OPTIMISATION OF DATA COLLECTION BASED ON THE NUMBER OF REPORTING USER EQUIPMENT AND/OR OF REPORTED DATA SAMPLES FOR THE MINIMISATION OF DRIVE TESTS (MDT)

5 FIELD

Some embodiments relate to methods and apparatus and in particular but not exclusively to methods and apparatus used for data collection.

BACKGROUND

10 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 communications may

15 comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text messages, multimedia and/or content data and so on. Non- limiting examples of services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

20

In a wireless communication system at least a part of communications between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). The wireless systems

25 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

30 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. For example, it can be defined if carrier aggregation is used. 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 3 ^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The various development stages of the 3GPP LTE specifications are referred to as releases. A further development of the LTE is referred to as LTE-Advanced (LTE-A).

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, there is provided a method comprising: determining quantity information associated with at least one data collection metric; comparing said determined quantity information with one or more references; and responsive to said comparing, causing information to be sent.

The quantity information may be a number.

The one or more references may be reference values.

The data collection metric may be a number of devices selected for data collection.

The one or more reference values may comprise a threshold. The reference value may relate to a minimum number of devices and/or a maximum number of devices.

The determining may comprise counting a number of devices. The determining may comprise counting a number of devices selected for use in a measurement period.

The devices may comprise user equipment.

The information may be a notification. The notification may be sent in response to one or more conditions being met in said comparing.

The method may comprise causing information to be sent if the determined number of devices is greater than the maximum number of devices.

The method may comprise causing information to be sent if the determined number of devices is less than the minimum number of devices.

The data collection metric may be the number of measurements made. The method may further comprise determining a number of measurements made and comparing said determined number of measurements with one or more reference values.

The determining a number of measurements made may comprise counting the number of data samples collected in a measurement period.

The determining a number of measurements may comprise counting the number of data samples collected from distinct locations. Multiple data samples from the same location may be counted as one. The "same location" may be configurable as well (distance threshold between the locations).

The reference value may relate to a minimum number of data samples and/or a maximum number of data samples.

The method may comprise sending information if the determined number of samples is greater than the maximum number of samples.

The method may comprise causing information to be sent if the determined number of samples is less than the minimum number of samples.

Some embodiments may send information if the determined number of samples is less than the minimum number of samples and/or the determined number of devices is less than the minimum number of devices.

Some embodiments may send information if the determined number of samples is more than the maximum number of samples and/or the determined number of devices is more than the maximum number of devices.

The method may be performed in a base station, eNodeB or RNC.

The method may be used when performing an MDT job.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a method comprising: determining a number of devices selected for data collection; comparing said determined number of devices with one or more reference values; and responsive to said comparing, causing information about said comparing to be sent.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a method comprising: determining a number of measurements made; comparing said determined number of measurements with one or more reference values; and responsive to said comparing, causing information about said comparing to be sent.

A computer program comprising program code means adapted to perform the method may also be provided. The computer program may be stored and/or otherwise embodied by means of a carrier medium.

According to an embodiment, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for determining quantity information associated with at least one data collection metric; means for comparing said determined quantity information with one or more references; and means for, responsive to said comparing, causing information to be sent.

The quantity information may be a number.

The one or more references may be reference values.

The data collection metric may be a number of devices selected for data collection.

The one or more reference value may comprise a threshold.

The reference value may relate to a minimum number of devices and/or a maximum number of devices. The determining means may be for counting a number of devices. The determining means may be for counting a number of devices selected for use in a measurement period.

The devices may comprise user equipment.

The information may be a notification. The notification may be sent in response to one or more conditions being met.

The means for causing information to be sent may cause information to be sent if the determined number of devices is greater than the maximum number of devices.

The means for causing information to be sent may cause information to be sent if the determined number of devices is less than the minimum number of devices.

The data collection metric may be the number of measurements made. The determining means may be for determining a number of measurements made and the comparing means may be for comparing said determined number of measurements with one or more reference values.

The determining means may be for counting the number of data samples collected in a measurement period.

The determining means may be for counting the number of data samples collected from distinct locations. A plurality of data samples from the same location may be counted as one. The "same location" may be configurable as well (distance threshold between the locations). The reference value may relate to a minimum number of data samples and/or a maximum number of data samples.

The causing means may be for causing information to be sent if the determined number of samples is greater than the maximum number of samples.

The causing means may cause information to be sent if the determined number of samples is less than the minimum number of samples.

The causing means may be for sending information if the determined number of samples is less than the minimum number of samples and/or the determined number of devices is less than the minimum number of devices.

The causing means may be for sending information if the determined number of samples is more than the maximum number of samples and/or the determined number of devices is more than the maximum number of devices.

The apparatus may be used when performing an MDT job.

A base station or eNodeB may comprise the apparatus discussed.

According to another embodiment, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for determining a number of devices selected for data collection; means for comparing said determined number of devices with one or more reference values; and means for, responsive to said comparing, causing information about said comparing to be sent. According to another embodiment, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for determining a number of measurements made; means for comparing said determined number of measurements with one or more reference values; and means responsive to said comparing, for causing information about said comparing to be sent.

According to another aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: determine quantity information associated with at least one data collection metric; compare said determined quantity information with one or more references; and responsive to said comparing, cause information to be sent.

The quantity information may be a number.

The one or more references may be reference values.

The data collection metric may be a number of devices selected for data collection. The one or more reference value may comprise a threshold.

The reference value may relate to a minimum number of devices and/or a maximum number of devices.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to count a number of devices. The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to count a number of devices selected for use in a measurement period.

The devices may comprise user equipment. The information may be a notification. The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to send the notification in response to one or more conditions being met.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to cause information to be sent if the determined number of devices is greater than the maximum number of devices.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to cause information to be sent if the determined number of devices is less than the minimum number of devices.

The data collection metric may be the number of measurements made. The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to determine a number of measurements made and compare said determined number of measurements with one or more reference values.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to count the number of data samples collected in a measurement period.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus count the number of data samples collected from distinct locations. Multiple data samples from the same location may be counted as one. The "same location" may be configurable as well (distance threshold between the locations). The reference value may relate to a minimum number of data samples and/or a maximum number of data samples.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to send information if the determined number of samples is greater than the maximum number of samples.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to cause information to be sent if the determined number of samples is less than the minimum number of samples.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to send information if the determined number of samples is less than the minimum number of samples and/or the determined number of devices is less than the minimum number of devices.

The at least one memory and the computer code may be configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to send information if the determined number of samples is more than the maximum number of samples and/or the determined number of devices is more than the maximum number of devices.

The apparatus may be used when performing an MDT job.

According to another aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: determine a number of devices selected for data collection; compare said determined number of devices with one or more reference values; and responsive to said comparing, cause information about said comparing to be sent.

According to another aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: determine a number of measurements made; compare said determined number of measurements with one or more reference values; and responsive to said comparing, cause information about said comparing to be sent.

A base station or eNodeB may comprise the above apparatus.

Some embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following examples and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an example of a communication system in which some embodiments of the may be implemented;

Figure 2 shows an example of a communication device;

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method; and

Figure 4 schematically shows a base station.

In the following description certain exemplifying embodiments are explained with reference to wireless or mobile communication systems serving mobile communication devices. A wireless communication system and mobile communication device are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2. A communication device can be used for accessing various services and/or applications provided via a communication system. In wireless or mobile communication systems the access is provided via a wireless access interface between mobile communication devices 1 and an appropriate access system 10. A mobile device 1 can typically access wirelessly a communication system via an access node such as at least one base station 12 or similar wireless transmitter and/or receiver node of the access system. A base station site typically provides one or more cells of a cellular system. In the figure 1 example the base station 12 is configured to provide a cell, but could provide, for example, three sectors, each sector providing a cell. Each mobile device 1 and base station may have one or more radio channels open at the same time and may receive signals from more than one source.

A base station is typically controlled by at least one appropriate controller so as to enable operation thereof and management of mobile communication devices in communication with the base station. The control entity can be interconnected with other control entities. In Figure 1 the controller is shown to be provided by block 13. An appropriate controller apparatus may comprise at least one memory 16, at least one data processing unit 14 and an input/output interface. The controller may be provided with memory capacity and at least one data processor. It shall be understood that the control functions may be distributed between a plurality of controller units. The controller apparatus for a base station may be configured to execute an appropriate software code to provide the control functions as explained below in more detail. The control entity may be separate from or part of the base station.

In the example shown in Figure 1 , the base station node 12 is connected to a data network 20 via an appropriate gateway 15. A gateway function between the access system and another network such as a packet data network may be provided by means of any appropriate gateway node, for example a packet data gateway and/or an access gateway. This gateway function may be used for the user plane traffic.A communication system may thus be provided by one or more interconnect networks and the elements thereof, and one or more gateway nodes may be provided for interconnecting various networks. In some embodiments the base station node is an eNodeB. A trace collection entity TCE 22 is provided. In Figure 1 , the trace collection entity is shown as being connected via the data network. However, in alternative embodiments, the trace collection entity may be arranged to communicate more directly with the controller 13 and/or may be part of the same network as the controller. In for example, LTE the base station (eNodeB) can communicate with TCE directly or via its own Element Manager (EM) which is an example of an OAM entity for control plane traffic. Communication between base station and OAM entity may be via a gateway for some base stations such as for example HomeNodeBs or HomeENodeBs. An OAM entity 23 is shown as being connected to the data network. The operation administration and maintenance OAM entity 23 may be provided elsewhere in the system. The OAM entity may be arranged to communicate with one or more networks. The OAM entity may be arranged to receive information from the TCE 22. A communication device can be used for accessing various services and/or applications. The communication devices can access the communication system based on various access techniques, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), or wideband CDMA (WCDMA). The latter technique is used by communication systems based on the third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications. Other examples include time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), space division multiple access (SDMA) and so on. A non-limiting example of mobile architectures where the herein described principles may be applied is known as the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). Non-limiting examples of appropriate access nodes are a base station of a cellular system, for example what is known as NodeB or enhanced NodeB (eNB) in the vocabulary of the 3GPP specifications. The eNBs may provide E-UTRAN features such as user plane Radio Link Control/Medium Access Control/Physical layer protocol (RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol terminations towards mobile communication devices. Other examples include base stations of systems that are based on technologies such as wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access).

Figure 2 shows a schematic, partially sectioned view of a communication device 1 that can be used for communication on carrier 1 1 with at least one other wireless station. An appropriate mobile communication device may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Such a communication device may be referred to as a user equipment UE. Non-limiting examples include a mobile station (MS) such as a mobile phone or smart phone, a portable computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility, personal data assistant (PDA) provided with wireless communication capabilities, or any combinations of these or the like. The communication device or UE may in some embodiments be stationary and generally fixed in position.

A communication device may be used for voice and video calls, for accessing service applications provided via a data network. The device 1 may receive signals via appropriate apparatus for receiving and transmitting radio signals on wireless carriers, or radio bearers. In Figure 2 a transceiver is designated schematically by block 7. The transceiver 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 also typically provided with at least one data processing entity 3, at least one memory 4 and other possible components 9 for use in tasks it is designed to perform. The data processing, storage and other entities can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 6. The user may control the operation of the mobile device by means of a suitable user interface such as key pad 2, voice commands, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. A display 5, a speaker and a microphone are also typically provided. Furthermore, a mobile device may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and/or for connecting external accessories, for example hands-free equipment, thereto.

Some embodiments may be implemented in an LTE system, for example the LTE-A system. Of course other embodiments may be used with other releases of the LTE standard. Yet further embodiments may be used with the standards other than the LTE standard.

Minimisation of drive tests MDT may enable the operator to use the existing subscriber

(user equipment) population for network optimisation. It has been suggested that MDT be used for coverage optimisation. For example, coverage mapping may be considered to identify weak signal areas, coverage holes, pilot pollution or the like. It has been suggested that the operation administration and maintenance (OAM) entity initiate an MDT job to the base station. According to the MDT configuration associated with that job, the base station will configure the user equipment to periodically report measurements along with the location coordinates. The measurement reports may be RSRP/RSRQ measurements. The location coordinates may be obtained by example GNSS. The radio access network may collect this information into trace files and send these trace files to a trace collection entity (TCE) for processing. MDT may also support additional functions. For example, MDT may be used for uplink coverage optimisation, determining the cause of weak uplink coverage, and/or uplink/down link throughput mapping.

It has been proposed that an indication be provided to the network operator if a MDT function in the network was not able to fulfil the operator's expectations for the amount of MDT data collected from a number of users.

In particular it has been proposed that a network provide a notification whenever an MDT job is active and where the network is not able to select enough user equipment for that MDT data collection. It has been suggested that the network operator be provided information about whether or not there is too much or too little data being collected.

In the context of too little data, it has been suggested that an operator specify or configure the minimum number of user equipment and minimum number of collected data samples that is required for a particular MDT job. However, if there are not enough user equipment to participate in the MDT campaign, having a minimum number of user equipment would not improve the situation. There may be a number of reasons why there may not be enough user equipment. For example, the MDT may be initially deployed where there is low user density, there may be a lack of user equipment with required MDT capabilities, and/or there may be insufficient users who have consented to participate in the MDT campaign or the like. It has been proposed to introduce a requirement for a desired maximum number of user equipment participating in MDT collection and desired minimum number of user equipment participating in the MDT collection. The same issue arising in relation to the desired minimum number of user equipment as mentioned previously also apply. In addition, by specifying or configuring large minimum and/or maximum number of user equipment MDT collection may give misleading results to the operator. This may occur, for example, where these numbers exceed the equipment capabilities of a particular vendor, example in a multivendor environment. For example a base station may not be able to collect the required quantity of information. It has been suggested that the maximum number of user equipment should not be specified in that the coverage area for a given MDT job may span across multiple cells and/or base stations. This may mean that enforcing the maximum limit for the whole area would require complex real-time coordination between base stations to communicate the number of currently selected user equipment and/or information about the selection and deselection of user equipment. It has been suggested that the general behaviour of a user equipment selection algorithm at the base station could be specified. In other words, the base station may keep selecting additional user equipment for an MDT campaign until a vendor specific maximum capacity is reached.

As part of coverage optimisation, collected MDT data may be used to create and validate coverage maps. The measurement data may be represented in a map format. In order to achieve a reliable coverage map and validation of that map, the collected data may be statistically processed. This means that usually more than just one data sample from a particular location is required. However, collecting a large number of samples for each location may not be practical. From the point of view of statistical analysis, after a certain defined threshold, additional samples do not significantly improve the accuracy but do increase the cost. There may be a trade-off between the accuracy of coverage data and the associated costs. Generally, network operators would like to optimise the coverage while keeping the OPEX (operational expenses) down.

Some embodiments may define at least one and in some embodiments both of the following two performance measurements as cumulative counters. Firstly, a counter is provided for the number of user equipment selected for MDT data collection from a beginning of the measurement interval. This is referred to as mdtUeSelCount. Secondly, the number of MDT data samples collected since the beginning of the measurement interval is also counted. This is referred to as mdtDataSampleCount.

In some embodiments, one or more of the following configurable thresholds are set as configuration management attributes at the cell and/or base station level.

1. A minimum number of user equipment selected for MDT data collection {mdtMinUeSelTrh).

2. A maximum number of user equipment selected for the MDT data selection {mdtMaxUeSelTrh).

3. A minimum number of MDT data samples (mdtMinDataTrh).

4. A maximum number of MDT data samples (mdtMaxDataTrh).

A notification will be sent to the operator indicating that the minimum operator's expectations are not met when the following condition is true:

The number of user equipment selected is less than the defined threshold for minimum number of user equipment selected for MDT. This may be determined by subtracting the number of user equipment selected for MDT data collection mdtUeSelCount from the configured minimum number of user equipments threshold mdtMinUeSelTrh . If that sum is greater than or equal to 0, then the notification will be sent to the operator indicating that the minimum operator expectations are not met. Alternatively or additionally, that notification may be sent when the number of data samples mdtDataSampleCount is less than or equal to the defined minimum number of MDT data samples mdtMinDataTrh. This may be determined by subtracting the measured number of data samples from the defined threshold number of data samples. If that value is greater than or equal to zero then the notification is sent.

( mdtMinUeSelTrh - mdtUeSelCount >= 0 ) OR ( mdtMinDataTrh - mdtDataSampleCount >= 0 )

A notification will be sent to the operator if the operator's maximum expectations are exceeded. This notification may be triggered when the number of MDT data samples mdtDataSampleCount collected is greater than or equal to the maximum number of MDT data samples mdtMaxDataTrh.

Alternatively or additionally a notification may be sent to the operator if the number of user equipment mdtUeSelCount is greater than or equal to maximum number of user equipment mdtMaxUeSelTrh.

(mdtDataSampleCount - mdtMaxDataTrh >= 0) OR (mdtUeSelCount - mdtMaxUeSelTrh >= 0)

Reference is made to figure 3 which shows a method.

In step S1 , the MDT job is configured including one or more thresholds or values. This may be done in any suitable entity. For example, the configuration may at least partly be determined by an OAM. In other embodiments, any other suitable control entity may configure the required MDT job. In some embodiments, a base station may configure the MDT job. Configuration of the MDT job may involve specifying measurements which should be collected. In some embodiments The MDT job may define or set the measurements. Alternatively, the measurement definitions are standardized so an MDT job (operator's expectations for such job) will identify the measurements.

Additionally, one or more thresholds may be specified. Those thresholds may be as previously described. In some embodiments, the thresholds may be provided separately from the MDT job. In such embodiments, the MDT job may not need to include information on the one or more thresholds.. Alternatively the MDT job may define or set the measurements. Alternatively, the threshold definitions are standardized. In step S2, the MDT job is delivered through the base station and/or radio network controller.

In step S3, the MDT job is run. Depending on the nature of the MDT job, the base station may need to send one or more messages to the user equipment. The one or more messages may control one or more measurements performed by user equipment and reported to the base station. In some embodiments, one or more of the MDT measurements performed by user equipment may already be reported to the base station.

In step S10, the MDT measurements are collected.

These measurements are sent in step S1 1 to any suitable entity such as, for example, a TCE (trace collection entity). In some embodiments, the MDT measurements may be sent additionally or alternatively to one or more other entities.

Following the running of the MDT job in step S3, the base station and/or RNC will be arranged to determine the number of user equipment selected for collecting data. This is in step S4. The UEs may be selected by the eNB or by the RNC based on the criteria received from OAM in the MDT job. Alternatively, the MDT job may be broadcast from the base station and one or more UE will respond to that broadcast. In step S5, the number of user equipment collecting data is compared with one or more thresholds as discussed previously.

If necessary, a notification may be sent in step S6. The notification relating to a minimum number of user equipment may only be sent if there is a problem with the number of user equipment being too low. Likewise the notification relating to a maximum number of user equipment may only be sent if there is a problem with the number of user equipment being too high. The notification can be sent to any suitable entity. The notification may be sent to the TCE and/or OAM and/or any other suitable entity.

Following on again from step S3, the number of data samples is determined in step S7. The number of samples is compared in step S8 with the one or more thresholds, such as discussed previously.

In step S9, a notification is sent, if necessary. The notification relating to a minimum number of data samples may only be sent if there is a problem with the number of data samples being too low. Likewise the notification relating to a maximum number of data samples may only be sent if there is a problem with the number of data samples being too high. That notification may be sent to the same one or more entities as discussed in relation to step S6 and/or a different one or more entities.

It should be appreciated that the notifications, if both present, of steps S6 and S9 may be sent together. In some embodiments, the notifications may be sent together with the MDT measurements. In some embodiments, the determination of data samples can be done when the measurements are received and collected and in these embodiments, steps S7- S9 may be carried out with the step S10.

In some embodiments, if the number of user equipment and/or number samples is too high, some of the samples or measurements from some of the user equipment are discarded or not sent to the TCE. This may be in addition or as an alternative to the notification(s) discussed previously.

In some embodiments, the determining of the number of user equipment collecting data and the determining of number of samples may take place in a single process with the consolidation of the threshold comparisons and the sending notifications. In other embodiments, steps S4, S5 and S6 may take place generally in parallel with steps S7, S8 or S9. Alternatively, steps S4, S5 and S6 may be performed before or after steps S7, S8 and S9. Steps S4 to S9 may take place in parallel with for example steps S10 and S1 1. Alternatively these steps may take place before and/or after steps S10 and S1 1 .

The thresholds may be defined differently in some embodiments. For example, one or more notifications may be sent if a threshold is exceeded or not met.

In other embodiments, different limits may be set such that different conditions relating to the triggering of a notification may exist.

Alternative embodiments may use one or more reference values instead of the threshold values.

In some embodiments, different functions may be used with thresholds or reference values in order to determine if a notification is sent.

The determining a number of measurements may comprise counting the number of data samples collected from distinct locations. A plurality or multiple data samples from the same location may be counted as one. The "same location" may be configurable as well (distance threshold between the locations). Some embodiments may use Immediate reporting. Immediate MDT reporting means that a UE needs to report MDT measurements immediately to a base station right after MDT measurement has been made.

Alternatively or additionally Logged MDT reporting may be used. In Logged MDT reporting, a UE in an idle mode will make some MDT measurement results, and the UE will report these measurements to the base station when the UE connects again to the network. The idle mode occurs when the UE is switched on and not actively connected to the network. An active connection occurs, for example, when the UE is on a call or has an active data connection to, for example, the Internet.

The measurements made by the UE when in the idle mode relate to the serving cell and/or neighboring cells. These measurements may be of any suitable parameter such as signal strength of the respective cell as received at the UE. The signal strength of a reference signal, for example a pilot signal, may be measured. Alternatively or additionally interference information may be determined by the UE. The UE may be arranged to provide one or more types of measurement information for one or more cells. The embodiments described above have had the MDT measurements taking place in the idle mode. Alternatively or additionally, the measurements may be made at other times, for example where the UE is connected or in an active mode. In this alternative, reporting would take place in a similar manner, as described previously.

When the UE becomes active, after being in the idle mode, the UE indicates the availability of stored logged MDT reports to the network. When the network gets this information, the network will initiate the UE to report logged MDT reports to network.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary apparatus 800 for use in a base station. The apparatus may be connected to an antenna 820 for receiving via a downlink and transmitting via an uplink. The apparatus also includes a radio interface 840, which may comprise one of more of the following components such as filters, converters (e.g., digital-to-analog converters and the like), symbol demappers, an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) module, and the like, to process symbols, such as OFDMA symbols, carried by a downlink or an uplink. The apparatus further includes a processor 820 for controlling the base station and for accessing and executing program code stored in memory 825. It should be appreciated that the processor 820 can comprises one or more processors in practice and the memory 825 may be arranged to comprise one or more memories in practice.

The apparatus of the base station may be configured to receive the messages sent by the UE. One or more of the steps performed by the apparatus of the base station may be performed when one or more associated instructions are run on one or more of the processors. It should be appreciated that the one or more associated instructions may be stored in one or more memories of the base station. The MDT job and thresholds (if separate from the MDT job) may be stored in one or more of the memories.

Whilst embodiments have been described in relation to the data collection metrics of number of user equipment and number of data samples, it should be appreciated that alternative or additional data collection metrics may be used.

Whilst embodiments have been described in relation to MDT, it should be appreciated that other embodiments may be used with other data collection techniques. For example, embodiments may be used where data needs to be collected from one or more base stations and forwarded to a data collection entity or entity having a data collection function. The data which needs to be collected may be provided by the base stations themselves or from user equipment. Other embodiments may be used to collect data from other network elements.

Whilst embodiments have been described in relation to the LTE systems, it should be appreciated that embodiments can be used in conjunction with any other suitable standard. For example, embodiments may be used in a UMTS environment. In this alternative, the messages may be UMTS messages. It is noted that whilst embodiments may have been described in relation to user equipment or mobile devices such as mobile terminals, embodiments may be applicable to any other suitable type of apparatus suitable for communication via access systems.

A communication device may be configured to enable use of different access technologies, for example, based on an appropriate multi-radio implementation.

It is also noted that although certain embodiments may have been described above by way of example with reference to the exemplifying architectures of certain mobile networks and a wireless local area network, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein. It is also noted that the term access system may be understood to refer to any access system configured for enabling wireless communication for user accessing applications.

Some embodiments may find application in wired networks.

The above described operations may require data processing in the various entities. The data processing may be provided by means of one or more data processors. Similarly various entities described in the above embodiments may be implemented within a single or a plurality of data processing entities and/or data processors. The data processing entities may be controlled by one or more computer programs which may be stored in one or more memories of the apparatus.

Alternatively or additionally appropriately adapted computer program code product may be used for implementing the embodiments, when loaded to a computer or a processor. The program code product for providing the operation may be stored on and provided by means of a carrier medium such as a carrier disc, card or tape. In some embodiments, there may be the possibility to download the program code product via a data network. Some embodiments may be implemented as a chipset, in other words a series of integrated circuits communicating among each other. The chipset may comprise microprocessors arranged to run code, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and/or programmable digital signal processors for performing the operations described above.

Embodiments may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules.

The design of integrated circuits may be by a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools may be available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

Programs, such as those provided by Synopsys, Inc. of Mountain View, California and Cadence Design, of San Jose, California may automatically route conductors and locate components on a semiconductor chip using well established rules of design as well as libraries of pre-stored design modules. Once the design for a semiconductor circuit may have been completed, the resultant design, in a standardized electronic format (e.g., Opus, GDSII, or the like) may be transmitted to a semiconductor fabrication facility or "fab" for fabrication.

The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiments. 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.