potentially provide access to the communication device for extension of a mobile network using a second radio access technology under control of a mobile network operator.

Figure 4 shows an example method of an access node for control of autonomous network/cell search at a communication device.

At step 410, the access node determines, for a first radio access technology, configuration information for network and/or cell selection comprising an indication of a degree of autonomous search by a

communication device on one or more radio carriers. The method proceeds to step 420.

At step 420, the access node transmits the configuration information for use in network and/or cell selection based on the first radio access technology on one of the radio carriers, wherein the one or more radio carriers potentially provide access to a communication device for extension of a mobile network using a second radio access technology under control of a mobile network operator.

Absolute radio frequency channel numbers (ARFCN) or certain extension, such as EARFCN and

EARFCN2, as currently specified in 3GPP specification TS 36.331 , may be used to indicate a specific carrier frequency in measurement commands and for network and/or cell selection/discovery. ARFCN values for LTE/EUTRA are defined in 3GPP specification TS 36.101 in Table 5.7.3-1 "E-UTRA channel number". Different radio access types may be associated with type-specific ARFCN values. For example, 3GPP specification TS 36.101 defines a specific set of ARFCNs for LAA, specifically ARFCNs in the range 46790 - 54539. Communication devices uses these ARFCNs values to measure specific LAA frequencies for enabling access points to setup dual connectivity to a communication device via a secondary access point/eNB operated in unlicensed spectrum. MF may re-use LAA ARFCNs or a dedicated a dedicated ARFCN range for measurement configuration.

A set of ARFCNs may be used to provide configuration information comprising an indication of a degree o autonomous search by a communication device. These ARFCNs may only be interpreted by accordingly configured communication devices, and may be ignored by legacy devices. The used ARFCNs may not be allocated to specific channel numbers in a standard.

An ARFCN in the set may be used to instruct a communication device to search autonomously in the complete set of radio carriers potentially providing access to a radio access technology, for example MF. The complete set of radio carriers may be preconfigured or predetermined by the network, for example by respective system information, or may be available in a communication device, for example in the USIM.

An ARFCN in the set may be used to instruct a communication device to activate or deactivate

autonomous search for a radio access technology, such as MF.

An ARFCN in the set may be used to instruct a communication device to activate or deactivate

autonomous search for at least one radio carrier in the one more radio carriers, for example a certain frequency range or band or group of radio carriers. These frequency ranges or bands or group of radio carriers may be preconfigured or predetermined by the network, for example by respective system information, or may be available in a communication device, for example in the USIM.

The configuration information may be provided in a cell of the first radio access technology, for example MF, or in a cell of the second radio access technology, for example LTE.

In an embodiment information similar to the idleModeMobilityControllnfo in 3GPP specification TS 36.331 may be used to specify a set of ARFCNs for providing an indication of a degree of autonomous search, as discussed above. The control information in idleModeMobilityControllnfo provides in LTE/EUTRAN dedicated cell reselection priorities, used for cell reselection as specified in 3GPP specification TS 36.304.

IdleModeMobilityControllnfo ;:= SEQUENCE {

freqPriorityListEUTRA FreqPriorityListEUTRA OPTIONAL, - Need ON

freqPriorityListGERAN Freqs Priority Lis tG E RAN OPTIONAL, - Need ON

freqPriorityListUTRA-FDD FreqPriorityListUTRA-FDD OPTIONAL, - Need ON

freqPriorityListUTRA-TDD FreqPriorityListUTRA-TDD OPTIONAL, - Need ON

bandClassPriorityListHRPD BandClassPriorityListHRPD OPTIONAL, - Need ON

bandClassPriorityListlXRTT BandClassPriorityListlXRTT OPTIONAL, - Need ON

t320 ENUMERATED {

maxEARFCN2 INTEGER ::= 262143- Highest value extended EARFCN range

The information element freqPriorityl_istExtEUTRA-r12 contains all frequencies a communication device is supposed to monitor. In order to configure a degree of autonomous search, for example for MF, instead ol explicit configuration of individual radio carrier frequencies, certain numbers in EARFCN2 may be used. These numbers in EARFCN2 may, for example, be used as follows for MF: allMulteFireARFCNs INTEGER = 262142- maxEARFCN2-1

noMulteFireARFCNs INTEGER = 262141 - maxEARFCN2-2

bandl MulteFireARFCNs INTEGER = 262140- maxEARFCN2-3

band2MulteFireARFCNs INTEGER = 262139- maxEARFCN2-4

The carreirFrequency information element in MeasObjectEUTRA contains information on the specific carrier frequency on which the measurement object is configured. An access point may configure one measurement object indicating with a single EARFCN2 value that a communication device should perform measurements on multiple or all carriers in the corresponding frequency band, instead of separately configuring one measurement objects for each of the available carriers, for example in a frequency band for MF. The communication device may then scan the set of configured carriers and report measurements according to the configured reporting criteria. The communication may or may not need to report the specific EARFCN2 value corresponding to the carrier frequency of the detected cell.

blackCellsToRemaveList CelllnctexList OPTIONAL, - Need ON

It should be understood that each block of the flowchart of the Figures and any combination thereof may be implemented by various means or their combinations, such as hardware, software, firmware, one or more processors and/or circuitry.

The method may be implemented on a mobile device as described with respect to Figure 2 or control apparatus as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 shows an example of a control apparatus for a communication system, for example to be coupled to and/or for controlling a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, e.g. a base station, (e) node B or 5G AP, a central unit of a cloud architecture or a node of a core network such as an MME or S-GW, a scheduling entity, or a server or host. The method may be implantec in a single control apparatus or across more than one control apparatus. The control apparatus may be integrated with or external to a node or module of a core network or RAN. In some embodiments, base stations comprise a separate control apparatus unit or module. In other embodiments, the control apparatus can be another network element such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station may have such a control apparatus as well as a control apparatus being provided in a radio network controller. The control apparatus 300 can be arranged to provide control on communications in the service area of the system. The control apparatus 300 comprises at least one memory 301 , at least one data processing unit 302, 303 and an input/output interface 304. Via the interface the control apparatus can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and/or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head. For example the control apparatus 300 can be configured to execute an appropriate software code to provide the control functions. Control functions may comprise providing configuration information for network and/or cell selection comprising an indication of a degree of autonomous search by a communication device.

It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and/or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

It is noted that whilst embodiments have been described in relation to LTE networks, similar principles may be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems, for example, 5G networks. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein. It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the invention may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the invention is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The embodiments of this invention may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and/or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media.

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digita signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. Embodiments of the inventions may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed there is a further embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed.